Here is the Society and Animal Journal of Human and Animal Studies. According to their website...
Society & Animals is at the forefront of the emerging multi-disciplinary field of Human-Animal Studies, which explores the ways in which nonhuman animals figure in human lives. The journal publishes studies concerning experiences of nonhuman animals from psychology, sociology, anthropology, political science, and other social sciences and history, literary criticism, and other disciplines of the humanities.
Enjoy!
Friday, July 6, 2007
Statistics That Animal People Can Use!
Finally! I was very pleased to come across the National Council of Pet Population Study and Policy. It is a council composed of animal groups working on gathering statistics and conducting research on shelter management and operations.
This is very important work. It elevates the profession of shelter management and drags animal work into the discipline of social science research. I'm sure there are animal activists and professionals out there who will resist this. It's too "regimented" and why spend the time collecting dry numbers when you can be rescuing rabbits or cats or whatever?
Rescue work is important, but we can't just focus on the individual animal. We must look at the big picture and realize that we are MANAGING a problem with identifiable causes. There is nothing wrong in using a stuffy discipline if it can help us understand how to manage our rescues and adoptions more efficiently and effectively.
Only drawback is that the focus of this group is on dog and cat stats. But that's understandable as they are the predominant shelter residents at this time.
This is very important work. It elevates the profession of shelter management and drags animal work into the discipline of social science research. I'm sure there are animal activists and professionals out there who will resist this. It's too "regimented" and why spend the time collecting dry numbers when you can be rescuing rabbits or cats or whatever?
Rescue work is important, but we can't just focus on the individual animal. We must look at the big picture and realize that we are MANAGING a problem with identifiable causes. There is nothing wrong in using a stuffy discipline if it can help us understand how to manage our rescues and adoptions more efficiently and effectively.
Only drawback is that the focus of this group is on dog and cat stats. But that's understandable as they are the predominant shelter residents at this time.
More on Michael Vick and Dog Fighting
Here is an article in Forbes which details some of the things they found on Michael Vick's property. From the article.
Fifty-four animals were recovered from the property during searches in April, along with a "rape stand," used to hold dogs in place for mating; an electric treadmill modified for dogs; and a bloodied piece of carpeting, the documents said.
Also:
Fights would end when one dog died or with the surrender of the losing dog, which was sometimes put to death by drowning, strangulation, hanging, gun shot, electrocution or some other method, according to the documents.
I'm just glad he had absolutely no idea what was happening on his own property, as I'm sure he would have been very upset. Did I mention he used to breed dogs that happen to be some of the very same type of dogs used in dogfighting? Talk about crazy coincidences. His website is down, but here is one with a site with a quote from his site.
Fifty-four animals were recovered from the property during searches in April, along with a "rape stand," used to hold dogs in place for mating; an electric treadmill modified for dogs; and a bloodied piece of carpeting, the documents said.
Also:
Fights would end when one dog died or with the surrender of the losing dog, which was sometimes put to death by drowning, strangulation, hanging, gun shot, electrocution or some other method, according to the documents.
I'm just glad he had absolutely no idea what was happening on his own property, as I'm sure he would have been very upset. Did I mention he used to breed dogs that happen to be some of the very same type of dogs used in dogfighting? Talk about crazy coincidences. His website is down, but here is one with a site with a quote from his site.
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Rats: Perfect Pet or Disease Ridden Little Monsters?
This is a good article about a woman who keeps rats as pets.
We used to volunteer at the Seattle Animal Shelter, so we used to see quite a few rats (along with hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits etc). The rats we saw were very interactive, clean, and cool little critters. I suppose hamsters are objectively a little cuter. But, rats are a lot more social. I suppose they are more dog-like whereas a hamster is more like a cat. I suppose that's why hamsters often eat each other if they are in the same cage (now how cute is that!).
Rats are generally seen as filthy carriers of disease. But, As the article says:
...the domesticated rats that are bred as pets are about as different from a wild rat as a golden retriever is from a wolf, said Sharon Jansa, a biologist, rodent expert and curator of mammals at the Bell Museum.
Unless, of course, you're this rat.
We used to volunteer at the Seattle Animal Shelter, so we used to see quite a few rats (along with hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits etc). The rats we saw were very interactive, clean, and cool little critters. I suppose hamsters are objectively a little cuter. But, rats are a lot more social. I suppose they are more dog-like whereas a hamster is more like a cat. I suppose that's why hamsters often eat each other if they are in the same cage (now how cute is that!).
Rats are generally seen as filthy carriers of disease. But, As the article says:
...the domesticated rats that are bred as pets are about as different from a wild rat as a golden retriever is from a wolf, said Sharon Jansa, a biologist, rodent expert and curator of mammals at the Bell Museum.
