Dear Friends,
ISAR dedicates its efforts and resources to improve the lives of animals by being active on the legislative front as well as through our educational campaigns. ISAR's website, www.isaronline.org, contains extensive information about our principles, goals and programs. We're often asked to provide a summary of how International Society for Animal Rights uses law, legislation and education to benefit companion animals. We hope the following will satisfy those requests.
Since its founding half-a-century ago by the late animal rights pioneer Helen Jones, International Society for Animal Rights has worked tirelessly to:
√ Require the spaying and neutering of most dogs and cats (www.isaronline.citymax.com/f/Mandatory_Spay_Neuter_Monograph1.pdf).
√ Shut down virtually every mass and backyard breeder of dogs and cats (www.isaronline.citymax.com/f/monographpuppymills.pdf).
√ End the online sale of dogs and cats (see example: http://news.change.org/stories/ebay-classifieds-gives-puppy-mills-a-platform).
√ Prevent pet shops from selling dogs and cats (www.isaronline.citymax.com/f/dog_overpopulation_and_puppy_mills.pdf).
√ Severely punish the abuse of companion animals by practices such as hoarding devocalization, declawing, tail docking and ear cropping (http://isaronline.blogspot.com/2010/05/massachusetts-ban-on-devocalization.html).
√ Liberate outside/tethered/chained dogs by illegalizing the practice (www.isaronline.org/f/2004_summer.pdf).
√ Subject dog-fighters to increased felony prosecutions, harsher sentences, economic penalties, and social stigmatization (http://isaronline.blogspot.com/2011/01/michael-vick-and-presidential-seal-of.html).
√ Encourage the public to report to the appropriate authorities all abuses of dogs and cats (http://isaronline.blogspot.com/2010/06/search-warrants-in-animal-protection.html).
√ Increase the legal and social penalties for those who abuse dogs and cats (http://isaronline.blogspot.com/2008/07/websites-providing-information-about.html).
√ Memorialize-through International Homeless Animals Day vigils-the countless unwanted dogs and cats euthanized each year throughout the world (www.isaronline.org/ihad.html).
√ Increase the measure of damages for intentional and negligent injury to dogs and cats (www.isaronline.citymax.com/f/Harming_Companion_Animals_Monograph.pdf).
√ Expose the fundamental philosophical foundation rationalizing the abuse of dogs and cats (and other animals), which has existed for hundreds of years and still serves to justify the horrors to which companion animals are subjected (http://www.isaronline.citymax.com/some_thoughts.html.)
√ Expose how experimenters acquire their dogs and cats from auctions, dealers and even shelters (see example: http://www.dyingtolearn.org/dyingToLearn.pdf).
√ Reveal how the AKC and Cat Fanciers Association contribute to the dog and cat overpopulation problem (www.isaronline.citymax.com/f/a_prime_source_of_canine_overpopulation.pdf).
We cordially invite our supporters, and those individuals who are receiving our Newsletter for the first time, to explore ISAR's website and familiarize themselves with the work we have been doing for animal rights during the past half-century.
Because of supporters, ISAR has remained in the forefront of battles for the rights of animals. Your contributions will allow us to continue our work, while making great strides on behalf of our beloved companion animals.
Sincerely,
Susan Dapsis
President
International Homeless Animals' Day® 2011
International Homeless Animals' Day Candlelight Vigil held by SPCA Penang, Malaysia in 2010
In 1992, ISAR conceived and commemorated International Homeless Animals' Day and Candlelight Vigils, an important educational tool designed to shed light on a crisis that affects cats, dogs, kittens and puppies, in addition to many humans, on a global scale: pet overpopulation.Each year, on the third Saturday in August, ISAR has conducted International Homeless Animals' Day Candlelight Vigil observances around the world while promoting pet overpopulation's simple solution: spay/neuter.
On August 21, 2010, ISAR's worldwide International Homeless Animals' Day brought thousands of like-minded people together in 38 states and 18 foreign countries, for the 19th consecutive year.
