Be Kind to Animals Week Starts Today

The American Humane Association created Be Kind to Animals Week in 1915 to encourage compassion toward animals. Every year, animal shelters throughout the country hold special events during this time-honored week to raise awareness about animals in the community and to celebrate the unique bond between humans and animals.

"This year, we will be celebrating with a special adoption gift package with every shelter adoption from May 4 to May 10," says Executive Director, Joanne Schoch at the Humane Society located at Wiscon and Mobley Roads.

In addition to vaccinations and spay/neuter, all adopted pets are microchipped and each adoption includes one month of free pet health insurance.

Gift packages includes a Humane Society limited edition T-shirt and a Humane Society membership that includes four pet educational seminars during the next 12 months.

Be Kind to Animals Week is one of the oldest, special week-long observances in existence in the United States. In 1952, Be Kind to Animals Week received the official endorsements of the U.S. and Canadian governments. And in honor of the week's 75th anniversary in 1990, Congress passed a resolution declaring May 6-12, 1990, "Be Kind to Animals and National Pet Week."

"Kindness toward animals is a building block of a humane and compassionate society," says Marie Wheatley, president and CEO of American Humane. "We celebrate and encourage that all year long."

In honor of Be Kind to Animals Week, the Humane Society of the Nature Coast suggests the following ways of showing appreciation to the animals around us:

• Report animal abuse or neglect

•Adopt a new pet at the shelter

•Speak out on the importance of respecting animals

•Spay or neuter your pets and encourage family and friends to do the same

•Drive carefully through areas populated by wild animals, such as deer

•Plant a butterfly or hummingbird garden in your back yard

•Donate to, or volunteer at your local animal shelter

About the Humane Society of the Nature Coast, Inc.

The Humane Society of the Nature Coast, Inc. is dedicated to the rescue, health and re-homing of orphaned and abandoned pets with a no-time limit policy. As a non-euthanizing care center, the Humane Society of the Nature Coast works diligently to coordinate with specialized rescue groups and wildlife organizations. An important function of the organization is continuing animal welfare education. The Humane Society of Brooksville, Inc., founded in 1964 in Hernando County, Florida instituted a name change in 1985 to The Humane Society of Hernando County, Inc. reflecting the growth of the community that the organization served. In 2004, the new title of The Humane Society of the Nature Coast, Inc. was established due to the ever-expanding area that the Humane Society now services. Awarded the "Community Service Organization of the Year" award by the Greater Hernando Chamber of Commerce in 2004 and 2005, the Humane Society of the Nature Coast was the first organization to be recognized for 2 consecutive years. In October 2006, Humane Society President, Paul Montante, was named the first Humane Volunteer of the Year for the State of Florida by Governor Jeb Bush.

About the American Humane Association

Be Kind to Animals Week is promoted nationally by American Humane. Founded in 1877, the American Humane Association is the only national organization dedicated to protecting both children and animals. Through a network of child and animal protection agencies and individuals, American Humane develops policies, legislation, curricula and training programs to protect children and animals from abuse, neglect and exploitation. Visit www.americanhumane.org.