Be Kind to Animals
“Be Kind to Animals.” To those who love animals, it seems like an unnecessary imperative. Dogs and cats have been domesticated for thousands of years, and people regularly welcome less-cuddly creatures– from slithery snakes to brightly colored fish– into their homes.
While it may seem easy to be kind to our animals, we tend to forget that not all pets are lucky enough to have found a home where they are loved and cared for. It can be all too easy to overlook the responsibility we have for the animals in our city, not just under our roofs.
The Tacoma Humane Society, now known as the Humane Society of Tacoma Pierce County, was founded in 1888 by a few individuals who made it their mission to help neglected, abused, and abandoned animals. In 1915, the Tacoma branch of the American Humane Society embraced the national founding of “Be Kind to Animals” week, and throughout the twentieth century, Tacomans have responded to this call to kindness by raising funds, educating fellow citizens, volunteering, and publicly displaying affection for their animals through parades.
With this article, I hope to celebrate animal lovers and advocates, past and present, while reminding my contemporaries of some of the many opportunities to “Be Kind to Animals.”
Links:
The Itty Bitty Kitty Committee
Pacific Lutheran University Blessing of the Animals
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- With the guidance of Laurie Cinotto and her husband Craig Miller, this enthusiastic clowder of kitten volunteers helped raise $66,104.25 for the Humane Society’s Dog-A-Thon in 2011. The Dog-A-Thon raises funds for the Tacoma Humane Society’s adoption programs, which Laurie and Craig actively support by hosting foster kittens year-round. Based out of Tacoma, Laurie and Craig feature the antics of their whimsically-named foster kittens on their nationally-adored blog the Itty Bitty Kitty Committee. Laurie and Craig recently celebrated their 2,000 post on the IBKC, which you can read about on Post Defiance. Hooray for Laurie and Craig for all that they do to for the animal+people community! The IBKC 2012 Dog-A-Thon fundraiser just launched last week. Go to the IBKC website over the next few weeks to help the newest batch of incredibly darling kittens surpass the amount raised last year! This year’s Dog-A-Thon will be July 21st, 9am – 2pm at Fort Steilacoom in Lakewood, and will raise support for the Tacoma Humane Society’s adoption programs.
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- In 1937, generous donors made it possible for the Tacoma Humane Society to purchase a new truck for transporting animals. The “Be Kind to Animals” slogan is prominently displayed across the side. Shown here is Harold A. Dennison, the animal shelter caretaker, with the first animal to ride in the new truck; the little white dog had been found in a ditch, abused and tied up in a gunny sack. The van made it possible to treat him quickly and get him back to the shelter safely.
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- Seventy-five years later, the Humane Society is still represented by an iconic van. This van, driven around town since July 2011, features Laurie and Craig’s cat, Charlene Butterbean, the gorgeous long-haired cat in the middle. A permanent resident of the IBKC household, Charlene aids in welcoming foster kittens and raising funds for the Dog-A-Thon. Among other items, Laurie and Craig auction off an opportunity to have tea with the Bean, as she is frequently called. Winner’s of this auction item have been known to fly across country for the privilege of dining with Charlene.
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- You don’t have to be a powerhouse advocate like Laurie and Craig to make a difference. Or even a human for that matter. The image above, taken in 1936, highlights the story of the Hansen family’s house cat who adopted five motherless puppies. The cat had recently given birth to a single kitten and began nursing for the puppies after their mother was poisoned. In the picture, the Hansen’s daughter Dolores sits with the mama cat who closely guards her kitten and one of its puppy siblings. Unfortunately, no follow-up story is available to confirm of the pups learned to bark or meow.
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- One of the IBKC’s most consistent and ardent Dog-A-Thon supporters is young girl named Opal. Over the years, Opal, who is now 6, has donated from her piggy bank and even hosted a lemonade stand with friends to earn money for the Humane Society. Opal, whom Laurie aptly describes as “the little girl with the big heart,” also loves the cat, dog, and chickens she has at home. The best thing about living with animals she says is, “getting to play with them.”
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- The Regents Park school (later Wainwright Elementary) in Fircrest marked “Be Kind to Animals” week seventy-five years ago by hosting a pet show competition. The six students above show off their winning pets, a menagerie of traditional and unconventional pets. From left to right, Donald Masco and his duck, Jerry Baker with his two grouse, Bill Dunsmore and his jumping dog, Joyce Wheeler and her cat, Helen Gansen and her rabbit, and Tynne Smith and her bowl full of fish.
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- Last month, Pacific Lutheran University students, faculty, and staff brought their pets to the amphitheater outside the Mary Baker Russell Center for the annual Blessing of the Animals. University pastors, Revs. Nancy Connor and Dennis Sepper, blessed numerous dogs, as well as a cat, sugar glider squirrel, and hedgehog. Animals blessings take place around the world among various faith communities as a means of celebrating all that animals bring to the lives of humans; Likewise, to formally recognize that humans are meant to be caretakers of the creatures with whom we share the earth.
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- In the summer of 1947, the films “The Sea Hawk,” starring Errol Flynn, and “The Sea Wolf” based on Jack London’s novel, were being shown at the Roxy Theater (now the Pantages). Promoters borrowed the dog above from the pound as an innovative means to market the films. Concerned about the fate of the dog after returning it to the pound, theater managers decided to hold a drawing to find the dog a home. The winners, an unidentified couple, hold cans of what appears to be Lucky Dog brand dog food as they greet their new pet.
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- David Fischer, Executive Director of the Broadway Center for the Performing Arts, pauses for a moment in front of the Pantages with his dog Ripley. Though a regular visitor, Ripley only recently made her stage debut as Sandy in the Broadway Center Conservatory production of Annie Jr. The charming and friendly Ripley was beloved by the young cast. Ripley, who had her own dressing room and handler, impressed the directors and fellow actors with her flawless performance in every rehearsal. The night of the first show, however, Ripley started to make her way out on stage right on cue, when she noticed the crowd. Struck by a sudden case of stage fright, she retreated and had to be coaxed out onto the stage. The show went on, as they say, but rumor has it that Ripley will be taking a break from acting for the foreseeable future to re-consider her career choice.
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- In this 1951 photo, Kathy Link and Mary Lynn Martin play make-believe, dressing up in grown-up clothes and recruiting a docile cat to play the part of baby. With over-sized gloves, Kathy demurely takes the helm of the pram, while Mary Lynn reacts with the surprise warranted by her discovery. “He has so much hair!”
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- I must confess, I took the opportunity presented by the previous photograph to show off my cat, Elinore. Here, she is being enticed to stay put with treats while my niece and nephew admire her under a gallery of portraits drawn by their cousins. Not shown, the kids had treats too. Elinore is inarguably soft and cute, but I suspect that the intense amount of attention she receives also has to do with the fact that I am the only one of my siblings to have an animal bigger than a hamster. “More to love,” says Elinore in an attempt to convince me to feed her more.
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- The Tacoma-based Dugan Foundation is a volunteer-run organization with a mission to establish a no-kill community, where animals no-longer are euthanized for population control. One way that the Dugan Foundation works towards its goal is by hosting events like Woofstock, the annual pet adoption and music festival held on the University of Puget Sound campus. Woofstock brings together rescue organizations and shelters from around the state, allowing attendees a concentrated opportunity to find the cat, dog, or ferret that is perfect for them and their family. Woofstock 2012 will be Saturday August 4th from 10am to 3pm.
