Volunteer Efforts to Help Animals Celebrated June 11
“Animal Guardian Volunteer Day” Events Promoted Nationwide By In Defense of Animals 

Mill Valley, Calif. - In Defense of Animals (IDA), an animal protection organization with more than 80,000 members internationally has declared June 11, 2005 “Animal Guardian Volunteer Day” to recognize animal guardians nationwide by encouraging participation in events that turn compassion for animals into action by volunteering to help animals. Patrick McDonnell, creator of the award-winning comic strip Mutts, designed the official Animal Guardian Volunteer Day 2005 poster.

The first Animal Guardian Volunteer Day in 2004 was marked by celebrations and volunteer events in New York City and St. Louis, Mo. In New York City, Senator Liz Krueger presented IDA with a Resolution officially recognizing Animal Guardian Volunteer Day throughout the State of New York. IDA members volunteered at the Companion Animal Adopt-a-thon in Central Park sponsored by the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals. Animal Guardian Ambassadors Randy Grim, Quentin the “Miracle Dog,” New Jersey’s Bruce Zeman and canine companion Nathan (of “Nathan’s Law”) were also on hand for the festivities. 

IDA’s Guardian Campaign celebrates the human-animal bond by encouraging adoption of the term “guardian” (rather than the outmoded '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.”

“Volunteers exemplify what it means to be an Animal Guardian,” says Ed Boks, Executive Director of New York City Animal Care & Control. “They are a crucial part of making life better for companion animals in shelters, and IDA members made a significant contribution to helping our animals get adopted on Animal Guardian Volunteer Day 2004.”

“Animal Guardian Volunteer Day celebrations are powerful reflections of the important place of animals in our lives, and of the necessary changes that have occurred in how we perceive and relate to those who share our planet,” says Elliot M. Katz, DVM, president of IDA. “By organizing a volunteer project in our communities we make the world a better place and give something back to the animals who enrich our lives.” 

For more information, or to download a copy of the Animal Guardian Volunteer Day poster designed by Patrick McDonnell, please visit www.guardiancampaign.com/guardian_day.htm.