BLOG THE CHANGE

If there was ever proof positive that our community is filled with compassionate animal advocates, it’s Blog the Change. 111 of you shed light on animals causes that spanned fighting the deadly sale of rabbits too young to be weened in California, to assisting with care for often overlooked pets of homeless people. One of the largest trending topics of conversation was that of ending puppy mills.

My heart broke a thousand times reading your posts and yet I was never more uplifted by the support you offered to these animals, animal causes and to each other. Thank you all so very much for being there.

We so proudly support your efforts and please know that your participation lifts our spirits, keeping our little team of volunteers focused and enthusiastic about our mission.

And for that, we’ve needed just a bit more help…

WELCOME TO OUR NEW TEAM BTC MEMBERS!

Peggy Frezon and Kim Thomas are writing for the cause both on our website and on Facebook. Already, their contributions have made a tremendous difference and their enthusiasm has infused fresh, new excitement into what we do here. Thanks to both of you!

Peggy Frezon – Staff Writer

Peggy is an award-winning writer specializing in pets, with stories in The Ultimate Dog Lover, Miracles and Animals, and others; a regular contributor to Guidepostsmagazine; and a contributor to more than a dozen Chicken Soup for the Soul books. Her first book is Dieting with my Dog (Hubble & Hattie, 2011). Her “pet cause” is pet adoption, sparked by the love of a scrawny stray beagle-lab named Happy, an orphaned farm mutt named Corky, and currently, her rescue spaniel-mix pooch, Kelly. Peggy enjoys sharing tips and inspiration in her twice-monthly web column, Pawsitively Pets, and on her blog Peggy’s Pet Place. Although she’s been mom to dogs, cats, rabbits, gerbils, turtles, fish and (in college, when nothing else was allowed) hermit crabs, she has a soft spot for guinea pigs.

Connect with her at Peggy’s Pet Place blog, PeggyFrezon.com, Facebook and Twitter.

Kim Thomas, Staff Writer and Facebook Liaison

Kim Thomas is a freelance writer and mother of four; her family shares their Chicago-area home with two dogs, three cats and foster kitties. She volunteers with Almost Home Foundation, an all-volunteer organization that has rescued over 5,000 dogs and cats since its inception in March, 2005.  Kim shares her love for pets and concern for animal welfare in her blog, CindyLu’s Muse – appropriately named after her strong-willed but irresistable pup, CindyLu, who occasionally injects her own views.

Find her on her CindyLu’s Muse blog, Facebook and  Twitter.

To meet all the talented and friendly faces behind BtC4animals.com (Maggie Marton, Shauna Stewart, Vicki Cook Mary Haight and your founders, Kim Clune and Amy Burkert), please visit the Team BtC page.

INTRODUCING FIND-A-PET FRIDAY ON FACEBOOK!

Kim Thomas, our new liaison at BtC4animals’ Facebook Page, has sparked much community conversation by posing interesting interesting questions and blog posts. She also hosts our new Find-a-Pet Friday. Please help her post adoptable pet profiles from PetFinder.com or your local rescue. Let’s share homeless animals in our own Facebook feeds before folks head out to weekend adoption clinics. The more exposure they get, the better chance they have to be kept alive, safe and loved.

Is there anything else you’d like to see happening on Facebook? Please comment with suggestions on this post. Remember, this is your space. You have a say in how to shape it!

MONTHLY CAUSE UPDATES

• 365 Days of Animal Advocacy

Ashley Niels of I Love Rescue Animals has become a walking billboard for animals throughout 2011. Wearing a different tee daily, Ashley represents animal shelters, rescues, clinics, welfare organizations, awareness groups, events or fundraisers.  And for each daily tee, an article at I Love Rescue Animals highlights the good these organizations do!

Ashley has made it through 23 days without going topless, but she’s not out of the woods yet. As of this writing, 38 shirts have been sent and 23 have been worn. Bottom line? Ashley needs more animal couteur – and fast. Send your animal cause shirt today and get some free PR in return. Visit 365DAA to find out how!

• Help Joey

Joey Henry is on a mission to stop dogs and cats from chasing tail. He does so to reduce the number of strays in his neighborhood. Of course, his job would be easier if we all spayed and neutered our pets. Since Joey isn’t licensed to do that, he just breaks up animal sex.

Sure it sounds silly. It is. It’s also an innovative use of humor to break through the age old, tuned-out and ever-important argument for spay/neuter programs.

Although they surpassed their goal of 40K Facebook fans, there can never be enough. If you haven’t already, “Like” them. Share Joey’s message with friends today and combat the #1 reason for the destruction of shelter animals - overpopulation. Pass on the hilarious videos and pictures from HelpJoey.com, the Help Joey e-Newsletter, Facebook and Twitter. Yes, it’s that easy.

• Free Tilly

Tilly, a 22-foot, 12,000 pound Killer Whale, spent the last 25 years in captivity performing tricks for audiences. However, in 2010 Tilly inexplicably attacked and killed his trainer. Animal Defenders International (ADI) claims that the tragic attack is a clear indication of Tilly’s frustration and a severely deprived environment. Small pools are no substitute for the ocean.

Let marine parks know that you refuse to endorse the use of captive marine mammals in entertainment. Ensure Tilly gets rehabilitation so he might be able to go free.

Sign the Free Tilly pledge and Subscribe to ADI’s Action E-News to learn more. Just 13 of you have signed so far and 3 signed up for e-news. Tilly needs more than that. Spread th word.

COMMUNITY GROWTH

Can you spread the good word about the work you do here?  The rate of your community growth has slowed over the holidays, but we’re now up to 1,302 fans on Facebook and 1,593 followers on Twitter! The bigger we become, the greater impact we can have. We know how difficult it is to keep up the pace. We feel it here too. Please know, we are so grateful for all you do when you can.

Cheers to a terrific 2011! We’re looking forward to it!

BtC4animals.com never asks you to spend a cent, just a few minutes of your time.
It’s the greatest gift you can give.

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