Michigan Animals

What's Happening This Week - October 12, 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Justine DePalma) — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 23:41:00 +0000

Monday, October 13 7:30 pm - Rochester Hills City Council Meeting
There is a movement to put snipers in trees to kill deer in Rochester Hills. The city council will be dealing with the issue. The most recent proposal involves Oakland CountySheriff Department putting together a sniper team to shoot deer in the city. Deer in Rochester Hills died off this year from a viral infection called blue tongue. A statewide ban went into effect to stop feeding or baiting deer. There is no need to employ violence to kill deer. People, plant things the deer don't like to eat for heavens sake. Here's the location of the meeting:
WHEN: Monday, October 13th at 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Rochester Hills City Hall - Auditorium (access the building and go down the stairs and to the left) 1000 Rochester Hills Drive in Rochester Hills, MI 48309 (almost at the corner of Livernois on Avon)

Tuesday, October 14, 2008 TV ALERT - OPRAH
Lisa Ling went on assignment - her task, to find out where the meat American's eat comes from. This should be an eye opening and frankly game changing moment for vegans and other who cannot tolerate the barbaric cruelty of the factory farm system. Oprah is on different times in different areas, so check listings and watch.

Weds., October 15, 2008 - Eaton County Commission Meeting
7 pm in Charlotte. This is your chance to help the county change its shelter operations so the people and animals are the main focus, not bureaucratic ineptitude. For more information visit http://michigananimals.blogspot.com/2008/10/speak-up-for-eaton-county-michigan.html.

Weds, October 15, 2008 - Waterford City Council Addressing Pit Bull Ban
SPCA of SE Michigan wishes to build a shelter on donated land in Waterford, however, Waterford bans pit bulls and pit mixes from the city limits. The SPCA is addressing the Waterford City Council to convince them to lift the breed ban.
Meeting this Wednesday night at 6:30 pm October 15th
Waterford Township Hall
5200 Civic Center Drive, Waterford 48329

Have a great week and make a difference in someone's life. Remember kindness counts.

Tattoo Saves Rusty From Laboratory

noreply@blogger.com (Justine DePalma) — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 15:40:00 +0000

In 2003, a sweet little Shepherd mix puppy was tattooed with an identification number that would get her back home if she was lost. In 2005, Rusty was lost by her family in Florida. Three years later, the tattoo saved Rusty's life and exposed fatal flaws in Michigan's sheltering system.

At 8 am on Monday, October 6th, 2008, Julie Moscove, owner of Tattoo-a-Pet, received a phone call from James Woudenberg of Howard City Michigan. He stated that he was a Class B Dealer who had a dog with a tattoo and he wanted the family contact information so he could get them to sign off on the dog. He picked the dog up from a shelter, would not tell Julie where, nor would he provide any further information. Julie told him the dog was reported missing in Florida in 2005 and she would need time to find the family, but the dog was not to be sold. Woudenberg told her that he would hold the dog only until the USDA told him what he had to do.

Julie contacted the USDA immediately to alert them that this dog has an owner and should not be shipped to a lab or killed. The USDA doesn't answer phones, or email and to date still has not responded to Julies calls. Julie performed a web search about the dealer because she was concerned about getting the dog returned. Through the web, Julie located michanimalnews.com and the stories we have done about R & R Research.

Julie contacted the Michigan Department of Agriculture, Dr. Michelle Finateri, who is the head of the animal shelter program. Finateri told her that it wasn't an MDA issue, she should contact the USDA. I wrote to Finateri and informed the MDA that this is a sheltering issue, that a dog was shipped to a research dealer with a tattoo and that the registry never was contacted. I was sent an email by the MDA press office stating that the MDA would not act because it had no jurisdiction, clearly an abdication of regulatory responsibility by the MDA.

Both governmental agencies that are supposed to deal with shelters and Class B Dealers didn't do their jobs, what a shock.

What did happen - Woudenberg returned the dog to Gratiot County Animal Control Shelter in Ithaca Michigan. The dog's family contacted the shelter and we hooked the family up with a rescue transport group that is able to help get Rusty home.

Thanks to the persistence of Julie from Tattoo-a-Pet Rusty is going to live another day. She avoided a miserable existence as a research subject only because she had a tattoo. If ever there was an advertisement for Tattoo-a-Pet, Rusty is it.

Although this is a happy ending, we must ask a couple of questions.
1. Why does the Michigan Department of Agriculture refused to enforce Michigan laws when B Dealers are involved? Why is paying their salaries?
2. Why isn't the USDA answering phones or emails about Class B Dealers?
3. Why didn't the shelter contact the tattoo registry to locate Rusty's family? It's scary to think that only a B Dealer did his job in this case. In fact that should terrify every one who lives with animals.
4.When are we going to demand that shoddy shelters like Gratiot, Montcalm and Mecosta counties have accountability for how they treat people's companion animals?
5. When are we going to demand that B Dealers and research institutions stop taking our pets?

Previous Stories and Resources:
Tattoo-a-Pet
Gratiot County Animal Control violates the law
Montcalm Abuse Case Dogs Given to Research Dealer
American Eskimo Rescue Nightmare
Montcalm County Unholy Alliance

Speak Up for Eaton County Michigan Animals – October 15, 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Justine DePalma) — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 16:22:00 +0000

Eaton County Animal Control Shelter in Charlotte Michigan is like many Michigan animal shelters. No effort is made to find homes for the animals that end up in the shelter. Until May 2008, the shelter sold or gave animals to research or research dealers. Volunteers are not allowed in the shelter. Shelter animals are rarely on the shelters website and the shelter does not use petfinder or any other internet adoption service. Strangely, the shelter has a rule that adopters are not allowed to meet an animal outside of a cage. In other words, if you see a dog that you want to adopt the first time you can touch him outside of the cage is after you have signed the adoption paperwork and paid the adoption fee.

Obviously, this is government inaction at its worst. The shelter is run by the Eaton County Sheriff who obviously finds this job to be beneath him. The lack of compassion for animals and for their families is why there is nothing being done to save animals lives in Eaton County. You can help change things.

To quell public outrage over Eaton County Animal Control’s failure to rescue abandoned animals and its dismal adoption statistics, the county commission set up an Animal Control Task Force. Its job is to make recommendations on improving the operation of Eaton County Animal Control. After months of research and work, the Task Force released its 18 recommendations. A complete list may be found: http://www.eatoncounty.org/Assets/Board+of+Commissioners/Animal+Control+Task+Force.pdf.

The sheriff is not willing to accept the recommendations so unless the County Commission passes a resolution supporting the recommendations, nothing will change.

This is one of those times when you have a chance to make a real difference in how your government operates, but you must stand up and speak out if things are going to change. If you want Eaton County to operate an animal shelter instead of a pound, then stand up and speak out. If you want Eaton County animals to find homes with loving families instead of living as a lab animal being experimented on until they are killed or die, then stand up and speak out. It is time to make government live up to our constitution. The preamble is not we the bureaucrats or we the giant multi national corporations or we the lobbyists but instead it is "We the People". Let us start living up to our end of the bargain and force government to live up to its pledge to act on behalf of "We The People".