Unless, of course, you're this rat.
Aussie Defence Dept. Calls Off Kangaroo Kill
After protests about a plan to kill up to 4000 kangaroos, they've decided to look into other options.
“Defence will monitor the size of the kangaroo population over the next six to 12 months and will also explore all options as part of longer term strategy,” the department said in a statement.
“Defence will monitor the size of the kangaroo population over the next six to 12 months and will also explore all options as part of longer term strategy,” the department said in a statement.
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Russian Vet Student Forced out For Refusing to Operate on Stray Cats
Russian vet students not only have to learn how to operate using stray animals, they have to go out and get their own.
Students at the institute swapped stories of how they had to go to animal shelters or answer advertisements offering cats and dogs to "a good owner" in order to bring animals to class.
How terrible.
Then again, that's how one of our future doctors and leaders learned...
Students at the institute swapped stories of how they had to go to animal shelters or answer advertisements offering cats and dogs to "a good owner" in order to bring animals to class.
How terrible.
Then again, that's how one of our future doctors and leaders learned...
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Moratorium on Animal Euthanasia in Brownsville TX Causes Havoc
Brownsville mayor Pat M. Ahumada Jr. declared a 90 day moratorium on animal euthanasia.
The result: the shelter is completely full and can't take any more animals. Now there is a nasty fight between the mayor, who made animal rights a campaign issue, and Josue Ramirez, the city’s public health director. From the article:
Ahumada, once accused of taking a dog from the shelter that he later legally adopted, believes Ramirez doesn’t want the moratorium to succeed and is using scare tactics with the employees at the shelter.
“He told the vets (veterinarians) they could no longer dispose of carcasses and told the employees at the animal shelter they will get fired,” Ahumada said.
“This situation makes Brownsville look like a third-world country with stray dogs running around.”
The mayor has accused the health director of trying to torpedo the policy.
He also claimed that Ramirez, who he called a “disgruntled employee … used to killing 7,000 pets a year,” blocked animal rescue organizations from taking animals out of the Brownsville shelter.
“He told them (Laguna Madre Humane Society) they could not take dogs out of the animal shelter to make room for more,” Ahumada said. “Josh Ramirez wants us to fail.”
Frankly, this sounds like really poor planning by the mayor. You can't just declare the policy, and hope that private rescue groups pick up the overflow. Is the city going to pay the rescue groups for the overflow? What happens when they fill up? What is the overall long-term plan? What part does spay/neuter play in all of this?
A no-kill shelter is a great idea. A no-kill shelter with a complete lack of planning (even if we are only talking about a 60-day trial period) is just dumb. Humane stray animal treatment requires careful and comprehensive planning. Anything less is not only ineffective, but also provides ammunition for those that want to just pick up and euthanize.
The result: the shelter is completely full and can't take any more animals. Now there is a nasty fight between the mayor, who made animal rights a campaign issue, and Josue Ramirez, the city’s public health director. From the article:
Ahumada, once accused of taking a dog from the shelter that he later legally adopted, believes Ramirez doesn’t want the moratorium to succeed and is using scare tactics with the employees at the shelter.
“He told the vets (veterinarians) they could no longer dispose of carcasses and told the employees at the animal shelter they will get fired,” Ahumada said.
“This situation makes Brownsville look like a third-world country with stray dogs running around.”
The mayor has accused the health director of trying to torpedo the policy.
He also claimed that Ramirez, who he called a “disgruntled employee … used to killing 7,000 pets a year,” blocked animal rescue organizations from taking animals out of the Brownsville shelter.
“He told them (Laguna Madre Humane Society) they could not take dogs out of the animal shelter to make room for more,” Ahumada said. “Josh Ramirez wants us to fail.”
Frankly, this sounds like really poor planning by the mayor. You can't just declare the policy, and hope that private rescue groups pick up the overflow. Is the city going to pay the rescue groups for the overflow? What happens when they fill up? What is the overall long-term plan? What part does spay/neuter play in all of this?
A no-kill shelter is a great idea. A no-kill shelter with a complete lack of planning (even if we are only talking about a 60-day trial period) is just dumb. Humane stray animal treatment requires careful and comprehensive planning. Anything less is not only ineffective, but also provides ammunition for those that want to just pick up and euthanize.
Cracking Down on Animal Rights Activists in the Netherlands
As in the US, others are looking at animal rights activists differently in the age of terrorism.
A stone through a windscreen, a car splattered with paint, the wall of a building covered in slogans, animal rights activists seem more and more frequently to be using a tough, intimidating way of highlighting their demands, and this has thrown the spotlight on them, particularly so as far as the Dutch parliament and police and judicial authorities are concerned. The current minister of justice would even like to see legislative changes made so that hardline animal rights campaigning can be dealt with more effectively.
