Marin Humane Society hosts 100th Annual Celebration and Open House
Meet the new Executive Director, celebrate local awardees, enjoy the pet parade, and join in special tributes to Dr. Jane Goodall and the Marin County District Attorney’s Office
(NOVATO, CALIF., September 20, 2007) — A year of centennial festivities continues at the Marin Humane Society! Join us for our 100th Annual Celebration and Open House Sunday, October 7 at 2 p.m. in the shelter auditorium (171 Bel Marin Keys Blvd., Novato). The celebration begins with a program emceed by new Executive Director Neil Trent, in which the Special Humanitarian Award will be presented to the distinguished Jane Goodall, PhD, DBE, UN Messenger of Peace. The Marin County District Attorney’s Office will be recognized with the Community Service Award for their outstanding work on animal cruelty prosecutions, and the Student and Teacher of the Year will be presented. Also featured will be Angel, the Katrina dog who returned to the Bay Area three months ago needing major surgery, and the ever-popular Parade of Animals introducing current animals available for adoption.
The following people and organizations will be recognized for making exceptional contributions of compassion and dedication to the humane ethic:
The Marin Humane Society is proud to honor Jane Goodall, PhD, DBE, UN Messenger of Peace, with a Special Humanitarian Award. Dr. Goodall is best known for her study of chimpanzee social and family life in the African forests of Tanzania beginning in 1960. In 1977, Dr. Goodall founded the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) to provide ongoing support for field research on chimpanzees. Today, JGI is widely recognized for innovative, community-centered conservation and development programs in Africa, and a global youth program, Roots & Shoots, which is currently active in nearly 100 countries. Today, Dr. Goodall devotes much of her time to sharing her message of hope for the future and encouraging young people to make a difference in their world. Accepting the award on Dr. Goodall’s behalf will be Bill Johnston, CEO of the Jane Goodall Institute.
The Marin County District Attorney’s Office is a national model for upholding animal protection laws. The DA’s Office was one of the first prosecuting teams in the country to understand the significance of crimes against animals, and recognize the link between human violence and animal cruelty. Last year, they successfully prosecuted a serious offender who strangled a cat, resulting in a maximum prison sentence. Upon further investigation, the case revealed a serious and repeated domestic violence offender. The DA’s Office also filed felony cruelty neglect charges in several other cases over the past year. In Marin County, thanks to the compassion and tenacity of the District Attorney’s Office, animal victims and their guardians do not suffer in vain.
Carol Burns is the 2007 Madelon Tormanen Humane Teacher of the Year. Carol works at Glenwood Elementary School in San Rafael where, along with the 3 R’s, she teaches her third grade students about compassion and responsibility by participating in the MHS classroom foster program. Last school year, eight very lucky small companion animals, including mice, guinea pigs and rabbits, had the opportunity to spend time in Carol’s classroom before going up for adoption. Carol’s students created art and writing projects about each of their foster animals, and also posted videos of each foster animal on the class Web site. This is Carol’s final school year teaching at Glenwood Elementary — she will retire in June.
The 2007 Helena & Anthony Franklin Memorial Award for Outstanding Contribution by a Youth will be awarded to Marisa Mirviss of Novato. For the past four years, Marisa volunteered in the Humane Society’s Education, Animal Care and Behavior and Training Departments, and was also a senior member of the MHS Roots & Shoots program. On her own initiative, Marisa traveled to the Madera County animal shelter with the MHS Pet Partnership team to film the very difficult and emotional task of selecting animals to bring back to Marin. She plans to use the film as a recruitment tool for potential Pet Partnership volunteers. Marisa was instrumental in raising more than $400 for MHS shelter animals through her high school fundraising group. Now a first year student at Reed College in Oregon, Marisa continues her dedication to animal welfare by volunteering at the local Humane Society there.
At this 100th Celebration, MHS will also acknowledge resolutions made in honor of the Humane Society’s Centennial from the offices of U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer, State Senator Carole Migden and Assemblymember Jared Huffman, and Marin County Supervisor Hal Brown.
This event is open to the community and free of charge. The program will be followed by an open house and assortment of delectable refreshments. Those interested in attending are asked to RSVP by October 1 to (415) 506-6212. Bring your friends, but please leave your animal companions safely at home.
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