Be the Change for Animals

Amazon CARES Needs Your Help to Survive!

Vicki Cook — Mon, 21 May 2012 15:04:13 +0000

Amazon CARES Needs Your Help to Survive!

The worst flooding in decades wiped out Amazon CARES‘ no-kill animal shelter, the ONLY Peruvian charity dedicated to the protection of the Amazon region’s domestic and wild animals. Rebuilding a sturdy albeit smaller structure has nearly destroyed the organization, and a matching grant that they depended upon will not occur for another 6-12 months.

Help fundraise without spending a dime! (…although we wouldn’t stand in your way if you donate too.)

Act Now!

Here’s how you can help:

Paste Amazon CARES’ story across your social networks:

Help @AmazonCares & Molly Mednikow save the only Peruvian charity protecting the Amazon’s domestic animals: http://bit.ly/KpOpSY #BTC4A

Write a blog post about Amazon CARES and add their Chip-In to your website or blog (Graphics are provided at the end of this post).

“Like” Amazon CARES on Facebook and share their posts with your Facebook friends.

Follow AmazonCARES on Twitter and re-tweet their posts.

Why It Matters

While the outside world is focused on the important global and environmental issues facing the Amazon Rain Forest region, no programs – aside from Amazon Community Animal Rescue, Education and Safety (CARES) - are in place for domestic animal welfare. Since its founding in 2004, Amazon CARES has protected the countless stray animals that roam the villages of Peru as well as the wildlife. But the video below depicts the greatest challenge that Amazon CARES has ever faced.

Without Amazon CARES, health and living conditions for ALL living beings of the Peruvian Amazon region will suffer. Programs extend far beyond animal health, and CARES is recognized for humane education, assisted animal therapy, and volunteer driven travel to areas with no access to veterinary care.

According to founder Molly Mednikow:

I am sad to report that the survival of CARES is a matter of weeks, not months. There is no other charity like ours in the region. In a matter of a few years, much of the work we have done will have come undone. We are close to our ChipIn Goal. Yet this was a temporary goal designed to get us through an emergency situation. Help us exceed this goal.

This very special organization has received international recognition as an innovative U.S. based charity operating in the Peruvian Amazon region. (Learn more about in our 4animals newsletter.) We can make a difference by ensuring Amazon CARES survival.

Take action right now. Don’t wait.

This post was written by Vicki Cook and Kim Clune with best wishes from the entire BTC entire team.

Graphics Gallery:

Save one of the images below, upload it to your blog or website, and link it back to http://bit.ly/KpOpSY.

Images provided by Parfait Studio.

Be the Change for Animals

Honor Endangered Species Day on May 18th

Mel Freer — Mon, 14 May 2012 11:30:42 +0000

Honor Endangered Species Day on May 18th

Every year, 27,000 species (three every hour) become extinct because of over population, destruction of natural habitats, use of pesticides, pollution and illegal hunting and trading. Since 1996, scientists calculate that 124 types of amphibians, 1,108 types of birds, 734 types of fish, 1,096 types of mammals, and 253 types of reptiles have become endangered, and recently, the rate of species dying out has increased dramatically. YOU can be the change that keeps these creatures alive and protects them from being endangered.

ACT NOW!

Participate in Endangered Species Day in your state on May 18th.

Read: 10 Easy things you can do at home to protect endangered species.

Show your support for endangered species on Facebook and Twitter by replacing your profile picture or avatar on Facebook, Twitter or Google+ with a picture of your favorite species.

Tweet about Endangered Species Day using the hashtag #ESDay

If you are a Teacher, hold an Endangered Species Day in your class.

Why It Matters

Endangered species are animals or plants that are soon to die out, never to be seen again on this earth. According to ItsNature.org, among the species that have already become extinct are the Dodo Bird, British Wolf, Javan Tiger, North African Elephant, Pig-footed Bandicoot and Japanese Sea Lion.

In 2006, the U.S. Senate passed the first Endangered Species Day to help bring attention to our nation’s endangered species. This day, the third Friday in May, is an opportunity for people to learn about the importance of protecting endangered species and we can take action to help protect our nation’s disappearing wildlife and last remaining open spaces.

