NJ animals’ long-time protectors . . . & naming names

I don’t do these things and I’m sure most other people don’t either.  Yet, obviously, they’re happening.  So just who is working with fervor to make life better for animals in New Jersey – and often, to start with, saving those lives? Who does such things as . . .  *  Maintaining a website full of current and useful info about NJ animals, from black bears to deer to community cats   *  Meeting and corresponding with state legislators and both the assembly and senate majority offices, all having to do with animals.  (For instance, a team of 4 met with more than 50 legislators since last June on current issues like a bear-feeding ban and a poaching bill.)   *  Making numerous site visits around the state to promote non-lethal geese-management and persuade communities away from contracts to kill geese.      *  Producing newsletters on animal issues – for instance, NJ bears, who are always threatened by trophy-seeking hunters   *  Working for introduction of legislation to benefits our animals and helping line up co-sponsors for bills   *   Establishing a committee of 3 to track voting records and produce scorecards to help with your choice   *  Aiming to modernize the Fish and Game Council, now largely comprised of pro-hunting members, by switching its focus to non-lethal approaches Who is behind all this, and many more initiatives on behalf of animals in New Jersey?  You probably already know: the one statewide organization that for nearly 40 years has worked for animals here: the Animal Protection League of NJ (alpnj.org). Thank you, committed and tireless APL! What’s in a name?

Owners?  Parents?  Guardians?  Family?  People?  Which name do you think is best to describe yourself or any other person with one or more pets at home? While we know that typically, our pets could not survive in the wild – I think back on my pets who couldn’t fend for themselves outdoors for a week, or maybe even a night.  But who said they should be able to do that?   Humans have so domesticated some animals that they now must depend on us for housing, food, love and so on.  Even so, does that mean we “own” them, using such an historically cruel word to describe the relationship?  Yet the world at large uses that word to describe the connection between a person and the pet s/he brings to a veterinarian, right?  And an “owner” must often sign off on various kinds of pet-related paperwork, as well as being the person neighbors might describe as “that big dog’s owner.”   So, if not “owner,” what’s a preferable word for the human who shares a home with a pet?  What doesn’t smack so strongly of possession, but rather of something much more benign or companionable? Does “parent” work, or is that too hierarchical?  How about “guardian” – does that better describe the person with a pet?  “Family” is softer, warmer, but would most of us say that way, even if we think and act that way?  And does “person” or “people” have the right ring, as in “Clearly lost, the puppy was fruitlessly looking for her “person” (or “people”)?   I’d like to hear from readers about their preference for a word in this context – maybe one of those above or a better word that you’ve come up with. A special treat Here’s a great “Save the Elephants” video that came to me, but its thank-you message is really for everyone who has decided to donate to “Save the Elephants”!  Just watching the brief video will further strengthen your resolve to help elephants like the ones shown here, in Kenya.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbP-2PSQYPE                                          National Cat Day is October 29: hug your cat(s)! #