PATRICK'S MOVEMENT ISN'T JUST FOR MARYLAND ANYMORE!

About Patrick
On March 16, 2011, Patrick, a 2-year-old dog, was found wrapped in trash bag, clinging to life at the bottom of a 20-story trash chute in Garden Spries Housing Complex located in Newark, NJ. Patrick required over an hour of emergency treatment at the scene before being rushed to the American Humane Society (AHS), Newark, NJ. Dr. Buonjoira was the first veterinarian to treat Patrick and she's since reported on Channel 12 News that she's never seen a more abhorrent case of starvation and abuse. The staff at AHS was unable to determine his temperature, due to his excessive wasting. His 20 lb body revealed several pressure sores, excessively long nails, white gums and numerous physiological conditions. He was subsequently moved to a trauma facility, Garden State Veterinary Services, where he embarked upon the slow process of weight gain and muscle strength through routine nourishment, humane care and enjoying the kindness and support of humans.

Patrick Today
While Patrick suffered excrutiating pain and sufferage from several months of being withheld food and water, his plight would not be in vane. His daily battle to survive would provide tens-of-thousands with a greater purpose. Patrick's plight caused the many to not turn the other way, but to address the issue of legislative intervention, public awareness/education and increased criminal penalties relative to animal abuse, cruelty and torture.

Through his courage and will to survive, a world was awakened and a remarkable movement begun. The Patrick Movement is sweeping across the country, and is devoted to create widespread and long-awaited change for all the Patricks. Our efforts are humane, necessary, and we welcome you to be a participant for the hundreds of thousands, if not millions of Patricks. We must hear their cries and no longer look away and address the issue of animal abuse, as it's a proven fact that those who intentionally hurt animals don't stop there.

Case studies have clearly demonstrated animal abusers suffer from levels of mental disorders and/or abuse themselves. It's not just about an abuser serving jail time, but rehabilitative processes should occur.


Why an I so passionate?
St. Patrick's Day started out like a fine Irish day. The sun was out and considering the time of year it was rather nice out. Then it happened....I heard the terrible news about Patrick. I felt so outraged that I had to do something about it. What should I do? Who should I call? I just knew I had to do something. Why you ask? Well for me Patrick wasn't the first dog that I knew about as far as abuse. I had a wonderful dog growing up named Ringo. He was a terrier mix and snuggly. He wasn't allowed in the house per my father's rules. While the abuse was not even comparable to Patrick it felt so similar inside. I remember looking out the back window when it was freezing or raining and seeing him shiver for hours. I cried and begged to let him in but the best that I could have was for Ringo on occasion to come in the little shed area. On one occasion I remember his water freezing over and him licking the ice. Another occasion his wet food must have been out for a while because maggots began to form. I loved him so much. Family life was less then ideal so he was my escape from life. He was my heart. I was young I couldn't do much about it then but I am now 40 years old and I can do something about it now! Abusers must pay the price of animal abuse and laws must be tighter.

Is this a personal issue for me? Do I have an angle? Do I have something to gain from this Movement? I do! I can have some sort of justice for Ringo's friends. I can have justice for animals that suffer terrible abuse like Patrick had to endure. I donate all my time because I will make a difference. I know that if we unite and work together to have the voice the animals do not we cannot fail them.