The NYC Council voted 43-6 last week to ban the use of wild animals in circuses. That wouldn’t have been possible without Council Members Rosie Mendez & Corey Johnson and the wonderful advocates who live in my beloved city. It’s an honor to spend time cordially encouraging leaders to modernize policies that have historically supported the industries that exploit animals for gain. The compassion, altruism and fairness that is extruded through these efforts is contagious and I always feel so inspired by the people around me working toward the proper and merciful treatment for the voiceless. I think it’s plain to see that the more benevolent we are, the kinder our world becomes. Times are changing, and there is no longer a place for wild animals in entertainment. To read all about it, click here.
Consider getting involved with your city and state council! You can do so through The Humane Society of the United States or, if you live in NY, Empire State Humane Voters This is only the beginning and there is a huge wave of camaraderie across the nation. The more advocates the better and what a mission to be a part of! Well done New York for setting a great example.
This is the clever, ambiguous signage that the Wild Tomorrow Fund gets to work with.
Get it, Wild Tomorrow Fund?
The organization is dedicated to the protection of threatened and endangered species and the habitats they depend on for survival. Working on the ground in southern Africa, their vision is for a world in which wildlife habitats are expanded and protected, and where existing reserves have the resources needed to keep their animals safe. In 2016 they signed a contract to acquire the rights to a 1235 acre piece of land in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa they call “Ukuwela” which means ‘to cross over’ in Zulu. Ukuwela was at risk of becoming a pineapple farm. That would have meant all the animals that lived on the land, including leopard, zebra, wildebeest, hippo, crocodile would have been removed or destroyed. As would every tree, plant and flower.
Last night, we celebrated the work of Wild Tomorrow Fund’s conservation programs while exploring Drawings from the Department of Tropical Research Field Expeditions, an exhibition presenting ecological paintings, artwork and historical artifacts created and collected during pioneering field expeditions in the early 20th century. Reviewed by the New York Times Science Section, the Exploratory Works exhibition which is featured at the Drawing Center in New York City brought together, for the first time, an archive of images that illustrate the formation of our modern definition of nature. We drank wine, ate Beyond Sushi and WTF graciously received contributions.
Isabel Cooper, Guyana 1922 – Margay tigrina vigens head. Watercolor on paper. Courtesy of the Wildlife Conservation Society. Among other artists and drawings at the exhibit Monday night.
I would have never known about the Wild Tomorrow Fund had I not said “yes” to the meeting. Just a few weeks ago, I sat down for lunch on a picturesque summer afternoon in Bryant Park with WTF’s Executive Director, John Steward, Chief Operating Officer, Wendy Hapgood, and Chairman of the Board, Seth Hendon to discuss conservation. With the initial plan to simply converse and connect with more like-minded people who have a passion for protecting wildlife, we seamlessly managed to carry on with a dynamic conversation that truly ignited a New York moment for me. We are all new-bee’s to the conservation game (WTF is a mere 2-years old), but when Africa makes it’s deeply-rooted connections, there is a power that is indescribable. WTF needs to raise money in order to wholly own Ukuwela and as a grassroots influencer, I have agreed to do what I do best, make thoughtful introductions and help expand the web of folks within my orbit who happen to be focusing on conservation. The hope is to continue networking, host a gala this fall and potentially travel to South Africa on their volunteer trip in 2018.
Won’t you consider saying “yes” to the meeting and serving as a vehicle of support. You never know where that introduction may lead; where your insight from experience may have a positive effect; or simply the lasting impression your support could make. Go Wild Tomorrow Fund! I can’t wait to see all that’s in store for the organization and the land!
Charléne von Saher, me, WTF’s Executive Director John Steward, Delia Von Neuschatz, WTF’s Chairman Seth Hendon, WTF’s COO Wendy HapgoodSignage from the eventCharléne von Saher, me, Delia Von Neuschatz
Josie, on the right was once called “Jonsey” because that’s where my two friends and I found the poor pup, tied up in a garbage bag left for dead, on Great Jones Street, NYC.
Last night, Animal Haven shelter celebrated 50 years of life-saving work at Capitale in NYC. Having first been founded by a group of women wanting to save cats, a half of a century later, the once-crazy-cattery has blossomed into a full-fledged operating shelter with the most luxurious and spacious interiors, truly fit for fur-kings and fur-queens patiently awaiting their forever homes. The event was hosted by Jason Biggs (not my friend Kensey’s husband, Jason Biggs, but the actor) and his beautiful wife, Jennie Mollan. Chair Nicky Hilton Rothschild, along with Carolyn Murphy, presented awards and my fellow Friends of Finn committee members, Georgina Bloomberg, Amanda Hearst, Courtney Stroum Meagher, Lauren Grafer Schweibold, Liz Dee, Kensey Biggs, Tripp Callan, Stephen Read, Breanna Schultz and Hilary Sloan were all in attendance.
