About Us

Animal World USA

Inspiring, educating and empowering communities

to understand, love and protect the amazing

animals of our world.

Animal World USA is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to the welfare of animals... working with organizations, decision makers and the public-at-large to bring about awareness as to the plight of the animals of our world. Our mission is to create a better understanding and importance for all the planet's precious animals.

Animal World USA, established in 2003, publishes a free monthly publication dedicated to improving the lives of animals and people through advocacy, education, and community support. Animal World USA is committed to a world in which animals are treated with compassion and respect and where resources are readily available to those who require support for the animals in their lives.

Animal World USA developed the State Weeks Campaign in 2005 bringing communities together on behalf of animals. Working with educational institutions, shelters, humane societies, rescue groups, nursing homes, hospitals, legislators and animal advocates, the AWUSA State Weeks Campaign has demonstrated that it is leading the future of animal welfare.

Animal World USA provides local, regional and national education and training that supports the public, community groups, rescue groups, shelters and other animal welfare organizations. The newsmagazine sponsors festivals, educational programs and adoption events that are a valuable resource and destination for communities. The magazine actively advocates for animal welfare through community outreach and coalition building.

Animal World USA sets an example of care, compassion, and respect for all living beings, promotion of the human-animal bond, collaboration with others in pursuit of our vision, accountability for the resources entrusted to us, recognition of staff and volunteers as a vital resource, and humane interaction with people and animals. Education as to the importance of the biodiversity of our planet is also of utmost importance to AWUSA. It is our goal to recruit and retain quality and a diverse staff and volunteers. Animal World USA is committed to helping all animals and working on behalf of these amazing creatures with whom we share our living planet.

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To learn more about our work , please visit

Animal World USA Weeks for the Animals page.

http://www.weeksfortheanimals.org/

Michelle Buckalew

Animal World USA founder/president

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Michelle has been working in animal welfare

since 2000. In 2003, Animal World USA was founded after she began earnestly reporting on the welfare of animals. A passion developed which she says has led her to

fullfill her life's destiny with animals. Everyday of her life is spent advocating for the animals.

Michelle's career includes working as a radio program producer, on air host, paralegal and marketing consultant. While in radio, Buckalew interviewed hundreds of top figures in today's culture which include U.S. astronaut Buzz Aldrin, Rolling Stones' Bill Wyman, Deepak Chopra, Isaac Hayes, publishing magnate Harold Evans and Dr. Jane Goodall.

Michelle has spearheaded and/or co-organized significant projects including UnityFest celebrations at college campuses to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Pennies for Patriots to raise funds for the WWII Memorial in Washington, D.C., Crystal Apple Teacher Award to honor Tennessee teachers and also bringing the R.E.A.D. program with MidSouth Therapy Dogs to the Tennessee Library System. In 2008 Buckalew was recognized by Memphis Women's Magazine as one of the 50 Most Influential Women in Memphis. Michelle is founding editor of Animal World USA magazine. She shares her life with two mystical Siberian huskies and two fabulous felines.

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Susan McCauley

Animal World USA development director

Susan has studied and worked in the fields of

education, social work, gemology, jewelry,

spirituality and alternative health/life consulting. While Susan does hold several degrees and certificates, one of her truly

greatest gifts is bringing people together for the greater good.

Susan believes that an open mind and a willingness to pursue one’s vision in collaboration with others built on respect for all life is key to a better world for all of us.

Advancing animal welfare and educating communities as to the importance of preserving the biodiversity of life are her primary goals. Susan often says, “wisdom lies beyond fear.” She resides in New York City and is a member of a flock that includes a free-flighted Timneh African Grey parrot and two rescued older cats.

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Ariel Dagastino

Animal World USA Weeks for the Animals coordinator

Ariel has been working with animals since becoming a teenager. She is the recipient of many awards for her work on behalf of the animals including the Girl Scout Gold Award.

(Ariel seen upon receiving the honor in 2008.)

Ariel attends college in Tennessee. When she is not studying, Ariel is devoted to saving animals through networking, volunteering at adoption events and working on the AWUSA Weeks campaign. She lives with her family and her beloved Aussie dog, Clifford. Serving the community is a driving force in Ariel's life.

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Terry Scharf

Animal World USA art and graphic director

Terry is AWUSA newsmagazine art and graphic director. He has been working on building AWUSA since 2004 and has dedicated so much of his life to helping the animals and making the publication all that it has become in its ever-growing popularity.

Terry works for a university, and he also tutors students and consistently works to help the underpriviledged in the community. Terry and his family share their lives with three very happy dogs. Terry spends everyday of his life working for the community and making the world a better place.

