LASPCA visit

I visited the LASPCA yesterday. We received a tour from Laura Maloney. The new facility seems like it will be nice once it is finished.

It seems they are upset about ARNO's Food and Water program. They state that rats are a concern. Do you starve the dogs and cats, so you don't have rats? Would the rats really suffer if there was no dog and cat food placed out, or would they just feed like they did pre-Katrina? Apparently the HSUS trapping crew that came in for 10 days, only trapped around 20 animals the whole time they were here. We noticed that the reports they were working off were rather vague, often just cross streets. No wonder their intake was low. You really need to study the pack to trap them. I was disappointed to hear HSUS check their traps at least two times a day. Our crew checks at least every 3-4 hours. Our ARNO trappers brings in an average of seven to fifteen a day. The main trappers are Craig, Corolla, Al, Don, Sarah, David, Nancy, Joe, and then there is my team who is more of an extraction team when we can get them under houses. Puppies and moms in very tight dens seems to be our speciality lately. The dogs also seem to prefer cats and garbage to the dry food our Food and Water teams are leaving out. All our trappers agree though if you have the right bait, it doesn't matter how much food is in the environment.

Now that HSUS is pulling out, LASPCA only have four staff members that are their animal control officers. I don't see that trapping will be their priority with all the work at the new facility. They are understaffed. Of course money is always a problem for everyone.

My top wish right now for the ARNO trappers would be a net gun! If anyone has one to loan or wants to buy us one, please email me. griffinsgallery@mac.com