Dear Friends,
Since ISAR’s founding in 1959 it has not wavered in our commitment to improving the lives of animals through legal, legislative and educational efforts. The latter, public education about animal rights, both theoretical and practical, has long been a primary activity of ISAR, and will continue to be an important part of our programs. For instance:
Joining ISAR’s other efforts against dog and cat overpopulation is our new “Spanish Language Spay/Neuter Program.” Through it—and partnering with our friends at Advancing the Interests of Animals— ISAR expects to reach the countless individuals and families throughout the United States who are custodians of intact dogs and cats. At present, our program consists of four elements.
First, we will be enlarging our existing outdoor advertising program by designing and then installing in selected venues throughout the United States custom-designed, eye-catching Spanish language billboards carrying ISAR’s companion animal overpopulation and spay/neuter solution messages. Our billboard placements will emphasize installation in population centers where there are considerable numbers of Spanish- speaking men and women living and working.
Second, again in partnership with Advancing the Interests of Animals, we are broadening our current Public Service Announcement program, which in the past has been supported by celebrities such as the late Steve Allen and the animals’ long-time champion Bob Barker, to reach listeners of Spanish-speaking radio stations in such states as Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas. Our scripts are being rewritten, and will be distributed as Public Service Announcements to hundreds of radio stations with a predominantly Spanish- speaking audience.
Third, sometime in 2017 we will be expanding our new Spanish Language Outreach Program outside our borders to the many nations throughout the world where that language is spoken.
Fourth, ISAR is translating all of its model spay/neuter and related statutes into Spanish, and will make them available to animal protection individuals and organizations in Spanish-speaking venues with request that they be enacted into law.
With our new program, we hope to spread the message here and abroad that companion animal overpopulation is a curse, and that a powerful weapon against it is spay/neuter.
As part of ISAR’s initiative to increase our audience and raise awareness about the perils of pet overpopulation and its spay/neuter solution, ISAR has been diligently working with outdoor marketing companies around the globe to expand our spay/neuter educational reach.
Using one of the most efficient means of advertising, this year alone close to 100 of ISAR’s brightly-colored spay/neuter billboards have been installed along busy highways
and roadways, and on the sides of buildings, throughout the U.S. and abroad. In 2016, ISAR has posted our striking billboards in locations throughout Indiana, South Carolina, Tennessee,Oklahoma, California, Florida, Alabama, Virginia, West Virginia, Arkansas, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Rhode Island, Michigan, Arizona, Washington, Wyoming, Nevada, across the border in Canada, and overseas in Ireland. Photos of ISAR’s billboards that have been installed can be found on our website, www.isaronline.org, under the “gallery” tab.
In ISAR’s Summer 2016 Newsletter we mentioned that ISAR’s billboards have received a positive response from people who have encountered them. Most recently, Linda C., Montana, thanked ISAR for our public service campaign. She went on to say, “Thank you for posting spay/neuter banners in our area. Life Savers Animal Rescue has an aggressive spay/neuter program and appreciates any and all support.” We are happy to help!
ISAR’s billboards are a great way to advertise shelter events, spay/neuter clinics, or for simply sponsoring the spay/neuter message. If you or your organization are interested in participating in ISAR’s Spay/Neuter Billboard Campaign, email ISAR at contact@isaronline.org today!
ISAR’s International Homeless Animals’ Day® (IHAD®) 2016 was commemorated for the twenty-fifth consecutive year on August 20th in more than 22 U.S. states, Canada, and numerous foreign locations including several places throughout Africa and South Africa, Dominican Republic, France, Malaysia, Mexico, Panama, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
Since 1992, on the third Saturday of August, ISAR has commemorated International Homeless Animals’ Day in an effort to shed light on the pet overpopulation epidemic that affects people and communities on a global scale. Spay/neuter, the theme of the Day, is a proven solution that greatly reduces the numbers of unwanted cats, dogs, puppies and kittens running rampant in the streets and clogging shelter systems, ultimately resulting in mass killings simply because there are not enough good homes for those animals.
Dedicated rescues, animal protection organizations, and concerned individuals band together with ISAR on the third Saturday of August each year to raise a collective voice for the animals. Time and again, poignant vigils light the night in solidarity, such as the Defenders of Animals International Homeless Animals’ Day observance in Rhode Island this year. The young and old gathered to pay homage to individuals and organizations whose service to animals often times goes unnoticed.
