Wolf Park

WOLF PARK

• WHO THEY ARE

In 1972, Dr. Erich Klinghammer created Wolf Park. It is a non-profit organization dedicated to the education and research of wolves. They are located in Battle Ground, Indiana and are incorporated under the North American Wildlife Park Foundation, Inc. They have 18 adult wolves, 3 foxes, 2 coyotes, and a small herd of bison. Their purpose is to help give displaced animals a home and in turn educate the public on these animals' behaviors so that we may better communicate with them.

• WHAT THEY DO

Wolf Park does a number of things in order to help promote wolf awareness to the public. First, they give several different kinds of seminars to the public. The fees they charge are then used to help care for the animals and keep their organization running. They offer 3 day and 5 day seminars in the summer, where those that sign-up receive great educational demonstrations as well as interactions with the wolves! Also, they offer people the chance to volunteer and intern at Wolf Park. As described on their site, its not just a chance to volunteer and learn about wolves, but "it is a means of helping the cause of wildlife preservation and promoting the welfare of wolves in the wild and in captivity." Interns and volunteers give Wolf Park the extra help they need to care for all of their animals. Another unique method of earning enough income to support their cause, they offer the opportunity to sponsor a particular animal. Unlike other sponsorships, this one earns you the chance to actually face-to-face engage with the wolves, as well as learn great educational information about wolves that will last a lifetime. You can also choose to pay to have yourself photographed with your sponsored animal. Wolf Park engages in several meaningful activities that help support their organization as well as educating the public on wolf behaviors.

• MATTER OF IMPORTANCE

Wolf Park offers a great benefit to the community through wildlife preservation and education for the community. Clearly, they have helped preserve wolves and the other animals through their organization and it has been thriving for over 30 years. The activities they provide for the community are what make it so successful. It is extremely hard for a non-profit to succeed. It can only do so with the support of the community. They have obviously found the key to success through their educational seminars to their sponsorship programs. All of them aid in the benefit of promoting wolf behavior education to the community, so that we may live in peace with one another. It also gives everlasting memories with the chance to interact with wolves. A true experience that will last a lifetime.

• For more information on Wolf Park, visit their website:http://www.wolfpark.org/overview.html

Rescue Farm

WHO THEY ARE

Rescue Farm is a non-profit, no-kill rescue center for companion animals. They help adopt out animals that would have otherwise been slated for euthanasia. From 2003 to 2005 they helped adopt out over 700 animals. In 2006, they increased this number to 780. So far, for 2007, they have adopted out 655 pets. They have formed a partnership with Brown County Humane and Indianapolis Care and Control in taking in animals. They are a fairly new organization and always working for improvement to help save animals lives through the donations they receive by the community.

WHAT THEY DO

Rescue Farm offers a few diverse activities that separate them from other shelters. A few of these are the CanINE Express, pictures with Santa, and International adoptions.

• CanINE Express- Dogs find homes on the East Coast in 3-5 days. With this information, they have been transporting around 10-20 dogs a month from Rescue Farm to the East Coast to improve their chances for adoption. It allows Rescue Farm to take in more dogs than they otherwise would be able to by transporting them to another shelter.
• Pictures with Santa- Rescue Farm has determined a unique way of getting donations. They have partnered up with Petsmart to offer people to have their pets pictures taken with Santa in December. $5 of each photo is donated to Rescue Farm.
• International Adoptions- Rescue Farm allows for international adoptions. By increasing where they adopt to, they increase the chances for animals to find homes. They adopted a terrier to a couple in Canada. They stated that it was very easy to get her across the border, taking less than a minute.

Rescue Farm is a prime example of a non-profit organization that strives to perform is main goal. By coming up with unique ideas, they maximize their potential in achieving their ultimate goal: saving pets lives.

MATTER OF IMPORTANCE

Rescue Farm plays an active role in the community. By forming partnerships with other animal shelters, they help decrease the number of animal euthanasia that take place. Their work helps people enjoy animals as companions that give benefits of even reducing stress. A study they site on their website shows that spending 15-20 minutes petting an animal reduces stress levels. Also, they partner with Petsmart on a number of things like the Santa photos, as well as adopting cats and dogs out through their store. They play an active role in community by giving back. They helped the Owen County Dog show purchase new agility training equipment. Rescue Farm is a great example of how to interact with the community to become more known and increase public awareness of the issues your organization supports.

WildCare Inc.

Who They Are

WildCare Inc. is a non-profit organization located in south central Indiana dedicated to, "Providing professional care to sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife in Indiana". Originally, they were part of the Monroe County Humane Association (MCHA). However, they refocused their mission to caring for companion pets, so WildCare Inc. became a separate entity in the spring of 2001 dedicated to wildlife preservation. They pride themselves in the fact that they accept all forms of wildlife, except for adult deer and raccoons. They have taken in over 7,000 animals since their opening. However, due to their licensing, they are not open to the public. Most centers use the availability of the openness to the public as a chance to educate the community. Since they do not have this opportunity, they offer other beneficial educational opportunities to the community.

What they do

WildCare Inc. provides an important role to wildlife and the community. Saving wildlife for them is the ability to care for injured, sick, or orphaned animals, but then having the ability to release them back to the wild, so that they may live their lives as they were meant to. However, there are always some that become unreleasable due to certain situations. WildCare Inc. uses this opportunity to use these unreleasable animals as "ambassadors" for their education outreach programs. They offer a number of educational opportunities from allowing local fourth grade classes attend for free, WildCamp in the summer, and other programs.

A couple of their ambassadors.

In order to maintain their organization, they rely on donations. They offer a unique method of donating by allowing people that use their Pay Pal credit cards at Marsh, Speedway, or Kroger to make part of their purchase contribute to their organization. Running a non-profit is not easy, and they rely on members of the community to help support their meaningful efforts in saving local wildlife.

Matter of Importance

WildCare Inc is important to the community because it helps maintain local wildlife that might otherwise perish. They enable continuing generations to enjoy wildlife native to the area by saving these injured animals and then releasing them back to the wild. They also aid in helping educate the community. By offering several different programs, they ensure that children throughout the area will have a chance to see these marvelous animals first-hand and retain knowledge that will last a lifetime in maintaining wildlife for all to enjoy.

For more information on WildCare Inc, visit: http://www.wildcareinc.org/index.html.

Pets ALIVE Spay / Neuter Clinic

• Who they are

Pets Alive is a low cost, non-profit spay and neuter clinic located in Bloomington, Indiana. They first began in 2002 with their Adopt-A-Pet program. Within 14 months, they found homes for 350 pets. However, the cost of running this was too costly. Also, they felt that they were not solving the root of the problem. Instead, they began focusing on spaying and neutering in 2004. After conducting research for nearly a year, they based their organization off of the successful spay and neuter clinic based in Asheville, North Carolina: http://www.humanealliance.org/. Since they have opened in 2005, Pets Alive has sterilized over 20,000 pets.

• What they do

Pets Alive offers a number of important treatments for the pets of Indiana. For one, they offer low cost spaying and neutering at $55 for all dogs, $50 for female cats, and $30 for male cats. In order to have this operation, pets must have proof of Indiana's state required vaccinations, being a rabies vaccination. If they have not had their rabies vaccination, an $8 rabies vaccination will be given. Another important treatment they offer is microchipping. At a low cost of $25 pet pet, it enables pet owners to keep track of their pets if they were to become lost and returned to a shelter because the chip contains the owner's contact information. Also, for pets being treated, their owners receive recommendations to local veterinarians to increase awareness of responsible pet ownership.

