Outdoor Life is a magazine whose self-description is “The Source for Hunting and Fishing Adventure.” The “adventure” of which the magazine speaks includes the glorification of killing defenseless animals in the name of “sport” (Outdoor Life’s word).
Ever since ISAR was founded about a half-century ago we have been uncompromisingly against hunting and for the humane treatment of dogs and cats. That's why a January 28, 2011 Outdoor Life article by one J.R. Absher caught our eye.
Entitled “Utah to declare open season on cats,” it begins with the snide comment that “Some cat lovers and animal rights extremists in Utah have their proverbial panties in a wad over a bill currently being considered by state lawmakers that would allow residents to kill feral animals, including free-roaming felines.”
Apparently, the bill’s sponsor and supporters are upset that feral cats are killing “game birds” before the “sportsmen” can kill them—thereby taking all the fun out of the “adventure” of adults and children slaughtering defenseless animals such as “pheasants, native quail, grouse, turkeys, waterfowl . . . .”
The problem of feral cats in the United States (and Utah) is a complicated one, implicating considerations of humaneness, environment, public health, and more. Whatever the solution, it should not include armed humans blasting away at those unfortunate felines who didn’t ask to be born, whose existence is already harsh enough, and whose killers are not adventurous “sportsmen.”
Friday, January 28, 2011
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Eyesore or ISAR
As ISAR’s supporters know, every week we communicate our message and current activities to thousands of people throughout the world via our e-newsletter, postal newsletter, website, blog, Twitter, and online communities such as Facebook and Myspace.
Our most current program is the production of Internet “movies” that will implement our job description: “Law, Legislation and Education Benefitting Companion Animals.”
Our first “movie,” using characters and voices already familiar to millions of Internet users around the world—entitled “Eyesore or ISAR”—introduces to our organization those people who don’t know us (in less than three minutes!).
Please take that little time to access “Eyesore or ISAR.”
If you like it as much as we do, please forward it to as many people as you can, asking them to do the same.
Here’s how:
Please click on this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sdExkzrYBg.
You’ll be directed to the Youtube page that hosts our movie, “Eyesore or ISAR.”
Once you are on the video page, the share button will enable you to email “Eyesore or ISAR” and post it on your Facebook, Myspace and other online community pages.
You can also copy the URL link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sdExkzrYBg) and paste it in a tweet on Twitter.
If you have a website or blog and would like to embed the video on your homepage, ISAR encourages you to do so by copying and pasting the embed link found on our video page.
Together we can accomplish great feats to help companion animals and one very simple way to do that is by keeping ISAR visible to the public eye.
Our most current program is the production of Internet “movies” that will implement our job description: “Law, Legislation and Education Benefitting Companion Animals.”
Our first “movie,” using characters and voices already familiar to millions of Internet users around the world—entitled “Eyesore or ISAR”—introduces to our organization those people who don’t know us (in less than three minutes!).
Please take that little time to access “Eyesore or ISAR.”
If you like it as much as we do, please forward it to as many people as you can, asking them to do the same.
Here’s how:
Please click on this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sdExkzrYBg.
You’ll be directed to the Youtube page that hosts our movie, “Eyesore or ISAR.”
Once you are on the video page, the share button will enable you to email “Eyesore or ISAR” and post it on your Facebook, Myspace and other online community pages.
You can also copy the URL link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sdExkzrYBg) and paste it in a tweet on Twitter.
If you have a website or blog and would like to embed the video on your homepage, ISAR encourages you to do so by copying and pasting the embed link found on our video page.
Together we can accomplish great feats to help companion animals and one very simple way to do that is by keeping ISAR visible to the public eye.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Michael Vick And The Presidential Seal Of Approval
As ISAR's supporters know, our animal rights organization was in the vanguard of those who attempted to ban dog-torturer/killer Michael Vick from returning to professional football after he was released from prison. ISAR published blogs (see What Made Michael Vick, Heart Bleeding For Vick, But Not His Victims, ISAR vs. Michael Vick, Vick Scores Again, Vick Scores Yet Again, Profit Trumped Principle), wrote articles (see Don't Let Michael Vick Benefit By Abusing Dogs, Vick Petition Update 1, Vick Petition Update 2, Vick Petition Update 3, Vick Petition Update 4, ISAR's Anti-Vick Campaign Is Being Heard), circulated petitions, erected billboards, designed posters for our supporters to have printed and distributed at events such as NFL games where Michael Vick and the Eagles were present, and provided an online button featuring our Profit Trumped Principle design for our supporters to facilitate ISAR's anti-Vick campaign online.
It was bad enough when HSUS was complicit in Vick's resurrection (see ISAR's letters to HSUS President Wayne Pacelle 1, 2), when the commissioner of football restored the felon's eligibility (see ISAR's letter to Commissioner Roger Goodell), when the Philadelphia Eagles hired him, and when countless football fans welcomed Vick back to the gridiron despite his soul and hands being covered with the blood of tortured and murdered dogs.
Frankly, ISAR didn't believe that anything worse could happen in the Vick story.
But it has.
Thanks to the President of the United States, as recounted below by one of America's most astute commentators, Jonah Goldberg.
Shortcut to Redemption
By Jonah Goldberg
Jewish World Review Dec. 31, 2010 )
One of the best things I read all year came in a magazine I don't read, about a subject I don't follow, by an author I don't agree with on nearly anything. But Matt Taibbi's "The Jock's Guide to Getting Arrested" in the August 2010 Men's Journal was simply a great piece of writing.
I bring it up because Michael Vick is in the news, and Taibbi's rule No. 1 for athletes who get arrested is "Don't Suck."
"Before you go out and start committing crimes," Taibbi writes, "it's important to first make sure you're at least slightly better than the 30 or 40 guys the team's assistant GM could instantly pull off some practice squad to replace you. Otherwise you will become fodder for the team's zero-tolerance discipline policy. Conversely, if you're awesome, the line will be, 'There've been some bumps in the road, but hopefully he's learned from that.'"
Enter Vick, a star quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons until he was caught, tried and convicted for dog fighting and animal cruelty. Vick had been warned to abandon the hobby he loved, but he just couldn't resist brutalizing dogs for sport and drowning the losers.
He went to jail for 21 months, lost a vast amount of money, and was publicly shamed for his misdeeds.
As a dog lover of the first order, I can sympathize with the sentiment behind pundit Tucker Carlson's hyperbole about wanting Vick executed for his crimes. But at the end of the day, nearly two years in jail, personal bankruptcy and the loss of some prime playing years is a reasonable punishment. Though I think lifetime banishments should be more common in professional sports. (Why is betting on, say, basketball more of a reason to ban someone than betting on dogfights? No one drowns the Celtics when they lose.)
Anyway, because Vick is a close student of Taibbi's First Rule, he doesn't suck. Which is why he was picked up by the Philadelphia Eagles. Fine, one more reason not to root for the Eagles.
But the story leapt from the sports pages to the editorial pages because the president called the team's owner, Jeffrey Lurie, to congratulate him for giving Vick another shot in the NFL.
"So many people who serve time never get a fair second chance." He reportedly told Lurie. "It's never a level playing field for prisoners when they get out of jail."
Obama is surely right that ex-cons face a lot of hurdles in life. But is Vick really a good example?
Michael Vick had it all. He received a $37 million signing bonus when he joined the Falcons. Washington Post columnist Richard Cohen, another liberal writer I rarely agree with, is exactly right when says: "You would think from the commentary that Vick was some poor kid who got caught swiping something so he could get something to eat. You would think he had on the spur of the moment stolen a car, gone for a joy ride -- and collided with a police car at an intersection."
No, this guy was such a self-involved creep that he couldn't stop himself from running a gladiatorial canine torture mill, even though he knew he was risking everything.
And why did Obama wait until Vick's second year with the Eagles to congratulate Lurie for his "brave" decision? It was only after an entire year as a backup quarterback had passed and Vick emerged as a superstar again, taking his team to the playoffs and coming in second in Pro Bowl voting, that Obama congratulated Lurie. If Lurie's decision was so virtuous, why wait until the decision panned out?
The answer, again: Vick doesn't suck. At football.
But what of the millions of men released from prison who have little education, few skills and a criminal record that would make any reasonable employer think twice, and then twice again, about hiring them?
If our prisons were releasing top-flight software engineers, physicists and biologists, they'd all get second chances too. Ironically, it's the folks who need government licenses -- doctors, stockbrokers, et al. -- who often can't get second chances in their vocations. Obama could actually do something about that.
How to deal with the ex-con population is very hard knot. But neither Michael Vick's example nor the self-flattering preening that has come with it helps cut through it.
It was bad enough when HSUS was complicit in Vick's resurrection (see ISAR's letters to HSUS President Wayne Pacelle 1, 2), when the commissioner of football restored the felon's eligibility (see ISAR's letter to Commissioner Roger Goodell), when the Philadelphia Eagles hired him, and when countless football fans welcomed Vick back to the gridiron despite his soul and hands being covered with the blood of tortured and murdered dogs.
Frankly, ISAR didn't believe that anything worse could happen in the Vick story.
But it has.
Thanks to the President of the United States, as recounted below by one of America's most astute commentators, Jonah Goldberg.
Shortcut to Redemption
By Jonah Goldberg
Jewish World Review Dec. 31, 2010 )
One of the best things I read all year came in a magazine I don't read, about a subject I don't follow, by an author I don't agree with on nearly anything. But Matt Taibbi's "The Jock's Guide to Getting Arrested" in the August 2010 Men's Journal was simply a great piece of writing.
I bring it up because Michael Vick is in the news, and Taibbi's rule No. 1 for athletes who get arrested is "Don't Suck."
"Before you go out and start committing crimes," Taibbi writes, "it's important to first make sure you're at least slightly better than the 30 or 40 guys the team's assistant GM could instantly pull off some practice squad to replace you. Otherwise you will become fodder for the team's zero-tolerance discipline policy. Conversely, if you're awesome, the line will be, 'There've been some bumps in the road, but hopefully he's learned from that.'"
Enter Vick, a star quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons until he was caught, tried and convicted for dog fighting and animal cruelty. Vick had been warned to abandon the hobby he loved, but he just couldn't resist brutalizing dogs for sport and drowning the losers.
