Four playful black swans decided surfing looked like fun and decided to give it a go...repeatedly! Certainly shows these birds are smart and well as know how to have a good time!
www.greatmysterypublishing.com ... "Even a small star shines in the darkness." - Finnish Proverb
Friday, December 13, 2013
Monday, December 9, 2013
The horror and inhumanity of animal testing needs to stop...
Please sign the petitions listed below to help stop this barbaric and unnecessary abuse and murder of hundreds of thousands of innocent animals.
Petition | STOP the sadistic torture of primates at British Columbia University! | English
British Columbia University, located in Vancouver, Canada, is trying hard to be famous in the academic world. Thus, they have decided to implement a complex scheme of sadistic / barbaric / inhumane torture of primates, as they are on the verge of “a very important discovery that will change all we know about humans”.
Sounds good, but here is exactly what is happening: monkeys and baboons have their head scalped, in order to properly study brain functions. They have their hands and feet tied to chairs and metal detectors shoved in their eyes and ears. During these complex operations, some primates wake up because the anesthesia is gone. The pain cannot be described. After surgery, they are kept without water of up to three days. Many do not survive, but who cares, as long as the tests have been completed.
It is pretty obvious that no such tests will cure any human diseases. Consequently, we urge the University to immediately stop the brutal research and let the primates live in peace!
Click here to sign - http://www.yousign.org/en/torture-bc
And to help stop cruel testing on animals in the UK, please click and sign at the link below.
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/287/409/935/stop-all-animal-testing-in-the-uk/
More information on animal testing can be seen here - http://hopeandjoynetwork.weebly.com/animal-testing.html
Free book on why animal testing is invalid and unscientific here - http://hopeandjoynetwork.weebly.com/free-book-why-animal-testing-is-unscientific.html
Petition | STOP the sadistic torture of primates at British Columbia University! | English
British Columbia University, located in Vancouver, Canada, is trying hard to be famous in the academic world. Thus, they have decided to implement a complex scheme of sadistic / barbaric / inhumane torture of primates, as they are on the verge of “a very important discovery that will change all we know about humans”.
Sounds good, but here is exactly what is happening: monkeys and baboons have their head scalped, in order to properly study brain functions. They have their hands and feet tied to chairs and metal detectors shoved in their eyes and ears. During these complex operations, some primates wake up because the anesthesia is gone. The pain cannot be described. After surgery, they are kept without water of up to three days. Many do not survive, but who cares, as long as the tests have been completed.
It is pretty obvious that no such tests will cure any human diseases. Consequently, we urge the University to immediately stop the brutal research and let the primates live in peace!
Click here to sign - http://www.yousign.org/en/torture-bc
And to help stop cruel testing on animals in the UK, please click and sign at the link below.
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/287/409/935/stop-all-animal-testing-in-the-uk/
More information on animal testing can be seen here - http://hopeandjoynetwork.weebly.com/animal-testing.html
Free book on why animal testing is invalid and unscientific here - http://hopeandjoynetwork.weebly.com/free-book-why-animal-testing-is-unscientific.html
Saturday, November 16, 2013
The Pale Blue Dot - the Only home we have ever known - Carl Sagan video
The Earth is where we make our stand – The Pale Blue Dot and the Only home we have ever known. This photograph of Earth taken by Voyager 1 was dubbed "Pale Blue Dot."
Video narration by renowned scientist Carl Sagan
“From this distant vantage point, the Earth might not seem of any particular interest. But for us, it's different. Consider again that dot. That's here. That's home. That's us. On it everyone you love, everyone you know, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever was, lived out their lives. The aggregate of our joy and suffering, thousands of confident religions, ideologies, and economic doctrines, every hunter and forager, every hero and coward, every creator and destroyer of civilization, every king and peasant, every young couple in love, every mother and father, hopeful child, inventor and explorer, every teacher of morals, every corrupt politician, every "superstar," every "supreme leader," every saint and sinner in the history of our species lived there – on a mote of dust suspended in a sunbeam."
"The Earth is a very small stage in a vast cosmic arena. Think of the rivers of blood spilled by all those generals and emperors so that in glory and triumph they could become the momentary masters of a fraction of a dot. Think of the endless cruelties visited by the inhabitants of one corner of this pixel on the scarcely distinguishable inhabitants of some other corner. How frequent their misunderstandings, how eager they are to kill one another, how fervent their hatreds. Our posturings, our imagined self-importance, the delusion that we have some privileged position in the universe, are challenged by this point of pale light. Our planet is a lonely speck in the great enveloping cosmic dark. In our obscurity – in all this vastness – there is no hint that help will come from elsewhere to save us from ourselves."
"The Earth is the only world known, so far, to harbor life. There is nowhere else, at least in the near future, to which our species could migrate. Visit, yes. Settle, not yet. Like it or not, for the moment, the Earth is where we make our stand. It has been said that astronomy is a humbling and character-building experience. There is perhaps no better demonstration of the folly of human conceits than this distant image of our tiny world. To me, it underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly with one another and to preserve and cherish the pale blue dot, the only home we've ever known."
Comment - S.D. - Online Publisher - Great Mystery Publishing
We are not helpless. We, humanity, have created these problems the world now faces. It is up to US to fix them, or let the problems we have generated destroy us and every other living thing. Speak up, act on the principles of compassion, vote for those who have policies of welfare, kindness and ecological responsibility, live a lifestyle that helps not hurts the planet and each other, make a small difference, and together we will make a BIG difference. If we act now, if we act together, we can turn this around. Are you ready to make a positive difference?
More information about this video - The Sagan Series is an educational project working in the hopes of promoting scientific literacy in the general population. Created by @ReidGower http://twitter.com/reidgower - Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use. All copyrighted materials contained herein belong to their respective copyright holders, I do not claim ownership over any of these materials. I realize no profit, monetary or otherwise, from the exhibition of these videos.
Video narration by renowned scientist Carl Sagan
“From this distant vantage point, the Earth might not seem of any particular interest. But for us, it's different. Consider again that dot. That's here. That's home. That's us. On it everyone you love, everyone you know, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever was, lived out their lives. The aggregate of our joy and suffering, thousands of confident religions, ideologies, and economic doctrines, every hunter and forager, every hero and coward, every creator and destroyer of civilization, every king and peasant, every young couple in love, every mother and father, hopeful child, inventor and explorer, every teacher of morals, every corrupt politician, every "superstar," every "supreme leader," every saint and sinner in the history of our species lived there – on a mote of dust suspended in a sunbeam."
"The Earth is a very small stage in a vast cosmic arena. Think of the rivers of blood spilled by all those generals and emperors so that in glory and triumph they could become the momentary masters of a fraction of a dot. Think of the endless cruelties visited by the inhabitants of one corner of this pixel on the scarcely distinguishable inhabitants of some other corner. How frequent their misunderstandings, how eager they are to kill one another, how fervent their hatreds. Our posturings, our imagined self-importance, the delusion that we have some privileged position in the universe, are challenged by this point of pale light. Our planet is a lonely speck in the great enveloping cosmic dark. In our obscurity – in all this vastness – there is no hint that help will come from elsewhere to save us from ourselves."
"The Earth is the only world known, so far, to harbor life. There is nowhere else, at least in the near future, to which our species could migrate. Visit, yes. Settle, not yet. Like it or not, for the moment, the Earth is where we make our stand. It has been said that astronomy is a humbling and character-building experience. There is perhaps no better demonstration of the folly of human conceits than this distant image of our tiny world. To me, it underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly with one another and to preserve and cherish the pale blue dot, the only home we've ever known."
Comment - S.D. - Online Publisher - Great Mystery Publishing
We are not helpless. We, humanity, have created these problems the world now faces. It is up to US to fix them, or let the problems we have generated destroy us and every other living thing. Speak up, act on the principles of compassion, vote for those who have policies of welfare, kindness and ecological responsibility, live a lifestyle that helps not hurts the planet and each other, make a small difference, and together we will make a BIG difference. If we act now, if we act together, we can turn this around. Are you ready to make a positive difference?
More information about this video - The Sagan Series is an educational project working in the hopes of promoting scientific literacy in the general population. Created by @ReidGower http://twitter.com/reidgower - Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use. All copyrighted materials contained herein belong to their respective copyright holders, I do not claim ownership over any of these materials. I realize no profit, monetary or otherwise, from the exhibition of these videos.
Saturday, November 9, 2013
The futility and barbarism of animal testing...
As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words, and this picture says it all. Animal testing needs to stop...immediately! If you want to find out why animal testing harms humans as well as non-human animals click here. And to download a free book about how animal testing harms humans written by Hans Ruesch click here.
This is one of the most heartbreaking pictures I have seen about animal testing. The hand of an unknown monkey at testing facility, grasping the side of the trash can after they discarded her for dead. 
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94 likes · 102 comments
94 likes · 102 commentsSaturday, October 26, 2013
Touching video about Christian the Lion
An amazing, true story about a lion who was raised by humans, friends John Rendall and Ace Bourke. The lion grew to big and strong to keep so John and Ace made it their mission to find a way to return Christian safely to the wilderness. This is Christian's remarkable story and the reunion of Christian with John and Ace. It is a reunion that you will never forget.
Tender, beautiful video - Man reunites with a gorilla he raised.
A touching reunion of a man with the gorilla he raised before releasing him into the wild five years ago.
Friday, October 25, 2013
Petition to stop abhorrent cruelty to bears...
The plight of the "dancing" bear is horrendous. Please follow this link, sign the petition and share... - http://www.change.org/petitions/ministry-of-environment-and-forests-director-ministry-of-finance-we-ask-the-indian-government-to-end-this-cruel-and-barbaric-practice?share_id=dPpzROWhMh&utm_campaign=autopublish&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=share_petition
Please read the below, it is a deeply disturbing reality, and then SIGN & SHARE the below petition, to expose and end the dark truth behind the dancing bear. Here is what bear cubs suffer: 1. First few days are spent in the dark under an upside-down basket without food, water, or contact of any kind. 2. Tied to a post in the village where the children torment it. 3. At 6 months, a red-hot poker is forced through the bone, cartilage and nerve membrane in the top of the muzzle and a coarse rope pulled through the wound - a second piercing is necessary, usually done before the first wound has healed. 4. At less than one year of age, their teeth are knocked out with a hammer -- with no anaesthetic. Between 60% and 70% of the cubs die before they can be trained due to the punishing regime of beatings and starvation. 5. To train the bear to dance, hot coals are placed under their feet and the muzzle pain is exacerbated as the trainer pulls on the rope forcing the cub to stand upright. Under their thick collars, cuts are made to inflict more pain, thus the bears' undivided attention and complete compliance. A total of 60% to 70% of the cubs die before training. 20% from shock of separation from their mothers 20% to 40% die during transportation 20% die during early handling 40% of the remaining cubs die during their first year. http://www.change.org/petitions/ministry-of-environment-and-forests-director-ministry-of-finance-we-ask-the-indian-government-to-end-this-cruel-and-barbaric-practice?share_id=dPpzROWhMh&utm_campaign=autopublish&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=share_petition 
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98 likes · 132 commentsMonday, October 14, 2013
Help Stop Dolphin Murderers setting up Dolphin Tourist Park!
