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Then, this article in the report from the Public Citizen Foundation's Newsletter From The Center For Consumer Freedom Comes............

.........Better Business Bureau says charities should retain about 65 percent of the funds they raise........

.........The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), which disguises its animal rights activism in the cloak of animal welfare, lost $173,726 this year as it continued its pattern of dubious fundraising practices..........

The Money Pit, Charity Edition

A new report from New York's attorney general notes that several food activist groups actually lost money during fundraising efforts in the Big Apple. The state's top law enforcement official warned: "This report is a reminder to make informed decisions before contributing hard-earned dollars to charity."

Keeping in mind that the Better Business Bureau says charities should retain about 65 percent of the funds they raise, consider these financially unsound donations from New York:

The anti-biotech activists at Friends of the Earth kept less than 11 percent of the money raised in its name.
The Ralph Nader-founded Public Citizen Foundation lost $86,853 with one fundraiser company (a negative 243 percent return on investment).

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), which disguises its animal rights activism in the cloak of animal welfare, lost $173,726 this year as it continued its pattern of dubious fundraising practices. According to previous reports from New York's attorney general, fundraising company Share Group Inc. kept $2.18 million between 1999 and 2000, and passed on only $273,560 to HSUS -- a return rate of only 11 percent. In New York, Share Group only gave HSUS $16,543 of the $1.08 million it raised during the year 2000 -- a return of only 1.53 percent. This dismal record probably did not surprise HSUS: in 1996, Share raised $60,045 for the group and returned nothing.

A 2001 Letter of Agreement between the two groups shows that HSUS agreed to a minimum guarantee of only 1 percent of the gross receipts. The Illinois Attorney General's office reports that HSUS paid Share Group over $1.87 million for 2001 fundraising that netted less than $750,000 to the animal-rights group in that state -- a negative 150 percent return.

It's too much to hope that these groups will fundraise themselves right out of business, but there are steps individuals can take. Sign our petition to the IRS commissioner seeking to revoke the tax-exempt status of the violence-promoting "charity" People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. And be sure to tell your friends and family to avoid throwing hard-earned wages into a money pit.

Source: http://www.consumerfreedom.com/news_detail.cfm/headline/2714

Considering The HSUS Dubious Fundraising Practices, shouldn't the Attorney General's Office Hold The HSUS To A Higher Standard?
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More Battles of 'Words' while animals continue to suffer

More than a half-century ago, noted science fiction author Isaac Asimov began his acclaimed series of Robot novels, examining increasingly complex interactions between humans and robots in a future world. Asimov's underlying premise for the books was that robots had advanced sufficiently to become sentient beings. Questions raised by this development include whether robots should be granted legal rights, and if so, what those rights should be.

Less fanciful, but no less complicated, is the current national debate about animal rights, the resolution of which could result in a comprehensive restructuring of the legal relationship between humans and animals. The controversy is centered on the question of whether humans should be allowed to own animals as property, or whether humans should be legally defined as guardians of the animals in their care.

There are no easy answers to the question, and the intuitive response might lead to unintended consequences.

The Status Quo

With few exceptions, animals are, and always have been, treated as the personal property of their owners by courts and lawmakers. The Uniform Commercial Code (a code of laws governing commercial transactions that has been adopted in nearly all states), for example, includes animals (and unborn young) among the "goods" that can be the subject of business contracts. Kentucky statutes, for example, specifically define a licensed dog as the "property" of the owner, and other jurisdictions have similar laws.

This well-established property status means that animals legally can be raised for profit or pleasure; bought, sold, or leased; exchanged or given away; put on exhibition or used in races, sports, and other competitions; and disposed of when appropriate or necessary. Status as property does not mean that an animal is nothing more than the legal equivalent of a refrigerator, an automobile, or a computer, however.

While generally defining animals as personal property, the law also recognizes that animals represent a particular class of property and imposes attendant obligations on an animal's owner. In recognition of the fact that animals are living creatures generally dependent on their owners for care, a legal niche is carved out to provide them with additional legal protection.

Kentucky law in this regard is typical of the laws in most states. The owner of an animal is guilty of cruelty in the first degree if he or she uses the animal for fighting, a felony with a maximum punishment of five years in prison. There also is a legal obligation to provide adequate food, water, and shelter for animals, and a legal prohibition against torture, mutilation, neglect, and other mistreatment. There are numerous exceptions, including hunting and fishing, food processing, veterinary care, and bona fide medical research, for example, and most cruelty offenses that do not involve animal fights are charged as misdemeanors. (A recent change in Kentucky state law elevates the punishment for second and subsequent convictions of torturing a dog or cat to a felony.)

In a majority of states, as in Kentucky, at least some instances of cruelty to animals are punished as felonies. It probably is fair to say, however, that animal cruelty offenses generally are classified as misdemeanors, with a penalty of no more than 12 months in jail or, more likely, only a fine.

Another consequence of animals' status as personal property is a general limitation on an owner's potential monetary recovery when an animal is killed. If the death of an animal results from an intentional act, or through the negligence of another person, the owner generally must seek compensation in a civil lawsuit for the destruction of property, rather than for wrongful death, which is the usual legal remedy for the death of a person. If the lawsuit alleging destruction of property succeeds in court, recovery generally is limited to the fair market value, or the replacement value, of the animal.

Non-Economic Damages

In a few states, however, statutes specifically allow recovery for so-called non-economic damages following the death of an animal. A recently enacted Tennessee law, for example, allows the owner of a pet to recover up to $4,000 beyond the economic value of the animal if certain conditions are met. To recover, the owner must establish that the animal's death was the result of another person's actions that were both unlawful and intentional or negligent, and that the death occurred while the animal was on the owner's property or under his or her supervision.

Illinois also allows pet owners to recover for non-economic damages, including emotional distress, for the death of an animal in certain limited circumstances. Similar legislation has passed or is pending in a small number of other jurisdictions.

Against this legal framework, in which animals are considered personal property and protected primarily through anti-cruelty laws, several different approaches to animal protection have emerged.

Redefining the Status of Animals

There can be no genuine controversy surrounding the proposition that animals deserve proper care and that they should be protected from mistreatment and abuse. The dispute arises over how the interests and well-being of animals can be best served. For the traditionalist, the road to protection of animals is paved with better owner education, more well-equipped and well-funded shelters, harsher penalties for animal cruelty convictions, and vigorous enforcement of existing anti-cruelty laws.