Stand up and Speak out on behalf of Eaton County Animals on October 15, 2008 at 7 pm.

Here’s more information about this issue – a letter that we received
from Task Force members Judy Oisten and Helen Schneider:

Support the Eaton County Animal Control Task Force Recommendations

The following update is from community representatives; we do not speak for others
on the Eaton County Animal Control Task Force.

After February's incident involving the abandoned dogs and cats in Carmel Township, three Eaton County citizens, Judy Oisten, Patti Roost and Helen Schneider, started attending Board of Commissioners and Public Safety meetings. We asked the commissioners to set up a task force to review practices and policies at Eaton County Animal Control and to seek a halt to the sale of shelter animals to research.

The public safety committee then appointed eight people to the
task force. The group was told that Eaton County Animal Control was part of the
sheriff's department and the sheriff would have the final say on the
recommendations.

Task force members were given a tour of ECAC. Some members went on to visit the animal control shelters of other counties. Observations and interviews of the directors, particularly at Ingham and Ionia, revealed many differences in practices and policies between ECAC and the others. Other counties' shelters place greater emphasis on pet adoption (and revenue generated from it), allow volunteers, have business hours that accommodate working people, and a user-friendly atmosphere. The other shelters had already stopped the sale of their cats and dogs to research, and all post photos of adoptable cats and dogs on Petfinder.com.

Hours were devoted to condensing this information into 18 recommendations, which were unanimously approved at the August 14 task force meeting. They can be viewed at: //www.eatoncounty.org/Assets/Board+of+Commissioners/Animal+Control+Task+Force.pdf

The recommendations were presented to the Public Safety Committee on September 4. Sheriff Mike Raines sent his reply in writing to a special Public Safety Committee meeting on September 25. He opposed most of the recommendations. We appreciate the fact that he did issue an order in May that stopped the "sale" of ECAC animals for "medical" research. Concerned that Eaton County's lost pets were still being transferred (given away), one of the recommendations is a resolution from the Board of Commissioners to prohibit the "sale" or "transfer" of animals for research, including transfer to a Class B Dealer who then profits by reselling the cats and dogs to be used in research.
We are grateful to EC Commissioner Theresa Abed who chaired the task force. She spent many hours obtaining information and communicating with people. Thanks also to all task force members and participants who spent hours in meetings and engaged in beneficial debate. The EC commissioners have acted in good faith in
allowing community representatives to participate on the task force and in
developing recommendations based on updated policies and practices already
in place in other counties.

On Thursday, October 15, the recommendations of the task force will be presented to the Board of Commissioners at a 7:00 p.m. meeting at the EC courthouse, 1045 Independence Blvd. in Charlotte. Pet owners and taxpayers in Eaton County, please
seriously consider attending this meeting and/or writing to your commissioner and the sheriff.

Judy Oisten, Helen Schneider

Prior Michigan Animal News Story - Adoption and "Euthanasia" Statistics from Eaton County

Michigan Animal News Endorses Carey Torrice for Macomb County Commissioner

noreply@blogger.com (Justine DePalma) — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 00:13:00 +0000

In February, 2008 michanimalnews.com published The Story of How Macomb County is Failing Our Pets. The article exposed the high death rate of animals at Macomb County Animal Control Shelter and the lack of effort by county staff to find homes for shelter animals. Carey Torrice, a Macomb County Commissioner representing a portion of Clinton Township read the story and immediately jumped into action. She offered legislation to set the Macomb County Animal Shelter on the path to no-kill status. Better yet, after the resolution passed, Torrice continued to pressure for changes at the shelter. She is still working hard to make certain that the shelter moves toward no-kill status. She kept her word, which is a refreshing change.

Carey Torrice is taking some hits from the old guard. The gossip website TMZ named Torrice the "Hottest Politician in America". This apparently irks her opponents and others who ride moral high horses. Sadly, even with the near destruction of our way of life by the morally superior crowd, there are those who will still vote based on something called "values". Carey will not be on their list, but she should be.

Carey Torrice has the exact kind of values we need today. We need someone who will do what she says, no matter what obstacles are thrown in her way. We need someone to take a fresh look at government and demand that it function as it is supposed to. Carey is that person.

The truth is, all of those politicians taking pot shots at Carey Torrice allowed Macomb County's government to fail. The animal shelter is a perfect example. The shelter did nothing but kill animals for years. No one from the Macomb County Commission did a thing about it until Carey read my article. In fact, Carey Torrice is the only Commissioner who actually contacted me to talk about the shelter and how to change the culture of death and failure that permeated its staff. The rest knew for years and didn't care enough to do a thing about it.

So yes, Carey Torrice may have some provocative photos on her website but who really cares. The woman is a professional actress and model after all, isn't she entitled to make a living? We should wish that all of the people representing us took their duties to heart like Carey Torrice does, maybe the country wouldn't be in such a terrible mess if they did.

Carey Torrice has earned your vote, please pull the lever for her on November 5th in Clinton Township. She is running for reelection to the Macomb County Commission from the 16th District.
Other michanimalnews.com stories: http://www.michanimalnews.com/Carey_Torrice.html
Carey Torrice's website

Vreba-Hoff Not Giving Up in St. Joseph County Michigan

noreply@blogger.com (Justine DePalma) — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 15:46:00 +0000

No, they are not going away without a fight. Vreba-Hoff the European dairy factory farm owner and promoter resubmitted an application to the Michigan Departmet of Environmental Quality for the Leonidas County farm. The originial application claimed that over 3000 cows would be held on the farm. The DEQ rejected the application because of the potential damage to the community caused by the factory farm. Water, air and land are at risk from the urine and manure produced by 3000 cows. Now, Vreba-Hoff is claiming they are going to lower the number of animals on the 275 acre to 2260. According to the Kalamazoo Gazette, the manure and urine produced by 2260 cows is equivalent to that of a small city of 54000 people.

Here's what I know. Let's start with the environmental devastation caused by factory farms. The UN recently released a study that reported the environmental devastation caused by livestock operations. The biggest indictment is that 18% of the CO2 spewed into the atmosphere is a direct result of livestock operations. Yes, laugh as you may, but cows really are the cause of global warming, well, really people are, since if they didn't eat cows and pigs and chickens then the mega farms would not be on earth. So if you care about global warming, you need to speak out about Vreba-Hoff.

Don't care about global warming, then let's try clean water. The urine and manure from the cows will make it's way to the streams, rivers, lakes and yes, even the Great Lakes. Ground water and aquifers that we rely upon for drinking water will be polluted by nitrogen, ecoli, pathogens, anti-biotics and ammonia.

Don't care about water? Well, let's go for the one no one wants to talk about the suffering of the cows. Two thousand two hundred cows stuffed on to 275 acres. Two thousand and two hundred cows annually forced to become pregnant, give birth and have their calves taken from them within the first 24 hours, all so humans can drink the milk of another species. The suffering of the calves is obscene. The male calves become veal calves. They are locked in crates by chains for their entire lives. They are fed a formula that causes anemia so their meat will be white. They are essentially tortured for their entire short life.

