‘TRUE BLOOD’ STAR LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN TO PROTECT CAPTIVE CHIMPANZEES

Kristin Bauer and Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine launch campaign on Change.org asking U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to extend endangered species protections to captive chimpanzees.

WASHINGTON, DC – Actress Kristin Bauer, who plays Pam on HBO's True Blood, has launched a campaign on Change.org with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine urging the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect captive chimpanzees.
Bauer’s online campaign asks the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to extend the endangered species protections currently given to wild chimpanzees to captive chimpanzees used in experiments and the entertainment industry and kept as pets in United States.
“I’ve always been fascinated by the incredible intelligence and rich, complex social lives of chimpanzees,” said Bauer. “It would be shameful to see them go extinct in the wild as we continue to exploit them here in the U.S. in invasive experiments, entertainment and as pets.”
Bauer cites studies demonstrating that when people see chimpanzees used in commercials and interacting with humans in the media, they are more likely to believe that chimpanzees not only make good pets, but that they are not endangered in the wild.
“The Endangered Species Act should protect all chimpanzees, including those being used in laboratory experiments,” said John Pippin, M.D., F.A.C.C., of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. “No other developed countries allow invasive research on chimpanzees because of ethical and scientific problems with such experiments. The U.S. must do more to protect humankind’s closest genetic relatives.”
Bauer’s campaign is likely to draw national attention to the lack of protections for captive chimpanzees. The actress is encouraging True Blood fans to sign her online petition campaign on Change.org, the world’s fastest-growing platform for social change.
“It’s really impressive to see Kristin Bauer rally her fans around giving chimpanzees a voice,” said Change.org Director of Organizing Stephanie Feldstein. “Through her campaign on Change.org, Kristin’s fans can take action on a cause that’s important to them. Change.org empowers anyone, anywhere to start a campaign on issues that matter to them, and it’s been incredible to watch this campaign take off.”
A proposal to extend protections to captive chimpanzees is currently under consideration by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The public comment period for the proposal ends October 31.
Live signature totals from Kristin Bauer’s campaign:
http://www.change.org/petitions/us-fish-wildlife-service-protect-all-chimpanzees
Journalists interested in contacting U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service should try:

For more information on Kristin Bauer’s group, please visit:
http://www.pcrm.org/
Founded in 1985, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine is a nonprofit organization that promotes preventive medicine, conducts clinical research, and encourages higher standards for ethics and effectiveness in research.
For more information on Change.org, please visit:
http://www.change.org/about
Change.org is the world’s fastest-growing platform for social change — growing by more than 400,000 new members a month, and empowering millions of people to start, join, and win campaigns for social change in their community, city and country.

The Bag Kittens

This story is horrifying yet the outcome was amazing.  Their story needs to be told!  This is from the Raccoon Valley Animal Sanctuary and Rescue here in central Iowa.

Someone put 4 healthy, 3 week old kittens in an empty Meow Mix bag and threw them onto a Madison County road to be crushed by oncoming traffic. But for the nurturing instinct of a family dog, the horrific plan almost succeeded!

As a woman came home from work and pulled into her driveway, she noticed that her dog wasn’t acting normally, but was visibly upset and focused on what appeared to be a tattered bag of trash lying in the yard. No real surprise to her since the dog brings home "treasures" to her on a regular basis, welcome or not. But on this day, the dog’s refusal to move and an unfamiliar sound coming from what now could be identified as a discarded cat food bag triggered her to check out Reagan’s new "treasured" item. She soon discovered that the sound was the faint cries of a kitten. Without hesitation she reached down to look inside the bag, but was totally unprepared for what she was about to see.

The bag the kittens were placed in and tossed into the road!

Two tiny kittens, screaming and covered in the blood and gore of their crushed and maimed siblings, were thrashing about trying to get free from the viscera and out of the bag. Kelly quickly swooped up the two survivors and took them directly into her home to do what she could to provide some kind of care. As she bathed them, fed them and snuggled with them offering them comfort and reassurance that they were now safe, her empathy quickly turned to anger. Through her tears of rage, she struggled to find sense out of it all. 

What was painfully obvious to her was that these kittens were intentionally put in a bag and dumped on the road. It was also apparent that the bag had been run over and that at least two kittens, maybe more, had been crushed; and that her dog had retrieved the bag from the road and brought it up to the house for Kelly to find.  How two survived was the real mystery, but solving it was secondary to her natural nurturing instinct to feed, care for and love these two tiny remarkable survivors.

Over the next 12 hours, she maintained a constant vigil that included hourly examinations looking for any signs of internal injuries or complications and bottle feedings every 3-4 hours. Little did she know that while she was encouraged over the kittens’ progress, just how frustrated and disappointed she would become over what was about to occur.

 

Day Two...What kind of person...?

After an unsettled night with frequent feedings and worry, she faced the new day with little sleep and a yearning to understand how anyone could possibly do this to such innocent lives that were so precious and fragile. She also realized that her daily job was going to prevent her from feeding and caring for these babies on a frequent basis and so, she immediately began contacting shelters and rescues for assistance.

Would you believe that that woman’s pleas for help were unanswered or ignored by no less than five local animal rescue organizations? About to lose faith in humanity and wondering if, after all the trauma these surviving kittens had endured was it even possible to find the help they needed to live a full life, She come across one organization that actually listened to her story and offered to help.

