Dolphin Song

The Widget above is from Wild Dolphin Foundation

Great gift idea: Adopt a Dolphin



Films Online:

Click Here to watch the film from Oceanic Preservation Society

Click Here to watch the film from Glumbert




Petitions:

Help Save Dolphins

No More Dolphin Capture

Keep Tuna Safe for our Families and Dolphins

End Dolphin Slaughter in Japan

Stop the Dolphin and Whale Killing in Taiji

Save Our Dolphins

Hero To Dolphins

Keep the Caribbean Dolphins Wild and Protected


Learn More:

Save the Dolphins Campaign

Blue Voice

The Dolphin Defender

HSUS: Global Dolphin Day

WWF: New Zealand Dolphins Under Threat

Sea Shepard Conservation Society

DOW: Dolphins

The Dolphin Institute

Seacology

Dolphin Research Center

Imaging Foundation

Act for Dolphins: Podcast

Act for Dolphins: Website

Dolphin World

ACS Online: Dolphins

Greenpeace Japan

Animal Shelters: Hope for the Homeless

Take the Pledge: Pledge to End Animal Homelessness


Some animal shelters are wonderful places; others are hideous dumps. Their treatment of animals, purposes, and capacities vary greatly. They may be run by the government, local humane societies, or private individuals. Some are funded by donations alone, while others receive tax support. Sometimes tax money comes with a stipulation that some animals must be turned over to experimenters. Every effort should be made to eliminate this policy, which is known as “pound seizure.”

(See the “Pound Seizure” factsheet for more information.)


Some shelters take in only dogs or only cats, but most take in both, as well as smaller animals like rabbits, hamsters, and exotic birds. Some can properly handle wildlife; others refer wildlife emergencies to naturalists or wildlife rehabilitators. If a wildlife facility is nearby, it handles all incoming wildlife. Because of severe space limitations, most shelters kill animals who are old, seriously ill, or aggressive as well as those who remain unclaimed or unadopted after a certain number of days.


The Ideal Animal Shelter


The ideal shelter is a true safe haven for lost, injured, abused, and unwanted animals. It receives adequate funding from the jurisdiction that it serves, and no animal is ever knowingly given to a laboratory, guard dog company, or unqualified or cruel guardian. When euthanasia is necessary, it is painless rather than traumatic.

The ideal facility also has kind, attentive, knowledgeable staff members, cruelty investigators, spacious indoor/outdoor housing for dogs and cats, a pre-release spay-and-neuter program, pre-adoption screening and follow-up programs, and a comprehensive humane education program. The staff is supplemented by active volunteers. Animals are provided with veterinary care, and there are sick wards and rooms for isolating newcomers.

The ideal cat room has windowsills and various nooks and perches where cats can lounge, feel safe, or sleep. Cats are allowed to roam the room freely. They won’t fight because they know that no one cat “owns” this territory and because each adult is spayed or neutered before being introduced into the room. The ideal shelter also has areas for cats who must be confined because they need to be observed or because they feel more secure alone when they first arrive.

The public is made to feel welcome, and there is a quiet room where people can be alone with the animal they are considering adopting.

Through a strong publicity program, the public is made aware that the shelter is working to eliminate the companion animal overpopulation crisis, the primary cause of homelessness among animals, and that animals are available for adoption at the shelter. Sometimes, as a public service, local newspapers are willing to publish a notice or a list of animals who are available for adoption, along with the shelter’s public hours. They may also print a photo of one of the animals, which is a good way to attract attention. As a public service, local radio and television stations may also be willing to publicize the shelter. Notices and photos can also be posted in stores, animal hospitals, etc.

The ideal shelter is open for redemption and adoption of animals during hours that are convenient for working people. It is open at least several evenings a week and at least several hours each weekend.

When animals must be killed, a painless intravenous injection of sodium pentobarbital should be administered by gentle, caring staff members. (For animals who are feral, very small, or very young, an intraperitoneal—in the stomach cavity—injection may be acceptable.)

