On Loving Animals...

If you're a music lover and an animal lover as well, you're in luck. On September 27, 2008, Saturday, at the Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall in New York City, you can enjoy the World Flute Fest Concert and help the animals at the same time. This musical event will benefit In Defense of Animals (IDA), a super organization founded in 1983 by Dr. Elliot M. Katz, DVM. It is based in San Rafael, California. Here are the musicians who will be performing: f lutists Carol Alban, Marco Granados, Robert Dick, Bassam Saba, James "Nyoraku" Schlefer, Skip Healy, Nancy Tyler and Ann Licater. They will be joined by pianists Taylor Eigsti, Matt Herskowitz, Elaine Kwon, bassist Harish Raghavan, didjeridoo player Paradiso, vocalists Alvenson Moore and Jacquelyn Familant, guitarists Bert Lams and Joshua Dukes, and many more. What : 2008 World Flute Fest Concert - Benefit for IDA When : Saturday, Sept. 27th, 2008 at 8:30pm Where : Weill Recital Hall, Carnegie Hall, 57th Street and...

I have featured Kayla here before, about 3 months ago, and she is still at the shelter. She's on our website as well, and certainly many people know of her. Kayla was there when I started volunteering at the shelter in January 2008. She could be our longest staying resident at this time, and for no apparent reason. Kayla is friendly and playful, not aggressive and young enough to give her human many years of love and companionship. One of the easiest dogs to walk, Kayla's distinctive ears ( one is up and the other down ) makes her easy to spot. She's got this nice golden hue to her and her eyes are clear and light brown. Why is she still with us? I really don't know except that there is a certain randomness in life, and she has become the proverbial dry twig at the edge of the bonfire. It pains me to see her remain at the shelter while the others have come and gone. Kayla's a good dog, and she needs just a tad of luck to get her on her way to a happy home. So, ple...

Another puppy mill busted. This time, it's in Parkersburg, West Virginia where approximately 1,000 dogs have been liberated last Saturday by the Humane Society of the United States. The name of the puppy mill is Whispering Oaks Kennel. Sounds like a serene campground, doesn't it? Actually, it's a living hell for animals. The video says more than I can tell: Donate Here : https://secure.hsus.org/01/stoppuppymills07

Big holiday weekend coming up, Labor Day 2008. It's always a concern. Where can we stay so that Fidelma ( my chihuahua ) can come with us? I have never used a pet boarding facility because just the idea of Fidelma in a kennel or cage will certainly take away the enjoyment of my vacation. She's simply my squeezy, cute, little girl-girl, and the daughter we never had! Oh, don't get me started with this baby talk... Anyway, here are some websites that will help anyone who suffers from the same worries as I do. Okay, sometimes, I feel that the hotel is not giving us the best rooms and the pet-friendly rooms seem to be in some odd corner of the complex...but...it's okay. I can live with that, and I certainly keep the room tidy and clean for the next occupant. Did I tell you that Fidelma has a cute, little nose that is simply heavenly to kiss when it is moist and cool? Oh Lord have mercy... So, here they are: http://www.petswelcome.com/ http://www.pet-friendly-hotels.net/ htt...

Take a couple of minutes off from the drudgery of life, and enjoy this video ( and more ).

If you can't volunteer at a shelter due to its physical and emotional challenges, can't write a blog on animal welfare because the creative juices simply are not flowing, can't always donate because it cost money, then there's still an opportunity to make a difference in animal welfare. You can transport animals to their freedom. Obviously, you must be a licensed driver and have access to a vehicle. The time and place of your participation will be up to you, and also up to devoted and heroic individuals running Yahoo Groups dedicated to transporting animals for free. The Yahoo Group provides the information, and you try to fit in. Remember, sometimes, the difference between life and death is a ride. Here are two groups I joined recently: http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/I80-Transport/ http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/I-95_Rescue_and_Transport/ You can see from the map that the area covered by these groups run thousands of miles. Interstate 80 crosses the country fro...

The Philippine Animal Welfare Society is having their annual fundraiser very soon, on August 31, 2008. This year, they are setting limits ranging from medium to large dogs. That' still kinda vague, isn't it? Well, dogs must measure at least 16 inches in height from tip of paw to top of head. They should also be friendly to other dogs & humans. Participants will need to present their updated vaccination records upon registration 1PM. Race commences an hour later. Just click on the poster to get more information. This event is to benefit PAWS.