The town of Taiji, notorious for their regular slaughter of dolphins, are preparing to set up a Dolphin Tourist Park (AND continue their regular dolphin slaughter!) This "Marina Prison(park)" will be used to fund their dolphin massacre. Please sign this petition to help stop this inhumane project from happening!
There is nothing more heartwarming than to take in the sights of the graceful dolphins swimming in their natural habitat. They seem to be smiling as jump in and out of the water. With the love of this gorgeous being, many have a quest for swimming with the dolphins, which has become big business for the hungry money-makers, like those in Japan.
Unfortunately, the town of Taiji in Japan is trying to encourage tourists to swim with the dolphins for the mere pleasure of generating funds for its establishment, which is just a ploy for killing more dolphins. The Cove, as it is known, is an area just a short distance from where tourists can swim with these majestic creatures. In fact, they are proposing to open a Marine Park in the Cove while still continuing their practice of dolphin killing in nearby Hatakejiri bay where the waters are pink from slaughter.
The proposed Marine Park would allow tourists not only to swim with the dolphins but also enjoy kayaking alongside dolphins and small whales. The Cove would be divided to allow for people to enjoy these water “sports” while also tasting various marine products, including whale and dolphin meat. Government official Masaki Wada also states that the town also plans a whale safari park spanning around 69 acres to open within five years, with a net installed at the entrance to a bay in the northwest of Taiji.
The sad part is that just a short distance in Hatakejiri bay, the waters are turning red as dolphins are lured there and slaughtered. This cruel and inhumane practice dates back more than 400 years with locals claiming that such traditions is no different than the slaughter of cattle for food. Opening the Marine Park is being condemned as exploitative to lure more of these gorgeous creatures to Taiji except that the mammals do not belong to this cruel town. Mr. Wade goes on to say that "marine mammals migrate across oceans, and internationally public opinion is that wildlife should be allowed to live as they are. The plan will only ignite more protests over dolphin-hunting.” Let’s band together to help protest and stop this cruel act of dolphin slaughter in Japan. Please sign and share, share, share in order to stop such animal abuse and cruelty and save the dolphins!
Please sign this petition, to help save wild dolphins from a horrible fate!
Petition author: SUE LEE
There is nothing more heartwarming than to take in the sights of the graceful dolphins swimming in their natural habitat. They seem to be smiling as jump in and out of the water. With the love of this gorgeous being, many have a quest for swimming with the dolphins, which has become big business for the hungry money-makers, like those in Japan.
Unfortunately, the town of Taiji in Japan is trying to encourage tourists to swim with the dolphins for the mere pleasure of generating funds for its establishment, which is just a ploy for killing more dolphins. The Cove, as it is known, is an area just a short distance from where tourists can swim with these majestic creatures. In fact, they are proposing to open a Marine Park in the Cove while still continuing their practice of dolphin killing in nearby Hatakejiri bay where the waters are pink from slaughter.
The proposed Marine Park would allow tourists not only to swim with the dolphins but also enjoy kayaking alongside dolphins and small whales. The Cove would be divided to allow for people to enjoy these water “sports” while also tasting various marine products, including whale and dolphin meat. Government official Masaki Wada also states that the town also plans a whale safari park spanning around 69 acres to open within five years, with a net installed at the entrance to a bay in the northwest of Taiji.
The sad part is that just a short distance in Hatakejiri bay, the waters are turning red as dolphins are lured there and slaughtered. This cruel and inhumane practice dates back more than 400 years with locals claiming that such traditions is no different than the slaughter of cattle for food. Opening the Marine Park is being condemned as exploitative to lure more of these gorgeous creatures to Taiji except that the mammals do not belong to this cruel town. Mr. Wade goes on to say that "marine mammals migrate across oceans, and internationally public opinion is that wildlife should be allowed to live as they are. The plan will only ignite more protests over dolphin-hunting.” Let’s band together to help protest and stop this cruel act of dolphin slaughter in Japan. Please sign and share, share, share in order to stop such animal abuse and cruelty and save the dolphins!
Please sign this petition, to help save wild dolphins from a horrible fate!
Petition author: SUE LEE
Monday, October 7, 2013
Did you know horses snore?! (video)
This funny clip shows how other animals are not so different after all, from the human animal. :) (We also have a cow snoring video on one of our other posts!:D)
Sunday, September 29, 2013
NBC Sports show Host Guns Down Elephant for TV ratings and Ivory
In a recent episode of "Under Wild Skies," an NBC Sports show about big game hunting, the host (an NRA lobbyist) and his guide gun down a helpless bull elephant and take the ivory with them.
As if big game hunting wasn't disgusting enough on its own, it's horror is compounded when a national sports channel broadcasts the entire thing, and when the animal being hunted is under constant threat from cruel and relentless poachers. Sign and share the petition below and tell NBC Sports that you won't stand for this inhumane treatment of these majestic, intelligent animals.
In a recent episode of this show, the host and his guide stalk and shoot a bull elephant, who trumpets and writhes in pain, even charging after the two men. The host then shoots it again between the eyes. After the elephant falls, the two men stand next to the dead elephant to gloat about their "achievement." Upon returning to their camp, they discuss how "special" it is to bring back an elephant's ivory.
This show demonstrates an absolutely horrific lack of respect for wild animals in their own habitat, a lack of any kind of empathy for the suffering of these animals, and a complete ignorance of the problems facing these animals every day.
Please join the thousands of people who are voicing their outrage at this episode and this show. Tell NBC Sports to remove the show from their programming immediately! Please sign and share this petition.
As if big game hunting wasn't disgusting enough on its own, it's horror is compounded when a national sports channel broadcasts the entire thing, and when the animal being hunted is under constant threat from cruel and relentless poachers. Sign and share the petition below and tell NBC Sports that you won't stand for this inhumane treatment of these majestic, intelligent animals.
In a recent episode of this show, the host and his guide stalk and shoot a bull elephant, who trumpets and writhes in pain, even charging after the two men. The host then shoots it again between the eyes. After the elephant falls, the two men stand next to the dead elephant to gloat about their "achievement." Upon returning to their camp, they discuss how "special" it is to bring back an elephant's ivory.
This show demonstrates an absolutely horrific lack of respect for wild animals in their own habitat, a lack of any kind of empathy for the suffering of these animals, and a complete ignorance of the problems facing these animals every day.
Please join the thousands of people who are voicing their outrage at this episode and this show. Tell NBC Sports to remove the show from their programming immediately! Please sign and share this petition.
Help stop the cruelty that is Live Animal Export
With a new Australian Prime Minister in office, now is the best time to convince Australia to permanently ban all live animal exports. For that to happen, we must show the new government that there is strong public support for ending this cruelty.
Former Australian Agriculture Minister Joe Ludwig defended live animal exports, calling shocking footage from Egypt an "anomaly". It's been seven years since the government first issued an identical statement, yet evidence of cruel and malicious export practice still surfaces regularly.
We watched shocking videos of terrified Australian cattle who were shipped to Egypt, having their eyes stabbed, tendons slashed, throats cut open, and bodies otherwise tortured while they were still alive!
This is not a practice Australia should be associated with and cattle are not the only species that suffer. Australian livestock groups have called on the government to exclude Egypt from our live export trade agreements, and even that doesn't quite tackle the principle of the issue.
Tell the Ministry of Agriculture that we need to forego live exports for their viable alternatives, and we must act immediately before our country's credibility is tarnished even further.
Please sign and share this important petition.
Former Australian Agriculture Minister Joe Ludwig defended live animal exports, calling shocking footage from Egypt an "anomaly". It's been seven years since the government first issued an identical statement, yet evidence of cruel and malicious export practice still surfaces regularly.
We watched shocking videos of terrified Australian cattle who were shipped to Egypt, having their eyes stabbed, tendons slashed, throats cut open, and bodies otherwise tortured while they were still alive!
This is not a practice Australia should be associated with and cattle are not the only species that suffer. Australian livestock groups have called on the government to exclude Egypt from our live export trade agreements, and even that doesn't quite tackle the principle of the issue.
Tell the Ministry of Agriculture that we need to forego live exports for their viable alternatives, and we must act immediately before our country's credibility is tarnished even further.
Please sign and share this important petition.
Saturday, September 21, 2013
The Koala's Cry for Help - Koala's in urgent need of protection
Every day enormous tree harvesters are cutting down around a thousand eucalyptus trees in Australia. Each tree is cut down within seconds, trimmed and then piled up. No plant biodiversity can be found in the monocultures of the Australian eucalyptus plantations. Please sign the petition here and share.
The natural habitats of the koalas are vanishing which forces many koalas to live on eucalyptus plantations. The endangered animals are slow and cannot escape the approaching harvesters. They hold on to the trees until their painful death.
Loggers have recently informed Australian television broadcasting services about the slow and horrible deaths of the innocent koalas. If the animals are badly injured, they will just be left on the plantations until they die.
“How often does it happen?” the journalist asks the logger. “Sometimes two koalas per hour are killed, sometimes it’s only one koala a day. And the injured animals are left out here to die”, the man answers.
“We have found the animals in horrible condition. Broken limbs, impact wounds, broken backs, dead mothers with babies that are still alive and trying to survive”, says animal rights activist Tracey Wilson. Animal rescue centres are treating some of the injured koalas, but it is very rare for a company to call for help for injured animals. They do not want to be associated with dying koalas.
Instead, they refer to the certification label of the ‘Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)’. In 2006 the plantations were recognised as ‘responsible forest management’. The painful death of large numbers of koalas does not seem to be as important as the profits the industry makes, says the journalist.
The logs are chipped and exported to China and Japan, where they are processed in pulp and paper mills.
Please help to protect the beautiful koalas with your signature.
Start of campaign: Sep 13, 2013
Petition provided by The Rainforest Rescue
The natural habitats of the koalas are vanishing which forces many koalas to live on eucalyptus plantations. The endangered animals are slow and cannot escape the approaching harvesters. They hold on to the trees until their painful death.
Loggers have recently informed Australian television broadcasting services about the slow and horrible deaths of the innocent koalas. If the animals are badly injured, they will just be left on the plantations until they die.
“How often does it happen?” the journalist asks the logger. “Sometimes two koalas per hour are killed, sometimes it’s only one koala a day. And the injured animals are left out here to die”, the man answers.
“We have found the animals in horrible condition. Broken limbs, impact wounds, broken backs, dead mothers with babies that are still alive and trying to survive”, says animal rights activist Tracey Wilson. Animal rescue centres are treating some of the injured koalas, but it is very rare for a company to call for help for injured animals. They do not want to be associated with dying koalas.
Instead, they refer to the certification label of the ‘Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)’. In 2006 the plantations were recognised as ‘responsible forest management’. The painful death of large numbers of koalas does not seem to be as important as the profits the industry makes, says the journalist.
The logs are chipped and exported to China and Japan, where they are processed in pulp and paper mills.
Please help to protect the beautiful koalas with your signature.