A ceremony of gratitude at Defenders of Animals 2016 event paid tribute to humane heroes, including members of RI Canine Search and Rescue Team, Warwick Animal Hospital, a news anchor of NBC 10 in Providence, a local rescue, and others, were handed personalized plaques honoring their tireless efforts. During an interview with The Cranston Herald, Dennis Tabella, Director of Defenders of Animals, was quoted as saying, “We have always believed in this credo: The smaller the victim, the bigger the crime. I have always taken the side of the underdog, and there is no greater underdog than the dogs and cats that are waiting for homes at our shelters or those poor souls that walk the streets and throughout our neighborhoods without the love and security from a human being.” Defenders of Animals commemorated their 20th annual International Homeless Animals’ Day observance in 2016.
A moving candlelight vigil shed light on pet overpopulation at Defenders of Animals 20th annual IHAD event. Photo courtesy of The Cranston Herald.
ISAR’s IHAD is often utilized as a perfect time to launch new spay/neuter-related programs and campaigns to bring about positive change for animals. Asociación Nacional Protectora de Animales Costa Rica and Cat Lovers RD launched a Spanish language humane education program with a basis on proper pet care to be installed in various schools throughout nearby Samaná in the Dominican Republic on International Homeless Animals’ Day.
Excited and hopeful about this new humane education program, Isabel Gorski-Grobe, associated with Cat Lovers RD proclaimed, “Teaching local people wherever they are that the love for animals does a lot to prevent homeless animals and cuts down the need to re-home outside the country.” During the week leading up to IHAD, Cat Lovers RD along with the Association for Aid and Support of the Creole Dogs, performed more than 190 spay surgeries, preventing untold thousands of unwanted animals from being born.
Members of Cat Lovers RD proudly display their banner during their first IHAD event in
the Dominican Republic.

Rainy weather didn’t put a damper on SOS Chats 11th annual IHAD observance in Neuchâtel, Switzerland. With more than 300 people in attendance, including local politicians, members of animal rescue groups, artists, musicians, and others, SOS Chats hosted an information stall promoting spay/neuter. Each year, SOS Chats utilizes IHAD as a platform for gathering many signatures for their ongoing petition campaign supporting an amendment to a current law that would prohibit the practice of hunting feral cats as a means of “population control” in Switzerland. To date, SOS Chats has collected thousands of signatures.
Uber (a taxi-hailing application that connects riders to drivers via smartphones) and street dog rescue, Embark, took an unconventional approach in commemorating IHAD this year in Sri Lanka. People in Colombo, Sri Lanka’s capital, were offered the opportunity to choose UberPUPPIES, a selection within the app that offered participants a 15-minute visit with an adoptable puppy accompanied by an Embark representative. People from various businesses and homes took part in this initiative while learning about the need for pet adoption and to volunteer at local rescues. As a result, several puppies were adopted into loving new homes.
ISAR sincerely thanks all humane-minded elected officials who have taken the opportunity to encourage their citizens to act responsibly by having their pets spay/neutered. ISAR is especially grateful to the Virgin Islands Governor, Kenneth Mapp, for proclaiming Saturday, August 20, 2016, as International Homeless Animals’ Day. ISAR would also like to send a heartfelt thank-you to Mayor John A. Miller of Fernandina Beach, Florida, for presenting Cats Angels Inc. SPCA with a signed proclamation not only declaring August 20th as International Homeless Animals’ Day, but all of August 2016 as International Homeless Animals’ Month. In California, several animal protection organizations were presented with signed proclamations from Mayor William R. Bailey and Councilmember Mike Gardner declaring August 20, 2016, as International Homeless Animals’ Day in Riverside County. We ask our dedicated IHAD event planners to encourage elected officials who have not yet acknowledged the problem of pet overpopulation and the importance of spay/neuter, to take a stand alongside ISAR and sign our proclamation!
Thank you to all news media, tv and radio personalities, bloggers, and concerned individuals who provided a great service to animals in honor of IHAD 2016 by promoting the adopt-a-thons, spay/neuter clinics, candlelight vigils, and other events taking place all around the globe. ISAR is grateful to all of you who took to social media supporting ISAR’s International Homeless Animals’ Day campaign, including actress, producer, and animal advocate, Katherine Heigl, whose post about International Homeless Animals’ Day garnered more than 32,000 likes and shares over several online platforms. International Homeless Animals’ Day would not have the global outreach it needs to continue to make a positive difference in the lives of companion animals if it weren’t for our dedicated and driven coordinators and supporters.
Please join us in commemorating ISAR’s 26th annual International Homeless Animals’ Day!
