International Society for Animal Rights

In 1992, ISAR introduced National Homeless Animals’ Day and Candlelight Vigils as an innovative educational vehicle with a purpose of informing society of an American tragedy that overwhelms animal shelters each year – pet overpopulation. Since the conception of National Homeless Animals’ Day, ISAR has reserved the third Saturday of August, commemorating the Day annually, to promote new campaigns, programs and ideas on the solution to the pet overpopulation epidemic: spay/neuter.

Now, because of the ever-growing, successful international participation in National Homeless Animals’ Day by foreign animal protection organizations, ISAR formally acknowledges this global participation by officially entitling our crusade as “International Homeless Animals’ Day.”

Organizations around the world come together on the third Saturday of August to raise awareness about the pet overpopulation epidemic. International Homeless Animals’ Day activities often include candlelight vigils, adopt-a-thons, microchip clinics, blessings of the animals, and heartfelt speeches given by council members, local veterinarians, humane officers and shelter personnel. Other activities include slideshows, rallies, dog walks, open houses, award ceremonies, live music, raffles, and games. To read about previous International Homeless Animals’ Day events, please visit our Newsletters page on our website (www.isaronline.org.)

Individuals and organizations wishing to take part in this year's ISAR International Homeless Animals’ Day events on Saturday, August 21st, can order a complimentary downloadable candlelight vigil packet by contacting ISAR by mail, phone, fax or email. ISAR's vigil packet includes guidelines for organizing a successful vigil event with tips on site selection, suggestions for speakers and vigil events, reaching target audiences, poems, songs, sample press releases and more!

In addition to your downloadable copy of ISAR's International Homeless Animals' Day vigil packet you will receive International Homeless Animals’ Day posters to advertise your event, Proclamations to be signed by your governor and mayor declaring the day as International Homeless Animals’ Day, coloring sheets and more through the U. S. Postal Service. Your download will also guarantee advertisement of your organization’s International Homeless Animals' Day event to thousands of people on ISAR’s website www.isaronline.org, as well as promotion on ISAR’s online communities including Facebook and Myspace.
By coming together on International Homeless Animals’ Day you can support ISAR in letting the world know that the senseless killing that continues to take the lives of innocent dogs, cats, puppies and kittens simply because there are not enough good homes for them will not be tolerated.

With your support, ISAR will continue to be a voice for the animals and continue to demand an end to the suffering these animals face each day.

ISAR
P.O. Box F
Clarks Summit, PA 18411

Phone: 570-586-2200
Fax: 570-586-9580
Email: contact@isaronline.org
Website: www.isaronline.org

Veterans of the animal rights legal movement believe that it began back in 1972 when ISAR's chairman, Professor Henry Mark Holzer, brought a federal lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the ritual slaughter exemption to the federal Humane Methods of Livestock Slaughter Act of 1958, and expressly invoking the moral/legal concept of "animal rights"--as a result of which some graciously consider him "the first animal rights lawyer." (See http://sjalp.stanford.edu/pdfs/Tischler.pdf)

In her Stanford article, its author, Joyce Tischler, Esq., of the Animal Legal Defense Fund, credits Professor Holzer with three accomplishments crucial to establishing the field of what today is known as “animal rights law”: (1) with ISAR, having brought the first federal and first state lawsuit expressly invoking the moral /legal concept of “animal rights”; (2) with ISAR, having founded the Animal Rights Law Reporter, which became “the legal clearinghouse for animal rights law information”; and, (3) again with ISAR, having organized the “First National Conference on Animal Rights Law”—an undertaking, in Ms. Tischler’s words, “[t]he significance of which cannot be overstated.”

At that conference Professor Holzer had articulated his vision for using the law on behalf of animals.

A major result of the conference was to coalesce the attending lawyers into a loose network of like-minded individuals, and to identify the tools necessary to create an entirely new, discrete field of law--one which would take its deserved place among other long-recognized practice areas such as corporate law, property law, criminal law and many others.

Over the past two decades, that vision has been almost fully realized.

Today, courses in animal law are taught in virtually every major law school in America, usually using books expressly written for that subject.

Today, conferences are frequently held for lawyers practicing animal rights law.

Today, lawyers draft animal rights legislation, and lobby for their enactment.

Today, more than one law school has nationally recognized programs in animal law.

