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What do budget cuts mean for the animals at the Franklin Park Zoo?
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You've probably heard the story already. In an attempt to find some sort of balance to the state budget, Governor Deval Patrick has been going through line by line, and vetoing fund allocations, either eliminating them, or reducing them. In total, Patrick reduced $150 million. In light of the fact that we'll be seeing a sales tax hike, kudos to him for making an attempt to curb spending. When he reached an item marked something like "Zoo New England" he took his pen, and changed the number from $6.5 million to $2.5 million, a cut of more than 60%. Let the outcry begin.
Zoo New England is a non-profit organization that runs, well, the zoos in New England, including the Stone Zoo, and the Franklin Park Zoo. Upon finding out that their funding would be cut, they quite naturally made a statement, explaining what the potential consequences would be. Apparently if the Zoo cannot continue to run, the government will take it over, and homes would have to be found for the animals. According to a statement released by the Zoo (though they claim that it has been misinterpreted since), if homes cannot be found for all of the animals, and the government refuses (or can't afford) to continue caring for them, then the remaining would be euthanized. The statement suggested that as many as 20% would remain homeless.
Of course, as an animal lover, I was outraged at the thought of any of the animals being euthanized (murdered). We captured them, put them in cages, and now we have a responsibility to care for them, no matter what the economy is doing. Apparently Governor Patrick agrees with me, because his office recently made a statement of their own. “There will be no consideration given to euthanizing any animals under the state’s watch,’’ said Joe Landolfi, Patrick’s director of communications. The state would work to find homes for all of the animals. I applaude the statement, but having seen government promises be ignored before, the whole situtation is rather unsettling.
Then I did a bit more reading, and I found out a few things. First, the Zoo New England budget was cut back in the early '90s. At the time, many zoo officials suggested that a number of animals would be killed thanks to the cuts. None were. Instead, all of the animals were moved from Stone Zoo to Franklin Park Zoo, reducing costs, and when the times picked back up, the second zoo was re-opened. It seems that when facing budget cuts, the cry of "Save the animals from murder by the government" is taken up.
Next, I found out that the government, or rather, the tax-payers like you and I, pay for 60% of the operating costs of the zoos. 60%. Now, I'm not an expert in zoo budgets, but that seems rather ridiculous to me. I'm all for the government helping out a bit with a major project like this, something that keeps the citizens of Boston happy and offers numerous educational opportunities, but can't the zoo come up with more than 40% of the funding needed? I did a little research, and it costs adults $13 to go to the Franklin Park Zoo. The North Carolina Zoo, which I have also been to, costs $10. So does the Cleveland Zoo. The Detroit Zoo costs $11, and the illustrious San Diego Zoo costs $36 (yes, I know the Franklin Park Zoo is nowhere near that awesome). Perhaps the Zoo can raise their prices by a dollar or a dollar and a half, and bring in some more revenue that way. Perhaps the Zoo can charge a bit more for a hot dog. Maybe charge members a dollar or two instead of letting them in free. Maybe charging full price on the first Saturday of every month instead of half. Or maybe the zoo can cut back on the number of hours that they're open (crazy, I know!). Does the Zoo really need to be open on Wednesday? Like I Said, I'm no budgetary expert, but I bet there's a way.
So to the Zookeepers, rather than crying murder when your budget is cut like everyone else's has been, perhaps you can find a way to gain more financial autonomy so budget cuts won't matter so much. We're in the middle of a recession, and everyone is making sacrifices. Just because you care for animals doesn't mean that you should be free from tightening in the belt. The Governor is attempting to be financially responsible, and you should be applauding that, and finding a way to work with that. Find a way to support yourself, just like the rest of us.
To the Governor. Please, please, please don't disappoint the people who voted for you by allowing a single one of these animals to be put down if the state does take over control of the zoos. Animals shouldn't have to suffer because the economy is bad.
If any of you are interested in donating to Zoo New England to help keep them on their feet, you can do so online.
Until next time, stay charitable!
Jean
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