Some good news about the power of pet people!
I came across this story tonight at work, about how the animal-rights movement is growing. We all do what we can to help area rescues and animals in need, and it's usually a thankless job, one many people could care less about, especially our elected officials. So it's nice to read that people like us are having a real effect! We need some good news, right?
By LARRY COPELAND
USA TODAY
The growing influence of animal rights activists increasingly is affecting daily life, touching everything from the foods Americans eat to what they study in law school, where they buy their puppies and even whether they should enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride in New York’s Central Park.
Animal activist groups such as the Humane Society of the United States and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) say they are seeing a spike in membership as their campaigns spread.
“There’s been an explosion of interest” in animal welfare issues, says David Favre, a Michigan State University law professor and animal law specialist. “Groups like the Humane Society of the United States and PETA have brought to our social awareness their concerns about animals and all matter of creatures.”
“Animals are made of flesh and blood and bone just like humans,” says Bruce Friedrich, PETA’s vice president for campaigns. “They feel pain just like we do. Recognition of that grows year by year. The animal rights movement is a social justice movement (similar to) suffrage and civil rights.”
— The Humane Society says it expects 28 state legislatures this year to consider strengthening existing bans on dogfighting and cockfighting; 13 states are considering bills regulating “puppy mills,” mass dog-breeding operations that keep puppies in small crates.
— Massachusetts activists are collecting signatures to get a statewide initiative on the November ballot that would ban commercial greyhound racing by 2010. The Committee to Protect Dogs says state records show that since 2002, 728 greyhounds have been injured racing at the state’s two tracks.
— Over the past three years, 330 colleges have stopped or dramatically reduced the use of eggs from hens in cramped wire crates called battery cages; retailers including Burger King, Hardee’s, Carl’s Jr. and Ben & Jerry’s now use eggs produced by cage-free hens, Markarian says.
— More than 90 American Bar Association-approved law schools now offer courses in animal law, compared with only a handful 10 years ago. Favre compares the growing interest in animal law among incoming law students to an explosion of interest in environmental law in the 1970s.
Animal welfare organizations are riding a wave of popularity. The Humane Society says it has 10.5 million members or supporters, up from 7.4 million five years ago; during the same period, PETA says its rolls have doubled to 1.8 million. The groups attribute intensified public interest partly to three recent events that highlighted the vulnerability of animals:
— New Orleans residents forced to leave pets to die in 2005 when they were evacuated during Hurricane Katrina.
— The recall last year of 60 million containers of pet food after an unknown number of cats and dogs were poisoned, raising questions about pet food safety.
— The conviction last year of Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick for dogfighting.
“Those were major events that made people realize we have so much power over animals,” says Markarian of the Humane Society. “We can use that power to be cruel and indifferent, or to be kind and careful stewards.”
So,don't get discouraged! We can make a difference!
PS. My sad Internet saga at home is not resolved and I will be stopping by the Better Business Bureau this week after ONE MORE CALL. I've signed up for a cheap dial-up plan back on AOL so I can hopefully do SOME of the things I NEED to do online! Thanks B for picking up the Cats Are Us slack!
Above is a photo I think I posted before, but it's one of my favorites. Zoe and the dear departed Penny.
posted by Sandy at 1/27/2008 10:40:00 PM
Pet People
13 Comments:
GOOD MORNING PET PEOPLE!! SHANNON AND TINA---they ball has been set in motion on getting the pups. I need your permission to give some contact info to the Rescue --can you guys email me @ jebtt1016@bellsouth.net addresses and phone--Shannon I still have your from the other day. Two of the pups were adopted in Waverly--the grown lab is going to a foster in Cookeville--so we have 6 pups to foster. Shannon, I understood you would take one--possible for two?(PLEASE< PLEASE)and Tina stated she could take one or two. The rescue was trying to work with Precious Friends to handle the rest, but something fell thru. So there will be three pups left. This is a foster of three weeks, possibly four, depending on when the next transport is arranged. Guys, I will help out in any way I can and I thank you for jumping in to help. When I get more word, I will pass it on.
IF ANYONE ELSE could foster one of the three remaining pups, PLEASE let me know!!!
We now return you to your regularly scheduled blog.
B, Being out of town keeps us from helping out physically....
But where do I send a cash donation to assist in these baby's farewell???
Oh Sandy, why did you post that picture again? All the Zoe "Ugly Dog" people ( no names Stacey and Daisy) will surely attack her gain...LOL She is a pretty dog and sweet as can be!!!