Every year, thousands of people throughout the country honor Endangered Species Day at parks, wildlife refuges, zoos, aquariums, botanical gardens, libraries, schools and community centers. You can participate in festivals, field trips, park tours, community clean-ups, film showings, classroom presentations, and many other fun and educational activities.

This Endangered Species Day, show your support for threatened and endangered species by sharing it with others (Twitter, Facebook, email, etc.) and by participating in events in your area. Visit StopExtinction.org today.

Be the Change for Animals

Ensure Life, Not Death, for Millions of Migratory Waterfowl

Kim Clune — Mon, 07 May 2012 11:32:36 +0000

Ensure Life, Not Death, for Millions of Migratory Waterfowl

Visit the Audubon Action Center today!

More than 20,000 birds have died in the Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge on the Oregon-California border as water levels have become dangerously low. With more than two million birds forced to share dwindling wetlands, an outbreak of avian cholera has caused massive die-off.

You can help these birds. Add your name to the Audubon Society’s call urging water aid from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.

ACT NOW!

Sign the letter to Secretary of the Interior, Ken Salazar, asking for adequate water to support millions of birds arriving for spring migration.

Why it Matters

Short supply of water makes all competing interests suffer, a complicated situation to be sure, but letting the Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge go completely dry, according to the National Audubon Society, “would be an untenable disaster.”

Because the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation has failed to provide adequate water to support millions of spring migrating birds, more than 20,000 waterfowl have already died and that number is rising. To release enough water to support the journeying waterfowl offers a temporary albeit important solution to disease, death, and tragic environmental impact.

The Refuge is widely considered the most important habitat for migratory waterfowl in the Lower 48. The National Audubon Society explains:

Millions of birds moving north along the Pacific Flyway rely on this Refuge to successfully complete their spring migration. Letting it dry out would break one of the most important links in a migratory chain that stretches from Alaska to Patagonia.

Let’s protect these birds by providing life sustaining water.
Send your letter of support today!

***

BtC4animals.com never asks you to spend a cent,
just a few minutes of your time.
It’s the greatest gift you can give.

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Submit your animal cause today!
Spread the word.
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4animals: Stories to Inspire – Issue 11

admin — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 16:49:24 +0000

4animals: Stories to Inspire – Issue 11

IN ISSUE #11

4animals	4people	4discussion

15 years ago, Pam Porteous became best friend to all animals in the city of Pontiac, Michigan. In the trenches daily, she makes a measurable difference in their lives and the lives of their people.	Mother’s Day is just around the corner. It’s a time to celebrate with our human families. Why not also celebrate our close bonds with our cats, dogs and other furry, feathered or scaly friends?	Dr. Stephen Kress, also known as the “Puffin Man,” talks about how the National Audubon Society started Project Puffin to restore Atlantic Puffins from extinction to their native nesting islands in the Gulf of Maine.

Explore and indulge in the majesty of the animal kingdom before another month of animal advocacy begins… Enjoy!

4animals

Pam Porteous: Quitting on Animals, Not an Option

by Kim Clune

As the sun illuminates the outskirts of Pontiac, Michigan, Pam Porteous is greeted by the hungry faces of her personal dogs, foster dogs and cats. Pam offers them sustenance, shelter and much love, but these are not the only animals she cares for, not in the least.

Once her household is satisfied and settled, Pam climbs into the rescue/transport van, ensuring that the cages are clean and sterile before driving into Pontiac to pick up dogs and cats at multiple households. Every morning, Monday through Friday, Pam transports animals of Pontiac to veterinary appointments through the Animal Care Network (ACN) spay/neuter program.

With 20 years of animal care experience, Pam has heard every reason for animals missing appointments, from lack of transportation or gas to owner forgetfulness, and more. Taking on the commitment herself, she ensures that missed appointments are no longer a problem.

Many times people are still sleeping and I have to call and call and knock and knock to wake them up. But I wait and load up the animals and check them into the veterinarian for surgery. I then head into the city to rescue other animals, do food drops, pass out vaccine clinic flyers, check out situations, etc. Our list is always long but every address gets a visit.

