Help put an end to chained dogs by supporting Texas participants this Sunday, June 28

Once again the 4th of July holiday is right around the corner. And each year that means that dedicated animal advocates from around the nation will take part in Chain Off—and Texas is no exception.

Chain Off is an annual event sponsored by Dogs Deserve Better, which describes the event as the following on their website:

Chain Off has been held annually around the 4th of July since 2004, highlighting the reality that while Americans are celebrating their own freedom, there are tens of thousands of Man's Best Friends in every state who are still not free: America's chained and penned dogs.

Last year, Austin resident Cheryl Kaminski, spent 24 hours chained in front of the Texas Capitol, in an effort to spread the message against tethering dogs and to fundraise for Dogs Deserve Better. (See her chronicle her experience here.)

This year, she and a few other Texans will be chaining themselves in McCaughan Park in Corpus Christi in memory of Shepp and Hope, two Corpus Christi dogs who sadly did not live to make it off of their chains. There will also be a candlelight vigil in honor of Shepp.

According to Kaminski’s Chain Off donation page, those charged with animal cruelty associated with Shepp’s death will stand trial on Monday, June 29 at the Nueces County Courthouse, located at 901 Leopard St. in Corpus Christi, TX (map to location).

Please join Kaminski there and provide a voice for Shepp, as well as the thousands of others who suffer in silence every day on the end of a chain.

How you can help:

? Do your part to help get dogs off of chains. Support Kaminski in her endeavor by sponsoring her with a donation to Dogs Deserve Better for Chain Off 2009.

? If you are in the area, please stop by on Sunday, June 28, beginning at 9:00 a.m. at McCaughan Park in Corpus Christi to show your support and join in the candlelight vigil. Then on Monday, June 29 come to the Nueces County Courthouse at 901 Leopard St. in Corpus Christi for the trial of those charged in Shepp’s death.

? For more information about Chain Off 2009, see the Dogs Deserver Better website.

Posted by Jennifer Hayes, Best Friends staff
Photo by Jennifer Hayes, showing Cheryl Kaminski from her 2008 Chain Off