ArcaMax

Pet adoption in America is steadily improving, and at least some shelters boast impressive numbers of placements in some parts of the country. But Mike Arms, president and CEO of the Helen Woodward Animal Center, Rancho Santa Fe, CA, is most interested in the orphans not adopted.

"Let's face it, they're dying needlessly," he says. "They may have had names, or not, but they all had hearts. They didn't need to die."

Arms created the annual "Remember Me Thursday," a day to light a candle (real or virtual) for the millions of orphan animals euthanized in America and around the world.

Last year, over 500 organizations representing 139 nations made their voices heard online, virtually lighting candles to remember pets who never made out of shelters. In some places, actual candlelight vigils were held at shelters and programs were organized in schools worldwide.

"I'm determined to send a message that these animals didn't die in vain," Arms says.

The idea of lighting candles in unison has resonated particularly strongly in Puerto Rico, says Michelle Cintron, president, Federacion Protectora de Animales de Puerto Rico, located near San Juan.

"In a choir, everyone sings," she says. "When one person sings, it's nice, but together the voices are magical. Lighting candles all across Puerto Rico is a concrete action, and it's a powerful message of solidarity that we must make things better (for the animals)."

Arms says he expects even more participation on the second annual "Remember Me Thursday" Sept. 25.

"I never could have dreamed that my little idea (discussed) at a meeting at Helen Woodward would make it across the globe," says Arms. "I mean, in today's world, how often do so many nations get together on any topic?"

Of course, it's not the nations who are getting together on "Remember Me Thursday," but the people who live there, all wanting to support animal protection and pet adoption.

"Maybe as divergent as we are in so many different parts of the world, we're all on this earth -- no matter where we are from -- to help others. Of course, having these beautiful companions (dogs and cats) in our lives helps us to become better people. And they bring us joy. That's true, no matter where you happen to live," says Arms.

Arms is known in many countries, where he's sought after as a speaker on animal welfare issues. He initiated an international adoption campaign back in 1999 called Home 4 the Holidays, which continued until just a few years ago. That campaign led to the adoption of 8 million pets.

While fewer adoptable animals are euthanized in the U.S. and around the world today, Arms concedes that at age 66, he's not likely to see an end to the needless killing in his lifetime.

"My dream is for my grandchildren to light candles for the animals that used to be killed," he says. "And that they will tell their children there was once upon a time when the world killed orphaned animals because they couldn't find homes."

Learn more about "Remember Me Thursday" and participate as an individual and/or get your community or local animal shelter involved, at www.remembermethursday.org.

(Next week: Actress Katherine Heigl and St. Louis Blues center David Backes comment on "Remember Me Thursday" and the importance of pet adoption)

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