ALDF 2009 State Animal Protection Laws Rankings

December 16th, 2009

The Animal Legal Defense Fund announces the release of its fourth annual report ranking the animal protection laws of every state and territory of the U.S.A. based on their relative strength and general comprehensiveness. This report – the only one of its kind – encompasses more than 3,800 pages of statutes, and is based on a detailed comparative analysis of each jurisdiction in which fourteen distinct categories of animal protection laws were researched. The ranking groups each jurisdiction into a top, middle or bottom tier, and includes a listing of the best five and worst five states.

“Many states and territories are continuing to make substantial progress with their animal protection laws. Arkansas, for example, was one of the worst five states last year, but jumped up to 25th overall in the country this year, due to a host of statutory improvements. Washington, D.C. and Indiana, among others, also made significant advances. Unfortunately, there are still many places where the laws are incapable of providing the legal protections that our country’s animals need and deserve,” says Stephan Otto, Animal Legal Defense Fund's director of legislative affairs and author of the report.

“Yet even in those jurisdictions that have today’s best laws, there remain many opportunities for improvement. While animals certainly do not vote, those who love and care about them do, so we encourage lawmakers throughout the country to take heed and commit to working to improve these critical laws.”

Please contact your elected officials and encourage them to support improvements to the laws that protect animals. For additional information, see our Model Animal Protection Laws collection and Animal Protection Laws of the USA & Canada compendium.

Learn much more on ALDF website at http://aldf.org/article.php?id=1142

New Orleans Mandatory Dog Spay-Neuter Scrapped

Ordinance for mandatory spay-neuter surgery was withdrawn the day before vote.


New Orleans City Council member Cynthia Hedge-Morrell withdrew her mandatory spay-neuter and breeding restrictions proposal Nov. 4, a day before it was to be voted on by the full council.

Hedge-Morrell introduced the ordinance in September stating that the aim was to encourage pet owners to be responsible as well as help fund animal control operations.

The ordinance had been amended since the introduction to allow dog owners to have the choice of whether to keep their dog intact by paying an initial $30 permit application fee plus a $20 annual permit fee.

However, since the proposed fee must first be advertised to the public before the council can vote on it, the ordinance was withdrawn from the agenda, according to Joshua Barnett, director of communications, Office of Councilmember Cynthia Hedge-Morrell.

“We are going to use this time as an opportunity to get more info and input from breeders and veterinarians [to make this the best ordinance it can be],” Barnett said.

The ordinance, if enacted as written, would:

Require all dogs 6 months of age or older to be spayed or neutered. Owners who wish to keep their pets intact would need to purchase a breeder permit. A few exceptions are noted. For example, the dog is used by a government or law enforcement agency or an agent thereof for government, rescue, law enforcement or other government purposes.

Limit female dogs from having more than one litter per year, or having a litter if the female is younger than 18 months.

Permit the Louisiana SPCA, which will be responsible for enforcing the ordinance, to determine whether or not an applicant for a breeder license has “space determined to be suitable … in which to breed dogs and raise puppies.”

Impose fines for those who are found to be in violation of the ordinance.
A time frame as to when the topic would be revisited couldn’t be determined, according to Barnett.

The American Kennel Club has been strongly opposed to the ordinance and sent out a legislative alert on Nov. 2 urging dog breeders and owners to voice their opinion.

“The American Kennel Club opposes mandatory spay-neuter laws,” the AKC said in its alert. “Instead, we support reasonable and enforceable laws that protect the welfare and health of purebred dogs and do not restrict the rights of breeders and owners who take their responsibilities seriously.

“Additionally, we strongly support and actively promote a wide range of programs to educate the public about responsible breeding practices and the responsibilities of dog ownership.”

The AKC sent out an updated legislative alert on Nov. 5 stating that although the ordinance has been withdrawn, the AKC “continues to urge the City Council to study in-depth any existing animal population and enforcement funding issues that exist in New Orleans, and to work with all interested stakeholder groups in formulating reasonable and enforceable laws that protect public health and safety without harming those breeders and owners who take their responsibilities seriously.”

Read ordinance: http://www.la-spca.org/prevention/Intact_Dog_Ordinance_revised.pdf

Senate Approves Funding for Service Dogs for Veterans

Washington, D.C. – By a vote of 57-35, the Senate on December 15th gave its final approval to the FY2010 Omnibus Appropriations Act, funding a key priority of Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.), which is providing service dogs to veterans with disabilities.

“We can never do too much for the men and women who risk everything to fight for their country,” said Sen. Franken. “I feel a real obligation to them for the courage they show and the sacrifices they make. I’m glad that we’ve been able to take this small step toward improving their lives when they come home.”

The Appropriations Act directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to immediately begin the process of assisting veterans with physical and, for the first time, mental illnesses, including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), who would benefit from having a service dog.

It also provides $2 million in medical services for the program and additional funds for research and VA Inspector General oversight. VA is also directed to expand its partnership with accredited nonprofit service dog organizations where veterans with PTSD help train service dogs.

“With the support of Sen. Tim Johnson (Chairman of the Military Construction/VA appropriations subcommittee), and his House counterpart Rep. Chet Edwards, the final version of the provision directs VA to include veterans with mental disabilities among those eligible to receive a service dog,” said Sen. Franken.

“I am also grateful to Rep. Steve Israel, who carried this effort in the House.” “I applaud Senator Franken for his efforts to expand VA’s service dog program. These dogs have proven to not only expand our veterans’ ability to live more fully, they also seem to have the ability to increase veterans’ morale and quality of life as well. I was happy to include this funding in the FY10 VA Appropriations bill,” said Sen. Tim Johnson (D-S.Dak.), chairman of the Military Construction/Veterans Affairs (VA) Appropriations Subcommittee.

“Our veterans put their lives on the line and too often return home with physical injuries and PTSD. An expanded service dogs program for veterans will bring more of our troops the comfort and rehabilitation they need.

Veterans have told me they benefit greatly from having access to service dogs, so I’m proud to join Senator Franken in increasing the scope of the service dogs for veterans program,” said Rep. Steve Israel (D – N.Y.), a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs who requested increased funding for the program. Visit http://www.animalworldusa.org

The Quality of Mercy

by Bianca Rothschild

Animals have always been part of my life. I love them with a passion. But one special "angel animal" will remain in my heart forever.

