The Pet Tree House - Where Pets Are Family Too : Animal Advocate The Pet Tree House - Where Pets Are Family Too : Animal Advocate
Showing posts with label Animal Advocate. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Animal Advocate. Show all posts

Monday, January 3, 2022

Betty White was a trailblazing animal rights activist


Betty White had a wild side.

The legendary “Golden Girls” star — who died Friday at age 99 — was a pioneering animal rights activist devoted to saving endangered species and improving conditions at the Los Angeles Zoo.

The beloved actress worked for decades to champion animals in her charity work, along with publishing a book on the subject and starring in the nature-boosting 1971 show “Pet Set.”

“Betty White demonstrated a lifelong commitment to helping animals in need, including dedicated support for local shelters and animal welfare endeavors, fiercely promoting and protecting animal interests in her entertainment projects, and personally adopting many rescued animals,” said Matt Bershadker, ASPCA president and CEO.

To read more on this story, click here: Betty White was a trailblazing animal rights activist



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'Her Legacy Will Have a Lasting Impact': Animal Groups Remember Betty White's Lifelong Support


 

Following the death of Betty White, the Golden Girls star is being remembered as a lifelong champion of animal welfare and conservation

Betty White is being remembered for her decades-long work in animal welfare and conservation, following her death at 99 on Dec. 31.

On Friday, the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association (GLAZA), the nonprofit partner of the Los Angeles Zoo, shared a tribute to the late Golden Girls star, who started working with the California zoo in 1966 and officially joined GLAZA's Board of Trustees in 1974.

"We are incredibly saddened to hear about Betty's passing this morning and want to offer our deepest condolences to her family and friends as we collectively mourn the loss of a true legend, on and off the screen," Tom Jacobson, president of GLAZA, shared in a statement obtained by PEOPLE. "Her work with the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association spans more than five decades, and we are grateful for her enduring friendship, lifelong advocacy for animals, and tireless dedication to supporting our mission."

To read more on this story, click here: 'Her Legacy Will Have a Lasting Impact': Animal Groups Remember Betty White's Lifelong Support


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One of Betty White’s greatest legacies is helping animals


Animal advocates sing the praises of the Golden Girl’s devotion to animals.

Though Betty White was a charming actor with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, her lifelong love of animals was no act.

In the introduction to her 2011 book “Betty & Friends,” she wrote that both her mother and father “were genuine animal nuts, and I am eternally grateful that they have passed much of that passion on to me.”

Fueled by that passion, White helped countless animals in myriad ways throughout her life.

To read more on this story, click here: One of Betty White’s greatest legacies is helping animals


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Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Today is National Horse Protection Day


National Horse Protection Day was created to bring light to the plight of horses in America and beyond and help the thousands of unwanted horses in this country to find forever homes. 

The horse has a legendary mystic on the American culture.  It helped to forge a nation and yet despite that many go unwanted, abused or neglected.  National Horse Protection Day is about addressing those issues.

How to Observe

Do you have the means and ability to adopt? Perhaps you have spare time or an interest in horse husbandry.  Check out the website below for more information on ways to get involved. Use #HorseProtectionDay to post on social media.

History

National Horse Protection Day was founded in 2005 by Pet Lifestyle Expert and Animal Behaviorist/Advocate, Colleen Page.

For more information about National Horse Protection Day, click here:  National Horse Protection Day








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Thursday, February 4, 2016

More than 600 Animals Were Rescued from a North Carolina Shelter This Week: Among the Largest Rescues in its History


More than 600 animals were rescued from a North Carolina shelter this week in what one national anti-animal cruelty group said was among the largest rescues in its history.

National and local animal advocates teamed up with local police to recover hundreds of animals, including dogs, cats, horses and pigs from the Haven, a private, no-kill shelter in Raeford, N.C.

“These animals were betrayed by the promise of going to a place that is a safe haven for animals, and it is anything but that,” Tim Rickey, senior vice president of field investigations and response for ASPCA, said in a video posted by the group. “We’re finding lethargic and lifeless dogs throughout the property and the same thing with cats.”

