Fall 2007 - American Humane Association

Fall 2007
years
The National Humane Review
Volume 6, Number 3
The National Humane Review is published quarterly for professional
members, donors and supporters of American Humane. It is
distributed via mail and email, and is available online at
www.americanhumane.org.
Time is
running
OUT!
The countdown to
Dec. 31 has begun
Do You Have an IRA?
Are You at Least 70 1/2?
If so, you can do something other
Americans cannot. But only for a little while!
Individuals 70 1/2 and older may use funds from their
IRA to make gifts directly to qualified charities like
American Humane. You can use your money, avoid
income tax and support American Humane, even if you
don’t itemize.
• Contributions may count toward your required
minimum distribution.
• You do not have to declare the transfer as income,
so no income tax is incurred. (But, since there is no
income and no income tax, there is also no charitable
deduction.)
• You may transfer up to $100,000 from your IRA
directly to American Humane.
President & CEO
Marie Belew Wheatley
Vice President, Marketing & Communications
Randy Blauvelt
Publications & Project Manager
Teresa Zeigler
Managing Editor
Steve Nayowith
Graphic Designer
Clay Beatty
Contributing Writers
Ann Ahlers, Phil Arkow, Wendy Band, Michael Blimes, Jone
Bouman, Lara Bruce, Jane Greco Deming, Anita Horner, Alesya
Lubinina, Allie Phillips, Amy Rohm, Leslie Wilmot, Dave Wong
American Humane
Protecting Children & Animals Since 1877
The mission of American Humane, as a network of individuals and
organizations, is to prevent cruelty, abuse, neglect and exploitation of
children and animals and to assure that their interests and
well-being are fully, effectively and humanely guaranteed by an
aware and caring society.
American Humane Association
63 Inverness Drive East
Englewood, CO 80112
(800) 227-4645 Fax: (303) 792-5333
www.americanhumane.org
Printed on recycled paper
with soy-based ink.
American Humane meets the strong, comprehensive
standards of the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving
Alliance, has been awarded the Independent Charities
of America’s “Best in America” Seal of Approval, and has
received a 3-star rating from Charity Navigator, America’s
leading charity evaluator.
This opportunity ends Dec. 31, 2007.
If you qualify and might like to benefit from this
program, please consult with your tax preparer or your
financial adviser, or contact:
David C. Hall
Senior Development Officer,
Major and Planned Gifts
American Humane
(800) 227-4645, ext. 491
[email protected]
This information is provided as an educational service and
is not intended as legal or tax advice. We encourage you to
consult your professional adviser on financial decisions.
Table of Contents
Grants Fund Shelter Improvements...............4
Red Star to the Rescue in Oklahoma..............5
FGDM – A Decade of Learning Together.........6
Sheriff Joe’s Jail Tails....................................9
Humane Education Gears Up.........................13
THE NATIONAL HUMANE REVIEW
WWW.AMERICANHUMANE.ORG
Message from the President
Dear Friends,
It’s finally here — American Humane’s 130th anniversary!
October 9th to be exact. We’ve been sharing our excitement with you over the preceding
months as the day approached. We would also like to share our heartfelt thanks — it is
only because of you and all of our supporters over the years that we have made it so far and
achieved so many successes.
Now that this historic milestone is at hand, it doesn’t mark the end of an era, but rather the
start of a new chapter in an ongoing story that is still being written. All of us here are inspired
by how far our organization and society in general have come since American Humane was
founded in 1877 — as a unique national alliance of societies for both the prevention of cruelty
to animals and the prevention of cruelty to children.
From fighting for the humane treatment of working animals and farm animals in the 1800s, to leading a campaign
for national child labor laws in 1909, to taking a leadership role in addressing ethnic and cultural issues related to
child protection in 1990, American Humane has continued its tradition of advocacy, awareness and action through
the decades.
Most recently, our Red Star Animal Emergency Services team deployed over the Fourth of July holiday to rescue
and care for hundreds of animals in flood-stricken Miami, Okla. Ninety-one years after our Red Star team was
established, we are still responding whenever animals are in danger and need our help.
Our ongoing success in protecting children and animals from cruelty, abuse and neglect is a reflection of our
unwavering commitment to advancing humanity. It is also a direct result of the sustained support we’ve received
from generations of compassionate citizens and from other organizations and corporate partners who share our
vision.
Over the course of 130 years, being the voice of the voiceless has been truly worthwhile — though not always easy,
and definitely not always popular. Humane leadership often requires taking positions that run counter to general
public sentiment, or that ruffle feathers, or perhaps that are perceived as “inconvenient.” But, in time, the merits of
the positions we’ve taken in the cause of protecting children and animals have been borne out, eventually accepted
— and ultimately embraced — by a more enlightened and compassionate society.
Please join with all of us at American Humane, both in celebrating this special anniversary and in making
continued progress toward a more humane world over the months and years ahead.
Sincerely,
Marie Belew Wheatley
President and Chief Executive Officer
THE NATIONAL HUMANE REVIEW
years
AMERICAN HUMANE
American Humane
Awards Grants
to Fund Shelter
Improvements and
Give Animals a
Second Chance
Each year, American Humane awards a variety of grants
to animal sheltering organizations to help them enhance
their facilities, increase adoptions and improve the
quality of life for animals awaiting homes.
Meacham Foundation Memorial Grant
The Meacham Foundation Memorial Grant provides
financial assistance to American Humane member
agencies for shelter expansion or improvements relating
directly to the quality of care given to animals. American
Humane awarded Meacham grants to 23 facilities in
16 states this year, including the Humane Educational
Society in Chattanooga, Tenn., and the Humane Society
of Pinellas in Clearwater, Fla.
