Etsy For Animals

December's Charity of the Month is… Senior Dog Haven & Hospice

noreply@blogger.com (Brizel Handcrafts) — Wed, 10 Dec 2014 12:00:00 +0000

December's Charity of the Month is…

Nominated by Veronica of Scrappyrat

ABOUT Senior Dog Haven and Hospice

The mission of Senior Dog Haven and Hospice is to rescue and re-home senior dogs and to offer hospice care to senior dogs in need. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that incorporated in June 2012. All funds raised go directly to the care and treatment of our rescue dogs.

Sebastian

Senior Dog Haven and Hospice is located in Delaware. We are a small, dedicated group of fosters and volunteers who have a special place in their hearts for senior dogs. We strive to improve the lives of senior dogs who find themselves without a family to care for them anymore.

Cookie

We do not have a facility – our dogs live in our homes as members of our families until they find their forever home or in the event of a hospice situation, until they cross the Rainbow Bridge. We provide care, comfort, companionship and, most of all, unconditional love.

William

Hospice program… It is a sad fact that our animal community is plagued by many of the same terminal illnesses that we are. Shelters, unfortunately,often do not have the resources to care for dogs with an untreatable disease. They are deemed un-adoptable and euthanized, surrounded by strangers and often before the disease has even started to affect their quality of life.

Charlie

The objective of our hospice fosters is to provide a loving home where these seniors can live the remainder of their lives in peace and comfort. When the day comes that the disease finally overcomes them, they will cross the bridge surrounded by their foster family and knowing that they are truly loved.

Pug

Adoption program… All applicants for a Senior Dog Haven and Hospice dog are thoroughly screened, all references checked and a home visit is performed.

Walter

Senior Dog Haven and Hospice

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Henry

All dogs show here are
currently available for adoption !

September's Charity of the Month is… Clover Cat Rescue

noreply@blogger.com (Brizel Handcrafts) — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 05:00:00 +0000

September's

Charity of the Month is…

nominated by Rebecca of KneeDeepOriginals

MiSSiON: While saving cats from euthanasia or other terrible fates is our mission, as is finding loving, permanent homes for foster cats in our care, our main goal is spay/neuter education and assistance. We are located in a rural area and constantly battle the overpopulation of cats, resulting in countless unwanted litters and stray animals that are left to fend for themselves.

Clover Cat Rescue saves cats from euthanasia at the local pound or takes them out of equally life threatening circumstances. The group places the cats in temporary foster homes or houses them at the CCR shelter until a forever-home is found. In addition to finding permanent homes for cats, Clover Cat Rescue places a strong emphasis on spay/neuter education & community action programs, such as spay/neuter sponsorships and helping catowning low-income members of the community with financial spay/neuter assistance.

The namesake of the group, Clover, is a wonderful cat owned by the rescue’s founder. Clover’s playfulness, good health and sweet disposition are the result of the terrific life she was lucky enough to find but only after an extremely hard start…

Clover was found as a motherless kitten, wandering near a community campsite’s kitchen facilities, begging for food, yet finding no one kind enough to nourish her. She was constantly chased away by kitchen workers and treated as a nuisance, when all she wanted was food. Emaciated, scared and far from the pretty thing she is today, Clover won the heart of Tanja who rushed her to a veterinarian. Clover's chances were grim but in the coming weeks her health rebounded. She was socialized and was given a permanent loving home that Clover enjoys to this day.

Clover’s story is testament to what a difference rescue can make in the life of an animal, and how much of a difference we humans can make in the lives of our fellow beings. It’s the kind of difference that Clover Cat Rescue makes for countless cats and kittens in the Patrick County area who would have no chance otherwise.

CLOVER CAT RESCUE IS A 501(C)3 NON-PROFIT RESCUE BASED IN STUART, VA (PATRICK COUNTY). WE MATCH SOCIALIZED CATS WITH THE PERFECT NEW HOME.

CLOVER CAT RESCUE

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An Update from The Whiskers' Syndicate

noreply@blogger.com (Brizel Handcrafts) — Wed, 13 Aug 2014 01:01:00 +0000

Anything Goes and

The Whiskers' Syndicate

Written by Josie of Whiscraft

Photos courtesy of TWS

Our Mission

The Whiskers' Syndicate is the first and only animal/cat rescue in Bandung, Indonesia.

Since animal welfare does not yet exist here… our current mission is to introduce animal welfare and humane stray management by becoming a living example. We actively promote Trap - Neuter - Return in our community, and negotiate with community authority to allow us to practice TNR albeit without financial support. We understand that the majority of people just want the stray 'gone', regardless of the method, as long as their hand stays clean; and it has been one of the biggest challenges for us every single time.

However, with continuous TNR as well as proper care of feral cats, we hope to show that properly managed ferals can coexist peacefully with humans. With good faith, we hope the mustard seed we sow will eventually lead to betterment of every animals' life.

An Update

It's still fresh in our mind, how we spent the whole of last December drowning under serial rainstorms. The place we called home for the past six months then, became a trap that could drown us underwater.

A chance came, the day Team EFA named The Whiskers Syndicate: Charity Of The Month for December 2013 became a blessing we only dare dream about.

Together, Team EFA raised over USD 650 during that time period, and more since, supplementing other fundraising efforts for repairs. Some of the funds were used to buy large cages to contain our residents “mobsters” during construction work.

The hammocks that came with the cages were and are well loved by the kittens !

When the rain finally stopped we started work immediately. We removed all the growth on the backyard and repaired the damaged roof of the cattery:

Then we started building on a hallway that connected the main house to the cattery at the other end, so that we didn't need to run under the rain.

At first, we intended to leave the area on the left side as an outdoor garden, but rainstorm started again during renovation and we ended up with a lot of mud, so we decided we'd floor the entire backyard. The end result:

We apologize for the mess. It was the first sunny day after the restoration was done so it was kind of crazy :)

If you think that the new sanctuary has a lot of concrete, we agree with you. As you can see in the picture, the cats are still sleeping on the floor, crumpled together, sharing whatever blankets and fabrics we had left after the storms.

We are planning to add shelves like these in the hallway. They are made of sturdy coated metal which will last longer than wood...

The cost of one shelving unit, like this, is approximately USD $150. We could really use two but dont dare to hope that in August we might dream of such a possibility.

We invite YOU to help and take part in the completion of our sanctuary. Team EFA members can choose to donate to any of the last 11 Charity Of the Months this last year. We sure would appreciate your assistance in making this dream come true.

These EFA members are already regular TWS sponsors: BrizelSupplies, TashinkaBeadingHeart, and ThimbleSparrow.

Every Dollars donated to our sanctuary during this event either directly through the Donate button below or through purchase from our Team EFA sponsors… which will be set aside for this shelving budget and every excess, if any, will be used to spay or neuter the cute hammock kitties who are now ready for spay or neutering.

Each and every one of our resident mobsters came from abusive situation and/or sheer neglect. We are reaching out to you on their behalf to give them a better life. Thank you for supporting our cause !

