| 5 Animal Rescues That Will Make You Happy PETA Exists |
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More often than not, roadside zoos are too good to be true and actually cause the animals in their care enormous amounts of pain and suffering. Animals are usually kept in cages that are far too small and not fed a diet that is appropriate to their breed. Above all, the fact that acaptive environment, under any circumstance, can never replicate the wild for an animal who has complex behavioral and mental needs, cannot be ignored.
Roadside zoos also differ from conventional zoos in that they allow visitors to handle or feed the animals in their care. There have been many unfortunate incidents involving animals and tourists at roadside zoos that prove the danger of these facilities. However, many continue to exist across the U.S.
The good news is that many organizations are working to shut down these cruel attractions and relocate animals to sanctuaries where they can get the freedom and care that they deserve.
Here are four stories of roadside zoo rescues that give us hope that one day these places will no longer exist.
1. 11 Exotic Animals Saved From Abusive Conditions at the Collins Zoo
In 2012, the Humane Society of the United States led a rescue of eleven exotic animals from a roadside zoo called Collins Zoo where the animals were neglected. A video of the dramatic rescue can be seen here:
The rescue occurred following an undercover investigation showing the terrible conditions, including injured and underfed animals as well as flimsy enclosures that put both animals and the pubic in danger. The animals were kept in small pens, had no activities available for entertainment and they were also suffering from many medical problems.
With the help of several other groups, including the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, the Cleveland Amory Black Beauty Ranch, Carolina Tiger Rescue, Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation, and Born Free USA Primate Sanctuary, the Humane Society of the United States rescued three tigers, three cougars, two leopards, two wolf hybrids, and one Macaque monkey. The Carolina Tiger Rescue in Pittsboro, NC took one cougar and two leopards, Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation in Kendalia, TX took two cougars and Born Free USA Primate Sanctuary in Dilley, TX saved the Macaque monkey. All the animals are now living happy lives in sanctuaries instead of entertaining tourists.
2. Rescue of Iris the Lonely Chimp
The story of Iris the chimpanzee is another tragic example of what happens to animals in roadside zoos. This 40-year-old chimp had been living in a roadside Georgia zoo since 1999. Originally, she was living with her mother and other chimpanzees, but after they all died by 2012, she was left all alone. Understandably, Iris became very depressed in her dark enclosure. Luckily, PETA fought for her rescue, and she was relocated in March 2015 to Save the Chimps sanctuary in Florida. This is the largest sanctuary for rescued chimpanzees, and she has been able to make friends already. Iris loves to explore the island and is getting stronger quickly. She will ultimately be integrated into a chimpanzee family where she will get to live out her days surrounded by others that she loves.
3. Two Himalayan Black Bears Rescued From Concrete Pit
In 2014, two Himalayan Black Bears were rescued from the Three Bears General Store, a roadside zoo and tourist attraction in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. The bears were originally illegally imported to the United States and were being kept in a concrete pit at the store where visitors could look at them and pay to throw them food. When the bears were not on display, they lived in a backyard in cages that were far too small for full-grown bears. PETA ultimately filed a complaint about the treatment of the animals and the owners were forced to remove a male and female pair. With the help of a generous donation from Sam Simon, the two bears were relocated to the Wild Animal Sanctuary in Colorado where they now have access to rolling acres of open land where they can explore and enjoy their freedom. Check out the glorious rescue, below:
They were moved just in time as the female was pregnant and had ample time to make a comfortable nest for her babies at the sanctuary. She gave birth to healthy cubs who will never have to know the suffering that their parents endured.
4. 11 Bears Saved From Neglect at Chief Saunooke Bear Park
In February 2013, eleven abused bears at Chief Saunooke Bear Park in North Carolina were rescued. These bears had been kept in concrete pits by the owners of the bear park and would only receive food when tourists paid to feed the animals. More often than not, the food given to them was not suited to a bear’s diet.
Luckily, all 11 bears were removed from this horrific situation and relocated to the International Exotic Animal Sanctuary in Boyd, TX.
The bears included two Asian Moon Bears, six black bears, and two grizzly bears. Now this bunch of bears is enjoying all the luxuries of life in a sanctuary as they enjoy plenty of space to roam and explore, in addition to heaping meals of healthy foods.
