Animals Who Won't Be Food (Thanks to PETA)
Brooklyn, New York is just about the last place you’d think to see a rooster … but this unlikely sight was a startling reality for one New York city cop.
Police Sergeant Egan was out on crime patrol at 9:00 AM one morning when he saw a black rooster wandering the streets. At first, Egan and his colleague made a joke about the rooster crossing the road. But the humor of the situation quickly gave way to concern once they took a closer look. Egan says that the rooster was “pretty beat up looking” and needed their help. The two officers decided to take the rooster back to the precinct and put him in a dog kennel until they figured out what to do with him. Egan ended up bonding with the rescued bird during his short stay and gave him the name “Mo Justice.”
Sgt. Egan poses with his new feathered buddy Mo Justice!
NYPD Sgt. Anthony Egan poses with his new pal, a rooster he named "Justice."
Egan wanted to take Mo Justice home with him at first, but after thinking about it, he realized that he wouldn’t be able to care for him (plus the sound of a crowing rooster first thing in the morning wouldn’t make the neighbors happy). Egan made the responsible choice to release MoJustice into the custody of Farm Sanctuary, an animal sanctuary located in upstate Watkin’s Glen.
Undoubtedly, other people saw this bird and drove by without a second thought, however, Egan and his colleague made the kind choice to give the bird some help. It makes our hearts sing when we hear stories about an animal-loving people going to great lengths to help our furred and feathered friends! In the words of Sgt. Egan, ” the rescue mission was just part of the job.”
Mo Justice is doing very well in his new sanctuary home. To keep up with Mo Justice and his new farm animal friends, check out the Farm Sanctuary website. All image source: Farm Sanctuary
---------------------------------
The Epic Rescue of Chimpanzee Lisa Marie.
Lame Dog Carried from Neglect to New Home. Watch the story of Duffy's new life.
When we first met Duffy, he was slumped on the floor of a dark and dingy room in a puppy mill. His fur was matted, and he was unable to walk. Now, he's living in a home filled with the compassion he craved when he first reached a paw out to his rescuer.
When we first met Duffy, he was slumped on the floor of a dark and dingy room. His fur was matted, and he was unable to walk. He must have been suffering for some time, slowly dying from cruelty and neglect.
Duffy was one of 57 animals we saved that day. Many were tied up outside in the brutal cold some with icicles literally hanging off of them. But thanks to animal lovers like you, these animals are looking forward to futures filled with the love and care they deserve. Just look at Duffy now he's living in a home filled with the compassion he craved when he reached a paw out to his rescuer on that frigid February day.
Please donate to help all animals. Your donation will be used to shut down puppy mills, end dogfighting, reduce the suffering of animals on factory farms and so much more. Plus, you’ll receive updates and action alerts so you can take quick, simple actions for animals each week. Or become a Humane Hero to help animals all year-round. Click here to set up your monthly donation today.
When we first met Duffy, he was slumped on the floor of a dark and dingy room. His fur was matted, and he was unable to walk. He must have been suffering for some time, slowly dying from cruelty and neglect.
Duffy was one of 57 animals we saved that day. Many were tied up outside in the brutal cold some with icicles literally hanging off of them. But thanks to animal lovers like you, these animals are looking forward to futures filled with the love and care they deserve. Just look at Duffy now he's living in a home filled with the compassion he craved when he reached a paw out to his rescuer on that frigid February day.
Please donate to help all animals. Your donation will be used to shut down puppy mills, end dogfighting, reduce the suffering of animals on factory farms and so much more. Plus, you’ll receive updates and action alerts so you can take quick, simple actions for animals each week. Or become a Humane Hero to help animals all year-round. Click here to set up your monthly donation today.
Be a hero for animals like Duffy. Please donate today:
http://bit.ly/duffy_rescued
---------------------------------
Rescued Chimpanzee Experiences New Forested Enclosure For the First Time.
The Jane Goodall Institute's Tchimpounga Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Center in the Republic of Congo is the largest chimpanzee sanctuary in Africa providing care for more than 150 rescued chimpanzees.
Motambo, one of these chimpanzees has, with a number of other chimpanzees been in the process of transitioning to three new sanctuary sites that the Jane Goodall Institute has built on three islands in the Kouilou river.
This video shows Motambo when he arrived at the sanctuary many years ago, and now, who he has become -- a rehabilitated chimpanzee now enjoying an environment more suited to his species.
---------------------------------
Sweet Vet Nurse Kitten Stops to Share Kisses With Rescued Cow.
Pixie and Stitch are an unlikely duo who have been lucky enough to find homes at Edgar’s Mission Farm Sanctuary in Victoria, Australia. Located in the picturesque Macedon Mountains, this amazing animal sanctuary has become a lifelong refuge for many of Australia’s homeless, neglected, and abused animals. Among their longtime residents are Pixie the shy calf and one of her besties, an outgoing cat named Stitch.
