The Ohio Committee for Humane Trapping records

Collection – Multiple Containers

Identifier: MS-0271

Staff Only

Collection Overview

Abstract

The items contained in this collection are primarily minutes, correspondence, financial reports, contribution lists, and printed material. The collection occupies approximately one cubic foot.

Dates

Creation: April 30, 1975-November 6, 1981

Extent

1.38 Cubic Feet (3 legal boxes)

Creator

Ohio Committee for Humane Trapping (Organization)

Scope and Contents

The papers of the Ohio Committee for Humane Trapping contain proceedings, correspondence, fiscal records, and printed materials. The collection covers a period from April 30, 1975 to November 6, 1981. More specifically, the bulk of the material covers a brief period from 1976-1977.

The minutes are incomplete and only date from November 22, 1975 to November 22, 1977. The strength of the collection rests with the business and political (legal) correspondence. The vast majority of the correspondence is complete. Thus, it provides important information pertaining to the committee's business relationships and attempts to achieve their aim through the political process.

The lack of complete financial records is a major weakness with the collection. The financial documents fail to detail many business transactions, and thus some original bills, receipts, and cancelled checks were retained for the purpose of filling this void.

The lack of printed material is another weakness in the collection. The limited items include brochures, bumper stickers, and some newspaper clippings and articles.

Despite the weaknesses in the collection, it is possible to utilize available materials to better understand the purpose behind The Ohio Committee for Humane Trapping. The O.C.H.T. failed, but certainly the committee and the political movement are deserving of closer examination.

Biographical / Historical

The Ohio Committee for Humane Trapping unofficially organized during the latter part of 1975. On January 2, 1976, the committee filed with the Secretary of State's office papers for officially organizing the corporation.

The committee was established by citizens who were concerned about the use of the leghold trap in the state of Ohio. The purpose of the committee was to launch a political campaign which would increase public awareness about the cruelty to animals which occurred as a result of the usage of this trapping device. The committee was successful in getting this proposed law on the ballot as Issue II. However, Issue II failed to pass in the 1977 election and subsequently the committee disbanded.

The committee consisted of twenty-eight to thirty-one members of whom all were volunteers. Initially, these members met in their homes, using a post office box as a mailing address. Offices were later established in Bowling Green and Columbus.

The members of the O.C.H.T. were all trustees of the corporation, with the officers being the most active members. The following officers maintained their positions for the life of the committee:

Sandy Rowland, President Paul McNamara, Vice President and Secretary Darlene Petkwitz, Treasurer

Conditions Governing Access

No known access restrictions.

Conditions Governing Use

Researchers using this collection assume full responsibility for conforming to the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright, and are responsible for securing permissions necessary for publication or reproduction.

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The records of the Ohio Committee for Humane Trapping (O.C.H.T.) Were donated on November 1, 1982 to the Center for Archival Collections through the cooperation of Darlene Petkwitz, treasurer of the O.C.H.T. and Paul D. Yon, Associate Director, CAC.

Processing Information

The collection was processed and the finding aid was prepared by Vanessa Lester, undergraduate intern at the Center for Archival Collections during spring semester, 1983.