Etsy For Animals

House Rabbit Secrets !

noreply@blogger.com (Brizel Handcrafts) — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 06:01:00 +0000

When people find out I have house rabbits, the most common response goes a little something like this: "We had a rabbit when I was little. It lived in a hutch outside and didn't do much. Actually, rabbits are kind of boring." This makes me sad for both the rabbit and the person because rabbits are SO amazing and personable and social and both parties lost out on what I've found to be a very rewarding bond: the human-rabbit bond...

House Rabbit Secrets

written by Valerie of KnitByValerie

So, what it is a house rabbit?

A house rabbit lives in the main house (i.e. the living quarters) and spends limited or no time in a cage. Having a house rabbit is much like having a teething puppy that never grows up. Lots of chewing, decreasingly frequent litter accidents, and constant cuteness. As with any pet, there are some basics to keeping everyone happy and healthy.

Food is a strong motivator for rabbits. While many people feed just pellets to outdoor hutch rabbits, indoor rabbits don't require the fat layer that a pellet-only diet tends to develop. Many vets recommend limited timothy pellets (vs alfalfa) or even none at all. Because rabbits are hindgut fermenters (lots of good bacteria), they require a lot of fiber.

Be my Honey Bunny

by JMcGuinness

Again, alfalfa is good for baby rabbits, nursing moms, and outdoor bunnies, but too fatty and caloric for the layabout house rabbit, so grass hays (orchard, timothy, and oat are commercially available) should be fed freely.

The greens of veggies are generally good (a list can be found here: http://www.rabbit.org/care/veggies.html ). A new rabbit should be introduced to new food slowly as too many too quickly could result in stomach discomfort and diarrhea.

Many people are also surprised to learn that rabbits can be litter trained. Domestic rabbits are primarily the descendants of European rabbits, who are burrowers. To keep a burrow neat and clean, a place must be designated the bathroom. If the rabbit chooses a bathroom location that is inconvenient, simply place a box there and slowly move it, day by day, until it is in the desired location.

It also helps to entice the rabbit by placing some hay in the box. Box substrate is important. Never use cedar shavings. While it smells nice for us, it has been shown to cause liver damage and respiratory illness in small animals. Generally accepted substrates include aspen shavings, newspaper (both plain and pellet form), and home-heating pellets.

Rabbits that are meant strictly as pets (rather than breeders for show or fiber) should be spayed or neutered for a number of reasons. Male rabbits, like male cats, can get territorial and spray. Female rabbits tend toward false pregnancies, which can cause fur pulling and aggression, as well as considerable stress.

Many find that it is much easier to litter train an altered rabbit. Finally, due to the way that rabbits ovulate and the hormone spikes it can cause, there is a very high incidence of reproductive cancers in unaltered female rabbits over time. Another advantage to shelter rabbits is that they are now routinely already altered.

The last thing that surprises people who don't know rabbits is how bored they can get. It's important to have lots of options for chewing, tossing, and digging to keep your rabbit safe and stimulated. I personally have had to replace roommates' books, two alarm clocks (due to exposed wires), and, most horrifying, a wall due to some creative drywall chewing--which also resulted in a trip to the emergency vet.

There should always be something safe for the rabbit to chew, like apple sticks, willow items, and untreated cardboard and brown paper bags filled with hay, and some fun items to throw around like hard plastic cat toys with bells, baby keys, and commercially available ferret toys. A very popular rabbit toy is an old phone book. Rabbits are expert paper shredders and will delight in an old phone book for weeks !

The Blessed Bunny Bundle

- organic apple wood & fresh rosemary -

by brizel4TheAnimals

Rabbits are largely undervalued as pets, and in my opinion it is undeserved. They are probably as much work as having a cat or dog, but the rewards are easily equal as well. If you're looking for a companion who will happily greet you at the door, use a litter box rather than go outside, munch on your leftover veggies and carrot tops, and speed around the house for the sheer joy of it, look no further than the house rabbit.

Carrot Colored RABBiT fingerless cuffs

by KnitbyValerie

Two excellent websites

for house rabbit enthusiasts:

www.rabbit.org

(the National House Rabbit website)

www.disapprovingrabbits.com

(a blog of people's rabbits that never disappoints)

Special Cat needs HELP: United Kingdom

noreply@blogger.com (Brizel Handcrafts) — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 04:04:00 +0000

I came across an article today about a kitty who has had some unfortunate events happen to him. Charlie, a beautiful, white DSH went through treatments for skin cancer. To rid him of the cancerous skin cells the tip of his nose and his ear tips were removed. As a result, his appearance has been altered. Although he looks different from other kitties he is still very much a capable cat (aside from the occasional bout of sneezing)!

Charlie is up for adoption, but has been overlooked by those who see a resemblance to Ralph Fiennes' character, Voldermort in the "Harry Potter" Films. Personally, I found this story to be heartbreaking and I really want to do something to help this wonderful boy.

Charlie currently resides at The Blue Cross' Southampton Adoption Center in Southampton, Hants (south-east of London), and needs to be adopted as the only pet in the household.

Since I live in the US (and already have a kitty) I can not adopt sweet Charlie :( I just want someone special to give this little guy a forever home. Perhaps a hospital or senior care home can open their hearts to Charlie.

To read the full story click here: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1355548/Homeless-cat-new-family-looks-like-Harry-Potter-villain.html

To view Charlie's adoption page with The Blue Cross click here: http://www.bluecross.org.uk/2574-83377/Charlie.html

Please pass Charlie's story along to someone who may be able to help him :)

Thanks for reading!

Hugs, & purrs,

-Rebecca & Twiggy (the kitty)

of WhiskerKisses !

EFA Team Treasury: meYOW

yarnmiracle@gmail.com (Yarn Miracle) — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 06:10:00 +0000

'meYOW' by yarnmiracle

February is Cat Health Month! Take the time to check up on your tabby. Or your tortie, or your Siamese, or your black cat...... you get the idea.