The Humane Educational Society will use the grant
money for the construction of a “real life room” for
its cats. The room will feature cubby holes and a bay
window in a jungle-themed environment. It will be a
comfortable place where cats can interact with other
animals and display their natural behaviors and
personalities. Visitors will be welcome to go inside and
get to know potential pets. The room’s creature comforts
and appeal to people will help more cats get adopted.
The Humane Society of Pinellas will build a “Small
Wonders” area to house rabbits, hamsters, ferrets and
other small pets. The new area will provide the hundreds
of small and exotic animals taken in by the shelter each
year with an inviting and stimulating place to live, which
will entice more people to adopt these often-overlooked
creatures.
Second Chance® Fund
The costs of treating abused and neglected animals
can easily overwhelm an animal welfare organization.
American Humane’s Second Chance Fund provides
financial assistance to organizations for the care of
these animals as they are prepared for adoption into
permanent, loving homes. Second Chance grants have
recently helped a number of abused animals across the
country, including these cases:
• In Key West, Fla., a schnauzer named Oscar suffered
a broken leg after being thrown from a car window.
Upon examination, it was discovered that he also had
suffered an older vertebral injury and had heartworm.
Thanks in part to the Second Chance Fund, Oscar
Osc a r be
fore
Osca r after
is recovering and will be adopted. He has not let his
hardship trouble him, and he solicits affection from
everyone.
•In Elk Grove, Calif., grant funds have helped an injured
cat named Willie, who was found living under a house.
Willie had been shot through the elbow, and the
wound had healed poorly, causing him to lose function
in his leg and suffer a great deal of pain. Although his
leg had to be amputated, Willie remains a very sweet,
forgiving cat who is ready for adoption.
Special Project Grants
Thanks to the PEDIGREE®
Food for Dogs gift-matching
campaign and thousands
of donors nationwide,
American Humane has been
distributing special grants
to animal shelters across
the country. The grants
will support the shelters’
Willie b
efore
projects that will help dogs
get adopted. Since February,
American Humane has
awarded grants to 38 facilities in 21 states.
At the Oregon Humane Society in Portland, a special
project grant will help purchase medical equipment for
a new, state-of-the-art veterinary center. The society
cares for and spays or neuters approximately 4,000
dogs per year. Grant funds will also help the Potter
League for Animals in Middletown, R.I., build an animal
play and exercise area at its new, 16,500-square-foot,
environmentally friendly shelter.
For more information about American Humane’s extensive
programs and activities to protect animals, visit
www.americanhumane.org/animals.
THE NATIONAL HUMANE REVIEW
WWW.AMERICANHUMANE.ORG
Troubled Waters
American Humane’s Red Star
Animal Emergency Services Team
Goes to the Rescue in Oklahoma
When flood waters reached near-historic
highs in Miami, Okla., in July, American
Humane’s Red Star Animal Emergency
Services staff and volunteers were
called into action. Mobilizing over
Independence Day, the team deployed
to the northeastern Oklahoma city to
help coordinate temporary shelter
facilities and rescue stranded
animals.
Upon arriving at the scene with
American Humane’s 82-foot-long
Rescue Rig and other emergencyresponse vehicles, the Red Star
team set up emergency sheltering
— first at the local Animal
Welfare Society’s shelter, then
in a larger, indoor equestrian
arena, to house animals from
the flooded community. Red
Star team members set out in
boats and on foot to rescue
cats stranded in trees and
pets trapped in homes, and
they set up feeding stations in areas
affected by flooding so animals still at large could access
safe food and water.
For 10 days, team members staffing the emergency shelter
took in new arrivals and cared for the animals, whose
numbers eventually rose to more than 90 dogs and 60
cats. Finally, water levels began to recede, families were
able to return for their pets, and the Red Star team turned
over control of the emergency shelter to the Animal
Welfare Society and local, trained volunteers. The local
team continued to care for hundreds of animals through
July 27, and the remaining animals were transferred to
shelters in Tulsa and surrounding areas for adoption.
To read a detailed weblog of the day-to-day rescue
activities, please visit www.americanhumane.org/blog.
American Humane Gives $ 5,000
To Animal Welfare Society
On Aug. 13, A merica n Huma ne presented a check for
$ 5,000 to t he A nima l Welfa re Societ y of Mia mi, Ok la.,
to help t he orga nization recover from t he disaster.
A merica n Huma ne t ha nks t he A nima l Welfa re Societ y
for its ha rd work a nd dedication in ca ring for t he
a nima ls during t he devastating f lood.
THE NATIONAL HUMANE REVIEW
AMERICAN HUMANE
2007 Family Group Decision Making Conference
American Humane’s 2007 Family Group Decision
Making (FGDM) Conference, entitled Family Group
Decision Making: A Decade of Results – A Future of
Opportunity, convened almost 500 delegates from around
the world in Washington, D.C., June 6-9.
The conference provided an opportunity to celebrate and
explore our collective successes and vision for the future
of FGDM. FGDM is among the most transformative
family involvement and partnership-based processes
in child welfare — one that has demonstrated many
positive outcomes related to child safety, permanency
and well-being.
New Zealand Thanked for Gift
Of Family Group Conferencing
In New Zealand, more than 18 years ago, indigenous
Maori community leaders and government officials
came together to develop progressive child welfare and
youth justice policy and legislation. An outcome of that
collaboration was the family group conference. The
values inherent in family group conferencing are the
underpinning for many FGDM and family involvement
processes.
