Animal World USA

Is Your Cat in Good Health?

2012-01-26T06:43:00.000-08:00

By Sally Endaer

In general, cats are healthy animals. They do not get sick often at all. However, once they are sick, it can be hard to tell. Cats often do not show symptoms of being sick until they are quite ill. However, if you train yourself to look for changes in behavior, and other, subtle differences, then you will be able to tell much earlier that your cat is sick.

Please remember that although most health issues in cats can be easily prevented through the use of good, high quality cat food, as well as regular veterinary appointments, sometimes, your cat will simply get sick-no matter how well you take care of it. The best thing you can do if the cat is sick is to take them to the vet for help.

Before I go into the different signs of a sick cat, I just want to briefly say that it can be difficult to diagnose at home, because many of these signs can be normal as well. You just need to know your cat well and be able to tell that there is something wrong. However, if you do see one of these symptoms and you aren't sure, bring your cat to the vet just in case.

1. Vomiting/Diarrhea - Most cats have this at some point simply because they ate something bad and their body is reacting to it. However, if this occurs for an extended period of time, or they are getting dehydrated from it, then it may be a sign of sickness.

2. Sneezing/coughing - Sneezing usually means that your cat has a cold, although sometimes this means other illnesses as well. If your cat is sneezing or coughing, you should bring it to the vet.

3. Inappropriate elimination - Basically, this means going outside of the litter box. Although this can be a behavioral problem, often it is an issue like a urinary tract infection and must be taken care of quickly.

4. Increased Vocalization - If your cat is meowing a lot more than usual, then this may be a sign that they are in pain or unhappy.

5. Increased/Decreased drinking/eating - Any drastic change in eating or drinking behavior can be a sign of an ill cat.

6. Decreased Grooming - When a cat is sick, they may stock grooming themselves as often as they usually do. If your cat's coat begins to look ragged, he may be sick.
These are the most common signs of a sick cat. You know your cat best, if it seems to be changing behavior, or anything seems out of place, then you should take them to the vet. Every cat displays illness differently.

Sally write about cats and kittens on her website, Kitten Advice.

1st Annual Merry Memphis Christmas Celebration Brings True Joy to the Community

2011-12-15T05:04:00.000-08:00

A Collaboration of Compassion in the Community!

The Boys & Girls Clubs 1st Annual Merry Memphis Christmas held on December 8, 2011 was an outstanding success! Boys and Girls Club executive director Tyronne Drakeford happily stated, "We had over 200 kids and parents come out to enjoy the festivities. This event not only brought the community closer together, but it also showed our kids the type of promise and fortitude that they have when they put their minds to it."

Some of the evenings highlights included the children visiting the different fun-filled booths of West Tennessee Therapy Dogs, Amro Music, Nike, Girl Scouts and Animal World. Activities included trimming the tree, being able to play and learn about musical instruments, sports giveaways from the University of Memphis Athletic program, youth creating holiday ornaments, calendar and book gifts, animal posters to take home, and the opportunity to play and interact with the loving, beautiful therapy dogs, "Sammie" and "L.E."

Also included were opportunities to become involved with the Girls Scouts and their respected community work. Another highlight was Mr. Drakeford announced that the 'Clothes Nook' would be initiated. This is where clothes and items that the B & G youth can benefit from will be made available at the club. And it is very exciting that it began with the Merry Memphis Christmas event. Furniture donated to the youth room was another reason to celebrate. And last but not least, the variety of refreshments were tasty and the festive holiday music was appreciated by all!

Mr Drakeford continues, "This is just the beginning of many great things to come from the Boys & Girls Buckman Family Club. We look forward to all of your continued support as we collectively help these youth achieve their goals and become productive citizens in society."

Animal World is honored to have joyfully partnered with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis to start this annual tradition. Animal World president Michelle Buckalew states, "Tradition makes life meaningful and what a wonderful tradition to start with Boys and Girls Clubs. This special celebration sets the stage for more collaboration between our community strengthening organizations not only during the holidays but throughout the year."

Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis and Animal World USA who have partnered together for this amazing event would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the following people and businesses who made this evening possible:

West TN Therapy Dogs, Amro Music, Nike and the Girl Scouts and for their joyful presence at the event.

Special thanks are also in order to the following donations:

-University of Memphis for cool giveaways for the youth
-Tommy & Brenda Carpenter: Beautiful 9-foot Christmas tree
-Debra Jacobson Sparks for the clothings/items to start the B & G Clothes Nook
-Discount Fabrics for the beautiful fabric which adorned the club
-Starbucks for their delicious coffee
-Costco for all the yummy pastries and food
-Kroger for the great variety of cold beverages
-Ashley Buckalew for the holiday crafts and decorations
-Spin Street Records for the wonderful donated holiday CD's
-Memphis Art Supply for their continuing support
-Commercial Appeal for helping to inform the community of this life-changing event

It is the B & G youth indeed that touched our hearts in ways that tranformed our lives forever. The smiles, laughter and joy that they brought to all of that evening will last thoughout our entire lives. The support that they know they have will surely plant seeds in the community that will positively affect generations to come.

If you would like to help the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis, contact executive director Tyronne Drakeford at 901-527-7994.

Thank you from the bottom of our joyful hearts...We love you all!

by Michelle Buckalew, Animal World USA president

Tips for Keeping a Senior Cat Feeling Young

2011-09-26T07:38:00.000-07:00

Wendy Diamond's Tips for Keeping a Senior Cat Feeling Young

Watching our pets grow old is never easy, but Today pet lifestyle contributor and Animal Fair editor-in-chief Wendy Diamond knows how to make your pet's twilight years golden rather than grim. Cats are considered seniors at the ripe age of 11, but that doesn't mean they have to lose their spark!

1. Assess Your Cat's Age
Wendy has partnered with Hill's Science Diet to find out how old cats really feel with the launch of the new Science Diet CatAge Quiz. By answering a handful of few simple questions you can determine your cat's real age and pick up some tips to help your feline friend retain their youthful vigor. You can take the quiz by visiting HillsPet.com/DefyAge. And once you have assessed your cat's true age, you can start focusing on how to work against the clock and keep your cat feeling young and healthy as they turn 11+!

2. A healthy body is nothing without a healthy mind to match!
Aging sooner or later always affects the mind, regardless of species. Older cats may become bored or disinterested in activity and thus it is imperative to keep their minds active and engaged in order to stave off the trappings of old age like senility, or depression. Incorporating exploration and problem solving into your cat's daily routine will keep your cats intellect as sharp as their claws! Use Hagen's Cat Design Senses Food Maze. This incredible product makes your cat have to sharpen its mind as much as its claws as it figures out how to retrieve tasty morsels from this ever changing contraption. The food maze is affixed atop a food bowl like a tower with multiple chambers and openings that all spin and rotate for your cat to explore.

3. Skin Care is Essential
As any organism ages, the functions of life begin to slow down, which is why you need to stimulate your cat's skin to keep them feeling like a kitten and to release their natural oils. These oils promote healthy skin and fur and are essential to your cats comfort. These natural oils benefit skin elasticity, which is a quality of youthful skin that depletes with age. By keeping your cat's skin youthful you build their protection against the cuts and scratches that can plague dry, brittle skin. The Cat Spa and Cat-Comb products are two excellent ways to encourage your cat to get the natural oils flowing on their own.

4. You Are What You Eat
The saying "You are what you eat" applies to animals just as much as it does to humans! That's why it's so important to be mindful of what is going into your cat's stomach. Older cats have delicate digestive systems, and their ability to extract nutrition from their food begins to diminish. Pet parents need to make sure that the food that their aging feline consumes is composed of quality ingredients, bursting with nutrition. Feed your senior cat Hill's Science Diet Senior 11+ Age Defying Cat Food. Their breakthrough formula of antioxidants and omega 6 fatty acids, alongside wholesome ingredients that address the four signs of aging, help senior cats feel younger in just 30 days. The special formula includes fish oil for healthy brain function, small, easily chewed and digested, kibble, L-Carnitine to increase lean muscle development and agility, Phosphorus for bladder health, and Amino Acids to maintain healthy organs.

5. Visit Your Vet
This may seem like obvious advice but frequent trips to the veterinarian's office can keep your cat feeling young and vibrant, and could possibly save their lives. Many people attribute behavioral changes in older cats exclusively to the aging process, and while some elderly cats will naturally slow down, this isn't always the case. Always consult a medical professional when your cat acts odd and never assume that new, altered, or strange behavior is something that a pet parent can turn a blind eye towards. By staying on top of your cat's health you are infinitely more likely to catch a potential problem before your cat has the worst of it!

6. Increase Agility
Consider how you can rearrange your home to suit your cats needs. Place ramps leading to your cat's favorite places and treat your cat to a daily massage (it will make for excellent quality time anyway) to stimulate healthy musculature without putting to much pressure on their paws! This gentle approach to feline fitness will leave your cat agile and amiable.

Open Letter Regarding Memphis Animal Services

2011-08-31T12:20:00.000-07:00

The Tragedy of Memphis Animal Services....
by Michelle Buckalew, Animal World USA president

Many are asking if anyone is attempting to do anything regarding the continuing and heartbreaking tragedy of Memphis Animal Services. Yes, of course. There are many citizens who have been working on this and are continuing to work to change the tragedy of Memphis Animal Services. Indeed some of us have been working on this from many different angles and on several fronts for a long time. And, no we will not give up. Please know that Memphis animal advocates are not turning a blind eye or deaf ear to this ongoing, beyond heartbreaking problem.

Unacceptable killing of healthy shelter animals is going on from the east coast to the west coast and everywhere in between. Four million pets a year are euthanized. Many communities have its “barriers” to ending the unacceptable killing, and we are working to overcome ours--we are. We here in Memphis will not ever give up until change is implemented for the innocent animals.

To anyone who is as saddened or fustrated as we are for the precious animals, please know we are working on change. We are fighting some tremendous obstacles as many of you who have been following the tragedy have seen. Change is going to come.

Thank you for reading and sharing this article. God Bless You all who are encouraging and seeking to help us with positive energy. As we know, working together to bring about needed change for the animals is the best way. The unconditional love of the animals keeps us going ...when it seems we are up against all odds. The lessons that the amazing animals teach us are our guiding light.

Please read 2008 Animal World USA magazine article, A Clarion Call for Compassionate Leadership: An Open Letter to the City of Memphis: http://www.animallawcoalition.com/public-shelters/article/323

Photo is at one of the scores of offsite adoption events Animal World USA organized with Memphis Animal Services after above 2008 Open Letter in Animal World magazine.

International Homeless Animals Day 2011

2011-08-19T13:32:00.000-07:00

International Homeless Animals Day August 20, 2011

The third Saturday of August each year is observed as International Homeless Animals Day. International Society of Animal Rights initiated this observance in 1991 and each year it has grown awareness for the homeless animals.

This day is an opportunity for all of us to collectively acknowledge the problem and take an action to bring about a solution to help homeless animals in our community. These animals need us all to help them. There are companion animals who are in shelters, rescue groups or who have still yet to be born that suffer or wait for homes to call their own.

In 2001 three friends and myself organized the first Homeless Animals Day event in Memphis, Tennessee. Kathy Bonney, Stephanie Talley, Yvette Mock and myself pulled resources together and held an event at midtown Memphis' beautiful Overton Park. It brought over 20 groups and shelters together for the first time for an organized multi group, animal-related event in Memphis. The popular Surfin' Cowboys with Linzie Butler played their reggae blues music and helped us rock.

The fun-filled event which started at 6:00 pm at the Overton Park Shell amphitheater was an adoption event, pet parade of hopeful adoptables & rescued animals who had been already been adopted, and ended with a candlelight vigil. The wonderful friendships that were built that day will last a lifetime. And, the paths that many of us set out on for the precious animals have changed our lives forever.

Here are links for a couple of blurbs for that August 18, 2001 event.
Memphis Daily News http://www.memphisdailynews.com/editorial/Article.aspx?id=23964
Memphis Flyer http://www.memphisflyer.com/memphis/saturday-august-18/Content?oid=1106679

My friends and I were not part of any organized group, but we knew individually that helping animals in a collective manner was something we wanted to do on this special day. Shining the spotlight on the wonderful people and groups who were helping animals was also a goal for us.

National Homeless Animals Day is an occasion that no matter who you are or where you are located... you can make a difference for one or more homeless animals who need you. Some ideas:

1. Organize an event that will bring awareness for the homeless animals.
2. Visit your local shelter and adopt a pet.
3. Help bring awareness for spay neuter programs as a solution in your community.
4. Donate your talent to a local shelter, spay-neuter or rescue group.
5. Connect with other animal lovers and start a coalition to help animals.
6. Donate newspaper, toys, beds or food to your shelter-whatever they will take.
7. Promote education. Ask an educator to coordinate a project during the school year.
8. Take action in your local government if problems exist at your shelter.
9. Never give up in seeking solutions to injustices that are happening to animals in your town or city.
10. Post adoptable pics or websites that help animals in your emails.

To learn more about Homeless Animals Day, please visit International Society of Animal Rights website at http://www.isaronline.org/

To become involved in the Animal World USA-International Weeks for the Animals campaign, please visit Animal World USA at http://www.animalworldusa.org/

Know that your special gift and talent can change the plight and history for animals in greater ways than you can ever imagine. It could possibly set you on a path that you have only dreamed of in terms of fulfilling your destiny.

Michelle Buckalew, Animal World USA-International president

International Youth Day August 12, 2011: "Change Our World"

2011-08-10T10:48:00.000-07:00

Animal World USA-International is honored to work with youth throughout the year and is pleased to turn the spotlight and celebrate International Youth Day. This year's Youth Day theme is "Change Our World."

Through the Animal World USA-International Youth Leadership program, A.S.T.R.O. educational program and global Weeks for the Animals campaign, we connect with young ones in communities around the globe. Animal World USA-International salutes and seeks to honor our future generation of leaders everyday.

On August 12th, as International Youth Day 2011 is being celebrated, we encourage everyone to reach out to a young one showing your love and respect. On this day commit to making a better and more loving world for them. They need us all to lead, mentor and guide them. They need our life experience, inspiration and protection. Let us help and empower them to "Change Our World!"

History of International Youth Day
International Youth Day is the designated time to commemorate the power and strength of the youth all around the globe. International Youth Day has been celebrated every year on 12th August since 1999. United Nations designated this annual event to build awareness for young people.

The purpose of International Youth Day:
International Youth Day purpose is to endorse social consciousness, particularly among youth. The World Program of Action for Youth attempts to focus on specific areas. The 10 areas are starvation, poverty, education, employment, health, drug exploitation, childhood felony, recreation events, Child and young women, Environment. The International Youth Day suggests that regional, countrywide and worldwide communities implement the program.

The activities of International Youth Day:
The United Nations marked out the youth, the age between 15 to 24 years. This is one sixth of the global populace. The youth will develop the countries to increase preciously in 21st century in all sides.

Many activities and events that take place around the world on International Youth Day promote the benefits that young people bring into the world. Many countries participate in this global event, which may include youth conferences on issues such as education and employment. Other activities include concerts promoting the world’s youth, as well as various sporting events, parades and mobile exhibitions that showcase young people’s achievements.

Visit Animal World USA website to see how we celebrate youth everyday:
http://www.animalworldusa.org/

Nominate a young one or classroom for our Animal World USA-International Youth Leadership award. http://www.animalworldusa.org/Youth-Leadership.html

Visit United Nations Youth Day website:
http://www.un.org/en/events/youthday/

See how Africa is celebrating International Youth Day at Africa Weeks website:
http://www.africaanimals.org/information.html

2nd Annual Africa Week for the Animals Coming August 1-14, 2011!

2011-07-13T16:52:00.000-07:00

Animal World USA-International is pleased to announce that the 2nd Africa Weeks for the Animals is scheduled for August 1-14, 2011. The special weeks will highlight the importance that African animals play in our world and bring communities together on behalf of the amazing animals. The wonderfully humane leaders and young people in Africa will be highlighted along with the African organizations that help the animals.

The Africa Weeks are designed to celebrate and build awareness on behalf of African animals and efforts being made to save them from the challenges they face, including many species from extinction. Africa Weeks for the Animals is bringing together advocates, educators, humane organizations, sanctuaries, students, community leaders, and caring citizens in two important weeks of activities.

The weeks will feature festivals, fundraiser events, educational activities, animal watching/walking tours, blessings of the animals, low cost vaccination/spay and neuter opportunities, young people creating art and essays about wildlife, conservation initiatives, vegetarian festivals and more! African organizations will be spotlighted to help bring attention their needs in caring for the incredible animals they work with everyday. The Africa Weeks for Animals is a unique opportunity to help the African animals by all of us collectively coming together on their behalf.

Precious lives will be saved and important relationships built during the weeks. If you would like to learn more or become involved please call 877-454-0807 or visit the official website at http://africaanimals.org/ You may also learn more about the AWUSA-International Weeks campaign at http://www.animalworldusa.org/

Animal World USA-International mission: Inspiring, educating and empowering communities to understand, love, and protect the animals of our world.

1st Annual New Jersey Week for the Animals Coming July 9-17, 2011

2011-06-03T16:47:00.000-07:00

(Trenton, NJ)Animal World USA is pleased to announce the 1st New Jersey Week for the Animals will kick off Saturday, July 9, 2011 and run through Sunday, July 17, 2011. The exciting celebration will celebrate and recognize the unique and life-changing role that animals play in the lives of citizens through all walks of life.

The week will be bringing together educators, animal shelters, humane organizations, sanctuaries, restaurants, businesses, students, musicians, artists, community leaders, decision makers and caring citizens in an action-packed compassionate week of community activities for the animals! This extraordinary week will feature a multitude of awesome fun-filled pet adoption events, events for the farm animals, festivals and blessing of the animals, bird days, wildlife activities, free and low cost spay/neuter, pet food donations to help local pet owners/orgs, vegetarian get-togethers, a salute to the military and so very much more!

Precious lives will be saved and communities transformed during this incredible week. The New Jersey for the Animals will build new exciting relationships for the animals like never before. Visit the official website for complete contact info and calendar at http://njanimals.org/

Help Please Help Animals who were in 2011 Alabama Tornadoes

2011-05-06T17:16:00.000-07:00

THE ANIMAL VICTIMS OF THE ALABAMA TORNADOES URGENTLY NEED YOUR HELP. DONATIONS AND SUPPLIES URGENTLY NEEDED!

Parts of Alabama have been totally destroyed. This parts of Alabama have been totqall y destroyed. The animals and those helping the animals are in desperate need of donations and supplies. Donating just $1 can buy a can of dog food that will save a starving dog's life. Donating $5 can do so much to help many animals. Please everyone, do anything you can to help these animals who do not understand what has happened to them.

1) Greater Birmingham Humane Society for areas surrounding Birmingham - 300 Snow Drive, Birmingham, AL (off of West Oxmoor Rd) - phone 205-942-1211 - http://www.gbhs.org/

Donations are the number one need so they can purchase items that are not being donated. Please go to the GBHS website at http://www.gbhs.org/ to donate or mail donations to:

Greater Birmingham Humane Society
300 Snow DriveBirmingham, AL 35209

Supplies needed:
Dog Food- Small bags, and moist/canned cases needed mostCat Food- Small bags, and moist/canned cases needed mostCratesWaterDog Beds, Food & Water BowlsTowelsTreatsCat litterBleach, Paper towels, & Other cleaning supplies Office Supplies- copy paper and sharpie markersLatex glovesGauzeHandsoap & dishsoapKleenexPet Shampoo, regular formula (NOT flea formula)Yellow professional mop buckets
Horse supplies
Low water troughs
Goat feed

2) Metro Animal Shelter of Tuscaloosa - 3140 35th Street, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 - 205-752-9101 - http://www.metroanimalshelter.org/index.html

This shelter is run by the city and county; however, I'm sure donations are appreciated at this time for the animal emergency situation.

Supplies needed:
Dog Food- Small bags, and moist/canned cases needed mostCat Food- Small bags, and moist/canned cases needed most
Toys for dogs and cats to help with their post traumatic stress
Water
CratesDog Houses
Collars/Leashes
Pet Bowls
Dog Beds, Food & Water BowlsBlankets
TowelsTreatsCat litter/Litterbox liners
Laundry detergent
Bleach, Paper towels, & Other cleaning supplies Office Supplies- copy paper and sharpie markersLatex glovesGauzeHandsoap & dishsoapKleenexPet Shampoo, regular tearless formula (NOT flea formula)Yellow professional mop buckets
Horse supplies
Feed for farm animals
Heartworm Preventative - Interceptor, Heartguard, Advantage Multi
Flea/Tick Preventative - Frontline, K9 Advantix, Advantage

3) Humane Society of West Alabama - The Flea Market at 3201 Main Avenue in Northport (main location for donation/supplies drop off) - 205-339-3331 and 205 554-0011 - http://www.humanesocietyofwa.org/

Cash donations are desperately needed due to banks being destroyed. Go to http://www.humanesocietyofwa.org/ for details of donations via paypal or mail your donation to:

Humane Society of West Alabama
1515 Veterans Memorial Parkway
Tuscaloosa, AL 35404

Supplies needed (drop at 3201 Main Ave. in Northport):
Crates and Pet Carriers of all sizes
Dog Food- Small bags, and moist/canned cases needed mostCat Food- Small bags, and moist/canned cases needed mostToys for dogs and cats to help with their post traumatic stress
Collars/Leashes
Pet Bowls
Dog Beds, Food & Water BowlsBlankets
TowelsTreatsCat litter/Litterbox liners
Pet Shampoo, regular tearless formula (NOT flea formula)Purified Water
Dog Houses
Laundry detergent
Bleach, Paper towels, & Other cleaning supplies Office Supplies- copy paper and sharpie markersLatex glovesGauzeHandsoap & dishsoapKleenexYellow professional mop buckets
Horse supplies
Feed for farm animals
Heartworm Preventative - Heartguard, Interceptor
Flea/Tick Preventative - Frontline, K9 Advantix, Advantage or Advantage Multi
Medication for pets - Clavamox especially
Dry powder milk replacer for kittens
Small animal nursing bottles

4) Alabama SPCA - contact Mani at 205-310-9635 or mfbert@live.com - they have a storage facility in Northport and desperately need donations and supplies.

Specific supplies requested from Mani today:
Heartworm Preventative - Heartguard, Interceptor, Advantage Multi
Flea/Tick Preventative - Frontline, K9 Advantix, Advantage
Combo vaccinations for dogs and cats, Bordatella
Meciations - Clavamox especially

Two adjacent counties were hard hit, too and with no media exposre. They are are desperate for supplies, donations and volunteers. These are small, rural areas and their shelters are do the very best they can, but need help. Please don't forget about them.

5) Hale County area - Hale County Humane Society - 20 Correction Drive, Greensboro, AL - 334-624-8120 - http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/AL251.html

Donations are desperately needed. Please mail donations to:

Hale County Humane Society
PO Box 476
Greensboro, AL 36744

Supplies needed:
Crates and Pet Carriers of all sizes
Dog Food- dry and canned
Cat Food- dry and canned
Toys for dogs and cats to help with their post traumatic stress
Collars/Leashes
Pet Bowls
Dog Beds, Food & Water BowlsBlankets
TowelsTreatsCat litter/Litterbox liners
Pet Shampoo, regular tearless formula (NOT flea formula)Purified Water
Dog Houses
Laundry detergent
Bleach, Paper towels, & Other cleaning supplies Office Supplies- copy paper and sharpie markersLatex glovesGauzeHandsoap & dishsoapKleenexYellow professional mop buckets
Horse supplies
Feed for farm animals
Heartworm Preventative - Heartguard, Interceptor
Flea/Tick Preventative - Frontline, K9 Advantix, Advantage or Advantage Multi
Medication for pets - Clavamox especially
Dry powder milk replacer for kittens
Small animal nursing bottles

6) Walker County area/ Walker County Humane Society - donations and supplies should be dropped off at the EMA building at 16781 Hwy 69 S Jasper, AL (located closer to Oakman, AL) - http://www.animalshelter.org/shelters/Walker_County_Humane_Society_rId90_rS_pC.html

Walker County Humane Society
2302 Birmingham Avenue
Jasper, AL 35501
Phone: 205-221-6621Email: molly@traveller.comSupplies needed:
Crates and Pet Carriers of all sizes
Dog Food- dry and canned
Cat Food- dry and canned
Toys for dogs and cats to help with their post traumatic stress
Collars/Leashes
Pet Bowls
Dog Beds, Food & Water BowlsBlankets
TowelsTreatsCat litter/Litterbox liners
Pet Shampoo, regular tearless formula (NOT flea formula)Purified Water
Dog Houses
Laundry detergent
Bleach, Paper towels, & Other cleaning supplies Office Supplies- copy paper and sharpie markersLatex glovesGauzeHandsoap & dishsoapKleenexYellow professional mop buckets
Horse supplies
Feed for farm animals
Heartworm Preventative - Heartguard, Interceptor
Flea/Tick Preventative - Frontline, K9 Advantix, Advantage or Advantage Multi
Medication for pets - Clavamox especially
Dry powder milk replacer for kittens
Small animal nursing bottles

Please note....there are many more areas in need, than the above listed; however, these were in the direct path of the super cell F5 tornado.

See a list of organizations & shelters at http://www.alabamaanimals.org/

Governor Bev Perdue Proclaims 4th Annual North Carolina Week for the Animals April 30-May 8, 2011!

2011-04-26T06:52:00.000-07:00

(Raleigh, NC)Animal World USA is pleased to announce that Governor Bev Perdue has graciously proclaimed 4th Annual North Carolina Week for the Animals Saturday, April 30-May 8, 2011. The special week will highlight the importance that animals play in our lives and bring communities together on behalf of the animals throughout the great state of North Carolina.

This statewide event is designed to celebrate and build awareness on behalf of all animals, as well as recognize the organizations and citizens who support them. The NC Week for the Animals is bringing together educators, animal shelters, rescue organizations, sanctuaries, businesses, students, musicians, artists, pastors, community leaders, and caring citizens in an exciting week of community-building activities.

