Yahoo Web Search

Prior to 2009, there were no harsh penalties for animal cruelty in North Carolina. The worst penalty that an abuser could receive was five months probation. With the support of Senator Don Vaughn, Assistant District Attorney, Chris Parrish, Guilford County Animal Shelter Director, Marsha Williams, and countless other community members, Donna and Susie began campaigning to pass S.B. 254, otherwise known as H.B. 1690 or more popularly known as Susie’s Law. It was a law that would make animal abuse a felony in North Carolina, a felony punishable by jail time. Governor Bev Perdue signed the law in 2010 and Susie’s Law took effect that December.

The mission of Susie’s Hope, the non-profi organizationt, is “to foster awareness of the animal abuse that exists in our nation and to work to end this epidemic by providing education to people of all ages.” To educate the community, Donna and Susie work together as a team visiting churches, pet adoption fairs, schools, and fundraisers, instilling fundamental, yet key, values in the people they meet: That owning a pet is a huge responsibility and honor, that no animal should ever be hurt or abused, that you should be safe around animals you don’t know, and most of all, that love and forgiveness can cure a world of hurt.

In addition to screening Susies Hope at their 2013 festival, RiverRun will also host a dog-friendly film, Babe, on Fourth Street in Winston-Salem, NC (our home base). Fido Film and Folic will take place on Saturday, April 13 at 6pm, and will be a free screening of the film. Bring your canines, and your human friends, too. You may even see some of the Canine Journal crew!