At the 2007 FGDM Conference, American Humane
made a special award presentation to New Zealand
representatives: His Excellency
Roy Ferguson, ambassador to the
United States; Marie Connolly,
Ministry of Social Development,
Wellington; His Honor Peter
Boshier, principal family court
judge; and Mike Doolan, former
chief social worker for New
Zealand.
In a letter welcoming
attendees to the
conference, Roque Gerald,
Ph.D., deputy director
for clinical practice in
Washington, D.C.’s Child
and Family Services
Agency, stated, “The
future direction of FGDM
rests with our collective
Ambassador Ferguson
commitment to continued
commented, “It is with great pride
(left to right) His Excellency Roy Ferguson, ambassador
research, practice and
that I accept this award, but on
to the United States; Marie Connolly, New Zealand
policy development. We
behalf of those who really deserve
Ministry of Social Development; Judge Peter Boshier,
principal family court judge in New Zealand; and
hold significant promise
it — the Maori people from whose
Mike Doolan, former chief social worker for New Zealand
to take FGDM to greater
culture the concept originated;
display their awards and thank-you gifts.
heights and into more
those in government who had
communities, to involve
the courage to embrace a new
more community stakeholders and to work across
direction in child welfare and youth justice; and the
disciplines.”
professionals who have had the vision and the tenacity
to use family group conferencing for the benefit of New
Sessions offered at the conference included: FGDM
Zealand’s children. I would like to thank the members
as a Platform for System Change; Promising Results
of the American Humane Association for this honor,
– Transforming a Child Protection System Through Family
and for facilitating ongoing dialogue on family group
Involvement; and International Developments in Family
conferencing, for I know that while the concept started in
Group Conferences: Emerging Messages for Policy and
New Zealand, we have benefited from the experience of
Practice.
others and welcome opportunities such as your present
conference for ongoing sharing.”
THE NATIONAL HUMANE REVIEW
WWW.AMERICANHUMANE.ORG
Partnering on Differential Response
In Ohio
American Humane’s Children’s Division, in partnership
with the Institute of Applied Research and Minnesota
Consultants (AIM), has been awarded a contract to
implement and evaluate a differential response pilot
program in 10 communities in Ohio over the next twoplus years.
Differential response is an approach that allows child
protective services (CPS) to respond differently to
accepted reports of child abuse and neglect based on
such factors as the type and severity of the alleged
maltreatment, the number of previous reports, the
source of the report and the willingness of the parents
to participate in services. According to the findings of
the National Study on Differential Response in Child
Welfare, conducted by American Humane and the Child
Welfare League of America, the safety of children was
preserved and more rapidly achieved through the use of
differential response.
Additionally, more families were able to receive services,
family cooperation with the child welfare system
increased, the time children spent in care decreased,
and long-term costs were reduced. American Humane
sees great potential in the implementation of differential
response to increase positive outcomes of safety,
permanence and well-being for children and families
nationwide.
Quality Improvement Center
On Non-Resident Fathers Completes
Phase 1
As the summer drew to a close,
the Quality Improvement
Center on Non-Resident
Fathers (QIC-NRF) celebrated
the completion of the first
year of this five-year project.
The QIC-NRF team, which
includes American Humane,
the American Bar Association
Center on Children and Law (ABA), and the National
Fatherhood Initiative (NFI), was awarded this $5 million
federal project in the summer of 2006. Throughout
the year, the team worked diligently to collect all the
information needed to advance the project. The year’s
completed tasks were presented to the National Advisory
Board and the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services, Children’s Bureau, for review in July.
Phase 1 has involved information collection and data
gathering about the important issues impacting the
relationships between non-resident (absent) fathers,
their children and the child welfare system. The QICNRF team held personal interviews, focus groups and
information summits with individuals from a variety
of backgrounds, including public and private child
welfare caseworkers, supervisors, and administrators;
THE NATIONAL HUMANE REVIEW
legal personnel, federal subgrantees, domestic violence
specialists and fatherhood program specialists; and
fathers, youth and other family members from around
the country. In addition, a comprehensive literature
review has also been drafted for the project.
Several common themes have emerged from the
literature review and other QIC-NRF activities,
including the existence of gaps in policies regarding
the participation of fathers in the child welfare system;
biased treatment of fathers in the child welfare and
judicial systems; the child welfare system’s tendency to
rely on information furnished by the child’s mother in
the majority of cases; and the fact that fathers are often
not involved as a result of the child welfare system’s
perception of them and not necessarily as a result of a
simple lack of interest on the fathers’ part.
Phase 2 will focus on providing subawards to
community programs across the country to evaluate
engagement strategies with non-resident fathers and
assess the impact of those strategies on the safety,
permanency and well-being of children and the child
welfare system.
Legacy Continues With Appointment of
Hugh H. Tebault III to Board of Directors
A long legacy of cooperative
endeavors between American
Humane and the Latham
Foundation for the Promotion of
Humane Education is continuing
with the recent appointment of
Hugh H. Tebault III to American
Humane’s board of directors.
In joining the board, Tebault,
president of the Alameda, Calif.based foundation, also continues
another legacy: He is the second
member of his family to serve
on American Humane’s board.
His father, Hugh H. Tebault II,
immediate past president of
Latham, served on American
Humane’s board from 1969 to
1979.
The elder Tebault, who passed
away on May 10, 2007, at the age
of 89, had been a national force
in humane education for 45
years.
Prior to serving as president of Latham, the younger
Tebault served on the foundation’s board of directors
and worked as a senior manager responsible for
technical sales activity at two startup companies. He
is also chairman of the Financial Advisory Committee
to the Fremont (Calif.) Unified School District Board of
Education.