The fun-filled week will feature awesome pet adoption festivals and events, pet therapy in hospitals, school/art displays and activities, kid's art day, birdhouse making activites, library story-telling and R.E.A.D. dog activities, blessings of the animals at shelters and parks, concerts, book signings, special Animal World USA magazine to celebrate the week, low cost spay and neuter opportunities, meet and greet events, pet therapy in over 60 classrooms including special needs students, salute to Ft. Bragg K-9's and much more!

All these events will shine the spotlight on the amazing animals and compassionate people of North Carolina who love them.
Precious lives which will be saved and communities will be transformed during this week through a wide variety of animal-related events and activities. Special events are being scheduled and can be viewed on the website calendar, and more are being added regularly.

If you would like to learn more, become involved, collectively organize an event or list an event, please call 877-454-0807 or visit the official website for complete contact and event information at http://ncanimals.org/

Governor Jack Markell Officially Proclaims Delaware Week for the Animals April 16-24, 2011

2011-04-12T09:29:00.000-07:00

(Dover, Delaware) Animal World USA is excited to announce Governor Jack Markell has officially proclaimed the 4th Annual Delaware Week for the Animals April 16-24, 2011!

Events that are happening statewide will include fun-filled pet adoption fairs, spay/neuter awareness events, shelter adoption days, R.E.A.D. dog programs in libraries, Girl Scout activities, Bingo events, visits with the farm animals, pet food donations, horse benefits, low cost vaccinations, a salute to the military and working K-9's and therapy dogs visiting hospitals and nursing homes. Exciting Earth Day events will also be taking place during the week underscoring our need to protect the planet.

Also to be included are feline fundraisers, special programs at the sanctuaries, blessing for the animals, and full-filled festival days for families to come and enjoy food, music and the amazing animals! Delaware Week for the Animals is bringing together animal shelters, rescue organizations, sanctuaries, businesses, students, musicians, artists, educators, community leaders, and caring citizens in an exciting week of community-building activities.

Precious lives which will be saved and communities will be transformed during this week with a wide variety of animal-related events and activities. A list of events are scheduled on the website calendar. Events are being added daily right up until kick-off of the week.

you would like to learn more, become involved or schedule an event, please visit the official website at http://www.delawareanimals.com/ For more information, please call 877-454-0807 or email info@animalworldusa.org

3rd Annual Kentucky Week for the Animals Coming April 9-17, 2011

2011-03-26T16:11:00.000-07:00

(Frankfort, KY) Animal World USA is pleased to announce the 3rd Annual Kentucky Week for the Animals will kick off Saturday, April 9th and go through Sunday, April 17, 2011.

The statewide celebration is designed to celebrate and recognize the unique and life-changing role that animals play in the lives of citizens through all walks of life. The week will bring underscore community spirit as people come together on behalf of the animals across the beautiful Bluegrass state, that has given us a love and appreciation of horses unlike any other state in our great union.

Beginning on the kick-off day of Saturday, April 9th, Kentucky Week for the Animals will be bringing together educators, animal shelters, libraries, humane organizations, sanctuaries, restaurants, businesses, students, musicians, artists, community leaders, decision makers and caring citizens in an action-packed compassionate week of community activities for the animals in an unprecedented manner!

This extraordinary week will feature awesome animal-themed events at various Kentucky libraries, pet first aid classes, scores of awesome fun-filled pet adoption events, feedings for the farm animals, festivals and blessings of the animals, free and low cost spay/neuter opportunities, activities to help the cats, training classes, unique ways to help the horses, student activities, library animal storytelling events, free and/or low cost vaccinations, a salute to the working K-9's, the military and so very much more!

Every kind of fun event imaginable is being planned, and we need everyone to share with our Kentucky friends about the amazing week approaching for Kentucky animals!

The spotlight will shine on the amazing animals and compassionate people across Kentucky who love them and work tirelessly on their behalf--much of the time with limited resources. Precious lives will be saved and communities transformed during this incredible week.

The 3rd Annual Kentucky Week for the Animals will build more new relationships for the animals and people in a history-making manner. Visit the official website for complete contact and event information at http://kentuckyanimals.org/ Please call 877-454-0807 or email info@animalworldusa.org for more information.

Governor Bobby Jindal officially proclaims 3rd Annual Louisiana Week for the Animals Saturday, March 19 through Sunday, March 27, 2011

2011-03-10T11:09:00.000-08:00

(New Orleans, LA) Animal World USA is pleased to announce Governor Bobby Jindal has officially proclaimed the 3rd Annual Louisiana Week for the Animals Saturday, March 19 through Sunday, March 27, 2011.

The statewide celebration is designed to celebrate and recognize the unique and life-changing role that animals play in the lives of citizens through all walks of life. The week will again underscore community spirit throughout Louisiana as people come together on behalf of the amazing animals.

Louisiana Week for the Animals will be bringing together educators, animal shelters, humane organizations, sanctuaries, restaurants, businesses, students, musicians, artists, community leaders, decision makers and caring citizens in an action-packed compassionate week of community activities for the animals!

This extraordinary week will feature awesome fun-filled pet adoption events, pet therapy, library events for the animals, festivals and blessings of the animals, low cost spay/neuter opportunities, microchipping, The Gatsby Strut, Woofstock,, LSU School of Veterinary Medicine International Animals in Art Exhibition, library animal storytelling and special guest events, low cost vaccinations, shelter beautification days, first aid classes, rabbit adoption days, EarthFest, wildlife activities, pet food/supply donation opportunities to help local orgs, a salute to the military and so much more!

Precious lives will be saved and communities transformed during this incredible week. The 3rd Annual Louisiana Week for the Animals will build new relationships for the animals and save precious lives once again. Visit the official website for complete contact and event information at http://www.louisianaanimals.org/ and/or call 877-454-0807.

Bird Watching: An Ideal Hobby for a Nature Lover

2011-03-01T19:32:00.000-08:00

Bird watching directly connects you to an amazing environment where small feathered creatures twitter happily, try to keep their household running or flap their wings. This paradise compared to tensions of every day life can be seen right in your own garden so you do not have to travel far away to a wild life reserve, you are able to create your own sanctuary.

Bird watching involves detailed observations of looks, behaviors, sounds, and homes of different species of birds and their activities. Passionate bird watchers travel to all corners of the world .They make a detailed list of species to be observed in different places or at different parts of year.

In the USA, for example over 50 million people have this hobby. If you are determined to do this relaxing practice as a pastime, you’d better read some useful tips which will make your experience more exciting. You can enter the bird kingdom just by stepping out to your garden where you can find local birds flocking together everyday.

Next step is to visit the local park where you will observe more variations of bird species. Later you will be ready to reach out remote areas for a larger exploration. The best part of the day to observe is early morning. This is the time when you can see the highest number of birds because then they are at their busiest time of searching of food.

The spring and autumn are the best times of the year for bird watchers as countless varieties of migratory birds fly southwards from the chilly north. Every bird watcher must carry a pen, notebook, a field guide with photos and descriptions of variety of birds and a binocular. A spotting scope and a camera are the things which you will need when you mature in your experience.

There are numerous organizations which focus on the interests of serious bird watchers. Bird watching is a perfect hobby for everybody no matter age or gender, in solitude or in the company which is a way of learning about the rules of nature.

By: Petscomfort

Important Cat Urinary Health Tips for your Feline Friend.

2011-02-21T10:44:00.000-08:00

By Darlene Norris

Are you frustrated and worried about the cat urinary problems your furball is having? Is a recurring cat bladder infection becoming a serious issue?

Here are five simple ways you can help promote good cat urinary health for your feline friend.

Keeping Your Cat Healthy From The Inside Out

An excellent diet is the foundation of any health program. Most cat owners want the best for their kitties, so you should do your own research if you want to keep your cat healthy.Ever wonder why cats don't seem to drink much water? It's because they're meant to get most of their water from their food. A cat in the wild eats mice and other prey animals.

Since a mouse is over 90% water, our wild feline friend has already satisfied most of his water requirements. When we take a cat out of his natural environment and feed him a low-moisture diet of dry food, we're heading for disaster in the form of cat bladder infection. High-quality canned food has a moisture level of around 75%, which is much closer to a natural diet.

Plenty Of Water Is Essential For Good Cat Urinary Health

Even if you're feeding a canned food, it's still essential to make sure your kitty has access to plenty of fresh, clean water. It's a proven fact that the best way to prevent cat urinary problems is to keep the water going through your cat. This prevents his urine from becoming too concentrated, and flushes out toxins that can lead to cat bladder stones.

Control Cat Stress

Cat stress has been linked to feline idiopathic cystitis, which is a bladder inflammation that doesn't seem to have a cause. This condition is becoming more common in cats, and is considered to be a modern problem. Sources of stress include moving to a new home, adding a new pet or person to the household, seeing a strange animal outside, being bothered by another pet in the home, and just being an inside cat. It's very important to be on the look-out for anything that could be stressing your cat.

Exercise Is Important

We often neglect exercise for ourselves, not to mention our pets. But exercise is very important for optimum health. Not only is it good for your cat physically, but it's important mentally, as well. If your cat is bored, he's more likely to be a victim of cat stress.Provide your cat with toys to play with, and make sure you get him running around the house and out of breath at least twice a day.

Natural Feline Urinary Support Is Important

There are many natural remedies for pets on the market these days. It can be very difficult to choose the best one for your cat. Here are a few tips:

You'll want to be sure the remedy is formulated especially for pets. Some herbs are not safe for pets, or the dosage may be too high for a small animal. When you purchase a remedy made especially for pets, you'll be confident in its safety. A second requirement is that the company has been in business for many years, and has the highest reputation for producing the best-quality pet remedies. Look past the hype to find a company with years of experience in this field. The remedy needs to be easy to administer. You won't use it for long if you have to fight with your cat all the time to get it into him.

Preventing cat urinary problems is easier than treating them. Now it's time to promote cat urinary health by putting these steps into action.

Darlene Norris has combined her long-time interest in natural healing with her experience working at a vet clinic to bring you her new website, Natural Pet Urinary Health. Learn more about cat urinary health, and find the best place to buy herbal pet remedies at http://naturalpeturinaryhealth.com/

Governor Bentley Officially Proclaims 2nd Annual Alabama Week for the Animals

2011-02-21T09:48:00.000-08:00

Animal World USA is pleased to announce that Governor Robert Bentley has officially proclaimed 2nd Alabama Week for the Animals March 5-13, 2011. The special governor-proclaimed week will highlight the importance that animals play in our lives and bring communities together on behalf of the animals throughout the great state of Alabama.

This statewide event is designed to celebrate and build awareness on behalf of all animals, as well as recognize the organizations and citizens who support them. The special week is once again bringing together educators, advocates, animal shelters, rescue organizations, sanctuaries, businesses, students, musicians, artists, community leaders, and caring citizens in an exciting week of community-building activities.

The exciting week will feature pet adoption festivals, low cost spay neuter events, feral cat initiatives, wildlife activities, educational events and a variety of life-saving community events statewide. All these events will shine the spotlight on the amazing animals, beauty and compassionate people of Alabama.

The week presents a unique opportunity to change the history for the animals by collectively coming together through goodwill. Precious lives which will be saved and communities will be transformed during this week through a wide variety of animal-related events and activities.

If you would like to learn more, please call 877-454-0807 or visit the official website. www.alabamaanimals.org/

You may also learn more about the AWUSA Weeks campaign at http://www.animalworldusa.org/

Parallel Vegan Universe(s)

2011-02-07T06:18:00.000-08:00

Theoretical physics is catching up with science fiction—making the possibility of more ethically-advanced extra-dimensional worlds plausible.

By Mat Thomas, http://www.animalrighter.org/

Have you ever wondered whether there might be another you wandering around somewhere, perhaps on a planet much like our own but subtly or even drastically different? If so, then you may have actually created such a person in another reality simply by thinking about it!

Sound farfetched? Well, Dr. Brian Greene doesn't think so. As a bestselling author and physics professor at Columbia University, he's done the math, and says it suggests that our universe may be merely one of a potentially infinite number that exists within an ever-expanding multiverse. Of course, we can't see or visit these alternate domains (just yet, anyway) because, according to string theory, reality vibrates on at least ten or eleven mathematically-identifiable dimensions, and we Earthlings only experience three spatial dimensions (plus one of time).

Nevertheless, Professor Greene believes scientists could perhaps prove the existence of parallel universes by formulating a unifying Theory of Everything that resolves basic inconsistencies between Einsteinian relativity and quantum mechanics (thereby solving the great mystery of why matter behaves so differently on the macro and microcosmic levels).

If parallel universes were discovered, it would radically revolutionize how we understand the very nature of reality. Readers wanting a comprehensive but accessible explanation of these heady ideas should check out Dr. Greene's new book, The Hidden Reality: Parallel Universes and the Deep Laws of the Cosmos. However, what interests me most at the moment is not the nitty-gritty numbers behind string theory, but rather imagining what kinds of worlds may exist out there beyond our current ken. And, especially because Professor Greene is a vegan who stopped eating meat as a nine year old to avoid eradicating animals' existence, my mind is led to consider a grand possibility: that somewhere, on some other plane of reality, there are worlds where people don't kill animals for food or any other unnecessary reason.

Perhaps a good place to begin such a conceptual journey is with an example of a parallel universe from pop culture—specifically the classic 1967 Star Trek episode “Mirror, Mirror”* in which a malfunctioning transporter beams Captain Kirk and three Federation starship officers into an alternate world (with their doubles simultaneously materializing on the Enterprise). In this strange reality, the intrepid interstellar space explorers boldly encounter their crewmates' evil counterparts—including a stylishly goateed Mr. Spock who is still eminently logical but trapped in an irrationally cruel and ruthless reality of imperial intrigue, genocide and assassinations. Like all Vulcans, Spock (the original at least) is a pointy-eared alien who espouses non-violence and practices ethical veganism.

Meanwhile, in our reality, Leonard Nimoy, the actor who personifies the hyper-intelligent and super-strong Science Officer, is a vegetarian—probably because he was convinced by the philosophy of the fictional character he portrayed to stop eating meat, showing how even “parallel” made-up people can have tangible effects on our world.

If Spock's malevolent doppelganger is any indication of the potential differences between our universe and others populating the multiverse, then it is quite conceivable that perhaps, somewhere among the infinite possible realms, PETA president Ingrid Newkirk is CEO of McDonalds, for example, or there’s a world where sentient plant beings breed humans on factory farms for meat. Conversely, there may also be worlds where avid hunting enthusiast Ted Nugent runs a sanctuary for injured wildlife, carnivorous chef Anthony Bourdain copacetically hosts a popular vegan cooking show called Kitchen Compassion, or there’s a smartphone app that translates most known species’ languages into human speech and vice versa. Statistically and probabilistically speaking, the variegated details between alternate worlds are essentially limitless.

While we are all stuck living in just one reality (for the time being, at least), in another sense animal rights advocates already live in a parallel universe ruled by a paradigm of brute force domination over other species. That is, we exist, individually and collectively, as a universe within a universe—right alongside a vast majority of people who either don't know or don't care, for instance, that the meat they eat is actually the dead flesh of animals who were tortured on factory farms before being painfully slaughtered on mechanized assembly lines.

We see the cruelty that others remain blind to, the horror hidden in plain sight, and feel empathy for the conscious creatures who so clearly share our inherent will to live and love. And as we strive to create a kinder, gentler world, one in which innocent animals aren't victimized for pleasure and profit, perchance our thoughts and actions in this reality are not only making a difference for animals here on our planet, but also creating divergent worlds throughout the multiverse where animal exploitation is universally condemned or utterly unthinkable.

What do you think other universes might be like? Express your creative visions in the “comments” section!

* Watch the full Star Trek episode "Mirror, Mirror" online for free at cbs.com.

Top 5 Most Amazing Examples of Animal Communication

2011-01-24T05:42:00.000-08:00

by Andrew Latham

Animals might not have a "proper" language in which to communicate, but communicate they do and in an amazing variety of ways.

Top 5, Ants.
How do you organize a collective society of thousands of members without being able to say a word? Ants have found the answer in chemical communication. Ants have from 10 to 20 chemicals in different glands of their bodies depending on the species. Depending on the chemical released ants can signal alarm, invite friends to eat from a new food source or even organize military tactics when attacking an enemy, to mention a few of the 50 standard behavior patterns that have been observed by zoologists.

One of the most curious examples of ant's chemical communication is how they recognize dead ants when they sense the oleic acid that is released when an ant's body starts to decompose. A scientist with a dark sense of humor experimented with this method of communication by dropping a spot of oleic acid on a live ant. The other ants dutifully carted away the "dead" ant, screaming and kicking, to the cemetery outside the nest and continued to do so no matter how many times the poor "undead" ant walked back.

Top 4, Elephants
Elephants communicate a wide range of emotions using "elephant talk" by a combination of sound and body language signals that range from low frequency rumblings to high frequency trumpets, roars, bellows, barks and snorts. Interestingly many of the sounds in "elephant talk" are well below the level of human hearing but are so powerful elephants can hear them from several miles away.

Elephant communication is so complex; it is difficult for researchers what to make of it. Joyce Poole is a researcher that has dedicated over 20 years to the study of "elephant talk" has witnessed greetings between elephants that have been separated for a long time that included rushing together with their heads high up while flapping their ears and even putting their trunk into one another's mouth in a way of communicating the joy of meeting after a long time. Such communication and displays of affection strengthen the social networks between elephants.

Top 3, Bees
The search for food is always at the top of conversation subjects in animals and humans alike and bees are no exception. Searching for food is serious business for bees and finding it is a complicated ritual. Once food is found it is important to communicate the exact location to the rest of the hive. This is done by an amazing form of communication based on a series of dancelike movements that inform the hive of the quality and location of the food.

How do the bees communicate this vital information? The location of the food source is indicated by the rhythm of the dance and by the orientation of the axis of the tail with respect to gravity. If the food source is near the hive, a "round" dance is performed. A "tail-wagging" dance indicates that the food source is more than 80 meters (260 feet) away. This dance transmits precise information about direction as well as distance. The number of dance cycles performed by the bee in a certain length of time is inversely related to the distance of the food source. Thus, about 10 cycles are performed every 15 seconds for a food source 100 meters (330 feet) away, but only one cycle is made in that period if the food source is 10,000 meters (33,000 feet) away.

Top 2, Lions
Although lions are not renowned for their small talk skills research has shown that they are excellent communicators. A male's mighty roar is an obvious warning that can even freeze a prey or a male rival in its tracks. But lions are not all about killing, they are social cats, they will also roar just to keep in touch with the other members of the pride. This type of roar is softer and less assertive. One researcher reported a lion that was heard roaring every 15 minutes until his cousin answered. The chit chat continued for over 15 minutes until they finally met up to hang out, after which the roaring stopped.

Top 1, Plants talking to Animals
I know, plants are not animals but they still deserve Top 1. You will not believe how some plants display amazing skills communication with other plants and even animals in order to save their necks, or should I say stalks.

Lima bean plants, for instance, will release a chemical distress signal when attacked by spider mites that attracts other mites that enjoy feeding on spider mites.

Similarly, corn, tobacco and cotton plants when invaded by caterpillars will segregate airborne chemicals that attract wasps, a sworn enemy of caterpillars. This form of communication is not just a case of saying I am hurt, or hungry, or where to find food, it is a fabulously complex system that allows plants to call for the right type of help when needed and even warn other plants. For example, willow, poplar, alder and birch trees when attacked by caterpillars, fungus or powdery mildew will send out chemicals to jump start the defense systems of other undamaged plants.

Learn more from Andrew Latham at website http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Andrew_Latham#more-information

I Need a Hero

2011-01-19T06:24:00.000-08:00

by Randi Bildner, Founder of The Bully Beat

It's 1995; I sit in the stands of Yankee Stadium and close my eyes. I listen carefully as the umpire shouts the familiar words "Play Ball!" As I allow this term to penetrate my being it's not hard to imagine 1958, "the good ol' days," a time when players and fans alike came together simply for the love of the game.

Taking in the true essence of "The House That Ruth Built" I can almost hear this benchmark term echo throughout stadiums across America. This tradition, signaling the start of "America's favorite pastime" has not changed but everything else has. Sadly this reality encompasses all sports and any realm that potentially lends itself to the birth of a hero. Looking around, things seem familiar, comfortable, good; families gather for an evening to watch their "heroes" take the stage.

Upon closer inspection something, everything has changed; for now, it is 2011, a lifetime away from the world the baseball players of 1958 knew when they graced these "sacred" grounds.

Looking back at a baseball roster for 1958, the names hit hard like the crack of the bat when Boston's Ted Williams hit the 17th grand slam of his career. Heroes one and all were playing for what would now be considered meager salaries. Their true wealth was their legacy— for these are the names that will live in our hearts forever.

Sadly, I understand those days of fun and innocence are long gone. Today's athletes play their respective sports very well (both figuratively and literally) causing a direct impact on the nature of these games and how we choose our heroes.

Once upon a time, a hero earned his or her title. Back then we too thrived as individuals and as a culture. Today with the collapse of morality, when our president personally phones Jeffrey Lurie (owner of the Philadelphia Eagles) to congratulate him on giving convicted dogfighter Michael Vick "… a fair second chance," we find ourselves in a sorry state and it's time to rework "humanity's code of ethics." Those who choose to forget Vick's actions mirror who and where we are in today's world.

Children lacking proper role models suffer from the inability to know right from wrong (particularly while their parents sit in the stands and cheer for criminals).

In April 2007, Michael Vick was implicated in an illegal interstate dogfighting ring that had operated for over five years. In August 2007, he pleaded guilty to federal felony charges and served 21 months in prison. Court documents show Vick personally participated in killing dogs; some were hanged, some were drowned, some beaten to death (their bodies slammed against cold concrete floors breaking their backs) and some were electrocuted.

This is not the simple thuggery that so many of Vick's peers (and their fans) consider to be part of the normal trappings of today's sports culture. Nor is it the occasional sensationalized celebrity misdeed over which we secretly thrill. These casual, habitual and routine brutalities would brand the average person insane.

"Murder is unique in that it abolishes the party it injures, so that society has to take the place of the victim and on his behalf demand atonement or grant forgiveness; it is the one crime in which society has a direct interest." ~W.H. Auden

My question: Why should a society be allowed to grant forgiveness on behalf of the murdered? HOW a society can forgive reprehensible actions where the victims are so pure, so innocent and the crime is so heinous is unfathomable?

Our society is divided when it comes to forgiving Michael Vick. WHY?remains a mystery to those who abhor Vick's actions at Bad Newz Kennels—Vick's personal "house of (canine) horrors".

While it is quite obvious that forgiveness comes easy for those whose conscience has been replaced by "big bucks," it remains perplexing how others not only forgive but heroicize a member of a deviant subculture whose mental constitution is the makeup of a sociopath.

According to actress and comedian Whoopi Goldberg, Vick should be forgiven because of his "culture." Ms. Goldberg defended Vick on the television show The View stating; "From where he comes from (in the South U.S.) dogfighting is not that unusual. For many people, dogs are sport." Goldberg continued, "There are certain things that are indicative to certain parts of our country." Goldberg surmised Vick's actions were a result of the mindset behind those he encountered while growing up.

Flash Forward… Vick had been playing for the Atlanta Falcons for six seasons before he was caught and admitted to federal criminal charges. It was during this time (while employed by the NFL) that Vick decided to moonlight as a dogfighter. The fact that he traveled in "certain" circles and lived "the life," (Vick's culture had drastically changed) could be one retort to Ms. Goldberg's ill-thought remark; another, stating culture to be the cause for a person to act as a deviant is not only a cop-out but is insulting.

Some acts can be forgiven and some not. Recently, Oprah Winfrey interviewed Dr. William Petit. Winfrey asked Petit if he could forgive the men who brutally tortured and murdered his entire family, setting his house on fire (while he lie on the basement floor unconscious). Waiting for Petit's answer, I silently repeated, "NO, please, do not let him forgive." I wanted to cheer when this husband and father of two stated a firm "NO" in response to Oprah's question.

In this day and age when an actress can gain notoriety through sexting, when the distinction between heroes and criminals are virtually non-existent, when deviants get to play a game for millions of dollars, when our nation's eyes are truly lonelier than ever (collectively we might wonder) "Where have you gone Joe DiMaggio….?"

Please visit Randi Bildner's wonderful website The Bully Beat

http://www.thebullybeat.org/

© The Bully Beat and Randi Gerzofsky Bildner. All Rights Reserved.

3rd Annual Florida Week for the Animals February 5-13, 2011

2011-01-11T08:20:00.000-08:00

Florida Week for the Animals highlights the importance that animals play in our lives and bring communities together on behalf of the animals throughout the great state of Florida.

Animal World USA is pleased to announce that the 3rd Annual Florida Week for the Animals is scheduled for February 5-13, 2011. The special governor-proclaimed week will highlight the importance that animals play in our lives and bring communities together on behalf of the animals.

This statewide event is designed to celebrate and build awareness on behalf of all animals, as well as recognize the organizations and citizens who support them. The Florida Week for the Animals is once again bringing together educators, advocates, animal shelters, rescue organizations, sanctuaries, businesses, students, musicians, artists, community leaders, and caring citizens in an exciting week of community-building activities.

The exciting week will feature pet adoption festivals, wildlife activities, educational events and exciting variety of community events statewide. All these events will shine the spotlight on the amazing animals, beauty and people of Florida.

The week presents a unique opportunity to change the history for the animals by collectively coming together through all our goodwill. The official website with the amazing calendar of events is is http://www.floridaanimals.org/

Precious lives which will be saved and communities will be transformed during this week through a wide variety of events and activities.

If you would like to learn more or become involved, please call 877-454-0807 and/or visit the official website for complete contact information. You may also learn more about the Animal World USA Weeks campaign at http://www.animalworldusa.org/

1st India Weeks for the Animals Coming 14-31 January 2011!

2010-12-17T05:58:00.000-08:00

(Washington, DC) Animal World USA-International is excited to announce the 1st India Weeks for the Animals will be held 14-31 January 2011. These special weeks, which will highlight the importance that animals play in all our lives, will also underscore the work being done for the animals throughout the country of India and provide a platform on ways we can help them.

This series of events in India is designed to celebrate the people and animals, as well as recognize the monumental, life-saving work being done in India. 1st India Weeks for the Animals will bring together sanctuaries, rescue organizations, businesses, students, musicians, artists, educators, community leaders, and caring citizens in exciting awareness-building and animal protection activities.

