At a recently vacated meatpacking space in New York City, billboards outside promote vegetarianism.  It’s part of an art installation at Gavin Brown’s enterprise, a contemporary art gallery in the West Village.  Instead of pouring concrete floors and painting the walls white, Mr. Brown decided to keep the new space as it was (meat lockers, fluorescent lighting and raw meat smell left behind.) The first show, “Go Vegan!” by conceptual artist Jonathan Horowitz, includes a piece titled “200 Celebrity Vegetarians Downloaded from the Internet,” for which Mr. Horowitz hung dozens of photographs of famous vegetarians from Albert Einstein to former “The Price Is Right” host Bob Barker. For complete story click HERE.

Blaming an especially aggressive strain of ringworm, the Ontario SPCA said it had no choice but to destroy some 350 animals at the Newmarket facility. The society has already spent five weeks applying topical creams and medication, and nothing has worked, Jim Sykes, chief operating officer of the OSPCA, said in justifying the euthanization. While high school students protested outside and tearful shelter volunteers asked to take some of the animals home, officials said even seemingly healthy pets with no symptoms could spread the infection in the community. The society said the outbreak was caused by human error; protocols for identifying ringworm in animals were not followed.  The branch will undergo a thorough cleansing and an inspection to ensure the ringworm is eradicated before it reopens for adoptions. For complete story click HERE.

We were provided with the exciting opportunity to have our very own Stephanie Levy appear on the “Insider” show to discuss the horrors of puppy mills and the diseased individuals who run them. Watch the segment below!

The San Francisco-based organization, Matter of Trust, focuses on repurposing of surplus materials for eco-friendly projects. Their latest creation is mats made of fur and hair to help clean up oil spills.  Hair and fur are piled into nylon stockings to create tubes called booms. These large sausage-like fur booms don’t absorb oil but they attract it and are used to contain spills.  Dog hair from all over the world is being donated to make these booms for the oil spill in the Gulf!  For complete story click HERE.

While the hard work of helping and advocating for animals can be physically and emotionally challenging, there are also times when we can experience great joy and pride in the fruits of that hard work.  The Big Sunday event at the Baldwin Park shelter was one such opportunity.  Through the incredible work of volunteers, residents of the community and shelter staff, as well as the support of local businesses, non profit organizations and the Department of Animal Care and Control, we proved that a united community can significantly and positively impact the forgotten companion pets in our cities.  We hope that this event takes us one step closer to creating a society that promotes adoption, spay/neuter, responsible pet ownership and a greater respect for animals, because their lives matter!

We hope you enjoy the video of what was accomplished at the Baldwin Park shelter and feel inspired to help animals in need.

While volunteering at the Big Sunday event, we couldn’t help but step in and help a tiny Canada Goose find a better home away from the shelter. Fortunately for this little creature, a wonderful AAA volunteer decided to save the little goose and drive the little one from the Baldwin Park shelter to the California Wildlife Center in Malibu (818.222.2658). Remember this wonderful place if you every come across a little creature in need of help. Safe travels baby goose!

Title: Pet Adoption Event – Hollywood
Location: Pan Pacific Park – Hollywood 7600 Beverly Blvd., (corner of Gardner/Beverly Blvd.)
Description: Great shelter dogs and cats available for adoption! All animals spayed/neutered, vaccinated and microchipped. Shelter dogs/cats ready to go home with you from the event. Find your new best friend and save a life!
Start Time: 11:00
Date: 2010-5-16
End Time: 16:00

Title: The WorldFest 2010 Earth Day Festival
Location: Woodley Park in Lake Balboa, CA
Link out: Click here
Description: WorldFest is a solar-powered celebration of music, the environment, animals and humanity. The festival aims to help people learn what they can do for the Earth and its inhabitants. The WorldFest 2010 Earth Day Festival will be held at the beautiful outdoor setting of Woodley Park in Lake Balboa, CA. This will be a magnificent day filled with entertainment, education and enlightenment. The combination of great music, empowering speakers, environmental, humanitarian and animal welfare non-profits, kids’ activities and a delicious food court make for an earth-friendly experience that is sure to be inspiring and enjoyable for all. Animal Advocates Alliance will be at this event with our many foster dogs in hopes of finding wonderful forever homes for our foster friends. Please come out and join us!
Start Time: 10:30
Date: 2010-5-16
End Time: 19:00

Title: Best Friends Spring Super Adoption Festival
Location: Westchester Park (Lincoln Blvd and Manchester Ave.)
Link out: Click here
Description: Come visit hundreds of animals all looking for Fur-ever homes. Enjoy free, fun activities and entertainment for animal lovers of all ages. Animal Advocates Alliance hopes to help the Baldwin Park shelter in showing at least 35 dogs at this event! We have had great success in having all trucks returning to the shelter empty at the end of the day.
Start Time: 11:00
Date: 2010-5-23
End Time: 16:00

Title: Baldwin Park Shelter Volunteer Day
Location: Baldwin Park Shelter – 4275 N. Elton St., Baldwin Park, CA 91706
Description: If participating for the first time, we will be walking, grooming, socializing, and photographing as many dogs and cats as possible, after which we will circulate an electronic flyer to a large distribution group for networking. You will need to complete the following LA County volunteer application and the shelter’s volunteer orientation to volunteer at the shelter: LA County Volunteer Application

Please also make sure to wear your county volunteer t-shirt or AAA shirt.
(you may purchase an LA County Volunteer t-shirt for $10 at the shelter following completion of orientation).

Additional Details:

*Please plan to meet around 9:00 a.m. The shelter address is 4275 N. Elton St., Baldwin Park, 91706. From any location west of downtown LA, take the 10 Freeway east, merge onto 605 North and exit Ramona – stay on left hand lane as you will need to make a Left turn once you pass the train tracks to make sure you stay on Ramona. Turn Left on Elton. Elton is a very small street (almost an alley), so it is easy to miss the street sign. Keep your eyes peeled!
* Wear comfortable shoes and clothing, and be aware that your clothes and shoes WILL get dirty!
* Try to eat breakfast, and bring along an energy bar or snack and some water for lunch, as we normally do not have time to take an extended lunch break

Thank you for challenging yourself to make the time to help wonderful shelter animals!

Start Time: 9:00
Date: 2010-05-08
End Time: 15:00