Cute cat and Cactus taibossigai $8.00	Sleeping Kitty Gift Tags thisisit $5.00
Mesmerized Kitty 5erg $14.00	Grey Striped Tabby Flying wi... KimbasCritters $8.00
Folded cards set of 5 orange... schmoomunition... $10.00	kitty cat moveable paper dol... hollandsworth $6.00
EFA - Etsy For Animals - Cat... TwoStrayCats $5.00	Sentinel Cat Magnet By Cori ... terikor $5.00
Yellow Submarine buckle coll... TheModDog $10.00	Vegan Dinner and Dessert - 2... crazyaboutcatn... $12.50
Tough Old Tom PawPrintsProje... $20.00	Yellow Ravioli Catnip Buddy ... BoutiqueAlicia... $7.00
Original Art Tabby Cat Paint... SharonFosterAr... $6.00	NAMASTE - Original watercolo... Catswithattitu... $35.00
Catnip Toy for your Kitty - ... LowellandSon $6.00	Knit Catnip Mouse is Pale Ye... VivaLeChat $6.00

Treasury tool is sponsored by Lazzia.com A/B image testing.

EFA Team Treasury: The Cat's Meow

yarnmiracle@gmail.com (Yarn Miracle) — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 06:03:00 +0000

'The Cat's Meow' by UpcycledStuff

Team Efa (Etsy for Animals) not only donates a portion of their sales to animal related causes but they are busy crafting for animals too! Check out these very unique catnip toys, many of them crafted by Efa artists.

Nudibranch Cat Toy thefrogbag $5.00	SALE - Organic Catnip Kitty ... WeeMef $1.25
Catnip Cat Toy - Jelly Fish heartfeltwool $7.00	Fish Bones - Catnip Fish Cat... rendachs $9.00
Globetrotters - Organic Catn... veryvintage $	Asian Tapir Cat Toy thefrogbag $5.50
Catnip cat plushies - Take T... lvsbeadsnthing... $6.50	Filled to the Gills with Cat... crazyaboutcatn... $4.50
Shrimp Lo-Mein - 3 Shrimp Ca... crazyaboutcatn... $15.00	Ahoy Matey Super Kicker RetroAnimals $9.00
Ugly Sweater Cat Toys - Snow... squishe $5.00	Woodland Creatures Binky Cat... osha $10.00
CHARITY Tug-A-Fun 2in1 cat t... iluvtoti1 $3.00	Catnip Cat Toy - Red Mushroo... heartfeltwool $7.00
Bats for Cats smilingfrogpet... $4.00	Gorilla Cat Toy thefrogbag $5.00

Treasury tool is sponsored by Lazzia.com A/B image testing.

National Bird Feeding Month

noreply@blogger.com (Brizel Handcrafts) — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 18:31:00 +0000

FEBRUARY

National Bird Feeding Month

written by Tricia of UpcycledStuff

Pop Can Bird Feeder by UpcycledStuff

Americans have celebrated National Bird Feeding Month every February since 1994. This grand scale effort aims to help our feathered neighbors get through one of the most difficult months of the year.

As most of the nation struggles to escape the grip of Old Man Winter, food sources for most wildlife become scarce. The seed and berries that many birds typically feed on have disappeared or become covered by a blanket of snow. Insects, too, disappear. Many wild birds have come to rely on backyard bird feeders to get them through the winter.

Lookout

Photograph by JMcGuinness

If you’re ready to jump in, here are some things to think about for a successful winter bird feeding season:

You’ll want to give some thought to where you put your feeding station. Providing some sort of shelter can protect your feeders and the birds from strong winds and weather. Wet seed can accumulate mold that can sicken the very birds that you are trying to help. If no shelter is available, placing feeders close to the house or hedges can help reduce the impact of weather.
The type of bird seed you choose will depend on the local bird species. However, keeping warm in the winter months requires far more calories than during the warmer months. Selecting seed with a higher fat content can help birds maintain increased metabolic rates. Try black oil sunflower seeds, hulled peanuts, suet, peanut butter, etc.
Size does matter! In the winter months, you may find it more difficult to gather up the motivation to fill your feeders on a regular basis and they will empty very quickly. So don’t shy away from larger bird feeders, you’ll be happier for it and so will your diners.
Cleaning your feeders is important all year long especially during the winter months with the increased traffic that you’re sure to see. Regular cleaning will minimize the growth of mold and disease.

Pop Can Bird Feeder by UpcycledStuff

Just a word of warning; when winter comes to an end you should scale back your feeding. It’s okay to leave your feeders empty for a couple of days in between feedings as spring approaches. This will ensure that the birds frequenting your feeders don’t become too dependent on you for their next meal.

What happens if you move? Or financial hardship forces you to cut bird seed out of the budget? To encourage those birds to continue visiting your yard plant flowers, shrubs and trees that produce seeds and berries that they can forage for.

'Tis the Season

Print by AlexWijnen

Now that you’re thoroughly warned and informed, check out this treasury HERE and pick one of the adorable bird feeders or houses made from upcycled products.

If you’d like to create one on your own upcycled feeeders check out my latest blog HERE for a quick and easy bird feeder tutorial that you can do at home.

Pop Can Bird Feeder by UpcycledStuff

For more information about feeding wild birds in the winter months...

The National Wildlife Federation HERE

The National Bird Feeding Society HERE

all EFA Team Treasury: Follow me

yarnmiracle@gmail.com (Yarn Miracle) — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 06:03:00 +0000

'Follow me!' by knitbyvalerie

tweet this!

Little Birdies - Custom Dog ... 3pooches $15.99	Say Happy BIRTHDAY Birdie Ca... adorebynat $3.50
King Penguin 4x6 original ca... BirdsinHand $30.00	A LITTLE BIRDIE TOLD ME Rave... veryvintage $5.75
Winter White Raven Pin purpleandlime $14.00	Rose-hips and birds - handpa... viru $34.00
Owl At Dusk stoneware mug Co... TheRusticHome $11.99	Original Art - Herring Gull urbanimal $70.00
Oakley Owl With Rattle - Vin... TwoStrayCats $28.00	Prothonotary Warbler Pin Cus... thefrogbag $14.00
Little Carolina Wren, Bird C... KimbasCritters $15.00	White Bird Brooch. Decorated... veganessa $12.00
Falcon God Horus - New Canva... oceloteyes $99.00	The Singing Bird Tote Bag silvermint $14.90
These Are For The Birds Natu... QueenBe $16.50	The Landing miniature waterc... KneeDeepOrigin... $14.00

Treasury tool is sponsored by Lazzia.com A/B image testing.