At the other end of the spectrum, extreme animal rights activists launch violent attacks on commercial animal operations and facilities where animals are used in research, destroying property and releasing animals. The Animal Liberation Front (ALF) and the Earth Liberation Front (ELF), for example, are considered part of a "serious terrorist threat," according to James F. Jarboe, Domestic Terrorism Section Chief of the FBI's Counterterrorism Division. Testifying before Congress in February 2002, Jarboe reported that ALF and ELF members committed some 600 criminal acts in this country during the preceding six years, with damages in excess of $43 million.

A third approach, certainly more middle-of-the-road than the actions of ALF and ELF, but still well outside the mainstream, is a legal restructuring of the traditional owner-property relationship between humans and animals. Advocates are urging state and municipal lawmakers to rewrite their rules, substituting the word "guardian" for "owner" wherever possible in laws that affect animals. The purpose of the wording change, according to its advocates, is to instill a greater sense of respect and compassion for animals. This, in turn, could lead to a reduction in animal abuse.

The guardian movement had its genesis in 1995 at the 11th annual Summit for the Animals held in St. Louis, Mo. Representatives from 47 national organizations approved several resolutions there, including one styled "Adopting Language that Recognizes Animals as Individuals and Not as Property or Things." This resolution put forward the proposition that "animals are not property to be used for the benefit or whim of humans." In Defense of Animals, a Mill Valley, California-based, non-profit animal rights advocacy organization headed by veterinarian Elliot Katz, DVM, soon took up the cause with its nationwide Guardian campaign: "They are not our property...we are not their owners."

The first serious attempt to effect a regulatory change from "owner" to "guardian" failed in San Francisco, but a similar measure was adopted shortly thereafter, in July 2000, by the City Council in Boulder, Colo. Since then, a half-dozen other cities have revamped their municipal codes to include references to animal "guardians." Rhode Island followed suit in 2001, becoming the first state to amend its laws to recognize human guardianship of animals.

Rhode Island General Law Section 4-1-1(4) now states that a "Guardian shall mean a person(s) having the same rights and responsibilities of an owner, and both terms shall be used interchangeably. A guardian shall also mean a person who possesses, has title to or an interest in, harbors or has control, custody or possession of an animal and who is responsible for an animal's safety and well-being."

Adding the word "guardian" to a state or municipal law, especially when the law allows "guardian" and "owner" to be used interchangeably, sounds innocent enough. After all, many animal owners already treat their animals more like members of the family than as property, and being called guardians rather than owners is not likely to make them more responsive to the animals' needs.

Some activists also argue that the change in language will reduce the incidence of animal abuse, by making owners feel more responsible for their animals. This might be wishful thinking, however, considering that child abuse continues at an alarming rate despite the unquestioned responsibility parents and guardians have for the welfare of their children.

Strong criticism of the policy shift has emerged from seemingly unlikely sources. In May 2003, for example, the Executive Board of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) approved a position statement opposing guardianship language. The official AVMA position reads:

"Ownership vs. Guardianship:

"The American Veterinary Medical Association promotes the optimal health and well-being of animals. Further, the AVMA recognizes the role of responsible owners in providing for their animals' care. Any change in terminology describing the relationship between animals and owners does not strengthen this relationship and may, in fact, diminish it. Such changes in terminology may decrease the ability of veterinarians to provide services and, ultimately, result in animal suffering."

The Board of Directors of the American Kennel Club (AKC) adopted a similar resolution in 2003, stating in part that, the "AKC believes that the term guardian may in fact reduce the legal status and value of dogs and thereby restrict the rights of owners, veterinarians, and government agencies to protect and care for dogs. It may also subject them to frivolous and expensive litigation. The term guardian does nothing to promote more responsible treatment of dogs."

Similar opposition has been voiced by groups including the Cat Fancier's Association, the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council, the National Animal Interest Alliance, the Responsible Pet Owners Alliance, and the American Veterinary Medical Law Association. Equine organizations appear to have remained silent to this point.

"What's the problem?" you might reasonably ask at this point. Anything that makes people more conscious of the fact that animals are not a disposable commodity and should not be abused must be a good thing. What could go wrong? So far, nothing.

Laws in Rhode Island and in the cities that have adopted guardianship language appear to allow "owner" and "guardian" to be used interchangeably, with the same rights and obligations attached to each. None of the revised laws have been in force long enough to know for certain whether the change is cosmetic or substantive. There is no doubt, however, that such mixed usage fails to recognize that owner and guardian have legally distinct, and very different, meanings.

The owner of property, according to Black's Law Dictionary and an enormous body of legal precedent, has the right to "enjoy" the property, and to "do with it as he pleases, even to spoil or destroy it, as far as the law permits." It is this bundle of rights, and the potential for harm, that make necessary laws that recognize the unique status of animals and that protect them from cruelty, abuse, and neglect.

A guardian, on the other hand, is a horse of an entirely different color. Strictly speaking, again according to Black's Law Dictionary and the courts, a guardian is a person who has both the legal right and legal responsibility to take care of another person who is incapable of taking care of himself or herself. Adults who are incompetent for some reason and minor children are examples of individuals who require guardians. The subject of a guardian's care is the guardian's "ward."

A guardian also might have a fiduciary duty to the ward, which simply means a legal responsibility to act in the ward's best interest, even at the expense of the guardian's interests. Guardians and owners, in other words, are fundamentally different, mutually exclusive entities. Owners own property, guardians protect the rights of incompetent individuals, and a law that uses the terms interchangeably is a legal contradiction.

The potential ramifications of this clear legal distinction between "owner" and "guardian" are enormous. Assume, for a moment, that "guardian" is not merely another name for "owner," and that a person actually can become the guardian of an animal in the strict legal sense. Implicit in this assumption must be the fact that the object of the guardian's care and responsibility, an animal, now becomes the guardian's ward, with associated legal rights that must be protected.

Any meaningful change in status from an animal owner to an animal guardian must, at some point, also encompass a change in the status of the animal from property to ward. Under the current state of the law, which recognizes only property and persons, the animal thus would assume the same legal rights as a child or incompetent adult.

If an animal is someone's property, the animal can be bought and sold, a simple legal transaction that results in a change of owner. If, on the other hand, the animal has the legal status of a ward with rights that must be protected, it is difficult to imagine a situation in which the animal legally could be sold (or even given away) by its guardian. Animal adoptions also would become far more complicated and expensive.

Under current law it is possible, in some situations, to justify the euthanasia of an animal for economic reasons, such as an illness requiring lengthy and expensive veterinary care. Euthanasia in this circumstance no longer would be an option if the caretaker is a guardian and the animal enjoys the legal status of a ward.

It also is easy to imagine an argument that it is not in the best interest of a Thoroughbred to be raced as a 2-year-old, or at all, or that dogs should not be exhibited at shows or used in field trial competitions, or that zoos violate the rights of their inhabitants. Commercial animal breeding in any form certainly would violate the legal rights of an animal ward, as would human consumption of animals for food and the use of animals in medical research.