Remember: The programs and facilities above would be included in the ideal shelter, and with the help and persistence of dedicated volunteers, good shelters can become ideal shelters.


Less Than Ideal

“No-kill” shelters euthanize animals only under extreme circumstances, if at all. Because of this, they cannot accept all the animals who are in need of help. Some no-kill shelters only take in animals who are highly attractive, young, or purebred or those who come from the police stations of certain municipalities. Many of these shelters direct people with unadoptable, old, injured, or sick animals to facilities that have no choice but to kill the animals to make room for new arrivals. Each time such a referral is made, there is a greater chance that the animal will be abandoned instead of taken to a shelter. At some no-kill shelters, “unplaceable” animals end up confined to cages for years. They may become withdrawn, severely depressed, and “unhousebroken” or develop anti-social behaviors that further reduce their chances of being adopted. Well-meaning people who take on the huge physical and financial responsibilities of a no-kill shelter often find themselves overwhelmed very quickly, and too often, the animals suffer from lack of exercise, playtime, and individual care and attention, ending up warehoused in misery. Some “no-kill” shelters have been shut down by humane officials after gradual neglect turned into blatant cruelty.



Improving Your Local Shelter

Many shelters are in serious need of reform. Citizen involvement is essential if progress is to be made. You can be successful by organizing friends, neighbors, and other concerned individuals to take action:

• At all times, maintain a positive attitude. For each problem that you encounter, offer a solution, along with assistance in implementing your suggestions.

• Focus on specific problems. And don’t expect to get everything that you ask for all at once.

• Document! Before you can launch a campaign to make changes at your local humane society or shelter, you must thoroughly document the abuses occurring there. Common problems include cruel killing methods, dirty conditions, lack of veterinary care, lack of adequate food and water, poor record-keeping that results in animals being “accidentally” destroyed, lack of spay/neuter requirements or programs, pound seizure policies, inadequate screening procedures for adoption applicants, and callous, untrained, or unthinking staff.

• To effectively document abuses, volunteer at the facility or visit it frequently. Compile photographs, written statements, and observations about specific incidents and conditions. Record all pertinent information (date, time, people involved, weather conditions, etc.). Label each photo and get statements notarized. Have as many people as possible visit the shelter and document their experiences. Be sure to keep copies of all your documents and correspondence.

• Organize a group. After you have collected concrete evidence indicating that there are poor conditions at the shelter, enlist others to work with you. Not only will you need help with your campaign, you’ll also find that public officials tend to be more receptive to groups than to individuals. You might want to run an advertisement—use an address with a post office box—in your local newspaper, asking people who have complaints about the shelter to write to you. For instance: “Do you think that our animal shelter needs improvement? If you have experienced problems with the shelter or want to get involved in efforts to improve it, write to ….” In your ad, be careful not to target any individual, such as the shelter director.

• Organize a meeting with other interested people and set goals. Address the most serious problems first. Group members should be familiar with your state’s anti-cruelty statutes, local animal ordinances, and the specifics of animal behavior and care. Your efforts will be more productive if each member has clearly defined responsibilities.

• Present your case. Depending on the problems that you have observed, you may want to start by meeting with the shelter director to discuss how you might help improve the facility. If this approach fails or is not feasible, request a hearing before the agency that oversees the shelter—the city council, board of county commissioners, or the humane society’s board of directors. Attend the hearing with members of your group and as many other supporters as possible. Present your documentation in an organized way, and be specific. To maintain a high profile in county politics, have several of your group’s members regularly attend these public meetings. This is essential to monitor progress and show officials that your group is serious about reaching its goals.

• Launch letter-writing campaigns to contact local officials. Be sure to write letters of thanks when improvements are made. Develop media contacts so that the entire community gets up-to-date information. Local newspaper and TV reporters who are sympathetic to your concerns can be valuable allies.