EFA Team Treasury: Bunny Love

yarnmiracle@gmail.com (Yarn Miracle) — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 06:03:00 +0000

'Bunny Love' by yarnmiracle

3 Bunnies ACEO SharonFosterAr... $3.00	Pearly White Rabbit Figurine TheClayPony $6.00
Tiny Felt Rabbit Family MuddyFeet $27.00	Bunny Family- Eco-friendly W... Imaginationkid... $31.00
memory Silk Tapestry Box fur... brizel4TheAnim... $20.00	Adorable Peter Rabbit Cupcak... adorebynat $7.25
Little Girl With a Bunny and... licoricewits $20.00	Pink Bunny Mary Jane Shoes -... emandsprout $26.00
Custom Knitted Woolies - Cho... woolies $56.00	Pink BOO BOO BUNNY with reus... Johnsonfamilyz... $6.00
Little White Love Bunny LittleElfsToys... $14.00	Bunny Shock (Pale Pink) yoonahbae $11.00
Fruity Bunny cushion - appli... luniquejewelle... $29.00	Handmade Wooden Animal, RABB... jupiterschild $7.00
2.25 inch I love Rabbits but... AWBAR $1.50	Mama and Child Bunny Collage... MapleShadeKids $39.00

Treasury tool is sponsored by Lazzia.com A/B image testing.

new EFA volunteers WANTED !

noreply@blogger.com (Brizel Handcrafts) — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 16:02:00 +0000

TEAM EFA needs YOU !

We are searching for more volunteers

BOTH POSiTiONS FiLLED !

I'll be posting requests in the upcoming weeks for additional volunteers... please look at our vacancies and consider if any of these positions might be the right one for you :)

If you would like to 'Help people Help animals' in this capacity- please contact me at brizel4TheAnimals.

ANiMAL PETiTiONS

BLOG CORNER VOLUNTEER

EFA would like to make room on this blog for a weekly Animal Petitions Corner 'column' !

Are you 'up' on animal welfare advocacy petitions ? Are you passionate & organized enough to select & line up a couple of animal petitions a week for our EFA blog readers to consider and inspire them to sign them ?

The ideal candidate will be able to provide a little intro / explanation on each of the weekly petitions as well as provide informational & petition links. If you are able to typeset your own document post on Blogger that would really rock our world ! If not, no worries, someone else can :)

THANK YOU ALICIA of WoodsEdge for accepting this volunteer position !

BLOG PROMOTIONS VOLUNTEER

If you like what we do here on EFA's main blog and would like to become our Blog Promotions Volunteer, please contact me !

The ideal candidate needs to be able to post a daily announcement early in the day... on EFA's Yahoo Groups as well as in Teams Daily Chat... featuring our blog post-du-jour.

This important task inspires folks to come read/view the posts that have been carefully written and typeset promoting both animals and our EFA Team members.

THANK YOU VALERIE of KnitbyValerie for accepting this volunteer position !

Thanks !

Nicole

all EFA Team Treasury: springtime and blue skies in chicago

yarnmiracle@gmail.com (Yarn Miracle) — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 10:45:00 +0000

'springtime and blue skies in chicago' by PetCollage

inspired by the sunny blue skies in chicago today, alexwijnen's lovely print, and all the wonderful efa artists

Springtime (11x14 matted pri... AlexWijnen $35.00	Half Off All Paintings Movin... DistinctiveCol... $23.00
fabric Seaweed Dance batik 1... brizel4TheAnim... $7.95	Retro Owl danacarol $10.00
Yarn Lover, Original Paintin... KimbasCritters $28.00	Knit Catnip Mouse of Soft Pa... VivaLeChat $6.00
Baby Sea Turtle Original ACE... thebluewindmil... $12.00	White feral cat giving you w... schmoomunition... $40.00
Vintage White Jellyfish Naut... localevintage $30.00	Blue - Original mixed media ... kraftikats $60.00
Original Art - Herring Gull urbanimal $70.00	Yellow Lab Puppies, 8x10 Fin... carolscanvas $18.00
Can't find the perfect b... rendachs $55.00	Blue Snowy Hair Clips smiss00 $3.75
Pensive Panda Original Acryl... SavageArtworks $40.00	SALE - Organic Catnip Kitty ... WeeMef $1.25

Treasury tool is sponsored by Lazzia.com A/B image testing.

all EFA TEAM TREASURY: ADOPT-a-RABBiT month is here !

noreply@blogger.com (Brizel Handcrafts) — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 06:01:00 +0000

"Items for discerning bunnies and the people who love them"

FEBRUARY is

ADOPTaRABBiT Month !

curated by KnitbyValerie

featuring all EFA members !

Click HERE to visit Treasury

2011 = Year of the Rabbit !

noreply@blogger.com (Brizel Handcrafts) — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 06:01:00 +0000

2011 =

Year of the Rabbit

written by Heather of TheBlueWindmill

Jackrabbit

Original ACEO

by thebluewindmill

The 12 signs used in Chinese Astrology are based upon the 12-year period that the planet Jupiter requires to complete its orbit. Each year is associated with an animal, which are rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, cock, dog, and pig.

The Chinese New Year 4709, or 2011 in the Western world, is the year of the rabbit and it starts on Feb. 3rd. Chinese Astrology uses the five elements―Metal, Water, Wood, Fire, and Earth―to determine people’s fortune for the new year. Metal coincides with the rabbit and metal is also related to the colors of white, yellow, or gold; therefore, one can say that 2011 is the year of the white rabbit, year of the golden rabbit, or year of the yellow rabbit.

