IDA applauds the Parma, Ohio City Council for voting unanimously yesterday to replace the term "owner" with "owner/guardian" in animal-related ordinances. Parma joins 17 other cities in officially recognizing the value of the term "animal guardian" in reference to cherished animal companions.
"In Defense of Animals acknowledges the caring, dedication and compassion of high school student Brandon Yanak and the generous assistance of Councilwoman Mary Galinas for bringing the guardian issue before the full council," said Anita Carswell, IDA's Guardian Campaign Director. IDA created the Guardian Campaign in 1999 to reflect and nurture the growing sentiment that "owner" does not reflect the bond between people and non-human animals. Actress Mary Tyler Moore has said: "I like the term 'guardian' as opposed to 'master' or 'owner'. It is an honor that is bestowed on some of us and we need to treat it that way." Click here to read more!
Would you like to add the term "animal guardian" to your city's ordinances? E-mail us at guardian@idausa.org with Guardian Campaign in the subject line. But first be sure to take the Guardian Pledge below!
Take the Guardian Pledge to help us determine which cities and states to focus our Guardian Campaign in:
I pledge to: Call myself and others "guardian" rather than owner
Make a lifetime commitment to my animal companions
Adopt animals only never buy or sell
Spay or neuter my animal companions for their health and to prevent overpopulation
Provide nutritious food, fresh water and daily exercise for my animal companions
Care for the emotional needs of my animal companions
Refer to my animal companions as he or she, not it.
Parma, Ohio (July 6, 2011)%u2013 In Defense of Animals (IDA), an international animal-protection organization with over 100,000 members, applauds the Parma, Ohio City Council for voting unanimously yesterday to replace the term owner with owner/guardian in its animal-related ordinances. Parma joins 17 other cities in officially recognizing the value of the term "animal guardian" in reference to cherished animal companions.
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