How You Can Help Others
While these stories all have happy endings, there are many, many more that do not. The sad reality is that roadside zoos advertise that they care for their animals and often trick visitors into thinking that they only have their best interest in mind. The best thing you can do to help prevent the suffering of other animals is to help raise awareness for these abused animals and encourage others not to pay to see any animals on display. When people stop paying to feed bears in concrete pits or pet monkeys and tigers in roadside zoos, these facilities will no longer be profitable and cease to exist. Remember, no matter how tempting it might be to see an exotic animal up close and personal, no animal should have to suffer for the sake of our entertainment.
Lead image source: Jo-Anne McArthur/WeAnimals
Rejected by His Mother at Birth, Romy the Sheep is Saved From a Farm and Given a Second Chance. When we welcomed Romy to our New York Shelter, the young lamb was clinging to life. He was unable to stand or even hold up his head. He couldn’t drink from a bottle, and tube-feeding efforts failed because his digestive system couldn’t handle the milk. He was septic, likely from receiving an insufficient quantity of immunity building colostrum from his mother’s milk. At Cornell University Hospital for Animals, Romy was put on oxygen and began receiving nutrients, fluids, and antibiotics through an IV. No one was optimistic that he would pull through.
A Rough Start in Life
Romy began life on a permaculture farm in central New York State. He was one of a pair of twins, and his mother rejected him. At the time the babies were born, the weather was unseasonably harsh, with cold, heavy rains and overnight temperatures in the 40s. As others in the flock headed to shelter from the storm, this little lamb was likely too weak to accompany them and he was left to fend for himself.
When farm staff found Romy, his desperate medical needs were beyond the farm’s capacity to fulfill. The farm breeds sheep to produce lambs, who are then sold for slaughter. Caring for a sick lamb simply was too much of a drain on resources for the small operation. Such individualized care in general would be financially unsustainable.
A Broken System
This is the inconvenient truth of animal agriculture, even for small farms. Focused on permaculture and agroforestry and growing a variety of plant foods, the farm where Romy was born is dedicated to sustainability and stewardship of the land. It also raises animals, who are used for their meat and eggs. Though the farm explicitly states its dedication to its animals’ wellbeing, its business model requires the separation of mother ewes and their babies and the killing of young animals. Ewes and their lambs form deep, tender bonds with each other — something the farm owners recognize, touting the strong maternal instincts of their ewes — and the lamb business requires the painful severing of these bonds.
The rigors of the bottom line apply to all farmers, even those concerned for the welfare of their animals, as Romy’s caregivers are. At an industrial farm, Romy would have been left to die, but at this farm, staff cared about him. Though they could not provide the treatment he needed, they did the right thing and sought help. They brought him to our New York Shelter, and that decision saved his life.
Despite the odds, Romy did rally. He got stronger. But this beautiful lamb is not out of the woods. Romy requires daily monitoring for heat and swelling in the joints and for signs of recurring septicemia. This unique individual is valuable in his own right, and here at Farm Sanctuary, where no financial interests are entangled in Romy’s life or death, we are fully free to treat him as someone, not something.
To learn more about the work that Farm Sanctuary is doing to help farm animals, check out their website and Facebook page. To make a donation to help Farm Sanctuary care for Romy and many others like him, click here.
WTF! Brave Woman Rescues Dog Stuck on Train Tracks … Now She’s Facing a Lawsuit?!What I Learned From Volunteering at a Dog Rescue Shelter in Cyprus.
What makes the perfect Mediterranean holiday? Sun, sea and, of course, puppies.
Back in March 2013, when most residents of Cyprus were waking up to find they couldn’t withdraw money from the bank, the Disaster Response Team of the International Fund for Animal Welfare stepped in and donated 332 bags of food to cat and dog shelters in the region.
PAWS Dog Shelter in Paphos was among eight shelters that received help from the International Animal Welfare Fund’s Animal Rescue program, which aims to help animals in need following natural and man-made disasters.
Joining Forces to Help Animals in Need
So on a recent holiday trip to Cyprus, where today talks brokered by the United Nations with the aim of reuniting the troubled nation start, I made a point to visit PAWS.