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ANiMAL PETiTiONS CORNER by Alicia of WoodsEdge

noreply@blogger.com (Brizel Handcrafts) — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 09:32:00 +0000

by Alicia of WoodsEdge

1. Support Prosecution for Men Who Killed Foxes in Front of Kids

A recent incident involving fox hunters killing foxes with dogs in front of children has brought the controversy of this alleged sport back into the public eye. The hunters argue they were acting within the law using terriers, but the use of hounds is banned and exposing children to this type of violence against animals is inexcusable.

Please sign the petition asking the RSPCA to pursue the case and prosecute the hunters under the Hunting Act.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/338/365/672/prosecute-men-who-killed-foxes-in-front-of-children/

2. Help Stop the Execution of 16,000 Cormorants

First we blamed the sea lions, now officials are targeting cormorants for doing nothing more than eating fish to survive. The Army Corp of Engineers has proposed killing 16,000 of them in the Columbia River Estuary even though they only eat a small percentage and doing so could have unintended consequences for their population.

Please sign the petition asking the Corp to scrap this cruel and pointless plan.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/907/912/574/oppose-the-planned-killing-of-16000-cormorants-along-the-columbia-river/

3. Tell New York to Protect Wildlife from Deadly Poisons

The New York Department of Environmental Conservation is being urged to ban the use of super-toxic rat poisons over the threat they pose to wildlife, pets and people. At least 31 different wildlife species have been harmed, while thousands of companion animals and children have also been affected.

Please sign the petition urging the DEC to ban the use of these cruel and indiscriminate killers.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/906/610/971/new-york-protect-wildlife-from-deadly-poisons/

PLEASE
TAKE 1-2-3 ACTiONS

ON BEHALF OF

THE ANiMALS TODAY

THANK YOU !

ANiMAL PETiTiONS CORNER by Alicia of WoodsEdge

noreply@blogger.com (Brizel Handcrafts) — Thu, 31 Jul 2014 22:00:00 +0000

by Alicia of WoodsEdge

1. Don't Let Texas Prop Up Greyhound Racing

There's only one live greyhound racing track left in Texas, but it's doing so badly that it's looking to get subsidized with slot machines. If the proposal to do this gets approved, greyhounds will continue to to be exploited by this industry.

Please sign the petition asking Governor Rick Perry not to subsidize greyhound racing by refusing to legalize slot machines in the state.

http://grey2kusa.good.do/say-no-to-instant-racing/sign-the-petition-and-email-governor-rick-perry/

2. Tell the BLM Not to Send Our Wild Burros to Guatemala

In another disastrous plan from the Bureau of Land Management, it plans to ship 100 of our wild burros to Guatemala where they'll be used as working animals. Not only does this move fly in the face of federal laws that are intended to protect our wild horses and burros, but it will do nothing to help alleviate the problem the agency has already caused by rounding up and warehousing too many animals.

Please send a letter to the BLM asking it withdraw this ridiculous plan.

http://act.wildhorsepreservation.org/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=18123

3. Don't Let a Florida Developer Destroy Endangered Forest

A developer in Florida wants to demolish rare forest in the state to put up a Walmart and a strip mall. Wildlife officials and environmentalists have raised concerns that doing so could harm countless rare and endangered species who have less and less space to live.

Please sign the petition asking Florida's wildlife officials to step in and shut this plan down.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/100/328/464/dont-build-walmart-on-endangered-forest-lands/?z00m=21323499&redirectID=1424079554

PLEASE
TAKE 1-2-3 ACTiONS

ON BEHALF OF

THE ANiMALS TODAY

THANK YOU !

ANiMAL PETiTiONS CORNER by Alicia of WoodsEdge

noreply@blogger.com (Brizel Handcrafts) — Fri, 25 Jul 2014 02:51:00 +0000

by Alicia of WoodsEdge

1- Tell Iowa Mall Wild Animals Don't Belong There

Animal advocates are speaking out on behalf of a variety of wild animals who were bought from breeders and have been living in wildly inappropriate conditions at the Merle Hay Mall for three years.

Please sign the petition asking local officials and the mall's owner to step up and move these animals to appropriate facilities.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/931/683/502/stop-the-zoo-at-merle-hay-mall/?z00m=21258483&redirectID=1412802817

2- Help End Elephant & Camel Rides at Renaissance Festival

Animal advocates have exposed many of the problems that come with using large, exotic animals in entertainment and at events. Now they're urging the Maryland Renaissance Fair to join others that have banned the use of these animals over concerns about their welfare and public safety.

Please send a letter to festival officials telling them elephants and camels don't belong there.

https://secure2.convio.net/ida/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=2628

3- Tell the USDA and NY Officials to Stop Killing Geese

Every summer an estimated 25,000 geese are killed by Wildlife Services across the country in the name of air safety. In New York City, an estimated 5,000 Canada geese and their babies were killed between 2009-2012, but the number of bird strikes hasn't dropped by much.

Please send a letter to New York lawmakers and wildlife officials asking them to stop using lethal control to reduce bird strikes.

https://secure2.convio.net/ida/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=2625

PLEASE
TAKE 1-2-3 ACTiONS

ON BEHALF OF

THE ANiMALS TODAY

THANK YOU !

ANiMAL PETiTiONS CORNER by Alicia of WoodsEdge

noreply@blogger.com (Brizel Handcrafts) — Fri, 18 Jul 2014 15:15:00 +0000

by Alicia of WoodsEdge

1. Tell Pennsylvania to Ban Barbaric Pigeon Shoots

Pennsylvania lawmakers are considering legislation that would bring live pigeon shoots to an end once and for all. Even though the majority of voters are opposed to it and alternatives are widely available, these events continue to draw so called hunters who enjoy maiming and killing birds for entertainment.

Please sign the petition urging Pennsylvania lawmakers not to cave to pressure from a special interest group that wants to see these sickening events continue.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/769/961/467/pennsylvania-ban-barbaric-pigeon-shoots/

2. Tell Cable Companies Not to Air Show Featuring Teen Hunter

A 19-year-old cheerleader from Texas sparked widespread outrage after posting pictures of herself over the slain bodies of the endangered animals she killed. Facebook has since removed the photos, but she still wants her own show.

Please sign the petition asking cable networks not to air shows that glorify the senseless slaughter of wildlife, including rare and endangered species.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/658/363/249/directv-dont-air-show-about-teen-who-hunts-endangered-animals/?z00m=21303988

3. Help Keep Florida Manatees Protected

The Fish and Wildlife Service is being sued to downgrade manatees from endangered to threatened, but their advocates believe the future is too uncertain to weaken protection for them. They've already seen record losses over recent years and face potential threats that range from climate change, habitat loss and pollution to diseases, harassment, collisions with boaters and a host of environmental problems, including red tide, algal blooms and cold weather.