In a statement posted Wednesday, the day of the rescue, Rickey called the operation one of the largest companion-animal rescues in ASPCA’s 150-year history. At the time, the group said it recovered more than 270 dogs, 250 cats, 40 horses and several pigs from the 122-acre property. That number has since risen: The group now says it rescued at least 600 animals.

The largest companion-animal rescue in ASPCA’s history came in 2012, when it recovered more than 700 cats in Florida, according to the Associated Press.

The shelter’s owners, Stephen Joseph Spear and Linden Spear, were arrested and charged with several counts of cruelty to animals and possession of controlled substances, the Hoke County Sheriff’s office said in a Wednesday statement.

“We’ve seen open wounds on animals, we’ve seen no water for the animals, we are seeing animals that seem to be malnourished,” Cpt. John Kivett, of the Hoke County Sheriff’s office, told a local news station.

Animals were kept in “filthy kennels, cages, outdoor pens and paddocks, many without protection from the elements,” the Asheville Humane Society, which assisted in the rescue, said in a Facebook post. Many had untreated medical issues, including “open wounds, severe upper respiratory disease and emaciation.”

The shelter faced public scrutiny for years, with local animal advocates even launching a Facebook page to document their concerns.

A September inspection by the state Agriculture Department found several problems, including inadequate water and medical care, the Associated Press reported on Friday. ASPCA became involved at the request of the sheriff’s office and the Agriculture Department, the group said.

Several hundred animals are already being housed at two 40,000-square-foot warehouses run by ASPCA, according to AP. There, they are receiving care from roughly 140 veterinarians, staffers and volunteers.

Despite the raid, the Spears still have some defenders. Nancy Moore, at whose home the Spears are staying, told the AP that the shelter always seemed well-managed.

“I think they have provided a tremendous service in terms of the community, and certainly for animals. I would say they have dedicated their lives to basically taking care of them,” Moore said.

And one volunteer told local TV station WNCN that she was shocked by the news and felt the shelter provided adequate care.





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Sunday, January 17, 2016

Happy Birthday, Betty White: How She Plans on Celebrating Her 94th Birthday


Happy birthday, Betty White! The Golden Girls alum turns 94 on Sunday, January 17, and she stopped by The Late Late Show With James Corden earlier this week to kick off the celebrations.

“I’m sorry you had to say the number,” White said after Corden, 37, announced her age to the audience on Tuesday, January 12. “I was going to say it was my 58th!”

The Proposal star jokingly added, “I plan on celebrating with Robert Redford. He doesn’t know that, and I think he’s out of the country, but I’m going to celebrate with him.”

To commemorate her birthday, Corden quizzed White and NBA player Amar’e Stoudemire on whether she was born before or after certain historical items during a game called “Did It Exist?”

It turns out that White, who was born in 1922, is older than sliced bread and Mickey Mouse (both were created in 1928).

“Mickey was a good kisser!” she quipped.






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Friday, April 24, 2015

A Bittersweet Story: Meet Lily, and Listen to the Letter Written by the Founder of National Mill Dog Rescue, Theresa Strader [Video]


In 2007, Theresa Strader, the founder of National Mill Dog Rescue, purchased Lily at an auction. Lily was the inspiration and the catalyst to what would become an organization and a documentary featuring what goes on in the deplorable world of puppy mills.

Theresa was sickened by what she saw and gave Lily a beautiful life after years stuck in a cage, breeding for profit. Lily’s well being never mattered nor did her health. She never got to play. She never got to be a dog. She was there for one purpose: to make money.

While hearing this letter may be gut-wrenching, I believe it’s necessary. Many of us do so much for animals but it’s easy for others to go through life not knowing much about the horrors of puppy mills. I believe sending them this video will change the way they view shopping for animals, forever.



Website: National Mill Dog Rescue





Please view this video. It is approximately an hour long…but worth the watch.
To view the video, click here: I Breathe: Lily's Legacy

You may be interested in reading: 

A Message From Theresa Strader
In Honor of Lily






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Monday, April 6, 2015

Sasa Pesic, A Serbian Stray Dog Advocate, Fights to Save His 450 Dogs


Niš (Serbia) - There are hundreds of dogs, wagging their tails and running free on fenced-off land in a Serbian town, and one man knows each of them by name.