White Rabbit

Silk tapestry Fur Keeper Box

by brizel4TheAnimals

A perfect symbol of the Chinese New Year: Brizel’s “White Rabbit Tapestry Box” represents the circular pattern of the zodiac as well as its five elements, orange-fire, chocolate brown-wood, green-earth, blue--water, and white--the color of the rabbit itself--metal.

“As fourth in the cycle of the 12 animals representing each Chinese New Year, the rabbit is a symbol of endurance according to Chinese mythology,” writes Mary Margaret Peralta in an article titled, “2011, Year of the Rabbit”.

Chinese Zodiac

Year of the Rabbit is much welcomed after the preceding year of 2010, Year of the Tiger and is predicted to be more relaxed, fun, and peaceful. The year of the rabbit will unfold at an easygoing pace without strict adherence to rules and regulations.

The rabbit symbolizes “sensitivity, compassion, and creativity.” These people are “friendly, outgoing, and enjoy the company of others”. They are also considered “calm, gentle, persistent, shy” as well as “quietly charismatic” and thoughtful. Others will seek out their advice for their wisdom and trustworthiness. Rabbits hold home and family in high regard, and do not do well without them. They are most comfortable entertaining friends and family in their neat and organized homes and they console and comfort those who are wounded or hurting.

Some other characteristics of rabbit are as follows:

Rabbits tend to be peacekeepers, shying away from conflict and stressful situations.

One of the most cautious signs in the zodiac, rabbits are prepared to run at the first sign of danger and are known for taking their time while strategizing their next move.

Rabbits gravitate toward the arts and have “an eye for color and line that is evident in their thoughtful fashion sense”.

Bunny Towel Plush

by AubreyMade

Rabbits, and those born under compatible signs, will likely benefit from luck or good fortune during a Rabbit year.”

“Wishing you and your family

a year of health and prosperity!

Gung Hay Fat Choy!”

Resources:

http://www.chiff.com/a/chinese-horoscopes.htm

http://www.chineseastrologyonline.com/ChineseAstrology2011.htm

http://www.suite101.com/content/chinese-zodiac---2011-year-of-the-rabbit-a248098

http://www.answers.com/topic/chinese-astrology

A Groundhog meteorologist ?

noreply@blogger.com (Brizel Handcrafts) — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 06:01:00 +0000

It's Groundhog Day !

by Lucy of Luniquejewellery

Will Mr Goundhog see his shadow this year ?

February 2^nd is Groundhog Day in the U.S. and Canada. But what exactly is a groundhog?!

The groundhog is species of rodent also known as the woodchuck, whistle-pig or land-beaver. They are found in parts of the U.S. and Canada and their natural habitat is farmland and woodland edges. The live mostly on the ground but can also climb trees and swim.

These chunky, cuddly-looking animals are mostly herbivorous, only occasionally eating small insects, and can live for up to 6 years in the wild.

First Groundhog Day

As the name whistle-pig suggests, groundhogs are very vocal animals! They whistle, squeal, bark and chatter their teeth to indicate danger and communicate with other individuals.

Their main predators are snakes, coyotes, wolves and humans. However, they reproduce relatively quickly, giving birth to between 1 and 9 young, so the population remains strong.

Although groundhogs are usually solitary, several individuals may share one den. They will build a separate ‘winter burrow’ in which to hibernate. And it is when they emerge from hibernation that people look to them for a weather forecast!

According to folklore, if, on the 2^nd of February, a groundhog emerging from its burrow sees its shadow (i.e. it is sunny) they will retreat back to their burrow, indicating another 6 weeks of winter. However, if it is a cloudy day, the groundhog leaves its burrow and that is a sign that winter will end soon.

Phil of Punxsutawney

The most famous weather man/groundhog is Punxsutawney Phil of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. He has even starred in the classic comedy film Groundhog Day with Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell!

For anyone who hasn’t seen it, here’s the storyline- a weather man, also called Phil, is reluctantly sent to cover a story about Punxsutawney Phil. On awaking the 'following' day he discovers that it's Groundhog Day again, and again, and again. First he uses this to his advantage, then comes the realisation that he is doomed to spend the rest of eternity in the same place, seeing the same people do the same thing EVERY day.

So, what will the groundhogs predict this winter? We will have to wait and see… For now I leave you with words of wisdom from Bill Murray in Groundhog Day- “This is one time where television (or in this case a blog post) really fails to capture the true excitement of a large squirrel predicting the weather.”

"How long did Bill Murray

spend trapped in the film Groundhog Day?"

Film Fan Bangle

by LuniqueJewellery

FEB 2011 EFA COTM: RSPCA, Queensland flood crisis

noreply@blogger.com (Brizel Handcrafts) — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 06:01:00 +0000

February Charity of the Month

Introducing the Queensland RSPCA

by Nadya of OcelotEyes

My furry best friend, a cocker spaniel named Charlie, was adopted from the QLD RSPCA last year. I live in Brisbane, Australia, and as everyone by now will know, much of the state of Queensland has been devastated by flooding in the recent weeks.

These floods are now known as one of the worst disasters in Queensland's history and they are still affecting even more of the country: parts of New South Wales and now Victoria. I read the news daily with a heavy heart, learning about all the people affected, homes and businesses destroyed, families evacuated but what about the animals, the lost pets and the wildlife?

Wendy from the RSPCA gives a helping hand

to locals caught in the rising flood waters

in North Rockhampton. Picture by Kelly Watt

The QLD RSPCA is one of Queensland's foremost organisations doing literally life-saving work for our animals - both pets, and wild ones, as well as community initiatives to raise awareness of the plight of animals. When one thinks of the RSPCA, they immediately remember their animal shelters, where lost, abandoned, abused and neglected pets can be healed, de-sexed, and find new homes.