Don't care about suffering of thousands of animals? Well, then I guess all that I can say is good luck to you. Imagine if we choose to treat the earth like this and we choose to treat living beings like this, how will we choose to treat humans in a few years?

Stop Vreba-Hoff and it's misery. Go to the DEQ public hearing on October 20th at 7 pm at the Leonidas Township Hall on Kings Road. Leonidas is in St. Joseph County. Written public comment will be taken until October 29th. A link will be posted as soon as the DEQ puts it on their website. Our air, water, land, animals and planet count on you to speak out.

Please Don't Vote!

noreply@blogger.com (Justine DePalma) — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 15:11:00 +0000

Are You Registered to Vote? Deadline Looms

noreply@blogger.com (Justine DePalma) — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 23:50:00 +0000

If you are not registered to vote, run, don't walk, run to the nearest Michigan Secretary of State office or you local city hall and REGISTER. Yes, I'm yelling. REGISTER TO VOTE. The Michigan deadline is October 6. There are no excuses for not voting.

It is an understatement to point out how important voting is this year. On the presidential level there is a definative choice. Remember, Al Gore would have been president if just a few more Democrats voted, so don't say you vote doesn't count. Al Gore - George Bush we wouldn't have suffered the miserable past seven years if just a few more Gore supporters voted.

And it's not just the presidential elections that are so important. It's about time we elected people who intend to serve, who actually believe in public service and not people who are just looking for a place to land so they can retire to a fat pension check and a lobbying career. You must vote if things are going to change. You must vote if people have even a tiny chance at beating out the big corporate interests that run this country. You cannot vote unless you are registered and you must do that today.

Finally, if you do not register to vote, please do me a favor and stop reading my blog and website.

Why Promoting the Vegan Lifestyle is My Calling

noreply@blogger.com (Justine DePalma) — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 16:13:00 +0000

Pigs Being Abused at Hormel Supplier

I've been in one of those contemplative moods lately, trying to decide how to best express myself without ranting. I've actually written and rewritten this blog post 5 times in the last 2 weeks. I feel compelled, actually driven to spend more time and effort on behalf of the billions of farm animals living in hellish conditions and dying horrible deaths. So to start my mission off on the right foot I need your help. Please, if you are a meat eater, read this post, don't turn away. Consider my plea, really think about the issue. I know that changing minds normally does not work if someone feels insulted or belittled, so I will try not to do so. I ask that you put aside any bad feelings created by the post and instead have empathy for the pigs. Not sympathy, but empathy. If you stand in their place you will understand what is really at stake.

The release of the PETA undercover video showing the hideous abuse of pigs at one of the largest pork producers in the US is nothing but shameful. If you eat Hormel products you are paying money to support sick and disgusting cruelty. There is no sugar coating it, factory farms are cruel, animals suffer hideous lives and deaths and if you eat meat or pork or fowl then you are part of the problem.

Ah you say, but the abusers were violating company policy and acting as individuals, these are independent criminal acts, you cannot be responsible. For the sake of this post, I'll agree. Illegal individual action was responsible for much of the heinous abuse. But, there is that little phrase industry standard, that you are responsible for, since it is done in your name.

"At one point in the video, workers are shown slamming
piglets on the
ground, a practice designed to instantly kill those baby pigs
that aren't
healthy enough. But on the video, the piglets are not killed
instantly, and in a
bloodied pile, some piglets can be seen wiggling vainly.
The video also shows
piglets being castrated, and having their tails cut
off, without
anesthesia.
Temple Grandin, a leading animal welfare expert who
serves as a
consultant to the livestock industry, said that while those are
standard
industry practices, the treatment of the sows on the video was far
from
it." CNN.com PETA Video of
Pig Abuse Triggers Investigation

Did you read that? Imagine an industry where the standard practice is to slam babies on a concrete floor to kill them. Imagine that it is not considered shocking that babies are piled, bloody, squirming and quite alive, one on top of another, left to die painful deaths. That is what your love of meat brings. Try reading that paragraph while eating a ham sandwich or a bacon, lettuce and tomato. Is it worth it?

Hard as I try to put it nicely, I cannot. You are just as guilty as the person slamming piglets on the concrete floor, ignorance is not a defense. Ah you say, but the abusers were violating company policy and acting as individuals, these are independent criminal acts, you cannot be responsible. For the sake of this post, I'll agree. Illegal individual action was responsible for much of the heinous abuse. But, there is that little phrase industry standard, that you are responsible for, since it is done in your name.

Every dime you spend on burgers, hot dogs, steak, chicken, roasts, sausage or any other meat product goes into the pockets of the people torturing animals. Without buyers, there would be no market for animal products, so guess what, pigs, cows, chickens, goats, bunnies and other food animals would no longer live hideous lives and then die. Is the convenience of McDonald's worth the cost in lives? Can you live with your choice?

It's all very simple isn't it? Every bite of food that you eat, gets into your body because you make a choice.Reject the hold that corporate greed has on your life, reject cheap and easy food, because the cost is too great. Choose life and help end the hell of life on factory farms. Become a vegan and do it today.

Mad Deer Disease and Michigan's Deer Industry

noreply@blogger.com (Justine DePalma) — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 17:11:00 +0000

Leave it to industrious humans, we will find ways to make money off of just about anything. Deer for example. The beautiful creatures wander all over the state, high concentrations in the lower pennisula make it nearly impossible to safely drive in rural areas during the November rut. Clearly, Michigan does not need more deer. Why then are deer farms claiming over 26,000 head of captive deer worth sixty million dollars (USDA census February 2008)?

The deer farm association claims that deer farming is a billion dollar a year business in Michigan. That is an awful lot of money for a business that is based on deer pee and canned hunting. Yes, deer pee. In addition to allowing losers with tons of cash to come onto their "game ranches" to shoot and kill confined deer, deer farms raise deer pee. You see, hunters need to practically bathe in the stuff in order to get the deer to come near them.

So this business built on pee and shooting confined animals now is endangering Michigan's wild deer and elk herds through "Chronic Wasting Disease". Personally, I think Mad Deer Disease is a better name. Just like mad cow, this is a disease of prions. Prions invade the nervous system tissue, especially the brain, causing loss of function and death. The DNR and other hunting associations claim it is not transmittable to humans or other animals, but that simply is not true. The spin masters for the hunting lobby claim that "no deer to human transmission cases have been found". Lovely.

Here's the bottom line. we've allowed a bunch of people who profit from selling deer pee and running canned hunts, to endanger at least the wild deer and elk population in Michigan. At the worst, they are also endangering anyone who eats dead deer. Seems to me that the canned hunting industry should be closed down for good. But then again, I'm not making money off of deer pee.

