Alabama animal advocates look at IDA's Project Hope in neighboring Mississippi

From The Examiner:

Normally, animal advocates in Alabama don’t have the opportunity to come in contact, in an up-close and personal manner, with an admired international animal rights organization. Not until one of the most active and accomplished AR groups, In Defense of Animals (IDA) branched out, or rather – “came on down” -  to the Deep South, to Alabama’s neighboring state, Mississippi, and established a Mid-South office in Carroll County, which evolved into Project Hope . Animal rescue groups in Alabama are seriously paying attention to Project Hope’s successes, and are alert to the potential in patterning similar efforts. All they need is a doll, – that is, IDA’s Doll Stanley.

In 1993, after hearing the concerns of Grenada and Montgomery County residents who discovered that two USDA-licensed animal dealers were operating in the region, IDA discovered missing dogs at one of the kennels and horrid abuse at the other. IDA successfully worked to shut them down, then stayed to help with other animal issues.

Sixteen years ago, the monumental task of targeting and rescuing animals from auctions, puppy mills, animal dealers and the rampant animal cruelty and neglect that plagued rural Mississippi was arguably considered dangerous, if not impossible. Despite overwhelming obstacles, including the lack of humane education and a thick wall of cultural misunderstanding of compassion for animals, IDA Project Hope Director Doll Stanley won the support of residents and law enforcement by her sheer example of tirelessly rescuing abused and neglected animals, courageous investigations and exposing animal suffering.

Stanley has been involved in cases resulting in the seizure of hundreds of dogs; 86 animal cruelty cases including lions, tigers, bears, cougars, and a camel; the closing of a pet shop supplier’s warehouse containing 683 birds, reptiles, and rodents; and other animal seizures and successful prosecutions.

IDA’s partners work along with Stanley to ensure the wellness and placement in caring, lasting homes; the Mississippi State University’s (MSU) mobile student spay and neuter team and MSU’s volunteer student “Homeward Bound” adoption team.

Stanley serves on the board of directors of the newly-formed Winona Animal Advocacy Group (WAAG) who place misplaced and abused animals with loving homes.

IDA Founder and President Elliot M. Katz, DVM, counts Project Hope Sanctuary as a shining light of hope where none previously existed. He praises Project Hope’s Doll Stanley and her dedicated staff for spreading IDA’s basic mission:

“Our dream is to have every person, young and old, see and treat animals not as objects, property and things to be exploited, abused abandoned or killed, but as individuals who deserve consideration for their needs and quality of life. Our dream is fast becoming a reality as hundreds of thousands of caring people are throwing off the mantel of “owner” in favor of the caring mantle of “guardian”.

Alabama animal advocacy groups, as well as those across the USA, surely receive inspiration from what one “Doll” can do, with commitment and passion for ending animal suffering.

Read the original article here.