The Humane Society of the United States has released a 30-second video public service announcement featuring Philadelphia Eagles’ quarterback Michael Vick (see below). In the video, Vick urges viewers to report animal cruelty and fighting activities in their communities via the HSUS toll-free animal fighting tip line.

Vick is also featured in a two-minute video for the HSUS Pets For Life program, which ”brings critical resources such as vaccinations, spaying and neutering, dog training, and other animal care and wellness tools to under-served areas,” and is currentlyoperating in inner-city areas of Philadelphia, Atlanta, Chicago, and Los Angeles.

In the longer video, Vick talks about being open with his past in order to move foreward, and to help more animals than he hurt, adding, “I feel like I owe that to a lot of animals.”

“Michael Vick served time for illegal dogfighting, and he’s an important ambassador for the message that dogfighting is cruel, that it’s a felony, and that we must be good to animals,” said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States, in a press release. “Mike has been making appearances for HSUS’s anti-dogfighting campaign, and these videos will broaden our audience and remind people to report animal fighting crimes and help to build humane communities.”

The videos were debuted to Simon Gratz High School students in Philadelphia on Friday.

I know there are people who cling to the “Michael Vick should never own another dog” Facebook crusade. At the same time, isn’t there a place for forgiveness in this issue? I don’t know many among us – on either side of the issue – who would want the horrible things we’ve done in our past to define our futures forever. So tell me: is this the sincere step forward animal advocates have been waiting for? I’d love to hear your thoughts.