The whole shelter is operated by just four paid staff members and a base of around 50 volunteers; all looking after the 150 resident dogs and puppies. It takes at least 10 volunteers every day to get things done, so they welcome visitors who are happy to muck in with open arms. Most of their volunteers come from England and Germany, and consequently, most of their dogs are rehomed in those countries, too.
Pete, one of two kennel consultants and a legend at PAWS, led me down the various corridors of kennels housing a hodgepodge of different breeds and ages. I made it my mission for the day to say “hello” to each and every one of them.
Pete knew every single one by name – and every back-story.
One story that stuck in my mind was that of Yaya, an elderly German shepherd who had been cast out after spending her entire life at a puppy farm producing pedigree pups. Now, past her sell-by-date and with probable hip dysplasia, she was tossed out and left at the gates of PAWS. Pete doesn’t think she will be adopted but he reassured me that they’d never put a healthy rehomeable dog down.
The shelter has a seniors’ section, so Yaya will at least experience comfort and love in her twilight years.
There was also the gentle, loving Labrador who had been left tied to a fence, five weeks pregnant, as well as countless hound dogs — abandoned when they’re no longer useful to local game hunters (these, of course, are the lucky ones…most are shot or poisoned).
Ripples of Kindness
Despite the tragic nature of some of their stories, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of joy at PAWS – if for no other reason than the assortment of wagging tales and healthy bonds between the animals.
I left feeling enriched and encouraged by the efforts of the kind people so efficiently running the shelter.
And who wouldn’t feel uplifted by happy, bouncy dogs offering cuddles and puppies chewing my trainers? I do admit, I had the most fun in the puppy enclosure; though I definitely need a new pair of laces…
Watch the Beautiful Moment a Sick Ewe Gets Reunited With Her Twin Lambs and Finds a Reason to Live.Knowing they had to do whatever possible to help this ewe, the Edgar’s team contacted her rescuer and discovered that she had recently given birth to twins. The bond between a mother sheep and her babies is just as beautiful and strong as that of a human mother and her children, so there was no questioning that the cure to Dawn’s sadness lay with her babies. With that, Edgar’s made the call and Dawn’s two little ones came to live on the sanctuary as well.
Seeing the happy mom react to the sight of her little ones is sure to warm your heart. Every animal deserves the chance to live a happy, healthy life alongside their loved ones and we are so grateful that Edgar’s Mission could make this happen.
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| A scared Golden Retriever panics during her rescue. Her reaction once she was saved is amazing! |
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| Rescuing a homeless family from under a house. Please share :-) |
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It started with a call from PETA. They were working with a couple in Virginia whose farm had reached hoarding-level conditions. The owners had bought two pigs to breed with the intention of selling their offspring for meat. Instead, they fell in love with the piglets.
Unlike many hoarding situations we encounter, these owners realized that things had gotten way out of hand and that they needed help. That’s when PETA got involved and asked if we could give eleven — eleven! — piglets a home.
To say that caught us by surprise was an understatement. A pig rescue of this size is rare but luckily we had the room. “We’ll see you when you get here,” we told PETA.
The Piglet’s Arrival
There was a lot of excitement when we spotted the van coming down the winding driveway. Unless an animal arrives pregnant it’s rare to see babies at the Sanctuary. Yet here were eleven of them.
One by one we carried them out of the van and into their new home. They were frightened and remained huddled together, moving like a school of fish in unison as they ran to the food bowls or stepped back from the caregivers. But every day we watch these little ones get braver and more comfortable being around people.
Adjusting to Life at the Sanctuary
They’re living in a private area with a “pigio” we built so that they can get used to having outdoor space to run around. It’s a big change from their previous home where many of them were housed in a small dirt pen with their mother. Now they have fellow pigs Mary Frances and Jasmine living next door who watch them curiously through the fence. The piglets seem fascinated by them, but Jasmine was a baby herself when she arrived last year, and for the first several days we could tell she was not having it. But we showered her with some extra attention and she soon came around.