Sasa Pesic, out of work like around 17 percent of Serbians, came upon four abandoned puppies in woods near his home.

The discovery changed his life dramatically, setting him on a path to becoming an advocate for stray dogs and opening a shelter in Nis in southern Serbia.

Today it is home for more than 450 animals, but Pesic may soon have to move his canine horde as the city wants him to find a new location.

"I know exactly how each dog arrived at my shelter, I know their names, personalities," says Pesic as he patted one of his charges.

When the 45-year-old walks into the shelter, set on a piece of land near the center of town, hundreds of dogs of all sizes and colors run to him barking happily in greeting.

The refuge is located at a former equestrian club stable that Pesic got rent-free from the owner back in 2010, where the dogs can be outside all day long.

"It is only when night falls that we put them in their cages. They are happy this way," he says, adding that all the dogs have been vaccinated, sterilized and have microchips.

There are 280,000 registered dogs in the Balkan country, but veterinary authorities say it is practically impossible to determine the exact number of stray canines, many being pets abandoned by their owners in hard economic times.

An endless fight

The sheer size of the problem makes the work of advocates like Pesic even more important, says Jovan Stojkovic, who is in charge of animal issues in the municipality of Nis.

But recently the city, claiming the shelter's land belongs to it, told Pesic that he would have to leave with his dogs.

That immediately sparked protests by animal rights groups. Tens of thousands of people signed a petition to prevent closing down the shelter, forcing the city authorities to back down and pledge to find a solution.

"The city supports what Sasa is doing," Stojkovic tells AFP. "We are certainly not going to allow these dogs to end up back on the streets, that would be a disaster."

For Pesic and his six volunteers, working with the animals is a non-stop business.

"This is an endless fight. I don't have time to eat properly and even less to think about a private life," Pesic said. "You have to fight every day to provide food and care for all these animals."

When starting out, Pesic was getting food for the dogs from local bakers and slaughterhouses. But supplies soon outstripped demand and he had to push for donations, especially through social networks.

"People, especially from abroad, were rather open and backed our project. We need some $5,400 to $6,400, for our 400 to 500 dogs every month," he says.

The battle to rescue stray dogs, which began in 2008, grew as people began bringing him abandoned pets that they found and the number of those ill-fated animals rose to 60, leading Pesic to move them to the current shelter.

Ana Mitrovic, a shelter volunteer, believes the city will stick to its promise to help find a new home for the hundreds of canines.

"I am confident that the city will help us to find, by the end of the year, a suitable location, a lasting solution to continue our activities," the 35-year-old woman tells AFP.

And especially since the shelter is also trying to have its residents adopted.

"Since opening, we managed to find homes for 250 dogs," Pesic says proudly.








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Friday, February 20, 2015

Long Before Jill Rappaport Became Know for Her Animal Advocacy, the NBC Correspondent Was Already Saving the Lives of Pets in Need


Picture of woman with dogs
Long before Jill Rappaport became know for her animal advocacy, the NBC correspondent was already saving the lives of pets in need. 

"I always had rescue dogs growing up," she tells PEOPLE. "I was the kid that would come home with a stray, even if it was a little mouse." 

Now an award-winning animal advocate and author, Rappaport is teaming up with celebs including Betty White, Lindsey Vonn and Emmylou Harris for her new special Best in Shelter, which aims to raise awareness for homeless animals and to help them find their forever homes.

"Right now there are almost 8 million animals in shelters across the country," says Rappaport. "And half of them will never make it out."


But her show isn't just about the plight of homeless pets. 

"When people walk into a shelter, they tend to go for the cute little puppy," she says. 

"The special focuses on the underdogs of the shelter world. The seniors, bully breeds, special needs animals and the mutts. They have the most difficult time getting a forever home." 

But when they do get adopted, Rappaport says there's nothing quite like it. 