In 2006, for the Animal Planet Hero of the Year Award, Pam Porteous was 6th of the top 10 nominees. Dedicated volunteer Hanna Gibson wrote in Pam’s nomination:

Pam Porteous “adopted” the town of Pontiac, Mich., 15 years ago and developed the most innovative urban community outreach program in America, to ensure that every animal has a chance to live a healthy and happy life. Hers is a holistic and highly interactive approach to animal welfare; she personally visits any home with animals to ensure each family is taken care of so that the animal will be, too. … Pam knows most people in Pontiac, and most know her — from drug dealers and prostitutes to pastors, children, the police department and city employees. Any and all call her whenever they or an animal needs help. The effect of her approach is profound.

That effect of Pam’s work is measurable as the Animal Care Network is responsible for:

60,000 home visits to ensure animals are not being abused, neglected or fought
5,000+ dogs and cats spayed/neutered through low-cost programs and collaborative efforts
10,000+ wellness checks
17,000+ animals vaccinated for low/no cost

So how did Pam become best friend to an entire city of animals? It began with volunteer experience and a striking observation. She says, “I started walking dogs at a local animal shelter and in that community noticed all kinds of dogs chained in backyards and dogs and cats wandering the streets.” Pam then volunteered at the Animal Care Network street program when ACN was founded in 1994.

Now Pam educates families and distributes food, water, hundreds of doghouses, thousands of straw bales and other supplies. Her neighborhood talks cover the importance of spays/neuters, vaccines, and the dangers of cold weather, hot weather, and chaining.

The city of Pontiac, with a struggling economy, poses many challenges for people and, as a result, for their animals. According to the 2010 census, 22.1% of the population was below the poverty line. Pam describes three significant consequences of lacking care, whether due to economic hardship or other issues, that truly stand out in her daily dealings:

1) Dogs used for breeding, moneymaking purposes and then either given away, passed around the neighborhood or dumped on the streets to fend for themselves

These poor mother dogs are forced to have litter after litter, without proper food, water and vet care. Then they are just abandoned. We rescue many of these mom dogs from the streets, malnourished, still filled with milk, with infections and just so, so happy and grateful to be rescued. Many of these puppies are sold or given out on the streets at two – three weeks of age

2) Dogs and puppies suffering from the parvovirus

Many of the people in our target area just leave the dog or puppy in the backyard to die. Two people actually put their dying dog on the curb where the garbage goes. Thankfully we got wind of these situations and responded immediately.

3) Faithful chained backyard dogs that sit and wait for someone to bring them food and water, day after day and nobody ever shows up

Many times we are notified of this too late to save the dog. It is very disturbing to find a dying or dead dog just curled up in the doghouse, almost giving up.

These situations are clearly dire, but the Animal Care Network makes a tremendous difference. Members of the community, including utility workers, social service, delivery people, keep their eyes on the animals in ACN’s target area and call Pam when something is amiss. In one such case, ACN received a tip that some people had moved away and left an emaciated, matted dog with one leg dangling from the hip in the backyard. Pam responded to that situation and says:

She had probably been waiting for someone to come help her for quite some time. ACN was able to get her to one of our awesome rescue partners. She needed to have her leg amputated and was soon adopted by a great family. We see Penny every year at an annual walkathon put on by this rescue group and they simply adore her. Had we not had this tip, Penny would have either died from infection or starvation.

Happy endings like this are what keep ACN members energized. And not all situations are devastating. Sometimes people offer loving homes to their pets, but they need a bit of help with food provisions, vaccinations or transportation. Because they help so many people and pets in the community, families often call Pam and ACN’s volunteers angels. But earning that honor is never easy.

Many days, we dread even going into the city and I myself even make up excuses not to but, once I get going, at the end of the day we have made such a difference and you say to yourself, I am so glad that I came into the City today. We feel that this program is definitely our calling.

For Pam and volunteer Hannah, quitting is not an option. Hannah explains:

I have seen many volunteers quit when the emotional burden becomes too overwhelming. Those of us who stay are constantly overwhelmed, yet will never quit. If we quit, even for a day, even for a moment, there will be no one looking out for these animals and they will suffer.

Pam Porteous was recognized as the Humanitarian of the Year by the Michigan Federation of Humane Societies and Animal Advocates in 1999 for her vast and valuable community work in Pontiac. Since then, the work of ACN has overflowed Pontiac’s city limits. In 2009, teen volunteer Jin Swartz was featured on the Nickelodeon News and, in 2012, the Animal Care Network was featured in the Best Friends Magazine. BTC4animals.com is both humbled by and proud to share Pam’s heroic life with you, too, celebrating a woman who has selflessly changed the lives of thousands of animals for the better.

