Casting Pearls and Swine in Hollywood Swag Fest

The stark contrast of unemployment and homelessness on “Main Street” against the glut and excess in Hollywood is most pronounced during award seasons. It is, at this time, vendors compete with each other to give away their wares to those who need it the least – successful celebrities. This display of greed and extreme materialism occurs at gifting suites where television and movie stars arrive expecting swag i.e. free clothing, cameras, jewels, purses, haircuts, massages etc. for simply being famous and on the slight chance that they plug the item on the red carpet. Each year, suite organizers try to outdo each other by offering bigger, better and more outrageous gifts to lure in the “A-listers”, who, really, can afford to purchase whatever they wish. (Can Paris Hilton not afford a new dress or scented candle?)  

This relentless display of avarice, at a time when so much philanthropy is needed, is disturbing under the best of circumstances - but this year - the GBK suite actually offered live pigs as swag. These pigs, though adorable, require food, veterinary care and constant maintenance. As, is the case with any pet, they should neither be an impulse acquisition nor a prize. Most important –they are not accessories or earrings!  When the attention span for these new “toys” wanes – it is the non-profits, who must clean up the mess, bear the costs of caring for them, and, who can least afford to do so.

We consequently find ourselves in a place where the wealthy receive free pearls, the needy get nothing and the tiny pigs are left holding the swag bag.

Charity Word for 2010 -LOCAL - Thank You Arianna Huffington

Arianna Huffington’s move your money idea is brilliant. It urges us to move funds from the “too big to fail” banks into community banks in an effort to stimulate local lending, job growth and neighborhood services. Stronger communities result in stronger cities, states and countries. In fact, they are the foundation of the solid edifice we call the United States. The ancillary benefit is to remove the means from the hands of those motivated by greed, ego, and selfishness, to feed their narcissism at the expense of ordinary people. Essentially, to eliminate a black hole, where resources go in and nothing comes out.


The non-profit world can learn a lot from Ms. Huffington’s thought. There is a lot of money held by and donated to charities. It should come as no surprise that the same issues would arise. There are those that are not legitimate institutions who scam empathetic citizens for cash as well as those that are real charities that raise funds to pay the costs of making more money. Services, however, are not funneled back to the expectant recipients. The street is one way and ends in the same black hole. For example, there are two entities in the animal welfare business, one in New York and one in Washington DC that can be used to illustrate this point. They each shamelessly market nationally, hopeful that uninformed donors will think their funds will help in their respective zip codes. Not so. The sad reality is that sending funds under such a misimpression simply enables them to buy more television ads and does nothing to help homeless and abused animals locally. There are numerous other local charities eclipsed by “national” corporations, even some who have been shuttered in the last two years, with the attending result of leaving the needy in need.

The solution is to move your money to local charities. The resources, new jobs, services and aid to victims will boost the local economy thus strengthening the community’s ability to thrive. As an auxiliary benefit one can actually visit the charity, see and participate in the work, rather than relying on the appearance of a web site or glossy media appeal. Charity begins at home. It is only when we stand strong that we can lift another. Thank you - Arianna Huffington.

It's Nothing Personal, Just Business

The real end to the pet overpopulation problem and its attending euthanasia rate can be brought about quite simply. By melding the laws of supply and demand with the practices of non profits, rapid change, on a grand scale can be achieved almost immediately.

Los Angeles has a glut of Chihuahuas while Denver has none. In our care they could wait for months for a home. In Denver – they could be adopted in days. Rather than forcing those in Denver who want this breed to essentially have more “made”, at an exorbitant cost, courtesy of puppy mills, unscrupulous backyard breeders and the like, spcaLA , Denver Dumb Friends League and a philanthropist joined forces and flew 35 Chihuahuas from Los Angeles to Denver this past New Years Eve.

Imagine if this were done routinely. The supply of existing homeless pets would be relocated to where the demand existed thus eradicating the market for those who would abuse animals for profit. We would be finding homes for existing pets while simultaneously drying up the need for unprincipled breeders to produce more. Intelligently managing this would rapidly reduce the shelter populations, the euthanasia rates, and satisfy our clients as they would receive the pet they desire. An ancillary success would be to ignore dodgy breeders out of business and perhaps force pet shops to fill their inventory with shelter pets. Finally, it would eliminate the need to spend resources dealing with poor puppy mill legislation drafted by clueless organizations that even if perfect would target one offender at a time.

Let us resolve together to do this. The CEOs of legitimate shelters across the country can communicate easily to assess supply and demand. Philanthropists can be individual, school groups, block associations etc that can fund the transfers. Together we can find every adoptable pet a good home – wherever that may be. Could this not be a truly great New Years resolution?

Are Politicians Born With Their Fingers and Toes Crossed?

As a high profile CEO I am often asked to speak about the issue of leadership. Are leaders born or taught? Are there ethical responsibilities required of a good leader? What is the skill set involved, and so on and so forth. Frequently, the questions come to me from students forced to find the answers as part of an end term project or as part of their search for a mentor. In thinking about these issues and brooding about our future leaders, I must ask – are politicians born with their fingers and toes crossed?

I understand the ethereal quality of campaign promises and the motivational character of stump rhetoric. I understand that it is impossible to control all variables and not be able to affect a pledged outcome. I absolutely understand the prerogative to change one’s mind. I do not, however, understand breaking promises that can be kept, the denying a past statements despite the fact that they can be resurrected, edited and converted into an ad in a matter of minutes, and the apparent notion that expected leadership skills and ethics don’t apply when said “CEOs” are government officials.

We are in a difficult time. Two wars, a poor economy, global warming, nuclear arms threats, increasing poverty pockets, terrorism, a pandemic and a nation that simply distrusts every other word uttered by our political leaders, media pundits and even government officials vouching for the safety of swine flu vaccines.

