| . |
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
The Animal Balance Advisory Board The Advisory Board is a cross-section of well-respected, professional people, who represent each aspect of the Animal Balance project. Their role is to ensure that we acknowledge and discuss their insight and expertise as it pertains to the development of this program. As we collaborate with other significant organizations and individuals, they will added to the Board, to maintain a well-balanced and focused project. Leslie Appel, DVM Executive Director and Veterinarian Shelter Outreach Services "TNR is the most effective way to stem the staggering companion animal overpopulation problem here in the United States and abroad. S/N of all shelter animals prior to adoption is also essential. Reducing companion animal overpopulation will help provide a better life for all." Elizabeth Daut, DVM Fundación de Protección Animal, Ecuador "The Galapagos Islands, like all of mainland Ecuador, desperately need humane and effective strategies to control pet overpopulation. The challenge of working on the Galapagos is designing a plan that is culturally sensitive to the Ecuadorians living on the Islands and conserves the fragile ecosystem without jeopardizing the well-being of companion animals. TNR of homeless dogs and cats, in combination with public education, animal-control legislation and training of local veterinarians will provide the Islands with a long-term management plan for the pet population." Maia Kincaid Ph.D Animal Communicator and Intuitive Life coach, former Community Organizer in Puerto Villamil for 2 years. "Not only is TNR (Trap, Neuter & Return) the kindest, most effective management for feral animals it is a balanced holistic method, that even young people can be positively involved in." Julie Levy, DVM, PhD, ACVIM College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida "Efforts to control homeless animals by lethal means are typically frustrated by the remarkable ability of the survivors to repopulate, leading to a continuous cycle of killing and community opposition. Sterilization of free-roaming animals loosely owned by the community is the only viable long-term solution. Recognizing the bond that the community shares with these cats and dogs, Animal Balance has designed a project that will engage the community in a humane and effective animal control program that meets the needs of all stakeholders in this remarkable and fragile environment." Dr. Godfrey Merlen Biologist, Author and resident of the Galapagos Islands for 20 years. Stan Minasian President of Animal Fund "We are in complete support of Animal Balance's efforts to engage in a program of trap, neuter and release of feral cats and dogs throughout the Galapagos Islands. This time-proven strategy is the only method guaranteed to humanely reduce the population of feral cats and dogs and Animal Fund is totally behind this ambitious effort." Elizabeth Peach, RVT Former Animal Technician with the Peace Corp on the Galapagos Islands. "My experiences as a Peace Corps volunteer provided a great deal of perspective with regard toward how veterinary medicine is practiced in different parts of the world and the attitudes people have towards animals. The Galapagos Islands for two years were my home and the people and animals there my family and therefore I strongly see the need for spay/neuter programs to control the pet population and programs to provide client education in general." Becky Robinson National Director of Alley Cats Allies "The most effective method to permanently reduce and then manage cat populations is through a community based Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program for feral cats and adoption of tame house cats. By working collaboratively with local agencies, local people and local veterinarians, Animal Balance is poised to create a program that could serve as a blue print for other human inhabited islands around the world." Dr. Roger Tabor Biologist and International Feral Cat Expert, Author. (Scientific Advisor to Animal Balance) "Your project is a bold project combining trap-neuter and return technique with local involvement in the public outreach campaign. It stands a very good probability of working as you have outlined it, and I wish you success with the project" Leslie Wilson Wildlife Management Consultant "Today it is widely recognized that TNR is not only the most humane way to reduce feral cat populations, it is also the most effective. Even in island environments, cruel methods like shooting and poison can take decades and decades to effect a reduction in population as each cat killed only allows the remaining to breed up to capacity. Alternately, a strong TNR program effectively halts reproduction, leading to a long term attrition of the population." Nathan Winograd, Director of No Kill Solutions "Trap, Neuter, Return (TNR) is widely recognized as the most humane and effective strategy for reducing feral cat populations. Since the cats are no longer reproducing, the colony will gradually diminish in size. And by reducing or eliminating mating, fighting, and wandering, TNR makes the colony more stable, impacts the influx of newcomers, and improves the health of the cats." |