I am a lady in my mid-seventies who has an amazing story to tell. It's recorded in my testimony for Steven Spielberg's collection of Holocaust stories. He's recorded testimonies of survivors and liberators and righteous gentiles who, at great risk to themselves, helped people in need during those terrible times.

These stories come from all over the world and bear witness to man's inhumanity to man as well as the capacity for great courage and honor. Another collection of these stories can be found at the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C. which has exhibits, including a boat from Denmark used by Danes to smuggle people to Sweden from Poland and a cattle wagon like the one which transported me with fellow prisoners to Germany.

Born in Poland, I was a teenager when World War II began. My family always had pets. All of us loved them dearly. When the Nazis forced us to leave our home to be put into prison, we entrusted the animals to friends for safekeeping.

By 1945 I was separated from my family and imprisoned in the Ravensbruck, Germany concentration camp. Starving, dressed in only a flimsy uniform, I had to work in the bitter cold. Every day prisoners at the camp congregated in early morning and waited outside to be counted. One day exhaustion and cold overwhelmed me and I fainted. Although my two friends stood in the long row on either side, they couldn't help me.

When the Nazi soldiers saw me lying on the ground, they took one of their large German shepherd dogs off of his leash, removed the dog's muzzle, and commanded him to attack. As the dog ran toward me, the prisoners looked in horror, fully expecting the animal to rip me apart.

But something miraculous happened in that moment.

When the huge dog reached me, he stopped in his tracks. Then he smelled me. To everyone's amazement, the dog, instead of attacking me, licked my face until I revived.

Everyone in the line stood frozen with fear. The soldier who had sent the dog to kill me looked incredibly puzzled. After a minute, I staggered to my feet. Shocked that the dog had allowed me to live, the soldier called the vicious-looking animal back to him.

Those many years ago, an animal befriended me in an insane world of human hatred. I am alive today because a dog disobeyed the command to destroy me and instead showed compassion. Was it fate? Was he an angel? I will never know. But till today I have never forgotten the dog's act of mercy. For the rest of my life I have done whatever I could to save all living creatures.

Visit Allen and Linda's wonderful website, Angel Animal Network, for inspiring stories. Thanks to them for sharing this one! http://www.angelanimals.net/

The Sea Turtles in Costa Rica Are Victims of Global Warming

Sea turtle is the first marine species affected by global warming.

(December 14,2009) Playa Grande, a holiday resort in Costa Rica, has been well-known for its leatherback turtle national park, turtle’s beach and turtle’s museum. That is why Steven Johnson, a Sweden tourist, has very high expectation for this place. He said, “We certainly want to see sea turtle. This is a part of charm of the place.”The disorderly development of cities and increase of temperature and sea level have greatly reduced the number of sea turtle in the Pacific.

In last year, on the beach where there were numberless sea turtles that have made their nests, scientists have observed just 32 leatherback turtles for the whole year. Because leatherback turtle is at the brink of extinction, the sea turtle museum has been abandoned for three years. Now, the museum and around areas have become a sea covered with weeds. And the ticket office for turtle-tour on the beach was washed into the sea in September.

“Because turtle’s amount is too few, we haven’t promoted this place as the destination of turtle-tour anymore”, said the administrator of national park. Even in the decades before scientist found that the temperature was rising slowly, sea turtles were facing many threats like beach construction, fishing nets and people’s capture. But for such creature that have lived in Pacific area for about 150,000,000 years, global warming has become their last straw.

Sea turtles are very sensitive about the side effect caused by climate warming. They look for food on coral reefs which are now dying due to increasingly warm and sour seawater. They cover their eggs with sand on the beach. But the beach was destroyed due to rising sea level and storms.

Besides, the sex of a sea turtle is not determined by gene, but it’s determined by the temperature around the egg when it is hatched. Slight rise in temperature can make all of the hatched turtles become female ones, which is a big problem for the existence of the species.

An expert of World Wildlife Foundation said, “Sea turtle is the first marine species affected by global warming. The speed of climate change is much faster than ever before. But the existence of this species is much dependent on temperature.”
If the temperature of the sand around a turtle’s egg reaches 30 degrees centigrade, its sex balance will lean to female. The expert said, “If the temperature reaches 32 degrees centigrade, the hatched turtles are all female ones. If the temperature is 34 degrees centigrade, all that you can get are boiled turtle’s eggs.”

On the beaches where sea turtle made their nests, scientists can cool these turtle’s eggs only by some artificial ways like setting up tents or watering them. They also tried to make wider beach areas become ones that isn’t for real estate’s development, so that sea turtles can find some places to hatch eggs even after the sea level has risen.

Nowadays, collecting turtle’s egg in Costarica is an illegality, but poaching in some towns is still prevailing. In Playa Junquillal, people have paid more attention to those poaching actions. There, five boys are patrolling on the beach, prevent poachers from stealing turtle’s eggs. These boys’ action has made them become idols of many children. Dr. Francia, who is a biologist, also invited some local families to see the release of sea turtles. He said, “Many people who have eaten turtle’s egg have never seen real sea turtle in their life time.”

Sea turtle is a kind of lovely marine creature. If you want to learn more about sea turtle, you can visit Sea Turtle Protection. On this website, you can learn what measures we can take to save sea turtles. You can even be signed up as a volunteer to protect this endangered animal. The protection area is located in Sanya city, which is China’s southernmost coastal city. If you come here, you can not only see those lovely sea turtle, but also learn Chinese. If we work together, sea turtles will go on surviving on this planet. (Thank you Douglas for this important article. Please visit http://www.articlealley.com/article_1293961_54.html)

Nurse Mare Foals: Thoroughbred Horseracing's Invisible Victims

by Mat Thomas - www.animalrighter.org

For decades, the thoroughbred racehorse industry has practiced a shockingly cruel breeding method that activists have only recently brought to light. The result of this compulsory procreative procedure are nurse mare foals — the unwanted offspring of female horses used as nursing surrogates for thoroughbred ponies. Every year, tens of thousands of these horses are killed or orphaned simply because they are useless to a multi-million dollar enterprise that thrives on equine exploitation.

Here's how it works: in order to get thoroughbred mares to produce as many potential racehorse champions as possible, breeders push their biological limits to extremes by forcing them to reproduce once a year. Maximizing productivity requires breeders to have the mares reimpregnated right after giving birth, which precludes them from nursing their own babies. The newborns are therefore taken away from their mothers within days of delivery, and nursed by surrogate mares (of “inferior” breeds) who have just given birth to their own offspring — the “by-products” of this process are known as nurse mare foals.

