Protecting the Rights of Animals

Switzerland is leaving other countries in its dust when it comes to the rights of pets. In March, they'll hold a referendum on whether domesticated animals should have the right to be represented in court by lawyers. The country already has a law protecting guinea pigs and goldfish from being kept without mates as they are considered social animals. Although extreme, I think the Swiss have the right idea.

In Canada, the SPCA does its best to protect animals from abuse and neglect, but the courts appear unwilling to get on board. Yesterday, while volunteering at the animal shelter, I met two cats who had been found in a taped-up box, at the side of the road -- someone had left them there to die in the cold! I've always believed that "what goes around, comes around", so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Heros and Villains

Two weeks ago, in Toronto, Jonathan Breedon heard cries coming from a woodpile near his home. Upon investigation, he discovered ten kittens in a plastic shopping bag, their umbilical cords still attached. Horrified, he took the kittens home, cleaned them, then fed them milk. Once the kittens' immediate needs were met, Jonathan wrapped them in a towel, and took them to the Humane Society where they have been added to an existing litter.

This is one of those stories that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy, yet at the same time, my blood runs cold. The world needs more Jonathans, but it can do with a lot less of those bastards who so easily toss away ten tiny lives.

Thanks to my dad for pointing this story out to me.

And so it begins ...

Canada's seal hunt has begun. I can't even bring myself to look for a photo to accompany this announcement.

Sundance and Belle

I'm sure you've already heard about Sundance and Belle -- two trapped horses rescued from the side of a mountain near McBride, British Columbia. The story is both heartwarming and heartbreaking.

Last September, the owner lost/misplaced/neglected Sundance and Belle (there was a third horse that was never found). The starving animals were found by snowmobilers, and soon a rescue mission was set in motion. For a week, volunteers dug a kilometer-long trench through the snow in order to bring the horses out. They are now housed in a barn, safe, warm and filling their bellies with food. Both are expected to survive. I am so thankful that there are people out there who care so much for the welfare of animals. Please check out this site for photos, updates and stories about Sundance, Belle and the wonderul people who rescued them.

Gorillas, Puppy Mills, and Blogs

Just a few things:

The United Nations has launched 2009 as the Year of the Gorilla -- a campaign designed to raise money for primates threatened with extinction.

On Tuesday, the OSPCA rescued almost 100 dogs from a puppy mill in Meaford, Ontario. The story is here. I hope they throw the book at these idiots.

I've started a new blog, featuring some of the animals available for adoption at the OSPCA where I volunteer. You can check it out here. Above is one of the kittens waiting for a new home.

Now, I'm off to catch up on your blogs!

Feather and Furs

I was at the hair stylist the other day, and browsed through a copy of the fashion magazine, Elle Canada. Had it been closer at hand, I would have grabbed People Magazine (honestly, I only read it when I'm getting my hair done). So ... I'm looking through Elle when I come across a huge spread on the latest "fashions" in fur (article not available online). How disappointing to see page after page of fur scarves, coats, collars and gloves. Surely they looked far better on their original owners!

Shaking my head, I flipped a few more pages until I came upon a another feature -- "Bird call: Fashion Takes Inspiration from Feathers". The subtitle is incredibly heartless: This season, no creature is safe from fashion's greedy grasp - that means you too, cockatoo. It was bad enough that the designers had stripped the skin off unfortunate animals, but then they'd gone and plucked the feathers from a variety of birds -- all in the name of fashion.

I'd thought things had changed -- that we had changed. When did it become politically correct to wear fur again? Why are the designers trying to lull the next, unsuspecting generation into believing that cruelty to animals is okay?

In the 80's, there was a commercial spoof on Saturday Night Live called "Fur: You Deserve It" that showed fur-wearing women being hunted and shot in a park -- a vivid image that's stayed with me for 25 years.

It's obvious we haven't learned anything in all that time.

So Many Things Wrong

There are so many things wrong with the world. People starving, economy gone crazy, abused kids, war ... the list goes on and on. I wish I could change all that, but I can't. I can't even manage to put a dent in the amount of horrible things that happen to wildlife and pets, and there's plenty of that:

In Kelowna, British Columbia, the city's parks manager announced there will be a review of its "rabbit culling program". Why? Because an employee of the company contracted to eradicate the rabbits stomped a bunny to death when it didn't die after being shot by an air rifle.


Pesticides. Why do some homeowners believe lawns are more important than the health of our environment, wildlife and children? It's poison, people, and there are alternatives -- like getting down on your hands and knees, and digging out the darn weeds.


In the Northwest Territories, 44 dogs were left unattended by some idiot. They had to be euthanized. I can't even read the entire article, but if you're interested, you can read it here. I found it far too distressing.


I'm sorry for sharing this stuff with you, but I can't help but wonder how people can be so heartless and cruel?

Cat Hoarders

I dropped by my local Humane Society (OSPCA) today to drop off some stuff for the yard sale they're holding on August 23rd. The large storage room was bursting at the seams, so it should raise lots of money to help run the centre.

While there, I visited the cats (of course) and found that the shelter had recently taken in 42 cats from the home of a "cat hoarder". I'd never heard that term before, and discovered it applies to anyone owning ten or more cats. I looked up "cat hoarder" on Google, and got over 5,000 hits, but didn't check any of them out because I was afraid there would be heart wrenching photos -- and I'd already seen enough.