Please sign the petition asking the FWS to keep manatees protected as endangered species.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/112/036/575/fws-dont-strip-manatees-of-their-endangered-status/

PLEASE
TAKE 1-2-3 ACTiONS

ON BEHALF OF

THE ANiMALS TODAY

THANK YOU !

A Horse of a Different Color: Carriage Horses Are Neither War Horses Nor Work Horses

noreply@blogger.com (Brizel Handcrafts) — Tue, 15 Jul 2014 23:00:00 +0000

A Horse of a Different Color:

Carriage Horses Are Neither

War Horses Nor Work Horses

written by Elizabeth Forel

Photographs courtesy of EF and Mary Culpepper

article excerpt from 2012 article of same name

Horses were domesticated by humans who needed their strength to perform a variety of duties that they were unable to do. And horses, being the docile animals that they are, complied. They became known as “beasts of burden” as if this and nothing else described what they were.

In the age before the automobile, horses were notoriously overworked, and many died in the streets. In NYC, they pulled wagons loaded with people and goods, and they served as the power for the City’s street trolley system. Between 100,000 and 200,000 horses lived in the city at the turn of the century. Many were literally worked to death — their carcasses left on the street waiting for the street cleaners. From an article by Joel A. Tarr in American Heritage Magazine – Urban Pollution – many long years ago “The average streetcar nag had a life expectancy of barely two years, and it was a common sight to see drivers and teamsters savagely lashing their overburdened animals. The mistreatment of city horses was a key factor in moving Henry Bergh to found the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in 1866.”

During World War I, horses were transported via rail to New York City to be shipped to Europe for use in the war. They pulled cannons, trucks and ambulances and were literally worked till they dropped in the ravages of war and hand-to-hand combat. Hundreds of thousands of horses did not make it out alive, dying from artillery fire, starvation and disease. With the end of the war, and with increased mechanization in the 20th century, the need for draft horses declined. Many of these horses were sold to slaughter. Humans had contributed to the overpopulation of draft horses by over breeding, cross breeding and selective breeding. A 2008 article from Horseman Magazine says “Most draft horses however were really the result of selective breeding. Programs for breeding were primarily set up to produce these large, muscular and powerful horses.”

The present day urban carriage horses are not work horses although the drivers like to pretend they are. That term needs to be reserved for horses who helped their owners survive before the industrial revolution. Instead, they are entertainment horses – they are horses of a different color.

They are often decorated with feathered head dresses, some with glittered body paint and painted hoofs. Undignified – a tawdry decoration to attract tourists. A work horse would pull a plough to till the earth so the farmer could plant seeds and feed his family. A carriage horse pulls unsuspecting tourists around a city to see the sights. These tourists don’t know about cruelty and safety issues, and the carriage drivers certainly aren’t informing them.

By law, a NYC carriage horse may work a punishing nine hours a day, seven days a week. Throughout their long shifts, they are confined between the shafts of their carriage wearing heavy equipment, blinders and a metal bit in their mouths. During the holiday season, the horses are worked to exhaustion. The current law requires a 15 minute break every two hours, but it is not enforced. At other times customers are scarce, the horse stands on the hack line, often ignored by her driver whose attention is elsewhere.

She is frequently bored, either mentally shutting down and appearing dispirited, or repeatedly pawing / pounding her hoof on the pavement. It is a form of displacement behavior on which the horse eventually becomes stereotyped. Restricted by the carriage, she has no freedom of movement. She is not even able to scratch an itch.

Although it is against the law in NYC for horses to be left untethered or unattended, it is a common practice. In 2007, a horse named Smoothie was attached to her empty carriage waiting unattended at Central Park South when she was spooked by a loud noise. Frantic, she bolted, got her legs tangled in the carriage and ended up crashing into a tree and dying. Another horse who saw Smoothie bolt also spooked and ran into traffic, crashing into a car. On October 28, 2011, an unattended horse spooked on Central Park South near Columbus Circle, bolting into traffic and ending up in the park where he crashed into the wall. He is reported to no longer be in the business.

Carriage drivers like to characterize themselves as the experts, the “real horsemen”; this is a thinly veiled and polarizing tactic designed to suggest that anyone who wants to see this business come to an end in the large cities lacks knowledge. They take this line of reasoning even further, stating that proponents of a ban “know nothing about horses” and that the carriage horses–all horses, in fact–need a job. This, of course, is a human concept. Having knowledge of horses does not equate with treating them well or knowing what is best for them.

When people make money off the back of a horse or any other animal, their first priority is invariably profit. One does not have to know a fetlock from the withers to know that enslaving these horses and shackling them to a carriage for hours on end is inhumane and is all about what the driver wants – not the horse.

Among the most abused horses today are those who pull carriages with tourists in major urban areas like New York, Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia, Charleston, Atlanta and Rome. In New York, these horses are forced to haul tourists through the congested streets of midtown. When no longer able to do this pulling, they are removed from the business.

Unconfirmed rumors abound concerning their engraved hoof identification numbers being sanded off so they can’t be identified as a NYC carriage horse when they are in the auction kill pen. Freedom of Information requests from the Department of Health reveal a very high turnover of carriage horses – between 60 and 70 a year – about 1/3 of the total horses. Auctions are the likely place to sell them and recoup costs. When a horse is sold outside the City, as most are, records are not required to be sent to the Department of Health – only eventual notification that the horse is no longer in the system so the driver does not have to pay the license fee. Although the industry has taken advantage of the NYC landscape to ply their trade, the drivers are not accountable for where the horses go, and the City has never seen fit to change that, despite pleas from advocates who believe they deserve a humane retirement. There is no transparency in this trade although they benefit from it being a cash only business with few meaningful restrictions.

Every year more than 100,000 equines are transported from the US across the Mexican and Canadian borders where they are slaughtered for human consumption and shipped to Europe and Japan.

Our use of horses over the millenia is nothing to be proud of – the devastation of war; the exploitation of animals – but people felt they had no choice. Today, we don’t need to use horses to work for us. We have a choice, and can and must choose not to exploit them.

New York City needs to move into the 21st century and stop pretending that this is a big tourist draw or that it provides lots of revenue to the city. It is not and it does not. Horse-drawn carriages pose a danger for the horses, their passengers, other vehicles and pedestrians. Our focus is on urban, commercial / tourist carriage businesses in cities like New York – nothing else.

Horses have highly developed social relationships and need mental and physical stimulation. They are exceedingly social animals and should have the opportunity to graze in a pasture in the company of other equines – something that is denied to them as a carriage horse.

It’s way past time

to end this cruel and

inhumane anachronism !

COALITION TO BAN

HORSE-DRAWN CARRiAGES, NYC

READ Intro Article

ViSiT Website

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CHECK OUT Youtube channel

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MAKE A Donation

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BHDC this month

THANK YOU !