Permanently separating thoroughbred babies from their mothers is tragic enough, but nurse mare foals usually face a far worse fate. While some are killed soon after being born or starved to death, others are sold (as young as one day old) to the tanning industry which slaughters them and turns their skin into handbags, belts, and other high-grade leather products. The lucky ones are rescued by horse advocacy groups, which, just like the tanners, must pay the going rate of $250 to $350 apiece — and then spend several hundred more dollars feeding and raising each horse until they are ready for adoption.

Rescuers nourish nurse mare foals by bottle-feeding them milk replacer, which could theoretically be used to feed thoroughbred foals as well, thus eliminating this exceedingly inhumane breeding practice altogether. There are two main reasons that they don't do this: formula is expensive, and horse breeders maintain that thoroughbreds need to drink real (albeit surrogate) mother's milk from the source to achieve peak performance. Plus, the larger nurse mare farms (concentrated in New York, Kentucky and Tennesee) produce 50 to 100 foals a year, and it is more operationally efficient to make the surrogate mothers do all the work rather than paying human caretakers to feed the foals by hand.

Another possible solution to producing unwanted foals is a new domperidone-based drug protocol that induces non-pregnant mares who have given birth before to lactate. Though chemically manipulating horses' hormones poses ethical dilemmas, in practical terms it would prevent tens of thousands of unwanted foals from being born into a life of suffering and untimely death. It could also dramatically reduce the number of surrogate nurse mares by enabling thoroughbreds who are too old for breeding to nurse foals.

There are many ways to help relieve the suffering of nurse mares and their orphaned foals, from urging elected legislators to pass humane laws to financially supporting horse advocacy organizations or adopting a rescued foal. Learn more about how to take action by visiting lastchancecorral.org

Mat Thomas is a contributing columnist for Animal World USA. Visit his website and read more of his wonderful work for animals: The Animal Righter at www.animalrighter.org

Visit Detroit Zoo and Save a Dog or Cat

By Patricia Janeway

(Royal Oak, MI ) The Detroit Zoo in collaboration with more than 20 local shelters and animal welfare organizations, hosted the annual fall Meet Your Best Friend at the Zoo this past fall. The event is the nation’s largest off-site companion animal adoption program.

The weekend's event was held outdoors under tents in the Detroit Zoo’s front parking lot beneath the landmark water tower. There is no charge for admission or parking for adoption event guests; however, regular admission and parking fees as always apply for those visiting the Zoo.

Hundreds of adoptable dogs, cats, puppies and kittens were available for immediate adoption to loving homes both days. A “get-acquainted” area will be available to provide guests an opportunity to spend time with an animal before adopting. Adoption fees and policies are set by each participating group. Adopters must present a valid driver’s license or state ID card. All animals will have received a medical check-up and age-appropriate vaccinations. For health and safety reasons, all current companion animals should be left at home.

Last year, the fall Meet Your Best Friend at the Zoo event found homes for 648 animals. Since the event’s inception in 1993, nearly 14,000 dogs, cats and rabbits have been placed into new homes at the spring and fall events.

The Detroit Zoological Society is a non-profit organization that operates the Detroit Zoo and Belle Isle Nature Zoo. Situated on 125 acres of naturalistic exhibits, the Detroit Zoo is in Royal Oak. Visit www.detroitzoo.org. The Belle Isle Nature Zoo is open year-round and provides educational programming with interpretive staff support from the Huron-Clinton Metroparks. Admission is free. To view Detroit Zoo's web page on Zoo and Aquarium Visitor, go to: http://www.zandavisitor.com/forumtopicdetail-472-Detroit_Zoo

Did You Know? Shelter Animals Go to Research...

Most people think that shelter animals who aren’t adopted are euthanized. News is this may not always be true.

There are 5 (five) U.S. states that require shelters to send un-adopted animals to research facilities. So if those homeless kitties or doggies aren’t adopted in Minnesota, Utah and Oklahoma they’re sent to research facilities where they’re often subjected to all sorts of research tests. In Iowa and Ohio, un-adopted animals are shipped off for research only if a research facility makes a request.

Thirty other states are also guilty of either permitting shelters to surrender animals for research under certain circumstances, or have no laws concerning the matter, meaning shelters can make the decision on their own.

Aside from the lab work itself, money is the driving force. Utah has an "experimental animals code" that permits shelters to charge researchers a minimum of:
$15 per cat
$20 per dog

Sadly, many shelter animals are killed, whether they wind up in research facilities or not, but don’t these unconditionally loving animals deserve to die without prolonged suffering?

Fifteen states prohibit animal shelters from providing animals for research. They include: California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont and West Virginia.

What can you do? Help change the laws. Contact legislators and representatives.
-Take care of your pets, ID them and keep them safely out of shelters!
-Always keep your dog on a leash when it is out on the street.
-Your cat may end up at a shleter if you let him/her out.
-Microchip your pets. If they become lost and wind up at a shelter, staff there can then easily ID them.
-Spay and neuter all pets.
-Volunteer at your local shelter or with an animal rescue group.
Start a letter-writing campaign to stop the abuse of animals used for testing.

1st Mississippi Week for the Animals Coming November 7-15, 2009!

(Jackson, MS) Animal World USA is pleased to announce 1st Mississippi Week for the Animals is coming. The special week is designed to highlight the importance that animals play in our lives and bring communities together on behalf of the animals throughout the great state of Mississippi. This statewide event will celebrate and build awareness on behalf of all animals, as well as recognize the schools, libraries, businesses, organizations and citizens who support them. The Week for the Animals is bringing together educators, advocates, animal shelters, rescue organizations, sanctuaries, businesses, students, musicians, artists, community leaders and caring citizens in an exciting week of community-building activities.

The fun-filled week will feature awesome pet adoption festivals and events, pet therapy in hospitals, school/art displays and activities, educational activities, bird watching/ tours, kid’s art days, library story-telling and R.E.A.D. dog activities, blessings of the animals at shelters and parks, book signings, special Animal World USA magazine to celebrate the week, free & low cost spay and neuter opportunities & vaccinations, meet and greet events, special animal seminars, pet therapy in school classrooms, salute to working/search & rescue K-9’s, hockey game drive to help animals, pet food donation information and locations, festivals and so much more! All these events will shine the spotlight on the amazing animals and compassionate people of Mississippi who love them. It is a unique opportunity to change the history for the animals by collectively coming together.

