Daily Archives: September 24, 2021

LUTZ, Fla. Lap of Love, an in-home veterinary hospice and euthanasia service, got its start in Lutz.

Dr. Dani McVety-Leinen said she found a passion for this in-home service and it all started off as a part-time job.

Then, she saw the need for this service from the community and now it's nationwide.

"We help close to 500 families a month now in the Tampa Bay area," Dr. Dani McVety-Leinen, Lap of Love Founder said. "So many families, I've been in some homes five and six times over the years. And it's such an honor because you don't see them in between, but then you come back for that end-of-life experience. And it's like a shared experience that you get to hang out with them again and again."

Lap of Love also added a pet end-of-life support team. Click here for more information on their services.

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Lap of Love got its start in Lutz - ABC Action News

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THE Archbishop of Oviedo Jesus Sanz Montes, above, set himself up for a fall when he recently declared that Spains socialist-led government provides better protection for bulls than unborn children and the terminally ill.

He was speaking months after euthanasia, supported by a majority of Spaniards, was legalised in March.

According to The Tablet, he was immediately mocked and ridiculed on social media. This so upset his faithful supporters that thousands of Spanish citizens have signed a petition defending Montes.

The petition on the civic Hazte-Oir platform said:

These insults for criticising abortion and euthanasia in a homily have not been long in coming the pro-abortion mob have placed him on their media target list. The radical left does not allow anyone to dare touch the dogmas of abortion and euthanasia whoever dares try gets torn apart, and whoever defends them gets dragged through the mud.

Montez said:

I wish aborted children or the elderly and sick euthanised without palliative care enjoyed the protective legislation now provided to bulls. Instead, some laws are now drawn up without social debate, helped by opportunistic government demagoguery which continues to sow tension by imposing social transformation at the mercy of various ideologies

The Catholic Church makes up 62 per cent of Spains 47 million inhabitants, according to 2020 data, and has criticised laws backed by the socialist-led government of premier Pedro Sanchez, in power since January 2020, facilitating same-sex marriage, secularised education, state-funded euthanasia and abortion.

A draft Trans Law, enabling over-16s to re-register their gender through a court declaration without medical or legal procedures, was also approved for enactment in June, while a Statute of Secularism, enforcing strict separation between politics and religion, law and morality, crime and sin, is to be adopted this October.

More than 20,000 Spaniards have also signed a Hazte-Oir petition to the Cortes parliament against socialist legislation imposing jail terms for pro-lifers who harass or restrict the freedom of women by staging protests or offering help outside abortion clinics.

Both petitions coincided with new data showing Catholic affiliations at their lowest ever in Spain, with four out of ten citizens, and 60 per cent of 18-34s, describing themselves as atheists or non-believers.

A while back, in the comments section of the Freethinker, an American reader asked me whether Spain would be a good choice if he ever decided to leave the US. I replied:

Absolutely. Spain transitioned from a fascist dictatorship that was fully supported by the RCC in 1978. Today the church, to the chagrin of the Vatican, has no say in the running of a liberal, left-of-centre democracy that was the first in Europe to approve gay marriage, banned conversion therapy and, most recently, legalised euthanasia. It is a beacon of tolerance.

It has a first-rate health service, very generous pensions, pays for holidays for the elderly and the cost of living is ridiculously low.

Of course, its not without those especially British expats who hanker after the good old days of Francos rule. These are the same fools who voted for Brexit and are now being extradited back to the UK because they never bothered to apply for Spanish residency permits.

In 2016 a right-wing columnist for a local English newspaper, John Smith, wrote: Like so many other nations, Spain has also entertained a certain amount of political correctness which has to some extent seen a reduction in the machismo of the younger Spanish male and an ability for women to not just be vocal at home but to have a voice which can be heard across the country.

Worse, he said there are now homosexuals with voices, voices so shrill that they can force local authorities into coughing up dosh to fund parades and fiestas at which perverts can flaunt their filthy lifestyles.

When I pointed out to the editor that praising Franco and fascism constitutes a criminal offence, she went into full-on panic mode and asked me to write a rebuttal. The hack was sacked, and his column was taken offline.

I wrote about Smith here.

