Emma loves her papa!
CC image via flickr user Vegan Flower (Molly!).
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Hey there lovely people! I have a homework assignment for the dog people in the audience. Don’t worry, it’s short and kind of sweet and won’t distract from your holiday festivities. Dr. Frank McMillan at Best Friends Animal Society is studying human-nonhuman bonding and, as part of his background research, is soliciting stories of love and devotion from those who share their lives with dogs. How do you know that your dog friend loves you? The answer can be short or long-form, simple or multifaceted. Just TELL HIM STORIES! (Always quote His Dark Materials. ALWAYS!)

Here’s the call for submissions, which appeared in the November/December 2011 issue of Best Friends magazine:

BEST FRIENDS NEEDS YOUR HELP

If you have a dog who expresses love toward you, we would like to hear your story.

In a very special new study, we are looking in-depth at the emotions of bonding and affection – love – shown by dogs toward their human companions. For background research, we would like to collect stories of dogs’ expressions of love. The story could be about a single incident of your dog’s show of love and devotion, or the ways your dog demonstrates love within your overall relationship. It could simply be an answer to the question: How do you know your dog loves you? If you would like to share your story, please email it to Dr. Frank McMillan at dr.frank@bestfriends.org.

You may recall that I’ve written about Dr. McMillan’s research previously in this here space; see, e.g. Scientists, Poets, Changemakers and Heroes (Volunteer Opportunities & Action Alerts). (Wow, has it been two years already?) Participating in vegan-friendly research projects such as this is an awesome and fun way to contribute to science. And easy, too!

Dr. McMillan posts notices of current research opportunities in Best Friends magazine, which comes “free” with a $25 donation to Best Friends. (We made a donation in Ozzy’s name for their annual Blessing of the Animals ceremony.) In the future, I’ll try to relay new notices as quickly as possible, for those who don’t get the magazine. Forgetting is easy, since a) I tend to let my subscription lapse and b) the notices are somewhat inconspicuous and easy to miss! But I’ll do better, I promise. This stuff is important, yo!

While we’re doing the bulletin board thing, joyful vegan goddess Colleen Patrick-Goudreau recently posted this notice on her FB page:

Call for vegan experts: I’m building a directory of everything from vegan wellness practitioners (chiropractors, acupuncturists, dietitians, naturopaths, nutritionists, psychologists, nurse practitioners, massage therapists, veterinarians) to vegan cooking class instructor and chefs. Wherever you are, if you are vegan and fall into any of the first categories, please email lisa@compassionatecooks.com so we can include you. If you teach cooking classes or have a catering company or are a personal chef, please email colleendavis@compassionatecooks.com. We need the city and state your in, your name, and your website! PLEASE PASS IT ON!

Also, VegListings is a newish directory for vegetarian and vegan businesses; it might come in handy for shoppers as well as business owners, especially with the holidays fast approaching! In the past I’ve put together social justice-themed buying guides; this year, I briefly considered compiling a list of vegan shops on etsy (love me some etsy!) – and then I stumbled upon the Vegan Etsy Team page, making my idea seem redundant.

…and I hope you will too!

So go, browse, buy (if you can). If not, maybe you’ll be inspired to give gifts crafted by your own two hands this holiday season. It’s fun!

(Image via Herbivore, by way of Vegan Etsy.)

There are several “actionable items” – not quite action alerts, but rather opportunities for participation, if that makes sense – I’ve been meaning to share, but just haven’t had the time to blog about in depth. Rather than neglect these projects altogether, here’s a handy-dandy roundup. Please scan through each item and help out where you can; these virtual volunteer opportunities are perfect for activists who have more extra time than they do money!

1. Science

It really chaps my rotund hide when speciesists claim that animal advocates are “anti-science.” Being all diverse and stuff, I’m sure the animal rights and welfare movements are home to a fair share of science-averse humans, but for the most part, we’re hardly anti-science. On the contrary: many of us harness the power of scientific research to demonstrate that veganism is a healthier alternative to “meat” and dairy consumption; that nonhuman animals can experience complex thoughts and emotions; that our exploitation of nonhumans animals is both unnecessary and harmful; etc., etc., etc. (you get the idea). On the whole, I don’t think we’re any more anti-science than our omni counterparts.