Start of campaign: Sep 13, 2013
Petition provided by The Rainforest Rescue
Tiger Protection Petition - Tigers threatened by Deutsche Bank
Only 1.800 Bengal tigers can be found in India today. Their last habitats are threatened by Coal India. The biggest coal miner in the world plans the establishment of new coal mines right next to the last tiger reserves. - Sign petition here and please share.
Deutsche Bank is helping Coal India to finance the construction of these coal mines. Please sign our letter of protest and ask Deutsche Bank to cut ties with Coal India.
Petition shared by Klaus Schenck - Rainforest Rescue (Rettet den Regenwald e.V.
The Indian state-controlled coal mining company Coal India needs money to persue the construction of new coal mines. The company has mandated Deutsche Bank to organise the increase of capital in return for stock worth a total of US $ 1 billion. Coal India is not only the largest company in the world in terms of coal production, it is also one of the worst. It has forcibly displaced forest communities, destroyed critical tiger habitat and even used child labour.
In Central India, thirteen new coal mines and numerous coal-fired power plants are about to be constructed. Greenpeace India has researched the effects of these construction projects on the tigers. About 1.1 million hectares of tropical rainforest and at least ten tiger sanctuaries are at stake.
The environmental officer of a subsidiary of Coal India, Mr. Shinde, makes it simple: “We have to choose if we want electricity or we want tigers.” Environmentalists and locals strongly oppose the project due to its negative impact on the tigers.
Deutsche Bank, however, has made a decision against the tigers. They have hoped that helping to finance environmental destruction would go unnoticed. The bank’s support for Coal India can only be stopped by public backlash.
Please help us to change Deutsche Bank’s view on this issue. Sign our letter of protest and force Deutsche Bank to rethink their decision and to cut ties with Coal India.
Start of campaign: Sep 20, 2013
Deutsche Bank is helping Coal India to finance the construction of these coal mines. Please sign our letter of protest and ask Deutsche Bank to cut ties with Coal India.
Petition shared by Klaus Schenck - Rainforest Rescue (Rettet den Regenwald e.V.
The Indian state-controlled coal mining company Coal India needs money to persue the construction of new coal mines. The company has mandated Deutsche Bank to organise the increase of capital in return for stock worth a total of US $ 1 billion. Coal India is not only the largest company in the world in terms of coal production, it is also one of the worst. It has forcibly displaced forest communities, destroyed critical tiger habitat and even used child labour.
In Central India, thirteen new coal mines and numerous coal-fired power plants are about to be constructed. Greenpeace India has researched the effects of these construction projects on the tigers. About 1.1 million hectares of tropical rainforest and at least ten tiger sanctuaries are at stake.
The environmental officer of a subsidiary of Coal India, Mr. Shinde, makes it simple: “We have to choose if we want electricity or we want tigers.” Environmentalists and locals strongly oppose the project due to its negative impact on the tigers.
Deutsche Bank, however, has made a decision against the tigers. They have hoped that helping to finance environmental destruction would go unnoticed. The bank’s support for Coal India can only be stopped by public backlash.
Please help us to change Deutsche Bank’s view on this issue. Sign our letter of protest and force Deutsche Bank to rethink their decision and to cut ties with Coal India.
Start of campaign: Sep 20, 2013
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Australian Greens promise to halt Live Animal Export if elected.
The Green Party's promise to halt Live Animal Export and set up an Independent Office of Animal Welfare if elected, is attracting attention of Aussie voters who care about animal welfare.
More here - www.AnimalsAustralia.org/election #BanLiveExport #AusPol
GREAT NEWS! The Australian Greens today announced that if re-elected they will reintroduce legislation to end live export AND establish an Independent Office of Animal Welfare!(www.bit.ly/1fnvjtp) These two key policies have the potential to impact the lives of millions of animals – and with political support, could spell a revolutionary change (for the better!) in the way animals are treated in Australia. The Greens’ promise today will ensure that animal welfare becomes one of the first issues a new or re-elected government will be forced to consider. Find out what other parties are standing up for animals this election: www.AnimalsAustralia.org/election #BanLiveExport #AusPol 
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1,000+ likes · 221 commentsMore here - www.AnimalsAustralia.org/election #BanLiveExport #AusPol
Aussie TV Networks Refuse to Run Anti-Murdoch ads by Get Up
"TV networks are refusing to put GetUp members' ad on the air. Channel 7 refused outright on the grounds that it was "distasteful", while Channel Ten and Channel Nine have told us directly that they won't continue running the ad because it criticises Rupert Murdoch. Channel 9 withdrew the approved ad from broadcast after having accepted payment for the ad spots, and haven't confirmed they'll refund the money."
To support this campaign go to: http://www.getup.org.au/you-decide-th...
Murdoch may have given up his right to vote in Australia's election, but he hasn't given up using his power to influence yours.
The Gosford Anglican Church's sign perhaps said it best: "Thanks Rupert, but we'll choose our own Government."
They're supported by the Australian Press Council who issued a warning to newspapers this week, saying "a paper's editorial viewpoints and its advocacy of them must be kept separate from its news columns."*
News Corp employs some of the best journalists in the country, and until recently, The Courier-Mail in particular has been a reasonably balanced newspaper. But during this election campaign, News Corp Australia have consistently used the front pages of The Courier-Mail and The Daily Telegraph to launch aggressive political campaigns against one side of politics**, while failing to scrutinise the other.
The Murdoch-owned News Corp publications account for 65% of national and metropolitan daily newspaper circulation***. In Brisbane, home to more marginal seats than anywhere in the country, The Courier-Mail is the only state-wide daily newspaper available. What's more, News Corp have been turning their front pages into huge political ads, installing them as bus-shelter and outdoor advertisements in key electorates.
We expect news from our newspapers. We expect to hear from journalists reporting the facts fearlessly, not from editors who have been flown in to run an attack-dog political campaign.
Let's send a message loud and clear: Australian voters decide this election, not Mr Murdoch: www.getup.org.au/you-decide-this-election
[1] Australian press watchdog chides Murdoch media, Reuters. 27th August 2013.
[2] Murdoch's election coverage 'insult to Australians', SMH. 26th August 2013.
[3] FactCheck: does Murdoch own 70% of newspapers in Australia? 8th August 2013.
Information and video above provided by Get Up Australia.
To support this campaign go to: http://www.getup.org.au/you-decide-th...
Murdoch may have given up his right to vote in Australia's election, but he hasn't given up using his power to influence yours.
The Gosford Anglican Church's sign perhaps said it best: "Thanks Rupert, but we'll choose our own Government."
They're supported by the Australian Press Council who issued a warning to newspapers this week, saying "a paper's editorial viewpoints and its advocacy of them must be kept separate from its news columns."*
News Corp employs some of the best journalists in the country, and until recently, The Courier-Mail in particular has been a reasonably balanced newspaper. But during this election campaign, News Corp Australia have consistently used the front pages of The Courier-Mail and The Daily Telegraph to launch aggressive political campaigns against one side of politics**, while failing to scrutinise the other.
The Murdoch-owned News Corp publications account for 65% of national and metropolitan daily newspaper circulation***. In Brisbane, home to more marginal seats than anywhere in the country, The Courier-Mail is the only state-wide daily newspaper available. What's more, News Corp have been turning their front pages into huge political ads, installing them as bus-shelter and outdoor advertisements in key electorates.
We expect news from our newspapers. We expect to hear from journalists reporting the facts fearlessly, not from editors who have been flown in to run an attack-dog political campaign.
Let's send a message loud and clear: Australian voters decide this election, not Mr Murdoch: www.getup.org.au/you-decide-this-election
[1] Australian press watchdog chides Murdoch media, Reuters. 27th August 2013.
[2] Murdoch's election coverage 'insult to Australians', SMH. 26th August 2013.
[3] FactCheck: does Murdoch own 70% of newspapers in Australia? 8th August 2013.
Information and video above provided by Get Up Australia.
US Cop commits terrible atrocities towards family dog
then tries to hide the evidence by throwing the dog in the rubbish. Read more below from Huffington Post (follow link)
www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/12/la-deputies-shot-dog_n_3586993.html
I didn't actually believe this story until I read it in the news. Here's the link to the story & the facebook page to help this family. (See shaded box at the bottom of the article) www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/12/la-deputies-shot-dog_n_3586993.html 
Powered by socialditto 336 likes · 93 comments
336 likes · 93 commentswww.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/12/la-deputies-shot-dog_n_3586993.html
A US Community shows how we can beat climate change (video)
A bunch of young geniuses show us how it's done...
Saturday, August 31, 2013
Obama Makes Statement Against (dog) Breed Specific Legislation
Last week was an important one for dogs in the White House. Not only did the Obama family welcome Sunny, a 14-month-old Portuguese Water Dog, but President Obama made a statement against breed-specific legislation.
Here’s the official White House Statement on WhiteHouse.gov:
“We don’t support breed-specific legislation — research shows that bans on certain types of dogs are largely ineffective and often a waste of public resources.
In 2000, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention looked at twenty years of data about dog bites and human fatalities in the United States. They found that fatal attacks represent a very small proportion of dog bite injuries to people and that it’s virtually impossible to calculate bite rates for specific breeds.
The CDC also noted that the types of people who look to exploit dogs aren’t deterred by breed regulations — when their communities establish a ban, these people just seek out new, unregulated breeds. And the simple fact is that dogs of any breed can become dangerous when they’re intentionally or unintentionally raised to be aggressive.
For all those reasons, the CDC officially recommends against breed-specific legislation — which they call inappropriate.
As an alternative to breed-specific policies, the CDC recommends a community-based approach to prevent dog bites. And ultimately, we think that’s a much more promising way to build stronger communities of pets and pet owners.”
Although it is not yet a federal law, Pit Bull lovers nationwide are pleased to see that Obama is opposed to BSL at all government levels. Responsible Pit Bull owners are often misrepresented by the small percentage of irresponsible owners contributing to the negative stigma attached to the breed.
Bay Area Dog Lovers Responsible About Pit Bulls (BADRAP) has been educating the public with their monster myths. In a recent study of 122 dog breeds, by the American Temperament Society (ATTS), Pit Bulls achieved a high passing rate of 83.9, compared to the 77% score of the general dog population.
What you can do to help end BSL
Although BSL currently often indirectly refers to Pit Bulls and Pit Bull mixes, the targeted breed appears to change every decade. In the ’70s it was the Dobermans. In the ’80s, the German Shepherds. (That, of course, all changed when German Shepherds became guide dogs and military working dogs.) Then in the ’90s, the bad dogs were the Rottweilers. It’s been the Pit Bulls for the last couple of decades, which only adds to the huge number of Pit Bulls that end up in shelters. Is breed discrimination really any different than human discrimination? It’s basing false premises on the skin color and appearance of a dog, rather than a fair observation of their behavior.
Paws crossed that Obama’s statement against breed-specific legislation is noticed and heard!
What you can do to help end BSL
Become educated. The National Pit Bull Awareness Campaign is a nationwide effort to bring positive awareness and attention to the American Pit Bull Terrier.
Speak up. When you hear neighbors and friends speak negatively about any breed, gently provide educated statements to help them expand their thinking.
