Date
July 20, 2006
Contact
Elliot M. Katz
(415) 388-9641, ext. 225
Kristie Phelps
(757) 423-0093
In Defense of Animals
3010 Kerner Blvd
San Rafael
CA 94901
IDA is an international, California-based animal advocacy organization dedicated to ending the abuse and exploitation of animals by defending their rights, welfare and habitats.
Imperial Beach Recognizes Animal “Guardians”
City Adopts Term That More Closely Reflects Human-Animal Bond
Imperial Beach, Calif.—On Wednesday, July 19, 2006, Imperial Beach joined fourteen other American cities, two counties, and one state in passing an ordinance to recognize individuals as the “owner/guardian,” of their animal companions, rather than the “owner.” The new ordinance seeks to elicit responsible treatment of companion animals and reduce the number of abused, neglected and abandoned animals.
Imperial Beach is the latest example of a growing trend towards modernizing the terms society uses to describe the relationship people have with the animals who become so much a part of their lives. An increasing number of people now see the term “owner” as outdated since it does not reflect the human-animal bond that exists in our culture today. The term “guardian,” however, acknowledges a deeper level of respect, compassion, and responsibility toward animal companions and more accurately reflects the close relationship that often develops between humans and animals.
“The term ‘guardian’ connotes responsibility toward animals. The more responsible people are toward animals, the less likely maltreatment of animals will occur, and the more likely animals will be properly cared for and kept off the streets,” said veterinarian Mike McCoy who introduced the idea to city officials earlier this year.
Elliot M. Katz, DVM, president of IDA, praised the ordinance change. “I am delighted that the citizens of Imperial Beach and the Imperial Beach City Council have recognized the value of the term ‘guardian,’” he said. “Because so much animal abuse and neglect stems from viewing animals as disposable property, this is an important step in changing people’s consciousness and respect towards the animals with whom we share our lives.”
IDA’s Guardian Campaign celebrates the human-animal bond by encouraging adoption of the term “guardian” (rather than the outdated “owner”) to recognize and facilitate a deeper level of respect, compassion and responsibility toward animal companions. Proponents point out the language change more closely reflects the relationship people have with their “best friends.”
For more information on IDA’s Guardian Campaign, please visit www.guardiancampaign.com.