We first met Pixie a few months ago, after she was discarded by a dairy farmer for having severely bowed legs. Luckily, the good folks at Edgar’s Mission Farm Sanctuary were there to get the helpless calf the medical attention that she needed and to offer her a lifelong home. Stitch arrived at Edgar’s Mission under a slightly different set of circumstances. Her family was found hiding under a forklift in a local factory. Instead of tossing them into the street, someone called Edgar’s Mission and this is where the happy family has made their home.
Since then, Stitch has become a vet nurse of sorts, wandering around the farm, offering her kitty cat love to all of the animals in need. With Stich’s help, Pixie has been healing nicely and is finally beginning to coming out of her shell!
This simple friendship would not have been possible without the help and dedication of the staff at Edgar’s Mission, who work tirelessly to provide these animals quality care in their lifelong homes. If you would like to help them in their mission, visit their website.
---------------------------------
Rescued Cow Who Was Months Away From Slaughter and Terrified of Humans Learns to Love – and Snuggle!
Cows and house pets don’t seem to have much in common at first glance do they? After all, cows don’t really play and would never let you pet them … right? Of course, they would!
Cows may be huge but don’t be fooled by their bulk. In reality, they’re just as eager to please as any dog or cat. Don’t believe us? Well, the video above is sure to change your mind.
Gaspar, the featured cow, was rescued from the animal agriculture industry. Although he looks like a total mush now, this wasn’t always the case. Santuario Igualdad Interespecie rescued Gaspar a few months before he was going to be killed. At first, he was deathly afraid of people because he only associated them with cruelty, but over time he learned to trust and even love the new kind people who surrounded him.
The video we see is the product of months of tender love and care … and we’d definitely say that the hard work was worth it! Look at him, he’s like a giant puppy! It’s hard to think that this cow was so fearful of humans just a short while ago.
This just goes to show the amazing dedication of the staff at Santuario Igualdad Interespecie. To learn moe about them, head over to their Facebook page.
---------------------------------
When They Found a Frozen Kitten They Didn’t Have Much Hope … Then Something Amazing Happened.
With the winter season setting in across most parts of the U.S., it is important to make provisions for pets. In many areas, the winter brings cold weather and lots of snow. Although dogs and cats are covered in fur, pets are sensitive to the weather in the same ways that we are.
Their noses, ears and the pads of their feet are especially prone to frost bite, which can be permanently damaging, but if temperatures dip low enough, animals are also susceptible to hypothermia, which can lead to death.
In the mountains of Utah, the nights can be bitterly cold, so when the family in this story found a frozen kitten outside in the snow on Thanksgiving morning, they were only cautiously optimistic.
Here is the video of their valiant effort to save the life of a kitten they never knew.
After an hour of continued effort, they laid the poor kitten to rest in some warm towels, fearing that their work had been in vain. But they got the shock of a lifetime when they returned, only to find that the sweet little kitten was alive!
Three weeks later, the kitten, named Lazarus, is the life of the household, keeping everyone entertained with all of the usual kitten antics.
Lazarus is living proof of what can happen when animals are left outside in the cold, but his story also shows what happens when people care enough to help them.
If you witness anyone in your area leaving animals out in the cold, please contact your local animal control office, immediately. It might not seem like a huge action, but when it comes to the life of an animal, it could make all the difference in the world.
With the winter season setting in across most parts of the U.S., it is important to make provisions for pets. In many areas, the winter brings cold weather and lots of snow. Although dogs and cats are covered in fur, pets are sensitive to the weather in the same ways that we are.
Their noses, ears and the pads of their feet are especially prone to frost bite, which can be permanently damaging, but if temperatures dip low enough, animals are also susceptible to hypothermia, which can lead to death.
In the mountains of Utah, the nights can be bitterly cold, so when the family in this story found a frozen kitten outside in the snow on Thanksgiving morning, they were only cautiously optimistic.
Here is the video of their valiant effort to save the life of a kitten they never knew.
Three weeks later, the kitten, named Lazarus, is the life of the household, keeping everyone entertained with all of the usual kitten antics.
If you witness anyone in your area leaving animals out in the cold, please contact your local animal control office, immediately. It might not seem like a huge action, but when it comes to the life of an animal, it could make all the difference in the world.
---------------------------------
Rudolph is an adorable orphaned fawn who was rescued by a kind young man last week in Victoria, Australia. Normally, rescuing an animal is one of the most rewarding things that a person can do; however, this family’s joy was cut short when officers from the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport, and Resources (DEDJTR) showed up at their door with a court order from the local magistrate, demanding that Rudolph be turned in to city officials in order to be killed! They then took the tiny deer away, ignoring both his cries and the cries of the family who desperately tried to save the animal’s life.