Volunteer at your local shelter. Pit Bulls and Pit Bull mixes are overcrowding shelters. Help in whatever way you can.
What do you think of Obama’s recent statement? Do you think Pit Bull’s are discriminated against unfairly? Thanks for posting your thoughts in a comment below.
Have you seen the new Adoptable Pets page on Care2? Â Please also share with your friends. We’d love your help in finding homes for these adorable animals!
Delivering Calm, four paws at a time!
Receive a FREE DOWNLOAD from the Calm your Canine Companion music series when you sign up for the Through a Dog’s Ear newsletter and/or Lisa’s Blog. Simply click here, enter your email address and a link to the free download will be delivered to your inbox for you and your canine household to enjoy!
Article by Lisa Spector Courtesy of Care2.com here - http://www.care2.com/greenliving/obama-makes-statement-against-breed-specific-legislation.html
Here’s the official White House Statement on WhiteHouse.gov:
“We don’t support breed-specific legislation — research shows that bans on certain types of dogs are largely ineffective and often a waste of public resources.
In 2000, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention looked at twenty years of data about dog bites and human fatalities in the United States. They found that fatal attacks represent a very small proportion of dog bite injuries to people and that it’s virtually impossible to calculate bite rates for specific breeds.
The CDC also noted that the types of people who look to exploit dogs aren’t deterred by breed regulations — when their communities establish a ban, these people just seek out new, unregulated breeds. And the simple fact is that dogs of any breed can become dangerous when they’re intentionally or unintentionally raised to be aggressive.
For all those reasons, the CDC officially recommends against breed-specific legislation — which they call inappropriate.
As an alternative to breed-specific policies, the CDC recommends a community-based approach to prevent dog bites. And ultimately, we think that’s a much more promising way to build stronger communities of pets and pet owners.”
Although it is not yet a federal law, Pit Bull lovers nationwide are pleased to see that Obama is opposed to BSL at all government levels. Responsible Pit Bull owners are often misrepresented by the small percentage of irresponsible owners contributing to the negative stigma attached to the breed.
Bay Area Dog Lovers Responsible About Pit Bulls (BADRAP) has been educating the public with their monster myths. In a recent study of 122 dog breeds, by the American Temperament Society (ATTS), Pit Bulls achieved a high passing rate of 83.9, compared to the 77% score of the general dog population.
What you can do to help end BSL
Although BSL currently often indirectly refers to Pit Bulls and Pit Bull mixes, the targeted breed appears to change every decade. In the ’70s it was the Dobermans. In the ’80s, the German Shepherds. (That, of course, all changed when German Shepherds became guide dogs and military working dogs.) Then in the ’90s, the bad dogs were the Rottweilers. It’s been the Pit Bulls for the last couple of decades, which only adds to the huge number of Pit Bulls that end up in shelters. Is breed discrimination really any different than human discrimination? It’s basing false premises on the skin color and appearance of a dog, rather than a fair observation of their behavior.
Paws crossed that Obama’s statement against breed-specific legislation is noticed and heard!
What you can do to help end BSL
Become educated. The National Pit Bull Awareness Campaign is a nationwide effort to bring positive awareness and attention to the American Pit Bull Terrier.
Speak up. When you hear neighbors and friends speak negatively about any breed, gently provide educated statements to help them expand their thinking.
Volunteer at your local shelter. Pit Bulls and Pit Bull mixes are overcrowding shelters. Help in whatever way you can.
What do you think of Obama’s recent statement? Do you think Pit Bull’s are discriminated against unfairly? Thanks for posting your thoughts in a comment below.
Have you seen the new Adoptable Pets page on Care2? Â Please also share with your friends. We’d love your help in finding homes for these adorable animals!
Delivering Calm, four paws at a time!
Receive a FREE DOWNLOAD from the Calm your Canine Companion music series when you sign up for the Through a Dog’s Ear newsletter and/or Lisa’s Blog. Simply click here, enter your email address and a link to the free download will be delivered to your inbox for you and your canine household to enjoy!
Article by Lisa Spector Courtesy of Care2.com here - http://www.care2.com/greenliving/obama-makes-statement-against-breed-specific-legislation.html
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Animal Shelter Evicted, Urgently Looking to Rehouse around 900 animals!
With the City of Bakersfield taking over the Kern County Animal Shelter, county officials say they don't know yet what they will do with nearly 900 animals. This comes after city officials served shelter staff with an eviction notice Wednesday. County shelter staff have until September 30th to vacate the shelter. But, their main concern is moving all the animals. County officials say if they don't find a place in time, one of their options would be to euthanize them. "Our paramount concern is the safety of the animals and that 40-day notice from the city puts those animals in jeopardy," said County Administrative Officer John Nilon.
The Kern County Animal Shelter houses nearly 900 animals and many come from the city. County officials say after receiving an eviction notice from the city, they are working hard to find a new place to operate. "We don't know what's going to happen to those animals. We don't think the city's concerned so we're going to have to do whatever we can to protect the health and the well-being of those animals," said Nilon. "When we get to the day that we have to move, we literally have to take every animal in the facility, which includes dogs, cats, horses, pigs, everything we have so we leave an empty facility behind," said Kern County Animal Control Director Jen Woodard. The shelter on Mount Vernon Avenue is leased from the city and the one-year agreement with the county expired in June.
The city and county had plans to run a joint animal shelter, but according to the city, it wasn't getting the necessary feedback from the county. "When there's not that sense of urgency to get something done in an efficient manner, that does not bode well for the continuation of of a relationship whether it be for a year or two years or longer," said Steven Teglia, Assistant to the City Manager. But, the county says there was communication during a meeting three weeks ago and also through e-mail, illustrating shelter staff wanted to move forward with a joint shelter. But, with an eviction order in place, the county's main focus is the animals. According to county officials, there are three options. "One of which is to move the animals. One of which is to release them, and in releasing them we can use some of the rescue agencies, that sort of thing. Or third, those animals would have to be destroyed," Nilon continued. County officials say they do have a couple of facilities they plan to look at to house the animals.
Read more here.
The Kern County Animal Shelter houses nearly 900 animals and many come from the city. County officials say after receiving an eviction notice from the city, they are working hard to find a new place to operate. "We don't know what's going to happen to those animals. We don't think the city's concerned so we're going to have to do whatever we can to protect the health and the well-being of those animals," said Nilon. "When we get to the day that we have to move, we literally have to take every animal in the facility, which includes dogs, cats, horses, pigs, everything we have so we leave an empty facility behind," said Kern County Animal Control Director Jen Woodard. The shelter on Mount Vernon Avenue is leased from the city and the one-year agreement with the county expired in June.
The city and county had plans to run a joint animal shelter, but according to the city, it wasn't getting the necessary feedback from the county. "When there's not that sense of urgency to get something done in an efficient manner, that does not bode well for the continuation of of a relationship whether it be for a year or two years or longer," said Steven Teglia, Assistant to the City Manager. But, the county says there was communication during a meeting three weeks ago and also through e-mail, illustrating shelter staff wanted to move forward with a joint shelter. But, with an eviction order in place, the county's main focus is the animals. According to county officials, there are three options. "One of which is to move the animals. One of which is to release them, and in releasing them we can use some of the rescue agencies, that sort of thing. Or third, those animals would have to be destroyed," Nilon continued. County officials say they do have a couple of facilities they plan to look at to house the animals.
Read more here.
Sunday, August 18, 2013
Curious Baby Elephant Seal - Up close and personal (video)
Video and description contributed fotomotofotograf "A baby elephant seal curious, brave, and too comfortable with and among people it turns out. Petermann island, Antarctica. Antarctica is remote wilderness (yes, even the Peninsula that gets the lion's share of small but increasing tourist numbers). There is no baiting, feeding, tracking or approaching the animals to facilitate interaction with tourists. All close interaction happens by chance and is initiated by the animal itself. The number of people landing at each site is closely monitored (no more than 100 allowed at once) and they leave no footprint (no flags, food, or any waste).
Petermann island is visited mainly for the scenery and large bird colonies (two penguin kinds, blue-eyed shags etc.). Not seals. Seals in large numbers are more easily observed on the beaches in the sub-antarctic islands. That is why I was thrilled by this spontaneous encounter with the baby seal on a not-so-large piece of rock. I did not film the end of this encounter but was told both seal and its observers were sad to part ways and head each to their more permanent abode: seal back in the water and people back onto the mother ship. Canon HF100 with a wide-angle Raynox 6600 lens attached was used to film the seal.
Petermann island is visited mainly for the scenery and large bird colonies (two penguin kinds, blue-eyed shags etc.). Not seals. Seals in large numbers are more easily observed on the beaches in the sub-antarctic islands. That is why I was thrilled by this spontaneous encounter with the baby seal on a not-so-large piece of rock. I did not film the end of this encounter but was told both seal and its observers were sad to part ways and head each to their more permanent abode: seal back in the water and people back onto the mother ship. Canon HF100 with a wide-angle Raynox 6600 lens attached was used to film the seal.
Curious sheep try to help a fallen bird (video)
Only the intelligent are curious, and these sheep are showing both curiousity and compassion. Isn't nature amazing?!
Chuckles the rescued fox shows why foxes are adorable!
If you have never heard happy fox noises, you will love this sweet video...:D
Saturday, August 10, 2013
One of the cutest, SMARTEST dogs ever!
If you love dogs, you'll love this gorgeous pooch and this clip! :D
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Guest Post - Support Adoption for Pets
Support Adoption For Pets Adoption Centres Support Adoption For Pets have increased their fundraising efforts year-on-year and have so far raised £608,636 for rescue and rehoming centres across the UK this year. But how is this money used? Here we look at a couple of rehoming centres from different parts of the UK to discover how this money can benefit pets in need of help!
The first of these is the Newcastle Dog & Cat Shelter, which cares for more than 3,000 lost or unwanted animals every year, and has been working for the benefit of animals since 1896. Whilst it is named a Dogs and Cats shelter, it has also provided refuge, care and love for a number of extra animals who have graced its doorstep in recent years; including guinea pigs, chickens, donkeys and even pigs! The annual costs for the shelter are close to £800,000; £50,000 of which are spent on vet’s bills which is a necessity when looking after around 250 dogs and 100-150 cats at once. Help from Support Adoption For Pets is therefore vital to the continued success of this great animal charity.
A more specialised rescue centre can be found in the west of England. Greyhound Rescue West Of England (GRWE) cares for up to 80 of these wonderful pets each year, taking care of dogs of all ages. They literally go the extra mile to help greyhounds in need, just last year rescuing two Lurchers and their 9 puppies from being put to sleep at a pound in West Sussex.
Their 100 volunteers also hold regular collections at Pets At Home stores and have also received a number of grant awards from Support Adoption For Pets to help them continue their valuable work caring for the dogs and their puppies. They are also running their own emergency appeal this summer, hoping to raise £10,000 for animals in need of their help.
These are just two of the hundreds of rescue centres that Support Adoption For Pets help every year. Their animal fundraising events and charity drives help Pets At Home staff and their customers to support their local animal rescue centres, giving unwanted or abandoned pets across the nation a second chance at happiness.