Pets Alive offers a unique way to help donate to their facility. They offer the recycling of old cell phones and ink cartridges which aids in turning "trash into cash". This is just one example of how a non-profit organization can utilize the community to aid in generating extra money for their organization. Also, they welcome volunteers from the area to help with everyday tasks and relies on the community's support to thrive. Donations are what enables Pets Alive to continue its work of spaying and neutering pets at low-costs. Without donations, it would not be possible.

• Matter of Importance

Pets Alive serves an important role in ending animal overpopulation. Overpopulation leads to cruel and usual punishment of animals that are unable to receive loving, good homes. It also leads to the euthanasia of many pets that turn up in animal shelters. By providing a low-cost spay and neuter clinic to the community, pet overpopulation will decrease. Also, they enable pets to receive vaccinations for a fraction of the cost for people who would otherwise not even take their pets in for veterinary care. In an indirect way, they are also protecting the community against sick and stray animals. As many people know, rabies can be given to humans. This is why it is so important that they offer this service at their clinic. At the same time, they encourage the education of responsible pet owners by offering visitors to their clinic recommendations on local veterinary care. Also, they help support the end of pollution by offering donations to their clinic in the form of recycling old cell phones and ink cartridges that would otherwise be thrown away. Pets Alive offers a number of important roles in the community and will be able to continue to do so with community support.

For information about Pets Alive and opportunities for donations, visit:

http://www.petsalivespayneuter.org/aboutus.htm

Fort Wayne Children's Zoo

• Overview

Although a zoo may not be exactly what people think of in terms of an animal shelter, some are in the fact that they help conserve animals and wildlife, in not just their parks, but the wild as well. The Fort Wayne Zoo in Indiana does just that. They began their zoo as a nature preserve in 1952. Since then, they have expanded rapidly into a well-developed zoo through dedication to wildlife and fostering the community in wildlife education. They are also a non-profit organization supported by no tax dollars. They were one of the nation's first zoos that was able to support itself through admissions, concessions, rides, and so forth. By creating a publicly interactive organization, they are able to raise funds to help support their dedications to wildlife, and thus continue to strive. With preservation being their dedication, it is no wonder that they have so many great educational opportunities to interact with the community.

• Their Specialties = Their Success

The Fort Wayne Children's Zoo is successful because of the number of special activities that help get the community involved. A couple of the most important ones are the Adopt-An-Animal program and educational opportunities. Their Adopt-An-Animal program allows people to choose what animal they would like to adopt by paying fees that directly benefit the zoo and its animals. In return, donors receive photographs, fact sheets, certificates of adoption, and other great benefits. Its one way for them to receive funds and also to get the community involved. Aside from this, they offer a range of educational opportunities. Obviously, they allow schools to visit them and in exchange educate the children that come and give them a great experience in animal interaction. Another option they offer is for the zoo to go to them. They go to schools and can bring live animals to share with the students, enabling them to experience wild animals first hand and knowledge that will last a lifetime. For further education, they also offer volunteer positions each year as well as internships. Clearly, the zoo has several educational opportunities that make it as successful as it is.

• Benefiting the Community

The Fort Wayne Children's Zoo benefits society in a number of ways. Its educational opportunities encourage youth to enjoy wildlife and to learn more about it. Increasing interest in wildlife helps promote responsible citizens in caring for their environment as well as the possibilities of them developing a desire for those areas as professions. Their internships and volunteer programs allow teens to get hands on experience to find out if wildlife is their "calling". They also offer a $2,000 scholarship for high school students that are going into an animal field. The Fort Wayne Children's Zoo represents how important an organization can be to a community. The community gives and the zoo gives back. Without the community, the zoo could not exist, because they rely on their funds to achieve their goals of animal preservation. On the other hand, they give right back by helping develop educated members of the community and encouraging the pursuit of knowledge and care for the environment.

For more information, visit the following sites:

Zoo Website: http://www.kidszoo.org/

Their history: http://www.kidszoo.org/pdfs/fwczhistory.pdf

Fort Wayne, Indiana Animal Care and Control

The Fort Wayne, Indiana Animal Care and Control is a municipal animal care and control shelter. Its basic function is to protect public safety from animals, as well as provide shelter for neglected and abused animals. In order to achieve these goals and minimize the need, improvements in the community have to be established and maintained. This is done through law enforcement and community education.

Law enforcement is necessary in establishing standards for proper pet ownership by preventing cruelty and protecting the public. A couple major requirements for Fort Wayne is rabies vaccinations and being a registered pet. According to the Fort Wayne Animal Controls web site, "All dogs, cats, and ferrets must be vaccinated against rabies in the state of Indiana beginning at the age of three months. The animal's first vaccination is good for one year. Dogs and cats may receive three year rabies vaccines after that. Ferrets must continue to be vaccinated annually." Requiring vaccinations helps protect animals against these vicious illnesses, as well as protects people from obtaining them through being bitten by an ill animal. Vaccinations go hand in hand with Fort Wayne's requirement for all dogs and cats to be registered with the state. Proof of registration means that the pet should be wearing 2 tags on their collar. One tag signifies the rabies vaccination and the other signifies being registered. Registration fees are $5 for animals that are altered (spayed or neutered), but $100 for unaltered pets. This is another important step that Fort Wayne takes to prevent animal cruelty and helps protect the public. Higher fees are charged for unaltered animals to help deter people from allowing their pets to excessively breed and add to pet overpopulation. Pet overpopulation is what causes animals to be sent to animal control centers in the first place. Enforcing these laws is important to the health of the animals, as well as public safety.

Other than implementing laws for current problems, the Fort Wayne Animal Care and Control takes it a step further by educating the community to prevent animal abuse from occurring and making people into responsible pet owners. They offer several tours to schools and scouts in educating them on current legislation and how to care for animals responsibly. One exceptional education opportunity is their Learning For Life and Animal Careers Explorer Post Program. It is for teens ages 13-21 to participate and gives them opportunities to learn about the most current information on animal welfare careers. Its a great opportunity for teens to get hands on experience with animals and decide if a career in the animal welfare field is right for them. The Fort Wayne Animal Care and Control has several programs dedicated to the education of animal welfare for the community.

Clearly, the law enforcement and educational programs they offer are a great benefit to society and the communities economy. By having these, it helps protect the community from being injured by animals and teaching them to have responsibility for their pets. By offering such a great program to teens in the area, they are encouraging youth to learn. By encouraging them to learn, they are setting up foundations for learning for their possible careers in the future and helping make them into useful members of society. This extra guidance might be exactly what it took to get some students more interested in learning and into a field that was appropriate for them. In the long run, it may have the effects of increasing employment by encouraging employability of youth. It is important for communities to have programs such as these to enable learning outside of school and to become more familiar with fields of study before actually deciding what is the right choice for them when it might not really be the right choice.

For more information on the educational opportunities of the Fort Wayne Animal Care and Control, visit their website at http://www.cityoffortwayne.org/index.php?.option=com_content&task=view&id=25&Itemid=39

November Focus

• A Summary

From the end of August until the end of September, I focused on how to get an animal shelter started. Topics of tax breaks, non-profits, opportunities for starting and growing, and several others were discussed in how to maintain a successful animal care center. For the month of October, I discussed several topics of animal cruelty. In each posting I discussed the type of cruelty taking place, what can be done to end it, and why it is important for everyone to have awareness of these issues. The cruelty animals face is what has created the need for animal care centers. Although they serve a wonderful purpose in helping displaced animals, if animals were treated appropriately, there would not be a reason to have them in the first place. With proper education, things can change. For my next posts, I will be shifting gears back to individual animal centers rather than animal specific posts.