"They know when they have been dumped, and they can smell euthanasia around them," she says. "Then someone comes in, picks them up, gives them a bath and kisses them – they know when they have been saved, and they thank you every day for it." 

And currently with five rescue dogs of her own, Rappaport knows the wonderful feeling firsthand. 

"Animals add so much joy," she says. "You are never lonely when you have your pets around you and there is just a bond there and you can't put it into words." 

Best in Shelter with Jill Rappaport airs on NBC 4 New York on Saturday, Feb. 21, at 7 p.m. ET, as well as on NBC-owned television stations and NECN (viewers in other markets can check their local listings for air times). 


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Thursday, February 19, 2015

Animal Advocates Urging Pet Owners To Bring Pets Inside During Extreme Cold


Picture of four people at podem
By Syma Chowdhry
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — When a Code Blue is effect, animal advocates see red if they find dogs being left out in the extreme cold.

A new city ordinance can fine owners up to $500 if their dog is outside during weather that’s 20 degrees or colder.

ACCT Philly handles the complaints. So far they’ve made 16 site visits.
Susan Cosby of ACCT Philly says, “We want to make sure every owner is aware of their obligations to protect their pet and so we are going to talk to each owner about each individual case.”

To read more on this story, click here: Animal Advocates Urging Pet Owners To Bring Pets Inside During Extreme Cold FOLLOW US!
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Saturday, January 17, 2015

Betty White Gets the Sweetest Surprise Birthday Flash Mob


Betty White is officially 93 as of Saturday, and she received one sweet surprise!

Everyday on the Hot in Cleveland set, Betty is greeted by her assistant with a hula. So in honor of her special day, she was greeted by not just by her assistant in a hula but an entire hula flash mob on set!

To read more on this story, click here: Betty White Gets the Sweetest Surprise Birthday Flash Mob FOLLOW US!
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Today is Betty White's 93rd Birthday: 'Happy Birthday'


Loved her in Golden Girls, but love her even more for what she does for animals. Happy 93rd Birthday, Betty White…my idol!

Betty White's name is as synonymous with animal advocacy as it is with comedy — and she wouldn't have it any other way. "I'm the luckiest person in the world. My life is divided in absolute half: half animals, half show business," White, tells TVGuide.com. "They're the two things I love the most and I have to stay in show business to pay for my animal work!"




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Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Calling All Animal Advocates Join Us Tomorrow for a Reading with Animal Rights Author Kim Stallwood - Washington Humane Society - November 13


dog reading book
Calling all animal advocates! Join us tomorrow for a reading with animal rights author Kim Stallwood. He will be sharing excerpts from his book "Growl: Life Lessons, Hard Truths, and Bold Strategies for an Animal Advocate."

The event will start at 5:30 p.m. and will be held at our Behavior and Learning Center located at 7315 Georgia Avenue, NW.

Space is limited; please RSVP to jguerra@alleycat.org. Learn more about Kim at www.kimstallwood.com

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Sunday, November 9, 2014

Washington Humane Society - Join Us in Welcoming Animal Rights Author, Kim Stallwood for a FREE Book Reading - November 13th


Picture of Kim Stallwood
Please join us in welcoming animal rights author Kim Stallwood for a free book reading at the WHS Behavior & Learning Center (7315 Georgia Ave., NW, Washington DC 20012) next Thursday, November 13, at 5:30 p.m., organized by Alley Cat Allies.

Kim will be reading excerpts from his book “Growl: Life Lessons, Hard Truths, and Bold Strategies from an Animal Advocate” (Lantern Books, 2014).

Equal parts personal narrative, social history, and impassioned call for rethinking animal advocacy, Growl describes Stallwood’s journey from a meat-eating slaughterhouse worker to a vegan activist for all species. He explains the importance of four key values in animal rights philosophy and practice—compassion, truth, nonviolence, and justice—and how a deeper understanding of their role not only leads us to discover our humanity for animals, but also for ourselves.

