I have been writing a pet column in newspapers for 35 years and The Animal Legal Defense Fund is the most important organization for the present and the future. We must have animal advocates in every town, city and state. Humane Officers are the first source to help animals on the scene immediately, but then comes the court case. The precedents set in court are going to help animals in the future and will send a messages to those who are cruel or negligent, that the people of The United States value other species . Criminals will be held accountable.