The weeks will feature sanctuary fundraisers, low cost spay and neuter/vaccination events, adoption programs, conferences, vegetarian events, volunteer activities with animals, wildlife events, musical events and so much more! All these events will shine the spotlight on the amazing animals and compassionate people of India who love them.

New relationships will be built with the variety of animal-related activities and events. Together we we can help shine the spotlight on the gracious people of India, precious animals and build wonderful new lifelong friendships during this time.

If you would like to learn more, be involved or schedule an event(s) or fundraiser, please visit the official website at http://indiaanimals.org/

Learn more about Animal World USA-International Weeks for the Animals at http://www.animalworldusa.org/

PASA Joins with World Parrot Trust to Condemn Parrot Seizure

2010-12-03T06:13:00.000-08:00

The Pan African Sanctuary Alliance (PASA) and the World Parrot Trust (WPT) today called on international law enforcement agencies to intervene following the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s seizure of over 490 African Grey parrots from a sanctuary with the intention of returning the birds to the original dealer.

PASA and the WPT submitted a brief to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and asked that any attempt to ship the parrots out of DR Congo be blocked. Similar briefs were also sent to Interpol, the World Customs Union, and the International Air Transport Association (IATA).PASA also alerted the CITES Management of Singapore – the parrots’ original destination – to the possibility that a large consignment of parrots could be imminent.

“PASA is outraged at the manner in which the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo has removed these parrots from a PASA member sanctuary,” said Doug Cress, executive director of PASA. “We were given no warning and no cause. We rescue and rehabilitate wildlife to conserve important species – not make them well so that dealers might get rich. We condemn this action, and will do anything we can to keep this shipment from leaving Africa.”

The African Grey parrots were originally confiscated in mid-September by the Congolese wildlife authority (ICCN) and local government officials, and taken to the Lwiro Primate Rehabilitation Center in South Kivu. There, 523 parrots were found crammed into crude wooden crates, and despite the best efforts of Lwiro staff and veterinarians, over 30 of the birds died from injuries and stress.

The WPT worked with PASA and Lwiro to rehabilitate the others, however, and constructed spacious enclosures to speed the recovery process. Earlier this month, over 400 of those original birds were judged fit to be released back into the wild.But the DR Congo’s Ministry of Environment ordered the parrots seized on Nov. 22, and had the birds placed back inside the original travel crates.

The crates were then flown back to Kinshasa and the original dealer. The crates and the manner in which the parrots were shipped are blatant violations of IATA standards, while the original CITES permit that accompanied the parrots listed only 300 – far below the number that were actually in the crates.

"The World Parrot Trust collaborated closely with PASA, Lwiro and a number of key advisors in this most recent parrot rescue, and feel the birds were seized in a manner that is neither legal nor humane as outlined in CITES regulations,” said Dr. James Gilardi, executive director of the WPT.

“We respectfully request that the CITES Secretariat investigate this action by the DR Congo government, and take steps to halt this and future illegal and inhumane consignments of African Grey parrots."African Grey parrots are found throughout Central and West Africa, but have been heavily hunted for the pet trade in recent years.

Experts believe that up to 21 percent of the wild population is captured each year. African Grey parrots are listed as a CITES Appendix II species has been the subject of two recent Significant Trade Review processes.PASA is comprised of 20 member sanctuaries in 12 countries, which rescue and rehabilitate chimpanzees, gorillas, bonobos, drills, and other endangered primates.

For more information, please visit the PASA website, Facebook page, Twitter , or contact PASA at info@pasaprimates.org

Governor Linda Lingle Proclaims 2nd Hawaii Week for the Animals December 4-12, 2010

2010-11-22T07:06:00.000-08:00

Animal World USA is pleased to announce that Governor Lingle has proclaimed the 2nd Hawaii Week for the Animals which is scheduled for December 4-12, 2010. The special governor-proclaimed week will highlight the importance that animals play in our lives and bring communities together on behalf of the animals throughout the great state of Hawaii.

This statewide event is designed to celebrate and build awareness on behalf of all animals, as well as recognize the organizations and citizens who support them. The Hawaii Week for the Animals is once again bringing together educators, advocates, animal shelters, rescue organizations, sanctuaries, businesses, students, musicians, artists, community leaders, and caring citizens in an exciting week of community-building activities.

The exciting week will feature pet adoption festivals, wildlife activities, educational events and all kinds of community events statewide. All these events will shine the spotlight on the amazing animals, beauty & history of the islands and compassionate people of Hawaii. The week presents a unique opportunity to change the history for the animals by collectively coming together through goodwill.

Precious lives which will be saved and communities will be transformed during this week through a wide variety of animal-related events and activities. If you would like to learn more, please call 877-454-0807 or visit the official website at http://www.hawaiianimals.org/

Governor Brewer Proclaims 2nd Annual Arizona Week for the Animals November 13-21, 2010!

2010-11-12T23:04:00.000-08:00

Animal World USA is pleased to announce that the 2nd Arizona Week for the Animals is scheduled for November 13-21, 2010. The special governor-proclaimed week will highlight the importance that animals play in our lives and bring communities together on behalf of the animals throughout the great state of Arizona.

This statewide event is designed to celebrate and build awareness on behalf of all animals, as well as recognize the organizations and citizens who support them.

The 2nd Arizona Week for the Animals is once again bringing together educators, advocates, animal shelters, rescue organizations, sanctuaries, businesses, students, musicians, artists, community leaders, and caring citizens in an exciting week of community-building activities.

The exciting week will feature awesome pet adoption festivals and community events statewide, 5K’s, wildlife activities, pet therapy in hospitals and living-assisted homes, horse events, educational activities, bird watching/walking tours, library activities, blessings of the animals, low cost and free spay/neuter and vaccination opportunities, concerts, meet and greet events, Adobe Mountain Wildlife Center Open House, salute to working/search & rescue K-9’s, Woofstock and so much more!

All these events will shine the spotlight on the amazing animals and compassionate people of Arizona who love them. The week presents a unique opportunity to change the history for the animals by collectively coming together.

Precious lives which will be saved and communities will be transformed during this week through a wide variety of animal-related events and activities. If you would like to learn more, please call 877-454-0807 or visit the official website at http://www.arizonaanimals.org/

You may also learn more about the AWUSA Weeks campaign at http://www.animalworldusa.org/

Governor Barbour Proclaims 2nd Mississippi Week for the Animals November 6-14, 2010!

2010-10-27T06:19:00.000-07:00

(Jackson, MS/October 28, 2010) Governor Barbour Officially Proclaims Mississippi Week for Animals November 6-14, 2010.

Animal World USA is pleased to announce that the 2nd Mississippi Week for the Animals is scheduled for November 6-14, 2010. The special governor-proclaimed week will highlight the importance that animals play in our lives and bring communities together on behalf of the animals throughout the great state of Mississippi.

This statewide event is designed to celebrate and build awareness on behalf of all animals, as well as recognize the organizations and citizens who support them. 2nd Mississippi Week for the Animals is once again bringing together educators, advocates, animal shelters, rescue organizations, sanctuaries, businesses, students, musicians, artists, community leaders, and caring citizens in an exciting week of community-building activities.

The exciting week will feature awesome pet adoption festivals and events, pet therapy in hospitals, school/art displays and activities, horse events, educational activities, bird watching/walking tours, kid’s art days, library story-telling and R.E.A.D. dog activities, blessings of the animals, anti-crulety initiatives for animals, low cost and free spay and neuter opportunities, motorcycle poker run for shelter animals, meet and greet events, pet therapy in school classrooms, salute to working/search & rescue K-9’s, and so much more!

All these events will shine the spotlight on the amazing animals and compassionate people of Mississippi who love them. The week presents a unique opportunity to change the history for the animals by collectively coming together.

Precious lives which will be saved and communities will be transformed during this week through a wide variety of animal-related events and activities. Special events are being scheduled and can be viewed on the website calendar, and more are being added regularly. If you would like to learn more, become involved, list an event, please call 877-454-0807 or visit the official website at http://www.mississippianimals.org/

You may also learn more about the AWUSA Weeks campaign at http://www.animalworldusa.org/

Governor Mike Beebe Officially Proclaims 1st Arkansas Week for the Animals October 23-31, 2010!

2010-10-16T07:30:00.000-07:00

Arkansas Week for the Animals will highlight the importance that animals play in our lives and bring communities together on behalf of the animals throughout the great state of Arkansas.

Animal World USA is pleased to announce that the 1st Arkansas Week for the Animals is scheduled for October 23-31. The special week will highlight the importance that animals play in our lives and bring communities together to help the hard-working Arkansas organizations, shelters and humane groups. We will shine the spotlight on animals and incredible compassionate citizens throughout the great state of Arkansas.

This statewide event is designed to celebrate and build awareness on behalf of all animals, as well as recognize the organizations and citizens who support them. 1st Arkansas Week for the Animals will bring together educators, advocates, animal shelters, rescue organizations, sanctuaries, businesses, students, musicians, artists, community leaders, and caring citizens in an exciting week of community-building activities.

The exciting week will feature awesome pet adoption events, pet therapy in hospitals, horse events, educational activities, wildlife watching/walking tours, library story-telling and R.E.A.D. dog activities, blessings of the animals, low cost and free spay and neuter opportunities, meet and greet events, salute to working K-9’s, book signings and so much more!

Precious lives which will be saved and communities will be transformed during this week through a wide variety of animal-related events and activities. If you would like to learn more, become involved, list an event/org, please call 877-454-0807 or visit the official website at http://www.arkansasanimals.org/

You may also learn more about the AWUSA Weeks campaign at http://www.weeksfortheanimals.org/

Governor Paterson Officially Proclaims 2nd Annual New York Week for the Animals October 2-10, 2010

2010-09-29T14:01:00.000-07:00

(New York, New York) Animal World USA is pleased to announce that the 2nd New York Week for the Animals is scheduled for October 2-10, 2010. The special governor-proclaimed week will highlight the importance that animals play in our lives and bring communities together on behalf of the animals throughout the great state of New York. Over 100+ events are expected by kick-off of the week! We are thrilled to be working with the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC Animals.

This statewide event is designed to celebrate and build awareness on behalf of all animals, as well as recognize the organizations and citizens who support them. New York Week for the Animals is once again bringing together educators, advocates, animal shelters, rescue organizations, sanctuaries, businesses, students, musicians, artists, community leaders, and caring citizens in an exciting week of community-building activities.

The exciting week will feature awesome pet adoption festivals and events, kick off event in Central Park, pet therapy in hospitals, school/art displays and activities, theater events, educational activities, bird watching/walking tours, library story-telling and R.E.A.D. dog activities, blessings of the animals, shelter fundraisers, concerts, book signings, low cost and free spay and neuter opportunities, meet and greet events, pet therapy, salute to working/search & rescue K-9’s, vegetarian festivals and so much more!

All these events will shine the spotlight on the amazing animals and compassionate people of New York who love them. The week presents a unique opportunity to change the history for the animals by collectively coming together.

Precious lives which will be saved and communities will be transformed during this week through a wide variety of animal-related events and activities. Special events are being scheduled and can be viewed on the website calendar, and more are being added regularly.

If you would like to learn more, become involved, list an event, please call 877-454-0807 or visit the official website at http://newyorkanimals.org/

You may also learn more about the Animal World USA Weeks campaign at http://www.animalworldusa.org/

Tennessee Week for the Animals Animal Law & Cruelty Seminar Night September 21, 2010

2010-09-19T13:52:00.000-07:00

Distinguished panel gathers for animal law and cruelty night at Christian Brothers University in Memphis, Tennessee.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRLog (Press Release) – Sep 19, 2010 – (Memphis, Tennessee) Animal World USA is pleased to announce an evening created to address animal issues with an extraordinary panel of speakers that will address animal law and cruelty. The gathering which will take place on Tuesday, September 21 from 6:30-9:00 pm is the first of its kind in bringing together an impressive variety of community leaders to highlight how to help the animals. Animals are facing an increasing level of neglect and cruelty, and this evening promises to engage and empower the community with new ways in which we can come together on their behalf.

Distinguished speakers:

Memphis Bar Association Executive Director Anne Fritz will be presenting the speakers. Judge Donna M. Fields will be closing the evening.

-Memphis Police Department Director Larry Godwin
Subject: Newly formed MPD Animal Cruelty Response Team

-Memphis Criminal Court, Division VIII 30th Judicial District Judge Chris Craft
Subject: Dogfighting and the need to protect the defenseless animals

-Shelby County District 92 Representative G.A. Hardaway
Subject: Engaging the community

-Shelby County Assistant D.A. Attorney General Dan Byer
Subject: Prosecuting animal cruelty cases in court

-Shelby County Sheriff Detective Todd Cockman
Subject: Investigating animal cruelty in the community

- Advocates Cindy Sanders former federal officer and Jackie Johns, former federal officer of the Department of Justice, founders of Community Action for Animals. Dedicated to ending animal abuse and responsible for ending puppy sales in Memphis flea markets and roadside pet sales.

General information:

The public is encouraged to attend. Free admission. For more information call 877-454-0807 or email info@animalworldusa.org

Website is http://www.tennesseeanimals.org/

Christian Brothers University
Spain Auditorium
650 E Parkway South
Memphis, TN 38104

# # #

About Animal World USA: Inspiring, educating and empowering communities to understand, love and protect the animals of our world.

3rd Pennsylvania Week for the Animals Coming September 18-26, 2010!

2010-09-17T18:02:00.000-07:00

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania) Animal World USA is pleased to announce the 3rd Annual Pennsylvania Week for the Animals is scheduled from September 18-26, 2010. During the extraordinary governor-supported week, animal shelters, rescue groups, educational institutions and humane organizations across the state will be hosting wonderful animal-related special events which will be saving lives, building relationships, helping animals and strengthening communities throughout the state. Educators, students, businesses and caring citizens across the state will be joining in to celebrate and help animals.

Events will include adoption events across the state, low cost & free spay/neuter events, R.E.A.D. dog programs in libraries, doggie swims/dips, puppy mill awareness activities, book donations, drum circle and blessing of the animals, student activities for the animals, law seminar, animal communication presentations, BINGO for homeless animals, feral cat education, horse events, pet food donations, farm animal sanctuary events, critter camps, wildlife activities, bird tours/activities, donation drives, dog washes to benefit shelters and therapy animals visiting hospitals.

Also to be included are a salute to our working K-9 and handlers, pet first aid, care & safety seminars, feral cat initiatives, vegetarian meetups, low cost vaccinations, blessing for the animals, educational & tabling events and full-filled festivals for families to enjoy friendship, food, music on behalf of the always amazing animals and there is so much more is being planned!

Scores of precious lives will be saved and exciting new relationships will be built in communities during the dynamic week which will have approximately 100+events scheduled!

Please note events and activities will be added right up to the kick-off of the week. For more info call 877-454-0807.

Please see the website and learn how to become involved at http://www.pennsylvaniaanimals.org/

Governor Bredesen Proclaims 6th Tennessee Week for the Animals September 18-26, 2010!

2010-09-15T17:58:00.000-07:00

During this extraordinary week, community leaders and humane organizations across Tennessee will be hosting wonderful animal-related events. Educators, students, community leaders, businesses and caring citizens everywhere will be joining to celebrate and help animals!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Memphis, Tennessee) Animal World USA is pleased to announce the 6th Annual Tennessee Week for the Animals is scheduled from September 18-26, 2010. During the extraordinary governor-proclaimed week, animal shelters, humane groups, educational institutions and non-profit organizations across the state will be hosting wonderful animal-related special events which will be saving lives, building relationships, helping animals and strengthening communities throughout the state. Educators, students, leaders, businesses and caring citizens across the state will be joining in to celebrate and help animals.

Events will include adoption events across the state, low cost & free spay/neuter events, R.E.A.D. dog programs in libraries, low cost microchipping, book donations and author signings, blessings of the animals, student activities for the animals, special law and cruelty seminar, animal care presentations, motorcycle rides to benefit shelter animals, concerts for homeless animals, horse adoption events, pet food donations, dinner theater benefit events, farm animal sanctuary events, nature activities, wildlife center outdoor activities, bird tours, donation drives, dog washes to benefit shelters and therapy animals visiting hospitals and living-assisted homes.

Also to be included are a salute to our working & military K-9 and handlers, care & safety seminars, educational & tabling events and full-filled festivals for families to enjoy friendship, food, music on behalf of the always amazing animals and there is so much more is being planned! Scores of precious lives will be saved and exciting new relationships will be built in communities everywhere during the dynamic week.

Please note events and activities will be added right up to the kick-off of the week. For more info or to schedule an event, call 901-454-0807 or email info@animalworldusa.org Please see the website and learn how to become involved at http://www.tennesseeanimals.org/

Urge Your Senators to Pass the Truth in Fur Labeling Act

2010-09-01T06:10:00.000-07:00

by Mat Thomas, www.animalrighter.org

Way back in 1951, federal legislators ratified the Fur Products Labeling Act requiring retailers to indicate whether the clothing they sell has been made from actual animal pelts. However, under industry pressure, Congress conceded that stores could still stock clothing containing $150 or less worth of fur without such labels.
For nearly six decades, this legal loophole has effectively left consumers unaware that their purchases may be supporting cruelty to animals.

Congress passed their original fur labeling rule well before the technological advent of synthetic fur production, the popularity of fur trim and dyed fur in fashion design, and the development of society's widespread ethical concern about animals killed for clothing.

The law is therefore long overdue for a 21st century makeover that would bring it up to speed with the changed times. The U.S. House of Representatives recently did their part to rectify this oversight by approving the Truth in Fur Labeling Act (H.R. 2480), and now it's the Senate's turn to finish the job by passing their version of the bill (S. 1076).

In this day and age, when at least as many animals are skinned for fur-trimmed garments as body-length coats, and few people can tell the difference between real and faux furs, many thousands of consumers unknowingly buy fur clothing and accessories because they assume that if they aren't labeled as such, they must be fake.

Yet the reality today is that about one in eight genuine animal fur garments are legally unlabeled—and while most of these come from rabbits, weasels, raccoons, or raccoon dogs, some are actually made from dogs and cats slaughtered in China, where animal welfare laws are virtually non-existent. Selling canine and feline fur in the U.S. has been illegal since 2000, but the aforementioned legal loophole makes enforcement of this ban almost impossible.

With federal laws lacking the teeth to keep consumers fully informed, some state governments have taken effective action to close the disclosure gap. The California legislature recently passed a comprehensive fur labeling bill, and if Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signs it, the Golden State will become the nation's sixth to require accurate product labeling. He has until October 1st to decide, so California voters are encouraged to call him before then at 916-445-2841 voicing their support.

As for the pending federal Truth in Fur Labeling Act, Representatives first proposed this bill in March 2006—meaning it's taken four and a half years to pass, and if the Senate doesn't approve their version during the current congressional session, compassionate lawmakers will have to start all over again from square one next time around.

Fortunately, S. 1076 has 33 committed co-sponsors, so (with Senators Robert Menendez and Susan Collins, who co-authored the bill) more than one-third of the entire U.S. Senate already supports it. Now we just have to get the rest of them on board.

Take Action

Please ask your two U.S. Senators to co-sponsor and vote in favor of S. 1076 by calling them through the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121.

Reiki for our Animals

2010-08-28T07:39:00.000-07:00

by Ruby Fayed

Reiki (pronounced Ray-key) comes from the Japanese Rei and Ki meaning spiritually guided life energy. Reiki for dogs is a form of spiritual healing that helps harmonize the mind, body, and soul of your pet. It can be used as a treatment for relaxation as well as a tool for releasing negative emotions and limitations.

Reiki for dogs can treat many ailments that may be currently inhibiting your dog, whether noticeable to you or not. It can reduce stress, relieve pain, headaches, stomach upsets, asthma, back problems, sinus, respiratory problems, canine hip dysplasia, anxiety and many more. After performing your first session with your pet, you will see instant results of using Reiki for your dog.

Reiki for dogs is performed with a fixed set of hand positions. Each position is formed to create a specific desired energy outcome to ultimately bring your dog into balance. To understand how to use Reiki for your dog it is important to know the different charkas that are connected to the physical organs of the body as well as the aura.

There are seven centers of energy in your pet. Reiki for dogs focuses on changing the energy from one center to another to bring about balance. The hand positions control the Chi and ultimately free your dog’s aura while allowing for a continual energy flow. The seven centers consist of the Root chakra, Navel chakra, Solar Plexus chakra, Heart chakra, Throat chakra, Third eye, and the Crown chakra. These charkas are specifically connected to different glands in your dog. Reiki for your dog will make the glands release hormones directly into the blood stream and control all aspects of your dogs daily activities and healthy thinking.

Freeing the aura is a major part of using Reiki for dogs. Before Reiki, your dog’s aura might only extend a few decimeters outside the body. After performing Reiki on your dog its aura will resonate about 2-3 meters. There are several different layers of body in the aura that Reiki will expose for your dog.

Physical Body: the most tangible part of your dog’s body. Here, Reiki for your dog will ease some of the most common fears about the physical body-sickness, aging and death.

Etheric Body: connected to the Root chakra, it is made up of a thin invisible layer that is only 2 cm thick that surrounds your dog’s body. This is where the energy is reflected when Reiki for your dog gets it flowing from chakra to chakra. Many of your dog’s dreams are found here.

Emotional Body: connected to the Navel chakra it serves as an egg shaped emotion reflector that contains the other two bodies. Emotions like hope, happiness, love, anger, and sorrow are all found here. Reiki for your dog can release these emotions from past problems your dog has suppressed and create an empty canvas for your dog to express freely.

Mental Body: connected to the Solar Plexus chakra, reflects logic, mind, and intelligent thinking. Reiki for dogs helps shape their reality.

Astral Body: the bridge between the spiritual realm and the physical world. Reiki for dogs will help them express unconditional love.

Etheric Template Body: connected to the Throat chakra, this is where your dog has its thought processes. Reiki for your dog will connect its past, and present to its future.

Celestial Body: connected to the third eye chakra, mirrors the subconscious mind. It uses your dog’s intuition to bring about higher feelings. Reiki for your dog will allow your pet to have a love that goes beyond individual to universal.

Casual Body: connected to the Crown chakra, is the last body where the initial creative impulses begin. Reiki for your dog will have your dog’s soul communicating with its conscious mind and mental body.

Reiki for your dog is a gentle but powerful healer. It will balance your dog’s energy, organs, and glands. Reiki for dogs has proven to strengthen immune systems, relieve pain, clears toxins, and enhances personal awareness while relaxing your dog.

Author: Ruby Fayed

Former Vick Dog Heals Hearts

2010-08-24T06:02:00.000-07:00

Speak clearly, if you speak at all; carve every word before you let it fall. -- Oliver Wendell Holmes

By Randi Bildner

Words are tools that wield incredible power; used effectively they can make a positive contribution to society. Unfortunately, sensationalism and the promise of the sale can skew reality and turn innocent statements into dangerous rhetoric.

Such is the case for the sad situation facing many pit bulls in this country and around the globe.

Leo is the name Certified Dog Trainer Marthina McClay chose for the American Pit Bull Terrier who made his way into her loving arms on December 16, 2007. McClay rehabilitated the animal,and then, in just five short weeks, turned him into a therapy dog. His name (a reference to “Leo the Cowardly Lion”) was chosen as a testament to his meek demeanor—a sharp contrast to the public perception of the pit bull.

McClay’s accomplishments would be impressive for any dog or any trainer for that matter— but Leo is not your average canine.

In April 2007, Leo, along with 50 other pit bulls, made worldwide news when he was confiscated from suspended NFL player Michael Vick’s home in Smithfield, Virginia. Evidence indicated that Vick was running a full fledged dog fighting ring under the guise Bad Newz Kennels.

Now serving much-deserved time in prison for the atrocities committed on his property, the former football star is also digging deep (by court order) into his well-padded pockets to pay to rehabilitate this once-fighting dog Leo along with the 47 other remaining dogs who have been sent to trainers and sanctuaries around the country.

It is important to note: of the 50 dogs confiscated at Vick’s property only one was deemed too aggressive for rehabilitation. Unfortunately, one additional dog was euthanized when it was discovered he was suffering from cancer.

Well aware of the media’s uncanny ability to misrepresent facts about pit bulls to create sensational headlines, McClay is extremely protective of Leo’s reputation. It became her mission to make it impossible to misread Leo’s intentions. McClay cleverly dresses Leo in a clown collar when he is “on the job,” visiting oncology wards and other medical institutions.

Leo’s intentions are undeniably clear as he places his huge head on the lap of a distressed patient. With deep, soulful eyes he peers directly into their hearts, causing them to muster a smile. For a few moments, all is well with the world—as Leo brings light to someone facing a dark day.

Each time the media puts a negative spin on a story to grab a headline; it is a tacit endorsement of the people who are part of this unsavory sub-culture. McClay points out, “With each misstatement these dogs are being pushed further underground and away from society.”

McClay is the founder of Ourpack.org, a San Francisco-based organization that rehabilitates pit bulls— including “fight bust dogs” like Leo. McClay credits these dogs in particular for teaching her much about the world of dog fighting.

What McClay learned is contrary to what most people believe and would be very surprised to hear: these dogs do not want to fight. McClay states, “The fear in their eyes clearly tells the story,” saying, “The dogs are shoved and pushed into the ring or pit leaving them no place to go.” According to McClay, dog fighting is something dogs are forced to do by horrible means and do not enjoy.

The understanding gained from fight bust dogs supported what McClay observed throughout her years of experience, confirming her theory: insecurity, fear and in some cases lack of socialization were often incorrectly interpreted as aggression.

Ironically, McClay believes that Leo is the most balanced American Pit Bull Terrier she has ever known, saying, “He is extremely confident with people; his behavior clearly showed that he did not want to fight.” Leo shows his love for his fellow canines too. He now resides with McClay along with two additional pit bulls and a Chihuahua Pug mix.

Calling pit bulls “biddable”—willing to do what is asked and very obedient—they are actually loyal to a fault, which it the very tendency that can lead to trouble when placed in the wrong hands.

With proper assessment and training many pit bulls can thrive as therapy dogs.