Today, professional journals devoted solely to animal rights law are published.

Today, animal protection lawyer testify before legislative committees.

Today, laypersons with legal issues involving animals seek out lawyers who specialize in animal protection law.

Today, articles, monographs and books on animal law issues proliferate.

Today, national animal protection organizations have lawyers on their permanent staffs.

Today, more and more college students enter law school because they want to practice animal rights law.

Today, animal rights lawyers consult with lawyers in general practice who may from time to time have a case involving animal issues.

Today, state and local bar associations have animal law sections.

Today, lawyers file "friend-of-the-court" briefs in cases involving animal protection (as Professor Holzer will soon do in the Supreme Court of the United States on ISAR's behalf in the case of United States v. Stevens, in an effort to protect the constitutionality of a federal animal protection statute.)

Today, the American Bar Association, recognizes the existence of the animal rights law practice area by maintaining a subcommittee for those interested in that subject.

Today, lawyers litigate animal rights cases in federal and state, and trial and appellate, courts throughout the United States.

And today, thanks to the ABA, lawyers who litigate those cases are going to have a much easier time--and be able to achieve even better results for their human and animal clients.

That's because of a brand new 584 page book published by the ABA this year, edited by Joan Schaffner and Julie Fershtman: Litigating Animal Law Disputes: A Complete Guide for Lawyers.

The Guide was a formidable undertaking, and its editors and contributors have discharged their task admirably, as its seventeen page Table of Contents reflects.

There, one finds every imaginable topic of interest to lawyers who act on behalf of animals and their custodians: Negligence and Tort Law; Ownership, Custody and Keeping of Animals; Veterinary Malpractice; Animal-Related Contract and Sales Disputes; The Disabled, Service Animals, and the Law; Animal Insurance Litigation; Legal Issues Involving Animal Associations and Individuals Helping Animals; Remedies in Animal-Related Litigation; Criminal Law; Expert Witnesses; Practical Considerations for Attorneys Handling Animal Law Cases.

These chapter headings only suggest at the depth and breadth of information contained in the many sections and subsections of each one, and in the appendices which accompany some of the chapters and appear at the end of the book. (The appendices are also copious indexes.)

It's evident that the editors and contributors gave considerable thought to what their book should contain and, speaking as one who was in this field from the beginning--before the beginning, according to some--they've thought of almost everything. (One suggestion for the second edition: the inclusion of a chapter on the constitutional aspects of animal law, and a Table of Cases and Other Authorities cited in the Guide.)

Litigating Animal Law Disputes: A Complete Guide for Lawyers deserves to be in the library of every lawyer and law library in the United States because it is the one-stop resource for every lawyer who contemplates acting on behalf of animals and their custodians.

This Sunday's 2:00-3:00 PM segment will feature renowned attorney Albert Momjian, who'll discuss the practical and legal issues related to pets caught up in the divorces of their custodians. In the broadcast's second hour, Dr. Kirshner will discuss animal cognition and intelligence with Virginia Morell, author of Animals Are Smarter Than We Think, the cover article for National Geographic's March 2008 issue.

Beginning on Sunday, February 8, 2009, ISAR became one of the inaugural sponsors of the new nationally-heard "Animals Today" radio program.

"Animals Today" is broadcast on Knews Radio, from California's Coachella Valley, a station on which Dr. Laura and Sean Hannity, among others, can be heard.

Hosted by Dr. Lori Kirshner, founder of Southern California's Desert PAWS Foundation, "Animals Today" addresses a variety of contemporary animal-related topics. Through Dr. Kirshner's commentaries, interviews with experts, and responses to phone-ins, listeners are exposed to some of today's most interesting and important issues relating to animals, both domestic and wild.

"Animals Today's" is broadcast on Sundays from 2:00 to 4:00 PM Pacific Daylight Savings Time.

Future programs will feature interviews with experts from such organizations as Animal Legal and Historical Web Center, Bighorn Institute, Coachella Valley Wild Bird Center, Animal Legal Defense Fund. Dr. Kirshner's guests will include lawyers, behaviorists, teachers, ornithologists, veterinarians, rescuers, judges, writers, and many others.

