I have to be honest, it was nowhere on my radar a few years ago.

As a mother of three, I secretly thought: Why are people spending time advocating against animal cruelty when there are hungry, abused and abandoned children? Everywhere I went there were activists and animal lovers asking the community to get involved. These individuals ranged from those I didn’t know to those I knew well and respected enormously. But why animals?

Curiosity led to conversations, questions and a deeper look. It didn’t take long for the answer to hit me like a ton of bricks.  Activists and animal lovers were actually 10 steps ahead. They had already recognized what others failed to see: Animal cruelty is inhumane, it is a gateway to a whole host of other criminal activity and it has no place in our society.

I came to see that the care of animals and children is not mutually exclusive. The system for abused and neglected children isn’t perfect but at least one is in place and the problem is universally recognized. But when it comes to abused and neglected animals, laws are still being written and argued, terms are still being defined and solutions are still being vetted. It follows then that the creation of a mechanism to stop animal cruelty requires more people lending their voices to find solutions.

Spend one day… no, scratch that… spend one hour with Houston PetSet co-founders Tena Lundquist Faust, Tama Lundquist, Crime Stoppers Program Manager, Sonia Soto or Houston’s Humane Society Sherry Ferguson and you’ll quickly understand. These women know the facts, they are in the trenches (literally), knee deep and working to find a solution. What I love most is that they are not just highlighting the problem, they are actively working to make sure animals get the treatment they need.

They are rescuing abandoned dogs, they are meeting with legislatures, they are working with law enforcement partners, they are taking steps to bring the community together. And it is no wonder that they are joined by ABC-13 Casey Curry and countless other Buzz residents like District Attorney Devon Anderson, Paula Mott, Judy Nichols, Deborah Duncan and leagues of others.

These people are not just activists and animal lovers; they are what I call “big picture humanitarians.” I’m proud to call them friends and colleagues.

Here’s what we want you to know:

• There is a strong link between animal cruelty and domestic violence: 71 to 83 percent of women entering domestic violence shelters reported that their partners abused or killed the family pet.
• There is a strong link between animal cruelty and child abuse: Pet abuse was found concurrent in 88 percent of the families under supervision for the physical abuse of their children
• According to the Houston SPCA, there were over 9,000 animal cruelty cases in 2014 alone.
• Additionally, there is an estimated 1 million homeless animals on Houston’s street.
• Adopt, don’t shop!

Legalese:

• The FBI recently announced that it was moving “animal cruelty” from the category of “other” to a Class-A felony, thereby placing it in the same bucket as other major crimes like assault, homicide and arson. Read more.
• All 50 states now have felony animal cruelty provisions.
• In Texas, animal abandonment is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in prison and a fine of up to $4,000 (Texas Penal Code, Sec 42.09 Animal Cruelty).
• Children 10 years of age and older can be charged with animal cruelty for brutality against animals.

Applause please for our men and women in blue:

Buzz communities are working hard to push the issue of animal cruelty forward. Crime Stoppers of Houston worked with Tena Lundquist Faust and Tama Lundquist as well as with our incredible law enforcement partners at the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, to launch an animal cruelty “fugitive sweep.” The results? Drum roll please!

• 11 Felony warrant arrests, 11 Felony warrants cleared
• 25 Misdemeanor warrant arrests, 37 Misdemeanor warrants cleared
• 1 new Misdemeanor charge filed

Here’s what you can do:

• Learn to spot animal cruelty.
• Report suspected animal cruelty to your local law enforcement agency, Crime Stoppers (713-222-TIPS), or the Houston Humane Society or the SPCA.
• Spay and neuter your pets, vaccinate them annually, and microchip your animal.
• Take care of your pets; provide proper shelter for them and bring them inside during bad weather. Ensure your animal has a name tag with a current phone number.
• Help raise a younger generation that sees the treatment of animals the way it sees the treatment of people.
• Train your pet, especially around children.

I’m proud of the progress I have personally made on this issue and the commitment I’m making to stand behind the incredible men and women leading this charge. I invite you to share your stories, your thoughts and ideas. Together, we can make Houston the best place for children and animals – hopefully this is a humanitarian goal that everyone can wrap their arms and hearts around!

