Project Hope And IDA Celebrate 16th Anniversary In Mississippi

While IDA's main office is in California, we have several important "outposts," including our Project Hope Sanctuary in Mississippi. This week marks our 16th year as a substantial presence for animals in the deep south of the U.S. Project Hope's Director, Doll Stanley, gives us fascinating insight into the history of activism for animals in this region, the birth of our Project Hope Sanctuary, and the variety of issues and challenges facing southerners who work to protect other species.

IDA Files Grand Jury Complaint Against Los Angeles Zoo

On August 4, IDA filed a complaint with the Los Angeles Civil Grand Jury seeking an investigation of the Los Angeles Zoo for gross malfeasance and unethical behavior in its actions to secure approval of a $42 million elephant exhibit expansion.

“The Los Angeles Zoo, a city agency, has engaged in a pattern of practice that includes repeated cover ups, illegal withholding of public records, tampering with public documents, and misleading City Council members in a way that may well have changed the outcome of the vote to keep elephants at the Zoo," said Catherine Doyle, who filed the citizen complaint as a Los Angeles resident and IDA elephant welfare specialist. Click here to read more, including the full complaint, and to see what you can do to help.

And The Award Goes To ...

At the Animal Rights 2009 National Conference, held in Los Angeles on July 16-20, IDA President Elliot M. Katz, DVM, presented two members of the IDA family with major awards - Bill Dyer, IDA’s Southern California Coordinator, and IDA celebrity spokesperson Elaine Hendrix. Bill received IDA's Lifetime Achievement Award. Elaine Hendrix, actor, producer, songwriter, and author, received the IDA Guardian Award for her dedication to other species. Click here to read more and see photos!

The Cove Opens To Rave Reviews

"The Cove" is a dramatic, award-winning film about our Save Japan Dolphins Coalition, and our efforts to stop the brutal killing of dolphins in Japan. The nationwide release of "The Cove" is generating fantastic reviews from the likes of Time Magazine, which calls the film "spectacularly compelling," and the Seattle Times, which wrote "Rarely does an investigative documentary have such immediate impact that it results in observable change." To learn more and see when "The Cove" will be screening in your city, visit http://www.savejapandolphins.org/.

IDA India's First Large Animal Ambulance Begins Service

On August 1, IDA India celebrated its new, fully equipped, state-of-the-art large animal ambulance, pictured here covered in celebratory decorations. On hand paying tribute was a Member of Parliament and the Mayor of Navi Mumbai. Popular actor Shri hosted the affair. Young children performed dramatic skits on animal welfare. Mrs. Fizzah Shah, IDA India’s president, expressed the group’s long-hoped-for dream - building an animal hospital in Navi Mumbai for homeless and stray animals. IDA India is seeking a suitable plot of land in the region. But the day belonged to the unveiling of this unique ambulance - an astonishing feat of custom-built machinery, designed by IDA members. Navi Mumbai is home to many abandoned cattle, who are often seen wandering the streets. It was a daunting task to load such large animals onto the old ambulance and it was also extremely stressful to the injured animal. The new ambulance is a first of its kind, armed with a hydraulic lift and a trolley that can be taken out of the van and pulled directly to the place where the animal is lying. The animal may then be carefully loaded on the trolley and slid on the lift. This remarkable transport will bring immeasurable relief to the animals.

Mr. Aspi Rusi Sattha donated the ambulance to IDA India in memory of his brother, Ruinton Rusi Satta, a great animal lover.

Express your love and devotion to your animal companions with this shimmering sterling silver pendant. Words are powerful. Wear your guardian pendant proudly. Call 303-333-9989 to order, or click here for e-mail inquiries.

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