Animal Activist Patty Shenker

She’s petite, elegant, and beautiful but the power of Patty Shenker’s advocacy for animals makes her larger than life. Recently she has taken her advocacy visual by co-founding the Animal Advocacy Museum, located in Pasadena, CA. The first exhibition (open until late May 2013) includes many pieces from Patty’s personal art collection, notably the work of artist Sue Coe, whose works are powerful, iconic statements against animal cruelty.

“Modern Man Followed By Ghosts of His Meat” by Sue Coe, 2001.
Currently on Exhibit at the Animal Advocacy Museum, Pasadena, CA

Advocating against animal cruelty became the raison d’être for Patty after her transition to vegetarianism over 40 years ago opened her eyes to the horrific abuses of slaughter houses and farmed animals. “In 1970, I decided to work for peace, and demonstrating peace to me meant accepting no violence at all towards any living being so I became a vegetarian, then vegan,” Patty said in our recent interview at one of L.A.’s most popular vegan restaurants. “After I realized how our culture has accepted cruelty to animals to satisfy our need for food, entertainment, and as beasts of burden, I knew that I’d found my life’s work to speak out for animals and change these injustices.”

Since then she has worked tirelessly, supporting animal rescue and advocacy with her own money and time. For example, in 1990, when she learned that the South Central Shelter in Los Angeles killed the most animals, she mounted a free spay/neuter program for the area, providing free transportation by herself, and fixed nearly a thousand pets. “My father instilled in me a sense of responsibility for the underdog. He came to America as an immigrant and became a criminal defense attorney to fight for justice for those who were innocent. Now I fight for the most innocent creatures of all—animals used and abused by humans,” Patty said.

 From a Dream to Reality—A Museum Celebrating Animal Advocacy

Patty shared with me that it had always been her dream to create a place where works of animal advocacy art could be exhibited. Especially after she heard that there was a museum for the meat product in a can, Spam! After sharing this with her good friend and fellow activist, Prabhat Gautam, they decided to take action and make it happen. Thus, the Animal Advocacy Museum was born. Currently located in a wing of the Throop Unitarian Universalist Church in Pasadena, the Museum is quickly becoming a mecca for Angelenos who care about animals. After a star-studded launch party in March that brought together the best and the brightest from the local animal advocacy scene, the Museum continues to welcome visitors interested in the art exhibition and has also started hosting animal welfare/vegan lectures and educational events. The Museum is currently open Thursdays and Saturdays from 11am-4pm at 280 S. Los Robles Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91101. For more information, check out the Museum website (http://www.animaladvocacymuseum.com/) and make sure to spread the word and “like” the Museum on Facebook.

Finally! An Animal Tourist Attraction that Promotes Their Humane Treatment

As this is a blog about tourism and animal welfare, I asked Patty if there were any plans to add the Animal Advocacy Museum as a tourist destination in Los Angeles. She said not yet, but that she would add it the list of ideas to promote the Museum. Imagine animal advocates from around the world adding the Museum as a stop on their trip to Hollywood and Southern California! WOW! Ms. Humane Advisor likes this idea! What a wonderful addition to an already exciting travel destination known for being the top media center in the world. By adding the Animal Advocacy Museum to tourist “must-see” travel plan checklists, the local tourism industry could support the great work being done to raise awareness of animal rights. Are you listening, Los Angeles Visitors Bureau?

 My Heroes Have Always Been Animal Advocates

During our talk, I asked Patty who were her heroes. She gave it some thought and came up with a few names of people that she had the greatest respect for. But ultimately, she settled on another answer. She said, “Everyone who helps, rescues, fosters, speaks out for and fights for the animals are my heroes. We are all needed to end this horrific treatment of our fellow earthlings and I am comforted everyday to know that there are animal heroes everywhere in the world now. They all are my heroes!” Spoken like a true hero, who having been in the trenches herself, knows how hard it is to keep doing this often heart wrenching work, every day in any way, for animals, without losing hope. So for all of you animal advocates out there–animal rescuers and fosterers, nonprofit leaders and grunt workers, animal lobbyists, and anyone else who has put animal welfare at the top of their agenda, often at great personal costs, your work is recognized, appreciated, and admired!

Puppy Mill Raid with Animal Rescue Corps

 Patty’s Top Five Ways to Help Animals

No interview with this dynamic spokesperson for animal rights would be complete without getting her input on how we can all make a difference for animals starting right now. Patty’s top five ways to help animals are:

1. Go Vegan. Period. Bottom line. If you can’t go vegan, start with vegetarianism but with the ultimate goal of becoming vegan. Vegan also means no leather or suede, no silk and no fur! It’s easier than you think and means the world to the animals who suffer for all these products.
2. Shop Aware. Make a conscious decision to not buy products that are tested on animals or impact animal habitats, such as products containing palm oil.
3. Adopt, Don’t Shop or Breed Your Pets. With over 5 million healthy, adoptable dogs being euthanized every year in the U.S. alone, give a rescue dog or cat a chance at a new life and adopt.
4. Never Support Entertainment that Uses, Therefore, Abuses Animals. We all grew up going to circuses, zoos, and amusement parks where animals were part of the show. But behind the scenes, these animals often endure lives of abject misery and suffering. Just say NO!
5. Be a Political Animal. Here’s your chance to speak up to let our government officials know that there are voters out there that care about animals. Write letters. Lobby. Vote Humane.

To hear more from Patty, please check out her awesome blog, Patty’s Perch, where she shares her insights on animal welfare and how you, too, can be a powerful advocate for animals! With her work, she’s set an amazing example for all of us. What an honor it is to know her.

 Websites:

Patty Shenker Blog:  www.pattyshenker.com

Animal Advocacy Museum:  www.animaladvocacymuseum.com/

The post Speaking To Us Without Words–Art and Animals appeared first on Humane Advisor.

Did you know Orang Utan means “person of the forest” in the Malay language? What a perfect description for these primates who share 97% of their DNA with us and who like us, love their children and can live to be 60 years and older. And did you know that orangutans once lived throughout the entire area of Southeast Asia but are now found only on two islands–Borneo and Sumatra? No? Me either.

Before sitting down to talk to Dr. Gary Shapiro aka “Red Ape Man” and the founder of Orang Utan Republik (OURF), a nonprofit organization dedicated to “saving a species through education initiatives and innovative collaboration projects,” I thought that orangutans were just large, red apes who lived in the rainforest. (And another fun fact that sharp-eyed Dr. S pointed out–Ms. Humane Advisor rocks the same hair color as the “persons of the forest!”) But after an hour with the entertaining and expressive doctor, I learned that they were gentle and solitary beings, capable of communicating by sign language with humans and complex feelings. Sadly, I also learned that the illegal pet trade for orangutans is growing and that if deforestation continues (they are listed as endangered and critically endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature) in Borneo and Sumatra, within the next ten years, they will be gone from their natural habitats and likely our planet forever. Meaning FOREVER and EVER. In other words, it’s time for all of us to take action!

A PhD and world-renowned expert in orangutans, Shapiro has worked on-the-ground with the red apes since the early 1970s and was the first person to teach an orangutan sign language in their native habitat of Indonesian Borneo. Adopted by one of the female orangutans named Princess, he has dedicated most of his life to learning about the apes and working to protect them by coming up with creative and sustainable ways to help through. After working with another orangutan nonprofit organization for many years, he founded OURF with his beautiful Indonesian wife, Inggriani, to educate local communities and the world about the desperate situation the orangutans face and what we all can do to ensure their survival.

Native Voices Get Heard

Extremely perceptive and tuned into the needs of the Indonesian people, Dr. and Mrs. Shapiro knew right away that to be successful, any initiatives to help orangutans would also have to help local communities. So they established a very successful scholarship program to create advocates for orangutan conservation within Indonesia and Southeast Asia. The Orangutan Caring Scholarship program provides scholarships to deserving Indonesian students who are working to complete their studies in the fields of Forestry, Biology and Veterinary Science. As part of the program, scholarship recipients also learn how to advocate for orangutans. Upon graduation, these students enter the Indonesian workforce where their training and advocacy brings orangutan conservation into government policy development, corporate boardrooms, and community affairs. With an eye to balancing the need for economic growth against destruction of critical orangutan habitat, the program teaches the community that conservation efforts can go hand-in-hand with making a living.

