E. Irene Rood

Jenkin Lloyd Jones (a lover of birds) gave me the free use of his church in which to hold the preliminary meetings, and at my request signed the incorporation papers.

She investigated complaints of cruelty, corresponded with the legislature, wrote articles for newspapers and magazines, made addresses and formed Bands of Mercy and Audubon Societies, in many states.

Mr. Edwin K. Whitehead of Denver, Colorado, prepared a textbook for use in the schools, and this book has been used in many places, and has been very helpful to those interested in humane education.

"[3] During the time Rood was doing legislative work, she distributed humane literature and in every way possible tried to arouse public sentiment.

[3] In Texas, societies were formed in Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, Taylor and other cities.

Among other good people both Mr. and Mrs. John E. Oldright, of Austin, Texas, manifested a deep abiding interest in the cause.

This year, she also organized a Humane Society in Jackson, Michigan, arousing considerable interest and enthusiasm.

It was during this year after her return from the south that Rood learned of the purchase by John D. Rockefeller, of a farm in New Jersey upon which animals were to be raised and used for experimental purposes by vivisectors.

The consequence was that the New York Herald took this matter up, aroused great interest in the subject, and opened the eyes of many people to the cruelty and danger of vivisection.

To Rood personally he said, "You are laying the foundation on which a fair and great superstructure will some day rise," and he added that her work was the immediate cause of his preparing a textbook on the “care and treatment of animals.

At Keokuk, newspaper accounts showed a wonderful meeting where prominent theologians and speakers took the stand for prevention of cruelty and praised Rood's methods of organizing.

[3] She finally had the satisfaction of seeing it so popular that foreign countries took up the work in earnest and societies were organized in London and Paris and in many other large cities.