A community forum for the discussion of ethics and progressive ideas

NYC shelter turns over birds to petstores & breeders

anon — Thur, 26 Nov 2009 14:18:59 GMT

Dear all,

It has come to my attention that the NYC ACC is handing any birds it receives (without even documenting them in its records) to Mark Marone of "Parrots of the World" petstore on Long Island.

I wonder when they will start handing dogs to the puppy mills.....

It's essential that you write/call NYACC about this. Giving a parrot to Mark Marrone is the same as putting the bird on a boat to Spain, because that's where the birds he takes in go -- to a breeder in Spain. If they don't work out? God only knows. People have no idea.

I got this from Ritchie King, of King Cages--who was trying to get me to participate in the scheme.

Please contact the Manhattan New Hope staff.

Jess Van Brunt, New Hope Coordinator, Office: 212-722-4939, x225; Cell: 646-210-5404; Email: jvanbrunt@nycacc.org (work schedule: Sun-Thursday, 10am-8pm)

Kimberly Smyth, New Hope Liaison, Office: 212-722-4939 x228; Cell: 917-578-7263; Email: ksmyth@nycacc.org (Tues-Sat 10am-6pm)

Emily Tanen, New Hope Liaison, Office: 212-722-4939 x228 or x225; Cell: 917-578-6372; Email: etanen@nycacc.org (work schedule: Sun-Thurs., 10am-6pm)

Lisa Sheard, New Hope Liaison, Cell: 917-682-5616; Email: lsheard@nycacc.org (work schedule: Friday-Tuesday 10am-6pm)

Forum: Petstore Pimps & Animal Auctions

Bad News for Birds

luciedove — Thur, 26 Nov 2009 12:09:17 GMT

The Truth About Bird Suppliers

Bad News for Birds

Exotic birds, like many other animal species bred for the commercial pet trade, are raised in conditions that are designed to be the most profitable for breeders. Hundredssometimes thousandsof birds may be crowded inside sheds, barns, and garages without any regard for their basic needs or the dangers of spreading infection and disease. Just like puppy mills, bird mills breed misery and disease.

Making matters even worse, there is no federal legislation to protect birds in the pet trade, and successful prosecution of cruel or negligent bird breeders is unlikely under most state anti-cruelty laws.

A Washington State parrot-breeding operationwhich a vet described as a concentration camp and where, according to news sources, birds lived in cold, wet, filthy conditions for yearsremains open and continues to raise birds for the pet trade. The same lack of care has been reported on a national level at breeding facilities across the country. Large-scale breeding mills are largely responsible for the bird supply at your local pet store, whether theyre national chains or privately owned businesses.

Disease Is Widespread

A common characteristic of extremely crowded bird-breeding factories is the widespread presence of communicable diseases, from Pachecos diseasea herpes virus that is highly contagiousto papillomavirus, salmonellosis, psittacosis, giardia infection, and influenza.

Sick birds can infect humans too. Bird flu is the latest threat posed to human health by unregulated, unmonitored, and unlicensed bird breeders, but it is not the most common disease that can be passed from wild birds to humans. Salmonellosis, E. coli infection, tuberculosis, giardia infection, and other illnesses associated with bacteria and fungi that affect birds also affect humans.

Smuggling Is Common

Add to this nightmare the multibillion-dollar-a-year illegal wildlife trade, in which wild-caught parrots and macaws are a prime commodity. Hardly a week goes by without another story of a bird smuggler who was caught with parrots in the air-cleaner of his or her car, budgies being smuggled in jacket pockets, or any of hundreds of other often-deadly schemes to illegally import these valuable birds. While many smugglers are caught, most are not, so thousands of uninspectedand frequently sickbirds enter the companion bird trade each year.

Remember: Buying a companion bird contributes to this cycle of disease and abuse, so to appreciate birds without buying and caging them, consider creating your own backyard sanctuary.

Related information: Beware of Bird Sanctuaries

Never buy a bird or animal in a store or from a breeder

Killing Parrots Softly

Forum: Petstore Pimps & Animal Auctions

PET FRIENDLY APTS FOR RENT IN NYC~NO FEES

Raquel — Thur, 26 Nov 2009 01:04:00 GMT

Hey Everyone, I manage a pet friendly building which allows multiple pets. At the moment we have a couple 1-BDRS for rent for only $1248 a month. No real estate fees whatsoever! Actually no fees of any kind! This is a great building with Super on premises, very quiet, friendly tenants, we are located in washington Hts, Manhattan, just a few blocks away from lovely Fort Tryon Park. Also near shops and transportation. Please feel free to call me or Email anytime with any questions regarding these APTS.

