MDAR Survey Presentation

102 of 311 respondents - 33% response rate

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Agenda

• Introductions and housekeeping
• Recap actions to date
• Present key findings and commentary
• Review full quantitative results
• Talk about next steps
• Conduct a group exercise (depending on time)
• Follow up with full set of authorized, written comments and slides via email/on-line

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Introductions and Housekeeping

Naomi Covino, Brown Dog Coalition

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Sheryl Blancato, Second Chance Animal Services

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Joanna Reck, Great Dog Rescue NE

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Mute your microphones, use chat for questions

Respect and support

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What’s Been Done So Far

• Met with Commissioner and Assistant Commissioner (Ashley and Alicia) on 4/11/23
• Emailed shelters and rescues - email list compiled from research from current list of approved shelters and rescues on MDAR website
• Drafted, conducted and compiled survey
• Meeting with Commissioner and Assistant Commissioner to review results on 6/29 and request changes

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Bottom Line on Top

• Survey showed consistent negative feedback
• On a scale of very unhelpful to very helpful, 82% respondents rated MDAR as 1-5 (out of 10)
• 72.5% of respondents fear retribution
• 57% have experienced the MDAR enforcing a change or rule that is not clearly outlined in its written regulations
• 73% are planning on attending a listening session
• Less than half the respondents have been inspected
• Less than half the respondents have their new license

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82.4% Give a 5 or lower rating out of 10 indicating a high rating for being unhelpful to the animal welfare community.

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59% gave a 2 or lower which is a strong indicator that MDAR continues to decline as a collaborative resource with animal welfare operating in MA.

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72.5% work in fear of retribution by MDAR. This is a deeply concerning statistic and shows an inability to be able to collaborate in a healthy environment.

See #1

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• I became so cautious that we just stop taking in animals.
• They seem to be searching for the negative.
• I just wish the MDAR could be a resource and an opportunity for education and support.
• I have had things quoted to me that I cannot find written down anywhere.
• There were many unofficial threats made, including but not limited to: Cease & Desist, Arrest, Shut Down, Entire Euthanasia, Fines, Jail Time and much more.
• There is the fear they can shut you down any time over something trivial or not important.
• What the MDAR has done that has become so dangerous is that they have made us afraid to ask questions.
• Changes rules at the drop of a hat, unfair practices.
• There is no actual guideline that we can find to follow. We aren't allowed to ask questions because we will get in trouble, yelled at and animals taken away.
• She is VERY quick to threaten retaliation of fines and revocation of licensing.

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• We found them to be completely unreasonable, to the point of downright rude and insulting
• Their objective seems to dissuade people from rescuing when in fact it should be the opposite.
• My experience is that many of their rules or expectations are unclear and can change on a whim
• We've forever been afraid that we'd be blacklisted by Massachusetts for doing what we didn't know what against the rules
• They are unreasonable, paranoid and vindictive
• No matter how legitimate you are, if you are in the business of rescue or animal care, you know not to work within Mass unless you want to invite trouble onto yourself.
• Calling MDAR to ask questions in good faith in order to follow the rules often seems to result in increased scrutiny.

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• Although we want to be fully transparent with MDAR, they punish people who honestly and in good faith self-report issues, while ignoring those that operate illegally within our state.
• What they attempt to enforce is spelled out extremely VAGUELY.
• I have had rules and regulations cited to me and when I asked where I could find them I did not get a response. And it turns out the rules/ regs were nowhere to be found.
• The whole issue of animals who are on meds cannot be transported or adopted is very confusing and I do not believe it is accurate.
• I am now the proud owner of an $8500.00 wall with a door that leads to another door and wall that isn't listed anywhere in their regulations.
• Frequently they "want" things done that are not supported in the written regulations or other written guidelines. I have also frequently received conflicting answers from different members of the department.