ISAR extends a warm invitation to all of our veteran event coordinators, as well as to a host of new ones, to join us on Saturday, August 19, 2017, in commemorating ISAR’s 26th annual International Homeless Animals’ Day. Please contact ISAR by mail, phone, fax, or email to receive an IHAD 2017 planning packet.
Together we will continue to be a voice for the animals and continue to demand an end to the suffering and exploitation inflicted on animals each day.
Sincerely,
Susan Dapsis
ISAR President
August 20, 2016 m
arks ISAR’s 25th annual commemoration of International Homeless Animals’ Day® (IHAD®).
Humane societies, animal protection organizations, rescues, pet-friendly businesses, and concerned individuals are banding together on Saturday, August 20th to shed light on a global tragedy: pet overpopulation and its spay/neuter solution.
Since 1992, ISAR has reserved the third Saturday in August to enlighten communities on a global scale about the unnecessary killing of millions of dogs, cats, puppies and kittens that takes place in shelters each year because there are not enough good homes for all of them. The power to change the fates for many of these healthy and loving companion animals begins with a simple solution: spay/neuter. As a result of IHAD, thousands upon thousands of shelter animals have been adopted into loving new homes and countless more have been spayed/neutered.
ISAR’s International Homeless Animals’ Day is commemorated in many ways while promoting spay/neuter and adoption practices. Most often candlelight vigils, low-cost spay/neuter and microchip clinics, adopt-a-thons, pet walks, and heartfelt speeches comprise an IHAD event. In 2016, Defenders of Animals (Rhode Island) will be honoring Humane Heroes, those who work tirelessly helping animals on a daily basis, during their observance on August 20th including members of their local Canine Search and Rescue services. Participants of the Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare (United Kingdom) IHAD event will be ascending a 170-foot high structure to reach the top of the iconic 02 Dome in London to raise awareness about pet overpopulation.
ISAR has compiled on its website, a list of Domestic and International events that have been confirmed with us for IHAD 2016. Please visit our website to find an event in your area. We encourage you to visit your local animal shelter to volunteer your services, donate food, or shelter wishlist items if you find there is not an observance local to you. We would also like to invite you to light an online candle in ISAR’s 15th annual virtual vigil.
By coming together on International Homeless Animals’ Day you can support ISAR in letting the world know we will not tolerate the senseless killing claiming millions of companion animal lives.
Together, we will continue to be a voice for the animals, and continue to demand an end to the suffering these animals face each day.
Dear Friends,
As ISAR’s supporters know, we engage in extensive public education, including the creation and dissemination of monographs and other material dealing with animal rights: Newsletters, interviews, billboards, observances, seminars, blogs, websites, speeches, courses, articles, reports, memoranda, radio shows, and public service announcements.
This summer, in furtherance of ISAR’s mission to use law and legislation to protect and advance animal rights, ISAR filed a “friend-of-the-court” brief in the Supreme Court of the United States urging that body to accept a First Amendment case whose outcome will affect the wellbeing of animals.
A Texas statute suppresses the pure speech of veterinarians, and thus constitutes a grave danger to animals.
You can read the entire brief submitted by ISAR to the Supreme Court of the United States on our website.
For further information regarding this particular case, our friends at Animals Today Radio conducted an interview with Institute for Justice lawyer, Rob Peccola. To listen to this interview please visit the Animals Today Radio website, www.animalstodayradio.com. (See August 22, 2015 session “Adventures in cruelty free shopping. Will a Texas radio Veterinarian get shut down? Dog and cat vaccinations – all you need to know.” Interview with Attorney Peccola begins at the 15:00 mark.)
A Parked Car Could Kill Your Dog
In ISAR’s Summer 2015 report, we informed our supporters of the dangers of leaving pets, most often dogs, in a parked car especially during the warmer months. To raise public awareness, ISAR created an eye-catching billboard with the slogan, A Parked Car Could Kill Your Dog. During the summer months, be kind to your dog. Leave him at home. ISAR’s striking new billboards were posted near busy shopping districts in Pennsylvania during the months of June and July to educate people against this dangerous practice.
ISAR received several requests for our “A Parked Car Could Kill Your Dog” information cards. One such request came from Officer Bryant of the Montgomery Humane Society Humane Officer Division in Alabama who planned to distribute the cards to Deputy Humane Officers and circulate them throughout their community. In his letter to ISAR, Officer Bryant said, “We serve a population of approximately 300,000 citizens and each year we have hundreds of reports of dogs being locked in cars. Your consideration in this matter is greatly appreciated and we thank you for offering these cards to shelters.” ISAR gladly sent hundreds of cards for distribution. Anyone who wants more should contact ISAR by mail, phone, fax or email.
