Striking at the ROOTS

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Striking at the ROOTS
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There are a thousand hacking at the branches of
evil to one who is striking at the rootHenry
David Thoreau
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The Undesirable Effects we experience are just
Symptoms
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We must understand the Core Problems that lead to
the Symptoms
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We must determine the Root Causes of those Core
Problems
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If we wish to find Sustainable Solutions, we must
address the Root Causes.
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Most of our Efforts are directed at Fixing
Symptoms
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The Path of Least Resistance

• Immediate Need Emotional Gratification from
  Visible and Tangible results
• Narrow Focus
• Short-Term Goals

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Fire-fighting, actions focused on symptoms, are
short-term tactics, and do not address
underlying, chronic causes
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Symptoms Fires were Fighting

• Rescuing and Homing animals already in the system
  addresses the symptom of the growing population
  of unwanted animals
• Rehabilitating animals who have been neglected or
  abused addresses the symptoms of ignorance and
  insensitivity
• Holding Mass Sterilisations addresses the symptom
  of the growing population of unwanted animals
• Euthanizing animals in Shelters addresses the
  symptom of inadequate resources and growing
  population of unwanted animals
• Convicting people of animal-related crimes
  addresses the symptom of lawlessness

but the underlying causes are not addressed!
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Lets examine the Root Causes of the Core
Problems we have
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Understanding Active and Passive Cause

• Active Causes are Actions taken that have an
  observable effect
• Passive Causes are Conditions that exist that
  enable or allow the Action to be taken

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Effect
Action or Decision
Condition that must be in place
Absence of Intervention
Active Cause
Passive Causes
For Example
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SYMPTOM Euthanasia of Animals in Shelters
PROBLEM Too Many Unwanted Animals
PROBLEM Insufficient Resources
ROOT CAUSE Insufficient private sector support
ROOT CAUSE No legislation regulating breeding
ROOT CAUSE Indiscriminate Breeding
ROOT CAUSE No govt funding
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SYMPTOM Increased Neglect and Cruelty towards
animals
PROBLEM Inadequate Policing and Legislation
PROBLEM Lack of Resources
PROBLEM Ignorance of Laws and Cultural Prejudice
ROOT CAUSE Limited specialised Police Force
ROOT CAUSE Economic Conditions
ROOT CAUSE Cultural Preconceptions
ROOT CAUSE Lack of Education
ROOT CAUSE Distorted Priorities
ROOT CAUSE Legislation driven by outdated
thinking
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SYMPTOM Disease and Health Risk
PROBLEM Poor Retailer practices
PROBLEM Poor welfare practices
ROOT CAUSE Lack of Resources
ROOT CAUSE Lack of Education
ROOT CAUSE Profit Motive
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What can we change? Sphere of Influence
Area beyond our control or influence
Area we can influence collectively
Area we can influence individually
Area we can control
Our GREATEST influence is as a Collective!
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Change What, and How?
If these Root Causes of the Status Quo are NOT
addressed, we will be lamenting the same
symptoms in ten years time, except they will be
WORSE. The time is NOW.
ROOT CAUSE No govt funding
ROOT CAUSE No legislation regulating breeding
ROOT CAUSE Insufficient private sector support
ROOT CAUSE Indiscriminate Breeding
ROOT CAUSE Limited specialised Police Force
ROOT CAUSE Economic Conditions
ROOT CAUSE Cultural Preconceptions
ROOT CAUSE Legislation driven by outdated
thinking
ROOT CAUSE Distorted Priorities
ROOT CAUSE Lack of Education
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Change What, and How?
EDUCATION
ROOT CAUSE No govt funding
ROOT CAUSE No legislation regulating breeding
ROOT CAUSE Insufficient private sector support
ROOT CAUSE Indiscriminate Breeding
ROOT CAUSE Limited specialised Police Force
ROOT CAUSE Economic Conditions
ROOT CAUSE Cultural Preconceptions
ROOT CAUSE Legislation driven by outdated
thinking
ROOT CAUSE Distorted Priorities
ROOT CAUSE Lack of Education
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Change What, and How?
ROOT CAUSE No legislation regulating breeding
ROOT CAUSE Insufficient private sector support
ROOT CAUSE No govt funding
ROOT CAUSE Indiscriminate Breeding
ENGAge and lobby government
ROOT CAUSE Limited specialised Police Force
ROOT CAUSE Economic Conditions
ROOT CAUSE Legislation driven by outdated
thinking
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Change What, and How?
ROOT CAUSE Insufficient private sector support
ROOT CAUSE Indiscriminate Breeding
Create inspectorates
ROOT CAUSE Limited specialised Police Force
ROOT CAUSE Economic Conditions
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Change What, and How?
?
ROOT CAUSE Insufficient private sector support
OUTSIDE of our Control
ROOT CAUSE Economic Conditions
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Strategies dealing with Root Causes

• Breeding Regulations
• Education (in Schools, Institutions)
• Better Legislation
• Specialised Inspectors / Policing

the long-term fixes are NOT within the scope of
the individual organisation
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giving rise to the need for a COLLECTIVE that
can supply skills and resources and speak with
ONE VOICE.
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