AMERICAN HUMANE
Happy Anniversary to Us!
Celebrating 130 Years of Leadership and Accomplishments
years
On Oct. 9, American Humane celebrates its 130th anniversary! In 1877,
representatives from 27 local humane societies, including the American
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the American Society for
the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, came together to form the American
Humane Association.
In looking back at our accomplishments in protecting children and animals,
it is clear that many things which are now taken for granted in American
society did not occur on their own. It took leadership from concerned
organizations and individuals to bring about those changes. Here are just
a few of the issues American Humane was involved with over the past 130
years:
• If you have a large fountain in your town square, it may have been installed for more
than just decoration. In 1885, American Humane advocated for the establishment of
“humane fountains” — for the rest and refreshment of fire department, police and
postal horses.
• You may have helped around the house when you were a kid, but you probably didn’t
have to work long hours in dangerous jobs, like many kids in the 19th and early 20th
centuries did. In 1909, American Humane spearheaded a campaign for the passage of
national child labor laws and continued to work through the years to protect children
from being exploited as workers. In 1945, American Humane pushed for child labor
laws prohibiting children under 16 from performing dangerous manufacturing or
mechanical jobs or working during school hours.
• In the early part of the 20th century, many American children, especially those living
in cities, had no place to play but in the street, and many were arrested for it. In 1914,
American Humane called for the construction of safe, off-street playgrounds.
• Until recently, cockfighting contests were legally staged across the United
States. An article in a 1971 issue of The National Humane Review exposed the
widespread existence of cockfighting and called for a crackdown on it. In 2007,
American Humane advocated for legislation to ban cockfighting in New Mexico
and Louisiana, and, thanks to American Humane’s constituents, those states
became the final two in the nation to ban this cruel blood sport.
Our Wish
When we blow out our “birthday” candles this year, we’ll be wishing for an end to
cruelty, abuse, neglect and exploitation of children and animals. Of course, we’re
not just wishing — we’re working hard toward that goal every day. You can help us
by sending a “birthday gift” using the enclosed postage-paid envelope or by donating online at
www.americanhumane.org.
On this special occasion, please consider joining our 130th Anniversary Club by giving a gift of at least $130 — one
dollar for each year that American Humane has been protecting children and animals since 1877. As a token of
our appreciation, we’ll send you a limited-edition 130th anniversary pin. (Naturally, gifts of any amount, larger or
smaller, are appreciated!)
Learn More About American Humane’s Leadership Through the Decades
Now available! Historical details and images, like the ones above—and many
more —are featured in American Humane’s new 130-year timeline booklet, a beautiful
28-page record of many of the events and milestones in American Humane’s and the
nation’s history. It’s a collectible!
For a free copy of the booklet, please email your request with your name and address to
[email protected], with the word “timeline” in the subject line. Or you may
mail your request to us at: American Humane, Attn: Timeline Booklet, 63 Inverness
Drive East, Englewood, CO 80112. Hurry! Quantities are limited!
To access an electronic version of the booklet, visit www.americanhumane.org/
timeline.
THE NATIONAL HUMANE REVIEW
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Sheriff Joe’s Jail Tails
M.A.S.H. Unit Rehabilitates Inmates and Abused Animals
“Sheriff Joe” Arpaio, who has served as the chief law
enforcement officer of Maricopa County, Ariz., since
1993, has been labeled “America’s Toughest Sheriff” by
the media. As head of the nation’s third-largest sheriff’s
office, with 3,000 employees and
10,000 inmates, he gained local and
national attention for such get-tough
policies as housing 2,000 inmates in
an outdoor tent city in the searing hot
Phoenix summers.
He has banned smoking, movies,
pornography and unrestricted
television in jail cells. When prison
underwear and handcuffs started
disappearing, he had them dyed pink
to deter theft.
But underneath his get-tough
attitude lies a soft heart for animals,
and Arpaio has also made global
news for his innovative Maricopa
County Animal Safe Hospice, or
M.A.S.H. unit.
Trading Places
Several years ago, his Animal Cruelty
Unit, a 24/7 division with a staff of
seven, began seizing a huge influx
of animals as a result of cruelty
investigations, dogfighting cases
and other incidents. Today, they
receive as many as 400 calls each
week. Faced with many animals and
no place to put them, Arpaio began
housing them in an older downtown
jail that had been closed for
plumbing repairs. With remodeling,
the prison became perfectly suitable
for animals: cells that once housed
as many as eight inmates were
converted into kennels and catteries.
converted into a grassy play area for animals. Veterinary
technicians supervise female inmates who work 12-hour
shifts cleaning the pets’ living quarters and feeding,
watering, playing with, exercising and providing medical
attention to the animals.
An inmate in the M.A.S.H. unit
holds two of many puppies needing to
be adopted from the prison cells. Vivid
pink bars and bright artwork make the
former prison a most unusual holding
facility for abused animals.
A mural of the “Sheriff Joe’s Jail
Tails” logo was painted by inmates
in the rooftop exercise yard. The
former basketball court now contains
artificial turf, play areas for pets and
fire hydrants for the pet residents.
Arpaio came under immediate
criticism for putting animals under
air-conditioning while making inmates live in tents.
His response was that the conditions for the inmates
were the same as for troops in Iraq, and nobody was
complaining about those conditions. One inmate
explained the situation this way: “The animals didn’t do
anything to be here — I did.”