 

Why Rescuing an Animal is More Than just taking them … somewhere else.

At Raccoon Valley Animal Sanctuary and Rescue, (RVAS), her call for help was one of 18 we had already received that day. Obviously, her needs were immediate and lives were at stake. We know that the first 10-12 weeks of a kitten’s life is extremely precarious and their fragile life systems can go from apparently healthy and eating well to sudden death within a very short period of time. Anyone experienced in kitten care knows how heartbreaking it is to lose one of these precious lives...and many rescuers refuse to take on these cases because they can't deal with the heartbreak of losing a life.

However, we didn’t take the time to debate the issue. Moving into emergency mode, our director made a few phone calls that quickly produced a foster and back up experienced in neo-natal and infant kitten care. Unfortunately, many people, including those who think of themselves as rescuers would have the story end with the kittens just being transferred to a foster home and eventually, hopefully, adopted. We have a different outlook on animal rescue, and as they say on TV…’but wait, there’s more’…we believe there is more to rescue than moving animals from one place to another.

We asked her if she would help us help her and the kittens by taking them to our Veterinary Health providers for their assessment and any treatment they may deem necessary.  She readily agreed and told us how University West Pet Hospital's staff greeted her and assessed the kittens’ condition immediately. She complimented both the staff and Dr. Martz, DVM for the gentle and kind care to such precious cargo. She felt secure leaving them in their hands, and knew that RVAS personnel would be picking them up, and that these little guys (we believe) will start a new life!

That is just the beginning of their story.  Follow their progress here.

Look at them now!

 

All pictures are ©Racoon Valley Animal Shelter & Rescue

Aren’t they cute?  Mom wants to adopt both of them but she has some serious talking into to do with dad first.

Their siblings weren’t saved, but they were.  Through the cruelness of one human being, the word is getting out about these 2. 

Raccoon Valley Animal Sanctuary and Rescue is a no kill shelter – our favorite kind!  Please think about donating to them to help out with the costs of these 2 beautiful kittens and to allow them to save other animals who need them.

You can also follow them on Facebook to keep up to date on these 2 little guys’ story.

See a list of all of their adoptable pets here.

Thank you Raccoon Valley Animal Sanctuary and Rescue for all you do for those animals that need saved!

African Lions Are Disappearing

(Reposted from an email mom received from IFAW - International Fund for Animal Welfare)

African lions are disappearing.

Since 1980, the population of African lions has dropped by nearly 50%. They've been eliminated from 78% of their historic range. And they face extinction throughout much of their habitat.
There are several causes of their disappearance, including loss of habitat, loss of prey, and the impact of disease -- but one particular cause is one you can help us reverse.
The Lion as Trophy
Trophy hunting of lions has more than doubled in the past decade.
The United States is, by far, the largest importer of lions and lion parts. A staggering 64% of lion and lion parts are imported to the US - lion skulls that sit on mantles, lion skins that hang from walls, and lion rugs spread out across floors - all with no consideration of the cruelty and unsustainability of these "trophies."
Clearly, the disappearance of the African lion has reached crisis status. But there is hope - one simple and significant act that can immediately reverse this march towards extinction.
Help Lions Make the List
Listing the African lion as Endangered under the US Endangered Species Act would generally ban the import of lions and lion parts into the US, and be crucial in helping reverse their steep and alarming decline.
IFAW has joined with several other leading non-profits to petition the US government to list the African lion as Endangered.
And now we need your help.
IFAW is collecting messages of support for this listing to be submitted to Secretary of the Interior, Kenneth Salazar.
Please send your message now (I have suggested some wording for you, but please feel free to add your personal and respectful comments).
Together we can end this disappearing act and restore this majestic species to savannas across Africa.

A Special Offer from Disney.
Save $8 when you buy African Cats, and any other Disneynature Blu-ray Combo Pack.
This offer is good through November 14, 2011. Valid only in the U.S. & Canada. Void where prohibited, and cannot be combined with any other offer.

SIGN THE PETITION

Fred O'Regan
IFAW President

p.s. You might think such a regal and charismatic species would be protected, but on the contrary, lions are only protected in 5% of their current range. Please act now to help us save Lions from cruel and unsustainable trophy hunting.

Animal News 10/5/12

Best Of Friends – Junie, Suki, and Damon

Let’s get going on some important stuff!  Animals that need saved, have been saved, or animals whose stories we can learn from!