With nowhere else to turn, the family then contacted Edgar’s Mission Farm Sanctuary, a nearby animal sanctuary that is known to rescue farm animals. Although they do not accept uninjured wildlife, they called around until they found a spot for Rudolph at the Jirrahlinga Koala and Wildlife Sanctuary. Here Rudolph would have the opportunity to grow up with other rescued animals and hopefully be released back into the wild one day. Finding a home for Rudolph at a wildlife sanctuary seemed to be the perfect solution to the problem, yet the Magistrate has signed the poor animal’s death warrant anyway!
With an Appeal set up for February 18, 2016, at the Country Court in Shepparton, the clock is now ticking to save this little fawn’s life. The courts need to hear that this kind of cruelty towards helpless animals will not be tolerated and that contrary to what they may want to believe, animal lives do matter!
To lend your voice to little Rudolph, please send a letter requesting that he to be sent immediately to Jirrahlinga Koala and Wildlife Sanctuary to the following address:
The Honorable Daniel Andrews, MP, Premier
Office of the Premier 1 Treasury Place Melbourne, Victoria Australia, 3000
Email: premier@dpc.vic.gov.au
and/or
Hon. Jaala Pulford
MP Minister Responsible for the Game Management Authority
Level 16, 8 Nicholson Street East Melbourne, VIC 3002
Email: jaala.pulford@parliament.vic.gov.au
By doing so, you will not only be saving Rudolph but also helping to keep the spirit of kindness and goodwill alive. Image source: Edgar’s Mission
---------------------------------
Homeless Starving Dog With Sealed Eye Gets Rescued – Then Something Incredible Happened.
There is no place like home for the holidays. Yet, very few of America’s estimated 70 million homeless pets will ever get to experience what it’s like to have a home of their own. That is what could have happened to this sweet little pup, who was found wandering the streets by herself one cold holiday morning. Skinny and shivering and with one sealed eye, she was far from picture perfect. But this Imgur user reached out to her anyway, demonstrating the true meaning of the holiday season.
When they found her, this poor little girl was shivering. The world is a such a scary place for a dog out there alone!
She was so hungry when they found her, she couldn’t seem to get enough food.
After a night indoors, her eye still wasn’t looking any better, so they decided to take her to the vet.
Now that she was feeling better, it was time to find this sweet little lady a forever home.
Soon, they found a loving family who was looking for a little dog just like her! Her rescuers dressed her up in her fanciest outfit for the introduction. We never get a second chance to make a first impression!
Although it is always bittersweet to see a rescued pup go on to their forever home, this one proved to be a perfect match. It was love at first sight!
This heartwarming story about a pooch finding a home for the holidays is one example of how many people are helping animals, every day. And, while this story had a happy ending, many others do not. With ten million animals a year finding themselves on death row, becoming a foster for a needy dog like this one might be the perfect way to share in the spirit of the season.
If you are considering in adopting or fostering an animal, head over to your local animal shelter to learn more. You won’t regret it! All image source: Imgur
Sweet Photo of Pig Rescued by a High Schooler Shows Us the Life These Animals Deserve.
Some Green Monsters might remember the story of Lola, a pig who was given to a high school student named Bruno Barba earlier this year. She was destined to be slaughtered for her meat as part of his school’s Future Farmers of America program. However, the more Barba got to know this sweet pig, the less he wanted to sell her for slaughter at the end of the program. With the help of Farm Sanctuary, he arranged to have her transferred to their shelter in Orland, California, where she could live out the rest of her days in peace, rather than facing a premature death.
And now, Farm Sanctuary posted an update on Twitter, showing us what a great life Lola is now experiencing. It is wonderful to know that she never had to go through the shock and horror of being sent to her death by someone she had come to know and trust – as happens to many animals who are given to high school students as part of animal husbandry projects such as Future Farmers of America. Instead, she has been granted the gift of being loved and cared for by humans who understand her worth as a living being.
Rolling hills, shrubbery to munch on, and a big smile! Could there be anything better?
Adorable Pig Rescued by High Schooler is Now Enjoying the Sweet Life!
Farm Sanctuary said, “Bruno recognized that (Lola) was someone, not something. More than that, she was his friend. There was no way he could send her to death. … Thanks to one student who chose to learn that a pig’s life is precious, not disposable, Lola now has a wonderful life ahead of her – and the chance to teach countless others that important lesson.”
It just goes to show that when pigs are given the chance to express just how amazing, intelligent, and playful they really are, only the most cold-hearted person could resist falling in love with them! Let’s hope that Lola has many more years of stress-free living ahead of her. Image source: Farm Sanctuary/Twitter
---------------------------------
However, through collaboration between wildlife centers, other nonprofit organizations, and government agencies, some smugglers are arrested and animals are saved. Thousands of chimpanzees and other primates who have been rescued as babies from the horrific wildlife trade now live at PASA member wildlife centers across Africa.