Life in Prison
Today, the jail has been redecorated by inmates in
a dazzling array of artwork, and the bars have been
painted bright pink. The rooftop exercise yard has been
THE NATIONAL HUMANE REVIEW
Seized animals are held as evidence
and eventually either returned to the
owner, if the courts so determine,
or adopted through an aggressive
rehoming program. Pet victims of
domestic violence are housed for up
to 60 days in a “safe haven.” Before
being transported to M.A.S.H., the
animals are taken to a veterinarian
for full evaluation and treatment, if
necessary. All animals are spayed or
neutered.
Most of the animals are frightened
when they arrive, but within a
few days of constant love and
companionship, they learn to trust
humans again and become very
good-natured. Dogs and cats are in
abundance, but the M.A.S.H. unit
also has housed guinea pigs, turkeys,
chickens, rabbits, ducks, hamsters
and goats. Male inmates care for
confiscated and abused horses and
other livestock at the tent city.
The Graduate School of Social
Work at Arizona State University
provides an intern who conducts
group programs to help the inmates
transfer their animal caregiving
skills to other life experiences when
they transition out of jail. Several
inmates have used their experience
as vocational training to obtain
employment in the pet sector upon
their release. Recidivism rates are
said to be low.
In Arpaio’s M.A.S.H. unit motto, “Saving Animals One
Life at a Time,” the “life” may be that of both the animals
and the inmates. In helping each animal regain trust
in people and find a new life in a safe, loving home, the
inmates also see the program as therapy for themselves,
providing empowerment, self-esteem, a sense of
purpose, assertiveness skills and impulse control —
qualities that will serve them well in life on the outside.
AMERICAN HUMANE
Euthanasia Laws:
The Tragic State of Pet Overpopulation
Every year, an estimated 3 million
to 4 million dogs and cats are
euthanized in animal shelters for
lack of shelter space or funds. While
American Humane strives to create
a world in which every adoptable
pet finds a home, many animal
shelters continue to struggle with
overcrowding, and they often have
no choice but to euthanize.
Promoting the Humane Method
When it is necessary, American
Humane considers euthanasia by
injection of sodium pentobarbital
(referred to as “EBI”) to be the only
acceptable and humane method
of euthanasia for dogs and cats
in animal shelters. We believe
that animals in shelters deserve a
humane and peaceful death.
All across the country, states and
counties are grappling with pet
overpopulation and euthanasia techniques. While most
county shelters use EBI, a number of counties still use
other methods, with carbon monoxide gassing being
the second most common. In North Carolina, American
Humane recently testified at a public hearing on the
state’s shelter-animal euthanasia regulations — a
number of North Carolina shelters use carbon monoxide
chambers to euthanize.
How the Methods Compare
EBI is a medical procedure — rather than a physical
method — and as such, it is much more humane for the
majority of animals. In fact, EBI is the method of choice
of virtually 100 percent of veterinarians and nearly all
privately funded animal shelters.
By comparison, carbon monoxide is inhumane and
dangerous. So why do some states and counties still use
carbon monoxide? Proponents of gas chambers argue
that the chambers are cheaper, safer and emotionally
easier for shelter workers to operate than it is to
administer EBI. However, that argument is not based on
the facts.
When performed in accordance with American
Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) standards, the
costs of EBI and carbon monoxide are comparable, as
determined by American Humane in 2005. The use
of a carbon monoxide chamber is only less expensive
if animals are euthanized in non-approved, unsafe
equipment or through inhumane methods.
Although employing EBI may incur initial costs for
shelter staff training and certification and for purchasing
10
the sodium pentobarbital, many
organizations, such as American
Humane, can help defray those costs
by providing grants and on-site
training to shelters.
In addition, carbon monoxide
chambers pose safety risks to shelter
workers. Carbon monoxide is lethal
to humans as well, and the chamber
must be constantly checked and
maintained to ensure that there
are no cracks or failing seals in
the structure. Even with vigilant
oversight, the chambers can be
dangerous for workers.
Finally, EBI is more humane for
shelter workers. Proponents of
carbon monoxide chambers claim
that it is easier on the shelter workers
because, after loading the animals
in the chamber, they can turn on the
machine and walk away. However,
many shelter workers want to do what is best for the
animals in their care. Most workers would prefer to be
able to hold and comfort the animal during euthanasia,
which is possible with EBI.
Eliminating the Need for Euthanasia
It is imperative to address the pet overpopulation
problem at its source and reduce the number of
homeless dogs and cats entering shelters. This can be
accomplished by passing mandatory spay/neuter laws,
providing access to low-cost spay/neuter services,
increasing pet adoptions and providing public education
programs.
American Humane’s national initiative, Getting to Zero® :
Ending Euthanasia of Healthy & Treatable Animals,
is providing grants to shelters that are establishing
or implementing innovative programs to reduce the
number of stray and abandoned pets coming through
their doors. American Humane initiated Getting to Zero
with the belief that, within our lifetime, the United States
can reduce to zero the number of healthy or treatable
dogs, cats and other companion animals who are
euthanized in animal care and control facilities.
For those of us with pets, euthanizing adoptable animals
due to overcrowding and lack of funding is unthinkable.
You can help by joining with American Humane
by advocating in your community for spay/neuter
regulations, low-cost spay/neuter clinics and education
programs about the tragedies of pet overpopulation.
Also consider volunteering at your local animal shelter,
adopting a shelter pet or becoming a foster parent to a
needy pet. Together, we can make a difference!
THE NATIONAL HUMANE REVIEW
WWW.AMERICANHUMANE.ORG
Recent Advocacy Successes!
State Bills Still Pending
2007 Federal Farm Bill (HR 2419) – A small provision,
Section 123, would have prevented states from acting at
the state and local levels to prohibit activities regarding
animal welfare, food safety or public health. The bill
passed through committee recently with Section 123
removed.