Well, once again, PETA , through its undercover work, has been proven that the emperor has no clothes. IAMS , a pet food company who claims that they care about your pet, in reality, doesn't care a hoot about animal welfare. A boycott of its products is the least an animal-loving consumer can do. For those of us on a more aggressive footing, we can spread the news, spread the video, join the demonstrations when planned, and personally inform other consumers at the pet supply store about IAMS' skeleton in the closet. Here's the case: The U.S. Department of Agriculture issued an official complaint against a contract laboratory for IAMS based on reports by government inspectors and an undercover investigation by PETA in 2002 and 2003. The government's main thrust is that this company “has shown a lack of good faith.” The government complaint alleges that the following violations: 1) Failure to provide pain relief to sheep used in experiments that caused pain or distress...

And why shouldn't we look at bullfighting with a critical eye? Because tradition has enshrined it beyond reproach? That's a lame excuse for perpetuating animal cruelty for the blood-thirsty mob. This bullfighting is worse than using animals in circuses. The mob cheers whenever the bull is stabbed, and the torero raises his arms in glory after the bull succumbs to its mortal wounds. Pretty barbaric stuff, really. Believe it or not, not all Spaniards are hungry for blood. According to Lyvon , a Spanish rock group who wrote a song in protest called El Rock del Torero ( Bullfighter's Rock ), 70% of the Spanish population are no longer interested in bullfights. If and when you go to Spain, don't go to the bullfights. Spain is blessed with innumerable art museums, cathedrals, and libraries. Don't hobnob with the boorish crowd at the arenas. Below is Lyvon's performance as presented in YouTube: Here are the lyrics in English: Hundreds of bulls who are murdered Their bl...

Adopt or Foster a cat or dog on Saturday, August, 23rd at Starbucks! Greenpoint, 910 Manhattan Ave. (between Greenpoint Ave. & Kent St.) (718) 609-0467 The Brooklyn Animal Foster Network will be outside Starbucks (910 Manhattan Ave.) from 12:00-5:00pm with many adoptable cats and dogs, kittens and puppies, who are looking for their forever homes. WHAT : Animal Adoption Event – adoptable cats and dogs, kittens and puppies upon application approval, refernce check and and home check and small adoption fee. WHEN : Saturday August 23, 2008 12 -5:00pm WHO : Brooklyn Animal Foster Network WHERE : Starbucks, Greenpoint910 Manhattan Ave.(between Greenpoint Ave. & Kent St.) Directions

I'm a beautiful Blue Nose Pitbull. I'm up to date with all my shots and neutered. I'm about 1 year old and VERY sweet and loving. I love to cuddle up, sit in your lap and give kisses. I gladly roll over for bell rubs, which are my favorite. Since I'm a puppy, I do need lots of exercise because I have alot of energy. However, I'm not doing well at the shelter and the people here are very worried about me. I'm very depressed because I hate being kept in a run and I'm not getting enough exercise. The people here love me and do their best to play with me and walk me as much as they can, but a shelter is no substitute for a home. Dogs were not meant to live in cages and I desperately want my own home. I've been to Basic Obedience classes and know how to mind my manners - walk nicely on leash, sit, stay, etc. I also go to Agility class on Sunday morning and I LOVE it!!!! I walk over ladders, run over an A frame and jump over obstacles. It's tons of fun an...

I am not being unjustly sarcastic when I say that a discerning outlook and an ability for critical thinking should be required of the person who receives a badge, a gun, and a police car from the state. The problem with people who complain about people who complain about the police is that they assume that the police forces are without their rotten apples. No wonder many citizens are resentful of police authority. Take for example Police Officer Paul Stephens of the San Marcos PD, Texas area. He'd rather write a speeding ticket than escort a car to its emergency destination. He was informed by the driver that a dog was choking to death in the car, and Officer Stephens' response was to take it easy because it was only a dog. The dog ultimately died, having spent its last remaining critical moments on hold while Officer Stephens concentrated on issuing a speeding ticket. It's a scary world, isn't it, when you have people who are suppose to help you, don't. Officer S...

