Imagine a world where snakes are respected and appreciated instead of feared and hated.
I recently became aware of an organization that I am so excited about that I want to immediately share my find with you. Advocates for Snake Preservation, ASP, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the way people view and treat snakes.
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The New York Times reported today that the Humane Society of the United States, PetSmart Charities and the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute is launching a $1.5 million, three-year plan to count all the stray, feral and pet cats living in Washington D.C.
The plan is called D.C. Cat Count; and it is a highly technological endeavor. As many as 60 camera traps will record images of outdoor cats. A smartphone app, (still in development), will allow anyone in D.C. to share pictures of feral and/or pet cats in an effort to build a comprehensive library of all the cats living in the District. (more…)
A great deal is known regarding the link between animal abuse and violence against humans. In fact, law enforcement now tracks animal abuse alongside felonies like arson, burglary, assault, and homicide because it is thought that animal abuse may be a precursor to greater crimes including murder and serial killing.
A new study published in the Archives of Disease in Childhood may help pull back the curtain even further into helping us understand where the inclination for cruelty originates in the first place. (more…)
14th July 2018. The very first World Chimpanzee Day.
58 years to the day since I arrived for the very first time in what I then referred to, in my letters home, as “Chimpanzee Land”. At the time it was the Gombe Stream Chimpanzee Reserve in what was then Tanganyika – a British Protectorate. Today, of course, it is the Gombe National Park in the independent country of Tanzania.
I was 26 years old back then, and 58 years is a long time. But if I close my eyes and let my mind free to wander into the past, I can relive that boat ride along the shore of Lake Tanganyika. (more…)
Imagine a person chasing a scared puppy across an open field. The frightened puppy is brutally clothes-lined by a rope thrown around her neck; her legs fly out from under her. Her attacker grabs her, lifts her waist high and body slams her to the ground. Terrified, the puppy’s legs are tied together so she can’t escape her tormenter; and she is dragged by the neck with the rope. (more…)
When did the 4th of July become a time to celebrate animal abuse?
Rodeo animals are generally tame creatures who must be provoked into battle.
They live lives filled with stress and fear.
Contestants practice their games on numerous calves, bulls, and horses, injuring and killing many animals before even entering the ring. (more…)
Too often we Americans celebrate our holidays with little thought of their origins. Take July 4th for example. Today we celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence?
Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence ? (more…)
Is the Rodeo coming to your town?
Rodeo animals are generally tame creatures who must be provoked into battle. 
They live lives filled with stress and fear.
Contestants practice their games on numerous calves, bulls, and horses, injuring and killing many animals before even entering the ring.
A contestant’s score is based on how long he can ride a struggling animal or how quickly he can overpower an animal.
Sprains, broken bones, muscle pulls, saddle blisters, spur wounds, flank strap wounds, punctured lungs, broken ribs, hematomas, bruising, and broken necks are common.
Wounded animals are quickly removed while the rodeo announcer and rodeo clowns distract the public.
The animals who become too injured to participate are sent to slaughter.
Today is opening day for Prescott Frontier Days considered the World’s Oldest Rodeo. Established in 1888, the event has occurred over every 4th of July weekend for 130 years – and features breath-taking performances that can result in animals suffering broken ribs, backs, and legs, torn tails, punctured lungs, internal organ damage, ripped tendons, torn ligaments, snapped necks, and agonizing deaths.
How can such mayhem exist in a state where animal cruelty is a felony? In Arizona, rodeos are exempt from anti-cruelty laws. In fact, the State of Arizona sanctions animal cruelty in activities involving hunting, ranching, farming, rodeos, shows and security services (ARS § 13-2910.05. Exempt activities). (more…)
For six years I served as executive director of the Yavapai Humane Society (YHS) – located in Prescott, Arizona – home to the world’s oldest rodeo.
During those six years western and central Yavapai County became the safest region in the United States for dogs and cats, having ended the use of killing/euthanasia to control pet overpopulation. So successful was YHS in protecting dogs and cats that during my last two years at YHS, the society expanded its mission to include promoting and protecting the health, welfare and safety of horses. (more…)