My Nonprofit Reviews

Having worked for 2 decades in international conflict resolution (primarily religiously motivated peacemaking), I then learned about the Sixth Mass Extinction Underway (see David Ulansey website by this name). I resolved to work, henceforth, to preserve the entire community of life. I reasoned that by working for peacemaking only among humans, thereby potentially enlarging the human population, it could hasten ecological collapse by way of human exploitation of the planet and the larger community of life. I also reasoned that once we embrace all of life as precious, we just might stop demonizing human groupings that are different from us---"the enemy other". That's a long lead-in to explain why I value the Center for Biological Diversity so highly. They are the state of the art in educating us about and defending the diversity of life on planet Earth. I am a very modest donor only because of my financial circumstances. It is by no means a measure of the esteem in which I hold this organization!

I have followed the Nonhuman Rights Project virtually from its inception when I heard Steve Wise speak at a conference the same week the first case (or two cases, maybe?) were filed in court. I hold it in the highest regard for some important reasons. Steve Wise effectively prepared over many years for the right time to launch this initiative. It is targeted, has a singular focus, and has made some real inroads in transforming the legal rights and thereby the lives of nonhuman animals. It is not trying to be all things to all people and animals in the animal rights movement but rather to shift the paradigm that will then ripple out far beyond it's own self-defined boundaries. Their work is superbly prepared and, again, targeted, speaking in the legal voice that's appropriate for its cases and for the best representation of its nonhuman clients. Future legal scholars, historians, and animal rights activists will look back at this period of NhRP work as formative, during a time when humanity struggles to make the evolutionary leap forward that will, one fervently hopes, both insure our race's own survival as well as the species being represented or otherwise benefitted by NhRP's work.

BWAR is far more than the average rescue/adoption center. Open 7 days a week and virtually always at full capacity, it mobilizes 100s of volunteers (actually believed to be closer to 3000 total) to help with the immense demands of tending the animals and receiving mountains of donations for and running the gift shop. But the part that touches me deeply is their participation in transport of the surplus of animals for adoption in the US South to the Northeast where there is a shortage of animals for adoption, thereby avoiding having to put down wonderful creatures in untold numbers. They are tireless, “one-thousand percent” committed, and true community builders among animal lovers of every stripe. They also do highly imaginative, unconventional fundraisers (e.g., the hilarious Drag Queen Bingo or the Spay-ghetti and No Balls dinner) that are fun, build community, and set them apart!