Humane Leader Receives Commendation from Los Angeles City Council

Founder and President of Forte Animal Rescue, Marie Atake, along with her colleagues on the city's Spay/Neuter Advisory Committee, received a Certificate of Recognition from Los Angeles City Council for their work on the Committee. She is the Council District 11 Appointee to the Committee, which oversees the city’s new spay/neuter ordinance.

The Committee submitted its preliminary report on March 30th, 2009. At the City Council presentation, Councilman Tony Cardenas said, “This report with its 12 recommendations and then some...is worth a million dollars...I do believe that the city of Los Angeles is going to be tremendously benefitted from this report! There's a lot of love, care, experience and attention that you just don't get from a lot of reports.”

He also acknowledged the many hours the Committee members spent on the report and said, “This report is going to be a blueprint, not only for the city of Los Angeles, but for municipalities throughout the country. As a result of the Committee’s hard work, the city now has a comprehensive plan, and it’s now up to us, the policy makers, the Department of Animal Services, and the city to [implement it], so that we can finally become a no-kill city.”

As the head of Forte Animal Rescue, Ms. Atake said, “While we rescue hundreds of animals every year and cherish each life we save, it’s like scooping water out of a sinking ship with a coffee cup. With this ordinance properly implemented, we will be able to finally patch the holes on the ship and put a stop to killing tens of thousands of animals every year.”

Forte Animal Rescue is a 100% volunteer-run nonprofit organization, seeking solutions for pet-overpopulation, as well as working together with the community to cultivate the human-animal bond through educational programs and activities.

Click here for more photos.

Forte Animal Rescue Receives Another Commendation from Los Angeles City Council

Forte Animal Rescue held a fundraiser for neglected and orphaned animals at Maggiano’s Little Italy on June 2, 2008. At this event, Los Angeles City Councilmember Dennis Zine presented an award on behalf of the City to the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded by Marie Atake, a former City Commissioner.

Councilmember Zine stated, “It’s unfortunate that Marie is no longer a Commissioner for the city. But we are still working together to help the homeless and neglected animals in our quest to become a no-kill city.”

Last September, Councilmember Bill Rosendahl presented a Certificate of Recognition to Ms. Atake, for her service to the community, and presented a second award to her humane charity.

Ms. Atake was appointed to the Board of LA Animal Services Commission by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa in 2005, and served two full years on this volunteer post. Through her tenure, she received unprecedented, unified support from Department employees and the humane community alike.

Each year, Forte Animal Rescue makes a positive impact on the animals and community. “I am proud to say that over the past 6 years, we have grown to a group of more than a hundred volunteers, and saved nearly 800 animals,” Ms. Atake said.

She also stated, “A recent study by the National Counsel on Pet Population shows that over 56% of dogs and puppies entering the pounds nationwide are destroyed. With this alarming information, our adoption program will continue to be a focal point of our organization. We also work with local vets, as well as political and community leaders to educate the public on our responsibilities for the animals as fellow earthlings. Awareness is just half of the battle, and most importantly, everybody needs to take action to make a difference. That’s why we strive everyday to inspire compassion and responsibility. This can be accomplished because we all have both sentiments inside as humans.”

Forte Animal Rescue is a 100% volunteer-run nonprofit organization, seeking solutions for pet-overpopulation, as well as working together with the community to cultivate the human-animal bond through educational programs and activities.

(Photo of Marie with former LAPD Chief Bratton and Delilah, the Pit Bull she rescued: by Andy Pearlman)

Loa Angeles City Council Honors Forte Animal Rescue and Founder

Los Angeles City Councilmember Bill Rosendahl presented a Certificate of Recognition to Marie Atake, a former City Commissioner for her service to the community, and presented a second award to her humane charity, Forte Animal Rescue on September 29th.

Ms. Atake was appointed to the Board of LA Animal Services Commission by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa in 2005, and resigned from the volunteer post on August 31st, after two years. During her tenure, she received unprecedented, unified support from both Department employees and the humane community.