McClay states, “One thing you can’t teach a dog is to want to love; this is simply in their nature; you can’t just make a therapy dog.” Unlike fighting, love is innate; it is something that cannot be taught.

Leo’s work is a multi-faceted service. Not only does he bring joy to those in difficult situations, he is showing the world what he is all about. He clearly demonstrates the fact that when nurtured and loved, pit bulls can make an incredible contribution to the world.

Additional credentials:
Marthina McClay, CPDT
AKC Certified CGC Evaluator
Certified Tester/Observer
for Therapy Dogs, Inc.
Animal Behavior College Mentor Trainer

www.ourpack.org
www.dogtrainingforpeople.com

Visit Randi Bildner's wonderful website The Bully Beat http://thebullybeat.org/

Photo courtesy of Stephanie Lam of Our Pack

Governor Doyle Proclaims 2nd Annual Wisconsin Week for the Animals August 14-22, 2010

2010-08-11T15:23:00.000-07:00

During this extraordinary week, community leaders and humane organizations across Wisconsin will be hosting wonderful animal-related events. Educators, students, businesses and caring citizens everywhere will be joining to celebrate and help animals!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Madison, Wisconsin) Animal World USA is pleased to announce Governor Jim Doyle has officially proclaimed 2nd Wisconsin Week for the Animals August 14-22, 2010. During the exciting week, animal shelters, rescue groups, and humane organizations across the state will be hosting wonderful animal-related special events which will be saving lives, building relationships, helping animals and strengthening communities throughout the state.

Educators, students, businesses and caring citizens across the state will be joining in to celebrate and help animals. National Homeless Animals Day falls on the 3rd Saturday of every August which means it will be celebrated on August 21 during Wisconsin Week!

Events will include adoption events across the state, spay/neuter events, R.E.A.D. dog programs in libraries, doggie swims/dips, puppy mill awareness activities, book donations and author signings, animal communication presentations, BINGO for homeless animals, feral cat education, horse events, pet food donations, critter camps, wildlife activities, bird tours/activities, donation drives, dog washes to benefit shelters and therapy animals visiting hospitals.

Also to be included are a salute to our working K-9 and handlers, pet first aid, care & safety seminars, feral cat initiatives, vegetarian meetups, low cost vaccinations, blessing for the animals, educational & tabling events and full-filled festivals for families to enjoy friendship, food, music on behalf of the always amazing animals and there is so much more is being planned! Scores of precious lives will be saved and exciting new relationships will be built during the exciting week.

For more info or to schedule an event, call 877-454-0807 or email info@animalworldusa.org Please read the proclamation on official website and learn how to become involved at http://wisconsinanimals.org/

# # #

About Animal World USA: Inspiring, educating and empowering communities to understand, love and protect the amazing animals of our world.

DAKTARI Bush School & Wildlife Orphanage

2010-08-10T15:53:00.000-07:00

Passionate about wildlife and aware that education in environment preservation is a real need, and Ian and Michele Merrifield created this new initiative in conservation awareness with Daktari Bush School & Wildlife Orphanage.

The mission of Daktari is to inspire, motivate, develop and educate underprivileged children to care for the environment through the medium of a wildlife orphanage.

Firstly, Daktari is a refuge for the orphaned and injured animals from the local game reserves. These animals are examined by a specialised vet and can recover at Daktari before being rehabilitated in their natural habitat. However, if their health condition does not make it possible, they are then kept at Daktari where they will be looked after and will play an essential role in education of the local underprivileged children and many other people.

Then, Daktari is an environmental educational centre. It targets underprivileged children. Most of the local children have never seen a giraffe or a lion, and have not developed any emotion towards animal welfare. They live in rural areas where wildlife has been removed many many years ago, and although they live near the Kruger National Park and many private nature game reserves, access to these places is out of their reach.

The wildlife is their heritage too! Poaching and habitat destruction are a reality and have a far-reaching detrimental impact on the environment. It is essential for conservation that the future generations be educated in the economic and spiritual necessity for compassion, care and protection of the environment.

Every Monday Daktari welcomes a new group of 8 local underprivileged children and 1 youth for a week and give them the opportunity to discover, learn and become passionate about wildlife and conservation, their heritage. Michele says, "We also supplement their school curriculum in English, maths, sciences, geography, life skills and social issues."

Michele continues, "Our goal is to enable today’s local underprivileged children to eventually be able to secure good employment in nature reserves, thereby improving their future quality of life."

Daktari welcomes international volunteers to help with the education and the care of the animals. Their financial participation for their stay goes toward the running cost of the project and Daktari receive private and corporate donation.

If you would like to support the cause or become a volunteer, please contact Ian and Michele at info@daktaribushschool.or or visit their website www.daktaribushschool.org

The non-profit organisation is registered as such under Section 21 (incorporated the 21/06/2002, registration number 2002/015279/08). It is situated on a 700 hectare private game reserve not far from the Kruger National Park in South Africa.

Animal World USA-International says, "Thank you from the bottom of our hearts to Daktari for celebrating the 1st Africa Weeks for the Animals August 2-15, 2010!"

Daktari Bush School & Wildlife Orphanage
Bona Ingwe Farm, Harmony 81 Hoedspruit 1380
South Africa
Tel: +27826562969
Email info@daktaribushschool.org
Website: daktaribushschool.org

Lilongwe SPCA Rabies Vaccination Campaign August 9th

2010-08-07T17:49:00.000-07:00

Lilongwe SPCA Rabies Vaccination Campaign on Monday 9th August
Lilongwe City
Malawi
S.E. Africa

LSPCA is running Join Rabies Vaccination campaign in the whole of Lilongwe City 9th of August. Be ready to bring your Companion Animals for Rabies Vaccination on 9th August 2010. Remember to bring your last year vaccination Certificates. For those who can help with a financial donation to help Lilongwe SPCA carry out this campaign, please do so. They are helping so many suffering and needy animals.

See their facebook page which can be accessed off their wonderful website
(see about us page).
http://www.lilongwespca.org/about.html

Lilongwe Society for the Protection and Care of Animals
Private Bag 151, Lilongwe Malawi
General information: noplacelikehome@lilongwespca.org
To adopt or rehome: adopt@lilongwespca.org
Volunteering: volunteer@lilongwespca.org
Telephone: (+265)01762555 Mobile: (+265)995550560

LILONGWE SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION AND CARE OF ANIMALS, VET DEPARTMENT still maintain the price of K150.00 per dog/cat.

LSPCA was started in August 2008 by a group of local Malawians and ex-pats concerned about the poor conditions for some animals in Malawi. RSPCA International, based in the UK, helped us with the initial costs to enable us to start our veterinary clinics and education programme. We also developed strong partnerships with the government who continue to support our work.

The Republic of Malawi is a landlocked country in southeast Africa that was formerly known as Nyasaland. It is bordered by Zambia to the northwest, Tanzania to the northeast, and Mozambique on the east, south and west. The country is separated from Tanzania and Mozambique by Lake Malawi.

1st Africa Week for the Animals August 2-15, 2010
http://www.africaanimals.org/

1st Africa Weeks for the Animals August 2-15, 2010!

2010-07-30T05:53:00.000-07:00

(Lukasa, Zambia) Animal World USA-International is pleased to announce that the 1st Africa Weeks for the Animals has kicked off Monday, August 2, 2010. It will be celebrated through Sunday, August 15th. This time will highlight the importance that African animals play in our world and help African organizations to help the animals.

The weeks are designed to celebrate and build awareness on behalf of Africa's animals, as well as recognize all who support them. 1st Africa Weeks for the Animals is bringing together educators, advocates, humane organizations, sanctuaries, students, community leaders, and caring citizens in an important week of activities. Children are a big part of the week and will be featured in many ways. Entertainers are lending their talents for the animals, as well.

Art of Conservation, Inc is creating artwork in honor of the 1st Africa Weeks for the Animals. Founder Julie Ghrist, a beautiful soul and founder, is encouraging the young ones and sharing their beautiful artwork on their website. They started on August 2nd and will be creating artwork everyday! We are so grateful and our hearts are filled with joy seeing their inspiring work. Visit http://artforgorillas.wildlifedirect.org/

The weeks will also feature festivals and events, educational activities, animal watching/walking tours, farm animal day, camel festival, blessing of the animals, low cost vaccination/spay and neuter opportunities, gorilla tours, feral cat spay initiative, young people creating art and/or essays about primates, golf day benefit for homeless animals, charity dinner for wildlife, initiative to help stop the highway propsed through the Serengheti, book sales for homeless dogs and more! The events will shine the spotlight on the amazing animals and compassionate people of Africa.

If you would like to learn more, become involved, organize an event, please call 877-454-0807 or visit the official website at http://africaanimals.org/
You may also learn more about the AWUSA-International Weeks campaign at http://www.animalworldusa.org/

Uganda has a baby rhino called OBAMA!

2010-07-22T06:07:00.000-07:00

by Angie Genade, Executive Director of Rhino Fund Uganda

Uganda has a baby rhino called OBAMA? I run a rhino sanctuary in Uganda which is the home to the only wild rhino in Uganda (please visit our website www.rhinofund.org) where you will get a lot of information and pictures.

Rhino were poached to extinction in Uganda by 1982 and we currently have 6 adult Southern Whites and 3 babies on our sanctuary. All three the babies were born on the sanctuary under totally natural circumstances. Our rhino roam on a 7000ha sanctuary and are protected by rangers 24 hours a day. We are an NGO and rely on funding. And do make a bit of money by offering on foot rhino tracking to tourists which everyone loves.

Obama was our first baby born in Uganda in 28 years and was born on the 24th June 2009. He was named Obama because his mother (Nandi) was donated By Disney Animal Kingdom in the USA (she was born there) and his father came from Kenya. Seeing that, he made the history as he did here in Uganda.

And his and President Obama’s parents coming from the same places, we just had to name him Obama. Of course, we also hoped that the American people would enjoy this story and assist with funding over here (which unfortunately has not happened yet but we are hoping will happen).

So that is the news from this end. All three babies are doing well, and Nandi has mated again with our dominant male Taleo. Taleo is also currently courting the next female Bella. It seems we are in for another baby boom here in 16 months time.

Editor's note: Visit the website to learn how to help this wonderful organization help the rhinos. See other sweet photos of Obama the rhino and his mom at http://www.rhinofund.org/meetrhinos.htm

1st Annual Africa Weeks for the Animals is coming August 2-15, 2010!
http://www.africaanimals.org/

Angie Genade
Executive Director
Rhino Fund Uganda
Rhino Sanctuary
www.rhinofund.org
(+256 77 271 3410)
P.O Box 71020
Kampala, Uganda

Information on Flea & Tick Products

2010-07-21T09:29:00.000-07:00

Information on Flea & Tick Products for your Companion Animals

To help minimize incidents that may be caused by product misuse, EPA is reminding consumers to always carefully read and follow all instructions on the label for these products.

Safety Tips To Remember:

-Consult your veterinarian about the best way to to protect your pets from fleas and ticks and whether pesticides are even needed.

-Use extra care before use on weak, aged, medicated, sick, pregnant, or nursing pets, or on pets that have previously shown signs of sensitivity to pesticide products.

-If you use a spot-on product or any other pesticide on your pet, carefully read and follow the product label.

-Use flea and tick control products only on the animal specified by the product label - for example, dog products for dogs only and cat products for cats only.

-Follow any label prohibitions against use on weak, aged, medicated, sick, pregnant, or nursing pets, or on pets that have previously shown sensitivity to pesticide products. Apply only the amount indicated for the size of the animal being treated.
Do not apply to kittens or puppies unless the product label specifically allows this treatment. Pay attention to the age restrictions for puppies and kittens on the label.

-Monitor your pet for side effects or signs of sensitivity after applying the product, particularly when using the product on your pet for the first time. Do not apply spot-ons to pets known to be sensitive to pesticide products.
If your pet experiences an adverse reaction, immediately bathe the pet with mild soap and rinse with large amounts of water.

-Keep the package with the product container (such as individual applicator tubes). Also keep the package after treatment in case adverse effects occur. You will want to have the instructions at hand, as well as contact information for the manufacturer.

For more information, please visit the EPA website at (http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/flea-tick.htm#safety)

A Tale of Two Pitties— Unlikely bond shared by two neglected pit bulls.

2010-06-19T14:14:00.000-07:00

By Randi Bildner

A summer of broken hearts leads to a spring of renewed spirit.

In August 2009 the collective hearts of New Mexico’s “animal community” broke as we said goodbye to Salvador, the beloved yellow pit bull and resident of Kindred Spirits Animal Sanctuary.

Salvador left a legacy of love for all who were lucky enough to know him. While saddened to learn that this wonderful creature had crossed the Rainbow Bridge, visions of his magnificent smile linger, while lessons of forgiveness remain deeply ingrained in our souls.

Salvador arrived at Kindred Sprits by way of The Santa Fe Humane Society; his severe injuries were consistent with those of a bait dog used in fighting.

Love, patience and the ability to “know” he was safe restored Salvador’s spirit.

One cannot help but reflect upon the memory of Salvador’s noble character when meeting Trooper—it is impossible not to draw a parallel about the forgiving nature of the dog.

Named for his incredible will to live and persevere, now it’s Trooper’s time to teach. His sweet temperament allows us to marvel at the depth of the canine spirit once again.

Found wandering in Valencia County on June 4, 2010, Trooper’s face was swollen beyond recognition. Blood and ticks had gathered in such dense proportion it was difficult for authorities to tell what breed he was.

Trooper’s wounds suggest that he too was used as a bait dog for fighting. Evidence reveals that Trooper’s mouth had been wired shut (a tactic used by dog-fighters) to prevent him from retaliating against aggressive attackers.

Veterinarians state that Trooper’s collar had become embedded in his neck (a result of being on the dog for too long). A deep gash and pools of blood indicate the collar was ripped off the dog before his rescue.

Lynne Vito of Jemez Springs Animal Amigos states,“ When found, the dog’s ribs bulged through his body from lack of food and he was covered with ticks.”

Patty Mugan, Animal Control Technician for Valencia County found Trooper a wonderful foster home with Claire Leonard where he could mend while awaiting permanent placement. This serendipitous occurrence provides another link between the two dogs. Leonard (a volunteer for Kindred Spirits) knows first hand about the recuperative power of love as well as the resilient nature of the dog.

As part of her duties at Kindred Spirits she personally cared for Salvador. Leonard was very happy to report that Trooper is thriving under her care. Incredulous, she states that Trooper shows no bitterness towards people or other animals. “He is simply happy; he loves playing with toys and has not stopped wagging his tail.”

They say, “time heals all wounds” and this adage proves true with regard to Trooper’s physical injuries. But once again it is the dog’s uncanny ability to forgive that transcends time— and above all— human comprehension.

Information:

Animal Protection of New Mexico (APNM) is offering up to $5000 as a reward for information leading to the arrest of Trooper’s abusers.

Animal Protection of New Mexico’s Cruelty Hotline: (505) 821-9142
Attorney General’s Task Force Hotline: (877) 5 HUMANE, (877) 548-6263

Donations:
Jemez Springs Animal Amigos
PO Box 333
Jemez Springs, NM 87025
www.animalamigos.petfinder.org
(888) 828-JVAA (5822)

A forever home for Trooper is pending.

The Singularity: Building the Perfect Beast?

2010-06-16T08:12:00.000-07:00

Near-future visions of hi-tech human and animal lifeforms

from Mat Thomas
Some scientists believe that, within the next three decades, humanity will reach an evolutionary turning point called the Singularity when we create a living, conscious intelligence that is superior to our own. This history-making event will essentially usher a new and unprecedented species into existence—a race of TransHumans who would be ultra-intelligent, virtually immortal and perhaps physically unrecognizable.

Though it’s still much more science fiction than actual fact, some researchers (and billionaire investors) believe the Singularity is not only possible but inevitable. Technocrats speculate that the convergence of exponential advances in genetics, artificial intelligence, robotics, nanotechnology, cybernetics, cloning, and other inconceivably-complex disciplines will someday allow people to synthetically enhance their minds, bodies and lifespans beyond the narrow limits that nature has otherwise imposed upon us mere mortals.

Among the more mundane proposals: surgically implanting fully-integrated microprocessors in humans’ brains, growing vital organs in test tubes, designing smart swarms of nanobot doctors that can routinely cure life-threatening diseases, and downloading people’s memories and personalities onto hard drives so they can “live” forever on the digital plane.

While it seems that their supreme goal is to turn humans into real-life superheroes (or perhaps demigods), Singularity scientists certainly don’t confine their theoretical “improvements” to us Homo sapiens. They claim that tomorrow’s pets, for instance, will also be custom-made in the lab—from parts of different animals, that is, and perhaps spliced with human DNA. The chimeras of mythology (from mermaids to unicorns) could then be made flesh-and-blood, along with freaky Frankenpets like furry fish, flying cats and feathered dogs.

And then there are the cyborg species: animals with bionic bodies and computerized brains designed for military security and surveillance. The Army has already fitted insects with electrodes connected to tiny circuit boards and radio receivers that allow human operators to remote-control their flight patterns. As for the Singularity’s impact on farm animals, factory farms already harbor mutants who’ve been genetically selected for commercially exploitable characteristics like rapid growth and oversized body parts. However, the Singularity could enable bioengineers to manufacture farm animals who are even more “adapted” to the artificial assembly line environment, like featherless hens, pigs with toes for standing on concrete floors, and cows with stretchy silicone udders.

On the plus side perhaps, Singularity technology could also be the key to mass-producing meat in vitro, which could conceivably end factory farming (and the suffering it causes). Yet, for all their forward-thinking, Singularity scientists appear to have no more ethical concern for animals than their more traditional colleagues—even though the realization of their ideas could visit new and even greater forms of pain on other species by changing their very nature. Indeed, they could construct self-aware creatures who, lacking legal rights, are just as exploited as today’s animals.

On that dire note, here’s hoping humanity’s techno-transcendence is accompanied by an ethical Singularity of planetary mass consciousness-awakening. Ultimately, without greater understanding and respect for life itself, our evolutionary leap forward will merely lead us from the frying pan into the fire.

The Story of Leo

2010-06-07T06:28:00.000-07:00

Former Vick dog heals hearts

Speak clearly, if you speak at all; carve every word before you let it fall. -- Oliver Wendell Holmes

By Randi Bildner

Words are tools that wield incredible power; used effectively they can make a positive contribution to society. Unfortunately, sensationalism and the promise of the sale can skew reality and turn innocent statements into dangerous rhetoric.

Such is the case for the sad situation facing many pit bulls in this country and around the globe.

Leo is the name Certified Dog Trainer Marthina McClay chose for the American Pit Bull Terrier who made his way into her loving arms on December 16, 2007. McClay rehabilitated the animal,and then, in just five short weeks, turned him into a therapy dog. His name (a reference to “Leo the Cowardly Lion”) was chosen as a testament to his meek demeanor—a sharp contrast to the public perception of the pit bull.

McClay’s accomplishments would be impressive for any dog or any trainer for that matter— but Leo is not your average canine.

In April 2007, Leo, along with 50 other pit bulls, made worldwide news when he was confiscated from suspended NFL player Michael Vick’s home in Smithfield, Virginia. Evidence indicated that Vick was running a full fledged dog fighting ring under the guise Bad Newz Kennels.

Now serving much-deserved time in prison for the atrocities committed on his property, the former football star is also digging deep (by court order) into his well-padded pockets to pay to rehabilitate this once-fighting dog Leo along with the 47 other remaining dogs who have been sent to trainers and sanctuaries around the country.

It is important to note: of the 50 dogs confiscated at Vick’s property only one was deemed too aggressive for rehabilitation. Unfortunately, one additional dog was euthanized when it was discovered he was suffering from cancer.

Well aware of the media’s uncanny ability to misrepresent facts about pit bulls to create sensational headlines, McClay is extremely protective of Leo’s reputation. It became her mission to make it impossible to misread Leo’s intentions. McClay cleverly dresses Leo in a clown collar when he is “on the job,” visiting oncology wards and other medical institutions.

Leo’s intentions are undeniably clear as he places his huge head on the lap of a distressed patient. With deep, soulful eyes he peers directly into their hearts, causing them to muster a smile. For a few moments, all is well with the world—as Leo brings light to someone facing a dark day.

Each time the media puts a negative spin on a story to grab a headline; it is a tacit endorsement of the people who are part of this unsavory sub-culture. McClay points out, “With each misstatement these dogs are being pushed further underground and away from society.”

McClay is the founder of Ourpack.org, a San Francisco-based organization that rehabilitates pit bulls— including “fight bust dogs” like Leo. McClay credits these dogs in particular for teaching her much about the world of dog fighting.

What McClay learned is contrary to what most people believe and would be very surprised to hear: these dogs do not want to fight. McClay states, “The fear in their eyes clearly tells the story,” saying, “The dogs are shoved and pushed into the ring or pit leaving them no place to go.” According to McClay, dog fighting is something dogs are forced to do by horrible means and do not enjoy.

The understanding gained from fight bust dogs supported what McClay observed throughout her years of experience, confirming her theory: insecurity, fear and in some cases lack of socialization were often incorrectly interpreted as aggression.

Ironically, McClay believes that Leo is the most balanced American Pit Bull Terrier she has ever known, saying, “He is extremely confident with people; his behavior clearly showed that he did not want to fight.” Leo shows his love for his fellow canines too. He now resides with McClay along with two additional pit bulls and a Chihuahua Pug mix.

Calling pit bulls “biddable”—willing to do what is asked and very obedient—they are actually loyal to a fault, which it the very tendency that can lead to trouble when placed in the wrong hands.

With proper assessment and training many pit bulls can thrive as therapy dogs.

McClay states, “One thing you can’t teach a dog is to want to love; this is simply in their nature; you can’t just make a therapy dog.” Unlike fighting, love is innate; it is something that cannot be taught.

Leo’s work is a multi-faceted service. Not only does he bring joy to those in difficult situations, he is showing the world what he is all about. He clearly demonstrates the fact that when nurtured and loved, pit bulls can make an incredible contribution to the world.

Additional credentials:
Marthina McClay, CPDT
AKC Certified CGC Evaluator
Certified Tester/Observer
for Therapy Dogs, Inc.
Animal Behavior College Mentor Trainer

www.ourpack.org
www.dogtrainingforpeople.com

Visit Randi Bildner's wonderful website The Bully Beat http://thebullybeat.org/

Photo courtesy of Stephanie Lam of Our Pack

Pilots N Paws Organizing a fly-in on June 20th

2010-06-02T15:32:00.000-07:00

Fly-In to save lives is scheduled for June 20, 2010.

Pilots N Paws is having a fly-in on June 20th. There is a list of locations where pilots are coming from and flying back. The flights are free, completely volunteer, and all you will need to do is meet the pilot at the airport to pick up your animals!

The website for Pilots N Paws is www.pilotsnpaws. org

The list of locations are as follows:
-St. Augustine, FL
-Bessemer City, NC
-Emmitsburg, MD
-Lexington, KY
-Heath Springs,SC
-Flagstaff, AZ (flying commercially, could take small in cabin animal)
-Meansville, GA
-Midland, MI
-Chesapeake, VA
-Waxhaw, NC
-Knoxville, TN
-Williamsburg, VA
-Kansas City, MO
-Athens,GA
-Memphis, TN
-Baltimore, MD
-Norwalk, CT
-Gettysburg , PA
-Savannah, GA
-Chattanooga, TN

Their website is intended to be a meeting place for those who rescue, shelter or foster animals, and pilots and plane owners willing to assist with the transportation of animals. It is not the intent of Pilots N Paws to coordinate or arrange those providing these valuable services, but to provide the environment in which those involved can come together in a common place and arrange or schedule rescue flights, overnight foster care or shelter and all other related activities.
Website is http://pilotsnpaws.org/
Facebook is http://www.facebook.com/pilotsnpawsfanpage

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Nurse Mare Foals: Thoroughbred Horseracing's Invisible Victims

2010-05-19T06:37:00.000-07:00

by Mat Thomas - www.animalrighter.org

For decades, the thoroughbred racehorse industry has practiced a shockingly cruel breeding method that activists have only recently brought to light. The result of this compulsory procreative procedure are nurse mare foals — the unwanted offspring of female horses used as nursing surrogates for thoroughbred ponies. Every year, tens of thousands of these horses are killed or orphaned simply because they are useless to a multi-million dollar enterprise that thrives on equine exploitation.

Here's how it works: in order to get thoroughbred mares to produce as many potential racehorse champions as possible, breeders push their biological limits to extremes by forcing them to reproduce once a year. Maximizing productivity requires breeders to have the mares reimpregnated right after giving birth, which precludes them from nursing their own babies. The newborns are therefore taken away from their mothers within days of delivery, and nursed by surrogate mares (of “inferior” breeds) who have just given birth to their own offspring — the “by-products” of this process are known as nurse mare foals.

Permanently separating thoroughbred babies from their mothers is tragic enough, but nurse mare foals usually face a far worse fate. While some are killed soon after being born or starved to death, others are sold (as young as one day old) to the tanning industry which slaughters them and turns their skin into handbags, belts, and other high-grade leather products.

The lucky ones are rescued by horse advocacy groups, which, just like the tanners, must pay the going rate of $250 to $350 apiece — and then spend several hundred more dollars feeding and raising each horse until they are ready for adoption.

Rescuers nourish nurse mare foals by bottle-feeding them milk replacer, which could theoretically be used to feed thoroughbred foals as well, thus eliminating this exceedingly inhumane breeding practice altogether.

There are two main reasons that they don't do this: formula is expensive, and horse breeders maintain that thoroughbreds need to drink real (albeit surrogate) mother's milk from the source to achieve peak performance. Plus, the larger nurse mare farms (concentrated in New York, Kentucky and Tennesee) produce 50 to 100 foals a year, and it is more operationally efficient to make the surrogate mothers do all the work rather than paying human caretakers to feed the foals by hand.

Another possible solution to producing unwanted foals is a new domperidone-based drug protocol that induces non-pregnant mares who have given birth before to lactate. Though chemically manipulating horses' hormones poses ethical dilemmas, in practical terms it would prevent tens of thousands of unwanted foals from being born into a life of suffering and untimely death. It could also dramatically reduce the number of surrogate nurse mares by enabling thoroughbreds who are too old for breeding to nurse foals.