ANiMAL PETiTiONS CORNER by Alicia of WoodsEdge

noreply@blogger.com (Brizel Handcrafts) — Thu, 10 Jul 2014 22:03:00 +0000

by Alicia of WoodsEdge

1. Help Florida Manatees Keep Their Endangered Status

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is being sued to weaken protection for Florida manatees, which could result in their being downgraded from endangered to threatened. Advocates for these gentle giants are worried that they're facing far too many threats to weaken protection.

Please sign the petition asking the FWS to keep manatees listed as endangered.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/112/036/575/fws-dont-strip-manatees-of-their-endangered-status/

2. Keep Birds Safe from Collisions With Glass

An estimated 988 million birds each year are believed to be killed by collisions with buildings and are the second largest human-related cause of death for birds. Last year legislation was introduced that would require bird-safe materials and design features be incorporated into new and existing federal public buildings, which would help keep birds safe from collisions with glass, but it hasn't moved forward.

Please send a letter to your rep asking them to support the Federal Bird-Safe Buildings Act.

http://www.kintera.org/c.cuIXJjNVKfL2G/b.8102069/k.ED2F/Federal_Legislation/siteapps/advocacy/ActionItem.aspx?c=cuIXJjNVKfL2G&b=8102069&aid=520174#.U7VxlvldXnE

3. Tell New York to Stop Hunting and Trapping Bobcats

A new 5-year plan from NY's Department of Environmental Conservation will double the number of bobcats hunters and trappers can kill, in addition to opening up more land for them target bobcats.

Please sign the petition asking the DEC not to cater to a special interest group that wants to kill bobcats for fun and reconsider its plan to expand hunting.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/501/763/236/new-york-stop-hunting-and-trapping-bobcats/

PLEASE
TAKE 1-2-3 ACTiONS

ON BEHALF OF

THE ANiMALS TODAY

THANK YOU !

ANiMAL PETiTiONS CORNER by Alicia of WoodsEdge

noreply@blogger.com (Brizel Handcrafts) — Thu, 03 Jul 2014 15:25:00 +0000

by Alicia of WoodsEdge

1. Help Shut Down Elephant Rides at the North Judson Mint Festival

Following the recent release of footage from Animal Defenders International showing abuse elephants who are forced to give rides face throughout their lives has led to more calls to ban wild animals in circuses and stop these potentially dangerous interactions between people and elephants.

Please sign the petition asking city officials and festival committee members to keep elephants and people safe by banning elephant rides at the North Judson Mint Festival.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/511/298/351/demand-an-end-to-the-elephant-rides-at-mint-festival/

2. Tell the USDA to Take Meaningful Action Against Abusive Biotech Company

Santa Cruz Biotechnology has been in trouble with the USDA on multiple occasions (78 times in six years) for violating the Animal Welfare Act, with the worst case involving the USDa finding 841 goats in poor condition at a facility that the company had been hiding.

Please send a letter to the USDA asking it to revoke Santa Cruz Biotech's license and levy the biggest fine it can for repeatedly allowing animals to suffer.

http://www.congressweb.com/AWI/26/background

3. Urge Kenya's President to Protect the Last of the Great Tuskers

In June, one of Kenya's most famous and beloved elephants was killed by poachers for the tusks that made him so popular. Now animal advocates are calling on the president to provide around-the-clock protection for the country's last six "great tuskers" in an effort to keep them safe.

Please sign the petition asking President Uhuru Kenyatta to order protection for these elephants and provide Kenya Wildlife Services with the resources they need to keep poachers from killing them.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/761/234/291/kenya-give-presidential-armed-protection-to-your-last-great-tusker-elephants/

PLEASE
TAKE 1-2-3 ACTiONS

ON BEHALF OF

THE ANiMALS TODAY

THANK YOU !

July's Charity of the Month is... Coalition to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages, NYC

noreply@blogger.com (Brizel Handcrafts) — Tue, 01 Jul 2014 06:52:00 +0000

July's Charity of the Month is...

Nominated by Veronica of ScrappyRat

written by BHDC

The Coalition to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages, NYC was formed in 2006 in response to a tragic accident that killed a young carriage horse named Spotty. Having personally been involved with this issue since the early 1990s the President of BHDC, Elizabeth Forel, knew the only ethical and moral decision was to shut the industry down in NYC, which has been their campaign since that time.

Elizabeth shares: "For years, we had tried to get better regulations of the industry to no avail – so we knew that if we were going to work on this issue, it would be for a ban – nothing else. We set about lobbying and educating the City Council and public – even animal activists - since this had not been a public issue for about ten years."

In 2007, then Council Member Tony Avella introduced a bill to ban the industry in NYC. While it got some support in the Council , it did not get the support of then Council Speaker Quinn and Mayor Bloomberg. But many people started to pay attention.

NYC's new mayor, Bill deBlasio, came into office in January 2014. He made a campaign promise to ban the industry but so far nothing has been done. He has said that legislation will be introduced by the end of the year. We are waiting patiently and continue fighting this fight. It has been particularly difficult for us to get the word out locally because the media - led by the NY Daily News - has taken a position on the side of the carriage trade.

The industry is inherently inhumane. The horses live in multi storied stables in stalls that are less than half of what experts recommend. They have no access to pasture. They are legally allowed to work nine hours a day, seven days a week - in the congested traffic of NYC - in very hot and cold weather.

As prey animals, horses are predictably unpredictable and can spook at the slightest provocation. At 1500 to 2000 pounds, they become unwitting weapons who can injure or kill themselves or passersby. We continue to get our message out through advertising, articles and social media.

We launched an advertising campaign - starting about a year ago advertising in neighborhood papers in all the boroughs. Last December we did "bus tail" ads - these are the ads on the back of the City buses. We are currently working on a subway poster ad, which we hope to release in the fall. Our goal is to reach New Yorkers and politicians about this issue - inviting them to find out the truth.

The Coalition to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages is an entirely volunteer, grass roots organization. No salaries are paid and all donations received go toward educational materials such as printing costs for flyers and reports, advertising, posters, our weekly newsletter Horse Sense and our web site.

Our ongoing campaign is to publicize the plight of NYC carriage horses and to promote legislation to ban this industry. Please take a moment to sign our petition !

Our volunteers consist of people from all walks of life. Some have a background in animal activism; for others, it was the first time they got involved with animal issues. But what we all have in common is compassion for the carriage horses and the hope that this cruel industry will come to an end.

Our advisors consist of a number of horse experts, rescuers, equine veterinarians and equine welfare orgnaizations. For security reasons and for their protection, we do not list their names.

The Coalition is a standing committee of The Coalition for NYC Animals, Inc., which was incorporated in 1995 as a 501-c-(4). This is currently the only issue in which we are involved. Because we are incorporated as a 501 (c) 4, we can work to influence legislation and elections.

COALITION TO BAN

HORSE-DRAWN CARRiAGES, NYC

ViSiT Website

LiKE Fb page
SiGN THE PETITION

CHECK OUT Youtube channel

FOLLOW Twitter

MAKE A Donation

SHOP TEAM EFA

PURCHASE A TEAM EFA

PRODUCT THAT BENEFITS

BHDC this month

THANK YOU !