One of their recent community initiatives is to raise awareness of puppy mills, including a petition to the government to close puppy factories, which has now attracted over 20,000 signatures! Their "Wildlife Ward"' continues to receive animals even after the floods - from kangaroos with broken tails, to baby lizards, to helpless rainbow lorikeets whose nectar has been washed away by the rain - though they are currently being placed with veterinarians and carers until the RSPCA can get back on their feet.

2011 Queensland Floods: RSPCA

+ Rockhampton Animal Evacuation Shelter

A little history, from the RSPCA's 'About Us' page: http://www.rspcaqld.org.au/aboutus/ "The Queensland Society for the Prevention of Cruelty (QSPC) to Animals was established in Brisbane in 1876. After lapsing due to a lack of funds, it was re-established in 1883. Its first Queensland Inspector, Mr Marlowe, was installed and by the end of September 1884, had issued no less than 350 'cautions', mainly for ill-treatment of working horses. These cautions resulted in numerous prosecutions.

The Society dropped the word 'Animals' from its title after nine years, as it had widened its activities to include neglected and ill-treated children and later the care of neglected aged people, also providing vocational guidance for children with disabilities and care for the people with emotional disabilities. In the 1890s and in the early part of the 20th Century, the RSPCA was the sole agency responsible for children's welfare, protecting children from cruelty and all forms of ill treatment by removing them from moral or physical harm where necessary.

Echidna saved from flood waters

The Society maintained an active involvement in the protection and welfare of children until the 1970s, when it once again became solely dedicated to shelter and welfare of animals. The Society became the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Queensland (RSPCA Qld) in 1982 and subsequently on December 23, 1999, was incorporated under the Associations Incorporation Act 1981. The Society is regarded today as the State's leading authority and agency on animal welfare, offering a range of services designed to alleviate situations that may cause distress to animals."

"The RSPCA's shelter facilities, which now form such a large component of the Society's operations, started humbly with a few cages in a vet surgery. The RSPCA has been based at Fairfield since the early 1900s and took over the old Brisbane council pound in Fairfield in the 1960s. This refuge, built in the 1920s, still serves on the site of the RSPCA's state headquarters. The Society plans to rebuild the facility, along with several regional shelters, during the coming years.

Lucky dog rescued from cane fields in flood

RSPCA branches and shelters are situated throughout the eastern part of the state and include the Brisbane shelters of Fairfield and Pine Rivers, with regional shelters in Bundaberg, Cairns, Noosa, Kingaroy, Toowoomba and in an amalgamation with the NQSPCA in 2001, a shelter at Townsville. Branch Committees are based on the Gold and Sunshine Coasts and in Brisbane, Gympie, Townsville, Mackay and Rockhampton.

From one Inspector and several supporters in its fledgling years, the Society has grown to its present day level of around 190 staff throughout the state, generously supported by more than 1,200 volunteers. All who work directly or indirectly with the RSPCA are dedicated to increasing the opportunities and improving the quality of life of each animal in their care.

The RSPCA remains an independent animal welfare charity, striving to educate the community on its responsibilities and continuing to protect and enhance the welfare of animals."

The small dog pens in the adoptions area.

Their animal shelters in many flood-affected towns were closed, and after the rising waters came to Brisbane, RSPCA Qld Shelter at Fairfield (western suburbs of Brisbane) was severely damaged. Thanks to their staff, volunteers and emergency foster carers, all animals were safely and swiftly evacuated before the shelter became engulfed by water, submerging the field and garden, filling the kennels and catteries.

Due to the volume and depth of this floodwater (nearly three metres - over nine feet - in some parts) extensive damage was caused to the shelter, forcing Queensland's leading animal welfare charity to limit operations while the massive undertaking of clean up and recovery began. Without their vital veterinary services, they are dramatically crippled to provide services required to help all creatures great and small.

Flood Waters rising Wednesday midday 12th January 2011.

Food storage and laundry area.

After the waters receded, I went to volunteer to help with the clean-up. Walking through the neighbourhood where the animal shelter is, was absolutely surreal. There are lines of brown river-muck on the houses, fences, and trees - higher than my head. Some houses are being demolished altogether, parts of roofing and walls and furniture all thrown onto the curbside. And the smell!

But it was a great experience working with the volunteers that day - in just a few hours, the difference that a whole bunch of helping hands working at once, was fantastic to see. A rescued cat was even able to be reinstated into its freshly cleaned and repaired outdoor enclosure, and was having a cat-nap in the shade by the time I left to go home, as though nothing ever happened.

Flooding throughout the dog pens and

the food storage shed to the left.

Unfortunately, the QLD RSPCA does not receive government funding from the Premier's Flood Appeal, so they rely on donations from kind-hearted people. Thus, I'm very happy that the QLD RSPCA was chosen as the EFA Charity of the Month for February!

Every little bit helps the animals, and together we can make a difference - to help the RSPCA get back on its feet, and start helping, rescuing, re-homing, saving and rehabilitating animals once more !

ViSiT RSPCA, QLD

Facebook Page

Flood Crisis Appeal HERE

General Aid Appeal HERE

Vet Service Appeal HERE

To make a DONATION to RSPCA, QLD

please send funds to their paypal account:

paypal@rspcaqld.org.au

Once your payment has been sent to them,

please email them a payment notification

(events@rspcaqld.org.au)

so they can retrieve the money

and issue you with a donation receipt.

all EFA TEAM TREASURY: efa for him... Valentine's Day

noreply@blogger.com (Brizel Handcrafts) — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 06:01:00 +0000

EFA for HiM: Valentine's Day

curated by KnitbyValerie

Click HERE to visit Treasury

featuring EFA members:

TerrierTrousers, AdorebyNat,

BlindWolfSpirit, ekneverfeltbetter,

kskjewelry, HandmadeforHounds,

LonesomeRoadStudio, KneeDeepOriginals,

KaysK9s, epicfarms, heartfeltwool,

HaveCameraWillTravel, FeaturingAnimals,

Faeriegood, ADyingArtCo, ebrown1228

Read all about... Guinea Pigs !

noreply@blogger.com (Brizel Handcrafts) — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 06:10:00 +0000

Read all about

... GUiNEA PiGS ...

by Patty of Catcalls

Guinea pigs are really very hardy little guys. They do not require massive amounts of tedious attention- just some basic care to keep them happy and healthy.