There are many ways to help relieve the suffering of nurse mares and their orphaned foals, from urging elected legislators to pass humane laws to financially supporting horse advocacy organizations or adopting a rescued foal. Learn more about how to take action by visiting lastchancecorral.org

2nd Annual Washington DC Week for the Animals May 29-June 6, 2010!

2010-05-15T00:28:00.000-07:00

Animal World USA

(Washington, DC) Animal World USA is pleased to announce the 2nd Annual Washington DC Week for the Animals will kick off Saturday, May 29, 2010 and run through Sunday, June 6, 2010. The exciting celebration is again designed to celebrate and recognize the unique and life-changing role that animals play in the lives of citizens through all walks of life.

The week will underscore community spirit throughout the Washington, DC Metro area as people come together on behalf of the amazing animals. To further add to the excitement, the 23rd Washington Humane Society’s Bark Ball will take place June 5, 2010! George Washington Law School will once again host a wonderful law night, featuring a panel of leading attorneys and advocates, that will be transformative to all in attendance.

The 2nd Annual DC Week for the Animals will be bringing together educators, animal shelters, humane organizations, sanctuaries, restaurants, businesses, students, musicians, artists, community leaders, decision makers and caring citizens in an action-packed compassionate week of community activities for the animals! This extraordinary week will feature a multitude of awesome fun-filled pet adoption events, events for the farm animals, festivals and blessings of the animals, free and low cost spay/neuter opportunities, microchipping, unique ways to help the horses, library storytelling events, vaccinations, wildlife activities, pet therapy, pet food/supply donation opportunities to help local orgs, vegetarian get-togethers, a salute to the military and so much more!

Please feel free to contact us by phone and/or email. We will also be working with publishers to have books donated and education underscored in the metro communities.

Precious lives will be saved and communities transformed during this incredible week. The 2nd Annual Washington, DC Week for the Animals will build new relationships for the animals and save precious lives once again. Visit the official website for complete contact and event information at
http://www.dcanimals.org/

North Carolina Students say Thanks to Ft. Bragg K-9's and Handlers

2010-05-11T08:43:00.000-07:00

Irwin Intermediate School present thank you cards to the Ft. Bragg K-9's and Handlers!

During 3rd Annual North Carolina Week for the Animals which transpired May 1-9, 2010 Irwin Intermediate School made colorful cards for the Ft. Bragg soldiers and working K-9's. These sweet cards (as only young ones can create) were a way for the school to show their appreciation for the sacrifice and courage the soldiers and dogs give to our country.

Stacey Crawford, 6th Grade Teacher at Irwin Intermediate School in Fort Bragg, NC said "It was fantastic! Thank you for allowing our students to be a part of this special NC Week for Animals." Irwin Intermediate Teacher Deborah Popour also expressed her sincere gratitude.

The students were visited by two handlers from Ft. Bragg ...Sergeant Webster and Staff Sergeant Wade and of course coming along was one of the awesome working K-9's, Barron. After the visit, Sgt. Webster said, "It was great. It means a lot to us to receive the cards from the students. We don't normally on our daily business receive this feedback, and it really makes us know that we are appreciated."

A big thank you to Dr. Tim Howle, principal of Irwin Intermediate School and teachers who helped to coordinate this activity. Thanks to the students for creating the beautiful cards and taking the pictures.

This just serves to remind us all that when we say thank you it can changes lives. A salute to all our courageous troops wherever they are. Animal World USA also extends our gratitude and say "We love you!"

Tell Congress to Close Loopholes on Cruel Shark Finning

2010-05-03T06:58:00.000-07:00

by Mat Thomas, www.animalrighter.org

Every year, the world’s fishermen hack all the fins off of more than 100 million living sharks and dump their dismembered bodies back into the sea, leaving these massive fish to suffer an agonizing death that can take days. Some die from starvation, while others are slowly devoured by various predators, or simply suffocate because they cannot swim and sharks must remain in constant motion to keep oxygenated water flowing through their gills.

The driving force behind this aquatic atrocity is the growing global appetite for shark fin soup, a high-priced delicacy that is most popular in China, Japan and other far-east Asian nations. Shark fins fetch about $200 per pound, while shark meat only sells for less than one-tenth that price.

So it is economically profitable for fishing companies to simply chop sharks’ fins off and throw their mutilated bodies overboard because ships can only fit so much flesh in their refrigerated holds on long journeys out at sea.

The impact of this inhumane practice has been devastating to fragile oceanic ecosystems. Coupled with other slash-and-burn methods like long-line fishing, shark finning has caused a 90 percent decline in worldwide shark populations over the last half century.

And because sharks are the top apex predators of the deep, their dramatic disappearance has led to radically increased numbers of rays and skates, which devour shellfish at an unsustainable rate.

Fortunately, some people are taking effective action to counter the seafood industry’s wave of wanton destruction. When the Goldman Environmental Prize (widely considered the “Nobel” of environmental awards) recently recognized biologist Randall Arauz for his efforts to end shark finning in Costa Rica, the campaign against this abominable animal abuse achieved new levels of international awareness.

His undercover video documentation of a vessel finning 30,000 sharks ultimately led to a ban on the practice in his native country. Formerly the third largest exporter of shark meat, the law Costa Rica passed in 2006 has become a model for countries around the world to follow.

Momentum to prohibit shark finning by the U.S. fishing fleet is proceeding apace here, as well. Congress banned shark finning in 2000, but a loophole allows ships in the Pacific Ocean to bring shark fins to market as long as they weigh less than five percent of sharks’ “dressed” weight (i.e., the carcass minus its head and innards).

In March 2009, the House of Representatives passed a bill to make Pacific fisheries comply with the same rules as those operating in the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico. Passage of a Senate companion bill, entitled the Shark Conservation Act (S. 850), is all that’s needed to make it the law of the land (and sea).

What You Can Do
Please urge your two U.S. Senators to support and co-sponsor the Shark Conservation Act.
Also call and write President Obama urging him to aggressively promote an international ban on shark finning, as only 33 of the world’s nearly 200 countries have instituted regulations against the practice.

Governor Steve Beshear issues Official Letter of Support for Kentucky Week for the Animals

2010-04-08T07:44:00.000-07:00

(Frankfort, KY) Animal World USA is pleased to announce that Governor Steve Beshear has officially issued letter of support for 2nd Kentucky Week for the Animals coming up Saturday, April 10- Sunday, April 18, 2010.

The special week will kick off Saturday, April 10 and will highlight the importance that animals play in our lives and bring communities together on behalf of the animals throughout the great state of Kentucky.

The fun-filled week will feature awesome pet adoption festivals, pet therapy, library story-telling, horse events including the John Henry Memorial Equine Adoption Fair, pet food banks, Earth Day Festival, animal wellness programs, wildlife events and activities, 2nd Annual Fido Fiesta, low cost spay and neuter events, bowling for animals, vegetarian get-togethers, Wolf Run Refuge Spring Brunch, Kentucky Humane new campus grand opening, dog training classes, salute to the military and so very much more! All these events will shine the spotlight on the amazing animals and the compassionate people who love them.

Precious lives which will be saved and communities will be transformed during this week with a wide variety of animal-related events and activities. A list of events are scheduled on the website calendar, and more are being added daily.

If you would like to learn more and become involved, please call 877-454-0807 or visit the official website for complete info at http://kentuckyanimals.org/

California Lawmakers Consider Creating Animal Abuse Registry

2010-03-30T13:19:00.000-07:00

Online database would protect animals by identifying convicted felons.

by Mat Thomas, www.animalrighter.org

In November 2008, former Los Angeles County Assistant Fire Chief Glynn Johnson publicly beat his neighbor’s six-month-old puppy Karley (pictured) with a rock so viciously that she suffered skull fractures, a cracked jaw, collapsed nasal passages, a crushed ear canal, and broken-out teeth.

After the young German shepherd mix was determined unsavable and subsequently euthanized, Johnson was convicted of felony animal cruelty, and currently awaits sentencing. But what’s to prevent this known animal abuser from taking his aggression out on another defenseless victim the next time he becomes uncontrollably enraged?

Though it’s of little consolation to Karley or her aggrieved guardian, at least this tragedy has inspired one lawmaker, California senate majority leader Dean Florez, to introduce a measure that would prevent other animals from suffering similar fates.

If his proposed “Animal Abuse Registry” bill (SB1277) becomes law, it would institute a statewide database documenting cruelty cases that would enable law enforcement agencies, shelter staff and average citizens to track convicted felons and consequently keep them away from innocent animals.

Florez modeled his legislation on the sex offenders’ database pioneered in California that puts criminals’ addresses, places of employment, and photographs online, and now operates in all 50 states, successfully reducing recidivism among these dangerous deviants.

No doubt, the bill’s passage would be a major advance in the fight against animal cruelty. For one, it would enable shelters and breeders to ensure that they don’t adopt or sell animals to known abusers, including those who’ve been convicted of hoarding animals, running illegal animal fighting rings, operating disgraced puppy mills, and otherwise torturing, mutilating or killing animals.

And because animal cruelty has been conclusively linked with domestic violence, child abuse and even serial murders, it would also serve as an early warning system that would help police investigators to prevent other violent crimes.

However, while an animal abuse registry would certainly reduce cruelty cases by acting as both a deterrent and stopgap against violent behavior, some critics warn that it would violate offenders’ civil liberties by socially stigmatizing those who’ve already paid for their crimes with jail time.

Opponents also worry that making abusers’ whereabouts and criminal records public might encourage those who feel the convicted haven’t been adequately punished to pursue vigilante justice. Others claim that it is unfair to require animal guardians to finance the database’s creation and upkeep with a two-to-three-cent-per-pound tax on pet food, and that alternate funding methods like having felons pay a $50 fine will not raise enough money for the program’s maintenance.

Ultimately, however, what it boils down to is whether protecting the privacy of animal abusers is more important than saving animals’ lives. The Animal Legal Defense Fund, for one, hopes that California will become the first to publicly register animal abusers, and that other states will soon follow suit until a national database is firmly established.

The group’s website, www.exposeanimalabusers.org, encourages visitors to urge their state legislators to introduce their own bills, and features a video outlining the advantages of animal abuse registries.

To read more articles by Mat Thomas, please visit his wonderful website at www.animalrighter.org

Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal officially proclaims 2nd Louisiana Week for the Animals March 20- March 28, 2010!

2010-03-19T06:18:00.000-07:00

Action-packed week of activities planned for the animals!

(New Orleans, LA) Animal World USA is pleased to announce that Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal has officially proclaimed 2nd Louisiana Week for the Animals Saturday, March 20- Sunday, March 28, 2010. The special week will kick off Saturday and will highlight the importance that animals play in our lives and bring communities together on behalf of the animals throughout the great state of Louisiana.

This annual statewide event is designed to celebrate and build awareness on behalf of all animals, as well as, recognize the dedicated organizations and citizens who support them. The fun-filled week will feature SCORES of awesome pet adoption festivals and events, pet therapy in nursing homes and hospitals, school displays and activities, library story-telling and R.E.A.D. dog activities, nature center days where you can bring your dog, rabbit care days, Blue Dog sculpture gala event, blessings of the animals, Furry Fun Walk, EarthFest celebration, wine tasting, low cost spay and neuter events, bake sales, Animals in Art Exhibition at LSU School of Veterinary Medicine Library, Chimpanzee Discovery Day, special law seminar at Tulane University and so much more!

Precious lives which will be saved and communities will be transformed during this week with a wide variety of animal-related events and activities. A list of events are scheduled on the website calendar, and more are being added daily. If you would like to learn more, become involved or schedule an event, please call 877-454-0807 or visit the official website at http://www.louisianaanimals.org/

Five Easy Ways to Promote Good Cat Urinary Health

2010-03-09T12:20:00.000-08:00

By Darlene Norris

Are you frustrated and worried about the cat urinary problems your furball is having? Is a recurring cat bladder infection becoming a serious issue? Here are five simple ways you can help promote good cat urinary health for your feline friend.

Keeping Your Cat Healthy From The Inside Out

An excellent diet is the foundation of any health program. Most cat owners want the best for their kitties, so you should do your own research if you want to keep your cat healthy.

Ever wonder why cats don't seem to drink much water? It's because they're meant to get most of their water from their food. A cat in the wild eats mice and other prey animals. Since a mouse is over 90% water, our wild friend has already satisfied most of his water requirements.

When we take a cat out of his natural environment and feed him a low-moisture diet of dry food, we're heading for disaster in the form of cat bladder infection. High-quality canned food has a moisture level of around 75%, which is much closer to a natural diet.

Plenty Of Water Is Essential For Good Cat Urinary Health

Even if you're feeding a canned food, it's still essential to make sure your kitty has access to plenty of fresh, clean water. It's a proven fact that the best way to prevent cat urinary problems is to keep the water going through your cat. This prevents his urine from becoming too concentrated, and flushes out toxins that can lead to cat bladder stones.

Control Cat Stress

Cat stress has been linked to feline idiopathic cystitis, which is a bladder inflammation that doesn't seem to have a cause. This condition is becoming more common in cats, and is considered to be a modern problem.

Sources of stress include moving to a new home, adding a new pet or person to the household, seeing a strange animal outside, being bothered by another pet in the home, and just being an inside cat. It's important to be on the look-out for anything that could be stressing your cat.

Exercise Is Important

We often neglect exercise for ourselves, not to mention our pets. But exercise is very important for optimum health. Not only is it good for your cat physically, but it's important mentally, as well. If your cat is bored, he's more likely to be a victim of cat stress.

Provide your cat with toys to play with, and make sure you get him running around the house and out of breath at least twice a day.

Natural Feline Urinary Support Is Important

There are many natural remedies for pets on the market these days. It can be very difficult to choose the best one for your cat. Here are a few tips.

You'll want to be sure the remedy is formulated especially for pets. Some herbs are not safe for pets, or the dosage may be too high for a small animal. When you purchase a remedy made especially for pets, you'll be confident in its safety.

A second requirement is that the company has been in business for many years, and has the highest reputation for producing the best-quality pet remedies. Look past the hype to find a company with years of experience in this field.

The remedy needs to be easy to administer. You won't use it for long if you have to fight with your cat all the time to get it into him.

Preventing cat urinary problems is easier than treating them. Now it's time to promote cat urinary health by putting these steps into action.

Darlene Norris has combined her long-time interest in natural healing with her experience working at a vet clinic to bring you her new website, Natural Pet Urinary Health. Learn more about cat urinary health, and find the best place to buy herbal pet remedies at http://NaturalPetUrinaryHealth.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Darlene_L._Norris

The Healing Power of Animals

2010-03-01T08:32:00.000-08:00

The Delta Society

It is safe to say that most humans feel a special bond with their animal companions. They are always there to comfort you, listen to you, and console you when you are down. However, their ability to help people goes much further than emotional support. There are multiple cases where pets have helped people with physical ailments such as dogs detecting cancer and seizures.

Animals have also been shown to help people cope with emotional troubles like depression, and pets have improved the quality of life for people in nursing homes.

Several medical reports have credited animals with other positive effects on people’s lives such as:

-Lowering blood pressure and stress for every day people
-Helping people cope with the loss of a loved one and other major life changes
-Better communication in marriages
-Service animals like seeing-eye dogs help people disabilities live normal lives
-Helping people cope with cancer, Alzheimer’s and AIDS
-Higher survival rates for people with coronary heart disease
-Better socialization of young children with peers and development of nurturing behavior.
-Giving a sense of constancy to foster children
-Improving results for anxious and depressed people
-Therapeutic horse back riding has helped improve balance, posture, mobility, language, and muscle coordination
-Helping facilitate social interactions between strangers and improving social behavior for mentally impaired people and prisoners.
-More recreational activity such as dog walking

There are many remarkable stories of animals that heal people. For example, there is the story of Cheyenne, a wolf that has been visited by over 20,000 people seeking help to overcome emotional and physical problems. Her caretaker, Mark Johnson, says she’s been doing therapy since she was 3 months old, and she doesn’t heal people, but rather acts as a catalyst for people to heal themselves. Cheyenne does not bond with every person that visits her, but she has bonded with over 1500 people who received her healing kisses. She has detected cancer in several visitors and has helped numerous people overcome emotional concerns. Cheyenne is partial to women and children, but there is one diabetic man who credits her with helping him get over his self pity and once again hike the trail on which he had previously lost his toes due to frostbite.

Many animals from dogs and cats to rabbits, llamas, dolphins, and horses have played a role in the healing process. Not all animals heal people completely, but they do help boost people’s attitudes and encourage them to live their life to the fullest. A recent estimate of pet owners in the United States shows that about 55 million people have dogs and about 60 million have cats. Animal companions become important family members for both people living alone and people with children and spouses. There are even many homeless people who take in a stray animal to care for. Animal serve as nurtures in our busy society, giving us the attention and contact we need. Let’s not forget the true meaning of “pet” is to touch or caress.

Please visit Delta Society website: www.deltasociety.org
Source: Delta Society

Governor Bob Riley Proclaims 1st Annual Alabama Week for Animals March 6-14, 2010!

2010-02-27T06:59:00.000-08:00

(Birmingham, AL) Animal World USA is pleased to announce Governor Bob Riley has officially proclaimed 1st Annual Alabama Week for the Animals March 6-14, 2010! The statewide celebration is designed to celebrate and recognize the unique and life-changing role that animals play in the lives of citizens through all walks of life. The week will underscore community spirit throughout Alabama as citizens come together on behalf of the amazing animals.

The 1st Annual Alabama Week for the Animals is bringing together educators, animal shelters, humane organizations, sanctuaries, businesses, students, artists, community leaders, decision makers and caring citizens in a compassionate week of community activities for the animals!

This first ever special week features awesome fun-filled pet adoption events, blessing of the animals, free and low cost spay/neuter opportunities, "Sweet Dog Alabama" Adoption Days, student activities for shelters, pet therapy in hospitals, volunteer appreciation events, R.E.A.D. library events for young students, low cost microchipping and vaccinations, wildlife activities including frogs, pet food/supply donation opportunities to help local orgs, a salute to working K-9’s and handlers, Spay-ghetti Dinner with live musical concert and so much more! Events will be added daily leading up to kick of the week on March 6, 2010.

Precious lives will be saved and communities transformed during this incredible week. The 1st Annual Alabama Week for the Animals will build new relationships for the animals and save precious lives. Visit the official website for complete event information at http://www.alabamaanimals.org/ For complete contact information, please visit http://www.animalworldusa.org/

Witness to Suicide in San Francisco

2010-02-22T06:48:00.000-08:00

Onlookers laugh as a man jumps to his death — and what this says about human nature

By Mat Thomas – www.animalrighter.org

I happened to be biking down Market Street in “my city by the Bay” one recent Tuesday afternoon when I saw a massive crowd gathered near the Powell Street cable car turnaround. They were frantically yelling, a combination of anxious cries and excited cheers, as though watching the climax of an intense sports match. I figured there must be a fistfight, but I was wrong…because the shouting then rose to a sudden cacophony punctuated by a dense fleshy thump.

I had never heard a sound like that in my life, and wondered what it could possibly be, so I crossed the street amidst a throng of people and the sound of screaming sirens to find out. On the sidewalk was a shirtless man, dead, laying face-down in a bloody puddle with a handful of cops standing over him. People were pointing up at the window ledge on the third-floor apartment he’d just jumped from, and holding cameras above their heads snapping pictures of the corpse.

This nightmarish scenario was disturbing enough, but far worse was overhearing numerous young people actually laughing at this man’s violent death, and saying things like “That was so cool!” One twenty-something woman passing within my earshot even loudly bragged to her friend on a cell phone that “I was yelling ‘Jump! Jump!’ And then he jumped!”

Call me naïve or out of touch, but I was actually shocked that anyone would find anything funny about a fellow human being taking his own life — and then broadcast their monstrous insouciance to everyone around them. Such demoralizing experiences force us to consider whether there is something fundamentally sick about today’s world, and what the true nature of humanity might be. Indeed, one need only look at our species’ vast victimization of animals to see that cruelty is seamlessly interwoven into the fabric of our everyday lives.

Is it fair to extrapolate from an isolated incident a thread that ties callous mockery of a suicide to the entire institution of industrialized animal exploitation? From an animal rights perspective, the answer is definitely yes, because the root of both evils is an utter lack of empathy for others. The main difference is merely one of social acceptability: while the overwhelming majority of people would agree that publicly urging a suicidal man to kill himself is an abomination, most of these very same individuals see absolutely nothing wrong with eating meat — a practice that forces torture and death on billions of animals a year.

I wonder whether those callous suicide cajolers and jokers have since felt any remorse for their actions — perhaps waking panic-stricken in the dark of night shuddering with secret shame. On the other hand, it’s worth noting that, of the hundreds of people who also watched this man die, most did not laugh, but rather cried openly in the arms of loved ones, or sought emotional solace from strangers, or stood silently awestruck alone contemplating the inconceivable. So perhaps not all hope for this world is lost.

Peaceable Kingdom: The Journey Home

2010-02-19T09:32:00.000-08:00

"Phenomenal film. Life-changing."

Peaceable Kingdom: The Journey Home is a new documentary by the award-winning filmmakers of The Witness. A story of transformation and healing, this groundbreaking new film explores the awakening conscience of several people who grew up in traditional farming culture and who have now come to question the basic premises of their inherited way of life.

Presented through a tapestry of memories, music, and riveting accounts of life-altering moments, the film provides insight into the farmers' sometimes amazing connections with the animals under their care, while also making clear the complex web of social, psychological and economic forces that have led them to their dilemma.
Interwoven with the farmers' stories is the dramatic animal rescue work of a newly-trained humane police officer whose sense of justice puts her at odds with the law she is charged to uphold.

With strikingly honest interviews and rare footage demonstrating the emotional lives and intense family bonds of animals most often viewed as living commodities, Peaceable Kingdom: The Journey Home shatters stereotypical notions of farmers, farm life, and perhaps most surprisingly, farm animals themselves.

Visit http://www.tribeofheart.org/

Director: Jenny Stein Producer: James LaVeck
Associate Producers: Eric Huang, Kevin Smith Featuring: Harold Brown, Howard Lyman, Willow Jeane Lyman, Cayce Mell, Jason Tracy, Cheri Ezell-Vandersluis and Jim Vandersluis
Musical score: Kevin Bartlett, Joy Askew

Home Massage for Dogs…Tips for Helping Your Dog Relax

2010-02-15T09:26:00.000-08:00

By Joy Butler

A gentle home massage can give your dog comfort as well as aiding the nervous system and increasing circulation. You can vary your home massage in a number of ways.

Deep massage on dogs requires knowledge of anatomy and should be performed only by a trained and certified practitioner but there's no reason you can't give your pet a light, relaxing rubdown right at home.

Have your dog lie on a soft, firm surface such as a rug, although very small dogs can be done sitting or crouching on your lap. Start with several soft, slow strokes from head to tail. When your dog begins to relax, scratch gently behind the ears, moving to the cheeks, under the chin, over the nose, between the eyes and over the head. Rub each ear several times between your thumb and forefinger, working from base to tip.

Using three fingers, move slowly over the neck, shoulders, and chest in small, circular patterns, gently pinching folds of any loose skin in these areas. Lightly squeeze down the length of each foreleg, then place three fingers on each side of the leg and softly rub opposite directions several times. If your dog is comfortable with having his feet handled, use your thumb and forefinger and give each foot a couple of soft squeezes. This is a good time to look out for any burrs, ticks, or skin abnormalities. Use common sense in avoiding wounds, lumps, rashes or any sore spots.

The second phase of the massage can include placing your thumb and index finger on each side of the spine and 'walking' them toward the base of the tail, and then the outside of each thigh. You may also squeeze the length of the tail and move down the rear legs in the same way as on the front legs, if your dog doesn't protest. If at any point, your dog resists, respect his wish and move to the last area or technique he enjoyed. Finish up with several soft, slow strokes from head to tail.

Remember, deep massage should be done only by a trained and certified practitioner so it's very important to always keep your home massage light and gentle. When you finish, your dog will most likely be snoozing peacefully and you may be surprised to find your own tensions melted away as well.

2nd Annual Florida Week for Animals February 6-14, 2010 Will Save Lives, Join Communities Together

2010-02-05T08:33:00.000-08:00

Record Number of Organizations and Variety of Events mark the kick off!

Feb 05, 2010 – Animal World USA is pleased to announce the 2nd Annual Florida Week for the Animals will kick off Saturday, February 6, 2010 and run through Sunday, February 14, 2010. The statewide celebration is designed to celebrate and recognize the unique and life-changing role that animals play in the lives of citizens through all walks of life. The week will again underscore community spirit throughout Florida as people come together on behalf of the amazing animals.

Beginning on February 6th the 2nd Annual Florida Week for the Animals will be bringing together educators, animal shelters, humane organizations, sanctuaries, businesses, students, artists, community leaders, decision makers and caring citizens in an action-packed compassionate week of community activities for the animals in an unprecedented manner!

This extraordinary week will feature a multitude of awesome fun-filled pet adoption events, events for the farm animals, festivals and blessings of the animals, free and low cost spay/neuter opportunities, microchipping, activities to help the feral cats, unique ways to help the horses, student activities for shelters, library events, free vaccinations, wildlife activities of all kinds, pet food/supply donation opportunities to help local orgs, vegetarian get-togethers, Valentine’s Day events, a salute to the military and so much more!

Precious lives will be saved and communities transformed during this incredible week. The 2nd Annual Florida Week for the Animals will build new relationships for the animals and save precious lives once again in a history-making manner. Visit the official website for complete event information at www.floridaanimals.org. Call 877-454-0807 and visit http://www.animalworldusa.org/

Animal World USA: Inspiring, educating and empowering communities to understand, love and protect the amazing animals of our world.

Act Now to Protect Great Apes

2010-02-03T13:05:00.000-08:00

by Mat Thomas – www.animalrighter.org

"It's about the money. There's big bucks in this research, especially chimp research. We're talking millions. Millions of dollars."
– Narriman Fakier, former employee of New Iberia Research Center turned whistleblower

In March 2009, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) released shocking video footage depicting the severe abuse of primates at New Iberia Research Center (NIRC) in Louisiana, where new medical and pharmaceutical treatments designed for humans are tested on more than 6,000 monkeys and chimpanzees.