Personally, I love science; once upon a time, I wanted to be a clinical psychologist, specializing in anthrozoology and world vegan (then vegetarian, but wev) domination. I still peruse research articles and scientific journals (of a social nature) on occasion, just for the fun of it. No, it’s not science per se that I take issue with. Rather, I object to the imprisonment, torture, killing and exploitation of sentient, non-consenting animals, usually for redundant and frivolous research.

So I’ve become increasingly interested in “vegan” science, particularly in supporting such endeavors whenever possible. For example, I would love to donate my body to science when I die. The thought of spending my “afterlife” rotting away on a body farm somewhere brings a smile to my face; doubly so if my remains can save a nonhuman animal from being birthed, tortured and killed in the name of science. Oooh, Dr. Brennan, pick me, pick me!

Anyhow, when I saw an ad for research volunteers in the latest issue of Best Friends magazine, I immediately fired off an email to Dr. Frank McMillan to see how I might help. He pointed me to five open surveys, all of which are related to studies he’s conducting at Best Friends (as described here):

Dr. Franklin McMillan has been the director of well-being studies at Best Friends since October 2007. As director of well-being studies, Dr. Frank assesses and studies the mental health and emotional well-being of animals who have endured hardship, adversity and psychological trauma. Through these studies, he hopes to learn what the effects of trauma are – the psychological injuries and scars – and how best to treat them in order to restore to these animals a life of enjoyment rather than one of fear and emotional distress.

He is currently conducting such studies on cats from the Great Kitty Rescue in Pahrump, Nevada – an institutionalized hoarding situation – and the fighting dogs taken from the estate of former NFL quarterback Michael Vick.

The ad in Best Friends (September/October 2009, p. 66) offers additional details on the research:

Best Friends needs your help in our mental health studies of traumatized animals.

First, be assured that all the studies we conduct here at Best Friends involve observational methods that do not harm animals.

Many of our studies require a large number of animals for the study to be valid. For this, we rely on volunteer participation by individuals with certain types of animals. All studies involve nothing more than filling out an online questionnaire about your pet.

If you are a guardian to a cat or a dog, you’re eligible to participate in at least one (if not several) of the following surveys:

Dogs: Suspicion of Abuse Survey – for guardians who suspect that one or more of their dog-kids were abused, mistreated or neglected (the definition of abuse is left open for interpretation).

Dogs: Canine Fear Survey – for all dog guardians.

Dogs: Physical-Emotional Interaction Assessment for Dogs – a mind/body study that’s open to all canine guardians.

Cats: Physical-Emotional Interaction Assessment for Cats – a mind/body study that’s open to all feline guardians.

Dogs: Best Friends Canine Attachment Survey – A bonding/attachment study for dog guardians.

If you are a guardian to multiple cats and/or dogs, you can fill out one survey for each of the eligible animals. That is to say, if you have three dog-kids and suspect that two were abused, fill out two separate “Suspicion of Abuse” surveys, one for each dog.

Since I live with five dogs and a cat, I completed a grand total of 18 surveys over several weeks. Each survey takes about 15 minutes to complete, depending on how much you elaborate on the open-ended questions.

Additionally, Mia Cobb of Monash University in Australia is looking for people aged 18 years and older to complete an online questionnaire about

your attitudes towards the welfare of dogs and kennel facilities, as well as a few general questions about yourself.

The questionnaire is not restricted to Australian participants and you do not need to have had any direct experience with a kennel facility to take part. You don’t even need to ‘like’ dogs.

Public opinion is often a driving force in the provision of care for animals housed in captivity. Therefore, a survey is important to accurately establish the views of the general public as well as dog trainers and primary care givers (such as kennel attendant staff) who are generally directly responsible for decisions regarding the care provided to dogs housed in kennel facilities.

You can access the “Attitudes regarding the welfare of dogs housed in kennel facilities questionnaire” at Monash University here.

Finally, speaking of surveys, Breeze Harper of Sistah Vegan and Vegans of Color concluded her “Vegans by Race/Ethnicity in the USA” poll and has made the results available as an ebook, available for purchase and download on Lulu. Also of interest is her Masters thesis, “Cyber-Territories of Whiteness, Sistah Vegan Consciousness.”

