Show II ES HOME & FAMILY Friday July The Salt Lake Tribune 29 1994 — If only Nicole Simpson Al Gore 1had bothered 4 9 111 Continued from When Phyllis Witcher's husband of 25 years filed for a divorce six years ago she felt like an ostrich caught with her head in the sand For legally challenging Pennlaw — taking sylvania's one part of it all the way to the US Supreme Court — Witcher is being called a Giraffe Because she stuck her neck out "to champion fair divorce laws" the Chadds Ford Pa woman was honored this year by the national Giraffe Project Giraffe Project president Ann Med lock and her husband John Graham started the nonprofit endeavor in 1982 in Langley Wash Every three months since then the project has recognized people who "stand tall and take responsibility for making their world a no-fau- MillilMil einuomon Tag cats Cat owners especially should attach ID tags Only 2 to 4 of all cats that end up in animal shelters are returned to their owners because so few cats are tagged Lamb says Many don't want their "wild animals" restrained believing in a special feline right to privacy Or tbey believe the myth that cats strangle on their collars in trees Breakaway collars prevent that Lamb says "Our files are full of cats euthanized but no cat skeletons have ever been reported in trees" no-fau- cat-owne- rs collar-wearin- g Hello Mr Chips "Microchip-pin- g sounds better than it is" says the Humane Society's Nicholas P Gilman "It could be a good back- lt tation" lt And more than a few friendships too "This is very isolating work When you are tampering with the foundations of a social structure people are fearful" Witcher who holds a bachelor's degree in textiles from the University of Delaware and a master's in education from West Chester (Pa) University e people Their activities vary considerably Among the earliest ac- 50-5- 0 cording to a 1988 Time magazine article: A New York man who collects and repairs old gloves then gives them away each winter to the homeless A Washington state worker who didn't like shooting black bears that ate trees he was supposed to protect To divert the bears from the trees he set out feed troughs filled with an appetizing concoction of sugar-bee- t pulp M A New Jersey who encourages unmarried pregnant women to have their babies by opening her home to them for emotional support and physi- p n forest-protectio- o DOD Tail end Traveling with Charley? If you're bringing your pet along on vacation make sure his vaccinations are up to date pack his rabies certificates make sure his collar includes name address etc For car trips blast Rover with the AC make frequent stops for water stop feeding three hours before leaving and give snacks no-fau- cal nurturing "I had read that Time article and I thought it was the most creative idea I had ever heard and I put it aside" Witcher said Last year having read another article about Giraffes Witcher sent the organization a few stories that had been written about her work Medlock responded by sending Witcher a "Giraffe Sight ! - n now-grow- Since 1982 the Giraffe Project has recognized more than 700 and five different scanners to read the chip" The cost of implanting the chips and follow-uveterinary care also can be prohibitive Tattoos can help Many people tattoo their Social Security number on their dog's flank — unfortunately even if someone finds your pooch the Social Security Administration won't reveal your identity If you find a lost pet with a tattoo the Humane Society of the United States has compiled a list of 70 known registries (Request a free copy from HSUS 2100 L St NW Washington DC 20037) ''' ' ' V 'F i 0 i ' 1 - ' 16 1 1 ''t 't i il t ' - I s l r i" f ' 4 0 r ' ''t ' 1 vo 'Ark - ' t: - t '44 'b111 t :' 1'4” ' i ' b-- - f sP " pii et - t II' t '''' - ''1 'K ' 141 'a - ti I 2mibminr ' 14 11 a v I - lk It lt :1414"'' ) A - ' high-cou- rt 221-798- " 4 1 ' - p 4t i 1 ek 1 ri- I 't :A ' 4 7 i' 1 0A - lt no-fau- 7 1 - til : outright any evidence of fault when a husband or wife files for a divorce (Pennsylvania's legislature enacted a new law iin 1988 that now includes this point) Even though such evidence may be given in court it's not formally pleaded and filed Witcher said "Litigants are unaware it will have no impact on the outcome of their divorce" Because Witcher is challenging Permsylvania's 1987 law — one of the last that supposedly allowed the consideration of "fault" evidence — her case is considered important It might prove once and for all that any person — man or woman — has the constitutional right to due process to have specific evidence of fault in a divorce petition presented and taken into consideration Witcher said if she wins her court cases "it'll put pressure on other legislatures to change their laws to rescind the bad laws and enact decent ones in conforrulmance" with the ing Although those with similar experiences are sympathetic to her cause some critics suggest she's just a bitter woman who simply can't get on with her life "Getting on with my life is something that I'm doing It's just that this is the work that I do now" she said "When I realized I had the last case in the nation I didn't see where I had any choice I could not have lived with myself if I had turned away from this" For information about the Giraffe Project write PO Box 759 Langley WA 98260 Or call (206) no-fau- - iv ko : 'S- - - ''''''''':4'' Vc - — ' 117'' '' - tt1 'we ''''N 0 Gannett News Service Giraffe Project honored Phyllis Witcher for sticking out neck to challenge Pennsylvania divorce laws all the way to Supreme Court 9 lt - - for years was content to be a good wife and mother raising her two children She says she periodically worked as a teacher and secretary to supplement her husband's military (and later corporate management) income attributes surHer Giraffe-likfaced after her divorce decree was handed down leaving her with less than the expected division of property She thought that particularly unfair since she believed the fault for the whole divorce was her husband's But when she told the court this she experienced a rude awakening The law allowed the court to listen and apply Witcher's 'fault" evidence to matters related to alimony Witcher said But in her case it was never disclosed whether that was done "We don't know if they did or didn't The judge left it absolutely blank as to whether he considered it" she said According to Witcher now considered an expert on the subject divorce laws are on the books in all 50 states in various forms They were passed to reduce the time cost and red tape involved in a divorce that's mutually desired They were supposed to level the playing field making property settlements more equitable That's fine when it's done fairly Witcher said She said the problem in most states is that the laws are unfair Most prohibit better place" up method but it should never take the place of the collar and tag The problem is there are five different microchip companies pet-tatto- ing" nomination form asking that she fill it out Witcher did "I certainly risked my livelihood and financial security" said Witcher a Wilmington Del native saying the cost of her legal fight has nearly bankrupted her "And I certainly risked my repu- NEWS SERVICE GANNETT E-- 1 r Giraffes' honor woman who stuck out neck By Stephanie Whyche to get tags for their pets - 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