• A Preview

For the month of November, my posts will be changing back to the animal shelters. They play important roles in helping displaced animals. Without them, more cruelty would take place than currently and towns could be easily overrun with uncared for animals. As mentioned before though, it is somewhat sad that they are even needed in the first place. However, with proper education and awareness, these issues may be resolved. So, for the month of November I will be discussing several different animal shelters or care centers for domestic and wild animals. The following points will be examined:

1. Brief overview of what kind of animal center it is.
2. Discussion of what special activity the shelter uses to stay connected with the community.
3. How this activity provides benefits to the economy or society.

By discussing these topics, unique ways of running a shelter will be revealed as well as methods that other shelters can adopt to be successful and help educate the community.

Breed Specific Laws vs. Reckless Dog Owners

Let's face it. There are some dog breeds people are more afraid of or at least carry some type of negative connotation with their breed. As a result, some communities are trying to enforce breed specific laws. What this means is that some breeds might have heavy laws in regards to what their owners must follow through with in order to keep them, or they may be banned from the area completely. However, this is unfair and ineffective as the ASPCA reveals through statistical analysis.

Breed specific laws are unfair to pet owners, as well as all citizens in a community where they are enacted. It is unfair for pet owners because it disables them from choosing a breed they enjoy. If the breed is banned, people in the community will not be able to choose that breed. Also, if that breed is already owned, the owner will have to either give up the dog or may have severe costs associated with keeping it. On another note, it is completely unfair for all citizens in a community. In order to maintain such a rigorous law, there will be costs. Prince George’s County of Maryland is living proof. Their county spends $250,000 a year just to try to eliminate Pit Bulls in their area. The task force of the county has since tried to appeal the ban because of its cost to the county as well as the fact that banning Pit Bulls does not eliminate neglective, abusive, and irresponsible dog owners who either can encourage their dog to be aggressive or allow it to not be contained. The costs implemented with such laws is simply unfair to all citizens in communities that adopt such breed specific laws.

Not only are these breed specific laws unfair, but they are ineffective. There are several reasons why they are ineffective. For one, aggressive dogs seem to be more the result of irresponsible dog owners than breed specific. The ASPCA outlines the following facts on their website at http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServerpagename=cruelty_dogfighting_breedspecific:

1. 70 percent of all dog bite cases involve unneutered male dogs, and that an unneutered male dog is 2.6 times more likely to bite than is a neutered dog.
2. A chained or tethered dog is 2.8 times more likely to bite than a dog who is not chained or tethered.
3. 97 percent of dogs involved in fatal dog attacks in 2006 were not spayed/neutered.
4. 78 percent were maintained not as pets but rather for guarding, image enhancement, fighting or breeding.
5. 84 percent were maintained by reckless owners—abused or neglected, not humanely controlled or contained, or allowed to interact with children unsupervised.

Clearly, aggressive dogs are created by their irresponsible owners. So, simply banning dog breeds is not the answer. Another point mentioning is that even if a dog breed is banned, who is to say that these irresponsible owners will not simply look for another dog breed, say, for dog fighting? Other options must be accessed in order to protect society from aggressive dogs other than just simply banning certain breeds.

There are a number of options that will aid in decreasing the number of aggressive dogs given the previous statistics. For one, counties should require their citizens to spay and neuter their dogs. If they do not require it, then those owners seeking to keep their dogs unaltered, must pay fees. Require that dogs either not be chained, or if they are chained they are given ample room to access most of the property in order to give them the ability to exercise freely. Other measures counties can take are to require leash laws, micro chipping for permanent identification of aggressive dogs, and required owner education for certain breeds. All of these measures are simple ways of effectively solving the problem by requiring owners to be more responsible and help protect people in the community as opposed to being unfair and ineffective as the strict breed specific laws.

Federal: Protect Nonhuman Primates--Support the Captive Primate Safety Act

As many people know, there are often times '"loopholes" in government policies and laws. However, the loophole that exists in the trading of primates. Current legislation prohibits the importing of primates for pets. However, it does not prohibit primates already in the U.S from being soled through interstate commerce as pets. Fortunately, if there is enough support for the Captive Primate Safety Act this loophole can be closed. This loophole must be corrected to prevent cruelty to primates as well as prevent the the dangers that primates pose for humans.

• What is being done to primates?

Primates are being sold as pets in the U.S. The problem is that many of these "pet owners" do not know how to properly care for a primate. As infants, they are more cooperative, but as they age they often become aggressive. Most handlers do not have the proper education or training with how to deal with them. They are an animal that requires constant interaction and must be occupied or will become bored, depressed, and act out in consequence. They need ample amounts of room for exercising and having the ability to swing and have companionship with other primates. For the most part, as pets they are not given these opportunities, which creates dangers for the people caring for them as well as making the primates life miserable.

• What risks do humans have from the loophole that exists?

Unfortunately, primates are known to carry several diseases, including the following:

1. Ebola virus
2. Herpes B virus
3. Monkey pox
4. Simian immunodeficiency virus
5. Tuberculosis
6. Yellow fever

Obviously, allowing people to care for primates as pets can cause serious health risks. The spreading of these diseases would be quite easy as it was mentioned that primates can and often do become more aggressive as they age when they do not have proper care. Wounds may be inflicted through biting and scratching, which would allow these diseases to be transmitted.

• What can be done?

The Act must be supported. In order to prevent the tormenting conditions that the primates endure, as well as the health risks they provide for humans, primates should not be kept as simple house pets. There is no reason for them to live in captive conditions when they could be living free in the jungle. There is no reason for humans to have to worry about obtaining diseases from primates. End the torment and support the Captive Primate Act. Simply go to the ASPCA website at https://secure2.convio.net/aspca/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=2223 and submit a form that is already filled out that shows your support.

All information regarding the use of primates as pets and the potential risks of this activity were found at the ASPCA website.

Support the Federal Pet Safety and Protection Act

Often, animals are used for research experiments. It might be testing for a new drug before being used by humans, or it could be more painful operations testing surgical procedures and animal responses. Nevertheless, has anyone stopped and asked where these research laboratories receive their animals? They have several methods. One such method is that of a class "B" dealer, who obtains animals from other people, then sells them for a profit to research labs. This poses several problems. These class "B" dealers have been known to collect animals from " free to good home" ads, and etc., or even steal people's pets. Current legislation allows this activity to continue. However, the Federal Pet Safety and Protection Act (S. 714/H.R. 1280) is trying to be passed to prevent this activity. Currently, the House has passed it, however it is still due for votes by the Senate. In order for it to be passed, it will need support. The following gives the background information needed to understand the full extent of the problem:

• What is being done to people's pets?

People's pets are being used in laboratory research. According to the ASPCA, "Class B Dealers, licensed under the federal Animal Welfare Act, collect dogs and cats from random sources and sell them to the research industry." Random sources includes pets. Sometimes, they will respond to "free to good home" ads in order to make a profit off of someone's good intentions to find a good home for their pets. Also, Class B Dealers obtain animals by stealing people's outdoor pets. Another illegal action they will take just to make a profit; is the falsifying of records in order to make the origin of the animal unknown. Lying, stealing, and fraud are all actions deemed as illegal or shady by society. Not only are these animals ripped from their loving homes, but they endure great distress in research laboratories, which may lead to their deaths depending on the types of research conducted. These unethical behaviors must be prevented in order to protect pets.