These scenarios might sound quite far-fetched, and the possible outcomes might not be obvious consequences of the seemingly innocuous substitution of one word for another in a few laws. Nevertheless, a dramatic restructuring of the human-animal relationship is the stated agenda of some animal rights activists. Whatever your opinion on the status of animals, your support of, or opposition to, the guardian movement should be an informed choice, based on fact rather than supposition.

Courts frequently use the phrase "slippery slope" to describe a course of action that, once it is started, cannot easily be halted. Depending on how lawmakers and courts eventually interpret the true meaning of an animal guardian, the movement toward animal guardianship might be such a slope.


THE HONESTY AND INTEGRITY OF TOO MANY ANIMAL CONTROL AGENCIES IS BEING BROUGHT INTO QUESTION FINALLY!!

Originally this was a topic I was not going to discuss. But in order to show a clear overall picture of all that needs changing, it must be included for review. I have a difficult time believing that Animal Pounds all over the U.S. kill the dogs/puppies/cats/kittens and other animals simply due to LACK OF space within their buildings. Much of my findings on several agencies such as Riverside County CA for example, along with many others as well, is that the remains of the animals are sold for FOOD CONSUMPTION AND OTHER USES. There's big money to BE made from all of this. It's called greed and power over those who cannot defend themselves. So, when I SEE OR HEAR THAT:::

1.) POUNDS DO NOT Want to have proper hours for the public to see/observe/have time with the animal IN ORDER TO RESCUE/ADOPT

2.) POUNDS SETTING forth RIDICULOUS HOURS for deadline toward the animal's rescue or adoption.

3.) DOG WARDENS/MANAGERS REFUSING TO ADMIT how many dogs have been killed on their kill days

4.) POUNDS/DOG WARDEN Specifically stating that THEY WEREN'T present when the dogs die in the gas chambers, are shot or Lord knows how they are killed.

5.) POUNDS/PERSONNEL PEOPLE/LEADERS OF ANIMAL ORGANIZATIONS using manipulation to sway the public and out right lie---THEN MY ANTENNAS GO UP THAT SOMETHING IS VERY DANGEROUSLY WRONG. AS ANIMAL ADVOCATES AND ACTIVISTS, WE HAVE TO KNOW THE TRUTH FROM THE ROTTEN LIES. THE ANIMAL'S LIFE DEPENDS ON IT.

6.) POLITICAL POSITIONING must be kept out if animals are to be saved from the continuous atrocities at the hands of HUMANS.

I've known this for years. I actually (my attorney) got into the records of Riverside County, CA and were able to prove that they did these things for those very reasons. They would adopt SPOT for $48, but if the dog didn't get adopted, the taxpayers were charged $109 to kill it. That is why they avoid working during hours that are accessible to the public, why they never try to drum up more adoptees, why they are always so vague when asked about their numbers and business plans.

They do everything possible to hassle good, caring and responsible rescuers with laws and fees and fines. But who ever wishes to have a litter or two are simply allowed to continue without any rules, restrictions or even reading materials.

They were even able to get around the mandatory spay and neuter laws in place in several states by offering 'certificates'' for the people to do it themselves, knowing full well that the majority would never take the time or make the effort.

We also must keep in mind that they are treated like crap by everyone in the community INCLUDING THEIR BOSSES which is usually the county board of supervisors. They are underpaid, overworked and frequently hire people right out of jail, or off the street with no education and are expected to handle the incredible numbers of animals that irresponsible humans relinquish into their care.

Now, here we are four and a half years later and they finally got a grand jury to investigate the operation and staff in Riverside, CA. and recently came up with 28 felony charges on how they ran and misappropriated funds and lied to the county council. So, the public was outraged and spoke their minds for a couple weeks until the county announced plans for a bigger and newer facility to be built for $75 million within the next 5years. NO MENTION AT ALL OF ANY HUMANE EDUCATION to be implemented. When questioned about the humane education, the response was, that it costs too much. But it only took them 4 weeks to come up with $75 million to build a new dog pound.

Now I live in Northern Arizona and the animal control up in Las Vegas is asking for an additional $60 million in next contract negotiations per year. They have no humane education anywhere in the proposal at all. When questioned they replied on their hind legs 'We were at a school for the retarded for three whole days last year - don't tell us we have no humane education program!! I was afraid to ask about the other 750,000 students in the Vegas School System who did NOT have a visit from them last year.

The local animal control agency in Kingman is still running on a card system. No computers what so ever. I found someone to donate a decent computer and another to donate two years worth of dialup service - all the animal control had to do was to call and verify it was for them. Over the first year, I had to remind them to simply make that call therefore four times. Now, three years later, still nothing has been done. hey all have Internet at home and are familiar with computers. Something is very fishy.

Tradition Animal Welfare Versus Progressive Animal Welfare
Traditional Shelter Programs
Progressive Animal Welfare Programs

