Teens R the Coolest Guardians!

Have you ever been the target of racism, sexism, or other discrimination? Discrimination comes in many forms, and it isn't limited to humans. Animals are also the targets of a form of discrimination called speciesism.

Speciesism is a prejudice or attitude of bias in favor of the interests of members of one's own species and against those of members of other species.

Speciesism allows humans to justify eating, wearing, experimenting on animals and using them for entertainment by reasoning that the interests of humans are more important than the welfare, protection, freedom and habitat of non-human animals.

Any act of discrimination against other persons or against animals is unjust. Help others understand that being cruel isn't cool -- that everyone, including animals, deserves a guardian to look out for their well-being.

Do you want to help improve the lives of animals starting today? Click on the links below to help animals locally, nationally, or globally.

Here's what some other teens are doing for animals:

Audrey Bridgers of Duncan, Oklahoma writes:

"I recently moved back to my home town of Duncan, Oklahoma after 3 years of living in Katy, Texas which is just west of Houston. While I was down there having my junior high career I got involved in volunteering at CAP (Citizens for Animal Protection) a non-profit organization for the protection of animals. I was a volunteer there for about 10 months and it has honestly been one of the best experiences I have ever had.

My volunteering included greeting people, starting adoptions, making sure all cats and dogs had food and water, cleaning cages, taking dogs on walks, doing laundry, and having tons of fun! During the summer it was almost like a part time job I would go in like 2 or 3 days a week and volunteer for like 5 hours. I really enjoyed watching the animals go to good homes it made me feel like I did my part, and I know I did, I made a change in that animals life and it gave me such satisfaction to know that.

Not only did I make many furry friends I also made friends with the people that worked there. Before I left I had people telling my mom how much help I had been when I volunteered and it was good to know that everyone was proud of me and I was proud of myself. On my second to last day of volunteering there the volunteer coordinator presented me with a plaque from her and all the staff for being an "Outstanding Volunteer" and putting in "long hours for the protection of animals".

Now that plaque is hanging on my bedroom wall in our new house and every day when I see it, it reminds me of how I made a difference and have the ability to make a difference in the future,... which I certainly plan too. I'm now in 9th grade and working on becoming a volunteer at the humanes society here in Duncan and hopefully make a difference again.

My ultimate goal in life is to become a Wildlife Biologist and to conserve nature, now because I have started helping and started getting hands on experience and doing what I love, I know I'll reach that goal. I encourage everyone and anyone to go out and volunteer at their local animal shelter, in the end you will know that you made a difference, and to know that will make you feel really good about yourself, like I do about myself."

Elizabeth Thompson from Beaver County, Pennsylvania writes:

I would like to tell you about Students Against Animal Violence. We are a non-profit, charitable organization which has not only attempted to improve the lives of animals, but has also extended a helping hand to people. We continually seek ways to improve our community through benevolent acts. On several occasions, our group was recognized for our hard work and dedication.

The first newspaper S.A.A.V. appeared in was the Pittsburgh Post Gazette. The article, " School Club Helps Students Help Animals," was published July 26.2000. S.A.A.V. Club was also acknowledged by the Beaver County Humane Society, our county animal shelter, for volunteering time to take pictures of animals with Santa. The Beaver County Humane Society's words of gratification can be found in "The Barker."

S.A.A.V. club continues to participate in Humane Society activities. Over the summer, our club was recognized by the Beaver County Times for our work in trying to get bulletproof dog vests for police dogs in our county. The article, "Give Police Dogs Bullet-Proof Vests, Students Request" was released August 1, 2002. Finally, our club was recognized by In Defense of Animals. Their Summer 2002 newsletter states, "Meet S.A.A.V. members. This Pennsylvania high school group is working to change the legislation in their state so that people will be legally recognized as guardians, not owners, of animals." Aside from appearing in the media, S.A.A.V. members are constantly "out and about" in our community.

As previously mentioned, S.A.A.V. members are active participants with the Beaver County Humane Society. We help them with their "Pet Photos with Santa" fundraiser each winter. We make an effort to help them with any fundraisers they need extra help in doing. They helped our group by allowing us to receive signatures on petitions during their annual rabies vaccination drive.

We have collected signatures for our guardian petitions using many different strategies. S.A.A.V. club members made beaded bracelets to raise money for a dissection alternative in Ambridge Area High School. These beaded bracelets were sold at Baden Community Day. While at Baden Community Day, our club managed to get a tremendous amount of signatures. We also sponsored a car wash to raise money for bullet proof dog vests. I find that community members are always eager to help us in our projects. Citizens participating over the past year has helped us reach our goal of over 1,000 signatures.

In closing, I will explain the law we are trying to improve. Crimes and Offenses Title 18, pages 1-6 and Agriculture Title 3, pages 1-30 will be modified to suit the wording change from owner to guardian. This law change will not affect hunting or any regulations dealing with undomesticated animals. It is a "stepping stone" towards achieving more efficient animal lights laws. I believe this change is necessary. Lives should not be "owned." Animals are unique beings with their own wills. By giving animals the right to be their own free individuals may seem extreme, but women and children being independently from their husbands and fathers was considered extreme at one point in time.

Read the Guardian Campaign Mission Statement & Goals