International Homeless Animals’ Day® 2015
International Homeless Animals’ Day® (IHAD®) 2015 was commemorated for the twenty-fourth consecutive year on August 15th with observances in more than 35 U.S. states, Canada and involvement in numerous foreign locations including Australia, Belize, Cuba, France, Malaysia, Mexico, Panama, South Africa, and Switzerland.
Since 1992, ISAR has reserved the third Saturday of August as a platform for thousands of dedicated, humane-minded people to come together in solidarity to enlighten the public about a tragedy that affects all communities, cat and dog overpopulation and its simple solution: spay/neuter. IHAD is often marked with candlelight vigils, blessing of the animals ceremonies, spay/neuter clinics, adopt-a-thons, animal shelter open houses, microchip clinics, marches, speeches given by veterinarians, humane officers, and shelter personnel, and much more.
Twenty-four years since its inception, International Homeless Animals’ Day continues to grow and has helped pave the way bringing pet overpopulation to the forefront while opening doors for others who promote spay/neuter days, clearing shelters of adoptable animals into loving new homes, and remembering companion animals who are placed in shelters or left to fend for themselves on the streets through no fault of their own.
Citing a new trend, more humane organizations are taking International Homeless Animals’ Day to the next level by not only commemorating the Day itself, but coincide their spay/neuter/adoption outreach all month long.
Last year, ISAR highlighted an IHAD event hosted by Spay/Panama in our Autumn 2014 newsletter. We reported nearly 500 cats and dogs were spayed/neutered in honor of International Homeless Animals’ Day in Panama City. This year, ISAR is proud to inform our readers that Spay/Panama has since expanded their IHAD spay/neuter efforts and significantly increased their dog and cat sterilizations to 2,125.
Here, verbatim, is the report submitted by Patricia Chan, Founder of Spay/Panama of what happened there in honor of International Homeless Animals’ Day 2015:
Panama, like many other Latin-American country has an enormous problem with homeless animals. We dedicated the whole month of August to bring awareness to the plight of Homeless Animals. For 2015 IHAD, we joined forces with the Mayor’s Office of Panama District, Fundacion Rayos de Fe y Esperanza, with the local authorities and schools in Burunga and Alcalde Diaz, the residents of several communities, Spay/Mexico and Dr. Marvin Mackie, creator of the Quick Spay Method to:
All these activities touched the lives of countless guardians, rescuers, students, professionals, and animals. The people reached through the radio and tv interviews cannot be measured and over 100 people attended the conference on No More Animals Suffering in the Streets. The major spay events had a great impact on two communities, Alcalde Diaz and Burunga. The people that live in these two communities are low-income and cannot afford to spay/neuter their animals in a veterinary clinic, yet they are aware of the life changing benefits of sterilizing their pets. They formed long lines before we set up and in these two communities we treated 1,348 animals.
Panama Mayor Jose Blandon attended the No More Animals Suffering in the Streets conference hosted by Spay/Panama.
We were pleasantly surprised that the Mayor Jose Blandon attended the conference No More Animals Suffering in the Streets and gave the welcome note. More so with the local authority Jose Gonzalez Medina from Burunga that understood the need for low-cost massive spay events and is already asking for another spay campaign. This would be unheard of, sometime ago.
At the Escuela Union Panamericana in Alcalde Diaz and Escuela Lucas Barcenas in Burunga, the children were attentive to the talks of humane treatment of animals and were the ones responsible for making their families take their pets to the spay campaigns.
Because we met with the veterinarians in the Chitre area, we will begin training two vets on September 20.At the Escuela Union Panamericana in Alcalde Diaz and Escuela Lucas Barcenas in Burunga, the children were attentive to the talks of humane treatment of animals and were the ones responsible for making their families take their pets to the spay campaigns.
50 senior veterinarian students watched the Quick Spay Method created by Dr. Marvin Mackie as part of Spay/Panama’s IHAD observances.
The 50 senior vet students that watched the two surgeries using the Quick Spay Method were eager and focused to learn.
Hundreds of dogs were outfitted with new collars and leashes, vaccinated, de-wormed, and flea-treated during Animal Allies International Homeless Animals’ Day observance. Many of the dogs and cats who attended are in the process of being spayed and neutered as a result of this event.