He went to jail for 21 months, lost a vast amount of money, and was publicly shamed for his misdeeds.
As a dog lover of the first order, I can sympathize with the sentiment behind pundit Tucker Carlson's hyperbole about wanting Vick executed for his crimes. But at the end of the day, nearly two years in jail, personal bankruptcy and the loss of some prime playing years is a reasonable punishment. Though I think lifetime banishments should be more common in professional sports. (Why is betting on, say, basketball more of a reason to ban someone than betting on dogfights? No one drowns the Celtics when they lose.)
Anyway, because Vick is a close student of Taibbi's First Rule, he doesn't suck. Which is why he was picked up by the Philadelphia Eagles. Fine, one more reason not to root for the Eagles.
But the story leapt from the sports pages to the editorial pages because the president called the team's owner, Jeffrey Lurie, to congratulate him for giving Vick another shot in the NFL.
"So many people who serve time never get a fair second chance." He reportedly told Lurie. "It's never a level playing field for prisoners when they get out of jail."
Obama is surely right that ex-cons face a lot of hurdles in life. But is Vick really a good example?
Michael Vick had it all. He received a $37 million signing bonus when he joined the Falcons. Washington Post columnist Richard Cohen, another liberal writer I rarely agree with, is exactly right when says: "You would think from the commentary that Vick was some poor kid who got caught swiping something so he could get something to eat. You would think he had on the spur of the moment stolen a car, gone for a joy ride -- and collided with a police car at an intersection."
No, this guy was such a self-involved creep that he couldn't stop himself from running a gladiatorial canine torture mill, even though he knew he was risking everything.
And why did Obama wait until Vick's second year with the Eagles to congratulate Lurie for his "brave" decision? It was only after an entire year as a backup quarterback had passed and Vick emerged as a superstar again, taking his team to the playoffs and coming in second in Pro Bowl voting, that Obama congratulated Lurie. If Lurie's decision was so virtuous, why wait until the decision panned out?
The answer, again: Vick doesn't suck. At football.
But what of the millions of men released from prison who have little education, few skills and a criminal record that would make any reasonable employer think twice, and then twice again, about hiring them?
If our prisons were releasing top-flight software engineers, physicists and biologists, they'd all get second chances too. Ironically, it's the folks who need government licenses -- doctors, stockbrokers, et al. -- who often can't get second chances in their vocations. Obama could actually do something about that.
How to deal with the ex-con population is very hard knot. But neither Michael Vick's example nor the self-flattering preening that has come with it helps cut through it.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Happy Holidays!
Best wishes for a peaceful and healthy holiday season...
...and a wonderful New Year!
Seasons Greetings!
I'd like to begin by thanking you, our generous supporters, for your unwavering dedication to ISAR throughout 2010.
Your firm commitment has graciously provided ISAR with the means to remain steadfast and active on the legal, legislative, and educational fronts to improve the lives of animals.
Everything ISAR does on behalf of animals we owe to you.
It is always ISAR's top priority to expand our spay/neuter message through our various educational and direct action campaigns. ISAR is the only international organization dedicated, in various ways, solely to working for the day when every dog and cat born will have a permanent loving home.We strive for the day when our companion animals will be "companions," not disposable objects that are left along roadways or abandoned to shelters.
Through ISAR's comprehensive programs and our targeted resources we provide elected officials, attorneys, law schools, animal advocates and the media with the education, knowledge and tools to effect positive changes on behalf of animals.
As ISAR works to expand the reach of our message and many projects in 2011, I'm hoping you can help us kick off the New Year with a contribution of $15, $25, $35, $100, or even more.
At this time, I would like to take a moment to reflect on some of the programs and campaigns ISAR has worked on during the past six months.
ISAR will once again elaborate on our activities from the latter half of 2010 in a special six-month report in January 2011.
Here's a preview of some of ISAR's major activities during the last six months of 2010.
Exigent Circumstances
During the summer, ISAR created a buzz among our supporters with our blog, Search Warrants in Animal Protection Cases (http://isaronline.blogspot.com/2010/06/search-warrants-in-animal-protection.html). It focused on a criminal case decided by the Court of Appeal of the State of California, Second Appellate District, Division Three entitled The People v. Keith Chung.
ISAR noted that both the federal Bill of Rights and comparable constitutional provisions in the States require that before a search (or seizure) can be made by government officials, a search warrant must be obtained from a judicial officer. It takes "probable cause" that a crime has been, or is being, committed to support the issuance of a warrant.
However, as with most legal doctrines, there are exceptions.
One exception, relevant to the Chung case, is the "exigency" exception.
As the court said in the conclusion of its Chung decision, "[e]xigent circumstances properly may be found when an officer reasonably believes immediate warrantless entry into a residence is required to aid a live animal in distress. Where an officer reasonably believes an animal on the property is in immediate need of aid due to injury or mistreatment, the exigent circumstances exception to the warrant requirement of the Fourth Amendment may be invoked to permit warrantless entry to aid the animal."
ISAR anticipates that this issue will arise in other states, which will reach the same conclusion. Serious apparent danger to animals will suffice for a warrantless entry.
Since our blog was posted, the response from our supporters and others new to ISAR's work has been very positive.
Indeed, we have been asked for more information about the Chung appellate opinion, and some folks have expressed an interest in making it available to police and animal control officers.
Accordingly, Professor Holzer has "annotated" the court's written opinion by interposing his comments in Courier font into the actual document.
To view Professor Holzer's comments online, please visit our website
www.isaronline.citymax.com/f/The_People_v_Keith_Chung_Revisited.pdf -- or you may request a hardcopy by contacting ISAR directly by mail, phone, or fax.
International Homeless Animals' Day®
On the third Saturday of August, since 1992, ISAR, along with animal protection organizations, dedicated vigil coordinators, and concerned individuals have banded together from around the world to educate people of all nations about the pet overpopulation epidemic and the spay/neuter solution.
On August 21, 2010, ISAR commemorated its 19th annual International Homeless Animals' Day and Candlelight Vigil observances in 38 states and 18 foreign countries.
For the 9th consecutive year, ISAR once again, was pleased to offer our Online Candlelight Vigil.
Individuals from around the globe, including Sweden, Canada, Serbia and Montenegro, Bermuda, Czech Republic, Australia, Nicaragua, Argentina, Colombia, Spain, Poland, Brazil, Croatia, Netherlands, Japan, New Zealand, Denmark -- as well as the United States -- posted a message in memory of the victims of pet overpopulation.
This year, ISAR's International Homeless Animals' Day observances were marked with candlelight vigils, adopt-a-thons, spay/neuter clinics, blessings of the animals, pet walks and contests, fundraisers and much more. ISAR is grateful for the efforts put forth by dedicated vigil coordinators, concerned individuals, and countless organizations who observe International Homeless Animals' Day. ISAR is pleased to report, that as a direct result of ISAR's International Homeless Animals' Day and Candlelight Vigils, countless shelter animals find permanent loving homes and equally countless numbers of pets are now spayed and neutered, saving millions of animals' lives.
ISAR will commemorate our 20th anniversary of International Homeless Animals' Day on August 20, 2011. We will once again offer our vigil planning packets, at no cost, to help guide participants in selecting a vigil site and reaching target audiences to ensure a successful event. Interested parties may request a free vigil packet by contacting ISAR.
ISAR's Spay/Neuter Billboards Shed Light On Pet Overpopulation
Just in time for ISAR's 19th annual International Homeless Animals' Day observances, ISAR unveiled its latest spay/neuter billboard design featuring a tiger-striped cat and golden dog while promoting prominent slogans such as "Shed Light on a Global Tragedy - Pet Overpopulation" and "Spay/Neuter. It Stops Killing." Animal protection organizations and concerned individuals took advantage of ISAR's latest billboard design to promote their International Homeless Animals' Day observances. ISAR's Spay/Neuter Billboards were erected in two locations in Pennsylvania, Florida, and Virginia.
Social Networks
ISAR continues to grow by utilizing online social networking sites such as Facebook and Myspace as well as Twitter and our blog (www.isaronline.blogspot.com) to keep thousands of our supporters abreast of what we are currently working on in our fight for animal rights. Some of our recent blog topics include Search Warrants in Animal Protection Cases, The People v. Keith Chung, Revisited, The "Half-a-Loaf" Problem Arises Again, "No-Kill" Advances, Shed Light On A Global Tragedy, ISAR's Semi-Annual Report: January - July 2010, and International Homeless Animals' Day: August 21, 2010.We encourage everyone interested in animal protection/animal rights to join us online via Facebook (www.facebook.com/isaronline), Myspace (www.myspace.com/i_s_a_r), or subscribe to ISAR's Blog (http://www.isaronline.blogspot.com/). If you would like to receive ISAR's E-Newsletter, ISAR encourages you to contact us by visiting our website (http://www.isaronline.org/) and requesting to be added to ISAR's E-Newsletter mailing list.
ISAR on the Radio
DogsInDanger Radio Hour invited ISAR Chairman, Professor Henry Mark Holzer, as a special guest to discuss mandatory spay/neuter programs with their listening audience. The DogsInDanger radio show helped to provide a perfect platform for animal lovers alike to learn more about ISAR's recent monographs titled, The Policy, Law and Morality of Mandatory Spay/Neuter and ISAR's Model Statute Regulating Dog Breeding, Faciliation and Sales both of which can be found on ISAR's website www.isaronline.org. You can listen to an archived podcast of Professor Holzer's radio interview by visiting the DogsInDanger website.
As 2010 comes to an end, ISAR is focused and energized for 2011.We plan to expand our already successful spay/neuter programs and campaigns. ISAR will continue to send our spay/neuter message worldwide and work toward the elimination of the ghastly spectacle of companion animals being destroyed because there are not enough good homes for them all.
On behalf of all animals and ISAR, I thank you and look forward to a positive and productive year in 2011.
Sincerely,
Susan Dapsis
President
President
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
International Homeless Animals' Day: August 21, 2010
International Homeless Animals' Day 2010 was commemorated for the nineteenth consecutive year on August 21st with Candlelight Vigil observances in 38 states and 18 foreign countries.