Learn more at http://michigananimaladoptionnetwork.org/.

4people

A Mother’s Love

By Peggy Frezon

Animal babies, just like human babies, cannot survive without nurturing. When we commit to taking an animal into our homes, we become their provider, caretaker, protector, and much more. In many ways, we become their parent.

Mother’s Day is just around the corner. It’s a time to celebrate with our human families. Why not also celebrate our close bonds with our cats, dogs and other furry, feathered or scaly friends? Isn’t it wonderful that we are blessed with wonderful pets to nurture?

Here are five ways taking care of a pet is like being a mom.

1. Moms Nourish.
We dish out cat food with our good soup spoon. We keep the water bowl full on a hot summer day. We heft 50-pound bags of kibble through a crowded store. We follow recipes and cook for their special needs while we throw a frozen pizza in the oven for ourselves.

2. Moms Teach.
We bring our dog to Obedience School, even if we’re embarrassed because they’re the worst behaved there. We potty train. We can’t wait to show our friends that our cat can actually play fetch. We have the best Stupid Pet Trick ever!

3. Moms Groom.
We give them baths, and end up soaked ourselves. We trim their nails, even when we’re terrified of nicking them too far. We brush their teeth (which is no easy feat) so they won’t end up with dental problems or bad breath.

4. Moms Comfort.
We sit on the floor and hug them through a thunderstorm. We carefully pull out the thorns and the porcupine quills and the burrs from their fur, and tear up because they trust us to do so. We wait up all night to get that call from the vet that they’re okay.

5. Moms Love.
We snuggle next to our dog. We hold our hamster in the palm of our hand and rub between its tiny ears. We stroke our purring cat on our lap. We share our secrets. Sometimes we cry into their fur. We welcome that wet kiss.

Check out “Mother’s Day Song … Time has Gone,” a video celebrating the love of all animal mothers and their young. The name of the song is “Time Has Gone” by vocalist Ingrid Dumosch.

4discussion

Be the Change for Animals

Website Helps Lost Pets Return Home

Kim Clune — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 14:11:28 +0000

Website Helps Lost Pets Return Home

Has your pet ever slipped out while you carried groceries in or has the leash slipped your hand as a squirrel crossed your path? Then you know that sick feeling of helplessness. Now Helping Lost Pets (HeLP) provides a web-based community that helps bring more pets back home. It’s FREE to join and use, and allows you to map where a pet was lost or found.

Act NOW!

Register for free at HelpingLostPets.com,
Encourage your local rescue or shelter to join.
Follow Helping Lost Pets on Facebook and Twitter.

Why It Matters

Many stray pets do not find their way home because their owners simply do not find them. Increasing the number of pets returning home will not only create many more happy reunions but will also reduce the number of pets euthanized due to lack of space. According to the ASPCA, 2.5 – 3.5 million strays enter US Shelters every year. Less than 2% of cats and 20% of dogs are claimed by their owners.

HelpingLostPets.com allows a quick and easy search of pets everywhere. According to site developer Rob Goddard:

Our website is map based and totally free to use. When a pet is listed as lost or found, email alerts are sent to our members in the area. The more members we have, the more pets will get back home. Our immediate task is to grow the membership of our website. We are working to bring shelters on board to list their stray pets.

As of this writing, nearly 7,000 members have joined, as have 300+ organizations. Together, they have listed 14,569 lost pets. And it works to get the word out! After 3 weeks and a massive search effort, this Jack Russell Terrier named Bentley is back home. As you can see, his owner is very relieved and grateful.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-deiaZHJsI

Join the HeLP network today. It saves lives!

***

BtC4animals.com never asks you to spend a cent,
just a few minutes of your time.
It’s the greatest gift you can give.

Receive new weekly causes via RSS or email.
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Be the Change for Animals

Bee the Change for Honeybees

Peggy Frezon — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 12:12:53 +0000

Bee the Change for Honeybees

Susan Mariner grows fruits and veggies in her backyard garden. The garden helps her children understand where their food comes from, and that bees are essential in the pollination of these plants. In the past few years, however, Susan has noted a dramatic decline in the number of bees in the yard.