This year, IHAD received participation from many new organizations including several in South Africa. For instance, Animal Allies in Johannesburg held an IHAD Vaccination Day, Spay/Neuter Clinic and Spay/Neuter Educational Campaign vaccinating, de-worming, and flea-treating more than 200 cats and dogs. When asked about their IHAD experience, Karen Chitongo, Manager of Animal Allies, had this to say, “We had a hectic but wonderful day where we saw 200 dogs and about 15 cats. We made a list of all those animals that were not sterilized. To date we have sterilized all the cats and each week did 10 dogs, which comes to 42 so far. We will continue with the sterilizations. The community had a positive reaction towards the day. They do not have means of transport and were very happy that we were helping them at no cost to them. We explained that having their pets sterilized reduces the overpopulation of so many unwanted puppies and kittens. We also explained that fighting amongst unsterilized males is also reduced as well as infections and disease. The animal guardians understood and agreed to have their animals sterilized.”
Thanks to the Edenglen Primary School in Edenvale, South Africa, funds were raised while food and supplies were collected in honor of International Homeless Animals’ Day for Paws R Us. Speeches from a local K9 Conservation Unit and several members from Paws R Us educated hundreds of students about the importance their work plays in helping animals. Excited for the opportunity to talk the students about animal issues, Ms. Chantelle Murray, Paws R Us Director, said, “Informing the children of today is beneficial because they are our future society.” We couldn’t agree more!
Even with a modest budget, The Placencia Humane Society, Belize joined ISAR for International Homeless Animals’ Day and offered a free spay/neuter clinic, fixing multiple dogs and cats as a result.
ISAR can attest that International Homeless Animals’ Day events are making a positive difference in the lives of animals as well as people!
Special Thanks
ISAR is extremely grateful to all elected officials who have taken initiative to recognize International Homeless Animals’ Day 2015. Special thanks to Pennsylvania Governor, Tom Wolf and Fernandina Beach (FL) Mayor, Ed Boner for shedding light on pet overpopulation and the spay/neuter solution by signing International Homeless Animals’ Day Proclamations.
Cat’s Angels Director Pat Glassbrenner (L) accepts a Proclamation in honor of International Homeless Animals’ Day/Month, highlighting pet overpopulation and animal homelessness, from Mayor Ed Boner. Photo courtesy of Suanne Thamm and Fernandina Observer.
ISAR would like to sincerely thank all media and individuals who helped ISAR promote its 24th annual IHAD observances through the many advertising outlets including radio and television interviews, newspaper articles, blogs, social networking, YouTube, websites, and much more! ISAR is extremely grateful to all vigil coordinators who generously donate their time, efforts and resources each year bringing awareness of the horrific results of dog and cat overpopulation to the forefront by promoting its important and simple solution: spay/neuter. ISAR strives to one day eliminate the pet overpopulation epidemic but we cannot succeed without the great efforts of our vigil coordinators. Thank you!
Because ISAR is the only national organization dedicated solely to working for the day when every dog and cat born will have a permanent loving home – and when our companion animals will be “companions,” not disposable objects left along roadways or abandoned to shelters – it is imperative that we continue our relentless pursuit to educate people of all nations to the pet overpopulation crisis and the spay/neuter solution.
Sincerely,
Susan Dapsis, President
On Saturday, August 15, 2015, ISAR will join forces with humane societies, animal protection organizations, animal-friendly businesses and concerned individuals to shed light on dog and cat overpopulation and the importance of spay/neuter.
Since 1992, ISAR has reserved the third Saturday of August as a platform for thousands of dedicated, humane-minded people to come together in solidarity to enlighten communities about a tragedy that affects all communities: cat and dog overpopulation and its simple solution: spay/neuter. IHAD is often marked with candlelight vigils, blessing of the animals ceremonies, spay/neuter clinics, adopt-a-thons, animal shelter open houses, microchip clinics, marches, speeches given by veterinarians, humane officers, and shelter personnel, and much more.
Twenty-four years since its inception, International Homeless Animals’ Day continues to grow and has helped pave the way bringing pet overpopulation to the forefront while opening doors for others who promote spay/neuter days, clearing shelters of adoptable animals into loving new homes, and remembering companion animals who are placed in shelters or left to fend for themselves on the streets through no fault of their own.
In 2015, organizations throughout the United States and worldwide will orchestrate events on International Homeless Animals’ Day resulting in many companion animal adoptions and spay/neuter surgeries being performed. Together, we make a difference!
ISAR has made available, on its website, www.isaronline.org, a list of confirmed events taking place in the United States and abroad in honor of IHAD. ISAR encourages the public to share the IHAD events from ISAR’s website with friends and family, and on social media networks. Spreading the word about International Homeless Animals’ Day will help animal shelters, rescues and others to promote their adopt-a-thons, spay/neuter clinics, candlelight vigils, and more. Please use hashtags #InternationalHomelessAnimalsDay and #IHAD when sharing on social media.
