FIRST GUEST: Julia Poukatch, PAWS Chicago Communications Associate
Pets are worth saving: that’s the mantra of PAWS Chicago, the city’s largest no-kill humane animal rescue organization.
This afternoon, they’re teaming up with six other area animal shelters for the 5th annual Angels with Tails adoption event in Roscoe Village.
photo: pawschicago.org/angelswithtails
About 30 businesses on Roscoe Street between Damen and Oakley are opening up their doors for dozens of adoptable dogs and cats from noon – 4:00 today (Sunday, August 21st). Volunteer adoption counselors will be on hand to help you find the perfect pet for your home!
Participating shelters are:
- As Good As Golden Retriever Rescue (Wheeling)
- Chicago Animal Care and Control
- Greater Chicago Cavalier Rescue (Yorkville)
- Heartland Animal Shelter (Northbrook– former home of my kitty Cinnabon! Glamour shot below.)
- St. Sophia’s Forgotten Felines (Addison)
- Yorkshire Terrier National Rescue
Check out pawschicago.org/angelswithtails for more info.
Cinnabon chillin’ on the windowsill. I adopted her from Heartland Animal Shelter in Northbrook in March. She’s awesome. You need a cat, too.
Can’t make it to the adoption event today? Mark your calendar for September 18th for another adoption event at Dylan’s Candy Bar! Adoptable pooches at the world’s largest candy emporium? Yes, please!
Doggies will be on hand from noon – 4:00 at Dylan’s Candy Bar (445 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago). If you can’t adopt, you can still help! 10% of your candy purchase will be donated to PAWS Chicago.
Another event in September has our tails wagging: the Dog Film Festival at the Music Box Theater takes place on September 11th with two screenings at 11:30 am and 2:00 pm. 50% of the tickets proceeds will be donated to PAWS Chicago. See what films will be shown and get your tickets for just $15.00 at dogfilmfestival.com.
SECOND GUEST: Wayne Pacelle, President and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States, author of The Humane Economy: Animal Protection 2.0; How Innovators and Enlightened Consumers are Transforming the Lives of Animals
There’s a revolution sweeping global business that’s changing the way we value animals. Entrepreneurs, CEO’s, scientists, and political leaders have been inspired by– and in some cases, pressured by– consumers and voters to improve our relationship with other living things.
“Animal issues are all around us,” Pacelle states. “There are moral problems all around us. That means there are moral opportunities all around us.”
Instead of booming markets using technology to exploit animals, more people, companies, and leaders are making better choices regarding animal welfare.
“Companies that are embracing new technology, and accepting the idea that animals matter,” Pacelle says, “are the ones to succeed.”
Pacelle introduces us to the various pioneers who are leading this revolution, including two men who started a food company that produces plant-based egg subsitutes, filmmakers who insist on using CGI technology instead of actual animals, and advocates and investors who convince big name brand food companies to improve the lives of pigs and hens.
He also tells us about how big corporations like Petco and PetSmart don’t use puppy mill suppliers but rather animal shelters, Whole Foods and Chipotle embrace animal welfare policies, and cosmetics companies Lush and The Body Shop invest in non-animal testing methods.
Pacelle reminds us that while big corporations making better decisions regarding animal welfare is progress, this is still an ongoing, global, human effort.
“There’s no one company that’s going to solve all [the animal issues],” Pacelle reminds us. “What’s the key is that we consumers are alert to the needs of animals, and we’re making conscious choices” to influence the behavior of major companies who deal with animals.
So, can one person make a difference? Yes. Adopt from a shelter, don’t buy from a store. Buy products not tested on animals. Don’t make fur or leather a part of your wardrobe. And then spread the word!
Learn more about the Humane Society and Pacelle’s new book at humanesociety.org.
Weekend Journal airs Sunday mornings at 6:30 on US99 and 6:00 on US99 HD2 The Wolf.
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