BREAKING NEWS New Strain of Parvo Killing Michigan Dogs

noreply@blogger.com (Justine DePalma) — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 22:02:00 +0000

Breaking News
According to Humane Society of Kent County (Grand Rapids) Veterinarian Medical Director Wendy Swift, there is a new strain of parvovirus killing Kent count dogs. Because of the serious nature of the threat, Dr. Swift's email will be extensively quoted:

Parvo 2c has been suspected as the cause of death for at least three adult
canines in Kent County and surrounding areas. Two of the threed ogs had a known
previous vaccine history and tested positive on the Idexx Snap Parvo Test. The
most current information on Parvo 2c from the vaccine/shelter medicine
specialists around the country is as follows:
Disease: Parvo 2c is a highly virulent strain of the parvo
virus that is extremely fatal in puppies and adult dogs. This strain of
parvoattacks the circulatory organs approximately 24 hours beforeattacking the
gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, by the time a dog ispresented for lethargy,
vomiting, and diarrhea it is generally toolate.
Diagnosis: Parvo 2c is detectable on the Idexx Snap Test,
but it hasbeen showing as a weak positive on many tests. Viral isolation is
thebest way to confirm the diagnosis, but it is not going to assist
withdiagnosis upon presentation.
Treatment: Conservative treatment with supportive care has
beenrarely successful. Plasma transfusions from recovered dogs have shownto
yield the best treatment success at around 64% survival rate.
Prevention: Schering-Plough (SP) and Intervet vaccinations
have been proven to be 100% effective in preventing this strain of parvo. Ifyou
have any questions in regards to SP vaccinations please call 1-800-224-5318 (SP
technical support). Fort Dodge vaccines were effective in less than 90% of the
tested dogs/puppies, Pfizer wasless than 70% effective in preventing disease,
and Merial was lessthan 50% effective. This data was obtained from an
independentsource, and at this time the only published data is an article
fromSchering-Plough (S/P).
Cleaning Protocols: There are only two products that kill
this virus with a ten minute contact time. Trifectant and bleach (1/2
cup/gallondilution) will successfully kill Parvo 2c. All other products
thatclaim to kill parvo are not effective per Dr. Hall (Vaccination/Shelter
Specialist at SP)
Prognosis: The prognosis is extremely poor. Most puppies
or dogs dieacutely from the cardiac components of the disease process. If
GIsigns are present, the disease has progressed and is most likely fatal.

Of course we will follow this story and bring you any developments.

Pennsylvania Puppy Millers Murder 80 Dogs Yes, It Could Happen Here

noreply@blogger.com (Justine DePalma) — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 23:27:00 +0000

In an outrageous display of indecency the Zimmerman puppy mill, located in Amish country in Pennsylvania shut down operation after being cited for violations by the local dog warden. The citations were for relatively minor violations. Rather than fix the problems, the Zimmermans shot and killed 80 of the dogs. Shih tzus, bichons, cocker spaniels and other small breed dogs killed for no reason and it was legal. Read the offical press release from the Head of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.

There is no difference between Michigan and Pennsylvania. Both states have antiquated laws that allow puppy millers to run amok, research dealers to literally gas shelter animals that they don't want and take the ones they want to resell, shelters to stuff animals into a gas chamber to suffer a long tortuous death. The difference is Pennsylvania's head of the Department of Agriculture is acting to end the madness (ok, thank Oprah for that). Michigan's Department of Agriculture chief, Don Koivisto is apparently oblivious to what is happening right under his nose. Or he could care less.

The question is, are we as a society going to allow profiteers to abuse and harm animals? Profit is the motive for the abuse in the first place, the hideous life at the puppy mill or being sold to a research institution. It certainly saves a hell of a lot of money if you use bullets or gas to end the problem with your product. Heaven knows it would cut into the profit if you actually hired a vet. Personally I'm sick of profiteers harming animals. I even sicker of bureaucrats and politicians paying lip service or worse completely ignoring the issue. I say we stand up for the voiceless and say we are mad as hell and we are not going to take it any more.

So what to do now that you stood up and said I'm mad as hell and not going to take it anymore? Write the head of the Michigan Department of Agriculture - ask him why his department is allowing illegal gassing of shelter animals with carbon dioxide. Ask him why is his department allowing civilian profiteers, i.e. Class B Dealer Woudenberg, to gas shelter animals on shelter premises? Then write the Governor ask her the same questions. Then write your state representative and then write your state senator. Let them know that we demand action, let them know we are mad as hell and are not going to take it anymore.

Most likely they are clueless about what is allowed to happen to our pets in Michigan. Send links to articles about Montcalm Animal Control Shelter, Gratiot Animal Shelter and River Rouge Animal Control and ask them, why was this allowed in 2008 and what are they going to do about it. More story links: http://www.michanimalnews.com/Montcalm_Killing_Fields.html, http://www.michanimalnews.com/Montcalm_Abused_Dogs.html, http://www.michanimalnews.com/co2_euth_followup.html
http://www.michanimalnews.com/River_Rouge.html

Oh, and don't forget to let them know that the Michigan Department of Agriculture refuses to provide documents or any information about investigations undertaken as a result of www.michanimalnew.com complaints. Drop me an email and let me know if they respond. This is the beginning of a movement of pissed off citizens taking back their government. Join us and let them know you are mad as hell and you will not take it anymore.

Open Letter to Channel 7 News, Stop Promoting Veal

noreply@blogger.com (Justine DePalma) — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 15:59:00 +0000

Not so long ago, channel 7 news booked a chef from Flint who was holding a weekend cooking school. The chef came to channel 7 to demonstrate a veal dish. Erik Smith, the morning anchor refused to eat the veal when the chef offered it to him. Good for Erik, standing up for his beliefs. Sadly, professed animal lover Alicia Smith does not have his chutzpuh.

Channel 7 "News" (I do not consider much of what local news puts on the air to be news) airs a segment "In the Kitchen". The mega market, Vince and Joe's presents a different recipe every week. Alicia Smith is the reporter who works the pieces. Personally I suspect that this is an advertising trade for Vince and Joes, but it clearly is presented as a news piece.

This week, the recipe was for a ragu, a meat based sauce used in Italian cooking. The ragu recipe calls for 3 meats, a beef, pork and veal combination. Animal lover Alicia Smith not only tasted the ragu, but raved that it was delicious. Sadly, the reporter failed to present the truth of Michigan's veal industry. So I will.

To Alicia Smith and Channel 7, wxyz News:
The recent presentation of a recipe containing veal as an
ingrediant can be viewed as nothing less than the promotion of animal
cruelty. The Michigan Department of Agriculture in its proposed 2008 Generally
Accepted Argiculture Management Practices details the facts of veal
"production" in Michigan. First, veal are babies, calves. These
babies
are the unwanted byproduct of the dairy industry. Dairy cows need a
reason
to produce milk, because like humans and other mammals, milk is produced
to
feed offspring, the mother makes milk to feed her babies. So to keep milk
production flowing, dairy cows must be impregnated and give birth, but they
do
not need the milk for their babies, since the baby is immediately taken
from his
mother. (page 18, GAAMP
2008) If the calf is unlucky enough to be deemed a veal calf, he is
immediately
moved to a veal crate, where he will spend his entire life.

The Michigan Department of Agriculture reports that Michigan
veal are raised on the "formula" program. In other words, these unlucky
souls will never touch another cow, will never touch grass, will only see
day
light through a window and will never see a blue sky. They will spend
their
entire life in a crate that is large enough for the calf to stand, lay
down and
turn around. They will be fed formula for their entire existence.
(see pages 39 through 41 of the proposed 2008
GAAMP) Ironically, the veal are fed formula because their mothers are
busy
producing milk for humans.