NJARA is trying to help a local activist in Sparta, New Jersey. Please give Robert Comiskey your support, help, suggestions, etc. If you need more info, please contact Robert Comiskey directly at bigrob1956@juno.com. The township of Sparta is planning on having a Deer Hunt in Open Space Land this year! We are urging everyone, particularly residents of Sparta to speak out against the proposed hunt. Please bring friends. Please write - see below. When: August 21, 2008 Where: Sparta Town Hall 65 Main Street Sparta, NJ 07871 Time: 7:30 PM View Agenda Talking Points: 1. Hunting is a dangerous activity that goes against the Township's mission statement (see below). 2. Deer hunting does not address car collisions & landscaping issues. 3. Deer hunting causes the population rate to go up as twins & triplets are born because the surviving deer have more food available to them, stimulating reproduction. This is the main reason, coupled with overdevelopment that has led to deer being ...

Ever wonder who gets to go on animal rescue missions in disaster areas like New Orleans( Katrina ) and the recent flooding in the Midwest? Heck, I don't know myself and I am already a volunteer at an animal shelter. Well, the American Humane has put out an APB for those who are interested in becoming an emergency animal rescuer, in case a natural disaster strikes in their area. The program is called Basic Animal Emergency Services Training. The tuition will be $85 for members and $100 for non-members. Training materials will be provided by the organization, and you will receive a certificate of completion at the end of the training. You'll learn about animal first aid, shelter set up and response, incident command systems, plus others. Training has started in some areas, but here is the complete schedule: Naples, FL -- July 26-27 Kansas City, MO -- Aug. 16-17 Altoona, PA -- Aug. 16-17 Dayton, OH -- Sept. 5-6 Pasadena, CA -- Sept. 12-13 Binghamton, NY -- Sept. 13-14 Milwaukee,...

Oh, you'll love Ralph. At the moment, he's my favorite at the shelter. Ralph came to the shelter approximately two months ago, a bit sick and lackluster. We know he's better now because he's turned into a playful and engaging dog. Ralph is about two years of age, and he craves for attention. I thought Basset Hounds were sleepy and unresponsive dogs ( my ignorance ), but Ralph is definitely not the case. Ralph loves his walks and he's got this little bounce in his gait while his ears swing accordingly. Ralph has a deep voice, and if you can't see who is barking you'd think it was a big dog. Definitely, definitely, Ralph deserves a forever home. He's loving and friendly. No aggression at all, but he gets a bit mouthy at a times. So, please check him out in person at the Bloomingdale Animal Shelter Society . Adopted! September 9, 2008.

Amanda Beard , American olympic swimmer, will go where others have gone before. She's going naked in protest against the fur industry. She'd rather go naked than wear fur. I can think of many athletes who waste their leadership roles and iconic figures on drugs, booze, and wild parties, and so it is quite refreshing to see someone step up for a good cause. She's beautiful, athletic, sexy, and possessing a social consciousness that we can all emulate. Amanda said, " I have seen a lot of the videos, and [it] brings me to tears. "What [some people] think is pretty is actually something that's very gruesome and gross. " Here's a link to the photo shoot: http://www.petatv.com/tvpopup/video.asp?video=amanda_beard_broll&Player=flv

C an you believe this? In our day and age, as we progress as a global community, we find that neanderthals still walk the Earth. Somehow, these guys were left stranded on Ignorance Island, forlorn and forsaken, unable to expand their knowledge and understanding of the world. Yet, they made their way to the Olympics. I am quite surprised and disappointed that they hail from what was once the bastion of high culture, leader of the christian faith, the former ruler of the world. Man, what a disgrace. No one on the team objected to this demeaning gesture towards their host and Asians in general. Yahoo Sports reported that the Spaniards in Spain don't give a hoot about the racial putdown. Jose Calderon , a team member and also a player for the Toronto Raptors in the NBA, just couldn't get it. He expressed his disbelief, “ We did it because we thought it was going to be something nice, something with no problem...But somebody wants to talk about it. It is too much of a big deal with...

Catching mice. For most people, the issue is cut and dry. A mouse trap catches them and that normally leads to their death via a quick snap of a lever or by a slow death on a sticky surface. Problem solved, or at least for the moment it is. Catching " vermin " is not that simple for those who love animals. It's a moral and philosophical dilemma, and it's not nitpicking. I hate painful and cruel animal trapping as much as I detest animal lab testing. We should employ a more humane way of capture and disposal. PETA is marketing a humane mouse trap for only $11.00. It's reusable and clean, but you need to relocated the trapped mice. Here's the webpage for this product: https://www.petacatalog.org/prodinfo.asp?number=HP200&c=catalog_enews

I just have to share this factoid with you guys. Did you know that the Subaru plant in Indiana, USA has not produced any manufacturing trash, or waste, for three years now? Yep, no trash has left the building. The trash was recyled or used to produce energy. That's while the plant manufactured approximately 100,000 PZEV ( partial zero emissions vehicle ) Subarus . The plant is the birthplace of many Subaru vehicles like the Outbacks, Legacys , and Forresters . A PZEV vehicle produces 90% less emissions than other vehicles. So, what we've got here is a plant that produces environmentally friendly vehicles plus it in itself is environmentally friendly. Wait, there's more: the area around the Indiana plant is a designated wildlife habitat and home to all sorts of wildlife including coyotes, herons, ducks, and whatever. That's virtually a home run with bases loaded for the environment. Thanks Subaru!