• Write letters to the editor. Keep the issue alive in the media by using this easy, free channel to educate the community!

• Get involved in local politics. If there is an upcoming election, you may want to meet with one or more candidates. Schedule your meetings early in the race, dress professionally, and keep your presentations short and concise. Emphasize votes first, and if the candidate is sympathetic to your concern for animals, you may want to offer your group’s endorsement and active support. You will be in a good position to influence your candidate if you have helped get him or her into office.

For more information on improving conditions for animals at your local shelter, please visit HelpingAnimals.com.

Polar Bears

Between Global Warming, Hunting and Big Oil Companies the polar bears are suffering. Polar bears are starving, drowning, being run out of their habitat, feeling the effects of global warming, and being hunted. Our government is doing very little to help protect this majestic species. Please, the polar bears need your help: Sign the petitions below to help them:



Ask ConocoPhillips not to Drill in Polar Bear Habitat

Put Polar Bears First

Tell the Bush Administration to Protect Polar Bears and Their Habitat

Save the Arctic Refuge

Help Save the Polar Bears from Global Warming

Tell Your Senators to Put Polar Bears First

Chill the Drills: Protect Alaska's Polar Bears

Chill The Drills: Save the Polar Bears

Please Act Now to Save the Polar Bears

Tell Congress to Protect the Polar Bears: The Polar Bear Seas

Help Save the Polar Bears

Save the Polar Bears from Oil and Gas Drilling

Pledge Your Love for the Polar Bears

Stop Polar Bear Hunting


Get the Facts:

Endangered Polar Bears

Polar Bears S.O.S

Polar Bears on Thin Ice

DOF: Polar Bears

WWF: Polar Bears

CBD: Polar Bears

Polar Bears in Danger

HSUS: Polar Bears

IABRM: Polar Bears





Videos:

Starving Polar Bear





On Thin Ice: Polar Bears and Global Warming




The Polar Bear

Ban Snares

Scotland Left Hanging

PLEASE Sign the Petition to BAN SNARES:

Ban Snares: Take Action


Photos:

Photos of the Victims Click Here



About Snares:


Common Q's & A's About Snares= Click Here

What are snares?

Inhumane.
Snares are thin lengths of wire that are used to trap wild animals perceived to be 'pests'. Although their purpose is to immobilise predators, snares have the potential to cause extreme suffering to animals and in some cases a painful, lingering death through disembowelment, decapitation
or even losing a limb.

Indiscriminate.
Snares are unselective. Any animal is at risk from a snare including protected species such as otters and badgers as well as deer, hare, livestock and even domestic cats and dogs.

In use.
Snares are used by some farmers to try to catch rabbits, and by gamekeepers on sporting estates to try to catch foxes in an attempt to protect game birds reared for shooting. A recent poll found that an overwhelming 75 per cent of people were opposed to their use and thought they should be banned. Despite such strong support for a ban on snares the Scottish Government has yet to prohibit them. But we believe a ban in Scotland can - and should - lead the way for the rest of the UK.

Learn More:

US Patent Office: Patent 5561940: Snare Traps for Animals

US Patent Office: Patent 4751790: Snare Traps

Pets and Traps: Trapping Case Report

Traps Pose Danger for Pets

Get the Facts: Types of Traps

[US] State Prohibitions on Leghold, Kill-type and Snare Traps

Ban Snares in Scotland

Below are videos of those in the US that are still using Snare Traps:

Snaring Rabbits

Coyote Snaring

PETA

Please help the PETA by signing the petitions below:

Tell Gucci to Stop Clubbing Seals

Seals Massacred for Their Skin: Help Save Them

Kentucky Fried Cruelty

PetSmart Cruelty

Tyson's Workers Caught Torturing Birds and Urinating on Slaughter Line

Save The Sheep


Below are PETA's undercover videos: Warning Graphic


A Shocking Look Inside Chinese Fur Trade: Skinned Alive!