Open Admission Policy Limited admission policy with transfers from animal control
Nonprofit animal welfare agencies assume government animal control contract Renounce animal control contracts -- Changes mission to more proactive activity
License programs that use visual tags as primary identification, microchips as optional. (As a mean of returning lost dogs home this program is a failure.) License programs that use microchips as primary identification and visual tags as secondary identification
Only 14% of lost dogs and 2% of lost cats are return to owner nationally Use microchips as primary system to increase RTO rate and reduce stress on shelter capacity. Goal 50% RTO
No "bad owner" traceability Microchips used to foster responsible animal ownership
Annual license fee Free lifetime license upon proof of microchip and s/n
No feral cat trap/vaccinate/alter/release programs Coordinated aggressive community-wide TVAR programs
Spay/neuter deposit then refund upon compliance All animals spay/neutered prior to adoption release
A few mobile spay/neuter programs Every county has a Mobile spay/neuter class A or C van and services low income areas ONLY
Dog Training Classes that cost $50 to $200 Community Wide (Low Cost, $10 to $20) Dog Training Program or training vouchers
No Pre-Adoption Testing Test future adopters for pet care knowledge and bonding potential (Offer low-cost remedial training)
Sporadic Low Cost Spay/Neuter Vouchers County government sponsored spay/neutered vouchers
Low Demand for Dogs and Cats Over 1 year of age Change image of adult dogs and cats with cable excess TV show, obedience fun match, etc.
No spay/neuter in low income areas Target low income areas with mobile s/n vans
Individual 4 x 6 dog kennels Larger group kennels which house 4 to 6 dogs (reduces kennel stress)
Small cat cages Open cat rooms with isolation period to guard against disease
Low volume animal control adoptions Free transfer of animals to animal welfare organizations
Limited funds and staff for ac adoption and lost pet programs Humane organizations handle adoptions and lost/found program in animal control facility
Limited lost and found programs Computerized, networked countywide alerts w/ pictures
No sliding scale for low-income fees and fines Reduced fines for low income animal ordinance violations
No program for people who feed feral free-roaming cats Government sponsored reduced-rate vouchers
No breed club certification Certify according to breed club standard and kennel inspection
No animal shelter referrals to pure bred breeders Everyone in community coalition refer to certified breeders
No central pet acquisition place Coalition sponsored pet adoption referral agency (in mall or downtown storefront) Alternative to classified ads in paper. Have opportunity to educate and direct to responsible source.
Nonprofit animal welfare organizations that house animal's, keep them for about 7 to 10 days and then kill them for space. Animal welfare organizations that uphold the humane ethic and keep an animal until it is adopted. Configuring their shelter to reduce animal stress.
5% of nonprofit budget spent on proactive programs 40% of budget spent on proactive programs
Wait for adopters to come in door. Aggressive marketing of animals.
Animals displayed for adoption in kennels and cages (sometimes noisy, dark and smelly) Adopters left on their own. Positive showcase for all animals up for adoption (clean, free of smells, minimum barking, well lit with play toys and colorful, descriptive signage)
Less than 5% of ac budget spent on proactive programs Government funding for spay/neuter and microchip programs.
Anti-breeding ordinances with heavy fines and fees No disincentive anti-breeding ordinances that produce heavy fee and fines
Very little health care and rehabilitation programs for sick animals. Develop fund for the health care treatment and rehab of indigent animals.
Isolated activity between organizations Community coalitions
No regional goals Regional goals to reduce impoundment, euthanasia and increase spay/neuter rates especially in low income areas
No scientific study of regional pet demographics Survey and study the problem.
Undefined veterinarian participation Survey veterinarians for early age and low cost spay/neuter and training programs. Offer recognition and appreciation rewards. Free advertisements.
Low per capita funding for animal control (less than $2) Funding of at least $5 to $6 per capita
No city official lobby efforts to increase animal program funding. Create coalition and direct lobby efforts at local government officials who control budgets.
Humane education directed at children in classrooms Humane education (low-cost) directed at adult pet owners before they get a pet, during the first year of ownership and crisis intervention.
Teachers curriculum on animal welfare topics.
No rental assistance programs for people with pets Rental assistance and referrals for people with pets (insurance)

Many organizations both large and small won't make a move in any direction until and unless sanctioned by the HSUS, ignoring the fact that this organization is highly unlikely to dole out funds even if they were aware of your existance.  The fear that the HSUS has placed into many groups around the nation through threats of lawsuits, etc. is quite daunting for those who simply don't know better.

The following is a letter I wrote to the large national animal groups in 2003.

TO THE LARGE NATIONAL ANIMAL RIGHTS, ANIMAL WELFARE
AND ANIMAL PROTECT ORGANIZATIONS

For 20 years that I've worked and lived, Americans have spent $1billion annually on animal control efforts in their communities.
That is $20 Billion

For 20 years, Americans have pleasured you with $1billion annually in charitable donations under the misguided assumptions that you are there to help the animals.
That is another $20 Billion - Total of $40 billion!

Over the same period of time more than 3,000 non profit organizations dedicated to their own idea of animal protection has logged nearly 25 Billion man hours - many struggling to survive when they are the ones who are putting in the time, money and efforts to actually save the animals that are considered 'excess' - something that after 20 years and $40 billion, we should no longer be burdened with had you done even half of what you suggest you do. You offered little or no real substantial support to any of them from your air conditioned offices or your luxury homes.

That is a D minus report card and if this is offensive to those who are employed by you or support you, I do not apologize. Regardless of your highly paid public relations department who will no doubt put a very different spin on this letter, the facts are in and they are not very complimentary to your efforts.

You are large organizations. You are not THAT large. You are no longer respectable or the nationally revered organization you once were. You are really no longer a big deal to those of us who see the light at the end of the tunnel - the light you shield from your supporters in order to continue receiving their financial donations even though you have no intention of ever solving any of these problems. Like our fanatical minority and religious leaders, our large animal protection organizations need their victims to survive. Absent crimes and imaginary situations against their people and teachings, these organizations disappear. This means jobs. As long as they can convince those who don't know better, they will survive.
Let me explain this to you: We are not afraid of any of your size and will no longer view you as the respectable ''God-Like" entities you would like us to. To give you that reference, to even call you respectable, gives you far too much stature.

It is politics that prevents most of the good and compassionate efforts to help the animals, not be implemented, as well as envy, jealousy and all the human foibles that haunt us. Yet we think our mission noble and righteous. You know honor and good conscience would have handled many things differently, that would have helped us all to enjoy a happier, safer place for all to exist The animals who lost their lives over the past years only wish you had a little more honor and conscience.

There is all too much talk here, with a tremendous lack of action. And I say that to everyone with the utmost respect. We are dealing with actual lives here - lives that are no less important than ours in the eyes of those up above. We are not your enemy or combatant, but the ones who will make the truth known in order to save our society the agony, the billions of dollars and the embarrassment of assuming these problems just can't be solved, when in reality, they can be. The citizens of this great nation have been lead down the wrong path by your rhetoric. We will come and lay out evidence on which specific matters can be judged - to mold and shape and refine our sense of compassion and responsibility

We now know they can be.

What was it that led me to this outburst? When confronting the larger organizations with questions, I have been lied to when looking for the delicate answers. When approaching the same with some very worthy ideas to bring more people to our level of understanding the importance of appropriate education to raise the level of compassion, I've been told that for political reasons, your organizations could not support our efforts. That for reasons of ego, could not be associated with 'that' organization. And for reasons of anger would not work with 'those people' and still claiming to be devoting your lives to the animals.

I have listened respectfully to what you have to say over the years. And I asked you to search your heart and ask yourself what sort of unfathomable morals have led you to do what you are guilty of doing. Promising to so many to help the animals by deceiving the public for so many years. We remained ignorant due to the spewing of your gruesome statistics and confusing programs and simply lead to believe that any solution was simply out of reach and that not much could be done, ''but that you were certainly the entity that would trust with this effort."

Do you really wish to be viewed with respect - even in heroic light?

Then, I have an answer for you..