Introduction
Each year, on the third Saturday of August, animal protection organizations, dedicated vigil coordinators, and concerned individuals band together from around the world and join ISAR in an educational endeavor known as International Homeless Animals' Day. Since 1992, this Day has allowed humankind to act in solidarity and express that the disgraceful mass-murdering of healthy yet homeless animals, who wind up in shelters through no fault of their own, is unacceptable! ISAR is extremely grateful for the hard work our devoted vigil coordinators put forth every year leading up to our August event. Because of their loyal commitment, ISAR's International Homeless Animals' Day observances result in the re-homing of companion animals into loving new families and the performing of countless spay/neuter surgeries. This year, hundreds of ISAR's candlelight vigil planning packets were sent to organizations and individuals interested in coordinating an International Homeless Animals' Day event. ISAR spay/neuter bumper stickers, buttons and handouts were made available to many participating organizations for distribution at their events.
In honor of International Homeless Animals' Day 2010, ISAR was pleased to sponsor our 9th Annual Virtual Vigil. Visitors to our website, http://www.isaronline.org/, were invited to light an online candle and post a message in memory of the victims of pet overpopulation. Participation in our online vigil spanned the globe, including foreign locations such as Sweden, Canada, Serbia and Montenegro, Bermuda, Czech Republic, Australia, Nicaragua, Argentina, Colombia, Spain, Poland, Brazil, Croatia, Netherlands, Japan, New Zealand, Denmark - as well as in the United States.
New this year, ISAR produced a tribute video for vigil coordinators who have held International Homeless Animals' Day observances over the years. Accompanied by Michael Bublé's beautiful rendition of his song Home, images of homeless animals and humans dramatizing the pet overpopulation tragedy fade into one another while the music plays. Multiple animal protection organizations and caring individuals shared our special tribute by hosting our video on their websites, blogs, and online communities. In just a month's time, ISAR's tribute video garnered 1,300 hits. ISAR's video may be viewed on our website, http://www.isaronline.org/.
2010 Vigil Highlights
While ISAR encourages all vigil coordinators to contact us with feedback, due to space restraints we are not able to acknowledge the many events that took place on August 21, 2010. Some representative examples follow.
Glow sticks aligned to spell the word home illuminated the lawn at Civic Center Park in Palm Desert, California during an International Homeless Animals' Day observance coordinated by Desert Paws. Dr. Lori Kirshner, President of Desert Paws, welcomed approximately 70 people to their event to raise awareness concerning the pet overpopulation epidemic and its simple spay/neuter solution. Mayor of Palm Desert, Cindy Finerty, read a proclamation based on ISAR's declaring August 21, 2010 as International Homeless Animals' Day. Special guest speaker, ISAR Chairman, Professor Henry Mark Holzer, encouraged the crowd to continue all efforts to alleviate pet overpopulation and to support animal rights groups who are in positions of influence. According to Dr. Kirshner, "We, along with others from around the world who gather for similar vigils, can make a difference. Together, we can work to help end this senseless killing. We must do everything in our powers to support legislative efforts to make pet sterilization the law in every city and county around the U.S." ISAR could not agree more!
Hundreds of people, including members from ISAR, Rescue Ink, Guardians of Rescue, the founder of The Animal Kindness Awards, and president of DogsInDanger.com attended a concert and documentary film premiere of Take Me Home - The Story of the Georgia Puppy Caravan hosted by The M.O.M.S. Animal Rescue in Philadelphia on August 19, 2010. On August 21, 2009, one year prior to ISAR's 19th commemoration of International Homeless Animals' Day, The M.O.M.S Animal Rescue, along with a troop of volunteers, traveled to Summerville, GA and completely emptied the Chattooga Animal Control of 138 animals and re-homed all of them into new loving families. During the documentary premiere, artist John Donato presented art inspired by the puppy caravan titled "Freedom Train", where Summer, one of the rescued Georgia dogs, signed the painting with a paw print. Musical performances from the Take Me Home soundtrack, including a number sung by the children of the caravan, helped set a very moving and inspirational tone for the evening. Karen Talbot LaSasso, Founder of The M.O.M.S. Rescue, attributes ISAR's International Homeless Animals' Day for rekindling her mission and states, "After devoting three full years into St. Joseph Paws for a Cause, The M.O.M.S. Animal Rescue and the Georgia Puppy Caravan, I decided to take a much needed break because I became absolutely emotionally drained. I rested for one day and asked GOD to send me a sign that would push me to move forward and not take a "break". The very next day, I received an email in a crosspost. I receive hundreds of these emails daily, BUT this one changed the course of my future! It was the announcement that ISAR was hosting their annual candlelight vigil for Homeless Animals (Worldwide) on August 21, 2010. The significance of this date hit me like a Mack truck! This was the one year anniversary of the Georgia Puppy Caravan. This was the day we completely emptied out an entire shelter in Summerville, GA. On August 21, 2009 the M.O.M.S. Animal Rescue carried 138 animals to safety for the first time in Georgia state history. This is the day that had completely changed my life forever. The sign that I was given was larger than life and so my day of rest came to an immediate end and at that point I realized that I may get weary and emotionally drained but if I give up, who will speak for them? I was honored to be part of ISAR and even drove to The Queenie Foundation's Candlelight Vigil in Connecticut to be surrounded by many other voices for our nation's voiceless! If we as adults could only learn to take more cues from animals and children, what a world we would live in!!!"
Volunteering: An Inspired Endeavor was the theme for The Queenie Foundation, Inc.'s 15th annual International Homeless Animals' Day observance on August 21, 2010. Media attention from local newspapers and television stations, including an interview on an ABC affiliate in New Haven, helped promote their event which drew a crowd of 100 people. Multiple animal protection organizations were on hand mingling with the crowd while raffles, live music, adoption displays, vendors and vegan fare added to the highlights of the Day. Guest speaker, ISAR Program Coordinator, Colleen Gedrich, read a proclamation based on ISAR's, signed by Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell, declaring August 21, 2010 as International Homeless Animals' Day. Miss Gedrich also spoke to the crowd about the importance of volunteering and the need for camaraderie between animal rights/welfare groups. During the event, ISAR volunteers distributed copies of ISAR's monograph Harming Companion Animals: Liability and Damages, The Animal's 10 Commandments bookmarks, spay/neuter bumper stickers and buttons, as well as previous ISAR Newsletters to the crowd. Enid Breakstone, Founder and Director of The Queenie Foundation, Inc. is no stranger to holding successful International Homeless Animals' Day observances. For many years, Ms. Breakstone coordinated candlelight vigil events in Texas with attendee numbers reaching 400 participants with more than 30 pro-animal organizations present. Since her move to Connecticut, Ms. Breakstone claims, "New England is quite different. The rescue community in the Hartford area is not nearly as cohesive as in Dallas/Ft. Worth and so it seems more difficult to get organizations and the public to attend. Even though this is a serious event, because I take companion animal overpopulation dead seriously, our event next year is going to be very lively and hopefully fun for people to attend. We can make this event one that people want to go to every year while informing them that spay/neuter stops companion animal overpopulation off its tracks."
Proclamations based on ISAR's declaring August 21, 2010 as International Homeless Animals' Day were signed by Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, the Mayors of Franklinton and Bogalusa, along with Washington Parish President, Ned Thomas and presented during an observance coordinated by the Humane Society of Louisiana - Magnolia Chapter. Mr. Thomas not only read the proclamation during this event but also declared to post signs in rural areas of Washington Parish informing the public about animal abandonment laws and penalties. Dogs and their custodians donned black ribbons in memory of all animals who lost their lives to pet overpopulation during their International Homeless Animals' Day Memorial Walk. Young volunteers asked so many questions during the event regarding pet overpopulation and spay/neuter benefits that it inspired the following suggestion from the Humane Society of Louisiana, "talk to school superintendents and principals asking that elementary students become involved in this Day by incorporating courses with projects of drawing and coloring pictures, writing poems or stories about animals finding good homes while high school levels could do research projects on pet overpopulation (consequences and solutions). The hosting vigil coordinator could choose winners from each level and have each student present their project during an International Homeless Animals' Day event. Winning students would be featured in the newspaper." ISAR agrees wholeheartedly that younger generations should be offered ways to get involved in International Homeless Animals' Day and thinks this idea would certainly help garner some media attention!
The NEPA-Animal Adoption Network (NEPA-AAN) teamed up with Eastern PA Animal Alliance (EPAA) for a low-cost spay/neuter mobile clinic in time for this year's International Homeless Animals' Day. ISAR's brightly colored billboard was posted along a busy roadway one month prior to the event to help spread the spay/neuter message and advertise their clinic. Appointments filled fast as more than 35 dogs and cats were spayed/neutered as a result of this one day clinic. Due to its popularity, NEPA-AAN and the EPAA have already scheduled return visits to the Scranton area. According to Nancy Reese, Founder of NEPA-AAN, "Bringing the low-cost spay/neuter mobile to Scranton was a success and a great way to celebrate International Homeless Animals' Day. We hope to plan a big event for this Day in 2011 to get our community more involved and to raise the much needed awareness on how important it is to just simply spay and neuter your pets." Mrs. Reese went on to say, "We live in such a disposable society, it's a shame. People need to pay attention and take responsibility for their actions. Thousands of animals die each day because of the carelessness of others."
Mayor Susan Hardee Steger, Fernandina Beach, FL, presented Beth Hackney of Cats Angels Inc. SPCA with two proclamations declaring August 21, 2010 as International Homeless Animals' Day, as well as affirming August 2010 as International Homeless Animals' Month. As a result, throughout the month of August, Cats Angels Inc. SPCA found loving new homes for more than 60 cats. Cats Angels was also responsible for the spaying/neutering of 110 cats in August bringing their total number of sterilizations to an impressive 10,000 surgeries performed. Rounding out their month-long events, Cats Angels hosted a 2 mile walk with participants toting signs prominently featuring spay/neuter and adoption messages and concluded with a touching candlelight vigil at the finish line.