Precious lives which will be saved and communities will be transformed during this amazing week through a wide variety of animal-related events and activities. Special events are being scheduled and can be viewed on the website calendar, and more are being added regularly. If you would like to learn more, become involved, list an event, please call 877-454-0807 or visit the official website at http://www.mississippianimals.org/

You may also learn much more about the AWUSA Weeks campaign and see how other states have celebrated them at http://www.weeksfortheanimals.org/ and http://www.animalworldusa.org/

Governor Paterson is Officially Proclaiming 1st New York Week for the Animals October 10-18, 2009!

(New York, New York-October 2, 2009) Animal World USA is pleased to announce that Governor Paterson is officially proclaiming October 10-18, 2009 as 1st New York Week for the Animals. The special week is designed to highlight the importance that animals play in our lives and bring communities together on behalf of the animals throughout the great state of New York. Over 125+ events have been scheduled and more are being scheduled everyday!

This statewide event will celebrate and build awareness on behalf of all animals, as well as recognize the organizations and citizens who support them. The 1st New York Week for the Animals is bringing together educators, advocates, animal shelters, rescue organizations, sanctuaries, businesses, students, musicians, artists, community leaders, and caring citizens in an exciting week of community-building activities.

The exciting week will feature awesome pet adoption festivals and events, kick off event Fall Fiesta in Central Park, pet therapy in hospitals, school/art displays and activities, theater events, educational activities, bird watching/walking tours, kid's art days, library story-telling and R.E.A.D. dog activities, blessings of the animals at shelters and parks, concerts, book signings, special Animal World USA magazine to celebrate the week, free & low cost spay and neuter opportunities & vaccinations, meet and greet events, special animal law seminars, pet therapy in school classrooms including special needs students, salute to working/search & rescue K-9's, comedy shows, pet food donation information and locations, vegetarian festivals and so much more! All these events will shine the spotlight on the amazing animals and compassionate people of New York who love them. It is a unique opportunity to change the history for the animals by collectively coming together.

Precious lives which will be saved and communities will be transformed during this week through a wide variety of animal-related events and activities. Special events are being scheduled and can be viewed on the website calendar, and more are being added regularly. If you would like to learn more, become involved, list an event, please call 877-454-0807 or visit the official website at http://newyorkanimals.org/ You may also learn more about the AWUSA Weeks campaign at http://www.weeksfortheanimals.org/ and http://www.animalworldusa.org/

5th Tennessee Week for the Animals September 19-27, 2009!

(Nashville, TN) Animal World USA is pleased to announce that Governor Phil Bredeson has proclaimed 5th Tennessee Week for the Animals September 19-27, 2009. The special week highlights the importance that animals play in our lives and bring communities together on behalf of the animals throughout the great state of Tennessee.

This statewide event is created to celebrate and build awareness on behalf of all animals, as well as recognize the organizations and citizens who support them. Tennessee Week for the Animals is bringing together educators, advocates, animal shelters, rescue organizations, sanctuaries, businesses, students, musicians, artists, faith leaders, community leaders, and caring citizens in an exciting week of community-building activities. Singer Emmylou Harris will kick off the week on September 19th in Nashville with an awesome pet adoption event! Over 60+ exciting events are scheduled across Tennessee during the life-changing, life-saving special week.

The incredible week will feature awesome pet adoption festivals and events, pet therapy in hospitals, school/art displays and activities, educational activities, bird watching, kid’s art days, library story-telling and R.E.A.D. dog activities, zoo events, blessings of the animals, concerts with adoptions, special Animal World USA magazine to celebrate the week, low cost spay and neuter opportunities, pet therapy & activities in classrooms including special needs students, salute to working/search & rescue K-9’s of Tennessee Task Force 1, and so much more! All these events will shine the spotlight on the amazing animals and the compassionate people of Tennessee who love them. It is a unique opportunity to help the animals and build stronger loving communities by collectively coming together.

Precious lives which will be saved and communities will be transformed during this week through a wide variety of animal-related events and activities. Special events can be viewed on the website calendar. If you would like to learn more about all the events, become involved or list an event, please call 901-454-0807 or visit the official website at http://www.tennesseeanimals.org/ You may also learn more about the AWUSA Weeks campaign at http://www.weeksfortheanimals.org/

Animal World USA mission: Educating and inspiring people to understand, love, and protect the animals of our world.

Governor Ed Rendell Proclaims 2nd Annual Pennsylvania Week for the Animals September 12 - 20, 2009

(Harrisburg, Pennsylvania) Animal World USA is pleased to announce that Governor Ed Rendell has officially proclaimed 2nd Pennsylvania Week for the Animals to be celebrated Sptember 12-20, 2009. During the extraordinary week, animal shelters, rescue groups, and humane organizations across the state will be hosting wonderful animal-related special events which will be strengthening communities throughout the state. Educators, students, businesses and caring citizens across the state will be joining in to celebrate and help the animals.

Events will include adoption fairs, free and low cost spay/neuter events, emergency sheltering workshop, R.E.A.D. dog programs in libraries, puppy mill awareness activities, concerts for the shelter animals, golf outing to help homeless pets, donation drives, musical concert for the cats, bird activities, dog washes to benefit shelters and therapy animals visiting hospitals.

Also to be included are a salute to our working K-9 and handlers, pet first aid, care & safety seminars, law night, educational programs at sanctuaries and museums, drum circle blessings for the animals, scores of spay neuter events for feral cats, and full-filled festivals for families to enjoy friendship, food, music on behalf of the always amazing animals and with so much more being planned! Precious lives will be saved and new exciting relationships will be built in Pennsylvania communities during the week.

Please note events and activities will be added right up to the kick-off of the week. For more info, please call 877-454-0807. See the calendar of events and learn how to become involved on the official website at http://www.pennsylvaniaanimals.org/

Governor Jim Doyle Officially Proclaims 1st Wisconsin Week for the Animals August 8-16, 2009!

(Madison, Wisconsin) Animal World USA is pleased to announce that Governor Jim Doyle has officially proclaimed 1st Wisconsin Week for the Animals to be celebrated
August 8-16, 2009. During the extraordinary week, animal shelters, rescue groups, and humane organizations across the state will be hosting wonderful animal-related special events which will be strengthening communities throughout the state. Educators, students, businesses and caring citizens across the state will be joining in to celebrate and help the animals.

