Friday afternoon was pretty busy for your furry crusader, especially considering that's usually when I do my best napping. After a quick meeting with Richard Wiles, one of the humans in charge of the Environmental Working Group, I headed out -- with tons of schwag and 70 poo-bagged messages for the FDA.

The first stop on my outing was at the Washington Animal Rescue League. They were the first animal shelter in Washington D.C. all the way back in 1914. They've moved and grown and renovated since then, and their building is now what my human friends called "innovative" and "state-of-the-art." Everything is made of glass and some kind of fancy stone, there's tons of light going into the doggie dens and kitty condos, the pets get out to play three times a day, and the puppies get their own pad with specialized attention. If I'd been placed in a shelter like that, I wouldn't have wanted to leave!

They've also got an animal hospital right on the premises, where animals on their way to their forever homes are spayed and neutered. Vets there also see pets of people who don't have much money, and many animals from other shelters who need medical attention. I got to hang out with some of the nurses there, and I can assure you they have excellent bedside manner.

After leaving our boxes of donations with WARL Executive Director Dr. Gary Weitzman, we headed out to the FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine, headquartered in Rockville, Maryland. I couldn't go in -- believe it or not, animals aren't allowed in the building. Luckily there was a nice shady tree for us to meet under. After a quick drink of water, I stood by looking imposing while my dog-human interpreter read my statement to Executive Secretariat Tracy Forfa, Office of Management Deputy Directory Gary Claywell, and Director of Communications Laura Bradbard. We had already submitted our statement and all your comments to the docket electronically, but we handed them a paper copy for their own files, and of course the 70 poop bags, stuffed with your messages. I'll have video of that coming up pretty soon.

We've taken the first step by speaking out. Now we just have to keep on barking and cawing and squeaking and meowing until we know they've heard us!

Since its founding in 1866, the ASPCA has been fighting the war against animal cruelty.

They turned 142 this year, which is really old, especially in dog years. As an animal who applauds the work this organization has done, I wish it a very, very happy birthday! Read full post.