We and Daddy Kiril write letters; often ignored, sometimes replied to, we share the correspondence here.
As readers know I've written about the stray animal crisis, facing Houston, as reported by the Houston Chronicle.
One thing I commented on was the mention in the paper of how many rescue organizations there are supposedly in the area, without giving readers an inkling of where to find an online list of said groups.
On March 24 and 26 Daddy Kiril, in his role as liaison for this blog to the humans, wrote similarly themed letters to our councilman, one other councilman, the mayor, several Houston Chronicle reporters who have been covering the story, and BARC (the City of Houston’s Animal Shelter and Adoption Facility)
As of tonite, the 29th, only one of those letters got a response:
3/24/14
SUBJECT: A Question About a List of Houston Pet Rescues
Dear Mayor Parker,
My name is Kiril Kundurazieff
I have lived in the Westchase neighborhood since moving here from southern California, in September 2012.
In reading your profile, on your city website, I found it interesting that we have something in common.
You once co-owned an independent retail bookstore...
I once worked for a small independent, family owned, chain of bookstores for 17 years, the last 11 as a store manager.
We share an interest in creativity via writing, storytelling and poetry. (I attended the first series of poetry "classes" hosted by the new Houston Poet Laureate, in the central library, last year.)
It gives me hope that your staff and you will take who I am and what I am asking seriously....
I am an author, and publisher of what I believe may be the only cat blog in Houston (a friend has one in Spring).
The Opinionated Pussycat
Truth to tell my cats, Elvira Mistress of Felinity and Sneakers the Texian Tuxedo do 95% of the writing, I am just their official research assistant, photographer and liaison with humans.
The world of animals on the internet is not all funny photos and videos; you would be amazed.
Anyway, as you know the Houston Chronicle has been writing a lot, lately, about the serious stray dog and cat problem facing our city.
Miss Elvira has been blogging about these stories and expressing her thoughts on the crisis, every step of the way, beginning here:
The Elvira Factor 12: Houston We Have a Problem
In one of her 4 essays she addressed the revelation that there are supposedly 140 rescue groups in the city...
"140? Really? How many of those are cat related? Is there someplace where someone can find out the names, contact info and websites of these organizations? An office, or a webpage, for meows sake?
If there is why wasn't this info presented in the article, especially in the online version, and if there is not why was this fact not addressed in some fashion?
This blog is slowly building a Houston, Harris County, and Texas, resource list related to cats, and so far we have 20 Houston area groups listed and would love to learn about and add more.
If no-one, with wider reach than us, has the "140" on a one-stop page somewhere then, hell, we would like to do it with regards to cats, at least!"
That is why I am writing to you.
Is your office, BARC, or someone else aware of such a list and its website URL?
If there is just a list, but no place online to see it, how can I get a copy of the list and post it on the Texas Resource Page of The Opinionated Pussycat?
Sincerely yours...
Kiril Kundurazieff
Writer based in Houston, Texas
The response came on March 26th and was quite interesting:
Good afternoon Mr. Kundurazieff,
My name is Ashtyn and I am the Marketing and Outreach Lead for BARC Animal Shelter and Adoptions. I am responding to your recent email on Mayor Parker’s behalf.
Thank you for your recent email. You asked specifically for a list of local rescue groups. I asked our rescue coordinator and he sent me the following link: http://www.hadr-tx.org/.
It is titled Houston Area Dog Rescue, but it includes more rescues than just dog rescues. This is the best one we know of and it’s not completely updated, but it is a good place to start.
Please let me know if you have any questions. I hope this helps!
Thanks,
Ashtyn Rivet,
Marketing & Outreach Lead – BARC Outreach
City of Houston, Administration & Regulatory Affairs
BARC Animal Shelter & Adoptions
3200 Carr Street, Houston, Texas 77026
I spent a day exploring the links on the page and adding many to our resource page.
Daddy then sent her a thank you letter.
Still well short of the list I was in search of, but a very cool response, I think you would agree.
Good job of Daddy Kiril ! Feral cats can thank him ! Purrs. Zorro
Posted by: The Swiss Cats | March 30, 2014 at 03:06 AM
one step atta time guys.....glad yur dad GOT a response !!!
Posted by: da tabbies o trout towne | March 31, 2014 at 10:14 AM