Child Welfare
Animal Fighting
• Louisiana (HB 108) – Cockfighting is now illegal!
Cross-Reporting of Abuse
• Maine (LD 583 & 584) – New law allowing
discretionary reporting of animal, child and elder
abuse by animal welfare, child welfare and medical
professionals.
• Oregon (SB 1017) – New law allowing discretionary
reporting of animal and child abuse by a large
number of professionals.
Increased Animal Cruelty Penalties
• Indiana (HB 1387) – Increased penalties and
definitions of animal cruelty.
• Nebraska (LB 227) – Animal abandonment is now a
felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison.
• Washington (SB 5277) – Animal abandonment is now
a gross misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year in
prison.
American Humane’s Office of Public Policy is working in
support of these state bills:
Children in Foster Care
• New York (A01514) – Provides permanent
guardianship for relative caregivers.
Cross-Reporting Abuse
• New York (A01900) – Mandates cross-reporting
among child and animal welfare professionals.
Animal Welfare
Inhumane Foie Gras Production Bills
• Illinois (Force-Fed Birds Act – HB 867 & SB 312)
• Michigan (HB 4871)
• New Jersey (A 3230)
• New York (S01463)
Pets in Domestic Violence Protective Orders
• California (SB 353)
• Massachusetts (HB 727)
• Michigan (HB 4741)
• New Jersey (SB 4426)
• Rhode Island (HB 5185) • Wisconsin (SB 162)
Increased Animal Cruelty Penalties
• Michigan (HB 4551) – Creates felony penalties for
neglect, including animal hoarding.
• New York (S00429) – Prohibits animal wrestling and
baiting.
• Pennsylvania (HB 1065) – Restricts dog tethering.
Federal Bills Still Pending
American Humane’s Office of Public Policy is working in
support of these federal bills:
Child Welfare
Shaken Baby Syndrome Prevention Act of 2007
(HR 2052 & S 1204) – This bill would enable the Secretary
of Health and Human Services to develop a national
public health campaign to prevent shaken baby
syndrome.
Kinship Caregiver Support Act of 2007 (HR 2188 &
S 661) – This bill would provide resources and support
for relative caregivers and help create permanent, loving
homes for children who otherwise would not have them.
Animal Welfare
Pet Safety and Protection Act (HR 1280 & S 714) – This
bill would ensure that all dogs and cats used in research
facilities are obtained legally, and it provides for a $1,000
fine for each violation.
Human and Pet Food Safety Act (HR 2108 & S 1274)–
This bill’s many important provisions include giving
the FDA the power to order mandatory food recalls;
establishing mandatory processing and ingredient
standards; requiring more inspections of domestic and
international food processing plants; creating a warning
system to identify contaminants early on; and enabling
the FDA to work with veterinarians and public health
officials to uniformly disseminate information about
food contamination and update recall lists on the FDA
website in a timely manner.
THE NATIONAL HUMANE REVIEW
11
AMERICAN HUMANE
Philanthropy Fuels Leadership
In Advancing Humanity
™
Throughout American Humane’s 130-year history,
philanthropic support has fueled our efforts to provide
stalwart and consistent leadership of the humane
movement. Since our founding on Oct. 9, 1877, by
a number of the nation’s greatest humanitarians,
American Humane’s unflinching statesmanship in
creating awareness, promoting understanding and
fostering action in protecting children and animals
has been unmatched.
In 1893, for example, American Humane members
prosecuted 5,520 individuals for cruelty to
children, rescuing some 27,795 youngsters.
The same year, prosecutions for cruelty to
animals totaled 4,495 and the number of
animals rescued was 74,511. By 1900,
American Humane had increased the
number of investigations to 125,000
cases, rescuing 48,000 children and
110,000 animals.
Leadership Through the Decades
Even the roots of humane
education date
back to 1879,
when American
Humane passed
a resolution
to promote humane
education in public schools and
to discourage animal cruelty in classroom
experiments and demonstrations. By
1901, American Humane representatives
were meeting with some 65,000 students
and teachers per year and promoting humane issues.
In the late 19th century, American Humane also led
the nation in recognizing The Link® between violence
toward animals and violence toward people.
In 1941, under an agreement with the Association of
Motion Picture Producers, American Humane began
monitoring the treatment of animal actors. This
followed two years of public pressure after an incident
of profound insensitivity resulted in the death of a horse
during the making of a major motion picture in 1939.
Our protective role in film and television continues today
under contract with the Screen Actors Guild and through
independent contracts. The “No Animals Were Harmed”®
end credit awarded by American Humane has become an
icon of the American tradition of humane treatment and
protection of animals in films and television.
In the late 20th century and into the 21st century, Family
Group Decision Making and Differential Response —
methods embraced and advanced by American Humane
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— have been changing the rigid practices of child
protective services agencies as they work with abused
and neglected children and their families. Spanning
the centuries, American Humane has demonstrated
that such leadership is always critical to, and
successful in, advancing humanity.
The Power of Humane Philanthropy
Today, American Humane continues to
demonstrate its leadership role by
calling citizens and professionals to an
ever-higher level of humane treatment
of the animals who share our lives, and
to the children who are the future of
our society. Propelled by gifts from
private donors, this leadership
has produced significant positive
changes in efforts to protect
America’s children and animals.
Since its inception in 1916,
American Humane’s Red Star
Animal Emergency Services
has responded to national and
international disasters, rescuing
tens of thousands of animals.