Monday, July 2, 2007
It's Baby Seal Clubbing Season
What the hell?
ANIMAL rights activists feel they have failed because they were unable to stop the annual seal harvest "We all tried very hard, and failed badly.
The clubbing of 80 000 nursing baby [seals], suckling on mothers milk (non-fish eating) begins on Sunday [yesterday]," seal rights activist, Francois Hugo of Seal Alert (South Africa), said on Friday.
Here is the group Seal Alert, which is trying to end this barbaric practice.
ANIMAL rights activists feel they have failed because they were unable to stop the annual seal harvest "We all tried very hard, and failed badly.
The clubbing of 80 000 nursing baby [seals], suckling on mothers milk (non-fish eating) begins on Sunday [yesterday]," seal rights activist, Francois Hugo of Seal Alert (South Africa), said on Friday.
Here is the group Seal Alert, which is trying to end this barbaric practice.
Fighting a Nasty Cat Infection: Our Experience with Pyothorax
Our cat Charlotte was treated for pyothorax a few weeks ago. This is an infection in the chest cavity. They had to put a tube in her to drain out all the nasty fluids and try to knock out the infection with antibiotics. We had to have her stay at the vet hospital for 5 days.
We've been medicating her religiously 3 times a day, but it looks like the infection is again getting worse. It's been very frustrating. From what I understand, it can often take multiple types of antibiotics, and can take more than 6 months to knock this thing out.
Here is a really good article by someone who has been through all this (and succeeded in getting rid of it).
If your pet ever gets it, be prepared for a long struggle.
We've been medicating her religiously 3 times a day, but it looks like the infection is again getting worse. It's been very frustrating. From what I understand, it can often take multiple types of antibiotics, and can take more than 6 months to knock this thing out.
Here is a really good article by someone who has been through all this (and succeeded in getting rid of it).
If your pet ever gets it, be prepared for a long struggle.
Sunday, July 1, 2007
How to Medicate a Dwarf Hamster
You guessed it....very carefully!
But seriously, we learned a great way to medicate from our veterinary assistant. I used to try and catch our dwarf hamsters by the scruff. Very hard because these little things are moving targets with sharp teeth. But now I do the following and it is so much better.
Gently press the hamster's head down a little to prevent it from swiveling back and biting you. Then with the other hand, get a good grip on the back scruff, not just the neck but try to grab a little of the back too. Once you have a good grip with one hand you can let go the head and medicate with the other hand.
Then hold the hammie next to yourself to calm him.
Recently, we've had the good fortune of just sticking the syringe in front of our hammie's mouth. She is so angry that she grasps it with her mouth to bite and we just squeeze the meds in. Even better!
Just remember to always be careful because these little critters are VERY DELICATE!
But seriously, we learned a great way to medicate from our veterinary assistant. I used to try and catch our dwarf hamsters by the scruff. Very hard because these little things are moving targets with sharp teeth. But now I do the following and it is so much better.
Gently press the hamster's head down a little to prevent it from swiveling back and biting you. Then with the other hand, get a good grip on the back scruff, not just the neck but try to grab a little of the back too. Once you have a good grip with one hand you can let go the head and medicate with the other hand.
Then hold the hammie next to yourself to calm him.
Recently, we've had the good fortune of just sticking the syringe in front of our hammie's mouth. She is so angry that she grasps it with her mouth to bite and we just squeeze the meds in. Even better!
Just remember to always be careful because these little critters are VERY DELICATE!
Saving Species
Seems like we are on a zoo theme this weekend.
This short article talks about a Czech zoo's attempts to save the white rhino from extinction via artificial insemination.
I have mixed feelings about the role of zoos in the rescue of species (GOOD zoos of course, not bad zoos. But what makes a good zoo? Good topic for another post.)
I used to believe that if worse came to worse, we could always bring an extinct species back to life through the genes that we have preserved at zoos and other research institutions. But as I have grown older, I have grown much more cynical.
Really, if we cared enough about these species, wouldn't we have prevented them from going extinct in the first place? These genes are not hedgefunds for situations where we are too lazy or apathetic to take real action. And the action is not just preserving the species on an individual basis. It's stopping the factors that contribute to their extinction.
Particularly in the northern hemispheres, we have to realize that preservation is more than just protecting the individual species. Habitat is disappearing in order to satisfy our desire for wood and oil. Animals are poached to satisfy our desire for furs and ivory. Overpopulation brings animals and humans into greater conflict and more violence. In light of such overwhelming obstacles, I'm a bit cynical that we have the "political will" to save these animals. It involves too much work and too much change. Also, we are running out of time.
