MORE Animal Updates

In this issue, we include MANY interesting articles, successes, PETA activism, sick sea lions, IFAW updates, tips for dog owners. :)



DOGS FEAR FIREWORKS!
It's a well known fact that dogs (and most other animals) are afraid of loud songs, including fireworks. I know on Canada Day, I need to give special attention to my dog to make sure that he doesn't get too scared. Now, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) has a new CD that helps your dog/animal to adjust to loud sounds. They also have leaflets and posters that you can download for free. Here are some of their tips:
-Close all windows and curtains and put on some music to muffle the firework sounds.
-If there are signs of fear, try to ignore the behaviour. This means no fussing, no comforting, and most definately NO GETTING ANGRY!
-Try to keep your pets indoors so if they see/hear the fireworks, they won't run away or bolt.
-Do not exercise your pets during the night when fireworks are going on!
-Give animals a place to hide if they want it, ie: beds, showers, etc.
-Make sure to give your pets lots of toys so they'll be entertained
-Instead of fussing over your pet, try playing with them instead but do not force it.



Not only will humans be voting this year, but also Goldfish.
In a mistake, a goldfish received a voter's card. It's a pretty short article but it's humurous. As cool as it is that animals are getting their own voices, it's pretty stupid. They shouldn't be allowed to vote. I read somewhere that dolphins can vote in Miami or something? They may be smart (and have sex for pleasure like homosapians) but they do not understand politics. Most humans barely understand politics!


Dog Hero Saves Cats
This adorable little dog saved four kittens from a house fire in Melborne, Australia! This cute little Jack Russel named Leo risked his life to save these four kittens. The rescue endeavor almost cost him his life but he'll be fine. The video shows him licking the kittens and guarding the remains of the house next Sunday.



PETA Investigations/ Successes/ Activism:
Agriprocessors fined $10 Million!
In Postville, Iowa this slaughter house is severly lacking in humane treatment of not only animals, but also people. Earlier in the year, 76% of 968 employees (735 people!) were using false Social Security Numbers. Now, the slaughterhouse "faces nearly $10 million in civil penalties for repeated violations of Iowa's wage laws between Jan. 1, 2006 and June 30." (Des Moines Register) More good news is that the cattle slaughter has been stalled. :) Sholom Rubashkin, former CEO, was arrested with charges similar to conspiracy and identity theft. There's still suffering, but at least it's not cow's.

22 Charges Filed Based on PETA Investigation at Hormel Supplier
After PETA'S investigation into an Iowa pig farm, six employees of the farm at the time of PETA's investigation are being charged with 22 criminal charges of livestock neglect and abuse. Of these six, the former farm manager works at another pig factory farm, there was a supervisor, and two workers who work at the Ioawa farm also. 14/22 of the charges (about 64%) are aggravated misdemeanors, carrying up to 2 years in jail. This pig farm breeds piglets destined for Hormel, who hasn't made any changes to his farms as a result of the investigation. Apparently, they refuse to watch the footage or meet with PETA. Maybe now that the law has spoken up, Hormel will finally listen. Please, urge Hormel to take action now.




Mia Kirshner in something that looks suspiciously furry!
Mia Kirshner, star of 'The L Word', was seen in Curve Magazine wearing something that looked like fur. But, it was fake. Both Mia & the editors of the magazine are entirely anti-fur and took the opportunity to inform readers about the cruelties of the fur industry. On the cover, there was a large bold print saying "This is Definitely FAKE Fur" and inside a letter from the editor. To quote the letter, "Why should you care? Even if you're a carnivore, you probably would be shocked at the torture and cruelty that goes into creating real fur, from the tiny cages to the horrid electrocutions. Don't believe me? Check out furisdead.com. You only had to look at last summer's headlines—in which it was revealed some manufacturers had actually used dog and cat hair as fur—to see how dead it is."



PETA gets a good editorial?
In the Post-Bulletin there's an editorial that says that PETA agents deserve a pat on the back. It applauds PETA'S effort in the investigation mentioned above (the pig farm) and is just a really great editorial. Check it!



