(THIS PETITION IS ADDRESSED TO:  THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF CHURCHES;   CHRISTIAN CHURCHES TOGETHER IN THE USA; THE INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF COMMUNITY CHURCHES; AND THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES)

A number of years ago, while entering church, I observed dozens of 'good religious people' going up the wide front steps of our church.... hurrying 'not to be late'.....and not one person would stop to help a pathetic little lost dog that was going up to them and trying desperately to get someone's...anyone's.... attention and help.   Nobody would stop to help the little dog and simply come back to a later church service!  

As I thought further about this, I wondered how I could ever get a minister or priest to very briefly address the plight of companion animals...perhaps even 'from the pulpit'.

Yet, when you think of the millions of dogs and cats needlessly destroyed (‘euthanized’) every year in shelters throughout the U.S. – and far more internationally – where else could so many pet owners (and prospective pet owners) be reached so effectively and quickly?

Among churchgoers all over the world are innumerable people sickened by so much unnecessary and avoidable shelter intake, impoundment trauma and ‘euthanasia’ of companion animals.

Accordingly, could you please:

1.  Familiarize yourselves with the ‘Pets for Life’ program of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) at:

http://www.humanesociety.org/assets/pdfs/pets/pets-for-life/pfl-report-0214.pdf

 ...(and, perhaps more specifically, read the following brief introduction to engaging faith-based-groups in this Pets for Life effort):

http://www.animalsheltering.org/how-we-help/work-for-change/pets-for-life/pets-for-life-toolkit/engaging-faith-based-groups.pdf

2.   Then, within your national, world and international councils of churches, exercise the top-down leadership needed to bring this broadly to the attention of your denominations, churches, clergy and churchgoers.

Thank you very much.

Sincerely,

‘Stand Up for Dogs’    www.standupfordogs.com