Events will include adoption fairs, low cost spay/neuter events, emergency sheltering workshop, R.E.A.D. dog programs in libraries, puppy mill awareness activities, motorcycle ride to benefit the animals, book signings, BINGO for homeless animals, golf outing to help shelter pets, Catapalooza celebration, donation drives, dog washes to benefit shelters and therapy animals visiting hospitals.

Also to be included are a salute to our working K-9 and handlers, pet first aid, care & safety seminars, educational programs at the zoos and museums, blessing for the animals, and full-filled festivals for families to enjoy friendship, food, music on behalf of the always amazing animals and with so much more being planned! Scores of precious lives will be saved and new exciting relationships will be built in Wisconsin communities during the week.

Please note events and activities will be added right up to the kick-off of the week. For more info, please call 877-454-0807. See the calendar of events and learn how to become involved on the official website at http://wisconsinanimals.org/

Heart Connections and the Healing Power of Horses

At Horse’s Way Equestrian Arts we have witnessed that connecting with horses guided by a facilitator has the potential to promote healing by recognizing when we are emotionally congruent. We invite you to discover your inner world, open your heart, and honor the unique gifts you’ve been given. You will embrace the wisdom of your emotions, empathic abilities and authentic untapped potential.

For over 15 years Bonnie Treece has participated in, co-facilitated, and hosted workshops relating to the integration of physical, psychological, and spiritual uniqueness. She is now integrating her love for horses, Epona training, artistic talent, and engineering background to bring forth her fascination with the Science of the Heart. Partnering with her gifted herd, Bonnie facilitates a distinctive process of Equine Facilitated Learning that reveals and revives one’s authentic expression.

Please read the wonderful article by Bonnie Treece

In our culture we are experiencing a strong focus on moving fast, the faster the better. Fast food, fast cars, and fast Internet speeds are only a few examples. We have become disconnected from the wonder of Mother Nature and from our internal nature. Even the word “natural” has been exploited as a marketing ploy to lure people to buy products and services that are nowhere near natural. In Webster’s Dictionary, the word natural has several definitions: Present or produced by nature; not artificial or man made; pertaining to or produced solely by nature; pertaining to or resulting from inherent nature – not acquired; free from affectation or artificiality; spontaneous; not altered, treated or disguised.

In many ways humans have forgotten their natural gifts and how to live from the Heart. Horses may be able to show us the way back to ourselves. Their hearts are thirteen times larger by weight than the average man and over 20 times larger than the average woman’s heart. They do not toil over what happened yesterday or even five minutes ago. Many ancient and modern spiritual belief systems are based on “living in the present”. Some of us spend a lifetime trying to embody this principal. Horses seem to demonstrate it effortlessly.

In the human body, the heart is the beginning point of communication that connects emotional and mental systems. Heart rhythms affect physical health, emotional well-being and mental acuity – all three of which can be enhanced or depleted depending on how the heart "thinks". The heart intuition we need to recapture comes through thoughts, images or feelings. Anyone that has worked with horses from a compassionate perspective will tell you that horses think and “speak” in images. Their brain breaks down the images into different frequencies.

They are so sensitive to unique frequencies being emitted by humans they essentially and efficiently mirror the outside world. They have the ability to decipher emotions in humans that may be displayed as an attitude shift or a minute change in posture. A shift in human posture, whether it is physical or emotional, may result in a perception shift on the horse’s part. Quantum physics suggests this occurrence is possible. In the words of Dr. Wayne W. Dyer, “When we change the way we look at things the things we look at change”. I believe that because the horses are in touch with their innate sensory awareness they are able to detect in humans the emotional and physiological changes we are not always aware of.

An emotion results when the heart and the brain act together. It may be that the heart can make independent decisions without the brain. The Institute of HeartMath ® research has shown that during the experience of negative emotions, such as anger or frustration, heart rhythms become more erratic and disordered. Positive emotions, such as appreciation, love, or compassion, are associated with balanced and orderly patterns.

Fewer stressful reactions allow the heart and nervous system to work together instead of against each other, which has been found to enhance mental clarity, creativity and problem solving abilities. Although horses might not differentiate between various emotions as humans do, they may be reacting to changes in human heart rhythms. To be successful around horses, it is important to stay calm. We have all heard the saying “horses can smell fear”. I believe they can feel fear based on how they are experiencing the status of our heart rates. I’ve experienced a variety of emotions in the presence of different horses. Horses react to my unseen emotions and act them out for me. We cannot “see” emotions yet they affect the way we perceive our world and ourselves.

Openhearted communication between horse and human has the potential to promote self-healing by enhancing one’s ability to recognize emotional congruence. Energetic communication and more acute sensory awareness results when a heart-brain connection is made in the presence a horse. From this place-in-the-heart, we can experience a sense of love, gratitude and finally, the willingness to give up what doesn’t work in our lives without blaming ourselves, others, or our animal companions.

The potential of a greater production of electrical energy from the horse’s heart may also contribute to their natural healing abilities. According to Farokh S. Sadr, author of Heart Matters, a normal heart in an average sized person will pump 4 to 5 liters of blood per minute. He estimated that the energy required to pump blood at these rates is almost 5 watts of power per hour. Because of its greater size, it may be possible for the average horse heart to produce 65 watts of power per hour. How does it affect humans to be in the presence of this amplified electrical heart energy?

Heartmath Institute Engineers performed a study about how human heart rates affect each other. By connecting two people to heart and brain monitors they examined energetic interactions between them. An important factor in the interactions was the people’s heart rhythms or “Heart Rate Variability patterns,” which look like wave forms. When they held hands, one persons heart beat could be measured in the others brain waves. In some cases when one of the people was in a loving or appreciative state their heart rhythms become what they call coherent and the two people’s heart rhythms became “entrained”.

If the HeartMath® study works human to human, it may also work horse to human. Do our hearts become entrained with theirs when we are in the presence of a horse? At rest the horse’s heart rate is 26 – 50 beats per minute. This is much slower than a human’s heart rate of 70 – 75 beats per minute. Since a horse’s heart beats so much slower, can we lower our heart rate simply by standing in their presence?

An occurrence that many people experience after they spend time with horses is they feel calmer. Is the end result for them a lower heart rate or a more coherent heart rhythm? Horses know instinctively how to stay in the optimal healthy heart rate zone and may be able to help us to do the same. When they aren’t being interfered with, horses are rarely stressed. They instinctively conserve energy for when they need it to engage in life saving activities - like running from predators. They don’t fabricate events to agonize over.