• What is being done to prevent this activity?

As mentioned before, the Federal Pet Safety and Protection Act is in the process of being passed. According to the ASPCA, the following outlines the details of who will be able to sell animals to research laboratories:

1. Dealers who have bred and raised the animals.
2. Publicly owned pounds or shelters that obtained the animals from their legal owners.
3. Persons donating a dog or cat who they have bred and raised, or owned for at least one year.

The point of the act is to prevent Class B Dealers from wrongfully obtaining people's pets and selling them to these research groups. It will not prevent the use of animals in research. However, it will protect pet owners from losing a loved pet or unknowingly selling a pet into a horrific life of experimenting. In order for this bill to pass, it will require support. Write to the senate by completing a filled out form for the support of the act at: https://secure2.convio.net/aspca/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=2157.

• Why does it matter?

As a U.S. citizen, it is our duty to ensure our own rights are protected. Obviously, the allowance of such activity is a violation of a pet owner's rights. They should be able to let their dog, cat, or other pet run freely outdoors without the fear of it being stolen, then sold to a research lab for a profit. You do not have to be a pet owner to support this act. It merely takes an individual concerned with illegal and unethical activities to support it.

The Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act

You may have heard. Infections are becoming increasingly difficult to treat as resistant strains of disease continue to thrive. Are you participating in any activities that might make your body develop resistances to antibiotics? Unfortunately, if you eat meat, you are. The United States has a serious problem with livestock and poultry producers overusing antibiotics for their animals. This has negative implications both for people and the animals being treated. However, increased awareness of the issue may help alleviate the problem

• What is being done with antibiotics?

According to the ASPCA on their lobby for animals website, "An estimated 70 percent of antibiotics and related drugs produced in this country are used in animal agriculture for non-therapeutic purposes." That's right. Farm animals are being pumped full of antibiotics, regardless if they are really sick and need the medications. The main reason they are used is to prevent diseases from spreading, however if the animals were cared for properly to being with, it would not be an issue. Farm animals are consistently overcrowded in holding pens and live in unsanitary living conditions. If their environments were improved, there would be little if no reason to give antibiotics to the animals. Another reason they are given antibiotics is to increase growth. Fatter animals means more profit, but at what cost? The cost of your health: according to the ASPCA, "The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) estimates that antibiotic-resistant bacteria cost U.S. society at least $4 billion to $5 billion each year in health care costs." Not only is this costly, but it is making it more difficult to fight disease. What happens if we become so resistant that there are no more cures or just too costly?

• Why should you care?

This is not just a matter of animal welfare. It is about people's health as well. If you eat meat, you are part of this. You shouldn't have to pay more in doctor bills and increased expenses because your body has become immune to the antibiotics from repeated exposure. It's your right to demand quality products. Meat composed of antibiotics is not what we expect. As a consumer, you have the right to be protected and informed. Demand that you are served what you pay for and that you take your health seriously. If animals were properly cared for in the first place, there would be no reason for these antibiotics to make it into our food.

• What can be done?

Once again, its up to the people to act. You shouldn't have to stop eating meat to avoid antibiotics. Instead, people will have to ban together and show their support for the Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act which will phase out the use of feeding excessive amounts of antibiotics to livestock. Simply go to the ASPCA's website at https://secure2.convio.net/aspca/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=2191 and complete the filled out form that supports the Act.

The high usage of antibiotics in farm animals is dangerous to our health. If this activity does not cease, people will continue to develop resistance to antibiotics, costing our society millions in expenses and the possibility of fewer cures. The support of this Act will also benefit animal welfare. In order to prevent diseases without antibiotics, the living conditions for livestock will be implemented. The Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act is imperative in ending this atrocity.

What's for Dinner

Ever wonder how your food is processed? Well, maybe you don't wonder how your food is processed, but there are some things consumers should be aware of when it comes to putting meat on the table. Current legislation allows USDA inspectors to approve meat at slaughterhouses from livestock that was "downed". "Downed" refers to animals that can not walk or stand due to illness or injury. Basically, you could be eating something that was rotting away from sickness. Not only is there poor quality of meat passed for consumers, but animal welfare is not considered. Most of the time, these animals are cruelly treated during their transportation to the slaughterhouse. However, through increased awareness of the issue, legislation may be passed to prohibit this activity.

How is meat being processed for "downed animals"?

Currently, slaughterhouses are permitted to allow livestock to be "downed" in the processing of meat. The only exception is cattle. Cattle was prohibited after the direct result of "mad cow disease". Mad cow disease stemmed from "downed" cattle being approved for human consumption. However, as noted, all other livestock are still allowed to be "downed" for human consumption. Downed animals are livestock who are either too sick or too injured to stand or walk. This usually takes place en route to the slaughterhouse, as many animals can become sick or injured on the ride there. They go without water, food, rest, and veterinary care, so if an animal is sick, it will not receive treatment. Instead, it will promptly go to the slaughterhouse for our consumption, even if the animal was ill prior. Another question raised about downed animals would be how do the animals even make it to the slaughterhouse if they are unable to walk or stand? Well, they are bulldozed, moved by a forklift, or drug by chains in order to get them to the destination. During this process, the animal can easily obtain further injury of abrasions, dislocated joints, broken bones, and other injuries. Obviously, this is unhealthy for consumers, as well as cruel to the animals. Changing legislation is the best way to improve the issue.

A downed sheep at a Texas stockyard.

What is being done to prevent this?

In order to end the cruelty that animals face and to protect consumers, legislation must be improved. As stated prior, only cattle have been prohibited from being downed in the use for human consumption. Consumers need to take a stand and demand quality goods be delivered. You can do that by writing to your congressmen and showing your support. The ASPCA has a letter already pre-written for you. Go to their website at: https://secure2.convio.net/aspca/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=2147 and submit your support for the S. 394 and H.R. 661—Downed Animal and Food Safety Protection Act. With increase consumer awareness and the support of the Act, it will have a standing chance for being approved and allowing consumers to be protected against the quality of food they receive, as well as aid in the end of negligence in the care of animals.

As a consumer, you deserve to "get what you pay for". Many people may not realize that "downed" animals are allowed in the use for human consumption. Technically, you are not getting "what you pay for", since most people would not appeal to the idea of eating diseased meat. This issue is important for animal welfare and will end the neglect they receive. Livestock that is downed will be forced to be euthanized. Not only will animal welfare be improved if people support it, but it will protect consumers. Don't let another "mad cow disease" take place with a different livestock animal. Help support the Act and know that you are getting quality food.

For more information on downed animals and current legislation visit the following:

https://secure2.convio.net/aspca/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=2147
http://www.nodowners.org/

PMU

PMU , a.k.a. pregnant mare's urine, is used in female hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Basically, a pregnant mare's urine contains estrogen, which is extracted in order to make medications for women suffering from menopause since estrogen is one of the hormones that drops in levels from menopause. Recent studies have linked the use of PMU drugs to health risks for women. However, this should not be an issue for women because there are other alternative drugs that can be used, which are either synthetically or organically created. Because of the use of this drug, horses are being slaughtered every year as well as inhumanely treated. It is an important issue because of the mistreatment horses are receiving and the health risks for women that take these drugs.

What is being done to pregnant mare's?