Events
Support Adoption For Pets is lucky to have incomparable support from Pets at Home customers, suppliers and colleagues alike, up and down the UK and in Northern Ireland. The charity runs three main charity events every year in a bid to raise much needed funds for animal rescues and rehoming centres nationwide; with the help and unwavering support of all involved we are raising increasing amounts of money for animal rehoming centres and sanctuaries; year on year.
In spring, the first Fundraising Drive of the year launches, with all the Pets at Home stores being able to nominate up to two animal rescues or rehoming centres to support – then the fun begins! Whether it’s a “Name the Bunny” competition, a national raffle or the ever favourite tombola, Pets at Home stores come up with interesting and fascinating ways to fundraise for their chosen charity. Support Adoption For Pets rewards this determination by incentivising the stores to raise as much as they can. This is usually met with fierce (friendly) competition and an eagerness to be the highest fundraising store!
As the summer draws to a close we leap into the autumn Fundraising Drive, following the same guise as the earlier fundraising event, Pets at Home stores are again able to nominate up to two animal rehoming centres to support and again we are always thrilled to hear about the new and ingenious ways the store colleagues raise much needed funds for their charities of choice
We wrap up the year with one of the stores favourite fundraising appeals – Santa Paws. This festive appeal is vital to many animal rescue centres as December and January is often their busiest time of the year. Colleagues have many special ways to fundraise during this time; however the favourite of many is asking customers, friends and colleagues to donate a gift to an pet that may not be as fortunate as others and who may still be looking for their forever home. Many people will purchase that extra bag of dog food, cat toy or a bale of hay so that the stores can send a very special Santa sleigh to a local animal sanctuary.
Many of these events have captured the imagination and hearts of colleagues and customers alike and without those; we wouldn’t be where we are today.
Find out more about our fundraising events, such as the October Fundraising Drive 2012, Santa Paws 2012 and Spring Fundraising Drive 2013
Support Adoption For Pets is an animal charity with a single, passionate aim. It exists to help give abandoned and homeless pets a second chance of happiness.
Every year, thousands of pets end up homeless through no fault of their own. Thanks to the tireless work of animal rescue and re-homing centres across the UK, many of these animals are given a new life in the loving home they deserve.
Most animal rescue charities are completely reliant on donations and public support to continue their vital work.
It is our mission, with your generous help, to provide a financial lifeline and help secure the future of rehoming centres and vulnerable pets in need.
More here: http://www.supportadoptionforpets.co.uk
The first of these is the Newcastle Dog & Cat Shelter, which cares for more than 3,000 lost or unwanted animals every year, and has been working for the benefit of animals since 1896. Whilst it is named a Dogs and Cats shelter, it has also provided refuge, care and love for a number of extra animals who have graced its doorstep in recent years; including guinea pigs, chickens, donkeys and even pigs! The annual costs for the shelter are close to £800,000; £50,000 of which are spent on vet’s bills which is a necessity when looking after around 250 dogs and 100-150 cats at once. Help from Support Adoption For Pets is therefore vital to the continued success of this great animal charity.
A more specialised rescue centre can be found in the west of England. Greyhound Rescue West Of England (GRWE) cares for up to 80 of these wonderful pets each year, taking care of dogs of all ages. They literally go the extra mile to help greyhounds in need, just last year rescuing two Lurchers and their 9 puppies from being put to sleep at a pound in West Sussex.
Their 100 volunteers also hold regular collections at Pets At Home stores and have also received a number of grant awards from Support Adoption For Pets to help them continue their valuable work caring for the dogs and their puppies. They are also running their own emergency appeal this summer, hoping to raise £10,000 for animals in need of their help.
These are just two of the hundreds of rescue centres that Support Adoption For Pets help every year. Their animal fundraising events and charity drives help Pets At Home staff and their customers to support their local animal rescue centres, giving unwanted or abandoned pets across the nation a second chance at happiness.
Events
Support Adoption For Pets is lucky to have incomparable support from Pets at Home customers, suppliers and colleagues alike, up and down the UK and in Northern Ireland. The charity runs three main charity events every year in a bid to raise much needed funds for animal rescues and rehoming centres nationwide; with the help and unwavering support of all involved we are raising increasing amounts of money for animal rehoming centres and sanctuaries; year on year.
In spring, the first Fundraising Drive of the year launches, with all the Pets at Home stores being able to nominate up to two animal rescues or rehoming centres to support – then the fun begins! Whether it’s a “Name the Bunny” competition, a national raffle or the ever favourite tombola, Pets at Home stores come up with interesting and fascinating ways to fundraise for their chosen charity. Support Adoption For Pets rewards this determination by incentivising the stores to raise as much as they can. This is usually met with fierce (friendly) competition and an eagerness to be the highest fundraising store!
As the summer draws to a close we leap into the autumn Fundraising Drive, following the same guise as the earlier fundraising event, Pets at Home stores are again able to nominate up to two animal rehoming centres to support and again we are always thrilled to hear about the new and ingenious ways the store colleagues raise much needed funds for their charities of choice
We wrap up the year with one of the stores favourite fundraising appeals – Santa Paws. This festive appeal is vital to many animal rescue centres as December and January is often their busiest time of the year. Colleagues have many special ways to fundraise during this time; however the favourite of many is asking customers, friends and colleagues to donate a gift to an pet that may not be as fortunate as others and who may still be looking for their forever home. Many people will purchase that extra bag of dog food, cat toy or a bale of hay so that the stores can send a very special Santa sleigh to a local animal sanctuary.
Many of these events have captured the imagination and hearts of colleagues and customers alike and without those; we wouldn’t be where we are today.
Find out more about our fundraising events, such as the October Fundraising Drive 2012, Santa Paws 2012 and Spring Fundraising Drive 2013
Support Adoption For Pets is an animal charity with a single, passionate aim. It exists to help give abandoned and homeless pets a second chance of happiness.
Every year, thousands of pets end up homeless through no fault of their own. Thanks to the tireless work of animal rescue and re-homing centres across the UK, many of these animals are given a new life in the loving home they deserve.
Most animal rescue charities are completely reliant on donations and public support to continue their vital work.
It is our mission, with your generous help, to provide a financial lifeline and help secure the future of rehoming centres and vulnerable pets in need.
More here: http://www.supportadoptionforpets.co.uk
Friday, July 26, 2013
Is gross cruelty justified so we can enjoy a "delicacy"?
Look into the eyes of sadness and pain. This poor goose, suffering the daily injury of having food forcefully jammed down its throat, until its liver is ill and swollen, and this dejected bird's life of suffering is ended violently so some human can enjoy their (cruel) "delicacy" of foie gras.
Please sign the petition at the following link and share, to help stop this gross cruelty to these sad creatures.- http://www.thepetitionsite.com/10/we-the-undersigned/
Please sign the petition at the following link and share, to help stop this gross cruelty to these sad creatures.- http://www.thepetitionsite.com/10/we-the-undersigned/
Man helps save 1000's of animals from cruel deaths,
and is sentenced to prison. Peter Young, at his sentencing before the court -
"This is the customary time when the defendant expresses regret for the crimes they committed, so let me do that because I am not without my regrets. I am here today to be sentenced for my participation in releasing mink from 6 fur farms. I regret it was only 6. I'm also here today to be sentenced for my participation in the freeing of 8,000 mink from those farms. I regret it was only 8,000. It is my understanding of those 6 farms, only 2 of them have since shut down. I regret it was only 2.
More than anything, I regret my restraint, because whatever damage we did to those businesses, if those farms were left standing, and if one animal was left behind, then it wasn't enough.
I don't wish to validate this proceeding by begging for mercy or appealing to the conscience of the court, because I ...know if this system had a conscience I would not be here, and in my place would be all the butchers, vivisectors, and fur farmers of the world.
Just as I will remain unbowed before this court- who would see me imprisoned for an act of conscience- I will also deny the fur farmers in the room the pleasure of seeing me bow down before them. To those people here whose sheds I may have visited in 1997, let me tell you directly for the first time, it was a pleasure to raid your farms, and to free those animals you held captive. It is to those animals I answer to, not you or this court. I will forever mark those nights on your property as the most rewarding experience of my life.
And to those farmers or other savages who may read my words in the future and smile at my fate, just remember: We have put more of you in bankruptcy than you have put liberators in prison. Don't forget that.
Let me thank everyone in the courtroom who came to support me today. It is my last wish before prison that each of you drive to a nearby fur farm tonight, tear down its fence and open every cage.
That's all."
~Peter Young
"This is the customary time when the defendant expresses regret for the crimes they committed, so let me do that because I am not without my regrets. I am here today to be sentenced for my participation in releasing mink from 6 fur farms. I regret it was only 6. I'm also here today to be sentenced for my participation in the freeing of 8,000 mink from those farms. I regret it was only 8,000. It is my understanding of those 6 farms, only 2 of them have since shut down. I regret it was only 2.
More than anything, I regret my restraint, because whatever damage we did to those businesses, if those farms were left standing, and if one animal was left behind, then it wasn't enough.
I don't wish to validate this proceeding by begging for mercy or appealing to the conscience of the court, because I ...know if this system had a conscience I would not be here, and in my place would be all the butchers, vivisectors, and fur farmers of the world.
Just as I will remain unbowed before this court- who would see me imprisoned for an act of conscience- I will also deny the fur farmers in the room the pleasure of seeing me bow down before them. To those people here whose sheds I may have visited in 1997, let me tell you directly for the first time, it was a pleasure to raid your farms, and to free those animals you held captive. It is to those animals I answer to, not you or this court. I will forever mark those nights on your property as the most rewarding experience of my life.
And to those farmers or other savages who may read my words in the future and smile at my fate, just remember: We have put more of you in bankruptcy than you have put liberators in prison. Don't forget that.
Let me thank everyone in the courtroom who came to support me today. It is my last wish before prison that each of you drive to a nearby fur farm tonight, tear down its fence and open every cage.
That's all."
~Peter Young
Please help us find this soldier's dog!!
Soldier on deployment,while he was gone, the person who was watching his dog sold it or gave it away on Craigslist...(nice friend grrrr)...have you seen this dog?? Please help this soldier reunite with his pup!
LAKEWOOD– A Joint Base Lewis-McChord soldier was devastated when he returned home from deployment to find his dog was missing — and possibly sold on Craigslist.
Brandon Harker returned last week after an 8-month deployment to Afghanistan. He was excited to see Oakley, his 2-year-old purebred yellow Labrador retriever.
Harker had asked a friend to take care of Oakley while he was deployed. When he contacted the friend to pick him up, he was told the dog had been given away.
He turned to social media to find his dog and was contacted by numerous people who said they’d seen Oakley listed for sale in February on Craigslist. Harker has been calling local veterinarians and shelters, hoping for word on his dog since Oakley is micro-chipped and registered.
“I am just trying to get him back since he was wrongfully given away or sold without my permission while I was deployed,” Harker said.
To see the Craigslist ad or to contact Harker, click here:http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/pet/3956713351.html
LAKEWOOD– A Joint Base Lewis-McChord soldier was devastated when he returned home from deployment to find his dog was missing — and possibly sold on Craigslist.