The Navajo felt that horses had the stars in their eyes, and that they connected us to the universe. This may have been what Einstein envisioned. When he formulated his famous equation E=mc2, he imagined the ability to travel on a beam of light. In her book, The Hidden Power of the Heart, Sara Paddison mentions the next step for human kind is to become comfortable with E=mc2 as an equation that can also prove energy moves matter. If “E” is congruent heart energy and “m” (MASS) includes mental and emotional frequencies, then “THOUGHT MATTERS”. Energy would then have the ability to balance and change “mass”. She further notes that with practice we can see how focused heart energy and heart intelligence can balance external situations.

This theory has been demonstrated in a study by Dr. Masaru Emoto. He found that when water is shown the word “love” it takes on a completely different molecular structure than water infused with “hate” or “anger”. I’ve experienced the same power of intention with my horses. I can move them from 15 feet away by focusing my heart energy similar to the way a martial artist moves “chi” or life force. The horses move depending on the emotion and strength of energy I send them.

If I send a “moving away” energy or mental picture they move away. When I picture in my mind the horse walking toward me with a feeling of inviting gratitude they usually do. The point is that what we think about changes the world around us. The horses allow us to see the effects of what is working in an otherwise “invisible” realm. Understanding the effects of intentional thought can empower us to create what we want, instead of what we don’t want. Through listening to our hearts and focusing our intentions, we can find balance moment to moment, as the horses demonstrate. They don’t get attached to what doesn’t matter.

Horses are very sensitive to the slightest change in their surroundings. They do not see like humans do. With eyes on the sides of their heads they have, for the most part, monocular vision. They rely very little on detailed sight to let them know what is happening around them. They will act on environmental changes that cannot be seen or felt by humans. Their bodies detect the location of a fly and wiggle the corresponding area of their hide to remove it. They sense a storm coming long before it arrives by detecting changes in the barometric pressure or sense a predator long before we can see or hear one. They teach us about living in our whole body instead of exclusively in our heads.

We may have forgotten how to access our innate sensory awareness because for centuries it has not been necessary to depend on our senses to survive. The first step in awakening our long buried awareness is to open the heart. An open heart allows us the courage to be vulnerable and innocent. It helps us reconnect to the child like wonder we have forgotten.

Horses offer us an opportunity to remember our inner natures and reconnect to the life giving embrace of Mother Earth. So if you want to slow down, open your heart, honor incongruent or buried emotions, and recognize your inner gifts, I would suggest putting yourself in the presence of a most magnificent spiritual teacher and healer – a horse.

Please visit Bonnie's wonderful website, Horse's Way at http://www.horsesway.com/

1st Kentucky Week for the Animals To Be Celebrated June 27th through July 5, 2009!

(Frankfort, KY) Animal World USA is pleased to announce the 1st Annual Kentucky Week for the Animals will kick off Saturday, June 27th and run through Sunday, July 5th, 2009. The statewide celebration is designed to celebrate and recognize the unique and life-changing role that animals play in the lives of citizens through all walks of life. The week will bring underscore community spirit as people come together on behalf of the animals across the entire Bluegrass state, that has given us a love and appreciation of horses unlike any other state in our great union.

Beginning on the kick-off day of Saturday, June 27,2009 Kentucky Week for the Animals will be bringing together educators, animal shelters, humane organizations, zoos, sanctuaries, restaurants, businesses, students, musicians, artists, community leaders, decision makers and caring citizens in an action-packed compassionate week of community activities for the animals in an unprecedented manner!

This extraordinary week will feature The John Henry Memorial Equine Adoption Fair in Lexington, Church of the Advent Animal Food Bank Pet Food Donation Drive in Louisville, a multitude of awesome fun-filled pet adoption events, feedings for the farm animals, festivals and blessings of the animals, free and low cost spay/neuter opportunities, activities to help the feral cats, unique ways to help the horses, student activities, library animal storytelling events, free vaccinations, a salute to the military and so much more!

Dogs Deserve Better is celebrating their annual Chain Off:Freedom for Chained Dogs campaign during this time so we will be building awareness for chained dogs during the week in unique fashion. Every kind of event imaginable is being planned, and we need everyone to share with our Kentucky friends about the amazing week approaching for Kentucky animals!

Please note that Kentucky was hit exceptionally hard by a storm earlier this year. With everyone coming together for the week, the Kentucky people and animals can know further that they are very much loved and supported as they are still facing enormous challenges. The spotlight will shine on the amazing animals and compassionate people across Kentucky who love them and work tirelessly on their behalf--much of the time with limited resources.

Precious lives will be saved and communities transformed during this incredible week. The 1st Kentucky Week for the Animals will build new relationships for the animals and people in a history-making manner. Visit the official website for complete contact and event information at http://kentuckyanimals.org/
Please call 877-454-0807 or 866-376-6123 for more information.

1st Annual Washington DC Week for the Animals to be Celebrated May 30-June 7, 2009!

DC Week for the Animals is an exciting metrowide event created to celebrate and joyfully build awareness for the animals.


(Washington, DC) Animal World USA is pleased to announce exciting news about the 1st Annual Washington DC Week for the Animals, which will kick off Saturday, May 30th and run through Sunday, June 7th, 2009. The metrowide celebration is designed to celebrate and recognize the unique and life-changing role that animals play in the lives of citizens through all walks of life. The week will bring underscore community spirit as people come together on behalf of the animals across the entire region of our nation's capital.

Beginning on the kickoff day of Saturday, May 30, 2009 Washington DC Week for the Animals will be bringing together educators, animal shelters, humane organizations, sanctuaries, zoos, businesses, students, musicians, artists, community leaders, decision makers and caring citizens in an action-packed compassionate week of community activities for the animals in an unprecedented manner!

This extraordinary week will feature fun-filled pet adoption events and festivals , sweet pet therapy in hospitals and nursing homes, a salute to animals in law enforcement and the military, creative school and art displays and activities, library story-telling and R.E.A.D. dog activities, blessings of the animals, law seminar event, farm animal events, book signings, art exhibits, musical concerts, film documentaries, low cost spay and neuter events, walk for animals and much much more! These events will shine the spotlight on the amazing animals and compassionate people across the DC region who love them and work tirelessly on their behalf.