In order to obtain the estrogen from a pregnant mare's urine, the urine must be collected. For this to be achieved, a pregnant mare is tied up for about 6 months of the year (during the most intense estrogen levels of her pregnancy). During this time, she remains in a stall usually tied up, disabling her from exercise or a comfortable place to rest. Some farms use catheters to excrete the urine or some other urine collecting device. These can be unhealthy for the horses as infection and sores is likely. Many of the horses on these farms end up having respiratory infections because of the lack of exercise and living conditions. Once a mare has given birth, she will be impregnated once again and repeat this process until she can no longer. If she can no longer breed, she will most likely go to the slaughter house. What happens to all of their foals you might ask? Well, they too are almost always sold to slaughter houses for their meat or they may just endure the same fate their mothers have. Horses, unlike other "farm animals" require mental stimulation and enjoy "playing". Clearly being a PMU horse, does not offer this chance.

This is a photograph of pregnant mares in their small stalls tied into place.

What can be done to end their mistreatment and miserable lives?

Its simple. Stop using PMU drugs. There are many other drug treatment options. Now that other synthetic and organic drugs have been created there is no reason for this drug to be purchased, or for the horses to endure a life such as they are. By not purchasing these drugs, it will decrease the demand for them, and thus the supply. Some people argue that if these horses are stopped being used for PMU drugs, then they will simply be set to the slaughter house. However, more foals are being slaughtered now because of this torment. It would be better to just end it now and stop the torturous treatment the mares endure as well as stop foals from being born into it.

Why is this issue important?

This form of medical treatment is outdated and there are new medical treatments for women who need HRT. Also, recent studies have shown that using PMU drugs has been linked to increased risks of heart disease and breast cancer for women. Women need to be informed about the medical treatment they receive. This form of medication is not only cruel to horses, but it has health risks for women. Its important for women to protect themselves against these drugs and know all of the information about the drugs they are prescribed. If you are currently taking this type of medication, you should ask your doctor about health risks as well as alternative medications.

Hormone replacement therapy is important for many women suffering from menopause. There are many different medications that may be used for symptoms. However, PMU should be avoided. It causes cruelty to horses, as well as unneeded slaughters. Also, it has been linked to heart disease and breast cancer. With other alternatives available, it should be easy to end the use of PMU drugs and thus help horses live a better life, as well as give women a healthier one.

For more information on this topic link to the following:

http://www.all-creatures.org/anex/horse.html

http://www.premarin.org/

http://www.lef.org/protocols/female_reproductive/female_hormone_restoration_01.htm

http://www.equineadvocates.com/premarin.html

Federal: The American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act Reintroduced in Congress

When people think of eating meat, they typically think of various farm animals such as cows, chickens, pigs, and etc. Rarely do you hear of horses being eaten. However, 100,000 U.S. horses were slaughtered in 2006 and were sold to Japan and Europe for human consumption. According to Timothy Cordes, U.S. Department of Agriculture program leader, demand for horse consumption has been increasing because of the recent issues of mad cow disease and the fact that horse meat is healthier with less fat. Currently, U.S. law prohibits the slaughter of horses for consumption, but there is a loophole in the law. It allows horses to be shipped to Mexico and Canada in order to be slaughtered for consumption. These horses are not just farm raised horses that are being slaughtered. Wild horses and burros are being used for human consumption as well. Currently, The American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act is being debated. Before you support the Act, you may have a few questions.

What is being done to the horses?

Over 100,000 horses are being sent for slaughter to Mexico and Canada from the United States. During this process, they endure several inhumane forms of treatment, as follows:

• Cramped trailers where they often injure themselves in transit.


• Extreme variations in hot and cold temperatures during travel.


• No food, water, or rest usually for more than 24 hours.


• Several blows and prods to the body in order to move them from the trailers.

Bolt pistols are used to try to render them unconscious. However, it is usually ineffective and has to be done several times before the horses neck is finally slit.

You may view a live slaughter and the inhumane treatment the horses receive at: http://www.hsus.org/horses_equines/cavel_horse_slaughter_plant_closed.html

What is being done to end this inhumane treatment?

In 2006, the House of Representatives passed The American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act. However, it requires that the Senate pass it as well. Unfortunately, they had a recess before they had a chance to vote on it. So, the bill has to be reintroduced to both houses and passed by both before it can be submitted for approval. According to the ASPCA, "The bill would prohibit the transport, moving, delivering, receiving, possessing, purchasing, selling, or donation of any horse to be slaughtered for human consumption." It will end the loophole that currently exists in the legislation that allows the horses to be transported to Mexico and Canada for slaughter. The ASPCA, along with other animal rights websites, have pre-filled out letters that can be sent to your congressman to help support the bill.

Why does the horse slaughter matter to me?

Although eating horse meat may not be viewed as negative by all people, the horses are still being mistreated. By supporting the bill, you will help end the inhumane treatment horses are receiving. If this bill is passed, it will be an example for other countries to follow and portray the importance of animal welfare in the United States. Its not just about the "eating" of horse meat, but how they are treated. There is no reason for the horses to go through the miserable conditions before their death, including having their throat slit before they are completely unconscious. At least by passing the bill, horses will no longer endure the abuse they receive. Other than ending the mistreatment, it is important to anyone who enjoys the wild outdoors and the traditions of the West. If this bill is not passed, it is likely that the wild horses living in the West could become endangered or extinct. Horses are a great part of American history and it would be shameful to lose them as part of our heritage.

Although horse meat is healthier for people, there is no reason for them to be mistreated. In order to end this abuse, the current legislation being debated must be passed. Horses are being brutally treated and its important for the U.S. to set an example for other countries through our animal welfare acts, as well as hang on to our traditions of the West. Please visit the ASPCA's website and send one of their pre-written forms to congress so that you may show your support in ending this cruelty.

Information used is from the following websites:

https://secure2.convio.net/aspca/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=2061

http://www.avma.org/onlnews/javma/aug03/030815e.asp

http://www.awionline.org/legislation/horse_slaughter/index.htm

The Dog and Cat Fur Prohibition Enforcement Act

A current topic involving animal abuse is the use of Raccoon Dog fur in American products. Although many consumers may think that dog and cat fur is banned from being used in U.S. products, there are loopholes that make it possible. Yes, there is a ban on cat and dog fur, but there is a loophole that exists in current legislation. The law only requires that fur valuing over $150 have accurate labels: labeled with the name of the species used, the manufacturer, and country of origin. Since it is such a high dollar amount, it is possible for these furs to be sold on the trimmings of jackets, sweaters, and so forth. The current legislation trying to be passed is the H.R. 891— Dog and Cat Fur Prohibition Enforcement Act. In order to understand the implications of the situation, you may have a few questions:

What are Raccoon Dogs and what is being done to them?

Raccoon dogs are a type of wild canine that resemble that of a raccoon, however they are part of the "dog" family. They originated in Asia and are spreading to parts of Europe. They are omnivorous and are very cautious animals. They would rather run than fight, especially when encountered by humans. Despite their shy nature, they are being slaughtered for their furs. Recently, it was found that they were being used in Sean John's line of clothing (A.K.A P. Diddy, Puff Daddy). His merchandise was being sold to retailers, including Macy's. The product was mislabeled as containing "raccoon fur". Our current legislation is what allows this to happen. According to the Humane Society's website at http://www.hsus.org/furfree/news/sean_john_diddy_combs_mislabeled_fur.html , "China has no animal welfare laws. Animals killed for their fur in China—dogs, raccoon dogs and others—often face horrible abuse, and are too often skinned alive."

