The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated … I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man.
— Mahatma Gandhi
The following letter was written by Anna C. Briggs who passed away at 101 years of age in February 2011:
Dear Friends,
I was once told of a college professor who informed his students that certain political theorists evaluate a country’s progress based on the way it treats its poor. When I heard this, I thought of Mahatma Gandhi’s words, and that a more accurate barometer for measuring a country’s progress should include the additional indicator of how it treats its homeless companion animals.
I love America and I do believe that it is the greatest country in the world with the greatest governing political system in the world. And because of its greatness, I also believe that America can do much more to care for its homeless companion animals. In doing so, we (America) can become an even greater country; a truly humane nation.
The Briggs Animal Adoption Center’s program services are part, albeit a small part, of the solution to decreasing the suffering of homeless animals in America. And I would like to take this opportunity to thank you, the BAAC’s supporters, for helping to construct and operate the BAAC and for helping to create a more humane world. Without your support, it wouldn’t be possible.
For the animals, I sincerely thank you,
Anna C. Briggs
Anna C Briggs with her beloved “Tippy” in 2004.