ANiMAL PETiTiONS CORNER by Alicia of WoodsEdge

noreply@blogger.com (Brizel Handcrafts) — Thu, 19 Jun 2014 05:00:00 +0000

by Alicia of WoodsEdge

1. Get Justice for Baby Raccoon Shot by "Humane Officer"

Almost exactly a year ago a humane officer caused national outrage when he shot and killed five defenseless kittens in front of children. Last week, the same officer trapped a baby raccoon and shot her too, again in front of children. Now animal advocates are calling for both him and his supervisor to be immediately relieved of their duties over their obvious inability to humanely do their jobs.

Please send a letter to North Ridgeville's mayor and city council asking that both of these individuals be removed from their positions.

https://secure3.convio.net/alley/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=337

2. Help Protect Red Wolves

In May red wolves won a victory when a federal court stopped coyote hunting in areas where they live over concerns that wolves would be mistakenly killed, but wolf supporters are still pushing for more to be done to support recovery efforts to help ensure their survival.

Please send a letter to the Fish and Wildlife Service telling the agency you support wolf recovery efforts in North Carolina.

http://www.congressweb.com/AWI/53

3. Help Keep Horse Slaughter Plants Closed

While lawmakers in Congress have supported legislation with language that will block funding for USDA inspections of horse slaughter facilities, if the language is removed it could mean slaughter plants could reopen in the U.S. for the first time since 2007.

Please send a message to your representative telling them not to support any amendments that would allow horse slaughter.

http://www.congressweb.com/AWI/55/background

PLEASE
TAKE 1-2-3 ACTiONS

ON BEHALF OF

THE ANiMALS TODAY

THANK YOU !

ANiMAL PETiTiONS CORNER by Alicia of WoodsEdge

noreply@blogger.com (Brizel Handcrafts) — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 05:00:00 +0000

by Alicia of WoodsEdge

1. Take the Shrine Circus Poll

The Shrine Circus wants to know what people's favorite circus acts are and is taking a poll to find out. The circus has been cited on numerous occasions for animal welfare violations so this is a perfect opportunity to let the circus know popular acts don't need to involve animals.

Fill out the poll here (entering your email is optional):

http://shrine-circus.com/poll/

2. Tell North Carolina Not to Criminalize Whistleblowers

Yet another undercover investigation showing cruelty to baby turkeys at a Butterball facility in North Carolina made headlines last week. Unfortunately, instead of holding the company accountable for previous acts of cruelty, lawmakers introduced legislation that would criminalize whistleblowers.

Tell North Carolina lawmakers not to shield companies with something to hide at the expense of animal welfare and consumer safety.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/573/127/172/north-carolina-dont-protect-animal-abusers-by-criminalizing-whistleblowers/

3. Help Protect Wildlife From a Deadly New Herbicide

Dow Chemical Company wants to make a new herbicide that will combine chemical found in Roundup (which is already causing problems) with a chemical component of Agent Orange… which environmentalists believe will be harmful to native plants, crops and the species who rely on them... in addition to us, of course.

Tell the EPA to protect wildlife and our environment by rejecting this deadly combination.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/119/699/057/

PLEASE
TAKE 1-2-3 ACTiONS

ON BEHALF OF

THE ANiMALS TODAY

THANK YOU !

ANiMAL PETiTiONS CORNER by Alicia of WoodsEdge

noreply@blogger.com (Brizel Handcrafts) — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 11:43:00 +0000

by Alicia of WoodsEdge

1. Free Tony, the Truck Stop Tiger

After years battling for his freedom and legal victories won on his behalf, efforts to have him moved to a sanctuary could be undone by a single bill that would create a loophole allowing Tony's owner to keep him in inappropriate conditions at a truck stop in Louisiana.

The bill passed and has gone to Governor Bobby Jindal for a signature. Please sign and share the petition asking him to veto it.

http://org2.salsalabs.com/o/5154/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=17679

2. Ask the Travel Industry to Stop Supporting Whale and Dolphin Shows

Responsibletravel.com and the World Cetacean Alliance have partnered to urge the travel industry to stop supporting whale and dolphin shows, arguing that keeping these animals in captivity for entertainment is morally unacceptable.

Please sign their petition telling the industry to "Say NO to orca circuses."

http://www.responsibletravel.com/holidays/whale-watching/travel-guide/say-no-to-orca-circuses#petition

3. Speak Up for The Oregon Zoo's Elephants

Packy, at age 52, is the oldest elephant living in a U.S. zoo. He suffers from health issues as a result of his captivity and his advocates have been fighting to have him, and the zoos other elephants, moved to a sanctuary.

Please sign the petition urging the zoo to close its elephant exhibit and move its residents to a sanctuary.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/132/182/139/retire-the-oregon-zoo-elephants-to-a-sancturay/

PLEASE
TAKE 1-2-3 ACTiONS

ON BEHALF OF

THE ANiMALS TODAY

THANK YOU !

ANiMAL PETiTiONS CORNER by Alicia of WoodsEdge

noreply@blogger.com (Brizel Handcrafts) — Thu, 29 May 2014 15:48:00 +0000

by Alicia of WoodsEdge

1. Tell Animal Planet to Pull It's Anti-Wolf Show

As part of Monster Week, Animal Planet is airing an episode called "Man-Eating Super Wolves" that shows wolves as cold-blooded killers. This show sends a terrible, and inaccurate, message about wolves who are struggling to survive and even gain a foothold in states that are hostile towards them.

Please sign the petition telling Animal Planet to pull this episode off the air.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/907/092/883/

2. Tell Michigan Not to Legalize Beaver Trapping

Trappers in Michigan pushed for legislation that would legalize beaver trapping and they won. Thanks to their efforts, the governor is expected to sign a bill that will allow trappers who have fur dealer licenses to take beavers.

Please sign the petition urging Michigan not to move forward with this bill.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/132/548/518/michigan-dont-legalize-beaver-trapping-for-furs/

Send a message directly to Governor Rick Snyder asking him not to sign SB 759.

http://www.michigan.gov/snyder/0,4668,7-277-57827-267869--,00.html

3. Tell eBay to Crack Down to Stop Contributing to the Decline of Endangered Species

eBay has banned the sale of ivory and parts of other endangered species, but items are falling through the cracks, which is hurting a number of endangered species.

Please sign and share the petition asking eBay to take immediate action to stop the trafficking of wildlife.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/185/519/302/help-stop-ebay-from-trading-ivory-and-other-endangered-species/

PLEASE
TAKE 1-2-3 ACTiONS

ON BEHALF OF

THE ANiMALS TODAY

THANK YOU !