And save them to what purpose? To live in captivity? Then they are no longer the same species. Then they are basically domesticated. And who will eventually control these genes that will bring back extinct animals? Corporations? Then we can have manufactured parks with lions, tigers and chimpanzees? Or will we have grazing pastures for gorillas to eventually harvest them for their meat?
I think its laudable for zoos to be doing what they can to save a species, but it is worth looking at the great scheme of things to understand what the true issues really are. It may be depressing, but reality often is.
This short article talks about a Czech zoo's attempts to save the white rhino from extinction via artificial insemination.
I have mixed feelings about the role of zoos in the rescue of species (GOOD zoos of course, not bad zoos. But what makes a good zoo? Good topic for another post.)
I used to believe that if worse came to worse, we could always bring an extinct species back to life through the genes that we have preserved at zoos and other research institutions. But as I have grown older, I have grown much more cynical.
Really, if we cared enough about these species, wouldn't we have prevented them from going extinct in the first place? These genes are not hedgefunds for situations where we are too lazy or apathetic to take real action. And the action is not just preserving the species on an individual basis. It's stopping the factors that contribute to their extinction.
Particularly in the northern hemispheres, we have to realize that preservation is more than just protecting the individual species. Habitat is disappearing in order to satisfy our desire for wood and oil. Animals are poached to satisfy our desire for furs and ivory. Overpopulation brings animals and humans into greater conflict and more violence. In light of such overwhelming obstacles, I'm a bit cynical that we have the "political will" to save these animals. It involves too much work and too much change. Also, we are running out of time.
And save them to what purpose? To live in captivity? Then they are no longer the same species. Then they are basically domesticated. And who will eventually control these genes that will bring back extinct animals? Corporations? Then we can have manufactured parks with lions, tigers and chimpanzees? Or will we have grazing pastures for gorillas to eventually harvest them for their meat?
I think its laudable for zoos to be doing what they can to save a species, but it is worth looking at the great scheme of things to understand what the true issues really are. It may be depressing, but reality often is.
Report a Bad Zoo
Few things get me angrier than reading about the abuse of the vulnerable, whether it be children, the elderly or animals. Nothing frustrates me more than that feeling of helplessness that accompanies it.
Like the posting about cruelty in the Romanian Zoo. This is not unusual. We know there are still animals in horrible zoos, circuses and fairs throughout the world. I am still tracking down this group called Circus Atlas that we came across in Terceira, an island in the Azores. Something about them didn't seem right. But what do I do with the information I gather?
Finally, here is a positive step to take with the Traveler's Animal Alert at the Born Free Foundation. Do something positive with your anger. Support this group or, if you are a traveler, even better. Report what you see. It gives you a mission.
We are going back to the Azores this summer and this time I'll be ready.
Like the posting about cruelty in the Romanian Zoo. This is not unusual. We know there are still animals in horrible zoos, circuses and fairs throughout the world. I am still tracking down this group called Circus Atlas that we came across in Terceira, an island in the Azores. Something about them didn't seem right. But what do I do with the information I gather?
Finally, here is a positive step to take with the Traveler's Animal Alert at the Born Free Foundation. Do something positive with your anger. Support this group or, if you are a traveler, even better. Report what you see. It gives you a mission.
We are going back to the Azores this summer and this time I'll be ready.
European Bison and the EU
This is an interesting article about a man in Poland who is trying to train European bisons to change their migration patterns. From the article:
To keep the animals from extinction, Mr. Niedzialkowski, coordinator of the European Bison Program, is trying to change the migration patterns of about 400 lowland bison (Bison bonasus bonasus) roaming the primeval forest in northeastern Poland. He wants to persuade Polish bison to breed with other wild herds of the same species in neighboring Lithuania and Slovakia.
Poland has had to tighten border controls with non-EU countries like the Ukraine and Belarus. This keeps the bison populations from mixing as well. So they have to spend millions of dollars to alter their behavior so they will mix with EU bison in order to keep a healthy gene pool.
To keep the animals from extinction, Mr. Niedzialkowski, coordinator of the European Bison Program, is trying to change the migration patterns of about 400 lowland bison (Bison bonasus bonasus) roaming the primeval forest in northeastern Poland. He wants to persuade Polish bison to breed with other wild herds of the same species in neighboring Lithuania and Slovakia.
Poland has had to tighten border controls with non-EU countries like the Ukraine and Belarus. This keeps the bison populations from mixing as well. So they have to spend millions of dollars to alter their behavior so they will mix with EU bison in order to keep a healthy gene pool.
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