"Until he extends his circle of compassion to include all living things, man will not himself find peace."
-Albert Schweitzer
COMPASSION AND ACTIVISM FOR ANIMALS
About
MISSION STATEMENT:
Nashville Animal Advocacy is dedicated to promoting animal rights and veganism in Tennessee through education, research, special events, protests and legislation.
ABOUT US:
Nashville Animal Advocacy's mission is to spread awareness about the plight of animals used for food, fashion, sport, entertainment, testing and research. Our society has reduced animals to mere commodities, leading to their horrific suffering and a loss of life numbering in the trillions. Our fundamental goal is education on the injustices that each of us, individually, have the ability to reverse and end. We promote an ethical vegan philosophy and the right to live, free from harm, for every sentient animal.
Nashville Animal Advocacy originally began as a Meetup.com group in 2012 by Laura Levy. When Laura moved from Nashville, she passed her responsibilities to Tricia Lebkuecher, who had been co-organizing since 2013. Tricia met her soon-to-be co-organizer, Amy Pruett in 2014 at a Ringling Bros. Circus protest. Amy and Tricia had made the decision to build the Meetup group into a non-profit organization for more effective activism.
As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, we facilitate vegan outreach at many festivals in Middle Tennessee, host volunteer days at animal sanctuaries, advocate for humane legislation and hold protests and rallies against the use of animals in food, fashion, medical training and entertainment.
Our organization's management team is vegan; they work on a volunteer basis--and all are loving care-givers of adopted rescue animals. Our collective hope is that someday the world will be a safe and happy place for everyone, humans and animals alike.
Be sure to join our social Meetup group, Nashvegans.
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HAVE A WARM HEART IN THE WINTER COLD
When the mercury dips, the cold can be a killer.
Don't leave dogs outside in the freezing temperatures (exceptionally with snow, rain or wind) for any prolonged amount of time. They can easily be injured or die from frostbite or hypothermia, especially puppies and senior dogs. They are family and deserve to be treated as such. *applies to cats as well
In the rare absolute case they must stay outside, be sure to provide adequate shelter with plenty of straw bedding (no blankets as they absorb moisture) that they can burrow into protected from the wind, with plenty of food and fresh/thawed water. Get them inside as soon as possible.
Check local laws regarding keeping dogs in freezing weather. In Nashville/Davidson County, it is illegal to tether a dog or to keep puppies or nursing/pregnant dogs outside in freezing/inclement conditions.
Opossums and feral cats need protection from the cold too. Opossums don't have fur on their ears, feet or tails which makes them more vulnerable to frostbite. Make winter shelters for opossums or feral cats who call your yard home. There are different forms of insulation to use like thermal bubble wrap, mylar blankets, foam boards, styrofoam, then stuff with straw. Don't use blankets as they can absorb moisture which will make the animal colder. Place the shelters in an area that will attract the cats/opossums and will help block the wind. Covering the shelter with extra straw is an option also.
FIREWORKS ARE SCARY
Before you light that fuse consider who may be harmed by fireworks. Humans, animals and the environment can be devastated by the loud explosions and toxic debris. In the right conditions, fireworks can even start forest fires.
Animals in zoos and aquariums have to endure the added anxiety on top of the everyday stress that captivity causes when these institutions use fireworks during special events to bring in more visitors.
Wildlife can panic and run in fear, abandoning their young to suffer starvation, or running into traffic to meet their tragic fate. Birds become disorientated leading them to fly into homes and buildings causing mass casualties. The toxic debris left in the environment can cause entanglement and poisoning of our waterways and the animals who live there.
Companion animals are affected by the scary noises of fireworks as well. Be sure to keep your animals inside; create a safe hiding place for them to feel comfortable, experiment with a calming shirt, turn on music or the TV to help drown out the scary noises, leash walk and keep fence gates securely latched, make sure they are microchipped and tagged in the event they do escape and run, and in severe cases, ask your vet about prescribing an anxiety medication.
Some of the busiest intakes at shelters and wildlife rehabilitators are in the days and weeks following a celebration using fireworks. Support these organizations by donating, volunteering or fostering to help them continue helping our wild and companion animal friends.
Fireworks are a cause of stress, fear, anxiety and death for so many animals and people. Please celebrate compassionately and responsibly.
February 28 is World Spay Day to raise awareness of the importance of sterilization of companion animals. Practice responsible guardianship, spay and neuter your furry friends.
Spaying and neutering our companion animals is not only important to help reduce overpopulation in shelters and rescues - and expensive unwanted litters - but is also beneficial for their health. Spaying prevents uterine infections and reduces the chance of breast cancer. Neutering prevents enlarged prostate and testicular cancer. These health problems can be deadly and financially costly to treat. Sterilization can also lessen behavioral issues such as aggression, roaming and urinating in the house or outside of the litter box.
Veterinarians encourage spay and neuter. Schedule an appointment with your vet or at a low cost spay/neuter clinic in your area. See our list of clinics and organizations that provide low cost spay and neuter in Tennessee.