ANiMAL PETiTiONS CORNER by Alicia of WoodsEdge

noreply@blogger.com (Brizel Handcrafts) — Thu, 22 May 2014 05:00:00 +0000

by Alicia of WoodsEdge

1. Tell the Government Not to Poison 16,000 Prairie Dogs

Prairie dogs in Wyoming's Thunder Basin National Grassland are being threatened by the U.S. Forest Service's plan to poison colonies located within a quarter-mile of private or state land. Not only is the plan expected to kill 16,000 prairie dogs, but it poses a risk to other native wildlife.

Send the Forest Service a letter telling them to reject this cruel and misguided plan.

https://secure.nrdconline.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=3461&s_src=EMOBGNPETNON0514PD&autologin=true&utm_source=nl&utm_medium=articalert&utm_campaign=maybgn

2. Tell the National Aquarium to Shut Down Its Dolphin Exhibit

Officials from the National Aquarium in Baltimore recently announced it was considering shutting down its dolphin exhibit in favor of building a first of its kind sanctuary for its eight residents. The announcement is good news for dolphins and a sign that the industry is moving in step with our growing knowledge of the complexity of cetaceans and addressing the ethical questions being raised about keeping them in captivity.

The aquarium is currently seeking public input about potential new plans. Please sign the petition urging the aquarium to shut down its exhibit in favor of more suitable habitat for its residents.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/838/603/685/free-dolphins-from-the-baltimore-aquarium/

Share your thoughts directly with the aquarium here:

http://www.aqua.org/future/index.html

3. Tell the USDA to Protect Baby Wild Animals

Animal welfare organizations are urging the USDA to ban direct contact with wild animals in an effort to protect them and the public. Even though baby animals are cute, they're often dumped after they grow too large to safely handle.

Please sign the petition asking the USDA to amend the Animal Welfare Act to end public contact with wild animals.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/246/513/436/

PLEASE
TAKE 1-2-3 ACTiONS

ON BEHALF OF

THE ANiMALS TODAY

THANK YOU !

Covered in Poop, Overwhelmed with Kittens by Kitty Bungalow, May's COTM

noreply@blogger.com (Brizel Handcrafts) — Tue, 20 May 2014 05:00:00 +0000

Covered in Poop,

Overwhelmed with Kittens

by Kitty Bungalow Charm School

for Wayward Cats

May's Charity Of The Month

nominated by Corinna of TheFrogBag

As a volunteer fueled animal rescue, we work year round endeavoring to end the proliferation of homeless cats being born on the hard city streets. We do this every day by providing free spay neuters, humane traps, socialization and adoption. Although we work year round, it is now, Kitten Season, as it is called, when our jobs are the toughest, and cutest of the year.

Our volunteers come in as early as 8 am and stay through the night, yesterday's shift left at 11 pm. The volunteers look nice when they come in, many come after work or a meeting, but it doesn't take long until they are covered in the Kitty Bungalow Class uniform--poop!

During kitten season we get dozens of distress calls a week from people finding newborn kittens in what they thought was just a lonely shrub, or discover that their old garage has suddenly begun mewing. Many times they find kittens abandoned without their mama, and these kittens need round the clock attention.

They not only need to be bottle fed every two hours but we need to stimulate their business, hence how we all get covered in poo. It is not always the nicest poo either, as these cats are coming from the streets and no one has seen medical attention before.

70% of the kittens we take in to the Bungalow suffer from icky poo. There are medical terms like coccidia, giardia, roundworm etc, but no matter what you call it, it's icky. Thankfully the treatment is easy and recovery is quick but the process itself is expensive, from the fecal tests to fecal panels to the various medications needed. Then there is the baby formula that the kittens go through at an incredible pace. We easily go through $150 of formula and baby food a week.

That is the basics of kitten season, the nuts and bolts. the milk and poop if you would. But then there is the Cute. Loads and loads of Cute, Cute seeping in from every corner, the kind of cute that makes poop smell like roses!

It is hard to to say NO to the cute kitten face. It is hard not to giggle when you see them learning to pounce. It is hard not to talk in a baby voice when you ask them if they want more bottle. The babies come to think of you as Mama Cat, and they run in happiness towards you as soon as they hear your voice. As much poop as we gather in our shift it is always eclipsed by the amount of Cute.

And know that while you are buying EFA's awesome goods... as their COTM, it is our poopy milky babies that will be reaping the benefits.

But most importantly know why spaying and neutering is so important. Kittens ARE cute, but there is plenty to go around. Spread the word of spay neuter in your community, especially for the stray street cat. We can make a difference !

KiTTY BUNGALOW

ViSiT their Website
CHECK OUT their INSTAGRAM

LIKE their Fb Page

MAKE a Donation

Purchase a Team EFA

product that benefits

our COTM recipient

THANK YOU !

ANiMAL PETiTiONS CORNER by Alicia of WoodsEdge

noreply@blogger.com (Brizel Handcrafts) — Thu, 15 May 2014 05:00:00 +0000

by Alicia of WoodsEdge

1. Help Protect Koalas From Bulldozers

Plans to upgrade a highway in New South Wales could destroy critical habitat for a group of koalas – who are believed to be a colony that is vital to protect for the future survival of coastal koalas – and at least 30 other threatened species.

Please sign the petition asking officials to choose an alternative route that is wildlife-friendly.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/180/594/067/

2. Help End Animal Testing for Cosmetics in Australia

While no animal testing for cosmetics takes place in Australia, animal advocates are fighting to to enact a ban testing to stop the import of products that are tested in other countries around the world.

Please sign the petition asking Australia to ban the sale and import of cosmetics that were tested on animals.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/153/258/362/

3. Help Farm Animals in Massachusetts

Massachusetts is currently considering legislation that would end extreme confinement systems for pregnant pigs, veal calves and chickens, which currently prevent them from enjoying the simple luxury of being able to move around.

Please send a letter to lawmakers in Massachusetts asking them to take a stand for the humane treatment of farm animals by passing this legislation.

http://www.congressweb.com/awi/23/background

PLEASE
TAKE 1-2-3 ACTiONS

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THE ANiMALS TODAY

THANK YOU !

ANiMAL MUNDi: Paca by Corinna of TheFrogBag

noreply@blogger.com (Brizel Handcrafts) — Wed, 14 May 2014 05:11:00 +0000

by Corinna of TheFrogBag

Paca

What has hooves, looks like a watermelon, and barks at night? If you aren’t familiar with pacas you might never guess that this description fits a large tropical rodent. But pacas (genus Cuniculus), also known as gibnuts in Belize, do all this and more.

Weighing up to 30 pounds, pacas are shaped like two-foot long guinea pig torpedoes. Their bodies narrow towards the front, allowing them to run through the rainforest understory without becoming snagged on low-hanging branches. In contrast to their robust torsos their legs look like thin little sticks ending in dainty hooves. These aren’t true hooves of course, but are actually highly adapted nails which function in the same way.

Gibnut
Belize Zoo

Although solitary and usually silent, they can make surprisingly loud growling and barking noises thanks to resonating chambers inside their cheeks. But, being highly prized as prey by humans, wild cats, large snakes, and caimans, they usually play it safe by remaining well hidden and quiet in burrows during the day.

