About Coalition to Protect and Rescue Pets: How We Act On Our Compassion (and You Can Too!)
WHO WE ARE Coalition to Protect and Rescue Pets is an all-volunteer network of people who care about animals--and act on our compassion through education and legislative advocacy. We are pet owners, animal shelters and rescue groups, humane veterinarians and others who believe animals deserve the same things we do: a secure home; protection from abuse, neglect and exploitation; and love.
Coalition to Protect and Rescue Pets formed in Massachusetts in 2007. Since then, our network has expanded to Connecticut, Maryland, New York and Rhode Island, with partners nationwide.
WHAT WE DO Our mission is in our name. However, our circle of compassion extends beyond companion animals to include all sentient beings. Here's what we do:
Advocate for humane legislation to protect animals from abuse and exploitation. Coalition to Protect and Rescue Pets led the campaigns that passed:
The 2008 Massachusetts state law prohibiting the pet rental trade ahead of a business with its sight set on Boston; our law and the media coverage it generated shut down this inhumane new industry before it could take hold in the US.
Working without any external funding, we defeated monied lobbies that have a financial interest in practices harmful to animals--including devocalization, an inhumane veterinary surgery.
Consult with lawmakers and animal advocatesnationallyabout devocalization, and support the efforts of other advocacy groups on a wide range of animal protection issues.
Facilitate the rescue and rehoming of dogs and cats who've fallen through the cracks of the overburdened shelter system. Some were taken off the mean streets by individuals who cannot give them a permanent home. Others are animals whose beloved humans have developed a debilitating or terminal illness, entered a nursing home—or passed away. Coalition to Protect and Rescue Pets works with rescuers, conducting outreach and assisting with the screening of prospective adopters to ensure animals are placed in secure, loving homes.
DON'T SHOW US THE MONEY! Coalition to Protect and Rescue Pets doesn't seek or accept financial contributions for our work; we ask that donations be directed to all-volunteer animal shelters or mixed-breed, mixed-species rescue groups instead.
However, we greatly appreciate donated services--such as videography, PR and printing--that make our work for animals more effective.
YOUR ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER Whether it's animals or vulnerable humans, the best thing you can do to prevent and ease suffering is take action. Signing online petitions doesn't pass laws, and posting sympathetic comments to Facebook ("awww, poor kitty") doesn't ease animal suffering. If you really want to make a difference, roll up your sleeves and get involved.
Even actions you think are small, like walking an elderly neighbor's dog, posting a flyer for a homeless pet--because there really is a world beyond Facebook--or calling your elected officials to voice concern for animals, can make a large and lasting difference.
Don't wait for an organized effort. You have the power, and there is the need, right now.