Taking care of our animal friends—July 29, 2011
If dogs could speak, they’d tell people to go fetch a book at Hastings Public Library. Not just any book, but one of several there that give animals an important voice.
Offering compelling reasons for changing the way humans treat animals, whether they’re in homes, puppy mills, shelters, labs or circuses, these books provide well-researched information that proposes to change animal and human lives for the better.
Shelter killing is the number one cause of death for healthy dogs and cats in the United States. Five million are killed in our nation’s shelters every year. “Redemption” is the story of animal sheltering and the “No Kill” movement, and believing the in community and the power of compassion.
Since its release in 2007, “Redemption” has become one of the most critically-acclaimed books ever written on sheltering and served as inspiration to the founders of Hastings’ recently organized no-kill shelter, “Start Over Rover.” Board member Susie Schmidt, gives the book four paws up and urges everyone to read it.
“It’s eye opening but emotionally hard to read,” she said.
The book’s author, Nathan J. Winograd is credited with helping shift the national debate about killing and has played a direct role in helping to transform communities. No kill is on the agendas of local governments nationwide as advocates in communities as diverse as Seattle, Washington and Indianapolis, Indiana are using “Redemption” and the model it advocates to force changes in the practices of local shelters.
“It’s a controversial issue and some may say that (no kill) is impossible,” noted SOR volunteer Linda Dugan. “We want to help the community become aware of the problem and take on the responsibility of the task of saving animals.”
There are many ways to make a difference in the lives of animals and books such as “Save the Animals” and “You can Save the Animals” point out how. Both were written by Ingrid Newkirk, cofounder and national director of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). Newkirk’s books advocate respecting animals enough to make compassionate choices that create a better world for all living beings.
Bill Maher, host of ABC’s Politically Incorrect says “You can Save the Animals” may make you squirm just a bit.
“But you won’t be able to put it down. Who knew that macaws could play practical jokes on people? That an octopus could unscrew the lid from a jar? That animals are capable of acts so brave and so selfless that they should inspire humans to greater deeds? After reading these pages, you’ll no longer think of animals as mere experimental subjects or livestock breeds or garden pests.”
"Rescue Ink" is the true story of ten heavily-tattooed bikers and their quest to save animals in danger in New York City. Author Denise Flaim chronicles their adventurous tales, detailing just what these brawny bikers can teach about respecting animals.
Joe, Johnny O, Batso, Big Ant, G, Angel, Eric, Des, Bruce and Robert stop at nothing within the bounds of the law to save animals, be they furred, feathered, or scaled, from life-or-death situations throughout the NYC metropolitan area.
Working from tips from concerned neighbors and anonymous sources, they have rescued countless animals, including a dognapped bulldog and 180 cats from the home of a hoarder. In between rescues, they've protested the barbaric practices of a horse slaughterhouse, visited schools to educate children about animal kindness and that "abusers are losers," and participated in Puppy Mill Awareness Day in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Unleash your compassion for critters and listen to their voices in books that speak for them.