A reminder: During "Animals Today's" popular segment with animal behaviorist Dr. Peter Borchelt, he'll try to answer as many listener questions as possible. So if your parrot is peculiar, your cat is crying, or your hound is hyper-or if you have any other animal-behavior questions-either email Dr. Lori anytime, or call into the show at about 3:45 PM, Pacific Time. Email her at drlori@animalstodayradio.com. Knews Radio/Animals Today call in lines: Local: (760) 416-8475--Toll free: (888) 589-6397

Thanks to current technology, "Animals Today" can be heard throughout the world by anyone with access to a computer because the Southern California radio station on which the program appears will "stream" it. Streaming means a radio broadcast can be heard on the Internet while simultaneously being broadcast over the airwaves.

Previous broadcasts of "Animals Today," are now, and will continue to be, archived at the show's website: www.animalstodayradio.com. Along the left column, click "Listen to the show." A new screen will appear showing the dates of previous shows. Then click the play button on the hour(s) you want to hear.

However, your computer must be Java "enabled," meaning the Java program must be downloaded onto your computer in order to access archived broadcasts. If your computer is not already Java enabled, click the message displayed for instructions on how to do so.

To hear "Animals Today" over the Internet at 2:00-4:00 PM Pacific Daylight Savings Time, turn on your computer and be sure the sound is at an acceptable level. Open your web browser (e.g., aol,Yahoo) and carefully type in the address bar www.knewsradio.com, and then click to open that address. The Knews radio website will appear. On the top of the page, click "Listen Live." A new box will appear and the program will begin at the appropriate time. (Listeners may be asked to register, but doing so is optional and registration is not necessary to hear the show.)

"Animals Today's" toll-free call-in telephone number while the program is being broadcast is: 1-888-589-6397. (The station recommends calling from a land-based telephone rather than a cell phone.)

Through this E-Newsletter, ISAR will make available weekly broadcast schedules for "Animals Today." To be kept informed, please add your contact information at http://www.isaronline.org/contact_us.html.

ISAR has become a sponsor of "Animals Today" because we believe that a serious nationwide (indeed, international) program addressing important contemporary animal issues has become a moral imperative.

We personally know the creators and hostess of this program, and we know their dedication to animals is profound.

Thus, ISAR will do everything in our power to help "Animals Today" succeed, and we earnestly solicit the assistance of those of you who believe as we do.

Please forward this important announcement to as many individuals and lists as you can, asking the recipients to do the same.

ISAR has linked to the "Animals Today Radio" website (www.isaronline.org) and we ask those who support the program to do the same. (A word to potential sponsors: Please note that advertising rates for "Animals Today" are very reasonable, given that the program can be heard by anyone having access to a computer. Interested parties should contact Peter Spiegel at (760) 285-4981 or producer@animalstodayradio.com.

As a famous broadcaster said for many years, "See you on the radio."

It has been said that the enshrinement of free speech and press in the First Amendment gives those civil liberties a “preferred position” in the constitutional pantheon because they make possible all other rights of Americans.

Although the “preferred position” notion has never commanded a majority decision of the Supreme Court of the United States, still, First Amendment rights have long been considered of paramount importance even though several exceptions have been carved into them by the Supreme Court of the United States. For example, so-called “fighting words,” obscenity and defamation are unprotected. “Commercial speech,” is sometimes protected, sometimes unprotected.

Not often do constitutional rights of free speech or religion clash in the Supreme Court of the United States with those of animal rights. They did, however, in the case of Church of the Lukumi Babalu Aye, Inc. v. City of Hialeah, Florida, 508 U.S. 520 (1993). The case involved an ordinance of the City of Hialeah, Florida, which prohibited the Santeria cult from sacrificing animals as part of its barbaric “religious” ceremony. (Professor Henry Mark Holzer, ISAR’s chairman, in behalf of ISAR and eleven other animal protection organizations filed amicus curiae (friend-of-the-court) briefs in the Supreme Court in support of the City of Hialeah. For copies of both briefs, CLICK HERE.)

The Hialeah Court unanimously (9-0) ruled the ordinance unconstitutional, as an infringement of the Santerians freedom of religion.

Now, another case is headed for the Supreme Court which also raises First Amendment (speech) and animal rights (cruelty) issues.

A 1999 federal law made it a crime to “create, sell, or possess” depictions of illegal cruelty to animals, especially so-called “crush videos,” the nature of which I leave to the reader’s imagination.