ISAR is pleased to report that International Homeless Animals' Day participation has expanded to businesses outside the realm of animal rights/protection organizations. For instance, Vibe Hair Studio, MI, held a hair cut-a-thon on August 21st raising $690.00 with one hundred percent of the proceeds donated to the Michigan Humane Society. Remington Apartment Homes, TX, provided a list of local animal shelters on their website and waived half their pet fee to tenants for any cat or dog adopted during the week leading up to International Homeless Animals' Day. Spanning over 19 U.S. states, Aveda Retail Stores in 40 locations invited local shelters on site, provided spay/neuter/adoption awareness handouts to the public, displayed photos of adoptable animals throughout their stores, and offered spa services in exchange for donations to local shelters and rescue groups. An Aveda representative can be quoted as saying, "This event was so important to me and heartwarming. It made me so happy to see the public's response to be the same. I am proud to work for a company that allows us to be the voice for the animals. I hope we can do this again in the future. It was a great success for our store and most of all, the animals."
International Activities
A sea of candles cast a warm glow during a candlelight vigil with some three hundred adults and children at an International Homeless Animals' Day observance hosted by the SPCA-Penang in Malaysia. Throughout the event, members of the crowd inquired about how to get involved in animal protection, participated with their pets in a parade and pet tricks and skills contest, spent time with adoptable animals and were offered information on spay/neuter. Approximately RM900 (or $300 U.S. dollars) were raised toward the SPCA's neutering program as a result of this observance. When asked about the pet overpopulation problem in Malaysia, Lily Lang of the SPCA summed up her frustrations by stating, "The general public lacks pet overpopulation education in Malaysia while consistency from government officials regarding animal laws is virtually nonexistent. The SPCA-Penang craves standardization and has been attempting to negotiate with city officials since 1993 to improve conditions for animals and create a more cohesive legal system."
Fifty people gathered in the Czech Republic during two International Homeless Animals' Day ceremonies held by First Society for the Cat Rights. ISAR spay/neuter educational materials were made available to the public while photos of adoptable animals and a candlelight memorial were on display in the town of Pribor. Close by, the melody of a lone flute player filled the air while participants at a new vigil location met adoptable cats searching for loving homes. ISAR's Proclamation declaring August 21, 2010 as International Homeless Animals' Day was signed and presented by a council member from the town of Cernosice. According to the Society's Chairwoman, Alice Oppova, "First Society for the Cat Rights has been trying for a long time to persuade other Czech animal protection organizations to coordinate vigils with us. Nevertheless, we believe that the first official vigil in Cernosice was a success."
Approximately 100 people were encouraged to write a blessing in honor of homeless animals on brightly colored yellow ribbons and tie them to a tree centrally located in the courtyard of the Hong Kong Dog Rescue (HKDR) in Tai Po, Hong Kong for International Homeless Animals' Day. Informational posters on pet overpopulation, spay/neuter, and the adoption option adorned the walls leading into the kennels where excited animals spent the day playing with friendly visitors. During the event, a moment of silence was observed for all animals killed as a result of pet overpopulation. Sally Anderson, Founder of the HKDR, along with members of the crowd, signed ISAR's Proclamation declaring August 21, 2010 as International Homeless Animals' Day.
One thousand people gathered in two locations to participate in the spay/neuter campaign efforts coordinated by Spay/Panama, Angeles De Los Animales, Adopta Patitas, Albergue San Roque, Fundacion San Franciso De Asis, Tinakeros Hogar Temporal and Amigos De Los Animales y La Naturaleza in honor of International Homeless Animals' Day in the Republic of Panama. Over 170 animals were spayed/neutered on August 21, 2010 as a result of their observance. Shelter fundraising activities included animal friendly contests for best rescue story, best adoption story, a photo contest of people helping homeless animals and a dog agility contest. Social networking sites, local newspaper, television and radio stations contributed to their media coverage and spread the spay/neuter message far and wide.
Thirty-two free spay/neuter coupons valuing over $1600 were dispensed to the public at an International Homeless Animals' Day observance in the Bahamas on August 21, 2010. The Bahamas Alliance for Animal Rights & Kindness (Baark!) quizzed passers-by on pet overpopulation statistics during their event. Real change occurred when a few people (who admitted to breeding their animals) were so affected by the numbers of animals killed in shelters they graciously accepted Baark!'s coupons for a free spay/neuter to have their animals sterilized. According to Laura Kimble, Chairwoman of Baark!, "We salute those people who, once they understand the direct connection between breeding their dog and animals dying at the pound were willing to step up and take action." Ms. Kimble went on to say, "The homeless animal problem should matter to every Bahamian, if only because suffering diseased animals roaming everywhere severely impacts the image of our country. Most tourists have never seen such suffering animals, especially in these large numbers, and it really makes them think less of our beautiful country...the suffering of animals [throughout the Bahamas] is completely avoidable if we all just do our part." ISAR would like to extend that great advice to include every country around the globe!
Special Thanks
ISAR is delighted to report that many elected officials have signed ISAR's Proclamations recognizing August 21, 2010 as International Homeless Animals' Day. ISAR extends a heartfelt thank you to all government leaders who recognized this Day including Mayors Dewey Bartlett, Tulsa and Vic Vreeland, Jenks, OK, Michael Newhard, Village of Warwick, NY, as well as Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry. Governor of Pennsylvania, Edward G. Rendell, in addition to declaring August 21, 2010 as International Homeless Animals' Day, expressed the following sentiments in a letter to ISAR, "Each year, Pennsylvania's animal shelters find adoptive homes for hundreds of thousands of homeless pets. Shelters around the world recognize this day to remember all the animals that entered the shelters homeless, waiting for a familiar face. ISAR gives hope for the many animals that are waiting for their happy ending story. Thank you for helping to find animals the forever homes they deserve."
ISAR would also like to thank everyone who employed various media outlets promoting our 19th annual International Homeless Animals' Day observances. Blogs, newspapers, radio and television stations, websites, and online communities, greatly contributed to ISAR's educational crusade against pet overpopulation and assisted ISAR in publicizing the overwhelming scores of companion animal deaths that take place each year because there are not enough good homes for them. Among the many sources, PetSmart Charities supported ISAR's spay/neuter awareness efforts with an International Homeless Animals' Day inspired blog. BBC News, Washington, launched a media blitz focusing on the importance of International Homeless Animals' Day. Iams-sponsored blogs, The Dog Daily and The Daily Cat, circulated its International Homeless Animals' Day interview featuring ISAR Program Coordinator Colleen Gedrich on news sites such as Fox, NBC, and CBS affiliates while The Dog Whisperer, Cesar Milan, produced an article proclaiming, "Every year more than 4.5 million dogs and cats die in local animal shelters due to a lack of space. For the past 19 years, organizations such as ISAR have promoted new ideas and efforts to maintain the pet population with spay/neuter programs. One of the kindest acts people can perform to save the lives of animals is to spay or neuter their pet, which prevents homeless animals from ever being born in the first place."
Our Deepest Gratitude to Coordinators
Listed below are some of the countless organizations ISAR would like to acknowledge for their efforts.
ISAR would like to specially thank, Friends of Pets, Anchorage Animal Care and Control, The Center for Animal Rescue and Adoption, HALO Animal Rescue, Bryant Animal Shelter, From the Heart Animal Behavior Counseling & Training and Paws at Play Doggie Daycare, Santa Cruz SPCA, Surf City Animal Response Team (SCART), Sacramento County Animal Shelter, Molly's Mutts and Meows, Lange Foundation of Los Angeles, Berkeley Humane Society, Berkeley East Bay Humane Society, San Francisco SPCA, Friends of the Formerly Friendless, Tony L Russa's Animal Rescue Foundation, All Breed Rescue & Training, Our Companions Domestic Animal Sanctuary, Seashore Striders Event Productions, Inc., Central Brevard Humane Society, Aloha Pet & Bird Hospital, the North & South Animal Care Centers and S.P.C.A. of North Brevard, Florida Boxer Rescue, Tri-County Humane Society, Susan Buser, SPCA of Central Florida, Orange County Animal Services, A Second Chance Puppies and Kittens Rescue, Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League, Humane Society of Tampa Bay, Animal Rescue Force of South Florida, Inc., The Humane Society Naples, The Cat Network, Atlanta Humane Society, SweetWater Brewery, Park Tavern, Maui Humane Society, Almost Home Foundation, CIAWC Agencies, Livingston County Humane Society, New Leash On Life Animal Rescue, The Temple Bar, Chicago English Bulldog Rescue, Mercy Rescue and Adoption of Jennings County, Elkhart Humane Society, Humane Society of Indianapolis, Siouxland Humane Society, Cedar Bend Humane Society, City of Overland Park, The Lexington Humane Society, College Park Animal Welfare Society, Chesapeake Cats and Dogs, Inc., Maryland SPCA, Save A Dog, Humane Society of Kent County, Friends for the Dearborn Animal Shelter, Happy Tails Rescue, Tupelo-Lee Humane Society, Dogwood Animal Shelter, Osage Beach Culvers, Pulaski County Humane Society, Callaway County Humane Society, Marketplace Media, Angels of Animals, Inc., Coordinators of "Your Dog is Worth It Too", Somerset Regional Animal Shelter, Humane Society of Bergen County/Lost Pet, Inc., Camden County Animal Shelter, Craft Company No. 6, Warwick Valley Humane Society, Humane Society of Rome, New York Feral Cat Initiative - A Program of the Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals, No Kill New York, New Rochelle Humane Society, Pet Rescue, C.A.R.E. For Animals, Unleashed, Carl & Linda Grubb Family YMCA, SNIP Regional Spay/Neuter Clinic, Independent Animal Rescue, SPCA of Raleigh, Greyhound Adoption of Ohio, United Coalition for Animals, Cincinnati Pet Food Pantry, Community Animal Task Force, Knox County Humane Society, Cuyahoga County Kennels, Queen City Greyhound Rescue, Friends of The Shelter, Columbus Humane Society, Oklahoma Alliance for Animals, 92.9 BOB FM, Partnering for Pets, Inc., Miss Molly's Pet Services, No-Kill Lehigh Valley, Blue Chip Farm Animal Refuge, Dr. Jennifer L. Fry, VMD, Helen O. Krause Animal Foundation, Inc., Animal Friends, Defenders of Animals, Providence Animal Rescue League, Journey's End No-Kill Animal Society, Nashville Humane Association, Tunica Humane Society, Irving Animal Services, Kaufman County Animal Awareness Project, Kittico, DFW Humane Society, The Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter (WCRAS), Humane Society of Williamson County, A Different Breed Animal Rescue, Green Mountain Animal Defenders, NOVADog Magazine, Greenbrier Humane Society, Raleigh County Animal Rescue, Countryside Humane Society, Leadership Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin Pets, Humane Animal Welfare Society (HAWS), Waupun Area Animal Shelter, Inc., Angels Wish.
