Thanksgiving Animal & Wildlife Welfare & Crime Report, Dr. Juan A. Rivero National Zoological Park, Arnold, Million-Dollar Challenge, The Tiger Truck Stop Morons now have a ftriggan Camel since Tony died, Good Shepherd Poultry Ranch, Wool Industry, Holiday Gift Guide & Yummy...Dog Beef!

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I was furious when I learned that the Tiger Truck Stop — where Tony the tiger spent 17 years in a cage — has obtained two new animals to exhibit.
One of the Tiger Truck Stop’s newest “acquisitions” is a five-month-old camel named Caspar. Camels are highly social animals with unique physiological needs. It is unnatural for Caspar to grow up confined to a small cage — instead of running free with his family.
The second new animal at the truck stop is a coati named Cody. These raccoon-like animals are native to South and Central America and are used to living among trees and sleeping in the forest canopy. Instead, Cody is condemned to life in a cage at a Louisiana truck stop.
The Tiger Truck Stop is trying to profit from the gross exploitation of these animals — just like it did with Tony. The owner Michael Sandlin is currently fighting a Louisiana law prohibiting him from acquiring another tiger for the truck stop — and we’re fighting to stop him.

The Animal Legal Defense Fund Calls on Puerto Rican Officials to Protect Animals Languishing at Troubled State Zoo. Complaint urges Puerto Rican government to investigate Dr. Juan A. Rivero National Zoological Park

 The Animal Legal Defense Fund, the nation’s preeminent legal advocacy organization for animals, submitted complaints to the Puerto Rico Department of Agriculture and the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources urging the agencies to revoke any permits granted to the Dr. Juan A. Rivero National Zoological Park and immediately send the animals there to sanctuaries, due to Endangered Species Act and animal cruelty violations at the Zoo. More than 100 animals, including an African elephant named Mundi and a chimpanzee named Magnum, live in abysmal conditions at Puerto Rico’s only official zoo.

 U.S. Department of Agriculture inspection reports reveal chronic violations of the Animal Welfare Act. Numerous animals have died in recent years due to poor sanitation, inadequate veterinary care, filthy enclosures, and untrained staff. In 2017, a tiger died after the zoo failed to properly treat his symptoms. A puma named Kali died in August 2017 after suffering from lameness for months. Several animals, including Mundi and a rhinoceros named Felipe, suffer from lameness likely due to the inappropriate flooring in their enclosures. Eneida, a red kangaroo, was repeatedly ill due to suspected poisoning from the wood her shelter was built with – she is presently without a shelter. The Zoo also chronically fails to provide adequate care to members of threatened and endangered species.

 “Overwhelming evidence confirms that the animals at this zoo are suffering, and the staff is wholly unequipped to provide adequate care,” said Animal Legal Defense Fund Executive Director Stephen Wells. “We urge the Puerto Rican government to swiftly take appropriate action to protect these individuals before any more animals die.”

 The complaint alleges the zoo is in violation of the Endangered Species Act as well as Puerto Rico’s animal cruelty laws, which mandate animals be provided shelter, safe food, and adequate veterinary care. Copies of the complaint were sent to Governor Ricardo Roselló and First Lady Beatriz Roselló.

 Multiple sanctuaries have offered to rehome some of the animals. A committee appointed by the Puerto Rican government echoed its support for moving the zoo’s animals to sanctuaries. But no animal has been transferred to date.

 Copies of the complaint are available upon request.

 The images to follow show the horrific reality of animals in factory farms. Mother pigs and newborn piglets suffer in unimaginable ways. They are cruelly confined, abused, neglected, and mutilated. Please don’t look away. 

Instead, I urge you to join our Million-Dollar Challenge.
Image of pigs in cages
Mother pigs spend nearly their entire lives trapped in metal cages so small that they’re unable to lie down comfortably or even turn around. 
Image of pigs in cages
When their babies are born, mothers are denied the opportunity to bond with them. The tiny piglets long for comfort and their mothers’ warmth, but the bars of their cages prevent them from getting too close. 
Image of pigs in cages
Newborn piglets endure multiple mutilations, each occurring with no painkillers or proper veterinary care. Arnold, the piglet seen here, squeals in agony as his tail is callously removed with dull shears. 
  
