Open Letter Regarding Memphis Animal Services

The Tragedy of Memphis Animal Services....
by Michelle Buckalew, Animal World USA president

Many are asking if anyone is attempting to do anything regarding the continuing and heartbreaking tragedy of Memphis Animal Services. Yes, of course. There are many citizens who have been working on this and are continuing to work to change the tragedy of Memphis Animal Services. Indeed some of us have been working on this from many different angles and on several fronts for a long time. And, no we will not give up. Please know that Memphis animal advocates are not turning a blind eye or deaf ear to this ongoing, beyond heartbreaking problem.

Unacceptable killing of healthy shelter animals is going on from the east coast to the west coast and everywhere in between. Four million pets a year are euthanized. Many communities have its “barriers” to ending the unacceptable killing, and we are working to overcome ours--we are. We here in Memphis will not ever give up until change is implemented for the innocent animals.

To anyone who is as saddened or fustrated as we are for the precious animals, please know we are working on change. We are fighting some tremendous obstacles as many of you who have been following the tragedy have seen. Change is going to come.

Thank you for reading and sharing this article. God Bless You all who are encouraging and seeking to help us with positive energy. As we know, working together to bring about needed change for the animals is the best way. The unconditional love of the animals keeps us going ...when it seems we are up against all odds. The lessons that the amazing animals teach us are our guiding light.

Please read 2008 Animal World USA magazine article, A Clarion Call for Compassionate Leadership: An Open Letter to the City of Memphis: http://www.animallawcoalition.com/public-shelters/article/323

Photo is at one of the scores of offsite adoption events Animal World USA organized with Memphis Animal Services after above 2008 Open Letter in Animal World magazine.

International Homeless Animals Day

International Homeless Animals Day


The third Saturday of August each year is observed as International Homeless Animals Day. International Society of Animal Rights initiated this observance in 1991. and each year it has grown awareness for the homeless animals.

This day is an opportunity for all of us to collectively acknowledge the problem and take an action to bring about a solution to help homeless animals in our community. These animals need us all to help them. There are companion animals who are in shelters, rescue groups or who have still yet to be born that suffer or wait for homes to call their own.

In 2001 three friends and myself organized the first Homeless Animals Day event in Memphis, Tennessee. Kathy Bonney, Stephanie Talley, Yvette Mock and myself pulled resources together and held an event at midtown Memphis' beautiful Overton Park. It brought over 20 groups and shelters together for the first time for an organized multi-group, animal-related event in Memphis. The popular Surfin' Cowboys with Linzie Butler played their reggae blues music and helped us rock.

The fun-filled event which started at 6:00 pm at the Overton Park Shell amphitheater was an adoption event, pet parade of hopeful adoptables & rescued animals who had been already been adopted. Attendees were able to sign up with a group, learn more and/or adopt a precious animal. We ended the event with a candlelight vigil. The wonderful friendships that were built that day will last a lifetime. And, the paths that many of us set out on for the precious animals have changed our lives forever.

Here are links for a couple of blurbs for that August 18, 2001 event.
Memphis Daily News http://www.memphisdailynews.com/editorial/Article.aspx?id=23964
Memphis Flyer http://www.memphisflyer.com/memphis/saturday-august-18/Content?oid=1106679

My friends and I were not part of any organized group, but we knew individually that helping animals in a collective manner was something we wanted to do on this special day. Shining the spotlight on the dedicated, wonderful people and groups who were helping animals was also a goal for us.

International Homeless Animals Day is an occasion that no matter who you are or where you are located... you can make a difference for one or more homeless animals who need you. Some ideas:

1. Organize an event that will bring awareness for the homeless animals.
2. Visit your local shelter and adopt a pet.
3. Help bring awareness for spay- neuter programs as a solution in your community.
4. Donate your talent to a local shelter, spay-neuter, humane or rescue group.
5. Connect with other animal lovers and start a coalition to help animals.
6. Donate newspaper, toys, beds or food to your shelter-whatever they will take.
7. Promote education. Ask an educator to coordinate a project during the year.
8. Take action through your local government if problems exist at your shelter.
9. Never ever give up in seeking solutions to injustices that are happening to animals in your community.
10. Post adoptable pics or websites that help animals in your emails.

To learn more about Homeless Animals Day, please visit International Society of Animal Rights website at http://www.isaronline.org/

To become involved in the Animal World USA-International Weeks for the Animals campaign, please visit Animal World USA at http://www.animalworldusa.org/

Know that your unique special gift and talent can change the plight and history for animals in greater ways than you can ever imagine. It could possibly set you on a path that you have only dreamed of in terms of fulfilling your destiny.

Michelle Buckalew, Animal World USA-International president

International Youth Day August 12, 2011: "Change Our World"

Animal World USA-International is honored to work with youth throughout the year and is pleased to turn the spotlight and celebrate International Youth Day. This year's Youth Day theme is "Change Our World."

Through the Animal World USA-International Youth Leadership program, A.S.T.R.O. educational program and global Weeks for the Animals campaign, we connect with young ones in communities around the globe. Animal World USA-International salutes and seeks to honor our future generation of leaders everyday.

On August 12th, as International Youth Day 2011 is being celebrated, we encourage everyone to reach out to a young one showing your love and respect. On this day commit to making a better and more loving world for them. They need us all to lead, mentor and guide them. They need our life experience, inspiration and protection. Let us help and empower them to "Change Our World!"

History of International Youth Day
International Youth Day is the designated time to commemorate the power and strength of the youth all around the globe. International Youth Day has been celebrated every year on 12th August since 1999. United Nations designated this annual event to build awareness for young people.

The purpose of International Youth Day:
International Youth Day purpose is to endorse social consciousness, particularly among youth. The World Program of Action for Youth attempts to focus on specific areas. The 10 areas are starvation, poverty, education, employment, health, drug exploitation, childhood felony, recreation events, Child and young women, Environment. The International Youth Day suggests that regional, countrywide and worldwide communities implement the program.

The activities of International Youth Day:
The United Nations marked out the youth, the age between 15 to 24 years. This is one sixth of the global populace. The youth will develop the countries to increase preciously in 21st century in all sides.

Many activities and events that take place around the world on International Youth Day promote the benefits that young people bring into the world. Many countries participate in this global event, which may include youth conferences on issues such as education and employment. Other activities include concerts promoting the world’s youth, as well as various sporting events, parades and mobile exhibitions that showcase young people’s achievements.

Visit Animal World USA website to see how we celebrate youth everyday:
http://www.animalworldusa.org/

Nominate a young one or classroom for our Animal World USA-International Youth Leadership award. http://www.animalworldusa.org/Youth-Leadership.html

Visit United Nations Youth Day website:
http://www.un.org/en/events/youthday/

See how Africa is celebrating International Youth Day at Africa Weeks website:
http://www.africaanimals.org/information.html