Third in a series of four weekly articles recapping Best Friends' Animals & Religion’s journey....and what awaits just around the corner!

by Kris Haley, Manager of Multifaith Outreach
& Michael Bruner, Director of Multifaith Outreach

Over the last two weeks we've revisited how a diverse group of faith leaders came together at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary last July to begin the paradigm-shifting work that has transported us to where we are today. And now...a mere three months later, we stand on the precipice of a new page of history about to be written for people of faith and the animals they love.

After the faith leaders left Best Friends last summer, the next two months were a flurry of activity! Through endless online, Webinar and phone meetings, the work initiated at the Sanctuary began to take form. The efforts of each of the five breakout groups were categorized and streamlined. Information was sectioned and organized. Abstract thoughts became concise and language crafted. Suddenly, there was a formal "beginning" and an "ending" and in their midst were impassioned calls to other leaders of faith to fully step in to this movement…to acknowledge and participate in this work of the soul.

Finally, after countless hours of discussion, debate and negotiation, a document was born to which over 30 faith leaders from 21 faith traditions could agree. This group, brought together as strangers, had achieved a communion of ideas and ideals and, in that process, created a Proclamation that could support animals from a multi-faith perspective. Indeed, a Religious Proclamation for Animal Compassion was born.

And now, on November 7th, in the Cannon Caucus Building in Washington, D.C., the world will hear the beckoning call of leaders of faith to one another and to their faithful. This is a day in which history will be made. A day where people and leaders of faith come together to form a circle of compassion around the animals who depend on us to give them voice.

And while some might view this date as a conclusion, in fact, it is only the beginning! Now the real work begins as people of faith embark on spreading the spirit of the Proclamation within and beyond their respective religious and spiritual organizations.

This is an exciting time for people of faith and for the world of animal welfare as each extends an arm gesturing toward a meeting place that will change the world for the animals they each support.

To be a part of history in Washington, D.C. on the 7th, contact Kris Haley at krish@bestfriends.org for more information. While we hope to FILL the Cannon Caucus Room with COMPASSION, if you are not able to be with us, you can still participate!

We’re planning a few surprises on the Animals & Religion Network Community for the 7th, but among the most important in which you can participate is to sign the online Proclamation that you will find right here at http://network.bestfriends.org/religion . Circle the date on your calendar and be a part of history on November 7th!

Join us later in the week for Part IV in our series, Journey To The Summit, to learn about what YOU can do to share in the festivities of the historical unveiling of the Proclamation and its upcoming inauguration in Washington, D.C. this November 7th! You won’t want to miss it!

Photo of Vinny the Pug on the third leg of his climb to the Summit! In the summer of 2001 Vinny made an unsuccessful attempt to climb atop a large boulder in Scottsdale, Arizona. The next day he returned and triumphantly mounted that boulder, thus marking the start of his two and ½ year Quest to set a new “Guinness World Record.” Vinny has earned worldwide recognition for his incredible climbing skills. Today he is known in several countries around the world as “Vinny the Pug.” Photo courtesy of Vinny’s dedicated climbing coach and personal advisor, Allen Kimble.