Welcome to SWIVL

SWIVL 2015 GOALS

1. Rescue and rehabilitate dogs abandoned in the desert.
2. Expand land and build facilities for abused goats, hogs, and other farmed animals.
3. Increase cat and dog spade and neuter work and education programs.
4. Work with animal rescue organizations on the Arizona – Mexican border.
5. Organize school – community educational programs to reduce animal cruelty.
6. Advocate for an animal abuse registry to inform and educate the public about animal abuse.
7. Promote legislation with severe penalties for animal abusers.
8. Educate youth and community groups and organizations about the cycle of violence.
9. Register as a safe haven shelter for animals that come from abused homes.
10. Work with community and elected officials to protect animal victims of family violence.

Please click here if you would like to make a tax-deductible contribution to help SWIVL achieve its 2011 Goals.

SWIVL in the Community

SWIVL has been actively out in the community describing the relationships among animal cruelty, child abuse, and domestic violence.  While there are hundreds, perhaps thousands, of organizations that inform and educate the public regarding violence, SWIVL promotes the view that violence is indivisible; violence towards any feeling, being should be not be tolerated under any circumstance.  According to Dr. Kathleen Wishnick, Co-Founder of SWIVL, we must stop violence at all levels: animal cruelty, child abuse, and domestic violence.  Child abuse and domestic violence is on the increase because we have ignored the powerful relationship between animal cruelty and all other forms of violence.  When it comes to violence, it doesn’t matter if nonhuman animals speak or walk on two legs, all that matters is that they feel pain.  Your tax-deductible support will help SWIVL end violence through community action and legislative support.

SWIVL to be at Animal Rights Conference

Dr. Kathleen Wishnick will represent SWIVL at the Animal Rights (AR) Conference 2010, the world's largest and oldest animal rights gathering.  The Conference will take place in Washington D.C., July 15-19^th.  AR 2010 is the animal rights movement's annual national conference.  No external contributions to SWIVL were used to support Dr Wishnick’s attendance at the AR Conference.

Animal Rights 2010 is a forum for sharing experience, giving information, reporting on progress, discussing what works, networking, learning new strategies, training, and education.  The Conference brings together a diverse set of individuals and organizations concerned about ending the oppression of animals.  Wishnick is specifically interested in finding out about volunteer recruitment and intern programs, fundraising strategies, and the latest in farmed and companion animal facilities and equipment.

Your Contributions Provide Shelter from the Arizona Sun

Lila and Katie have a new shelter thanks to the generous contributions of SWIVL supporters.   Constructed by local builders, SWIVL works with teachers, parents, and community members to develop strong relationships driven by a mutual respect for all sentient beings.  All tax deductible contributions go directly to SWIVL services and programs.  According to SWIVL Co- Founder, Dr. Kathleen Wishnick, It did not take long for these two sisters to find their new shelter – free from the Arizona desert sun.  Wishnick, who rescued Lila and Katie in California and drove them back to Arizona, is grateful to the people that made this shelter possible.  

Lila and Katie are two of the lucky ones.  They are loved and most of all respected.  It is estimated that 90% of all pigs, like Lila and Katie, spend their lives in factory farms. Lila and Katie, like their brothers and sisters everywhere, are highly social, affectionate and intelligent creatures, and suffer both physically and emotionally when they are confined in narrow cages where they cannot even turn around.

Many pigs become crazy with boredom and develop vices like mouthing, and nervous ticks; others are driven to fighting and cannibalism because of their frustration.   Factory farm pigs never see daylight until they are shipped for slaughter. Dust, dirt and toxic gases from the pigs' waste create an unsanitary environment that encourages the onset of a number of diseases and illnesses, including pneumonia, cholera, dysentery and trichinosis. 

Please make a tax deductible contribution to help us save and protect more companion and farmed animals.  SWIVL desperately needs to build shelters, including water and sanitary facilities, in order to rescue and protect other animals from the harsh Arizona summer.

Volunteer with SWIVL

Become a Southwest Institute for ViolenceFree Learning (SWIVL) Volunteer. Become part of a growing movement for ending the cycle of violence.  Unlike other programs and strategies that focus only on animal abuse, child abuse, or domestic violence, SWIVL takes the approach that violence is indivisible and that animal, child, and domestic violence are cut from the same cloth.   Formed in 2003 as a 501(c)3, SWIVL is a nonprofit organization established to respond to the growing state of violence and discord in our families, communities, nation, and world.  SWIVL believes the first place to start is with the torture, abuse, and animal abandonment. 