American honeybees are disappearing at an alarming rate. Scientists say that a pesticide called clothianidin, produced by chemical company Bayer, is strongly linked to the rapid decline in bee populations. This in turn affects our food production. We can help by asking the EPA to ban this pesticide and save the bees.

Act Now

Bees are necessary for pollination and the food we eat. Sign the petition and help reach the goal of 150,000 signatures.

Sign Susan’s petition. Ask the Environmental Protection Agency to ban bee-killing pesticides ASAP.

Spread the word! Copy and paste this to Facebook, Twitter, and Google+:

Save our Bees and the Food We Eat. http://www.change.org/petitions/epa-save-our-bees-and-the-food-we-eat-ban-bayer-s-chemicals

Why it Matters

No bees: no strawberries. No bees: no apples. It could happen! One third of the U.S. food supply relies on honey bees. Strawberries, apples, squash, tomatoes, almonds and even chocolate depend upon honey bees to pollinate the plants.

Clothianidin is used on millions of acres of crops and American beekeepers report losses of up to 90% of their bees. This is what happens: When exposed to the chemical clothianidin, bees get lost, unable to find their way home back to the hive, and drop dead from exhaustion.

Not only has the US experienced widespread honeybee deaths and disappearances, called “Colony Collapse Disorder,” we have also seen a dramatic decrease in the wild bee population. Massive and continuing declines in the bee population means our food supply and our economy are in jeopardy.

Several countries, including Germany and France, have already banned clothianidin. And after the bans, bee populations began to rise again.

Susan’s petition aims to convince the EPA to ban the sale of Bayer’s “neoniconitoid” products, which are used in some pesticides and home garden and landscape products. She hopes that this measure will help save the bees, and in turn, preserve the production of fruits and vegetables on our soil.

Be that hope. Sign the petition today.

***

BtC4animals.com never asks you to spend a cent,
just a few minutes of your time.
It’s the greatest gift you can give.

Receive new weekly causes via RSS or email.
Submit your animal cause today!
Spread the word.
Share this link!

Be the Change for Animals

APRIL 15: Blog the Change for Animals

admin — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 12:47:18 +0000

APRIL 15: Blog the Change for Animals

Not just for bloggers…
Be, Blog and Read the Change for Animals!

Come together to support people helping animals in need each 15th of January, April, July and October. Bloggers, write about a cause near and dear to your heart. Readers, share your comments and ideas in answer to these questions and more!

What have you done to Be the Change for Animals?
Who do you know who acts tirelessly on animals’ behalf?
What favorite cause has a special need right now?

TO BLOG THE CHANGE

1.) Grab the badge.
Paste the code from BtC4animals.com‘s sidebar to your blog’s sidebar. This lets folks know you’re taking part and how they can too.

2.) Tell others too!
Post this to Facebook and Twitter:

APRIL 15: BE, BLOG AND READ THE CHANGE FOR ANIMALS! – Get the badge & spread the word! http://bit.ly/pO7dZp #BtC4A

3.) Post your blog entry on April 15.
Support your favorite cause, shelter, foster or friend.
Need more ideas? Revisit previous causes on BtC4animals.com.
Many can still use your help.

No matter what cause you choose:

Make a fresh commitment to act on behalf of animals
Inspire others to do the same
Spread the word

4.) Add your link on BtC4animals.com.
On April 15 at 12:01 AM EST, a link list will appear below. Add your blog’s name and post URL – not your main domain – so others can find and support your cause.

5.) Share the good will.
Read listings throughout the day and offer help or encouragement where you can. Remember, a kind word can make a difference! Share your favorite posts on your favorite social network (Twitter hashtag #BtC4A).

Extra credit:
Click “Get the Code” at the end of the list and paste it at the bottom of your blog post. While not required, this places the list on your site too, generating traffic to and from your page for the sake of the animals your post supports.

Thanks everybody and we’ll see you there!
Kim C, Amy, Kim T, Vicki, Peggy,
Mary, Mel and Maggie

Be the Change for Animals

Rabbits Are Not Easter Toys

Vicki Cook — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 11:30:20 +0000

Rabbits Are Not Easter Toys

Rabbits are a familiar symbol of the Easter holiday – stores are filled with stuffed bunnies and chocolate rabbits. And every year, many thousands of live rabbits are abandoned to shelters or released outdoors because parents who bought them as gifts for their children are ill-prepared to care for these unique creatures. Rabbitron.com is spreading the word that “Rabbits are not Easter toys!”

