Houston Dog Blog Exclusive: Annise Parker, the Mayor for Houston's Animals and their Human Companions!

I am not one to talk much about politics.  I feel that everyone has the right to their own opinions and values.  I have to say though, that for the first time in a long while, I am passionate about a candidate for office.  I know many criticize our current Mayor, but I have always respected him.  From the beginning of his term he has done a lot of good.  I do have a problem with the way he is handling animal welfare issues, but overall I like him and REALLY like his staff.   This far in his term, it is unlikely that he will place an emphasis on issues at the City’s Bureau of Animal Regulation and Care (BARC).  Rather than dwell on that, I say we all celebrate that a candidate like Annise Parker has a great chance of becoming Houston’s next Mayor!  She will not only be a champion for the animal community, but will be one of Houston’s most inclusive and diverse leaders.   For 11 years, Annise Parker has been serving Houston, first as a City Councilwoman and most recently as our Controller.  She has done an amazing job and has proven that she is ready to lead our city!  We recently had the chance to sit down and talk with our favorite Mayoral Candidate, Annise Parker.  Long time fans and supporters of Parker, we were excited to get her take on a few issues that are important to Houston’s four-legged community and their caretakers.  Our chat came just after Parker and her camp released their plan to improve Houston’s Bureau of Animal Regulation and Care (BARC), which I recently posted.  I think its a great start!  Rome was not built in a day and BARC will not be fixed overnight.  But let’s get it done as fast as possible -- and I think she will.

A devoted human to her dog Dancer and her cats, Parker is the best choice for Houston’s animals!  Below is a Q&A that we conducted as well as a video of some of Annise’s responses to the questions we asked.  I hope that you will join me when the time comes to vote.  Make sure you visit their website at AnniseParker.com and become a fan on their Facebook page!  Click below to read the Q&A and view a video of Annise addressing some of our questions.

Houston Dog Blog chats with Mayoral Candidate, Annise Parker:

HDB:

Throughout your political career in Houston, you have been a staunch animal rights supporter.  What have been your most impactful actions for this community?

Parker:

As a City Council member, I worked with animal rights groups to pass the exotic animal ordinance, which outlaws the keeping of exotic animals in the City of Houston.  We had an epidemic of residents raising big cats (tigers, jaguars, etc.); this was not only a potential public safety issue, it was also abusive to the animals. 

I was instrumental in the privatization of the Houston Zoo.  Zoos are necessary to preserve our wild animal heritage.  Privatization was necessary to make the zoo a safer and more humane place for the animals.

I also am the author of the “Pooper Scooper” ordinance, which requires you to pick up waste after your pets.  I consider this a quality of life issue; no one likes to have animal feces in their yard.

I was involved in the creation of the first city dog park on Maxie Road.

HDB:

The City’s Bureau of Animal Regulation and Control (BARC) has been under fire for numerous issues, including inhumane conditions, inadequate staffing and poor management.  As Mayor, how will you address this issue?

Parker:

The Mayor’s role is to appoint a competent and experienced director, provide adequate funding, make clear that the city will collaborate and coordinate with other governmental and non-profit agencies, and promote low-cost spay and neuter as humane solutions to the overwhelming dog and cat population.

HDB:

What is your stance on spaying and neutering animals?  How do you feel S/N can affect the overall issue of animal overpopulation in Houston?

Parker:

More emphasis needs to be given to general animal education outreach – stressing the importance of spaying and neutering animals, adopting animals rather than buying from puppy mills, and having a valid license for all animals.  If everyone would spay and neuter his or her animals, it would go a long way to solving many of Houston’s animal control problems.

HDB:

I know that you have seen the successful Mobile Clinic run by SNAP.  As Mayor, would you be open to collaborating with organizations, like SNAP, who are on the front lines in the community?  If so, what do you feel an ideal collaboration would look like?

Parker:

Yes, I would increase our partnership with organizations such as SNAP and try to restart the Fix Houston initiative in order to increase the number of animals that are spayed and neutered.  

I believe that we can more effectively collaborate with organizations like SNAP.  We can perform “sweeps” and go door-to-door asking residents if they have any unlicensed or unneutered pets.  If they have an unlicensed pet, then we can provide them with the information about how to get a license.  If they have an unneutered pet, we can point them in the direction of the SNAP mobile van, which would accompany the animal control officer on the “sweeps” of the neighborhoods.

HDB:

If you are elected Mayor, how will you help ensure that Houston’s animal population, and their caretakers have a voice in the city?

Parker:

As mayor, just as I have done as a City Council member and as City Controller, I will be accessible to and give voice to every group in Houston, including the animal rights groups. 

I believe in a strong volunteer advisory committee for BARC.

HDB:

What do you feel is the most important animal-related issue facing our City?  How will you address this as Mayor?

Parker:

The most important animal-related issues in Houston – the number of stray animals and our high euthanasia rate - are interrelated.  Both of these problems could be significantly alleviated with a strong, aggressive and comprehensive spay and neutering program. 

HDB:

As Mayor, would you support an initiative to allow dogs on patios at bars and restaurants that welcome four-legged patrons?  Neighboring Texas cities like Dallas and Austin have Dog Variance Ordinances that allow for dogs on approved patios, is that something you see as a potential in Houston and would you support a similar variance in Houston?

Parker:

Yes.

HDB:

How many animal companions do you have?

Parker:

We currently have 1 dog and 5 cats; all are licensed with the city.  All are indoor pets.  We found our dog - a 15+-year old pincer cross named Dancer – as an adult stray.  Rembrandt is a 15-year old DLH cat that we took home as a stray kitten.  Willie is a one-year old DLH cat adopted from the SPCA.  Cinder is a 19-year old DSH cat adopted as an adult stray. Galahad is a 7-year old DSH cat that I bottle fed after we rescued him as an abandoned kitten.  Isis is a one-year old DSH cat that we adopted from the SPCA.

HDB:

What is your favorite animal-related activity in Houston?

Parker:

I have always enjoyed the SPCA’s Mutt Strut.  I also enjoyed taking my dog to the impromptu dog park off Allen Parkway, however, he is now too old to enjoy that kind of adventure.

HDB:

If you had to choose one word that represents your feelings for animals, what would that be?

Parker:

Joy.  Not only because animals bring joy into our lives, but also because they remind us to appreciate and find joy every day.

Check out our video of Annise addressing several of our questions:  

(photo courtesy of Evin Thayer Photography)

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