Or, You Know, Pet Rescue ...

[mixeduppup]

If we are talking about NARGA I say good on them for having a go. You dont have to agree with their philosophies or join them or use their services but why smack them over the head for dipping their toe in? Just because Pet rescue exists doesnt mean to say they should be entitled to a monopoly on services for rescue and rescue dogs. From what I can see its not the same as what Pet Rescue do in much anyway.

Oscars Law is a different topic in my opinion.

This

[Are You Serious Jo]

It was the fact that they were secretive and then set out to speak for all rescue in Australia while not even revealing who they were. I like my expert advisors to have some experience and integrity Just another bunch of breeder bashing emotional manipulators, haven't we got enough of those trying to eliminate registered breeders as it is? I like a bit of logic and evidence in my decision makers.

[Aphra]

If someone wants a pet, they email NARGA, who email the groups who are members of NARGA. Who then presumably email back with a list of pets they have to NARGA, who email them back to the people, who then email back to NARGA saying which ones they're interested in? At which point NARGA point them to the rescue group in question? At which point the person emails the rescue group saying they're interested a a pet and still have to till out an application form and do all rest of the process. If it's a popular pet by the time all this has gone the pet has probably already been rehomed. Which part of that is a helpful process rather than time-wasting?

As a rescuer who already struggles to keep up with all the enquries that have to be answered, I'd be more than a bit irritated is some third party started sending me enquiries when we already have Pet Rescue to advertise the animals we have available for adoption.

[mixeduppup]

Well if that;s the case then NARGA will die a natural death. No need to berate someone for having a go.

[Aphra]

I would happily leave them alone, except that they are promoting themselves as a group which speaks for rescue, and are representing themselves as such to government, peak organisations and the public. If all they were doing was representing themselves as speaking for their member groups good luck to them.

But if they intend to represent themselves as speaking for rescue generally, then as far as I am concerned then they are open to criticism.

[tdierikx]

I would happily leave them alone, except that they are promoting themselves as a group which speaks for rescue, and are representing themselves as such to government, peak organisations and the public. If all they were doing was representing themselves as speaking for their member groups good luck to them.

But if they intend to represent themselves as speaking for rescue generally, then as far as I am concerned then they are open to criticism.

I second this opinion.

T.

[Steve]

The concept of anyone regardless of their credentials or experience or desires being able to make a group work which is dealing with any aspect of uniting or representing rescue or breeding is heavily stacked against them succeeding as there are so many personalities and issues which will never blend. Its common for feelings of some not joining because they don't like someone who is involved or because they believe someone is not suited to be on the board or they believe the philosophies chosen are at odds with their own. Then of course its the massive time and financial investment they would have to weather to keep it going to a point where it was viable and its no task for the light hearted.

They are having a go - and in my opinion - good for them.

[_PL_]

Steve, funny you should bring up the not joining because of a particular person being involved.

I've just gotten a NARGA circular re financial membership, sender being someone who was unapologetically abusive as possible towards myself and Pound List volunteers in general on FB when she was neck deep in P. R. I particularly recall the word "maggots".

Got kicked off DOL for trying the same stuff.

So no, not like I was considering it in the first place but that email just went in the trash.

[Steve]

Steve, funny you should bring up the not joining because of a particular person being involved.

I've just gotten a NARGA circular re financial membership, sender being someone who was unapologetically abusive as possible towards myself and Pound List volunteers in general on FB when she was neck deep in P. R. I particularly recall the word "maggots".

Got kicked off DOL for trying the same stuff.

So no, not like I was considering it in the first place but that email just went in the trash.

Yep Id already spotted that and I have another bit of an issue as well which I wont make public - but I still say they are having a go and the more we say why we dont like them the more free publicity they get.

[Steph M]

This one is even clearer. I haven't yet seen any differentiation between ethical registered breeders and puppy farmers.

That's bloody atrocious. Sure, and you can explain to my PB dog why he's not good enough for us, by the same logic? Makes no bloody sense at all and boils my blood.