By airing promotional recipes with veal as a component
channel 7 is supporting the veal industry. Cruelty must never be accepted,
especially cruelty that is institutionalized as it is in Michigan's food
industry. Please stop promoting veal on Channel 7 news. Instead, do an
actual news story about the truth of how Michigan veal is raised.

Email channel 7 and ask them to stop promoting veal and to do a real news story about how Michigan veal is actually treated.

Want to Save the World- Stop Eating Meat

noreply@blogger.com (Justine DePalma) — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 19:48:00 +0000

Global warming may be the issue that finally melds the environmental and animal rights movements into a powerful, cohesive lobby. Environmentalists for the most part are rarely vegan or even vegetarians. Many are conservationists and hunters. Advocates for the environment are confronted by the "Inconvenient Truth" that meat production causes more harm to the environment than use of cars. The American addiction to a meat based diet may be more difficult to cure than the addiction to gasoline.

I've noticed that when I suggest that someone consider trying a vegan diet for a short time, most people become borderline nasty. I suppose I understand, since I really don't like it when just about everyone I know tries to get me to eat meat. It is time we consciously think about our relationship to food and our planet. To be conscious about this relationship, we need to know the facts. The cover story in this week's Metro Times provides is a good place to start. Jim Motavilli, in Meat of the Matter exposes the truth about the meat industry. Some of the facts presented in the article are frightening:

livestock production is responsible for 18% of greenhouse gasses
one medium sized feedlot produces 500,000 pounds of manure daily
one medium sized feedlot emits greenhouse gases equivalent to 33 million cars
grazing occupies 26% of the ice/water free land of the planet
grazing is responsible for deforestation of the Amazon
raising livestock consumes 90% of the soy, 80% of the corn and 70% of the grain grown in America

The environmental impact of livestock is disastrous and yet, Americans are oblivious to the impact that their food choice has on the planet. Americans have an inkling that their food choice is disastrous for the beings that are their food, but they tend to ignore, evade or just turn away from the facts that animals suffer horribly before they are put on the American table. It is becoming more difficult to avoid the truth, Americans must move from a meat based diet to a plant based diet and quickly. Begin exploring a vegetarian lifestyle, you will be healthier, you children will be healthier and now you know the planet will be healthier. If you hesitate, ask yourself this question - How do I, my children or the planet benefit from a meat based diet?

Horse Slaughter Legislation Before Judiciary Committee

noreply@blogger.com (Justine DePalma) — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 03:17:00 +0000

The House of Representatives is tackling animal abuse through new legislation sponsored by Representative John Conyers. H.R. 6598 "Equine Prevention of Cruelty Act" will prevent horses from being shipped to Canada or Mexico for slaughter. The pro-slaughter lobby has been working the media for months with tales of horses starving because they couldn't be sent to the slaughterhouse. The media basically just prints the press releases without doing any research. Research would reveal that sadly horses have been starved by humans for years. This is not some new form of abuse and neglect. So expect the pro-slaughter forces to be all over the House of Representatives trying to stop passage of this needed legislation.

The Judiciary Committee hearing is July 31 at 9:30 am. Please contact your representative today and ask them to support H.R. 6598. To find your representative: http://www.house.gov/

For more information about HR 6598 visit: http://www.commonhorsesense.net/

Another piece of legislation, H.R.6597 "Animal Cruelty Statistics Act" would require the Department of Justice to collect and maintain animal cruelty statistics. The link between animal abuse and abuse of women and children is well established. This legislation would further research and knowledge of abusers.

Save the Orangutan Stop Buying Products With Palm Oil

noreply@blogger.com (Justine DePalma) — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 14:57:00 +0000

Sometimes you get the feeling that humans are basically parasites destroying the host, planet earth. But the difference between humans and other parasitic species is that humans can change their behavior to stop the destruction. To do this, they need information.

So here is the information, it will require a change in your lifestyle, but I think you'll agree it's worth the effort. The orangutan lives in Indonesia. There are only about 50,000 left in the wild, there were millions roaming the forest in the past century. This species is expected to be extinct in 10 years. What we are doing in Michigan is causing this catastrophe. We are buying products with palm oil.

Palm oil is a green choice. It is used in many products to replace hydrogenated oils. Trans fat is killing people, palm oil while healthy is destroying entire ecosystems. Virgin rain forests are being cleared to make way for palm oil plantations. Indonesia is destroying forests at a rate that is unimaginable. The orangutan lives in the forest being destroyed for palm oil.

The solution is simple, when shopping look at the ingredients and do not buy anything with palm oil. If you have a little extra time, write down the name of the product and company that manufactures it and send them an email or letter and let them know you chose not to buy their product because of the palm oil. If they get enough letters, they will stop using palm oil.

We are the ones causing the destruction through our consumerism, let's use consumerism to solve the problem.

Here's the Nightline story that raised my awareness: http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=5238877

Bailey - Why do Rescue People Hold Fundraisers at Burger Joints?

noreply@blogger.com (Justine DePalma) — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 01:06:00 +0000

This is for Bailey, since Bailey is into animal rescue, I thought I'd pose a question. This really baffles me. I get my mail from one of the veggie email groups I'm on and there is a post from a rescue group, announcing that they will be at a fast food burger joint (one of the big chains) holding a fundraiser. They asked the vegetarian group to stop by eat fast food burgers and give them their receipts so the burger joint would donate a portion of the proceeds to the rescue. HELLO. Posting to a veggie group. That being said -

It seems that many animal rescue people eat meat, hold fundraisers where meat is served and one group even had veal as a menu choice for their banquet. Why? Do these people realize that dogs and cats are animals? The dog and cat that they save in the US is someone in another part of the world's cow. Do they really think there is some difference between a dog, a cat, a cow or a pig? Hell pigs have higher IQ's than most people. Please explain this to me. Sign me confused in Michigan.

Why are rescurer's so horrible to each other rescues?

noreply@blogger.com (Bailey) — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 04:33:00 +0000

After having been in rescue for many years, I've noticed the tendency for rescurer's to be extremely critical of each other.

They seem to look for the opportuntiy to knock each down, no matter how much effort is put into helping each other. Why would people who are so compassionate towards animals, so loving and so caring, want to knock down others who are also trying to help?

I think this goes back to the "Rescue God Complex" - rescurer's believe they are the only ones who can save the animals and their way is the only way.

I think we all need to support each other, even though we may not always agree. I have a very dedicated volunteer who is fairly new but has been constantly critized by other rescues, very unfairly, and now she doesn't want to ever work with another rescue again. I can't say I blame her, I've found more crazy people in rescue than anywhere else.

I've heard people say over the years that we all need to work together. I agree, however most of the time, the rescue is lead by someone who is incompentent, crazy or inflexiable. What a shame! Even the simplest of tasks become difficult at best, a screaming match at worst. The other rescues seem determined to prove that they have the best way, the right way, the only way and clearly we are wrong.

Of course, there are amazing, awesome rescues out there run by people who I treasure, trust and would do anything for. Thank you to them, I just wish there were more of them!

