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THE SCIENTOLOGY CULT IS ATTACKING AN ANIMAL SANCTUARY From: Robert Vaughn
Young (writer@eskimo.com) Hello. My name is Robert Vaughn Young. My wife and I have been operating a small non-profit animal sanctuary in Seattle, Washington. Over the last two years, we have rescued and adopted out nearly 500 cats and dogs. That effort is now jeopardized because the Scientology cult is attacking the sanctuary and trying to get it closed down. Why would a cult try to close down an animal sanctuary? Please read on. It will take a few screens. OUR ANIMAL RESCUE/SANCTUARY WORK Our initial work started with my wife volunteering at PAWS (Progressive Animal Welfare Society, based north of Seattle, in Lynwood), by being both a foster home and helping with off-site adoptions. The effort was so successful that my wife, Stacy (the initiating and moving force), was featured in a news article and given an award from PAWS for the hundreds of cats that were adopted out through her effort. As we continued to fill this need, our "foster home" grew faster and was more successful than we ever imagined or planned for. One reason, we discovered, was that there is no such sanctuary in Seattle. The closest is the Humane Society in Bellvue, an affluent community to the east of Seattle. The only thing in Seattle is Animal Control, the "Pound." So the word began to spread and our popularity grew. By "kitten season" (those in rescue work know what this means) our too- small home was bursting with felines. Very young kittens take up little space, until they begin to dash about under foot and up the wall. Children walking by with their parents would see the kittens in the window and would drop in as if we were a "petting zoo" and be surrounded with playful felines. (There is a lot of therapy to be found being surrounded by adorable kittens.) We finally gave our effort a name, calling it Friends of the Animals Foundation (FAF) , dba, West Seattle Cat Rescue or WSCR - pronounced "whisker." (We're not in the phone book under WSCR as we are operating from our home.) In July, we incorporated as a non-profit, with an eye to the day that we could establish an actual sanctuary. We are seeking 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status for FAF because we plan to provide sanctuary to other animals, one we can find and create adequate facilities. To date we have adopted out nearly 500 kittens, cats and a few dogs. These animals were homeless, abandoned, sick, injured, abused, handicapped or destined to be euthanized. Here are some examples: * Lionel - More than any other animal, Lionel was the inspiration for our no-kill philosophy. A three-year-old gray male tabby and an abandoned stray, Lionel was found in some bushes about a year ago by one of our neighbors who called us to help. Lionel was in a horrible, bloody condition, obviously hit by a car. We rushed him to emergency and were told that both front legs had been crushed and the side of his head was badly scraped, apparently dragged by the car. (We have no idea how he got to the bushes.) They said that he would definitely lose one leg and probably the other and recommended he be euthanized because such care would be too expensive. We made a decision which defined FAF/WSCR. We refused to kill him and found a feline orthopedic surgeon the next day who said he would try to reconstruct Lionel's legs. We had no idea how we would pay for it, but we agreed. After a five-hour operation, and 24 screws and two plates to hold the shattered bones together, Lionel emerged with two - repeat, two - of the most beautiful blue and yellow bandaged legs you have ever seen. (We still show pictures of him.) Then, hearing of his plight through a local news item, the West Seattle community rallied and Lionel's entire bill (about $3000) was paid by donations to the clinic and a large community weekend yard sale. The best news is that he recovered. He lost a few toes due to infection but he can run and jump and today he lives in a new home with two other cats adopted from us. * Lily - blind due to a congenital defect and with an eye infection, Lily was to be euthanized but we took her in, She was treated and adopted out to a fine home where she lives happily today with another cat, proving that even blind cats can lead happy lives. * Beauregard - a tall golden retriever who should have weighed over 100 pounds, he was skin and bones (only 63 pounds when weighed at the vet), and was barely able to walk, when he was found abandoned. After months of care and good food, he made a full recovery and finally weighed in at a healthy and robust 110 pounds. He now can run and play at his new Seattle home. * Lucky - a black short-hair cat, she was found by a neighbor at a shelter when she was literally being taken from her cage to a back room for euthanization as "unadaptable." The neighbor adopted her on the spot, renamed her "Lucky" (for obvious reasons) and brought her to WSCR. We found a home for her one week later, which proved her name. * Walter - a three-month old kitten, he was found trying to stay afloat in the middle of Lake Union. How he got there and how he survived for how long until found by a passing boat, no one knows. Hauled