goals

1. The main goal of ASAP is to dramatically drop the high kill rate of
companion animals at Winnebago County Animal Services

2. Asap, after a long battle, with Winnebago County Animal Services was
successful in getting a full time vet hired. This full time vet replaced a part time
vet who was only available 10 hours a week. Winnebago County Animal
Services takes in approximately 10,000 animals a year. It is absurd to think
that 10 hours a week could even begin to handle that kind of overflow. After
much research we found that high kill animal facilities have a part time doctor
on staff for the sole purpose of signing and obtaining the lethal drugs used to
euthanize. Many people are satisfied knowing that there is now a full time vet
at Winnebago County Animal Services. The thrust of ASAP is to stop the
outrageous kill rate of 6000 dogs and cats yearly. We will not be appeased
that there is now a $68,000 a year full time vet on the preemies. We want
the kill rate of 6,000 dogs and cats a year dramatically dropped. That is
our main focus and we will not tolerate excuses, delays and other distractions
to sway us from our goal.

3. In September 2005 the Winnebago County board gave WCAS in excess of
$280,000.00, to be used for the purpose of off site adoptions and spay neuter
clinics. At the same time a private donor, who passed away in Rockford, left
$250,000.00 to WCAS to be used for the sole purpose of dropping the
euthanasia rate. Therefore WCAS is sitting on over a half a million dollars that
is to be used for the purpose of dropping the euthanasia rate. The only way
the euthanasia rate will can be dropped is to get involved in off site adoptions.
The facility has steadfastly refused to get involved in that, even though there
are two pet stores in Rockford that are more than willing to take in death row
dogs. There are also many private citizens who have made themselves
available at no cost to be of service of this desperately needed endeavor. .

4. Donna Apgar, who was the volunteer co-ordinarier at WCAS has been
hired at $31,000.00 a year of our tax money to implement off site adoptions.
We don't see why we should be paying someone $31,000.00 a year to do
nothing who was doing nothing previously for free. After all, until we came
along, there were no volunteers to co-ordinate.

5. ASAP wants to see Gary Longanecker (the current director of Winnebago
County Animal Services) replaced with someone with true compassion for
companion animals and a strong willingness to embrace progressive avenues
to adopt orphaned animals. Mr. Longanecker does not meet the requirements
required by the county to hold the position of director of Winnebago County
Animal Services.

6. We have been told as recently as Oct 2005 that Winnebago County Animal
Services cannot begin to transport death row dogs to off site adoption sites
until a $100,000.00 vehicle is purchased. We were told that the money for this
vehicle was to be raised by the community. We have already paid in our tax
money to Winnebago County Animal Services and they have just been given a
half of a million dollars for this purpose. This is obviously another stall tactic.
Clearly Winnebago County Animal Services would much rather use the needle
to deal with overpopulation than anything else. We have a big fight ahead of
us . We hope you will help.

7. We want to see Winnebago County Animal Services rid itself of the well
earned reputation as an efficient killing machine of dogs and cats and step
into the 21st century by replacing staff attitudes with "I'm just here for the
paycheck" to "What can we do to stop reckless animal slaughter in Winnebago
County".

8. We have successfully fought to get Winnebago County Animal Services to
incorporate 19 volunteers from the community. These volunteers would much
rather be involved in transporting dogs to off site facilities in order to get them
adopted instead of utilizing their time doing the dirty work, but necessary
cleaning etc. When ASAP pushed for more volunteers, it was with the hope of
using the extra people power for necessary off site adoptions. Unfortunately
this is not the case. Volunteers are not being used to transport orphaned
dogs to adoption sites. We have asked just exactly what these volunteers are
doing and we are not being given any answers.

9. We need consistent Newspaper ads advertising the pet of the week with a
picture. Most cities, counties, and states do this.

10. Spay neuter clinics have never been given consistently in Rockford and
we all know that until that happens overpopulation in inevitable and the killing
will continue. With the new budget it is promised that a spay neuter, surgical
annex will be built at WCAS. However the responsibility to educate the
community on the necessity of spay neuter is mandatory. The responsibility of
community eduction lies in the hands of WCAS.

11. Cable TV spots. Mr. Longanecker suggested this himself, but there has
been no follow-up.

12. Placing orphaned animals in veterinarians waiting rooms. (Hillcrest is the
only veterinarias clinic in Rockford doing this). This is inexcusable on the
parts of veterinarians in Rockford.