‘Remember the ladies’ . . . in animal advocacy!

NYC carriage horse  

The often-repeated quote “Remember the ladies” was part of a plea by Abigail Adams to her husband John, who later became the second president of the US.  She encouraged him to recognize women as more than property and protect them from the power men held over them.  That was in the late 18^th century.

By a century later – while still lacking the right to vote -- Philadelphia women took the lead in establishing the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals  (PSPCA).  Although brutally mistreated carriage horses were the initial targets for their compassion, abandoned dogs quickly became a focus of the women’s attention and initiatives.

They successfully petitioned for the founding of the Shelter for Dogs and Other Animals, aiming to reunite pets with their owners or find them new homes.  In effect, this was the start of an adoption program.

Other reforms followed: establishment of basic shelter standards, provision of drinking fountains around the city, programs for sick or injured cats, veterinary care for dogs and farm animals, and many more.

This whole story is detailed, inspiringly, in the summer ’17 issue of AnimalSheltering magazine. For far different reasons than Abigail's, remember these ladies too!

https://www.animalsheltering.org/magazine/articles/women%E2%80%99s-movement

And recognize one contemporary woman whose efforts are directed at improving the lives (and

Greenstein

sometimes no doubt saving them as well) for shelter animals in this state:  NJ Senator Linda R. Greenstein (District 14).  Introduced last February, her bill (S3019) is “still an active bill—it hasn’t been heard in committee yet,” an aide reports.  She adds, “If the bill doesn’t get heard by the first week in January, it will be re-introduced with a new bill number after the second Tuesday of January 2018.”

This is an ideal time for all of us to react to the bill with suggestions and corrections that Greenstein’s staff can note for future use; watch for news of the bill’s resurfacing; and volunteer to help build support for its move through the legislature.   

and FORGET this lady

On Tuesday we will elect a new governor of NJ. It’s our chance to throw out the party and the people who permitted years of black bear hunts here, among other grievous instances of cruelty toward animals.  Here’s what the League of Humane Voters (lohv.org) has to say about the incumbent and his would-be successors:

  

2014 anti-hunt demo 

Our wildlife has suffered enormously under Governor Chris Christie. The Christie Administration allowed the Fish and Game Council to brazenly breach New Jersey’s landmark law banning bone-crushing steel-jaw leghold traps. As a candidate, Chris Christie promised hunters a black bear hunt. Tragically, he delivered, each and every year. 

If possible, the bear hunt got even worse when the game council added terribly cruel bows and arrows to hunters’ arsenal. Under Governor Christie (and Democrat Senate President Stephen Sweeney), deregulation is rampant and wildlife protection bills are routinely blocked and denied committee and floor votes.

. . . be aware that Republican gubernatorial candidate Kim Guadagno has frequently pledged her support for hunters and trappers. She has publicly pledged continued black bear hunts.

In contrast, Democratic candidate for governor Phil Murphy promises to end the bear hunt and to restore New Jersey’s law banning leghold traps. 

                                                                                               APLNJ image

Halt horrendous, horrific black bear hunts in NJ.  Vote (early and often) for Murphy!

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