The exposé documents an undercover investigator's nine-month stint posing as a lab tech, using hidden cameras to bring Big Science's dirty little secret to light: that researchers routinely violate basic animal welfare laws.

Torturing and killing our closest genetic cousins is not the only (or even best) way to understand our own medical maladies, and yet it continues, funded by our taxes: why?

One reason is that animal research is extremely profitable. Between 2000 and 2009, the National Institutes of Health granted NIRC more than $17 million in federal funds to conduct research on chimpanzees — public money they used to viciously persecute primates, both within and beyond the law, and often for decades on end. In this case, the government took appropriate action, with Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack ordering an investigation of NIRC's operations and pledging to punish anyone found guilty of Animal Welfare Act violations.

But while NIRC is one of the nation's larger primate research centers, it's trespasses only represent the tiny tip of vivisection's animal cruelty iceberg — what remains buried beneath the depths of deception is perhaps even worse, and the U.S. government clearly doesn't have the means to police every facility all the time.

Thankfully, Congress is now considering a pragmatic and compassionate solution: the Great Ape Protection Act (H.R. 1326). This bipartisan bill would phase out invasive research on great apes, ban the breeding of these primates for experimentation, and permanently retire hundreds of chimpanzees to sanctuaries.

There is strong public support for the bill — for instance, nearly two-thirds of respondents to an online WashingtonWatch.com survey indicated support — but powerful medical research institutions that would lose hundreds of millions in revenue if H.R. 1326 becomes law are also working hard to kill it.

The Society for Neuroscience (SfN) is one of many scientific associations that fears having their inalienable American "right" to sacrifice defenseless animals on the altar of medicine restricted. Recently, SfN emailed its members a "Call to Action" urging them to tell their Federal Representatives to oppose the Great Ape Protection Act.

Their sample letter to Congress even pretends to care about non-human species by emphasizing the "number of protections in place to ensure the welfare and well-being of these animals" — conspicuously ignoring the fact that existing laws are not being obeyed or enforced, as the video evidence from inside New Iberia and other primate research labs makes so painfully clear.

Make a difference: Call and write your Federal Representative urging him or her to co-sponsor and vote YES on the Great Ape Protection Act.
http://www.congress.org/

MS Senate committee votes YES to Animal Cruelty Bill

2010-01-29T05:40:00.000-08:00

Mississippians who commit acts of cruelty against dogs or cats could face up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine, based on a state Senate committee’s action Tuesday, January 26th.

Members of Judiciary B approved the decision to send the Senate a bill that would make it a felony on first offense to “torture, mutilate, maim, burn or maliciously starve, disfigure or kill any domesticated dog or cat.”

“It was great,” said Audrey Orek, MS-FACT contact person for Clay County. “I took leave from work to attend the committee hearing with other members of the organization. We were not disappointed.”

MS-FACT, or Mississippi – Fighting Animal Cruelty Together has about 2,600 members.

Next Tuesday is the deadline for committees to report general bills and constitutional amendments originating in their own chamber. If the full Senate approves Senate Bill 2623, it will go to the House, where members of the MS-FACT are confident the bill will pass early this year.

“It was a unanimous outcome,” said Orek about the committee vote.

The author of the measure, Sen. Billy Hewes, R-Gulfport, said there is “pretty broad support for it.” According to Hewes, supporters of tougher animal cruelty laws have been lobbying for action for several years.

Mississippi is one of four states where animal cruelty is a misdemeanor instead of a felony. Here, the maximum penalty is a six-month jail sentence and a $1,000 fine.
“That is simply a slap on the wrist,” said Lynda Koch, a member of MS-FACT. “Being labeled a felon would prevent offenders of vicious crimes from working in child care facilities and with the elderly.”

Koch also believes that most people who oppose Bill 2623, do so because they don’t fully understand it. The bill specifies domesticated dogs and cats only and lists exclusions.

“They think we are attempting to change the laws that apply to farmers and agriculture,” Koch said. “That is not the case. This bill is strictly for dogs and cats.”

Hewes agreed saying, if passed, the new legislation would not impact hunting and fishing activities and dog-handling practices. The bill also excludes medical research. But at least first steps are bring taken to get cruelty on the books as a felony.

Citing studies advocates of tougher penalties say animal abusers often become people abusers. “From a mental health standpoint, I believe this is a huge issue for protecting people,” said Nancy Goldman, vice president of MS-FACT and a psychiatric mental health clinical nurse specialist.

“Serial killers often have a history of animal cruelty. There is also a link between animal cruelty and domestic violence and child abuse.”

Visit http://www.ms-fact.org/

VOTE FOR THE HORSES POSTPONED BUT WE CAN STILL CALL FOR REPS TO CO-SPONSOR!

2010-01-26T09:48:00.000-08:00

ALERT - VOTE ON FEBRUARY 2ND FOR THE HORSES HAS BEEN POSTPONED!

We all need to make our voices heard now more than ever! Please note that the vote on February 2nd has been postponed. Congressman John Conyers was scheduled to bring up bill H.R.503 in Congress for a vote on February 2, 2010. This does not mean we cannot continue to flood Congress with calls for our representatives to co-sponsor the bill. The horses need us more than ever.

We need to flood the phone lines of our Congressmen and Senators and tell them how strongly we feel collectively that this bill come up for a vote, pass, and becomes law once and for all. It can only pass with all our voices coming together.

It will only take a few minutes of your time, but it will mean so much to all the horses whose destiny is the unthinkable...slaughter. Please make your phone call today! And pass this information on to all your friends and family and spread the word. It only takes but a few minutes. We can all agree the horses deserve that time from us. Call and email if you can do both and ask everyone you know to do the same.

Unfortunately, votes are continually postponed and some continually stand in the way of reform every year. Advocates, horse guardians/owners, veterinarians and animal lovers must continue to fight for America’s horses and push toward the passage of H.R. 503, the Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act.

Contact your rep today! Together we can make our voices heard in unity for the beloved horses. Let's make 2010 the year for the horses! Visit http://www.congress.org/

Protect Pets From Pollutants

2010-01-24T06:56:00.000-08:00

by Susan Thixton

A recent study proves our pets are exposed to chemicals and toxins in far greater amounts than people. In a ground breaking study, Environmental Working Group found dogs and cats to be contaminated with 48 different chemicals – 43 of which were at higher levels typically found in people. Most people try their best to protect the four legged loves of their lives. Yet thanks to lax or non-existent regulations, a new study has proven that our pets are becoming polluted with chemicals. EWG released a unique study earlier this year finding 48 different chemicals in the blood and urine of dogs and cats.

Briefly the EWG report (www.ewg.org/reports/pets) tested 20 dogs and 37 cats. In dogs, seven chemicals tested at least five times higher than typical human levels and another seven chemicals showed levels up to five times the amounts in people. In cats, 25 chemicals averaged at least five times higher than human levels and another 18 averaged up to five times the typical level found in humans.

EWG contributes these startling findings to sources including contaminated pet food bags, pet food cans, toys, house dust, stain-proofed furniture, pet beds, and more. It´s frightening to consider the toll these contaminants are taking on our pets, and overwhelming to know what to do about it.

Here are some suggestions that I follow for my own household – home to two dogs, one cat, and two birds. First and foremost, feed your pet the absolute best food you can. Proper nutrition empowers your pet´s body to fend off toxins. Dogs and cats alike need a pet food made from a human grade/quality meat (not by-products; by-products are not meat), no added chemical preservatives or dyes, and no Chinese imports. Many of the better pet food lines also provide pets with antioxidant supplements and added probiotics. Antioxidants have been proven to fend off the damages from ´free radicals´ in humans and pets alike.

A highly tested antioxidant supplement to look for in your pet´s food ingredient list is ´grape seed extract´ (grapes are toxic to pets – grape seed extract is not toxic). I store my pet´s food in an air tight, pet safe container; placing the container in a dark, dry pantry. Exposure to air, light, and heat can cause a naturally preserved pet food to lose its nutritional value quicker. I also feed my pets twice per day; two meals a day for adult dogs and cats is optimal. Only feeding once per day is challenging for the pet to properly utilize the nutrition over a 24 hour period.

Next, make sure your pet stays active. Daily exercise plays an important role in keeping our pets healthy. For dog owners a daily walk around the block or tossing the toy in the yard each day; for cats-a daily workout with a toy of choice provides necessary physical and mental stimulation. Provide your pet with only natural materials for their toys and bedding. And for cats, try to use natural cat litters.

Limit the amount of flea treatments to your pet and to your lawn. For my own pets, a daily once-over with a flea comb is the flea ´treatment´ that I prefer for my group. If you must treat the lawn with fertilizers and pest control, make sure the products are pet-safe and completely dry before your pet goes onto the lawn. Supervise your dog or cat in the yard to prevent eating chemically-treated grass. All household cleaning products should be ´green´ – pet friendly – and limit your pet´s exposure to them.

When you consider the short lifespan of our pets, the effects of exposure to toxic chemicals are magnified when compared to that of human exposure. Natural pet foods with health promoting ingredients, toys and bedding made from 100% natural materials, and limiting exposure to cleaners, pesticides and fertilizers will help to protect your pet from toxins and hopefully add years to their life.

Susan Thixton is internationally recognized as the pet food expert helping humans understand how to find the safest and healthiest dog and cat foods and treats. Susan Thixton's 'truth' will help you find a safer, healthier dog or cat food that could add years to your pet's life. www.TruthAboutPetFood.com

“PAINTING EQUINE MESSAGES”

2010-01-24T06:33:00.000-08:00

By Debra Saum, Animal Communication Artist

We all have a sixth sense…animals, humans, we’re all born with it. There’s no difference between an animal’s sixth sense and a human’s intuition. Animals are just more trusting of theirs. When we allow animals to show us their intuitive nature, we allow ourselves to return to our own divine nature.

My “Talking Art” is a way for me to portray the many positive and inspirational messages that animals have for all of us. Happiness, balance, peace, unity…these are the lessons that they want to give us.

Equine intuition is particularly potent. Horses are dialed into their sixth sense because as herd animals, their very survival depends upon it. Known for their uncanny ability to ignite psychic awareness in humans, horses have a powerful way of reminding us to follow our hearts and trust our intuition.

Horses have graced us with their strength, loyalty and wisdom for eons. Some say that the horse domesticated the human, not the other way around. Could it be that horses brought us into their inner circle of intuitive grace and power in order to teach us how to be better stewards of the planet?

As an animal intuitive, it is my commitment to speak for the animals I paint by capturing their magnificent spirits on canvas. I believe that all animals are our teachers. Horses in particular, are here to help us remember our inner qualities of grace, kindness and peace. Using my communication skills, I have many conversations with the animals while creating their portraits. Whether meeting them in person, or using a photograph of them as reference, I begin by asking each animal what I can do to help paint their message. With deep reverence and respect, I ask them to talk to me about their essence, their heart, their feelings and what it is they want to say with their portrait. Then, as a self-taught artist, I use my instincts to help guide me through the entire process.

Having painted for nearly 20 years, I have found that by using close-up compositions, emphasis on large, soulful eyes and a slow process of building layers of color onto the canvas, I can create a vibrant rendition of each animal’s spirit. It is my experience that the canvas captures the essence of the many hours of communication I have had with each animal. Existing within each acrylic painting stretched on canvas is the memory of those communications.

As quantum physics states, we are all just energy organizing itself into various forms. There is no real difference, for example, between the basic energy of thought and the energy of a paintbrush. When creating paintings of horses, I have found that this energy transfer can be especially profound. I have come to know the energy of horses as saint-like, so very comforting , familiar and soulful. They are one of our most powerful teachers.

Perhaps it is because of the incredible sacrifices that horses have given to the human race that we are curious to get to know them. Or perhaps it is because they have so humbly allowed us to use them for our own advancement that they continue to invoke in us a sense of awe and wonder. We continue to be drawn to them as they continue to allow us into their mystical, natural world. They give us their unconditional love, their loyalty and their ever-present wildness. We are forever drawn to their essence and on some level, we yearn for their inherent connection to all things divine.

It is my hope as an artist to convey the profound messages of The Horse. I believe they are here to help us listen with our hearts; to be reminded of the power of love; to live our lives with the same grace, simplicity and beauty that has helped The Equine Spirit survive for centuries.

Debra Saum is an Animal Intuitive and nationally recognized, self-taught artist who lives in Southern California. Known for her revolutionary style of expressing Animal Communication through Art, her vibrant animal portraits invoke strong emotions. “Oh, you completely captured his spirit” is a common statement. Committed to raising awareness about the power of animals and their ability to ignite unconditional love, Debra regularly donates her art to Animal Organizations and projects that help promote compassion and kindness to all species.

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5 African Animals We Don't Want to Lose

2010-01-21T15:27:00.000-08:00

By Mark Bottell

Animal conservation work is growing in popularity, with many people taking adult gap years where they work with animals in Africa. It is a fulfilling way to give something back to nature, and you will take the experiences you had on your gap year for adults with you forever.

Africa, the continent known for its abundant wildlife, now has many of its animals on the list of endangered species. It is essential that conservationists continue with the work that they are doing, and that others get involved too.

Here are some African animals that can be found on Africa's endangered list.

#1 African Wild Dog
The African wild dog is a medium-sized canine which traditionally lives in packs of 15 and preys on smaller grazers such as impala. The African wild dog can be found in the savanna woodlands of Sub-Saharan Africa, but its numbers are dwindling due to it being shot by farmers, and it now has a place on the endangered species list. Conservation work is necessary to restore original population numbers, and the animal is now a protected species.

#2 Mountain Zebra
The mountain zebra can be found in the mountainous regions of South Africa; a beautiful striped, herbivorous animal, eating mostly grass, leaves, shrubs and bark. One of its sub-species, the Cape mountain zebra, has a population of only 600. The numbers of these animals are dwindling due to hunting and the effects of drought. Conservation projects have been put into place in protected areas, to try and manage this dwindling population.

#3 Leopard
The leopard can be found in many different places across the world, and in Africa, it can be found all across the Sub-Saharan regions, and west of the Kalahari Desert. It has been known to prey on farmers' livestock, and the resultant hunting has begun to pose a threat. Other factors placing this animals on the endangered list are loss of habitat and loss of prey populations. Animal conservation workers have begun putting conservation projects in place, and the leopard population is being managed with a fair amount of success.

#4 Chimpanzee
On the African continent, the chimpanzee can be found in grasslands, rainforests and open woodlands. But human expansion is depleting these natural environments, and the chimpanzees' habitat is being diminished. For some time now, wildlife conservation projects have focused on chimpanzees, but more animal conservation work is needed to manage the dwindling chimpanzee population.

#5 Dama Gazelle
This elegant animal can be found in Saharan Africa, where it usually either lives in solitude or in a small group. It primarily feeds on shrubs, acacias and desert dates. Sadly, dama gazelle numbers have dropped by about 80% in the last decade, making them a prime subject of conservation projects. The rapid decrease in population numbers is due to hunting, habitat destruction and drought. It is imperative for animal conservation workers to implement projects to prevent these animals from becoming extinct.

Mark Bottell is the General Manager for Worldwide Experience, an online tour operator offering extended breaks for adult gap years, an exciting opportunity to get involved in animal conservation work. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_Bottell

Christian Veterinary Mission Serving Haiti Since 1981

2010-01-19T08:25:00.000-08:00

Christian Veterinary Mission has served in Haiti since the early 1980s and has set up a dedicated fund for earthquake relief. They currently have three long-term fieldworkers on site, all of whom have checked in as safe. They have also trained more than 1,000 village-level animal health workers.

The fieldworkers are "working with the Haitian people to assess the damage, respond to the immediate needs, and understand how to help once again," CVM Executive Director Dr. Kit Flowers said in a statement.

Christian Veterinary Mission seeks to help veterinarians serve others and live out their Christian faith through their profession. We seek to change lives and communities by improving the care of livestock and other animals.

Donate to the Christian Veterinary Mission Haiti Earthquake Fund.
Plese visit http://www.cvmusa.org/Page.aspx?&pid=183

Albert Schweitzer... January 14, 1875-September 4, 1965

2010-01-14T16:48:00.000-08:00

Remembering Albert Schweitzer

Born on January 14, 1875 in a country village in Alsace (then part of Germany; later part of France), Albert Schweitzer was the son of a Lutheran pastor. Albert Schweitzer (1875-1965) was an accomplished theologian, musicologist, organ technician, physician and surgeon, missionary, philosopher of ethics, lecturer, writer and the builder and chief force of the famous hospital at Lambarene, in Gabon, the former French Equatorial Africa.

He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1952. He is known for his compassion and respect for animals. During his life he stated, “We need a boundless ethic which will include the animals also. The ethics of respect for life makes us keep on the lookout together for opportunities of bringing some sort of help to animals, to make up for the great miseries men inflict on them.”

In 1949 Albert visited the United States and in 1952 he received the Nobel Peace Prize to add to such other recognitions as the Goethe prize of Frankfurt and numerous honorary doctorates awarded by many universities.

Another reflection from Schweitzer, "The time will come when public opinion will no longer tolerate amusements based on the mistreatment and killing of animals. The time will come, but when? When will we reach the point that hunting, the pleasure in killing animals for sport, will be regarded as a mental aberration?"

The monies associated with the Nobel Prize were expended towards the accomodation of persons afflicted with leprosy at Lambaréné.

Albert Schweitzer died September 4, 1965 and was buried in the grounds of the medical mission to which he had devoted his life. He was ninety years of age at the time and had remained actively involved in the medical mission at Lambaréné for almost fifty years.

There is a hospital in Haiti named after this incredible man: Hôpital Albert Schweitzer in Deschapelles, Haiti. Hospital Albert Schweitzer Haiti, founded by Larry Mellon and Gwen Grant Mellon in 1956, is an integrated rural health system that provides medical care and community health and development programs for 300,000 impoverished people in the Artibonite Valley of central Haiti. Larry Mellon was inspired by the life and philosophy of Albert Schweitzer to dedicate his life to the creation of this hospital.The hospital is located in Deschapelles. Email hopitalas@hashaiti.org Also visit http://www.friendsofhas.org/

There is also the Albert Schweitzer Hospital in Lambaréné, now in Gabon, west central Africa (then French Equatorial Africa.)

Schweitzer said, "As long as I can remember, I have suffered because of the great misery I saw in the world. I never really knew the artless, youthful joy of living, and I believe that many children feel this way, even when outwardly they seem to be wholly happy and without a single care.I used to suffer particularly because the poor animals must endure so much pain and want. The sight of an old, limping horse being dragged along by one man while another man struck him with a stick -- he was being driven to the Colmar slaughterhouse -- haunted me for weeks."

Albert Schweitzer wrote the following prayer for the animals he so loved:

Hear our humble prayer, O God, for our friends, the animals. Especially for animals who are suffering: for any that are hunted or lost or deserted or frightened or hungry; for all that must be put to death. We entreat for them all thy mercy and pity, and for those who deal with them, we ask a heart of compassion and gentle hands and kindly words. Make us, ourselves, to be true friends to animals and so to share the blessings of the merciful.

Albert Schweitzer quotes: http://www.unitedearth.com.au/schweitzer.html

Swiss Attorney Lends his Voice to the Animals

2010-01-13T05:38:00.000-08:00

Attorney gives voice to Animals

Antoine Goetschel's job as animal welfare attorney in Zurich is not only unique in Switzerland – it's also a worldwide first. Zurich's pioneering work in this area could soon be adopted by other cantons. Goetschel tells swissinfo how Switzerland is among the most progressive countries when it comes to protecting our feathered and furry friends.

Working for the canton of Zurich, the lawyer acts in court cases and in criminal proceedings on behalf of abused animals. Discussions have recently been held by parliamentarians about introducing the Zurich idea into federal legislation.

Goetschel, a vegetarian, has held the part-time post since November 2007.

He is also one of the founders of the Zurich-based Foundation for the Animal in the Law, which has the largest public library of texts on animal welfare law and animal ethics in the German-speaking world.

swissinfo: What does the work of an animal welfare attorney involve?
Antoine Goetschel: I have about 150-180 cases per year. I'm informed from the start of the investigation into the case and I can see whether special exams, proofs and witnesses have been made or asked. If not, I can influence this procedure. When the case comes to court or to a decision I can suggest the punishment by comparing it with other cases.

As the animal welfare attorney, and in collaboration with the Foundation for the Animal in the Law, I have access to information on every court case and every criminal case decision concerning animal welfare and ethics in Switzerland.

This allows me to say a case looks similar to another one and there, the punishment was SFr800 ($715). This is a more serious case, so the punishment should not be under SFr2,000.

Working on this with a warm heart, but not showing too many emotions, we cooperate very well with state attorneys, the courts, police and other offices and I feel we are accepted as experts in the field.

swissinfo: Can you describe a typical case?
A.G.: Overall, 60-70 per cent of cases are of mistreated dogs - dog abuse cases are quite common, not always by the owners but also by third parties. I also have a case where a person was seen mistreating horses. We had four witnesses but the state attorney at first didn't want to listen to the witnesses because he thought the case was not proven. We won an opening of the investigation in court and these witnesses have now been questioned and the person has gone to court.

swissinfo: There are discussions about having animal welfare attorneys across the whole of Switzerland, but the government is not so keen. Why?
A.G.: The government is protecting the cantons which are each responsible for their own application of animal welfare legislation. So it is not being visionary at the moment. But there is some support in parliament and the move could still be implemented in Switzerland within the next few years.

swissinfo: Would you nevertheless describe Switzerland as being at the forefront of animal welfare legislation?
A.G.: It depends what you compare. We have just changed our animal welfare legislation and this could be said to be among the leading laws in Europe, with Germany and Austria and the Netherlands. We have changed the legal status of animals in Switzerland, as has also been done in Germany and Austria, and a bit in France.

The Swiss law goes a bit more into detail. For instance, it protects animals in divorce cases, meaning they cannot be seized. On the other hand, there's a legal right to keep animals in apartments in France, but not in Switzerland. If you compare this, then we have interesting aspects in Switzerland and interesting aspects in other legislations.

swissinfo: You have been researching the situation in other countries for a publication.
A.G.: We compared 18 legislations worldwide from Argentina, Japan and China to Britain, asking the same 18 questions. The goal is to motivate politicians and legislators interested in animal welfare in one country to adopt a good legislation from another country.

For example, it could be interesting for Britain to have animal welfare lawyers because it is where animal welfare legislation started in 1824 and it gives the impression of being very animal friendly.

swissinfo: Are the Swiss a nation of animal lovers?
A.G.: Looking back into Germanic history, before the 1930s and especially in the Middle Ages, people had a closer relationship to animals so it is not astonishing that Germany, Switzerland and Austria are progressive here and are pushing European legislation forward.

Through this Switzerland is becoming increasingly known as animal welfare friendly. I had the honour of helping change the Swiss constitution in 1992. Switzerland is now the only place worldwide which protects animals' dignity both in the constitution and in legislation. It encourages other states to look at Swiss solutions more closely.

swissinfo: What was your motivation for becoming involved in animal welfare?
A.G.: It started in 1986 quite by chance when I was asked to write on its legal aspects. I realised the importance of animal ethics as far as animal experiments were concerned, for vegetarianism, farm animals and so on.

During this time I was not allowed to speak for ten days because of an operation. For me it was deep personal experience, this deprivation of expression, because I like talking a lot! I felt solidarity to especially farm animals which are not able to express themselves and I looked at animal welfare with new eyes.

swissinfo: Animals are for you...?
A.G.: Animals for me have a soul and intelligence that is not being seen appropriately by human beings and are a special life form, just as humans are. For me it's a question of solidarity to protect their interests, lives and wellbeing just as it is important to protect the environment, abused children and so on.

He has also stated since taking on this role that the biggest challenges he faces are hard hearted judges and state attorneys, stubborn farmers, selfish pet owners. And politicians that lack vision.

Interview by Isobel Leybold-Johnson in Zurich
Visit http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/index.html

Name of Firm: Antoine F. Goetschel, Attorney-at-Law
City/Country: Zurich, Switzerland
Type of Practitioner: Sole, in fulfilling official duties.

1st Annual United Kingdom Week for the Animals Scheduled July 3-11, 2010!

2010-01-12T05:12:00.000-08:00

United Kingdom Week for the Animals is an exciting week of events created to celebrate and joyfully build awareness for the animals.

January 27, 2010

(New York City, New York) Animal World USA-International is excited to announce the
1st United Kingdom Week for the Animals will be held July 3-11, 2010. This very special week, which will highlight the importance that animals play in our lives, will also joyfully bring communities together on behalf of the animals throughout the UK.

This first-ever week long series of events will span two weekends and is designed to celebrate and build awareness on behalf of all animals, as well as recognize the organizations and citizens who support them. UK Week for the Animals will bring together animal shelters, rescue organizations, sanctuaries, businesses, students, musicians, artists, educators, community leaders, decision makers and caring citizens in an exciting week of community-building activities.

The fun-filled week will feature pet adoption events, animal-assisted therapy in hospitals, a salute to animals in law enforcement and the military, school/art displays and activities, pet awareness events at libraries, blessings of the animals, golf outings, art exhibits, low cost spay and neuter events, art gallery events, book signings, walks for farm animals, musical events and so much more! All these activities and events will shine the spotlight on the amazing animals and compassionate people who love them.

Precious lives which will be saved and communities will be transformed in this week with the variety of animal-related activities and events. Organizers expect scores of events to be created and scheduled for the calendar.

Animal World USA-Int'l Weeks for the Animals organizers released a statement saying, “We have seen a tremendous outpouring of compassion and history-making change for the animals in the U.S. Weeks campaign. We expect the UK to be an exceptionally dynamic week that will be filled with excitement as only the U.K. can bring to the international stage. We are extremely grateful to the generous response that the UK animal welfare organizations have shown. We will be working non-stop over the upcoming months to ensure success for this incredible 1st UK Week for the Animals. Together we all will help the animals and build wonderfully new and exciting relationships!”

If you would like to learn more, be involved or schedule an event, please email info@animalworldusa.org, call 877-454-0807 or visit the official website at http://ukanimals.org/

~Animal World USA-International's mission is inspiring, educating and empowering people to understand, love and protect the animals of our world.~

Do You Know Which Bird is Your State Bird?