Other OURF programs include community outreach with local partner CPOI (Orangutan Caring Clubs of Indonesia) to provide formal and informal education about conservation at schools, government offices, and the community-at-large; the LP Jenkins Fellowship Program which supports graduate and undergraduate students planning to conduct field research on orangutans, related rainforest or conservation education in Indonesia; and the Adopt-a-Tree Program where donors can support the planting and care for trees planted in a reforestation park area near threatened orangutan habitat or in urban areas of Sumatra to encourage school children to learn about orangutans. You can support any or all of these programs by making a donation safely and securely by clicking here.

Ready for that Life-Changing Orangutan Adventure?

But the program that brought OURF and Dr. Shapiro to your Humane Advisor’s attention is the upcoming Orangutan & River Jungle Tour Borneo, July 4-11, 2013. Personally led by Dr. Shapiro, this trip screams a ONCE IN A LIFETIME experience to my readers who love animals, exotic travels, and adventure. Starting off in Bali, you head to the jungles of Borneo (likely clad in sturdy REI khakis with your Canon Rebel and eco-friendly SPF 50 on each hip) to cruise through the rainforest in native klotok boats visiting places with cool names like Camp Leakey (an orangutan research facility), Crocodile Lake, and Rimba Lodge. Along with listening to Dr. Shapiro’s anecdotes (ask him about when he was interviewed on Italian TV about how an orangutan was the “other woman!”) and scientific narratives, the soundtrack for your journey will be jungle birds, gibbons, long-tailed macaques, and proboscis monkeys. Music to our animal-loving ears!

This trip is not your average cruising experience, to say the least. Things will be a little different than the jungle ride at your local amusement park with weather and travel conditions sometimes unpredictable. Dr. Shapiro suggests that interested travelers “bring a spirit of adventure and inquiry, a healthy sense of humor and a willingness to encounter the unexpected and you will find your trip to Indonesia the adventure of a lifetime!”

The trip is nearly booked but there is still room so BOOK NOW to save your spot in the klotok boat! Check your calendar, call your spouse/traveling partner and click here to make your reservations.

The TOP FIVE WAYS Tourists Can Help Orangutans from the Comfort of Our Armchairs

During our time together, it was clear that Dr. Shapiro, as a scientist, views all of nature—including us upright walking two-leggers—as part of an intricate system of interdependency. In other words, what we are eating and drinking in our corner of the globe is impacting some person or species in another part of the world. As a matter of fact, the number one reason that orangutan habitats and therefore, orangutan populations are being decimated is our increased demand for palm oil, an ingredient found in nearly 50% of most of the products we consume on a regular basis. YIKES! Click here for more info on why orangutans are facing extinction on OURF’s website.

Knowing that my readers like to take action for animals, I asked Dr. Shapiro to give me just 5 things that I could share with my readers that would make a difference for these amazing apes.

The Red Ape Man sez:

1.  Vote with your wallet by shopping responsibly

Check the ingredients on foods for palm oil. Avoid buying and look for alternatives WITHOUT palm oil. Click here to find out more about palm oil:

2.  Raise awareness

I’d like to think that I’m pretty knowledgeable about animal issues but meeting Dr. Shapiro really opened my eyes to the challenges orangutans are facing. So spread the word by sharing this blog post and connecting to OURF on FB, Twitter, and YouTube. Also, if you’re in LA, swing over to the Comic Relief for the Red Apes April 2013 event:

3.  Support OURF Campaigns

Let your Orangutan flag fly! Click here to download a high resolution image and make your own flag or buy one from Café Press. Take a photo with the flag and submit it to OURF to be included on their Facebook page, Fly OUR Flag!

4.  Put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard and use your voice for the voiceless

They can use sign language but orangutans have no way to talk to decision makers except for us. So politely let government officials know that you and the rest of the world cares about the big, red apes. OURF has assembled a list of contacts so you can spend a morning asking for their support along with thanking them for listening. And sign the OURF petition to stop the Illegal Orangutan Trade by clicking here. Oh and mark your calendars for Orangutan Caring Week, November 10-16, 2013! Check it out!

5.  Go on vacation!!

This is Ms. Humane Advisor’s favorite way to help! Click here to sign up for the July 4-11, 2013 Orangutan & River Jungle Tour Borneo. And one more reminder that It’s filling up fast so book now!

Website links:

Orang Utan Republik:  http://www.orangutanrepublik.org/

More info on Dr. Gary Shapiro:  http://www.orangutanrepublik.org/about-us/about-ourf/ourf-co-founder-gary-shapiro

Orang Utan Republik Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/OrangUtanRepublik

Orang Utan Republik YouTube:  http://www.youtube.com/orangutanrepublik

Orang Utan Republik Twitter:  https://twitter.com/ourf

Orangutan Odysseys: http://www.orangutanodysseys.com/

The post A Champion for the Great Red Apes appeared first on Humane Advisor.

Deep Roots, Deep Commitment

After receiving official charity status this past April of 2012, Lost Dog Foundation founder Lisa Edwards has hit the ground running to help animal rescue groups save dogs in the Yucatan Peninsula and the Riviera Maya in Mexico, regions home to the major tourist destinations of Cancun, Cozumel, and Playa del Carmen. This energetic businesswoman fell in love with these lush tropical paradises in 1991 but was struck by the sad conditions of the local dogs–many sleeping in the middle of the road, emaciated, begging outside of tiendas, or sadly digging through trash for food. At first, she just started bringing much-needed supplies down on her increasingly frequent trips south of the border to support the few people working to help the dogs. While volunteering at a spay and neuter clinic in Playa del Carmen, she met Ricardo Pimentel, an independent animal rescuer in Cancun. She was deeply inspired by his single-minded mission to save the street dogs of Cancun and Mexico and made a commitment then and there to help him. Soon afterwards, Lisa began working to help Ricardo establish and build a sanctuary for Mexican street dogs, Tierra de Animales (TdA). She continues to be very hands on in developing and promoting TdA and finding not only the resources to expand their operations in order to save more dogs but to also find new homes for these deserving dogs. Now through her Lost Dog Foundation (LDF), a U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Lisa can reach even more donors and offer tax advantages for donations, a big plus for building support for her work.

Welcome to Tierra de Animales!

Just Do It!

First and foremost, LDF focuses on finding funding to assist in rescue, rehabilitation, sterilization, and adoption of local street dogs at TdA and other local rescue organizations. But always a big picture thinker, Lisa also plans to secure the money to sponsor mobile and temporary spay and neuter clinics that can reach people who have no veterinary care available, no means to transport their animals to areas where there are vet services, and no access to sterilization for them, particularly in the small Mayan villages that lay just outside major tourist areas. “One of my dreams is to organize a “Vet Bus” which travels around to remote jungle communities to perform sterilizations and offer basic vet care.” Lisa says. And with plans to relocate to the Riviera Maya towns of Playa del Carmen or Tulum area in her future, she will also be working to improve the local Playa del Carmen “perrera” (pound) so that the general public has better access to it and the dogs receive regular care and attention. Currently the dogs that are brought in to this facility have little hope for adoption and facility conditions are challenging. “Making the perrera more accessible is a win-win solution for the dogs and for the local government,” Lisa said.

Lisa at Tda

She further envisions a campaign in this heavily-visited vacation destination that exposes tourists to the plight of local animals and tells them how they can get involved, or just donate to help. “Increasing awareness is the key to many problems,” Lisa says. “There are millions of tourists each year passing through, shopping and enjoying the area, but the reality is that behind the façade of fancy resorts, there is rampant poverty among the local people and horrendous conditions for animals.” Lisa believes that many of these visitors would choose to help a little if they were just made aware of the conditions of animals only a few blocks from their resorts and hotel rooms. In fact, in her work as a part of Tierra de Animales, she frequently receives emails from vacationers wanting to help a dog they have seen. Just recently, she and TdA assisted tourists to bring a street dog home to the U.S. that they had befriended in the small town of Puerto Morelos.

