Randy began promoting animal welfare almost 20 years ago by rescuing homeless dogs.
In 1995, in the interest of increasing awareness of the plight of homeless animals among young people, Randy started giving presentations at schools for free. He since has spoken to members of boy scout troops, 4-H clubs and other organizations.
Randy currently is traveling with his five dogs throughout the United States to speak to young people and encourage them to form Humane Education Ambassador Clubs that will work to address local animal-related problems in a variety of ways.
Animal News Center: What prompted you to begin rescuing homeless dogs?
Soon afterward, I started rescuing other Dalmatians. I at first rescued only about five per year, but within a short period of time was rescuing five per month, and then five per week.

ANC: How difficult was finding homes for the dogs you rescued?

RW: I was able to place them in very good homes in only a few days. However, the process was much more difficult than one might think. I quickly learned to verify the information I was given by potential adopters.

ANC: What are your presentations like?

RW: I am very blunt with the kids. I cover topics that other humane educators do not.  But I keep it fun, regardless of their ages, and the dogs bring a sense of reality to what may become ‘just another speaker’ because each of the dogs has a relevant story that fits perfectly with my message.  The students adore the dogs  almost as much as the dogs enjoy the students.

ANC: What specific goal(s) do you hope to achieve with the tour you're on now?

RW: My goal is to visit 50 schools in 40 states in 50 weeks to talk to children about responsible pet guardianship. Some of the schools I've visited so far already have humane education clubs. I'm hoping that the other schools will form them.  I hope to show them that doing the right thing is less expensive, less time consuming, less invasive and brings a sense of pride to the human element.  I hope to show them that speaking out is a responsibility of every citizen and that a good way to do that is to vote.

ANC: How do the clubs work to promote animal welfare?

RW: The members of one club in Michigan stopped a local humane society from selling animals to dealers who resold them to medical research firms.
In a town in Florida, after a police dog died from a bullet wound, the members of a club arranged for an entire fifth grade class to help a local newspaper raise enough money to buy bulletproof vests for all of the other police dogs.

ANC: Do you work with the clubs after they are formed?

RW: Yes — I provide them with ideas for projects and show them how to get publicity and increase their membership.

ANC: Have there been any especially memorable moments on the tour?

RW: The kids at a Santa Ana, CA elementary school were so moved that they had a bake sale and sent me a check for $72.56. They also sent me a very nice photo album, which I keep on my coffee table.

ANC: Do you work with any organizations based outside of the United States?

RW: I got a call one day from a law professor who works at Mumbai University in Bombay, India. He wanted me to talk to one of his classes via telephone, which I did.  I’ve also been contacted by a growing organization in Croatia for materials and ideas and one in Brazil and New Zealand.
I hope that the sort of thing I'm doing will eventually spread throughout the world the way Future Farmers of America and Future Business Leaders of America educational programs have.
In Part II, which will be posted on August 15th, Randy Warner talks more about his work. He also talks about his plans for the future.
© 2002 Animal News Center, Inc.
 
 
 
Randy Warner Interview — Part II


by Sherry Morse

Posted on August 15, 2002

Randy Warner is the founder and president of 21st Century Animal Resource and Education Services, which works to promote humane education in schools and provide cats, dogs and other animals commonly kept as pets with an opportunity "to live a safe and healthy life in a loving environment."

Randy currently is traveling with his five dogs throughout the United States to speak to young people and encourage them to form Humane Education Ambassador Clubs that will work to address local animal-related problems in a variety of ways.

ANC: What made you decide to promote animal welfare in the way that you do?

RW: I believe that making tomorrow's leaders understand the importance of having compassion and being involved in their community is the way to begin solving the animal overpopulation and cruelty problems.

ANC: You obviously are very strongly committed to providing information. Have you ever participated in conducting research?

RW: I once conducted a survey along with two psychologists who are active in the animal welfare field of the care dog "owners" provide for their pets. We compared the treatment of dogs kept indoors to the treatment of dogs kept outside.
Some of the results were hard to believe. Many of the people who kept their dogs outside forgot to provide food and water at least once per week. In addition, a significant number of those people did not get their pets vaccinated. That's just not responsible guardianship.

ANC: What are your plans for the future?
 
RW: I'd like to build a world famous humane education facility in which we'd cross boundaries and break through barriers.   I feel it is so important to show the next generation that to do the right thing is less expensive, easier, less time consuming & brings a sense of pride to the human element.
We need to convince people that they don't have to buy a puppy or kitten in a pet shop. They can get an older animal from a shelter or rescue group and be just as happy with their pet.
We also need to convince people not to breed their cat or dog so their children can experience the miracle of birth. There are more than enough animals out there that need homes — we don't need to make any more.

Along with building the facility, I'd like to become an active participant in countering dog fighting.
I want to move back to the Los Angeles area so I can be close to the many schools there. Humane education is mandatory in all California schools.
I'd like to build an A-frame house that has a loft area for me and my dogs and a small barn below that would house a cow, horse, pig, goat and llama. Visitors would see that we're able to live together in harmony. The house would be a gimmick, but if it got people to visit, the house would be serving its purpose.
I hope that others will take up this cause and start giving speeches at local schools in the near future. I would love to be able to say that we together talked to a million kids and saved a million animals.
  Animal News Center  2002, Inc.