Any animal rights activists? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Rockdiva · 02-09-2009, 10:02 AM

I am about to embark on the world of animal rights activism. I have been a very big supporter of local animal shelters and the ASPCA (yeah, that danged Sara McLaughlin video got me, I am a monthly contributer!) but have never felt like I am doing enough. Plus when I go to the shelters to help, I leave bawling and wanting to bring every animal home with me. So, while talking to the Humane Society investigators last week, I asked them about what I could do. They suggested that I join the THLN (TX Humane Legislation Network) because they really need more people to fight for better and more defined laws in regards to animal rights in TX. (From what I understand TX is one of the worst states in the nation for these laws). So, I signed up. I haven't really got started on anything yet. I am truthfully a little overwhelmed. I don't know much about legislation and how it all works. I am supposed to be calling a lady to talk with her about all this. She sent me an email telling me "Get ready to be extremely busy!" That kinda scared me a bit.

Is there anyone in YT that is doing something similar? I am wondering what I am getting myself into. I don't mind doing a lot of work, that is what I want to do, but I am not sure I want to turn every bit of time that I am not at work to it. I still have my little furbaby at home that I am about to get into some serious training with, and I have my art that I am trying to start marketing. But I really, really want to help with this. I just wanted to check and see if there were any of my YT friends who could shed a little light on it for me before I get started on it.

hartygirl · 02-09-2009, 10:47 AM

I think that sounds really cool! I am in TX and would be interested in joining or helping you if you need it. Let me know where to go, who to write and what I need to do to help! I'll PM you my email address and phone # if you need it.

My friend told me once you never realize how much spare/free time you have until you have none!

Rockdiva · 02-09-2009, 11:05 AM

Awesome, thanks! Maybe we can figure it all out together!!!

Yorkiekids · 02-09-2009, 11:12 AM

I'm sure being activists themselves they'll understand you need some down time to spend with your baby. Thanks for doing such a good job.

Nikki+2 · 02-09-2009, 11:36 AM

Yay for you for wanting to be more involved. I think I know just how you're feeling because I always wish I could find more ways to be involved. I have so much admiration for those who work in shelters and rescues because I don't think I'm strong enough for it. The humane legislation network sounds great! I'm sure if you are firm with the amount of time you are willing to give it will work out. I do consider myself an activist in that I'm a letter writer and participate in demonstrations and pay attention to legislation. I attended a HSUS grassroots meeting last Oct. hoping to come home with a million ideas but really didn't. It really helped to better understand legislation affecting animals but I was still at a loss of concrete things that I can do other than calling my legislators and writing letters. I was hoping to attend the Humane Lobby Day in Tallahassee in April but I'm not going to be able to. I'm so bummed because we will be in Tall. the week after the event.

Unfortunately I have to work around spring break for my daughter.

Anyway- good luck finding ideas. I'll be watching this thread for ideas too.

Nikki+2 · 02-09-2009, 11:42 AM

This might help ease your concerns on you knowledge of legislation- http://www.humaneteen.org/?q=node/691 It's a free online course called, Using the Legislative Process to Speak Up for Animals. It's designed for teenagers but it might have what you're looking for. My daughter took it and loved it.

Rockdiva · 02-09-2009, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikki+2

Yay for you for wanting to be more involved. I think I know just how you're feeling because I always wish I could find more ways to be involved. I have so much admiration for those who work in shelters and rescues because I don't think I'm strong enough for it. The humane legislation network sounds great! I'm sure if you are firm with the amount of time you are willing to give it will work out. I do consider myself an activist in that I'm a letter writer and participate in demonstrations and pay attention to legislation. I attended a HSUS grassroots meeting last Oct. hoping to come home with a million ideas but really didn't. It really helped to better understand legislation affecting animals but I was still at a loss of concrete things that I can do other than calling my legislators and writing letters. I was hoping to attend the Humane Lobby Day in Tallahassee in April but I'm not going to be able to. I'm so bummed because we will be in Tall. the week after the event.

Unfortunately I have to work around spring break for my daughter.

Anyway- good luck finding ideas. I'll be watching this thread for ideas too.

I just got off a website for HSUS that talked about out state Humane Lobby Day. It is going to be in Austin on April 2nd. From what I understand, you get to sit and talk with legislators in the afternoon and the morning is spent getting you prepared for it. I am going to find out more about that and hope I can attend. I am a horticulturist and April is one of the months that I am not supposed to take time off. That is a very busy season for us. So I am not sure it is going to be doable for me. I also want to figure out what it is I am trying to fight for. I don't want to show up and just be like "Duh, please help animals..."