An Alternate Ending
As babies they ranged in size from 13-23 pounds when they arrived and have gained a few pounds since. On a farm pigs are raised to grow very large, very fast so that they can be killed as soon as possible. Adult pigs we’ve given sanctuary to pay the price for that. In later years their bodies can’t support the extra weight and their legs and hips give out. To avoid that fate, the piglets won’t receive any commercial feed filled with growth hormones. Instead, we’ve put together a special diet to keep them healthy and well-fed. And while they’re still small we’re taking them to the vet in weekly groups of two for spaying or neutering. Afterwards they get to recover in a stall near their siblings.
Last week we asked Sanctuary members to help suggest names – it’s harder than it sounds! We try not duplicate names of animals in recent memory which knocks a lot of initial suggestions off the list. But after spending time with the babies and watching their personalities emerge, we have a good idea of which name will fit each pig.
To watch the progress of these little piggies, be sure to follow Catskill Animal Sanctuary on Facebook. You can help Catskill Animal Sanctuary care for these new little piglets by making a donation, here.
Frightened Homeless Dog Gets a Fresh Start and Forever Home Thanks to Rescuers.If you are blocked from watching this video, you can watch it here: https://vimeo.com/133008546
Apply to adopt Rainn at http://www.rescuefromthehart.org
Follow Rainn and RFTH on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/RescueFromThe...
Apply to adopt Rainn at http://www.rescuefromthehart.org
3 Rescued Big Cats From The Wildcat Sanctuary That Prove Big Cats Don’t Make Good Pets. Big cats are by far some of the most popular exotic pets. It’s now strongly suspected that there are currently more tigers living in homes and backyards throughout the United States than there are in the wild.
However, the unusual popularity of these exotic pets does not mean that big cats make for good companions. In fact, there are hundreds of incidents between big cats and their owners – and likely many others that go unreported. Despite big cat owners’ efforts to make their cats be the “exception” to the rule and successfully domesticate their animals, these “pets” will always maintain their wild instincts and act out in ways that can be undesirable or even dangerous.
Tragically, many people who purchase big cats for the sake of their entertainment find that they are unable to properly care for the animals and end up surrendering the pets to sanctuaries. In some cases, incidents between big cats and their owners lead to the animals having to be confiscated by the authorities, but in either case, they are left in need of a home.
This is where The Wildcat Sanctuary comes in. Located in Sandstone, Minnesota, this sanctuary acts as a no-kill non-profit that provides a forever home for the cats in their care. The sanctuary is not open to the public as it strives to give the rescues in their care a life as natural as possible, meaning minimal contact with humans. At The Wildcat Sanctuary, these cats are free to live out their days in the company of other big cats and enjoy the simple pleasures of life.
While it is fantastic that this sanctuary exists for big cats, Wildcat’s ultimate goal is to create a future where they are no longer needed. By telling the stories of the animals in their care, the sanctuary hopes to deter prospective big cat owners. These cats are only a few of the sanctuary’s residents, but their stories certainly prove that big cats belong in the wild … not as pets.
1. Lily and Titan
Lilly and Titan found their way to The Wildcat Sanctuary after a fellow tiger, Tango, killed their owner where they were being kept at a residence in Minnesota.
Lily and Titan were both emaciated upon arrival at the sanctuary. While the owner of the tigers may very well have had good intentions, her tragic death and the state Lily and Titan were found in only further corroborated how poorly the animals were being treated.
Thankfully, The Wildcat Sanctuary is capable of caring for big cats like Lily and Titan and they now share a plush habitat together.
2. Tonka
International Fund for Animal Welfare found Tonka on display at an exhibition center that was completely unfit for a cat of his size. Tonka’s owner was prompted to update his enclosure in 60 days or else the tiger would be confiscated from his care. In a positive twist for Tonka, his owner deemed this impossible and arrangements were made to send the adult tiger to The WildcatSanctuary.
His new caretakers at the sanctuary write, “When the transport gate was lifted, Tonka excitedly ran right out into his new habitat and began exploring every square inch of it. He was chuffing and walking all over the habitat, obviously so thrilled with the newness of it all. When he got over to the special shaved wood bedding we’d put in for him, we laughed seeing him dancing on it. He wore himself out very quickly since his back end is atrophied and weak. Our hope is to rebuild the muscle strength he obviously lost over the years while on exhibit.”
