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Change the World for Animals With Words This Guardian Month

Find out what you can do this May for Guardian Month to make the world better for animals.

Guardian, Guardian Month

Urge News Outlets to Stop Using Language That’s Harmful to Animals

Support an update in the language of media outlets about animals to end their objectification and misrepresentation.

animal pronouns, Guardian, language, owner

WATCH: Fixating on Factory Farms Limits True Reform for Animals & the Environment

Factory farms are not the real problem with using animals for food. All animal farms, small or large, are cruel exploitation and killing. There is no humane way…

animal rights, factory farms, Farmed Animals, humanewashing, Vegan, welfare

Make Your Halloween Animal-Friendly!

We might love the costumes, candy and commotion at Halloween, but it can be a very scary holiday filled with hazards for wild and companion animals. Find out how…

Animals, Halloween, Holiday, Wild Animals

Prevent Dogs From Dying in Hot Cars!

Dogs can die of heatstroke in as little as 15 minutes inside a hot car. Learn more about the dangers, the laws in your state and how to help a dog in distress.

Animal Activism, animal cruelty laws, dogs, Rescue

Traditional Fireworks: Fun For Us But Horrifying For Other Animals

While we might enjoy a brilliant fireworks display, the loud noise is often terrifying for our beloved companion animals.

WATCH: “It” Works! Over 10,000 Guardian Signatures Delivered, Now Join the Fireside Chat

Watch the delivery of the guardian alert signatures and join In Defense of Animals for a Fireside Chat about the guardian campaign.

animal, cat, dogs, fireside chat, guardian alert, guardian campaign, video

Honor Animal Companions on Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day

Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day is August 29 and the IDA team is paying tribute to animal companions who they have loved and lost.

companion animals

MEDIA RELEASE: Peter Egan Supports FreeWill for Responsible Animal Guardian Month

This May, In Defense of Animals has partnered with FreeWill for Responsible Animal Guardian Month to encourage more people to plan ahead for their companion animals,…

Guardian, Guardian Pledge, legacy

Exploited & Unnamed: What Do We Call Members of the Bovine Family?

The words “cows” and “cattle” do not have the same meaning. Whether used exploitively for meat or dairy, we should use the correct terms for these beings. Please…

cattle, cows, Farmed Animals, veganism

10 Ways to Celebrate Guardian Month This May

Join us this May for Guardian Month to promote responsible guardianship and create a better world for animals.

Guardian, Guardian Pledge

A Little Respect for Earth on Earth Day?

Earth isn’t getting the respect it deserves as a proper place with a name. For Earth Day, give Earth the respect it deserves, by capitalizing.

capitalize, Earth, Guardian, respect, words

Extend Your Love for Animals Far Into the Future

Help the animals lead better lives by remembering IDA in your estate planning. Contact us for more information on trusts, durable power of attorney, last will and…

Tragic Loss of Animal Companions in Colorado Wildfires Reminds Us to Be Prepared

Every year companion animals are lost in home fires. Take steps to protect animals in your care.

companion animal safety, firestorms, home fires, wildfires

Estate & Financial Planning Workshops Are Here for You and Your Animals!

If you want to leave a legacy and save the lives of the truly helpless, consider making a bequest to IDA.

USDA: Require Regulated Facilities to Protect Animals During Disasters

The USDA’s APHIS regulates entities under the Animal Welfare Act, but none are required to plan for a natural disaster or other emergency.

Animal Welfare Act, APHIS, disaster preparedness, USDA

WATCH: ABC7 News President & Veteran Journalist Honored With Prestigious Guardian Award

We present Tom Cibrowski, President of ABC7, and Dan Noyes, with the prestigious Guardian Award for their excellent coverage of issues affecting animals.