It’s important to understand that the law did not criminalize the illegal cruelty itself, which was and is a crime under the laws of all fifty states. It criminalized, in essence, dissemination of the depictions of illegal cruelty. To the extent that dissemination of videos, DVDs, movies, books, magazines and other graphic materials are exercises of speech (and often press) rights, the federal felony statute seemingly created another exception to First Amendment protections.

A legal search of the home of a Virginia man, Robert J. Stevens, turned up three videos depicting illegal cruelty to animals which were introduced, narrated and commented on by him, together with accompanying printed material of which he was the author.

Stevens was indicted on three counts of violating the statute, convicted, and sentenced to 37 months in prison and three years of supervised release.

On appeal, the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit (in a 10-3 vote) ruled the law to be an unconstitutional abridgment of Steven’s First Amendment right of free speech, and threw out his conviction.

The court majority’s decision turned on whether the First Amendment’s free speech guaranty was outweighed by the federal government’s interest in prohibiting dissemination of depictions of illegal animal cruelty. As the dissenting three judges wrote:

The majority today declares that that the Government can have no compelling interest in protecting animals from intentional and wanton acts of physical harm, and in doing so invalidates as unconstitutional a federal statute targeting the distribution and trafficking of depictions of these senseless acts of animal cruelty. Because we cannot agree, in light of the overwhelming body of law across the nation aimed at eradicating animal abuse, that the Government’s interest in ensuring the humane treatment of animals is anything less than of paramount importance, and because we conclude that the speech prohibited by [the statute] to be of such minimal redeeming social value that its restriction may be affected consistent with the First Amendment, we respectfully dissent.

Thus, what separated the majority and the dissent—what separated the statute’s unconstitutionality from its constitutionality—was application of the test employed by the Supreme Court of the United States when “fundamental rights” such as free speech are restricted by legislation: does the law serve a “compelling government interest and, if it does, is the law “narrowly tailored” to achieve the sought goal? If it does and is, the law will be upheld; if not, not.

United States v. Stevens is headed for the Supreme Court of the United States, the government having filed a Petition for Writ of Certiorari on December 15, 2008.

It is common knowledge that few cases seeking Supreme Court review obtain it. Less well known is that the government’s score card is between fifty and seventy percent, odds which substantially increase when a federal court of appeals has held a federal statute unconstitutional.

If the Court grants review, International Society for Animal Rights will seek permission to submit an amicus curiae (“Friend-of-the-Court”) brief. If permission to file ISAR’s brief is granted, it will be prepared by our chairman, Henry Mark Holzer, Professor Emeritus at Brooklyn Law School.

ISAR’s position will be that, accepting as law of the land the Court’s “compelling interest/narrowly tailored” test, the federal statute declared unconstitutional by the Third Circuit in the Stevens case satisfied those requirements.

While the Solicitor General representing the United States (and doubtless various amici curiae) will appropriately focus on the government interest in prohibiting the dissemination of depiction of cruelty to animals per se, ISAR’s brief will address the philosophic and moral premises for animal rights, making arguments which are at the foundation for the anti-cruelty laws’ very existence.

ISAR extends an invitation to other animal protection organizations to join our brief, per the following procedure:

When a draft of ISAR’s brief is ready, it will be posted on our website.

Organizations interested in joining the brief, at no cost to themselves, will be able to do so by downloading a pdf letter of agreement, having it executed by the proper party, and returning it to ISAR. (There will be no negotiation as to the brief’s contents.)

Any organization wishing to be kept abreast of developments in this case, and to be notified that the draft brief has been posted, can do so only by signing up to receive ISAR's E-Newsletter (please include the word "brief" in the comments box.)

ISAR’s International Homeless Animals’ Day™ 2008

ISAR's International Homeless Animals’ Day 2008 was commemorated for the seventeenth consecutive year on August 16th with Candlelight Vigil observances in 26 states and 9 foreign countries.

For the seventeenth consecutive year, ISAR has facilitated animal rights/welfare organizations in 26 states and 9 foreign countries in making their ISAR International Homeless Animals’ Day events a success.

In honor of ISAR’s International Homeless Animals’ Day 2008, ISAR once again held our Seventh Annual Online Candlelight Vigil. Visitors to our website, http://www.isaronline.org/, were invited to light a virtual candle in memory of the direct victims of the companion animal overpopulation tragedy. Spanning the globe, ISAR’s virtual vigil involved participants from countries including Canada, India, Iceland, Australia, Peru, Czech Republic, Slovakia and the United States.