Fabulous idea. Let's edge out the only set of people who are (for the most part) working hard to move forward with our dogs, those who are researching, spending time and money and love, testing, thinking, valuing and housing in suitable situations and let's all get second hand dogs who's past, genetics and even breed are often questionable instead. Stop these filthy breeders breeding beautiful sound dogs for their own selfish wants because they're filling up homes for the consistent steady stream of dogs coming out of suburban backyards who were sold purely for profit with gay abandon for health, future or anything else.

You've really sold me by insulting my choices there, I'll never have another PB dog again. Sure.

[_PL_]

Erm, I would agree Steph but rescues aren't 'often' second hand dogs with dodgy temperament and health issues. Although I see where you're going with that.

[tdierikx]

The only reason registered breeders are targetted is because they are easily found via the registries... too easy peasy for the AA types to find really...

The really HARD ones that need weeding out the most are the BYB's who reckon that there's an easy dollar to be made by whacking a fancy "breed" moniker on the countless crosses they seem to be able to pump out of their poor bitches... they are just referred to and lumped into the "too hard" basket unfortunately.

Seriously though - if the AA types were really wanting to make a difference, maybe they could expend some of their online time/energy tracking down the BYB's who are constantly advertising litters on places like Gumtree... and directing the council rangers to go investigate whether or not any of those animals are being chipped or vaccinated (it's law in most states now) before flogging off to the first buyer with the cash. Hit those BYB's in the hip pocket often enough, and they may slow down a lot - or dog forbid, stop the practice.

T.

[Maddy]

I'm a member of NARGA (I assume, anyway. They sent me a laminated bit of paper a while ago) but I have no idea of who runs it and that's one reason I don't involve myself in the association. I filled out that rescuer rating thing out of curiosity and as far as I know, they didn't check any part of it. I know I'm not dodgy but there was at least one other rescue there that is questionable at best. I suppose I don't see any value in such a system when it relies entirely on participant honesty. All it takes is one group to lie and the integrity of the whole thing comes into question which negatively impacts on the ethical groups. But anyway, pet finder service.. They just don't have the reach or the reputation to drive adoptions.

[Steph M]

Erm, I would agree Steph but rescues aren't 'often' second hand dogs with dodgy temperament and health issues. Although I see where you're going with that.

All said with sarcasm and a touch of bitterness! Sorry to have offended!

I have a second hander myself. She's gorgeous.

[_PL_]

Erm, I would agree Steph but rescues aren't 'often' second hand dogs with dodgy temperament and health issues. Although I see where you're going with that.

All said with sarcasm and a touch of bitterness! Sorry to have offended!

I have a second hander myself. She's gorgeous.

:) No offence taken.

[_PL_]

The only reason registered breeders are targetted is because they are easily found via the registries... too easy peasy for the AA types to find really...

T.

Yep, registered breeders are pretty much sitting ducks. Shame really, for the good ones to get lumped in with the dodgeys and the byb's.

[Are You Serious Jo]

Grab a cup of coffee before you sit down to read this epic

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=585542901516376&set=a.585542858183047.1073741839.171596559577681&type=1&theater

[Steph M]

Can you copy and paste for us suckers with FB blocked at work?

[Are You Serious Jo]

Micro Mel Animal Services

4 October 2013

*Thank you for all the calls & messages of genuine support everyone. It means a lot & has kept me on track for remembering that "this too will pass".

NASTY NARGA

Upon me very calmly & politely communicating that I'd come to a decision that Micro Mel & NARGA (National Animal Rescue Groups of Australia) were not compatible in approach to the coordination of disaster response/mangement...that there was no fundamental systemic (P&P) structure in place for NARGA as a whole, much less an understanding of the requirements for such an endeavour & that I didn't feel it was reponsible for me to move forward with them, they have posted the following notice about me.

They have even gone a step further & are now contriving some sort of controversy!

Fortunately I am very proud of my reputation in the industry & my record of achievements, including the report I was able to submit for only 2 weeks worth of coordinating the NARGA Disaster Response Team, stands before me.

I'm no longer perplexed by their shenanigans & realise it's just more of the same & demonstrates clearly their inability to be level headed & responsive, only reactive & chaotic.

"IMPORTANT

NARGA wishes to advise the Mel Smith does not represent NARGA or speak on NARGA's behalf. We no longer have any association with Mel Smith from Micro Mel's Animal Services."

I guess the real statement needs to be...