Do animal rescurer's have a god complex?

noreply@blogger.com (Bailey) — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 04:27:00 +0000

After doing animal rescue for many years, I've met many people that run animal rescues. They vary quite a bit, but the typical person running a rescue has the following attributes:

- Women
- Over 40
- No children or children are teenagers +
- Great compassion and empathy
- Dedication to a cause
- Love to be in control
- Not a great "people" person - they tend to prefer the company of animals to people.
- Tend to be a "one woman show" - they run the rescue alone, without a formal board of directors.
- A potential God Complex & here is where it probably gets controversial so let me explain.

They tend to go on in great detail about their latest rescue or an animal that was in dire need, the worst of the worst. They tend to proceed to tell you how they cared for them, how awful it was, how terrible the people were and how they saved the day. It almost like they have bragging rights, but it seems wrong to me to brag about any of it. Personally, I hate to even think about all the horrible cases I've dealt with over the years. They also seem to believe that only they could save the animals, only they could have done it and their way is the only right way. They are extremely critical of other rescues if they do anything slightly different then them. Some can't work with anyone, they loose volunteers frequently.

Here is the definition of a God complex:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_complex

I believe these woman of rescue don't really have a God Complex in the true defintion, but they seem to have a certain flavor of it. Some don't, but many seem too.

I also have to say, that for whatever reason, I'm met more crazy people in rescue than anywhere else, this includes general volunteers and people asking for help from the rescue . I'm not sure if it is because people that can't deal with other people gravitate towards animals?

Some people that run rescues have choosen to shut down the rescue rather than hand it over to anyone else. Instead of letting the rescue continue, the rescuer made the volunteers start completly new and spend hundreds of hours setting up a structure that was already there. Why?

In the News - July 24, 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Justine DePalma) — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 16:49:00 +0000

Puppy Miller Sentencing Delayed
Animal abuser and profiteer, puppy miller, Lorrie Nichiow-Brubaker's sentencing was delayed. Sentence will be pronounced by Judge David Viviano on July 31 at 8:30 am. Judge Viviano's courtroom is located in downtown Mt. Clemons at the Macomb County Courthouse. Go to the sentencing to stand up for all of the victims of Nichiow-Brubaker's business.

Macomb County Animal Control Shelter
When I wrote the first article about shelters, I chose Macomb County Animal Control. It was a random choice. In February of this year, when the article first hit the web, the shelter did not work with rescue groups, did not post animals on either it's website or on petfinder and made little if any effort to find homes for dogs and cats. My how things have changed.

The Macomb Daily wrote about the shelter this week. Sue Jeroue, the animal control director was featured actually adopting a dog to a family. The shelter is actively planning a spay/neuter program. The shelter is entering an agreement with Baker College that will put intern vet techs in the shelter. The move to no-kill committee has been renewed by the county commission. The shelter is even planning to sponsor a trap-neuter-release program for feral cat colonies.

So when you are tired and thinking that nothing ever will change, take a look at what is happening in Macomb County. One little article on this website, sent to a few people who actually stood up and made a difference. Change can happen. It just has to start somewhere.

Detroit News Article - All About Animals Spay/Neuter Clinic
All About Animals is operating its spay neuter clinic 5 days a week. The clinic offers low cost spays or neuters as well as vaccinations. Cat spays are only $40. Similar ventures have failed in the Metro Detroit area because of lack of support, especially from the rescue community. Hopefully, animal rescue groups will use the clinic and support a great effort being undertaken by All About Animals. Oh and Warren Woods Veterinary Hospital, keep your snarky comments to yourself.

Eaton County Sheriff Candidate Commits to No More Sales to Research
Judy Oisten who is leading the effort to change the Eaton County Animal Control Shelter wrote the following, which was published in the Lansing State Journal:

Reich for sheriff
In the primary election on Aug. 5,
residents will vote for an Eaton County sheriff, who also has the responsibility
of overseeing Animal Control and its $400,000-plus budget.
I, like many
others, have great concerns for the welfare of our lost pets and adoptable
strays here in Eaton County. I feel confident that Tom Reich will work toward
making Eaton County Animal Control a better place for the animals, and for the
public to either adopt or claim a lost pet.
Tom Reich has put this in
writing, along with many other important issues:
Initiative No. 4: "As
sheriff, I will take an active role in and oversee the operations of the Animal
Control Division. I will ensure timely investigations of animal neglect and
cruelty are completed and aggressively seek criminal prosecution of
offenders.
"I will develop programs which meet community expectations for pet
adoptions. I would never have allowed the sale of pets from the Animal Control
Division to laboratories for research experiments."
See www.tomreichforsheriff.com/ issues.htm for details.
Judy
OistenCharlotte

As you know the current sheriff runs the animal control department. He allowed the shelter to sell pets to research, make no effort to place pets in new homes, basically operated a pound where animals were sent to either die or end up in a lab. Also the department was heavily criticized earlier this year for failing to respond to repeated requests for assistance. An elderly lady was taken from her home by protective services. Dogs and cats were left on the property, in February, during the horrible freezing weather. Eaton County Animal Control refused to respond, concocting ridiculous stories about why. Eventually, Capital Area Humane Society stepped up and rescued the animals. Of course the investigation conducted by the sheriff dismissed the entire problem, citing communications failure. Obviously, it's time for a new sheriff and Tom Reich has committed to overhauling the shelter and to banning sales to research. Judy sent a flyer on a pdf that will be on www.michanimalnews.com later today for download. Please let your friends and family know about Tom Reich in Eaton County and make sure they vote on August 5.

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Rulings Protect the Environment, Animals and Yes Humans

noreply@blogger.com (Justine DePalma) — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 15:15:00 +0000

Factory Farm Fails to Obtain Permits

A Netherlands company is trying to open a factory dairy operation in southwest Michigan's St. Joseph county. Over 2200 cows would be crammed into 80 acres, causing environmental havoc and horrendous suffering. The community successful fought the operation by raising concerns about the damage that would be done to water quality, air quality and even wages if the factory farm were allowed to open. The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality denied the factory the permits necessary to open, a first for a Michigan factory farm or cafo (concentrated animal feeding operation). Of course, the corporation is threatening appeal.

The Netherlands company claims that it would bring 35 jobs to the area. St. Joseph county farmers argued that the wages paid by the factory farm are significantly lower than the wages paid by the county's small farms. The pollution to air, water and ground would affect the human population for miles away and even would disturb the water quality of Lake Michigan.

It is frightening that so many companies and people do not get it. Global warming is real and threatens not only our way of life but the survival of life on our planet. One of the largest sources of greenhouse gasses are animals raised for meat and dairy. In fact, 25% of the greenhouse gasses emitted every year are from farm operations. CAFO's are a source of runoff that threatens our great lakes, our ground water supply is contaminated by nitrates, which are from animal farming operations. We must change our eating habits and quickly or the earth is pretty much doomed. So this ruling, while it did not consider global warming, does stop more greenhouse gasses, nitrates and other contaminates from being generated.

US Federal Judge Stops Drilling for Oil in Michigan Forest

You know, it has been a miserable 7 years for the environment and for science and reason. The Bush Administration's abject refusal to recognize the threat of global warming, admit that there are oil supply issues in my opinion borders on treason. Continuing in its quest to line the pockects of the oil companies, the administration quietly opened millions of acres in national forests and parks to oil and gas drilling. In the rush to drill, rules regarding environment and economic impact have been ignored. Thankfully, the Federal court stepped in to put a stop to it.