Raquel/BLDG Manager
(212)795-8102
RaquelRiveraNYC@aol.com

Forum: Everything Else

Thanksgiving Without Turkey?

luciedove — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 18:16:03 GMT

Thanksgiving Without Turkey?

user
by It works for me! Heres why

- Maureen Angelos, BettyConfidential.com

If God had not intended for us to eat animals, how come He made them out of meat?
Sarah Palin, Going Rogue

The former governor of Alaska poses an interesting question, one that I, unlike her, am not theologically equipped to answer. But I can say why I will not be eating any tempting (though divinely-made) critters this Thanksgiving.

I stopped eating meat for the first time at age 14, while watching a PBS special about the commercial hunting of baby harp seals. I ended up crying over my frozen dinner, ruining the special occasion, Salisbury-steak meal I had loved so much until then. Harp seals arent part of anyones diet, but I still didnt think the seals should be killed, anymore than I thought my cat Boots should be killed. Animals were animals. I considered them my friends.

But I lived in a meat-eating household, and despite my newly found food militancy, I couldnt maintain my vegetarian diet. I slipped back into regular eating for fifteen years, until my father died of a stroke. I decided Id rather give up eating animals than struggle with cholesterol as he had. (And I was still haunted by that PBS special.) I quit meat for the second time. Its like quitting smoking: you usually have to do it more than once before it sticks.

Yet I held on to the Thanksgiving bird, feeling truly grateful to the creature I consumed annually. I made it a point of preparing it myself so I could thank it respectfully for feeding me. Several years later, I gave up turkey, too, after becoming aware of how animals are raised for food. The turkeys I had thanked so much had probably lived pretty thankless lives as overfed, death-row prisoners that never saw the light of day.

My family and friends are fine with my being a vegetarian, though occasionally people do react badly when they discover my non-meat-eating ways. So Thanksgiving, the most food-oriented holiday of all, can be tricky for me. Usually, I speak to the host beforehand and politely offer to bring my favorite seared tofu cutlets to contribute to the holiday bounty. But I know that the subject of why-the-tofu-weirdness may still come up at the dinner table, where its probably not the best moment to get into a graphic discussion about factory-farmed animals. I prefer to be honest, but not preachy, and just say that Ive lost my taste for meat.

On the other hand, many considerate hosts go all-out to accommodate me and other like-minded guests. Ive been fed amazing veggie pot pies, challenging potato concoctions and a cranberry jelly made with seaweed-based gelatin substitute. (Gelatin is an animal byproduct.)

In the end, no matter how many vegetarians and/or meat-eaters are at the table, dessert is usually a safe haven. In fact, lots of vegetarians love sweets. As Sinbad, the comic (and vegetarian) says: There aint no meat in donuts!

So please cut me some pumpkin pie, and make it a big slice!

Maureen Angelos is an actor and writer who lives in New York City.

Forum: Animal Rights - Animal Welfare

Pigeon Help - Looking for help.

Terry — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:10:55 GMT

Hi. Yesterday I rescued a pigeon from a Hawk, I don't think the hawk actually injured the pigeon I think I got to it in time, but I cannot be sure. I've called a couple places and everyone has told me that this was probably someones pet. No place I have called could recommend someone to take in the bird. The bird is pure white, looks like a dove but bigger, and seems to have been well taken care of. I don't know anything about pigeons and I don't know what to do with him. I have him in a make shift cage but I know its not big enough, but he does have enough room to walk around. I didn't want to put him into anything too large in case he is hurt. When it flew away from the hawk he only seemed to flutter, so I don't know if his wing is hurt or if the wings have been clipped. He does seem quite tame, but I can tell he is nervous.
Can anyone give me some advise as to who I could contact that might take in this bird, and to make sure he isn't hurt. I know if he is domesticated letting him go would be a death sentence. My location is about 25 miles north east of Los Angeles. Thank you

Forum: Rock Pigeons

Veterinarian pleads guilty in death of parrot

luciedove — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 18:04:27 GMT

November 20, 2009

http://www.dailyrecord.com/article/20091120/UPDATES01/91120015/Veterinar

Veterinarian pleads guilty in death of parrot

By MATT PAIS
GANNETT NEW JERSEY

HOWELL One of two veterinarians charged with animal cruelty after the death of a parrot has pleaded guilty.