Micro Mel wishes to advise that I, (Micro) Mel Smith, do not represent NARGA & will not speak on NARGA's behalf. I no longer coordinate the NARGA Disaster Response Team due to serious systemic, structural, competency & ethical concerns.

Mel Smith is still associated, by way of lawful membership (which needs to be addressed) with NARGA.

-----------------------------

3 October 2013

I am very saddened to say that I am being very publicly wronged by NARGA in the most unprofessional & cruel way. There is an innuendo that I may solicit or speak on NARGA's behalf or that I'm of low moral status, yet in actual fact, I have demonstrated nothing but the contrary & indeed needed to assert an ethical compass at times. I am not sure why they would consider I would want to speak on NARGA's behalf when nothing could be further from the truth presently. I'd rather distance myself (aside from feeling the need to post here & set the record straight.)

I can't say I even fully comprehend the ferociousness of this attack, but it was very immediately catalysed by me very calmly & politely stating that I would no longer be coordinating the NARGA Disaster Response Team upon realising the profound structural issues NARGA has & seeming inability to fully understand the risk associated with such fundamental issues. I asserted that it would be irresponsible, from my point of view, to press forward when there can be extremely dire consequences for the rescue industry, but more, for all animals in Australia, as a result of getting such a monumental & important initiative wrong.

The full story of my very short 2+ weeks with NARGA...

2 weeks ago the NARGA President, amidst the fires ravaging the west Sydney region, asked me if I would coordinate the NARGA Disaster Response Team. I was very excited about this as such an initiative has been somewhat of a dream for me since coordinating both major evacuation centre refuges in the Brisbane 2011 floods. It meant I needed to sacrifice quite a lot in my life to do it but jumped at the chance, knowing I had the ability & the much needed drive to do.

Very quickly after arriving & being added to all NARGA pages, I realised I had nothing to work with...no team, no structure, no policies & procedures or systems in place, no assistant, no information, no secretary or executive assistant to gain narga understanding from...nothing. All I had were a literal handful of narga people who were not able to help much because they were already too busy, but were willing to help where they could.

I quickly went into action, running on air as I had done before, & made contact with the rescues in the fire region to ascertain where things were at & what assistance they needed immediately.

Straight off the mark I knew there was a problem because a NARGA representative had contacted the rescuers & one in particular immediately expressed her confusion & understandable distaste for not having space to be liaising with more than one person, which I would never have had happen coming from the team as it formed. At that point I was also confused & checked in with the president who referred to that NARGA person as a "loose cannon".

I put it to the side & set about sourcing essential supplies for the rescue which took the form of enough fodder to feed around 300 farm animals. When I got that sorted, I set about the next in urgency & then next & so on. Amidst this I was trying to access the little help I had from the few NARGA people (who were lovely by the way) to try to get some understanding of how the organisation functioned & to network within it. At the same time I was doing promos to seek assistance to start building a team.

2 Days in, one of the NARGA people's partners offered a hand to admin on the DRT page. As quickly as I connected with him I realised I needed to utilise his skills far more than this because he is trained & experienced in disaster management. Over the next week he started laying ground work for systems & processing assistance as it came in whilst I solicited for on the ground assistance.

In the space of 10 days we managed to:

• have delivered over $10000 essential supplies on the ground

• several other sponsors in the pipeline

• forged ongoing relationships with sponsors

• forged ongoing relationships with rescues

• developed rudimentary systems

• made the first steps toward initiating a Supply Bank program already having sourced resources to stock the first one & having other offers streaming in,

• laying the foundations for a disaster counselling team & campaign for those who lose animals (of which there were several & included a young girl who suicided shortly there after)

• got a national disaster fund up & going

• got a website up & running

• layed the ground for a database to be created

• started writing procedures

• started writing role descriptions

• spreadsheeted information

• designed promos for social media distribution

• created the first of our working groups for the loose team that was coming together

• designed & printed flyers & business cards

• organised Disaster Response Team presence at 2 events

• developed a relationship with a celebrity & had them come on board as a spokesperson

• sourced star rescue dogs for a show at which I also spoke alongside our spokesperson to promote DRT

• & much more (I would have just attached my report but I don't want for any people cited to be associated with this in a direct way for they too have given of themselves with good will in mind)

By this stage there were a couple of other NARGA hands but still no solid team members as there simply hadn't been the time/space to process. It was mostly just the 2 of us, with a good handful of helpers at random &, in this past week, our first other defined team member came on board to do promos that were much required to cover the rescue stories on the ground & promote the sponsors who had given of their resources & time to assist.