Pledge to go fur-free at PETA.org


Meat.org: The Website the Meat Industry Doesn't Want You To See

PetSmart Suppliers

Primates Tortured

Help the Primates

Petitions to Help Save Primates:

Project R&R: End Chimpanzee Research in the U.S. [US Only]

Project R&R: End Chimpanzee Research in the U.S. [Non-US Only]

Project R&R: End Chimpanzee Research in Canada

Declaration of the Great Apes

Urge Aflac to Pull Orangutan Ads

Tell KCI Airport that Chimpanzee Abuse Doesn't Fly

Stop Chimpanzee Research





Click Daily to Help the Chimpanzees:

Race for the Primates

Save the Chimps for Free

Rainforest Site

Race for the Rainforest

Ecology Fund




Learn More:

Save the Primates

Great Ape Project

Project R&R

Jane Goodall Institution

Primate Conservation Inc.

Friends of Washoe

Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage

No More Monkey Business

Wildlife Direct

Chimps Deserve Better

Animal Testing

Stop Animal Testing

Diaries of Despair



Video: Warning: Contains Graphic Footage [Animal Testing Video]
Bitter [I Was Alive]




End Primate Suffering: ADI Primate Suffering Commerical

Save the Wolves

Help Save the Wolves

End Aerial Hunting of Wolves

Help protect our Wolves... Petitions and Learning Centers:


Stop Aerial Hunting: Protect the Gray Wolf

Support National Wolf Recovery Plan

Speak-Out Against the Delisting of Wolves

Protect the Gray Wolf From Hunting in the Northern Rockies

Support the PAW Act - End Alaska's Aerial Hunting

Urge Alaska's Governor to End the Aerial Hunting

Speak for Southwest Wolves

Gray Wolf Protections Prematurely Lifted


Learn more about the Wolves:

Defenders of Wildlife

International Wolf Center

Ralph Maughan's Wildlife News

Running With the Wolves

Wolf Lover

Help Sea Life

Petitions below to help save Ocean Life:

End Whaling in Japan

Save Deep Sea Wilderness

Push for an Ocean Treaty

Free the Dolphin Action

Shark Trust: Survival of Sharks and Rays

Whales Not Whaling

Save the Whales

Habitat Protection for Leatherback Sea Turtles

Protect Loggerhead Sea Turtles

Stop Mercury Pollution from Chlorine Plants

Email Your Local Grocery Store

Make World Ocean Day Official

Protect Oceans from Climate Change

Help Save Endangered Sea Turtles

Protect Endangered Shark and Prevent Finning

Stop the Bush Administration: Save the Dolphins



Learn More:

Save the Bottlenose Dolphins

Save the Taiji Dolphins

Save Our Dolphins

Save the Whales

Save the Whales Again

Save Whales - Not Whaling

Save the Sea Turtle

Save the Sea

End Dog Cruelty

Animals Matter to Me: Make them Matter to the Government

Stop Dog Meat Trade

Demand Better Treatment for Breeding Puppies and Dogs

Toughen Dog Fighting Laws

Our Pets Deserves Safe Food

Support the Charitable Remainder Pet Trust Act

Support the Animal Welfare Accountability Act

Support 'Buck Bill's' - The Pet Safety and Protection Act

End Georgia Dog Fighting

It's Not Cool to be Cruel


Graphic Video Footages: Dog Cruelty

Dog Meat Trade





Dog Fighting




Will Smith: It's Time to End Dog Fighting

Petitons To Help Animals

Various Petitions that are in need of being signed to help animals:

Urge the San Francisco Zoo to Close it's Tiger Exhibit

Tell TNT that Cruelty isn't Entertainment

Chickens and Turkeys Deserve Humane Treatment Too

Downed Farm Animals Need Your Help

Tell Allergan that Mice Do Not Need to Die for BOTOX

Unplug Internet Hunting: Canned Hunting

Choose Compassion as Your Fashion

Farm Animal Stewards for Federal Purchases

Protect Wildlife from Highly Toxic Chemicals

Support the Captive Primate Safety Act

The Circus

Former Ringling Brothers Circus Employee Speaks Out
Watch more videos at PETA.org.


