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IAWA

International Animal Welfare Association

Welcome to the IAWA web site. We invite all to visit our site and learn more about our views and our efforts to protect our ability to continue working with our animals and sharing them with others.

We encourage all who share our views to join our efforts by participating in one or more of our support programs.

Together, we can make a difference and secure our rights to do what we feel is best for the ones we care so much about, our animals.

Feel free to contact us at any time with any concerns you may have about our activities or those of another organization. If you are a member and you are involved in an injustice towards your animals, your facility, or your business, we want to know. Your information may help us to insure that our industry is subject to uniform, regulatory and permitting requirements and enable us to assert the necessity of applying consistent, ethical standards to our industry as a whole through our lobbying activities and legal and regulatory intervention, where appropriate. Your support is a solid investment in your future and the future of your animals.

Our hopes and prayers are with a friend in need.

Linda Roberson came to animal training late in her life, at age 40. She worked with animals in various circuses and expositions over the last 15 or so years. Linda is an animal activist of the positive kind; she believes strongly that if the United States, the richest country in the world, doesn't work hard to breed and replenish the elephant population, that our grandchildren may not ever even see a real elephant.

We feel there is value in what she says. Currently, the U.S. allows no importing of elephants for any purpose, and the gene pool of elephants being bred in the U.S. is quite limited at this point. We can continue to breed the ones we have, but that gene pool is going to become tainted at some point with so few to share around.

Linda spends time working as a paralegal when she isn't working with animals. It was her profession before she started working with elephants. She lives near Sarasota, Florida. Linda has always been extremely supportive of IAWA and its efforts. You might not know it but Linda has done allot for IAWA and its members. Currently, Linda is in the ICU at Manatee Memorial Hospital in Bradenton, FL. after suffering a stroke. We wish Linda our very best and hope to post news of her recovery soon. Talk of a financial fund to help Linda survive this illness with little negative financial impact is in the works. We’ll keep you posted as we learn more.

For those who know Linda and wish to do so, cards can be sent to her at the ICU-Manatee Memorial Hospital - 206 Second St. East Bradenton, FL 34208.

Update: 2/10/08 Today we’ve learned that Linda is awake and awaiting a bed in rehab in order to transfer out of ICU. In other words, she’s taken a tremendous turn for the better. SPECIAL THANKS to Mr. Adam Hill, yet another long time animal enthusiast and IAWA advocate who travels a great distance to visit Linda often and keeps us posted on her recovery.

Update:  2/14/08: Linda is having a happy Valentines day for Adam informs us that she was transferred to Health South Rehabilitation Center - 6400 Edge Lake Dr. Sarasota, Florida 34293 - (941) 921-8600 rm. 204. This is a very successful rehab center and the prediction is that Linda could be released from this facility in as short a time as two weeks. She’s an incredible woman and if we know Linda, she’ll even beat that prediction!

Update 3/1/08: Well allot has happened in the past couple weeks ~ Linda was moved back and forth from the hospital to the rehab center several times due to medical complications. We understand she is back at rehab currently and things are looking up. Unfortunately, this entire process has left Linda facing some very difficult times. She lost her home while in the coma. Her insurance notified her that her insurance had run out. The state has started the procedure of collecting and selling her personal belongings to pay insurance bills and medical costs. In short, Linda can use any financial help anyone can afford to lend. A trust account has been set up for Linda and donations can be made by sending checks made out to Linda Roberson C/o Ashley Butler 8374 Market St. #516 Lakewood Ranch FL 34202.

Update: 3/25/08: GREAT NEWS ~ Adam Hill visited her and called me to tell me she was awake and ready to hear from me. I spoke with Linda on the phone from her re-hab room today! She was very tired and very unaware of all that she had been through but she is on the mend. Again, PLEASE, try to imagine suffering such a fate, having no family to rely on and loosing all you’ve worked for while you were asleep. Any financial help anyone can afford would be extremely appreciated.

Update 6/08: Linda is now at a long term care facility called Casa Mora - 1902 59th St.  W. Bradenton, FL 34207, Room 281D ` (941)761-1069. Her room is surrounded by photos and stuffed elephants. Those who recently visited Linda were pleasingly surprised by the facility, the caregivers and Linda’s progress. But Linda is still very much in need of financial help to continue receiving the medical attention she needs and deserves. Donations can still be sent to her court appointed guardian ~ Ashley Butler at the address listed above. A very special thank-you to all who have stepped up to the plate to help already.

Farewell to a Special and Dear Friend to many in IAWA. Please, click here for more.

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