Tonka has been at the sanctuary for over a year now and continues to flourish in his forever home.
3. Sabrina
Sabrina and her two cubs were being kept in the backyard of a Texas home when their owner passed away. For more than a week, the tigers remained on the premise, unbeknownst to neighbors relatives or authorities, where they had no choice but to fend for themselves.
After being discovered, Sabrina was left in a trailer for a week before finally being transported to a refuge in Texas. After a stint at the refuge, Sabrina and her sons left for their final destinations: Sabrina to The Wildcat Sanctuary and her two sons to the Peace River Refuge (Forest Animal Rescue).
“Today, Sabrina is a totally different cat than when she first arrive,” Wildcat writes, “She chuffs to her tiger neighbors and can sleep peacefully even when strangers are around. She enjoys getting new enrichment and likes to shred any boxes. She really likes snowmen and even made a huge snowball herself after rolling one of the segments around her habitat. In the summer, she soaks in her pool and takes long naps on her perch. Her amazing transformation inspires us all and reminds us that we can make a difference.”
How Can You Help Other Cats?
The Wildcat Sanctuary relies heavily on donations so that they may continue to provide forever homes for as many animals as possible. They’re also committed to raising public awareness about the exotic pet epidemic in the United States. So, by supporting the work of the Wildcat Sanctuary you are not only helping the many residents of the sanctuary but also many other exotic pets. Raising awareness for the plight of exotic pets is the best way to combat this virulent trade. Share this post and check out the Wildcat Sanctuary’s website and Facebook page to learn more.
Hummingbird Second Chance MUST SEE FEEL GOOD VIDEO !!!!
Not my standard type of video but this is just something really special that happened in my life that I really wanted to share with my friends. I considered naming this video Zombie Hummer but I thought that title would attract a different crowd.lolz
After Being Brutally Abused and Left for Dead, Sivka the Cat Gets a Second Chance.Life on the street can be incredibly difficult for a cat or dog. Although these animals are considered our most beloved pets and friends, many are abandoned or born into feral families. In the U.S., there are over 70 million homeless pets and around 600 million worldwide. While some of these animals grow accustomed to fending for themselves, many are at constant risk from things like cars and, sadly, malicious humans. Sivka the cat was unfortunately one of the later.
When Sivka was discovered on the streets of Sofia, Bulgaria’s capital city, it was clear that she had been badly beaten up. Her jaw was visibly misaligned and part of the bone was sticking down her throat. Thankfully, her rescuer stepped in and took Sivka straight to a veterinary clinic for help.
Aid or Abuse?
Sivka’s case was clearly dire, so the veterinarian decided to act quickly to secure her jaw but sewed it in place using metal industrial wire. This is not a typical method used, however, it was the professional’s choice. After the procedure, the cat seemed to be in an inordinate amount of pain and it looked like the wire had been used to secure the wrong part of Sivka’s jaw, clearly something was terribly wrong. So the woman reached out for a second opinion from Desislava Stoyanova, a local animal rescuer, who runs the “Save Me” Facebook page for animals in need of aid.
Change of Luck
Desislava was more than happy to step in to help Sivka. “We can only imagine the pain Sivka went through,” Desislava tells One Green Planet, “And the idea that a vet can be so uneducated and irresponsible and careless makes my blood boil.”
Thanks to several kind people, Sivka was transported from Sofia to Plovdiv and taken immediately to the reputable vet Desislava uses regularly. The vet, shocked at the inhumane treatment she’d been provided with, removed the industrial wire and inserted feeding tubes into her mouth. According to the vet, the wire had caused an infection and inflammation, so Sivka was given all the necessary medication like antibiotics.
The vet didn’t know whether she’d survive because she’d been left for so long without the right treatment and without any food or drink. Over two days, Sivka underwent two major surgeries to repair the jaw and mouth but, hopefully, she won’t have to keep on suffering.
Help for Sivka
Sivka still has a long road to full recovery and needs more surgery but thanks to the medication and adequate amounts of food and drink, Sivka is growing stronger all the time and combined with her strong will, her chance of survival is ever increasing. The bad news is, however, that there’s something that could stop her from a full recovery: the veterinary bill.