If you can provide all of these things, you are a good candidate for guinea pig ownership!

1. Keep your piggie's cage clean and dry. Pine chips, straw, hay but NO cedar chips! They are toxic to guinea pigs.

2. Keep away from drafts! This is a big one. Once a guinea pig catches a respiratory illness, it is very hard for them to recover.

3. Keep their room at a consistent temperature. Gradual seasonal changes in temperature are not a problem. Just no abrupt changes. 60F - 80F degrees is suitable.

4. Allow plenty of fresh air, but no drafts.

5. Give fresh pellets made for guinea pigs, not rabbit pellets, and water daily.

6. Daily vitamin C is essential. They are like humans in this regard, needing outside sources of this vitamin. Fresh, clean, raw veggies and fruits are best.

7. Give your piggies plenty of light without placing them in direct sunlight.

8. Keep their toenails clipped. This is an easy task- just like clipping your own! Be careful to clip below the 'quick', the fleshy part underneath the nail.

9. Examine your guinea pig often... so that you can catch any lumps, bald spots, runny nose etc. before they get serious. Playing regularly with your piggies will keep you more alert to any changes.

10. It -is- possible to transfer a respiratory illness to your pet... So be careful to keep your distance when you are sick and wash your hands before touching them.

If you notice any of the following, unless you are well versed in guinea pig care, talk to your vet! These may develop into serious conditions.

Not eating or drinking, discharge from eyes or ears, diarrhea, hair loss, weight loss, dull ruffled hair, dull or half closed eyes, nose in corner of cage with little movement or hunched posture.

Yes! You CAN teach your guinea pig to play dead! But can you teach him to fly? I will let you know after I have some lessons with Tooey!

Of the 30 or 40 guinea pigs I have had, I have lost a few to the above illnesses, mainly in my childhood years, due to ignorance. Most of my piggies have lived 4 or more years. For the little amount of care they require, they have brought an abundance of fun and joy into our lives!

I can't imagine life without a guinea pig!

Teachable Moment: Don't They Spit ?

noreply@blogger.com (Brizel Handcrafts) — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 06:01:00 +0000

It is interesting to me to think about what would be needed to keep an exotic animal in the back yard...

Just how big of a bathtub would that hippo you want for Christmas need?

An elephant eats HOW much?

A camel is a real back yard possibility in the US. If you have a BIG back yard. Vocabulary words are marked with a * - you'll find the definitions at the end of this article.

Teachable Moment: Don't They Spit ?

written by Emily of YarnMiracle

Camels have been domesticated* in the Middle East and Asia for somewhere between 3,000 and 5,000 years. They are kept for their meat and milk, used as pack animals and transportation. Their hair is another perk - they shed about 5 pounds of hair when they molt in the spring - the hair is used for coats, yarn and artist's brushes. Camels are uniquely suited for life in harsh desert climates since they have adapted to survive about a week without water and a month without food. In fact, camels can safely loose 40% or their body weight safely (most animals die if they loose 20%) and drink up to 32 gallons of water at a time!

To raise a camel of your very own (isn't it every kid's dream?), first check your state and local law. While camels are more common than cars in Saudi Arabia, in some US states, camels are considered to be an exotic* animal and will fall under their exotic animal regulations. This is kind of funny to me since camels first evolved in North America and then spread to South America (llamas and alpacas), Asia and Africa.

Sand Dune at Sunset

Signed photo print by OcelotEyes

If you are in a camel-friendly area, the next thing to consider is space. Camels are big. Really. Big. They weigh 80 pounds at birth and the males keep growing for six years to a shoulder height of 7.5 feet, a length of 11.5 feet and a whopping 1,500 pounds! Females are slightly smaller, weighing in at 660 pounds and a mere 6 feet high at the shoulder. Since the graze like cattle, camels need plenty of room to stroll around as they eat. If you have enough room for a horse, you probably have enough room for a camel.

Even though camels tend to be healthy, hearty creatures - anybody who eats thorns for breakfast probably isn't prone to heart burn - you should still consider whether your local vet will treat camels.

Autumn in the Desert

Fine Art Photo by BlindWolfSpirit

But what are you going to feed your new family member? In the desert, camels eat practically anything: low quality grasses, thorns, salty plants that other animals won't touch. If they are really hungry, they will eat meat, bones and fish. You can add a good quality hay or grain to your camel's grazing to keep him healthy - but watch out for the nutrition-packed hays that are available, you'll make you camel fat. Since the skinny ones are 660 pounds, I hate to imagine what a fat camel looks like. Camels are ruminants* like cows, so they spend about 8 hours grazing around and then another six to eight chewing the cud*. If you keep your camel near water, he may take sips periodically. But if his food is alive and green, he may not drink for moths because he gets all the moisture he needs form the plants. The most important thing you can provide your camel with is salt. They need eight times as much salt as cattle, so make sure he has plenty available.

Obviously, you shouldn't run out and buy a camel just for fun. They are sentient* and intelligent animals that deserve the same respect of any living creature. If you do decide to raise camels some day: educate yourself, be responsible in the care of your animal and keep up with the latest in camel current events.

Antique Temporal Ornaments

from Uzbekistan

by brizel4TheAnimals

About the spitting:

It isn't really 'spit' - when camels get agitated, they might fling some of that cud around (hey, who wouldn't). Camels raised domestically (particularly those bottle-fed as babies) tend to be gentle and easy-going. Treat them with kindness and there will be no need for frequent showers. For spit, you'll have to get a Llama.

Vocabulary

Domesticated (or tamed) - When a population of plants or animals is, by process and selection, becomes accustomed to human provision and control.

Exotic - Of foreign origin or character; not native*

Native - Related to the place or environment where a species of plant or animal came into being.

Ruminant - Having a multi-chambered stomach. Cows and goats are examples of ruminants.

Cud - a portion of food that returns from a ruminant's stomach in the mouth to be chewed for the second time. Ew.