2010-01-07T07:30:00.000-08:00

Participate in the National Bird Day State Bird Count and make your state rate!

The count collection begins October 1, 2009, and ends January 31, 2010.

Beginning in 1927 the legislature of each state in the United States designated one bird species as the official "State Bird" for that state. Some states have two! Not sure what your State's official bird is? Visit the website to find out! Visit http://www.nationalbirdday.com/g_state_bird.php

Help Birds in Winter.
http://www.wbu.com/education/winterbirdfeeding.html

(See Virginia state bird pictured, the Cardinal. )

Celebrate "National Bird Day" January 5, 2010

2010-01-05T08:44:00.000-08:00

Born Free USA in coordination with the Avian Welfare Coalition (AWC) is calling on activists around the U.S. to take action on behalf of captive birds by drawing attention to the exploitation of other countries' native birds by the U.S. pet industry on January 5 — National Bird Day.

Visit http://www.nationalbirdday.com/ where you will find a host of activities and ways to become involved for the birds. There is some really cool stuff on the website including “Name that Tune.”

"National Bird Day" is not only a good day to take time to appreciate the native wild birds flying free outside our windows, it is also a perfect time to reflect on how we treat the native birds of other countries. While we have enacted laws to protect our native birds — such as blue jays, cardinals, and crows — from commercial exploitation, we fail to recognize the inconsistency in allowing the pet industry to exploit the birds of other countries.

As we do every year, we compile a list of events and participating artists, complete with contact information, that the public and other interested people can attend. If you plan such an activity, or know of one upcoming in your neighborhood, please let us know. Email info@bornfreeusa.org so we can add your action to our list of participants and activities.

Or write to us at:

National Bird Day
c/o Born Free USA
P.O. Box 22505
Sacramento, CA 95822

Visit animalworldusa.org for a list of bird adoption rescue organizations which can be found on the AWUSA shelter page.

“The Simpsons” Top 10 Animal Advocacy Episodes

2010-01-04T13:58:00.000-08:00

by Mat Thomas, animalrighter.org

Encompassing 21 seasons and 450 episodes, “The Simpsons” is the longest-running sitcom in television history, and this January 10th, Fox will culminate its year-long celebration of the classic cartoon's 20th anniversary with a documentary special by Super Size Me director and star Morgan Spurlock.

Diehard fans already know that “The Simpsons” pioneered a subversive style of animal rights comedy never before seen on the small screen. So, at the dawn of a new decade deluged with Top 10 lists, I decided to pay the program tribute by showcasing the 10 best animal-centric “Simpsons” episodes (so far, in chronological order).

1. Episode 1: “Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire” – In the series premiere, Homer loses the family's Christmas money betting at the dog track, but then brings home the best present ever — a rescued racing greyhound named Santa's Little Helper.

2. Episode 29: “Bart's Dog Gets an F” – The family's misbehaving canine attends obedience school, where Bart refuses to implement the draconian instructor's pain-based training methods.

3. Episode 43: “Lisa's Pony” – Homer finally grants his 8-year-old daughter's wish for a pony, but she relinquishes her beloved horse after learning that dad must work nights to pay for expensive stabling.

4. Episode 54: “Dog of Death” – After Santa's Little Helper runs away from home, billionaire tyrant Mr. Burns plucks him from the pound and turns him into a vicious attack hound — but his love for Bart ultimately overcomes his killer conditioning.

5. Episode 79: “Whacking Day” – Each May, the town of Springfield observes a traditional holiday that entails beating snakes to a pulp with clubs, but Bart and Lisa save the serpents' lives with the help of soul crooner Barry White's earth-shaking basso profundo.

6. Episode 98: “Bart Gets an Elephant” – Bart wins a real live pachyderm from a radio call-in show, but “Stampy” proves a neighborhood hazard, so Bart and Lisa must persuade Homer to send his gargantuan pal to a sanctuary instead of selling him to an ivory dealer.

7. Episode 133: “Lisa the Vegetarian” – Lisa gives up eating meat, but almost cracks under constant ridicule at home and school — until a pep talk by Paul and Linda McCartney puts her back on the right path.

8. Episode 249: “Treehouse of Horror XI” – In a Free Willy parody, Lisa releases a captive bottlenose dolphin from a marine park where he was forced to perform demeaning tricks — but the deposed “King of the Dolphins” then enslaves humanity for banishing his kind to the sea eons ago.

9. Episode 252: “Lisa the Tree Hugger” – Trying to win the affections of activist (and “level-five vegan”) Jessie Grass, Lisa (channelling Julia Butterfly) refuses to disembark from an ancient redwood until it is spared from logging.

10. Episode 417: “Apocalypse Cow” – Bart joins 4H to drive cool combine harvesters, but winds up having to save the calf he raised from butchery — with a cow-costumed Homer nearly being killed in a fully-automated slaughterhouse.

Visit thesimpsons.com to learn more about “The Simpsons”! Learn more about Mat Thomas' wonderful work and writing at animalrighter.org. Mat Thomas is a contributing columnist for Animal World USA monthly publication.

ALDF 2009 State Animal Protection Laws Rankings

2009-12-20T12:49:00.000-08:00

December 16th, 2009

The Animal Legal Defense Fund announces the release of its fourth annual report ranking the animal protection laws of every state and territory of the U.S.A. based on their relative strength and general comprehensiveness. This report – the only one of its kind – encompasses more than 3,800 pages of statutes, and is based on a detailed comparative analysis of each jurisdiction in which fourteen distinct categories of animal protection laws were researched. The ranking groups each jurisdiction into a top, middle or bottom tier, and includes a listing of the best five and worst five states.

“Many states and territories are continuing to make substantial progress with their animal protection laws. Arkansas, for example, was one of the worst five states last year, but jumped up to 25th overall in the country this year, due to a host of statutory improvements. Washington, D.C. and Indiana, among others, also made significant advances. Unfortunately, there are still many places where the laws are incapable of providing the legal protections that our country’s animals need and deserve,” says Stephan Otto, Animal Legal Defense Fund's director of legislative affairs and author of the report.

“Yet even in those jurisdictions that have today’s best laws, there remain many opportunities for improvement. While animals certainly do not vote, those who love and care about them do, so we encourage lawmakers throughout the country to take heed and commit to working to improve these critical laws.”

Please contact your elected officials and encourage them to support improvements to the laws that protect animals. For additional information, see our Model Animal Protection Laws collection and Animal Protection Laws of the USA & Canada compendium.

Learn much more on ALDF website at http://aldf.org/article.php?id=1142

New Orleans Mandatory Dog Spay-Neuter Scrapped

2009-12-18T14:12:00.000-08:00

Ordinance for mandatory spay-neuter surgery was withdrawn the day before vote.

New Orleans City Council member Cynthia Hedge-Morrell withdrew her mandatory spay-neuter and breeding restrictions proposal Nov. 4, a day before it was to be voted on by the full council.

Hedge-Morrell introduced the ordinance in September stating that the aim was to encourage pet owners to be responsible as well as help fund animal control operations.

The ordinance had been amended since the introduction to allow dog owners to have the choice of whether to keep their dog intact by paying an initial $30 permit application fee plus a $20 annual permit fee.

However, since the proposed fee must first be advertised to the public before the council can vote on it, the ordinance was withdrawn from the agenda, according to Joshua Barnett, director of communications, Office of Councilmember Cynthia Hedge-Morrell.

“We are going to use this time as an opportunity to get more info and input from breeders and veterinarians [to make this the best ordinance it can be],” Barnett said.

The ordinance, if enacted as written, would:

Require all dogs 6 months of age or older to be spayed or neutered. Owners who wish to keep their pets intact would need to purchase a breeder permit. A few exceptions are noted. For example, the dog is used by a government or law enforcement agency or an agent thereof for government, rescue, law enforcement or other government purposes.

Limit female dogs from having more than one litter per year, or having a litter if the female is younger than 18 months.

Permit the Louisiana SPCA, which will be responsible for enforcing the ordinance, to determine whether or not an applicant for a breeder license has “space determined to be suitable … in which to breed dogs and raise puppies.”

Impose fines for those who are found to be in violation of the ordinance.
A time frame as to when the topic would be revisited couldn’t be determined, according to Barnett.

The American Kennel Club has been strongly opposed to the ordinance and sent out a legislative alert on Nov. 2 urging dog breeders and owners to voice their opinion.

“The American Kennel Club opposes mandatory spay-neuter laws,” the AKC said in its alert. “Instead, we support reasonable and enforceable laws that protect the welfare and health of purebred dogs and do not restrict the rights of breeders and owners who take their responsibilities seriously.

“Additionally, we strongly support and actively promote a wide range of programs to educate the public about responsible breeding practices and the responsibilities of dog ownership.”

The AKC sent out an updated legislative alert on Nov. 5 stating that although the ordinance has been withdrawn, the AKC “continues to urge the City Council to study in-depth any existing animal population and enforcement funding issues that exist in New Orleans, and to work with all interested stakeholder groups in formulating reasonable and enforceable laws that protect public health and safety without harming those breeders and owners who take their responsibilities seriously.”

Read ordinance: http://www.la-spca.org/prevention/Intact_Dog_Ordinance_revised.pdf

Senate Approves Funding for Service Dogs for Veterans

2009-12-18T11:51:00.000-08:00

Washington, D.C. – By a vote of 57-35, the Senate on December 15th gave its final approval to the FY2010 Omnibus Appropriations Act, funding a key priority of Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.), which is providing service dogs to veterans with disabilities.

“We can never do too much for the men and women who risk everything to fight for their country,” said Sen. Franken. “I feel a real obligation to them for the courage they show and the sacrifices they make. I’m glad that we’ve been able to take this small step toward improving their lives when they come home.”

The Appropriations Act directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to immediately begin the process of assisting veterans with physical and, for the first time, mental illnesses, including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), who would benefit from having a service dog.

It also provides $2 million in medical services for the program and additional funds for research and VA Inspector General oversight. VA is also directed to expand its partnership with accredited nonprofit service dog organizations where veterans with PTSD help train service dogs.

“With the support of Sen. Tim Johnson (Chairman of the Military Construction/VA appropriations subcommittee), and his House counterpart Rep. Chet Edwards, the final version of the provision directs VA to include veterans with mental disabilities among those eligible to receive a service dog,” said Sen. Franken.

“I am also grateful to Rep. Steve Israel, who carried this effort in the House.” “I applaud Senator Franken for his efforts to expand VA’s service dog program. These dogs have proven to not only expand our veterans’ ability to live more fully, they also seem to have the ability to increase veterans’ morale and quality of life as well. I was happy to include this funding in the FY10 VA Appropriations bill,” said Sen. Tim Johnson (D-S.Dak.), chairman of the Military Construction/Veterans Affairs (VA) Appropriations Subcommittee.

“Our veterans put their lives on the line and too often return home with physical injuries and PTSD. An expanded service dogs program for veterans will bring more of our troops the comfort and rehabilitation they need.

Veterans have told me they benefit greatly from having access to service dogs, so I’m proud to join Senator Franken in increasing the scope of the service dogs for veterans program,” said Rep. Steve Israel (D – N.Y.), a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs who requested increased funding for the program. Visit http://www.animalworldusa.org

The Quality of Mercy

2009-12-16T04:09:00.000-08:00

by Bianca Rothschild

Animals have always been part of my life. I love them with a passion. But one special "angel animal" will remain in my heart forever.

I am a lady in my mid-seventies who has an amazing story to tell. It's recorded in my testimony for Steven Spielberg's collection of Holocaust stories. He's recorded testimonies of survivors and liberators and righteous gentiles who, at great risk to themselves, helped people in need during those terrible times.

These stories come from all over the world and bear witness to man's inhumanity to man as well as the capacity for great courage and honor. Another collection of these stories can be found at the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C. which has exhibits, including a boat from Denmark used by Danes to smuggle people to Sweden from Poland and a cattle wagon like the one which transported me with fellow prisoners to Germany.

Born in Poland, I was a teenager when World War II began. My family always had pets. All of us loved them dearly. When the Nazis forced us to leave our home to be put into prison, we entrusted the animals to friends for safekeeping.

By 1945 I was separated from my family and imprisoned in the Ravensbruck, Germany concentration camp. Starving, dressed in only a flimsy uniform, I had to work in the bitter cold. Every day prisoners at the camp congregated in early morning and waited outside to be counted. One day exhaustion and cold overwhelmed me and I fainted. Although my two friends stood in the long row on either side, they couldn't help me.

When the Nazi soldiers saw me lying on the ground, they took one of their large German shepherd dogs off of his leash, removed the dog's muzzle, and commanded him to attack. As the dog ran toward me, the prisoners looked in horror, fully expecting the animal to rip me apart.

But something miraculous happened in that moment.

When the huge dog reached me, he stopped in his tracks. Then he smelled me. To everyone's amazement, the dog, instead of attacking me, licked my face until I revived.

Everyone in the line stood frozen with fear. The soldier who had sent the dog to kill me looked incredibly puzzled. After a minute, I staggered to my feet. Shocked that the dog had allowed me to live, the soldier called the vicious-looking animal back to him.

Those many years ago, an animal befriended me in an insane world of human hatred. I am alive today because a dog disobeyed the command to destroy me and instead showed compassion. Was it fate? Was he an angel? I will never know. But till today I have never forgotten the dog's act of mercy. For the rest of my life I have done whatever I could to save all living creatures.

Visit Allen and Linda's wonderful website, Angel Animal Network, for inspiring stories. Thanks to them for sharing this one! http://www.angelanimals.net/

The Sea Turtles in Costa Rica Are Victims of Global Warming

2009-12-14T10:56:00.000-08:00

Sea turtle is the first marine species affected by global warming.

(December 14,2009) Playa Grande, a holiday resort in Costa Rica, has been well-known for its leatherback turtle national park, turtle’s beach and turtle’s museum. That is why Steven Johnson, a Sweden tourist, has very high expectation for this place. He said, “We certainly want to see sea turtle. This is a part of charm of the place.”The disorderly development of cities and increase of temperature and sea level have greatly reduced the number of sea turtle in the Pacific.

In last year, on the beach where there were numberless sea turtles that have made their nests, scientists have observed just 32 leatherback turtles for the whole year. Because leatherback turtle is at the brink of extinction, the sea turtle museum has been abandoned for three years. Now, the museum and around areas have become a sea covered with weeds. And the ticket office for turtle-tour on the beach was washed into the sea in September.

“Because turtle’s amount is too few, we haven’t promoted this place as the destination of turtle-tour anymore”, said the administrator of national park. Even in the decades before scientist found that the temperature was rising slowly, sea turtles were facing many threats like beach construction, fishing nets and people’s capture. But for such creature that have lived in Pacific area for about 150,000,000 years, global warming has become their last straw.

Sea turtles are very sensitive about the side effect caused by climate warming. They look for food on coral reefs which are now dying due to increasingly warm and sour seawater. They cover their eggs with sand on the beach. But the beach was destroyed due to rising sea level and storms.

Besides, the sex of a sea turtle is not determined by gene, but it’s determined by the temperature around the egg when it is hatched. Slight rise in temperature can make all of the hatched turtles become female ones, which is a big problem for the existence of the species.

An expert of World Wildlife Foundation said, “Sea turtle is the first marine species affected by global warming. The speed of climate change is much faster than ever before. But the existence of this species is much dependent on temperature.”
If the temperature of the sand around a turtle’s egg reaches 30 degrees centigrade, its sex balance will lean to female. The expert said, “If the temperature reaches 32 degrees centigrade, the hatched turtles are all female ones. If the temperature is 34 degrees centigrade, all that you can get are boiled turtle’s eggs.”

On the beaches where sea turtle made their nests, scientists can cool these turtle’s eggs only by some artificial ways like setting up tents or watering them. They also tried to make wider beach areas become ones that isn’t for real estate’s development, so that sea turtles can find some places to hatch eggs even after the sea level has risen.

Nowadays, collecting turtle’s egg in Costarica is an illegality, but poaching in some towns is still prevailing. In Playa Junquillal, people have paid more attention to those poaching actions. There, five boys are patrolling on the beach, prevent poachers from stealing turtle’s eggs. These boys’ action has made them become idols of many children. Dr. Francia, who is a biologist, also invited some local families to see the release of sea turtles. He said, “Many people who have eaten turtle’s egg have never seen real sea turtle in their life time.”

Sea turtle is a kind of lovely marine creature. If you want to learn more about sea turtle, you can visit Sea Turtle Protection. On this website, you can learn what measures we can take to save sea turtles. You can even be signed up as a volunteer to protect this endangered animal. The protection area is located in Sanya city, which is China’s southernmost coastal city. If you come here, you can not only see those lovely sea turtle, but also learn Chinese. If we work together, sea turtles will go on surviving on this planet. (Thank you Douglas for this important article. Please visit http://www.articlealley.com/article_1293961_54.html)

Nurse Mare Foals: Thoroughbred Horseracing's Invisible Victims

2009-12-12T04:13:00.000-08:00

by Mat Thomas - www.animalrighter.org

For decades, the thoroughbred racehorse industry has practiced a shockingly cruel breeding method that activists have only recently brought to light. The result of this compulsory procreative procedure are nurse mare foals — the unwanted offspring of female horses used as nursing surrogates for thoroughbred ponies. Every year, tens of thousands of these horses are killed or orphaned simply because they are useless to a multi-million dollar enterprise that thrives on equine exploitation.

Here's how it works: in order to get thoroughbred mares to produce as many potential racehorse champions as possible, breeders push their biological limits to extremes by forcing them to reproduce once a year. Maximizing productivity requires breeders to have the mares reimpregnated right after giving birth, which precludes them from nursing their own babies. The newborns are therefore taken away from their mothers within days of delivery, and nursed by surrogate mares (of “inferior” breeds) who have just given birth to their own offspring — the “by-products” of this process are known as nurse mare foals.

Permanently separating thoroughbred babies from their mothers is tragic enough, but nurse mare foals usually face a far worse fate. While some are killed soon after being born or starved to death, others are sold (as young as one day old) to the tanning industry which slaughters them and turns their skin into handbags, belts, and other high-grade leather products. The lucky ones are rescued by horse advocacy groups, which, just like the tanners, must pay the going rate of $250 to $350 apiece — and then spend several hundred more dollars feeding and raising each horse until they are ready for adoption.

Rescuers nourish nurse mare foals by bottle-feeding them milk replacer, which could theoretically be used to feed thoroughbred foals as well, thus eliminating this exceedingly inhumane breeding practice altogether. There are two main reasons that they don't do this: formula is expensive, and horse breeders maintain that thoroughbreds need to drink real (albeit surrogate) mother's milk from the source to achieve peak performance. Plus, the larger nurse mare farms (concentrated in New York, Kentucky and Tennesee) produce 50 to 100 foals a year, and it is more operationally efficient to make the surrogate mothers do all the work rather than paying human caretakers to feed the foals by hand.

Another possible solution to producing unwanted foals is a new domperidone-based drug protocol that induces non-pregnant mares who have given birth before to lactate. Though chemically manipulating horses' hormones poses ethical dilemmas, in practical terms it would prevent tens of thousands of unwanted foals from being born into a life of suffering and untimely death. It could also dramatically reduce the number of surrogate nurse mares by enabling thoroughbreds who are too old for breeding to nurse foals.

There are many ways to help relieve the suffering of nurse mares and their orphaned foals, from urging elected legislators to pass humane laws to financially supporting horse advocacy organizations or adopting a rescued foal. Learn more about how to take action by visiting lastchancecorral.org

Mat Thomas is a contributing columnist for Animal World USA. Visit his website and read more of his wonderful work for animals: The Animal Righter at www.animalrighter.org

Visit Detroit Zoo and Save a Dog or Cat

2009-12-10T13:28:00.000-08:00

By Patricia Janeway

(Royal Oak, MI ) The Detroit Zoo in collaboration with more than 20 local shelters and animal welfare organizations, hosted the annual fall Meet Your Best Friend at the Zoo this past fall. The event is the nation’s largest off-site companion animal adoption program.

The weekend's event was held outdoors under tents in the Detroit Zoo’s front parking lot beneath the landmark water tower. There is no charge for admission or parking for adoption event guests; however, regular admission and parking fees as always apply for those visiting the Zoo.

Hundreds of adoptable dogs, cats, puppies and kittens were available for immediate adoption to loving homes both days. A “get-acquainted” area will be available to provide guests an opportunity to spend time with an animal before adopting. Adoption fees and policies are set by each participating group. Adopters must present a valid driver’s license or state ID card. All animals will have received a medical check-up and age-appropriate vaccinations. For health and safety reasons, all current companion animals should be left at home.

Last year, the fall Meet Your Best Friend at the Zoo event found homes for 648 animals. Since the event’s inception in 1993, nearly 14,000 dogs, cats and rabbits have been placed into new homes at the spring and fall events.

The Detroit Zoological Society is a non-profit organization that operates the Detroit Zoo and Belle Isle Nature Zoo. Situated on 125 acres of naturalistic exhibits, the Detroit Zoo is in Royal Oak. Visit www.detroitzoo.org. The Belle Isle Nature Zoo is open year-round and provides educational programming with interpretive staff support from the Huron-Clinton Metroparks. Admission is free. To view Detroit Zoo's web page on Zoo and Aquarium Visitor, go to: http://www.zandavisitor.com/forumtopicdetail-472-Detroit_Zoo

Did You Know? Shelter Animals Go to Research...

2009-11-19T12:36:00.000-08:00

Most people think that shelter animals who aren’t adopted are euthanized. News is this may not always be true.

There are 5 (five) U.S. states that require shelters to send un-adopted animals to research facilities. So if those homeless kitties or doggies aren’t adopted in Minnesota, Utah and Oklahoma they’re sent to research facilities where they’re often subjected to all sorts of research tests. In Iowa and Ohio, un-adopted animals are shipped off for research only if a research facility makes a request.

Thirty other states are also guilty of either permitting shelters to surrender animals for research under certain circumstances, or have no laws concerning the matter, meaning shelters can make the decision on their own.

Aside from the lab work itself, money is the driving force. Utah has an "experimental animals code" that permits shelters to charge researchers a minimum of:
$15 per cat
$20 per dog

Sadly, many shelter animals are killed, whether they wind up in research facilities or not, but don’t these unconditionally loving animals deserve to die without prolonged suffering?

Fifteen states prohibit animal shelters from providing animals for research. They include: California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont and West Virginia.

What can you do? Help change the laws. Contact legislators and representatives.
-Take care of your pets, ID them and keep them safely out of shelters!
-Always keep your dog on a leash when it is out on the street.
-Your cat may end up at a shleter if you let him/her out.
-Microchip your pets. If they become lost and wind up at a shelter, staff there can then easily ID them.
-Spay and neuter all pets.
-Volunteer at your local shelter or with an animal rescue group.
Start a letter-writing campaign to stop the abuse of animals used for testing.

1st Mississippi Week for the Animals Coming November 7-15, 2009!

2009-10-21T11:26:00.000-07:00

(Jackson, MS) Animal World USA is pleased to announce 1st Mississippi Week for the Animals is coming. The special week is designed to highlight the importance that animals play in our lives and bring communities together on behalf of the animals throughout the great state of Mississippi. This statewide event will celebrate and build awareness on behalf of all animals, as well as recognize the schools, libraries, businesses, organizations and citizens who support them. The Week for the Animals is bringing together educators, advocates, animal shelters, rescue organizations, sanctuaries, businesses, students, musicians, artists, community leaders and caring citizens in an exciting week of community-building activities.

The fun-filled week will feature awesome pet adoption festivals and events, pet therapy in hospitals, school/art displays and activities, educational activities, bird watching/ tours, kid’s art days, library story-telling and R.E.A.D. dog activities, blessings of the animals at shelters and parks, book signings, special Animal World USA magazine to celebrate the week, free & low cost spay and neuter opportunities & vaccinations, meet and greet events, special animal seminars, pet therapy in school classrooms, salute to working/search & rescue K-9’s, hockey game drive to help animals, pet food donation information and locations, festivals and so much more! All these events will shine the spotlight on the amazing animals and compassionate people of Mississippi who love them. It is a unique opportunity to change the history for the animals by collectively coming together.

Precious lives which will be saved and communities will be transformed during this amazing week through a wide variety of animal-related events and activities. Special events are being scheduled and can be viewed on the website calendar, and more are being added regularly. If you would like to learn more, become involved, list an event, please call 877-454-0807 or visit the official website at http://www.mississippianimals.org/

You may also learn much more about the AWUSA Weeks campaign and see how other states have celebrated them at http://www.weeksfortheanimals.org/ and http://www.animalworldusa.org/

Governor Paterson is Officially Proclaiming 1st New York Week for the Animals October 10-18, 2009!

2009-10-06T16:16:00.000-07:00

(New York, New York-October 2, 2009) Animal World USA is pleased to announce that Governor Paterson is officially proclaiming October 10-18, 2009 as 1st New York Week for the Animals. The special week is designed to highlight the importance that animals play in our lives and bring communities together on behalf of the animals throughout the great state of New York. Over 125+ events have been scheduled and more are being scheduled everyday!

This statewide event will celebrate and build awareness on behalf of all animals, as well as recognize the organizations and citizens who support them. The 1st New York Week for the Animals is bringing together educators, advocates, animal shelters, rescue organizations, sanctuaries, businesses, students, musicians, artists, community leaders, and caring citizens in an exciting week of community-building activities.

The exciting week will feature awesome pet adoption festivals and events, kick off event Fall Fiesta in Central Park, pet therapy in hospitals, school/art displays and activities, theater events, educational activities, bird watching/walking tours, kid's art days, library story-telling and R.E.A.D. dog activities, blessings of the animals at shelters and parks, concerts, book signings, special Animal World USA magazine to celebrate the week, free & low cost spay and neuter opportunities & vaccinations, meet and greet events, special animal law seminars, pet therapy in school classrooms including special needs students, salute to working/search & rescue K-9's, comedy shows, pet food donation information and locations, vegetarian festivals and so much more! All these events will shine the spotlight on the amazing animals and compassionate people of New York who love them. It is a unique opportunity to change the history for the animals by collectively coming together.

