Congratulations to Russell Tenofsky, NhRP’s Volunteer of the Month for October 2012.
Russell writes many of the articles you see on this website. As part of the NhRP’s editorial team, that also means he’s always keeping an eye out for whatever is in the news that might have to do with the kinds of animals for whom we’re advocating. If there’s a new study out on how chimpanzees have demonstrated a level of intelligence or self-awareness that we didn’t know about, Russell is on the job with it. If another animal protection group is litigating for the rights of an elephant at a zoo, Russell is following the trial as it goes forward.
And if you enjoy getting our monthly newsletter, you’ll want to know that Russell is the one putting it together.
Russell has been working for the rights and welfare of animals since his parents first took him to an animal rights protest in 1975, when he was eight years old. (He still has the “Save the Whales, Boycott Japanese Goods” poster from that.)
After earning a Master’s Degree in Applied Ethics with an emphasis on animal rights, he began lobbying cities and municipalities to re-codify their laws to include language options that don’t refer to people as the “owner” of animals, but rather as their guardians.
“I have long believed that erasing the property status of animals and achieving legal rights for them is the core element to the animal rights movement,” Russell says. “While most organizations and activists may occasionally speak about this in theory, it is rare to find an organization and people who are actually solely dedicated to this need.
“I have known about Steve Wise and his work for a while, so it was an honor for me just to be asked to work with the NhRP, let alone to now being singled out for my contributions.”
And it’s an honor for us to have him on board. Thanks, Russell!