2. Poetry

Author/activist Mickey Z. is soliciting poetry for his latest project, The Big Book of Revolutionary Poetry:

From: “Mickey Z.” mzx2 [at] earthlink.net
Date: Sat, 24 Oct 2009 19:25:50 -0400
Subject: Call for poems

Calling all feminists, wizards, Queer theorists, ex-Black Panthers, Christians, Green activists, avant-gardists, Kabbalists, vegans, Hawaiian nationalists, kickboxers, Punks, Hip Hop evangelists, New New Leftists, pink-haired emo warriors, organic gardeners — submit your work for “The Big Book of Revolutionary Poetry,” edited by Sparrow and Mickey Z. Send up to 3 poems to: sparrow44 [at] juno.com or info [at] mickeyz.net

Also, please forward this announcement far and wide, post it on your website or blog or Facebook page, and tweet it if you must. Thanks…

P.S. Please don’t reply to find out what we mean by “revolutionary.” As they say, if you have to ask…

Creative vegan feminist types, I’m looking at you!

3. Change (.org)

Change.org recently launched a new feature on its website. Heavy on audience participation, Changemakers invites readers to nominate and vote for activists, advocates, agitators – you know, changemakers – in 23 categories, including animal rights. Because the feature is user-driven with little quality control (that, and there’s no dedicated animal welfare category to highlight the distinction), some of the nominations are, shall we say, puzzling. (Since when is Leonardo DiCaprio an animal rights activist?) Rather than shun Changemakers, though, this is precisely why actual vegans and animal rights advocates should get involved and make their voices heard, particularly as Change.org will invite Changemakers

to periodically write on an issue they’re passionate about and have their content featured on Change.org and pushed throughout our network of 500,000 activists, 4000 organizational partners, and 20,000 affiliated bloggers.

Each user has ten votes that she can spread across all 23 categories, so vote wisely. I’m not 100% sure what the nomination policy is – how many activists one user can nominate, whether the nomination automatically counts as a vote, whether that vote is unchangeable, etc. – so please contact Change.org directly with any questions you may have.

So far I’ve only voted for Gene Bauer, but plan to nominate between three and six women as soon as I have a free moment. Care to guess who my choices are?

Stephanie recently blogged about Changemakers, so see her post (or Change.org‘s FAQ) for more details.

4. Heroism, CNN

Last but not least, CNN Heroes is open for audience voting. Now in its third year, CNN invites viewers to nominate their own personal Heroes for the contest. From there, a panel of judges selects ten finalists, and then through online voting, viewers choose a winner, who wins a grand prize of $100,000. All ten finalists are featured on CNN throughout the final phase of the contest – October through November – and all nominees are profiled on CNN’s website.

Obviously, CNN Heroes is a great opportunity to put animal advocacy issues front and center. Unfortunately, I’ve yet to see an animal advocate make the final cut – and this year is no different. Again, the only way we can remedy the situation is by getting involved: if you know an animal advocate, please think about nominating her in 2010. Judging from when last I posted about Heroes, nominations open rather early in the year – as in, January or February. I can’t seem to find the nomination form online (probably it’s no longer available), but as I recall, it was somewhat comprehensive, and included questions personal enough to imply that one must be familiar (i.e., in the real world sense) with one’s nominee. In other words, now’s the time to start thinking about next year’s nominations.

I’ll post a notice when the 2010 nominations open up, but for now, hop on over to CNN and vote for a Hero.

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Hard-at-work doggy via Flickr user stretchdog.

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Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare action alerts science poetry research cnn heroes cnn change.org changemakers survey dog canine cat feline pet companion animal animal companion best friends vegan veganism animal advocacy activists activism flickr photos humane research cruelty-free research vegan science ethology animal behavior animal rescue

That’s right, folks: breed specific legislation, coming soon to military housing near you:

Lots of dog breeds will no longer be allowed on military housing property, according to new policy announced in a memo stamped January 5 from the United States Department of the Army. According to sources, the directive was approved by the Pentagon just prior to President George W. Bush leaving office.

The subject line of the memo reads: “Pet Policy for Privatized Housing Under the Army’s Residential Communities Initiative Privatization Program. Pit Bulls (American Staffordshire Bull Terriers and English Staffordshire Bull Terriers), Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, Chow Chows and wolf hybrids are now banned.” [...]

According to the ruling, dogs of any type who currently live on base can be grandfathered in. However, Lynde points out that families are frequently being asked to re-locate. When they do, they can no longer bring their banned dogs with them. Similarly, new enlistees must leave their dogs at home if they’re indentified as a banned breed.

Then what happens to any banned dogs identified and then forcibly relinquished by transferring military? Lynde says, “No one seems to have that answer.”

With morale already low on military bases, according to Lynde, she believes the ruling has already begun to further impact morale. “What kind of family support is this? I tried to communicate with the Garrison Comander’s Office (at Fort Bragg), but I got nowhere,” she says.

