Blogging About Critters Since 2007

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Group to Protest Ringling Brothers

Ringling Brothers is coming to Kent, WA, and I'm happy to know the Northwest Animal Rights Network will be protesting (we live in nearby Seattle by the way.)

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Janet Jackson Continues as Spokesperson for Mink Fur Company

What is the attraction of fur? I just don't get it. Wear your own damn skin! I'm disappointed in Janet Jackson and am totally taking her stuff off Rhapsody. No way will I add Jennifer Lopez either.

Excerpted from Popcrush...
Janet Jackson will reprise her role as the spokesmodel for Blackglama’s ‘What Becomes a Legend Most’ ad campaign. Jackson was named a ‘Legend’ in last year’s campaign, as well, so this is familiar territory for her....

The new ads will begin running this fall, with the debut image landing the September issue of W. The black and white image to the left shows Jackson in a catsuit, looking fierce as ever.

In case you were not aware of what exactly Blackglama is, we’ll tell you. The Seattle-based company supplies “the finest, most luxurious and exclusive ranch-raised natural black mink.” Given the fact that Jackson is representing a company that traffics in the fur trade, animal rights activists might get their feathers ruffled by Jackson’s continued associations with a luxe fur brand. Jennifer Lopez has dealt with the same criticisms for her repeated wearing of fur products

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Why Humans Are the Only Ones with Rights

Someone posted a question about why humans have human rights and whether they should considering that others do not. I responded. I'm reposting what I wrote as I rarely do any original writing for this blog anymore. It's not profound, but an opinion.
Please note the vast generalizations here, but, in the areas of religion, at least orthodox religion and there are varying levels of how fundamental you want to go, there is only one species with a soul and that is the human. We are made in God's image. Therefore, we are the only ones who matter and the only ones who should have rights. In the matter of science, and there are varying levels of this viewpoint, the human is the most advanced of creatures. we are at the top of the food and evolutionary ladder. We are the ones with the thumb, logical thinking, future planning abilities, the ability to self-analyze, worry, etc. Therefore, we are the only ones who should have rights.

Of course, there are also religious and science types that would argue that it is those very qualities that do not make us superior, but rather stewards. That it gives us more responsibility than simple dominion. However, then you get into the argument of whether creatures only deserve stewardship at the species level or the individual level. Do you care about the stray dog or the almost extinct tiger? What laws should be in effect, blah, blah (I could go on and on. )

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

PETA to Start Using Porn in its Advocacy

Well, uh, I really don't know WHAT to say. Weird.

Excerpted from the Toronto Sun...
The fur is flying over plans by the People for the Ethical Treatment for Animals to run a porn site in the group’s fight against animal abuse.

Peta.xxx will have sexually explicit content and address animal rights issues.

Combining porn and images of abused animals is “repulsive,” insisted Gwen Landolt with Real Women of Canada.

“This exploits women and is an abuse of people. They have lost all sense of balance. Their extremism has goes beyond common sense. They are worried about animals but they don’t care about the value of women,” Landolt said.

“Combining pornography and animal abuse together is disturbing.”

Friday, August 19, 2011

Cambodian Blood Sport: Crocodiles Tearing Live Animals Apart

Disgusting.

It's happening at the Siem Reap Crocodile Farm in Cambodia.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Air Canada Feeling Pressure to Stop Shipping Lab Monkeys

I don't think it's likely that Air Canada is going to budge on this. Excerpted from the Montreal Gazette....
Animal-rights activists are urging Air Canada to stop shipping live monkeys and other animals destined for experimentation, saying the airline can change its tariff rules if it wants.

But the airline says it is legally obligated to accept the contentious cargo.

According to a legal opinion solicited by the Humane Society International Canada, Air Canada can set and amend the terms of its tariffs.

"In our opinion, Air Canada is not legally obligated to accept monkeys as cargo," said the opinion written by Lawyers for Animal Welfare.

Monday, August 15, 2011

Weird Factoid about Cockfighting in Oklahoma

Cockfighting was illegal in Oklahoma until 1963, when a judge ruled that chickens are not animals and therefore unprotected by anticruelty laws.

~U.S. News & World Report, 6 December 1999

Friday, August 12, 2011

The Age of Mass Extinction

Sorry to be a downer, but here's an article that appeared in the Huffington Post. It's basically an interview with University of Washington Professor Peter Ward, whose book the End of Evolution I read over a decade ago. It discussed the mass extinction going on at the time. Unfortunately, nothing has changed.

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Legal Issues Arise Surrounding Dogs in Court Cases

Now this is an interesting legal issue! Can dogs be allowed into court rooms as comfort animals for traumatized witnesses or would they be swaying the jury?



Thursday, August 4, 2011

Animals Managing to Survive in Afghanistan

Apparently, wildlife in Afghanistan is managing to survive despite the horrors of war and violence. The stupid video won't embed, so here's the link to the web page. It's from Time Magazine.

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Indian Government to Protect Bulls from Entertainment Use

The Indian government has decided to add bulls to the list of animals protected from entertainment uses. This prevents them from being exploited in Goa, an Indian state that had considered reviving the tradition. (Goa was once part of the Portuguese empire which is where the bullfighting ridiculousness comes from....as a Portuguese-American, I can say that.) There are still illegal events though.

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Walk for Farm Animals Scheduled for this Fall

From the Farm Sanctuary....

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Meredith Turner, Farm Sanctuary, 646-369-6212, mturner@farmsanctuary.org

2011 Walk for Farm Animals Aims to Raise $1 Million for Abused and Neglected Farm Animals

Thousands of People in More Than 35 Cities Across North America to Gather for Family-Friendly Event That Promotes Compassion for ALL Animals

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. – July 28, 2011 – This fall, thousands of people in more than 35 cities across North America will gather for the 2011 Walk for Farm Animals, a series of fun, community-focused events that promote kindness to animals and raise vital funds to support the lifesaving work of Farm Sanctuary, the nation’s leading farm animal protection organization. For more information on the Walk and how to register, please visit walkforfarmanimals.org.

For 25 years, Farm Sanctuary has relied on the Walk to support its mission to protect farm animals from cruelty and inspire change in the way society views and treats farm animals. These family-friendly events are an opportunity for those concerned with the cruel and horrific practices of factory farming to take a stand in support of compassion for animals and raise awareness about the mistreatment of animals raised for food. Each event will offer its own unique schedule, including such attractions as speakers, live music, delicious food, raffle prizes, face painting, and costume contests. “When you walk, you give hope to billions of farm animals who suffer appalling cruelty and confinement each year on factory farms,” says Farm Sanctuary President and Co-Founder Gene Baur, who TIME magazine recently called “the conscience of the food movement.”

“The Walk for Farm Animals is a positive way to speak out on behalf of animals who cannot speak for themselves and to make a real difference in their lives.” About Farm Sanctuary Farm Sanctuary, the nation's leading farm animal protection organization, promotes legislative, policy, and individual lifestyle changes to help farm animals. Farm Sanctuary’s shelters in New York and California provide lifelong care for nearly 1,000 rescued farm animals. For more information, please visit farmsanctuary.org.

Monday, August 1, 2011

Awful Horse and Carriage Crash in NYC

Can crashes into carriage. Just so inhumane and dangerous. They have them here in Seattle. I just hate them, although it sounds like NYC is particularly bad.
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