Promenade pets pass muster with animal control officers
THIRD STREET PROMENADE Animal control officers interviewed those who publicly display animals here and found no evidence of abuse or neglect, but suggested the City Council may want to look at passing a law similar to that in Los Angeles requiring street performers and pet adoption agencies to obtain and maintain a permit and pay an annual fee of $150.
It was also suggested that the council consider mandating yearly inspections of caregivers’ homes or businesses to ensure that animals used in performances or who are up for adoption are being properly taken care off.
Currently City Hall does not specifically regulate animal acts or exhibitions, however, those who wish to perform on the promenade must obtain a permit and must follow state and local laws concerning the proper care and treatment of animals. The municipal code requires that animals in public be in the custody and control of their owner at all times.
The suggestions were made in an information item that was sent to the council earlier this month in response to a request from students at Crossroads School that Santa Monica follow Los Angeles’ lead.
During a June 19 Council meeting, several students said they were horrified and heartbroken by the sight of the “Psychic Cats” pulling fortunes from a bowl and the capuchin monkey wearing a hat and vest grabbing dollar bills from people passing by. Students said the cats must be drugged because no feline can sit still for as long as the performing cats. As for the monkey, they raised concerns about public health, saying the city could be held liable if the monkey were to attack someone.
The students said not only is the use of animals in performances a public safety issue, but also sends the wrong message to children that animals are not living creatures, but rather “play toys that can be subjected to human whim.”
They also singled out Patricia Stake, who runs Lost Angels, which tries to find homes for cats.
“There aren’t a lot of people who exhibit animals in Santa Monica and those who have, we’ve found essentially no cause to be concerned about the welfare of the animals,” said Donn Umber, manager of the Santa Monica Animal Shelter, who prepared the report.
Umber said animal control officers interviewed Stake, Anthony Barbato, who operates Monk-N-Me, and Leonid Vaisman, who performs with the “Psychic Cats.”
In regards to Stake, Umber said animal control has received periodic calls regarding her cats sitting in cages. They have not been found to be improperly cared for while being displayed.
Other complaints have alleged that Stake charges arbitrary adoption fees, requests cash payments, fails to provide receipts, selects adopters based on their ability to give a large donation and that she has released unspayed or unneutered cats to adopters.
Those allegations have not been substantiated, Umber said.
Stake was issued an order in 2002 to correct sub-standard conditions in her home when inspectors visited and found that a total of 11 cats and kittens, some of which were in small carriers, were being housed in a small apartment that had inadequate ventilation. That was fixed and no further complaints have since been received.
In an interview with Stake, Umber said she was asked where she keeps animals waiting to be adopted. She said they were fostered by volunteers. When asked if animal control staff could speak to or visit any of her foster volunteers, Stake allegedly said, “none would be willing to go along with that.”
When asked what that meant,State said the she has about 30 to 40 active volunteers who are all busy professionals and that because the FBI informed her that animal control staff has talked to the Animal Liberation Front, a extreme animal rights group, none of her volunteers would want to be contacted or would permit home inspections.
Umber said Animal control has never communicated with the ALF.
Stake’s organization has not filed an application to become a legal non-profit. Umber said that information has been given to the IRS.
In an interview in June, Stake said she has been trying to file for non-profit status, but has been harassed by animal rights extremist and has been forced to spend most of her time defending her organization.
Stake claims she doesn’t need to be a non profit to operate. She does accept donations, but only in small amounts, and all of that money goes toward feeding the animals and making sure they are healthy and ready for adoption, she said.
In the case of the monkey, Umber said Barbato of Monk-N-Me has valid permits required by the Department of Fish and Game to own or possess capuchin monkeys. Umber said Barbato has been interviewed several times by animal control and the monkeys have always been found by officers to be treated well and in good condition. While people may have concerns about the humanness of a primate in captivity being used for public amusement, Umber said there is no evidence that the monkey is being mistreated.
Barbato told Umber that he has homebred his monkeys and that the mother of those that currently perform remains in good health at the age of 32. Sgt. Alonzo Real of the Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control told city staff that annual inspections of Barbato’s home and his animals have always resulted in an “A” rating.
As for the “Psychic Cats,” Umber said officers have always found the cats to be alert and well cared for.
While cats that willingly perch calmly on a table top in the midst of a crowd are rare. Vaisman told Umber that he adopts his cats from animal shelters when they are young and conditions them to perform using only food rewards and much patience.
Some have complained about Vaisman’s “dirty appearance and rude demeanor,” and therefore must mistreat his animals. Umber said Vaisman’s act involved adopting the appearance and persona of a gruff Gypsy, but he has always been polite and spoken willingly with staff. He also stated that he rotates his cats each time he performs from among the six he owns, and that he limits the time of his performances to no more than four hours per evening. Because of his deteriorating health, Vaisman only performs once or twice a month.
The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals does recommend that local agencies establish a permit process to enable over sight of such activities.
“A simple low-cost or no-cost permit process for legitimate animal adoption organizations that seek safe outdoor locations for mobile adoption events would enable city staff to verify the non-profit status of applicants,” Umber said.
“This would restrict the ability of those who take advantage of the public’s sympathy for animals from profiting in the city of Santa Monica.”
Umber said the council has not set a date as of yet to discuss the recommendations.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on September 3, 2007. Read the original PDF.