FOR RELEASE MAY 6, 2005
Contact:
Ken Shapiro
The Animals and Society Institute
(301) 963-4751
www.societyandanimalsforum.org
Kim W. Stallwood
The Animals and Society Institute
(410) 675-4566
www.animalsandsociety.org
Merger Creates the Animals and Society Institute
Baltimore, MD – Ken Shapiro and Kim W. Stallwood are pleased to announce that their respective organizations, the Society and Animals Forum and the Institute for Animals and Society, are merging to form the Animals and Society Institute (ASI).
Because SAF and IAS have long shared similar purposes, ideologies, and methodologies, Shapiro and Stallwood believe the nonprofit “bottom line” (program effectiveness, focused mission, long-term policy changes) will be better served by a combined entity. “We’re looking forward to the positive synergy that will come from putting our complementary resources to work toward a common goal,” Shapiro said.
The Animals and Society Institute will be an independent research and educational organization that advances the status of animals in public policy and promotes the study of human-animal relationships. Its primary office will be at the Baltimore location previously occupied by the IAS. “Our respective members and supporters have much to look forward to as we begin this exciting new venture together,” Stallwood said.
Shapiro and Stallwood will each hold the title of Co-executive Director, and will jointly assume managerial responsibility for the new organization. ASI’s programs include:
- The Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science
- The Society and Animals Journal
- Human-Animal Studies Book Series
- The Violence Link Program
- The Animals’ Platform
- The Annual International Compassionate Living Festival (in conjunction with the Culture and Animals Foundation)
ASI’s senior staff includes Jill Howard Church, communications director; Mary Ann Lauffer, education director; and Martha Powers, marketing director.
ABOUT the Animals and Society Institute -- the Animals and Society Institute is an IRS 501(c)(3) federal tax-exempt, not-for-profit organization formed in 2005 by the merger of the Institute for Animals and Society (formerly the Animal Rights Network) and the Society and Animals Forum (formerly Psychologists for the Ethical Treatment of Animals). ARN and PSYETA were founded in 1979 and 1981, respectively. ARN published The Animals’ Agenda magazine from 1979 through 2002.