• 4 Face Animal Cruelty Charges In Upstate NY – 68 cats and dogs taken from the home
• Farm Owner Faces 133 Charges Of Animal Cruelty – 1 horse had to be put down, the others are recouping at rescues, thank God!
• Utah Rat Eater Has Animal Cruelty Charge Dismissed – It’s one thing if the rat was wild and eaten by an animal, no? Humans are disgusting sometimes.
• Animal Cruelty – Right on lady!
• Buckeye man accused in animal cruelty; 2 horses seized – They were saved!
• Stiffest sentence yet for animal cruelty – Put the boxer in a bag and dumped him in a skip.  You know, there are shelters and rescues for unwanted animals.  There is no need for that EVER.
• 39 counts of cruelty to animals filed against city man – Molested children AND abused animals.  Lock him up forever please.  We don’t need him loose on the streets.
• Puppy kennel owner pleads guilty to 104 counts of animal cruelty – Sane people would call this a puppy mill, not a kennel.
• Harsh penalties needed in animal cruelty – Harsher penalties EVERYWHERE needed for animal cruelty.
• Misdemeanor charge filed in parrot death case – Yes, we totally understand why stomping on a parrot and killing it is a misdemeanor.
• Woman charged with cat cruelty – Spay and neuter your pets people.
• Animal centre's owner hits out over internet abuse campaign – Opinions?
• Animal Abuse Leaves Horses Needing Good Homes – If you have room, there are lots of horses all over the place that need rescued.  I wish we could, but we aren’t zoned for horses.  Not to mention, our yard is just big enough for us.
• Shelter seeks ban on selling mill-bred pets – I wish every city would ban the sale of pets in pet stores.  Pet stores should just be for pet supplies.  Do not buy your pet from a store, you are supporting animal mills!
• Puppy Mills Petition Surpasses 10,000 Signatures – Just 10,000?  We can do better than that!!!!
• Puppy Mill Dogs Taken In by Local Humane Society – Here in Iowa.  Brings back memories of my life before my family let me adopt them.
• Calls for adoption flood in after puppy mill seizure – They were saved!
• Woofstock sheds light on puppy mills – Mom wishes she would have known about this!  She totally would have driven all of us to Woofstock!
• Dogs Rescued From Puppy Mills Finding New Home in Minn. – YAY!  more saved!
• Fighting for pets in Texas pays off – Good!

Junie says to check out: Dominion: The Power of Man, the Suffering of Animals, and the Call to Mercy

Animal News January 26, 2011

Junie chilling in her morning spot

Like my hair?  I don't know if you can see it or not, but mom braided it to show dad that I am in serious need of some grooming again.  He didn't take the hint yet.  I actually don't mind the braid.  Much better than a pony tail sticking off the top of my head.  I mean seriously, why do that to a dog?  She says it's so I can see.  I say it's so they can laugh at me.

On to some animals who need our awareness:

Missouri Woman Could Lose Dogs Due to Over-Crowding There are some thoughts on this subject in the comments.  I'll let you weigh in on it.
Animal hoarding uncovered Mom's definition of animal hoarding doesn't revolve around numbers but about around a person's ability to care for their animals.  She knows people have 20 big parrots who all receive excellent nutrition, care, exercise, love, etc and she knows of those who have only 2 cats and/or dogs and don't take care of them at all.  We have 7 birds and me and we all taken care of and loved immensely.
What Is An Animal Hoarder?  Good article.  They feel the same way mom does.
Bozrah woman faces animal cruelty charges I think this shows the definition of hoarding perfectly.  It's sad.  The city payed to have 3 tons of trash removed.  Feces, flea infested.  So sad.
Shelter owner pleads innocent to animal cruelty 4 were saved.  21 weren't. :(
Animal cruelty: S.C. woman tortures, hangs pit bull dog for chewing Bible It's a good thing she didn't have Twinkle.  Look at what she did to mom's book:

Mom saved the ballet book before it was destroyed. That's a special book.
That's not the first book Twinkle has destroyed.

In all seriousness though.  That is really really sad.
Foreclosure horror: home filled with dead pets 30 animals not saved
Ohio woman arrested after dog froze to death outside Another death that never should have happened. Mom takes me out for 2 minutes max in this weather.  I hate the cold.  I do my thing or I don't and I run to the door to go back in.  Why did she leave them outside?
Man Arrested For Allegedly Beating Puppy To Death It is hard to read these articles all the time but people need to know what is going on so that there are tougher laws, so that people fight for those who don't have a voice of their own.
Puppy Mill Dogs Up For Adoption They were saved.  Now they need families.
Effort to repeal Missouri dog breeding law begins Come on Missouri.  You just put a decent law in place for these dogs.  Are you really going to take a step backwards instead of forward?
Local Organizations Honor National Spay and Neuter Month in February I'm spayed!  Are your pets?
Caledon woman pleads guilty to animal cruelty  I hate that they had to go through what they did but it is so good to post another They Were Saved post!
Government blind to animal suffering Mom loves articles that say that parrots were saved.  She loves all They Were Saved articles, but you always hear about the dogs and the cats.  All animals are subject to situations like this including parrots.  She has seen some parrots at rescues that have come out of the most deplorable hoarding situations where they are missing wings, legs, eyes.  It is terrible for every animal.
Reward Offered For Information On Pitbull One was saved, one wasn't.
Schneider: Dead dog, Lansing-area cases of brutality shocking Some story as previous article with more details.
Tumbler Ridge man given 10-year ban on owning animals Whose side to you believe?
Virginia Gambriel, pet and human hoarder, charged with 75 counts of animal abuse And she just keeps doing it.
Former Warfordsburg man fined $2,500 for 832 pig deaths Somehow the punishment doesn't fit the crime here.
Colorado Legislators Consider Ban on Steer Tailing You know, I know rodeos are a huge part of western American history and mom has even enjoyed a few in her younger days but we would be glad to see the more inhumane parts of it go.
Puppy Slaughter: A Police Prerogative Mom loves all animals but she would do anything to protect her children or me.  Enough said.
Local rescue group takes in 16 puppies They were saved!
Casablanca Hotel Caught Trapping Miami Beach Cats, At Least Eight Euthanized Utah - Miami, what's next?
Undercover work brings down large puppy mill Totally agree with the author, puppy mills need to be brought down.
Puppy, Wishbone, Zafaria, Duke, and the Paula Malatesta Pack are our January 23, 2011 Pups of the Week I love Miss Paula.  She saves all she can.