Hat tip: Keith Porteous Wood

Id love a cup of coffee

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Catholics aghast at the pace of positive change in Spain - Patheos

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SIX WEEKS after Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall took the issue to the public, Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson will ask the community whether he should vote for a new bill to legalise euthanasia. The MP kicked off an electorate-wide consultation process on a new bill to legalise and regulate medically-assisted suicide on Thursday. Deputy Premier and Nationals leader John Barilaro told media this week that every Nationals MP but one would likely back the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2021, introduced by Independent Sydney MP Alex Greenwich. The bill will be a conscience vote, with government MPs not bound by the party to vote either way on the legislation. READ MORE: Mr Anderson said "the majority view of the electorate" will be the position he will take to NSW parliament. He received the final draft of the bill on Wednesday afternoon and, on Thursday, announced he will undertake an election-wide consultation process. The campaign will include a survey on his website, a mail-out, an email blast and an "extensive media campaign". "The Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill covers a very important issue and the community deserves the opportunity to drive the decision making on this," he said. "Significant changes have been made since early drafts of the bill were distributed, which is why I wanted to ensure the final draft, which will be presented in parliament, went to the public for consultation." Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall started his own consultation campaign in August. Of 2,671 responses so far, nearly 80 per cent were in favour of the bill, he said on Thursday. "I have my own strong personal views on this issue and the bill, however, I will be speaking and voting on the bill in accordance with the wishes of the Northern Tablelands community," he said. "That's why I want to hear from as many people as possible, to ensure I can reflect as best I can the overall views of our region." Only people who are terminally ill and diagnosed to die within six months, or 12 months for a neurodegenerative condition, will be eligible for medically-assisted suicide under the bill. The patient must also be enduring extreme suffering that cannot be alleviated. Approval requires two doctors, and both must undertake training to be eligible to assess a patient for eligibility. Want more local news? Subscribe to the Leader to read it here first There will also be multiple assessments to ensure the patient is acting voluntarily, and severe new punishments for people who put someone under duress to die. The bill will also allow doctors and other health practitioners to conscientiously object to the process and exempt themselves from being involved. Mr Anderson encouraged everyone in the community to have their say on the bill. "Thank you to all those in our community who have already contacted my office on this important issue. Please be assured that your voice will be heard," he said. The bill may be introduced to parliament at the end of this year, or in 2022. Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:

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September 23 2021 - 3:00PM

SIX WEEKS after Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall took the issue to the public, Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson will ask the community whether he should vote for a new bill to legalise euthanasia.

The MP kicked off an electorate-wide consultation process on a new bill to legalise and regulate medically-assisted suicide on Thursday.

Deputy Premier and Nationals leader John Barilaro told media this week that every Nationals MP but one would likely back the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2021, introduced by Independent Sydney MP Alex Greenwich.

The bill will be a conscience vote, with government MPs not bound by the party to vote either way on the legislation.

Mr Anderson said "the majority view of the electorate" will be the position he will take to NSW parliament.

He received the final draft of the bill on Wednesday afternoon and, on Thursday, announced he will undertake an election-wide consultation process.

The campaign will include a survey on his website, a mail-out, an email blast and an "extensive media campaign".

"The Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill covers a very important issue and the community deserves the opportunity to drive the decision making on this," he said.

"Significant changes have been made since early drafts of the bill were distributed, which is why I wanted to ensure the final draft, which will be presented in parliament, went to the public for consultation."

Of 2,671 responses so far, nearly 80 per cent were in favour of the bill, he said on Thursday.

"I have my own strong personal views on this issue and the bill, however, I will be speaking and voting on the bill in accordance with the wishes of the Northern Tablelands community," he said.

"That's why I want to hear from as many people as possible, to ensure I can reflect as best I can the overall views of our region."

Only people who are terminally ill and diagnosed to die within six months, or 12 months for a neurodegenerative condition, will be eligible for medically-assisted suicide under the bill. The patient must also be enduring extreme suffering that cannot be alleviated.

Approval requires two doctors, and both must undertake training to be eligible to assess a patient for eligibility.

There will also be multiple assessments to ensure the patient is acting voluntarily, and severe new punishments for people who put someone under duress to die.

The bill will also allow doctors and other health practitioners to conscientiously object to the process and exempt themselves from being involved.

Mr Anderson encouraged everyone in the community to have their say on the bill.

"Thank you to all those in our community who have already contacted my office on this important issue. Please be assured that your voice will be heard," he said.

The bill may be introduced to parliament at the end of this year, or in 2022.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:

Continued here:

Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson begins consultation on NSW Parliament's Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill as Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall reports...

RANCHO SANTA FE (KUSI)-

The 9th annual Remember Me Thursday brought to you by the Helen Woodward Animal Center was held virtually and people from all over the world took part in sharing stories about pet adoption and shined a light on the importance of saving pets lives.

Over 1 million pets are euthanized annually and the Helen Woodward Animal Center hosts Remember Me Thursday for all of those animals who never got a chance at a better life. It is proven that the more awareness brought to orphan pets results in: 1) Adoptions Increasing, 2) Euthanasia Decreasing, and 3) Puppy Mill Sales Decreasing.

KUSIs Kacey McKinnon spoke with CEO/President of the HWAC, Mike Arms about the life saving work the center has continued to do. Arms says, This day is so special. When we first started it, we had no idea how many people it would touch. Now, people from all over the world tune in each year on Remember Me Thursday.