Room in Her Heart for All the Dogs in the World

Along with her nonstop work to help Mexican street dogs, Lisa also owns a busy and popular restaurant in the U.S., and is the proud mother of five rescue dogs, three from Mexico. Ms. Humane Advisor checked in with her about what she says to people who ask her why she doesn’t focus her advocacy efforts locally in the U.S. “I hear this comment, and I do understand why people would say it as there are certainly terrible problems everywhere and never enough homes. But when you travel to other countries and see the massive problems with homeless animal overpopulation–neglect, lack of resources and lack of animal welfare education–it really puts things into perspective. To generalize, you just do not see the severity of animal suffering in the US, Canada, etc., that you do in Mexico and certainly in many other developing countries as well. You have to view everything on a ‘scale’ and on my scale, the problems are much worse and my help is needed more in Mexico than in the U.S. The same argument could be made to people who support charities for children in Africa, or similar causes. But each cause strikes a chord within us, everyone has their own interests, and it takes a lot of people taking on different causes to truly help in the world. That being said, I am a supporter of local animal groups in the area where I live in the U.S. and support various animal causes through my business there.”

Well said, Lisa! The need is so great all over the world including our own backyards that there can never be enough people working to help animals and communities at any location that touches their heart.

Saving Countless Lives Every Day with Your Help–One Dog at a Time

Lisa admits that in her work to help Mexican dogs she’s seen a lot of tragedy and often had her heart broken; she’s rescued dogs lying in the street only to see them die soon thereafter because it was too late to help them. [See Ms. Humane Advisor's story of Alux, a rescued TdA dog] However, she maintains her faith and purpose because she’s also seen that it’s possible to turn around a life with just a little help. “First off, people don’t realize that they can help and that secondly, even the smallest gesture can mean a better life for these dogs. Every donation COUNTS! Even if the donation amounts are small, it is the steady donors that make all of the difference. And especially in Mexico where your donation dollars go even further and can truly save lives every day. Or if you can’t donate but want to help, if you are on Facebook a great way to help is to simply share posts and photographs. Sharing and promoting our work goes a long way to exposing animal welfare issues to friends and friends of friends,” Lisa says. “For me and for many of our supporters, at the end of the day, it’s all about knowing that you have done right by an animal in need and given them a second chance. Every day my own dogs inspire me– three are from Cancun–and I always look at them enjoying their nice lives and I know they are telling me to help other dogs like them in need. Might be corny but that’s what I believe.”

Keep believing, Lisa, because your work helping the dogs of Mexico is inspiring, powerful, and courageous. Ms. Humane Advisor salutes you!

 Easy Ways You Can Help Lisa Save the Dogs of Mexico

• Support Lost Dog Foundation by ordering a stylish fashion accessory for your cat or dog! Click here to order.

•  Consider making a one-time or recurring donation at: http://www.tierradeanimales.org/

• “Like” Lost Dog Foundation and Tierra de Animales on Facebook and share their photos and posts:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lost-Dog-Foundation/438731826142307

https://www.facebook.com/tierradeanimales?fref=ts

• Share this post with your friends!

The post Lost Dogs No More–Hope for Stray Dogs in Mexico appeared first on Humane Advisor.

Bobbie Theodore–CEO and Philanthropist

A Tourist Who Cares

It was her dream—a honeymoon vacation in the gorgeous South Pacific. But then Bobbie Theodore came face-to-face with a scrawny, sickly looking dog that nobody in Tahiti seemed to care about. Except for her. Bobbie spent the better part of a whole day of her honeymoon trying to find veterinarian care for the suffering dog but the stray animal problem on the island paradise was so pervasive and common that her pleas for help fell on deaf ears. It tinged her memories of this special trip with sadness.

For Bobbie, the plight of this dog weighed heavily on her then and continues to trouble her still. Particularly after having many more similar experiences with stray animals all over the world, in the Ukraine, Mexico, cruise ports, and other international destinations that she’s traveled to. Now she’s determined to help strays by lending her time, talents, and resources to empower tourists like herself who care about animals and also enlist travel corporation support to fund solutions.

Bobbie Theodore and her family

Mobilizing the Mobile Masses

Smart phones are in every pocket or hand bag these days. Through Facebook, we know exactly what our global friends or colleagues are having for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. We are connected beyond what anyone could have imagined even ten years ago.

Bobbie thinks reaching the millions of tourists who care is the answer to helping animals at tourist destinations. “[Tourists] need to be mobilized to speak up, to show that animal welfare affects their travel decisions and experiences. I think so many tourists, me included, accept that poor conditions are part of the culture of a country. While they get sad about that, they don’t feel empowered to help or don’t know how they can make an impact on such an overwhelming problem. They need education about making humane choices with their travel dollars – and companies need to know that they will.”

[Psst…Animal loving tourists can click here for the Humane Advisor post on 10 Ways You Can Help a Stray Cat or Dog While on Vacation]

Ms. Humane Advisor thinks Bobbie knows what she’s talking about. Building her very successful company, Theodore Business Development, from the ground up, Bobbie knows that consumer demand drives corporate strategies. “[C]onsumers can and should make decisions in line with their passions, and animal lovers certainly do. As I said though, I don’t think that tourists have been offered many options for making humane travel decisions. All hotels now promote how “green” they are, but do any promote how “humane” they are?” Good point, Bobbie. Where are you, humane hotels and resorts? There are millions and millions of us looking for you!

Theodore Family Felines

A Numbers Game That Adds Up to Win-Win

However, Ms. Humane Advisor thinks that maybe these travel businesses just don’t realize how many animal loving tourists there are out there. To give them a little hint, according to the American Pet Products Association (APPA), pet industry spending is expected to increase to nearly 53 billion dollars in 2012!! WOW! That’s a lot of kibble and kitty litter. Yessiree! And it’s pretty darn likely that people who spend all this money on their pets obviously have a wee bit of disposable income for vacations and travel using travel providers that support the humane treatment of animals.

Bobbie’s Juarez Mexi-Beagle “Munch”

 Are You Listening, Richard Branson?

These are precisely the type of numbers that a smart and savvy travel corporation can leverage and gain market share in a highly competitive industry by promoting its support for the humane treatment of animals at the destinations they serve. And with her business acumen and not-so-common sense, Bobbie’s just the person to tell Mr. Branson and any other interested travel corporation why helping animals is a win-win strategy for making their customers happy. She loves animals and isn’t afraid to be their voice.

Bobbie’s beloved “Radar” leading the Theodore Pack.

All My Dogs (Except Jasper) Have Been Rescues

In fact, Bobbie says she has adopted pigs, goats, emus, cats, AND several very special rescue dogs. Wait, did she say emu? Holy Crocodile Dundee! But the first love of her life was Jasper the Basset Hound who she (blush) admits she bought from a breeder as her college graduation gift to herself.

Dogs must know she has a weakness for the hairy, four-legged type because one strange dog even hopped into her car off a country road. (Don’t you wonder if the emu was riding in the back seat with its head out of the sun roof at the time?)

Bobbie’s current dogs are from different parts of Mexico, saved through the help of her favorite animal rescue groups. Sick and starving upon arrival in the Theodore household, both are now healthy, content, and thriving in this loving environment.

“Playboy” saved by Tierra de Animales Sanctuary, Cancun, MX, and now a member of the Theodore Pack.

Humane Goals

Galvanized into action by her love for animals and the appalling lack of resources for stray animals at most international tourist destinations, Bobbie plans to become increasingly involved over the next few years with the animal welfare groups that she supports philosophically and financially.

She wants to help these groups provide solutions for animal overpopulation, neglect, and abuse such as large-scale spay and neuter campaigns and humane education. Though she feels that there’s only so much you can do on the humane education front however, when people are in survival mode themselves. Instead, she believes that a logical, economical approach to broad solutions through government and private partnerships can have an impact. For example, one of her favorite animal welfare groups, Compassion Without Borders, has worked with government officials in Mexico to implement much-needed humane euthanasia policies and procedures.