ISAR also truly appreciates the international efforts from the Public Association for Animal Protection "EGIDA", Belarus, Animal Rescue Sofia, Bulgaria, Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society, Bow Valley SPCA, City of London, Pet Valu, Petfinder.com, Bosco & Roxy's, Country Paws, A Village Tail, Canine Life, Cohen Highley Lawyers, Sifton Properties, 103.1 Fresh FM, Canada, AnimaNaturalis, Chile, Protestors in Medellin, Colombia, Association de Defense de la Nature et Des Animaux OĂŹKOS KAĂŹ BIOS, France, Georgian Society for the Protection and Safety of Animals, Georgia, IDA Deonar, India, Animal Welfare Department at Ghammieri, Marsa, Malta, Happy TailsAcapulco, Mexico, SOS Chats, Switzerland, Kiev MTZT SOS Shelter, Ukraine, Humane Society of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.
ISAR Spay/Neuter Billboards Shed Light on a Global Tragedy
Displaying brightly colored images of a yellow dog and tiger-striped cat, ISAR unveiled its new spay/neuter billboard design in the spring of 2010 in time for our 19th Annual International Homeless Animals' Day and Candlelight Vigil observances. ISAR's striking new artwork prominently featured educational slogans such as "Shed Light on a Global Tragedy - Pet Overpopulation" and "Spay/Neuter. It Stops Killing." Animal protection organizations and concerned individuals took advantage of ISAR's latest billboard design this summer to promote their International Homeless Animals' Day observances. ISAR's Spay/Neuter Billboards were erected in two locations in Pennsylvania, Florida, and Virginia.
Introduction
Each year, on the third Saturday of August, animal protection organizations, dedicated vigil coordinators, and concerned individuals band together from around the world and join ISAR in an educational endeavor known as International Homeless Animals' Day. Since 1992, this Day has allowed humankind to act in solidarity and express that the disgraceful mass-murdering of healthy yet homeless animals, who wind up in shelters through no fault of their own, is unacceptable! ISAR is extremely grateful for the hard work our devoted vigil coordinators put forth every year leading up to our August event. Because of their loyal commitment, ISAR's International Homeless Animals' Day observances result in the re-homing of companion animals into loving new families and the performing of countless spay/neuter surgeries. This year, hundreds of ISAR's candlelight vigil planning packets were sent to organizations and individuals interested in coordinating an International Homeless Animals' Day event. ISAR spay/neuter bumper stickers, buttons and handouts were made available to many participating organizations for distribution at their events.
In honor of International Homeless Animals' Day 2010, ISAR was pleased to sponsor our 9th Annual Virtual Vigil. Visitors to our website, http://www.isaronline.org/, were invited to light an online candle and post a message in memory of the victims of pet overpopulation. Participation in our online vigil spanned the globe, including foreign locations such as Sweden, Canada, Serbia and Montenegro, Bermuda, Czech Republic, Australia, Nicaragua, Argentina, Colombia, Spain, Poland, Brazil, Croatia, Netherlands, Japan, New Zealand, Denmark - as well as in the United States.
New this year, ISAR produced a tribute video for vigil coordinators who have held International Homeless Animals' Day observances over the years. Accompanied by Michael Bublé's beautiful rendition of his song Home, images of homeless animals and humans dramatizing the pet overpopulation tragedy fade into one another while the music plays. Multiple animal protection organizations and caring individuals shared our special tribute by hosting our video on their websites, blogs, and online communities. In just a month's time, ISAR's tribute video garnered 1,300 hits. ISAR's video may be viewed on our website, http://www.isaronline.org/.
2010 Vigil Highlights
While ISAR encourages all vigil coordinators to contact us with feedback, due to space restraints we are not able to acknowledge the many events that took place on August 21, 2010. Some representative examples follow.
Glow sticks aligned to spell the word home illuminated the lawn at Civic Center Park in Palm Desert, California during an International Homeless Animals' Day observance coordinated by Desert Paws. Dr. Lori Kirshner, President of Desert Paws, welcomed approximately 70 people to their event to raise awareness concerning the pet overpopulation epidemic and its simple spay/neuter solution. Mayor of Palm Desert, Cindy Finerty, read a proclamation based on ISAR's declaring August 21, 2010 as International Homeless Animals' Day. Special guest speaker, ISAR Chairman, Professor Henry Mark Holzer, encouraged the crowd to continue all efforts to alleviate pet overpopulation and to support animal rights groups who are in positions of influence. According to Dr. Kirshner, "We, along with others from around the world who gather for similar vigils, can make a difference. Together, we can work to help end this senseless killing. We must do everything in our powers to support legislative efforts to make pet sterilization the law in every city and county around the U.S." ISAR could not agree more!
Hundreds of people, including members from ISAR, Rescue Ink, Guardians of Rescue, the founder of The Animal Kindness Awards, and president of DogsInDanger.com attended a concert and documentary film premiere of Take Me Home - The Story of the Georgia Puppy Caravan hosted by The M.O.M.S. Animal Rescue in Philadelphia on August 19, 2010. On August 21, 2009, one year prior to ISAR's 19th commemoration of International Homeless Animals' Day, The M.O.M.S Animal Rescue, along with a troop of volunteers, traveled to Summerville, GA and completely emptied the Chattooga Animal Control of 138 animals and re-homed all of them into new loving families. During the documentary premiere, artist John Donato presented art inspired by the puppy caravan titled "Freedom Train", where Summer, one of the rescued Georgia dogs, signed the painting with a paw print. Musical performances from the Take Me Home soundtrack, including a number sung by the children of the caravan, helped set a very moving and inspirational tone for the evening. Karen Talbot LaSasso, Founder of The M.O.M.S. Rescue, attributes ISAR's International Homeless Animals' Day for rekindling her mission and states, "After devoting three full years into St. Joseph Paws for a Cause, The M.O.M.S. Animal Rescue and the Georgia Puppy Caravan, I decided to take a much needed break because I became absolutely emotionally drained. I rested for one day and asked GOD to send me a sign that would push me to move forward and not take a "break". The very next day, I received an email in a crosspost. I receive hundreds of these emails daily, BUT this one changed the course of my future! It was the announcement that ISAR was hosting their annual candlelight vigil for Homeless Animals (Worldwide) on August 21, 2010. The significance of this date hit me like a Mack truck! This was the one year anniversary of the Georgia Puppy Caravan. This was the day we completely emptied out an entire shelter in Summerville, GA. On August 21, 2009 the M.O.M.S. Animal Rescue carried 138 animals to safety for the first time in Georgia state history. This is the day that had completely changed my life forever. The sign that I was given was larger than life and so my day of rest came to an immediate end and at that point I realized that I may get weary and emotionally drained but if I give up, who will speak for them? I was honored to be part of ISAR and even drove to The Queenie Foundation's Candlelight Vigil in Connecticut to be surrounded by many other voices for our nation's voiceless! If we as adults could only learn to take more cues from animals and children, what a world we would live in!!!"
Volunteering: An Inspired Endeavor was the theme for The Queenie Foundation, Inc.'s 15th annual International Homeless Animals' Day observance on August 21, 2010. Media attention from local newspapers and television stations, including an interview on an ABC affiliate in New Haven, helped promote their event which drew a crowd of 100 people. Multiple animal protection organizations were on hand mingling with the crowd while raffles, live music, adoption displays, vendors and vegan fare added to the highlights of the Day. Guest speaker, ISAR Program Coordinator, Colleen Gedrich, read a proclamation based on ISAR's, signed by Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell, declaring August 21, 2010 as International Homeless Animals' Day. Miss Gedrich also spoke to the crowd about the importance of volunteering and the need for camaraderie between animal rights/welfare groups. During the event, ISAR volunteers distributed copies of ISAR's monograph Harming Companion Animals: Liability and Damages, The Animal's 10 Commandments bookmarks, spay/neuter bumper stickers and buttons, as well as previous ISAR Newsletters to the crowd. Enid Breakstone, Founder and Director of The Queenie Foundation, Inc. is no stranger to holding successful International Homeless Animals' Day observances. For many years, Ms. Breakstone coordinated candlelight vigil events in Texas with attendee numbers reaching 400 participants with more than 30 pro-animal organizations present. Since her move to Connecticut, Ms. Breakstone claims, "New England is quite different. The rescue community in the Hartford area is not nearly as cohesive as in Dallas/Ft. Worth and so it seems more difficult to get organizations and the public to attend. Even though this is a serious event, because I take companion animal overpopulation dead seriously, our event next year is going to be very lively and hopefully fun for people to attend. We can make this event one that people want to go to every year while informing them that spay/neuter stops companion animal overpopulation off its tracks."Proclamations based on ISAR's declaring August 21, 2010 as International Homeless Animals' Day were signed by Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, the Mayors of Franklinton and Bogalusa, along with Washington Parish President, Ned Thomas and presented during an observance coordinated by the Humane Society of Louisiana - Magnolia Chapter. Mr. Thomas not only read the proclamation during this event but also declared to post signs in rural areas of Washington Parish informing the public about animal abandonment laws and penalties. Dogs and their custodians donned black ribbons in memory of all animals who lost their lives to pet overpopulation during their International Homeless Animals' Day Memorial Walk. Young volunteers asked so many questions during the event regarding pet overpopulation and spay/neuter benefits that it inspired the following suggestion from the Humane Society of Louisiana, "talk to school superintendents and principals asking that elementary students become involved in this Day by incorporating courses with projects of drawing and coloring pictures, writing poems or stories about animals finding good homes while high school levels could do research projects on pet overpopulation (consequences and solutions). The hosting vigil coordinator could choose winners from each level and have each student present their project during an International Homeless Animals' Day event. Winning students would be featured in the newspaper." ISAR agrees wholeheartedly that younger generations should be offered ways to get involved in International Homeless Animals' Day and thinks this idea would certainly help garner some media attention!