Circus Tiger: This Will Make You Mad



Other Videos:

Carson and Barns Circus Cruelty

Whips, Lies and Videotape

Elephants in Circuses PSA

Petitions:

Sign Here to Stop Circus Cruelty

Stop Circus Cruelty

Help Remove Tonka and Luna from Traveling with Ringling

Urge AAA to Stop Corporate Promotions of Ringling Brothers

Tell TNT What You Really Think of It's Ringling Reality Show



Learn More:

Circus Tigers

Circuses.com

Mercy for Animals

ASPCA Circus Cruelty Outlaw Animal Circus

Fight the Circus

Animal Defense

Animals in the Circus: A Lifetime of Misery

Circus is No Place for Animals

IDA: Circuses

HSUS

HSUS MySpace Page | Take the Quiz!

I think the older I get the more I love and respect the HSUS [Humane Society of the United States]. Each year, they help bring us awareness to countless cruelties and help to prosecute horrible criminals. HSUS is in the field when disaster strikes to rescue stranded animals. They are always their when you need them. HSUS is helping to pass laws to protect our beloved pets and animals in the wild. And, let us not forget, HSUS also helps stop the factory farms from being cruel.

This isn't much of a blog post today, it's a 'plug' for the HSUS. Please support them by donating if you can. Other things you can do to help is signing petitions/pledges that is in great need of being signed:

Protect the Seals

Tell Wendy's to Warm up to Animal Welfare

Most Misrepresented Fur: Raccoon Dog

Dogs and Cats are Being Skinned Alive: Help Stop It

Take the Pledge to Help Stop Puppy Mills

Help Save Wild Horses and Burros

Help Stop Horse Slaughter

Stop Testing On Chimpanzees

Fur-Free Pledge



Other things to do: Learn more about pets and wildlife:

Urban Wildlife-Our Wild Neighbors

Pets for Life-Helping People and Their Pets

Chimps Deserve Better

Learn About Factory Farms

Animal Cruelty and Fighting

Fur-Free Campaign

Hunting: Get the Facts on Poaching, Canned Hunts and More

Puppy Mills

Seal Hunt

Horse Slaughter

Wildlife

Wayne Pacelle: A Humane Nation

Help The Tigers

Below are a few petitions I have found to help save the Tigers. Please Read and Sign...Thank You

Act Now to Save India's Tigers

Save The Tiger Champaign

Save The Tigers Petitions

Petition The UN to Help the Tigers



Please Remember to Click Daily to Help the Big Cats:

Race for the Big Cats

Rainforest Site

Big Cat Rescue

Ecology Fund


Learn More about the Big Cats:

Indian Welfare Society

Tiger Foundation

Tiger Link

Save the Tiger Fund

21st Century Tiger

Big Cat Rescue

Big Cat Sanctuary

Save China's Tigers

Wild Tiger Fund

Care for the Wild

Please sign: these are important petitions that need to be signed at Care For The Wild International:

Badger Culling Petition

Canned Hunting Petition

Chinese Fur Petition

Help Protect the Elephants

Stop the Sea Turtle Slaughter

Help the Bears and Mr. Kadyan

Bears all around the world are in trouble and need our help. Please read the websites for information about each heartless cruelty and then sign the petitions. Please visit The Last Dance
to learn more and hear Jane Goodall speak out against the cruelty done to the Dancing Bears.

Another place to learn more is from Wildlife S.O.S.

Shri. Naresh Kumar Kadyan updates us on the Dancing Bears: To Date: India is under control with the Dancing Bears - 5 wild species are banned - lion, tiger, bear, panther & monkey. Few NGO comes forward with the proposal of rehabilitation of Kalenders & dancing bears with the financial help of International community where as PFA HARYANA played a key role towards motivation.

