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GU PA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pet Assistance Foundation A compassionate presence in the community since 1955. Pet Assistance Foundation [PAF] strongly supports the socially conscious sheltering approach for Long Beach and opposes the no -kill movement in animal welfare. Socially conscious animal sheltering is a community movement that strives to create the best outcomes for all animals by treating them respectfully and alleviating suffering. Best outcomes are reached by striving for the "Five Freedoms," which were developed in the United Kingdom in 1965. These are: 1. Freedom from hunger or thirst by ready access to fresh water and a diet to maintain full health 2. Freedom from discomfort by providing an appropriate environment including shelter and a comfortable resting area 3. Freedom from pain, injury or disease by prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment 4. Freedom to express (most) normal behavior by providing sufficient space, proper facilities and company of the animal's own kind 5. Freedom from fear and distress by ensuring conditions and treatment which avoid mental suffering (this is very difficult to achieve in a sheltering environment, but each shelter should work toward this goal) The no -kill movement increases animal suffering and threatens public health with unintended consequences: • Animals in need are turned away from shelters because shelters are not able to meet required live release rates if they are admitted. • Animals languish in cages until they die to avoid euthanasia. • Dangerous dogs are placed in the community or remain indefinitely in shelters because of release requirements • Shelters can no longer accept lost or homeless animals from the community because cages are full of behaviorally or medically -challenged animals who cannot be placed in homes. • Animal welfare is at risk because shelters are beyond capacity -of -care. • Animals are put at risk or even abandoned through haphazard placements and re- release programs (TNR without strong policy of safe location, dedicated feeder, health standards; advertising and giving out free pets with no precautions for safe and proper placement; over eagerness to release animals to rescues without oversight, increased risk of placement in hoarding situations). PAF believes a socially conscious sheltering approach provides greater benefits for animals and for the community; as such, we strongly support socially conscious sheltering and oppose the no -kill movement.