Animal Updates

Here are all the stories that I've been behind on. Sorry guys. :)



Friends of Animal saves seal pup


This cute little fella has been orphaned. His mom died, and he hasn't quite adjusted to his new life yet. He'd already been weaned, but he's skinny and weak. Thank you Friends of Animal (MAR).


Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation Updates:

• The many baby birds and opossums that were brought to WRR in the summer are now ready to be released. They're fully healed and are fully prepared for life in the wild. Now, staff has to prepare for the winter season. "Primate heaters are being attended to by the maintenance staff to be sure their winter houses will be toasty warm, thick beds of hay are added to shelters, and we are stocking up on supplies of peanut butter, honey, beans, and other protein-rich foods to keep everyone in our sanctuary nourished." They could always use donations.
• There's a great article about butterflies and skunks, that I definately recommend. You can also read about the success of Walk on the Wild Slide fundraiser, the animals that are up for adoption, and some turkey articles. (Hint: Click turkey for the first & articles for the 2nd)
• A couple of months ago, WRR took care of a puppy named Phoenix. He had been tortured by a home intruder, and had abrasions, bruises, and breaks all over his poor small body. He's so tiny and cute. Now, his sight has returned and all the forementioned injuries have healed wonderfully.

At PAWS, many animals who were orphaned as babies in the beginning of the summer are now being released as adults. However, there's quite a few of new patients that are being welcomed into PAWS. These new patients include a Leach's Storm-Petrel, a Red-naped Sapsucker, an American Robin that was attacked by a cat, a Golden-crowned Kinglet, and a Varied Thrush.
Specifically, there was an adult coyote brought in who was hit by a car and suffers from a fractured leg and a young bobcat who was probably struck by a car and seperated from her mother. She was emaciated and wounded when she was brought in but is healing well.
For more information, go to http://www.paws.org/about/emailnetwork/archive/wildagain/2008_10.html.


More reasons why zoos are bad? At Atlanta Zoo, two elephants died: a 26-year-old African elephant and her unborn fetus. Dottie died after becoming ill and losing 800 pounds (ten percent of her body weight) in two weeks. Her death is the latest in a string of tragedies related to elephant breeding in zoos. Since 2001, at least 21 elephant pregnancies in U.S. zoos have ended in stillbirths or other complications, including death of the mother, death of calf during labor, death of mother euthanasia of premature calf and failure to thrive, resulting in 17 dead babies (in addition to Dottie’s third-trimester calf) and six dead mothers. The infant mortality rate for elephants in U.S. zoos (ages 0-1) is four times higher than that of documented free-ranging populations in Africa and Asia. "Breeding elephants under current zoo conditions seriously endangers their lives,” said IDA president Dr. Elliot M. Katz, a veterinarian. “To continue these attempts is simply reckless, irresponsible and inhumane.”
For more anti-zoo opinions (mine specifically) go a few blogs back and read about my zoo trip. Quick summary: Zoos should NOT be breeding & the animals should be in the wild! Click here for more information.


A medical article has been released that warns families against non-traditional pets because they put children at risk of serious infectious diseases. Read more here.


REMINDER: FUR FREE FRIDAY IS NOVEMBER 28TH!


For a list of cruelty-free DEODARANT, click here. (From PETA Living)


When supporting a good cause, you should feel good about yourself. But wouldn't it suck to know that by supporting breast cancer research you're also supporting animal testing? Ie: The Susan G. Komen Foundation. Send an email to this foundation to get them to stop using your generous donations towards something good for something horrible!


How to Handle an Animal Emergency:
Before I start, if you are unsure of the treatment/ what to do, call one of the three: your vet, your local humane society, PETA (757-622-7382-2). Try your best to handle the situation first (especially if its a bleed/ deadly) THEN call your vet/ humane society to ask them what to do next.
Firstly, remain calm. NEVER leave the animal unattended. If you need to go to make a phone call or get supplies, either ask somebody else to do it for you or tell somebody to keep their feet firmly planted with the animal!
The best way to help an animal is to be prepared, or to prevent it. Just for insurance, you should try to carry an animal emergency kit with you when you travel. Your kit should things like a cat/dog carrier, nylon leash, towel, gauze, etc.

When approaching the animal, you should do your best not to frighten or stress it - which will also be protecting yourself. To not frighten/ stress the injured animal - domestic or wild - follow, these 4 rules:
1. Move slowly and quietly, and stay as low to the ground as you can.
2. Avoid eye contact, which can be taken as a challenge. Keep your head down.
3. Talk very softly to dogs and cats; be quiet around wildlife.
4. Try to take with you on that first approach whatever you might need to use so that you won’t have to go back for something and approach a second time.

There's lots of different situations, so for a more detailed instruction go to the link in the title or read my follow up more detailed blog on this issue. :) For now, here's a general instruction of how to handle an emergency. STAY CALM. Stay with the animal. Approach quietly. Try to have as little contact as possible with the animal if its wild. Fix the injury and take it to the Humane Society or an organization or vet. They'll know what to do.

More From PETA:

Top 10 Things to Top Your Desk With
You know how people cry when they see stories about murders, I cry when I read articles about animal diseases. Like, this tragic story.
Help! My Dog Ate My Medication!
When Animals Need Your Help...
("Always stay with an animal in need, or plant someone else’s feet there while you go for help")
Leaving a Legacy for Animals
Letters to the Editor



Also, from Animal Writings, there's a very long & detailed blog about vivisection. It's much too long to summarize so I advise that you check it out here.

Just a reminder of some eco/ animal friendly shopping:
Yudu
Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics

The world is in danger, we need to be its superheroes.
Love,
TreeHugger