Animals are good for the economy, especially the humane economy. There is a shift happening now toward an economy that is consciously based on doing good for us, the animals, the earth and making a profit. Never have animals’ well-being had center stage like it does right now.

“Today there’s a fast growing, often surprising, hugely promising and largely unstoppable force for animal welfare; it’s revealing itself in a thousand varying forms. Welcome to the humane economy,” states the introduction of Wayne Pacelle’s The Humane Economy. Pacelle is the president and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States. For animal lovers, these are exciting times as the decisions we make affect changes in the marketplace.

“So many of the changes afoot will touch your life and that of the people you know. Indeed, you are—or will be—driving many of these changes, whether it involves the food you eat, the pets you keep, the household products you buy, or the films or the wildlife you watch...We can help shape the market and accelerate transformational changes for animals throughout the global economy,” explains Paecelle.

In response to ethically conscious consumerism, leading companies are changing their practices surrounding animal welfare. Petsmart, Petco and other large pet supply chains have gone from selling puppy mill puppies to supporting local rescue groups. McDonald’s has declared that they want to see the end of sow confinement in their supply chain. Smithfield is implementing changes to how their sows are kept. After much diligence, persistence and hard work on the part of the Humane Society, Walmart—which accounts for 25 percent of all grocery sales in the United States—committed to improving the welfare of the farm animals in their supply chain. They even pledged to offer animals freedom from hunger, thirst, discomfort, pain, injury, disease, distress and fear, and the freedom to express their natural behavior. The global market is changing fundamentally for the better; this is being driven in large part by our profound love for animals. The more we experience all animals as sentient, intelligent, responsive and loving, the more dramatic the changes in our economy will become. We are collectively creating an economy where everyone profits from doing the right thing. It’s a win-win-win for the companies, the consumers and the animals. It is a matter of making money by doing good so we can do more good. One by one, companies with cruel practices that harm animals and/or the earth will either have to change their ways or be pushed out of the marketplace.

The Role of Animal Communication in the Changing World

It is vitally important that we communicate with our animals now more than ever. The fastest way to truly appreciate all that our animals are—and all they have to give and teach us—is to communicate with them. As we reclaim our natural gift of animal communication, our perceptions change. How we see the world around us changes. As we see things differently, we create more of what we see. The more of us that are consciously creating a world where the well-being of all life matters, the faster the changes to the global marketplace will come. Animal communication is a stepping stone on the way to a humane economy. It is a concrete action that can be taken which will enrich our personal lives, our animals’ lives, our communities and our economy. The ability to talk to and listen to our animals sleeps safely within each one of us. It is simply a matter of reawakening it. It’s enjoyable and not difficult. Through visualizations and trusting our imaginations, we remember how to create an energy bridge between us and an animal; then communication happens naturally. And, just as naturally, we will each make thousands of decisions every day that contribute to the well-being of animals close to us and halfway around the globe. The time has come to embrace a humane economy; one way to get on the fast track is to take steps to communicate with animals.

Penelope Smith is a pioneer in the field of animal communication. She began teaching animal communication in the 1970s. “We are living in an era of unprecedented destruction of our environment and other species by the human race. At the same time, growing numbers of people are re-experiencing the spiritual awareness of our innate unity with the rest of creation...Whether we will create a new age, with expanded dimensions of awareness, or planetary chaos where most life forms become extinct, remains to be seen,” states Smith in her 1993 book, Animals: Our Return to Wholeness (titled When Animals Speak in follow-up editions). Here we are 23 years later with a humane economy that is a developing force to be reckoned with. In her 1982 book, Animal Talk, Smith provided step- by-step instructions on how to communicate with animals and know when they are showing they understand us. Here is her summary of steps to communicate with animals.

• Quietly observe your animal friend while letting your own mind grow calm, and become open to perceive and receive clearly.

• Visualize something and practice sending the image to specific places, including your animal friend’s body.

• Get your animal friend’s attention; send a “hello” or other message or image. Imagine your animal friend replying back.

• Ask your animal friend a question and accept whatever communication you receive from your animal companion as an answer.

• Acknowledge the answer.

• Practice with other animals and other questions.

“Opening up to telepathic communication with other species is a path of opening up to who you are as a being; it is a path of self discovery as well as universal connection. Enjoy the journey,” says Smith.

Gwen Gangi, the owner of Monroe-based Fur to Feathers Pet Services, has been an animal communicator all of her life. Connect with her at FurtoFeathers.com. See ad, page 53.