All of Sivka’s treatment has mounted up to over 1,000 leva (about $600) and Desislava is struggling to pay the bill. Desislava is desperate for your help. To keep up with Sivka’s treatment and to pay for her outstanding bill, she needs as many donations as possible.
Sivka is just one of many, many homeless animals who desperately need the kindness of humans after they have endured nothing but abuse and neglect on the streets. A little bit of compassion can go a long way, for Sivka, and the many other animals in Bulgaria who have been helped by Desislava. You can make a donation to help Desislava get the treatment needed for Sivka, by clicking here.
All image source: Desislava Stoyanova
Footage of RSPCA and Fire Service battling bulls to save lone female trapped in trees.
Why I Refused to Give Up the Fight to Free Samson the Tiger From Display at the Florida Craft Fair.
One day, nearly five years after moving to Charlotte County, I opened my free “Green Sheet” shoppers’ newspaper and found an advertisement for an arts and crafts show being held at Gilchrist Park in Punta Gorda. I was floored when I read the show featured a live tiger! I could not believe what I was reading.
I immediately made a trip to the park to see for myself if it was true. To my chagrin, there he was, a full-grown male tiger named Samson, in a cage at the back of the arts and crafts show. I was livid that someone could think it was okay to exploit this particular tiger to raise funds to feed all their animals at their “refuge” in Arcadia. This was not the first time a tiger or wild animal had been displayed in a cage at Gilchrist Park. It had been going on for quite some time.
The cage was void of cross-ventilation as it was surrounded on three sides with plastic tarps. The owner of the tiger got angry at me for objecting to the display of the tiger. I told her it was cruel to have the tiger languishing in the Florida heat and humidity all day, but she objected, telling me that Samson “loves” to come to see the people at the arts and crafts shows. It was only later that I found out this tiger was being transported in that tiny cage not only from Arcadia to Punta Gorda, but also to North Port, Venice and other venues around southwest Florida.
And that is how my quest to stop this madness began.
Saving Samson
I complained to Charlotte County Commissioners. I complained to the Punta Gorda City Council. No one wanted to listen. No one was interested.
However, over time, I gained a few supporters and we protested every arts & crafts show at Gilchrist Park, rain or shine. We had flyers printed and gave them to anyone who would take them. After some time, I found out that just one person was in charge of authorizing the permit for the tiger (or other wild animal) to be included at the arts and crafts shows. That one person was the Punta Gorda City Manager, Mr. Howard Kunik. We included his name, email address and phone number on our flyers. We asked anyone who agreed that Samson was being exploited to contact the City Manager and voice their opposition to the tiger display.
After a couple of years, several shows, and many complaints, it was finally brought before the City Council. We were shocked to hear the Mayor and City Council members compare domesticated dogs, ponies, and pigs being allowed in the parks to a wild animal, such as a full-grown, large male tiger, being allowed in the parks. The Mayor and City Council were just not interested in upsetting the status quo.
At that point, we nearly gave up.
Persistence Pays
Instead, we decided to persevere and do everything in our power to convince the City Manager to stop authorizing the permit. We met with Mr. Kunik several times. At first he seemed uninterested, but as time went on, we felt we may be able to convince him to rule in our favor. It was at that point in time we opted to try a petition.
We composed the petition and asked for support from the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida (ARFF). ARFF was in support of our position and gave us permission to use their logo on our petition so it was ready to go. This past snowbird season, at each of the six arts and crafts shows, we asked patrons to sign our petition. The shoppers were overwhelmingly opposed to the transportation to, and confinement of, the tiger for the duration of the events in the Florida heat and humidity.
At the last show of the season, we did a survey that asked patrons why they chose to attend the arts and crafts show. Did they come for the arts and crafts? the food? the tiger? or other? The majority of the answers were for the arts and crafts, of course, and only ONE person said they came to see the tiger! After the season was over, we met with Mr. Kunik and submitted the petitions and surveys.
