While Americans are celebrating their freedom there are tens of thousands of dogs in every state who are still not free according to Dogs Deserve Better. They are the dogs that spend their whole lives tied out away from human companionship often on very short chains and sometimes without shelter, water or shade.

A national event called “Chain Off” calls attention to the plight of these dogs and wherever possible members try to rescue them. Chain Off started in 2003 with one woman chaining herself to a doghouse for 33 hours and has evolved this year into more than 108 people chaining themselves to raise awareness to the lives of chained and penned dogs. The event is also a fundraiser for the organization, www.dogsdeservebetter.org.

The organization reminds us that dogs are pack animals, and if they are kept away from their human pack, they suffer loneliness, depression and in some cases bark and cry for hours on end or just give up. But the one thing they don't do, contrary to the opinion of most owners, is guard the house. All they really guard is the tiny space where they have been tied and where they live.

In other news:

€ According to the New York State Humane Association's spring/summer newsletter the NYS Animal Population Control Program is being raided. More than $1 million was taken by the NYS Legislature from the fund designed to prevent births of unwanted pets, a program which prevents unnecessary suffering of animals. Taking away funds also adds to the burden for animal care and control organizations. You can make your feelings about this known; visit www.ny.gov.

€ The Farm Animals Anti-cruelty Act was introduced in Congress in June. H.R. 6202 seeks to make a federal offense the killing, mutilation, disfigurement, torture or intentional infliction of pain or suffering on an animal held for commercial use. Also prohibited would be failure to provide food, water or shelter to farmed animals. Penalties range from $500 to $100,000 and imprisonment of not more than a year.

€ On each episode of the reality TV show, “30 Days,” a person or group of people must live for one month with someone who has drastically different beliefs and a different lifestyle. One of PETA's campaign coordinators and her family, all who are animal activists and vegans, took a hunter into their home. For 30 days the hunter, George, took part in PETA protests including one against KFC for cruelty to chickens and another against Burberry for its use of animal fur. He also took part in gathering signatures for a California bill that would eliminate the worst abuses in factory farming. The show aired June 17 on FX, but find updates at www.PETA.org.

€ New York recently became the first state in the nation to ban one of the cruelest methods used to kill animals for fur - anal and genital electrocution. Along with gassing and neck-breaking, electrocution is one of the killing methods favored by the fur industry because it limits damage to the pelt while removing the fur from the body that produced it. The bi-partisan bill provides for misdemeanor penalties of up to one year in jail for violations.

€ Here are seven ways to be kind to animals:

1. Report animal abuse - Violence against animals is terrible enough, but it could also be a sign that other violent behavior, like domestic abuse, is happening.

2. Speak out for animals - Get active in local animal welfare policies and legislation. Sign up with the American Humane Association, ASPCA, PETA or HSUS, etc. to receive timely action alerts about issues affecting animals. You'll be able to make a difference for animals with just the click of your mouse.

3. Kindness starts at home - Teach the people in your life, especially children, about the importance of treating animals humanely.

4. Adopt a pet from a shelter or breed-specific rescue - About 8 to 12 million animals enter shelters every year and more than half of these pets will have to be euthanized because of a lack of homes. Want a purebred dog? Check with your local shelter first - they take in mutts and purebreds.

5. Be preventative - Help solve the tragedy of euthanasia of adoptable animals by not contributing to the problem. If you have pets, make sure they are spayed or neutered.

6. Donate - Make a donation to your local animal shelter. A donation can be your time, money or needed items like pet food or laundry detergent. Call them first and see what they need.

7. Be a responsible pet guardian - Pets should be microchipped and should always wear a collar with an ID tag, so they can be reunited with you quickly if they are ever lost. And take your pet to the veterinarian every year for vaccinations and a health check.

Judy Vorreuter is the founder and director of Animal Advocates of the Finger Lakes. Contact her at judy@cayugaanimaladvocates.org