Retailers Band Together to Help Sheep
On October 21st, 2008 PETA sent a letter to the Australian wool industry on behalf of a number of different retailers, such as Gap, Liz Claiborne, Nordstrom, Haggar Clothing, Coppley Apparel, Austin Reed, Carter's, C&A Europe, etc. The letter encouraging the addition of a "clip mulesing" tick box to the industry's new nonmulesed-certification form. Although the wool industry allows retailers to purchase wool from lambs who haven't undergone the mulesing mutilation, it doesn't allow retailers to get wool from lambs who haven't undergone clip mulesing. What is clip mulesing or mulesing mutilation? Clip mulesing is where a sheep's skin is painfully killed under tight clamps, and mulesing mutilation is the stripping away of large areas of skin and flesh from sheep’s hindquarters so as to prevent the growth of wool. To change this policy, PETA got 15 major clothing retailers to send a message to the wool industry saying that they oppose clip mulesing and will avoid mulesing of any kind in their stores. Good job!



Raccoon Dogs
Over the summer, many of us heard about the melamine that was put in foods in China to make them appear to have higher protein. The consequence was the illness and deaths of dogs, cats and humans in the US, Europe and in China. Now, reports show that melamine contamination killed 1500 Chinese raccoon dogs, usually raised and skinned alive for their fur. These are adorable creatures, and if they would've been left alone then none of them would've been eating an artificial diet that ultimately killed them. So, don't buy fur. Animals go through so much sufferning everyday for fur-wearers. Speak up for those who can't, speak up for the animals. Either way, the raccoon dogs die in agony, either from toxic kidney failure, or like this. (Warning: graphic video.)



Desert Tortoise Relocation Plans Halted
Army officials began airlifting/ relocating endangered desert tortoises earlier this year so they can expand Fort Irwin in California. These endangered species were living in a criticial habitat living near/ on Fort Irwin land. These protected land areas were created in order to provide protection for these reptiles and boost their dwindling population. Unfortunately, phase one of the project had resulted in 90 deaths and expect that there will be some loss of life because of the relocation. However, plans are still being continued. Clearly, officials underestimated the fragility of these animals, the harm the relocation could cause and the potential threats to these tortoises. Reports indicate that many of the relocated tortoises are moving in a homewards direction. Unfamiliar surroundings, lack of shelter, and larger animals such as coyotes put these tortoises in great danger right from the beginning. Fortunately, the plans have been momentarily halted.



Pink wants a Royal Flush of Animal Cruelty
Pink, the famous singer, refused to sing at Prince William's 21st birthday party because of his hunting habits. She then asked him why he hunted and he never responded. That was 5 years ago, now she has challenged the Queen, asking why the bear fur on the Queen's Guards' caps haven't been replaced with fake, cruelty-free material? Nobody in the Royal Family has responded. Pink, PETA and their fans are waiting patiently.



PETA pays Hairy Kate & Trashley a visit:
I don't know about you, but I know that everybody at my school had heard about the PETA activists dressed up as the Trollsen Twins who showed up at Mary Kate & Ashley's book signing. In that moment, when people came up to me and said, "OMG, DID YOU HEAR?!" I was very proud to be a PETA supporter. The activists talked to a lot of their fans about the cruelty of fur and really got the message across. Read the signs. The Olsen twins continuously support fur lifestyles, even after PETA gave them facts about the cruelty that goes into fur coats! SHAME!





Friends of Animal/ MAR rescues a sick sea lion:
MAR (Marine Animal Rescue) with the help of the LA County Lifeguards rescued a sick sea lion and transported her to a care center for medical attention. The 120 pound sea lion was stranded on Dockweiler Beach, but appeared to be fine. They searched her for signs of distress and she soon went into a 2 minute seizure.



IFAW Updates:

IFAW and NOVICA have partnered to launch the IFAW Gift Collection, where fifty percent (50%) of the purchase of each gift is donated directly to IFAW!

IFAW is partnering with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries Service to research new technologies that could help protect New England’s whales from entanglement in fishing gear. IFAW and NOAA are working with the Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies on Cape Cod to develop coded wire tags for fishing lines. The tags would be embedded into fishing line commonly used in gear known to entangle whales. When the line is removed from a whale, researchers will be able to tell where the gear came from and how it was being used. This will help prevent future entanglements.

For more, click here.



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