ISAR once again offers a virtual vigil on its website for the 14th straight year where viewers can light a candle online in honor or in memory of a beloved companion animal.
For those who live in an area without a confirmed International Homeless Animals’ Day event, ISAR encourages individuals to visit their local animal shelter/humane society and inquire about adoption and volunteer opportunities.
Please join us on International Homeless Animals’ Day! There is never a better time than the present to create positive change for unwanted animals.
In recognition of ISAR’s 24th annual International Homeless Animals’ Day (IHAD) events taking place on Saturday, August 15, 2015, ISAR is offering free 10’5″ x 22’8″ standard sized outdoor billboards to help promote your confirmed IHAD 2015 observance. Participants may choose either the cat or dog Shed Light on Pet Overpopulation design (one billboard per IHAD coordinator/event.) ISAR will include your organization’s name and contact information or your IHAD event details on our billboard.
Here is what we will need from you!
Participants must:
ISAR will order your personalized billboard from our vendor and have it shipped directly to the outdoor advertising company in the area you’ve selected. Please have your required information and orders in by June 26, 2015.
Contact ISAR today to receive a billboard order form!
Please note: your outdoor advertising company’s charge for installation labor and space rental is separate and may vary per company. Most outdoor advertising companies have a reduced rate for 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organizations.
ISAR is not responsible for Outdoor Advertising Agency’s selection of locations and availability.
International Society for Animal Rights
Phone: 570-586-2200 · Fax: 570-586-9580
Email: Contact@isaronline.org · Website: www.isaronline.org
Anyone who has used the Google search engine over the years, surely must have noticed a “Google Doodle,” (a creative Google logo that changes to reflect holidays, pioneers, or celebrations).
According to Google’s information page about doodles, their creative team has produced more than 2,000, spotlighting anniversaries, special events, and people who have had an impact on our society.
With Google now processing on average over 40,000 search queries every second, or more than 3.5 billion searches per day and 1.2 trillion searches per year worldwide (according to http://www.internetlivestats.com/ google-search-statistics/), one thing is for sure: There are a lot of people who visit Google on a regular basis.
ISAR is seeking support from our supporters and friends to request that Google create a doodle for International Homeless Animals’ Day 2015 to help promote spay/neuter and adoption practices. Simply email Google at proposals@google.com or tweet to them @GoogleDoodles on Twitter before Saturday, August 15, 2015 that you would like to see a doodle for International Homeless Animals’ Day.
Each year since 1992, on the third Saturday of August, ISAR’s conceived and annual International Homeless Animals’ Day® observances have proven a useful weapon in reducing suffering in the lives of homeless companion animals. As a result of International Homeless Animals’ Day events, thousands upon thousands of shelter animals have been adopted into loving new homes and countless more have been spayed/neutered.
ISAR’s International Homeless Animals’ Day campaign serves as an opportunity for animal advocates from around the globe to band together on a special day and jump start new spay/neuter/adoption campaigns while rekindling existing programs in their communities that raise awareness about pet overpopulation.
Humane societies, animal protection organizations, and concerned individuals mark the Day with candlelight vigils, spay/neuter and microchip clinics, adopt-a-thons, pet walks, information stalls, and often host guest speakers; including elected officials, veterinarians, shelter personnel, media personalities, local celebrities, and many more.
For instance, this year participants at Defenders of Animals 20th Annual International Homeless Animals’ Day Candlelight Vigil in Rhode Island will honor local police and fire personnel, city council members and State Sen. Dominick J.Ruggerio, for their commendable work protecting animals. Advancing the Interests of Animals in Southern California will feature special guest speakers: former LA animal cruelty prosecutor and humane education specialist, Bob Ferber, and Los Angeles Councilmember Paul Koretz representing the City’s historic Fifth District.
Pawlooza, Canada, is gearing up once again to welcome more than 25,000 people and over 6,000 canines to their “ultimate dog party,” while hosting dozens of animal rescue groups featuring companion animals available for adoption.
Taking place on International Homeless Animals’ Day this year, Empty the Shelter Day will be the largest adoption event held across North Texas with an unprecedented number of municipal and non-profit animal shelters joining forces to offer free adoptions on Saturday, August 16, 2014.
