Mrs. Briggs founded The National Humane Education Society, a leading animal welfare organization
Post date: May 8, 2012 9:23:37 PM
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 Catherine Briggs, February 2011
With heavy hearts and the deepest of sadness, we must say goodbye to the greatest friend of animals we have ever known. On February 15, 2011, our founder, Anna Catherine Briggs, passed away peacefully at the age of 101. She dedicated her life to rescuing, caring for, and protecting animals in need. With her tireless work and dedication, Mrs. Briggs founded The National Humane Education Society, a leading animal welfare organization, which set the standards of care at The Briggs Animal Adoption Center in Charles Town, WV, and Peace Plantation Animal Sanctuary in Walton, NY, both no-kill refuges for animals in need.
Born in 1909, Mrs. Briggs spent the majority of her childhood in St. Vincent's, an orphanage in Washington, DC. These early years imbued in her a sensitivity to the suffering of others that would stay with her throughout her life. As a young woman, she eagerly helped animals in any way possible.
This led her to the Be Kind To Animals Rest Home (the Rest Home) outside of the U. S. Capitol.There she learned to rehabilitate mistreated animals, a skill that would soon be tested. At 15, Mrs. Briggs met Cy, a gentle German Shepherd who had been badly abused by his previous owner. With love and patience, she healed Cy physically and emotionally. Cy became the first of thousands of animals to be touched by Mrs. Briggs' kindness and gentle nature.
Also at the Rest Home, Mrs. Briggs met the love of her life, James P. Briggs. Mr. Briggs was running the sanctuary and taught Mrs. Briggs much about animal welfare. Mrs. Briggs called her husband "the kindest man I had ever met." Sadly, Mr. Briggs died in 1945. No to be deterred from her life-saving mission, Mrs. Briggs founded The National Humane Education Society (NHES) in 1948. Over the next 63 years, Mrs. Briggs oversaw the expansion of NHES as it became one of the country's foremost advocates for humane education with a premier animal sanctuary and a state-of-the-art adoption center. Along the road, she has been a recipient of numerous awards for her selfless work and lifelong trailblazing in the animal rescue field including Animal Humanitarian of the Year in 1983 from the Animal Protection Institute of America and the Give Life Award in 1994 from Living Free Animal Sanctuary.Mrs. Briggs is survived by her daughter, Virginia, seven grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren, four great-great grandchildren, and the thousands of dear friends and animal lovers who have been inspired by her selfless giving and tireless work. We at NHES will keep Mrs. Briggs in our hearts as we continue her powerful and necessary work to better the treatment of animals across the country and around the world. We hope that you, too, will remember her accomplishments in the humane field and support NHES as we strive to advance her mission into the future.
"The final lesson of mankind's evolution may well be that animals are sacred and deserving of our protection."
-Anna Catherine Briggs