6 posts tagged “animal rights”
From Saturday's New York Times
As most of you already know, I have been gearing up for a few months for a trip to Utah in February. I am really excited to go, because I will be volunteering for 4 days at the Best Friends Animal Society--the largest no-kill animal shelter in the U.S. The staff works tirelessly to place the animals in adoptive homes, or if necessary, the animals live out their lives in a beautiful setting where they are well taken care of and loved. There are many things I love about this place--but one of the biggest, is that the funding they receive goes towards making sure that every animal there gets the medical attention it deserves--no matter what the cost.
I am pretty beside myself to go--I can't wait to make an impact and utilize the empathy/love I have for animals in a way that really makes a difference.
The shelter announced today that the Michael Vick dogs have arrived and are doing well in the beginning stages of rehabilitation. I'm not sure if a first time volunteer will be given access to them, but if I can do anything while I am there to help them, I will.
In more Best Friends news, National Geographic also launched a new series "Dog Town" about the dog portion of the center that you can catch on Friday nights. It's truly inspiring.
You can make a donation if you wish, by clicking here
I'll post pictures when I get back (if I am allowed to take them!)
Today, from the NRDC:
The American people have rejected it. The federal courts have
ruled against it. But the U.S. Navy won't take NO for an answer.
It's bringing back a sonar system so powerful it can impact
whales 300 miles away with its ear-splitting noise. Its effects
are so far-reaching -- and so unknown -- it could threaten the
survival of entire populations of marine mammals.
Now the Navy wants to deploy this Low-Frequency Active (LFA)
sonar system across a staggering 70 percent of the world's
oceans. And the Bush Administration has given the public only 15
days to register our opposition.
It is critical that you submit an Official Citizen Comment
immediately.
Click here to send the Bush Administration a message loud and
clear that we will NOT let them play a terrifying game of
Russian Roulette with our planet's oceans:
http://www.nrdconline.org/ct/SpLl6qY1ZPEA/
LFA sonar can deafen, maim and kill whales. But scientists are
even more alarmed at its potential impacts on whale migration,
feeding, mating and communication -- in other words, the
biological keys to the survival of whale species.
Five years ago, NRDC won a dramatic courtroom victory blocking
global deployment of this dangerous sonar system just as the
Navy was about to launch operations. Since then, the Navy's
training with LFA sonar has been limited to one remote area.
But now the Navy is back with the same reckless proposal for
world-wide testing and training.
And, shockingly, the National Marine Fisheries Service is once
again giving the Navy a permit to harass or injure hundreds of
thousands of marine mammals each year that get in the way of its
sonar.
Send a Citizen Comment right now telling the Bush Administration
you will not accept this massive acoustic assault on our
planet's oceans: http://www.nrdconline.org/ct/SpLl6qY1ZPEA/
Time is of the essence. With only six days to respond, we're
counting on you -- and those you know -- to help deluge the
administration with a tidal wave of outrage at this dangerous
proposal.
Help NRDC stop the deployment of this technological menace
before its deafening noise is unleashed on our planet's fragile
oceans and wildlife.
This is why. I cannot read the newspaper anymore. I cannot check emails anymore. I cannot watch TV anymore. I cannot do any of these things anymore because they make me so sad and angry that I want to move to a mountain top, put up a fence and shoot any unwelcome trespassers.
I don't understand what happens to people that makes them think that these things are ok to do. How does one sleep? Look in the mirror? Not go bonkers from the guilt?
In the event that I do end up on trial for some sort of freak attack on a despicable human being, here are some of the reasons why I have gone bonkers myself. For (my future) the defense:
Can I strike the first match on this a**hole?
Last but not least, I received a most disturbing email today from In Defense of Animals in regards to the NY area. If you have seen anything like this, please report it:
In Defense of Animals Offers Reward to Capture NY City Pigeon Netters
In Defense of Animals (IDA) is offering a REWARD of $2,500. for information that leads
to the Arrest & Conviction of a person or persons found to have netted and captured
pigeons in New York City for the purpose of killing them for human or animal
consumption, canned hunting or any organized sale or transfer of the birds that will
lead to their death.
Eyewitnesses only must Report Information to both New York City Humane Law Enforcement
at (212) 876-7700 ext. 4450 & In Defense of Animals (415) 448-0048.
"The NY Bird Club alerted us to reports of large numbers of pigeons being netted in
New York City in the early mornings. IDA is offering a $2,500 Reward in the hope of
turning up evidence to find the offender(s.) We suspect that the birds are being transported out of state for canned hunts
and even used for human consumption in local live bird markets and restaurants.
We are concerned that this could eventually be a source of
bird flu transmission to humans." said IDA's East Coast Director, Valerie Sicignano.
This message was sent by: NY Companion Bird Club, P.O. Box 286231, New York, NY 10128
*running home to cry now*
"While we ourselves are the living graves of murdered beasts, how can we expect any ideal conditions on this earth?"
-George Bernard Shaw
*grossed out.*