Experts

Tammy Hann-Harlan, Region Coordinator, Noah’s Wish, Athens, OH 45701, (740)-753-1529

Tammy Hann-Harlan has been working with animals in times of disaster since 2000, and has worked with Noah’s Wish (an animal disaster-rescue group) since 2004. She has experience with saving animals from situations such as fires, tornados, floods, and hurricanes, as well as rescuing animals from local puppy mills. She is a good person to talk to regarding the rescue of animals during disasters and for straight-forward opinions on animals coming from a person with a lot of one on one companion animal experience.


Stephanie Shain, Outreach Director, The Humane Society of the United States, 2100 L St. NW, Washington D.C. 20037, (202)-452-1100

Stephanie Shain has been with the Humane Society of the United States starting in 2000, and before that she has worked with groups that fight animal testing and cruelty. She works with the HSUS to promote responsible pet ownership and to end puppy mills and greyhound racing. She is also the director of the program called Pets for Life, the goal of which is to nurture animal-human relationships and to end euthanasia of pets.

Dawn Lauer, Outreach Assistant, The Humane Society of the United States, 2100 L St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20037, (301)-258-3075

Dawn Lauer is the Humane Society of the United States’ spokesperson and outreach assistant for Companion Animals. She writes articles for HSUS and is one of their main public relations contacts, and is eager to talk to people on subjects within the Companion Animals area.

Wayne Pacelle, CEO and President, The Humane Society of the United States, 2100 L Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20037

Wayne Pacelle has been the HSUS CEO since 2004. Since he’s been the CEO, he’s implemented a number of changes to get companies, universities, our government, and American citizens to support/promote cage-free eggs, end horse and seal slaughter, and many other animal rights issues throughout the U.S. He graduated from Yale in 1987 and has been active in supporting animal rights through legislation and a number of organizations since 1990. This man is exceedingly difficult to get ahold of because of his near-celebrity status, but if you do manage to get him on the phone he would make an excellent source not only because of his credentials but because of his education.

Elaine Ostrander, Chief & Senior Investigator, Cancer Genetics Branch of the National Human Genome Research Institute, Building 50, Room 5351, 50 South Dr, MSC 8000, Bethesda, MD 20892-8000

Elaine Ostrander has a Ph.D. from Oregon Health Sciences University, and is an expert on dog genetics. Her work at the NHGRI focuses on mapping the genes that cause cancer in both humans and dogs. You'd definitely want to put some research into your questions before you attempt an interview with her; she is well educated and focuses on research: she's not someone who commonly deals with the public and interviews. I think Elaine would be a very good resource for specific information on the genes that cause diseases in dogs, and any correlations that may exist between those genes and either pedigree dogs or mutts.