That is a good positive story Sandy! In our paper today was an Article about the possibility of no longer using Rats and Mice in lab testing but a form of glass or something else instead! I think that is a great start. I am not a rat or mouse freak by any means but I don’t think they deserve being put through testing for make-up or wrinkle cream! No matter how pretty or wrinkle free we may be, we will still DIE and end up in the ground one day!
Brett, maybe call Inge, she might know of some foster families. Suzanne too. Can Amy send an actionline?
I sent an email to Amy--I'll try to call Inge later. Jermey had that freaking tooth drilled out and had a root canal done this morning, so I'm pretty sure I'm going to have my hands full when I get home tonight. He had an allegic reaction to the penicillin and loratab (sp?) that they gave him whe they did the pre-drill Friday. God knows what he's on now.
B- If you would be willing to meet me half way, I would be willing to take the other 3 pups. I don't know if that's allowed since I don't live in the state, But I'd like to help out. I'll email you as well. Let me know what you think.
Good article Sandy, I just sent in my membership fee and paperwork for the HS.
TINA RAMSEY IS MY NEW HERO!!! She has all six of the puppie fostered at her home. This garden angel drove out to WAVERLY (aka Mayberry) this evening and picked up all 6 of the little fuzzie babies.
Tina siad that right now, she want to see how things go, but that it is just a TAD over welming. Could ANYONE help out with one--or two? Amy? Is there anyone out there in the Humane Society net that might be able to take a baby on for three to four weeks?
I know your all wondering - Well why are you pushing these pups when you won't take one? I WANT ONE SO BAD ITS NOT EVEN FUNNY!! But I am also gone 12 hours a day--and I could n't leave the little one for that long. My babies wouldn't hurt it, but it wouldn't be fair to any of them.
We want to have a back up plan in case Tina's nerves begin to turn to mud.
Sandy and I discussed boarding one if need be. Could we Pet People sponsor that? I'll throw $50 in the pot. Skeeter , your money is good here-LOL.
Thanks to all my Pet friends. It s why I love you guys--no matter where or when or how far, we can always pull together and snatch a doggie( or kittie) out of the hat.
Yes Dragon--I know I'm rambling...
OK--it's morning time now--my last post I was dog tired-so excuse the blatant voice.
I want to give a big shout out to Shannon and to Adrienne for their willingness to help with the pups. Shannon, I hope the boxer is working out! Have faith!!!
Adrienne, you are a doll!! Bless you for your information and you willingness to jump in.
SKEETER--you big love doll you--bless you for jumping in with your checkbook in hand.
SANDY--without you and your connections to the rescue, etc-there would probably be eight puppy angels right now. BLESS YOU!!!
(this is like the Academy Awards)
Ok--we now return you to your regularly scheduled blog
A BIG hug and shout out to Jeremy!!!! When he got to work this morning, there was a stray in their parking lot with a tumor on it's back leg. He called the Humane Society here in Nashville and they went to work to find the baby a home. Within an hour, the little doggy had a foster. Good Job Jeremy!!!!!
Tina, I cannot believe you have gotten out of the garden to Foster these babies! Way to go girl and send me some of your energy down here! I swear, I dont know how you do all you do! Let me know your secret! Keep us posted as to how the little ones progress as the days pass.... Good Luck, Lord knows you will need it... I will say a little prayer for you and Shannon both to not end up in the Looney Bend! LOL....
Smooch Smooch hug hug’s to Jeremy!
Such Positive Stories today... Yay...
Tina, You have to post pictures of all the puppies. I bet the are just the cutest! Glad eveyone got out of jail OK!
Way to go Jeremy!
We make a difference when we do things that other people shrug off.
Stepping up to help a poor animal is doing God's work... or whatever your belief is. (don't want to offend)
I am so proud of Jeremy. He stepped up and helped that baby find a new home. I want to add that the wonderful people in the bank next door to his office also helped, and the lady that took the dog to foster is also a big hero.
sorry i haven't responded before-been kinda busy. i talked on a later post but reading this made me think of my poor little three grown dogs.
they are not happy and have been a little neglected. the pups try to nurse from my golden female and maul bj and link to death. bj lets them know if they get too close to his ball. i feel bad for them but ever so happy they adjust well and are dog friendly. easy with goldens but no so easy with a dachsund/chihuahua mix so skeeter the saint will like this-yeah linky!
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