Military families whose members include so-called “dangerous” dog breeds, such as pit bulls, rottweilers, doberman pinschers, chow chows and wolf hybrids (!?) – or any mutt whose lineage includes or even resembles these breeds – may, under the new housing policy, be forced to relinquish their canines. If they’re unable to find a trusted friend or family member to take the animals, presumably they’ll have no choice but to surrender their beloved dogs to animal shelters, where many will be killed for lack of homes.

Simply put, this is a travesty. We already demand far too much of our military members and their families – we send them overseas, to fight and die in capricious, pointless wars; we deny them proper physical and psychological care, both in the battlefield and here at home; we ignore the high rates of sexual assault perpetrated against women in the military; we actively discriminate against gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered persons who want nothing more than to serve their country; we fail to provide care for the non-human members of military families when the caregivers are deployed or on active duty; and now, the U.S. government is attempting to eradicate a targeted segment of their non-human family members, based on nothing other than naked prejudice, stereotypes and hysteria. Shameful, just shameful.

Take action

1. Please write to your Congresspeople and demand that they take action to halt this policy from being implemented – and then repeal it altogether. You can find contact information for your Senators and Representative here and here. Please copy President Obama on your email, as well. You can find contact information here.

2. Additionally, please write to your state representatives and demand that they tackle this issue on a state level (if nothing else, by applying pressure to their colleagues in the U.S. Senate and House). You can locate your state representative and senator by Googling “kansas + state + legislature” or similar. About.com has a state-by-state list of military bases and installations here. Please copy each base in your state on all correspondence you send to your state legislators.

3. Finally, please consider contacting your local media as well. This is particularly important if you live near a large military base or installation. Reporters love local angles on national stories – and they love dogs, too. Here’s an opportunity to put that speciesism to good use. (But let’s not reinforce it, mmmkay?)

As for talking points, stopbsl.com/bsloverview/ is quite helpful, and includes pointers on what you should and shouldn’t say when making the case against BSL. Best Friends has also written about this issue; see, for example, Once Heroes, Now Banned…. and (the ironically titled) Discrimination in the Military?

Under the “what you can do” heading, Best Friends recommends:

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

► Write a letter to President Barack and Michelle Obama, as well as Army officials. You may contact the President and the First Lady here or send an e-mail to comments [at] whitehouse.gov and put the appropriate name in the subject line. To comment to the Army, contact Ms. Joyce VanSlyke at joyce.vanslyke [at] us.army.mil.

Please keep your contact polite, professional and educational. Encourage other alternatives such as:

• Consider mandatory micro-chipping. Fine those who abandon their dogs.
• Encourage a law prohibiting dogs from being alone in a yard without supervision, until permanently anchored fencing is allowed on military based housing.
• Enforce mandatory spay/neuter programs for all pets on military based housing.
• Enact higher fines for those who breed dogs on military bases.
• You can also join the Stop Breed Specific Legislation community on the Best Friends Network.
• Teach the community, particularly children, about responsible dog ownership and care. Offer humane educators to speak.

Best Friends also has a community organized around stopping BSL, where you can keep up-to-date on news and developments.

(Photo credit: provided courtesy of Lynn Lynde; posted to Best Friends NC Community by Pamela Hay.)

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Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare action alerts bsl breed specific legislation best friends pet companion animal dog canine pit bull mutt rottweiler doberman pinscher chow chow wolf hybrid military military housing military family us military military base news in the news flickr photos discriminationl breedism

Via Best Friends, who notes:

We all know what happens when a new “dog movie” comes out—lots of people decide they must have a dog just like the one in the movie. But what people might not realize is that shelters and groups across the country have plenty of Chihuahuas, for ADOPTION. In fact, Chihuahuas are the 5th most-posted breed of dog for adoption on Petfinder (after Labs, Shepherds, Pit bulls and mixes of those breeds).

Check out our star-studded PSA video (with actors from the movie) that encourages adoption instead of buying.

Watch on the Best Friends website (higher quality)

Watch on YouTube

We wanted to share a poster made by Best Friends that can be easily printed and hung up around your town to let people know that they can rescue a Chihuahua on Petfinder instead of buying one from a pet store, newspaper ad or the Internet. In fact, the star Chihuahua of the movie was rescued from a Moreno Valley shelter, outside of L.A. just days before his “time was up.”

Download poster by clicking this link.