On the eve of a new year, can we not ask our politicians, from the top down, to resolve to lead from the front of the pack rather than the foggy dark of a back room and to simply tell the truth? As the most visible leaders would they not set an example to those in the private sector as well? Could they not say:

I campaigned on this promise – but I couldn’t get it through this session.
I promised to do this but I changed my mind for the following reasons.
The system didn’t work and I’m looking into why.
I made a mistake.
Or, as Steve Martin put it – excuse me.

The consequence of not so resolving is a nation suffering from stagnation, fear, protectionism, and an inchoate sense of isolation. Simply put – the populace remains frozen in place in a heightened state of distrust and a psyche that rationalizes any action to survive – or win. This example of leadership produces nothing at present, and murders future generations of leaders by teaching them nothing.

Buy And Give Simultaneously

In a holiday season set against a landscape of recession, unemployment, fear and malaise, discretionary funding is small while real needs are great. In fact, the demand for charitable services is increasing exponentially in an inverse ratio to the ability to supply them. Animals and people need more help than ever before, and there are fewer resources than usual to help them.
One solution is to buy and give simultaneously. Shop in stores run by charities. Purchase items that share a percentage with a cause you support. Make corporate and personal holiday donations in the names of employees, friends, and family. Buy a little less than usual and share the difference where it matters.
These are just a few of the multitude of ways that you can still indulge yourselves while helping those who can't.
Remember, if everyone gave a little something, it could mean everything to someone or a pet with nothing.
Have a happy holiday season and thank you for all your support.

Poaching Is Bad For Elephants And SPCAs

Did you know that your spcaLA created an at risk youth anti -violence program that is being used nationally in states like Oregon, Kansas, New York and Georgia, and internationally in Europe, Australia and Canada?  Piloted, and ongoing in Southern California schools, we work with youth, using shelter dogs, to teach them conflict resolution, anger management and empathy.  Empathy is the cure for violence against animals and people. It began here with your spcaLA.
Did you know that your spcaLA has a domestic violence program that assists victims who need to leave a violent situation, but won’t if they have to leave a pet behind? This program has assisted pets from as far away as Florida because no other spca has such a comprehensive program.  You have it here with your spcaLA.
Did you know that your spcaLA developed a comprehensive shelter management software program that is being used throughout our country and, just recently, at a shelter in Dublin Ireland?
Did you know that your spcaLA has a state of the art disaster response unit that responds locally to fires, (most recently the Station Fire-the largest fire in California) floods and earthquakes as well as nationally when requested.  We were one of only 8 first responders called upon to assist in Texas in the wake of Hurricane Ike and only one of 2 (the other was a Missouri SPCA unit) deployed to Galveston – the worst affected by the storm.
Did you know that every SPCA in the country is a separate legal entity despite confusing commercials and advertising campaigns? The New York spca was the first to form in America in 1866 and aptly named itself. Your spcaLA opened its doors in 1877. Throughout the country different spcas were allowed to form as the laws in each state so permitted. However, only one spca solicits donations away from all the others under the misimpression that they are an umbrella entity that sends funds to non existent chapters.  It is the same with any humane society not based in Los Angeles. Their funds are not mandated to support the animals in our community based upon the zip code of the donor.  Though there are now complaints, inquiries and investigations into the ethics of such fund raising tactics – the responsibility ultimately lies with you, the consumer/donor, to know where you are donating your hard earned money despite attempts to confuse you. spcaLA applauds work that is carried out on behalf of animals any where in the country and hopes that you can afford to donate to multiple organizations. Your choice must still be an informed one. 
Your spcaLA actually has a local, national and international footprint with boots on the ground serving animals that need us.  In these trying economic times it is particularly critical that we work together, and educate others who are confused about where their funds are going so we succeed in our mission.

Friends for Life and Ever After.

Freud maintained in his book "Jokes And The Unconscious" that essentially there is no such thing as jokes and that they all conveyed truths wrapped in a safer form of communication, or,  in most cases, revealed a persons' real opinion - even if news to that person. Someone sent me the following joke: 
A  dead traveler and his dog were walking along a road. They came to a high, white stone wall  along one side of the road that looked like fine  marble with a mother of pearl gate, which led into a place with golden streets and remarkable beauty.  He and the dog  walked toward the gate, and saw a man at a desk.  The traveler called out, "Excuse me, where are  we?" "This is Heaven, sir," the man answered.  "Would you happen to have  some water?" the traveler asked.  "I'll have some ice water  brought right up."The man gestured, and the gate  began to open.  "Can  my friend," gesturing toward his dog, "come in,  too?" the traveler  asked.  "I'm sorry,  sir, but we don't accept  pets."
The traveler  thought a moment and then turned back toward the  road and continued on. They came to a dirt road with an open gate and saw a man leaning against a tree.  "Excuse  me!" he called to the man. "Do you have any  water?" The man pointed to a pump with a dog bowl beside it.  The traveler and the dog drank."What  do you call this place?" the traveler  asked. "This is  Heaven" the man answered.  "The man down the  road said that was Heaven  too" said the traveler."You mean  the place with the gold street and pearly gates?  Nope. That's hell" said the man.  "Doesn't  it make you mad for them to use your name like that?" said the traveler.
   "No," said the man.  "We're just happy that they screen out the folks  who would leave their best friends  behind."   
This joke reminded me of the incredible human animal bond shared by people and their pets. A bond so strong that some would choose death rather than leave their pet behind during a disaster evacuation, risk bodily harm to save a pet in danger and would grieve for a lifetime after the loss of this cherished family member. Our work is to obtain such a relationship for all homeless pets, support humans in their effort to provide such and to allow this bond to flourish free from acts of cruelty and derision. It is not a junk bond and certainly no joking matter.