International Homeless Animals' Day observances are traditionally commemorated with candlelight vigils memorializing the lives lost from pet overpopulation, blessings of the animals, spay/neuter clinics, adopt-a-thons, microchip clinics, dog walks, open houses, information stalls, heartfelt speeches given by council members, local veterinarians and shelter personnel, and much more.
Because of this Day, countless numbers of animals are spayed and neutered and even more countless numbers of animals' lives are saved.
On August 20, 2011, ISAR will commemorate the 20th anniversary of International Homeless Animals' Day. Not only will we continue to orchestrate observances all around the globe, ISAR will also conduct a vigil near our headquarters in Pennsylvania on this important Day. Partnering with NEPA Animal Adoption Network, ISAR will commemorate International Homeless Animals' Day 2011 together with local rescues and shelters, a blessing for the animals, special guest speakers including ISAR President Susan Dapsis, NEPA Animal Adoption Network's Founder, Nancy Reese, Senator Roy C. Afflerbach, members from Rescue Ink, and Tamira Ci Thayne, Founder of Dogs Deserve Better, and more.
Individuals and organizations wishing to organize their own International Homeless Animals' Day Candlelight Vigil observance on August 20, 2011, can contact ISAR by mail, phone, fax or email to receive our free 35 page, downloadable candlelight vigil packet.
Tips on site selection, suggestions for speakers and vigil events, reaching target audiences, poems, songs, and sample press releases are just a few of the guidelines our vigil packet includes for organizing a successful vigil event.
In addition to ISAR's downloadable vigil packet, you will receive through the U.S. Postal Service, our International Homeless Animals' Day posters to advertise your event, Proclamations to be signed by your governor and mayor declaring August 20, 2011 as International Homeless Animals' Day, coloring sheets and more. ISAR will also guarantee advertisement of your organization's event to thousands of people on ISAR's website, www.isaronline.org, as well as promotion on ISAR's online communities.
We would like to take this opportunity to once again thank all humane-minded elected officials for signing ISAR's Proclamations throughout the years declaring the third Saturday of August as International Homeless Animals' Day. In 2010, ISAR was pleased to have support from many public officials including the following governors: M. Jodi Rell (CT), Brad Henry (OK), Edward G. Rendell (PA) and Bobby Jindal (LA). In 2011, with help from our supporters, ISAR strives to obtain signatures from gubernatorial leaders in all fifty states. By declaring August 20, 2011 as International Homeless Animals' Day, our elected officials acknowledge the pet overpopulation crisis and assist ISAR in enlightening communities of the spay/neuter solution nationwide. ISAR's website includes a link (www.isaronline.org/elected_officials.html) for our supporters to contact their state governors while a copy of ISAR's International Homeless Animals' Day Proclamation can also be found on our website at www.isaronline.citymax.com/ihad.html. We urge our supporters to in turn urge their governors to sign our proclamation. We would greatly appreciate being informed if they do.
Now, ISAR seeks support in declaring August 20, 2011 as International Homeless Animals' Day from the following governors: Robert Bentley (AL), Sean Parnell (AK), Jan Brewer (AZ), Mike Beebe (AR), Jerry Brown (CA), John Hickenlooper (CO), Dan Malloy (CT), Jack Markell (DE), Rick Scott (FL), Nathan Deal (GA), Neil Abercrombie (HI), Butch Otter (ID), Pat Quinn (IL), Mitch Daniels (IN), Terry Branstad (IA), Sam Brownback (KS), Steve Beshear (KY), Bobby Jindal (LA), Paul LePage (ME), Martin O'Malley (MD), Deval Patrick (MA), Rick Snyder (MI), Mark Dayton (MN), Haley Barbour (MS), Jay Nixon (MO), Brian Schweitzer (MT), Dave Heineman (NE), Brian Sandoval (NV), John Lynch (NH), Chris Christie (NJ), Susana Martinez (NM), Andrew Cuomo (NY), Beverly Perdue (NC), Jack Dalrymple (ND), John Kasich (OH), Mary Fallin (OK), John Kitzhaber (OR), Tom Corbett (PA), Lincoln Chafee (RI), Nikki Haley (SC), Dennis Daugaard (SD), Bill Haslam (TN), Rick Perry (TX), Gary Herbert (UT), Peter Shumlin (VT), Bob McDonnell (VA), Christine Gregoire (WA), Earl Ray Tomblin (WV), Scott Walker (WI), and Matt Mead (WY).