Little Kanoa was Rescued from Being Smuggled to China
Kanoa was brought to Sanaga-Yong Chimpanzee Rescue Center in Cameroon where he received extensive medical treatment and much-needed loving care. While his leg was healing, he spent his first months confined indoors and gazing longingly out to the forest. However, all attempts to carry him outside left him panicked and running back indoors. He seemed to pine for the life and the mother that he lost, but his last memories of that life were clearly terrifying.
After little Kanoa's leg finally healed, he caregivers gradually coaxed him outside and introduced him to five other young chimpanzees who accepted him almost immediately. These new friendships and the dedicated care of Sanaga-Yong’s staff helped him to heal emotionally, and he was soon playing in the forest as though he had never left it. Today, Kanoa lives happily in a social group with those five young chimps and three adults, and he is safe from poachers.
Help care for Kanoa and other young chimps who have been rescued from cruel fates and live at Sanaga-Yong Chimpanzee Rescue Center.
You can help stop the cruelty. Donate today to enable wildlife centers to fight the illegal wildlife trade and give lifetime care to animals rescued from the trade.
Most of the animals in PASA’s 22 member sanctuaries in 13 African countries were rescued from traffickers. Wildlife sanctuaries play an essential role in stopping the wildlife trade because without their commitment to provide lifetime care for animals confiscated from smugglers, many of the confiscations and arrests couldn’t happen.
Kanoa is a success story, but there are many more chimpanzees who urgently need to be rescued and cared for. We can't do it without you. Will you help an animal in desperate need today?
Elephants Rorogoi, Arruba, and Masharaki were all set to go when a sudden downpour of rain stopped the DSWT transport trucks in their tracks. When the rain finally stopped, DSWT staff knew that they had to get the elephants on board ASAP! Rorogoi got on without an issue, but the other two elephants were considerably more wary. Still, all it took was some fresh milk and a nudge in the right direction to get them all boarded up.
Thankfully the trip went on without any problems – they did need to make a pit stop when Masharaki loudly demanded some greens to chew on though! Upon arrival at the DSWT Voi Rehabilitation Unit in Tsavo East National Park, the baby elephants were welcomed into their new herd without a hitch! Seeing these powerful and majestic creatures interact like this is truly awe-inspiring. If you want to learn more about this awesome organization, check out their website!
Puppy Stabbed Nearly to Death Deserves Justice.
Target: Brandy Cook, District Attorney of Rowan County, NC
Goal: Recommend harsh prison sentence for man who allegedly nearly killed a puppy by violently stabbing it multiple times, if he is found guilty.
A puppy was allegedly stabbed several times by a man with a hunting knife. We need to take action to ensure this man is given a harsh legal sentence if he is found guilty of this thoughtless and violent act.
Neighbors indicated the man was house sitting for a couple, who likely gave the homeless man the job to be nice. One neighbor claimed she called the police after she witnessed the man stab the dog multiple times while the dog was yelping. According to authorities, the man used an eight-inch hunting knife to commit the act. Phillip John Shoemaker reportedly told police he stabbed the dog because it bit him. However, he could have simply walked or ran away from the animal if this had been the case.
Although the dog was able to get away and did receive treatment, it is not yet known if the dog will survive. Sadly, this man has also been accused by neighbors of hurting other pets.
Urge the district attorney to suggest this man be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law if he is found guilty of this senseless crime. No animal deserves to be treated in such a disgusting manner.
Dear District Attorney Cook,
A man has been accused of stabbing a dog multiple times with a hunting knife. If he is found guilty, it is important that he be severely legally penalized in order to better ensure other animals will remain safe.
According to neighbors, Philip John Shoemaker was house sitting for the couple, who may have given the job to the homeless man to try and help him out. A person who lived near the couple said she called the police when she allegedly noticed Shoemaker stabbing the dog multiple times while the dog was crying in pain. Although he claims that he stabbed the dog because it bit him, the man should never have responded in such a violent manner.
While the dog was able to get veterinary care for its wounds, it may not survive since the damage was so severe. In addition, neighbors claim that they had to stop Shoemaker from kicking dogs and committing various acts of violence against other pets.