All the while we did this with interference from this NARGA person causing havoc to procedures on the side. This person, I found out after, was a rogue executive! On several occasions I was in damage control with rescuers & sponsors as a result & was even abused & threatened by him to the degree that the president had to direct him to not have contact with me! This was all because he simply didn't want to work within a unified & coordinated team.

* I just need to say for the record, as I've stated many times internally within NARGA that, on a personal level, I found this bright eyed bushy tailed soul to be such a delight of inspiration, ideas, pure very real love for animals & fantastic intentions & no doubt a very competent trainer/behaviourist. Unfortunately though, he's a lone wolf & far beyond, extremely chaotic which is the antithesis of what's required in disaster management.

I felt a very real & genuine warmth toward this person because I "get him". Aside from the chaotic aspect in disasters & the understanding of the requirement for strong team structure & "staying in the lanes we're good at", he very much sounds like me!

Further to the damage control was that I was also finding, as I engaged with rescues, that NARGA has a reputation which precedes it...for what I did not know nor had the time to try to understand but could hazard a guess at.

I wrote a letter to the executive committee regarding my concerns, to which I got no reply.

At the 2 week mark, we submitted a report to a Special General Meeting for NARGA at which time my right hand team mate requested a policy & procedures meeting with the executive committee. It was scheduled & we tried to ascertain clarity regarding the approach we were to take (us both knowing that it needed to be an autonomous system functioning as had on several occasions been assured by the president it would be) & to access narga policies & procedures to understand how narga & DRT were to relate.

Upon not really getting any answers in that meeting & realising the gravity of indeed where NARGA is at, my fellow team member graciously declined to continue to assist with DRT in the capacity he had been. I had & continued to assert the same warnings of grave consequence, not only for NARGA's reputation & my hard earned one, but also for the massive consequences that would be experienced by the wider rescue world, but mostly, our animal family. I earnestly feel that, if Disaster Response is not approached in the correct way, the Disaster Management world will simply lock rescues out of such essential work for this generation if they believed that NARGA brought more crisis to crisis than alleviation. Fortunately I did not allow this to be the case in the Sydney fires but I am also aware that it was a small scale disaster & that, had I not been in damage control, it may very well have been the case.

I have continuously asserted this position to the executive committee (in the most direct & considerate way I’ve been able to, ending in bluntness tonight) but, rather than either taking it in & acting to protect the Disaster Response Team, nor simply admitting that they don't know how to approach this &/or are in over their depth, they just provided me with excuses & endorsements for the rogue executive & no assurance it would stop.

It was an extremely difficult decision for me to come to...I had genuinely enjoyed liaising with most NARGA people & felt the tragedy of the missed opportunity it is that an organisation such as NARGA was not able to grasp the fundamental structure upon which an effective & successful disaster response team must be based.

In arriving at this conclusion tonight, I very courteously expressed (in almost these exact words), "It is clear to me that this is not going to work. You're good people. I hope NARGA continues to thrive. I will see the sponsor promotions through as these good people have entrusted me as fronting an organised body & I will liaise with you all as I rap up." With that I said "Goodnarga", a term I have used in my time on board.

One person said goodnight & the president apologised for being rude directly beforehand (yet still blaming me). No thank you, nothing. But, literally within a few minutes, NARGA locked me out of every page & group, extracted drop box files, extracted my title from my facebook profile & blocked me from the Disaster page (which also has meant, as a result of me promoting a Disaster Response Team call for help, my Micro Mel Animal Services ability to have a cover picture is now gone). I immediately sent them a very civil letter telling them that I thought it was a low act. Their response was to put up this post defaming me personally & my business that was supposed to have been an official sponsor in exchange for my mammoth contribution for the time (I've had very little sleep for 2 weeks).

I commented, asking why they were being so vicious & that if they did not take the post down & apologise, I would need to take legal action as this is highly defamatory. They did not take the post down but simply deleted my comment & barred me.