For more information visit our web page: www.dontbuypuppies.com

Feel free to use link to the video on your own websites.

On behalf of the ‘Puppies Aren’t Products’ Campaign Team, thank you for helping us spread word!

(Crossposted to.)

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Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare pet companion animal dog canine Chihuahua Beverly Hills Chihuahua best friends best friends animal society puppy mills video animal rescue rescue dog adoption movies

DawnWatch: Animal Testing — Three famous deaths and a ray of hope 9/12/07
Alex the parrot, Felix the monkey, and Anita Roddick the Body Shop founder who pioneered the mass marketing of animal friendly cosmetics, have died.

Defenders of Wildlife: Protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge — Forever
Write your elected officials today and urge them to support the Udall-Eisenhower Arctic Wilderness Act (H.R. 39), a bill that would permanently protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC): Protect Yellowstone and the Greater Rockies
Help block drilling in Colorado wildlife refuge

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA): Dozens of Allegedly Neglected Dogs in Meigs County, Tennessee, Need Your Voice!
PETA has received allegations of serious neglect of numerous dogs at 1627A Sam Davis Rd. in Decatur, Tennessee.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA): Tell University of Illinois to Stop Cruel Dog Lab!
Please urge the university to shut down the dog lab and mandate the adoption of FIDO immediately.

Newsletters

Best Friends Animal Society: eNewsletter: September 12, 2007
Events — Here, there, everywhere!

Bill of Rights Defense Committee (BORDC): Dissent is Patriotic: September 2007, Vol. 6, No. 7
Role for Grassroots as Era of Gonzales and Talon Ends; Legislation; Grassroot News; and more!

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA): Weekly eNews: September 13, 2007
PETA E-News: Enter PETA Contests to Win Cruelty-Free Gifts

United Animal Nations (UAN): eJournal, VOL. 3, NO. 8 – September 2007
September e-Journal :: Take our disaster preparedness poll

Vegan Outreach: eNewsletter: September 12, 2007
Notes from Vegan Outreach

VegCooking.com: Recipe of the Week: September 12, 2007
Vegan Fettuccine Alfredo alla Carbonara (Now that’s what I call Vegan YumYum!)

Petitions

Urge the Bahamas Government to Ban the Catching and Killing of Endangered Sea Turtles!

Save Chapultepec’s Dogs

Australian Cavy Sanctuary – small animals matter to me!

Oppose the destructive practice of mountaintop removal mining

Free Rainforest Researcher Marc van Roosmalen

RESCUE ACTIVITIES FOR WILD ANIMALS IN CAPTIVITY and in COSTUDY AND GUARD IN DIVERLAND, AN AMUSEMENT

Street Begging Elephants

Your Daily Click-Through Reminders

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Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare environment environmental environmentalism environmentalist green nature action alerts activism link dump link roundup link farm link sanctuary click through sites click to donate care2 the animal rescue site the rainforest site VegCooking.com news in the news newsletters vegan veganism vegetarian vegetarianism recipes peta people for the ethical treatment of animals Natural Resources Defense Council nrdc drilling yellowstone biodiversity wildlife conservation rockies colorado oil gas energy Bill of Rights Defense Committee bordc civil liberties Defenders of Wildlife polar bears Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Udall-Eisenhower Arctic Wilderness Act petitions the petition site mountaintop removal mining mining vegan outreach Best Friends Animal Society Best Friends dawnwatch animal research animal testing animal experimentation vivisection United Animal Nations uan animal abuse animal cruelty cruelty to animals Decatur Tennessee Meigs County dog canine pet companion animal dog lab University of Illinois sea turtles Chapultepec Mexico Australian Cavy Sanctuary Marc van Roosmalen Margarita Island dolphins elephants

Defenders of Wildlife: Don’t Let Great Cats & Rare Canines Vanish Forever
Tell Congress to do its part — and join in the effort to protect these creatures world-wide.

Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF): Stop the Spying!
Tell the government to stop surveillance of Americans’ communications without a warrant.

People for the American Way (PFAW): Tell Congress: End Warrantless Spying on Americans!
Tell your members of Congress how you feel about the Bush administration’s warrantless spying on Americans.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA): ‘Bambi Butchers’ Horror
On August 26, 2007, a PETA investigator filmed the slaughter of deer at Musicon, Inc., a deer farm and venison sales company in Goshen, New York.

Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS): Urge Congress to Hold Strong on a Clean Energy Bill!
Please tell your senators and representative that America’s new Energy Bill must include a 35 mile per gallon fuel economy standard AND a 15 percent renewable electricity standard.

World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA): Tell Norway to stop whaling
Despite the global ban on commercial whaling, Norway has killed almost 7,000 whales in the last 20 years.

Carnivals

Carnival of Hurricane Relief #104 (September 6, 2007 @ Red County, California

Newsletters

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA): News Alert, September 7, 2007
Chat with an ASPCA Animal Cop/Help Farm Animals

Best Friends Animal Society: eNews, September 7, 2007
On the ground in Peru

Defenders of Wildlife: eNews, September 7, 2007
Wildlife eNews: Rare(r) Red Knot

Petitions

Make Animals A Priority in 2008

Kitten Forced to Smoke Crack by Warped Rocker Pete Doherty!

Help the Guinea Pigs at ‘Jimmy’s Farm’

End Baby Turtle Release Shows in Mexico!

Walmart Stop Selling the Lavaquarium

Tell Pierce County [Washington] to enforce environmental laws

Call on ALL car rental companies to offer hybrid vehicles

Your Daily Click-Through Reminders

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Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare environment environmental environmentalism environmentalist green nature action alerts activism link dump link roundup link farm link sanctuary click through sites click to donate care2 the animal rescue site the rainforest site Electronic Frontier Foundation eff spying wiretapping civil liberties People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals peta deer deer slaughter deer farms venison video Musicon, Inc. Goshen New York NY People for the American Way PFAW World Society for the Protection of Animals WSPA Norway whales whaling Union of Concerned Scientists UCS congress energy energy bill Defenders of Wildlife news in the news newsletter wildlife conservation cats canines Best Friends Animal Society Best Friends Peru earthquake natural disaster animal rescue cat feline dog canine pet companion animal livestock American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals aspca petitions the petition site Pete Doherty Kate Moss animal abuse cruelty to animals animal cruelty Essex Pig Company Ltd Jimmy’s Farm Guinea Pig Village Guinea Pigs BBC Animal Welfare Act 2006 uk elections 2008 elections politics Wal-Mart Lavaquarium fish Betta fish Canada Pierce County Washington wetlands cars hybrids Sea Turtle Festivals turtles hatchling releases carnivals

European Coalition to End Animal Experiments (ECEAE): Help Us Stop Primate Experiments. For Good.
We currently have a real opportunity to get a ban on all primate experiments across Europe – but we need your help.

The Foundation for Taxpayer & Consumer Rights (FTCR) / OilWatchdog: Stick It to Big Oil
Send a free fax to your U.S. Senator by clicking here, and ask him or her to support McCaskill’s “Fair Fuel” bill, S. 1997!

Four Paws: Join us in a protest against the ruthless dog mafia in Europe
FOUR PAWS wants to thwart the unscrupulous trade in puppies. Take part! Support our protest and sign our online petition.

In Defense of Animals (IDA): Get Tina and Jewel Out of the Circus
Urge USDA to send suffering elephants to a sanctuary now

In Defense of Animals (IDA): Ask Prosecutor to seek maximum sentencing for animal hoarders
Over 100 Animals Removed from Animal Hoarders’ Home; Supplies needed to care for 68 surviving dogs and cats

In Defense of Animals (IDA): Give Vick Dogs a Fighting Chance at Life
Ask U.S. Attorney to allow rescue organizations to adopt qualified dogs

Kinship Circle: Help Philly Go Foie Gras Free, 9/4/07
Please Take Action to Help Philadelphia be Foie Gras Free

Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC): Help save endangered Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep
Ask the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect lands critical to the bighorn’s survival.

Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC): Californians: Tell your state legislators to vote Yes on important environmental bills
The California legislature will consider several important environmental bills before it adjourns in the next few days. Urge your state legislators to vote Yes for these critical bills.

Rainforest Action Network (RAN): Ask your representative to co-sponsor the Clean Water Protection Act (H.R. 2169)
You can make a difference by asking your representative to co-sponsor the Pallone-Shays Clean Water Protection Act, H.R. 2169.

Campaign Updates, Press Releases, etc.

Disaster Animal Victims of Peru Earthquake Need Our Help NOW blog
This blog contains information, links and postings about the current situation for animals in Peru affected by the August 2007 earthquake.

