Waggin' Tails September 2025

WAGGIN TAILS         SEPTEMBER 2025

LABOR DAY

Dear Friends, and Members:

          It has been an extremely hot, and wet summer in many parts of the country.  This type of weather affects all of us, Human and Animal, especially the strays.  I can only hope that the winter months will not mirror what we have gone through this past summer.

          We have to be more alert to the weather conditions, and the strays.  We are the only ones that can alleviate their suffering.  Please carry dry food, and water with you, in case you find a stray in need.  It is not all that they need, but it may carry them through until they meet a professional Rescuer.  Let’s just do what we can when we can to help,

          Last year, I mentioned that I have a black cat, and red cat that visit my feeding spot.  The red cat is now at least 7 years old.  I keep looking for a sanctuary that would take him in.  The street cats get older, and sickness catches them, as it does us.  I worry for him.  He doesn’t let anyone get too close.  We just have to be there for them, and try to help when they let us.  I have a young Racoon who visits also.  Some nights the deer come, and eat the bird seed.  Nothing goes to waste.  It sounds beautiful, but it is a struggle when animals of the wild end up in your yard looking for food.  It’s our fault.  We build, and build without thought of where the animals will go.  Where will they find food?  I see this first-hand.  The world has to stop thinking “Me,” “Myself,” and “I,” there is more to life.  Wherever you live, please go the extra step.  We are the only hope they have.

Let’s help one animal

stray or otherwise, at a time.

Have a wonderful Fall.

LEGISLATION                                                                                                                        [REPRINTED]

In a win for animals, Brazil votes to ban the sale of animal-tested cosmetics

Earlier this month, Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies voted to ban the sale of cosmetics that have been tested on animals. Brazil is one of 45 countries and 12 U.S. states to limit or ban this cruelty.

I am immensely proud of our Brazilian team, as this recent milestone outcome is the result of our decade-long campaign. At Humane World for Animals, we're proud to play an instrumental role in these and other groundbreaking advancements toward a more compassionate future.

“This law demonstrates that change is possible when everyone works together,” Antoniana Ottoni, our senior government affairs specialist in Brazil, said. “Brazilians can finally buy cosmetics knowing they weren't tested on animals; a true cause for celebration.”

The new ban is just one way in which Brazil is rapidly emerging as a leader in humane and innovative science.

In December 2024, Brazilian regulators formally accepted a test that spares rabbits from suffering. Used since the 1950s, the rabbit pyrogenicity test can now be replaced by a new method, the monocyte activation test, to check medical products for substances that could trigger fever. When the time and cost required to import test kits from Europe or North America still presented a barrier to change, we worked on a solution. Following discussions with our team of experts, the Brazilian Ministry of Health recently approved the use of leftover donated blood to supply these tests. This innovation helps to modernize Brazil’s medical testing while hastening change for animals.

Across Brazil, we’ve been promoting the free, online training course we co-developed with cosmetic and chemical manufacturers and non-animal method developers through the Animal-Free Safety Assessment Collaboration. This course helps build greater understanding and confidence in animal-free methods, which helps support compliance with cosmetic animal testing bans and a growing number of national chemical laws that limit animal testing to a “last resort.” We successfully negotiated for such a provision in Brazil’s new chemicals law and are actively working with policymakers on implementing regulations to further restrict the potential for new animal testing.

We are also working with Brazil’s biomedical community to position human-based, non-animal methods within the country’s forthcoming National Strategy for Science and Technology. In March, we hosted a Biomedical Research for the 21st Century (BioMed21) workshop in collaboration with the Ministry of Science and Technology that brought together scientists, industry and research funding bodies to discuss emerging methods such as organoids, organs-on-chips and artificial intelligence tools that hold the potential to advance our knowledge of disease and public health while reducing the reliance on the use of animals in research. The strong consensus built at our workshop indicated Brazil’s growing support for animal-free science.

These victories are just the beginning. Our global team of experts is currently gearing up to present at the 13th World Congress on Alternatives and Animal Use in the Life Sciences, taking place in Rio de Janeiro in August. This global event brings together pioneers from across the world to accelerate the transition toward animal-free research and testing.

With the remarkable advances in technology that affect every part of life all over the world, it has been astounding that the transition away from animal testing and research has not been more rapid. New, technologically advanced methods that are more relevant to human biology spare countless animals from immense suffering. The progress in Brazil shows that real, positive change for animals can happen.

We are determined to create a more humane world—a world where testing and research methods that do not depend upon animal suffering are not only the norm but the gold standard. Brazil is helping set a new benchmark for modern science, reaffirming our conviction and energizing our ongoing initiatives to create a world where scientific innovation thrives without cruelty.

FYI                                                                                                                                                       [REPRINTED]

Inspiring event in Seoul celebrates dogs and the end of dog meat

In South Korea, Bok Nal is a month-long period in July and August that marks the hottest days of the year. During this time, some residents eat certain foods they believe help to ease the heat, including dog meat soup. Although most Koreans don’t eat dog meat, dog meat soup typically rises in popularity during Bok Nal. But times are changing, and demand for dog meat is at an all-time low. 

Ahead of the second Bok Nal since the passage of the Special Act to ban the dog meat industry in South Korea in 2024, our team at Humane World for Animals Korea marked the launch of our new public awareness campaign with a fun-filled event in Seoul. More than 100 attendees and their dogs came together in celebration of South Korea’s historic move away from factory farming dogs for meat.

Community members and their dogs at the event enjoyed a scenic walk or run, photo booth and tasty treats. One highlight was our large message wall, where participants shared their heartfelt hopes for the future—calling for a swift, permanent end to the dog meat industry. 

