With several large-scale cases in California of alleged cruelty by animal rescues in the spotlight, including the most recent accusations of Miranda’s Rescue in Humboldt County with ties to some Bay Area shelters, it’s time to talk about a major reason these disturbing stories came to be. Over the course of my four decades working in animal welfare, I’ve seen many changes. The field has evolved, and most of those advances have been just that — an advancement. Changes include ways homeless pets are treated and sheltered; the creation of professional certifications for those who work [...]

Sculptor Beniamino Bufano's bear sculpture in front of Marin Humane in Novato. A common question I’m asked is: “What are the differences between all the animal organizations?” There are numerous animal organizations — both locally and nationally — and it can be confusing to know how, or even if, they’re connected. From names like SPCA, ASPCA, humane societies and various “rescue” organizations, shifting through the alphabet soup is challenging for the average animal lover. The animal welfare movement in the United States began in the late 1860s. Originally concerned about how animals were used, [...]