It may not satisfy you. But as I search this entire record it comes as close to understanding as I know. It seems to me you fear the one thing that is most precious - TRUTH. Be honest. Here, in this society, the very winds carry freedom based on truth from coast to coast. We can speak out and we aren't arrested for being stupid or wrong. It is because we prize individual freedom so much that you are allowed to do what you do. So, it is this I suggest in order to hold your heads up high and prove once and for all that the 'animal rights' fanatics have finally scored one for the sane.

Alert the public that NEXT year you will be dissolving a major portion of your fictitious store front of an operation and will donate the necessary costs to fund spay/neuter programs nationwide for one year. NATIONWIDE. That includes Tuscaloosa, Fremont, Boise and even Mason City. So that everyone can see, truly see, that solutions to these problems are known, can be attained and are even more cost effective than the follow-up, clean - up rat race we burden ourselves with now - simply by default. THEN your organization and efforts will be remembered, revered, respected and will even be able to continue your foundation, although at a lower level. But your 'come-back' or regrowth would be astronomical and historic in magnitude simply for doing something that the world could witness and to prove that you are not a false, hollow body of cold hearted money grabbers, but truly see that this is the right thing to do. The truth will surface with or without you and if that means that you must relinquish your exorbitant salaries, so be it. It will be your decision.

We are Americans. We are a noble society - proud of most everything we stand for and certainly about truth. We have been through the fire before with other elected politicians and large corporations who defrauded their clients and supporters as well. We've watched as politics have ruined the respectable and seen that hatred and egos have brought down the mighty. It will happen to you as well. As politics is a way of life in almost every other area of our society, it is also politics that is certain death to the animals you pledge your very existence to.. Americans put a man on the moon, can cure diseases, win wars in under 100 days and have the marketing prowess to change mankind's behavior on a global scale, but are told that we cannot convey the important message to the public of the subsequent consequences that result from how we treat and care for our companion animals - the very information that would grant us the solitude of compassion and honor.

Though we've been mislead, misguided and shaded from any truths in these matters by the large animal organizations for all these years we still need your involvement in this battle. We need everyone to possess the knowledge and put forth a unified effort. We are becoming more uneasy, less respectful and feel betrayed by your warring factors as well as the greed to keep yourselves funded as opposed to actually solving these problems. Because we all know that the way we treat our animals - those we share this blessed earth with, is a true reflection of the level of civilization we boast of, we will not give up, but push harder for the answers and efforts necessary to weed out the unnecessary and revere that what is dear to us, as it is the measure of our own liberties as well as pride.

Make no mistake though: It is true that we will bear any burden, pay any price, to see that these problems can find resolve and without the political wrangling that the larger animal protection organizations seem to embroil themselves in. So, if you should decide to scoff at this letter in the uncanny assumption that it means nothing, then I suggest you look around this nation. Remember it well. For in the near future, the animal protection movement will finally take the effort to see that changes be made. For if you are not a part of that, you will most assuredly not be a part of any high, medium or low level efforts to help the animals. The world is not going to long remember what you or I say here. Day after tomorrow it will be forgotten. But this, however, will long endure. We know now that the solution to pet overpopulation and even most animal abuse is more easily within reach, less expensive than holding onto you and will give us the pride we deserve once it is solved without your involvement. Here, and all across America, the American people will gather to see that justice, justice for all - including the animals - justice is in fact being done. With or without you.

Randy N. Warner
President
21st Century C.A.R.E.S.

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Educational Benefits on so many levels.

I'm a 51 year old college educated male who's primary goal in life is to see humane education programs in each and every classroom in the nation through dedicated volunteer efforts. It is proven that consequence is not nearly as effective as conscience. With the appropriate instruction and guidance to young people, this type program provides young people as well as troubled and at risk teens, the moral structure necessary to give them higher academic achievement scores, improved attendance rates and they also tend to adopt a less violent conflict resolution technique.

My 501c3 organization proudly boasts the largest and most comprehensive website available for humane education materials (over 900 pages).

We have been graced with TONS of media coverage in People Magazine, LA Times, NY Post, Letterman show, Rosie, Arsenio Hall, Leeza Gibbons and much more. See these and the video documentary by George Lucas at http://www.21stcenturycares.org/history.htm

We also have 9 books on the topic available at http://www.21stcenturycares.org/products.htm along with some t shirts, hats and sweatshirts with cool humane education logos on them.

In my opinion, the failure of society to fully value and protect our companion animals is its most extreme example of utter and abject failure. Kids today literally jump at the chance to try and solve a problem such as this - a problem that their parents and others just couldn't seem to 'deal with'!

A solid humane education program helps kids to use their "CREATIVITY, IMAGINATION, COMPASSION and INTELLECT. There are ideals which have to be broken through and overcome before we can address them; primarily the "attitudes toward animals. Students can speak OUT on behalf of all the innocent lives lost across this country each year and they actually rise to occasion when given the challenge of correcting the tragic situation their parents and others have gotten our society into.

Education
Why it is necessary and the benefits to healthier humans, as well as animals, saving on vet bills, fines and taxes while eliminating the need for killing due to sheer ignorance by the public.

"Why is humane education needed? We never needed it before…."
In nearly 20 years of listening to thousands of adults explain why they ‘had to’ dump their pets, it became so clear that most of them honestly didn’t have a clue as to how easy it would have been for them to have done the right thing in the first place. Instead, they end up assuming there are no options. They feel this is an acceptable solution.

But most horrifying is the fact they rarely feel true remorse. Many still think dog pounds will find their pets a new home. Many feel finding a good home for their pets is merely finding someone with a backyard and a smile promising to love it, with no background check or agreement at all. In as much as I’ve grown weary and disheartened with today’s adults,

The basis of the relationship between people and pets is attachment. Attachment is a firmly accepted component of human evolutionary behavior. Attachment is the behavior of the young. Its complimentary behavior in the adult is care-giving or nurturing.

Psychiatrists in the 1970s began studying the nature of the attachment between people and pets. They were quoted as saying: "Pets are less threatening and more controllable than human attachment figures. At the same time, the combined qualities of warmth, touch, non-threatening movement and sound produce a simple analogue of human attachment behavior. Animals bolster the pet owner's morale and remind him that he is, in fact, a special and unique individual."

So we must accept that the basis of pet ownership is not a quirky eccentricity but has a sound behavioral explanation. This information has been used extensively in a variety of pets-as-therapy programs around the world. Whether dealing with socially inept children, emotionally disturbed adolescents, adults recovering from severe illness or the elderly and alone, companion animals have played a significant role in reducing stress and increasing the feeling of self-worth.

In our everyday "normal" lives pets play an important role also. Despite the trend towards urban consolidation, more and more people tend to lead isolated lives. The number of single person households is increasing rapidly, as is the number of crimes against women and the elderly. The role of pets becomes increasing important in these situations.

