1. Striking at the ROOTS

2. “There are a thousand hacking at the branches of evil to one who is striking at the root” Henry David Thoreau

3. The Undesirable Effects we experience are just Symptoms

4. We must understand the Core Problems that lead to the Symptoms

5. We must determine the Root Causes of those Core Problems

6. If we wish to find Sustainable Solutions, we must address the Root Causes.

7. Most of our Efforts are directed at Fixing Symptoms

8. The Path of Least Resistance Immediate Need: Emotional Gratification from Visible and Tangible results Narrow Focus Short-Term Goals

9. “Fire-fighting”, actions focused on symptoms, are short-term tactics, and do not address underlying, chronic causes

10. Symptoms: Fires we’re 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!

11. Let’s examine the Root Causes of the Core Problems we have…

12. 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

13. Action or Decision Condition that must be in place Absence of Intervention Active CausePassive Causes Effect For Example: Animals mate People’s Animals are unsterilised There is no law against private breeding Active CausePassive Causes More unwanted animals

14. SYMPTOM: Euthanasia of Animals in Shelters PROBLEM: Too Many Unwanted Animals ROOT CAUSE: Indiscriminate Breeding PROBLEM: Insufficient Resources ROOT CAUSE: No legislation regulating breeding ROOT CAUSE: No govt funding ROOT CAUSE: Insufficient private sector support

15. SYMPTOM: Increased Neglect and Cruelty towards animals PROBLEM: Ignorance of Laws and Cultural Prejudice ROOT CAUSE: Cultural Preconceptions PROBLEM: Lack of Resources ROOT CAUSE: Lack of Education ROOT CAUSE: Economic Conditions ROOT CAUSE: Distorted Priorities PROBLEM: Inadequate Policing and Legislation ROOT CAUSE: Limited specialised Police Force ROOT CAUSE: Legislation driven by outdated thinking

16. SYMPTOM: Disease and Health Risk PROBLEM: Poor Retailer practices PROBLEM: Poor welfare practices ROOT CAUSE: Lack of Education ROOT CAUSE: Lack of Resources ROOT CAUSE: Profit Motive

17. What can we change? Sphere of Influence Outside the circle: 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!

18. ROOT CAUSE: Indiscriminate Breeding ROOT CAUSE: No legislation regulating breeding ROOT CAUSE: No govt funding ROOT CAUSE: Insufficient private sector support ROOT CAUSE: Cultural Preconceptions ROOT CAUSE: Lack of Education ROOT CAUSE: Economic Conditions ROOT CAUSE: Distorted Priorities ROOT CAUSE: Limited specialised Police Force ROOT CAUSE: Legislation driven by outdated thinking Change What, and How?

19. ROOT CAUSE: Indiscriminate Breeding ROOT CAUSE: No legislation regulating breeding ROOT CAUSE: No govt funding ROOT CAUSE: Insufficient private sector support ROOT CAUSE: Cultural Preconceptions ROOT CAUSE: Lack of Education ROOT CAUSE: Economic Conditions ROOT CAUSE: Distorted Priorities ROOT CAUSE: Limited specialised Police Force ROOT CAUSE: Legislation driven by outdated thinking Change What, and How? EDUCATION

20. ROOT CAUSE: Indiscriminate Breeding ROOT CAUSE: No legislation regulating breeding ROOT CAUSE: No govt funding ROOT CAUSE: Insufficient private sector support ROOT CAUSE: Economic Conditions ROOT CAUSE: Limited specialised Police Force ROOT CAUSE: Legislation driven by outdated thinking Change What, and How? ENGAge and lobby government

21. ROOT CAUSE: Indiscriminate Breeding ROOT CAUSE: Insufficient private sector support ROOT CAUSE: Economic Conditions ROOT CAUSE: Limited specialised Police Force Change What, and How? Create inspectorates

22. ROOT CAUSE: Insufficient private sector support ROOT CAUSE: Economic Conditions Change What, and How? OUTSIDE of our Control ?

23. Strategies impacting 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…

24. …giving rise to the need for a COLLECTIVE that can supply skills and resources and speak with ONE VOICE.

25. http://custodians.wordpress.com