Precious lives will be saved and communities transformed during this incredible week. Organizers expect 1st Annual Washington, DC Week for the Animals to build new relationships for the animals and people will come together for the greater good across the metrowide region of Washington, DC in a history-making manner. If you would like to learn more, please call 866-376-6123 or 877-454-0807. Visit the official website for complete contact and event information at http://www.dcanimals.org/

Learn more about Animal World USA Weeks for the Animals campaign at http://www.weeksfortheanimals.org/

Governor Bev Perdue Proclaims 2nd Annual North Carolina Week for the Animals May 2-10, 2009!

North Carolina Week for the Animals is an exciting statewide event created to celebrate and joyfully build awareness for the animals.

(Raleigh, North Carolina) Animal World USA is pleased to announce that Governor Bev Perdue has graciously proclaimed 2nd Annual North Carolina Week for the Animals Saturday, May 2- Sunday, May 10, 2009. The special week will highlight the importance that animals play in our lives and bring communities together on behalf of the animals throughout the great state of North Carolina.

This statewide event is designed to celebrate and build awareness on behalf of all animals, as well as, recognize the organizations and citizens who support them. The NC Week for the Animals is bringing together educators, animal shelters, rescue organizations, sanctuaries, businesses, students, musicians, artists, pastors, community leaders, and caring citizens in an exciting week of community-building activities.

The fun-filled week will feature awesome pet adoption festivals and events, pet therapy in hospitals, school/art displays and activities, kid’s art day, birdhouse making activites, library story-telling and R.E.A.D. dog activities, blessings of the animals at shelters and parks, concerts, book signings, special Animal World USA magazine to celebrate the week, low cost spay and neuter opportunities, meet and greet events, special animal law seminar, pet therapy in over 40 classrooms including special needs students, salute to Ft. Bragg K-9’s and much more! All these events will shine the spotlight on the amazing animals and compassionate people of North Carolina who love these mystical creatures.

Precious lives which will be saved and communities will be transformed during this week through a wide variety of animal-related events and activities. Special events are being scheduled and can be viewed on the website calendar, and more are being added regularly. We encourage all North Carolinians to become involved and create an event for the animals in your community. If you would like to learn more, become involved, collectively organize an event or list an event, please call 877-454-0807 or visit the official website for complete contact and information at http://ncanimals.org/

Governor Jack Markell Officially Proclaims 2nd Annual Delaware Week for the Animals April 18-26, 2009!

(Dover, DE, April 18, 2009) Animal World USA is pleased to announce that Delaware Governor Jack Markell has officially declared 2nd Annual Delaware Week for the Animals April 18-26, 2009. The special week will kick off Saturday, April 18th and will highlight the importance that animals play in our lives and bring communities together on behalf of the animals throughout the great state of Delaware. Over 75 events are scheduled throughout the week.

This second year statewide event is designed to celebrate and build awareness on behalf of all animals, as well as recognize the organizations and citizens who support them. Delaware Week for the Animals is bringing together animal shelters, rescue organizations, sanctuaries, businesses, students, musicians, artists, educators, community leaders, and caring citizens in an exciting week of community-building activities.

The fun-filled week will feature awesome life-saving pet adoption festivals and events, student artwork saluting the Dover Air Force Base working K-9’s and handlers, pet therapy in nursing homes and hospitals, special art exhibit, library and R.E.A.D. dog activities, blessing of the animals, student pet essays, low cost spay and neuter events, farm events, motorcycle ride for the animals, zoo events, feral cat free spay day, Earth Day special events, special law seminar at Widener University, pet food drives, music events, restaurant benefits for the shelters and much more! All these events will shine the spotlight on the amazing animals and the truly compassionate people who love them.

Precious lives which will be saved and communities will be transformed during this week with a wide variety of exciting animal-related events and activities. A list of events are scheduled on the website calendar, and more are being added daily. If you would like to learn more, become involved or schedule an event, please call
866-376-6123 or visit the official website at http://www.delawareanimals.org/

Governor Bobby Jindal Officially Proclaims 1st Annual Louisiana Week for the Animals March 21-29, 2009!

(New Orleans, LA) Animal World USA is pleased to announce that Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal has officially declared 1st Louisiana Week for the Animals Saturday, March 21- Sunday, March 29, 2009. The special week will kick off Saturday, March 21 and will highlight the importance that animals play in our lives and bring communities together on behalf of the animals throughout the great state of Louisiana.

This first statewide event is designed to celebrate and build awareness on behalf of all animals, as well as, recognize the organizations and citizens who support them. The LA Week for the Animals is bringing together animal shelters, rescue organizations, sanctuaries, businesses, students, musicians, artists, educators, community leaders, and caring citizens in an exciting week of community-building activities.

The fun-filled week will feature awesome pet adoption festivals and events, pet therapy in hospitals, school/art displays and activities, library story-telling and R.E.A.D. dog activities, blessings of the animals, book signing by the famed “Blue Dog” LA artist George Rodrigue, low cost spay and neuter events, EarthFest, special law seminar at Tulane University and much more! All these events will shine the spotlight on the amazing animals and compassionate people who love them.

Precious lives which will be saved and communities will be transformed during this week with a wide variety of animal-related events and activities. A list of events are scheduled on the website calendar, and more are being added daily.If you would like to learn more, become involved or schedule an event, please call 877-454-0807 or visit the official website at http://www.louisianaanimals.org/

Congressional Animal Protection Caucus is Formed!

U.S. House of Representatives Press Release

Moran and Gallegly to Co-Chair Congressional Animal Protection Caucus

WASHINGTON, D.C., February 18, 2009 – Reps. Jim Moran (D-VA) and Elton Gallegly (R-CA) announced today that they will co-chair the newly formed “Congressional Animal Protection Caucus (CAPC),” a bipartisan organization committed to raising awareness of animal welfare issues in Congress. CAPC replaces the Friends of Animals Caucus that existed in previous Congresses.

Through non-partisan forums and briefings, CAPC will seek to highlight important issues affecting animals and upcoming animal welfare legislation. CAPC will also track the progress of relevant legislation, provide members of Congress with dependable information, and attempt to build broad coalitions in support of common-sense, humane animal welfare laws.

In the 110th Congress, the caucus was instrumental in the passing tougher animal fighting legislation, and tightening animal welfare regulations in the 2008 Farm Bill. Priorities for the 111th Congress include legislation banning the slaughter of horses, stronger regulations on Internet sales of puppies, and legislation requiring accurate labels on all fur products.