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The 9th annual Helen Woodward Animal Center 'Remember Me Thursday' shines a light on orphan pets - - KUSI

AUSTIN (KXAN) Negotiations between Austin Pets Alive! and the city of Austin have stalled for a new long-term land-use agreement that would allow APA! to continue operating at the citys old animal shelter, the two parties tell KXAN.

Since 2011 Austin Pets Alive! has occupied the Town Lake Animal Center (TLAC) on Cesar Chavez Street in exchange for taking in thousands of at-risk animals from the city. The nonprofit aids the city in its goal to be no-kill. Under city of Austin standards, no-kill means a minimum of 95% of homeless animals who enter shelters must leave alive.

The city says its current rate is at 97%.

The two sides have been working under a short-term agreement, allowing APA! to continue occupying TLAC. However, this agreement ends Nov. 23, and the organization says it may have to move its operations outside city limits if the partners cant reach an agreement.

Significant changes in animal services at the city that jeopardize the sustainability of No Kill, as well as the declining state of the Town Lake Animal Center (TLAC) property, create the need for immediate council action to ensure Austin stays No Kill now and for evermore, reads a post on APA!s website from Sept. 15.

Austin Pets Alive! notes a potential move out of Austin is more than a threat. The organization plans to tour nine facilities in the next week; APA! said that all are at least 20 miles outside city limits.

In an interview with KXAN, APA! President and CEO Dr. Ellen Jefferson added: We recognize theres a high likelihood that were going to have to find another property and build elsewhere.

At the heart of the disagreement between the two sides is how many animals APA! will agree to take in from the city, along with the organizations interest in helping at-risk animals from outside the Austin area.

We have been helping shelters battling high kill rates all over [Texas] for 11 years and in rarecircumstances like Hurricane Ida, we take from beyond Texas, said an Austin Pets Alive! spokesperson. This is nothing new. We are asking for our agreement to allow us to utilize the resources we have at our future building to treat any animal, even if not from the greater Austin area, which is currently not allowed.

In an additional statement to KXAN, APA! implicated that the city was trying to micromanage it.

ACL is not restricted to only hire bands from Austin for their shows, said the statement. Here at Austin Pets Alive! we only ask that we be given the same respect as other organizations using city land.

The organization is appealing to City Council to approve a new agreement with terms more favorable to it, since [city] staff will not agree to the License Agreement terms.

Austin Animal Center has a different perspective.

The current facility is on City owned land which ultimately was paid for with tax dollars. APA! is using that land for free, in exchange for helping AAC and pulling animals, said an Austin Animal Center spokesperson. They are asking to help AAC less and use the same tax-funded property to help animals from other cities and states.

She added: The current license agreement allows animals from a five-county region to be housed at TLAC. But not animals from beyond that region.

We asked Austin Animal Center about their nonprofit partners claim that the city would be in jeopardy of losing its no-kill status if it werent able to come to an agreement with Austin Pets Alive!

Austin will remain No Kill regardless of the outcome of these negotiations, the department spokesperson said. We are sure that AAC will remain No Kill, first and foremost, because we are committed to doing the right thing for the animals in our community. We are also required by City Council to maintain a 95% live outcome rate.

Earlier this summer, the Austin Animal Center reported not having any additional capacity to house animals and that staff is doubling up dogs in each suite. A June 25 memo from Chief Animal Services Officer Don Bland said staff may possibly need to resort to euthanasia.

Last week, the citys Animal Advisory Commission voted unanimously to form a committee to monitor and provide oversight over Austins no-kill policy. City Councils Audit and Finance Committee will need to approve the commissions request to change its bylaws for this to happen.

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Austin Pets Alive! says it may have to move amid stalemate with city - KXAN.com

WATCH Shelter workers rescue pets after Texas storm

Austin shelters saved hundreds of pets from being euthanized after the Texas freeze and will be transporting them to shelters across the country.

Chelcey Adami, Wochit

In a move that couldjeopardizeAustin's commitment against killingsheltered animals, the nonprofit Austin Pets Alive has threatened to pack up and leave town unless changes are made to itslicense agreement with the city.

Since 2011, Austin Pets Alive has partnered with the cityby taking in stray and surrendered animals from the Austin Animal Center, which is Austin's taxpayer-funded shelter.

Austin Pets Alivedoes not accept money from the city, but is allowed to operate a downtown shelter on city-owned land on West Caesar Chavez street.

With the nonprofit's help, Austin has managed a 97% save rate through adoptions,, which is above the 90% national standard needed to be considered a no-kill city and also above the city's 87% save ratein the year prior to the partnership begining. The only pets now being euthanized have incurable medical conditions or were responsible for severe injuriesin an unprovoked attack.

