K9 PAC-Reviewed Resources
We understand that beginning the road to self-education can pose many challenges, especially when you do not know exactly what to look for, or whether the sources are reliable. With this in mind, we compiled a variety of K9 PAC-reviewed publications, movies, television shows, and online resources that we believe to be accurate, reliable, and good sources of information. We have also provided a list of recommended companies and products that we have been impressed with or that have been suggested by friends and fans.
Our resources are divided into three sections: (1) dogs, (2) other animals, and (3) cruelty-free living. We welcome feedback about the items listed here, as well as recommendations of other resources that you find helpful, interesting, or informative.
Dog-Related Resources
Articles
Greyhound Racing |
Greyhounds Going Up for Adoption as Kenosha Dog Track Closes. |
Oreo's Law |
Language of Oreo's Law Kellner / Duane Bill (Oreo’s Law) Referred To N.Y. State Assembly as S6412/ A9449. |
Puppy Mills | What You Can Do to Stop Puppy Mills. Dog Treatment a Concern, Especially in Ohio.
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Raccoon Dog Fur | Lord & Taylor Bans Raccoon Dog Fur from U.S. Stores. How Students Can Help Animals on Fur-Free Friday. |
Online Resources & Publications
All Animals Magazine
All Animals, the full-color bimonthly membership magazine of The Humane Society of the United States, both entertains and informs. Each issue is full of beautiful photography and fascinating stories about animals. In All Animals, members will find updates on HSUS activities, helpful advice on caring for the animals in your life, investigative reporting, and suggestions for helping animals in need.
Animals & Politics
Blog by Michael Markarian, President of the Humane Society Legislative Fund.
Best Friends Magazine
Your donation of $25 or more includes a one year subscription to Best Friends bi-monthly magazine, the nation's largest general interest animal magazine. Go to Online Donations and choose "Basic Membership", or call (435) 644-2001.
Proceeds from the magazine support the animals at the sanctuary and No More Homeless Pets. We thank our advertisers appearing in the Best Friends magazine whose paid ads cover much of the costs to produce Best Friends magazine.
Organizations
Most of the organizations listed below are dependent upon memberships and donations in order to continue making a difference in the lives of animals. If you are interested in becoming a member or making a donation to an organization listed below, click the corresponding link(s) at the end of its description.
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)
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Fences For Fido
Highlights: Fences For Fido is a 501(c)3 non-profit. Through volunteer efforts, Fences For Fido creates safer and improved conditions for chained dogs, provides education to the public, and helps build healthier communities through awareness and compassion. For dogs living outdoors on a chain, Fences for Fido reaches out to their guardian and offers a free fence, a new shelter, and free or reduced cost spay/neuter. With FFF's services, dogs who were once chained will learn what it’s like to live, run, and play in a safe and more comfortable environment.
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GREY2K USA Mission: to end cruelty to Greyhounds used for commercial racing Highlights: GREY2K USA is a national, non-profit organization comprised of humane-minded citizens who work to pass stronger dog protection laws and close down existing Greyhound racetracks. They also offer adoption referral information to help the thousands of dogs still racing. In November 2008, GREY2K USA became the first group to successfully close down dog tracks through the citizens initiative process, passing Massachusetts Ballot Question 3. They also have a sister-organization called GREY2K USA Education Fund that focuses on educating the public about the history and lives of greyhounds and their exploitation today at racetracks nationwide, and to promote adoption efforts nationwide.
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Greyhound Companions of New Mexico (GCNM) Founded: 1993 Highlights: Greyhound Companions of New Mexico is a certified nonprofit organization that has evolved into a program concerned not only for the welfare of existing Greyhounds, but for the future of the many Greyhounds being bred for the purpose of racing. Greyhound Companions of New Mexico takes particular interest in abnormalities in the retired racing Greyhound resulting from the environment in which they are raised, trained, and raced. These abnormalities can take the form of health and/or behavioral problems. Informing adopters of these potential difficulties can mean the difference in a successful placement and one in which the adopter surrenders the greyhound to an animal shelter or other rescue agency. Please refer to Greyhound Behavior & Health section for specific information. Support GCNM through their online store
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Greyhound Protection League Founded: 1991 Highlights: the Greyhound Protection League is a national, non-profit, all volunteer organization. It was the first organization of its kind to break the silence and speak out nationally against the atrocities inflicted upon racing greyhounds. GPL's work is pursued both on the front lines and behind the scenes through the valiant efforts of dedicated volunteers across the country, each of whom is also involved in the hands-on greyhound rescue movement.