His torture didn’t end there. As Arnold cried out in pain, workers punctured his ears to identify him with a number or notch rather than a name, his testicles were brutally ripped out, and his teeth were ground down. Please support our work to stop this violence. 
Image of pigs in cages
Arnold—like countless others—suffered every excruciating moment when what he truly deserved was compassion and respect. Can you imagine? Arnold cried out for his mother, but even she was helpless against the cold indifference of their captors. You’d hardly believe this sickening cruelty occurs daily in factory farms around the world unless you witnessed it yourself. This is why our investigations are so important. They expose the truth that factory farm owners and food companies work hard to keep hidden from us.

 Earlier this week MFA released its 69th investigation, documenting horrible yet standard practices that 121 million pigs suffer each year in the U.S. pork industry. As MFA president Leah Garcés explained, “From the day these pigs are born until the day they are killed, their lives are filled with misery and deprivation.” 

 The good news is, you can help. The year is quickly coming to an end, but it is never too late to stand up for animals like Arnold.

Jean Paul Gaultier Will Drop Fur From His Future Collections. After years of pressure, catwalk invasions, and a boutique takeover by PETA, the iconic designer has renounced fur. He admitted that the ways animals are killed for their fur are "absolutely deplorable". Read More


Urgent: Help Stop Plans to Imprison Thousands of Hens in Northern Ireland. If plans for this "free-range" egg farm go ahead, 32,000 chickens at a time will be condemned to a life of misery and an early death. Even on "free-range" farms, hens are forced to lay eggs in horrific conditions. Take Action Now!


Animals in Circuses Need Your Help – Tell Welsh Government to Ban Cruel Shows. Wales is a step closer to introducing a ban on the use of wild animals in travelling circuses – but we need your help to make sure that it goes ahead. Submit Your Views here!


Will You Help Cats and Dogs? Eyewitness footage from China's live-animal markets reveals the horrific suffering of dogs and cats, who writhe and wail as they're bludgeoned – some still conscious and in agony as their skin is torn off. You can help stop their terrifying living nightmare. Read More!

In Defense of AnimalsTime is Running Out for the Dog Meat Trade! In Defense of Animals is going the distance in our fight against the dog meat trade. The best part? We. Are. Winning! Watch this video to find out how your support for our Ditch Dog Meat campaign has allowed us to make real strides against this outdated and barbaric tradition. WATCH VIDEO

Where Does Wool Really Come From? Shocking New Footage From UK Sheep Farms. New footage has exposed workers punching sheep in the face, slamming their heads into the floor, violently beating them, and throwing them off shearing trailers. Abuse was documented across 49 UK farms. Watch Now!

In Defense of Animals
Force Surrender of Gravely Ill Dog from Backyard Breeder
An extremely neglected dog in urgent need of medical attention is suffering at the hands of a Mississippi "entrepreneur." Please join us in urging the Union County Sheriff to take action against this heartless woman so the dog can receive the care she desperately needs due to years of mistreatment. TAKE ACTION
In Defense of Animals
Defend Wild Horses from Public Record Wipeout! The lives of wild horses and burros on their homelands are at stake, and this time we're fighting with paper. The U.S. Department of the Interior is seeking permission to destroy certain public records which could leave mustangs and millions of other wild animals vulnerable to attack. We must take action to let our government know that mass destruction of public records is not acceptable! TAKE ACTION
In Defense of Animals
253 Animals Pulled from Tragic Truck Wreck. Broken pieces of a crashed transport truck, dozens of injured hens, rescue workers wading knee-deep in mud frantically searching for survivors; all of it against a backdrop of pouring Mississippi rain. Please watch and share this remarkable story of our Mississippi team and their quick response to an overturned semi-truck transporting hundreds of live hens, cats, and a dog. A donation today will ensure that our team will be on-hand when animals need them most. WATCH VIDEO
In Defense of Animals
Holiday Gift Guide. Just in time for the holiday season, we've put together the ultimate list of vegan, cruelty-free, and eco-friendly gifts! From luxurious skincare to plant-powered dog treats, we’ve found the best animal-friendly gifts for everyone on your holiday shopping list. READ MORE