Best known for long tenures with the National Animal Control Association & ASPCA Darlene Wohler Larson, 78, died on October 17, 2022. “She had entered hospice after extended hospital care following surgery,” longtime friend Bob Marotto announced via Facebook. “Darlene was an extraordinary and beloved person of great professional accomplishment,” Marotto said, but “never forgot […]
Vicky Crosetti, 66: “She was a good friend,” to animals & humans
ANIMALS 24-7 founding board member KNOXVILLE, Tennessee––Vicky Crosetti, for 19 years executive director of the Humane Society of the Tennessee Valley and a founding member of the ANIMALS 24-7 board of directors, died on January 22, 2020, after a multi-year fight against lung cancer and a variety of other serious health issues. Crosetti would have […]
Did the Omak Suicide Race start with a horse massacre & the KKK?
Uncovering the nasty origins of an ugly event OMAK, Washington––The 88th edition of the bizarre and often deadly “World Famous Suicide Race” held annually in Omak, Washington, is to conclude on August 14, 2022, as the final event of the annual Omak Stampede Rodeo. Bizarre as is the race itself, down an extremely steep […]
Gary Tiscornia, 75, headed Michigan Humane & Monterey County SPCA
Led Michigan Humane recovery post-David Wills TUCSON, Arizona––Gary Tiscornia, 75, died on October 14, 2021 in Tucson, Arizona, his home for much of his childhood, his university and early professional years, and in retirement after 41 years of leading or helping to lead the Humane Society of Tucson, the Michigan Humane Society, the Society […]
Fire, crime, shelter management & the wisdom of Warren Cox
“Fire is always a threat” ORLANDO, Florida; FRISCO, Texas––“We were able to save 45 cats and 26 dogs,” the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando posted to Facebook after a late night fire on September 15, 2021. “We are heartbroken to report that we lost 13 cats and there are four still missing,” the posting […]
Rodeo has had free pass from humane groups for 60 years, recalls Cox
Dean of U.S. humane work Warren Cox bucked rodeo before there was an “animal rights movement” The ASPCA, HSUS, PETA et al ignore the Omak Suicide Race. Why?! asked Showing Animals Respect & Kindness [SHARK] founder Steve’ Hindi in an August 11, 2021 ANIMALS 24-7 guest column. Hindi’s question reminded Warren Cox, the dean of […]
Remembering Rory Young, Glenn Summerlin, & Helen Marston
Soldier, fundraiser, & campaigner: three animal advocates whose work & approaches could scarcely have differed more Rory Young, 49, founder of the anti-poaching organization Chengeta Wildlife, was killed on April 26, 2021, along with Spanish journalist David Beriáin, 44, and photographer Roberto Fraile, 47, in an ambush in Burkina Faso attributed to the jihadist militia […]
Patt Nordyke, 90, founded the Texas Federation of Animal Care Societies
Involved in humane work for nearly 70 years Patt Nordyke, 90, founder of the Texas Federation of Animal Care Societies and a leader in Texas animal advocacy long before that, died on February 6, 2017, seven weeks after breaking her femur at the hip in an early morning fall on December 18, 2016. She had […]
Robert “Bob” King Hillman, 71
Cowboy turned humane investigator had a long, wild ride Robert “Bob” King Hillman, 71, an often controversial humane professional for more than 39 years, died on January 30, 2016 at his home in Henderson, Nevada, six weeks before what would have been the 46th anniversary of his marriage to Peggy Casper Hillman. “My dad […]
“Animal control: what’s it all about?” asked Mike Burgwin
Cofounded National Animal Control Association Mike Burgwin, 87, founding president of the National Animal Control Association, died on March 23, 2016 at his home in Hoodsport, Washington, “after complications from surgery several weeks earlier,” former NACA president Eric Blow told ANIMALS 24-7. Elaborated Burgwin’s granddaughters Kahlen and Chelsea on a GoFundMe memorial page, “On February […]