Partnerships between Animal Welfare and Faith Organizations are a win-win for the community...AND for the animals!
by Kris Haley, Best Friends Manager of Multifaith OutreachThe worlds of animal welfare, animal advocacy and faith are merging into a new and emerging level of service for animals!
Last year, Best Friends Animal Society facilitated a gathering of over 30 faith leaders from more than 21 faith traditions, to engage in a discourse about animals and faith with a particular focus on moving to a place where kindness and compassion for animals are acknowledged as core spiritual values.
On November 7, 2007 in the Cannon Caucus Room in Washington, D.C., “A Religious Proclamation for Animal Compassion” was unveiled. The results were extraordinary and are forever changing the world for people of faith who love animals. (To read the document visit
http://www.bestfriends.org/signproc )
You’re probably wondering how this type of partnership can benefit animal welfare organizations. Here are just a few ways:
• Animal Welfare and Faith organizations can collaborate on Pet Blessing events and make them Pet Blessing and Adoption Events
• Faith organizations can partner with Animal Welfare and rescue groups on joint fundraisers
• Faith organizations can invite Animal Welfare groups to submit weekly “Pet Tips” for the weekly bulletin or monthly newsletter
Want a free, downloadable copy of how animal welfare and faith organizations can work together toward a world of No More Homeless Pets? It's simple! Just visit:
http://www.network.bestfriends.org/religion and click on the RESOURCES tab. Under the DOCUMENTS header you will see a folder entitled: COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS . Click on that and voila! you're ready to download! We also invite you to add
your ideas to the growing list of suggestions by people from the worlds of both animal welfare and faith regarding how they can more effectively pool their resources on behalf of the animals!
To read more about this and other animal & faith based activities, stay informed on the latest related news in this new and exciting field and get involved in this ground-breaking movement, visit:
http://www.network.bestfriends.org/religion/news where you can not only read and endorse the Proclamation but join the Best Friends Animals & Religion Network Community as well!
We invite you to share this story, and the documents to which it refers, with friends, family, your local animal rescue group and even your faith leader! And be sure to inspire others by coming back and telling us about your success stories!
There's no question that community partnerships between animal welfare groups and faith organizations will be viewed as a "match made in heaven," by the fortunate animals who find homes as a result!
Photo Credit: Best Friends Animal Society - Dylan's Adoption