During the ceremony, Councilmember Rosendahl stated, “On behalf of the Los Angeles City Council, it is a pleasure to commend Marie for her commitment to animal rescue services. Through her leadership, we see the beautiful connection we all share in the oneness of nature.”

As Founder of Forte Animal Rescue, Ms. Atake said, “I appreciate Councilmember Rosendahl’s and his colleagues’ recognition of my work to help the animals and people of the city of Los Angeles. I look forward to further inspiring compassion for animals everywhere.”

Forte Animal Rescue is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to saving animals’ lives.

Click HERE to read the story on The Argonaut.

ABC Eyewitness News: Commissioner Quits, Highlighting Animal Services Conflict

Click HERE for the outstanding report about Marie’s courageous move by reporter John North on KABC-7’s “Eyewitness News.”

Click HERE to read the Los Angeles Daily News article about Marie's resignation.

Forte Founder Resigns with Strength from LAAS Commission

August 31, 2007

Honorable Antonio Villaraigosa
Mayor’s Office, City of Los Angeles
3rd Floor, City Hall
Los Angeles, CA 90012


Dear Mayor Villaraigosa,

For two years, I have worked very hard to help improve the Department of Animal Services (LAAS) and protect the integrity of the Mayor’s office as your appointed Commissioner.

However, my seeking transparency, clarity and honesty is apparently what Mr. Blackman, your Deputy Chief of Staff, does not want me to do. His consistent refusal to hold Mr. Ed Boks, the General Manager, accountable — for his actions, including making false, misleading and inflammatory comments to your office, staff, City Council, the public, and the media — has made my efforts ineffective at every level.

When I told Mr. Blackman that Mr. Boks would not shut down his city website blog, against the advice of the LAPD’s Threat Management unit, Mr. Blackman dismissed my concerns and called it merely “one of the many wrong things Boks has done” that he’s already aware of and would not take any action.

On the city website, Mr. Boks recently bashed the Director of LA County Animal Control and attacked one of the most reputable animal-welfare organizations which has provided invaluable assistance to the city’s department. Instead of allowing the Commission to keep Mr. Boks under control, it is my opinion that Mr. Blackman conceals critical facts and protects Mr. Boks’ misbehavior from your view. As a result, one such distortion made you appear uninformed at a recent press conference about the state of the city animal shelters. Consequently, several media outlets are presently investigating your claims of LAAS success.

Mr. Blackman looked the other way on another serious problem when Mr. Boks grossly misled City Council on August 3rd, during Item #41. As a result, City Council had to table an innovative program when it was discovered that Mr. Boks failed to consult with the Commission, Personnel and SEIU.

Recently, the Commission discovered its serious procedural problems with a past appeal. I was not involved with this particular appeal, however, I felt it was the Commission’s sworn duty to right its wrongs, and restore its integrity, when the process was violated, with unfairness and prejudice appearing high and harmful.

Unfortunately I have learned that certain members of your administration, this department and the Commission are incapable of acknowledging errors, therein misleading the public. Such actions (or inactions) are resulting in the needless suffering and death of many animals, mistreatment of the public, and wasting of financial and human capital.

You are welcome to contact me if you wish to be further informed about Mr. Boks’ crises, including, but not limited to, the veterinarian shortage; unopened spay/neuter clinics; zero foreign language outreach; shelter overcrowding; delayed shelter openings; end-runs on key stakeholders; and a tidal wave of public relations disasters.

As I recall, one of your campaign platforms was to uphold the ethical standards expected by the city residents. Most recently, you stressed the importance of accountability. While these values may not matter to some of your key staff, I hope they still matter to you.

In closing, I am resigning my position as a Commissioner because I can no longer, in good conscience, be a part of such demoralization. I wish that I were allowed to apply my business skills and expertise as a nonprofit organization leader (the reason why you appointed me), to fully serve the people and animals of Los Angeles, which is supposed to be the City of Angels.


Graciously,

Marie Atake