We are ecstatic to report that our years of protesting have finally paid off! Recently, Mr. Howard Kunik, City Manager of the City of Punta Gorda, informed the event organizer that the display of a caged wild animal will no longer be permitted. We applaud Mr. Kunik for making the right decision for the animals and for his kind and patient attention to our concerns related to this matter over the years.
However, our work is far from over as the caged wild tiger is also displayed at other venues, such as the Shoppes at North Port.
All image source: Big Cat Rescue
Humane Society of Utah Photo Booth Connects Shelter Dogs With Forever Homes.Want to stay connected to the Humane Society of Utah and their unique portraits of their animals? Visit their website or follow them on Facebook and Twitter.
Want to see more inspiring pet videos? Check out the Heartwarming Animals YouTube page, part of the HooplaHa Network...and don't forget to smile.
Raju the Elephant Celebrates One Year of Freedom at His Sanctuary Home!
When the world first met Raju the elephant, he was living in chains being used as a tourism prop in India. The poor elephant had spent over 50 years living in these abusive conditions, knowing nothing but long days begging on the streets for money and constant beatings from his cruel handlers.
Elephants are extremely intelligent and emotional creatures, so this sort of life was not only unsuited for Raju, but it took an enormous toll on his mental and physical health. This all changed, however, when Wildlife SOS stepped in and helped to coordinate a covert rescue mission to free Raju from this suffering. Although Wildlife SOS had obtained all the necessary permits to free Raju, his owners were set on keeping him captive and did their best to block off all roads to the elephant and weighed him down with additional heavy chains.
Luckily, this was no match for the rescue team and they worked through the night to get Raju to safety. Reports from the rescue say that Raju was so pleased to finally get out of his chains that he burst into tears of joy. Now, Raju has been living at the Wildlife SOS elephant sanctuary for nearly one year and his entire life has changed for the better!
In celebration of Raju’s rescue anniversary, the sanctuary through this well-deserving elephant a party, complete with a 38-inch cake.
Ah, the sweet taste of freedom!
Since coming to the sanctuary, Raju has made lots of friends and spends his days in their company.
Raju no longer has to beg for scraps on the streets, but gets to enjoy all the finest fruits fit for an elephant in his new home.
Raju is learning what it means to live like a normal elephant – from the looks of it, he’s having a blast!
While it is tragic that Raju had to wait 50 years to experience this sort of joy and freedom, we are so pleased he is doing well one year later. We hope it is the first of many, many more years of happiness!
To learn more about Wildlife SOS and to keep up to date with Raju, check out their websiteand Facebook page.
Hopefully, this video will help start your Tuesday off with a smile.
When PETA rescued a family of adorable pigs and piglets from a squalid pen in North Carolina, we got it on camera—and the footage is undeniably heartwarming. (Wait until you see the tiny piglets run with glee as they feel fresh grass beneath their feet for what may be the first time!)
These pigs—some suffering from painful injuries—had no food or water and were confined to a filthy pen littered with junk and large, dangerous rusty nails. The owner of the property had planned to send the pigs to slaughter before PETA intervened. Thankfully—with help from caring PETA members—they now live the good life at a sanctuary, where they have pastures to roam, a refreshing creek to wade in, and nutritious, tasty food to enjoy. You have to watch this video.
Pigs are extremely intelligent, social, and playful beings and are more similar to humans than you might think. Did you know that they enjoy listening to music and playing video games? Mother pigs even sing to their newborn piglets while nursing. What amazing animals they are! Please watch and share this video today.
Adorable Rescued Farm Animals Go For a Joy Run.
The truth is that every day farm animals, like these little lambs, are forced to suffer in factory farms where they are subjected to overcrowded conditions, deprived of the ability to express basic behaviors, and endlessly abused. The animals in these facilities are seen only as commodities, not the amazing individuals that they truly are. This fact alone makes incredible farm animal sanctuaries like Edgar’s Mission all the more necessary. Why should any animal be subjected to the world of factory farms when there are cozy sweaters and a wonderful, happy life waiting for them at sanctuaries all over the world?
We could give you the gory details of animal agriculture, but we think that seeing how loving these animals are when allowed to live freely is just as powerful. These animals will brighten everyone’s day who takes the time to watch them play.