The NEPA-Animal Adoption Network (NEPA-AAN) teamed up with Eastern PA Animal Alliance (EPAA) for a low-cost spay/neuter mobile clinic in time for this year's International Homeless Animals' Day. ISAR's brightly colored billboard was posted along a busy roadway one month prior to the event to help spread the spay/neuter message and advertise their clinic. Appointments filled fast as more than 35 dogs and cats were spayed/neutered as a result of this one day clinic. Due to its popularity, NEPA-AAN and the EPAA have already scheduled return visits to the Scranton area. According to Nancy Reese, Founder of NEPA-AAN, "Bringing the low-cost spay/neuter mobile to Scranton was a success and a great way to celebrate International Homeless Animals' Day. We hope to plan a big event for this Day in 2011 to get our community more involved and to raise the much needed awareness on how important it is to just simply spay and neuter your pets." Mrs. Reese went on to say, "We live in such a disposable society, it's a shame. People need to pay attention and take responsibility for their actions. Thousands of animals die each day because of the carelessness of others."Mayor Susan Hardee Steger, Fernandina Beach, FL, presented Beth Hackney of Cats Angels Inc. SPCA with two proclamations declaring August 21, 2010 as International Homeless Animals' Day, as well as affirming August 2010 as International Homeless Animals' Month. As a result, throughout the month of August, Cats Angels Inc. SPCA found loving new homes for more than 60 cats. Cats Angels was also responsible for the spaying/neutering of 110 cats in August bringing their total number of sterilizations to an impressive 10,000 surgeries performed. Rounding out their month-long events, Cats Angels hosted a 2 mile walk with participants toting signs prominently featuring spay/neuter and adoption messages and concluded with a touching candlelight vigil at the finish line.
ISAR is pleased to report that International Homeless Animals' Day participation has expanded to businesses outside the realm of animal rights/protection organizations. For instance, Vibe Hair Studio, MI, held a hair cut-a-thon on August 21st raising $690.00 with one hundred percent of the proceeds donated to the Michigan Humane Society. Remington Apartment Homes, TX, provided a list of local animal shelters on their website and waived half their pet fee to tenants for any cat or dog adopted during the week leading up to International Homeless Animals' Day. Spanning over 19 U.S. states, Aveda Retail Stores in 40 locations invited local shelters on site, provided spay/neuter/adoption awareness handouts to the public, displayed photos of adoptable animals throughout their stores, and offered spa services in exchange for donations to local shelters and rescue groups. An Aveda representative can be quoted as saying, "This event was so important to me and heartwarming. It made me so happy to see the public's response to be the same. I am proud to work for a company that allows us to be the voice for the animals. I hope we can do this again in the future. It was a great success for our store and most of all, the animals."International Activities
A sea of candles cast a warm glow during a candlelight vigil with some three hundred adults and children at an International Homeless Animals' Day observance hosted by the SPCA-Penang in Malaysia. Throughout the event, members of the crowd inquired about how to get involved in animal protection, participated with their pets in a parade and pet tricks and skills contest, spent time with adoptable animals and were offered information on spay/neuter. Approximately RM900 (or $300 U.S. dollars) were raised toward the SPCA's neutering program as a result of this observance. When asked about the pet overpopulation problem in Malaysia, Lily Lang of the SPCA summed up her frustrations by stating, "The general public lacks pet overpopulation education in Malaysia while consistency from government officials regarding animal laws is virtually nonexistent. The SPCA-Penang craves standardization and has been attempting to negotiate with city officials since 1993 to improve conditions for animals and create a more cohesive legal system."
Fifty people gathered in the Czech Republic during two International Homeless Animals' Day ceremonies held by First Society for the Cat Rights. ISAR spay/neuter educational materials were made available to the public while photos of adoptable animals and a candlelight memorial were on display in the town of Pribor. Close by, the melody of a lone flute player filled the air while participants at a new vigil location met adoptable cats searching for loving homes. ISAR's Proclamation declaring August 21, 2010 as International Homeless Animals' Day was signed and presented by a council member from the town of Cernosice. According to the Society's Chairwoman, Alice Oppova, "First Society for the Cat Rights has been trying for a long time to persuade other Czech animal protection organizations to coordinate vigils with us. Nevertheless, we believe that the first official vigil in Cernosice was a success."Approximately 100 people were encouraged to write a blessing in honor of homeless animals on brightly colored yellow ribbons and tie them to a tree centrally located in the courtyard of the Hong Kong Dog Rescue (HKDR) in Tai Po, Hong Kong for International Homeless Animals' Day. Informational posters on pet overpopulation, spay/neuter, and the adoption option adorned the walls leading into the kennels where excited animals spent the day playing with friendly visitors. During the event, a moment of silence was observed for all animals killed as a result of pet overpopulation. Sally Anderson, Founder of the HKDR, along with members of the crowd, signed ISAR's Proclamation declaring August 21, 2010 as International Homeless Animals' Day.
One thousand people gathered in two locations to participate in the spay/neuter campaign efforts coordinated by Spay/Panama, Angeles De Los Animales, Adopta Patitas, Albergue San Roque, Fundacion San Franciso De Asis, Tinakeros Hogar Temporal and Amigos De Los Animales y La Naturaleza in honor of International Homeless Animals' Day in the Republic of Panama. Over 170 animals were spayed/neutered on August 21, 2010 as a result of their observance. Shelter fundraising activities included animal friendly contests for best rescue story, best adoption story, a photo contest of people helping homeless animals and a dog agility contest. Social networking sites, local newspaper, television and radio stations contributed to their media coverage and spread the spay/neuter message far and wide.
Thirty-two free spay/neuter coupons valuing over $1600 were dispensed to the public at an International Homeless Animals' Day observance in the Bahamas on August 21, 2010. The Bahamas Alliance for Animal Rights & Kindness (Baark!) quizzed passers-by on pet overpopulation statistics during their event. Real change occurred when a few people (who admitted to breeding their animals) were so affected by the numbers of animals killed in shelters they graciously accepted Baark!'s coupons for a free spay/neuter to have their animals sterilized. According to Laura Kimble, Chairwoman of Baark!, "We salute those people who, once they understand the direct connection between breeding their dog and animals dying at the pound were willing to step up and take action." Ms. Kimble went on to say, "The homeless animal problem should matter to every Bahamian, if only because suffering diseased animals roaming everywhere severely impacts the image of our country. Most tourists have never seen such suffering animals, especially in these large numbers, and it really makes them think less of our beautiful country...the suffering of animals [throughout the Bahamas] is completely avoidable if we all just do our part." ISAR would like to extend that great advice to include every country around the globe!
Special Thanks
ISAR is delighted to report that many elected officials have signed ISAR's Proclamations recognizing August 21, 2010 as International Homeless Animals' Day. ISAR extends a heartfelt thank you to all government leaders who recognized this Day including Mayors Dewey Bartlett, Tulsa and Vic Vreeland, Jenks, OK, Michael Newhard, Village of Warwick, NY, as well as Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry. Governor of Pennsylvania, Edward G. Rendell, in addition to declaring August 21, 2010 as International Homeless Animals' Day, expressed the following sentiments in a letter to ISAR, "Each year, Pennsylvania's animal shelters find adoptive homes for hundreds of thousands of homeless pets. Shelters around the world recognize this day to remember all the animals that entered the shelters homeless, waiting for a familiar face. ISAR gives hope for the many animals that are waiting for their happy ending story. Thank you for helping to find animals the forever homes they deserve."
ISAR would also like to thank everyone who employed various media outlets promoting our 19th annual International Homeless Animals' Day observances. Blogs, newspapers, radio and television stations, websites, and online communities, greatly contributed to ISAR's educational crusade against pet overpopulation and assisted ISAR in publicizing the overwhelming scores of companion animal deaths that take place each year because there are not enough good homes for them. Among the many sources, PetSmart Charities supported ISAR's spay/neuter awareness efforts with an International Homeless Animals' Day inspired blog. BBC News, Washington, launched a media blitz focusing on the importance of International Homeless Animals' Day. Iams-sponsored blogs, The Dog Daily and The Daily Cat, circulated its International Homeless Animals' Day interview featuring ISAR Program Coordinator Colleen Gedrich on news sites such as Fox, NBC, and CBS affiliates while The Dog Whisperer, Cesar Milan, produced an article proclaiming, "Every year more than 4.5 million dogs and cats die in local animal shelters due to a lack of space. For the past 19 years, organizations such as ISAR have promoted new ideas and efforts to maintain the pet population with spay/neuter programs. One of the kindest acts people can perform to save the lives of animals is to spay or neuter their pet, which prevents homeless animals from ever being born in the first place."
Our Deepest Gratitude to Coordinators
Listed below are some of the countless organizations ISAR would like to acknowledge for their efforts.