Later in the afternoon and evening they venture forth but usually don’t wander far from a home range centered on a clump of fruit-bearing trees. When fruit is scarce they won’t turn up their noses at leaves, flowers, seeds, insects, and even mushrooms though, and play an important role in rainforest seed dispersal.

Humedo
Wikipedia

The young, unlike rats and other more familiar rodents, are precocial at birth. That means that they’re fully furred, fully sighted, and ready to follow mom wherever she might lead. Even so, they won’t be weaned for another three months, and even then won’t strike out on their own for close to a year.

In the wild pacas can live for more than a decade, especially if they are cagey about not encountering predators. Their love of water helps with this, since they can swim well and can even dive, staying submerged for several minutes at a time. Even their stripped and spotted coat is anti-predator, functioning as a sort of invisibility cloak in the dappled forest light. Not a bad set of tricks for a creature that many people consider an overgrown mouse.

PacaLittle
San Diego Zoo

ANiMAL PETiTiONS CORNER by Alicia of WoodsEdge

noreply@blogger.com (Brizel Handcrafts) — Thu, 08 May 2014 05:00:00 +0000

by Alicia of WoodsEdge

1. Tell Congress to Ban Wild Animals in Traveling Circuses

Last week Rep. Jim Moran reintroduced legislation that would ban the use of wild and exotic animals in traveling circuses for good. Research, undercover investigations and news reports have exposed not only the problems inherent with keeping animals in circus environments, but also the heartbreaking and violent abuses they're exposed to behind the scenes.

Please sign and share the petition asking your representative to support and co-sponsor the Traveling Exotic Animal Protection Act.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/372/917/893/congress-end-the-suffering-of-wild-animals-in-traveling-circuses-for-good/

2. Protect Whales and Dolphins From Sound Bombs

A plan to open waters on the East Coast to seismic surveys will put thousands of marine mammals and endangered species at risk at risk of injury and death. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management will harm up to 138,500 marine mammals and disrupt their activities more than 13.5 million times over the next eight years.

Please sign the petition asking the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to keep seismic testing out of the Atlantic.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/237/078/136/

3. Help List the UK's Animal Testing Secrecy Clause

Animal advocates are working to lift the veil of secrecy that shrouds animal experiments in the UK. Last week the government finally launched a public consultation seeking input on the repeal of Section 24, which has kept what experimenters are doing out of the public eye.

Please sign the petition urging the government to repeal this clause and support transparency in research.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/656/754/140/

PLEASE
TAKE 1-2-3 ACTiONS

ON BEHALF OF

THE ANiMALS TODAY

THANK YOU !

ANiMAL PETiTiONS CORNER by Alicia of WoodsEdge

noreply@blogger.com (Brizel Handcrafts) — Fri, 02 May 2014 05:00:00 +0000

by Alicia of WoodsEdge

1. Stop Idaho from Poisoning Thousands of Ravens

Earlier this month Idaho announced plans to poison 4,000 ravens in a misguided attempt to save sage grouse. Sage grouse are in trouble, but ravens aren't the problem and officials have admitted they're not even sure this will help.

Please sign the petition asking Idaho to abandon this cruel and senseless plan and focus on better land management to protect the sage grouse and its habitat.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/114/241/939/state-of-idaho-to-kill-4000-ravens/

2. It's Not Too Late to Save Animals from Military Research

The U.S. Department of Defense continues to subject live animals to horrific brutality in order to simulate battle conditions in an effort to teach medical personnel how to perform, even though there are alternatives to lethal training.

Please send a letter to your rep asking them to support the BEST Practices Act, which will ban animal-based training methods.

http://www.kintera.org/c.cuIXJjNVKfL2G/b.8102069/k.ED2F/Federal_Legislation/siteapps/advocacy/ActionItem.aspx?c=cuIXJjNVKfL2G&b=8102069&aid=520345#.U2FHlMaBu_X

3. Help Protect Florida's Manatees

Animal advocates are calling on wildlife officials to help protect vulnerable manatee populations from further harm. Last year hundreds died because of algal blooms and conflicts with people and they continue to suffer as a result of human activity and a loss of access to warm springs they need to in the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge.

Please send a letter to the Fish and Wildlife Service asking it to make Three Sisters Springs an official sanctuary for manatees.

https://secure.defenders.org/site/Advocacy;jsessionid=8D03E64C0016E5990799CC666A0461C9.app226a?pagename=homepage&id=2719&s_src=3WDE1407G1TX2&s_subsrc=042514_ADVACTFF_Manatee_donor

PLEASE
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MAY's COTM is… Kitty Bungalow Charm School for Wayward Cats – A Primer

noreply@blogger.com (Brizel Handcrafts) — Thu, 01 May 2014 05:00:00 +0000

May's Charity of the Month is…

nominated & written by Corinna of TheFrogBag

Kitty Bungalow Charm School

for Wayward Cats... A Primer

Street cats have it hard sometimes, especially in the big city. Endless cycles of kittens to feed and take care of, sometimes starting when a mama cat is still a kitten herself. Overcrowding, fights for access to mates and food, even heightened rates of disease transmission. In a place like Los Angeles, where almost four million humans compete for space, feral cats often seem like an afterthought. Space at city shelters is at a premium, and only the youngest, friendliest, tamest kitties have a chance of getting adopted.

What’s a street cat to do?
If they’re lucky, they’ll enroll in Charm School!

The Charm School

At Kitty Bungalow, we specialize in socializing feral kittens in a nurturing, cage-free environment. All of our cats come straight off the mean streets but by the time they’ve gone through our unique program they graduate as Ivy League lap cats. We accomplish this with the help of numerous volunteers, a lot of patience, and repeated exercises in building trust. Because the cats have the run of specially built “play rooms” they never have the opportunity to hide in the back of cages. Instead, each volunteer shift (in addition to cleaning, feeding, and medicating) spends time socializing the shyest kittens by playing with them, bribing them with treats, and sometimes just sitting with them, teaching them that humans are friends instead of foes.

Of course, life on the streets is tough, so many of our students come in with colds, eye infections, and parasites. It’s hard to learn when you’re not feeling well, so we also have a health program for the kids. By the time graduation rolls around, each kitten has a clean bill of health, has been spayed or neutered, and has received their vaccinations. But what good are all those skills without a job?

As any student knows, graduation is just the beginning. Like humans, cats have a range of personalities. Some enjoy a challenge. Some are rambunctious. And some just want to sleep in the sun with a friend. Kitty Bungalow works hard to match the right cat to the right home, and that makes it a joy to work with the kitties here. You know that every minute with the cats is time well spent, and that because of you they’re headed towards a brighter future, something that happened close to 200 times just last year!