Activities for this year’s ISAR International Homeless Animals’ Day included candlelight vigils, blessings of the animals, concerts, dog swims, bowling and dance fundraisers, adopt-a-thons, microchip clinics, dog walks, open houses, award ceremonies, and raffles. Other activities included information stalls, car wash fundraisers and “meet and greets” as well as speeches given by local council members, shelter personnel, veterinarians, and humane officers.

2008 Vigil Observances
ISAR encourages all vigil coordinators to contact us with feedback, photos, and video of their events. Through your comments and suggestions, our vigils will continue to grow. Due to space constraints, we’re not able to acknowledge the many observances held on August 16, 2008. Representative examples follow.

Setting the tone for the evening on August 16th, two guitarists strummed melodies while a soft glow from 25 candles, representing the victims of pet overpopulation in Rogers, AR, struck its own chord with participants during a candlelight vigil held by Murphy Dog Park. More than 70 people gathered to lend their support and promote spay/neuter to reduce needless killing of millions of healthy yet unwanted companion animals each year. Mayor Steve Womack, signed ISAR’s Proclamation declaring August 16, 2008 as International Homeless Animals’ Day.

Fifty-three people participated in a bowling tournament held by the Humane Society of Atchison in Kansas to raise awareness for International Homeless Animals’ Day. Following the tournament, more than 70 people attended a candlelight vigil ceremony which included a blessing of the animals, live music, poems and stories. The guest speaker, a city councilmember, during their ceremony presented ISAR’s Proclamation signed by the mayor of Atchison.

East Hartford Town Green on August 16th was the setting for The Queenie Foundation, Inc.’s second International Homeless Animals’ Day observance in Connecticut. Approximately 75 people attended a blessing of the animals and a meet ‘n greet comprised of 8 rescue/adoption groups, 6 advocacy organizations, and vendors that included a vegan restaurant. Enid Breakstone, Founder and Director of The Queenie Foundation, Inc. said, “The number of organizations tabling at our event always shows the public that homeless animals should be an issue addressed in their communities until it is no longer an issue. Also, having a vegan restaurant shows people that there are really tasty ways to eat without hurting animals.” Ms. Breakstone went on to offer advice for holding a successful vigil first by stressing the importance of teamwork and went on to say, “Invite every rescue/adoption and advocacy organization you can find in your area. The more the public sees that there are several groups in your area, the more it will see that the time for action is yesterday.”

Cats Angels, Inc. SPCA of Fernandina Beach, FL had considerable success this year during its month long commemoration of International Homeless Animals’ Day in August. Fernandina Beach Mayor Bruce Malcolm proclaimed the month of August as International Homeless Animals’ Month. During that time, Cats Angels, Inc. raised over $1300 for their spay/neuter program, performed more than120 spay/neuter surgeries, and succeeded in 70 adoptions that placed shelter animals into new loving homes. At least two dozen walkers armed with spay/neuter signs set out for Cats Angels’ 8th annual two mile walk on August 16th. It concluded with 40 people attending their candlelight vigil. ISAR’s spay/neuter billboard was once again posted this year on busy North Highway 17 promoting the Cats Angels’ vigil event. Beth Hackney, President of Cats Angels, Inc. SPCA, said, “I feel we reached more people this year with our message of the overpopulation problem and the responsible solution to get your animals spayed/neutered.”

SOS Chats of Noiraigue, Switzerland held an information stall in the market of Morges on August 16, 2008. More than 1000 people stopped by SOS Chats’ educational booth which was filled with literature focusing on cat overpopulation, feral cat hunting, and their latest battle against the cat fur trade. Special guest speakers at their event, included local politician Luc Barthassat, a television personality, and a local veterinarian. Miss Switzerland spoke on the importance of spay/neuter, proper animal care, and the horrors of the cat fur trade. Swiss veterinarians were prompted to donate one free spay/neuter surgery to their local shelter in an attempt to help reduce the pet overpopulation epidemic.

Close to a thousand people participated in Wet Nose Animal Rescue’s first official function on their new premises in Kungwini, South Africa by observing International Homeless Animals’ Day 2008. All money raised on this day funded their sterilization program to help combat pet overpopulation. Gold medals were awarded to participants who finished the walk for homeless animals.