out, he was hypothermic but alive. They rushed him to us where he warmed up and recovered and now lives happily with a new family on solid land. * Trey - a three-legged (hence the name), declawed Cornish Rex, Trey was found crying in a dumpster. Brought to us, we first thought he was feral (wild) because of his behavior but it turned out he was completely incensed at being deserted in a dumpster. We took out ads and posted notices around the area for weeks but no one claimed him. He finally calmed down and became an incredibly loving cat. He is still looking for a home. Not all of those we take in are so distinctive, of course. Most are otherwise ordinary cats and kittens (and some dogs) that simply have no home and thus are susceptible to being killed. So we take them in or get them to foster homes until adopted. None are put down for lack of adoption. We have found homes for every animal taken in, even if it takes many months. Our adoption policy (so you know we are serious) is rigorous but simple. No animal comes in without an examination by a licensed veterinarian and tested negative for feline leukemia and feline AIDS. As part of the adoption, the animal is spayed/neutered (if not already) and given their first shots. Those seeking to adopt are given an application to fill out and are interviewed to ensure they have the home and are serious about the adoption. We also require that the person agree to no declawing and should there be any problem, the animal is to be returned to us, and not euthanized or sent to the pound. This is how we have adopted out about 500 animals over two years. But we made one mistake: As valuable as our effort is - and there is only one group that disagrees with that - we didn't check the zoning regulations. That gave Scientology the chance they needed. SCIENTOLOGY'S ATTACK ON THE SANCTUARY One morning, our neighborhood awoke to find that someone had left a sheet of paper on every doorstep. It was anonymous but purported to be from a "concerned neighbor" and said our cats were a nuisance and urged neighbors to complain to Animal Control and the city. (It should be noted that the WSCR cats are all kept indoors. Our three cats are allowed in and out and there are a number of other outdoor cats that belong to neighbors.) A special anonymous letter was attached to our door saying that we better get rid of the animals or else. We soon identified the attack as coming from Scientology when a private investigator, David Lee, began to call around Seattle, using the same allegations that appeared in the anonymous flyer. He also told people he was investigating us for "animal abuse," trying to plant seeds of doubt about us in people's minds. He said he was working for LA Private Investigator Eugene Ingram, widely known to work for Scientology attorney Kendrick Moxon. (Moxon is the lead Scientology in house attorney. After Ingram was thrown off the Los Angeles Police Department for his connections to drugs and prostitutes, he went to work for the cult. He is wanted in Florida for impersonating a police officer.) There was no doubt a campaign was being orchestrated against us. After no complaints to the city in two years, they were pouring into city officials on a daily basis. Calls were made to various Seattle City offices, including Animal Control, from people who asked to "remain anonymous." According to officials we spoke with, the callers (there are apparently only two) said the house was filthy and our cats were diseased with "open sores." Besides calling various agencies, they also called city council members to complain that the agencies were not acting fast enough against us, urging political pressure. At least two offices responded. Under such a barrage, Seattle Land Use visited and did an inspection. He had no objections to the state of the house or the grounds. (We have a 5x5~18 outdoor enclosure that resembles an aviary, with driftwood and shelves for cat climbing and sleeping. The cats can access if from the house through a cat door/window.) The section of Seattle law being used says that a residence cannot have more than three small animals. Anyone walking by could see we had more than three. It was hardly a secret. When we asked if the fact that the animals are transitory (between homes) made any difference. We were told it does not, unless we get a variance to the zoning code, which we cannot do since we rent. So we were issued a citation, giving us 14 days to comply (get rid of the animals) or to respond. He would not tell us who had complained. The next day, Animal Control visited us, unannounced, saying they had received numerous complaints about animals with "open sores" and "filthy conditions" etc. We invited the officer into the house. The officer commented how clean it was, how it smelled very nice, that the cats were well-behaved and that he saw no abused animals, let alone any with "open sores." (This was the second visit by Animal Control. During an earlier visit, the officer reported the cats were fine and there was no odor to the house.) Despite the fact that the environment was completely contrary to the complaints, he gave us citations for having 10 extra unlicensed adult cats. (Kittens did not count.) We have 14 days to pay