I have gotten to know the Executive Director, Tiffany Lacey well over the last year. She is a pioneer in the shelter system and has mastered the trade to the most impressive degree. She is also a true saint and will stop at nothing to reach new heights for the animals who need her most. Josie, in the picture above (with her new fur-siblings) was brought to Tiffany and the amazing Animal Haven staff back in October 2016 after my two friends and I found her tied up in a trash bag and left for dead near a dumpster in Soho. In record time, Tiffany had us at Worth Street Veterinary Center where Josie could receive the urgent and intensive care she so desperately needed. After the exam, the Vet was practically in tears, stating that she was probably in that bag for a total of four days and would likely never stand/walk again, if she even made it. She was completely defeated; unable to even lift her head, eat or drink, we literally brought Josie into Animal Haven on a stretcher and with very little hope, prayed for her swift recovery. Emergency fundraising efforts quickly began as she was a part of Animal Haven’s The Recovery Road Fund – a place donors can contribute to individual animals’ recovery process.
Just two days later, I was on a plane to Africa with the original intention of checking-out completely from the world and tapping in spiritually to the vast beauty of the land, wanting nothing to do with real life for the next 10 days. But Josie made that virtually impossible for me. She instantly had my heart and I found myself eager to hear about her daily progress. Animal Haven kept her as comfortable as possible and we all knew a miracle was right around the corner. Miracles are always around the corner at Animal Haven.
I think it was a month to the day that she took her first steps and from there, never looked back. She was quickly adopted into the most perfect family (two Animal Haven board members, to be exact), complete with two other fur babies and a new human baby as of last week! She is living the luxury life in Manhattan, accompanying her dad to work each day and spending weekends upstate in a warm home with a huge yard! This is the dream outcome we can only hope is half as good for all the animals in the world. Josie will forever have our hearts and is a true example of redemption and sweet second chances.
I also adopted my cat, SJ from Animal Haven! Found wondering around Queens, NY lost and hungry, he was brought to AH for a second chance at finding his forever home. I agreed to foster and quickly became what is known as a “foster failure” finding myself unwilling to give him up. He is the light of my life (in addition to my other, Olive) and is the most loving and affectionate feline ever to have been born! In addition, there is a beautiful Pitty named Blue still up for adoption. My friend, Courtney, in the photo below received a tip from someone about a beautiful pit bull tied up in a mechanics garage in Brooklyn. The next thing I knew, I was in a car- during one of the coldest weekends on record- on my way from picking him up, crossing all my fingers and toes that Tiffany would have the space to welcome him in. After a quick foster stint at another friend’s home over the weekend, Tiffany made space and Blue found a place at AH.
This is grassroots activism. Doing what you can however, wherever and whenever possible. Believing that each of us is put in a unique place with opportunities for magic and to make a difference. If you feel the nudge, embrace those opportunities, influence those around you, and you never know what may happen!
My hope is that people will see the true value in adopting an animal in need versus purchasing from a pet store (see HSUS facts on puppy mills). Animal Haven is the perfect place to consider! It was so much fun celebrating them on Wednesday and I’m excited to see what the next 50 years looks like! For more information on adoptable animals (including Blue!) and how you can support Animal Haven’s mission please visit AnimalHavenShelter.org.
Liz Dee, Courtney Stroum Meagher and yours truly at the eventJason Biggs (Kensey’s hubby) with Jason BiggsBlue is available for adoption at Animal Haven!The love of my life. “SJ” stands for San Jose, the name originally given to him by Animal Haven
Yours truly with a resident sheep at Woodstock Sanctuary in High Falls, NY
Un-sheepishly, I consider myself a proactive participant in creating a more humane world. I’m inspired daily by the growing compassion of our generation, and by the number of people willing to stand up (and speak out) for what they believe is right. For me, this starts with grassroots outreach; influencing friends, family, co-workers, my community- anyone even the slightest bit open to learning the truth about animal exploitation- by simply living in a way that naturally reflects care and concern for animals. I try my best to advise on best practices, lead by example and provide information so others can make informed decisions about their purchases, habits and overall lifestyle. Sometimes I wish I didn’t care, didn’t know or didn’t look. Ignorance surely is bliss! But if I am not pushing for the change I want to see, given the information I have at hand, who is? Believe it or not, living humanely amongst a society that relies heavily on animals for it’s needs, is actually becoming increasingly easier, and with that, more mainstream. Alleluia!
I find solace in community and am lucky to work with fellow compassionate comrades at The Humane Society of the United States. Having joined the Humane Generation / Friends of Finn committee a few years back, I have grown to feel even more confident and sure of my life’s mission: to reflect gentler mindfulness and encourage those around me to embrace stewardship toward animals.