Rockdiva · 02-09-2009, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikki+2

This might help ease your concerns on you knowledge of legislation- Online Courses | Humane Teen It's a free online course called, Using the Legislative Process to Speak Up for Animals. It's designed for teenagers but it might have what you're looking for. My daughter took it and loved it.

OMG!! Thanks so much for that link!!! That is exactly the kind of thing I am looking for! Something geared towards teenagers maybe in a language I can understand! LOL I can't wait to sit and look at it!!! Thanks!!!

Nikki+2 · 02-09-2009, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rockdiva

I just got off a website for HSUS that talked about out state Humane Lobby Day. It is going to be in Austin on April 2nd. From what I understand, you get to sit and talk with legislators in the afternoon and the morning is spent getting you prepared for it. I am going to find out more about that and hope I can attend. I am a horticulturist and April is one of the months that I am not supposed to take time off. That is a very busy season for us. So I am not sure it is going to be doable for me. I also want to figure out what it is I am trying to fight for. I don't want to show up and just be like "Duh, please help animals..."

Oh I'm so jealous if you get to attend. If you do I would love to hear every single detail.

hartygirl · 02-09-2009, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rockdiva

I just got off a website for HSUS that talked about out state Humane Lobby Day. It is going to be in Austin on April 2nd. From what I understand, you get to sit and talk with legislators in the afternoon and the morning is spent getting you prepared for it. I am going to find out more about that and hope I can attend. I am a horticulturist and April is one of the months that I am not supposed to take time off. That is a very busy season for us. So I am not sure it is going to be doable for me. I also want to figure out what it is I am trying to fight for. I don't want to show up and just be like "Duh, please help animals..."

I saw that on ASPCA website and I am hoping to be able to go, I need to find a good friend to stay with that wont take me to 6th st the night before!

hartygirl · 02-09-2009, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rockdiva

OMG!! Thanks so much for that link!!! That is exactly the kind of thing I am looking for! Something geared towards teenagers maybe in a language I can understand! LOL I can't wait to sit and look at it!!! Thanks!!!

That is a very useful link! Thanks!

Rockdiva · 02-09-2009, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hartygirl

I saw that on ASPCA website and I am hoping to be able to go, I need to find a good friend to stay with that wont take me to 6th st the night before!

Haha, no kidding!! 6th St has probably been the downfall of many people with different agendas!! LOL

I really want to go, but I just don't think I can manage it with work. I am gonna try though!!!

Nikki+2 · 02-10-2009, 11:51 AM

I'm going to the Humane Lobby Day in Tallahassee! I was telling my hubby how bummed I was that spring break and our planned family trip to Tallahassee was 1 week after the lobby day. Knowing how awesome it would be for both my daughter and myself he said we should just go ahead and go and I thought, yeah, we should!

Not looking forward to the 5 hour drive 2 weeks in a row but I know it will be worth it- I'm so excited.

If anyone is interested in the Humane Lobby Day for their own state you can find it here: https://community.hsus.org/humane/ev...th=2&year=2009 There are quite a few in the next few months.

Here are the FAQs: Humane Lobby Day: Frequently Asked Questions | The Humane Society of the United States

Any other Floridians going? I'm going to start a thread in the regional forum.

Rockdiva · 02-10-2009, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikki+2

I'm going to the Humane Lobby Day in Tallahassee! I was telling my hubby how bummed I was that spring break and our planned family trip to Tallahassee was 1 week after the lobby day. Knowing how awesome it would be for both my daughter and myself he said we should just go ahead and go and I thought, yeah, we should!

Not looking forward to the 5 hour drive 2 weeks in a row but I know it will be worth it- I'm so excited.

If anyone is interested in the Humane Lobby Day for their own state you can find it here: https://community.hsus.org/humane/ev...th=2&year=2009 There are quite a few in the next few months.

Here are the FAQs: Humane Lobby Day: Frequently Asked Questions | The Humane Society of the United States

Any other Floridians going? I'm going to start a thread in the regional forum.

That is awesome!!! I hope I get to go to ours! Mine will be a long drive as well, almost 4 hrs I think. I wish I could go to the FL one with ya!!!! Maybe I will have some fellow YT Texans at mine!!!