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• We have asked for guidance around quarantines and they are hostile
• "everyone cries when they talk to me".
• The regs are very "grey" and purposely written that way so MDAR has a wiggle room to decide how a clause can be enforced
• They have required us to hire contractors to close up doors and add vestibules with double doors at our isolation kennel. Every time they inspect us it costs us $10-$15K in construction costs. We have had our isolation kennel for 15 years... and it was approved originally as it was, but they just add new requirements every time they inspect. There is nothing in the regulations that calls out any of this, but we are too afraid of being shut down to push back.
• Vaccination requirements are unclear and MDAR makes up new rules as it goes along
• She yelled so much that I started crying on the phone and she demanded I stop crying and fix the problem.

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• They need a complete revamping and overhaul in order to benefit ALL shelters, rescues and animals.
• We do not adopt dogs to Massachusetts, because our dogs are completely vetted, are transported by private transport and I refuse to put our dogs through yet another transition, in a totally unnecessary quarantine facility nor absorb the exorbitant cost for said facility and vet inspection, when our dogs were issued an interstate health certificate just days before by a very qualified veterinarian.
• There are several rules in the 30 CMR 30 that go against the best standards and practice, our shelter vet recommendations or more.
• Have brought nursing moms and puppies. Need this rule (that they cannot come) to be revisited.
• If DAR thinks they've made anything better since the emergency orders they're fools - they're behavior simply caused groups to increase operations and do it underground.

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Demographics of Respondents

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MDAR Inspections

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Takeaways:

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Almost half never received written findings after an inspection.

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Almost 40% did not receive their findings for over a week or more.

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How long should licensing really take?

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See answers in #2 (fines) and #3 (cease and desists)

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See answers in #4

See answers in #5

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See #6 Comments

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See #7 for comments

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See #8 for comments

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See #9 for comments

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See #10 for comments

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Additional Comments - see section #11

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Our Requests to the Commissioner

• Listening sessions – status update/still needed/can change start now
• More collaborative relationship
• Shelter educated and reasonable MDAR staff
• Stop harassment and fear environment
• Stop imposing regulations or erroneous interpretations that do not apply (i.e., 7-day rule in pet shop adoption centers, quarantine building guidelines that do not match code etc.)
• A means to appeal MDAR judgements that is unbiased and informed of animal welfare best practices
• Breeders and animal welfare should be treated fairly, MDAR considers animal welfare the cause of disease which is not the case (see next slide below)

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Parvo Stats

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• We are asking to foster greater collaboration with animal welfare organizations and MDAR dedicated to the well-being of pets in our state. By working together, we can leverage our resources, knowledge, and expertise to implement comprehensive and effective policies that prioritize the welfare of animals. Establishing regular communication channels and holding joint meetings, workshops, and conferences will facilitate the exchange of ideas and best practices, leading to innovative solutions and improved outcomes for pets in Massachusetts.

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• We need the immediate stoppage of aggressive behavior of MDAR, attempting to intimidate and demoralize animal welfare professionals in MA. In addition, MDAR should only be implementing written regulations, not interpretations or statements that contradict veterinarians’ judgements or best practice standards.

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• For the long term, we need to review the current regulations and tailor them to be more understandable, direct and in the best interest of pets in the Commonwealth.

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• Instead of waiting for S#491 for the establishment of an advisory committee, this could be set up now to help everyone navigate the animal welfare program.

Our Requests to the Commissioner Con’t

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What Comes Next?

• Meet with Commissioner
• Call to Action - massarr.com

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We Are In This Together

• Form a Coalition to share our own best practices and answer questions
• Mass Cats and Mass Dogs
• Mass Animal Coalition
• New Group?

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• Research pro-bono legal assistance

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New Group’s Purpose

• Education
• Parvo
• FIP
• Resources
• Accounting
• Insurance
• Collaboration
• More local or specific help

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Questions?

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Exercise #1

What changes would be the most impactful?

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Exercise #2

How can we do more as a group? How can we help each other more?

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