USA

YOU CANNOT HAVE ANIMAL WELFARE WITHOUT

ANIMAL RIGHTS
Marijo Anne Gillis

I have been urging everyone for several years that we must gather together the most articulate and knowledgeable animal welfare advocates and activists in the states and push to address Congress while in session. Intelligent yet passionate pleas for the rights of companion, farmed and captive animals adjoined with statistics, graphic videos and outraged citizens protesting should have taken place many, many years ago.

I believe we should begin work on a proposal to send to certain members of government in order to expedite the process. Watch dog committees (pardon the pun) should be formed to police the actions and disbursements of funds of some animal welfare organizations. Remember it is not just the third world that is beset by corruption. I think quite sadly, that the USA has set the gold standard for "hanky panky" and animal "protection" is certainly not immune to the "greed epidemic".

It bewilders me why some major animal welfare organizations in our country, endowed with double digit millions in donations yearly, hefty salaries for CEO's and their purportedly interested and powerful board members have not been able to accomplish such a goal. Thank goodness, HSUS has finally, under the guidance of Wayne Pacelle, initiated a lobbying arm without support from the proverbial "top", we will all continue to chase our tails.

The German parliament has mandated
animal protection within its constitutional
covenants - as well the Austrians have
accommodated animal protection in their
mandates. The beautiful city of Rome, a
favorite city of mine, well known for her
tens of thousands of homeless cats,
protects these very same cats with a strict
mandate and penalties for those not
heeding the law.

(Forget Greece, where I
lived while married for 14 years - neglecting,
abusing, torturing and finally killing animals
appears to be for some, an Olympic sport,).

I travel extensively, lobbying for animal rights. The issues are nightmarish in emerging and
third world nations, and it appears that Europe is far more advanced than the USA in their treatment of and provision for animals and their "RIGHTS". What is holding us up and making the animals the victims of our lack of progress? Why are we still gassing animals? Why is the judicial system in our country slapping the perpetrators of animal related crimes - on the proverbial wrist? What the devil is wrong with us?

What happened to the United States? Are we headed on a crash course towards the "moniker" emerging or third world?

We should be ashamed as a nation and as a community of animal advocates. It's time to unite and lobby our own government, starting at the top!

"Don't Mess With Texas"

September 23rd, 2006, the morning of our much awaited anti vivisection demo, organized by Dr. John J. Pippin of The Physician's Committe for Responsible Medicine (pcrm.org), was grey and stormy. Yet, I began my drive into Dallas hoping we would not be rained out. The "animals inside my head" were pleading for me to go on! My friend Joyce and I joined the other activists gathered together in unity to take a "stand" and were thrilled to see onlookers coming to us in support with positive comments.

I noticed, however, that even though the people seemed to understand that animals didn't need to be used in research anymore they didn't know exactly what to do about it. We took fistfuls of the Humane Seal pamphlets and distributed thousands to educate the general public on the horrors of vivisection and the viable alternatives. We urged everyone to only support charities who display the Humane Seal of Approval!

As our "walk" for the animals began, a gentleman approached us and told us how much he believed in our mission. He hadn't realized that the American Heart Association funded animal research . He was on his way to "somewhere" but wanted to know if he could have one of our signs to hold while he walked. We were thrilled!

We all gathered at base after a very successful demo and were excited at the positive and sympathetic feed back of the crowd. They appreciated the positive message we gave to them and they left with a different perspective on animal testing.

We were all so proud to be a powerful force for those creatures who are caged and voiceless; and someday soon we will reach a turning point. We educated the public, made new friends and supporters and feel very proud indeed. We made a "difference" that day and will continue to fight until the unnecessary massacre of animals stops!

Pamela Bertsch, Dallas, TX