Herein lies the dilemma. While there is probably a greater need for pet companionship than ever before, the changing urban landscape is creating an environment that makes pet ownership more difficult.

Urban consolidation decreased size of private open space (backyards) and increasing competition for public open space (parks) places enormous pressures on dog owners in particular. Similarly for the non-pet owner, closer proximity and increased contact with other peoples' pets seems inevitable.

Urban planning, education programs for pet owners and non-pet owners alike, and the development of realistic and enforceable animal control laws are the key to maintaining the balance between the needs of the majority of our community i.e. the pet owners, and the welfare and rights of others.

The benefits derived from pet ownership have been researched extensively. There is no doubt that a close relationship with companion animals is of benefit to the emotional and psychological development of children, provides much needed companionship and support to the elderly, assists in the recovery rate of patients suffering from serious illness and decreases the rate of minor illness, and may substantially reduce the risk of heart disease. Pets-as-therapy programs around the world have highlighted the benefits of assistance dogs, horse riding for sufferers of cerebral palsy and other disabilities, and the use of companion animals with mentally disturbed children and adolescents. With such strong support for the benefits of pets it could be suggested that pet ownership should in fact be actively encouraged by governments and health authorities, and it is not inconceivable that pets may be prescribed for the sick or disturbed in the future.


Evaluation of Solutions

EDUCATION                              

Children
Children must obtain a basic grounding in the care and management of companion animals. They must be taught to respect all animals and to realize they have a responsibility to care for pets. In schools this can be effectively achieved through the Pet Pep program which should be in every Australian primary school by the end of 1993. Younger children however must also be targeted from as early as possible through their parents and preschool classes.

Adults - pet owners
The expectations of pet ownership and the associated responsibilities have changed rapidly. In the past two decades it has become unacceptable to allow a dog to roam the streets or defecate in public areas. Pet owners often ignore these attitudinal changes in the community. Educational material aimed at pet owners must aim at raising the awareness of these changes and assist them in being able to meet the more demanding expectations of a far more vocal non-pet owning group.
This education process can occur through:
I. media
- advertising
- human interest/current affair programs
- regular stories in print.
ii. seminars
Highly successful community seminars can be held at local venues with speakers like the local vets and the animal control officer (ACO). Incentive to attend such seminars can be generated by pre-publicity, free gift or bonus eg decreased dog registration fee for attendance.
iii. information booths
This popular concept can access the general public in shopping centers, local festivals and other community activities. The booths must be approachable and staffed by trained personnel who can answer queries.
iv. videos
There are a number of pet education videos available for all age groups. Local libraries could stock these as could veterinary
surgeries and council offices.

The community
The status of pets in the community must be promoted. It should be unacceptable to denigrate the importance of the people/pet relationship or stipulate areas that are exempt to pet owners. The education of the community to accept pet ownership as an integral and important right of its members must be achieved in conjunction with raising the consciousness and concern of pet owners for others.

Recommendations

Companion animals must not be regarded as a luxury, but as an integral part of every household. The benefits and advantages of pet ownership to the community overall, as well as to individuals, are enormous.

Because companion animals are so important we must be supportive of responsible pet ownership and innovative in the ways we approach the problems encountered in urban animal management.

I stand firm in my belief that if they had knowledge of the resulting consequences of their actions, or been informed of just how simple and easy it is to do the right thing in the first place, almost all of them would have done the right thing. These ‘options’ not only save money, but they save lives. Ignorance and apathy, (the lack of understanding the entire picture) are undoubtedly the biggest part of the problems nowadays and are overwhelming in today’s adults. The good news is, both are easily correctable

I have used my experiences of rescuing abandoned and abused dogs for the past 18 years to show students 'cause and affect' and to teach them compassionate means of avoiding the unnecessary continuation of these deadly acts Since my mission is to do whatever possible to see some form of humane education program in our nation's schools, it is difficult to walk away from a meeting with me without feeling my undying passion to spread this universal message to the next generation. It is hoped that they will benefit from the love and compassion that all animals can offer us and stop the abuse and overpopulation.

The more people we can involve in and educate on these matters, the more that they will all understand the seriousness and magnitude of the atrocities being committed every day in this country and around the world. It can only be a good thing. It is proven that it does NOT take money to solve these problems! It takes the sharing of information and community involvement. Adult Americans are currently responsible for the sad legacy we leave to the younger generation in regards to the animals - their abuse, overpopulation and subsequent convenient and unnecessary euthanasia. So, it is only logical that if the general public is causing these problems, then we can't depend on THEM to teach their children how to correct the situation. They obviously don't know.

Nobody has a litter of puppies or kittens just so they can be abused or later put to sleep. Most of those directly involved simply do the things they do out of ignorance, over inflated ego and apathy. We adults simply never had an opportunity to be involved in a comprehensive or successful humane education program. We simply learned a lot of the things we did through talking to our family at the dinner table, etc. Now that our families are more pseudo-assembled than ever, the topic of how best to care for Spot and Muffy, is simply lost in the shuffle. These things simply need some explaining in order to correct them. What used to be very simple, still is. We just need to begin where we obviously left off - with the kids.

I've been given thousands of reasons why the 'owners' had to get rid of their beloved pets. "They no longer match the interior of my living room," or she gained too much weight and we don't want a fat dog, or it's not housebroken, it barks. All are the fault of the caregiver / guardian, or in this case the pet's 'owner'. In almost all cases, had the person or family adopting the pet had checked out the given breed's qualities or taken some time in properly caring for the pet, it would have become a wonderful addition to the family and it's lifestyle.

We provide information obtained from various national animal welfare groups and show proven means of avoiding he re-occurrences of these mistakes. They all provide good solid research with variety of solutions to all the big problems. We will discuss various ways in which they can become more active in their community by gaining knowledge and acting according to what is the best for all souls who surround them.

This program, and many others like it, could easily change the way most people today think about their pets as well as how they are cared for. Many people simply begin by adopting the wrong type pet for the family and lifestyle they have. People will spend more time researching a new automobile than looking into the type of living soul they wish to spend the next 15 years with. A large number of those will just as easily take a puppy over an adult dog because 'they want to train it to be like they want it to be" only to give up on it and take it to the pound.

Ignorantly, a lot of people seem to think that their pet will certainly find a good home. The reality is obviously quite different. Then there is the thought that only 'bad' dogs and cats are found at the pound; therefore they would rather not go there. In reality, the majority of the animals who are awaiting adoption at the local dog pound are only there due to an ignorant and impatient 'owner'. So, ignorance of the adults, in general will also be the main cause of these animals never having a fair shot at a second chance for life.

