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by winecountrydog Jackie Nippers
Have you ever spent time talking with a pig, or running across a farm field together on a sweet summer afternoon?
Pigs are wonderful, smart, playful, social animals. They deserve to be regarded with respect and treated humanely!
So then why does the popularity of factory-farmed bacon continue to grow?
Sadly, not often do humans stand up and say publicly "Eating bacon and other meats is one thing. But if you can't get meats from pastured farm animals who've been humanely raised, we don't want any of it!"
Maybe everybody just needs to see the truth of how pigs are confined and abused on "factory farms" -- intensive industrial facilities that are not farms at all.
Mum sez she does defy anyone to go on eating factory-farmed bacon, ham, and pork once they've seen what those pigs endure.
Howl. Let us now visit with a happy pig. Furhaps you remember Bella the Piglet, rescued from a factory farm back in 2004?
Bella became a spokespig for the Australian campaign SaveBabe.com, which works to bring an end to factory-farming practices there.
Compassion changes the world, and it all begins with taking a closer look at what's in our food bowls.
Paw-notes: If you're interested in learning about sustainable humane pig operations in the U.S. (free-range animals, raised without antibiotics or hormones), have a look at Sonoma County's Black Pig and the Food Alliance certification organization.
by winecountrydog
Little Zanzibar and Nairobi Meerkat were born near the end of January at Taronga Zoo in Sydney, Australia. Seein' their darling faces in photos made me realize that, oh howl, I haven't seen any happy pics from Australia since before the Victoria bushfires.
So I'm smiling a big smile at these two arfully cute Meerkat pups who took their first peek at the human zoo public on February 20th.
Australian newspapers say that Zanzibar and Nairobi are the pride of the Taronga Zoo's nine-member Meerkat family. Meerkats are very intelligent and social little mammals, native to the Kalahari Desert and South Africa.
Taronga zookeeper Ms. Bobby-Jo Vial says she's "extremely thrilled" and feels very lucky to be the "Mamma Meerkat."
My best wishes to you, baby Meerkats!
I really like that there's a Taronga Conservation Society and Wildlife Hospitals at Taronga and Western Plains Zoos. The hospitals rehabilitate and release as many native Aussie animals as they can. Each year they care for about 1,500 native animals! These animals are brought to the hospitals by members of the community after being found sick, injured, or orphaned.
I wouldn't be surprised that Taronga's gotten a few rescued animals from Victoria to care for.
My paw-prayers go out to all the many Victoria animals who survived the bushfires and are trying to recover from injuries and burns.
by winecountrydog
You've seen photos of Koala Sam in Victoria, Australia. Now you've got to see the video of her rescue by CFA firefighter David Tree.
According to Koala Sam's website, firefighter Tree was at Mirboo North when he saw the stricken koala:
"I could see she had sore feet and was in trouble, so I pulled over the fire truck. She just plonked herself down, as if to say ‘I’m beat’. . . . I offered her a drink and she drank three bottles."
"The most amazing part was when she grabbed my hand," Tree said. "I will never forget that."
Koala Sam is being taken care of by Wildlife Rescue and Protection (WRAP) in Woorarra West, Victoria.
Another rescue organization caring for Vic wildlife is Wildlife Victoria. Other koalas have been rescued, as well as ringtail possums, wallabies, and eastern grey kangaroos.
Some Vic furriends who've been rescued, like Garfield here, won't want to be holding paws with anybody fur quite some time. Garfield, from Steels Creek, had severe burns covering his legs and feet. He was taken to Victoria Animal Aid at Coldstream.
Animal Aid, which is overflowing with pets needing attention, took nice care of Garfield. The staff said that Garfield is "such a sweetheart and purred madly the whole time." (Purrsonally, I think that some cats purr when they're scared.
Paw-leeze, if you can, make a donation to these organizations to help them help all the domestic, farm, and wild animals who were burned and injured in the Victoria bushfires.
by pawlitico
"Think occasionally of the suffering of which you spare yourself the sight." – Albert Schweitzer
How many animals lost their lives in the Victoria, Australia, bushfires? How many survived? The overall impact on pets, wildlife, and farm animals is not yet fully known. Many of the traumatized and injured animals out in the blackened landscape haven't yet emerged to seek water and food.
In and around all the fire-affected areas are many animals who are burned, injured, homeless, ownerless, or lost, and animal welfare authorities are trying to rescue and medically treat them all.
RSPCA Victoria captioned the above photo by Russell Vickery/Herald Sun: "Koala found in Vic fires . . . bless its beautiful heart."
RSCPA posted these comments on Facebook:
For all those wanting to donate to the RSPCA, we have a team on the ground around KingLake helping feed and treat animals as well as (hopefully) helping to reunite displaced stock and domestic animals with owners.
Go to www.rspcavic.org.au and click on the bushfire link.
There is an area you can donate money AS WELL as an area to explain how/what you can help. For instance a lady called here before saying she has a horse float that she will donate etc. If the RSPCA/victims DO need what you can offer (once everyone knows what they do and don't need), then the VIC RSPCA will then contact you and arrange how to make it happen.
Things they might need:
• Horse floats/all horse equipment
• Shearing gear for Sheep
• Hay for horses, sheep, goats etc. - there's obviously no grass to feed on... just charcoal
• Dog leads, collars
• Rabbit/guinea pig/bird food (some may have managed to grab their smaller animals)
• Cat and dog cages (portable transportation type cages)
• Cat and dog beds/toys
The Lost Dogs' Home, Australia's largest pet shelter, has also been in the field. They've delivered pet food and supplies for owned and lost pets, and have offered their Animal Ambulance fleet, as well as veterinary staff, portable cages, free animal boarding, and veterinary treatment — free of charge to injured dogs and cats affected by the fires.
Paw-prayers fur everybuddy.
by winecountrydog
I'm hopin' that Leo, the brave terrier and hero dog, is feelin' okay now. Leo risked his life to protect four tiny, newborn kittens trapped in a fire that almost destroyed his family's house in in Melbourne, Australia. I so admire Leo's loyalty and courage.
I watched the interviews with firefighters who uncovered Leo when they went inside to fight the blaze.
Fortunately, the family of four humans and Barney, their other dog, had managed to escape.
But Leo stayed behind. By the time firefighters found Leo in a bedroom, guarding the kittens in a cardboard box, he was unconscious from lack of oxygen.
Commander Ken Brown of the Metropolitan Fire Brigade said, "Barney, the older dog, came out with the family, but Leo wouldn't leave the kittens and it nearly cost him his life. But luckily the fire fighters found him very early, applied oxygen, and got Leo back around. And we've had him checked out and he's got a clean bill of health. He looks really well."
The firefighters had to rush Leo to safety and revive him with heart massage and oxygen till he came 'round. Woof thanks to the wonderful firefighters!
Leo was said to be recovering well from his ordeal. I sure hope so. He is rightfully being hailed as a hero.
Leo is a Jack Russell Terrier cross. As a Welsh Corgi, I've always liked Jack Russells and Jack Russell crosses. The breed was originally developed back in 19th century England by a clergyman named Jack Russell, and they are good at hunting small game. Other talents of the Jack Russells include tracking, agility, and performing tricks.
These wonderful dogs make really fun, feisty, high-energy furriends! And lots of them need to be rescued.
Pawnote: Humans, paw-leeze make sure your smoke detectors are working! And make evacuation plans that include your dogs and other pets!