Precious lives which will be saved and communities will be transformed during this week through a wide variety of animal-related events and activities. Special events are being scheduled and can be viewed on the website calendar, and more are being added regularly. If you would like to learn more, become involved, list an event, please call 877-454-0807 or visit the official website at http://newyorkanimals.org/ You may also learn more about the AWUSA Weeks campaign at http://www.weeksfortheanimals.org/ and http://www.animalworldusa.org/

5th Tennessee Week for the Animals September 19-27, 2009!

2009-09-18T15:34:00.000-07:00

(Nashville, TN) Animal World USA is pleased to announce that Governor Phil Bredeson has proclaimed 5th Tennessee Week for the Animals September 19-27, 2009. The special week highlights the importance that animals play in our lives and bring communities together on behalf of the animals throughout the great state of Tennessee.

This statewide event is created to celebrate and build awareness on behalf of all animals, as well as recognize the organizations and citizens who support them. Tennessee Week for the Animals is bringing together educators, advocates, animal shelters, rescue organizations, sanctuaries, businesses, students, musicians, artists, faith leaders, community leaders, and caring citizens in an exciting week of community-building activities. Singer Emmylou Harris will kick off the week on September 19th in Nashville with an awesome pet adoption event! Over 60+ exciting events are scheduled across Tennessee during the life-changing, life-saving special week.

The incredible week will feature awesome pet adoption festivals and events, pet therapy in hospitals, school/art displays and activities, educational activities, bird watching, kid’s art days, library story-telling and R.E.A.D. dog activities, zoo events, blessings of the animals, concerts with adoptions, special Animal World USA magazine to celebrate the week, low cost spay and neuter opportunities, pet therapy & activities in classrooms including special needs students, salute to working/search & rescue K-9’s of Tennessee Task Force 1, and so much more! All these events will shine the spotlight on the amazing animals and the compassionate people of Tennessee who love them. It is a unique opportunity to help the animals and build stronger loving communities by collectively coming together.

Precious lives which will be saved and communities will be transformed during this week through a wide variety of animal-related events and activities. Special events can be viewed on the website calendar. If you would like to learn more about all the events, become involved or list an event, please call 901-454-0807 or visit the official website at http://www.tennesseeanimals.org/ You may also learn more about the AWUSA Weeks campaign at http://www.weeksfortheanimals.org/

Animal World USA mission: Educating and inspiring people to understand, love, and protect the animals of our world.

Governor Ed Rendell Proclaims 2nd Annual Pennsylvania Week for the Animals September 12 - 20, 2009

2009-08-22T13:44:00.000-07:00

(Harrisburg, Pennsylvania) Animal World USA is pleased to announce that Governor Ed Rendell has officially proclaimed 2nd Pennsylvania Week for the Animals to be celebrated Sptember 12-20, 2009. During the extraordinary week, animal shelters, rescue groups, and humane organizations across the state will be hosting wonderful animal-related special events which will be strengthening communities throughout the state. Educators, students, businesses and caring citizens across the state will be joining in to celebrate and help the animals.

Events will include adoption fairs, free and low cost spay/neuter events, emergency sheltering workshop, R.E.A.D. dog programs in libraries, puppy mill awareness activities, concerts for the shelter animals, golf outing to help homeless pets, donation drives, musical concert for the cats, bird activities, dog washes to benefit shelters and therapy animals visiting hospitals.

Also to be included are a salute to our working K-9 and handlers, pet first aid, care & safety seminars, law night, educational programs at sanctuaries and museums, drum circle blessings for the animals, scores of spay neuter events for feral cats, and full-filled festivals for families to enjoy friendship, food, music on behalf of the always amazing animals and with so much more being planned! Precious lives will be saved and new exciting relationships will be built in Pennsylvania communities during the week.

Please note events and activities will be added right up to the kick-off of the week. For more info, please call 877-454-0807. See the calendar of events and learn how to become involved on the official website at http://www.pennsylvaniaanimals.org/

Governor Jim Doyle Officially Proclaims 1st Wisconsin Week for the Animals August 8-16, 2009!

2009-08-02T05:39:00.000-07:00

(Madison, Wisconsin) Animal World USA is pleased to announce that Governor Jim Doyle has officially proclaimed 1st Wisconsin Week for the Animals to be celebrated
August 8-16, 2009. During the extraordinary week, animal shelters, rescue groups, and humane organizations across the state will be hosting wonderful animal-related special events which will be strengthening communities throughout the state. Educators, students, businesses and caring citizens across the state will be joining in to celebrate and help the animals.

Events will include adoption fairs, low cost spay/neuter events, emergency sheltering workshop, R.E.A.D. dog programs in libraries, puppy mill awareness activities, motorcycle ride to benefit the animals, book signings, BINGO for homeless animals, golf outing to help shelter pets, Catapalooza celebration, donation drives, dog washes to benefit shelters and therapy animals visiting hospitals.

Also to be included are a salute to our working K-9 and handlers, pet first aid, care & safety seminars, educational programs at the zoos and museums, blessing for the animals, and full-filled festivals for families to enjoy friendship, food, music on behalf of the always amazing animals and with so much more being planned! Scores of precious lives will be saved and new exciting relationships will be built in Wisconsin communities during the week.

Please note events and activities will be added right up to the kick-off of the week. For more info, please call 877-454-0807. See the calendar of events and learn how to become involved on the official website at http://wisconsinanimals.org/

Heart Connections and the Healing Power of Horses

2009-07-23T13:26:00.000-07:00

At Horse’s Way Equestrian Arts we have witnessed that connecting with horses guided by a facilitator has the potential to promote healing by recognizing when we are emotionally congruent. We invite you to discover your inner world, open your heart, and honor the unique gifts you’ve been given. You will embrace the wisdom of your emotions, empathic abilities and authentic untapped potential.

For over 15 years Bonnie Treece has participated in, co-facilitated, and hosted workshops relating to the integration of physical, psychological, and spiritual uniqueness. She is now integrating her love for horses, Epona training, artistic talent, and engineering background to bring forth her fascination with the Science of the Heart. Partnering with her gifted herd, Bonnie facilitates a distinctive process of Equine Facilitated Learning that reveals and revives one’s authentic expression.

Please read the wonderful article by Bonnie Treece

In our culture we are experiencing a strong focus on moving fast, the faster the better. Fast food, fast cars, and fast Internet speeds are only a few examples. We have become disconnected from the wonder of Mother Nature and from our internal nature. Even the word “natural” has been exploited as a marketing ploy to lure people to buy products and services that are nowhere near natural. In Webster’s Dictionary, the word natural has several definitions: Present or produced by nature; not artificial or man made; pertaining to or produced solely by nature; pertaining to or resulting from inherent nature – not acquired; free from affectation or artificiality; spontaneous; not altered, treated or disguised.

In many ways humans have forgotten their natural gifts and how to live from the Heart. Horses may be able to show us the way back to ourselves. Their hearts are thirteen times larger by weight than the average man and over 20 times larger than the average woman’s heart. They do not toil over what happened yesterday or even five minutes ago. Many ancient and modern spiritual belief systems are based on “living in the present”. Some of us spend a lifetime trying to embody this principal. Horses seem to demonstrate it effortlessly.

In the human body, the heart is the beginning point of communication that connects emotional and mental systems. Heart rhythms affect physical health, emotional well-being and mental acuity – all three of which can be enhanced or depleted depending on how the heart "thinks". The heart intuition we need to recapture comes through thoughts, images or feelings. Anyone that has worked with horses from a compassionate perspective will tell you that horses think and “speak” in images. Their brain breaks down the images into different frequencies.

They are so sensitive to unique frequencies being emitted by humans they essentially and efficiently mirror the outside world. They have the ability to decipher emotions in humans that may be displayed as an attitude shift or a minute change in posture. A shift in human posture, whether it is physical or emotional, may result in a perception shift on the horse’s part. Quantum physics suggests this occurrence is possible. In the words of Dr. Wayne W. Dyer, “When we change the way we look at things the things we look at change”. I believe that because the horses are in touch with their innate sensory awareness they are able to detect in humans the emotional and physiological changes we are not always aware of.

An emotion results when the heart and the brain act together. It may be that the heart can make independent decisions without the brain. The Institute of HeartMath ® research has shown that during the experience of negative emotions, such as anger or frustration, heart rhythms become more erratic and disordered. Positive emotions, such as appreciation, love, or compassion, are associated with balanced and orderly patterns.

Fewer stressful reactions allow the heart and nervous system to work together instead of against each other, which has been found to enhance mental clarity, creativity and problem solving abilities. Although horses might not differentiate between various emotions as humans do, they may be reacting to changes in human heart rhythms. To be successful around horses, it is important to stay calm. We have all heard the saying “horses can smell fear”. I believe they can feel fear based on how they are experiencing the status of our heart rates. I’ve experienced a variety of emotions in the presence of different horses. Horses react to my unseen emotions and act them out for me. We cannot “see” emotions yet they affect the way we perceive our world and ourselves.

Openhearted communication between horse and human has the potential to promote self-healing by enhancing one’s ability to recognize emotional congruence. Energetic communication and more acute sensory awareness results when a heart-brain connection is made in the presence a horse. From this place-in-the-heart, we can experience a sense of love, gratitude and finally, the willingness to give up what doesn’t work in our lives without blaming ourselves, others, or our animal companions.

The potential of a greater production of electrical energy from the horse’s heart may also contribute to their natural healing abilities. According to Farokh S. Sadr, author of Heart Matters, a normal heart in an average sized person will pump 4 to 5 liters of blood per minute. He estimated that the energy required to pump blood at these rates is almost 5 watts of power per hour. Because of its greater size, it may be possible for the average horse heart to produce 65 watts of power per hour. How does it affect humans to be in the presence of this amplified electrical heart energy?

Heartmath Institute Engineers performed a study about how human heart rates affect each other. By connecting two people to heart and brain monitors they examined energetic interactions between them. An important factor in the interactions was the people’s heart rhythms or “Heart Rate Variability patterns,” which look like wave forms. When they held hands, one persons heart beat could be measured in the others brain waves. In some cases when one of the people was in a loving or appreciative state their heart rhythms become what they call coherent and the two people’s heart rhythms became “entrained”.

If the HeartMath® study works human to human, it may also work horse to human. Do our hearts become entrained with theirs when we are in the presence of a horse? At rest the horse’s heart rate is 26 – 50 beats per minute. This is much slower than a human’s heart rate of 70 – 75 beats per minute. Since a horse’s heart beats so much slower, can we lower our heart rate simply by standing in their presence?

An occurrence that many people experience after they spend time with horses is they feel calmer. Is the end result for them a lower heart rate or a more coherent heart rhythm? Horses know instinctively how to stay in the optimal healthy heart rate zone and may be able to help us to do the same. When they aren’t being interfered with, horses are rarely stressed. They instinctively conserve energy for when they need it to engage in life saving activities - like running from predators. They don’t fabricate events to agonize over.

The Navajo felt that horses had the stars in their eyes, and that they connected us to the universe. This may have been what Einstein envisioned. When he formulated his famous equation E=mc2, he imagined the ability to travel on a beam of light. In her book, The Hidden Power of the Heart, Sara Paddison mentions the next step for human kind is to become comfortable with E=mc2 as an equation that can also prove energy moves matter. If “E” is congruent heart energy and “m” (MASS) includes mental and emotional frequencies, then “THOUGHT MATTERS”. Energy would then have the ability to balance and change “mass”. She further notes that with practice we can see how focused heart energy and heart intelligence can balance external situations.

This theory has been demonstrated in a study by Dr. Masaru Emoto. He found that when water is shown the word “love” it takes on a completely different molecular structure than water infused with “hate” or “anger”. I’ve experienced the same power of intention with my horses. I can move them from 15 feet away by focusing my heart energy similar to the way a martial artist moves “chi” or life force. The horses move depending on the emotion and strength of energy I send them.

If I send a “moving away” energy or mental picture they move away. When I picture in my mind the horse walking toward me with a feeling of inviting gratitude they usually do. The point is that what we think about changes the world around us. The horses allow us to see the effects of what is working in an otherwise “invisible” realm. Understanding the effects of intentional thought can empower us to create what we want, instead of what we don’t want. Through listening to our hearts and focusing our intentions, we can find balance moment to moment, as the horses demonstrate. They don’t get attached to what doesn’t matter.

Horses are very sensitive to the slightest change in their surroundings. They do not see like humans do. With eyes on the sides of their heads they have, for the most part, monocular vision. They rely very little on detailed sight to let them know what is happening around them. They will act on environmental changes that cannot be seen or felt by humans. Their bodies detect the location of a fly and wiggle the corresponding area of their hide to remove it. They sense a storm coming long before it arrives by detecting changes in the barometric pressure or sense a predator long before we can see or hear one. They teach us about living in our whole body instead of exclusively in our heads.

We may have forgotten how to access our innate sensory awareness because for centuries it has not been necessary to depend on our senses to survive. The first step in awakening our long buried awareness is to open the heart. An open heart allows us the courage to be vulnerable and innocent. It helps us reconnect to the child like wonder we have forgotten.

Horses offer us an opportunity to remember our inner natures and reconnect to the life giving embrace of Mother Earth. So if you want to slow down, open your heart, honor incongruent or buried emotions, and recognize your inner gifts, I would suggest putting yourself in the presence of a most magnificent spiritual teacher and healer – a horse.

Please visit Bonnie's wonderful website, Horse's Way at http://www.horsesway.com/

1st Kentucky Week for the Animals To Be Celebrated June 27th through July 5, 2009!

2009-06-08T06:10:00.000-07:00

(Frankfort, KY) Animal World USA is pleased to announce the 1st Annual Kentucky Week for the Animals will kick off Saturday, June 27th and run through Sunday, July 5th, 2009. The statewide celebration is designed to celebrate and recognize the unique and life-changing role that animals play in the lives of citizens through all walks of life. The week will bring underscore community spirit as people come together on behalf of the animals across the entire Bluegrass state, that has given us a love and appreciation of horses unlike any other state in our great union.

Beginning on the kick-off day of Saturday, June 27,2009 Kentucky Week for the Animals will be bringing together educators, animal shelters, humane organizations, zoos, sanctuaries, restaurants, businesses, students, musicians, artists, community leaders, decision makers and caring citizens in an action-packed compassionate week of community activities for the animals in an unprecedented manner!

This extraordinary week will feature The John Henry Memorial Equine Adoption Fair in Lexington, Church of the Advent Animal Food Bank Pet Food Donation Drive in Louisville, a multitude of awesome fun-filled pet adoption events, feedings for the farm animals, festivals and blessings of the animals, free and low cost spay/neuter opportunities, activities to help the feral cats, unique ways to help the horses, student activities, library animal storytelling events, free vaccinations, a salute to the military and so much more!

Dogs Deserve Better is celebrating their annual Chain Off:Freedom for Chained Dogs campaign during this time so we will be building awareness for chained dogs during the week in unique fashion. Every kind of event imaginable is being planned, and we need everyone to share with our Kentucky friends about the amazing week approaching for Kentucky animals!

Please note that Kentucky was hit exceptionally hard by a storm earlier this year. With everyone coming together for the week, the Kentucky people and animals can know further that they are very much loved and supported as they are still facing enormous challenges. The spotlight will shine on the amazing animals and compassionate people across Kentucky who love them and work tirelessly on their behalf--much of the time with limited resources.

Precious lives will be saved and communities transformed during this incredible week. The 1st Kentucky Week for the Animals will build new relationships for the animals and people in a history-making manner. Visit the official website for complete contact and event information at http://kentuckyanimals.org/
Please call 877-454-0807 or 866-376-6123 for more information.

1st Annual Washington DC Week for the Animals to be Celebrated May 30-June 7, 2009!

2009-05-16T06:19:00.000-07:00

DC Week for the Animals is an exciting metrowide event created to celebrate and joyfully build awareness for the animals.

(Washington, DC) Animal World USA is pleased to announce exciting news about the 1st Annual Washington DC Week for the Animals, which will kick off Saturday, May 30th and run through Sunday, June 7th, 2009. The metrowide celebration is designed to celebrate and recognize the unique and life-changing role that animals play in the lives of citizens through all walks of life. The week will bring underscore community spirit as people come together on behalf of the animals across the entire region of our nation's capital.

Beginning on the kickoff day of Saturday, May 30, 2009 Washington DC Week for the Animals will be bringing together educators, animal shelters, humane organizations, sanctuaries, zoos, businesses, students, musicians, artists, community leaders, decision makers and caring citizens in an action-packed compassionate week of community activities for the animals in an unprecedented manner!

This extraordinary week will feature fun-filled pet adoption events and festivals , sweet pet therapy in hospitals and nursing homes, a salute to animals in law enforcement and the military, creative school and art displays and activities, library story-telling and R.E.A.D. dog activities, blessings of the animals, law seminar event, farm animal events, book signings, art exhibits, musical concerts, film documentaries, low cost spay and neuter events, walk for animals and much much more! These events will shine the spotlight on the amazing animals and compassionate people across the DC region who love them and work tirelessly on their behalf.

Precious lives will be saved and communities transformed during this incredible week. Organizers expect 1st Annual Washington, DC Week for the Animals to build new relationships for the animals and people will come together for the greater good across the metrowide region of Washington, DC in a history-making manner. If you would like to learn more, please call 866-376-6123 or 877-454-0807. Visit the official website for complete contact and event information at http://www.dcanimals.org/

Learn more about Animal World USA Weeks for the Animals campaign at http://www.weeksfortheanimals.org/

Governor Bev Perdue Proclaims 2nd Annual North Carolina Week for the Animals May 2-10, 2009!

2009-04-28T06:51:00.000-07:00

North Carolina Week for the Animals is an exciting statewide event created to celebrate and joyfully build awareness for the animals.

(Raleigh, North Carolina) Animal World USA is pleased to announce that Governor Bev Perdue has graciously proclaimed 2nd Annual North Carolina Week for the Animals Saturday, May 2- Sunday, May 10, 2009. The special week will highlight the importance that animals play in our lives and bring communities together on behalf of the animals throughout the great state of North Carolina.

This statewide event is designed to celebrate and build awareness on behalf of all animals, as well as, recognize the organizations and citizens who support them. The NC Week for the Animals is bringing together educators, animal shelters, rescue organizations, sanctuaries, businesses, students, musicians, artists, pastors, community leaders, and caring citizens in an exciting week of community-building activities.

The fun-filled week will feature awesome pet adoption festivals and events, pet therapy in hospitals, school/art displays and activities, kid’s art day, birdhouse making activites, library story-telling and R.E.A.D. dog activities, blessings of the animals at shelters and parks, concerts, book signings, special Animal World USA magazine to celebrate the week, low cost spay and neuter opportunities, meet and greet events, special animal law seminar, pet therapy in over 40 classrooms including special needs students, salute to Ft. Bragg K-9’s and much more! All these events will shine the spotlight on the amazing animals and compassionate people of North Carolina who love these mystical creatures.

Precious lives which will be saved and communities will be transformed during this week through a wide variety of animal-related events and activities. Special events are being scheduled and can be viewed on the website calendar, and more are being added regularly. We encourage all North Carolinians to become involved and create an event for the animals in your community. If you would like to learn more, become involved, collectively organize an event or list an event, please call 877-454-0807 or visit the official website for complete contact and information at http://ncanimals.org/

Governor Jack Markell Officially Proclaims 2nd Annual Delaware Week for the Animals April 18-26, 2009!

2009-04-20T07:29:00.000-07:00

(Dover, DE, April 18, 2009) Animal World USA is pleased to announce that Delaware Governor Jack Markell has officially declared 2nd Annual Delaware Week for the Animals April 18-26, 2009. The special week will kick off Saturday, April 18th and will highlight the importance that animals play in our lives and bring communities together on behalf of the animals throughout the great state of Delaware. Over 75 events are scheduled throughout the week.

This second year statewide event is designed to celebrate and build awareness on behalf of all animals, as well as recognize the organizations and citizens who support them. Delaware Week for the Animals is bringing together animal shelters, rescue organizations, sanctuaries, businesses, students, musicians, artists, educators, community leaders, and caring citizens in an exciting week of community-building activities.

The fun-filled week will feature awesome life-saving pet adoption festivals and events, student artwork saluting the Dover Air Force Base working K-9’s and handlers, pet therapy in nursing homes and hospitals, special art exhibit, library and R.E.A.D. dog activities, blessing of the animals, student pet essays, low cost spay and neuter events, farm events, motorcycle ride for the animals, zoo events, feral cat free spay day, Earth Day special events, special law seminar at Widener University, pet food drives, music events, restaurant benefits for the shelters and much more! All these events will shine the spotlight on the amazing animals and the truly compassionate people who love them.

Precious lives which will be saved and communities will be transformed during this week with a wide variety of exciting animal-related events and activities. A list of events are scheduled on the website calendar, and more are being added daily. If you would like to learn more, become involved or schedule an event, please call
866-376-6123 or visit the official website at http://www.delawareanimals.org/

Governor Bobby Jindal Officially Proclaims 1st Annual Louisiana Week for the Animals March 21-29, 2009!

2009-03-15T06:37:00.000-07:00

(New Orleans, LA) Animal World USA is pleased to announce that Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal has officially declared 1st Louisiana Week for the Animals Saturday, March 21- Sunday, March 29, 2009. The special week will kick off Saturday, March 21 and will highlight the importance that animals play in our lives and bring communities together on behalf of the animals throughout the great state of Louisiana.

This first statewide event is designed to celebrate and build awareness on behalf of all animals, as well as, recognize the organizations and citizens who support them. The LA Week for the Animals is bringing together animal shelters, rescue organizations, sanctuaries, businesses, students, musicians, artists, educators, community leaders, and caring citizens in an exciting week of community-building activities.

The fun-filled week will feature awesome pet adoption festivals and events, pet therapy in hospitals, school/art displays and activities, library story-telling and R.E.A.D. dog activities, blessings of the animals, book signing by the famed “Blue Dog” LA artist George Rodrigue, low cost spay and neuter events, EarthFest, special law seminar at Tulane University and much more! All these events will shine the spotlight on the amazing animals and compassionate people who love them.

Precious lives which will be saved and communities will be transformed during this week with a wide variety of animal-related events and activities. A list of events are scheduled on the website calendar, and more are being added daily.If you would like to learn more, become involved or schedule an event, please call 877-454-0807 or visit the official website at http://www.louisianaanimals.org/

2009-02-28T14:44:00.000-08:00

Congressional Animal Protection Caucus is Formed!

U.S. House of Representatives Press Release

Moran and Gallegly to Co-Chair Congressional Animal Protection Caucus

WASHINGTON, D.C., February 18, 2009 – Reps. Jim Moran (D-VA) and Elton Gallegly (R-CA) announced today that they will co-chair the newly formed “Congressional Animal Protection Caucus (CAPC),” a bipartisan organization committed to raising awareness of animal welfare issues in Congress. CAPC replaces the Friends of Animals Caucus that existed in previous Congresses.

Through non-partisan forums and briefings, CAPC will seek to highlight important issues affecting animals and upcoming animal welfare legislation. CAPC will also track the progress of relevant legislation, provide members of Congress with dependable information, and attempt to build broad coalitions in support of common-sense, humane animal welfare laws.

In the 110th Congress, the caucus was instrumental in the passing tougher animal fighting legislation, and tightening animal welfare regulations in the 2008 Farm Bill. Priorities for the 111th Congress include legislation banning the slaughter of horses, stronger regulations on Internet sales of puppies, and legislation requiring accurate labels on all fur products.

Rep. Moran stated, “Animals are sensate beings that deserve to be treated with respect and dignity. I look forward to building a consensus among my colleagues in support of sensible animal welfare laws that reflect our common values. Protecting animals from cruel treatment is not a partisan issue.”

“Animal cruelty has no place in a civilized society,” Rep. Gallegly said. “Other crimes often go hand-in-hand with animal fighting, including illegal gambling, drug trafficking and acts of human violence. Virtually every arrest for animal cruelty has also led to additional arrests for at least one of these criminal activities.”

"The American public is united in its belief that all animals deserve humane treatment," said Wayne Pacelle, President and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States. "The newly constituted Congressional Animal Protection Caucus will help better align our federal policies with public opinion, and we are excited to work closely with its leaders and with the entire Congress to combat cruelty and abuse."

Austin J. Durrer
Deputy AA/Communications Director
Office of Rep. Jim Moran (VA-08)
2239 RHOB
Washington D.C. 20515
202-225-4376
(c) 202-957-6075

2009-02-05T14:32:00.000-08:00

Governor Charlie Crist Officially Proclaims 1st Annual Florida Week for the Animals

February 7-15, 2009!

Florida Week for the Animals is an exciting statewide event created to celebrate and build awareness for the animals.

(Tallahassee, Florida) Animal World USA is pleased to announce the 1st Florida Week for the Animals, to be held from Saturday, February 7- Sunday, February 15, 2009 has been officially proclaimed by Governor Charlie Crist. The special week which will kick off Saturday, February 7th will highlight the importance that animals play in our lives and bring communities together on behalf of the animals throughout the state of Florida.

This first statewide event is designed to celebrate and build awareness on behalf of all animals, as well as, recognize the organizations and citizens who support them. Florida Week for the Animals is bringing together animal shelters, rescue organizations, sanctuaries, businesses, students, musicians, artists, educators, community leaders, and caring citizens in an exciting week of community-building activities.

The fun-filled week will feature pet adoption events, pet therapy in hospitals, a salute to animals in law enforcement and the military, school/art displays and activities, R.E.A.D. dogs in libraries, blessings of the animals, golf outings, art exhibits, low cost spay and neuter events, walks for animals and much more! All these events will shine the spotlight on the amazing animals and compassionate people who love them.

Precious lives which will be saved and communities will be transformed in this week with the variety of animal-related activities and events. Over eighty events are scheduled on the website calendar, and more are being added daily. Animal World USA Weeks for the Animals campaign is kicking off 2009 with Florida, and the Weeks for the Animals National Campaign Manager Patricia Haddock says, “We are overwhelmed at the response Florida has demonstrated in coming together for the greater good. We are very grateful for Governor Crist for proclaiming the week which lends added significance.”

If you would like to learn more, be involved or schedule an event, please call 877-454-0807 or visit the official website at http://www.floridaanimalweek.com/