The OSPCA had posted some pictures at the shelter depicting the living conditions the felines had to endure -- mounds of garbage strewn throughout, and filth coating every surface. The cats had never played with toys nor had any human interaction, yet they didn't turn away when I patted them. I'm hopeful that once adopted, the cats will respond to the love given by their new families.

You know, we joke about the 'crazy cat lady' , but having too many pets might overwhelm the average person -- no matter how much that person believes they love the animals. I suppose, instead of treating these people with humour, we should make sure the cats are receiving the appropriate care.

Wild China

Wild China is a six-part BBC documentary on the people, wildlife and history of China. Here in Canada, the series is being shown on CBC's The Nature of Things, and is narrated by David Suzuki.

Apparently, the biggest problem the producers had was trying to find wildlife to film. But over 16 months and many miles, they succeeded in putting together a fascinating series. Highly recommended.

Of course, it's the Olympics that made the entire production possible -- the BBC was given unprecedented access to remote areas within China. And we can also thank the upcoming Games for the recent Chinese government ban on selling dog meat in restaurants.

Stuffed Animals

Last week, as I was happily (okay, not so happily, it was more like frantically) scrapbooking the last few years of my life, I came across a photo I'd taken in a shop in Pisa, Italy. I suppose the owner thought four stuffed, oddly dressed pigs (weasels?), sitting down to dinner and wine would draw in the customers. It worked--I came in far enough to take the picture (click on the photo to enlarge):



It reminds me of a television commercial running in Canada for the restaurant Montana's Cookhouse. It features a wall mounted deer and moose head chatting about the great food and customers just meters away. Is it just me, or does thinking about dead animals with their heads chopped off turn most people off their feed?

One day when my daughter was quite young, she came home from a birthday party with a knick knack in the form of a kitten.


It was soft and cute, and she quite liked it. I didn't tell her that the fur had once belonged to a rabbit.

But I'm just as guilty. Looking through my cat's basket of toys, I found several rabbit fur-covered playthings. I know I bought them, but can't imagine what I was thinking when I picked them off the store shelf. I guess I was thinking the toys were soft and cute, ignoring the fact that the fur had once belonged to a bunny.

I promise to be more aware (and awake) in the future.

Wear Fur, Help the Environment

When I first saw this half-page ad in Canada's Globe and Mail, I thought it was some kind of joke--a Saturday Night Live skit via print media. Apparently, the Fur Council of Canada isn't trying to be funny--they really do believe that trapping or wearing fur is good for the environment. I'll file this one under "Grasping at straws".

No Guts, No Glory

If you're a regular visitor to my blog, you'll have noticed that I seldom address the real issues affecting animals. Sure, I've shared my views on animals performing in circuses, dogs left in sun-soaked cars, and the loss of the world's wildlife. But the down and dirty stuff? No.

I haven't the guts to read about abused animals, never mind write about them. I know the horror stories are out there, and it just about breaks my heart to acknowledge that there are some people (and I use that term lightly) who would treat an animal with anything but love and respect.

Luckily, there's lots of brave folks who can and do deal with the important stuff. And so, today, I'm honouring those who make a difference--thank you.

Popcorn and Handkerchiefs

I can't imagine why I willingly sit down and watch bad things happen to good animals, but I am, admittedly, a sucker for a heart-wrenching animal flick. Here's a list of my top four tear-jerkers:

OLD YELLER (1957)

The death of a devoted pet is bad enough, but having to kill that pet is unimaginable. And watching all this on the screen? Nuts. Yet, a couple of years ago, I sat my daughter down to watch this classic. I've probably scarred her for life.

BAMBI (1942) and DUMBO (1941)

These animations deal with losing or being separated from one's mother. Boy, that Disney guy sure knew how to pull our heartstrings--two more tear-inducing flicks. Dumbo may have been what initially turned me off circuses.


BORN FREE (1966)

It's been over 40 years since I first saw this film, yet even humming the title song can still choke me up. Unlike the other movies listed here, this one was based on a true story, and that makes it even more poignant. If I cry over a lioness leaving home, how the hell am I going to deal with my daughter going off on her own?


Come to think of it, I haven't see a good, bawl-your-eyes-out animal movie for a long time. Any recommendations?

Stop Calling Me!

About twice each year, I get the same phone call. The conversation goes something like this:

"We want to thank you for your ongoing support of the Shrine Circus, and hope you'd once again purchase tickets--"

"I've never bought tickets," I say. "Does the circus have any performing animals?"

"Of course."

"I don't believe in forcing animals to do crazy stunts for my entertainment."

"Perhaps you'd like to sponsor a child to attend?"

"Uh, no. How do I get my name off your list?"

"You'd have to talk to my supervisor."


I can't be bothered. This isn't a rant against the Shriners--they do excellent work--but I've never purchased tickets, so why do they keep calling me? The bigger questions are, why do circuses continue to use the animals, and why do people support the spectacle? It's selfish and cruel. Damned circus freaks.

And those marine parks with the whales and dolphins?

Oh, don't get me started.



Thanks to The Captive Animals' Protection Society (CAPS) for the use of their poster image. Check out their website: CAPS Website