Junie says to check out: Rescued: Saving Animals from Disaster

Animal News January 23, 2011

Junie hanging in her favorite spot

That picture of me is me in my favorite spot.  It drives mom crazy.  She's worried I'll get burned on it.  She moves my bed farther away and I just get into the space between the radiator and my bed.  If she moves my bed against it, I move my bed away so I can get back in there and stay really warm.

Did you know that the Chinese royalty used to use Chinese Cresteds as their own personal heating pads? It's true.  Read a little bit about us here.  It is also claimed that we can be used to cure arthritis (by using us as a heating pad).  We have no problem with this as it gives us a chance to snuggle with our human.  There's nothing we like more than being with our human.  Mom looks at the rescued Chinese Crested sites sometimes (because she'd like to rescue a friend for me when they buy a house) and almost every description describes the dog as a shadow or Velcro dog.  Mom laughs because that's exactly what she calls me.  It's true.  I doubt there is another breed of dog that likes to be with their human more than we do.

Note:  Mom would like to disagree with that second link that claims that we don't like to bark loudly or often and that we don't make good guard dogs.  I bark loudly and often, especially when I hear the kids moving when they shouldn't be.  I may not be a huge guard dog, but I make an excellent watch dog.  I watch from under the bed while I'm barking.

On to some animal news:

US man spends month in lions’ den to raise cash Wouldn't catch me in there.  Do you agree it's exploitive?
Should UBC experiment on monkeys? Should they?
Shielo: Cruelty Free Hair Mom loves finding new products that are cruelty free.
Another Case of Animal Abuse in Lansing Poor pit.  Mom loves the saying at the top of that blog.
West Side Woman Charged With Animal Cruelty After being charged before, why does she own more animals?
450 Horses Near Death I wish we had the money to feed them all. :(
Investigators have good leads in dog-abuse case I hope they catch the person.
Reward Increased In Dead Dog Case Disgusting.
Thomas faces huge fine for animal cruelty 722 counts of animal cruelty.  Why do people not take care of that which they have made a commitment to by bringing them under their care?
31 dead animals found in Granite Falls home It's hard to read all of this stuff all the time, but awareness needs to be made so people will help those who can't help themselves.  It's so sad.
Dog Auctions Very good article.  Such sad pictures.
What to do about “hell-hole” puppy mills? Another good article.
Arrest made after dog survives shooting in parking lot Really?  Someone else's dog is in their truck and you shoot it?  Where is the common sense here?
Can you spot pet abuse? Good article
Peacock Killer Found Not Guilty of Cruelty Go ahead and do what you want to peacocks in Hawaii.  They won't convict you of animal cruelty.  Especially if you plan on eating it after you bludgeon it to death.
Police say student killed mice for an art project, charged with animal cruelty Label it art, I guess. Gross.
Shafter High School Students Say Animal Cruelty Happens Often This is from mom - next generation of serial killers coming right up.  You know they say most serial killers started out abusing animals than moved on to humans.
Rep. Curt Oda received threats over animal cruelty bill, police say To answer violence with violence is not the solution here.
Brooklyn Couple Allegedly Hoarded, Abused Dozens Of Cats I'm not a cat friendly type of dog but even I'm against abusing cats.
Is E-Bay selling Blood Pups? I agree.  I hate that Ebay classifieds allows people to sell animals.
We must outlaw roadside pet sellers. Will the world ever be a safe place for animals?
Ebay Classifieds Gives Puppy Mills a Platform Another Ebay Classifieds article.

Junie says to check out: Chinese Crested Dog Design Messenger Bag (only because mom wants it herself.)

Current News About Animals

Alyce and One of the Girls reading

I've been way too sporadic in posting.  Mom has decided that even on days that nothing is going on with me, she needs to help me post stories of animals around the world.

More interesting to hear about than how many times I use the girls room is my personal bathroom to avoid going out in the snow I would assume.  (Mom's kept a good eye on me and I didn't do it for a few days.  Then she took me outside this morning, I did my thing, then 5 minutes later she heard a shout from one of the girls, MOM! Junie pood in our room.

A dog's got to do what a dog's got to do right?  On to the news.