Brandon Harker returned last week after an 8-month deployment to Afghanistan. He was excited to see Oakley, his 2-year-old purebred yellow Labrador retriever.
Harker had asked a friend to take care of Oakley while he was deployed. When he contacted the friend to pick him up, he was told the dog had been given away.
He turned to social media to find his dog and was contacted by numerous people who said they’d seen Oakley listed for sale in February on Craigslist. Harker has been calling local veterinarians and shelters, hoping for word on his dog since Oakley is micro-chipped and registered.
“I am just trying to get him back since he was wrongfully given away or sold without my permission while I was deployed,” Harker said.
To see the Craigslist ad or to contact Harker, click here:http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/pet/3956713351.html
Help this soldier reunite with his pup! LAKEWOOD– A Joint Base Lewis-McChord soldier was devastated when he returned home from deployment to find his dog was missing — and possibly sold on Craigslist. Brandon Harker returned last week after an 8-month deployment to Afghanistan. He was excited to see Oakley, his 2-year-old purebred yellow Labrador retriever. Harker had asked a friend to take care of Oakley while he was deployed. When he contacted the friend to pick him up, he was told the dog had been given away. He turned to social media to find his dog and was contacted by numerous people who said they’d seen Oakley listed for sale in February on Craigslist. Harker has been calling local veterinarians and shelters, hoping for word on his dog since Oakley is micro-chipped and registered. “I am just trying to get him back since he was wrongfully given away or sold without my permission while I was deployed,” Harker said. To see the Craigslist ad or to contact Harker, click here: http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/pet/3956713351.html Source: http://q13fox.com/2013/07/25/deployed-soldier-returns-home-discovers-his-dog-was-sold-in-his-absence/#ixzz2a6iY05N4 
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342 likes · 132 commentsThursday, July 25, 2013
Humans poisoning bees to extinction!
Recent scientific studies have shown what is causing mass bee deaths. (Bees are crucial to the propagation of our food crops, and therefore our very survival!) The mass die-off of honey bees that pollinate $30 billion worth of crops in the US has so decimated America’s apis mellifera population that one bad winter could leave fields fallow. Now, a new study has pinpointed some of the probable causes of bee deaths and the rather scary results show that averting beemageddon will be much more difficult than previously thought.
Scientists had struggled to find the trigger for so-called Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) that has wiped out an estimated 10 million beehives, worth $2 billion, over the past six years. Suspects have included pesticides, disease-bearing parasites and poor nutrition. But in a first-of-its-kind study published today in the journal PLOS ONE, scientists at the University of Maryland and the US Department of Agriculture have identified a witch’s brew of pesticides and fungicides contaminating pollen that bees collect to feed their hives. The findings break new ground on why large numbers of bees are dying though they do not identify the specific cause of CCD, where an entire beehive dies at once.
When researchers collected pollen from hives on the east coast pollinating cranberry, watermelon and other crops and fed it to healthy bees, those bees showed a significant decline in their ability to resist infection by a parasite called Nosema ceranae. The parasite has been implicated in Colony Collapse Disorder though scientists took pains to point out that their findings do not directly link the pesticides to CCD. The pollen was contaminated on average with nine different pesticides and fungicides though scientists discovered 21 agricultural chemicals in one sample. Scientists identified eight ag chemicals associated with increased risk of infection by the parasite.
Most disturbing, bees that ate pollen contaminated with fungicides were three times as likely to be infected by the parasite. Widely used, fungicides had been thought to be harmless for bees as they’re designed to kill fungus, not insects, on crops like apples.
“There’s growing evidence that fungicides may be affecting the bees on their own and I think what it highlights is a need to reassess how we label these agricultural chemicals,” Dennis vanEngelsdorp, the study’s lead author, told Quartz.
Labels on pesticides warn farmers not to spray when pollinating bees are in the vicinity but such precautions have not applied to fungicides.
Bee populations are so low in the US that it now takes 60% of the country’s surviving colonies just to pollinate one California crop, almonds. And that’s not just a west coast problem—California supplies 80% of the world’s almonds, a market worth $4 billion.
In recent years, a class of chemicals called neonicotinoids has been linked to bee deaths and in April regulators banned the use of the pesticide for two years in Europe where bee populations have also plummeted. But vanEngelsdorp, an assistant research scientist at the University of Maryland, says the new study shows that the interaction of multiple pesticides is affecting bee health.
“The pesticide issue in itself is much more complex than we have led to be believe,” he says. “It’s a lot more complicated than just one product, which means of course the solution does not lie in just banning one class of product.”
The study found another complication in efforts to save the bees: US honey bees, which are descendants of European bees, do not bring home pollen from native North American crops but collect bee chow from nearby weeds and wildflowers. That pollen, however, was also contaminated with pesticides even though those plants were not the target of spraying.
“It’s not clear whether the pesticides are drifting over to those plants but we need take a new look at agricultural spraying practices,” says vanEngelsdorp.
Above story courtesy of http://qz.com/107970/scientists-discover-whats-killing-the-bees-and-its-worse-than-you-thought/
Photo :AP Photo/Ben Margot
Scientists had struggled to find the trigger for so-called Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) that has wiped out an estimated 10 million beehives, worth $2 billion, over the past six years. Suspects have included pesticides, disease-bearing parasites and poor nutrition. But in a first-of-its-kind study published today in the journal PLOS ONE, scientists at the University of Maryland and the US Department of Agriculture have identified a witch’s brew of pesticides and fungicides contaminating pollen that bees collect to feed their hives. The findings break new ground on why large numbers of bees are dying though they do not identify the specific cause of CCD, where an entire beehive dies at once.
When researchers collected pollen from hives on the east coast pollinating cranberry, watermelon and other crops and fed it to healthy bees, those bees showed a significant decline in their ability to resist infection by a parasite called Nosema ceranae. The parasite has been implicated in Colony Collapse Disorder though scientists took pains to point out that their findings do not directly link the pesticides to CCD. The pollen was contaminated on average with nine different pesticides and fungicides though scientists discovered 21 agricultural chemicals in one sample. Scientists identified eight ag chemicals associated with increased risk of infection by the parasite.
Most disturbing, bees that ate pollen contaminated with fungicides were three times as likely to be infected by the parasite. Widely used, fungicides had been thought to be harmless for bees as they’re designed to kill fungus, not insects, on crops like apples.
“There’s growing evidence that fungicides may be affecting the bees on their own and I think what it highlights is a need to reassess how we label these agricultural chemicals,” Dennis vanEngelsdorp, the study’s lead author, told Quartz.
Labels on pesticides warn farmers not to spray when pollinating bees are in the vicinity but such precautions have not applied to fungicides.
Bee populations are so low in the US that it now takes 60% of the country’s surviving colonies just to pollinate one California crop, almonds. And that’s not just a west coast problem—California supplies 80% of the world’s almonds, a market worth $4 billion.
In recent years, a class of chemicals called neonicotinoids has been linked to bee deaths and in April regulators banned the use of the pesticide for two years in Europe where bee populations have also plummeted. But vanEngelsdorp, an assistant research scientist at the University of Maryland, says the new study shows that the interaction of multiple pesticides is affecting bee health.
“The pesticide issue in itself is much more complex than we have led to be believe,” he says. “It’s a lot more complicated than just one product, which means of course the solution does not lie in just banning one class of product.”
The study found another complication in efforts to save the bees: US honey bees, which are descendants of European bees, do not bring home pollen from native North American crops but collect bee chow from nearby weeds and wildflowers. That pollen, however, was also contaminated with pesticides even though those plants were not the target of spraying.
“It’s not clear whether the pesticides are drifting over to those plants but we need take a new look at agricultural spraying practices,” says vanEngelsdorp.
Above story courtesy of http://qz.com/107970/scientists-discover-whats-killing-the-bees-and-its-worse-than-you-thought/
Photo :AP Photo/Ben Margot
Help Stop Wild Duck Carnage (petition and article)
Stop Duck Shooting in Victoria, Australia
The barbaric and nonsensical killing and maiming of ducks in Victoria continues with the annual duck hunting season every year. Even though recreational duck shooting has been banned in QLD, NSW, the ACT and WA, the Victorian state government continues to support it. Aside from the cruelty and pain inflicted, duck shooting wounds as many birds as are actually killed. For every three birds killed one is wounded and left to die a slow and agonising death. For every ten ducks bagged six are crippled.
Endangering native bird populations and causing mass injury and suffering solely for the twisted pleasure of a minority of perverted individuals is irresponsible, unethical and immoral. This year's season saw over 200 rare and threatened Freckled and Blue bill ducks and 50 Swans killed.
In a 2012 survey three out of every four Victorians wanted recreational duck shooting banned.
As a veterinarian who has an ethical responsibility to animal welfare the Premier should be outraged at this totally senseless cruelty.
It is time that this barbaric practice which has for too long been misleadingly portrayed as a "sport" was stopped.
The barbaric and nonsensical killing and maiming of ducks in Victoria continues with the annual duck hunting season every year. Even though recreational duck shooting has been banned in QLD, NSW, the ACT and WA, the Victorian state government continues to support it. Aside from the cruelty and pain inflicted, duck shooting wounds as many birds as are actually killed. For every three birds killed one is wounded and left to die a slow and agonising death. For every ten ducks bagged six are crippled.
Endangering native bird populations and causing mass injury and suffering solely for the twisted pleasure of a minority of perverted individuals is irresponsible, unethical and immoral. This year's season saw over 200 rare and threatened Freckled and Blue bill ducks and 50 Swans killed.
In a 2012 survey three out of every four Victorians wanted recreational duck shooting banned.
As a veterinarian who has an ethical responsibility to animal welfare the Premier should be outraged at this totally senseless cruelty.
It is time that this barbaric practice which has for too long been misleadingly portrayed as a "sport" was stopped.
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Florence + The Machine - "No Light, No Light"video
I have never heard a song by Florence and The Machine I haven't loved. Another superb piece of music!
Spectrum EP is OUT NOW (iTunes):
Directed by Arni & Kinski
Music video by Florence + The Machine performing No Light, No Light. (C) 2011 Universal Island Records, a division of Universal Music Operations Limited
Spectrum EP is OUT NOW (iTunes):
Directed by Arni & Kinski
Music video by Florence + The Machine performing No Light, No Light. (C) 2011 Universal Island Records, a division of Universal Music Operations Limited
Sunday, July 21, 2013
Live Export sending pregnant cows to horror death...
Due to a 'loophole' in the laws on exporting live animals, Australia was able to send thousands of pregnant dairy cows to die in Qatar. Photos and reports from two whistleblowers reveal that within one week, one in four of the animals died of thirst or malnutrition. Mothers watched as their baby cows died in agony.
Despite these photos and eye witness accounts, the Australian Government didn't investigate this incident because breeding animals are excluded from live export regulations. The dairy cows were pregnant when they were shipped, so they weren't part of any Government-sanctioned 'supply chain.' When breeding animals are shipped out of Australia, no one knows where they'll end up or what suffering they'll face.
