by Bob Christiansen, co-founder, The Boca Fund (See also How to heal pets, heal the humane community, & heal the veterinary profession and Is the Veterinary Profession Serving All Companion Animal Medical Needs in America Today?, subtitled “A Case for Full-Service, Low-Cost, Non-Profit Community Veterinary Care Centers,” by Bob Christiansen.) For anyone involved in animal […]
Rich Avanzino, 84, one of the suspected “fathers” of bastardized no-kill
Avanzino in 23 years at the San Francisco SPCA helped to create the “no kill movement,” but in 17 years as founding president of Maddie’s Fund tended to discredit the concept PLEASANTON, California––Maddie’s Fund on September 29, 2026––nine days after Richard Avanzino’s actual death, announced that “Rich Avanzino, affectionately and widely known as the father […]
Peter Max, artist, vegetarian, & pro-animal philanthropist, dies at 88
Peter & Mary Max were “a consistent presence” at New York City galas for animal causes NEW YORK CITY––Artist and pro-animal philanthopist Peter Max died in Manhattan, New York City, on September 14, 2026, after a fourteen-year struggle with dementia, his son Adam Max disclosed two days later. Peter Max, “a vegetarian and a teetotaler […]
Wendell Berry, Gloria Steinem, & animal rights: idols meet (meat) reality
Berry raised animals for slaughter. Steinem believed “Animals are not ours to eat, wear, experiment on, or use for entertainment.” Neither Wendell Berry and Gloria Steinem, each deceased at 92, on August 31, 2026 and September 2, 2026, respectively, were known primarily––or perhaps even at all––for their considerable influence on the late 20th century rise […]
Alfred M. Kailihiwa & Susan Solari died in the line of duty toward animals
Murder victim Alfred M. Kailihiwa was feeding cats; fire victim Susan Solari stayed with her dogs KAHULUI, Hawaii; ANGELS CAMP, California––Neuter/return cat trapper Alfred M. Kailihiwa, 71, of Waihee, Hawaii, allegedly murdered on August 6, 2026, and German shepherd breeder Susan Solari, 70, of Angel’s Camp, California, a wildfire victim reported dead the same day, […]
Martha Lillard, 73 years in an iron lung, warned against vaccine resistance
Martha Lillard worked on behalf of beagle rescue, & to encourage vaccination of both dogs and humans SHAWNEE, Oklahoma––Martha Lillard, 78, a longtime Pottawatomie County Humane Society online volunteer, a strong advocate for vaccination of both people and dogs, and the last known U.S. polio victim to spend most of her life in an iron […]
Naked Ape author Desmond Morris, 98, helped to shape AR movement
Desmond Morris’ ideas helped to form “animal rights” arguments, but Morris stood apart from the cause LONDON, U.K.––Naked Ape author Desmond Morris, 98, an influence upon and fellow traveler with the animal rights movement for much of his life, but at odds with vegans and vegetarians, died on April 19, 2026, in Naas, County Kildare, […]
In memoriam: Mark Bittner, Edward Hoagland, Anthony McAllister
Parrot man, writer, and activist Mark Bittner, 74, who died on March 1, 2026, and Edward Hoagland, 93, who died on February 17, 2026, were both known to millions and are remembered for their unique insights into animal and human relationships. Anthony McAllister, 36, killed in a March 22, 2026 motorcycle accident, was known mostly […]
Orangutan rescuer Biruté Galdikas, last of “Leakey’s Angels,” dies at 79
Born a “displaced person,” Biruté Galdikas spent her life aiding & advocating for displaced orangutans LOS ANGELES––Orangutan researcher, rescuer, and conservationist Biruté Galdikas, 79, died on March 24, 2026 in Los Angeles, after a prolonged illness. “Born in Germany, on May 10, 1946, while her parents were en route from Lithuania to Canada,” as displaced […]
Six recent animal advocate deaths of note
New York City veterinarian Ashraf Hussein, Alabama humane officer Mary Stanley Mosely Mansour, California broadcaster Jerry Cesak, sanctuary founder JP Novic, and eagle advocate Sandy Steers, as well as Canadian bee expert Sheila Rafaela Colla Vet died on the job Ashraf Hussein, DVM, 56, died from carbon monoxide poisoning inside the Low Cost Vet Mobile […]