Support Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month

Each day, I continue to be surprised by the shocking cases of animal cruelty that I read about in local newspapers and on websites across the country. As a result, I am excited to support the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals® “Go Orange for Animals” campaign during Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month.

The goal of Prevention for Animal Cruelty Month is to make people aware of signs that an animal may be the victim of abuse. The ASPCA® encourages animal lovers to get to know animals in their neighborhood. 

According to their Animal Behavior Center’s Kristen Collins, CPDT, “The best way to tell whether a pet is being or has been abused is to examine him and his surrounding environment.”

The organization’s site explains that by being aware of the signs of animal abuse such as rapidly weight loss of animal, cowering in fear or acting aggressively when approached by owners, suffering from extreme matting or being left outside in extreme weather condition, concerned citizens will not wait to report animal cruelty in their neighborhoods.

Other than calling and reporting animal abuse, animal lovers can help the cause by fighting for stronger anti-cruelty laws, by talking to children and others to encourage and to teach them to have respect for animals, by being an exemplary pet owners by following all health regulations pertaining to animals, and by supporting local animals shelters and charitable organization.

To support April’s “Go Orange for Animals” campaign, animal lovers can have get involved by wearing orange t-shirts, entering the I Saved My Pet conteston the ASPCA Facebook Page or helping raise funds for the organization. 

On April 12th, 350 plus animal lovers, including community leaders, celebrities, socialites, notable businesspersons and other generous donors, showed their support of the “A” by attending the Fifteenth Annual Bergh Ball, held at the Plaza Hotel in New York City. With a ticket ($300 per person for those 35 years of age and under and $1,250 per person for guests over 35), attendees at this exclusive black-tie affair dined and danced in support of the ASPCA’s mission, “to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States.”

Popular designer Isaac Mizrahi emceed this year’s black-tie ball, entitled “Fetching.”  Prior to the event, while Mizrahi, actress Lake Bell and others posed on the red carpet with an adoptable Chihuahua, named Jeffrey, Star Jones posed with her own Maltese, Pinky-Michelle. 

Although the organization honored animal lover Simon Cowell, he was not attendance, instead sending a short film thanking the organization for honoring and discussing his love of animals.

Money raised from last night special event will help the ASPCA rescue animals from abuse, pass humane laws and share resources with shelters nationwide.