Animal rights movement pioneer SAN RAFAEL, California–– In Defense of Animals founder Elliot Katz, DVM, “died peacefully on March 24th at the age of 86,” the organization announced via Facebook on April 9, 2021, after word of Katz’s death had percolated through the animal advocacy community for several days. “Dr. Katz was a trailblazer […]
Los Angeles Animal Services chief Brenda Barnette to retire in May 2021
Took L.A. to “no kill” at cost of soaring pit bull attacks LOS ANGELES, California––Brenda Barnette, the third-longest-serving general manager of Los Angeles Animal Services since World War II, has announced her retirement, effective in mid-May 2021. The City of Los Angeles has officially not yet begun what is expected to become a nationwide […]
Increasing the survival rates of kittens
by Nancy Peterson & the National Kitten Coalition (with some kibbitzing from ANIMALS 24-7) Five years ago––six years ago in July 2021––I retired after 18 years as first and still only national cat program manager for the Humane Society of the United States. Having a national and even sometimes international platform to help animals, especially […]
Predation is nature’s disease control, including for Tweety & Sylvester
Too few cats around bird feeders means pine siskins die by thousands SACRAMENTO, California––When are free-roaming cats watching a bird feeder the birds’ best friend? When infectious disease is at large among common bird feeder species, spreading rapidly from bird to bird in the absence of predators to kill and consume the sick and […]
Colorado pit bull defense lawyer charged in alleged murder-for-hire plot
Animal Law Center founder Jennifer Edwards now has more in common with “Joe Exotic” than just initials and notoriety EVERGREEN, Colorado––Animal Law Center founder Jennifer Reba Edwards, 43, central to efforts to overturn and weaken Colorado dangerous dog laws, now has more in common with the notorious “Joe Exotic” than just the “JE” initials […]
Rick Collord, 72, helped lead transition from the high-kill to the no-kill era
Headed 10 animal shelters in six states Rick Collord, 72, a 42-year humane professional and chief executive of humane societies for most of that time, died on January 26, 2021 in Lexington, North Carolina, his home since 2017. Born Irving Richard Collord III in 1948 in New Orleans, Louisiana, Rick Collord––no one ever called him […]
Solvang animal advocate “Hurricane” Hazel Mortensen dies at 85
Mortensen was still on the job of helping animals in every way that she could SOLVANG, California––“Hurricane” Hazel Mortensen, 85, remembered for nearly 50 years of dynamic animal advocacy and her hearty laugh, died at her home on September 26, 2020 from complications of heart disease. “Born on April 26, 1935 in England, Hazel […]
Alex Pacheco serves stale “Spay & Neuter Cookies” again for Christmas
Pacheco says he eats them POMPANO BEACH, Florida––600 Million Stray Dogs Need You founder Alex Pacheco, who also cofounded People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals in 1981, is no longer distributing old photos of himself exchanging banter with soon-to-be-former-U.S. President Donald Trump. But predictably as Trump’s temper tantrums over losing the presidency to […]
L.A. city council approves TNR: “project does not encourage feeding”
Not encouraging feeding sidesteps most objections to new Los Angeles neuter/return cat control program LOS ANGELES, California––The long-awaited Los Angeles Citywide Cat Program on December 10, 2020 won unanimous approval from the Los Angeles City Council. “The Council vote clears the way for the city to use municipal funds to operate the Citywide Cat […]
Anna Briggs lived for animal rights & no-kill before the movements existed
Quiet personality long set an example, yet did not emerge as a leader of causes Anna Catherine Briggs, 101, died on February 15, 2011 in Berryville, Virginia, 21 years after publishing her autobiography, For the Love of Animals. For the Love of Animals, a 122-page paperback, was written essentially as a fundraising device, distributed chiefly to […]