Before long, Eleanor realizes that her boss, Honor Vine, the president of People Against Animal Cruelty, is a burned out, aging tyrant stuck in a bygone era of the movement. Even worse, the movement Eleanor so admires is near death and is fractured with inner turmoil. A unifying issue is required and that issue, Eleanor believes, is the yearly slaughter of ten billion farm animals for human consumption. Convincing Americans to change their meateating ways borders on impossible, but it seems less difficult than working for her manipulative boss. An animal rights organization, however, is the perfect war room to wage such a battle, so Eleanor begins her crusade in the dysfunctional office. With the help of her brow beaten colleagues, Eleanor attempts to endure the daily batterings in order to gain some kindness for the animals. As a movement foot soldier, Eleanor campaigns against traps and wearing fur, she attempts to rescue a circus elephant, and also meets her other true love.
But on the day that Honor is forced to pay for her abuse, both Honor and Eleanor are threatened by an unexpected outcome.
The Wilton Bulletin, by Lois H. Alcosser, Feb. 9, 2006:"Ms. Hayes did a tremendous amount of research for the book, and is candid about the surprising intrigues, jealousies, territorial conflict and politics of groups that are dedicated to animal rights and protecting them,... The novel tells the story of a crusader's true calling to protect animals and reflects some of the author's own life experiences."
The Advocate and Greenwich Time, Dust Jacket Required by David Podgurski, March 12, 2006, and excerpt:
"The book is technically a thriller, though it's also a message book about the plight of animals, a cause at the forefront of its protagonist and author's interest...She (Dorothy H. Hayes) is a former reporter for The Wilton Bulletin, a background that served her well in crafting the story, and worked for a prominent national animal rights protection organization, the spur for the novel's theme."
Following her 'Animal Instincts': New novel recalls first Bluff Point deer hunt, from activist's point of view
By Danielle Sherry
Published on 3/30/2006
Groton - Activist Dorothy H. Hayes hopes that someday people will consider having a chicken leg in the freezer or a flank steak in the fridge as repulsive as an act of cannibalism.
“My mission in life has become all about raising animal cruelty awareness,” the Stamford resident said. “I'm hoping my new book will help open people's eyes.”
Book Review from Animal People by publisher and editor Merritt Clifton, May 6, 2006:
"Animal Instinct by Dorothy H. Hayes: Readers who are not familiar with the internal politics of national advocacy groups may be surprised at some of the goings-on, as Green is."
"Animal Instinct almost certainly will not amuse everyone who helped to inspire it, but is an entertaining tribute to the people behind the stars of the animal cause."