It is for these reasons that I urge you to suggest this man be given a harsh legal penalty if he is found guilty. No dog deserves to be abused by the person who is supposed to be ensuring the animal is receiving the best possible care.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Rowan County Sheriff’s Office
 |
| Look around you. Are you somewhere safe and warm? Are you
surrounded by people who love you? If so, count your blessings. Because at this
moment, there are more than 50 dogs in
Michigan who are experiencing care, kindness and security for what is likely the
very first time. These 50+ dogs, including English Bulldogs and Schnauzers, were discovered living in small wire cages in a crowded, dark, filthy basement and in the ramshackle outdoor sheds of a suspected puppy mill. Until today, their world has been nothing but fear, sadness and solitude. Thankfully, amid cold temperatures and harsh conditions, we got to them just in time.  The ASPCA is on the ground in Mio, MI, right now, rescuing these innocent animals and bringing them to safety. Most dogs had no access to food or water, and many were unsocialized and fearful. "They were living a very sad existence," said one ASPCA responder. Now we are nursing their wounds, soothing their pain, and—just in time for the holidays—showing them the true meaning of compassion. All we are hoping is that you will do the same. Just a single donation today can mean the difference between life and death for an animal victim of cruelty. Just as you want to spend the holidays with friends and loved ones, so, too, do these innocent dogs. Will you make their wish come true? Give a gift to the ASPCA today. |
As we enter the holiday season—and the coldest days
of the year—I hope you'll take a moment to make a difference in the life of an "outdoor dog."
When PETA fieldworkers spotted him, Duke had squeezed
himself into a beat-up plastic barrel. He was attempting to fend off the rain
and cold pummeling the muddy backyard in rural Virginia where he was kept.
Our fieldworkers soon provided him with a brand-new
custom-built doghouse and replaced the heavy chain around his neck with a
lightweight tie-out that won't tangle. There's no denying Duke's joy when he
first entered his new shelter. Our dedicated team will make regular follow-up
visits to him this winter to give him fresh straw bedding for his new doghouse
as well as toys, treats, and some much-needed affection.
Duke's life has changed for the better, thanks to the
generosity of "Angels for Animals" doghouse sponsors. Please sponsor life-changing shelter for a dog in need
today.
"Angels for Animals" sponsors help dogs survive cold
winters—and hot summers—by providing them with a sturdy PETA-built doghouse.
These doghouses give neglected "backyard dogs" some badly needed relief from
snow, wind, and rain—often for the first time in their lives.
Whenever PETA fieldworkers meet a neglected dog like
Duke, they first try to persuade the guardians to bring the animal indoors. But
when the dog's guardians can't be persuaded and authorities don't have enough to
act on, we do all that we can to improve that dog's sad lot in life. For many of
these animals, nothing makes a bigger difference than a doghouse that can
shelter them in the winter and provide shade from oppressive summer heat. Of
course, we're also working hard to get anti-tethering legislation passed in the
jurisdictions we serve, but those lobbying efforts take time.
PETA doghouses come in different sizes to fit the
needs of every dog our fieldworkers help. The opening is just large enough for
the dog to enter, so his or her body heat can help keep the house warmer when
the frigid wind is blowing outside. Unlike store-bought doghouses, PETA
doghouses are built with broad, slanted roofs and overhangs that can provide a
shady refuge from baking summer heat.
For a lonely dog facing the winter outside in
the bitter cold, your generosity can truly make the difference between life and
a miserable death.
Thank you for helping a neglected dog this winter in
such a life-changing way. While Duke now has shelter that will last for years to come, countless other
dogs just like him still need our help. Won't you help put a solid roof over the head of a cold and
neglected dog by making a holiday gift to support our "Angels for Animals"
program?
Two
Animals Grateful for Santa’s Help:
Pepper,
a lonely "outdoor dog," was rescued by PETA fieldworkers after they discovered
her in a backyard without food or water. Her ears were bloody from the incessant
biting of flies, and the chain wrapped around her neck was so tight that it had
rubbed her skin raw. Thanks to the work made possible by PETA supporters, today
Pepper lives indoors in a loving home with a retired couple who give her all the
care and affection that she'd been denied for years. Become a
Secret Santa for another animal like Pepper!
Ursula
and 16 other bears were rescued from the filthy concrete pits of a hideous
roadside zoo. Ursula had been bred repeatedly, but her cherished cubs were
always torn away from her shortly after their birth. PETA was able to get the
bears out of that hellhole (which was shut down!) and send them to a sanctuary,
where they now have the freedom to roam, nest, forage, and enjoy fresh fruits
and vegetables. Ursula, who was pregnant when PETA rescued her, gave birth in a
comfortable den and now, for the first time ever, is getting the chance to raise
her own cubs, instead of having them taken from her. Help more
animals like Ursula by becoming a PETA Secret Santa today!
Pepper,
Ursula, and countless other abused and neglected animals like them may never see
the faces of the people who helped them escape their misery—but that anonymity
doesn't diminish the impact that caring PETA donors have made on their lives.
Don, would
you like to help us bring joy to more animals this holiday season—and throughout
the new year—by becoming a PETA Secret Santa today? Donate
now, and you'll receive a copy of our beautiful 2016 "Rescued" calendar
featuring some of the many animals PETA and our international affiliates have
helped escape lives of cruelty and neglect.