Please, visit the website, so you may bare witness to what is actually being done to them. They are being ruthlessly slaughtered. First, they are plucked from a cage, then slammed to the ground in attempts to knock them unconscious. However, it usually doesn't work. So they are then clubbed in the face. Still yet, they are usually still very aware of their surroundings. In the end, their skin is ripped from their flesh. THEY ARE STILL VERY CONSCIOUS AND AWARE OF THEIR SURROUNDINGS. This is absolutely disgusting. Even if you do not believe in standing up for animal rights, this is truly cruel. There are obviously much less painful ways to skin an animal.

What can be done to end this cruelty?

Write to your congressmen. As a U.S. citizen you may not be able to control what happens in Asia, Europe, or other parts of the world. However, you can stop supporting their actions. You are supporting them if they are able to continue to sell these furs to the U.S. In order to ban their fur in our products, the legislation will have to be reworked to improvise for their fur. Current legislation only includes dogs and cats. However, they are currently pushing to expand it to Raccoon Dogs. If you visit https://secure2.convio.net/aspca/site/Advocacy?JServSessionIdr007=vrrrjvs7x2.app24b&cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=2167, you can fill out a pre-written form made by the ASPCA to be sent directly to your congressmen showing that you support the new legislation, and that you find it a disgusting practice to sell their furs in our clothing.

Why does this matter to me?

You may not be animal rights activist. However, this issue doesn't just involve people caring about animals. Its about people's rights as consumers. You should know what you are purchasing. Do you like being lied to? Well, current legislation is allowing just that. By allowing quantities under the value of $150 to be mislabeled, it allows any kind of animal fur to be sold on a garment and claimed to be "faux fur" or some other type of animal than what it really is, hence the reason raccoon dogs were able to be labeled as "raccoon" instead. Maybe you don't care that you are lied to, well what about being mischarged? If they are claiming fur to be something else than what it is, you might be getting charged for more than what you are supposed to, because the value of it might really be worth less than the fur they claim it to be. Support this act, so that you can be an informed consumer!

October Focus- Cases of Animal Mistreatment

For the month of October, I will be focusing on issues involving animal neglect, mistreatment, or other inhumane treatment. Special time will be dedicated to these topics because these are the reasons why animal rescue centers are developed in the first place. Also, it will provide how people can help animals in need, by assisting with implementing laws if they do not have time to donate to an organization. At the same time, it provides how animal shelters can be more involved in helping animals and preventing cases of mistreatment from ever occurring. Covering these different topics is important to the awareness of society and what actions can be taken.

Many people are not even aware of the issues that plague our nation's animals. Some of these topics may be disturbing in other cases just cruel. For instance, did you know that in 2006, 100,000 horses were slaughtered for human consumption. Even if that doesn't disgust you, their living conditions prior to being slaughtered should. Who wants to eat rotten meat from diseased animals? Sometimes the U.S. does not directly injure animals, but we can still try to prevent it. Another case of cruelty is the slaughter of raccoon dogs. They are part of the canine family and have been hunted for their furs. Recently, there was an issue with their fur being used in clothing at retail stores in the U.S. There are several other issues that many people are not aware of and will continue to occur without society's awareness. Through awareness, people can write to their congressmen to make them help pass bills against these types of issues. Also, animal rescue centers need to stay up-to-date on issues plaguing our animals so that they too can help pass along the information to society and help play an active role in ending animal cruelty.

A picture of a Raccoon Dog.

For the next month, a different topic of animal abuse will be covered during each posting. These topics will be meant to cover the types of animal cruelty taking place, what, if anything is being done to end it, and why it is important for it to end. It will help make people aware of the issues taking place in our country, as well as let them know why it is important even if they are not concerned with the preservation of animals. Not everyone has to be an animal lover to care about these issues. Often, these issues involve consumer awareness and protection. They matter to everyone.

Getting Involved

Let's face it. Not everyone shares the same thoughts on animals rights and cruelty prevention. Sometimes its because of a lack of education on the issues. Although animal shelters and centers are here to help protect animals after being abused or neglected, it is important to "get involved" with the real causes of the problem. Instead of just helping the effects (the neglected animals), the causes needed prevented. This can be done by getting involved with the community and increasing awareness of issues. The ASPCA is a perfect example of how rescuing animals can be achieved through other means aside from directly helping animals.

Although the ASPCA has saved countless animals, they are also taking the steps to prevent it from ever occurring. They are "getting involved" through community outreach projects. Education workshops are available through the ASPCA for adults to learn how to raise children with the knowledge of the importance of caring responsibly for animals. Along with parent education workshops, they offer teacher workshops as well. They help give teachers the ideas for incorporating caring for animals into their classrooms. What better way to help prevent cruelty, than to go to children and help them learn at an early age the importance of animals. This program is a benefit to teachers as well because in some cases it can be used as continuing education credits. Another workshop they carry is the community education workshops. These are designed for community groups, such as: Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, YMCA, etc. It offers a great chance for youth to get hands on experience with service projects. By offering these workshops, the ASPCA is taking an additional needed step in the preservation of animals.

Having additional means for the public to learn about animals will help increase awareness of the issues that effect animals. If a child grew up with little or no interaction of animals, they may not have a close connection of understanding the necessity for responsibly caring for animals. Through interacting with animals, children learn that animals have emotions and they are not always just necessarily pets, but they can benefit people in a number of ways such as being working animals (guide dogs for the blind, horses that pull carriages, and etc.). The ASPCA is a prime example of what animal rescue centers can do other than just care directly for animals. They can help solve the root of the problem by educating the community and gaining their interest on these topics.

For information on ASPCA's outreach programs, visit their website:
http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=edu_kids

ASPCA® Mission: OrangeTM

Most people who are aware of animal rights have heard of the ASPCA. They were originally founded in 1866 as the first animal welfare organization in the United States. Since then, they have reached over 1,000,000 members throughout the United States in their national organization and still strive to prevent cruelty to animals. They are always on a continuing mission to find new methods for helping animals. Their latest project, ASPCA® Mission: OrangeTM, is a targeted approach in helping various communities improve humane animal treatment.

ASPCA® Mission: OrangeTM launched in 2007. The purpose of this project is for the ASPCA to form partnerships with targeted communities throughout the year. For 2007, the following communities made it on their list:

1. Austin, Texas
2. Gulfport-Biloxi, Mississippi
3.Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
4. Spokane, Washington
5. Tampa, Florida

Their goal is to help these communities "improve save rates, prevent animal cruelty and create model humane communities." With the ASPCA's experience and knowledge they will work with these communities and educate them in improved ways of handling their facilities. They have committed to helping each of these cities for three years. As these communities reach their goals of improvement, the ASPCA will move to other communities. Ultimately, they would like to help new communities within 2008. During their partnerships, the ASPCA will donate up to $200,000 to each of these communities. The success of their work will be measured by their adoption rates, which they hope to achieve a 10% rate increase by the end of the year. The long term goal is to achieve a 75% save rate among animals brought to their facilities. Information for these communities will be shared from the Richmond SPCA, whom are the model organization. The Richmond organization achieved not having to euthanize any healthy, homeless animals in 2006. They will be the model for other organizations to follow in their daily operations and unique techniques for improving adoptions. The ASPCA is branching out with this major project in order to prevent cruelty to animals.

The ASPCA continously strives to improve living for animals. With their new project, they will help other communities improve operations and save the lives of many animals through increased adoption rates and decreased euthansia rates. The ASPCA is and will remain one of the nations leaders in preventing the cruelty to animals.