See more resources and information on animal cruelty.

You see them as you buzz around Houston. You may wonder what their stories are or what went wrong in their lives. Some see them and wonder what crimes they have committed or might be intending to commit. Some look for pets that may be in their care and wonder if they are being properly cared for. For others, they are no more than an eyesore….

But to Buzz resident Tracy Faulkner, none of these thoughts crossed her mind when she drove by a young homeless boy one afternoon just a few weeks ago. In fact, seeing this boy triggered a call to action that Tracy simply could not ignore, one she took on without any hesitation. Not surprisingly, Tracy’s like-minded friends, including Debbie Pakzaban, quickly rallied behind these efforts. Soon, the Facebook group “Saving Sweet Ryan” was created and incredible Houstonians such as Miya Shay, Paula Mott, Anika Jackson, District Attorney Devon Anderson, Roz Proctor and 440 others were coming together, looking for resources, calling around and making arrangements to get this 20-year-old on a path out of the streets.

This community came together and quickly Ryan was given food, clothing, a cell phone and other essentials. Tracy and Debbie discovered that Ryan actually longs for fruit, fresh squeezed orange juice and is grateful for clean socks and underwear. Through the “Saving Sweet Ryan” Facebook page, psychologists and nonprofit agencies reached out and promised to provide services that would be vital to this young man’s life.

There are so many reasons for homelessness: addiction (68 percent of U.S. cities report that addiction is their single largest cause of homelessness); domestic violence (nationally, 50 percent of homeless women and children are fleeing domestic violence); mental illness (6 percent of the American population suffers from mental illness vs. 25 percent in the homeless population); job loss, unemployment, loss of home; PTSD; “throw away teens” (teens that were kicked out of their homes, or who need help, but don’t have any help or support), and others. (See more details.) In Ryan’s case, he was a victim of a childhood he couldn’t control and a system that couldn’t help him.

And as I think about this, I can’t help but think about Ryan and how lucky he was that the woman with means who drive by him that day was led by her heart. And with that, I have to say “thank you” to this community of “doers” who saw the need, rolled up their sleeves and started working.

Talking to Tracy and Debbie many times over the course of this journey, they speak often of their sense of love, grace and duty toward humanity. Being the person I am, I asked them about their personal safety: do they go anywhere in a car with Ryan? Has he been to their homes? Do they visit him alone? Both women reassured me, as they answered “no” to all my questions: Helping Ryan was the goal but risking their personal safety was not an option.

So, I have to ask – what would you do? I know I find true inspiration in people who are willing to do the hard work, carry others’ burdens and do whatever they can to be a force of positive in a world that needs it. I aspire to do my part each and every day.

Some quick facts about homelessness:

• Crime and homelessness – often the homeless population is more susceptible to being victims of a crime rather than the perpetrators of a crime. Attacks against the homeless have grown and resulted in specific legislation.
• Homeless youth are more likely to engage in criminal behavior or be arrested the longer they are homeless. Many of these crimes are geared towards survival – i.e., stealing food or sleeping in abandoned buildings.
• Substance addition is commonly seen as a way to cope with the stress of homelessness.
• Studies have found that persons who experienced physical abuse as children were almost twice as likely than non-abused children to end up homeless, arrested and jailed.
• In 2015, on a given night, there were 4,609 total sheltered and unsheltered homeless people in the Houston area, compared with 8,538 identified in 2011 (a 46 percent decrease) and 5,351 identified in 2014 (a 14 percent decrease).

“We called the cops and we called our families and we prayed…. Prayed that we were not going to be next…” Kendra Gordon, Umpqua Community College student in the room next to shooting Thursday October 1, 2015. It’s a day that marks the start of different things for so many people. In fact, it was a day where people across this city purposefully and proudly (and rightfully so) put on either pink or purple in honor of Breast Cancer or Domestic Violence awareness month, respectively.