Justin Bieber Promotes Animal Adoption - The boy uses his name for good, just like Justin Bieber's nail polish line which I think the proceeds of which are going to charity.
Proposed Virginia Bill Amends Animal Welfare Code I know that some people actually need laws like this to get them to do what they should be doing already, but I think it's sad that a law is needed to make people do things like provide food and water for their animals that they CHOSE to have under their care.
Animal Welfare Under Resourced in Israel Animals face the same problems all over the world.  The releasing of pigeons into the wild concerns my mom.  If they have been raised by humans their whole lives, they have no idea how to survive in the wild.  I know our birds wouldn't begin to know what to do out there.  What's more humane though?  Wasting away in a cage when nobody wants you or flying off to try to make it out there in the big bad world that you've no experience with.  6 of one, half a dozen of the other.
IFAW Partners with PetFlow.com to Help Animals in Need I added this to the Companies who support Rescues page.
Parsing the new ‘humane’ food labels I'll agree, labels can be confusing.  The picture at the top makes me sad.
Animal cruelty trial continues for twins accused of burning pit bull - The picture will break your heart.
Lawyer in Hawaii says animal cruelty trial for peacock killing is 'ridiculous' Yes because if something makes a little noise that annoys you you should bludgeon it to death.  So ridiculous. People amaze me.
China Bans Animal Circuses, Issues New Warning To Zoos About Abuse I think this is the first time we have ever said this.  WOOT WOOT China for banning animal circuses.  The US needs to follow in their footsteps!
Utah Bill Declares Open Season on Feral Animals Way to take a few steps back in civility Utah.
Century Man Arrested On Six Animal Cruelty Charges The pictures will bring tears.  At least they did for me.
To buy or not to buy, that is the question Great article.  Gee, I'm from the third largest puppy mill state.  Not really a surprise since I spent the first few years of my life in one.
Police investigating after HSGB informed of decapitated dog [Warning: Graphic Images] Sickening.  Just sickening.
Almost 200 Dogs Rescued from Northwest Harris County Home If we had a house my mom would foster a couple of my Chinese Crested brothers/sisters.
Where To Look For Buying A Puppy Good tips

Now to stay caught up on all of the news articles.

Junie says to check out:  Chinese Crested: A Comprehensive Guide to Owning and Caring for Your Dog (Comprehensive Owner's Guide)

Junie and The Oldest Girl Again

I had a wonderful Christmas full of new clothes (seriously, does a dog need a bathrobe and a flamenco dress?) and turkey and tons of love.  I hope yours was wonderful too!

I thought today we'd focus on other animals who maybe did not have such a wonderful Christmas - or maybe they did.  Hopefully some were saved!

SPCA: Protect your pets, please - A plea to take care of your pets during the winter.
Man who shot dog pleads guilty, faces up to two years in jail - Good!
Man jailed, accused of trying to marinate his cat - huh???
Sellers must disclose animal info - Love that they have to disclose breeder info.  Take a swing buy.  See if your pet came from a mill.
Wildlife attacks blamed on pet owners - ALL pet owners should watch their animals.  It IS irresponsible not to.
Goat found hog-tied in trunk of Nissan You would think by the headline that they make this stuff up. They don't.
Rescue Ink is searching for the killer of the two vacuumed kittens  Serial killer in the making here.
Hysterical, Grieving Mother Pulls Her Murdered Pups from Water That is heart breaking.
50-pound python survives box-cutter attack, recovering at Monkey Island - Yay! He was saved.
Animal hoarding: When pet owners lose control - It always starts out with good intentions, then swings out of control.
N.M. officials say animals ate woman's toes another one that made me say huh? That's actually sad. :(
Five Best States for Animal Abusers in 2010 - Not a proud moment to live in Iowa.
Puppy Mill Euthanizes 1,200 Dogs After Virus Outbreak Down with puppy mills!
Shetland Pony dragged behind car Another moment of what is wrong with people.  At least he was saved!  Now someone go drag them behind a car.
Tell the Makers of Lipton Tea to Stop Torturing Animals - Who would have thunk it?  Lipton?


That's it from me today!  Stay happy, healthy, and warm.  And remember they all need saved!

Junie says to check out - Inside Animal Hoarding: The Case of Barbara Erickson and her 552 Dogs

Some News About Animals

Junie, burying into the blankets this morning.

Since it's a whole 11 degrees out and I won't do anything but stay snuggled into my blanket on my furry bean bag in my warm sweater, mom said we should post about some more animals who have been saved or need to be saved today.  I love sharing stories of those who have been saved and though I hate the stories of cruelty, they need to be out there too, so let's get going!

Dismembered cat, starving dogs found in Brooksville home The poor cat....but the dogs were saved.  They all need saved.
Hard Work Continues For Inspector My heart still breaks for this puppy who had his ears cut off with scissors.  At least they saved him from further damage.
Kathmandu founder in $2m farm cruelty fight - YAY! That will save some!
Animal refuges face huge bills for abandoned pets in big freeze - It's a horrible time of year for unwanted pets.
Holiday Cruelty: WSPA Investigation Exposes Harsh Reality of Reindeer Slaughter - poor reindeer
The New Veterinarian's Oath - What was it before?
Tell Nomura to Stop Funding HLS Animal Abuse - The details in the letter make me sick.
Will China’s anti-animal cruelty law crush this fetish?  - I don't get this at all.  People are sick sick sick.
Sven Koppler Arrested for Sending Hundreds of Tarantulas to the US By Post - Who does this?
Several think WSLS promoted animal abuse through turkey bowling story Stupid and a waste of food - unless they ate them after they bowled with them, but abuse?  I don't think it is...they weren't using live turkeys.  That would be abuse.
Dog set on fire, left to die spurs necessary change - change is definitely needed.
The Long Suffering Bull - Mom (and I) hates bull fighting
Once emaciated puppy mill dog now a hilarious part of family - yay! Dody was saved!
Martinsville veterinarian gives tips in identifying puppy mills - Good tips!  I say get a rescued dog instead though. :)
Workers at Ballito mall kick mongoose to death - again, people are sick.
Farm animal rescue group gives horse a second chance - YAY!  The horse was saved!
Champ ready for public debut as owner pleads not guilty - another horse saved!
No More Leniency For Gothic Kitten Abuser - I agree with the blog author.
Aurora-area man with history of animal cruelty is charged again - and he is allowed to have animals why?