Mahmoud Hussein, 39, admitted in Municipal Court on Wednesday that he failed to provide adequate sustenance and shelter to a Conure parrot that died outside the Howell Veterinary Clinic on Oct. 20, said Victor "Buddy" Amato, chief of the Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

The bird, named Tickles, was kept in an unheated entryway of the Fort Plains Road office and was found dead after temperatures dipped into the 40s, Amato said.

"The bird was kept there despite the objections of staff members," Amato said. "A parrot can't handle that kind of cold. They're tropical animals."

Those staff members initiated the complaint against Hussein when the bird was found dead, Amato said.

Hussein was ordered by Judge Alan Kaplan to pay a $1,000 fine, Amato said, and the state Board of Veterinary Medicine will have the option to review his license to practice.

A second doctor associated with the practice - Mohamed R. El-Banna, 66, - has also been charged with animal cruelty, Amato said. That charge will be heard at an upcoming court date.

An employee answering the telephone at the clinic Thursday said the doctors declined comment.

Forum: Animal Rights - Animal Welfare

Outcome of SPCA CEO Dog Death?

John — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:34:06 GMT

Does anyone know the outcome of the unfortunate death of the Richmond, VA SPCA CEO's dog?

http://www.wtvr.com/wtvr-statement-aspca,0,695346.story

Was no action taken against the CEO, Robin Starr? I can't find anything -- not even disciplinary action from the ASPCA. Is she (Robin) immune to animal cruelty laws?

- John

Forum: Animal Rights - Animal Welfare

Animal Abuse for Ducks Found at Green Meadows Farm, Queens

luciedove — Thur, 19 Nov 2009 16:27:56 GMT

The following email from Caroline Lee was sent to us. It is a letter sent to the ASPCA who is not responding and has done nothing as of yet. Please contact the ASPCA, Green Meadows Farm and any other organizations and agencies that can help the ducks.

ASPCA once again is ignoring these poor birds. They had an inspector out a few days ago...never noticed or mentioned these poor ducklings/chicks.

I am writing to ask you take immediate action investigating Green Meadows Farm.

info@visitgreenmeadowsfarm.com

718-470-0224
Green Meadows Farm,

7350 Little Neck Pkwy,

Glen Oaks, NY 11004

I visited Green Meadows Farm on November 15, 2009, and was horrified by what I saw. The conditions I witnessed were inexcusably cruel and inhumane with many animals denied both water and shelter. Green Meadows had on display newly hatched baby ducklings and baby chicks in open air wire pens, with no protection from drafts or cold weather. According to every duck care authority, including Cornell University Duck Research Laboratory, " If ducklings are hatched artificially, rather than by a broody duck, the caretaker must provide the newly hatched ducklings with a warm dry brooding area free of drafts..."

Cornell Duck Research Laboratory further delineates specific temperatures under which ducklings must be raised. Not only were these ducklings and chicks at Green Meadows Farm exposed to drafts with no protection whatsoever, they were also exposed to temperatures greater than 40 degrees below the mandated temperatures at which these birds must be maintained. In addition, none of the ducklings' waterers were filled, and the ducklings, which should have access to water 24/7, had no water. The wire flooring for their pens was much to wide, causing damage and injury to their feet. There was no staff supervision at any of the duckling stations and children were permitted to handle these very fragile ducklings and chicks without any guidance or education.

The pen that housed the 3-6 week old ducklings also was made of wire, once again providing no protection from drafts. There was no heat source in their pen. The pen housed 40-50 ducklings and far exceeded the recommended mandates for space required per duck. Many of these ducklings were shivering, with obvious respiratory and other illnesses, eye infections, no feathers, and were too weak to move.

Green Meadows Farm should not be permitted to display ducklings in open wire pens. It is cruel and exposes them to weather conditions they are not equipped to handle. It is incomprehensible that these birds are left out in open wire pens at any time of year. The fact that Green Meadows has them outside in November shows a complete disregard for the welfare and well-being of these birds.

The adult ducks housed in a separate muddy pen, did not have clean water and their water bowl was not deep enough for them to dip their entire bills, a basic requirement for adult waterfowl.