Amazing intentions from an amazing woman. Like she has already done for her rescued dogs, pigs, goats, and that gosh darn emu, you can bet that with Bobbie’s committed, caring heart, and keen business sense, she will make an even bigger difference for countless animals through her efforts. We can’t wait to check in with her again soon for a progress report.

“Playboy” lives up to his name and gives us his best Latin Lover soulful eyes!

Links to Bobbie’s Favorite Animal Rescue Groups

(Please “like” them on Facebook to show your support for their good work!)

CANDi International

www.candiinternational.org

www.facebook.com/CANDiSavesLives

Compassion Without Borders

www.cwob.org

www.facebook.com/compassion.borders

Island Dog Inc.

www.islanddog.org

www.facebook.com/IslandDogInc

Lost Dog Foundation

www.lostdogfoundation.org

Tierra de Animales

www.tierradeanimales.org

www.facebook.com/tierradeanimales

The post Tourists Who Care About Animals Want Humane Travel Options appeared first on Humane Advisor.

There are over 600 million stray dogs in the world and billions of stray cats. Odds are good that you will run into one of them while on vacation. So it’s lucky for us animal loving tourists that international animal welfare organization, CANDi-Cats and Dogs International (www.candiinternational.org) has put together a top ten list of ways in which we can help a stray cat or dog we may encounter during our vacations and holidays.

Please share this post with other animal loving tourists. You just might save them from having their hearts broken and vacation memories ruined!

A street dog in Cancun, Mexico

Kitten pulled out of the garbage in Cancun, Mexico, by Jaguar’s Cats.

1. Feed and give water to the cat or dog. Be aware that CANDi (and your Humane Advisor!) strongly recommends using caution should you decide to approach any stray animal you may encounter as many have not been vaccinated. Though the majority of these animals are friendly and grateful for your attention, there are some that may have been mistreated and abused and will react negatively.
2. If the animal is friendly and approachable, find a local vet and bring the stray cat or dog in to be spayed or neutered.
3. Bring the cat or dog home. It’s easier than you think. Check out CANDi’s tips on how to rescue a stray. http://www.candiinternational.org/get-involved/adopt-a-pet
4. Buy a large bag of cat or dog food and keep it in your rental car trunk to feed strays you may come across. Or pack a smaller plastic bag of food and bottle of water to carry in your backpack while you tour.
5. Support CANDi’s sterilization programs by sponsoring the spay/neuter surgery for a cat or dog. It only costs $20 CAD/USD to spay one animal. One unsterilized female dog and her offspring can produce 67,000 puppies in just six years. One unsterilized female cat and her offspring can produce as many as 425,000 kittens in seven years. Sterilization is the key to controlling the stray animal population in these communities. http://www.candiinternational.org/get-involved/ways-to-give
6. Get involved. Volunteer with CANDi at a sterilization clinic or find a local animal rescue group and volunteer for a few hours. (A short list of great organizations and their websites is below.) These grass roots efforts often are the only options for humane animal welfare in these communities.
7. Contact the headquarters of each of your travel providers (airline, tour operator, hotel/resort) and let them know that the humane treatment of animals is important to you. Tourist comments raise awareness and put pressure on travel providers and vacation destinations to make changes.
8. Raise awareness for the plight of strays by posting your vacation story, photos, and/or video to your Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and CANDi’s Facebook (www.facebook.com/CandiSavesLives), Twitter (@CANDiSavesLives) and YouTube channel (www.YouTube.com/CandiSavesLives.)
9. Ask your hotel/resort manager if they have any humane animal welfare programs such as Cat Café (http://www.candiinternational.org/candis-programs/cat-cafe) where cats and dogs around the property are cared for. If not, suggest implementing such programs.
10. Give yourself a pat on the back for caring enough to consider the humane treatment of animals as part of your vacation needs. Remember, you have the power to make a difference in that one cat or dog’s life.

“Please share these tips and help save dogs like me and my puppies!! ” Corales

Links to Resort Destination Area Rescue Groups

(Please add your organization in the comments if it’s not listed here!)

The post 10 Ways You Can Help a Stray Cat or Dog While on Vacation (Tips from CANDi International) appeared first on Humane Advisor.

Recently, CANDi announced that it will be conducting its 8^th clinic from November 5-9, 2012, with the help of its wonderful local animal rescue partners and travel industry sponsors. Reading the event announcement prompted memories of my first experience as a volunteer at one of these events so I thought what the heck, it’s a Friday, I’ll take a stroll down memory lane.

A Heart Full of Hope and a Suitcase Full of Puppy Pads, Leashes and Collars

On that long plane ride down to my first CANDi clinic in October 2010, I had plenty of time to wonder what the heck I had gotten myself into. Traveling alone to the Yucatan to help sterilize animals was exhilarating yet also a tad bit scary for a middle-aged woman who closes her eyes at the teeniest sign of blood and gore–even in the movies. Gulp. But my commitment to helping the stray dogs in Cancun who had captured my heart a few years earlier made me determined to experience the on-the-ground work this great organization was doing to make a difference.

In preparation, I had filled one suitcase with whatever supplies that I thought might be helpful; puppy pads, bright collars and leashes, plastic rain ponchos, baby wipes, etc. Oh, and of course, my own personal tropical vacation essentials:  a few bottles of wine and corkscrew along with sunscreen.

My second suitcase was full of what I thought was the proper attire for a spay and neuter clinic–sneakers, capri’s, tank tops, and baseball caps. By the end of that week, every piece of clothing, pair of shoes, and head gear I had brought was covered in mud, blood, random animal body fluids and solids, and smelled like unwashed street dogs. It was awesome.

No Time to Enjoy the Luxury

We CANDi volunteers were lucky enough to stay in donated rooms at a lovely hotel in the Cancun Hotel Zone. The pool and beach palapas were calling my name but as it turned out, the only free time I had to catch any sun was on the morning of the day that I flew home. Sigh. Sad but I saved a lot of  dough on umbrella drinks and cervesas.

No Time for the Pool

On the night before the clinic, after a quick CANDi volunteer meeting, I managed to connect to a few other volunteers staying at the hotel including a vet tech and vet from Canada, Brittany and Christy, who turned out to be hardworking professionals AND super fun young ladies. Also, a husband and wife team, Tammy and Tim, who are amazingly dedicated and kind. These folks set the bar pretty high for the other volunteers I would meet.

Dr. Christy, Brittany, Tim, and Tammy–Volunteers Extraordinaire

12 Hour Days and Barking Dogs

On the first day of the clinic we headed out to the neighborhood of Corales, where local groups including Mejora tu Entorno AC and Animalistas Cancun, had arranged for an old school building to be used for the clinic. It had already been cleaned and swept by the time we got there and it didn’t take long for the surgery and recovery areas to be set up. These volunteers knew what they were doing.

We soon had several local vets join us ready to start snipping away. It was a good thing because there were already dozens of people lined up in the hot sun with their pets waiting for our doors to open.

Waiting for the Clinic to Start

The rest of the day was a blur of activity. Due to my extreme squeamishness, I was quickly assigned to walking the stray dogs that were rounded up from the neighborhood to be fixed, for their potty breaks along with other random but very important tasks like holding an icepack to a male dog’s private parts to take down the swelling. Good thing he was so sweet and appreciative.

Ms. Humane Advisor in Action!

Hard Work But Someone Has to Do It!

There was one little stray girl who I immediately fell in love with and she became my constant companion for the next few days. She had been picked up by someone in the road near the clinic and after an examination by fun and dedicated Dr. Christy, she was found to be severely anemic and full of worms and parasites. But this little girl, who we named Harmony, had found her way to the right place because she was quickly given the medications she needed to get her strength back. It was amazing to see her improve before my very eyes over the next few days.

