The Key To A More Compassionate Future

From Left to Right: Mayor Dean DePiero, Anita Carswell of In Defense of Animals, Brandon Yanak, and Councilwoman Mary Galinas pose for a photo on December 5, 2011
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From civil rights to women’s rights, past history has shown that semantic changes are important. Presently, one similar semantic change can make a difference in the lives of millions of animals.

Unfortunately, some individuals today who consider themselves "owners" of their animal companions justify a right to abuse, mistreat, and abandon their "property" at any moment. However, calling individuals "guardians" will raise awareness that animals have their own needs that must be met and feelings that must be respected, while also encouraging people to treat their animal companions with more consideration. The term “guardian,” rather than “owner,” better reflects the loving bond that exists between people and their animal companions and the respect, care, responsibility, and love due to every living animal. 

Therefore, with the gracious help of Councilwoman Mary Galinas and with the support of the Parma Animal Shelter, I brought the idea of “guardian language” before the Parma City Council. I hoped Parma would follow in the footsteps of 17 previous cities, two counties, and one state that have added “guardian” to their animal codes. On July 5, 2011, those hopes became reality as the city council voted unanimously to add the term “guardian” to Parma’s animal-related ordinance. And as new signs at the entrance to the city will hopefully soon proudly display, Parma became the very first “Animal Guardian” Community in the entire State of Ohio. 

On December 5, 2011, in acknowledgement of my work, I was named the Parma Citizen of the Month for July 2011, received a Guardian Award from the international animal-protection organization In Defense of Animals, and was presented with a Key to the City of Parma. While my heartfelt thanks go out to all those who awarded me, I think of how we have all been awarded a key – the key to a more compassionate future.

As we welcome in a new year, I encourage you to adopt a resolution to make a difference. There may be no easier way to do so than adjusting your vocabulary to reflect this simple, yet powerful, word change. Please join people from across the world who have been inspired by this historic happening in Parma. Together, by thinking and acting as “guardians” of your animal companions and encouraging others to do the same, we can end the horrible abuse, abandonment, and mistreatment of animals. A more compassionate, peaceful, loving and just society for animals and their guardians is possible with your help. 

For more information, please visit www.guardiancampaign.com. If you are interested in helping your city make this change or have any other questions and comments, you are more than welcome to contact me at bcyanak@sbcglobal.net. “While owners invest in property, guardians invest in love." - Justin Lowery