The most important focus of this program is to teach the younger generation that if they have a litter of puppies or kitties, then they immediately become the biggest problem we have in solving the situation of overpopulation. "But, I found good homes for my litter" is only an excuse for ignorance. If you are part of a company who makes widgets and you have an overstock of more than 8 million widgets that can't be sold and must be destroyed, the ONLY solution to preventing additional and costly losses is to stop manufacturing widgets.

When asked why so many normal, well-educated and loving families had a litter of puppies or kittens, two responses kept coming up. "Oh, we PLAN to have our pets spayed or neutered, but we wanted to have a couple litters first." In other words, they just missed the whole point of the spay and neuter campaign. The second one is "we just wanted to show the children the miracle of birth" Then the only fair thing to do in this situation is to take them to the local dog pound to volunteer for a couple days as well. After all, you've just become one of the biggest contributing factors to the problems we see at our animal facilities!!

Overcrowding. BACKYARD BREEDERS are not educated, they are not providing quality dogs and cats and they DON'T have you or your new pet's best interest at hand. See the page marked "Backyard Breeders".

One thing that is very upsetting is when the school administrators feel this is NOT a necessary or appropriate educational program for their students. It is very disheartening to hear a superintendent or principal downplay these programs that affect each and every student and faculty member in their reach. Excuses like "All of our students already have dogs or cats" to "we don't feel that we need an outsider into our schools to tell us we need to learn about how to be responsible for our pets and their needs'. We are aware that most of their students have or will have pets of their own. We just don't particularly wish for them to simply follow in the footsteps of those adults or caregivers they learn live with. After all, it's today's adults - all of us, to a certain extent - who are creating this problem.

THE EDUCATION PROGRAM OUR MAIN GOAL IS TO PREVENT THE UNNECESSARY KILLING OF INNOCENT, ADOPTABLE PETS DUE TO IGNORANCE AND IRRESPONSIBILITY BY HUMANs What follows is an outline or an abbreviated version of the program that usually lasts about 45 minutes or more, depending on questions coming from the students and adults in attendance The discussion involving the possible formation of their local humane education club or helping them to launch a project to help their community would be following this short program and could last an hour or more.

. This could take place at another time and place with an adult advisor, so as not to prevent the students from missing additional class time.
TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION WITH THE STUDENTS:
1. The benefits of community involvement. Do not stand idly by and allow abuse, neglect or other ignorance by humans. Help the community to learn to better through information sharing.
2. The need for everyone with a pet to have some form of access to proper training and guidance.
3. The importance of becoming the 'guardian' of the proper pet for you and your family and the lifestyle you live.
4. The absolute evils of having a litter of puppies or kittens along with the importance of timely spaying and neutering of said pet.
5. The importance of providing the appropriate needs for your pet, not necessarily what your ego decides is best for them.
6. How everyone can become involved on an individual basis by helping senior citizens and low income families by providing occasional vet trips or a few bags of dog food to prevent their pets from being relinquished to the animal facility unnecessarily.
7. The benefits of beginning with an adult dog from the dog pound as opposed to 'assuming' that they have the knowledge or understanding of how to properly train a new young puppy to meet their needs. (Having my five dogs in the classroom that are obviously very lovable and worthwhile, helps bring this point home with some foundation) Each one was an adult from the pound when I adopted him or her. The fact that one has kept a puppy, only means they were lucky, not necessarily a skilled or knowledgeable trainer. An adult dog from the pound is already spayed and neutered, vaccinated; past it's digging and chewing stage and will respond with love and affection as it has just come from a family who obviously didn't care.
8. The proven benefits for humans as well as their pets of providing 'indoor' sleeping arrangements for their pets. Reduced allergies for children, improved allergenic reactions for adults who already have them, as well as a longer and healthier life for the pets as well. After all, if a dog is to protect its most important family members, it can't do so from the back yard if it has no access to the inside areas. (Reference: Associated Press article by Justin Pritchard in San Francisco)

9. A 'guard dog' is one who has been properly trained for the job and understands its boundaries. It is NOT a dog someone throws into the back yard with no guidance or training. The latter will only prove to annoy your neighbors and cause your family undue troubles with barking, biting or destruction of property.
10. Why the perfect family should consider a second compatible dog or cat as a companion for the first one. (Too many deserving and loving animals will die if not, and dogs and cats are social animals and enjoy the company of other compatible dogs and cats) They play with and train each other and offer much needed exercise for each other.
11. The absolute necessity for having proper identification on your pet at ALL TIMES. (I.e. 4th of July, New Years Eve, tornadoes, earthquakes and various events that frighten your pet to where they will escape out of fear.)
12. To discuss the proven links between animal abuse and future criminal activity as adults. (Reference Houston Chronicle Story Nov 29, 2000 by Jo Ann Zuiga: "Animal Abuse May Be Warning Sign)
13. IF you are forced to part with your beloved pet, remember to never take it to the local pound, but to a local rescue org. and NEVER place a "FREE TO GOOD HOME" ad in the paper. The 'whys' and the options. Rethink your decision to relinquish the pet. It has already given everything it has to try and please you and would certainly give it's life to protect you if need be. Don't dump it off for silly self-centered reasons, which could be rectified through some training tips or a few sacrifices on your part.

 
SUGGESTED PROJECTS FOR THOSE INTERESTED
1. To hopefully prepare a program in which the members will visit other schools in and around the local area to share this information and hopefully help others to form these humane education clubs in their schools as well.
2. The first several meetings of this group can be enhanced through additional speakers from their local humane organizations, vets, dog trainers and animal control officers who will share their local problems with the students.
3. Offers to assist senior citizens and low income families with donated food and vet visits as well as training tips to improve the quality of the pets' lives as well as their own.
4. How to convince the public to obtain appropriate identification for all pets either through a simple engraved tag on the collar or micro-chipping.
5. To tackle the project of holding an OFF SITE adoption program for those pets who would otherwise face certain death at the local facility. After all, the public rarely goes to the pound, as it is a very sad and depressing place. They will, however attend an event at a local city park where each animal is leashed and accompanied by a volunteer with a card containing the autobiography of that given pet.
6. Try to tackle a project such as opening a local dog park where the dogs and their guardians come to socialize, run and play with each other in a securely fenced area.
7. Obtaining much needed coverage in their school newspaper to help other students to learn proper care-giving procedures and responsibilities for their pets. Not to mention the benefits to their org. as well as the local community of having nice coverage within their local papers and t. v. news.
8. Letter writing campaigns, neighborhood 'reach' programs and other means of truly helping the local population as well as local government officials to provide improved care for their pets.