MEDIA RELEASE: ABC7 & Veteran Journalist Honored with Prestigious Guardian Award

In Defense of Animals is proud to have presented Tom Cibrowski, President and General Manager of ABC7, and veteran journalist Dan Noyes with the prestigious Guardian…

Animal rights awareness, Animals, Guardian

Change the World for Animals With Your Words: "It" Matters

Nonhuman animals are sentient beings, and shouldn’t be referred to like inanimate objects. Help change the world for them through words!

language, stylebook, styleguide

MEDIA RELEASE: Obituary: Dr. Elliot Katz, DVM, Animal Rights Champion

Dr. Elliot Katz, D.V.M. — founder of In Defense of Animals, one of the nation’s foremost animal advocacy organizations — passed away on March 24, 2021, at the age…

animal rights, Animal rights defenders, Guardian, In Defense of Animals

National Volunteer Week: Thank You for Your Contributions!

Happy National Volunteer Week! The third week of April celebrates the contributions of volunteers around the world. Volunteers are an integral part of our success…

jobs, volunteering

LETTER: He Will Be Missed

It is with a heavy heart that I share the sad news of the passing of In Defense of Animals Founder and President Emeritus Dr. Elliot Katz, D.V.M. Amid declining…

MEDIA RELEASE: Jane Goodall Joins Call for AP Stylebook Update

In Defense of Animals and Animals & Media have been joined by 80+ respected leaders in animal advocacy and conservation, including Dr. Jane Goodall, urging AP Stylebook…

Humane Summer School: 8 Famous Animal Victims in Modern History

Animals have long been the victims of animal cruelty. Here are eight of the most famous victims in recent history.

animal cruelty, Wild Animals

Prevent Animals from Suffering and Dying in Hot Cars!

Every year, hundreds of dogs, other animals, and human children needlessly suffer and many die after being left in parked vehicles.

animal, animal cruelty, animal cruelty laws, animal ordinances, dogs, Dogs & Cats

Humane Summer School: Find Out What YOU Can Achieve By Going Vegan!

Going vegan is one of the best choices you can make to help animals and the environment. Click on the worksheet below to calculate how big of an impact you can make…

Go Vegan, Vegan

Humane Summer School: Take Our Pop Quiz!

Animals need YOU to stay up-to-date on current issues so you can speak up to make a difference! Take our pop quiz to test your knowledge!

Humane Summer School Is Now In Session! Enter Our Contest Today!

Do you want to learn about animals and some of the best ways to help them?

10 Tips: How to Help Your Animal Companions and Others During the COVID-19 Outbreak

The worry of not being able to care for ourselves or our animal companions during a crisis can be paralysing. Few of us have had to consider a pandemic or the official…

Activist Support, dog meat, Dogs & Cats, Farmed Animals, Guardian, Hope Animal Sanctuary, Wild Animals, Wildlife

Take Your Support to the Next Level - for Animals!

For as little as $5/month, you can make a difference

Farmed Animals, In Defense of Animals, support

News
2019-03-15

Make an Action Plan to Secure The Future of Your Animal Companions

What will happen to your animals when you're no longer here?

Animal adoption

The Pawsitive Guardian

Research shows that most people who practice gratitude feel happier.

News
2018-11-30

‘Tis the Season to Save Animals

It's the season of giving and sharing for animals too!

Holiday Party for the Animals!

Holiday Party for the Animals! RSVP Now to Reserve Your Spot!

Dogs & Cats, Holiday, In Defense of Animals, Supporter

News
2018-11-02

Vote for Animals!

Your vote has a powerful effect on the lives of animals - vote for them!

Animal Activism, animal cruelty laws, animal rights

One Donation, Countless Animals Saved!

We would be honored if you would join us by making a gift each month

Animal Advocates, Dogs & Cats, Farmed Animals, In Defense of Animals

Save Lives Today! Become an Animal Advocate!

Join our monthly giving program Animal Advocates

Animal Advocates, Farmed Animals, In Defense of Animals

Animal Ownership: Is There a Better Way?

The words we use and the way we talk about animals can have an influence

Animal Cruelty Thrives in Darkness. Join Us to Expose it!

By joining our monthly giving program, Animal Advocates

Animal Advocates, In Defense of Animals

In Defense of Animals 2017 Holiday Raffle!

Monthly or quarterly pledge to help animals.