Dogs Deserve Better (DDB): “Falling Star, Rising Son: The Football Player and the Pit bull” Art containing Actual NFL Football Tickets from Steeler/Eagles Game
To be Auctioned on E-Bay; All proceeds benefit nonprofit organization Dogs Deserve Better (ends 9/13)

Dogs Deserve Better (DDB): DA Seeks to Bar Defense Evidence of Abuse on Doogie; Grimes Responds, Releases a Statement [.pdf]
Woman accused of dog theft issues statement in response to Pennsylvania DA’s attempt to bar defense evidence from trial

Newsletters

The Animals Voice eNewsletter: September 6, 2007
AnimalsVoice.com is the premiere online resource for animal rights and its defenders.

Best Friends Animal Society: eNewsletter, September 6, 2007
Events Around Town – super adoptions, hiking, racing for the animals!

In Defense of Animals (IDA): eNews, September 5, 2007
IDA Action Alerts, Campaign News & Updates

Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM): PCRM Online, September 2007
Physicians Sue California University for Violating Animal Welfare Law; PCRM Report Card Reveals School Lunch Disparities; Stony Brook University, Saint Louis University End Animal Labs After Bar Association, PCRM Letters; Congress Updates America’s Farm Bill, The Cancer Project Holds Second Annual Symposium

Vegan Outreach: eNewsletter, September 5, 2007
Holy Booklets, Batman! New Records!

VegCooking.com: Recipe of the Week: September 5, 2007
Vegan Rosemary-Cheese Biscuits

Petitions

Help get justice for a tortured and killed cocker spaniel

Cruelty to Animals Statute in Idaho must be changed to a felony.

Remove section 3.14 of City Council Tenancy agreement restricting pet ownership

Levend gevild.Stop de bontboederijen,Fur for animals

Keep St Mary’s Street in Cardiff pedestrianised

DEAR OPRAH, Please read this book and have this guest on your show!

Your Daily Click-Through Reminders

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Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare environment environmental environmentalism environmentalist green nature action alerts activism link dump link roundup link farm link sanctuary click through sites click to donate care2 the animal rescue site the rainforest site ddb dogs deserve better michael vick dog canine pet companion animal animal fighting dogfighting blood sports animal abuse animal cruelty cruelty to animals ebay auction Tammy Grimes chaining tethering Doogie kinship circle foie gras Philadelphia Chicago Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine pcrm news in the news newsletter VegCooking.com Foundation for Taxpayer & Consumer Rights ftcr big oil fair fuel bill OilWatchdog vegan outreach Natural Resources Defense Council nrdc Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep wildlife conservation California In Defense of Animals IDA circus tina jewel elephants usda asian elephants Cole Brothers Circus animal hoarding nj new jersey Cynthia Stewart Philip Tamis Four Paws dog trade breeding dog mafia puppy smuggling The Animals Voice European Coalition to End Animal Experiments ECEAE animal testing animal experimentation animal research vivsection eu european union Rainforest Action Network RAN water clean water pollution Clean Water Protection Act Best Friends Best Friends Animal Society blog Peru earthquake natural disaster disaster relief petitions the petition site copper Alexander Castro Al Castro San Jose cocker spaniel domestic violence Idaho felony fur fur farms

Ecological Internet / The Rainforest Portal: Protest Destruction of Colombian Rainforests and Livelihoods to Feed Automobiles
It is gravely unethical and ecologically devastating to expand production of biofuels at the expense of ancient primary rainforests, biodiverse grasslands, local communities and their food sovereignty.

In Defense of Animals (IDA): Police Officer Accused of Killing K-9 Partner
“Take Action” to ask State Attorney to seek maximum sentence

In Defense of Animals (IDA): New York Passes Fur Labeling Legislation
“Take Action” to ask Congress to pass federal fur labeling bill

Newsletters

Best Friends Animal Society: eNews: August 31, 2007
Cats from hoarding situation safe at Best Friends

Dr. Greger’s Pandemic Update: August 2007
World Health Organization Calls Attention to Poultry Intensification; What Are the Odds a Pandemic Will Strike Within the Next Year?

In Defense of Animals (IDA): eNews: August 29, 2007
IDA Action Alerts, Campaign News & Updates

Petitions

Dismiss Charges Against Tammy Grimes and Press Charges Against Animal Neglector/Abuser

Appeal to prosecute under NEW TX. Animal Cruelty Laws-teens despicable act of torturing pup to death

400 DOGS NEED SHELTER

Encouraging John Dingell to Lead on Global Warming

Olive Ridley Turtle Protection

Your Daily Click-Through Reminders

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Animal Protection Institute (API): Urge USDA to Get Luna and Tonka off the Road
Please contact the USDA today and urge it to step in and require that Ringling Bros. retire Luna and Tonka from travel — for the elephants’ own health and well-being, and for the safety of the public.