This isn’t the first time that we’ve marked the summer season with an event to promote dog welfare. Last year, we participated in a cultural festival hosted by a coalition of animal protection organizations, where we paid tribute to all the dogs who have suffered or died because of the dog meat industry. 

For over a decade, we have worked towards ending the dog meat industry in South Korea. Our Models for Change program, launched in 2015, worked cooperatively with farmers to permanently close 18 dog meat farms; through this program and additional farm rescues, we have saved almost 2,800 dogs, and supported the transition of farmers to other ways of making a living. When we first started this work, we were told that achieving a ban would be impossible. But our program demonstrated that there was a way to end the industry, and when the National Assembly passed the ban, we achieved the impossible.  The ban on the dog meat industry in the country is slated to take full effect in 2027.

As the industry is being phased out, we are continuing our lifesaving rescue work. Just this past May, we saved 67 dogs from another dog meat farm, giving each of them a second chance at life. 

This campaign is more than just fun—it’s an essential part of what we’re working to do here at Humane World for Animals. We are creating the world on which our vision and our name is based. And that means inspiring solidarity among people with a shared compassion for animals and starting new traditions that celebrate the end of cruelty. When we first launched our campaign to end dog meat consumption in South Korea, there were more than 17,000 farms where up to 3 million dogs languished in the industry. About 40% of dog farms in South Korea have closed since the ban was passed. Soon, that will all be behind us. Together, there is nothing we cannot achieve for animals.  

LINDA’S LINE

          Hi.

          September is here again, and I can’t believe how quickly this year has gone by.  I hope that you all had a wonderful summer.  This time of year also marks the beginning of the new school season, and before we know it, the holidays will be upon us.

          This month also marks the beginning of the fall season, where we will see all the beautiful colors of autumn.  It also means that winter, and the cold weather, is not far behind, and this brings more hardships for the strays.  So please remember  to please start to prepare your shelters for the strays, and stock them with plenty of food and water.  As we always say, we are the guardians of the strays and it is up to us to look after them.

          For all pet owners, a reminder that even though the summer months are now behind us, it is still important to protect your pets from fleas, and ticks.  Please be sure to protect your pets all year round.  This is most important in order for them to have a happy, healthy life.  If you are not sure which is the best brand of flea,

and tick protection to use, please ask your veterinarian which one is best for your pet. Also, a reminder that in this city, and in some parts of this country, rats are still a problem, and this can pose many health hazards to our pets, if you see any when you are out with your pets, please keep your pets away from them, as many rats carry a disease known as Leptospirosis, which can be deadly to animals.  Thankfully, there is a vaccine that you should ask your veterinarian about, which will protect them.  Please, if you have not done so, look into this, as it can save the life of your pet.

          On another note, none of us likes to think about the possibility of our pets outliving us, but the fact is that it can happen, and it is very important to make arrangements so that they will be well taken care of.  If you are not sure how to do this, look on the internet, and you will find that animal organizations such as Humane Society of the United States, and ASPCA list options for doing this on

their websites or you can just go into google, and type “Estate Planning for Pets into the Search Bar.  You will then see a list of all of your options.

          Please remember that if you see an animal that needs help, don’t pass it by, try to do whatever you can to help.  Also, a reminder that the fall holidays

will soon be upon us so let’s try to keep a look out for the strays, and our pets to protect them from pranksters that could cause them harm, i.e.: Halloween.

          That’s all for now, but I’ll be back next month.  Take care, and stay safe.

CLOSING THOUGHT

          It has been a busy summer in all areas that we do work in – New York, Florida and South Carolina.  Unfortunately, you will never see an Out of Business sign on any Humane Organization website or newsletter, because of Lack of Need.  Strays are always there.  We have to get laws that require Spay, and Neuter with penalties, for those that do not do it.   We must stop home breeding, and professional breeding until we can rehome all strays, and sanctuaries are opened up to accommodate all feral animals.  So reproduction will get us closer to 0, if possible.  Then, the stray animals will have a chance.

          I read in August, that a carriage horse had been mistreated, and collapsed on the streets of New York.  His abuser was deemed not guilty.  The jury system is good, till it is not.  Horses do not belong on the streets of New York as an amusement for visitors.  In the “Gilded Age,” which is not a series on HBO MAX, it was the way people got around.  It is not the “Gilded Age” now.  We are killing these gentle giants by doing this.  Please tell friends, and family NO CARRIAGE RIDES.  Take a sightseeing bus, it will be a blessing.  Do not encourage Horse Carriage Rides.

Snowbirds, please let us know when to update your winter address.

          Hurricane season is here, and so many animals will die during this season with flooding in certain areas.  Please be aware of the strays during this harsh weather.

          Please do not pass an animal in distress.  Try to call a local shelter or Rescue Group.  You can google “Local Rescue Groups in your area.”  Whatever area you are in, if you put it into google using these words, usually it will give you the local groups in your area.

          We need your pledges monthly.  Please send whatever you can.  It is sincerely appreciated.  Please if you can make a donation, please do so.  Please check out our website, it has been updated.  The website address is: saveourstraysbrooklyn.com.  You will see our rescues.

          Be safe, and get your vaccinations, and booster shots.  There are new strains of the Flu, and COVID viruses out there.  We don’t want to lose you.

Please Remember Our Troops

“We salute you for all you have done.

Your courage has kept us safe.

Your sacrifice has kept us free.

All of America owes you more than we can repay.

Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you.

We are behind you all the way –

From the battlefield. . .to recovery!” 

          Please remember that we need more Adam, Eve and Sponsor-A-Stray members.  Please pass this newsletter on to family, friends and at your workplace, if possible.

                                                                   Till next time.

                                                                             Waggin’ Off