Our Deepest Gratitude To Vigil Coordinators
Listed below are some of the countless organizations ISAR would like to thank for their efforts.

ISAR would like to specially thank Bryant Animal Control & Adoption Center, From the Heart Animal Behavior and Dog Training, Purrfect Cat Rescue, People Assisting Lodi Shelter (PALS), Lodi Animal Shelter, Colorado All Breed & Rescue Training, Delaware Humane Society, Concord Pet Food & Supplies, Humane Society of the Nature Coast, Superior Mutts Doggie Rescue, Inc., Susan Buser, SPCA of Central Florida, Orange County Animal Services, Gulf Coast Humane Society, Animal Guardians of Brevard, The Brevard County South Animal Care and Adoption Center (SACC), Livingston County Humane Society, Young at Heart Pet Rescue, Save-A-Pet Adoption Center, Orphans of the Storm, Knox County Humane Society, Partners for Animal Welfare Society (P.A.W.S.), Lawrence County Humane Society & Animal Shelter, Pulaski County Humane Society, The Animal Welfare Society, Friends For the Dearborn Animal Shelter, Minnesota Valley Humane Society, Noah’s Ark Animal Welfare Association, Best Friend Dog and Adoption, Inc., Anjellicle Cats Rescue, Greater Triad Shag Club, Rockingham County Animal Shelter, Cat Welfare Association, Ardmore Animal Care, The Pet Hospital - National Shelter Advisory Board, Lehigh County Humane Society, Hope – Hounds of Prison Education, Bradford County Humane Society, Defenders of Animals, Animal Defense League of Texas, Sevier County Animal Shelter, Holly Help Spay Neuter Fund, Believe in Bristol, Greenbrier Humane Society, Wisconsin Humane Society, Ozaukee Humane Society, Charleston/Kanawha Humane Association, Greenbrier Humane Society.

ISAR also truly appreciates the international participation of Anima – Etica para los Derechos Animales, Argentina, RSPCA’s Yagoona Shelter, Australia, Humane Animal Rescue Team (H.A.R.T.), Canada, Corporacion RAYA (Red de Ayuda a los Animales), Colombia, OȈKOS KAȈ BIOS, Refuge of Cats, France, Asociacion de Amigos de los Animales – AMA, Guatemala, Action for Singapore Dogs, Singapore, Musée du CHATS, Switzerland.

Special Thanks
ISAR is grateful for the support from U.S. Governors and Mayors who acknowledged the companion animal overpopulation crisis by signing ISAR’s Proclamation declaring August 16, 2008, as International Homeless Animals’ Day. ISAR would also like to take this opportunity to encourage those elected officials who have not participated in this year’s International Homeless Animals’ Day observance to please consider doing so for next year’s event. ISAR cannot stress enough the importance of having the support of all elected officials in combating pet overpopulation!

ISAR is also grateful to all participating media for helping us to promote International Homeless Animals’ Day this year. ISAR also sincerely appreciates every individual who utilized their local media to educate others on the importance of responsible pet care and the simple solution to the pet overpopulation crisis: spay/neuter. Media coverage included newspaper articles, radio and television interviews, and numerous online resources directing the public to International Homeless Animals’ Day observances in their area.

Organize a Vigil for 2009
As any past vigil coordinator can attest, beginning the planning process early proves indispensable in generating a bigger impact for a successful International Homeless Animals’ Day observance.

ISAR will be glad to welcome back all previous vigil coordinators as well as a host of new ones to participate in International Homeless Animals’ Day 2009. Together we will once again orchestrate a heightened awareness of the plague of pet overpopulation and on a global scale promote the importance of spay/neuter.

Individuals or organizations wishing to take part in ISAR’s International Homeless Animals’ Day 2009 observance on August 15th can receive a free vigil planning packet by submitting a request to ISAR by mail, phone, fax, or email. Our vigil packets include guidelines for organizing a successful vigil event with tips on site selection, suggestions for speakers and vigil events, reaching target audiences, poems, songs, sample press releases, and proclamations are but a few of the items included in our packet. To save on printing costs, vigil packets are only sent upon request.

Together, we will continue to be a voice for the animals and seek to put an end to their suffering.

Please continue to make our efforts possible.