EL SEGUNDO HERALD November 4, 2021 Page 19
Madeline Bernstein from page 3
In her time with the program, Bernstein
has worked with cases of abuse from many
situations involving a pet. From intimate
partner abuse to elder abuse, she wants to
Kittens like Sprinkles get adopted through spcaLA.
expand the program to include care of animals
for those in many precarious situations. With
their pets in foster programs and shelters,
those seeking help get the chance to focus
on themselves with the relief of knowing
they can keep their pet.
In addition, Bernstein adds that animal abuse
is often a precursor or a sign of abuse on a
larger scale. Bystanders are far more likely
to report cases regarding animals than with
people, so peace officers often look for signs
of other abuse when they investigate reports.
Though not all calls received by spcaLA
are neglect and abuse cases, the number of
calls about inhumane conditions has stayed
relatively steady, despite some owners’ best
intent, says Bernstein. She mentions cases
of hoarders, with too many animals in too
small a space, living in piles of their feces.
Though these owners, she says, will tell her
that no one loves their animals as they do.
In another case, a resident decided to give
free horseback rides around the neighborhood
every day, much to the delight of the kids in
the neighborhood. However, when spcaLA
got there, it was discovered that he had never
taken the saddle off the horse, ever.
On a larger scale, Bernstein stresses the
importance of climate action. “Everything is
connected,” she says, “there used to be a flea
season, and now it’s all the time. Mosquitoes
are having a heyday out here. Kitten season
used to be one season, and now it’s pretty
much all year round with concentrations in
during certain months.”
Hibernating animals are confusing their
cycles with the increasingly warm weather,
and disease-carrying ticks and insects that can
affect humans are multiplying in animals at
much faster rates. In addition, she says the
rat population in Los Angeles has exploded
as they look for food.
In the case of tortoises, which she fell into
rescuing, she explains that they can live over
a hundred years old, but they are watched
due to human intervention. Tortoises crossing
roads and being picked up by well-meaning
people who then can throw off their natural
hibernation patterns.
All in all, Bernstein stresses action on
all fronts to protect the lives of the animals
around us, and especially our pets. This
includes farther-reaching causes like climate
change, poverty, and domestic abuse.
Finally, Bernstein leaves with a message
of adopting over shopping. Having written
a book about designer dogs, she says that
there is a worldwide dog trade happening
right now, stemming largely from social
media trending dogs. Owners can purchase
a trendy dog off Instagram, which she points
out usually does not come from an ethical
breeder and often promotes puppy mills and
unhealthy conditions for the dogs.
“Most shelters have at least twenty-five
percent of dogs that would be considered
purebred,” says Bernstein, although as rescues,
they can’t be verified. She is confident that
everyone could find the breed of their choice
between rescues and shelters through adoption.
Especially, she says, if there is a certain breed
trending. She says if a certified purebred is
a must-have, she recommends really doing
research on the breeder of choice to ensure
that they are ethical and up to code.
If you are interested in helping spcaLA
and its mission, donations are the best form
of aid. Bernstein mentions that fundraising
events, company matching, cash donations,
supply donations, and volunteer work are
all valuable to the organization as things
open back up. •
Madeline Bernstein, president of spcaLA.
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