For more information on their project, visit:
http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=missionorange_overview

Types of Animal Shelters

When deciding what type of animal shelter you will open, there are a few to choose from: municipal animal shelters,"no-kill" shelters, sanctuaries, and animal rescue organizations. They each play an important role in helping animals. However, as you will see, they are each unique in their own ways and will determine what type of shelter you would want to open based upon their functions.

Municipal animal shelters are the "animal control" agencies. These agencies are set up by cities to provide services to the community, such as maintaining pet codes and offering spaying and neutering programs, as well as other benefits. However, they believe in humanely euthanizing animals. This is because they accept all animals that come to their door, unlike "no-kill shelters". "No-kill" shelters are able to provide a "no-kill" policy by limiting the number of animals they allow. By not euthanizing, they would become quickly over populated. So, both exist for good purposes of providing animals with a place to stay. Although the municipal does euthanize, it gives an opportunity for animals to stay for a chance at adoption or the claiming of a pet and to stay off of the streets where they could otherwise be harmed. At both of these organizations, animals are trying to be adopted to people. However, a sanctuary does not provide that service. Their main focus is taking care of animals that can not possibly find a home and need place to stay for the remainder of their lives. This could be due to medical, behavorial, or other issues. Still yet, there are animal rescue organizations. They specialize in finding animals homes as opposed to sheltering them. They will foster animals for a short period if needed. Also, they usually are focused on a specific breed of an animal as opposed to all dogs, cats, etc. As you can see, each of these organizations have extremely differing roles.

Deciding on what type of animal shelter you prefer to open is dependent of your values and goals. Each of these organizations plays a vital role in helping displaced animals have a home. Obviously, if you prefer to not euthanize an animal, a municipal shelter would not be for you. However, if you do not want to turn any animals away, then it would be. Deciding your goals of helping animals will allow you to choose which of these organizations would be best for you. No matter which one is chosen, they play a vital role in the community and all have benefits of helping animals find homes.

For related information and a more thorough analysis of these topics, check out the following:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_shelter

ASPCA Shelter Outreach

The ASPCA (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) is one of many shelters that helps give a home to animals in need. Being a well established non-profit organization, they have lots of knowledge and expertise in running a non-profit. They have actually published a book,"Keys to a Great Shelter: The ASPCA National Shelter Outreach Guide to Starting and Improving a Humane Organization", in order to help people get started in opening a humane organization for animals in need. They specify 10 tips that are essential to starting a humane organization:

1. Assess your community- Find out exactly what the needs of your community are. For instance, are there already well-established organizations? If there are, opening another one may actually make things worse because there will be even less resources for donations.

2.Think Twice- Helping animals may sound like a dream come true. However, there are lots of responsibilities other than just spending time with animals.

3. Get Experience - Volunteer at a local shelter so you can see what its all really about.

4. Form a Team of Go-Getters - Make sure you form a group of people with knowledge and expertise in related fields. Not only will you need people with environmental knowledge, but people with accounting, marketing, management, and other business skills are a major benefit in running a non-profit organization.

5. Visit Other Shelters- Learning what other shelters do can give you a basis for your own shelter.

6. Decide What Type of Shelter You Want - There are several types of shelters. Do research to find out which one would be best for your community. (Specific types of shelters will be discussed in depth in later postings).

7. Come up with a Mission Statement and a Plan- As discussed in earlier postings, a non-profit organization has a mission statement that their entire planning revolves around. It is the core reason the organization exists.

8. Raise Funds - Fundraising is a key event of a non-profit. Without it, there would not be enough cash flow to fulfill the mission.

9. Toot Your Horn- When the organization opens, make sure its a very "grand"-opening. Make sure as many people as possible in the community know about it.

10.Don't Forget the Animals - Starting a shelter is not an easy task, just remember why you started it in the first place.

These are just the ten essential tips that the ASPCA has put in their book. There are several other responsibilities that an organization must follow in order to succeed. However, these are some of the most critical. For a more complete description of tips and other related materials from the ASPCA, visit their website:

http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=pro_startashelter

Basic Structure of a Non-profit

There are a variety of positions held in a successful non-profit. Work must be delegated to different groups to be efficient. Not all non-profits will have the same amount of members, but it is important to note that in order to be effective, it will take a lot more than just one person. A basic run down of the structure of a typical non-profit is as follows:

1. Volunteers- These are some of the most important people to a non-profit. They help the organization carry out its daily operations and goals. Without them, it would be very difficult to achieve goals because of the cost of normal labor.

2. Clients- These people are the ones who use the services of the organization. For example, if there is a non-profit women's clinic, women seeking treatment are the clients.

3. Board- The board is made up of people that have come together to achieve the missions of the non-profit and are ultimately responsible for it. They have complete power over the organization. However, in a nonprofit board, they do not receive payment for their work and are considered volunteers.

4. Committees- These are groups of people that carry out specific functions for the board. It usually consists of one or more board members plus other members to assist them. They are generally used to assist with issues that the board can not handle or carry out on their own.

5. Staff- A group of people designed to support the committees and follow the executive director's duties.

6. Board Chair- This is a single individual responsible for coordinating activities between the various groups of the non-profit. It is primarily a leadership and persuasive role.

7. Executive Director- This person is responsible for the work of the committees and staff, and the major role is to perform the board's desires.

Obviously, there are a number of roles in a non-profit. It is important to have a structured plan for members and how each individual will help the organization achieve its goals. It helps eliminate overwhelming duties by having other members assist "higher-up" members. Having a well structured organization can mean the loss or achievement of its mission and its dire to have good organization for efficiency.

For a more detailed explanation of duties check out the following site:
http://www.managementhelp.org/org_thry/np_thry/np_intro.htm#anchor249619

Business Incubators

With that sort of title, you might be wondering what exactly a business "incubator" is. Basically, it is a method starting businesses can use to get their businesses "going". An incubator is a firm that focuses on giving support to starting firms. This can be done in a number of ways, such as resources and management training, in order to help revitalize economies.

By using an incubator, a start-up company can receive the benefits of low cost resources. The focus of an incubator is to help a company find resources at low costs in order to maximize potential and success. For instance, an incubator can help a company find low cost rental space, give access to equipment or technologies, and simply share some costs. Incubators are an incredible help in getting a business started when a start-up company has limited resources.

Aside from help with resources, incubators assist in management training. Depending on what the main objective of the incubator is depicts what kind of skills it will most likely bestow upon a new company. Most likely though, incubators will train new companies on financial management and basic skills on getting started and being able to maintain a successful business.

Using an incubator firm is just another one of the many ways to get a business started. It isn't easy to come up with the funds and always have the "know how" on how to run things. By using the assistance of an incubator, a firm is able to obtain resources it may not normally be able to and to gain knowledge from an experienced firm.

http://www.nbia.org/resource_center/what_is/index.php

Fiscal Sponsorship

Having enough funds to get a non-profit started can always be a challenge. Luckily, there is something called "fiscal sponsorship" that can help one get started. A fiscal sponsor is an established non-profit organization that is filed as tax-exempt by the IRS that then provides assistance to another group that is not yet filed as tax-exempt. They may not be filed because they are awaiting approval or for other reasons like being a short term project. A fiscal sponsor gives assistance to a new organization in several ways.

One way a fiscal sponsor can help a new non-profit organization get started is by taking charge of their finances. A new organization may not have the knowledge or experience in the handling of grants or donations, so the sponsor gives them guidance with expenses and how to file them for accounting purposes.Other than financial assistance, a fiscal sponsor can help a new organization learn the skills needed to manage a non-profit. Skills and past experience can easily be taught through a positive relationship between the two, which is why it is important to have the relationship pre-planned on paper as to how the sponsor will assist the new organization. By receiving this assistance, it will give the new organization more credibility and the ability to receive donations, since most people will not donate to a cause that is not yet filed as tax-exempt status. A fiscal sponsor can basically be the "jump start" to a new non-profit organization.

