samadmin
02-15-2006, 11:16 AM
From Mary Beth Duerler
Executive Director
Responsible Pet Owners Alliance
I am executive director and one of the cofounders of Responsible Pet Owners Alliance (RPOA). We organized in 1991 in response to “animal rights” legislation being proposed in San Antonio, TX – the usual Mandatory Spay/Neuter of every dog and cat (male and female) in the city, breeder permits (not available in residentially zoned areas), a 3 pet limit and space requirements inside and outside per animal, etc. We met on the steps of city hall and defeated all that but it was apparent that the state of Texas needed a “reasonable” voice regarding animal issues. It was also apparent to us that municipalities didn’t know what to do about their animal problems. Who had more animal expertise than we did? We developed our Pet Education, Assistance and Rescue Program which is detailed on our website: www.responsiblepetowners.org (http://www.responsiblepetowners.org/) . Our all volunteer programs are offered to the state as a community service.
We opened an office in 1998 which exists “on faith alone” as we have a $30,000 barebones annual budget. We have a part-time salaried Education and Rescue Coordinator, Rusty, who mans the phone and keeps us all pointed in the right direction. We could not exist without Rusty.
We’ve been the Texas State Federation for the American Kennel Club (AKC) since our inception and received the AKC Community Achievement Award in 2004. However our 15 member board of directors includes all-species representatives although primarily dog fanciers. The RPOA Rescue Program is the only all-species Rescue Program that we are aware of in the US.
Our Rescue Program is dear to our hearts and has grown over the years to be what we believe to be the best organized program in the country. We network Texas rescuers only. Texas is a very big state! With this Webinar, I hope that I can be of assistance in helping other rescuers by relating some of our experiences over the past 15 years, the good and the bad. When we first organized “Rescue” was in its infancy, so it is amazing to see what it has become today. RPOA feels truly honored to be here with you for your first Webinar.
Executive Director
Responsible Pet Owners Alliance
I am executive director and one of the cofounders of Responsible Pet Owners Alliance (RPOA). We organized in 1991 in response to “animal rights” legislation being proposed in San Antonio, TX – the usual Mandatory Spay/Neuter of every dog and cat (male and female) in the city, breeder permits (not available in residentially zoned areas), a 3 pet limit and space requirements inside and outside per animal, etc. We met on the steps of city hall and defeated all that but it was apparent that the state of Texas needed a “reasonable” voice regarding animal issues. It was also apparent to us that municipalities didn’t know what to do about their animal problems. Who had more animal expertise than we did? We developed our Pet Education, Assistance and Rescue Program which is detailed on our website: www.responsiblepetowners.org (http://www.responsiblepetowners.org/) . Our all volunteer programs are offered to the state as a community service.
We opened an office in 1998 which exists “on faith alone” as we have a $30,000 barebones annual budget. We have a part-time salaried Education and Rescue Coordinator, Rusty, who mans the phone and keeps us all pointed in the right direction. We could not exist without Rusty.
We’ve been the Texas State Federation for the American Kennel Club (AKC) since our inception and received the AKC Community Achievement Award in 2004. However our 15 member board of directors includes all-species representatives although primarily dog fanciers. The RPOA Rescue Program is the only all-species Rescue Program that we are aware of in the US.
Our Rescue Program is dear to our hearts and has grown over the years to be what we believe to be the best organized program in the country. We network Texas rescuers only. Texas is a very big state! With this Webinar, I hope that I can be of assistance in helping other rescuers by relating some of our experiences over the past 15 years, the good and the bad. When we first organized “Rescue” was in its infancy, so it is amazing to see what it has become today. RPOA feels truly honored to be here with you for your first Webinar.