Keep fighting for the animals who can't fight for themselves.  They all need saved!

And remember, we are still looking for guest bloggers to help out.  This blog isn't all about us. It's about all of the animals.  See about guest blogging here.

Junie Says To Check Out:  Rescued by a Horse: True Stories of Physical, Emotional, and Spiritual Healing

I Found Someone Else I Like

Watching TV With The Youngest Girl

I've spent the last month following mom around, never letting her out of my site, not paying much attention to anyone else in the family.  Now, now I love The Littlest Girl too!  When I can see mom and know she is within helping me if I need her, I go to the littlest girl and paw at her until she starts to give me belly rubs.  I chase around her in circles so she will play with me.  I just adore her.  She really is a nice little girl.

I've also found new toys.  I love dry leaves.  They are so fun to run and chase and hop on!  They just keep blowing and I just keep chasing.

I also found out the wonders of an empty toilet paper tube.  It fits right over my muzzle and is so much fun to flip around and throw!  I have a stash now that mom has set aside for me so I can play to my heart's content.

Let's get to some animals that need attention -

Dog Run Down in CT - Accident or Animal Cruelty - I don't know.  She's been charged with animal cruelty.  Laughing and cheering by the passengers is not right and it seems to me if you hit a dog, you wouldn't drag it 45 feet before stopping.
Woman Charged With Animal Cruelty For Killing Kitten - Disgusting
Pup on mend after scissor torture - Seriously, what is wrong with people?
Horrors of hoarding: Living and dying in chaos, clutter - It's truly sad. Someone died. Animals get hurt all the time from it.
Dogs rescued from puppy mill - They were saved! They all need saved!
Missouri Wants to Keep Puppy Mills in Business, Despite Passing Prop B - one question - why?
Denver Dumb Friends League gets dogs from Missouri puppy mill -  Yay!  They were saved. Even inadvertently because the mill gave them up to be in compliance with Missouri's new laws.
Action urged on puppy sales - We agree.
Deciding Where to Get a Puppy Can Be a Tough Choice - It really isn't that tough.  Don't buy from pet stores who get puppy mill dogs.  And as a former puppy mill dog, I'd like to challenge the author's word of allegedly.
Rescue work reaps remarkable rewards - I think I'm in love.

Junie Says To Check Out: Rescue Matters: How to Find, Foster, and Rehome Companion Animals: A Guide for Volunteers and Organizers

Recent News Stories

Junie, mom, and one of The Birds

Life has been good, eating, sleeping on someone's lap, getting belly rubs to my heart's content, and yes, the dreaded going outside in the cold.  Not even my shivering will make my mom take pity on me and let me go in the girls' room to use the bathroom.

That being said, I thought I would focus on some animals that need the attention more than I do today.

(Don't mind the silly bird in the photo - and sorry it's blurry, cell phone pic - Twinkle kept flying to mom's head when she was trying to get a picture of us together.  Then I wanted to see what Twinkle was doing and we couldn't get a decent picture.  I'll show you the other shots after the news articles.)

• Appalling Animal Abuse and Food Safety Threats at Top Egg Producer This made mom sick to read.  She couldn't bring herself to watch the video.  She could only imagine the horrors she would see.
• Wiregrass teens faces felony animal abuse charge in dog beating He was saved, then he was gone.  That poor puppy.
  
• Dogfighting and Cockfighting Media Sold on Amazon Amazon has been selling some very questionable stuff lately.  It makes my mom want to cancel our affiliate account.  They recently took down a controversial book and mom is happy about that (but there are others that are similar), but do they leave these up under people's first amendment rights?  Or do they take it down as something that incites illegal acts? Another article on this subject.
  
• 'No-Kill' Facilities Contribute to Animal Hoarding I'm wondering how you feel about this one.  In a way, it is true.  That being said, there are rescues that do very thorough background checks, visiting homes, etc of potential people who will adopt a pet.  I truly feel this should happen for all adopters.  More work, I'm sure. More money, maybe?  But will that animal keep showing up over and over again at one rescue, then at another, than at your local ARL where they will be euthanized? (At least the Iowa ARL euthanizes animals.)
  
• Woman fined $225 for dyeing pooch's paws pink On this one, I have to say, probably harmless.  I'd much rather have had my paws dyed pink than my jaw broken.  That's just me though.
  
• House votes on bill to stop animal 'crush videos' I didn't even know there was such a thing.  Humans can be so evil.
  
• Petitioners pushing to ban Ohio dog auctions Puppy mills, auctions, and all of that stuff is evil. 'nuf said.
  

Takes 54 and 55

Junie says to check out: Beyond Closed Doors: Science, Ethics and Politics of Farm Animal Welfare

Jasmine The Greyhound

My mommy got an email forward today that was just so beautiful we had to share it after checking the story on Snopes to make sure it was true.  It is a perfect tale of a rescued greyhound who helps other animals and it is true.

In 2003, police in Warwickshire , England , opened a garden shed and found a whimpering, cowering dog. The dog had been locked in the shed and abandoned. It was dirty and malnourished, and had quite clearly been abused.

