Groundbreaking Book Chronicles America's Homeless Animal Tragedy

"One at a Time: A Week in an American Animal Shelter"

We are thrilled to announce the availability of a new tool in the
battle against pet overpopulation and animal homelessness. As former
shelter workers, we are intimately familiar with the struggle to
educate the public as to the causes and results of the homeless
animal tragedy in this country. Like other shelter workers, we have
used every tool at our disposal - literature, campaigns, our own
heartfelt words and pleas - and have seen how difficult it still is
for the public to absorb the staggering statistics; they are even
less able to comprehend that they can affect and change the
tragedy.

"One at a Time: A Week in an American Animal Shelter" is a new book
inspired by this struggle. Just off the presses, "One at a Time"
brings the homeless animal situation vividly to life, via a true
account of seven days in a typical U.S. animal shelter. Using an
innovative format of compelling photos and moving vignettes, the book
chronicles the stories of 75 animals who passed through a northern
California animal shelter during one week which we witnessed and
documented.

The book presents the multi-faceted homeless animal problem by
gathering the animals' stories into chapters, each focused on a
specific topic. One chapter tells the stories of lost and stray
animals; one gives voice to animals surrendered to the shelter by
their guardians; and another portrays litters of puppies and kittens
who are victims of overpopulation. One chapter honestly depicts the
harsh reality of the fate that awaits many animals euthanasia;
another is filled with the joyful stories of "happy endings" - lucky
animals adopted into new homes.

The animals in the book act as ambassadors for all homeless animals.
Their stories promote shelter adoptions, reinforce the critical
importance of spaying and neutering, and champion responsible animal
care. Each animal has an important lesson to teach with his story:
whether it is the lost dog who was quickly reunited with his family
because he was wearing an ID tag, or the cat who was given up by her
guardians because they didn't understand the commitment involved, the
stories communicate educational information while capturing the
reader's heart with each animal's unique and personal tale. This
format helps readers to see beyond the incomprehensible statistics
and to see homeless animals as individuals who are deserving of
society's compassion, concern, care, and respect.

The book is a project of No Voice Unheard, a non-profit organization
which we founded. The production costs of "One at a Time" were
underwritten by donations from compassionate individuals and grants
from visionary foundations, including PETsMART Charities. We have no
paid staff, and all proceeds from book sales will be used to support
outreach and educational programs bringing attention to the homeless
animal problem in this country.

After a two-year long period of writing, researching, and
fundraising, followed by a year of design, editing, and production,
"One at a Time" is ready for distribution. We currently are kicking
off a multi-faceted marketing and public relations campaign designed
to reach the public with the important educational information
contained in "One at a Time."

Another goal of the project is to get the book into the hands of
local shelters, rescue, and educational organizations to use as a
tool in their own communities. We're planning collaborative
educational book readings with local organizations, to create an
opportunity for those organizations to publicize their work, their
local issues, and the animals in their care. We're also offering the
book at a substantial discount to non-profits who would like to use
it as a fundraiser, give it as a gift to donors, sell it in their
merchandise line, or include it in outreach and educational
projects.

We very much welcome any other ideas you might have on getting this
book into the hands of the animal welfare community, the media, and
the public - we stand ready, offering this book in any way that will
help to bring an end to this nation's homeless animal tragedy.
Please contact us for additional information, or visit
http://www.NoVoiceUnheard.org.

No Voice Unheard
P. O. Box 4171
Santa Cruz, CA 95063
Ph: 831-440-9574 Fax: 831-479-3225
http://www.NoVoiceUnheard.org

Posted on SHARE Yahoo group Dec 10, 2003