Some good news. First, let it be said that I am as swift and decisive in bringing good news as bad news. the Society of Gynecological Oncologists planned a surgical meeting this week in Broomfield, Colorado which included a " Pig Lab " for August 7. What is a pig lab? Well, essentially, it's a lab session wherein surgical tools will be tried on innocent and unsuspecting pigs. I reckon the session was meant to show off the efficacy of the tools manufactured by Covidien Electrosurgery , the bio-medical company formerly known as ValleyLab . I will leave it up to your imagination what a gynecological society and a tools manufacturer can do the live and unwilling animals with their tools. Think mutilation. Well, Farm Sanctuary has informed us the that Society of Gynecological Oncologists will forgo the Pig Lab experiments in reaction to the many phone calls and emails sent to them by our fellow animal lovers. The society, however, stated that the use of live animals to to de...

So, you like the Olympics eh? I tell ya, the Chinese fur farms can win a gold medal in cruelty. Animals are skinned alive. Their heads and neck stomped on by heartless workers, and their furless bodies thrown unto a heap to join other skinned animals. What a way to live and die. I wish Beijing never won the bidding for this year's Olympics, and I will not watch a single event in protest. Here is an undercover video taken in Chinese fur farms, and it is not for the faint-hearted: Pledge to go fur-free at PETA.org.

Have you ever heard of Proposition 2? Well, come Nov. 4 2008, voters in California will be deciding to help farm animals get a better life or not. The proposition, if accepted, would add a chapter to Division 20 of California's Health and Safety Code. It will disallow the confinement of certain farm animals in a manner that does not allow them to freely turn around, lie down, stand up, or fully extend their limbs. The measure concerns three types of confinement. They are veal crates, battery cages, and sow gestation crates. This act would become operative on January 1, 2015, if the voters approve it. Similar laws have been passed in other states like Florida (Amendment 10), Arizona (Proposition 204), Oregon (SB 694), and Colorado (SB 201). As far as I am concerned, I can't think of any reason why someone would not support this proposition unless they are in the business and the new law will require them to spend more money on the very animals who give them a profit. Yes, the a...

What a coincidence. I have been seriously considering buying a Subaru Outback 2008, and today I learned that PETA had been after the company for using apes in their advertisements. I seldom watch television and so I haven't seen the ads, but PETA reported that Subaru used a chimpanzee dressed in trunks and carrying a clipboard in a recent limited-edition spot for its Small Tent, Big Event Sale. The ad also included a live deer. PETA's Kristie Phelps, who focuses on animals in entertainment for the advocacy group, sent a letter to Tim Mahoney, chief marketing officer for Subaru who reacted favorably to the notice. PETA requested Mahoney to watch a video narrated by actress Anjelica Huston. It details the abuses suffered by great apes who are forcibly taken from their mothers as babies, beaten up during training. They are then warehoused at about age eight when they become too strong for human handlers. Evidently, Subaru executives called a meeting and decided to stop using the a...

The face of evil. Too harsh? Well, listen to this: Christine Dawn Abrams , 29 yrs, abandoned her German Shepherd for two months without food or water. Ella , the dog, was locked in a metal cage in her former home and Abrams never came back to check on her. Two months? That's probably when the dead dog was discovered. It could not have lived two months without food or water. Why the abandonment ? Apparently, Abrams lost her home. But, she did not have to lose her dog. Abram's logic, evidently, equated Ella with the home. Leave home, leave dog. Twisted logic, it is. However, why lock the dog up in a cage when you know she won't have a chance to live? Why not take Ella to a shelter, or offer her to a friend? There's where evilness comes in. She actually admitted to police that she knew her actions would lead to the dog's death. I am sorry. I might have misled you to think that Abrams moved to a far away place. In reality, Abrams moved only six miles away. Read more ab...