9. The need to speak out and get involved in issues that surround your family and those you care about. To take action and vote on issues and for candidates who strongly support and stand by ideals that help your local area to grow and improve the quality of life for all souls who reside there. Do not sit idly by while a neighbor neglects or abuses an animal by tying it up to a post or allowing it to go without food or water. Do not sit idly by while an important initiative gets defeated in your local elections.

IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW, THINKS THEY WOULD LIKE TO GO TO SCHOOLS AND VOLUNTEER SOME TIME AND INFORMATION IN AN ATTEMPT TO HELP THE NEXT GENERATION BECOME MORE INFORMED AND COMPASSIONATE, PLEASE EMAIL OR CALL 21ST CENTURY CARES. YOU WILL BE PROVIDED WITH INFORMATION ON HOW TO APPROACH THE SCHOOLS, MATERIALS FOR VARIOUS GRADE LEVELS, PROJECT IDEAS AND MORE.

A simple, yet unified message to the public is the missing ingredient.  Many people still are unaware of the concept surrounding humane education and have little understanding of the benefits it would bring with it. Two years ago, I had an idea, with the participants of the coalition I had recently formed, to make an attempt at introducing the concept of humane education in the  schools by asking every animal protection organization to write a simple letter. Herein is the information that caused such an uproar:

I was more than a little amazed when the representative of Tony LaRussa's Animal Rescue Foundation, along with the Director of the ASPCA in New York, as well as Grey2k all insisted that the letter be re worded.   I assured them that the remaining portion of the letter could say anything that they pleased and that would fit the wording of their organization, but that the simplicity of the letter was the key to seeing that everyone would be saying the same thing while having the opportunity to work together and still confirm the beliefs of their individual messages.  Each one became angrier and angrier until they, along with several thousand other groups decided against it all together. 

The humane education director at Best Friends was so threatened by the fact that the idea was not going to be attributed to her organization, she began a smear campaign to many other smaller groups which look to them for guidance.

The end result was still impressive, as we were able to continue with the project and included 874 non profit organizations from all 50 states who simply mailed us their simple letter supporting humane education in the nation's schools.  Not unlike the one shown above in the letter introducing the project initially.   That was a sad end result to such a minor and simple effort which could have truly made a statement had each and every one of them taken two minutes and joined in with the unified message.

Now, here we are all the way to the year 2005.

This is now how I spend my time. Working for no pay, but feeling like I'm literally changing the whole world for the better. It's an incredible feeling, I'll tell you.

70 children in a middle school auditorium in Sante Fe, New Mexico or possibly Monterey, California, erupt in happy squeals as I lead five dogs into the classroom. All jerking tails and wiggling bodies, these furry educational aids – or aides, if you will – are just as thrilled to see the students, as the students are to see them.
Amid the excited chatter, I hold up my hand for silence.

If you’ll give me 15 minutes to talk,” I tell the rapt audience, “I’ll give you five minutes to pet the dogs.” The children quickly grow still. I immediately launch into my favorite subject – homeless pets and how to help prevent them.
However, as the minutes tick by, these students begin to squirm, reach out to pet one of the dogs and whisper. Finally, sensing they can’t stand another minute away from his furry troupe, I cave in and invite the children forward. In a split second, they besiege the dogs in a flutter of petting, scratching hands. The canines thump their legs in ecstasy. ( 2 deaf Dalmatians, one pit bull, one coyote/dingo and a beagle/basset mix)
I must admit, it always ends up going in reverse – I talk for five minutes, and the kids get 15 minutes with the dogs, but it’s worth it.

At the end of the 45 minutes, everyone can see the eyes lighting up with questions, ideas, thoughts of 'why'. They really 'get it'.
I have but one goal for the rest of my life. That is to change the status quo by helping to raise a kinder, gentler next generation. I plan to continue my travels through 40 states - over 12,000 miles - with my five dogs as navigators in the next two years, charging NO fees to groups I address.

I let it all out. I don't cover up the truth with sweet words or phrases that make a horrific situation sound more gentle and less important. It’s not a shelter, but a dog pound. We don’t ‘euithanise’ and ‘put to sleep’ we kill these animals - needlessly.
The six of is will appear before more than 1 million youth in schools across the United States, urging students everywhere to form Humane Education Clubs in their schools.

In my opinion, the failure of society to fully value and protect our companion animals is its most extreme example of utter and abject failure. Kids today literally jump at the chance to try and solve a problem such as this - a problem that their parents and others just couldn't seem to 'deal with'!

Humane Education clubs are already forming at schools nationwide. The 8 western states that we have visited with this program are already experiencing a profound impact on the lives of the animals. These students involve and immerse themselves in finding new creative ways to become the new frontier of the animal welfare movement.
Studies show that by offering humane education to our youth, they develop a more sophisticated and solid moral structure and they will come to enjoy education more, resulting in higher attendance, more participation in the field of science, lower drop-out rates, improved achievement scores and the adoption of a less violent conflict resolution technique.

As the founder and president of 21st Century Animal Resource & Education Services, Inc. as well as an outspoken advocate of education and enlightenment on animal protection issues, I firmly believe we have failed as a society when it comes to how we view our companion animals. We still have those self-serving, uninformed folks who have litters of puppies and kittens, convincing themselves that they aren't part of the problem, It's always those who refuse to play by the rules, that assures that their team will loose the game. But in this game, the animals die from these stubborn humans.

This program helps kids to use their "CREATIVITY, IMAGINATION, COMPASSION and INTELLECT. There are ideals which have to be broken through and overcome before we can address them; primarily the "attitudes toward animals. Students can speak OUT on behalf of all the innocent lives lost across this country each year and they actually rise to occasion when given the challenge of correcting the tragic situation their parents and others have gotten our society into.

We Americans pay billions of dollars in taxes to reduce the volume of unwanted animals, then turn around and donate another Billion dollars for animal welfare and animal rights and to local and area rescuers. But, shelters and pounds are still overwhelmed by the thousands of lonely, homeless pets who come in every day because of a simple problem: there are many more folks who wish to have litters and that is what this is all about.

It's important that we share the valid and proven ways to solve these problems with those who will govern our nation in the future. We are responsible for their learning and have an obligation to show them it's our problem - its' up to all of us to make the correct decisions.

We are so far behind other countries in this battle. In order to become a the "no-kill’ society that many other industrialized nations of the world are presently finding success with, we MUST think first in terms of ‘no excessive birth. Humane Education will create a world where each child vows to spay or neuter their own pets, give their pets what’s best for the pet and, not just what the human ‘wants’ them to have,…and, of course to educate others to do the same.” The informed person will always surpass those who ‘only assume’ and just continue on ‘beca