Unlike
traditional Secret Santa gift exchanges, a PETA Secret Santa strengthens our
work for dogs, cats, rabbits, and other animals who will benefit from your
compassion. Simply select an animal you'd like to help, make your gift, and
celebrate this festive season knowing that you're helping PETA accomplish even
more for animals in the new year.
Become a PETA Secret Santa for an animal in need right now.
Become a PETA Secret Santa for an animal in need right now.
---------------------------------
I promised you stories made possible by your gifts to IDA, starting with
Kiara’s. But I have to be brief.
With only 15 days to raise the $70,619.00 remaining to meet our year-end goal, I must press on. Lives hang in the balance.
So, without delay, may Kiara's story inspire you to help us with a gift of $5, $15, or $25 now. Together we can save more animals like her before this year ends...
Your heart hurts just to see Kiara's wounds. It hurts more to know the people she thought were her family abandoned her because she was too old and too sick.
It's all too common with older dogs. They're simply cast aside. How poor Kiara must have suffered!
But, thanks to you, this seven-year-old Great Dane has a beauty that’s beyond skin deep.
Because your support of IDA meant that Kiara, who comes all the way from Mumbai, could get the help she needed.
Our sanctuary at IDA-India took her in. And your special holiday donation to IDA, now, will continue to give Kiara love and care, plus care for other abandoned and stray animals there, for as long as it takes.
Even $5 from you, now, will mean healing medicine or a bowl of food for a friend like Kiara. At IDA-India there is even a Night Ambulance and a special place just for blind dogs!
But to save them takes resources. It takes reliable equipment and steady supplies. It takes you.
Please click
here to rush your generous tax-deductible donation to IDA. Just 15 days of
rescue remain in 2015 ... 15 days to save a life like Kiara's.We are still $70,619.00 away from our goal, and I need your help now, more than ever.
Thank you for saving Kiara. Please give what you can, now.
I'll have another story soon.
For the love you bring!
---------------------------------
This Kind Woman Found a Sick Kitten Covered With Mange and Did Something Amazing.
So when this Imgur user got a call from her father and learned that one of the newborn kittens in his yard wasn’t doing well, she made the one hour drive to see if there was anything that she could do.
When she first saw him, this poor fella was only a month old. He was filthy and suffering from mange. Plus, there was a large growth on his chest.
---------------------------------
This Photo of 2 Adorable Rescue Dogs Shows Us We Can All Be Superheroes for Animals.Teddy and Harley are two very special little dogs who were rescued from the terrible conditions that exist in puppy mills. Often, puppy mills are the primary suppliers of pet stores and ads selling “purebred” puppies for hundreds of dollars. But sadly, despite the high price-tag, the conditions in which these puppies are raised are anything but top-notch,
Puppy mill dogs spend their entire lives in tiny, filthy cages with no medical attention, and many of them suffer from skin, eye, and dental diseases. Breeding dogs will never leave the facility and the profits from the sale of their puppies only go back to the cruel humans who hold them captive. Unfortunately, life for the puppies isn’t much better as most end up suffering from health and behavioral problems, no matter how much someone paid for them. And yet, despite all this suffering, many people are still unaware that puppy mills even exist and continue to purchase dogs from pet stores entirely oblivious of the cruelty they are funding.
This is why the work of National Mill Dog Rescue is so important.
Meet Teddy and Harley, two former mill dogs – both saved by National Mill Dog Rescue – who have made it their life’s mission to raise awareness for others like them!
Poor Harley has a slightly different story, as the horrific conditions he endured while in a puppy mill ended up costing him his eye! He has also learned to trust again and has even appeared on the cover of Modern Dog magazine. Without the intervention of the National Mill Dog Rescue, neither one of these sweet fellas would have ever had the opportunity to experience the love of a human, but since their rescues, these two little hero’s have become ambassadors for rehabilitated doggies everywhere.
Seeing these little guys in their capes reminds us that anyone can be a hero for animals! All it took was for kind people to step in and take these pups out of their former lives to inspire this entire movement.
If you would like to help the National Puppy Mill Dog Rescue in their life-saving mission, visit their website. Image source: National Mill Dog Rescue
HOW WE SAVED ABANDONED DOLPHINS IN RUSSIA
The following article was written by SaveDolphins.net, a marine mammal welfare and rescue group located in Russia.
Dolphins on a dairy farm. How is this even possible?
About two weeks ago, we received information about two dolphins being kept in Veselovka, a distant village in the Krasnodar region. These animals had been kept in a silo on an isolated dairy farm for several months. It was in the middle of nowhere. A witness told us that the dolphins were in a critical condition. Stressed and hungry, they were living in unfiltered and dirty cold water.