Animal Advocates, dogs, Dogs & Cats, In Defense of Animals

Join Us To Make History for Animals!

We are thrilled to announce our most ambitious campaign to date!

compassion, support

Campaign, News
2017-10-14

Activists Delight as California Signs in Significant Animal Protection Law

The Pet Rescue and Adoption Act has been signed into law!

In Defense of Animals at California State Capitol in Support of AB 485!

We are so grateful to our California supporters

In Defense of Animals

Save Animals: Join the Team!

Become an Animal Advocate member today to save animal lives!

Animal Advocates, Dogs & Cats, In Defense of Animals

Governor Jerry Brown: Save Shelter Dogs, Cats, & Rabbits

Urge Jerry Brown to sign AB 485 into law

Changing the World, One Word at a Time

Just as we started work on a project to energize and grow our guardian initiative

Animal Advocate Spotlight: Courtney Frieh's Amazing Animal Rescue Story!

In Defense of Animals shines the spotlight on our wonderful monthly supporter

Animal Advocates, Dogs & Cats, In Defense of Animals

Animal Advocate team member to the rescue!

Marika Farr is one member of our family and our Animal Advocate in the spotlight!

In Defense of Animals

Goodbye Bill Dyer

It is with the deepest caring, respect, love and sadness that we say goodbye

Our Elite Team of Animal Advocates Needs You!

Animal Advocates are truly the drive behind In Defense of Animals

Animal Advocates, Dogs & Cats, In Defense of Animals

California Residents: Take Action for Cats, Dogs, and Rabbits!

The Pet Rescue and Adoption Act, AB 485, would require all pet stores in California that wish to sell animals to obtain animals from shelters or rescue organizations…

Dogs & Cats, In Defense of Animals

Animal Advocate in the Spotlight for the Month of June!

Meet animal rights activist and In Defense of Animals monthly supporter, Gina Marano!

Animal Advocates, In Defense of Animals

Animal Advocate Spotlight: Bull Elephants Get Support from IDA Monthly Supporter!

IDA supporter and elephant lover, Kiersten Cluster, currently resides in Los Angeles with her husband, Darryl, and their two rescue dogs, Fiona and Marty.

Animal Advocates

Animal Guardian Month

We have dedicated the month of May to promoting the life saving language, actions and values of animal guardianship in regard to our fellow beings.

Animal Advocate Spotlight: Dramatically Inspiring Raccoon Rescue by Trevor Mayes!

Meet Trevor Mayes, our Animal Advocate in the Spotlight for the month of April. Trevor currently lives in Orange County as a script consultant and filmmaker. We…

Animal Advocates

Animal Advocate in the Spotlight

Here at In Defense of Animals, we are excited to announce Corey Barnes as our Animal Advocate in the Spotlight for the month of December. Corey has been a devoted…

We Honor Courtney Kathleen Jones Aman

In Defense of Animals is honored to celebrate the life and legacy of a compassionate and generous soul. Born in 1952, Courtney Kathleen Jones Aman always had a…

Animals Are Our Neighbors and Companions

In Defense of Animals’ Justice for Animals Campaign- has begun a series of presentations to the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Mississippi Delta. The first presentation,…

A Paradigm Shift

As some of you may know, quite some years ago, with many of IDA’s life saving victories and accomplishments behind us, and with so very much more challenges in…

Guardian Campaign Update

For those of you who were able to attend the recently held National Animal Rights Conference, of which IDA was a major sponsor, we hope you enjoyed yourselves…

Devoted Guardians

People all over the world are devoted to their animal companions and spare no expense when it comes to their care. As such, people of all economic backgrounds…

Put your City on the Guardian Map

Yesterday we asked our Newsletter subscribers to consider making their city a better place and a few bold people expressed an interest. How about you? We are looking…

A Guardian’s Goodbye

When we think of being Guardians we usually focus on the advantages that the language has for our animal companions. We rarely consider that Guardianship is a two-way…

Guardians

Dear Friends, I recently decided to read through a number of earlier issues of IDA’s Guardians International magazine, to remind me of how very much we, working…