Harmony–The First Day of the Clinic

Harmony Later in the Week

After day one at the clinic, my own dogs (aka feets) were barking up a storm and it was all I could do when we got back to the hotel to take a shower, make it down to dinner, slug back a glass of wine, and crawl between the clean sheets. But as tired as my body was, my head was racing with the images of the day remembering all the stray cats and dogs that were brought in by local rescue groups like Rescate Malix, Tierra de Animales, Animalistas Cancun, Coco’s Cat Rescue, and Jaguar’s Cats. They were in such bad shape—skinny, loaded with fleas, ears crammed full of hideous little brown ticks, horrible venereal diseases and tumors, and suffering from terrible skin conditions like mange. Of the hundreds of animal diseases or parasites that exist in this world, it seemed that every cat or dog that walked in or was carried through our clinic doors was suffering from one or more of these conditions. Somehow we fixed ‘em so they couldn’t have any more unwanted kittens or puppies, cleaned ‘em up, and found homes for most of the ones that needed them.

Starving Puppies with Tummies Full of Worms and Parasites

Cancun Street Dog with Mange and Eye Infection

So as satisfying as the hard work had been, my heart was even more broken by the reality and extent of the suffering. I sobbed myself to sleep that night. A pattern that continued each and every night during the rest of that week.

Every Animal Matters

We were sterilizing between 125-150 animals each day that week. The vets worked nonstop, sometimes on their feet for over 12 hours, only taking breaks at mealtimes or to use the bathroom. Cat after cat and dog after dog came across their tables and every one of these animals was treated with kindness and care.

Vets Hard at Work

Saving Lives

There was one incident during my first clinic experience that I will never forget and it happened when I was assigned to watch the breathing and vitals on a female dog, Little Red Dog I called her, whose surgery had been a little more complicated because she had a tumor in her uterus. It was nerve-wracking for me because of my squeamish tendencies and it soon became even more stressful when she started bleeding heavily from her incision, soaking the bandage with her blood. Dr. Christy wrapped the bandage tighter and told me to keep watching her and keeping her warm.

Ms. Humane Advisor and Little Red Dog

Over the next hour or so, Little Red Dog began to wake up from the anesthesia and she was obviously in pain. Soon she started to vomit and the vomit was black. This was no good (internal bleeding or something bad) and meant she might not recover. In the short time that I had spent with Little Red Dog, I had became attached to her so I was crushed by her prognosis and asked what we could do for her. Laura Raikes, the smart and beautiful founder of Coco’s Cat Rescue in Playa del Carmen and my hero that day, took one look at my face (crunched up and about to cry) and came up with the idea of doing a blood transfusion. She went on to make it happen and sat there administering the blood transfusion to this dog for over 2 hours with the help of Dr. Christy and the other vets. During all of this drama, Little Red Dog’s owner stayed with his beloved pet until she was okay enough to go home with him.

The Little Red Dog and Her Dad

The next day he stopped at the clinic to bring back the kennel he used to transport Little Red Dog home and let us know that she was doing fine. Don’t tell anyone but I ran outside of the building and cried.

But it’s moments like these that made it all worthwhile. The mess, the pain, the personalities, the self-doubts, and all the other crap that comes along with doing important and meaningful work. Saving each and every animal is worth it.

Cancun Puppies with Mange

Your Turn to Tell Your Own Stories

There are so many more stories that I could share (and probably will someday) about my first CANDi spay and neuter clinic and the incredible people and animals I met. But I’m ending here because I want to encourage you all to go and have your own experiences so you can tell your own stories. There are volunteer opportunities everywhere to match your passion–whatever it is.

Even though getting out of your comfort zone isn’t easy, it makes you and the world a better place. I cried a lot of tears, my heart was broken over and over, and I swore I wouldn’t do it again, but guess what? I went to the CANDi clinic again last year and I’m going again this year. Seeing the suffering of these animals and the commitment of the local and international volunteers who work to save them reminds me of what how desperate the need is. Especially when I’m writing proposals to travel corporations explaining why they should help CANDi continue these clinics. So participating in the clinics helps me say what needs to be said with truth, integrity, and personal knowledge.

So go have an adventure or two. You might even find a new calling or reinvent yourself while you’re doing it. One thing is certain. Your universe will never be the same.

Thanks for reading!

Ms. Humane Advisor

P.S. Please share your comments to encourage others to volunteer if you have had a similar adventure(s) that changed your life and touched your heart!

P.P.S. And support the CANDi November 2012 Sterilization Clinic with a donation in any amount. Just $20 will pay for the spay or neuter of one stray cat or dog and help us end the suffering. Here’s where to donate:  http://www.candiinternational.org/get-involved/ways-to-give

Cancun Skies

The post My Universe Will Never Be the Same–My First Volunteer Experience at a CANDi Spay and Neuter Clinic in Cancun appeared first on Humane Advisor.

Such an elegant way to tell us that by joining together we can become a force to be reckoned with and such a great way to describe what the subject of this week’s article, the Association of Canadian Travel Agents (ACTA), does as an organization. This membership-based nonprofit association represents a dedicated group of travel professionals, the retail travel agencies and suppliers such as tour operators, travel wholesalers, airlines, hotels, destination marketing organizations, cruise and rail lines, and automobile rental companies who work hard to make all of our vacation experiences happy, safe, and memorable. By working together, ACTA members ensure that their voice is heard in Canada and internationally and learn how to make their businesses stronger.

ACTA President and COO David McCaig

It was my pleasure to recently speak to David McCaig, the President and COO of ACTA, and learn more about his role in leading this exciting and progressive organization. McCaig, an extremely knowledgeable and well-rounded travel executive, began working with ACTA in 2001 and it was quickly apparent from talking to him that he loves what he does. When asked what the favorite part of his job was, he immediately said that he enjoyed being a strong advocate for the interests of the members of ACTA. Confident, articulate and informed, he is definitely up to the task of representing ACTA in international business, government, and educational communities.

David McCaig, ACTA President and COO

Curious about the role of travel agents in this digital age of online travel bookings, I asked him what he sees for the future of retail travel businesses. McCaig responded by saying that “although online booking has a presence, consumers are turning to travel agents more and more because of the security they offer. When on a trip, if anything were to go wrong, an agent will be able to help the consumer out with re-booking the trip or finding alternative arrangements. For example, during Katrina, people who had booked with travel agents were able to return home faster than those who had booked on their own. An agent is looking out for the consumer’s best interests, whereas you’re completely on your own when you book on your own.”

Truer words were never spoken. We have all had an instance where we needed more help than an automated airline or online-only travel provider help desk could ever provide.

ACTA’s Board of Directors representing their members recently in Peru. Back row from left to right: Douglas Boyd, Marilyn Long CTM, Steve Gillick CTM, Sharon Kaendo, Robert Turcotte, and Andrew Enns. Front row from left to right: David McCaig, ACTA President and COO, Ellen Tucker CTM, ACTA Board Chair, and Robert Durant, ACTA Board Vice Chair.

Commitment, Professionalism, and a Kind Heart

From our conversation, I learned that McCaig is a true professional who is deeply committed to the members of his organization but there was also another side to him. He’s a friendly, down-to-earth kind of guy who shared with me he grew up on a farm and cares about animals. All my regular readers know that’s just what to say to make me sit up and take notice.

Even better, it turns out that under his leadership in 2009, ACTA endorsed international animal welfare group, CANDi-Cats and Dogs International (www.candiinternational.org). CANDi was started by travel business owner, Darci Galati, after she saw stray cats and dogs around her resort while on vacation with her family. Her young children asked her to do something to help the starving animals and since then, Galati’s made it her mission to enlist the help of the travel industry and travelers so sustainable and humane changes could be made to help these suffering animals.

Darci Galati, President and Founder CANDi-Cats and Dogs International

Awareness is Key

With the support of ACTA’s approximately 2,000 members, who employ 14,000 travel professionals and represent the interests of Canadian travelers, CANDi’s programs to help animals at international tourist destinations can gain recognition as viable and humane solutions. McCaig agrees and cites awareness of the need for the humane treatment of animals as one of the biggest opportunities that the organization can provide CANDi. “I think that the real issue is awareness and with CANDi’s help, we should be able to raise it in the travel agency community,” said McCaig. “When an animal lover becomes aware of a situation at a certain animal attraction, they can send any information available to their preferred travel agency and request that the agency use this information when referring clients to attractions. If awareness is raised within the travel agency community, our members will be better able to help counteract the problems associated with animal attractions and change public perception.”

