William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet
Juliet:
“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet.”
Here Juliet tells Romeo that a name is an artificial and meaningless convention, and that she loves the person who is called “Montague”, not the Montague name and not the Montague family.
A beautiful sentiment and a great lesson to learn and live by. It is not what we are named but who we are and our actions that are important and that define what it is for which we stand.
And then there is No Kill or no kill or nokill or NOKILL or NO KILL or whatever. Let us not forget my personal favourite a la Mary Lou Davidson, “ Responsible No Kill”” as opposed to irresponsible no kill which is of course what we all wish to aspire to? Seldom have I seen a name elicit the kind of emotion that can be attributed to these two little words. Seemingly, sensible, intelligent people become complete and utter lunatics when these words are uttered. Why?
Those of you that have been following this blog since its inception last October are very much aware of my own personal concern for the welfare of animals. In my case I mean all animals and that also includes humans. Though occasionally not one of my favourite species I do care for the rights and well being of uprights as I do for other creatures.
Last September when a small like minded group of people determined it was time to stop the wholesale killing of healthy and adoptable dogs and cats at Lincoln County Humane Society, it was determined the most effective and reasonable manner of doing so was to work with the present Board of Director and Management. The intention was to facilitate shelter reform by working on good governance that meant opening up the membership to anyone regardless of their attitudes as long as the animals were number one priority.
The premise was very simple. Members would be admitted, the tired and regressive Board structure would be changed to those who were concerned about the killing and the manner of killing, the poor adoption programs, the lack of foster homes, the inability to maintain a Veterinarian or RVT on staff, the lack of the promised TNR program, the lousy pet retention record and the abominable reputation of LCHS within the general community. Yes, all of the steps in the No Kill equation that I totally agree are a true method for success.
It became very clear very quickly that the B of D and Management were not receptive to any sort of effort neither to reduce the killing nor to become compliant with By Laws and the Ontario Corporations Act.
October 19th, 2012, brought about significant change as a result of the introduction of, here we go, No Kill that included the at times fanatical, ranting often abusive and destructive behavior, and the relentless spewing of statistics (mostly of which US) that for the most part has brought us to this point, which is “enough already”.
It became very clear to me back in November that the NKN and NKA methodology was not conducive to success. A number of people have agreed with me (at least to my face) the bullying, fanatical flag waving No Kill “message” is not appropriate to the present situation which is why I made the choice to remove myself from the “movement. ” The others have stayed on and continue with the standardized No Kill machine. While I do not agree with this method I completely support the rights of those who do and wish them the very best of luck. More than anything else I hope their efforts will result in the Killing being stopped but frankly I have serious doubts this will be the case.
This is usually the point when NKN and NKA bring in the “big guns”. No doubt I will begin receiving “hate” mail and threatening letters and a constant barrage of “you are an apologist or you “deflect blame” and apparently there is a new weapon in the NKA tool box about to be released, Coming soon! “The newest FREE tool from the No Kill Advocacy Center: Countering the Opposition.” And of course the favourite, “we will sue you”!!!!!
It is staggering the number of laws suits that have been filed by NKA and NKN against ordinary people that just “do not agree” or god forbid openly challenge the No Kill movement. Why? How does this stop the killing? How does this prevent cats and dogs from being killed? Tell me how many animals have been saved at LCHS since October 19th? How many? How many have been killed? I really don’t know but I would really like to know.
I totally agree and promote the 11 steps to achieve No Kill, NOKILL, NO KILL, no kill, nokill. I truly believe and concur with the fundamentalists that Management, staff and the Board of Directors must all be in complete agreement and support of this program in order that it succeeds which is why under the present circumstances, there is not a hope in hell that there will be any degree of success at LCHS.
It saddens me that such a really good and positive philosophy like promoting the cessation of killing healthy treatable animals becomes such a cesspool for fanaticism, cruelty, and mean spirited behaviour by those who profess to “care”. So be it.
What I can do is care for some animals that is exactly what I am doing. I have the privilege and honour to be working alongside some really great people who just want to help animals. It is a really good place to be. No flag waving, no pontificating, no slinging verbal arrows, no threats of lawsuits, no demeaning and demoralizing barbs at good people, just plain old hands on down and dirty hard work. You can call it NO KILL, no kill NOKILL, No Kill, I call it saving lives.
Random thoughts 