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June/July 2005
www.movetoact.org
317-298-0992
Like all of you, Move to ACT, Inc. (mtA) has had a busy spring. Please share this newsletter with your friends, have a safe summer and “thank you” for supporting Move to ACT, Inc.
Our campaigns:
Another Food distribution took place in April and mtA was able to offer a total of 8624 lbs of dog food, 2481 lbs of cat food and 2366 lbs cat litter to our friends at 18 shelters and rescue groups across the state. Special thanks to Carolene Bash and Karen Patitz for administering this distribution.
MtA representatives Darcie Kurtz and Michelle Pritchett, along with dedicated volunteers, have followed-through on an opportunity to assist a Frankfort resident in distress with too many dogs -offering improved quality of life for the 44 dogs she was caring for on her property. This monumental task was given gracious coverage in the Frankfort Times and can be found here: http://www.movetoact.com/frankforttimes_june2005.htm .
Pictures of the fencing project can be viewed here: http://www.movetoact.org/outreach.htm .
The mtA website is serving to bring urgently needed intelligent information to the public about public safety and the pathology of dog fighting. Many law makers (including the Indiana legislature) are responding with a knee-jerk reaction to dog attacks and are introducing Breed Specific Legislation (BSL). This addresses a “symptom” and not a “cause.” Too often breed problems are associated with inadequate socialization, training, quality of care and whether or not a dog has been spayed or neutered. In order that Indianapolis not be misguided in this matter, please educate yourself and others.
We invite you to take this test: http://www.pitbullsontheweb.com/petbull/findpit.html
Read more about this issue at: http://www.movetoact.com/pitbulls.htm
Move to ACT offers free behavior training classes through Doggone Connection (www.doggoneconnection.com ) for Rescue group volunteers fostering dogs. http://www.movetoact.com/behaviorEduc.htm
20 foster dogs have benefited from this program so far this year!
MtA travels: Earlier in the year Indiana-PAW (http://www.indiana-paw.com ) connected Richmond Indiana’s “Help the Animals, Inc.” http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/helptheanimals.html with move to ACT. “Help” was seeking assistance in improving the adoptability of some of their more “exuberant” canine residents. A mtA representative and 2 volunteers visited with 15 members of this organization’s genuine caring staff and volunteers facilitating 2 workshops. http://www.movetoact.org/shelteradoptions.htm
MtA designed and donated three 4 x 10 foot banners to Indianapolis Animal Care and Control. The location of IACC compromises the flow of adoption traffic to the agency and there was a need for more attractive signage to draw passers-by to the facility. The banners are now displayed near the front gate of the building and can be seen while driving either way on Harding Street. The banners can be viewed at: http://www.movetoact.com/shelteradoptions.htm
Walk a Hound, Lose a Pound (WAH) launched its third season this June and a great one at that! Initially a venture between Indianapolis Animal Care and Control (IACC), Doggone Connection, and IUPUI School of Physical Education, WAH got its start on the grounds of the White River Park with the help of the National Institute for Fitness & Sport (NIFS) in September of 2003. Its popularity and potential to grow soon became apparent…and grow it has! http://www.movetoact.com/shelteradoptions.htm .
On May 24, Move to ACT’s attorney, Maggie Smith, provided compelling oral argument in the Indiana Court of Appeals as to why a party other than the Attorney General should have standing in the court in regards to the administration and protection of a public charitable trust. Sadly, the erosion of the Mary Powell Crume Trust for animals continues. See “updates” (and archived updates) at: http://www.movetoact.com/hsi_rebuildtrust.htm .
On June 28th the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled that a party other than the Attorney General cannot have a voice in the court regarding the administration or oversight of a public charitable trust. The precedent is now established in Indiana that a public charitable trust can be used by a trustee for spending other that the intent of the settlor. In the case of the Mary Powell Crume Trust, the Trustee is using the trust corpus for a line of credit. http://www.in.gov/judiciary/opinions/pdf/06280501msm.pdf
Although we do not agree with the court’s decision, this case has been successful in bringing to the public awareness the need to scrutinize how one’s charitable dollars are being used.
MOVE TO ACT works to:
• Educate the public on the humane care and treatment of animals and increase public participation in effective pet training programs.
• Increase the public's awareness of cruelty to animals in areas where it exists.
• Initiate timely, topic-specific campaigns in the community to address key animal welfare issues.
• Collaborate with established animal advocacy groups to promote cohesive community programs that serve to reduce the number of animals being surrendered and destroyed in our local shelters.
Donations are welcome and can be mailed to; Move to ACT, Inc.
P.O Box 68658
Indianapolis, IN 46268-0658
Copyright © 2004 movetoACT. Email us at info@movetoact.org