Although a fiscal sponsor assists a new organization in a number of ways, it is important to note that it may come at a cost. Some fiscal relationships may not charge a service fee, but other normal costs associated with the running of the organization can be expected, such as employee costs. In other cases, some relationships may require a certain percentage be paid. In either case, the rewards of learning to properly run an organization from one that is already established are plentiful with proper planning and management.

Finding a fiscal sponsor can be a great help in getting a non-profit started if they do not have the resources to start it on their own. For more information on fiscal sponsorship and how to get one started, the following links are helpful:

http://www.ctaconline.org/fiscal.asp

http://www.managementhelp.org/strt_org/strt_np/strt_np.htm

http://www.compasspoint.org/search/index.php?keywords=fiscal&acctech=1&boardcafe=1&bookstore=1&events=1&content=1&funders=1&links=1&askgenie=1&gallery=1&presenters=1&pressreleases=1&classes=1

Great Cats of Indiana

There are several non-profit organizations all over the world that are trying to help the environment in some way. Great Cats of Indiana is a wonderful example of a whose primary focus is helping animals in need and shows that it doesn't matter where you live because a non-profit can be started anywhere. They help displaced and neglected animals by giving them a place to stay safely and receive the proper food and medical requirements the animals need. They house tigers, lions, cougars, bobcats, jaguars, and even though they aren't "cats", wolves and bears. Their website is a clear picture of what a non-profit organization is, from their mission statement, online store, and through their daily operations it can be seen "what it takes" to run a non-profit organization.

Like other non-profit organizations, Great Cats of Indiana has a mission statement. Their mission statement reveals their goals and objectives for forming their organization. Their primary focus is to care for displaced animals that need their help in order to live. Not only do they want to serve animals, but they want to educate people to help bring an end for the need of these animals to have to live in a sanctuary, instead of in the wild where they should be. Their mission statement exemplifies their goals of providing a future for wildlife.

Another key factor in being a non-profit organization is finding different methods of fundraising other than just simple donations. Donations are good but not always reliable. One way Great Cats has achieved this is through their online store, gift shop, and daily openings to the public. By providing alternative methods of fundraising, they are able to cover more expenses needed for the animals. Their online store sells knives and they also have a gift shop visitors can shop if they go to one of the daily opened visiting times. Allowing people to visit their animals is a great way to raise more funds for the animals, and possibly create new donors. Great Cats is doing what non-profits have to do in order to raise the appropriate funds for caring for their animals.

Running a non-profit organization is "no piece of cake". It takes a lot of hard work and committed people to effectively run one. Great Cats exemplifies this on their web page by the following statement," When they get hungry, thirsty, cold or sick they can’t fix this on their own, they need us to provide food and water, shelter and medicine when needed to assure they stay healthy. This is a responsibility we take very seriously. By taking these animals in we have agreed to give up our vacations, a night on the town, the nine to five lifestyle and any sense of a routine day to day existence. The path we have chosen is difficult at times, but we gave up these things because the animals needed us to be a part of their lives. We gave up these things because we feel they are worth it, and we feel that they deserve a chance to have a life free from the abuse, torture, pain and neglect many of them knew before coming home to our facility." They have given up many of the things people take for granted in their daily lives just to save these helpless animals. Being able to take care of them is rewarding enough for them. These are the type of people needed to run an effective non-profit organization: dedicated and hard working.

Great Cats of Indiana is a real life example of what it takes to run a non-profit organization. Everything from their mission statement, to the long hours they endure to care for what they cherish most. If you are interested in seeing them and their "cats" in action, you can catch them on Animal Planet's "Growing up Tiger". Also, feel free to check out their website and make a donation to help their cause!

http://www.greatcatsofindiana.org/index.htm

Government Assistance

It can be difficult getting a non-profit organization started. However, the government has a few means to assist businesses with this. A non-profit organization has the ability to benefit itself through applying for incorporation, tax-exempt status, and tax deductible status.

In order to protect a non-profit organization, becoming incorporated is recommended if applicable. Being incorporated simply means that the organization is identified as being a separate unity from a personal owner. However, in order to file for articles of incorporation status with the state office, a board of directors is required. Once incorporated, a non-profit organization can benefit with the following:

• Allows the owners of the organization to avoid liability of the actions taken by the organization.
• The property and bank account of the organization will be legally owned by the organization.
• Ensures peace of mind in knowing the organization can continue even without the original creators.

Filing for incorporation can be a huge benefit with the protection it gives.

Even if an organization can not file for incorporation, there is the possibility of applying for tax-exempt status, which is usually federal taxes(however, there are others). Tax-exempt simply means the business does not pay taxes. There are different filing statuses of tax-exempt, however 501(c)(3) is the most common, which means it is a "charitable non-profit". In order to apply for tax-exempt status, the organization is required to be either a community chest, corporation, foundation, or fund. Being able to qualify for tax-exempt status is just one of the small things that can be a huge help in cutting costs for a non-profit organization.

Another form of government assistance comes in the form of qualifying for tax-deductible status. This basically allows donations to be deducted from taxes due. Like tax-exempt statuses, there are different types of tax-deductible statuses as well. The type the IRS will qualify an organization as depends on how the organization is ran and the types of services it provides. It is yet another small step that can be a huge saver for a non-profit organization.

When starting a non-profit organization, it is important to find out what government qualifications it meets. The protective benefits of incorporation and the cost cutters of tax-exempt and tax-deductible status are just a few of the many ways a non- profit can help itself obtain its goals. For more information on starting a non-profit organization, the following site is very helpful: http://www.managementhelp.org/strt_org/strt_np/strt_np.htm.

How does a non-profit organization earn income to maintain its facility?

Saving and maintaining animal species can be done in a number of ways. There are endless organizations set-up for the dedication of wildlife. One of the ways to help protect wildlife is through an animal rescue center or sanctuary. They are usually non-profit organizations. A non-profit organization is different from a normal business because it must find alternative methods of income in order to maintain its functionality.

Depending on the organization, there are different ways it may choose to obtain income. Most of the time they receive generous donations from people who care about the mission of the organization. For instance the Environmental Defense Fund reported on its 2006 annual report that its total operating support and revenue reached $71.8 million. However, 54% of that was all from individual donors. Aside from outside contributors, members of the organization may support its funds, too. With the Environmental Defense as an example, their members contributed 14% of the $71.8 million. This organization also has 500,000 members, which would roughly come to $20 per member.
Here is a link to their annual report: http://www.environmentaldefense.org/documents/5752_2006AnnualReport.pdf. If it is set up like a union, members may just be required to pay monthly fees in order to be a part of it. If it is a wildlife rescue center, more creative ways of earning income may be used. For instance, if it is a visitor site, visiting fees may be charged, which can help pay for the maintenance of animals. Still other sources may be used as well. The Fort Wayne, Indiana children's zoo allows visitors to "adopt" animals, which gives the visitors several benefits and the zoo an opportunity to obtain more income(http://www.kidszoo.org/). Still another common form of aid, would be through the government. However, being a single organization you can not expect to receive a majority of the funds to come from the government. For the Environmental Defense, they received only 1% from the government. For more information on government aid... stay tuned....