In the previous month prior to this incident, we had started to talk seriously about the first rehab and release center for dolphins in Russia. After learning of the two dolphins in distress, we knew it was not a coincidence but a sign that we were on the right path. We knew that immediate action was needed.
So who are we?
SaveDolphins.net is a group of people from different cities and countries united by the same passion — dolphins, and we knew that these dolphins would die unless we did something about it.
At first, the plan was to collect money, buy the dolphins and move them somewhere until we could build our rehabilitation center. But we felt very nervous and had conflicted feelings about buying dolphins from bad people who had captured them in the first place. We realized that we couldn’t wait because we didn’t even know if the dolphins were still alive.
So, on November 26, our activists from Crimea and Moscow came to Krasnodar, and one day later, we invited along some local journalists and went to Veselovka.
When we arrived, it was cold with wide open fields and few buildings. We soon found the farm that we had been looking for. We also noticed some buildings with pens in which there were many cows and horses, who looked like they had been fattened up. Presumably, there was a slaughterhouse, as when we approached, we noticed some bones in the grass.
We passed through an open gate, we didn’t notice any warnings on the walls. We greeted an elderly lady, she greeted us back even though she didn’t understand who we were, and we headed towards the shed where the dolphins were kept. We saw trainers near it and their faces were familiar to us, they had worked this past summer in the illegal dolphinarium in Izmailovsky Park in Moscow.
We suspected that these two dolphins were Zeus and Delfa from Izmailovsky Park. They disappeared at the end of the summer, and the dolphinarium moved away. Nobody knew where they went. One of our activists had worked in the dolphinarium for a short time. She told us that these dolphins had not been trained and seemed practically wild. They were not taught to eat dead fish, nor taught to undergo a medical examination. We learned later that these animals had been moved to Moscow from Sevastopol, and we’re sure that they are victims of an illegal dolphin capture in the Black Sea.
Back in Krasnodar, the trainers carried buckets filled with goby fish — the worst fish to feed dolphins. We greeted them and introduced ourselves. We said that we knew what animals they were keeping in that hellhole and in what condition. They wouldn’t answer any questions and just said, “I need to make a call”.
We made sure to film every step they made.
A farmer approached us — the owner of the whole farm, and he shouted at us and even tried to physically harm us. As our people quarreled with the farmer, we (three activists, former trainers, and a journalist), entered the shed through a broken window. Most of the window panes had been broken by strong wind.
We ran to the dolphins, who were hanging on the surface. We took a water sample, filmed their damaged skin and their thin, emaciated bodies. The water was filthy with waste product, and the holding tank was unbelievably shallow. The depth ranged from 0.5 meters to 2 meters at its deepest point.
The water salinity did not meet the animals’ physiological needs — it was practically freshwater, which could easily leave the dolphins without vision. We watched the animals crawling on the dirty tile and scratching their stomachs. Both were stressed, hungry and shivering. The water’s temperature was just seven degrees.
We filmed that hellhole from the inside for almost an hour, until our people called us and told that we had to leave. As we exited the shed, we noticed that the local deputy had arrived. She was given photos of fake documents for the dolphins. We got into the car and drove away, it was dangerous to stay there.
We had wanted to stay close to the farm in order to observe what is going on, but our biologist who had dealt with people like this had been threatened and beaten before. So we drove as far away as possible, but our thoughts remained with the dolphins in that dirty silo hole.
The owner of Zeus and Delfa is Michael Krokhin, an influential businessman and the former director of the dolphinarium in Moscow Zoo. He is a poacher involved in illegal dolphin trafficking. We have documents supporting this. Krokhin is also involved in the business of breeding wild animals in order to hunt them.
We have information that recently Michael Krokhin was keeping horses knee-deep in muck for months before the horses were shot in the manner of hunting. Days ago we also received some document scans showing that he recently killed 17 baby walruses during their transportation after capture.
It is important for people to understand who we have to face. Having been in contact with people who have been fighting with Krokhin for a long time, we learned they repeatedly received threats against their families. He is a well-connected businessmen with ties to the government. Our former-trainer colleagues told us that it’s impossible to confiscate animals from him.
Thankfully, the two dolphins are now housed in better conditions. Here is a timeline of what took place.
November 27th
We spent the whole day answering phone calls and letters from journalists. We sent letters to local government authorities and the deputy helped us with that. We wanted to find an independent vet to take to Veselovka so we could get accurate information about the animals’ condition. Unfortunately, our familiar vets could not get there, so we invited famous correspondents from a Russian TV channel to go with us the next morning, and they willingly agreed.
November 28th
After a long drive, we met journalists from Russian News Channel – NTV. As soon as we got to the farm we saw a man hanging a huge lock on the gate. We realized that they were not going to let us in, but we were not going to leave that place. We decided to wait and see what happened.