ISAR would like to specially thank, Friends of Pets, Anchorage Animal Care and Control, The Center for Animal Rescue and Adoption, HALO Animal Rescue, Bryant Animal Shelter, From the Heart Animal Behavior Counseling & Training and Paws at Play Doggie Daycare, Santa Cruz SPCA, Surf City Animal Response Team (SCART), Sacramento County Animal Shelter, Molly's Mutts and Meows, Lange Foundation of Los Angeles, Berkeley Humane Society, Berkeley East Bay Humane Society, San Francisco SPCA, Friends of the Formerly Friendless, Tony L Russa's Animal Rescue Foundation, All Breed Rescue & Training, Our Companions Domestic Animal Sanctuary, Seashore Striders Event Productions, Inc., Central Brevard Humane Society, Aloha Pet & Bird Hospital, the North & South Animal Care Centers and S.P.C.A. of North Brevard, Florida Boxer Rescue, Tri-County Humane Society, Susan Buser, SPCA of Central Florida, Orange County Animal Services, A Second Chance Puppies and Kittens Rescue, Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League, Humane Society of Tampa Bay, Animal Rescue Force of South Florida, Inc., The Humane Society Naples, The Cat Network, Atlanta Humane Society, SweetWater Brewery, Park Tavern, Maui Humane Society, Almost Home Foundation, CIAWC Agencies, Livingston County Humane Society, New Leash On Life Animal Rescue, The Temple Bar, Chicago English Bulldog Rescue, Mercy Rescue and Adoption of Jennings County, Elkhart Humane Society, Humane Society of Indianapolis, Siouxland Humane Society, Cedar Bend Humane Society, City of Overland Park, The Lexington Humane Society, College Park Animal Welfare Society, Chesapeake Cats and Dogs, Inc., Maryland SPCA, Save A Dog, Humane Society of Kent County, Friends for the Dearborn Animal Shelter, Happy Tails Rescue, Tupelo-Lee Humane Society, Dogwood Animal Shelter, Osage Beach Culvers, Pulaski County Humane Society, Callaway County Humane Society, Marketplace Media, Angels of Animals, Inc., Coordinators of "Your Dog is Worth It Too", Somerset Regional Animal Shelter, Humane Society of Bergen County/Lost Pet, Inc., Camden County Animal Shelter, Craft Company No. 6, Warwick Valley Humane Society, Humane Society of Rome, New York Feral Cat Initiative - A Program of the Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals, No Kill New York, New Rochelle Humane Society, Pet Rescue, C.A.R.E. For Animals, Unleashed, Carl & Linda Grubb Family YMCA, SNIP Regional Spay/Neuter Clinic, Independent Animal Rescue, SPCA of Raleigh, Greyhound Adoption of Ohio, United Coalition for Animals, Cincinnati Pet Food Pantry, Community Animal Task Force, Knox County Humane Society, Cuyahoga County Kennels, Queen City Greyhound Rescue, Friends of The Shelter, Columbus Humane Society, Oklahoma Alliance for Animals, 92.9 BOB FM, Partnering for Pets, Inc., Miss Molly's Pet Services, No-Kill Lehigh Valley, Blue Chip Farm Animal Refuge, Dr. Jennifer L. Fry, VMD, Helen O. Krause Animal Foundation, Inc., Animal Friends, Defenders of Animals, Providence Animal Rescue League, Journey's End No-Kill Animal Society, Nashville Humane Association, Tunica Humane Society, Irving Animal Services, Kaufman County Animal Awareness Project, Kittico, DFW Humane Society, The Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter (WCRAS), Humane Society of Williamson County, A Different Breed Animal Rescue, Green Mountain Animal Defenders, NOVADog Magazine, Greenbrier Humane Society, Raleigh County Animal Rescue, Countryside Humane Society, Leadership Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin Pets, Humane Animal Welfare Society (HAWS), Waupun Area Animal Shelter, Inc., Angels Wish.
ISAR also truly appreciates the international efforts from the Public Association for Animal Protection "EGIDA", Belarus, Animal Rescue Sofia, Bulgaria, Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society, Bow Valley SPCA, City of London, Pet Valu, Petfinder.com, Bosco & Roxy's, Country Paws, A Village Tail, Canine Life, Cohen Highley Lawyers, Sifton Properties, 103.1 Fresh FM, Canada, AnimaNaturalis, Chile, Protestors in Medellin, Colombia, Association de Defense de la Nature et Des Animaux OĂŹKOS KAĂŹ BIOS, France, Georgian Society for the Protection and Safety of Animals, Georgia, IDA Deonar, India, Animal Welfare Department at Ghammieri, Marsa, Malta, Happy TailsAcapulco, Mexico, SOS Chats, Switzerland, Kiev MTZT SOS Shelter, Ukraine, Humane Society of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.
ISAR Spay/Neuter Billboards Shed Light on a Global Tragedy
Displaying brightly colored images of a yellow dog and tiger-striped cat, ISAR unveiled its new spay/neuter billboard design in the spring of 2010 in time for our 19th Annual International Homeless Animals' Day and Candlelight Vigil observances. ISAR's striking new artwork prominently featured educational slogans such as "Shed Light on a Global Tragedy - Pet Overpopulation" and "Spay/Neuter. It Stops Killing." Animal protection organizations and concerned individuals took advantage of ISAR's latest billboard design this summer to promote their International Homeless Animals' Day observances. ISAR's Spay/Neuter Billboards were erected in two locations in Pennsylvania, Florida, and Virginia.
ISAR is pleased that our friends at Holly Help Spay/Neuter Fund in Bristol, VA, not only purchased an ISAR billboard to shed light on pet overpopulation and promote spay/neuter, but took creative license and featured ISAR's billboard design into a store-front memorial display for the month of August in honor of International Homeless Animals' Day. Each side of the display incorporated a startling mosaic depicting glowing candles made up of thousands of images of euthanized cats and dogs, victims of pet overpopulation, with ISAR's spay/neuter billboard design situated in the center of the canvas. Cat and dog overpopulation statistics and solutions to this crisis were also integrated into the design.
Organize a Vigil for 2011
Mark your calendars! August 20, 2011 is the date for anyone wishing to join ISAR in commemorating our 20th anniversary of International Homeless Animals' Day and Candlelight Vigils. We look forward to welcoming back all previous vigil coordinators along with a host of new ones, to join ISAR in solidarity and shed light on pet overpopulation.
ISAR will once again offer our International Homeless Animals' Day vigil planning packets, at no cost, to help guide participants in selecting a vigil site and reaching target audiences, while providing sample press releases, suggestions for speakers, posters, proclamations, poems, songs, coloring sheets and more!
Interested parties may request a free vigil packet from ISAR by mail, phone, fax or email. Packets are scheduled to be mailed by the first week in June, 2011.
We are very proud and pleased with the worldwide success and direct spay/neuter influence International Homeless Animals' Day 2010 has had for communities around the globe. We could not have achieved our goal without you, our dedicated friends and supporters.
With your continued friendship and support, ISAR will continue fighting the battle against pet overpopulation and we'll work tirelessly for the day when all companion animals are embraced in loving arms and caring homes.
Mark your calendars! August 20, 2011 is the date for anyone wishing to join ISAR in commemorating our 20th anniversary of International Homeless Animals' Day and Candlelight Vigils. We look forward to welcoming back all previous vigil coordinators along with a host of new ones, to join ISAR in solidarity and shed light on pet overpopulation.
ISAR will once again offer our International Homeless Animals' Day vigil planning packets, at no cost, to help guide participants in selecting a vigil site and reaching target audiences, while providing sample press releases, suggestions for speakers, posters, proclamations, poems, songs, coloring sheets and more!
Interested parties may request a free vigil packet from ISAR by mail, phone, fax or email. Packets are scheduled to be mailed by the first week in June, 2011.
We are very proud and pleased with the worldwide success and direct spay/neuter influence International Homeless Animals' Day 2010 has had for communities around the globe. We could not have achieved our goal without you, our dedicated friends and supporters.
With your continued friendship and support, ISAR will continue fighting the battle against pet overpopulation and we'll work tirelessly for the day when all companion animals are embraced in loving arms and caring homes.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Focusing On Mandatory Spay/Neuter Programs
This Sunday, August 29, 2010, the DogsInDanger Radio Hour will focus on Mandatory Spay/Neuter Programs. ISAR's Chairman, Professor Henry Mark Holzer will be a guest during their 1:00 - 2:00PM EST time slot. Tune in to AM970 The Apple NY or visit the DogsInDanger website www.dogsindanger.com to listen in! Simply click the "Listen Live" button on the home page and be sure your speakers are turned up!
A podcast of Sunday's radio show will be available on the home page of the DogsInDanger website for a whole week beginning on August 30th.
A podcast of Sunday's radio show will be available on the home page of the DogsInDanger website for a whole week beginning on August 30th.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
ISAR's Semi-Annual Report: January - July 2010
ISAR dedicates its efforts and resources to improving the lives of animals by being active on the legal, legislative and educational fronts. Since ISAR's founding in 1959 our organization has not wavered in this commitment.
Twice annually, we pause to reflect on the progress of our programs and campaigns. In January 2010, ISAR reported on our programs from the latter half of the previous year.
The major activities outlined below (somewhat belatedly; we've been very busy) are only a few of the many ISAR has devoted time and resources to throughout the first six months of 2010.
Animal Law Commentary and Interviews
In an earlier report, ISAR introduced our latest program as an adjunct to ISAR's other legal programs on behalf of animal rights; Animal Law Commentary and Interviews, by ISAR Chairman, Professor Henry Mark Holzer.
In March 2010, Professor Holzer interviewed Elizabeth DeCoux of Florida Coastal Law School about her article in Volume 16 of the Animal Law Review (2009) entitled, "Speaking for the Modern Prometheus: The Significance of Animal Suffering to the Abolition Movement," which explores the distinction between "Abolitionists" and "Welfarists," and argues strongly that each movement could benefit from understanding, and even utilizing, techniques employed by the other.
Following ISAR's interview with Ms. DeCoux, Professor Holzer interviewed Lt. Col. Mark Eichelman about his article in Volume 16 of the Animal Law Review (2009) entitled "Ringling Brothers on Trial: Circus Elephants and the Endangered Species Act," which discusses the dismissed case against Ringling Brothers circus for allegedly abusing the elephants it exhibits. Much of the Holzer-Eichelman discussion centers around the legal problem of "standing to sue"-that is, who is entitled to bring a case against humans on behalf of animals.
These stimulating interviews are available for download (free of charge) from ISAR's website, (http://isaronline.org/programs/animal-rights-education/)
ISAR will continue to provide our supporters and the public-at-large with important animal protection information through interviews with experts in the animal rights/welfare fields.
Please send us your suggestions on future interviews you would like to hear. Snail mail your suggestions to ISAR, P.O. Box F, Clarks Summit, PA 18411, or by email to Contact@isaronline.org.
Is Banning the Sale of Animals Beginning to Catch On?
In the month of June 2010 considerable attention has been given to the immorality and criminality of puppy mills and the dereliction of duty by those charged with their oversight.
Petland has been sued because of its complicity in the puppy mill outrage, in an effort to put the dog factory breeders out of business by choking off the retail end of the trade.
