Tonight is the night – 212 attendees, 25 volunteers and staff, and approximately two co-directors will descend upon The Foundry for a night of celebration and fundraising for Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest while Negra, the Queen of the sanctuary, sleeps soundly in her nest of blankets.
Negra, who was ripped from her family and home in Africa. Negra, who was brought to the United States to be used in biomedical research as an infant. Negra, who spent over three decades living in laboratories. Negra, who had four babies during this time, all of them removed from her shortly after birth. Negra, who was put into complete isolation for 18 months on the basis of incorrect blood work. Negra, who clearly showed the signs of PTSD when she arrived at the sanctuary.
Negra, and the chimpanzees like her who are still waiting for their chance to sleep soundly, is why we are gathering tonight.
Her sanctuary story wouldn’t be possible without those who are working each day to improve the lives of animals in a myriad of ways, raising the consciousness of others and helping to change society in incremental steps and quantum leaps.
Tonight those attending HOOT! have the opportunity to connect with many of these people, including Wayne Pacelle, President and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States.
For those of you not able to attend, I encourage you to listen to this interview with Wayne on the Diane Rehm Show.
For all supporters, whether you are able to attend or not, watch the video message below from Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest board president Lisa McCurdy and know that your support means the world to Negra and to all of us, human and non, at the sanctuary.
Some of you may know that it happens to be my birthday today as well as HOOT! If you would like to donate in honor of either or both of these events, you are most welcome do so on the HOOT! donation page. I am so looking forward to telling everyone about the success of the event in the coming days!
Kathleen says
Beautiful, dear NEGRA!! Her story is so moving, I share it far and wide. I’ve enjoyed the Countdown to the HOOT!, sorry to see it end. : )
I think it is wonderful that you are having Wayne Pacelle speak and I wish I could be there to hear him, how fortunate for your guests! I have worked in Animal Welfare for 20 years, working with and for shelters/rescues as well as volunteering for them. I have great respect and admiration for all Wayne Pacelle has done and is doing for the future of animals (of all kinds). The HSUS has an excellent program called “Pets For Life” that is inspiring. This program not only helps pets, it helps people. Through the “Pets for Life” program (http://blog.humanesociety.org/wayne/2013/11/game-changing-petential-for-pets-for-life.html), the HSUS focuses on disadvantaged communities and works to provide pet-related services – food, spay/neutering, vaccination and more – to the pets of people who care as much about the well-being of their animals as anyone. The issue in these communities is lack of access and resources needed to care for their animals (ex: you can’t take your pet on a bus to go to the local veterinary hospital!). “Pets For Life” allows more animals to remain in their loving homes and in doing so keeps pets out of shelters. Wayne asks us to not be bystanders and he reminds us that animals live in this world alongside us, we have a moral obligation to protect all animals and eliminate animal cruelty. I believe in his “Humane Nation”!
Jackie says
Thank you for all you have done and are doing on behalf of animals!
Jackie says
The lovely Queen!