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Humane Society of the United States (HSUS)
Highlights: The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest and most effective animal protection organization - backed by 11 million Americans, or one in every 28. It is America's mainstream force against cruelty, exploitation and neglect, as well as the most trusted voice extolling the human-animal bond. HSUS seeks a humane and sustainable world for all animals - a world that will also benefit people. Click here to learn more about HSUS.
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Humane Society University
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Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association (HSVMA)
Highlights: The Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association (HSVMA) serves as an alternative option to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Prior to its inception, AVMA was the only professional association available, and veterinarians with a more animal-focused, and humane treatment perspective lacked proper representation, HSVMA now provides that representation. HSVMA Field Services, formerly known as RAVS, is the primary direct care program within HSVMA. They are also actively involved in advocating for better public policies for animals and advancing humane alternatives in veterinary education.
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In Defense of Animals
Highlights: In Defense of Animals was founded by veterinarian, Dr. Elliot Katz.In the past 26 years, Dr. Katz and IDA have achieved tremendous feats in animal protection, including: exposing cruelties in the puppy mill industry through undercover investications, developing a 64-acre abused animal sanctuary in rural Mississippi, filing 5 lawsuits that resulted in freezing the use of 42 racing greyhounds from Army, University of California, and Arizona research laboratories, saving 180 "research" beagles from being killed at the University of California, helping to pass a law in Taiwan protecting 1.7 million stray dogs from abandonment, cruelty, and exploitation, closing the Coulston Foundation (the largest experimental center for Chimpanzees in the world), and closing down New York University's crack cocaine experiments on monkeys and Rockefeller University’s vomiting experiments on cats. Click here for more information...
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MAPS4PETS
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PAWS Chicago
Highlights: PAWS Chicago (Pets Are Worth Saving) is the city’s largest No Kill humane organization. Through a solution-based approach to animal welfare, PAWS Chicago has placed Chicago on track to become a No Kill city where pets are no longer destroyed because they are homeless. Since PAWS Chicago’s founding in 1997, the number of homeless pets killed per year has dropped from more than 42,000 to less than 19,000 – more than a 50 percent decrease. In the fall of 2007, PAWS Chicago celebrated a milestone by opening the Midwest’s first No Kill, cageless, state-of-the-art adoption center for dogs and cats in Lincoln Park. PAWS Chicago is on track to find homes for more than 3,600 homeless pets this year. With higher adoption numbers, the cost of medical treatments and caring for homeless pets continues to increase. Direct donations and attendance at fundraising events like PAWS Fur Ball enables PAWS Chicago to continue life-saving work.
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Wisconsin Humane SocietyFounded: 1879 The Wisconsin Humane Society (WHS) is a private nonprofit organization that has been saving the lives of animals in need for 130 years. Because of their long and illustrious history of serving the Milwaukee community, WHS is also known as the Milwaukee Humane Society. In addition to adoptions, events, and volunteer opportunities, Wisconsin Humane Society offers an Advocacy tab on its website with more information about how people can get involved in animal advocacy. As the largest and most recognized shelter in the state of Wisconsin, WHS offers specialized services such as:
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Founded: 1866
Founded: 2009
Founded: 1954
Humane Society University (HSU) is a private, nonprofit institution offering a variety of graduate, undergraduate, and non-credit professional development programs in human-animal studies. Based in Washington, D.C., HSU is the first higher education institution in the country licensed to provide Bachelor of Science degrees and graduate certificates exclusively dedicated to human-animal studies. 