Act Now!

• Visit Rabbitron.com to learn why “Rabbits and Easter Don’t Mix”

• “Like” Rabbitron and share with your Facebook friends

• Encourage your friends and family to give a stuffed Easter bunny as a gift to a child

Why It Matters

Every year, thousands of rabbits are abandoned because people who purchased these animals did not understand their special needs. Rabbits are not the cuddly creatures people assume they are.

Rabbits require a lifetime commitment of care and expense that is the same or greater than that of a cat or a dog. They need exercise, a proper diet, and spacious shelter that will protect them from predators and extreme weather conditions. Medical attention is sometimes needed, and they should be spayed or neutered. Rabbits enjoy receiving affection from people, but they do not like being held because it feels like being caught by a predator.

If your family is not prepared for the long-term commitment of a rabbit, please give your child a stuffed animal as an Easter gift. That way when the child loses interest, the live rabbit will not end up neglected or abandoned.

Should you decide that you are fully-prepared to care for a rabbit and you wish to bring one into your home, never purchase a rabbit from a pet store! Instead, visit your local shelter or rescue organization and choose to adopt one of last year’s homeless “Easter Gifts.”

***

BtC4animals.com never asks you to spend a cent,
just a few minutes of your time.
It’s the greatest gift you can give.

Receive new weekly causes via RSS or email.
Submit your animal cause today!
Spread the word.
Share this link!

Be the Change for Animals

4animals: Stories to Inspire – Issue 10

admin — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 02:59:45 +0000

4animals: Stories to Inspire – Issue 10

IN ISSUE #10

4animals	4people	4discussion

Please welcome the fine folks from Animal Café to our fresh newsletter column, 4discussion. Each month, a new Animal Café podcast will explore animal welfare topics. Be sure to listen in and join the conversation!	Through contact with horses, goats, guinea pigs and rabbits, Riley’s Place provides a special experience for ill, homeless and other children in need… and rabbits are most popular cuddlers at any time of year, not just Easter!	Mary Haight, founder of Animal Café, interviews Sona Mirzaei, the only American artist invited to participate in the Elephant Parade, the world’s largest open-air art exhibit featuring 6 foot tall elephant art auctioned in support of real elephants.

Explore and indulge in the majesty of the animal kingdom before another month of animal advocacy begins… Enjoy!

4animals

Animal Café Brings Animal Podcasts to the BTC Table

by Kim Clune

We forego our 4animals feature interview this week to introduce our newest 4animals feature – 4discussion!

4discussion is where you’ll find authors, business owners, not-for-profits, experts and enthusiasts talking about animal welfare issues, pet health care and travel, cutting edge dog training, and more – all brought to you by the fine podcasters at Animal Café.

This month (under the 4discussion tab) we hear from Sona Mirzaei, an American artist raising awareness about the decline of Asian elephant populations. We encourage you to listen, ask questions, share and come back next month for an entirely new topic!

About Animal Café

Animal Café was founded by our own BTC team member Mary Haight. Mary has been in animal welfare for over 15 years and is Vice President on the board of a no-kill shelter in Chicago, IL. Fellow podcasters include Dr. Lorie Huston, DVM, a 20-year veteran, practicing in Providence, RI, and Kelly Gorman Dunbar, certified Nose Work Trainer as well as co-founder and Editor at Dog Star Daily. Learn more at the Animal Café!

4people

Bunnies Aren’t Just for Easter Anymore

By Peggy Frezon

The big white rabbit nestled gently on the lap of a 4-year-old cancer patient at the Ronald McDonald house. The little boy stroked the rabbit’s soft fur repeatedly and whispered to his dad standing nearby. Wendy Mattes, the bunny’s keeper and co-founder and executive director of Riley’s Place, asked the man what his son had said.

“He said he loves this bunny,” the father replied gently. “She knows how he feels because she’s losing her hair too.”

Robin is a large, white California rabbit. She has black ears, a black nose and black tail, and was shedding a bit more than usual the day of the visit. Wendy had rescued the bunny from the Peninsula Humane Society and SPCA near Woodside, California. For more than a year the rabbit had waited for just the right person to come along. Then came Wendy, with a plan. The rabbit would join her organization and help children. Inspired by the comforting power of animals, Riley’s Place provides a special experience for ill, homeless and other children in need.

