 | |
         
|
 |
|
In Defense of Animals (IDA), one of the most respected and largest animal rights organizations, showed its support for TNR by sponsoring the "Be a Neighborhood Cats Guardian" gallery at the Natural Pet Fair, held October 4 & 5, 2003. In addition, IDA and the Natural Pet Fair honored Neighborhood Cats with one of their very first "Companion Animal Guardian" awards, given to individuals and organizations who have demonstrated outstanding service to companion animals. The "Be a Neighborhood Cats Guardian" exhibit featured large photos of feral cats, an explanation of basic TNR terminology, raw videotape of feral cat trappings, feral cat sculpture, and samples of tools used to care for colonies such as a feeding station and winter shelter. Visitors were encouraged to sign a pledge promising to become feral cat guardians and help take better care of the strays and ferals in their communities. The exhibit was in keeping with IDA's Guardian Campaign which seeks to end traditional concepts of animals as no more than property. Instead, by eliminating the term "owner" and substituting "guardian," IDA seeks to foster a more caring, responsible and compassionate view of other sentient beings. "It's time we think and act as animal `guardians' rather than as animal `owners,'" said Dr. Elliot Katz, president of IDA, "no longer treating animals as disposable property, objects, commodities and things. It is time we put aside the notion that feral cats need to be `owned' for them to receive the kindness, consideration and protection they so desperately need." The TNR gallery was part of the first Natural Pet Fair, a unique combination of holistic animal products, animal rights activists and animal rescue organizations which featured not only booths, but lectures by leaders in their fields, such as author Gary Null, and Ed Boks, executive director of New York City Animal Care and Control. The successful effort has been mentioned in numerous media since and looks forward to future events in the near future. Interested organizations and individuals can join or learn more about the Guardian Campaign by visiting IDA's website at www.idausa.org |
|
|
|
|