Please join ISAR in our crusade to end the senseless killing of our beloved companion animals each year. Together we are a strong voice for positive change!
ISAR's Spay/Neuter Billboards Reach Thousands
ISAR has now created our "Sponsor a Billboard" campaign, through which businesses and individuals (e.g., lawyers, accountants, plumbers, electricians) can help promote spay/neuter by having a billboard installed in an area of their choice anywhere in the United States.
ISAR has reserved space on our billboards for the printing of your name, phone number and/or message.
To order an ISAR Spay/Neuter Billboard in time for your Candlelight Vigil observance, or to learn more about ISAR's Billboard Campaign, please contact ISAR by mail, phone, fax or email or visit us on the web (www.isaronline.org/billboard_campaign.html).
ISAR Chairman, Professor Henry Mark Holzer, Animal Law Inspiration
ISAR would like to share with our supporters, an article of inspiration written by our friend, Joyce Tischler, General Counsel and Founder of Animal Legal Defense Fund.LET'S CHANGE THE WORLD!
By Joyce Tischler
By Joyce Tischler
Stanford Journal of Animal Law and Policy, Volume 1, 2008
Do you remember when you thought you could change the world? Do you remember how positive and powerful that felt? Because that is why I started the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF).
I am energized when I meet law students, lawyers and supporters of ALDF who want to establish greater legal protections for animals. We share common values and are passionate about our beliefs. And we know that it is our job to change the way the world views and treats animals.
We know that animals are abused and exploited on a level that boggles the mind, that they are sentient, feel pain and pleasure, and have interests of their own that have nothing to do with being a mere resource for humans.
But we also know that animals cannot speak for themselves. As long as they remain powerless, they will suffer and die in large numbers.
I became a lawyer because I wanted to use the power of the law to protect those who cannot protect themselves. Animals need lawyers. Humans have lawyers to represent their interests. Why not the animals?
I spend a fair amount of time telling people how animal law began and how we shaped it because we need to use knowledge to better understand where we are heading.
When I was still in college, Henry Mark Holzer, the first animal rights lawyer, started filing lawsuits focused solely on protecting the rights and interests of animals being abused on a large scale. He was also the first lawyer to envision law reviews, animal law classes and the growth of a field of the law devoted to creating legal protections for animals.
Back in 1981, Holzer held a conference and brought together all the attorneys and law students he could identify as having an interest in animal rights law. Out of that conference, ALDF formed its first national board of directors - people willing to put in countless hours to work for animals. We began to dream together, talk and plan the cutting-edge lawsuits we could bring.
Those first cases were very ambitious because we were going to change the world. We were grabbing it by the shoulders and giving it a good shake. We filed lawsuits to challenge the intensive confinement of calves raised to be eaten as veal, hunting, leg hold traps, poor conditions for animals in research labs, and many others.
So, have we changed the world? I wish the answer were yes. But that is not how social justice movements work. We have laid a solid foundation. Who could have imagined that today [2008] animal law would be taught in over 120 law schools in the U.S., as well as in Canada and Australia?
Still, we have a long road ahead of us. Building a successful animal law movement won't just happen. We must make inroads into a pervasive system that denies even the animals' most basic needs.
So, I'll ask once again. Do you remember when you thought you could change the world? Were you ever that passionate and hopeful?
Let's return to that place. Let's dream about that world together. Let's dare to believe that, against the odds, we can change the world and make it a far better place for the animals.
Pick an issue, pick a species, pick what you are passionate about. Then roll up your sleeves and take action.
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