Brooklyn dog lovers say "Pass Oreo's Law!"

another OLTF member educating the public about Oreo's Law

After an insanely hellish and unusually long week of work I plopped down in my bed early on Friday night and begrudgingly set my alarm for 6am. I moaned. I sighed. I frowned and scowled. I was very dramatic about the whole thing. Waking up at 6 in the morning is torture to an old man like myself.

"Why did I agree to do this?" I whined to my fiance, then, after a pause, "Yeah, I know, it's for the animals."

6am hit and I shot out of bed, filled with excited enthusiastic energy, happy to be headed to Prospect Park in Brooklyn to spread word of Oreo's Law to folks attending the Fido off-leash "Coffee Bark" event.

I have never had a better day leafletting. Ever. It was like a dream: imagine passing out fliers and every single person wants one and is honestly interested in what you have to say. Incredible.

Really though, what better place to spread information about a law that would help countless shelter animals than at an event drawing an enormous group of dog lovers together to hang out on a beautiful day with their awesome dogs?

Everyone I approached was receptive and listened to the story of Oreo being flung from a 6 story rooftop and the ASPCA's "rescue" and mishandling of the situation which ultimately ended with the ASPCA killing Oreo even when a sanctuary that deals with troubled dogs offered to take her, further rehabilitate her, and even give her sanctuary for life if needed.

With four of us from Oreo's Law Task Force there on a mission to spread the word, over 300 fliers were distributed and nearly every single person spoken to promised they would be calling their legislators to ask they support this important law.

Thanks Fido for having these off-leash events - it was so much fun to hang out with so many awesome dogs. Belly rubs, head scratches and sloppy, slobbery kisses were abundant and welcomed.

Do you live in New York State? Go here to quickly look up your assembly member and NY State Senator - give their offices a call and let their assistants (or voicemails) know that you're a constituent and you want them to support Oreo's Law.

WAR & HART Team Up for "Speak Out for Shelter Animals" Event at Hunter College

On the eve of February 14, 2010, Pet Theft Awareness Day, activists and other compassionate New Yorkers gathered at an event co-sponsored by the group HART (Hunter Animal Rights Team) and WAR (Win Animal Rights).

The program began with a presentation on the subject of pet theft and the on-going fine work of Last Chance for Animals, a group based in Los Angeles, with a long and successful history of dealing with companion animal issues.

After a short talk by Camille Hankins, the film "Dealing Dogs" was screened and a short Q & A followed. Hankins encouraged audience members to visit the Last Chance for Animals website to purchase copies of Dealing Dogs and other useful tools.

Next, presentations were made by various individuals about WAR's Justice for Oreo Campaign to reform the ASPCA, Oreo's Law and the sentencing of Oreo's first abuser, Fabian Henderson.

Discussion of Nathan Winograd's work with No Kill Solutions and videos about the work of Best Friends, DogTown: the Vicktory Dogs (pit bulls seized from Michael Vick) and Pets Alive Sanctuary were shown. This was followed by a general discussion of what a No Kill sanctuary is and how the ASPCA, which calls itself No Kill, is really deluding the public.

Following the program, the audience was welcomed to help themselves to a table full of vegan snacks and treats.

Our thanks to Chris DeRose and Last Chance for Animals for providing Dealing Dogs and their history of inspirational work, HART for arranging for and setting up the space, Louise, Donny and Teresa for all of the delicious food, Danielle & Maggie for the yummy cookies and Adam for the Raw Revolution bars.

For more pictures, see: http://war-online.org/DemoReport02-13-10-2.htm