Hope for Real Change

A commitment from an organization like ACTA to help CANDi raise awareness of the plight of animals at tourist destinations can change the world for stray cats and dogs, overburdened working animals, and neglected animals at animal attractions at international tourist destinations, according to CANDi President and Founder Darci Galati. “Tourists have always complained to travel agents about the terrible conditions for animals they encounter during their travels but until CANDi was formed, the travel industry had nowhere to send these complaints, “ Galati said. “Now, through our partnership with ACTA, CANDi can address travel agency customer concerns that are animal welfare-related. We are so grateful to have this opportunity to work together and make a difference.”

Stray puppy undergoing sterilization at CANDi-Cats and Dogs International Sterilization Clinic in Cancun, MX.

ACTA is an excellent example of how powerful the businesses, governments and other organizations that make up the tourism industry can be for their constituents and for the greater good of this planet when they come together. Indeed, they form the bundle of twigs that Chief Tecumseh counsels us cannot be broken.

On that note, I’d like to thank David McCaig for taking time out of his very busy schedule to provide me with a few insights into what ACTA does for its members and also for the larger world community through its support of CANDi and the humane treatment of animals. Additional thanks to Amanda Pratt at ACTA for her help.

All of the animal lovers out there can show their gratitude for ACTA’s support of animals and CANDi by “liking” their Facebook page. Here’s the link:  https://www.facebook.com/ACTACanada

If you are a travel professional in Canada, make sure to check out ACTA’s website (www.acta.ca) to learn how you can get involved with the organization and become part of this exciting community!

The post ACTA–A STRONG VOICE FOR RETAIL TRAVEL PROFESSIONALS AND FOR ANIMALS appeared first on Humane Advisor.

For those of you who have visited India and/or seen the 2008 hit movie, “Slumdog Millionaire,” there is a different but still compelling perception and appeal. This could be due to the fact that India is a growing country filled with opportunities but also facing many challenges. The estimated population for India in July 2012 is 1.2 billion people according to the CIA World Factbook (https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/in.html), second only to China. The geographic size of the country is slightly less than one third of the U.S. Wow. That’s a lot of human beings. As in many large countries, animals and people in India must share limited resources. International animal welfare organization Mayhew International (http://www.mayhewinternational.org/news/India/index.html) estimates the stray dog population in India at 15-20 million dogs. Wow again. That’s a lot of stray dogs.

Recently, a friend shared a story with me about an encounter she had with a stray dog while on vacation in India. It was not an easy story for her to tell and for me to write and I imagine it will be a hard one to read but for healing changes to happen, it must be told.

A Trip to Remember

Married for many years, it was one of Amy and Kurt’s dreams to visit India. They saved their hard earned money and put together a modest travel budget that included tours through the countryside, a visit to a wildlife sanctuary, and one splurge stay at a luxury hotel.

Local Women in India

During their trip, Amy, an avid animal lover, repeatedly noticed many stray dogs that were uncared for in the streets of the villages and towns that she traveled through. In an interesting contrast, she also saw many people walking their obviously beloved dogs (sporting pet clothing such as jackets ala Paris Hilton!) who were showering their pets with affection.

Alternate forms of transportation in India

After several days of traveling through other parts of India, the couple finally arrived at their luxury hotel where they planned to take full advantage of the opulent amenities available to them.

The second night at the hotel, Amy and Kurt were watching a glorious sunset with a few other tourists when Amy noticed a ruckus outside of their hotel.

Indian Sunset

Already videotaping the glorious sunset, Amy swung her camera around to follow three hotel staff members chasing a small dog across a field. Zooming in, to her dismay and disgust, she saw that one of the staff members had caught the animal and was kneeling on the small dog’s neck. Then another staff member picked up the now-limp dog and placed it in what appeared to be a plastic bag and tied it shut, carrying it with him away.

Outraged and not wanting to believe her eyes, Amy screamed down to the staff member asking what was going on and if that was a dog in the bag but she was ignored by the men. The other tourists sharing the sunset view who had also witnessed the event became uncomfortable and began to leave. In Amy’s opinion, she thought they did not want to spoil their vacation experience by acknowledging what had just occurred right in front of them.

Amy was dumbfounded and in shock but went off to try and enjoy a nice dinner with her husband. However, that wasn’t going to be the case. During dinner, Amy could not shake the image of this cruel act and she became determined to do something. Fueling her outrage, Amy had also noticed there was a pack of pitifully thin, neglected stray dogs outside the restaurant so she and Kurt saved the Indian bread, “naan,” served with their meal and fed it to the dogs when they left.

Back at the hotel, Amy immediately asked to speak to the hotel manager. After a short wait, a hotel manager came out and she quickly explained to him what she saw and informed him that she had captured this incident on her video camera. Asked to wait in her room while another staff member, a loss prevention manager, was contacted, Amy went on the internet and looked up animal rescue shelters in the area then attempted to reach me, Ms. Humane Advisor.

About thirty minutes later, Amy was asked to come down to talk to the hotel loss prevention manager via the telephone in the hotel desk manager’s office. By this time, she had decided on a plan and knew what she was going to do. Immediately, both the hotel desk manager and the loss prevention manager attempted to manipulate her and refused to take responsibility for the hotel staff harming the dog. They informed her that the mother dog had come onto the property through a hole in the wall and that she had given birth to two puppies. They stated that she then became aggressive towards guests. Protecting her puppies, no doubt.

Growing more upset by the minute, Amy finally demanded that she be allowed to express herself with no further interruptions by the two hotel managers. Inside, she was extremely distressed and knew she had to settle down to get her thoughts out. She said that she recalled a saying she had heard, “speak your mind even if your voice shakes” so taking a deep breath, she started talking. Though she felt oddly like she was in a movie scene playing a part, she knew she had to be strong and stand up for the little dog she saw hurt and most likely killed. So she made herself calmly explain to the hotel managers that she had videotaped the horrifying incident and that she had many connections in the animal rights community in the United States. Continuing on, Amy expressed her deep disappointment with how the situation was handled, regardless of why the dog was there or why the hotel wanted it removed. Bravely, she stated that she expected a donation to be made to a local animal rescue organization and demanded that a formal policy on how to deal with strays on hotel properties be implemented throughout this entire major international hotel chain. At that point, the hotel managers must have known she meant business because they told Amy they would discuss her request and meet with her the next day.

Many feelings surfaced for Amy after this stressful encounter. She felt badly that she was taking time away from her husband and their dream vacation together. She was also scared mostly because she was in a foreign country negotiating with hotel managers who had obvious disdain for dealing with a female. Yet, she also felt excited to have an opportunity to help even just one innocent and lonely dog in this faraway place.

The next morning Amy and her husband sat down with the hotel loss prevention manager. He apologized for the manner in which the dog was handled. Although he would never admit that the dog had been killed, he stated that a local animal rescue group had been contacted and that he had begun writing a new policy regarding stray animals that morning for the hotel chain. For these concessions, Amy agreed not to release her videotape of the incident or name the hotel chain. She went one step further and took this opportunity to explain to the hotel loss prevention manager that by creating animal-friendly policies, the hotel chain could market themselves as being sensitive to the plights of stray animals.

Later during their trip, Amy received a call from this hotel loss prevention manager informing her that a meeting had been held with the animal rescue group and a donation had been made by the hotel. This was confirmed upon her return home, when Amy received emails of the receipt for the donation from hotel to the animal rescue group and a copy of the new hotel policy regarding stray animals. Although she could not save this small dog that she believed was cruelly killed, Amy felt good that she had stood up for the little dog’s rights and that both of her puppies were saved and humanely removed to the rescue group’s care.

Broken Hearts and Humane Solutions

Such a heartbreaking story for Ms. Humane Advisor to have to tell. An innocent little mommy dog cruelly killed because she was trying to find a safe place for her puppies and protect them from men like the hotel staff. I don’t know about you but I’ve been wiping away more than a few tears. But there is hope for this little mommy dog’s puppies now as a result of the solutions that Amy bravely championed in her negotiations with this hotel chain. Amy (one smart cookie!) hit upon the only solutions that make any sense for sustainable change–Implementing new policies to guide businesses in making humane choices and enlisting business support via donations for the animal rescue groups that work to make these changes.