I noticed one of their own volunteers has asked why they can’t see the other comments but it has gone without reply.

I am simply devastated. I have worked so hard to have a good reputation in the rescue industry. I turn down $1000 jobs from breeders regularly, I only charge for about 10% of what I do & indeed, I live & breathe rescue (as we all do) & even all of that significant work I've contributed to the betterment of NARGA in the last 2 weeks is for free because they are evidently not going to honour my sponsorship promotion (which I think is probably a good thing actually re association).

Please post this & let people know the real story. There's no question I cannot unravel the damage they will do to me...but perhaps I can minimise it. I've never dealt with such a level of spite in my life.

I feel like going & hiding in a hole. But I'm not going to. I believe in what I do & I shall continue to do it to the best of my ability.

Sometimes I feel that the animals in the rescue world most in need of assistance are the humans.

And when the night is cloudy

There is still a light that shines on me

Shine on until tomorrow, let it be

((( )))

Like · · Share · Wednesday, 2 October 2013 at 01:50 · Edited

1 share

Mel Smith The letter that I sent literally a minute or so before NARGA's facebook launch at me.

To everyone concerned,

To say I'm floored is an understatement.

For a complete lockout & wiping of "me" from all NARGA platforms, within literal minutes of me very calmly & courteously saying simply that it wasn't going to work (for me to coordinate the Disaster Response Team), after being spoken to disrespectfully even, is really quite a disgusting way to deal with people...especially those that have contributed so much toward your organisation's growth in such a short time.

Not even so much as a thank you! Yet here I am, upon my departure, referring to you all as "good people" wishing NARGA well & offering to see promotions through so they're done (& generally rap things up like would normally be the case if someone was exiting an organisation in a respectful & mature manner).

Ian & I facilitated NARGA's input of over $10000 worth of essential supplies on the ground for animals in need during this most recent fire event, plus so so much more (not to mention the sacrifices made - this past 2 weeks has actually cost me a considerable amount), with little to no help, no structure in place, no policies & procedures to draw from, no team...To coordinate something that was nothing more than a facade (albeit it was done with good intentions...just unwise & ungrounded actions).

I am simply amazed at such spite (& please DO NOT even try to say it was otherwise. Nothing like that, with that much ferocity, can happen without it).

What an absolute slap in the face.

Everyone who's had anything to do with that swift mobilisation, should hang their heads in shame.

And here I was...going back onto the crew group, to offer a helpful suggestion...to further extend my hand of goodwill!

It is clear to me now why I was in NARGA damage control with some rescues before even encountering them.

It was a very difficult decision for me to arrive at the conclusion that it was best for me to withdraw my coordination services. I was very clear in my assertions from the start but still tried to explain the "whys" as best I could anyway, given that noone from narga seemed to be understanding them (hence why someone external was required to begin with)...I attempted to bridge the gap in understanding in the spirit of overcoming & genuinely wanting for it to work.

I will now take such showing of what lies beneath to be a blessing...a confirmation that listening to my gut was the exact right move, as is always the case.

For all those that played no part in this maneouvre, I sincerely enjoyed liaising with you over this past time & do still wish you the best in your endeavours to help animals. Perhaps it's the animals closer to home that need the most help.

To a new page being turned...

(Micro) Mel

Yesterday at 03:01 · LikeReply

Mel Smith And then there's this...

Today

06:25

Jan Bartlett

Hi Mel, I would like to say thank you for all of the work and effort that you put into the DRT over the last few weeks that you have been involved. It is a shame that you felt you could not work with us as we really are a good bunch of people who are trying to do a difficult job with few resources. I was totally honest and open with you at the start; stating that there was absolutely no structure in place and that it would be part of your responsibilities to get that structure underway. At no time was it suggested that procedures and policies were in place or that there was any planning or order to the DRT. It was a brand new team of NARGA and as such was a blank canvas. Again thank you for your time, effort and dedication and again I am sorry that it did not work out. I wish you best for any future endeavours.

Wednesday, 2 October 2013 at 14:41 (21 hours ago) · LikeReply

[_PL_]

An expansion beyond their capacity and no internal protocols is a recipe for a defunct organisation. I wish that woman well and I think she has left out a lot of the more damaging information.