Mission: to provide an organization for veterinary professionals who want to join together to speak out for animals, engage in direct care programs for animals in need, and educate the public and others in the profession about animal welfare issues. 
Founded: 1983
Founded: 1997Products, Pet Stores & Companies
Hero's P.E.T.S.
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Planet Dog (makers of Orbee-Tuff toys)
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Pro Feed Pet Nutrition Centers
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Planet Dog is known as the industry's leading socially responsible, values-based design house, bringing people and dogs together for fun and mutual support. Planet dog conceptualizes, innovates and develops premium products "made for dogs, by dog lovers" and is dedicated to satisfying both you and your best friend's needs. In addition to creating an array of non-toxic and recyclable products, Planet Dog also provides financial resources to those in need and educates consumers about canine-related issues. Orbee-Tuff toys are some of K9 PAC's favorite - they are indestructable (so far) and are backed by Planet Dog's incredible exchange policy. Other Animal Resources
Articles & Books
Farm Sanctuary: Changing Hearts and Minds About Animals and Food
Written by Farm Sanctuary Co-Founder, Gene Baur
Published in 2008
National Best-Seller
Food Inc.
Edited by Karl Weber
Published by Public Affairs, May 2009
Issue 2 Designed to Protect Business, not Ohio
Article by Wayne Pacelle. October 28, 2009
Cleveland.com Opinion Section
States across the nation are adopting policies to reflect society's concern about the well-being of animals and to clamp down on needless cruelty. But Ohio stands out as an exception as agricultural leaders and compliant politicians maneuver to move the state sharply backward...(read more)
Why Animals Matter: The Case for Animal Protection
Why Animals Matter: The Case for Animal Protection offers a concise yet complete overview of the problems of animal suffering. Authors Erin E. Williams and Margo DeMello examine industries that exploit animals—factory farms, experimentation, entertainment, the pet industry, fur, and sport hunting. The authors consider the environmental and social justice effects of animal exploitation.
Movies
| Movie Title | Description |
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| The Cove | The Cove is the winner of 14 film festival awards in 2009, including Winner of the Newport Beach Film Festival, Audience Award at the Sundance 2009 Film Festival, Golden Space Needle award at the Seattle International Film Festival, and Best in Festival at the Blue Ocean Film Festival. Synopsis: This documentary film tells the amazing story of how an elite team of activists, filmmakers, and freedivers embarked on a covert mission to penetrate a hidden cove in Japan and gain evidence of dolphin slaughter, which feeds an underhanded market for mercury-tainted dolphin meat. The film features former dolphin trainer-turned activist Ric O'Barry who captured and trained the five dolphins who played the title character in the international television sensation, "Flipper". Through his close relationship with these dolphins, Ric came to realize that these deeply sensitive, highly intelligent and self-aware creatures so beautifully adapted to life in the open ocean must never be subjected to human captivity again. |
| Food, Inc. | Synopsis: In Food, Inc., filmmaker Robert Kenner lifts the veil on our nation's food industry, exposing the highly mechanized underbelly that has been hidden from the American consumer with the consent of our government's regulatory agencies, USDA and FDA. Our nation's food supply is now controlled by a handful of corporations that often put profit ahead of consumer health, the livelihood of the American farmer, the safety of workers and our own environment. We have bigger-breasted chickens, the perfect pork chop, herbicide-resistant soybean seeds, even tomatoes that won't go bad, but we also have new strains of E. coli—the harmful bacteria that causes illness for an estimated 73,000 Americans annually. We are riddled with widespread obesity, particularly among children, and an epidemic level of diabetes among adults. Featuring interviews with such experts as Eric Schlosser (Fast Food Nation), Michael Pollan (The Omnivore's Dilemma, In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto) along with forward thinking social entrepreneurs like Stonyfield's Gary Hirshberg and Polyface Farms' Joel Salatin, Food, Inc. reveals surprising—and often shocking truths—about what we eat, how it's produced, who we have become as a nation and where we are going from here. |
Last of the Spanish Mustangs |
Last of the Spanish Mustangs was selected as an official film festival selection at the Kansas International, Temecula Valley, FAIF Hollywood, Omaha, Phoenix, Newport Beach, Santa Fe, and Arizona film festivals. Synopsis: A man connects with a rare herd of wild mustangs and takes to the road to expose the lying politicians, government agency, and rich Europeans who kill them for human consumption. |
Peaceable Kingdom: |
Synopsis: A riveting story of transformation and healing, PEACEABLE KINGDOM: THE JOURNEY HOME explores the awakening conscience of several people who grew up in traditional farming culture and who have now come to question the basic premises of their inherited way of life. Presented through a woven tapestry of memories, music, and breathtaking accounts of life-altering moments, the film provides insight into the farmers' sometimes amazing connections with the animals under their care, while also making clear the complex web of social, psychological and economic forces that have led them to their present dilemma. |
Organizations
Most of the organizations listed below are dependent upon memberships and donations in order to continue making a difference in the lives of animals. If you are interested in becoming a member or making a donation to an organization listed below, click the corresponding link(s) at the end of its description.