Stray puppies rescued near an international tourist destination.

Imagine if all of us travelers demanded this level of humane treatment for animals from our travel providers? You may remember these statistics from last week’s post but here they are again:  9.1% of our global GDP comes from travel and international tourist arrivals will reach 1.8 billion annually by 2030. Just think of what these numbers could mean for animals.

CANDi Spokesman and Animal Advocate Craig Moritz

Organizations like CANDi-Cats and Dogs International (www.candiinternational.org) understand the power of tourism and are working to leverage this power by creating humane and sustainable solutions for the humane treatment of animals at all international tourist destinations with the support of the travel industry and travelers.

We can all help this initiative by speaking out for the starving and mistreated stray cats and dogs, the overburdened working animals like carriage horses and burros, the neglected and abused captive animals like marine animals and exotic cats who suffer at animal attractions, every time we book a vacation.

Injured working horse being treated

Ask the travel providers you use (Expedia, Bookit.com, Transat, United Airlines, Carnival Cruises, any hotel chain, etc.) if they have policies about the humane treatment of animals at the vacation destinations they sell you a ticket to visit. If not, tell them that it’s important to you and you want to spend your money with a company that shares your concerns about animals. It might take an extra five minutes to call or write an email about this issue but it might mean that one less mommy dog is killed trying to save her puppies. Using our wallets and our voices, WE can help these animals. Okay, that’s my soapbox moment for this post. You all know what to do.

A Role Model for Humane Travelers

Amy’s quick mind, strong will, and kind heart make her a true hero for animals and a role model for humane travelers in Ms. Humane Advisor’s book. She moved past her fear of embarrassment and discomfort to demand change and she didn’t let the fact that she was on vacation in a strange place deter her from doing the right thing. As hard and inconvenient as it was, she didn’t just brush it off and close her eyes to inhumanity. Her voice became the little mommy dog’s voice.

Humane Hero Amy and her husband, Kurt

Thank you, Amy. You inspired the heck out of me. Imagine if we all cared this much? Imagine if we all did a little something every day to help animals? I know in my heart that all of you care enough to help but sometimes you just need a little nudge. That’s what your Ms. Humane Advisor is here for.

Closing (and hopeful) thoughts from one of my favorite philosophers, Dr. Seuss.

“You’re off to Great Places!

Today is your day!

Your mountain is waiting,

So… get on your way!”

― Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You’ll Go!

(Available  from Random House Children’s Books at www.seussville.com)

Ms. Humane Advisor and her BFF Darci Galati

The post Humane Hero – An Animal Lover on Vacation Speaks Out for One Small Stray Dog and Changes the World for Many appeared first on Humane Advisor.

 

Giovanna Constantini - FAADA

Jennifer Berengueras - FAADA PR

FAADA Saves Tortugas!

FAADA’s For the Protection of Dolphins Campaign
http://faada.org/causas-16-delfinarios

Jennifer, I have to say that I think your small accomplishments are looking quite extraordinary in Ms. Humane Advisor’s opinion!

I asked Jennifer if there was one story of an animal that especially touched her and though she was quick to say that every animal FAADA has helped holds a special place in her heart; she did share a story about two elderly circus tigers that were rescued. When the tigers were taken to a spacious sanctuary to live the rest of their lives in freedom and with dignity, Jennifer recalled seeing one of the tiger’s first reactions. “I will never forget Nepal’s reaction when he literally bumped into a flower (the first one, sadly, he’d seen in the 14 years of his life), the way he looked at it, touched it and started playing with it. Moments like this make all our efforts worth it!”

FAADA’s InfoCircos Campaign
http://www.infocircos.org

Amen to that, Jennifer! Thank you for sharing Nepal’s story. Hearing about these moments keep me motivated too.

FAADA’s Anti-Fur Campaign
http://faada.org/causas-2-peleteria

FAADA’s 100% Animal Friendly Vacation!
http://www.taranna.com/viaje-a-costa-rica-grupo-verano-responsable-especial-faada-para-la-proteccion-animal

These are the kinds of creative solutions for animal welfare that make Ms. Humane Advisor very, very happy.

Thank you, Jennifer, for telling us about FAADA and your work. It was an honor to have had this opportunity to hear about just a few of FAADA’s innovative and successful campaigns. I hope my readers enjoyed it as much as I did.

P.S:

The post OLÉ OLÉ TO A SPANISH ANIMAL WELFARE ORGANIZATION THAT SAYS NO MORE BULL (FIGHTING)! AND SÍ SÍ TO HELPING ANIMALS THROUGH TOURISM! appeared first on Humane Advisor.

As a kid, I spent a lot of time with my maternal grandparents. They were simple, hard-working folks who lived through many challenging life experiences. I learned a lot from them about my place in the world and how to live life with integrity. One of the strongest lessons that they ever taught me was that it was my responsibility to leave a place better than I found it. This meant any place—a park where you threw your own trash away along with someone else’s forgotten litter or a workplace where you treated your coworkers with respect.

Many times people ask me why do you have to go to Mexico to help animals when there are plenty of cats and dogs to rescue in Los Angeles? Well, one reason that I tell them is that when I had my first encounter with a starving dog near Cancun, it became my responsibility to leave this place better than I found it.

Nova, the Mexican stray that changed my life.

But there are other reasons too. Especially when I began to learn more and more shocking truths about how stray cats and dogs are treated in Mexico. Did you know that in order to control the stray animal population, cats and dogs are regularly electrocuted, poisoned, and drowned? In fact, there’s a good chance that the luxury resort where you vacation poisons the stray animals that venture onto the property.

Stray mother cat in Playa del Carmen. Photo courtesy of Coco's Cat Rescue (www.cocoscatrescue.org).

Or that there are massive animal killings like the one in August 2011 where the mayor of a town in Sonora, MX, paid locals $20 USD for each stray dog that was brought in—dead or alive. $20 USD is a lot of money for these families so it can be assumed that in many cases family pets were sacrificed to get the bounty. Heartbreaking.

The following photo of the event was on Facebook and it has haunted me since the day it was posted. Innocent dogs thrown in a pile like trash. A total of 17,000 dogs were killed in this cull and not one of them deserved to die and especially not by whatever inexpensive and inhumane method that did the trick. I still have nightmares.

Some of the dogs killed in August 2011 cull in Sonora, MX. Photo courtesy of Hablemos Animales (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hablemos-de-Animales/133992159973627)

There was no Humane Society or SPCA or PETA like we have in the U.S. and Canada to save them. There were no animal protection laws or if there were, they weren’t enforced. And even more sadly, for the price of the $20 USD bounty on these dogs, CANDi-Cats and Dogs International (www.candiinternational.org) and its humane partners could have spayed/neutered each dog and provided a permanent solution to stray animal overpopulation. That’s why we (I use “we” to include all the amazing international animal rescue organizations that have the same mission) work to save cats and dogs in Mexico.

Then I learned that one unsterilized female dog and her offspring can produce 67,000 puppies in just six years and one unsterilized female cat and her offspring can produce as many as 425,000 kittens in seven years. Mindboggling!

Puppies on the beach in Cancun.

And did you know that tragically about 80 percent of newborn kittens and puppies born in Mexico die before the age of eight weeks from parasites, disease, starvation, or cruelty?

My Cancun rescue dog, Maya, was brought in from the street with four puppies. Only two survived.

Maya and her puppies in the streets of Cancun. Photo courtesy of Monica Chavarria of Proanimal Cancun (www.dejandohuella.org).

If Maya had not been rescued by Monica Chavarria of Proanimal Cancun (www.dejandohuella.org) and adopted by me, she would have most likely died alone and suffering in the streets of Cancun within a year from disease, starvation, thirst, and abuse.

Maya and her new mom, Ms. Humane Advisor. Photo courtesy of Isaura Turcotte (www.mejoratuentornomexico.org).

That’s why we work to save cats and dogs in Mexico. Keep reading for more reasons.