Each of us has a cause to champion. Yours may be health, hunger, clean water or the environment. But as we run a million miles a minute and get ready to tackle our overly filled agendas, how many of us hug and kiss our kids’ goodbye and wonder if that was the last time? As our kids pack their bags, grab their lunches, nap mats or car keys, do we ever even stop to think that this day, this average normal day, where all they are doing is going to school, could be their last? For many of us, that thought is nowhere on our radar…

But it needs to be. Right now. Because as the breaking news on October 1, 2015 unfolded – an incredibly sobering reality set in. There was another active shooter taking place in a school setting. This time, we were taken to a small town 180 miles south of Portland to Umpqua Community College. On the scene was a lone shooter, with what one account described as having four handguns. The shooter walked into a class room and killed approximately 13 students and wounded another 20. I cannot help but think about every detail of this case, every single detail, and wonder about solutions.

But that’s what I do…. Actually, as the Executive Director of Crime Stoppers, I’ve been told I “overthink” and “overanalyze” criminal activity. Those comments leave me shaking my head. Inside, I’m bursting: Really? I’m sorry… Am I putting too much thought into the fact that since the start of this year alone, there has been approximately 45 active shootings in schools across the USA? This means an average of more than 2 school shootings a week… A week…! Tell me, what number must we reach for school violence to get an official “color” or “awareness month?” Once that happens, does it make it okay to care? To champion the cause? How many more boys and girls, young men and young women, have to senselessly die while doing nothing more than being where they are supposed to be and focusing on making the most of the full lives ahead of them? How many more “mass funerals” do we need to cover?

Call me an over thinker, tell me I over analyze. I really do not care. Here’s where I am: I’m a parent. I love my kids and guess what, I love yours too. I believe that as a nation, we have been officially put “on notice.” This will happen again and keep happening if do not do something about it. And above all else, I firmly believe these senseless killings have the potential of being 100% preventable. Yes, I said it. Preventable.

So while the country hops on the runaway train of political shifting, blaming and gun control discourse, I’d like to take a moment to focus on real solutions. It’s time to: look at the facts, talk to our kids and provide resources.
A review of most of these shooters shows us that at the root of this violence is a variety of things ranging from mental illness to uncontrollable anger, the effects of bullying or neglect, ideological differences that can go back to a whole host of things but usually relate to affiliations (gang, faith, culture, etc.) or a deranged hope of fame or to send a message. Parents, you have a duty to address these issues with your kids. I know it’s hard, I know you have a lot on your plate, but you have to do this. You must. You just must. In today’s world, with all our children face, parents are facing the extra work of analyzing and addressing potential risks within their children. You simply must and there’s professional help for you where you need it.

Additionally, in many of these cases, we see clear predictors – a message, a social media post, a threat or comment that puts the community on notice of the attack. In fact, our work has taught us that someone somewhere always knows what is about to potentially happen. So now the question becomes: would your child say something if they knew something? It’s no longer good enough to think that “someone else will say something.” No. You, me, each of us has the burden to say something. It’s time to talk, right now, in an age appropriate way and ask you child if he/she would honestly report a known or potential criminal activity on their school campus. If not, find out what’s holding them back. We recommend telling a trusted adult, school counselor, school admin, and/or school officer. Above all else, students can always call Crime Stoppers (713-222-TIPS/8477), anonymously, and tell us of any potential criminal activity at school.

Many don’t know but Crime Stoppers of Houston has been working on this issue locally, in our community, for almost twenty years.

In fact, The Buzz Magazines has been a huge supporter of the Crime Stoppers’ Safe School Program. They have been with us, in the schools, watched us interact with students and raise awareness on all things crime prevention and public safety. Since 1997, our free Safe School Program, has been offering solutions and getting results. This means that our program has helped law enforcement solve almost 2,000 school cases and removed almost 300 weapons from schools right here, in our backyards. We’ve done this through the help of anonymous student heroes who call us. Stopping tragedies before they could affect the student body is our main goal and it’s what we’ve been doing since day one. While the nation “discusses”, we are in the schools quietly and efficiently working. Because the reality is, we don’t have time. Each week, we are seeing a school tragedy. Each week, parents are losing children. It’s not acceptable.