In an act of kindness, the police took the dog, which was a female greyhound, to the Nuneaton Warwickshire Wildlife Sanctuary, which is run by a man named Geoff Grewcock, and known as a haven for animals abandoned, orphaned, or otherwise in need.

Geoff and the other sanctuary staff went to work with two aims: to restore the dog to full health, and to win her trust. It took several weeks, but eventually both goals were achieved. They named her Jasmine, and they started to think about finding her an adoptive home.

Jasmine, however, had other ideas. No one quite remembers how it came about, but Jasmine started welcoming all animal arrivals at the sanctuary. It would not matter if it were a puppy, a fox cub, a rabbit or, any other lost or hurting animal. Jasmine would just peer into the box or cage and, when and where possible, deliver a welcoming lick.

Geoff relates one of the early incidents. "We had two puppies that had been abandoned by a nearby railway line. One was a Lakeland Terrier cross and another was a Jack Russell Doberman cross. They were tiny when they arrived at the centre, and Jasmine approached them and grabbed one by the scruff of the neck in her mouth and put him on the settee. Then she fetched the other one and sat down with them, cuddling them."

"But she is like that with all of our animals, even the rabbits. She takes all the stress out of them, and it helps them to not only feel close to her, but to settle into their new surroundings. She has done the same with the fox and badger cubs, she licks the rabbits and guinea pigs, and even lets the birds perch on the bridge of her nose."

Jasmine, the timid, abused, deserted waif, became the animal sanctuary's resident surrogate mother, a role for which she might have been born. The list of orphaned and abandoned youngsters she has cared for comprises five fox cubs, four badger cubs, fifteen chicks, eight guinea pigs, two stray puppies and fifteen rabbits - and one roe deer fawn. Tiny Bramble, eleven weeks old, was found semi-conscious in a field. Upon arrival at the sanctuary, Jasmine cuddled up to her to keep her warm, and then went into the full foster-mum role. Jasmine the greyhound showers Bramble the roe deer with affection, and makes sure nothing is matted.

"They are inseparable," says Geoff. "Bramble walks between her legs, and they keep kissing each other. They walk together round the sanctuary. It's a real treat to see them."


Jasmine will continue to care for Bramble until she is old enough to be returned to woodland life. When that happens, Jasmine will not be lonely. She will be too busy showering love and affection on the next orphan or victim of abuse.

Pictured from the left are: "Toby", a stray Lakeland dog; "Bramble", orphaned roe deer; "Buster", a stray Jack Russell; a dumped rabbit; "Sky", an injured barn owl; and "Jasmine", with a mother's heart doing best what a caring mother would do...and such is the order of God's Creation.

That is such a beautiful story!  You are a beautiful dog Jasmine!

Junie says to check out: Adopting the Racing Greyhound 

Pictures from the Daily Mail - the original article

Can We Fly South For The Winter?

Junie says the cold is for the birds - the birds disagree.

My mommy took me out to go potty this morning and there was this white cold stuff on the ground.  Mommy said it wasn't snow, it was frost.  I say, I don't know what snow is, but if it's worse than the frost stuff, I'm going the bear route and hibernating for the winter.

When we went out, I bounded out the door like I always do.  When I hit the grass with the frost, I stopped.  I looked at my mommy.  I don't like this.  I gingerly, yet quickly, found my favorite spot to go, went, and jumped onto the cement block border that goes in front of the bushes.  Mommy was wondering if that was all I had to do.  I sniffed around the cement, then went to the sidewalk, no frost there! My mommy said, Junie are you done?  She started laughing when I went from the sidewalk to the cement block border, to the porch, all with out touching the grass again.

She thinks it's funny.  I'd like to see her go out barefoot on the frost.  She had shoes on. I'm a Chinese Crested, I don't have much hair on my feet.  She promised me that she has new boots coming, they were shipped the other day.  The other boots she bought me were way too big and personally, I think bells are for cats.  I don't need little jingly bells following behind me when I'm trying to go.

When we came inside, I hopped up into my daytime napping spot, my basket with all the pillows and fleece blankets piled up. I sat there shivering, hoping she'd get the point.  She did.  She went and got me another fleece blanket and tucked me into my "bed".

I don't plan on going out again.  I'll hold it.

My mommy said she disagrees, I have to go out.  She said if the littlest boy didn't like to play in his own diaper if she doesn't get it off fast enough, she'd get me a puppy pad for the house when it's cold out, but she thinks he will play with that too.

Ew.  I don't even play with poo.  I don't know why he thinks it's so much fun.

Here's a few stories that I tweeted out yesterday that I felt were important:

Chicken Hatchery Hell (Graphic) - Agriculture at it's worst.  We're not vegetarians over here (obviously, I'm a dog), but I've heard my mommy tell people that she has trouble eating meat because of things like this.  She tries to buy only products that were made by companies that treat their animals without cruelty.  It's hard though unless someone is behind the scenes like this.  She's thought about going vegetarian, and she's still thinking about doing it for herself.  She doesn't think daddy would go along with it for the entire family though. This kind of story really bothers her and it bothers me too.  No animal should ever be treated like this, even if it's going to end up as food. :(

Wayne Pacelle Clears Up Misconceptions over Prop B in Missouri - I'm not quite sure how people would misunderstand the law.  It seems clear cut.  But, some people like to twist and deceive for their own good.  It's why I'm glad I'm a dog.  What is.... is.  Black - white.  No need for deception.