Our committee’s direct mission is to raise funds on behalf of The HSUS Stop Puppy Mills campaign for rescue efforts as well as education and public awareness initiatives. We work to eradicate puppy mills and promote adoption (#adoptdontshop) versus the sales of puppy mill dogs in pet shops. Think of it this way, each year millions of perfectly lovable dogs- who are waiting to meet their forever families in overcrowded shelters all over the country- are euthanized due to a lack of space. Meanwhile, sickly “designer” dogs are being systematically mass produced in filthy puppy mills, inadvertently winning the hearts- and taking the homes- of the misinformed public.
But the care and concern of our committee members doesn’t just stop at dogs. All animals have the ability to feel love and they also have the ability to suffer greatly- this is usually at the hand of man and includes billions of farm animals systematically raised and slaughtered for food; wildlife caught in the poaching crisis’, humane/wildlife conflict or captured for entertainment in zoos and circuses; fur-bearers raised or trapped for apparel and accessories, and millions of animals spending their entire lives in labs for unnecessary experimentation. The HSUS addresses all of this, and in fact, works to protect all animals. A few HSUS HG/FoF members and I recently visited a beautiful oasis upstate called the Woodstock Sanctuary. I recommend occasional sanctuary visits as it is usually a gentle reminder of what a peaceful existence for all animals can (and should) look like, not just for our companion dogs and cats.
This is where my passion lies: to step out in selflessness and consider the lives of the oppressed and suffering, for no other reason but because humanity holds all the power and their lives matter to them.
Feel free to hop on the HSUS or Woodstock Sanctuary websites to learn how you can advocate for animals in your community.
We all tend to identify with the way in which we eat. Be it, a carnivore, omnivore, pescatarian, vegetarian or vegan, to name a few. But have you ever thought of being a reducetarian? I am super enthused about this exciting new movement!
The Reducetarian Solution, edited by Brian Kateman is a compilation of essays written by thought-leaders in the animal welfare, nutrition/health and environmental space. This book provides applicable ways you can reduce (not necessarily eliminating completely) the amount of animal products consumed; demonstrating how the small changes you consciously make in your lifestyle, have the tendency and power to create a large ripple effect in the world.
I think this coined phrase, “reducetarian” is brilliant! Most of us want to be healthy while helping the planet and not hurting animals, right? But maybe we are simply not in the place to fully commit to an all plant-based diet. I get it, it’s been a life-long struggle for me– and I am one of the most empathetic humans on this planet. On top of that, I was even raised in a mostly-vegetarian household; my father having dedicated his life to nutrition and health, I know what I need to eat to be healthy. That being said, I strayed quite often, actually. I would say “yes” to that burger at the BBQ and “yes” to the turkey at Thanksgiving dinner. All because I was able to compartmentalize and wouldn’t allow my mind to “go there” at that moment in time. But, I couldn’t deny that there was always something that didn’t feel right to me personally about eating animals.
Beyond feeling sad about taking a life that does not want to die for my personal benefit, little did I know that industrial animal agriculture casts a much wider net, in terms of its negative impact. It is the leading cause of greenhouse gas emissions and one of the main culprits in the global warming crisis we face today. It is responsible for the extreme confinement, suffering and slaughter of billions upon billions of animals annually, systematically stripping these factory-farmed beings of every simple joy during their short-lived existence. And we can thank our overconsumption of animal products for contributing to the top four leading causes of death: heart disease, cancer, stroke and diabetes.
It came to the point where I decided that I didn’t want to actively participate in the decay of our planet, in the needless suffering of animals raised for food, and in literally killing myself. I am trying the vegan route, and have been since the summer of 2016, so just about a year. And it works for me. But I understand that it may not work for everyone; we are all on our own path, effected differently by countless issues at hand. Maybe you’re not vegan, or even vegetarian, but adopting a “reducetarian” lifestyle by cutting back on portion sizes, participating in Meatless Monday’s or maybe even limiting your animal product consumption to weekends only, can and will impact our world greatly. Each little influential nudge can multiply, and before we know it, a grassroots synergy can spark a revolution. I encourage you to pick up a copy of this thought-provoking book and kindly influence those around you to join in the Reducetarian movement!
Things are happening, guys! Look all around, change is happening. It’s an exciting time, and I thought I would create a space dedicated to the unique journey I am experiencing as a “grassroots influencer.” Weeding through thoughts & emotions, growth & refinement, failures & sweet successes; all while fighting to significantly reduce my carbon footprint & existing to wholly help make the world a better place for human & non-human animals. In the way of introducing myself to this online community, I thought I would link to my dear friends’ blog, Story Hill Lane, which so graciously featured a profile of my work. Thank you for reading!
grassroots influencer 