Additionally through our Safe Community program we walk the community through free seminars on How to Survive an Active Shooter. This informative presentation done by Stephen Daniels with HPD is eye-opening and important in today’s world. Not to mention, during the Q&A, I’m always taken aback as visitors share their personal stories of being involved in an active shooter incident. Their most common statement: for those who survived, their lives will never be the same again.

October 1 marks the beginning of great philanthropic initiatives locally and nationally. But I’d like to add another national campaign to this date, in fact, I want it to be prevalent every day. This cause doesn’t want a month or a week. This cause marks the start of a movement where we as a community come together and say: NO MORE SCHOOL VIOLENCE. It’s the day that reminds us that the safety of our children requires a hands on approach by all of us, every single day. It should become the day that marks a shift in our conversations so that with each kiss and hug in the morning comes a review of what it means to be safe.

Each of us has a cause to champion. Mine is public safety and the colors are my marked by my children’s favorites. As I live for its awareness, this means I’m thinking of next week’s potential tragedy. I’m thinking about each of those kids and their parents. I’m thinking about those teachers who will make the choice to take a bullet for their students. I’m thinking about the law enforcement who will arrive on the scene. And I’m strategizing for a solution. There’s plenty of room for you to join me, the potential safety of your child is worth it.

Staring at a blank page and feeling the pressure to turn it into a statement of support for law enforcement, a statement of outrage over the senseless killing of a deputy, and a plea for this type of activity to stop – is overwhelming. Over the past ten years, I have gone from the typical young woman that notices a policeman only when I’m speeding, to an adult, the mother of three, a wife and involved citizen that sees law enforcement all over Houston, throughout my day, and feels a deep sense of pride, understanding, encouragement and thankfulness.

Who are these men and women in blue or black? Why should we as society stand up together and say that the violence against them is absolutely intolerable?

First, who are they? These men and women in uniform are fathers and mothers. They are husbands and wives. They are sons and daughters. They are people who (while most of us were enjoying the irresponsibility that comes with youth and college life) were enlisting in an academy, going through grueling training, dedicating their lives 100 percent to the protection of complete strangers. These men and women have to be, are determined to be the best of the best. They are strong physically, mentally and emotionally and they live their lives in sacrifice. Many of these men and women do not make the money they deserve (how do you put a price tag on being a super hero?) and take extra jobs to put food on their tables. They are the people we blame things on: sit down Billy or I’m going to tell that police officer over there to come yell at you; or how about the problem with rising crime rates has nothing to do with criminal behavior but because of the officers who instigate trouble.

Don’t get me started on the latter but let me tell you this, it makes me want to shout from the rooftops – WAKE UP PEOPLE! ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! We are so blessed to have the first responders we do and how do we show our support for them? When is the last time we have walked up to an officer and simply said thank you, and offered to shake a hand? When is the last time we have thanked their family for participating in the sacrifice necessary to keep you and me safe? Truth is, we don’t. Instead we argue over them in city budgets and cut corners when it comes to giving to them. We complain about the “bad apples” as if every profession in the world (yours and mine included) doesn’t have the same exact “bad apples.” They are the people we blame things on: sit down Billy or I’m going to tell that police officer over there to come yell at you; or how about the problem with rising crime rates has nothing to do with criminal behavior but because of the officers who instigate trouble.

Secondly, why should we, as a society, stand up and say this type of violence is absolutely intolerable? Because a society that allows its first responders to be attacked will soon no longer operate as a civilized society. A person willing to kill a peace officer will stop at nothing when his/her weapon is faced at you or me. Killing or attempting to kill a first responder carries with it maximum punishments and yet some do it without a care in the world. These types of people have no regard for life, others or their own, and need to be off the streets.

Crime Stoppers will continue to do its part. In 2013, we launched the Fallen Hero Project which immediately doubles our cash reward of $5,000 to $10,000 the instant an officer or firefighter is injured or killed in the line of duty and the suspect remains at large. We want to send a clear message that we stand with our law enforcement partners and on the side of public safety, at any cost…. all our lives depend on it.

Thank you Thebuzzmagazines.com for allowing me to share my thoughts!