St. Louis Missouri Recognizes Animal "Guardians"

St. Louis-- On Monday, August 9th, the St. Louis, Missouri joined twelve American cities, one county, and one state in passing an ordinance to recognize individuals as the "guardian" of their animal companions, rather than the "owner." Almost three million Americans are now officially recognized as animal guardians.

The effort to change the City of St. Louis' language was spearheaded by Stray Rescue of St. Louis and its founder Randy Grim, guardian of Quentin the Miracle Dog. Quentin survived the city's gas chamber a year ago and is now the national spokesdog for the IDA's guardian campaign.

St. Louis city 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. A growing number of people now see the term "owner" as outdated since it does not reflect the human-animal bond that exists in our culture today.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.

Stray Rescue will soon putting up billboards encouraging people to adopt and save a life and be a guardian-not an "owner."

Elliot M. Katz, DVM, president of In Defense of Animals, praised the ordinance change. "I am delighted that St. Louis City has recognized the importance of this seemingly subtle word change. Because almost all animal abuse and neglect stems from viewing animals as property, this is an important step in changing people's consciousness regarding the animals with whom we share our lives."

Stray Rescue, under the stewardship of Quentin the Miracle Dog has given $18,000 to Animal Regulation to cover costs of employing humane lethal injection rather than gassing animals to death. Stray Rescue also pledges another $10,000 for five years to raise the level of care at the Animal Regulation Center so necessary drugs and first aid equipment is accessible. Lethal injection is now being highly considered by St. Louis City.

For more information about Guardian Campaign, please visit www.guardiancampaign.com