In the late 1800s to early 1900s, the movements for women’s suffrage, child welfare, temperance, and animal welfare—all of which had heavy involvement of women—were considerably intertwined. For example, the Women’s Christian Temperance Union set up an effective and extensive animal welfare wing called the Department of Mercy, and was one of the first organizations to speak out against cruelty to animals. The various movements adopted similar strategies and tactics, including banners like the one above urging greater kindness toward animals.

(Banner: "The Animals Friend: He Who Is Not Actively Kind Is Cruel")

From the 1860s to 1920s, horses provided the power to make our country work. When equine flu would hit a city, life would grind to a halt. In 1910, there was one horse for every three humans. As one historian put it, “there was no separate horse economy; horses were the economy.” Around 1920, humane societies in many large cities started holding Horse Christmas Parties—like this one in Washington D.C. with snacks on the tree—to give street horses some nourishment and a brief respite from their daily grind, as well as to broaden public recognition that these often-overworked creatures were deserving of kindness.

(quotation: Dr. Ann N. Greene, “How Horses Shaped American History and Why It Matters That They Did.”)

Early animal welfare groups had a wide variety of public outreach efforts, but they put a particular emphasis on promoting humane education programs for children in the classroom—the basic idea being to “get them while they’re young.” The materials and activities included books and pamphlets, pledges, essay contests, parades, poster making, and a “Be Kind to Animals Week.” The efforts produced positive results, and several states passed compulsory humane education laws. Although the programs waned in the 1920s and 1930s as schools shifted to more standardized curricula stressing the scientific method, nine states still mandate humane education in public schools today.

(source: The Gospel of Kindness, Janet M. Davis)

Miriam Pickins of Hancock, MI in the Upper Peninsula, submitted this photo to the UUAM newsletter. Miriam feels fortunate to live in a small town with large forested areas, and knew that deer frequented her neighborhood, because they feasted on apples from her small orchard. One early morning she spotted this doe and her nursing fawn. Had it been later in the day, the dogs would have come to the window and barked, but they were still asleep. What a shot

During the summer, bears in Alaska must eat a year's worth of food in only six months so that they will survive the winter. They gather in large numbers at Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park to feast on salmon. This particular bear stuck his head under the water and came up empty — and then shook off the water. This photo was taken by Leigh Scott, leader of the Animal Ministry Task Force at River Road UU Congregation in Bethesda, MD. You can see more of her work on her website.

René Schaubhut catches the moment that a beautiful koi carp rises to the surface of the pond, and ripples radiate. What a shot!

This brown rabbit pauses its munching to assess whether photographer David Mark is friend or foe. What a shot!

This curious red fox is intrigued with photographer Alex Andrews's camera. What a shot!

This pickerel frog is no longer than your thumbnail. The threads of spiderweb below or the veiny leaf above him or her might give you a sense of scale. This photo was taken by Rev. John Millspaugh (UUAM’s Executive Director) in the wetlands of Eastern Massachusetts.

Now that Spring has arrived, butterflies and other pollinators will be arriving in our yards. Please avoid using any pesticides and consider suggesting that your neighbors do the same. This photo of a Triple Swallowtail was taken by Leigh Scott. You can see more of her work at the website she shares with her husband.

Now that spring is here, all of the birds are looking for mates -- and they are not shy about announcing their interest. Leigh Scott took this photo of a red-winged blackbird perched on a park sign at Huntley Meadows park near Washington, D.C. You can see more of her work here.

Mark Cohen took this photo of moose dispute during a recent trip to Yellowstone National Park. (He was not as close to the moose as you might think; Mark was using a telephoto lens and has cropped the photo significantly.) You can see more of Mark's photography here.

Mark Cohen took this photo of a Green Sea Turtle during a recent trip to Grand Bahama Island. Several of the turtles had come to Paradise Cove to feed on the sea grasses there. You can see more of Mark's photos at the photography website that he shares with his wife.