Board Of Directors For Federal Department Of Animal Of Services
A Mandate for Compassion:
Establishing a National Commitment to
Our "Love Star Heroes": America’s Promise:
No Pet Or Horse Left Behind Nor Alone. For All Other Animals, We Pledge Our Very Best
A federal board consisting of 60 appointed people who love animals would serve as a critical advisory and oversight body, working in tandem with the Secretary of the Department of Animal Services to harmonize national welfare standards. By convening representatives from veterinary medicine (veterinarians and all staff members including custodians considered), rescue organizations, laypeople (including homeless people who keep their animals), and animal advocacy, etc. this board would provide the Secretary with specialized, evidence-based guidance and loving compassionate guidance on complex regulatory issues.
Incorporating laypeople (including homeless individuals) onto the Federal Board for Animals could prove transformative for animal welfare policy. While professional staff and veterinarians provide essential technical expertise, they often view animal issues through a clinical or administrative lens. In contrast, people experiencing homelessness frequently share a unique, lived-in bond with animals, often navigating the complexities of pet ownership in extreme circumstances.
Their presence on board would highlight the lived realities of the most vulnerable populations, ensuring that services remain accessible, compassionate, and practical. By bridging the gap between ivory-tower bureaucracy and the street-level experience, these representatives can advocate for policies that address the human-animal bond in ways traditional experts might overlook, ultimately creating a more holistic and equitable approach to animal services across the country.
The composition of the Board of Directors for the Federal Department of Animal Services should be a vibrant mosaic of our nation, intentionally designed to reflect the vast diversity of the human experience. By including representatives of all races, genders, religious and non-religious backgrounds, and encompassing individuals from both academic and non-academic paths—as well as those currently in the workforce and those outside of it—the Board can ensure that every perspective is heard and valued. Yet, beneath this rich tapestry of human variety lies a singular, unifying heartbeat: a profound, unwavering commitment to our "Love Star Heroes."
Every member, regardless of their walk of life, shares the same sacred mission of advocacy for abused animals. They are bound together by a collective empathy that recognizes the inherent dignity of all living creatures, feeling the weight of every silent cry and suffering alongside every wounded soul. This board would not merely be an administrative body, but a compassionate coalition united by the conviction that when one animal suffers, we all suffer, and when we fight for their protection, we are upholding the highest ideals of humanity.
Below is a list of recommendations for individuals serving on the board.
Primary Responsibilities of the Board of Directors (partial list)
Their primary responsibilities would include drafting, reviewing, and recommending national policies regarding shelter management, livestock humane treatment standards, and the mitigation of wildlife-human conflicts. Furthermore, the board would act as a vital bridge between the federal government and state agencies, ensuring that animal welfare regulations are not only scientifically rigorous but also practically implementable. Having representatives on the board who have firsthand knowledge of how the federal and state governments work will be a valuable asset. By fostering high-level collaborative dialogue, this diverse group would ensure that animal protection policies remain proactive, ethically grounded, and responsive to the evolving needs of the nation’s animal populations. The board would also make recommendations to Congress for additional or stronger laws to be enforced. Some suggestions include:
1. State-Mandated "Safe Haven" Animal Surrender Centers
States must be required to establish 24/7 "Safe Haven" drop-off points for unwanted animals. These locations—such as fire stations, hospitals, and local businesses—must be equipped with secure, permanent kennels. Crucially, legislation must mandate that states actively promote these locations through ongoing public awareness campaigns to ensure citizens are aware of these safe surrender options.
2. Deterrence Through Public Awareness
States should be mandated to implement the public relations strategy previously proposed, focusing on high-visibility campaigns. By placing billboards along major highways and in high-traffic urban areas, states can directly address the issue of animal abuse while serving as a constant reminder of the severe legal consequences awaiting offenders.
3. Strengthening Juvenile Justice for Animal Cruelty
Both state and federal governments must enact stricter legislation addressing animal cruelty among minors. Research consistently demonstrates that early violence against animals is a significant precursor to criminal behavior in adulthood; therefore, addressing these crimes early is a vital component of public safety and crime prevention.
The Federal Department of Animal Services Board of Directors will appoint 60 individuals to serve on the governing board of the Rise Above It-Let’s Do It Holistic Healing Ranch for Animals and People.
4.State Mandated Animal Social Workers:
Animal welfare requires more than just an adoption contract; it requires ongoing oversight. States should establish dedicated animal social work units to perform routine wellness checks, particularly in high-risk households. We must stop allowing animals to vanish into unmonitored homes.
By formalizing the connection between social services and animal control—modeled after Ohio’s 'cross-reporting' legislation—we can identify 'The Link' between animal cruelty and domestic violence before it turns tragic. Protecting animals is the first step toward protecting the vulnerable people who live alongside them."
Term Limits
Determining the optimal term length for members of the Federal Board for Animal Services requires balancing continuity with the necessity for fresh perspectives. A fixed, staggered term of four to six years is ideal, as it allows members sufficient time to develop expertise and oversee long-term policy initiatives without becoming entrenched. Staggered appointments ensure that the board retains institutional memory while simultaneously integrating new insights from evolving animal welfare science.
By limiting members to two consecutive terms, the board can prevent stagnation and maintain a diverse range of professional viewpoints. Ultimately, these moderate, predictable tenures foster stability and accountability, ensuring that the board remains both effective in its regulatory mission and responsive to the public interest.
Recommendation: Chairperson
Dr. Gwyndolyn McClellan
President, Voiceopin International to serve as Chairperson of the Board.
Recommendation: Board Members
Mascot: Dog
Mascot: Bird
Mascot: Cat
1. Ray: North Carolina Homeless Person who walked miles to get his dog to a vet that would operate on him (Ray walked approximately 140 miles over nine months, sleeping in a duffel bag and carrying Pearl to safety and medical care. https://www.facebook.com/groups/welovecockerspaniel1/posts/1673412263972535/
2. Donald Dickerson: Man experiencing homelessness chooses dog over housing, much-needed surgery: ‘I will not leave him’ https://pix11.com/news/man-experiencing-homelessness-chooses-dog-over-housing-much-needed-surgery-i-will-not-leave-him/?fbclid=IwAR3RXsux_C7VP4--AyNGroMwE91SQYHNEe18Bh9t-BdWmBQTheqRaClMYRU
3. Michael Q. Bailey: President: American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
4. Dr. Tierra Price, Founder BlackDVM Network
5. Parva Bezrutczyk, DVM: President: American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA)
6. Representative from ISSA (Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association):
7. Matt Bershadker: President: ASPCA® (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®)
8. Robin R. Ganzert: President: American Humane Society
9. Daymond John: President /CEO-FABU
10.Dr. Juan Sebastian Orjuela, Co-Founder-LVMA
11.Dr. Valerie Marcano:Co-Founder- Pawsibilites Vet Med.
12.Dr. Abeel Khan: Founder-Veterinary Muslim Fellowship
13.Dr. Dane Whitaker-Veterinarian
14. Helen M. Irving, RN, MBA-President-Schwarzman Animal Medical Center
15. Dr. Mark Stetter, Dean-University School of Veterinarian Medicine-Davis
16. Rep. Nancy Mace, South Carolina
17. Jamal Bowman-Past Representative for New York
18. Marjorie Taylor Green-Past Representative Georgia
19. Senator Bill Cassidy-Louisiana
20. Senator John Cornyn-Texas
21. Claire McCaskill, Past Representative Georgia
22. Dr. Janet Hoy-Gerlach, Clinical Social Work/Therapist, Resilient Minds Behavioral Health
23. High School Students
24. College Students