The area in question is a pristine old growth forest in the Huron Manistee National Forest, near the Au Sable River. The area is a nesting ground for the endangered Kirkland Warbler. Arguments that the impact on the Kirkland Warbler were ignored by the forest service and that the economic impact of destruction of the recreational use of the land were accepted by the court. The court admonished the Forest Service for the lack of investigation it did prior to issuing the drilling permits.

Already the oil and gas industry is peppering the air waves and blogs with comments that again, humans are loosing out to birds. They are bemoaning the high gas prices, which is a hoot since they financially benefit from the high prices. I've read some ridiculous comments on this ruling and expect to see more.

So here is a fact none of us want to really accept. We've known for 40 years that oil supplies are tenuous at best. Whether from war, environmental concerns or an explosion in consumption, the days of cheap oil were bound to end. We've chosen to ignore the warnings of experts, our politicians have taken the easy route, favoring short term answers over the tough long term choices that have to be made. Sadly, the run up in oil prices is hurting the poor and the middle class, the groups least prepared to deal with the turmoil that is coming because of oil price increases. However, we should not be foolish enough to believe that more drilling is the answer to our dilemma, it isn't. More drilling means more fossil fuels will be burned which means that more CO2 and greenhouse gasses will spew into the atmosphere. As hard to accept as it is, the high oil prices may actually save the planet.

Although he's made some repugnant rulings in the past, Judge David Lawson stood up and did the right thing, legally and morally this time. By protecting the forest, he is serving to protect all of us from the destruction brought by oil and gas drilling. Thank goodness there is a Kirkland Warbler in that forest turns out that protecting the endangered bird might help to save our own species.

Why Exposing Bad Shelters is Good Policy

noreply@blogger.com (Justine DePalma) — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 19:34:00 +0000

Recently a leader of a rescue group complained about my articles exposing wrongdoing at county animal shelters in Michigan. She seems to think that eventually things will change if everyone is just quiet. The shelter she was talking about is one that used illegal and inhumane techniques to kill animals and also does nothing to find homes for pets. Apparently, that shelter in recent months sent some animals to the local humane society and that was somehow a big step, progress for heavens sake. But the local humane society is a high kill facility, in the michanimalnews.com hall of shame, with an abysmal adoption rate of only 13%. How is sending animals to that place any type of progress? The rational of the complainer seems to be, if everyone had just been quiet about the illegal killing methods and the lack of effort, well they would have sent some more animals to be killed at the humane society.

I have a better plan, how about this - follow the law, do not use cruel techniques to kill animals. Do some actual work, get an adoption program going, find homes for the pets that end up in your shelter. Same goes for that humane society. What the hell are they doing? Taking donations to kill thousands of pets - maybe it is time for some new leadership and staff at both shelters. Find people with knowledge who are committed to life, not making excuses or rationalizing killing.

Last year the Flint Journal started covering the Genessee County Animal Control Shelter. The stories exposed the high kill rate at the shelter (over 60% for dogs, 90% for cats). Since the initial story, the Flint Journal has continued covering the issue of the animal shelter. Just yesterday, the editor of the Flint Journal challenged the County Commission to change the mission of the animal shelter into that of a pet adoption center. The time is now because the good old boy animal control director who allowed the killing finally retired and the county is searching for a new director. Without the steady coverage and exposes of the Flint Journal, there would be nothing good happening at Genessee County Animal Control. The Flint Journal is doing just what the media should do, make certain that information about what the government is doing gets to the citizens.

Change will not occur without knowledge. Knowledge comes only from the pursuit of the truth and then, letting the public know the truth. Hiding the truth of what is happening to Michigan animals has led to more killing, not less. Activists are necessary to push politicians to make real improvements in programs. Hopefully more journalists will take the road provided by the Flint Journal and begin investigating and reporting about their county animal shelters. Until then, michanimalnews.com will keep exposing illegal killing and bad practises at animal shelters throughout Michigan.

I leave you with a quote from one of my favorite founding fathers - Benjamin Franklin:
"He that lives upon hope will die fasting."

Flint Journal Editorial: The Goal of Animal Control Should be Adoptions
Genessee County Shelter Profile

Horse Racing Wins the Final Leg in Lansing

noreply@blogger.com (Justine DePalma) — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 01:38:00 +0000

In a surprise victory, heck we didn't even know the race was on, the horse racing industry stole the show at the Michigan legislature last week. At issue was almost $1,500,000 of appropriations for the Michigan Department of Agriculture. Yes, the same Michigan Department of Agriculture that claims it doesn't have enough money to inspect shelters, enforce laws requiring humane euthanasia of shelter animals. Oh, that's the same Michigan Department of Agriculture that claims it doesn't have the funds to fulfill it's statutory duty to regulate the research industry or the pet shop industry.

The house/senate conference committee was trying to figure out how to best spend our tax money. The Michigan Department of Agriculture is supposed to receive more federal money for the bovine tuberculosis program this coming year. However, the feds are cutting over $5 million for the emerald ash borer program - money that will not be replaced by the state in the MDA budget. So ash borers, start boring away, heaven knows we don't need those ash trees in Michigan anyway. So what did the powers that be do in response to a giant program cut? Why of course, they diverted money from the bovine tb program to - - - HORSE RACING!!!! That's right folks, your hard earned money going down the drain for a bunch of private companies in a dying business. Almost $1.5 million tax dollars will be spent to promote HORSE RACING. Wow, I want those lobbyists working for me!!! HORSE RACING!

Do not fret dear readers, those bastions of society or shall I just say the truth, the profiteers off of animals, pet shops, research dealers, research institutions can continue unthwarted. The money will keep flowing because the funds needed to regulate them are going to that humane industry HORSE RACING. Shelters, keep gassing animals with CO2, heck think of more heinous ways to kill animals because the state of Michigan finds HORSE RACING and gambling to be more important than our companions.

HORSE RACING. What a crock.

To see the analysis showing the diversion visit: http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2007-2008/billanalysis/Senate/htm/2007-SFA-5807-R.htm
To find out how you senator or representative voted visit: http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(bpjc0331lbc00b55aupigy2f))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=2008-HB-5807

Southeast Michigan's First High Volume Low Cost Spay Neuter Clinic Grand Opening

noreply@blogger.com (Justine DePalma) — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 04:57:00 +0000

FINALLY!!!!
One of the more annoying aspect of living in southeastern Michigan has been the lack of affordable spay neuter services. I've never understood how so much money could be donated to a handful of organizations and nothing be done to alleviate the high cost of spay neuter surgeries. MHS takes in $15 million and until this year has been virtually absent from providing low cost spay neuter services. Michigan Anti Cruelty has millions in the bank but does not provide spay/neuter services. Macomb Humane takes in over a million a year, yet does not provide low cost spay/neuter services. It's all very sad. Well, it was sad, now there is hope.