Sentient - Conscious and having perception by the senses.

One More Click

San Diego Zoo's Animal Bytes - Camel

Wikipedia on Camels

All About Camels

Origami Camel

Cashmere Exotic Monkey

Hand Knit Luxury Toy

by YarnMiracle

COMPANiON'S CORNER: FEB 2011 Monthly Challenge theme

noreply@blogger.com (Brizel Handcrafts) — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 15:04:00 +0000

February's Monthly Challenge theme:

Companions Corner

February's monthly challenge theme is "Companions Corner"; please tag your listing "teamefacompanion", without the quotation marks.

For EFA members when someone says the word "companion" we do not always and immediately think of a human; instead we think of our furry (scaly, feathered, etc) friends who are often much more to us than can be described in words.

For your "Companions Corner" Monthly Challenge entry: "pay homage to your non-human companions and family".

I hope that you will find that in all of the following definitions of "companion", our friends are the best representation of the word:

1. Somebody to be with: somebody who accompanies or shares time with another.

2. Somebody whose job is accompanying another: somebody employed to live with [or help] another person.

3. Matching article: an object or item that goes with another to make a pair.

http://www.bing.com/Dictionary/search?q=define+companion&FORM=DTPDIA&qpvt=definition+of+comapanion

***

"Ode to Companion Animals"

By Margaret Loris, Pet Healer

http://www.sunhealer.com/ode.html

"Have you ever felt afraid, hurt, anxious, or lonely?

Did you ever feel you were alone in the world?

That noone could understand you.

There was noone to help you.

And even if there was, you were so badly hurt that your voice could not even ask for help.

That you felt so much pain that you were afraid to cry.

Because the tears might just never stop.

And then, from nowhere, you get the best gift in the universe.

An animal, no matter what kind, comes ever so gently to comfort you."

***

I am looking forward to seeing all of your entries and all the ways that our team defines "companion" with or without words. Happy crafting everyone!

P.S: Submit your entries asap... remember that the first 16 qualifying entries will be automatically entered into our Monthly Challenge Competition where the winner is awarded a free advertising slot with EFA !

For more information on...
EFA's Monthly Challenge- click HERE
Monthly Challenge Themes-at-a-glance HERE
Entering the Monthly Challenge- click HERE
The Monthly Challenge Competition- Click HERE

THANKS

Heather of thebluewindmill

Hearing Dogs... Say it in Sign !

noreply@blogger.com (Brizel Handcrafts) — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 13:45:00 +0000

HEARiNG DOGS

Say it in Sign !

by Diana of SayItInSign

Blake signing 'Lay Down!'

Almost everyone has heard of a seeing eye dog but a hearing dog, what is that ? Hearing dogs are specially trained to tell a deaf person when the phone rings, when someone is outside, etc.

Sadly the organizations out there have too few dogs for the amount of deaf that need them. It is absolutely amazing what the cost is for the training of one dog which can come to about $100k ! That is due to the cost of covering food, training, vets etc. The average person generally pays a fee of 100.00 and donations are raised to cover the balance.

Training organizations only use blood lines that they know are successful and even then the rate of how many are successful out of a liter is extremely small. IF the puppy raiser doesn't want the dog back then the dog sometimes is turned over to a rescue or to the animal shelter!

That saddened our hearts knowing that many of these dogs are not used to empower, improve and befriend someone just because they are not of a certain blood line or that they don't make the "cut" due to training. Sometimes trainers fall in love with a puppy and purposely don't train them so they can keep them for themselves.

Odie

At any rate, for our family a hearing dog was crucially important for Blake, our son, who is profoundly deaf. We toured Canine for Independence in Ocoee Fl a couple of years ago. CCI has strict rules, for example, someone under the age of 18 who needs a seeing eye dog or 21 if they are in need of a hearing dog... unless they are in a wheelchair are not allowed to have a dog. Most organizations abide to the 18 yr old rule.

Later on and with much research, we found an organization that will train dogs that are in shelters as hearing dogs. Regrettably, they don’t have the funding or staff to train as many as they would like to so only a few are selected. There is a high demand for trained dogs but few are able to do the training. The waiting list can be up to 5 years !

Odie

We decided that age was not going to stop us so we adopted a lab mix Odie from the SPCA. Odie was about two and our son & myself found an awesome trainer. Debby Snyder from Dog Sense Obedience. She had never worked with a deaf person nor had she specially trained dogs as hearing dogs. (You have to have a special license/insurance for training seeing eye or hearing dogs.)

However, Debby has trained dogs for over 30 years and the principles are the same... so we got started with basic obedience first. Then with Debby's help we trained Odie to Blake's specific needs. He doesn't need to know when the hearing phone rings he can't talk but he does need to know if someone is outside the house, calls his name or if his video phone rings etc.

Sadly though, even with Odie's special training we can't certify him as a "service dog" but Odie recently achieved & got his Canine Good Citizen Award!! He also has his Pet Therapy certification so that Odie, Blake and myself can share our love for him with those in nursing homes, hospice and assisted living facilities.

Besides from being a faithful loyal friend and companion to Blake and the rest of the family... what makes Odie so special ? He can understand true American Sign Language & hand signals... and not just the dog signals!

Blake signing 'Sit!'

Oh and did I forget to mention that since no one told Odie that he is not the official service dog he thinks he is… regardless... he has twice saved my life when I had a medical emergency & stopped breathing.

So, April 2008 was the happiest of times for our family because it is when we met and adopted our Odie. And on a final note, the concept of adoption is very important to our family as we believe it is one way of blending lives and making forever families. Blake and his brother were also adopted and so adopting Odie for Blake facilitated a deeper meaning & connection for him.

Blake & Odie 'hugging'

Thanks for reading our story ! Stop by our Etsy shop, Say It In Sign, and see the work Blake and I do in helping bridge the gap of hearing and deaf through finger spelling. We use a part of the money to help with different rescues.

