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 underscore respect for all the planet's precious animals.

Animal World USA, established in 2003, publishes a free quarterly publication dedicated to improving the lives of animals and enlightening 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.  Education as to the importance of the animals to our planet is at teh core  to AWUSA-International's mission.

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, governors, legislators and animal advocates, the AWUSA State Weeks Campaign has demonstrated that the concept of coalition-building  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. AWUSA 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 our team and volunteers as a vital resource, and humane interaction with people and animals.

It is our goal to recruit and retain a quality and diverse team and volunteers.  Animal World USA-International 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.

    

Michelle Buckalew

Animal World USA-International founder/president

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                                Michelle was born in Memphis, Tennessee and has                                   also resided in California and Florida during her life,                                     working in animal welfare since 2000. In 2003,                                           Animal  World USA was founded after she began                                       earnestly reporting on the state and welfare of                                             animals. A  passion developed which she says has                                     led her to fullfill her life's destiny through spirituality                                     and the animals who have enlightened her journey.                                                         

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, publishing magnate Sir 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 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 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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Kimberly L. Bishop

Animal World USA-International community relations 

                           Kimberly Bishop was born in Memphis,Tennessee where                              she lived for most of her life. She moved approximately                                ten years ago and now lives in eastern Iowa with                                        her two teenage boys in the beautiful countryside of                           Palo, Iowa on two acres with her husband, Dave.

Kimberly graduated from the University of Memphis with a Bachelors degree in Finance. She is highly-driven, talented and has been working in the Real Estate Lending business for twenty-two years.

Kimberly has loved animals throughout her life. Animals have been in her life constantly, and she and her family have three cats whom they love very much. Cruelty against animals is something Kimberly absolutely cannot bear and wants to help eradicate wherever possible. She says, "Alone, I can't accomplish as much, but being part of Animal World USA will help me to help the animals that I so dearly love."

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                               Randi Gerzofsky Bildner

Animal World USA-International writer

                                     Randi Gerzofsky-Bildner has always been passionate                                  about animals,  but her introduction as a full-fledged                                    activist she says seems to have been "guided by a                                    higher force...and I knew that animals would be                                          involved." She had been an elementary school                                             teacher in New York City with a focus on Humane                                       Education. She co-authored a curriculum currently                                       utilized by the NYC Humane Education Department.

However it was meeting Angel, a pit bull, who changed her life forever. Angel led her to her beloved dog, a red-nosed, fawn and white bundle of joy, Li'l Teddy Lew. "My  life would never be the same," she says. Following was Hurricane Katrina which was ultimately the dynamic force that guided me directly toward my calling to help animals. A story that she wrote captured the interest of Animal Planet where it was featured on their special, Animal Planet Heroes: Hurricane Reunions, broadcast in November 2005.

Since then she has written about the challenges these bully breeds face along with writing on Breed Specific Legislation and why it doesn't work. She wrote a highly popular series of articles about dogs with forensic expert Jim Crosby, entitled CSI:Dogs.

Her current website “The Bully Beat” continues to bring to light the plight of bully breeds. She works as a development associate and point person for two animal advocacy organizations in New Mexico.  "I am very thankful and excited to join Animal World USA, a  progressive organization where I will be able to continue my work for animals with a focus on pit bulls and other misunderstood dog breeds." Randi currently lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico with her four loving rescued dogs.

Animal World USA Board of Directors

Rick Robinson, veteran broadcast announcer and producer, owns his own production company and his voice is heard daily across America and in Europe.  His work in radio and television has earned numerous awards, including Billboard magazine Radio Personality of the Year. Rick's credits include those of musician, singer and songwriter and he creates spots and services for top internationally celebrated entertainers from all around the world. Rick's company Robinsong Productions is based in Memphis,Tennessee and provides quality TV, radio, voiceovers and  postproduction services.

 

  Eilene K. Ribbens, animal advocate and leader, has served as executive director of the Wisconsin Puppy Mill Project since its beginning a decade ago. This pioneer 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 has been honored and inspired many for her work on behalf of animals and community. Eilene is also the business owner of  Eastlake Bed & Breakfast Inn in Elkhart Lake,Wisconsin.

Mat Thomas, accomplished nationally syndicated writer, began his professional writing career as a marketing copywriter for a Fortune 100 company before working for major advocacy organizations. He has contributed a monthly column to Animal World USA since 2005. Mat helped produce the pioneering Undercover TV, which aired in dozens of cities and ultimately became the most widely-distributed animal rights program in the history of public access television. A New York native, Mat's wonderful enlightening website is AnimalRighter.com.  He has lived for the last decade in San Francisco, California.

Laura Allen, Esquire, is executive director of Animal Law Coalition and lives in upstate New York.  She is a trial attorney with more than twenty years of experience trying cases and arguing appeals in the state and federal courts in Washington, Illinois, Missouri and Arizona.  Laura has worked tirelessly on behalf of all animals to help bring awareness about many important issues across the spectrum, including major efforts to end horse slaughter and BSL.

Animal World USA Advisory Board

Bev Hart, Citadel Radio marketing consultant, has always been surrounded by animals and has been involved with animal shelters and rescue groups since she was a child. Bev has been a popular radio personality for many years and recently  moved to the other side of the microphone as a marketing consultant. She currently serves on the advisory board for the Ronald McDonald House and with MAGRR (Goldie Rescue). She shares her home with: Clyde, a lovable, goofy Goldie; Gracie, a long-haired Chihuahua, Sheffield, a charming Havanese with OCD and Edie, an Arabian horse along with her mom and with her supportive partner.

Lisa Levinson, co-founder and director of Public Eye: Artists for Animals. Public Eye is a Philadelphia-area group that produces public events featuring the arts. Public Eye is teaching compassion for animals in exciting new ways. She has also helped spearhead Toad Detour in Philly bringing the toads much-need awareness and safety. Public Eye's special Blessing of the Animals Ceremony & Drum Circle has been a primary event in Animal World USA Pennsylvania Week for the Animals celebrations.

     

Animal World USA is a 501(c)3 organization. Download a copy of our 2009 annual report. Click link:  Animal World USA 2009 form 990.

or please contact us and we will promptly mail that to you.