But the partnership between Austin Pets Alive and the city has deteriorated, raising questions about if the city can maintain no-kill standards should its longtime ally go elsewhere.

More: Mix of heartbreak, outrage as Georgetown community mourns dogs killed in pet resort fire

The fight is overrestrictions that prevent Austin Pets Alive from housing animals that come from outside five Central Texas counties Travis, Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays and Williamson. The nonprofit wants to expand that reach to bring in animals from other jurisdictionsthat do not have no-kill protections.

Austin Pets Alivealso wants to discontinue an annual requirement that it accept 3,000 animals from the city shelter that are at risk of being killed.

The cityhas refused both demands, suggesting Austin Pets Alive should continue to serve only local pets as long as it continues to operate on city-owned land. That has led to a stalemate that neither sideseemsconfident will be resolved by thecontract's expirationon Nov. 23.

"More and more resources are added to the city budget, so fewer and fewer animals should fall through the cracks and onto our plate," said Dr. Ellen Jefferson, president of Austin Pets Alive.

More: Pet surrenders spike as end of eviction moratoriums loom, Austin shelters say

She said Austin Pets Alive would bewilling to accept any animal on the city shelter'seuthanasia list typically about 1,500 to 2,000 per year but objects to accepting animals not on that list, preferring to reserve kennel spacefor at-risk animals from outside of the immediate area.

"We'd rather take ones that are actually going to die, because that's our mission," she said.

After negotiations broke down with city staff, Austin Pets Alive recently turned toMayor Steve Adler and requested that the Austin City Council direct the city's shelter to agree to the changes sought by the nonprofit. Adler's office declined to comment for this story.

Council Member Leslie Pool said she is pushing to schedule an executive council session to determine the legality of Austin Pets Alive's proposals.

"If what staff is saying is indeed correct then we will have to in fact part ways," Pool said. "I see that as more of a negative for the city than APA because APA is going to be successful wherever with their mission. Their leaving would be a big void for the city of Austin."

As of Monday, the city shelter had taken in 9,241 dogs and cats this year. During that same period in 2019 the most recent year not impacted by the coronavirus pandemic it tookin 14,109 dogs and cats. The shelter's budget for next year is $16.4 million, a 20% increase from three years ago. Jefferson saidit's the highest budget for animal services per capita in the country.

In rejecting the demand to expand Austin Pets Alive's reach outside of the five-county territory, Don Bland, the city's chief animal services officer, said the protection of Austin-area pets must continue to be the focus.

"The citys primary goal is to ensure that city taxpayer investments are focused on supporting animals found in the citys jurisdiction," he said.

As for the 3,000 pet intake requirement: "Removing that provision entirely would negate the reason for free use of the property," city spokeswoman Jennifer Olohan said. "The city values its partnership with APA, which is why we have been open to negotiating that number of animals."

Olohan said the city made a counteroffer in July after rejecting Austin Pets Alive's demands. Austin Pets Alive then rejected the counteroffer, which Jefferson said would have required the nonprofit to accept 2,000 dogs with behavioral issues. Austin Pets Alive declined, she said, because she thought it was important to protect a wider selection of animals that were at risk of being killed.

The disagreement comes just months after the city sounded alarms over a spacing crises at the city shelter. In late June, Bland wrote a memo to the City Council saying the shelter had no additional capacity to house animals and discouraging residents from bringing in stray animals. Bland threatened euthanasia for animals with behavioral concerns that have been housed in the shelterfor a long period.

More: 'Nobody forgot the animals': How Austin put lost, rescued pets before themselves in a crisis

At the time, the city said it was forced to house about 30 animals in back rooms at the shelter, out of public sight. That number was down to 16 this week, the city said.

A city ordinance approved in 2010 requires the city to have a 95% save rate. Austin Pets Alive's departure could make it difficult for the shelter to hit that mark without assistance, Jefferson said.

"If our agreement expires and a new one doesn't go into effect there is no formal mechanism on the books to comply with the ordinance," she said.

Olohan, the city spokeswoman, said the city has tentative plansif it fails to reach a renewal agreement with Austin Pets Alive, but said "we are not ready to release those just yet."

If it can resolve the dispute with the city, Austin Pets Alive says it is looking to sign a 75-year agreement. The nonprofit said it has plans to renovate the downtown shelter but first needsassurances it would be there for a long time.

Jefferson said that even if Austin Pets Alive ends up leaving the city, the nonprofit hopes to continue to assist Austin in a informal relationship by accepting animals from the city shelter that are at risk for euthanasia. She said Austin Pets Alive is looking at properties on the outskirts of the city, a challenge, perhaps, for some of the nonprofit's volunteers who are accustomed to a short drive downtown.

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Austin Pets Alive threatens to leave town over disagreement with city - Austin American-Statesman