January MONTHLY CHALLENGE COMPETiTiON #1

noreply@blogger.com (Brizel Handcrafts) — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 17:37:00 +0000

EFA's first MONTHLY CHALLENGE COMPETITION

is off & running !

Below you will find a Treasury featuring the first 16 entries for January's Monthly Challenge... "Winter Wonderland"...

JANUARY MONTHLY CHALLENGE

WiNTER WONDERLAND #1

curated by thebluewindmill

Click HERE to see the Treasury !

featuring in order of appearance:

#1 White Rabbit Silk Tapestry Box

#2 Edelweiss White Bangle

#3 Arctic Serenity Tile

#4 Winter Wonderland Pug Card

#5 Winter Song Oil Painting

#6 Custom Animal Painting

#7 Primitive Snow Balls

#8 Bunny Towel Plush

#9 Mama Polar Bear & Cub ACEO

#10 Tis The Season Cardinal Print

#11 Puppies in the Snow Card

#12 Walrus Mixed Media Stamp Pin

#13 Wintry Cat Love Earrings

#14 Ivory White Silk Nuno Shawl

#15 Penguin Igloo Animal Collar

#16 Be Mine Gloves & Hat

Click on the # number above

to view the Monthly Challenge entry !

A poll has been placed at the bottom

of EFA's Monthly Challenge blog

every individual blog visitor has a chance to VOTE

ON WHICH CHALLENGE ENTRY YOU THINK FITS BEST

this Monthly Challenge theme...

Winter Wonderland:

"depict white winterland, animals or flowers"

The Challenge entry with the most votes will win !

This is a new & exciting incentive to participate in EFA's Monthly Challenge as the winner will receive a free one-month advertising slot (etsy mini 1x1) on either EFA's website or Challenge Blog the following month ! Winner gets to pick location... either on EFA's Sponsor page or in the left hand column of the Challenge Blog :)

For more information on...

EFA's Monthly Challenge- click HERE

Entering the Monthly Challenge- click HERE

The Monthly Challenge Competition- Click HERE

ENJOY Squirrel Appreciation Day

noreply@blogger.com (Brizel Handcrafts) — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 14:46:00 +0000

Squirrel Appreciation Day:

Let’s Hear it for the Squirrel !

by Corinna of TheFrogBag

Leafy Squirrel

greeting cards by Mvegan5

Ahh, squirrels... so ubiquitous we may not even notice them. But doesn’t that very fact make them special ? Not many animals can make a go of it in our increasingly urban environment !

Lots of people label common animals like crows, skunks, and squirrels as pests. But stop and think: the only reason they are pests is because they can survive along side us, no easy feat if you ask a wolf, manatee or wolverine!

Squirrels are Nuts

martingale collar by TheModDog

Squirrels in particular have a way of integrating with altered landscapes. Unlike an opossum or coyote, the humble squirrel is happy to appear during the day. She will invade your bird feeder right in front of you, steal your daughter’s last potato chip, or throw walnuts at you and your dog if you happen to walk under the wrong tree. That’s pretty nervy for an animal that probably only weighs 1/100th of what you do!

Personally, I became very familiar with squirrels during the time I spent working in a wildlife hospital. One season we raised over 120 injured and orphaned babies. And that was in addition to all of the adult squirrels that came in after tangling with dogs, cats, cars, and BB guns.

I became very well acquainted with squirrel teeth, too. I’ve spent the last decade working with animals, and have been bit by everything from baby rats to spider monkeys, so I can assure you that squirrel bites are among the most painful.

Silver Squirrel Mandible

precious metal clay necklace by kskJewelryDesign

We only have three species of squirrel here in Southern California (of which only two are native) but there are at least 300 species found worldwide. The smallest is the African pygmy squirrel, which measures all of five inches. The largest is the Indian giant squirrel, which is three feet long! I have to say, I’m glad I’ve never been bitten by one of those!

But don’t let me leave you with the impression that squirrels are some sort of gladiatorial species, happy only when latched onto a hapless caretaker’s finger. On the contrary, squirrels are very good mothers. They take excellent care of their babies, building complex nests to keep them warm and dry. They are smart too: they often build an additional nest which serves as a get-away spot in case the babies need to be moved. Of course, nothing stops Mama Squirrel from taking a nap in the extra nest when the babies are being too rambunctious. Like I said, pretty smart!

Red Eurasian Squirrel

original watercolor by BrazenDesignStudio

Squirrels also might help us learn how to adapt to global climate change. Yukon red squirrels seem to be experiencing a rapid evolutionary response to the warming of their habitat, a finding that is among the first to document genetic change in a mammal. Perhaps we shouldn’t be too surprised. Few animals are as adaptable as the squirrel.

So let’s hear it for that squirrel ! Or that 'skiouros', if you’d prefer to call him by the Greek word from which squirrel is derived. It means “shadow-tail”, a fitting appellation for an animal that is so often seen and so seldom noticed.

Roses & Lucite Nuggets

bracelet by TheFrogBag

***

Team EFA is having a Squirrel Festival this week !!!

Check out the Squirrel Treasury HERE

and also yesterday's fabulous story:

"A Tail of Lost Nuts" HERE

EFA TEAM TREASURY: Thinking about Penguins Today !

noreply@blogger.com (Brizel Handcrafts) — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 23:46:00 +0000

"Its National Penguin Awareness Day today... If you think its cold where you live... can you imagine what the ambient temps are in Antartica ?

Members of Team EFA (Etsy for Animals) take off our hats and bow our heads at our penguin friends who are undoubtedly having a rougher day than we are"

THiNKiNG ABOUT PENGUINS TODAY !

curated by brizel4TheAnimals

Click HERE to visit Treasury

featuring EFA members:

BirdsinHand, SavageArtworks,

TheBeadedHound, MerryBluesArt,

cblandcompany, MetamorphDesigns,

ArtbyMarilyn, kskjewelrydesigns,

walkonthemoon, ekneverfeltbetter,

AubreyMade, Beadmarkers, sdunderkoffler,

iluvtoti1, beadzandstonezsupplies,

and mvegan5