Ecological Internet / Climate Ark: Protest Australia’s Ancient Forest Logging and Climate Change Eco-Hypocrisy
Dramatic efforts required to stop the expansion of Tasmanian old-growth forest logging by construction of a massive new paper pulp mill by Gunns Ltd

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA): Tell the NFL to Recognize Animal Abuse as an Offense Warranting Suspension–and More
PETA is calling on the NFL to add cruelty to animals—in all its forms—to its personal conduct policy.

Newsletters

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA): News Alert: August 24, 2007
ASPCA Applauds Investigation of Vick Case/Pet Food Recall Update

Best Friends Animal Society: eNews, August 24, 2007
Hundreds of orphan pets rescued by Best Friends Network

Petitions

Against Puppy Farms in the UK

Mandatory, regular inspection of barges towing dangerous goods

Your Daily Click-Through Reminders

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Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare environment environmental environmentalism environmentalist green nature action alerts activism link dump link roundup link farm link sanctuary click through sites click to donate care2 the animal rescue site the rainforest site best friends best friends animal society michael vick dog canine cat feline pet companion animal animal fighting dogfighting blood sports news in the news newsletter peta people for the ethical treatment of animals nfl national football league animal abuse animal cruelty cruelty to animals roger goodell personal conduct policy American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals aspca dog food cat food pet food recall petitions the petition site puppy mills ecological internet ie climate ark logging Australia gunns ltd. pulp mill api animal protection institute circus luna tonka Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Ringling Bros.

DawnWatch: Los Angeles Times front page on animal cruelty — 8/17/07
The article by John M. Glionna is headed, “A beastly kind of cruelty” and sub-headed, “Drive-by shooters, often youths, are killing farm animals in a growing wave of violence. The culprits may face only vandalism charges.”

Humane Society of the United States (HSUS): Thank the U.S. Attorneys in the Vick Case!
Sign our virtual thank you card for the U.S. Attorneys in the Vick case

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA): An End to Animal Tests?
It could be a reality, but the agency charged with approving non-animal test methods—including many that are already in use in Europe—refuses to take action.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA): Help Remove Tonka and Luna From Travel With Ringling!
PETA is asking the USDA to immediately and permanently remove from travel two reportedly “dangerous” elephants traveling with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA): URGENT: Ohio Judge Awards Custody of Abused Dog to Dog’s Convicted Abuser
Please ask Judge Robert Lyons to reconsider his decision to return China to Clark, which could put an animal who has already suffered so much in a grave situation.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA): Urge The Gilda Radner Familial Ovarian Cancer Registry to Display the Humane Charity Seal
The Gilda Radner Familial Ovarian Cancer Registry has taken a wonderful step—it has assured the Council on Humane Giving in writing that it does not fund cruel animal research.

Save Our Wild Salmon (SOS): Contact Your Senators: Help Stop the Anti-Salmon Rider!
Senator Craig is directing federal agencies to implement a harmful salmon plan that federal courts have already ruled illegal.

Newsletters

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA): News Alert, August 17, 2007
Your Garbage Can Be Dangerous to Pets/Take Our Cat Survey

Best Friends Animal Society: eNews, August 17, 2007
Amazing Adoption Day & more!

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA): Animal Savings Club eNews, August 20, 2007
Animal Savings Club: Win a skyn ICELAND Skincare Kit!

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA): Weekly eNews, August 19, 2007
PETA E-News: Veal Assoc. to End Confinement!; Top 10 Veg-Friendly Ballparks

Petitions

Give Bob the Tortoise’s Abuser the Max Time

Prosecute the woman who abused this boxer dog to the fullest!!

In Support of Tre Smith

OPPOSE CRUEL MONKEY SLAUGHTER IN INDIA

Not with the promotion of the race Palio di Siena in the next James Bond movies

Help a no kill animal sanctuary double in size by just changing your search engine

STOP “COUGAR HUNTING WITH THE AID OF DOGS”

Don’t Sacrifice Wildlife to Secure the Border

EPA: Protect Communities from fumigant pesticides!

Save Australia’s Sacred Uluru ~ It’s Wildlife And Community From Destruction

Your Daily Click-Through Reminders

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