Wayne Pacelle
"There's no shortcut to long-term reform," said Wayne Pacelle, president of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and author of a New York Times’ best-selling novel, “The Humane Economy: How Innovators and Enlightened Consumers are Transforming the Lives of Animals.”
Pacelle, who resides Chevy Chase, launched his book at the Potomac home of Joyce Doria on April 17.
In his discussion of his book, he explained how personal economic decisions impact the survival and well-being of animals — and how to make better choices. He discussed what consumers can do every day to benefit animals, the environment and human society.
“Though most of us have never harpooned a sea creature, clubbed a seal, or killed an animal for profit, we are all part of an interconnected web that has a tremendous impact on animal welfare, and the decisions we make — whether supporting local, not industrial, farming; adopting a rescue dog or a shelter animal instead of one from a ‘puppy mill;’ avoiding products that compromise the habitat of wild species; or even seeing Cirque du Soleil instead of Ringling Brothers — it does matter,” he said.
Pacelle’s first best-seller, written 5 years ago is called “The Bond, Our Kinship with Animals, Our Call to Defend Them.” In this book, he challenges readers to help build a more humane society. His scenarios describe the dichotomy of a world in which many animals are more loved and better cared for than in any time in history — and yet there is more animal abuse than ever before.
HSUS, the largest animal protection organization in the country, has a strong presence in Potomac. Rick Bernathal, chairman of the HSUS board, and Joyce Doria, chairwoman for the HSUS National Council, are both long-time residents. They were pleased that more than 50 interested and committed animal lovers attended this event to support Pacelle’s latest book.
Bernathal has served as the HSUS board chairman since 2004. He cited the wide range of initiatives of HSUS including the elimination of cockfighting, bear trophy hunting, seal hunting, elephants in captivity, protecting horses and the Sea World decision to free the orca whales. Pacelle is involved personally in many of the HSUS issues. After Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy, Pacelle and other members of his Animal Rescue Team rushed to search for wildlife and domestic animals that were trapped, injured or stranded by the storms. Besides heading up the HSUS, Pacelle has recently appeared on television shows, writes a daily blog and lobbies before Congress.
“Pacelle’s book describes extremely timely and significant issues for each of us to consider,” Bernathal said. “Wayne believes that we have a moral obligation to care for all the animals in the world because we have power over them but we must each exercise our stewardship over them in a moral way. Everyone does not have to be vegan, but in our daily living we should be thinking about animal welfare in a way that is constructive and respectful to these creatures; they are as feeling and alive as we are. Pacelle points out that with incredible acceleration, corporations are finally grasping that caring about where they get their products is good for business — and customers are demanding it. Walmart and McDonalds took a pledge to sell cage-free eggs, Whole Foods Market took animal welfare to a higher standard with their five-step animal protection policy (no cages, crates, animals must have access to being outside, etc) and Armani pledged to go fur-free. Corporations need to pay attention to these things.”
Bernathal noted that Pacelle says each person should figure out what they can comfortably do without being judgmental of other people. “Reduce your meat intake by trying some of the vegan options that are coming on the market. Choose your next dog or cat from a shelter, or contribute money to an organization that directly helps animals,” he said.
Doria sits on the board of the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) as well as the HSUS National Council.
“Pacelle is an incredibly special person with tremendous drive,” she said. “He is so dedicated to the cause. At the book-signing, there were questions about the progress with the use of animals in entertainment and in reducing the number of animals in cages — not just chickens, but also hogs and other animals. There is a valid initiative in Massachusetts to prohibit the sale of animals who have been raised in crates. This is on the ballot for November and will set huge precedent.”
“Another item discussed was genetically-created meats — moving away from beef,” said Doria. “Cows produce more methane gas than cars. Reducing the amount of meat people eat will have a positive effect on our environment and water. HSUS is truly making a difference in our world – in so many ways. I would encourage people to volunteer their time and energy with us.”