Good News

Every day the pages of Facebook tell the stories of cats and dogs in Mexico who are rescued and sent to new lives in the U.S. and Canada by wonderful international animal rescue groups such as CANDi (www.candiinternational.org), Pet Project Rescue (www.petprojectrescue.com), WHARF (www.wharfrescue.ca/), and Pawsitive Match Rescue (www.pawsitivematch.org) with the support of corporate sponsors like Air Transat (www.airtransat.com), Nutrience Dog Food (http://www.nutrience.com/), Royal Resorts (www.royalresorts.com), and CEO Mexico (www.ceo-mexico.com/). These organizations do AMAZING work and would love more wonderful corporations and individuals to step forward to help.

Now I’d like to share a couple of these special stories with you. It’s impossible to read these stories (I double dog dare you to try) and not understand why we all work to save the cats and dogs in Mexico. Oh and also why we go to all this trouble to save just one cat or dog.

RINO

Rino is a Cancun street dog who was found suffering from severe and painful mange and other health problems. He was rehabilitated by Monica Chavarria of Pro Animal Cancun (http://www.dejandohuella.org/) and Rino is now heading to Canada in January 2012, for a glorious new life with the help of Air Transat (www.airtransat.com). Look at the difference from when Rino was first found and how beautiful that face is now! Was it worth it to save the life of one dog? What do you think? Dang right it was!

WOW! What a difference TLC makes! Photo courtesy Monica Chavarria of Proanimal Cancun (www.dejandohuella.org).

NACHO

Nacho was rescued by Laura Raikes and the good folks at Coco’s Cat Rescue Playa del Carmen (www.cocoscatrescue.org) after he was run over by a car in the streets of Mexico and suffered a severely broken femur. Can you imagine the pain? After extensive orthopedic surgery, this little guy was sent to Canada so super animal rescuers Tessa and Ashley Lee of WHARF-Whitecourt Homeless Animal Rescue Foundation (www.wharfrescue.ca/) could help find him a home. He’s still looking for a family to love and pamper him. Contact WHARF if he’s the man you want purring on your lap during the rest of the long, cold winter! Also, both Coco’s and WHARF are nonprofit organizations that could use your donations to keep saving kittens like Nacho.

Nacho the Mexican Kitten. Photo courtesy of WHARF (www.wharfrescue.ca/).

LUNA

Luna was one of over 170 street dogs rescued and brought to live at Tierra de Animales, (www.tierradeanimales.org) an animal sanctuary outside of Cancun, MX, by Ricardo Pimentel. Scared and starving, Ricardo found Luna in the city pound and rescued her. Many municipal pounds in Mexico avoid giving food or water to the cats or dogs so they will not have to clean up urine or feces. That means until they are euthanized by electrocution, poisoning, or drowning, the dogs spend their time in cold dirty cells, starving and thirsty. Horrible horrible horrible. Imagine the suffering. But not this time. Lucky Luna was adopted by a wonderful family and flew to Canada on Air Transat (www.airtransat.com) in December 2011. Many thanks to Air Transat again and to the most amazing man in Mexico, Ricardo Pimentel, for saving Luna! Check out an awesome video about the dogs at Tierra de Animales (http://youtu.be/RIYyzUXZg8M) and then maybe adopt a TdA dog (contact Lisa Edwards at helpmexicandogs@hotmail.com) or send a donation to help them out through Paypal at donate@helpmexicandogs.org.

Luna (front right) in the Perrara (pound) before rescue. Photo courtesy of Tierra de Animales (www.tierradeanimales.org).

Luna in Canada with her wonderful new family getting all the love she deserves! Photo courtesy of Tierra de Animales (www.tierradeanimales.org).

Rino, Nacho, and Luna are the lucky ones who were saved because they were rescued in time and there were resources available to take care of them.

Here are two stories of dogs that were not so fortunate. Again, it’s impossible to read these stories (and I triple dare you not to cry) and not understand why we all work to save the cats and dogs in Mexico.

Not So Good News

Cora

Cora was found on the streets of Cancun on January 5, 2012, shivering, too weak to stand or eat, by a local animal rescuer, Patricia Enriqueta Godoy Santini. Patricia had no car to pick up Cora and bring her to safety. Patricia already has 16 dogs and 9 cats from the streets in her home that she has rescued. CANDi President Darci Galati offered to take care of Cora’s vet bills and find her a new home in Canada once she was well enough to travel. A call to action was issued for local animal rescuers and soon Cora was rushed to the vet in Cancun but it was too late and she died in the arms of Cancun animal advocate Evelyne Gerault on January 10, 2012. Thank you to all who tried to save Cora.

Cora, alone and dying in the streets of Cancun. Photo courtesy of Claudia Gonzalez Comacho.

Cora at the vet's office. Photo courtesy of Claudia Gonzalez Camacho.

ANGEL

Found in the streets of Cancun, this tiny (she weighed less than ten pounds) girl was in severe pain from a horrible skin condition and suffering from other debilitating diseases that her weakened little body could not fight. I met Angel in person and she was the sweetest baby ever. You could see the suffering in her eyes but she didn’t make a sound when she was being tended to even though the pain must have been excruciating. RIP little girl. Your suffering is over. Thanks to Angie Santana at Rescate Malix (www.rescatemalix.org) for providing safety, relief from pain, and love during her final days. Please support Angie’s efforts to educate the public about the humane treatment of dogs like Angel through awareness programs aimed at children, young adults, families and the general population.

Angel, a street dog who fought to live.

I’ll give you a minute to wipe your tears and blow your nose before I continue.

Do You Need Any More Reasons Why We (And You Should Too!) Work to Save the Cats and Dogs of Mexico?

Now that you know the horror, the suffering, and the pain that exists, my grandparents (if they were here) would suggest that it is your responsibility to leave a place better than you found it. And yes, I am on my soapbox here!

But Cora and Angel died because we ALL need to work to save the cats and dogs of Mexico. Without our help, thousands and thousands of animals will continue to die. There are no multi-million dollar rescue organizations like the Humane Society, SPCA, Best Friends, or North Shore Animal League coming to the rescue of these cats or dogs. But with your support, CANDi and its sister organizations can make enormous changes to save them.

Further, it is clear that the people of Mexico do not have the resources to support an initiative of this magnitude. An average worker makes $300 a month. But we do. Some of you who are reading this now can do small things to help such as sharing this blog post or connecting to the rescue groups mentioned above on Facebook and donating a few dollars every month. It adds up! You already know that $20 USD will spay/neuter a cat or dog and prevent the birth of THOUSANDS of unwanted kittens or puppies. $5 a week for 4 weeks or even $5 a month over 4 months can make that happen.

Cancun kittens rescued by Alex Rolland of Jaguar's Cats (www.facebook.com/pages/Jaguars-Cats/219170731443458).

And there are some who are reading this blog post that command the resources to support major projects (such as building a permanent sterilization clinic in major cities in Mexico or funding rescue efforts) to help end this suffering through their businesses or personal fortunes. Work with your board to develop that corporate initiative or get your board to work with an organization like CANDi and develop a corporate initiative together. For those who are wondering what to do with their hard-earned nest eggs, what about leaving your legacy where it can save lives and have tremendous impact? The “Cancun Permanent Animal Free Sterilization Clinic” is waiting for your name across the door on a plaque.

Precious, a kitten at Coco's Cat Rescue Playa del Carmen. Photo courtesy of Coco's Cat Rescue Playa del Carmen (www.cocoscatrescue.org).

But whatever your capacity to help is, action is needed now because somewhere right at this very minute as you read this there’s a cat like Nacho lying broken in the street that desperately needs help or a dog like Cora or Angel dying a sad, lonely, and cruel death. Please help.

To find out more about the initiatives needed to save cats and dogs in Mexico contact CANDi President Darci Galati at darci@candiinternational.org or to support CANDi with a donation, go to www.candiinternational.org/get-involved/ways-to-give.

Thanks for reading all the way to the end. It wasn’t an easy read, I know. Now please share this post with your family, friends, network, and on social media sites that you enjoy. The cats and dogs of Mexico will thank you!

Thanks for caring!

The post Leaving a Place Better Than You Found It – Why I Work to Save the Cats and Dogs of Mexico appeared first on Humane Advisor.