the fine ($50 each) or request a hearing. He would not tell us who had complained. To show further how we are being harassed, we also had a visit from two county mental health workers who asked for Stacy. They said they had a call from a "concerned neighbor" (anonymous again) who said a Stacy was acting erratic, not eating and was "collecting cats." It was obvious that they were there to see if Stacy should be committed. We invited them in to see that the information they had been given was completely bogus. (They too had been told the house was filthy and the cats unhealthy.) We also explained our role as witnesses in a Scientology homicide case. (See below.) They left, apologizing. In the meantime, there has been more harassment every day, ranging from abusive telephone calls to anonymous hate mail. (Yes, we report it.) WHY IS SCIENTOLOGY ATTACKING A SANCTUARY? There are three reasons. 1. Scientology learned that my wife and I may be key witnesses in a prominent homicide case (featured in Newsweek and other national Media -see below) in which the cult is the defendant. 2. Scientology is terrified of a rumor that my wife and I were recently interviewed about them by "60 Minutes," a hard-hitting investigative show that, with 30 million viewers, is the most-watched program on American TV. 3. Scientology has apparently heard that the German federal government wants me to testify about the cult's crimes and abuses before a parliamentary body. For you see, between my wife and I, we spent 35 years in the cult. I became the cult's national spokesman as early as 1977. (See the NY Times Index.) We fled the cult in 1989 and have been willing to speak out about the abuse. Scientology does not like that. The cult is notorious for terrorizing anyone it fears, from ex-members to federal judges, as an attempt to intimidate them. In the words of Scientology founder, L. Ron Hubbard, "find or manufacture" enough threat against the person to cause them to "shudder into silence." It is Scientology's "fair game" law. (see below) That is why our animals are now under attack by this cult. Scientology knows how important our animal rescue work is to us. They were unable to silence us so now they are seeking to "find or MANUFACTURE" enough threat to the innocent animals, hoping we will "shudder into silence." Can one go lower than threatening an animal sanctuary? SCIENTOLOGY AS A "MAFIA-LIKE" ORGANIZATION There is no scarcity of proof that Scientology terrorizes people. As Time magazine pointed out in their 1991 cover story, "The Thriving Cult of Greed and Power," Scientology is a "hugely profitable global racket that survives by intimidating members and critics in a Mafia- like manner." (See below.) In a 1984 civil case, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Paul Breckenridge, Jr., after listening to months of testimony about the cult said, "In addition to violating and abusing its own members' civil rights, the organization over the years with its 'fair game' doctrine has harassed and abused those persons not in the church whom it perceives as enemies." (For more, see below.) That is why Scientology is threatening innocent animals. They want to intimidate and frighten my wife and me. They know that we will not sacrifice these animals and so -- like terrorists taking hostages - they came after the innocent and the defenseless. They know that our first task is to protect the animals and that is what we will do. The other purpose is to intimidate and influence our friends, neighbors and supporters, to make them back away from us, to apply more pressure to us. However, it has had an opposite effect. Many are outraged at the tactics and have increased their support. WHAT WE ARE DOING IN RESPONSE The State of Washington has a "public disclosure" law and we have begun filing requests to get the records and reports. As far as the animals themselves, we will protect them. They will not be abandoned and we will not give up our work. While dealing properly with the various citations, we will find a new location for them so that our work can legally continue, by whatever miracle. (If anyone has a lead - especially in unincorporated King County, even temporary - let me know.) In the meantime, as I write this (Oct. 2), I received a call that David Lee is in Seattle, making his rounds and asking questions about our animals - clevery pushing and citing the "complaints" already planted - and our private lives. I want the world to know the extremes that this cult of thugs will go to. Scientology already has a reputation for harassing Netizens, as well as the Media and others. Now let Scientology add a new credit to their list of abuses: innocent animals. Robert Vaughn Young
Web Resources: FACTNet has quotes from judges about Scientology at <http://www.factnet.org/crtquot.htm>. FACTNet has listed out instances of Scientology's Human Rights Abuses at <http://www.factnet.org/Scientology/rights.htm>. Electronic Freedom Foundation archived the cult's attack of the Net at <http://www.eff.org/pub/Censorship/CoS-v-the-Net/> And see Scientology's President (now out on bail) in handcuffs at <http://www.lermanet.com/cos/index.html> thank you -- writer@eskimo.com
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