It seems like every month a new project pops up to “change perceptions” of pit bulls. From children’s books to merchandise, and even a march on Washington, there’s no shortage of requests for donations to fund these efforts. Which begs the question: Does “changing perceptions” require spending money? If so, I’d write a check and […]

I try to give people the benefit of the doubt and not make assumptions about why-they-do-what-they-do. Today I was reminded why that’s important. I was riding the subway to work when a woman sat down next to me. She starts clicking her pen, rapid fire. “CLICK CLICK CLICK CLICK CLICK CLICK!” For most people this […]

With nearly 70 million dogs living in the United States, our four-legged friends are something that bring Americans together. We love our dogs and we love talking about them with anyone who’ll listen. It’s no surprise that animals are the #1 most popular cause shared on social media these days. While there are issues and organizations within […]

This was my beloved dog Sarge (R.I.P.) in 2008. Sarge was 14 years old and being held at the Pennsylvania SPCA in protective custody after being seized from an alleged dog fighting case. I wish Sarge were here with me right now. I think about him every time people rant about Michael Vick, who came […]

I’m starting a new feature called “Motley Musings” — an assortment of news, views, and other items that made me stop and think. It’s a collection of things that have challenged my existing views, introduced me to new perspectives, and influenced how I view animal welfare, community outreach, and social justice. I plan to share […]

“Will you still need me, will you still feed me, when I’m 64?  – The Beatles, ‘When I’m Sixty-Four’ Below is a Facebook post I shared earlier this week. It touched a lot of people, so I’m re-posting it here in hopes that it’ll reach an even bigger audience. [I’m not looking for a pat on […]

Animal abuse registries are a hot topic. Since I have several dogs that were victims of abuse or neglect, people have asked me to support legislation that would require convicted animal abusers to register in a newly-created “animal abuse registry” with mandated reporting requirements. Sounds like a great idea, right? Who doesn’t want to prevent animal […]

“Cruelty, especially the blatant, sadistic sort, is a deep shock” to “the concerned public and staff within humane organizations,” Sociologist Arnold Arluke wrote in his book, Just a Dog: Understanding Animal Cruelty and Ourselves. “Big cases are particularly valuable because through them the institution, its staff, and its supportive public come to terms with cruelty. […]

Craigslist is one of the most popular and effective ways to connect adoptable pets with new families. But Craigslist catches flack from a small, but vocal segment of the animal welfare community because of misconceptions surrounding its usage. This post is intended to empower pet lovers to use Craigslist as a tool for helping pets […]

No matter how many times we say that “all they need is love,” the harsh reality is that dogs cost money. With more and more Americans struggling to make ends meet, dog owners are struggling to keep their dogs at home and out of animal shelters. Here are some tips to help dog owners save money! FOOD Buy […]