The goose pen was also grossly inadequate. The geese were forced into a small filthy muddy area. The waterer used for the geese contained dirty water and was not deep enough for them to dip their bills.

In addition to the horrible conditions under which these birds were kept, I documented multiple abuses of other animals and would be glad to provide you with photos of the horrific conditions to which all these poor creatures were subjected.

I am demanding an immediate inspection be made of Green Meadows Farm and that you send me a copy of your written inspection report. It is my understanding that you recently inspected Green Meadows Farm. I am extremely disturbed that these gross abuses were seemingly ignored by you and no violations were issued for these obvious acts of animal cruelty.

Sincerely,
Caroline A. Lee
Attorney At Law
43-60 Douglaston Parkway
Suite 522
Douglaston, NY 11363

Forum: General/Wildlife Conservation

Vacations

Mary — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:56:47 GMT

Just wanted to share something that irked me. I went on vacation this past week. My landlady (who has a bird) offered to care for mine while I was away. I left plenty of food for my cockatiel so all that was needed was to check on him and change his water every day.

When I returned home I found that she put some items in his cage. A perch made from concrete or some matter that she felt was better for his nails. She also put one of those triangular shaped tents that birds can enter for shelter. It was too big, so to make room for it she moved his feeder dish along with his toys to other locations within the cage. I'm sure she meant well, but this irked me. I would assume that my bird would have been a little stress not seeing me for days because he's use to his routine. I rarely put my hand in his cage before that is his safe zone, which I respect. He gets a little anxious when a new object is placed in his cage every now and then. I can only imagine that he was anxious/stressed to have that big contraption of a tent put in his cage and then have all his toys moved around.

So know, I need to tell her that "although you meant well, I prefer to leave his cage as is." Comments?

Forum: Cockatiels

The cat got Moti

Gamaliel — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:45:34 GMT

We had a friendly lovebird, Moti and we wanted her to have freedom to fly so we let her fly around the apartment. We had a cat too so we tried to keep them separate. Inevitably there were times when we slipped up but each time the cat left the bird alone. In fact the bird would land on the cat and the cat would run away. We became less worried about it and as a result our bird is dead.

If anyone wants the cage they can have it. We bought a large cage for our bird.

Forum: In Memory

How to make a hospital cage

Snowflake's Mom — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 07:13:03 GMT

message from moderator. The following reply was contributed by a veterinarian technician, so please do use caution when making a hospital cage (see message #11):

Please be cautious with the advice posted, first of all none of this should be done until after the bird has already seen the vet as that hour can be the difference between life and death. The hospital tank at home gets set up after the patient is discharged from the care of the veterinarian and is ready to go home. The hay itself is not a problem for the bird, even if he eats it but it will get moldy at that humidity level very quickly (microscopic spores can grow in as little as 4 hours). Also, NO HEATER UNDER THE TANK, it is very easy to cause burns to there fragile skin that will require medication, bandages, and treatment for weeks afterward. We actually don't even recommend under tank heating for the reptiles. We see way too many burns. If that is the type of heater you buy, plase stick it to the back of the cage. ABSOLUTELY DO NOT FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR BOILING WATER AND PUTTING IT IN THE CAGE WITH THE RAG. Simply place the water bowl near the heater and it will raise the humidity if the tank is warm enough.

The directions listed are very dangerous as written.

************************************************** *********
Original post:

I learned this recently and thought I should share.

When your bird is hospitalized, it isn't kept in a traditional cage. It is kept in something similar to a tank. My vet explained this helps control humidity and temperature better and is easier to sanitize.

I have a budgie named Pooper who just came out of 3 nights of critical care. He stopped eating (most likely from stress) and had to have a feeding tube and IV fluids as well as liver support. (for those of you who are worried about cost of vet care, the exam + 3 nights of critical care and the meds he has to take for the next month totaled to $250) He's home now, but I needed to keep him in an environment with at least 70/70 temperature and humidity.

Here's how to make one:

Necessary:

1) Glass fish tank - Yes, it must be glass because it contains heat better, and most heaters aren't compatible with acrylic. A 10 gallon one will do for budgies but for anything bigger than a lovebird go bigger. Right now both of my budgies are in a 10 gallon tank and while it is small it's easy to control the environment and they get plenty of out time for exercise. Definitely not something long-term, but good for a hospital setting. I got the cheapest one I could find, and it was $15

2) A way to warm the tank - Head over to the reptile section. I'm using this in the size recommended for the 10-gallon tank and I've mounted it on the side. If you want to put it on the bottom, you'll need to get the proper matting otherwise you're looking at a whole mess of problems and possibly burning your bird. The thing to keep in mind is that you're only going to get a 5-10 degree (F) increase from the outside temperature. There are other heaters you can get if you need more than this but be careful about Teflon and overheating. I paid $25 for my heater.

