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 and is 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 creatures through a strengthening of communities. Mobilizing citizens, working with schools, youth groups, shelters, and governors in each state, Animal World USA is creating a new direction to advance the greater good through exciting progressive strategies that are creating a movement.
Animal World USA, established in 2003, is dedicated to improving the lives of animals, youth and enlightening people through advocacy, education, and community support. Animal World USA is committed to a world in which animals and youth are treated with compassion and respect. Making resources which are readily available to youth who require support in their lives is imperative. Education is at the core of AWUSA-International's mission.
Animal World USA developed the Weeks for the Animals™ campaign in 2005 bringing communities together on behalf of animals. Working with educational institutions, shelters, humane societies, youth groups, nursing homes, hospitals, governors, legislators and animal advocates, the AWUSA Weeks campaign has demonstrated that the concept of coalition-building is leading the future in building strong communities.
Animal World USA provides education through our newsmagazine founded in 2003 and programs that support the humane groups, shelters and other animal welfare organizations. AWUSA sponsors festivals, educational programs and adoption events that are a valuable resource and destination for communities.
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, people in need and working on behalf of the amazing creatures in communities around the globe with whom we joyfully 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. 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 of sharing her spirituality and the amazing 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 world which include U.S. astronaut Captain Buzz Aldrin, Rolling Stones' Bill Wyman, gospel singer Reverend Al Green, Dr. Deepak Chopra, musical legend Isaac Hayes, publishing magnate Sir Harold Evans, Commanding Officer of SEAL Team Six and Red Cell Richard Marcinko, FBI profiler John Douglas, Dr. Jane Goodall, Colonel David H. Hackworth & Secretary of the Navy John Leyman.
Buckalew has spearheaded and/or co-organized significant projects including UnityFest celebrations at college campuses to honor Dr. Martin Luther King w/ co-organizer Kevin Young, Pennies for Patriots w/WalMart's Sharon Finizia to raise funds for the WWII Memorial in Washington, D.C., Crystal Apple Teacher Award at Clear Channel Communications 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 Women Who Make a Difference.
Michelle considers it a honor to have worked with over twenty governors along with Washington, DC and New York City mayors and their staffs in the AWUSA Weeks for the Animals celebrations. Founding editor of the Animal World USA magazine and website designer, she shares her life with one white mystical Siberian husky, a brilliant white Siberian husky-German Shepherd and a fabulous feline. She is so grateful to God for all He has done in her life.
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Mat Thomas
Animal World USA-International writer
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 column to Animal World USA since 2005. Mat also helped produce the pioneering Undercover TV, which aired in dozens of cities and ultimately became the most widely-distributed animal welfare program in the history of public access access telelevision.
A New York native, Mat's wonderful enlightening and informative website is AnimalRighter.com. Mat is very passionate about bringing the plight of farm animals and factory farming to the forefront of social consiousness. He has lived for the last decade in San Francisco, California. An extraordinarily deep thinker and thoughtful young man, Mat shares his life with his loving cats and is thoroughly committed to making a difference for the animals.
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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 advocate 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. Then Hurricane Katrina 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 2005. She also wrote a highly popular series of articles about dogs entitled CSI:Dogs.
Her website “The Bully Beat” brings light to the plight of bully breeds. She works for two animal advocacy organizations in New Mexico. 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 Robinsong Productions. 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, tireless 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, one of the most thoughtful people you will ever meet, is also the business owner of Eastlake Bed & Breakfast Inn in Elkhart Lake,Wisconsin.
Michelle Buckalew was born in Memphis, Tennessee where she has lived most of her life; However, she has also resided in California and Florida during her lifetime. She has been working in animal welfare since 2000. In 2003 Animal World USA was founded after she began organizing animal welfare events and reporting on the plight of the animals. A passion developed in which has led her to fullfill her life's destiny of sharing her spirituality combined with the amazing animals, who have enlightened her journey beyond words. Michelle's career includes working as a radio program producer, on air host, paralegal
and marketing consultant.
Animal World USA Advisory Board
Karen Wilson, Operations Service Coordinator for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and a Walter’s State Graduate with honors in Criminal Justice and Public Safety. Karen Lived in Ontario Canada, where she was awarded the Clifton Grant Award for the work in fighting a company on health and safety issues, and exposing them for illegal practices of using lead base glaze and illegally dumping toxic waste into the environment.
An advocate for animal welfare, she brought public attention to a Cocke County School in Tennessee that opposed her from raising money for the local humane Society. Karen, author of The Trophy Wolf, has visited schools to teach our next generation to help make decisions based on facts not fears. Karen has been a Girl Scout Leader for 15 years. This highly versatile woman is also a Master in Martial Arts Taekwondo and teaches for TTJC in Knoxville. Karen has also been recognized through international awards for her poetry.
Greg Grube, Marketing & Community Liaison for National Discount Network (NDN) brings to us his fundraising abilities with the development of our new Animal World USA Pet & Animal drug discount card. The cards may be used at over 85% of the nation’s pharmacies with a written vet prescription and is also the first to allow for “Specialty Medications.” Each time the card is used, a donation is made to AWUSA by the Pharmacy Benefit Manager which will be used to help fund projects to help animals. Greg works with his loyal and loved Lab, “Clifford," who is very pleased with the work they are doing for all his animal friends.
Laura Allen, Esquire, is founder and executive director of Animal Law Coalition and now lives in Washington state. 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,
ban gas chambers and end breed specific legislation.
Bev Hart, Cumulus Radio on air host and 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 also works as a marketing consultant. She currently serves on the advisory board for the Ronald McDonald House and with MAGRR (Memphis 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.
Animal World USA Officers
Michelle Buckalew, President
Brenda Buckalew Carpenter, Secretary
Terry Scharf, Treasurer
Animal World USA is a 501(c)3 organization. For a copy of our 2010 annual report, please contact us and we will promptly mail that to you.