ISAR’s new website, www.homelessanimalsday.org, is now publicizing these and many other events taking place on International Homeless Animals’ Day 2014. If you find there is not an International Homeless Animals’ Day event in your area, ISAR invites you to light a candle in its 13th annual virtual online vigil. ISAR also encourages the public to visit their local animal shelters, become a volunteer, donate much needed supplies, sponsor a spay or neuter surgery, and/or promote ISAR’s website, www.isaronline.org, to enlighten others about the pet overpopulation epidemic and its spay/neuter solution.
There has never been a more important time than now to make a positive difference in the lives of companion animals!
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The Warwick Valley Humane Society, NY, held a candlelight vigil
to shed light on pet overpopulation on International Homeless Animals’ Day 2013.
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Since modest beginnings in 1992, ISAR’s conceived and commemorated International Homeless Animals’ Day has consistently grown in size and content annually thanks to the worldwide participation of other organizations that provide a wide variety of activities to educate communities, legislators and the media of the urgent need for companion animal sterilization. In 2013, more than 25 U.S. states and 25 foreign venues commemorated ISAR’s International Homeless Animals’ Day.
ISAR extends a heartfelt invitation to all veteran International Homeless Animals’ Day event coordinators, as well to new ones, to join together on Saturday, August 16, 2014 in commemorating ISAR’s 23rd annual International Homeless Animals’ Day. ISAR encourages you to be part of something special and band together in solidarity to raise awareness of the plight of homeless animals.
International Homeless Animals’ Day observances provide an important opportunity to:
* Enlighten your community about the services you offer to the public.
* Raise much-needed funds to support your spay/neuter programs.
* Increase adoptions by showcasing your adoptable pets.
* Educate your community about the importance of spaying/neutering to alleviate pet overpopulation.
ISAR offers free International Homeless Animals’ Day packets to all who are interested in coordinating an event, whether it is a small modest event or a large public gathering.
ISAR’s informational materials will assist you in organizing an effective observance with suggestions for site selection, reaching target audiences, speakers, sample press releases, ISAR’s proclamations, and much more.
Please contact ISAR by mail, phone, fax or email to receive your International Homeless Animals’ Day 2014 packet.
There is never a better time than the present to create positive change for unwanted animals.
As ISAR’s friends and supporters know, for the past 22 years ISAR has been organizing and facilitating INTERNATIONAL HOMELESS ANIMALS’ DAY. Over the years, uncountable individuals and organizations have participated in spreading the spay/neuter message throughout the United States and, in recent years, to other countries around the world. For example, in 2013 dedicated animal protection groups and concerned individuals in Belgium, Belize, Bermuda, Bolivia, Canada, Colombia, Ecuador, Fiji, France, Honduras, Hungary, India, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mexico, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Panama, Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, Tanzania, Thailand, and Venezuela joined forces with ISAR in the United States to shed light on the pet overpopulation epidemic.
Following each year’s observances we have sought and received feedback about how successful they were–and we continue to want that information, including photos when possible.
Now we are asking something more: We want to know the impact on your communities that International Homeless Animals’ Day may have had. It is well and good for International Homeless Animals’ Day to be observed throughout the world, but the impact of those observances needs to be known–both as recognition of the organizers of those events, and as a spur to convince others that positive results for animals can be achieved by observance of International Homeless Animals’ Day.
From time to time we’ve published accounts from ISAR/IHAD supporters reporting on their events. What we haven’t done, until now, is publish not only information about their events but reveal the impact of International Homeless Animals Day in their communities.
Here are three impact statements, in the authors’ own words:
Florida. 2013
Our walk & vigil was very successful this year. The mayor of Fernandina Beach attended this year! She truly is an animal advocate; while she was reading the proclamation to a packed council meeting she started to break up and then when she attended our vigil and we were reading the prayers and readings you sent us, she said to me afterwards “every time we meet, I am shedding tears”! I really think our vigil had an impact on her…. Thank you for being there for us and being the voice of those who cannot speak! Cats Angels, Inc. SPCA is so proud to be a part of ISAR!! Beth. Founder of Cats Angels, Inc. SPCA
Mexico. 2013
For APA, the International Homeless Animal´s Day was a great opportunity to spread the word about how does the animals have to be protect, was an excellent moment to tell all the pet-owners about how to take care of their pets. With the pets-walking that we organized, we get a bigger target and more people knew about the movement and about International Homeless Animal´s Day. People of our community definitely loved the movement, they ask about another special day to celebrate with their pets. We also create awareness about the importance of the sterilization. I want to tell you that we really succeed with our 3 events, the one in Aguascalientes, the other in Matehuala and the one in Calvillo. We gather 350 people and 400 animals in three cities. Thanks for letting us being part of this important event. Saludos!!! Felipe. Amigos Pro Animal, A.C.