American Anti-Vivisection Society (AAVS)
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Animalearn
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Animal Place
Founded: 1989 Highlights: Animal Place provides rescued farm animals and indigenous wildlife with sanctuary on 60 acres of forest, meadow, pasture, and hills (with a small lake). Animal Place is also a humane education center that works to promote cruelty-free lifestyles and veganism. They provide a variety of educational resources for both children and adults that teach kindness and compassion for all creatures, and implement nationwide educational programs such as Food For Thought, ABC (About Building Compassion), and 5-H campaigns. |
Animal Welfare Institute
Highlights: In the organization's early years, particular emphasis was placed on the desperate needs of animals used for experimentation. In the decades that followed, AWI expanded the scope of its work to address many other areas of animal suffering. Today, one of AWI's greatest areas of emphasis is cruel animal factories, which raise and slaughter pigs, cows, chickens and other animals. For more about the Animal Welfare Institute, click here.
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Born Free USA United with Animal Protection Institute
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Compassion Over Killing
Highlights: COK is a nonprofit animal advocacy organization based in Washington, D.C. COK focuses on cruelty to animals in agriculture and promotes vegetarian eating as a way to build a kinder world for all of us, both human and nonhuman. Learn more about COK and watch the 2008 Year in Review video.
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The Elephant Sanctuary
Highlights: The Elephant Sanctuary is the nation's largest natural habitat refuge developed specifically for endangered African and Asian elephants. It operates on 2,700 acres in Hohenwald, Tennessee — 85 miles southwestof Nashville - with green pastures, dense forests, spring-fed ponds, and heated barns for cold winter nights. In addition to providing refuge, the Sanctuary provides education about the social, sensitive, intense, playful, complex, and intelligent nature of the endangered elephants. Make a Donation / Become a Member
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Ethical Science and Education Coalition (ESEC)
Highlights: The Ethical Science and Education Coalition (ESEC) is the educational affiliate of the New England Anti-Vivisection Society (NEAVS). ESEC offers instruction and resources for high quality, technologically advanced education that does not require students to dissect an actual specimen, harm or kill animals, or compromise their humane ethics. ESEC works with educators, legislators, parents and students to promote humane science education at all levels of education and professional training.
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Farm Sanctuary
Highlights: Farm Sanctuary has two permanent farm animal shelters. The first 175-acre shelter was opened in Watkins Glen, NY in 1990. This sanctuary also houses a bed-and-breakfast for volunteers and overnight guests. The second shelter was opened in 1993 in Orland, CA, which established Farm Sanctuary's presence in the nation's top agricultural state. The organization has strong support and endorsement from notable hollywood figures such as Lindsay Wagner, Kim Basinger, and Mary Tyler Moore. Farm Sanctuary gained great publicity in 2008 when co-founder, Gene Baur, published the book, Farm Sanctuary: Changing Hearts and Minds about Animals and Food, which won critical acclaim and became a national best-seller. Learn more...