The GED Program

Of course, not all cats have the temperament to become lap cats. Once a feline truly becomes feral it is very hard to convince them otherwise. But that doesn’t mean that cat is a lost cause! With the help of community partners, “colony managers”, and a lot of volunteer power these kitties can also have a shot at the good life. Through TNR (Trap, Neuter, Release) Kitty Bungalow is able to spay and neuter whole groups of cats at once. The ones who can adjust to indoor life are enrolled in school, while the others are provided with check-ups, vaccinations, and a new lease on life in which they don’t have to go through the endless rounds of pregnancies and fights anymore. Last year alone we provided nearly 700 “fixes” to the community, resulting in hundreds fewer pregnancies and much healthier, happier cats.

Corinna with Kitten

The Experience

I’ve personally been a Kitty Bungalow volunteer for about two years now. I’ve seen first-hand the scope of the cat overpopulation problem in Los Angeles, and how hard it can be to fix. But I’ve also seen the Bungalow grow, from it’s origin in a trailer parked behind founder/Headmistress Shawn Simmon’s house to the beautiful building full of “classrooms” that it occupies now. I’ve seen how tireless the volunteers are on behalf of the cats. I’ve worried about sickly “bottle babies” and cheered when recalcitrant students finally gave me a purr. And never once have I doubted that, little by little, we are making a difference to the kitties living in the City of Angels.

KiTTY BUNGALOW

ViSiT their Website

Like their Fb Page

Make a Donation

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our COTM recipient

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ANiMAL MUNDi: The Arctic Ground Squirrel by Corinna of TheFrogBag

noreply@blogger.com (Brizel Handcrafts) — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 05:08:00 +0000

by Corinna of TheFrogBag

Arctic Ground Squirrel

Imagine sleeping for seven months out of twelve. Sounds like a pretty laid back lifestyle until you remember that you’d have to fit a year’s worth of living into the other five. And that’s just what the arctic ground squirrel (Spermophilus parryii) does. Restricted to the Arctic, its range still encompasses a huge area including parts of Russia, Alaska, and British Columbia. This is a land of extremes though, where any life at all is difficult.

Spermophilus is the largest type of ground squirrel in the world, needing the extra bulk to survive in such a cold environment. Large can be a relative term though. A really big male squirrel may weigh a bit more than 700 grams, or about a pound and a half. Hardly mammoth, but then again they do need to fit into the burrows that they dig above the permafrost line.

Also called “sik-siks” by the Inuit people because of the calls they make, these squirrels have complex social lives during the warmer months. Males will ferociously defend their territories from other males. Dominate squirrels control intricate tunnel systems beneath the tundra where they live with a harem of females and their offspring. But all is not harmonious among the lady squirrels either. In an area of scarce resources, even nursery space is in short supply and lactating mothers will defend their nests and the surrounding area from all interlopers.

Given that they have to pack all the important events of their lives into just a few months, perhaps it isn’t surprising that female Arctic ground squirrels have a gestation period that may be as short as three weeks after breeding occurs in the very early spring. Litters usually have about seven pups in them, but sometimes as many as 14 can be born to one mother. That’s a lot of mouths for one harried squirrel to feed, especially since the males don’t participate in parental care at all.

The young become independent after only a month, but must use the rest of the warm season to gain enough weight to survive the long, cold months ahead. These squirrels are among only a handful of mammals to enter a true hibernation state, allowing their body temperature to drop to as low as 27 degrees Fahrenheit and their heart rate to slow to just one beat per minute. That’s still a lot warmer than the air above their burrows though, thanks to special hibernation chambers they insulate with grass, fur, and moss.

Laid back? Not quite. But their lifestyle does seem to pay off. Unlike most species that have appeared in this column, these guys are listed as a “species of least concern” by the IUCN Red List, meaning that their conservation status is currently seen as “secure.” Way to go, Arctic ground squirrels!

ANiMAL PETiTiONS CORNER by Alicia of WoodsEdge

noreply@blogger.com (Brizel Handcrafts) — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 05:00:00 +0000

by Alicia of WoodsEdge

1. End Animal Testing for Cosmetics in the U.S.

The U.S. is lagging behind other countries that have already banned animal testing for cosmetics, or are taking steps to do so. The recently introduced Humane Cosmetics Act could change that and end the suffering of animals who are needlessly used to test new products.

Please sign the petition urging Congress to take stand on this issue by supporting this landmark legislation.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/887/398/274/congress-pass-the-humane-cosmetics-act/

2. Tell Air France to Stop Shipping Primates for Research

Air France recently became the last commercial airline to continue shipping primates intended for research after China Southern took a compassionate stance and changed its policies. Now animal advocates are urging Air France to to do the same.

Please sign the petition urging Air France to stop shipping primates for research.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/688/611/996/air-france-stop-shipping-primates-to-laboratories/

3. Tell BP To Clean Up Its Mess

It's been four years since BP's oil spill in the Gulf and people and wildlife are still suffering the effects as the company continues to claim its cleanup job is done. Environmentalists believe BPs work is far from over in the Gulf and that it has more to clean up in other areas where oil has been spilled.

Please send a message to BP asking it to make good on its promise to "make things right."

https://secure3.convio.net/lcv/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=1310

PLEASE
TAKE 1-2-3 ACTiONS

ON BEHALF OF

THE ANiMALS TODAY

THANK YOU !

ANiMAL PETiTiONS CORNER by Alicia of WoodsEdge

noreply@blogger.com (Brizel Handcrafts) — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 05:00:00 +0000

by Alicia of WoodsEdge

1. Protect Horses From Cruel Training Practice

Congress is being applauded for moving forward with legislation that would protect gaited horses from the cruel practice of soring that's used to get them to produce an unnaturally high step known as the "Big Lick."

Unfortunately, the current law to end soring and penalties to stop abusers haven't been tough enough and supporters of the industry are fighting to keep laws weak.

Please sign and share the petition urging your representative to support the PAST Act, which will help end this practice for good.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/268/408/566/protect-horses-stop-the-cruel-practice-of-soring/

2. Help Save Kenai Brown Bears Before It's Too Late

Conservationists are worried that excessive hunting could push a rare and isolated population of bears on Alaska's Kenai Peninsula to the brink if it continues. The forecast for this season doesn't bode well with 1,600 permits out, and 700 still available, for an estimated 600 bears. Now bear advocates are urging the state to close Kenai National Wildlife Refuge for hunting before this population is irreparably harmed.

Please send a letter to the manager of the wildlife refuge asking that hunting be stopped to protect bears.

http://action.biologicaldiversity.org/o/2167/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=15508

3. Help Protect Pets and Children From Abuse

Lawmakers in illinois are considering legislation that will increase penalties for abusing animals in front of a child. Not only is animal abuse of any kind unacceptable, but hurting innocent creatures in front of children can cause serious trauma and emotional issues for them.

Please send a letter to Illinois lawmakers asking them to increase penalties for those whose abuse harms animals and children.

http://www.congressweb.com/AWI/47/background/

PLEASE
TAKE 1-2-3 ACTiONS

ON BEHALF OF

THE ANiMALS TODAY

THANK YOU !