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Animal World USA Board of Directors

Eilene K. Ribbens has served as executive director of the Wisconsin Puppy Mill Project since its beginning a decade ago. In that time, she has worked to help bring awareness about puppy mills which are specially prevalent in the Midwest part of the United States. The Wisconsin Puppy Mill project has worked with community leaders around the country to help close puppy mills and end the suffering of thousands of dogs. A past president of Wisconsin Federated Humane Societies, Eilene is well respected and has been honored for her work on behalf of animals and community in which she is involved by working with legislators and governmental officials. She also volunteered this past year to help organize Animal World USA's 1st Wisconsin Week for the Animals in August 2009. Eilene is also the business owner and manager of Eastlake Bed & Breakfast Inn Elkhart Lake,Wisconsin.

Laura Allen, Esquire has served as executive director of the Animal Law Coalition located in New York since its inception. She is a trial attorney with more than 20 years of experience trying cases and arguing appeals in the state and federal courts in Washington, Illinois, Missouri and Arizona. Before that she worked as an attorney for Best Friends Animal Society. Laura has worked to help bring awareness about important animal issues across the spectrum, including efforts to end horse slaughter and BSL. Animal Law Coalition continues to work to end the suffering of thousands of animals. Laura worked as an attorney in Washington state before becoming involved in animal welfare. Laura is a frequent speaker and a regular guest on Big Blend Radio, Animals Today Radio, Wild For Life Endangered Talk Radio.She also serves on the Animal Advocate Television Advisory Board. Laura has organized and participated in law panels in the AWUSA Weeks for the Animals national campaign.

Mat Thomas began his professional writing career as a marketing copywriter for a Fortune 100 company before working for advocacy organizations Farm Sanctuary and In Defense of Animals. A technical writer by training, he has contributed a monthly column to Animal World since 2005, and has published articles in numerous lifestyle and animal welfare magazines and websites, including, Satya, Bark, American Dog, and VegNews, for which he wrote the NewsBeet column from 2007-2009. Mat helped produce the pioneering Undercover TV, which aired in dozens of cities nationwide and ultimately became the most widely-distributed animal rights program in the history of public access television. A New York native, Mat has lived for the last decade in San Francisco. Mat has been a guest on national radio shows and

been quoted for articles in the San Francisco Examiner newspaper

and other major publications.

Cindy Sanders is co-founder of Community Action for Animals which helped to bring an end to roadside sales of pets in Memphis, Tennessee, as well as closing the sales of pets at the Midsouth Flea Markets. Cindy volunteers her time attending cruelty cases in Memphis courts and has been working with the Memphis Police Department, Shelby County Sheriff’s and District Attorney’s office to bring new-found ways to work with top decision makers and providing groundbreaking collaboration regarding dogfighting and other pertinent animal cruelty issues. Cindy volunteers for Animal World USA and organizes events for Animal World USA Weeks for the Animals.

Lisa Levinson is co-founder of Public Eye: Artists for Animals located in Philadelphia, PA. Public Eye is a Philadelphia-area group that produces public events featuring the arts. They focus their lens on the interactions between human and nonhuman animals in order to shed light on hidden or ignored injustices and to promote a cruelty-free lifestyle. Public Eye is a project of Mobilization for Animals. Public Eye: Artists for Animals mission is to (a) educate the public about animal cruelty issues. (b) Cultivate compassion via music, dance, theater and visual art.

(c) Empower individuals to use their voices through consumer choice. (d) Collaborate with organizations and universities to produce public events. Public Eye's Blessing of the Animals Ceremony & Drum Circle has been a primary event in

Animal World USA Pennsylvania Week for the Animals celebrations.

Jackie Johns is co-founder of Community Action for Animals which has helped to bring an end to roadside sales of pets in Memphis, Tennessee, as well as closing the sales of pets at the Midsouth Flea Markets. Jackie works parttime and still finds time to volunteer her time attending cruelty cases in Memphis courts and has been working with the Memphis Police Department, Shelby County Sheriff’s and District Attorney’s offices to bring new-found ways to work with top decision makers to build awareness and providing groundbreaking collaboration regarding dogfighting and other major animal cruelty issues. Jackie volunteers for Animal World USA by organizing events for Animal World USA Weeks for the Animals.

Rick Robinson heads up Robinsong Productions which provides quality TV, radio, voiceovers and postproduction services. Visit back for complete bio on Rick and his extensive and impressive background in media! We are honored to have Rick joining AWUSA-International board of directors.