The animals at Riley’s Place include horses, goats, guinea pigs and rabbits. Of all the animals, the rabbits are the most popular because they are portable, cute and furry, and children love to hold them. In addition to Robin, Riley’s Place has a white New Zealand rabbit named Casper.

Rabbits help:

1. Create Calmness
2. Promote Acceptance
3. Decrease Depression
4. Ease Loneliness
5. Develop a Positive Attitude

“It’s the vulnerability of rabbits that children are drawn to,” says Wendy. To ensure safety, only the volunteers pick up the bunnies and put them in the children’s laps. If the bunny wants to hop away, it may. Robin is nicknamed Mother Theresa because she’ll patiently and lovingly sit on laps for hours. Through the gently healing love of rabbits, special children feel are able to feel a little more secure, a little more confident.

**Note: Rabbits make great pets, but they can be shy or skittish and sometimes may nip or kick. Please don’t impulse-buy a rabbit for Easter. If you do consider a pet rabbit, remember that they are a commitment for up to 10-12 years, and require adequate housing, food and attention.

4discussion

Animal Café Presents…
Elephants Parade Across Europe for Charity

by Kim Clune

Since the early 20th century, endangered Asian elephant populations have fallen from 250,000 to between 20,000 and 40,000 due to loss of habitat, poaching, and accidents. To raise awareness and donations toward conservation, Marc and Michael Spits sparked an Elephant Parade, the world’s largest open-air art exhibit.

Featuring 6 foot tall elephants uniquely painted by local and international artists, these majestic works of art are displayed from Milan and Heerlen to Copenhagen and beyond. Auctioned off after exhibit, the elephant art has generated more than 4 million Euros in donations to the Asian Elephant Foundation between 2007 and 2010.

Listen as Mary Haight, founder of Animal Café, interviews Sona Mirzaei, the only American artist invited to participate in the Elephant Parade. Mirzaei shares what co-creating public art to raise awareness for a cause meant to her, the success of the event so far, and possibilities of US participation next year.

Be the Change for Animals

Stop the Sale of Manta Ray Parts!

Mel Freer — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 11:30:55 +0000

Stop the Sale of Manta Ray Parts!

Majestic manta rays are disappearing all over the world and, still, unscrupulous businesses sell their parts for ineffectual Chinese medicine, tasteless filler in shark fin soup, and leather boots and wallets as found on the well known commerce site, Alibaba.com.

Send businesses a message:
Stop selling products made from endangered manta rays!

Act Now!

Sign the Manta Watch petition asking Indonesia’s Minister for the Environment to consider stronger regulation for manta and mobula ray fisheries.

Tweet this:

@AlibabaTalk Stop selling products containing body parts from endangered manta rays!

Refuse to buy products containing manta ray and tell that seller why.

Share this post.

Why It Matters

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, the giant devilray (Mobula mobular)—is listed as “endangered” and many other species of manta ray are in danger of collapse.

As shark population declines due to overfishing and increased demand for their “medicinal” qualities in Chinese medicine, traders involved in the shark fin trade are turning to manta rays for their gill rakers, the thin filaments that manta and mobula rays use to filter food from the water. These gill rakers are used in Chinese soups and sold as cures for such ailments as a sore throat, chicken pox and cancer. They are also using their skin to create leather products, such as wallets and purses. (For more read “Manta Rays Endangered by Sudden Demand from Chinese Medicine” in Scientific American.)

Manta rays are graceful, intelligent and gentle creatures. They spend their time gliding in the ocean and feeding upon the ocean’s plankton. Tourists travel to places like Hawaii, Micronesia, and Mozambique to swim and see them in their natural environments. If we do not stop their decline soon, we may only have pictures and videos to look at and the ocean’s delicate balanced ecosystem will be destroyed.

As Michael Skoletsky, executive director of Shark Savers, tells Scientific American:

If action is not taken quickly, manta and mobula rays will likely face regional extinctions because of unregulated fisheries. Anyone who has gone diving with mantas knows them to be intelligent, graceful and engaging animals. It would be a tragedy to lose them.

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Learn more by watching Wild Kingdom- Manta Ray Secrets Revealed from Animal Planet’s YouTube channel:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6xC4EE4FhA

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