Rep. Moran stated, “Animals are sensate beings that deserve to be treated with respect and dignity. I look forward to building a consensus among my colleagues in support of sensible animal welfare laws that reflect our common values. Protecting animals from cruel treatment is not a partisan issue.”

“Animal cruelty has no place in a civilized society,” Rep. Gallegly said. “Other crimes often go hand-in-hand with animal fighting, including illegal gambling, drug trafficking and acts of human violence. Virtually every arrest for animal cruelty has also led to additional arrests for at least one of these criminal activities.”

"The American public is united in its belief that all animals deserve humane treatment," said Wayne Pacelle, President and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States. "The newly constituted Congressional Animal Protection Caucus will help better align our federal policies with public opinion, and we are excited to work closely with its leaders and with the entire Congress to combat cruelty and abuse."


Austin J. Durrer
Deputy AA/Communications Director
Office of Rep. Jim Moran (VA-08)
2239 RHOB
Washington D.C. 20515
202-225-4376
(c) 202-957-6075

Governor Charlie Crist Officially Proclaims 1st Annual Florida Week for the Animals

February 7-15, 2009!

Florida Week for the Animals is an exciting statewide event created to celebrate and build awareness for the animals.

(Tallahassee, Florida) Animal World USA is pleased to announce the 1st Florida Week for the Animals, to be held from Saturday, February 7- Sunday, February 15, 2009 has been officially proclaimed by Governor Charlie Crist. The special week which will kick off Saturday, February 7th will highlight the importance that animals play in our lives and bring communities together on behalf of the animals throughout the state of Florida.

This first statewide event is designed to celebrate and build awareness on behalf of all animals, as well as, recognize the organizations and citizens who support them. Florida Week for the Animals is bringing together animal shelters, rescue organizations, sanctuaries, businesses, students, musicians, artists, educators, community leaders, and caring citizens in an exciting week of community-building activities.

The fun-filled week will feature pet adoption events, pet therapy in hospitals, a salute to animals in law enforcement and the military, school/art displays and activities, R.E.A.D. dogs in libraries, blessings of the animals, golf outings, art exhibits, low cost spay and neuter events, walks for animals and much more! All these events will shine the spotlight on the amazing animals and compassionate people who love them.

Precious lives which will be saved and communities will be transformed in this week with the variety of animal-related activities and events. Over eighty events are scheduled on the website calendar, and more are being added daily. Animal World USA Weeks for the Animals campaign is kicking off 2009 with Florida, and the Weeks for the Animals National Campaign Manager Patricia Haddock says, “We are overwhelmed at the response Florida has demonstrated in coming together for the greater good. We are very grateful for Governor Crist for proclaiming the week which lends added significance.”

If you would like to learn more, be involved or schedule an event, please call 877-454-0807 or visit the official website at http://www.floridaanimalweek.com/

The Ancient Bond Between Animals and Humans...

In a world changing faster by the minute there is one thing that has not changed, and that is the sweet sound of a bird singing, or an elk bugling, or a dog barking in wild exuberance as it races off on a journey of delightful exploration. While humans have always looked to the natural world for peace and serenity, the other beings that share our planet in such a myriad, magical variety, have a deeper message for us that we really need to hear if we are to heal ourselves and our world.

We look at a butterfly, or a bluebird, and we think, oh, how lovely. But all we see most of the time is the outer shape, the outer form. We don't touch the essence behind the form. We say, 'Oh, there's a pretty butterfly,' and we move on to the next thing. Yet if we were to pause and open our heart and really feel the being that is parading before us in the cool disguise we call a butterfly, or a robin, or redwood, or a flower, it would change our life.

We would realize in an instant, and in the very marrow of our soul, that all life is one. We would know, without need for any further enlightenment from other wise humans, that we share a bond with animals and with nature that is irreversible and that can bring us serenity and comfort in difficult times such as face us now.

William Blake spoke of seeing the world in a grain of sand, or heaven in a wild flower. Even in these dark times, there is some real good news crying out to be heard by the ears of all of us. All we have to do is open those ears, the "inner ear" so to speak of the soul, and we will hear the song the universe is singing.

The oneness, and abiding harmony that bind the atoms of creation--as far as the eye can see, and further into the infinity of space--is not really hidden. It's just that for the most part we are so busy and preoccupied with day to day affairs that we do not notice. We all have that inner ear--that inner eye--whereby we too may experience immediately and intimately a moment of insight into the mystery and beauty that so arrested the poet, William Blake.

There was nothing special about Blake, or any other wise or holy person that ever lived, that is not also true of us. We all are special. We all come from the same heavenly realms. We all have the same birthright. We all have the same equipment. We are part of a mysterious and wonderful creation, and animals, even the simplest, most overlooked creature, can remind us of that. They are our kin--and have been our kin for a long, long time. Even more importantly, we have something important to offer to the creatures of this world.

If we think we are vulnerable, how about them? Low down on the totem pole, for sure. Good day, brother fish. Good day, sister antelope. Good day, all you wild creatures that share this earthly home with me. Much love to you, and may the bond between us continue forever.

By Christopher Foster

Born in 1932 in London, England, Christopher Foster started work as a reporter on a South London weekly newspaper at age 17, following in the steps of his father, a longtime British journalist. At age 18 he left home to see the world. He lived for two years in Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) and worked as a laborer and reporter in New Zealand before returning home to the UK. After a two year spell as a reporter with the London Daily Express, Foster emigrated to Canada in 1955. A longtime spiritual search led him to a spiritual community in 100 Mile House, British Columbia, known as The Emissaries, where he lived for over 30 years.

During this time he was editor of the local weekly newspaper and later initiated a worldwide newsletter named Integrity which took him and his first wife, Joy, on travels all over the world.In 1984 Foster wrote his first book, a novel entitled Bearers of the Sun. He followed this with a biography, two books of poems, and a second novel, Winds Across the Sky.

His latest book, The Raven Who Spoke With God, is a story of a young raven who overcomes grief and fear as he pursues his dream to be a friend and ally to humankind. "Buoyant as the air through which the birds soar, the story lifts the heart and carries it, dancing lightly, all the way through to the end," said NAPRA ReView. "This is a book you will read and then instantly think of ten friends to whom it must be lent." Bob Spear, at Heartland Reviews, has recommended The Raven, saying, "It reminded me of Jonathan Livingston Seagull in the Rockies."

Posted by Michelle Buckalew, Animal World USA editor