Haley Proves that Anyone Can Make a Difference
Children who are wise beyond their years, accomplishing amazing things that some adults never even 
aspire to, fascinate me. I’m not referring to child stars by any respect. I mean those young ones who step out for something that they already believe so strongly for or against. I mean children and teens who are willing to put their popularity status on the line to speak out when they feel jilted.
Haley Ham, an 11-year-old Tennessee animal-lover is the latest in this long line of impressive youth.
Last April, Haley’s two dogs got into a bottle of antifreeze. As the substance has a natural sweet taste, they ate enough (as little as a teaspoon) to suffer fatal poisoning.
“Sam and Jessie suffered so much, I couldn’t believe something so deadly was just sold at nearly every store,” Haley wrote to the Humane Society.
According to the Doris Day Animal League, “the veterinary school at Washington State University estimates that as many as 10,000 dogs and cats ingest antifreeze each year.”
Something can and should be done to prevent this.
Five states have passed laws requiring a bittering agent be added to antifreeze, thus making it unappealing to animals and children (who also mistakenly die from it).
Haley’s home state was not one of these, so she set out on a campaign to bring the legislation to Tennessee.
Haley wrote to state legislators; gathered signatures at her county fair; received backing from State Sen. Raymond Finney; held meetings to plan the law; and even spoke before the Senate, serving as a page for the day.
Read more about Haley’s amazing drive to see change happen at Humane Society President and CEO Wayne Pacelle’s blog - A Humane Nation.
amazing kids, antifreeze poisoning, humane society haley ham
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