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House Rabbit Society Founded: 1988 Highlights: House Rabbit Society is headquartered in Richmond, California; it has over 120 licensed educators and fosterers and 30 local chapters across the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, and Asia. To date HRS has rescued and found adoptive homes for over 23,700 rabbits. Learn more... Make a Donation or Become a Member
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Humane Society of the United States (HSUS)
Highlights: The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest and most effective animal protection organization - backed by 11 million Americans, or one in every 28. It is America's mainstream force against cruelty, exploitation and neglect, as well as the most trusted voice extolling the human-animal bond. HSUS seeks a humane and sustainable world for all animals - a world that will also benefit people. Click here to learn more about HSUS.
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Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association (HSVMA)
Highlights: The Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association (HSVMA) serves as an alternative option to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Prior to its inception, AVMA was the only professional association available, and veterinarians with a more animal-focused, and humane treatment perspective lacked proper representation, HSVMA now provides that representation. HSVMA Field Services, formerly known as RAVS, is the primary direct care program within HSVMA. They are also actively involved in advocating for better public policies for animals and advancing humane alternatives in veterinary education.
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In Defense of Animals
Highlights: In Defense of Animals was founded by veterinarian, Dr. Elliot Katz.In the past 26 years, Dr. Katz and IDA have achieved tremendous feats in animal protection, including: exposing cruelties in the puppy mill industry through undercover investications, developing a 64-acre abused animal sanctuary in rural Mississippi, filing 5 lawsuits that resulted in freezing the use of 42 racing greyhounds from Army, University of California, and Arizona research laboratories, saving 180 "research" beagles from being killed at the University of California, helping to pass a law in Taiwan protecting 1.7 million stray dogs from abandonment, cruelty, and exploitation, closing the Coulston Foundation (the largest experimental center for Chimpanzees in the world), and closing down New York University's crack cocaine experiments on monkeys and Rockefeller University’s vomiting experiments on cats. Click here for more information...
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Poplar Springs Animal Sanctuary (PSAS)
Highlights: Poplar Spring Animal Sanctuary is a 400-acre non-profit refuge for farm animals and wildlife located in Poolesville, Maryland. PSAS hosts several educational and fundraising events throughout the year, like the PSAS Open House and Thanksgiving with the Turkeys. PSAS accepts tax-deductible donations and invites families and individuals to sponsor specific animals. Sponsorship enables the sponsors to visit the Sanctuary and the animal that they sponsor at any time during normal sanctuary hours.
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Founded: 1883
Mission: Animalearn is the educational program created by 
Founded: 1951
Founded: API was co-founded in 1968 by Belton Mouras and Ken Guerrero, the Born Free Foundation was founded in England in 1984 by Bill Travers and Virginia McKenna and their son Will. 
Founded: 1995
Founded: 1995
Founded: 1991
Founded: 1986
Mission: 1) offer care, rehabilitation, and permanent sanctuary for neglected, abandoned, or unwanted farm animals, 2) provide protected habitat for wildlife, 3) furnish information to the public regarding farm animal and wildlife issues, 4) promote compassion and humane treatment for all animals. Resources for Cruelty-Free Living
MyBeautyBunny.com
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Neuaura Shoes Neuaura Shoes offers top quality VEGAN footwear that is fashionable, comfortable, and reasonably-priced! Finally, vegans and non-vegans alike can enjoy beautiful, animal-friendly shoes. Neuaura Shoes has been featured in publications like Oprah, In Style, Vegetarian Times, and Yoga magazines as well as on Vogue.com. Melis (K9 PAC co-founder) is a personal fan of this company. Check out their fall/winter line-up of ballet flats, boots, and eye-catching booties and heels:    |
An online resource for people looking for cruelty-free beauty products. The company was started by one beauty junkie and one esthetician - both animal lovers. Their mission is to find the best in cruelty-free, green, natural, organic and other good-for-you beauty, skin care and hair care products.