Panama. 2013
Spay/Panama’s motto is that TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. What one person can do may seem insignificant but if we all work together we can make a positive social impact on the communities. It is very interesting how ISAR has brought together so many organizations from so many countries together. The spay/neuter event held for the International Homeless Animals’ Day in Panama City can have a domino effect and eventually, it may even turn our entire country. We held a vigil, and fixed 175 animals, both cats and dogs. Patricia. Founder of Spay/Panama
MEMORANDUM From: Susan Dapsis, President ISAR
To: International Homeless Animals Day sponsors and participants
Subject: Impact of ISAR’S INTERNATIONAL HOMELESS ANIMALS’ DAY®
Dear Friends of ISAR’s International Homeless Animals’ Day: At first glance it might appear that an animal control officer somewhere in the United States is feeding a collarless, and thus apparently homeless, mixed-breed dog.
But if you look closely at the cap of the man, you’ll see the letters “LICIA.”
This touching event occurred not in the United States, but in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
The man is not an animal control officer, but a member of the local police force.
Let me explain:
For the past 22 years ISAR has been organizing and facilitating INTERNATIONAL HOMELESS ANIMALS’ DAY. Over the years, uncountable individuals and organizations have participated in spreading the spay/neuter message throughout the United States and, in recent years, to other countries around the world. For example, this year dedicated animal protection groups and concerned individuals in Belgium, Belize, Bermuda, Bolivia, Canada, Colombia, Ecuador, Fiji, France, Honduras, Hungary, India, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mexico, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Panama, Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, Tanzania, Thailand, and Venezuela joined forces with ISAR in the United States to shed light on the pet overpopulation epidemic.
Following each year’s observances we have sought and received feedback about how successful they were–and we continue to want that information, including photos when possible.
Now we are asking something more: We want to know–factually, and in your opinion–the impact on your communities that International Homeless Animals’ Day may have had. It is well and good for International Homeless Animals’ Day to be observed throughout the world, but the impact of those observances needs to be known–both as recognition of the organizers of those events, and as a spur to convince others that positive results for animals can be achieved by observance of International Homeless Animals’ Day.
Which brings me back to Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
Here, verbatim, is the report of what happened there on International Homeless Animals’ Day 2013:
From: Ahpra Honduras [mailto:ofigueroa.ahpra@gmail.com]
Sent: Friday, September 20, 2013 4:09 PM
To: Colleen Gedrich [ISAR coordinator, International Homeless Animals’ Day]
Subject: International Homeless Animals Day Observance
This event had a great impact in the city of Tegucigalpa, the people who live in the community of Suyapa are very poor but when they saw us feeding the stray animal they became closer to ask us about the activity, we explained to them and we heard some positive comments such as “it´s true they probably feel hunger just like us”, based on comments like that i think they will treat in a different way those stray animals. Some people evena came to us and asked us if we could give them some food for their dogs, thank God we brought 100 pounds of concentrate.
About the cops, we were surprised because they were supposed to be there for our safety, but when we started to walk they grabbed the bags of food and became active members of the activity! they said that never in their life were a part of an activity that pretends to raise awareness about animal welfare so they gave us their phone numbers so we can call them for our next activity.
In schools, in my opinion we had great results, the kids were so excited with the talks and the draws and colours, of course, the first grade students told me that they would seriously talk to their parents about the way they treat their pets and promised never leave behind their hairy friends. All the talks were imparted in public schools, in Honduras they are full of very poor kids.
AHPRA is an association dedicated to education, the rescues we have made are just a few, but in august we had 4 dogs (3 puppies and their mother) thank God and our events people adopted the 3 puppies and surprisingly we also gave in adoption the mother and she was sterilized that same month.
About the vigil we made it in the city of Comayagua and the mayor let us made it in the central park, only 15 persons attended to the event. But for us that was succesful because it was the first event of this type in a city that ignores completely about animal rights and their welfare.
I’m so sorry that I am answering late, but here is the information. And we will keep observing this day from now on.
Thank you very much Colleen!
Atentamente,
Ónice Figueroa
Secretaria de la Junta Directiva
Coordinadora de Voluntarios AHPRA
Móvil: 3395-9382
Búscanos en Facebook: Ahpra de Honduras
Síguenos en Twitter: @AhpraHND www.ahprahonduras.org
It is said that ideas have consequences. Twenty-two years ago ISAR had the idea for International Homeless Animals’ Day. A month ago in Honduras, police and others began to see companion animals in a different, more humane, light. For many of them, their attitudes have changed–and the animals will benefit.