Recently, Red Star staff and
volunteers responded to
the call for assistance
in the flooded Miami,
Okla., area in July.
Compassionate donors
contributed more than $40,000 online to help defray
the costs of that deployment and support the efforts of
American Humane’s Animal Protection Services.
Philanthropic contributions and corporate sponsorships
of such American Humane legacy initiatives as Be Kind
to Animals Week®, Adopt-A-Dog-Month® and AdoptA-Cat Month® also support our mission. Contributed
income accounts for nearly half of the American
Humane annual operating budget.
Progress has a price, and advancing humanity is always a
worthwhile investment!
years
THE NATIONAL HUMANE REVIEW
WWW.AMERICANHUMANE.ORG
Humane Education
Gears Up for Fall
American Humane’s Humane Education Department is
preparing to launch several workshops and initiatives
designed to meet the needs of the humane education
community in new and exciting ways. The following new
workshops will be ready this fall:
•
•
•
Fundamentals of Humane Education is a nutsand-bolts approach to helping new humane
educators. It gives them the basics of developing
and implementing a humane education program
in their schools and communities.
Teachable Moments is available in versions for
educators and shelter employees/volunteers.
The educators version covers creating new
programs, from the initial idea to the lesson plan
to the presentation. The shelter employees and
volunteers version examines the operation of
shelters and humane societies. It addresses how
the public views their facilities and activities,
since community perception of an organization
has a huge impact on its success.
Baby-Ready Pets is about setting up a program to
teach pet owners who are expecting new babies
(or newly adopted or fostered children) how to
prepare their pets for the introduction of a new
family member and how to keep their children
safe. The workshop includes new instructional kits
and provides everything shelters need to kick off
this program designed to protect both children
and animals in their communities.
Other Plans in the Works
Also in development is the design of a new children’s
museum exhibit intended to travel on loan throughout
the country. This interactive exhibit will be designed
to promote role playing and exploration and to teach
children about responsibility and being kind to pets.
Such lessons can have long-term benefits, so the exhibit
will not only provide a good, and fun, lesson for children
while they are experiencing it, but it will help shape their
development into humane adults.
THE NATIONAL HUMANE REVIEW
We are also planning a summit for humane educators to
be held in 2008, the 10th anniversary of the last humane
education summit hosted by American Humane. The
summit is expected to convene approximately 20 of the
nation’s industry leaders to assess current trends, discuss
ways to help others attain their goals, and set reasonable
and attainable goals for the overall humane education
movement.
New Leadership in Humane Education
Jane Greco Deming recently joined American Humane
as director of humane education. She got her start in
humane education as the curator of education for 11
years at the Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence, R.I.,
where she received awards for programs that focused
on humane issues. In 1994, Jane became the director of
education for the Providence Animal Rescue League,
where she designed, built and installed the nation’s first
children’s museum exhibit focusing on responsibility
and kindness toward animals. Known as Pets & People,
it is still in use after 10 years and well over 1 million
visitors. Jane is the co-founder of the new, nationally
distributed Baby-Ready Pets program for expectant
parents. She is the former director of the Rhode Island
Disaster Animal Rescue Team, former vice president of
the Association of Professional Humane Educators, and
has been a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for nearly 30
years.
Katenna Jones has joined the Humane Education
Department as a humane educator and animal
behaviorist. She brings to American Humane her
extensive experience as the animal behaviorist and
cruelty investigator at the Rhode Island SPCA, where she
specialized in bully breeds, temperament assessments
and companion animal behavior problems. With a
master’s degree in animal behavior, as well as animal
behavior certifications and several years of shelter
experience, Katenna will lend her expertise to programs
relating to bite prevention and pet responsibility. She
also will be presenting workshops and creating humane
education materials for nationwide distribution. Katenna
was co-founder with Jane in creating the Baby-Ready
Pets program.
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AMERICAN HUMANE
Underdog Rescues
Animals
On and Off the Movie Set
“There’s no need to fear,
Underdog is here!”
For generations of fans, that phrase
signaled a colorful and fun-filled
cartoon trip into the world of a
loveable, mild-mannered dog who
had the ability to transform himself
into a crime-fighting superhero
whenever dastardly deeds were
afoot. Thanks to Walt Disney
Pictures’ live-action comedyadventure — and the film’s veteran
animal coordinator, Boone Narr
— Underdog opened the kennel
doors for several lucky dogs. The
production not only gave them
the opportunity to go from rescue
and shelter animals to Hollywood
actors, but it gave many of them
permanent, starring roles: as
beloved adoptees in the homes of
cast and crew members.
Narr. Leo was an abandoned lemon
beagle (a rare color variation of
the long-popular breed, classified
by its light-yellow coat — think
Snoopy as a blonde!), who had been
taken in by Beagles & Buddies. His
photo showed a mug that a camera
could love, but when Narr met his
potential star face-to-face, he was
taken by surprise.