All About Animals Rescue operates a spay neuter clinic in Warren. Until last week the clinic has been a wellness clinic providing low cost vaccinations and high volume low cost spay neuter services a couple of times a month. Now, the clinic is open 5 days a week. All About Animals expects to perform thousands of surgeries in the next 12 months, the first step in the hard work necessary to make the tri-county area no-kill.

The prices are excellent. Dog spay or neuter is $80 and cats are $40. Not too long ago a vet quoted a fee of $250 to neuter a 5 pound chihuahua, just last week, a man was quoted, catch this, $300 to neuter a one year old poodle. No vaccinations, no tests, no overnight luxury spa room, just a surgery for $300. Just today I heard that a vet is charging $300 to neuter cats.
Vets need an income just like everyone else. But just like human doctors and other licensed professionals veterinarians have a duty to the public. Charging outrageous fees to sterilize pets contributes to the killing of homeless animals in area shelters. If there is a veterinarian who does not believe that tens of thousands of homeless pets are killed in area shelters, drop me a note and I'll arrange a little educational tour for you. I digress.

All About Animals is pulling off something not even the giant well funded area organizations are doing. They are making a commitment to doing the one thing that will reduce the pet population over time. So please show your support for their efforts. Recommend the clinic to your family and friends. Rescue groups, step up and support the clinic, use it for your spays and neuters. Heck, they are even providing spay neuter for feral cats and have veterinarians skilled in juvenile sterilization surgeries. The only way they will succeed is if we all support their efforts.

The grand opening celebration is on July 8 from 3 pm until 5 pm. If you would like to attend email Amber Sitko, All About Animals Rescue's president. For more information about making appointments visit www.allaboutanimalsrescue.org.

Is Boycotting Montcalm County the Only Answer?

noreply@blogger.com (Justine DePalma) — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 03:54:00 +0000

Since I interviewed the new Animal Control Director for Montcalm County, I've been rather perplexed. Is it possible that Montcalm and Gratiot Counties are populated by humans who have extremely different values about the suffering of animals than the rest of the state? Why would the Montcalm County Board of Commissioners decide to send animals to a Class B Research Dealer for euthanasia. Do they realize that morally and legally they are responsible for what happens to those animals? Why is Montcalm Board of Commissioners so resistant to stop gassing animals? Is the Board of Commissioners representing their constituents?

Frankly, I believe that the Board of Commissioners represent their constituents wishes. This is an election year and only an imbecile would thwart the people's will on this issue. It is possible that the issue has not been covered and the voting public is not aware of what their county is up to. Whichever reason, awareness is definitely called for.

For our part, http://www.michanimalnews.com/ tries to get the facts out and although our readership is growing, we are still small. So it's probably time for more drastic action as called for by one of the rescue groups - maybe boycotting Montcalm County and its businesses is the only way to bring the attention to this issue that it deserves. While a boycott might hurt some innocent humans, if it is done correctly, it will educate people in a hurry. The animals being killed by the Dealer and at the shelter need help now, not a year from now. So readers, what do you think, should we boycott Montcalm County? No travelling through the county for truckers who support us, no stopping for gas, no vacations, nothing Montcalm. What do you think? Let me know by voting in the poll on this page. Also, don't forget to write to the Montcalm Board of Commissioners and let them know what you think of their new euthanasia program.
http://www.michanimalnews.com/ Latest Article in the ongoing Montcalm Co. Animal Shelter series.

In the News - Week of June 14, 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Justine DePalma) — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 00:51:00 +0000

Pit Bulls Survivors of Vick Fighting Ring Continue to Amaze
Stereotypes of fighting pit bulls are being dismantled by the dogs liberated from the Vick fighting ring. On http://www.michanimalnews.com/ the video from Best Friends Animal Sanctuary tells a compelling story of the healing that is taking place. Karen Dawn from Dawnwatch sent a story that aired on NPR today. Scott Simon interviewed Mathina McClay, a dog trainer working with Leo, one of the Vick pit bulls. Leo is now a cancer therapy dog. Use this link to listen to the story: NPR story about Leo the Cancer Therapy Dog. I hope the journey of the Vick dogs convinces shelters to rethink the policies they have for pit bull adoptions. Far too many shelters and rescue groups make erroneous assumptions about pit bulls, condemning dogs to death based on bad information. Breed alone will not determine whether a dog is dangerous and with pit bulls, I believe humans pose a far greater danger to the dogs than the dogs do to people.

Clint Eastwood Makes My Day - He's a Vegan
FARM's great weekly newsletter Meatout Mondays highlights the LA Times article Clint Eastwood Targets the Legacy of Dirty Harry. Eastwood, "A vegan, he was distressed to hear Hillary Rodham Clinton boast recently about bagging a bird. "I was thinking: 'The poor duck, what the hell did she do that for?' I don't go for hunting. I just don't like killing creatures. Unless they're trying to kill me. Then that would be fine."

I knew I always liked Eastwood. Note to presidential candidates, killing innocent beings to prove your worthiness to the NRA is disgusting.

Ringling Brothers Finally Must Answer for Mistreating Elephants
Eight years ago a lawsuit was filed against Ringling Brothers Circus for mistreating elephants, an endangered species. Ringling Brothers successfully delayed the suit through legal maneuvering. Finally, the court is moving the case forward and Ringling Brothers will face a jury in October.

A Las Vegas television station aired a story about Ringling Brothers mistreatment of elephants earlier this week. I hope that people stop and think before attending a circus. I've attended circuses, in fact sat in the front row for a Ringling Brothers show at Joe Louis Arena. I was awed by the beauty of the elephants as they marched within touching distance. Magnificent creatures, so intelligent and knowing. But I wasn't all that intelligent and certainly didn't know the truth about circuses when I bought those tickets for myself and my nieces. As much as we enjoy seeing elephants, tigers, lions, seals and other animals we must be cognizant of where the animals should be, in their environment, not ours. Wild animals are not meant to entertain humans and certainly should never suffer for entertainment. Hopefully the Ringling Brothers jury will see the light and end the madness.

Vegan Pro Athletes Featured on ESPN
Last night an elderly friend tried to bring me over to her team - the carnivore team. I declined and tried my best arguments about my lifestyle choice - veganism. Even tried my please leave me alone argument - it goes like this, Would you drink human milk? No, then why in the world do you think it's ok to drink milk from another species? Sadly I got the old, because that's what God wants answer. Since I did not want to go on a theological rant, i.e., God told the Jews do not drink milk, when did he/she change his/her mind, I let the whole thing drop. She is still convinced that vegans are unhealthy protein deprived freaks.

ESPN provides some ammunition in Who Says You Have to Eat Meat to Be a Successful Athlete.
NFL football player Tony Gonzalez is featured. He became a vegan after health scares caused him to reevaluate his choices. Other vegan athletes include baseball star Prince Fielder, track star Carl Lewis, football great Desmond Howard, martial arts fighter Mac Danzig, Minnesota Twins pitcher Pat Neshek and ultra marathoner Scott Jurek. The article is informative and provides a glimpse into the choices people make when they take time to contemplate why we eat the things we do. So the next time someone tells you that a vegan diet is unhealthy because there is no animal protein start rattling off names of these exceptional athletes.