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Why Volunteer? An activist's journey
By Alan Propper
Sadie photo © Enid BreakstoneAbout four years ago or so, an acquaintance invited me to a vegan potluck party. Having already been a vegetarian for eight years, I figured it would be fun. It was, so I attended several. I found that most in attendance were Animal Connection of Texas (ACT) members, and I viewed the activists as a bit radical.
At these parties I would run into Enid Breakstone, whose dynamic, self-assured personality sparked a curiosity of the animal rights movement. When Margie Harris, then President of ACT, invited me to attend a meeting of the organization, I accepted. Though a bit skeptical, I figured it would do no harm, and I might even learn something.
What I found was eye opening. The activists were surprisingly intelligent. Their positions were well researched, well thought out and very defensible. They quickly gained my respect, and I began attending meetings regularly. Margie was an excellent teacher who taught me the fundamentals. Others who have had an impact on me include Tawana Jurek, Lydia Nichols, her boyfriend J.P. Goodwin ... and my 19-year-old cat, Sadie - a primary motivating factor.
Tawana specializes in companion animal issues. She has personally rescued hundreds of animals. She has been a fundraiser for various animal groups, has served on the City of DallasAnimal Shelter Commission for eight years and played a major role in getting the City of Dallas to approve funding to replace the Oak Cliff Animal Shelter.Tawana has good instincts and has developed a strong insight.
Lydia and J.P. are strong tacticians whose campaigns range from mild to aggressive, hard-hitting ones. Lydia has formed her own organization, Animal Liberation of Texas (ALT). She played a strong role in getting Macy's West to stop selling fur.Lydia and J.P. had a respectable part in getting the Carrolton pigeon shoots banned. ACT and other groups were involved.
ACT networks with ALT and numerous other groups ranging from national ones such as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) to local animal shelters and rescue groups.
In many respects I represent the typical activist. I work full time and have other interests. This isn't my life's mission. I've never taken a leadership role. I choose the activities that fit my schedule and interests. There is a myriad of choices for any animal lover. Among those are issues of companion animals (including overpopulation), animal welfare, farm, lab and exotic animals, as well as legislation on all levels. I've embraced the core principles yet remain an independent thinker. I don't agree with everything put forth. There is room for honest discussion. It's the only way to grow.
I've been involved in many successful endeavors including some mentioned above. The bond I've felt working with other activists alone has made the journey worthwhile.
The crux of the animal movement is compassion for all creatures, especially our animal friends whose only voice is ours. It is our duty to treat them with dignity. It is exhilarating to be a part of this historical movement. Its momentum is growing and great strides are forthcoming.
For me, being involved in ACT is ideal. I'm constantly learning. ACT does its part to support large-scale efforts but has had, and will continue to have, impact locally. If more of us get involved, our future impact will only strengthen. Please join us.
Madison's Story
Madison is a young, blond shepherd/husky mix who was found chained inside a horse trailer with seven other dogs. This Saturday, she's lounging on the floor of CityVet in Dallas, hoping someone will adopt her. The door opens and people step by or over her as Chrystal Hays tries to keep her from sticking her nose out the door. Chrystal runs Ravenhill Adoption, a Dallas-area rescue organization that has found homes for about 350 dogs and cats in the past 3 years, not to mention a few snakes and rabbits. She's the one who rescued Madison and the other 7 dogs with her. "Often people don't really want the animals they're neglecting, but don't know what to do with them. They're happy to release them to someone who says they'll find homes," says Chrystal. Ravenhill works closely with other organizations, such as Rowlett Animal Adoption, breed rescues, and various vets, such as Dr. Cannon at CityVet.
The amazing thing about Ravenhill and Rowlett Animal Adoption is that the numerous animals they care for are kept only in foster homes. They have no kennels or buildings. Foster homes are sometimes people who have adopted animals and wish to help the organizations, or people who cannot have permanent pets at the moment but miss those fuzzy faces around the house. The foster parents must take the animals to the adoptions held Saturdays all over the area. Other volunteers scour garage sales for supplies, drive animals to and from vet appointments and adoptions, post flyers, walk dogs and clean litter boxes. The groups also refer owners to counselors who can help them with behavior problems. "We don't want to see the same animals in the shelters," says Chrystal. "We want the adoptions to be permanent. We have a long screening process and adoption form. We want to know where the pets are going to live and that the owners are financially responsible." However, if a pet just does not work out, the owners are required to bring it back.
Some of the animals are found out on the streets or released from unfit homes, but the groups also go to the city pounds a couple times a week to take pets off death row. Ashley of Rowlett Animal Adoption has been going twice a week for six years now, and Dana, the President of Rowlett, scours pounds all over the metroplex. Then all animals are vaccinated, spayed or neutered. Sick animals are taken care of before being brought to adoptions. Ravenhill and Rowlett Animal Adoption do not put animals down and adopt the animals out for a fee which is often less than what has already been spent. With so many people and animals involved, organization is key. "We make a lot of phone calls!" says Chrystal. "And everywhere I go, I keep meeting more and more people who rescue. I thought I was the only one when I started!" The number of animals adopted by these groups and their methods are truly astounding, when you consider that everyone involved is a volunteer working in their free time, out of their own homes, with nothing more than a passion to save lives and the joy on faces, both human and animal, when an adoption is made.
If you can foster an animal, donate supplies, help at adoptions or make a donation (Rowlett Animal Adoption is a nonprofit 501 C3), call Chrystal at (214) 330-6413 or Ashley at (972) 248-5596. Volunteers are also needed to groom animals, as Katie, between grooming, visiting the Rowlett pound and maintaining the Web site (www.rowlettanimaladoption.com) has her hands full! Or call or check the Web site to find out where the next adoption is. Then go see these people in action - you won't find anything more inspiring out there to start off the year!To a man whose mind is free there is something even more intolerable in the sufferings of animals than in the sufferings of man. For with the latter it is at least admitted that suffering is evil and that the man who causes it is a criminal. But thousands of animals are uselessly butchered every day without a shadow of remorse. If any man were to refer to it, he would be thought ridiculous. And that is the unpardonable crime.
Romain Rolland