So far, it looks like no one will be held accountable for the deaths of these animals, and nothing is stopping this from happening again -- unless we speak out! Please sign the petition below.
If you are an Australian citizen, call or email your local MP to tell them to close the loophole on exporting breeding (pregnant) animals!
Despite these photos and eye witness accounts, the Australian Government didn't investigate this incident because breeding animals are excluded from live export regulations. The dairy cows were pregnant when they were shipped, so they weren't part of any Government-sanctioned 'supply chain.' When breeding animals are shipped out of Australia, no one knows where they'll end up or what suffering they'll face.
So far, it looks like no one will be held accountable for the deaths of these animals, and nothing is stopping this from happening again -- unless we speak out! Please sign the petition below.
If you are an Australian citizen, call or email your local MP to tell them to close the loophole on exporting breeding (pregnant) animals!
Monday, June 24, 2013
Celebrities talking about Bradley Manning (video)
‘I Am Bradley Manning’ Say Celebrities in New Campaign. This Human Rights and Peace Article was written by Steve Williams - A new video campaign has been released that sees celebrities proclaim “I Am Bradley Manning,” a drive they hope will help promote support for Manning’s cause.
The video, part of the wider I Am Bradley Manning campaign, sees actress Maggie Gyllenhaal, comedian Russel Brand, director Oliver Stone, Pentagon Papers whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg, and rights activist Dan Choi, among others, explain why they feel we are all Bradley Manning.
Their appearances are interspersed among clips of the now infamous Collateral Murder video and other high profiled moments surrounding the Manning/Wikileaks saga.
Watch the video below:
It should be noted that there is a significant body of evidence to suggest Manning identifies as female, though whether she identifies under the umbrella of transgender is unclear. This post shall hereafter use female pronouns.
The Manning court martial, after eight full days in court spread over three weeks, is now in recess.
Manning faces 22 charges but chief among them (the charge that potentially carries a life sentence) is that Manning directly aided the enemy, Osama bin Laden.
Manning, in a thorough 35 page statement delivered to the court at the start of the trial, freely admits to 10 of the 22 charges and specifically to disclosing the information, but denies aiding the enemy.
Instead Manning contends she provided the classified information under the impression that the battlefield reports were not sensitive and that by placing the documents in the public domain the Military would have to acknowledge it acted against the US Constitution and international rights standards, in effect that it would “show the true cost of war.”
On the charge of aiding the enemy, however, the Military will need to prove that “Manning had reason to believe the leaks would hurt national security,” a very particular threshold.
Much of the trial has centered around the Military attempting to prove this by examining communications including Twitter messages, though so far the information used to paint Manning as cognizant that she could be aiding the enemy appears at the moment only circumstantial.
The fact that Manning was kept for almost a year at the Marine Corps Brig in Virginia under dehumanizing solitary confinement restrictions and then a further two years at Fort Leavenworth with other detainees prior to trial, virtually unprecedented in cases like this, has drawn international attention and the condemnation of national rights groups.
It has also contributed to serious concerns over the Obama administration’s wider response to national security issues. This has reemerged with the NSA scandal and questions over what charges whistle-blower Edward Snowden might now face.
Wikileaks founder Julian Assange has also emerged as a prominent figure in the Military’s view of the Manning trial, though this has raised some eyebrows as Manning is not charged with conspiracy or having set out to infiltrate the military for the purpose of disclosing information to Wikileaks. So why Assange should be named quite so often — 22 times by one count — is interesting.
Assange has just passed his first year of self-confinement by limited choice in the Ecuadorian embassy in London, England, after pleading for asylum from Ecuadorian authorities to escape being extradited to Sweden, where in an unrelated matter he would almost certainly be charged with some form of sexual assault and from where he claims he could, in turn, be extradited to the US.
Manning’s trial is set to resume on Tuesday, June 25.
Read more: http://www.care2.com/causes/i-am-bradley-manning-say-celebrities-in-new-campaign.html#ixzz2X8phDku5
The video, part of the wider I Am Bradley Manning campaign, sees actress Maggie Gyllenhaal, comedian Russel Brand, director Oliver Stone, Pentagon Papers whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg, and rights activist Dan Choi, among others, explain why they feel we are all Bradley Manning.
Their appearances are interspersed among clips of the now infamous Collateral Murder video and other high profiled moments surrounding the Manning/Wikileaks saga.
Watch the video below:
It should be noted that there is a significant body of evidence to suggest Manning identifies as female, though whether she identifies under the umbrella of transgender is unclear. This post shall hereafter use female pronouns.
The Manning court martial, after eight full days in court spread over three weeks, is now in recess.
Manning faces 22 charges but chief among them (the charge that potentially carries a life sentence) is that Manning directly aided the enemy, Osama bin Laden.
Manning, in a thorough 35 page statement delivered to the court at the start of the trial, freely admits to 10 of the 22 charges and specifically to disclosing the information, but denies aiding the enemy.
Instead Manning contends she provided the classified information under the impression that the battlefield reports were not sensitive and that by placing the documents in the public domain the Military would have to acknowledge it acted against the US Constitution and international rights standards, in effect that it would “show the true cost of war.”
On the charge of aiding the enemy, however, the Military will need to prove that “Manning had reason to believe the leaks would hurt national security,” a very particular threshold.
Much of the trial has centered around the Military attempting to prove this by examining communications including Twitter messages, though so far the information used to paint Manning as cognizant that she could be aiding the enemy appears at the moment only circumstantial.
The fact that Manning was kept for almost a year at the Marine Corps Brig in Virginia under dehumanizing solitary confinement restrictions and then a further two years at Fort Leavenworth with other detainees prior to trial, virtually unprecedented in cases like this, has drawn international attention and the condemnation of national rights groups.
It has also contributed to serious concerns over the Obama administration’s wider response to national security issues. This has reemerged with the NSA scandal and questions over what charges whistle-blower Edward Snowden might now face.
Wikileaks founder Julian Assange has also emerged as a prominent figure in the Military’s view of the Manning trial, though this has raised some eyebrows as Manning is not charged with conspiracy or having set out to infiltrate the military for the purpose of disclosing information to Wikileaks. So why Assange should be named quite so often — 22 times by one count — is interesting.
Assange has just passed his first year of self-confinement by limited choice in the Ecuadorian embassy in London, England, after pleading for asylum from Ecuadorian authorities to escape being extradited to Sweden, where in an unrelated matter he would almost certainly be charged with some form of sexual assault and from where he claims he could, in turn, be extradited to the US.
Manning’s trial is set to resume on Tuesday, June 25.
Read more: http://www.care2.com/causes/i-am-bradley-manning-say-celebrities-in-new-campaign.html#ixzz2X8phDku5
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Gorgeous Squiggle the Baby Mongoose video...
There’s never an ‘ordinary’ day in the life of raising a baby mongoose. Just ask Karen Paolillo, Founder of the Turgwe Hippo Trust. Since Karen began hand rearing an orphaned Slender mongoose named Squiggle at her home in Zimbabwe, there have been waves of laughter and joy. We first brought you news of this mongoose in April, and this little one has been very busy since then.
Squiggle’s behavior often resembles that of companion animals. She’ll carry toys in her mouth like a dog. She’ll try to suckle a soft blanket like a kitten. And, in fact, she often curls up next to Karen’s cat for naps. But there’s also the wild side to Squiggle, one that Karen hopes will continue to surface as Squiggle matures, and the other day it took the form of Squiggle launching herself against a glass door in mock ‘attacks’ on a large baboon sitting on the other side. Take a look at the video below to see some of Squiggle’s latest antics, including not just her game with the baboon, but also a comical attack on a dusting tool and a proud victory as she successfully hunts a beetle on the ground.
As you can see, Karen’s backyard is a rather popular spot for wildlife such as the baboons who are being fed here.
“Normally baboons and mongoose coexist,” Karen explains. “With us having a troup of 45 here I do have to watch her when she goes outside as she is fearless but so far there have been no problems at all between her and the baboons or monkey. I think when she’s in the house she just likes to show the baboons who’s boss.”
To see more of the happenings with Squiggle and all the animals at the Turgwe Hippo Trust follow them on Facebook or visit their website.
Squiggle the Slender Mongoose orphan filmed by Karen Paolillo of The Turgwe Hippo Trust, Zimbabwe.
The Turgwe Hippo Trust is the only non-profit conservation project for wild hippos in Africa. Adopt one of these hippos and help save their lives: www.savethehippos.com.
Article courtesy of Laura Simpson and Care2.com Read more: http://www.care2.com/causes/squiggle-the-baby-mongoose-is-taking-over-the-house-and-cuddling-with-cats.html#ixzz2WZ0wn7PI
Squiggle’s behavior often resembles that of companion animals. She’ll carry toys in her mouth like a dog. She’ll try to suckle a soft blanket like a kitten. And, in fact, she often curls up next to Karen’s cat for naps. But there’s also the wild side to Squiggle, one that Karen hopes will continue to surface as Squiggle matures, and the other day it took the form of Squiggle launching herself against a glass door in mock ‘attacks’ on a large baboon sitting on the other side. Take a look at the video below to see some of Squiggle’s latest antics, including not just her game with the baboon, but also a comical attack on a dusting tool and a proud victory as she successfully hunts a beetle on the ground.
As you can see, Karen’s backyard is a rather popular spot for wildlife such as the baboons who are being fed here.
“Normally baboons and mongoose coexist,” Karen explains. “With us having a troup of 45 here I do have to watch her when she goes outside as she is fearless but so far there have been no problems at all between her and the baboons or monkey. I think when she’s in the house she just likes to show the baboons who’s boss.”
To see more of the happenings with Squiggle and all the animals at the Turgwe Hippo Trust follow them on Facebook or visit their website.
Squiggle the Slender Mongoose orphan filmed by Karen Paolillo of The Turgwe Hippo Trust, Zimbabwe.
The Turgwe Hippo Trust is the only non-profit conservation project for wild hippos in Africa. Adopt one of these hippos and help save their lives: www.savethehippos.com.
Article courtesy of Laura Simpson and Care2.com Read more: http://www.care2.com/causes/squiggle-the-baby-mongoose-is-taking-over-the-house-and-cuddling-with-cats.html#ixzz2WZ0wn7PI
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Horrific! Skinning, cutting up and eating a creature live!
Please sign this petition to stop this unbelievable cruelty! The practice of "live sushi" involves cutting apart and then eating a frog, fish, lobster, shrimp, squid or octopus while it is still alive. This practice is a 2,000-year-old Asian tradition known as "ikizukuri."
Ikizukuri is most closely translated as "prepared alive." This dish is prepared by filleting the meat from bottom half of the animal and decoratively laying it on the top half, while it is still alive and moving. The poor creature is then quickly consumed.
The fact that this practice is traditional and ancient does not make it any less cruel to the animals who are cut up, stripped of their skin, and served up alive, or nearly so, to curious and "adventurous" foodies visiting Japan.
"Live sushi" is disturbing to think about and even more horrifying to watch as it is prepared and eaten. The video at the link below is graphic, but you need to see it:
Frog Prepared as Live Sushi
Please sign this petition and urge Japan's ambassador to the United States, Kenichiro Sasae, to take action to end this inhumane delicacy in his country.
