Dear Uncle Joe,
Posh developments here in Florida have pest control
companies trap or kill all the animals inhumanely to keep the
developments "free" of
animals. Anytime a person sees a raccoon, duck, iguana, alligator,
possum, fox, anything that is usually a joy to see, they report to
animal control to come and "remove" the harmless creature.
I was able to stop random poisoning in one community
so far, but this happens in many places and seems endless. The management
of my community put rat poisoning behind the houses, and the result
was that raccoons ate it, squirrels at it and passed it on to the
osprey, the fish, the possum - you get the picture.
People freak out when they see a wild critter. What
can I do? I’m only one person.
Kendra L.
Lady Lake, FL
Dear Kendra:
You have to start small in order to put together a
movement that will get the management of your community to sit up
and listen to you
Since you've been able to stop random poisoning in
one community, it might help if the manager of that complex could
give you a written testimonial, something to show others that s/he
has worked with you on the issue, and that you have been able to
show them alternatives to poisoning that work well to solve their
problems. With this letter, you can approach other property managers
and try to sell them on the same solutions. It would also help if
you could write up a petition supporting your approach and collect
signatures from the residents living in a given complex. This will
show the property managers that there is support for your plans.
Contact local grassroots animal rights groups for their
assistance. They may be able to put you in touch with a friendly
reporter who can do an article or two.
Keep up the good work! The animals appreciate it.
Peace,
Uncle Joe
