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The Humane Exchange

Is Ending Child Abuse and Neglect Really Possible?

Posted April 23, 2009

As you know, American Humane works every day to stop child abuse and neglect. Yet year after year, the number of children in this country who are abused or neglected hovers around the 1-million mark.

‘First Dog’ Heightens Awareness of Adoption Issues

Posted April 14, 2009

This week, a little puppy found himself at the center of a big controversy. The newest member of the Obama family, a Portuguese water dog named Bo, has been in the media’s glare. And not all of the press has been good.

Are Your Easter Eggs American Humane® Certified?

Posted April 9, 2009

Every Easter when I was a kid, we would celebrate by having “eggs every way” -- fried, scrambled, poached, hard-boiled, soft-boiled and however else we wanted. It was a special perk of growing up on a farm, where I was able to collect fresh eggs from the henhouse myself.

Don’t Leave Your Pet’s Safety to Chance

Posted April 2, 2009

Every pet owner has had a close call. Maybe one day a visitor forgot to close the door all the way and your cat made a break for the great outdoors. Or you were walking your dog and he lunged after a squirrel, almost causing you to drop the leash.

Have You Hugged a Social Worker This Month?

Posted March 26, 2009

Back when I was choosing a major in college, I considered trying to become a social worker. I remember doing some research and coming to the conclusion that while I was driven to help others, I wasn’t sure I could handle the emotional repercussions of seeing people, day after day, caught in terrible situations.

First Day of Spring a Death Knell for Many Cats

Posted March 19, 2009

While I look forward to springtime as much as anyone, I know that there is a tragic side to the onset of warmer weather: cat overpopulation.

Humane Education: A Path to Empathy

Posted March 12, 2009

I recently attended the Association of Professional Humane Educators 2009 National Conference. It is always exciting to be around humane educators, whose work is so vital. One of the key takeaways from the conference that I would like to share concerns humane education’s overarching purpose.

Five Years, Five Success Stories

Posted March 5, 2009

I recently reached a milestone at American Humane: my five-year anniversary as president and CEO. In thinking back to when I first started here, I’m struck by how the organization was facing a tough financial landscape then, just as we are today. The circumstances were vastly different, but the bottom line was the same. We needed to succeed to survive.

Online Pet Ads: Be On Guard

Posted February 26, 2009

I recently received an email from an animal shelter worker asking American Humane to help spread awareness of the dangers of using online advertising services to find homes for pets.

And the Award Goes to…

Posted February 18, 2009

I love Oscar time. I always look forward to watching the extravaganza – the glamour, the gowns, the celebrities. Like many of you, I’m sure, I usually go out to some kind of event or Oscar-watching party with friends. We dress up, try to guess the winners and root for our favorites.

For Some, There’s Little to Love About Valentine’s Day

Posted February 12, 2009

I’ve been thinking about how for some, Valentine’s Day isn’t going to be all chocolates and roses. American Humane is frequently contacted by women who, instead of celebrating on Feb. 14, will be desperately looking for ways out of abusive relationships that endanger themselves, their children and their pets.

Are You an ‘Extremist’? Or Just Extremely Humane?

Posted February 5, 2009

Does having a passion for helping children and animals make someone an “extremist”? I see this label used frequently to describe humane movement advocates -- and the tactics used by some individuals or organizations merit that label. Yet it is completely inaccurate within the context of supporting American Humane.

The Pitfalls of Banning Pit Bulls -- or Any Breed

Posted January 29, 2009

Though it happened years ago, I clearly remember the wave of fear that engulfed my childhood hometown when a resident was bitten by a Rottweiler.

‘A Dream Deferred’: Children of Color Overrepresented in the System

Posted January 22, 2009

The celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day and the inauguration of our first black president earlier this week made me recall my experiences growing up in the South in the 1960s. The type of overt racism I witnessed then is less common today, but unfortunately, its vestiges are still very much with us.

Many ‘Recession Pets’ Won’t Get a Second Chance

Posted January 15, 2009

I’ve noticed a recent trend in some of the stories behind American Humane’s Second Chance® Fund -- a trend that is echoed in news stories across the country, from Chattanooga, Tenn., to Baltimore, Md., to Gilroy, Calif.