Cesar Chavez - A True Guardian

**UPDATE: March 31, 2026 — This page was published long before allegations regarding Cesar Chavez came to light in March 2026. As an organization dedicated to justice…

I’m a Guardian

Do you ever feel as though no matter what you are doing to help animals, it’s never enough? By Carlyn Montes De Oca I’ve spent the last thirty years leafleting,…

Adopt, Don't Shop

It’s hard to resist puppies and kittens wrapped up in bows, but in this season of giving it’s important to remember all the homeless animals who need loving homes. It’s…

Keep Your Furry Family Members Safe!

Many people are not aware that quite a few common human foods can make our animal companions very ill, and many are even toxic. We all know that they love to get…

Dog Days of Summer (a friendly reminder from the Guardian campaign)

They call them the "Dog Days" for a reason... Several times a year we learn of tragedies that could have been prevented. People tend not to realize that during the…

IDA is thrilled to announce Ohio’s First Guardian City: Parma, Ohio!

Due to the hard work and dedication of local animal advocate, Brandon Yanak, Ohio has its first Guardian Community. Not only did Brandon convince the Parma City…

Good Guardians know that Bunnies need more than Baskets!

This year make your Easter Bunny Vegan Chocolate! With Easter approaching, many people’s thoughts turn towards bunnies, who have long represented the holiday…

Puppy Mill Demo Draws 68 To BarkWorks In Thousand Oaks, California

There were 68 of us at the BarkWorks pet store in Thousand Oaks on Saturday, February 13. We marched back and forth directly in front of the store, inside the mall.…

Internet Puppy Killer Captured?

This past Monday, August 30, early in the morning, IDA staff spotted on the internet a deeply disturbing video – a young girl had been filmed tossing live newborn…

Katrina’s Patina - Part II of Tragedy and Triumph

Yesterday I shared with you some of my experiences in New Orleans during the Hurricane Katrina rescue. It will never be easy for me to revisit these memories. Since…

Tragedy and Triumph – Five Years After Katrina

Every year around this time I receive calls and emails from individuals I worked alongside or families I reunited in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina. Although…

In three minutes your dog could be dead.

You’re driving to the store and you want to take Duke. The day is lovely, warm, the sun stretched across the sky. You park in the shade, leave the windows open slightly,…

Everyday should be Mother's Day

With Mother’s Day just pasted, it seems an appropriate time to focus on the importance of being a guardian. But just to mix it up a bit, I am writing this as…

Dramatic Rescue from Korean Dog Meat Trade

Working on the Korean Dog campaign can be more challenging then other issues as South Korea seems at times to be a world away. But then I get word of an amazing…

Who do pit bulls love to hate? Michael Vick

Michael Vick has been named the Eagles’ recipient of the Ed Block Courage Award, a distinction he received in a vote by his teammates. We are shocked. Courage? Michael…

ARCH Gains Momentum in Haiti

Helping build a healthier future for Haiti's animals The ARCH team continues to treat animals as part of the relief phase. Despite initial thoughts that…

IDA Helps Haiti Help Animals

IDA’s Connie Durkee sends us another update from her journey into Haiti with the ARCH team to rescue animals in this devastated area: We are welcomed into every…

The Cruel Realities IDA Faces in Haiti

IDA's Connie Durkee saving animals in Haiti with ARCH To understand the conditions the dedicated ARCH team in Haiti is working and living in, IDA’S Connie…

History Made in West Hollywood

Actress and Animal Activist Elaine Hendrix being presented with the 2009 Guardian Award by IDA President Dr. Elliot Katz February 1 was an historic day in West Hollywood. Very…

IDA Prepares to Help Haiti

I doubt any of us will forget when disaster hit New Orleans in 2005 in the form of Hurricane Katrina. At the time, I volunteered to work crisis lines to help with…

Gigi's Tail

Gigi and Family Mike Massucco and Trese Biagini are drawn to the abused, scarred, ill, and old—a mosaic of the not loved enough. Outcasts all. The tan and white…

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