Also seeking the same result are municipal efforts to prohibit sales of companion animals. For example, pet sales have been banned in Albuquerque, NM and South Lake Tahoe, CA. Last February West Hollywood, CA did the same. Other cities throughout the United States are considering similar ordinances. San Francisco has recently applied the breaks to their proposed pet sale ban that would include not only cats and dogs, but the sale of small animals as well. After much heated debate, commissioners plan to take up this matter again at the beginning of 2011.
For years ISAR has supported such bans-as ends in themselves (ending the local retail companion animal trade), and as a means to reduce the incentive for puppy mills to produce a seemingly endless flow of canines (by narrowing the market).
However, we've realized that while outright municipal bans are desirable as far as they go, they don't go far enough because the retail sellers can easily relocate and go back into their dirty business elsewhere.
For that reason, in 2009 ISAR produced, and early this year promoted, a comprehensive "Model Statute Regulating Dog Breeding, Facilitation and Sales" which seeks to deal with the overpopulation of dogs caused in large measure by puppy mills. We urge our supporters to review ISAR's model statute.
Massachusetts Ban On "Devocalization" Becomes Law
Unknown to most caring custodians of dogs and cats, there is a widespread practice in the United States of surgically cutting the vocal cords of canines (and occasionally felines). Known by the euphemism "devocalization," the procedure is almost always performed for the convenience of the animals' "owners."
Among other reasons for this barbaric practice, large-scale breeders even in rural areas want to keep down the noise level of their captives. Backyard breeders have to be concerned with neighbors.
Sometimes, "devocalization" is a compromise between children who want a pet, and parents who don't want animal vocalization.
Whatever the reasons, devocalization is inimical to the animal's health, unnatural, cruel and yet another brutal example of humans seeing canines and felines not only as property, but as inanimate objects-and devocalization as nothing more than oiling a squeaky door hinge.
Earlier this year, ISAR brought to the attention of our supporters the pendency of House Bill 344 prohibiting under most circumstances the "devocalization" of animals in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
The governor has signed the bill.
"Devocalization" is now a crime in Massachusetts.
Following suit to this Massachusetts victory, the State of New York currently seeks to pass a similar law banning devocalization.
ISAR encourages our supporters to write to your elected officials and voice your support for legislation that prohibits companion animal devocalization.
In the coming months, we intend to push this issue even higher on our priority list.
International Homeless Animals' Day Tribute Video
In honor of all dedicated International Homeless Animals' Day vigil coordinators, earlier this year ISAR produced a special tribute video to spotlight the many candlelight vigil observances held throughout the years.
Accompanied by Michael Bublé's beautiful rendition of his song Home, images of homeless animals, and humans shedding light on this global tragedy, fade into one another while the melody plays.
ISAR is extremely grateful for the hard work our devoted vigil coordinators put forth every year leading up to our August events. Because of your loyal commitment, ISAR's International Homeless Animals' Day observances result in the re-homing of our companion animals into loving new families and countless spay/neuter surgeries performed to help put an end to the global pet overpopulation crisis.
Our organizational efforts in the first six months of this year have paid off handsomely, ISAR's upcoming Autumn Newsletter will fully report on the details of our 19th Annual International Homeless Animals' Day observances held on August 21, 2010.
ISAR's New Billboard Design Sheds Light On Pet Overpopulation
Displaying brightly colored images of a yellow dog and tiger-striped cat, ISAR unveiled its new spay/neuter billboard design in the spring of 2010 in time for our 19th Annual International Homeless Animals' Day and Candlelight Vigil observances.
ISAR's striking new artwork prominently features educational slogans such as "Shed Light on a Global Tragedy - Pet Overpopulation" and "Spay/Neuter. It Stops Killing" with space reserved for the printing of an individual organizations' name, phone number and/or message.
ISAR offers six eye-catching spay/neuter billboard designs. To learn more about ISAR's spay/neuter billboards and how you can order yours today, please contact ISAR by mail, phone, fax or email or visit us on the web (http://isaronline.org/programs/animal-rights-education/billboards/.)
Twice annually, we pause to reflect on the progress of our programs and campaigns. In January 2010, ISAR reported on our programs from the latter half of the previous year.
The major activities outlined below (somewhat belatedly; we've been very busy) are only a few of the many ISAR has devoted time and resources to throughout the first six months of 2010.
Animal Law Commentary and Interviews
In an earlier report, ISAR introduced our latest program as an adjunct to ISAR's other legal programs on behalf of animal rights; Animal Law Commentary and Interviews, by ISAR Chairman, Professor Henry Mark Holzer.
In March 2010, Professor Holzer interviewed Elizabeth DeCoux of Florida Coastal Law School about her article in Volume 16 of the Animal Law Review (2009) entitled, "Speaking for the Modern Prometheus: The Significance of Animal Suffering to the Abolition Movement," which explores the distinction between "Abolitionists" and "Welfarists," and argues strongly that each movement could benefit from understanding, and even utilizing, techniques employed by the other.
Following ISAR's interview with Ms. DeCoux, Professor Holzer interviewed Lt. Col. Mark Eichelman about his article in Volume 16 of the Animal Law Review (2009) entitled "Ringling Brothers on Trial: Circus Elephants and the Endangered Species Act," which discusses the dismissed case against Ringling Brothers circus for allegedly abusing the elephants it exhibits. Much of the Holzer-Eichelman discussion centers around the legal problem of "standing to sue"-that is, who is entitled to bring a case against humans on behalf of animals.
These stimulating interviews are available for download (free of charge) from ISAR's website, (http://isaronline.org/programs/animal-rights-education/)
ISAR will continue to provide our supporters and the public-at-large with important animal protection information through interviews with experts in the animal rights/welfare fields.
Please send us your suggestions on future interviews you would like to hear. Snail mail your suggestions to ISAR, P.O. Box F, Clarks Summit, PA 18411, or by email to Contact@isaronline.org.
Is Banning the Sale of Animals Beginning to Catch On?
In the month of June 2010 considerable attention has been given to the immorality and criminality of puppy mills and the dereliction of duty by those charged with their oversight.
Petland has been sued because of its complicity in the puppy mill outrage, in an effort to put the dog factory breeders out of business by choking off the retail end of the trade.
Also seeking the same result are municipal efforts to prohibit sales of companion animals. For example, pet sales have been banned in Albuquerque, NM and South Lake Tahoe, CA. Last February West Hollywood, CA did the same. Other cities throughout the United States are considering similar ordinances. San Francisco has recently applied the breaks to their proposed pet sale ban that would include not only cats and dogs, but the sale of small animals as well. After much heated debate, commissioners plan to take up this matter again at the beginning of 2011.
For years ISAR has supported such bans-as ends in themselves (ending the local retail companion animal trade), and as a means to reduce the incentive for puppy mills to produce a seemingly endless flow of canines (by narrowing the market).
However, we've realized that while outright municipal bans are desirable as far as they go, they don't go far enough because the retail sellers can easily relocate and go back into their dirty business elsewhere.
For that reason, in 2009 ISAR produced, and early this year promoted, a comprehensive "Model Statute Regulating Dog Breeding, Facilitation and Sales" which seeks to deal with the overpopulation of dogs caused in large measure by puppy mills. We urge our supporters to review ISAR's model statute.
Massachusetts Ban On "Devocalization" Becomes Law
Unknown to most caring custodians of dogs and cats, there is a widespread practice in the United States of surgically cutting the vocal cords of canines (and occasionally felines). Known by the euphemism "devocalization," the procedure is almost always performed for the convenience of the animals' "owners."
Among other reasons for this barbaric practice, large-scale breeders even in rural areas want to keep down the noise level of their captives. Backyard breeders have to be concerned with neighbors.
Sometimes, "devocalization" is a compromise between children who want a pet, and parents who don't want animal vocalization.
Whatever the reasons, devocalization is inimical to the animal's health, unnatural, cruel and yet another brutal example of humans seeing canines and felines not only as property, but as inanimate objects-and devocalization as nothing more than oiling a squeaky door hinge.
Earlier this year, ISAR brought to the attention of our supporters the pendency of House Bill 344 prohibiting under most circumstances the "devocalization" of animals in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
The governor has signed the bill.
"Devocalization" is now a crime in Massachusetts.
Following suit to this Massachusetts victory, the State of New York currently seeks to pass a similar law banning devocalization.
ISAR encourages our supporters to write to your elected officials and voice your support for legislation that prohibits companion animal devocalization.
In the coming months, we intend to push this issue even higher on our priority list.
International Homeless Animals' Day Tribute Video
In honor of all dedicated International Homeless Animals' Day vigil coordinators, earlier this year ISAR produced a special tribute video to spotlight the many candlelight vigil observances held throughout the years.
Accompanied by Michael Bublé's beautiful rendition of his song Home, images of homeless animals, and humans shedding light on this global tragedy, fade into one another while the melody plays.
ISAR is extremely grateful for the hard work our devoted vigil coordinators put forth every year leading up to our August events. Because of your loyal commitment, ISAR's International Homeless Animals' Day observances result in the re-homing of our companion animals into loving new families and countless spay/neuter surgeries performed to help put an end to the global pet overpopulation crisis.
Our organizational efforts in the first six months of this year have paid off handsomely, ISAR's upcoming Autumn Newsletter will fully report on the details of our 19th Annual International Homeless Animals' Day observances held on August 21, 2010.
ISAR's New Billboard Design Sheds Light On Pet Overpopulation
Displaying brightly colored images of a yellow dog and tiger-striped cat, ISAR unveiled its new spay/neuter billboard design in the spring of 2010 in time for our 19th Annual International Homeless Animals' Day and Candlelight Vigil observances.
ISAR's striking new artwork prominently features educational slogans such as "Shed Light on a Global Tragedy - Pet Overpopulation" and "Spay/Neuter. It Stops Killing" with space reserved for the printing of an individual organizations' name, phone number and/or message.
ISAR offers six eye-catching spay/neuter billboard designs. To learn more about ISAR's spay/neuter billboards and how you can order yours today, please contact ISAR by mail, phone, fax or email or visit us on the web (http://isaronline.org/programs/animal-rights-education/billboards/.)
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