Captive killer whale. Photo by Flickr user milan.boers used under a Creative Commons License.
Marine parks are not going to get rid of their captive killer whales, no matter how many trainers or whales are killed or injured along the way. We need to understand that.
The entertainment parks make way too much money from the public visitors who buy high-priced tickets to see and get splashed and thrilled up close and personal by these enormous marine predators. Read the rest of this entry »
I just received this from the Journal of Wildlife Management. I couldn’t agree more. /Gary
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE State wildlife agencies need reform for effective stewardship of public trust
The Journal of Wildlife Management: Many state wildlife agencies are dependent, financially and politically, on a single user group — hunters. Although this group should continue to be an integral part of wildlife conservation, agencies should adhere to the foundation upon which they were built — stewardship of the public trust. The Public Trust Doctrine postulates that wildlife is owned by no one and held in trust for the benefit of all. Read the rest of this entry »
There’s a move afoot by the Animal Legal Defense Fund in Cotati, CA, to get states to set up public registries of anyone convicted of felony animal abuse.
California Senate Majority leader Dean Florez is sponsoring a bill to create a database of people convicted of felony animal abuse, to be posted online so the public can monitor them much as we presently do sex offenders.
In a news release I just received, the ALDF claims animal abuse is frequently connected to domestic violence and serial killers. “Such registries would help protect animals, pet guardians and communities by preventing repeat offenses from anyone with an established history of abusing animals.”
As you might suspect, this has created a load of controversy, both pro and con. How about you? Do you think such legislation is a good thing, or a bad thing? Why? /Gary
Mount Diablo, in The San Francisco Bay Area (Contra Costa County), is our Island in the Sky.
You can learn more about this special place at the Web site of Save Mount Diablo, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the mountain http://www.savemountdiablo.org/home.htm
Gary:
We live in the Crossings area of Concord, CA. Attached is a picture of a visitor that landed on the backyard fence and spent some time in the backyard last week. Any clue as to what it is? Possibly someone’s pet? Craig Elliott, Concord, CA
Craig:
It’s a silver pheasant (native to Southeast Asia and China). Probably escaped from someone’s aviary. That’s why it is so tame. This happens occasionally. I usually get an exotic pheasant photo to identify 2-3 times a year. Read the rest of this entry »
The American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) recently published “Senior Care Guidelines” to help veterinarians deliver high-quality health care to older cats. A new handbook for cat owners — based on these guidelines — is now available to serve as a reference on everything from dental care to disease detection to end-of-life decisions.
“Friends for Life: Caring for Your Older Cat” was produced through a partnership between the AAFP and Nestlé Purina PetCare. The guidelines for senior cat care were developed to improve the level of care for cats from middle age onward — a mission driven by the fact that, while advances in veterinary medicine mean cats can live longer than ever before, proper home and veterinary care is vital to ensuring quality of life as well as length of life. Read the rest of this entry »
Marilyn Berg Cooper forwarded this copy of a Stephen Fry & Hugh Laurel comedy sketch that takes place in a veterinary hospital waiting room. It’s absolutely hilarious. The run time is 3 minutes and 48 seconds and it’s a GREAT way to start your day with a laugh. Actually, a LOT of laughs. Enjoy. /Gary
Photo by Flickr user Beverly & Pack used under a Creative Commons License
Rather than spending Valentine’s Day with their partner, one fifth of adults would prefer to be with their pet, according to a joint global poll by Reuters/Ipsos.
The survey of 24,000 people in 23 countries found 21 percent of adults would rather spend Feb. 14 with their pet than their spouse.
First day out of the puppy mill, so scared but trusting. Photo by Flickr user lindyireland used under a Creative Commons License
The Humane Society of the United States is on an all-out campaign to put an end to the diabolical puppy mills that are major contributors to the HUGE pet overpopulation problems in this country. Below is their latest broadside as The HSUS attempts to get the American Kennel Club to become more involved in the battle. Come on, AKC! Join the “fun!” /Gary Read the rest of this entry »