Woman to Stand Trial For Cruelty - Cages stacked on top of each other. Flea infested dogs.  Feces. 

Berglund-Fosdick said the paralyzed dog, which was euthanized, had thick, wrinkled and cracked skin that she compared to an elephant, and had suffered chronic fungal disease as well as a raw abdomen from urine.

Sadly, it sounds like what I grew up in.  Except I wasn't paralyzed.  Just had my jaw broken and never fixed.  I made it out.  He didn't. Some did.  They all need saved.

Ohio Teen Beats Baby Alpaca To Death - All I can say is why?  What did that little baby do to deserve that?  Same as the rest of us who were abused.  Nothing.

Burned Puppy Ready For Adoption - Go out and find your forever home little guy!  May your life be full of love and adoration. You deserve it.

More Abandoned Dogs Found Dead - I understand forgetting your pillow, maybe a box of silverware when you move, but your dog?

Animal Abuse Leads To Violent Behavior Against Humans - Really?  You just now realized that the kid who thinks it's funny to put a cat in the microwave on defrost might just grow up to be a serial killer?

Ban On Pet Sales Would Reduce Puppy Mills - Another no brainer to me.  Most pet stores get their puppies/kittens from mills.  No live animal sales in pet stores would obviously lead to a reduction in puppy mills.  Supply and demand.  No demand, no need for the supply.  I like the way the pet store here does it with cats and dogs. They are all rescued animals that need adopted.  Now if they'd stop selling the other animals....

Junie says to check out:  PAWZ Disposable Reusable Boots - 12 Pack Small in Red

(Those aren't the ones I have coming, but mommy says she's ordering me some of these too.  She's heard good things about them keeping dogs' paws dry.)

Just Another Day

Junie and one of The Girls

Just another day is turning into every day and I love it!  I have a full tummy, a warm lap to sleep in, I get to go outside and run around in the sun, I'm clean, I'm healthy, just another day is the most wonderful thing for me now!

One of The Boys (the one who lives down the living room hall) is home sick today.  Mom says he was actually sick yesterday but because he got sick at school he can't go back for 24 hours.  I don't mind him being home.  He's been rubbing my belly all day.  I live for having my belly rubbed.  My mommy said it looks like I'm in a trance when someone rubs my tummy.  All I know is that when my belly is rubbed, I get all sleepy, and my eyes start to close, and my head lays on whoever is rubbing my tummy, and it's just heaven.  Mommy caught a picture of me after he rubbed my belly until I went to sleep last night.

Junie after a good belly rub! The girl gave her the girl's favorite sheep to sleep with.

I thought I would show you some of the stories that I tweeted out yesterday.  You can see my tweets in my left sidebar and you can follow me on Twitter here.

30 dogs rescued from Ohio puppy mill

After being trapped in horrendous conditions, more than two-dozen rescued canines in Cincinnati will soon enjoy a better life.

Junie says:  Those 30 dogs were saved before it was too late!  They all need saved!

24 dogs rescued from a home in La Grande, Ore.

Many of these dogs malnourished, with over grown toe nails, and infections.
Another worry is not knowing how many litters each had. Too many litters can create tumors and other health issues.
"Certainly looks like these females have been breed a number of times, it's hard to say, but that's the typical situation," he adds.

Junie says: I know just what those little dogs went through.  I was in one too.  I hope they all find forever homes with loving families like I did. They all need saved!


Woman arrested for animal cruelty

Upon arrival at the residence, officers found a horse on the property with no food or water, and numerous deceased animals in various stages of decomposition around the property. They also observed dogs, cats, birds and other animals in the residence both inside and outside of cages. All of the animals appeared to be in various stages of neglect, according to the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department.
Officers were able to obtain a search warrant and entered the residence to secure the animals, which included dogs, cats, chickens, ducks, parakeets, cockatiels, a chinchilla, a cockatoo, and a rooster.
“At that time, approximately 200 animals were located at the residence and 44 were of those were deceased,” said sheriff’s spokesperson Chris Douglass. “Animal Control took possession of (all) the animals.”

Junie says: Not all were saved, but some were.  Thank you for getting the ones out you could.  They all need saved!

Animal Hero Award Given To Police Detective

Several cases Moscarelli has recently worked resulted in convictions leading to jail time, probation, fines, or some combination. Two were jailed for abandoning dogs in apartments — a not uncommon form of animal neglect/abuse. Another was sent to prison for nine months for kicking a pup to death and another was fined for mistreatment of dozens of farm livestock and poultry, plus forfeiture of the creatures.

Junie says: YAY!  He saves them!!

Puppy Thrower Banned From Owning Pets

Beal  took the puppy home in January this year but  became upset with the pet and threw it  several times against the wall.
The puppy, which had been given to her by a friend, died from its injuries.

Junie says: Why don't they do this more often?  Like to the woman who was found with 25 live cats and 82 dead ones packed into a freezer.

That's just a few of the animal welfare stories that came out (along with others I tweeted).  If you hear of anything, let me know and we'll share it.

Junie says to check out: Why Animals Matter: The Case for Animal Protection