Do you ever read headlines relating to how people treat animals and just want to give up all hope in humanity? Certainly, the news that a Canadian wildlife officer has been suspended for saving two orphaned bear cubs from being killed is one of these jaw-dropping, “say what?!” lines. While one might think that a wildlife service officer is employed to protect the animals that reside in their region, sometimes the best interest of the animals is not always considered. The two cubs in this situation were orphaned after their mother was shot while trying to raid a fridge filled with salmon and meat near Port Hardy in British Columbia. Bryce Casavant, the wildlife officer in question, was promptly ordered to kill the cubs as they would not be able to fend for themselves without their mother. Instead of carrying out these orders, Casavant decided to transport the baby bears to a local wildlife rehabilitation center that specializes in preparing the animals for release back into the wild. Sounds pretty logical, huh? Well, apparently not as Casavant has been suspended for his actions. The good news is that this gross injustice is not lost on the public … or Ricky Gervais. In response to this outrageous situation, Gervais took to Twitter to voice his opinion on the matter.
We have to agree with Gervais here, the actions that Casavant took to help these animals were incredibly honorable and because of him, these two cubs will get the chance to live in the wild as they should. The bears are young enough that they can be rehabilitated with limited interaction with humans and successfully return to their forest home.
Gervais has been a long-time advocate for animals and spoken out against all things … for lack of a better term … absolutely ridiculous that humans do to them. With the help of his fame and large twitter following, Gervais has the ability to reach an enormous audience and motivate others to act for Casavant. A petition to the Ministry of the Environment has been launched to appeal the suspension and it has already garnered over 70,000 signatures!
You can join Gervais and thousands of others in support of Casavant’s courageous actions, by adding your name to the petition, here.
Sea Shepherd Guides Turtle Hatchlings to the Ocean in Costa Rica.Newly hatched baby sea turtles safely reach the ocean with the help of Sea Shepherd Conservation Society’s crew of 2015 Sea Turtle Defense Campaign Operation Jairo. Sea Shepherd volunteer Ben Harris of England recounts the timely rescue of the hatchlings on Costa Rica’s Pacuare Beach, which took place just before the tide would have washed over the nest, making it difficult for the tiny turtles to climb out from beneath the heavy sand. The eggs that had not yet hatched, 66 in total, were relocated to a hatchery, where they will be guarded until the turtles have emerged and are ready to be released to the sea.
For more information on Operation Jairo and how you can take part in the efforts of Sea Shepherd volunteers as they patrol the beaches in defense of the sea turtles, please visit: www.seashepherd.org/jairo.
Coast Guard Rescues Man and Dog Off Florida Coast After Days at Sea. The U.S. Coast Guard rescued a man and his dog after the pair spent days at sea near Tampa, Florida, before his 30-foot sailboat caught fire Friday.
The Coast Guard said they received a radio report from the unidentified man stating that his boat, the Southern Belle, was disabled and had been adrift since Wednesday.
The man, found 69 miles west of Hudson, Florida, told the Coast Guard he had food and water.
The man and his canine companion abandoned ship and boarded the sailboat's dinghy after the boat caught fire, the Coast Guard said.
"There was a lot of smoke and not much left of the boat but it definitely made it easier for us to spot," the Coast Guard's Erick Leib told NBC affiliate WFLA. "He contacted the Coast Guard. He put his life jacket and gave a good position to where we could locate him."
"There was a lot of smoke and not much left of the boat but it definitely made it easier for us to spot," the Coast Guard's Erick Leib told NBC affiliate WFLA. "He contacted the Coast Guard. He put his life jacket and gave a good position to where we could locate him."
Both the man and dog were taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation.
"Once we've got them in the helicopter and we know we've saved someone and we also did it in a safe manner, it's a feeling of relief and a feeling of excitement," Leib told WFLA. "Your adrenaline is going for sure, but it's an exciting and rewarding feeling."
Watch Video Here at NBC News!Saving a homeless dog from an underground sewer system. Please share.
Please help Leah find a loving forever home by sharing her video.
To see more rescue videos, please visit: http://www.HopeForPaws.org
To adopt Leah, please contact:
http://www.dachshundrescueoflosangele...
Thanks :-)
Eldad