SWIVL has no paid staff.  All contributions go directly to SWIVL programs and services.  Please contact SWIVL if you are interested in volunteering for any of the activities below:

• Volunteer and learn how to be a humane educator in the classroom.
• Volunteer to develop and maintain farmed animal habitats.
• Volunteer as a community organizer to help build a sanctuary for dogs that are abandoned in the desert.
• Volunteer as a veterinarian to provide free spade and neutering clinics in the Arivaca, AZ community.
• Volunteer as an intern to assist in the general health and welfare of farmed and companion animals.
• Volunteer as part of the SWIVL speaker’s bureau for community events and meetings.
• Volunteer as a guide for individuals and groups that visit SWIVL.

Please contact SWIVL if you are interested in volunteering for any of the above activities.

THE WITNESS – One Person’s Journey to Say No to Violence, Cruelty, and Fur

For the month of May, SWIVL is proud to recommend a film that portrays both the best and worst of the human spirit while offering hope, renewal and the miracle of transformation.  THE WITNESS, one person’s journey that can change the world, shows how each person has the power to do good things and change the living conditions for those among us that are abused, tortured and left to die alone and afraid.

In the award-winning documentary, THE WITNESS, Eddie Lama explains how he feared and avoided animals for most of his life, until the love of a kitten opened his heart, inspiring him to rescue abandoned animals and bring his message of compassion to the streets of New York. With humor and sincerity, Eddie tells the story of his remarkable change in consciousness.

THE WITNESS has been an official selection in 32 film festivals where it has received eight awards for Best Documentary and two for Best of Festival.  The film has been translated into 11 languages, including Russian and Chinese. 

Best of all, you do not need to go to your local video store to view THE WITNESS.  Click here to begin viewing.

Goats are Family

Goats are family.  Like humans, goats have an emotional attachment for their natural relatives.  SWIVL has seventeen goats:  three goat families. Each family lives and plays together.  Goats are extremely intelligent and deserve the respect and protection of their human companions.  Help SWIVL continue to rescue and provide a safe sanctuary for these wonderful animals.

The Worst Winter Storm to Hit Arizona in 17 years: Please Don’t Forget the Animals

The huge winter storm slamming Arizona, causing flooding, property loss, and evacuations, prompted Governor Jan Brewer to declare a state of emergency for the entire state. Damage can be seen everywhere – roads, homes, fences, rising water. 
While public safety is always a priority, just under the radar are hundreds of animals that are lost and confused.  Please help us care for these companion and farmed animals.  SWIVL will make every effort to reunite each animal with their family or provide sanctuary.  No animal will be turned away.  Click here to make a tax deductible donation.  All contributions go directly to the animals.

Keeping Up with Lila and Katie

Lila and Katie are now 8 months old and have become at home with SWIVL. Close to 250 pounds each, Lila and Katie may not be dainty but they certainly are loveable.  Click here to see Lila and Katie at three months old.

Sus domesticus - fancy name for pigs - are loving their healthy diet of apples, bananas, lettuce, mellon, zucchini, diluted apple juice, protein pellet feed, and bermuda grass;  biscuits, rice, and pasta are tossed in for dessert.

The daily routine and care for Lila and Katie begins at 7:00 am every morning with the cleaning of their general area, pouring of fresh water, and setting their food plates out.  While Lila and Katie play, run, jump, it’s all business during feeding time.  Lila tends to dominate Katie for a few minutes, pushing her out of the way. Then, without any warning, Katie grunts and says that’s enough and stands her ground.  Lila seems to know that her sister means business and a deal is struck between these two strong headed females.   

SWIVL has built a barn/shed for Lila and Katie so they are safe and away from the elements.  Both reside in a 1600 square foot area with lots of trees.  They are also free to run and play for about an hour each day on the SWIVL grounds – just as long as the dogs are not out.  More to come.

NFL Power Brokers Say No to Rush Limbaugh

Rush Limbaugh wants to purchase the St. Louis Rams Football team and the National Football League Players Union, the NFL Commissioner, and several NFL power brokers have turned thumbs down.   This is the same NFL Commissioner, NFL owners, and powerbrokers who had no problem with Michael Vick, a convicted dog killer and torturer, playing for the Philadelphia Eagles.   

So let’s get this straight:  A conservative talk show host can’t buy a football team but a dog killer and torture can play football and be welcomed with open arms.  Great message for kids.