Target: Japan's ambassador to the United States, Kenichiro Sasae
Sponsored by: Susan BIrd, Care2Causes
Sacrificing virgins and children was also tradition thousands of years ago. Just because something is labelled tradition, does not mean we should keep practicing it! We are supposed to be an intelligent, compassionate, CIVILIZED species! This practice certainly does not support any one of those assumptions about humanity.
Ikizukuri is most closely translated as "prepared alive." This dish is prepared by filleting the meat from bottom half of the animal and decoratively laying it on the top half, while it is still alive and moving. The poor creature is then quickly consumed.
The fact that this practice is traditional and ancient does not make it any less cruel to the animals who are cut up, stripped of their skin, and served up alive, or nearly so, to curious and "adventurous" foodies visiting Japan.
"Live sushi" is disturbing to think about and even more horrifying to watch as it is prepared and eaten. The video at the link below is graphic, but you need to see it:
Frog Prepared as Live Sushi
Please sign this petition and urge Japan's ambassador to the United States, Kenichiro Sasae, to take action to end this inhumane delicacy in his country.
Target: Japan's ambassador to the United States, Kenichiro Sasae
Sponsored by: Susan BIrd, Care2Causes
Sacrificing virgins and children was also tradition thousands of years ago. Just because something is labelled tradition, does not mean we should keep practicing it! We are supposed to be an intelligent, compassionate, CIVILIZED species! This practice certainly does not support any one of those assumptions about humanity.
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Whether you believe in UFO's or not, this footage taken
in May 2013 in Russia and Brazil is amazing!
Saturday, June 8, 2013
"Radioactive" by Imagine Dragons (video)
Clever clip as well as an excellent song! Debut album Night Visions available now: http://smarturl.it/NightVisions
Music video by Imagine Dragons performing Radioactive. © 2012 KIDinaKORNER/Interscope Records
Buy "Radioactive" on
Google PlayiTuneseMusic
Artist
Imagine Dragons
YouTube Charts
Position #21 on the YouTube 100
Music video by Imagine Dragons performing Radioactive. © 2012 KIDinaKORNER/Interscope Records
Buy "Radioactive" on
Google PlayiTuneseMusic
Artist
Imagine Dragons
YouTube Charts
Position #21 on the YouTube 100
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Remembering Billy (video) and why we should NOT buy
from puppy mills (online puppy/kitten suppliers) or backyard breeders.
First, meet Billy, rescued from a puppy mill.
Billy's legacy...Due to the years of severe neglect and deprivation, Billy's subsequent ill health took its toll, but at least, he had known in his last few months, what it was to be safe and dearly loved.
Sponsored by: Humane Society of the United States
Sign the pledge to stop puppy mills.
First, meet Billy, rescued from a puppy mill.
Billy's legacy...Due to the years of severe neglect and deprivation, Billy's subsequent ill health took its toll, but at least, he had known in his last few months, what it was to be safe and dearly loved.
Sponsored by: Humane Society of the United States
Sign the pledge to stop puppy mills.
Sunday, June 2, 2013
Extremely cute Kitty Versus the Robotic Dog video!
Plus kitty versus the big older sister...Nikita the adopted female kitten and BoBo - the older cat, male. No kitten, cat, or robotic dog were hurt in the filming of this video! :D
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Help Stop Puppy Mills (petition)
Pet stores that care about puppies don't sell them (unless the store is a re-homing shelter for rescued dogs). That's because the majority of pet stores that sell puppies carry dogs from cruel and inhumane puppy mills.
Puppy mills are like dog-making factories with the mother dogs spend their entire lives in cramped cages or kennels with little or no personal attention or quality of life. When the mother and father dogs can no longer breed, they are discarded or killed using barbaric means. Consumers who purchase puppies from pet stores or over the Internet without seeing a breeder's home firsthand are often unknowingly supporting this cruel industry.
Help stop this cycle of cruelty by:
1. Choosing not to buy your next pet from a pet store or Internet site.
2. Refusing to buy supplies from any pet store or Internet site that sells puppies.
3. Always considering adoption of rescued animals from animal shelters first.
Sponsored by: Humane Society of the United States
Sign the pledge to stop puppy mills.
Puppy mills are like dog-making factories with the mother dogs spend their entire lives in cramped cages or kennels with little or no personal attention or quality of life. When the mother and father dogs can no longer breed, they are discarded or killed using barbaric means. Consumers who purchase puppies from pet stores or over the Internet without seeing a breeder's home firsthand are often unknowingly supporting this cruel industry.
Help stop this cycle of cruelty by:
1. Choosing not to buy your next pet from a pet store or Internet site.
2. Refusing to buy supplies from any pet store or Internet site that sells puppies.
3. Always considering adoption of rescued animals from animal shelters first.
Sponsored by: Humane Society of the United States
Sign the pledge to stop puppy mills.
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Help Save the Hawaiian Monk Seal (petition)
"Endangered monk seals have only just started to recover from near extinction, but they're still in danger. They continue to be killed by the most dangerous species on earth: humankind." You can help to save these gentle creatures. Be a voice for the voiceless...
Saturday, May 18, 2013
The Amazing Prairie Dog (includes video)
Recent research has shown these animals use descriptive terms in their communication! Article by Stephen Messenger courtesy of Care2.com "You might not think it to look at them, but prairie dogs and humans actually share an important commonality — and it’s not just their complex social structures, or their habit of standing up on two feet (aww, like people). As it turns out, prairie dogs actually have one of the most sophisticated forms of vocal communication in the natural world, really not so unlike our own."
After more than 25 years of studying the calls of prairie dog in the field, one researcher managed to decode just what these animals are saying. And the results show that praire dogs aren’t only extremely effective communicators, they also pay close attention to detail.
According to Dr. Con Slobodchikoff, who turned his vocalization analysis on the Gunnison’s prairie dog of Arizona and New Mexico, the chirps these animals use as ‘alert calls’ are actually word-like packages of information to share with the rest of the colony. Amazingly, these unique sounds were found to both identify specific threats by species, such as hawks and coyotes, and to point out descriptive information about their appearance.
And, when they’re talking about humans, that might not always be flattering.
“For example, a human alarm call not only contains information about the intruder being a human, but also contains information about the size, shape (thin or fat), and color of clothes the human is wearing,” says Dr. Slobodchikoff.
“When we do an experiment where the same person walks out into a prairie dog colony wearing different colored t-shirts at different times, the prairie dogs will have alarm calls that contain the same description of the person’s size and shape, but will vary in their description of the color.”
While there’s still much to learn about how other animals use organized vocalizations to communicate, Dr. Slobodchikoff has been a pioneer in the field — discovering complex language systems in a variety of other species as well. And with that, perhaps we humans will begin to change our perspective on our place in the world, knowing now that ours is not the only voice to be heard.
This post was originally published by TreeHugger.
Here’s a remarkable video detailing what the researcher discovered:
Read more: http://www.care2.com/causes/prairie-dog-language-decoded-turns-out-theyre-talking-about-us.html#ixzz2Tek2sX2g
After more than 25 years of studying the calls of prairie dog in the field, one researcher managed to decode just what these animals are saying. And the results show that praire dogs aren’t only extremely effective communicators, they also pay close attention to detail.
According to Dr. Con Slobodchikoff, who turned his vocalization analysis on the Gunnison’s prairie dog of Arizona and New Mexico, the chirps these animals use as ‘alert calls’ are actually word-like packages of information to share with the rest of the colony. Amazingly, these unique sounds were found to both identify specific threats by species, such as hawks and coyotes, and to point out descriptive information about their appearance.
And, when they’re talking about humans, that might not always be flattering.
“For example, a human alarm call not only contains information about the intruder being a human, but also contains information about the size, shape (thin or fat), and color of clothes the human is wearing,” says Dr. Slobodchikoff.
“When we do an experiment where the same person walks out into a prairie dog colony wearing different colored t-shirts at different times, the prairie dogs will have alarm calls that contain the same description of the person’s size and shape, but will vary in their description of the color.”
While there’s still much to learn about how other animals use organized vocalizations to communicate, Dr. Slobodchikoff has been a pioneer in the field — discovering complex language systems in a variety of other species as well. And with that, perhaps we humans will begin to change our perspective on our place in the world, knowing now that ours is not the only voice to be heard.
This post was originally published by TreeHugger.
Here’s a remarkable video detailing what the researcher discovered:
Read more: http://www.care2.com/causes/prairie-dog-language-decoded-turns-out-theyre-talking-about-us.html#ixzz2Tek2sX2g
Saturday, May 11, 2013
Help Stop Sea Otter Slaughter (Petition)
Alaska's curious and charming sea otters are finally on the path to recovery after being pushed to the brink of extinction by over-hunting. Under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, Alaska Native hunters alone are allowed to kill sea otters -- and they can only do so to create "authentic native handicrafts."
Unfortunately those protections could be weakened if the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service collapses under the greedy pressures of the commercial fishing industry -- rules may be expanded to include nearly unaltered sea otter pelts under the "handicrafts" definition.
Sea otters play an important role in Alaska's coastal ecosystems by encouraging the growth of kelp beds, which serve as nurseries for fish and create important carbon dioxide sinks. But sea otters also eat some species that are targeted by commercial fishers, so the fishing industry is pushing to control sea otter populations.
Please take action now to tell the Fish and Wildlife Service to protect Alaska's sea otters.
Unfortunately those protections could be weakened if the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service collapses under the greedy pressures of the commercial fishing industry -- rules may be expanded to include nearly unaltered sea otter pelts under the "handicrafts" definition.
Sea otters play an important role in Alaska's coastal ecosystems by encouraging the growth of kelp beds, which serve as nurseries for fish and create important carbon dioxide sinks. But sea otters also eat some species that are targeted by commercial fishers, so the fishing industry is pushing to control sea otter populations.
Please take action now to tell the Fish and Wildlife Service to protect Alaska's sea otters.
Saturday, May 4, 2013
Three true stories (videos) of two legged dogs
that show us what it means to have courage, and live joyously! First Faith, who learned to walk on her two back legs like a human.
A sweet little Chihuahua with no front legs
Granny Jin rescues dog with no front legs. One winter's day when Granny Jin was walking her two Pekingese dogs alongside a pond in Xinxiang, Henan, China, she came a across a black puppy, a few days old. The puppy had been dumped by its previous owner because it was born without its two front legs. Granny Jin took the pup back home and named it "Xiao Hei" (Little Blacky). Eight months on, under the love and care of Granny Jin, Xiao Hei has turned into a healthy dog.
A sweet little Chihuahua with no front legs
Granny Jin rescues dog with no front legs. One winter's day when Granny Jin was walking her two Pekingese dogs alongside a pond in Xinxiang, Henan, China, she came a across a black puppy, a few days old. The puppy had been dumped by its previous owner because it was born without its two front legs. Granny Jin took the pup back home and named it "Xiao Hei" (Little Blacky). Eight months on, under the love and care of Granny Jin, Xiao Hei has turned into a healthy dog.
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