Space is limited; please RSVP to jguerra@alleycat.org. Want to learn more about Kim? Check out www.KimStallwood.com


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Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Among the Millions Mourning the Death of Robin Williams on Monday was Koko, a Gorilla who Communicates in Sign Language


Among the millions mourning the death of Robin Williams on Monday was Koko, a gorilla who communicates in sign language. Williams met Koko in 2001 at The Gorilla Foundation in Northern California, where the great ape managed to upstage the great comedic actor.

“Years later (on Aug. 11, 2014), Koko overheard Penny (Dr. Penny Patterson, Koko’s mentor and surrogate mother) talking on the phone about Robin, who had just passed away,” The Gorilla Foundation stated on its website. “She became extremely sad.”

“When you remember Robin Williams, remember that he is not only one of the world’s most beloved entertainers, he is also one of the world’s most powerful ambassadors for great ape conservation,” the organization said.

For his part, Williams called his conversations with Koko a “mind-altering experience.”

The encounter with Koko was just one of many efforts Williams made over the years on behalf of wildlife. In 2011, the actor appeared with other celebrities in a TakePart video to call attention to the annual slaughter of dolphins at the cove in Taiji, Japan, where the few survivors are sold to zoos and water parks.

“My friend doesn’t belong in captivity,” Williams says in the video. “The others are brutally killed.”

“Years later (on Aug. 11, 2014), Koko overheard Penny (Dr. Penny Patterson, Koko’s mentor and surrogate mother) talking on the phone about Robin, who had just passed away,” The Gorilla Foundation stated on its website. “She became extremely sad.”

“When you remember Robin Williams, remember that he is not only one of the world’s most beloved entertainers, he is also one of the world’s most powerful ambassadors for great ape conservation,” the organization said.

For his part, Williams called his conversations with Koko a “mind-altering experience.”

The encounter with Koko was just one of many efforts Williams made over the years on behalf of wildlife. In 2011, the actor appeared with other celebrities in a TakePart video to call attention to the annual slaughter of dolphins at the cove in Taiji, Japan, where the few survivors are sold to zoos and water parks.

“My friend doesn’t belong in captivity,” Williams says in the video. “The others are brutally killed.”

In 1995, the comedian narrated and starred in the PBS documentary In the Wild—Dolphins With Robin Williams. He followed the work of marine biologists and swam with Atlantic spotted dolphins in the Caribbean.

In the Wake of Robin Williams' Death, Will We Finally Start Taking Depression Seriously?

As with Koko, he attempted to communicate with his newfound dolphin friends.

“What’s up, my main mammal?” he asked a spotted dolphin.

Closer to his Marin County, Calif., home, Williams once made an impromptu appearance at a fund-raiser for the local humane society, jumping onstage to riff with another comedian.

“The Marin Humane Society is very sad to hear about the passing of Robin Williams,” the group said on its Facebook page on Monday. “In 2009, we were honored when he gave a surprise performance at our Woofstock benefit concert.”



Click on images below to enlarge.

 photo robinwilliamsandkoko-1_zps8fabd527.png  photo robinwilliamsandkoko-2_zps41ec42de.png

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Tuesday, April 8, 2014

It's Official!! Dog Bite Legislation Was Signed by the Governor, Today! It’s An Important Day in Maryland


Sharing from: Maryland SPCA:

It's official!! Dog bite legislation was signed by the Governor, today! It’s an important day in Maryland. After several years of trying to pass legislation that would best protect dog bite victims and hold all dog owners accountable for their dogs without singling out one type or breed of dog, the House and Senate passed the legislation and the Governor signed it into law! The law is breed neutral, no longer holds landlords liable for dog bites, and no longer deems pit bulls as "inherently dangerous."

Thank you everyone who contacted their legislators over the last several years, encouraged others to contact their legislators, spoke and/or attended hearings in Annapolis, and participated in peaceful rallies. Your help made this a reality! (Photo includes the Governor, members of the General Assembly including Senator Frosh to the right of the Governor, Katie Flory from the MD SPCA standing to the right of Senator Frosh, and representatives from other shelters and animal advocates groups who worked tirelessly on getting this legislation come to fruition.)


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