After an hour of filming everything and talking to journalists, we noticed seven cars drive in. It was the State Veterinary Service. We asked if they are going to check on the dolphins and they said ‘no’, but they went directly to the shed where the dolphins were kept.
We called the district police, hoping that they would help us to get inside. They arrived but paid no attention at us. Moreover, all these people were in collusion. It was obvious that they were all friends paid by the farm owner. We saw no results that day, but we were not going to give up.
November 29th
Another day sending letters and spreading awareness among media. A famous Russian newspaper announced that a veterinary assessment had been done in Veselovka on November 28. The vets wrote that the dolphins were kept in wonderful conditions, completely healthy! Krokhin added, “The animals owned by me are living in the largest tank in Russia, with warm crystal clear water, I love dolphins, the activists’ told lies”. We were shocked, it appeared he was trying to smooth over the situation and get away with the dolphins, but we were not going to let him do that.
November 30th
We were thinking about where to move the dolphins in case of a confiscation. With no rehabilitation center yet, the only place that can give proper care for dolphins is a dolphinarium. As we have connections in that area, we analyzed all the options and picked the best place possible in Russia – Anapa dolphinarium in Big Utrish. They have open sea pens. We know that the director cares for animals so we decided to reach out to her. We asked her for help and she said that of course, they can accept our dolphins. They prepared a quarantine pool immediately, but we still had no idea if we could confiscate the dolphins in the first place.
That evening we found a newly-released article in the online newspaper where Vet Services again said that the animals were in good condition and that they played and ate well. They also said that the dolphins’ belonged to northern seas and so don’t feel cold.
Again they attempted to reassure everyone that the water was in perfect condition and a filtration system was in place filtering water from the sea. We could not believe it. They were trying to play this whole thing down and fool everyone. But there was no way we would give up. We strongly believed that we would get these dolphins out of that hole.
December 1st
Early this morning we received a message from the dolphinarium. The police were in Veselovka, and they had also sent people to rescue the dolphins. The Environmental Prosecutor’s Office, who received hundreds of letters from us, had agreed to confiscate the animals. This was a huge victory for us and for people from all over the world and Russia. Many took their time to contact government authorities in order to stop this cruelty.
We went directly to Big Utrish. After a few hours the truck with dolphins arrived. Luidmila Kamaeva (the director of Anapa dolphinarium in Big Utrish) allowed us to attend the process of releasing dolphins into the pool with clean and fresh sea water.
Delfa was unloaded first, she was weighed and inspected. 189 kg, just below the 190-210 kg for healthy dolphins. After releasing her into the pool, she immediately turned and came up to us. She looked so grateful and we knew by her expression that she was thankful.
When they started unloading Zeus, something incredible happened. While being weighed and inspected by vets, he just lay and endlessly looked one of our activists directly in the eye, even though the activist was not very close to him. Zeus weighed in at just 109 kg. After he was released into the pool, the staff told us not to bother them and we had to leave. It was still the best day of our lives.
December 2nd
Luidmila Kamaeva was very polite with us and she allowed us to visit the dolphins every day except Monday (the dolphinarium is closed on Mondays). As soon as we got there we felt that the staff was not very happy to see us and they treated us as if we were criminals. They said someone had to control us all the time.
We said that we would never hurt the animals as we gave all our energy to saving their lives. Their answer we received was shocking: “You did nothing good. You put a huge burden on the dolphinarium because these dolphins are unsuitable for shows”.
According to the vets, both dolphins are adults and in their 20’s. Their age explains a lot — it might be the main reason why the animals can’t be trained. Illegal dolphin captures are common in Russia. The poachers don’t know how to identify the age, they just capture every dolphin in their way.
We stayed with Zeus and Delfa for about 40 minutes. The trainer said that they ate well and their blood samples results were good, but both dolphins have scoliosis, particularly Delfa — we saw the deformation of her caudal peduncle distinctly. This disease strikes cetaceans when they are kept in the worst conditions in a very small pool depth. Both Delfa and Zeus had been kept in a pool whose average depth was less than one meter.
Delfa is more interested in people than Zeus, he looks like he doesn’t trust them anymore.
It was cold and storming strongly, so we had to leave. We were very angry about the staff when we realized that they were not happy to treat Zeus and Delfa. We want to take them away when our rehabilitation center is ready — we already have specialists and we are working on a plan for their rehab and will release it very soon.
Many people have told us that rescuing these dolphins was an impossible thing to do, but we kept going. We did it. We saved Zeus and Delfa for now and we will keep on going until the moment we see them free.
Save Dolphins Russian marine mammal protection team
Savedolphins.net
All videos courtesy of the SaveDolphins.net organization.
DOLPHINS FOUND ON A DAIRY FARM IN RUSSIA: DELFA AND ZEUS
What’s not to love about dolphins? Playful, social,
|