02-09-2009, 10:02 AM	#1
Rockdiva YT Addict Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Fort Worth, TX, US Posts: 254	Any animal rights activists? I am about to embark on the world of animal rights activism. I have been a very big supporter of local animal shelters and the ASPCA (yeah, that danged Sara McLaughlin video got me, I am a monthly contributer!) but have never felt like I am doing enough. Plus when I go to the shelters to help, I leave bawling and wanting to bring every animal home with me. So, while talking to the Humane Society investigators last week, I asked them about what I could do. They suggested that I join the THLN (TX Humane Legislation Network) because they really need more people to fight for better and more defined laws in regards to animal rights in TX. (From what I understand TX is one of the worst states in the nation for these laws). So, I signed up. I haven't really got started on anything yet. I am truthfully a little overwhelmed. I don't know much about legislation and how it all works. I am supposed to be calling a lady to talk with her about all this. She sent me an email telling me "Get ready to be extremely busy!" That kinda scared me a bit. Is there anyone in YT that is doing something similar? I am wondering what I am getting myself into. I don't mind doing a lot of work, that is what I want to do, but I am not sure I want to turn every bit of time that I am not at work to it. I still have my little furbaby at home that I am about to get into some serious training with, and I have my art that I am trying to start marketing. But I really, really want to help with this. I just wanted to check and see if there were any of my YT friends who could shed a little light on it for me before I get started on it. __________________ Shelly and Wookie

02-09-2009, 10:47 AM	#2
hartygirl megan - g Donating Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: South Texas Posts: 2,324	I think that sounds really cool! I am in TX and would be interested in joining or helping you if you need it. Let me know where to go, who to write and what I need to do to help! I'll PM you my email address and phone # if you need it. My friend told me once you never realize how much spare/free time you have until you have none! __________________

02-09-2009, 11:05 AM	#3
Rockdiva YT Addict Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Fort Worth, TX, US Posts: 254	Awesome, thanks! Maybe we can figure it all out together!!! __________________ Shelly and Wookie

02-09-2009, 11:12 AM	#4
Yorkiekids Piper & Sebastian Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: florida Posts: 14,495	I'm sure being activists themselves they'll understand you need some down time to spend with your baby. Thanks for doing such a good job. __________________ Susan, Piper ,Harley & Suiki

02-09-2009, 11:36 AM	#5
Nikki+2 I heart Sugar Donating Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 7,373	Yay for you for wanting to be more involved. I think I know just how you're feeling because I always wish I could find more ways to be involved. I have so much admiration for those who work in shelters and rescues because I don't think I'm strong enough for it. The humane legislation network sounds great! I'm sure if you are firm with the amount of time you are willing to give it will work out. I do consider myself an activist in that I'm a letter writer and participate in demonstrations and pay attention to legislation. I attended a HSUS grassroots meeting last Oct. hoping to come home with a million ideas but really didn't. It really helped to better understand legislation affecting animals but I was still at a loss of concrete things that I can do other than calling my legislators and writing letters. I was hoping to attend the Humane Lobby Day in Tallahassee in April but I'm not going to be able to. I'm so bummed because we will be in Tall. the week after the event. Unfortunately I have to work around spring break for my daughter. Anyway- good luck finding ideas. I'll be watching this thread for ideas too. __________________ "If you have men who will exclude any of God’s creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow men." — St. Francis of Assisi, 1181-1226 Last edited by Nikki+2; 02-09-2009 at 11:38 AM.

02-09-2009, 11:42 AM	#6
Nikki+2 I heart Sugar Donating Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 7,373	This might help ease your concerns on you knowledge of legislation- http://www.humaneteen.org/?q=node/691 It's a free online course called, Using the Legislative Process to Speak Up for Animals. It's designed for teenagers but it might have what you're looking for. My daughter took it and loved it. __________________ "If you have men who will exclude any of God’s creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow men." — St. Francis of Assisi, 1181-1226

02-10-2009, 11:51 AM	#13
Nikki+2 I heart Sugar Donating Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 7,373	I'm going to the Humane Lobby Day in Tallahassee! I was telling my hubby how bummed I was that spring break and our planned family trip to Tallahassee was 1 week after the lobby day. Knowing how awesome it would be for both my daughter and myself he said we should just go ahead and go and I thought, yeah, we should! Not looking forward to the 5 hour drive 2 weeks in a row but I know it will be worth it- I'm so excited. If anyone is interested in the Humane Lobby Day for their own state you can find it here: https://community.hsus.org/humane/ev...th=2&year=2009 There are quite a few in the next few months. Here are the FAQs: Humane Lobby Day: Frequently Asked Questions \| The Humane Society of the United States Any other Floridians going? I'm going to start a thread in the regional forum. __________________ "If you have men who will exclude any of God’s creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow men." — St. Francis of Assisi, 1181-1226