“It was a bit like a bad blind date
because, when Leo showed up at
my door, he looked nothing like
the photo! He was overweight and
as round as he was long, and he
was completely out of control,”
laughs Narr. “But to his credit, he
had a great little personality, and
Certified Animal Safety Representative
we decided to see if we could help
Marisa Bellis helps keep “Underdog” and
him get back into shape.” After Narr
his animal co-stars safe.
put Leo through a stint in doggie
training camp (part waist-trimming
spa,
part
new-tricks
school), he discovered that his
Canine Casting Call
casting
instincts
had
been spot-on…and his star had
In the classic fashion of Hollywood — where stories of
been
found!
instant stardom are legendary — when it came time
to cast the canine stars of Underdog, the filmmakers
“Leo’s cantankerous and independent, with an attitude,
felt that the top dogs could be anywhere just waiting
but when he’s in front of the cameras, his personality just
to be “discovered.” Thus, director Frederik Du Chau
shines. His fearlessness makes him the perfect action
and animal coordinator Narr, of Boone’s Animals for
hero,” Narr says. “Leo has quite the life now: from downHollywood, decided to scout hundreds of shelters, rescue and-out dog to Hollywood star!”
groups, breeders and dog parks to find just the right
Four other lemon beagles were also selected and trained
pooches.
for running, jumping and other stunt work, while Leo
But Narr is quick to point out that not every animal has
was allowed to rest in order to be ready for his “face
acting in his bones. “Animals that make movie stars are
work,” or close-ups.
kind of like people — not everyone can be a star,” he says.
‘Ruff’ Exteriors and Soft Hearts
“Some people are suited to being in front of a camera
In the film, squaring off against the flying super-beagle
and some should be behind it. It takes a special kind of
is canine villain Riff Raff, a tough-talking guy whose
individual to be a star. Something special happens when
bark may possibly be worse than his bite. For the role
the cameras roll — they’re happy to be doing what they
of this “heavy,” Narr set about searching numerous city
do, and that shows up on film.”
animal shelters, where he uncovered three appropriately
When casting the iconic title character, Narr ultimately
strapping rottweilers, including his lead performer,
decided that a beagle not only looked a lot like the
Bronco. Contrary to their commanding size and presence
original animated character, but was also the right size
(the breed is popular for protection and security work),
and feel for a live-action “everydog” who can become a
Narr notes that the rottweilers in Underdog were actually
superhero.
the sweetest dogs on the set. “It’s a classic case of the
biggest, meanest looking guys having the softest hearts,”
From Rescuee to Rescuer
he says.
“I contacted Beagles & Buddies, a beagle rescue group in
California, and that’s where I saw a photo of Leo,” recalls
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THE NATIONAL HUMANE REVIEW
WWW.AMERICANHUMANE.ORG
It wasn’t just the rottweilers who stole the hearts
of the Underdog filmmakers
and stars, however. In fact, so
many of the dogs made such an
impression during filming that
many of them were adopted by
members of the cast and crew
when the production wrapped
up. American Humane’s Film &
Television Unit notes that this
happens more often than one
would think: approximately
75-80 percent of cats and dogs in
films find new homes with cast
and crew. Producer Jonathan
Glickman adopted one of the
cavalier King Charles spaniels
who portrayed Polly, Underdog’s
love interest. “When Boone
emailed us pictures of Polly, I
think it was a case of love at first
sight for all of us,” says Glickman.
In addition, his father, Dan Glickman, who is president of
the Motion Picture Association of America, also adopted
a dog from the film. And even those rescue and shelter
dogs who didn’t go home with cast or crew members still
found new lives, ultimately ending up in Hollywood as
members of Narr’s ensemble of animal actors for film,
television and commercial projects.
The bond that developed between people and animals
on the set is a phenomenon that American Humane
hopes will also carry through to the film’s audiences
nationwide. Jone Bouman, of American Humane’s Film
& TV Unit, observes, “One of the reasons I’m so excited
about this film is that American Humane is a firm
believer that films can be a great tool for showing the
power of the human-animal bond. While Underdog is
pure fantasy, its message about a hero dog who positively
affects a family is a very real and important one. That’s
exactly the kind of wholesome message we think is
outstanding, and we gave the
production our full support.”
Safety on the Set
On the set of Underdog, safety
was paramount for people and
animals alike. One of American
Humane’s Certified Animal
Safety Representatives was on-set
throughout production, but the
organization’s involvement began
well before the first camera rolled.
American Humane was on-board
from the beginning, analyzing
the script and storyboards to
flag any potential trouble spots,
with safety representative
Marisa Bellis present during
the filming of every scene that
involved an animal. “This movie
has been quite a remarkable
experience,” she says. “Boone and his trainers have been
extraordinary. They’re some of the safest trainers I’ve
ever worked with. They don’t take any chances.”
For Narr — who has trained animals for dozens of films,
including all three Pirates of the Caribbean movies,
both Stuart Little films and Cats & Dogs — working on
Underdog was a special situation and, quite possibly, the
most fun he’s ever had. “When it comes to working with
animals in Hollywood,” he says, “I’ve done just about
everything, but you really can’t beat a flying dog!”
And when that dog and some of his on-screen buddies
get the chance to “fly” out of a shelter or rescue group
and into a permanent, loving home, it’s a happy ending
for everyone involved.
By Dave Wong, Buena Vista Pictures
Evan Almighty Screening Draws a Crowd
In June, NBC Universal and American Humane hosted a screening of the
film Evan Almighty — which involved more animal species than any other
movie — and gave a presentation on how animals are treated in today’s
film productions. Representatives from Capitol Hill, media executives and
various elected officials flocked to the special event, held at the Motion
Picture Association of America’s headquarters in Washington, D.C.
(left to right) Karen Rosa, director, American
Humane’s Film & TV Unit; Dan Glickman,
president and CEO, Motion Picture
Association of America; Michael Cascio, senior
vice president, National Geographic Channel;
and Jone Bouman, communications director,
Film & TV Unit.
THE NATIONAL HUMANE REVIEW
(left to right) Allie Phillips, director of American
Humane’s Office of Public Policy; Donna
Stephens, director, federal government relations,
Bayer HealthCare LLC, Animal Health Division ;
and Ron Phillips, vice president, legislative and
public affairs, Animal Health Institute.
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