In India you can not find dancing bear openly on roads & streets as per past practice but these animals are killed for fur & bones / liver for medicine...

The biggest problem the PFA HARYANA is facing right now is the Dancing Monkeys, they are still with the Kalender's / Madari's. PFA HARYANA is need of funding to build sanctuaries for the monkeys.

Mr. Kadyan also states the NGO are fighting this ban on the Dancing Bears because it earned them big money. I urge everyone to support PFA HARYANA and Mr. Kadyan - together we can make a difference.

Please Sign this Petition show your support for Mr. Kadyan for the Upper House of Indian Parliament from Haryana.


[Learn more about Shri. Naresh Kumar Kadyan Here and visit his Care2 profile]

[Learn more about the NGO Here and Here]



Below are Petitions that are in need of being signed to help make sure the Bears Remain Safe:

Show the Dancing Bear that You Actually Care

Bear Baiting Action

Dancing Bear Action

Japan's Bear Park Action

Sign the Petition in Support of Bears

The Dancing Bears of India



Dancing Bear Video from WSPA

Free Baby Mendes

About the Mendes Calf Ranch:

Mendes Calf Ranch is located in Tipton, California, part of Tulare County. The facility raises approximately 12,000 dairy calves at a time, from up to 80 different ranches, for the first several months of their lives.

Calves are confined while their mothers are being milked at different dairy “factory farms.” The babies undergo a quick growth process at Mendes — intended to prepare them for the harsh demands of being milking cows themselves once they leave.

Footage obtained for ALDF by East Bay Animal Advocates shows that calves at the Mendes operation are unable to lie down naturally or turn around without contorting themselves. Crates are often covered in feces, and calves struggle to reach out through breaks in the walls to have any sort of physical contact — a strong natural instinct — with calves next door.






About This Case:

On June 19, 2006, the Animal Legal Defense Fund filed a complaint in Tulare County Superior Court against Mendes Calf Ranch for isolating and confining newborn calves in crates. This confinement violates state anti-cruelty laws, which require that animals be provided with adequate exercise area.

For more on the case, click here.


Take Action: Here

Help Our Pets

Various Petitions for Our Pets:

If Animals Matter to You then Make Them Matter to the Government

Protect Our Nations Cats: Sign the "Oppose the Killing of Cats" Petition

Take a Stand Against Animal Cruelty

Take the Pledge Against Animal Cruelty

Take the Pledge to Stop Puppy Mills

World Wildlife Fund

World Wildlife Fund [WWF] - Petitions that need to be signed:

Help Save Tigers, Elephants, Sea Turtles and More

Save Deep Sea Wilderness

Protect Endangered Species From Coal Mining

Urge Senate to Ratify the Law of the Sea Treaty

Stop Importation of Illegal Wood

One of the World's Largest Fisheries at Risk

Help Lions, Snow Leopards and More

Choose Good Wood to Save Our Forests

Take Action Around the World

Say Yes to Sustainable Seafood

Seal Hunt

Below are some links to petitions to end the Seal Hunt. Please read and sign.

Scandinavian Anti-Sealing: Show Your Support for the Seals

HSUS: Don't Buy While Seals Die: Boycott Canadian Seafood.

IFAW: Take Action to End the Seal Hunt

2008: The Seal Hunt Cover-Up Sea Shepherd Conservation: Petition Against the Seal Hunt

Tell Canada's Prime Minister to Call Off the Seal Hunt

Take Action: Help End the Seal Slaughter

Take Action: Help Stop the Canadian Seal Hunt

Take Action: Tell Gucci to Stop Clubbing Seals

End Seal Clubbing



Make the Call or Write to help put and end the slaughter:

Atlantic Canadian Anti-Sealing Coalition


Follow the HSUS on the Seal Hunt:

Nigel Barker's Blog

Wayne Pacelle's Blog

Rebecca Aldworth's Blog