3) 3 dishes - one for food, one for water, and one for a steaming rag (I'll explain in a minute) I paid $6 to get two small ceramic bowls but if you're on a tight budget use what you've got already for a cost of $0

4) humidity and temperature meters - I got these and they work fine. Cost $10

5) A mesh tank cover - look in the reptile section. I found one for $10.

6) Cage liner - I used Timothy Hay (see below) but a towel will do fine for a total cost of $0

So all you absolutely have to buy is the tank, warmer, temperature and humidity meters and tank cover. Total cost of about $50

Optional:

1) Timothy Hay - I use this to line the bottom, but if you're on a tight budget use towels. The bottom has to be comfortable for the bird. I did this because it would be easier to clean and since budgies are natural foragers I figured I could do away with the food dish and encourage them to forage for seeds. I offer egg or veggies in their plastic food dish because I know they identify that with food, but they have picked up that they can find the seed on the bottom. I got the kaytee brand of hay (on sale for $5) because it looked greener than the petco brand, but the petco brand was only $3 if I remember correctly. Like I said, you can also use towels for a total cost of $0

2) Perches - this one is tough. Look in the reptile section and see what they have. I found some grape wood pieces there that give them something to stand on. I also attached two swings I already had to the mesh cover (took some work but doable) too. I got 8 pieces of grape wood in a package for $11. If the tank is big enough you can probably fit a playpen in there. If your bird is really ill, you may not want anything in there other than what's lining the bottom because of the fall risk.

3) Tank stand - not necessary but useful. It's absolutely necessary to get an open-bottom stand if you're going to use an underheater (if you do this- get the proper substrate! You can find it in the reptile section)

4) Cover clips - not needed for budgies, but stronger birds may be able too move the mesh cover aside and escape

How to assemble:

1) Assemble the stand or pick a spot for your aviarium

2) Put the heater on the side of the tank according to the instructions

3) Put the temperature and humidity monitors in the middle of the tank on the back panel where you can see them easily

4) Line the bottom with the hay/towel. If you put the heater on the bottom make SURE you put in the substrate.

5) Set up any perches/swings

6) Set up the 3 dishes. One for food, one for water and one for a steaming rag (I recommend that dish go in the far corner)

7) Insert bird. The bird will freak out a lot unless it is in critical condition, but if you cover 3 sides before you put him/her in the bird won't ram into the sides and freak out as much. It's important that you put the bird in first because dramatic changes in heat and humidity are more dangerous than a stable climate. You have to warm up the bird gradually.

8) Get the environment set up. Plug in the heater. Then boil some water and put a (clean!) rag in it so it gets hot and steamy. Remember the third bowl? That's where it goes. Put the steamy hot rag in the dish and put that dish in the corner.

9) Cover the mesh lid with a towel. This will help contain the heat and humidity while still allowing air flow.

10) Monitor the environment - Do the steamy rag as many times as you have to until you get to the ideal humidity. (I've found two rags twice a day are adequate for a 10-gallon tank). Watch out for overheating! You want the temperature at 70-80 degrees, but if your bird shows signs of overheating (panting, fanning out its wings etc) uncover some of the top to let the heat out. Overheating is dangerous for birds, especially those in critical care.

11) Upkeep - because the aviarium is breathable, you'll have to keep doing the steamy rag to keep the humidity up. Two towels in the AM and PM seem to work fine for the 10-gal tank. The humidity will help increase the temperature because it will hold more heat (the same reason why hot and humid feels even hotter!)

Change the bottom when it gets soiled, change the water twice a day or whenever it gets soiled, and give fresh food twice a day. If you found a lid with a hinge, great! If not, you can let the bird have some out time as you clean the aviarium.

12) Vet care. Sometimes all a bird needs is respite from a stressful environment, but if you don't see a turnaround in an hour or so, it's time to go to the vet.

Forum: Health & Care

j.s.Foer, "Eating Animals"

Mark Caponigro — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 10:28:14 GMT

Young Brooklyn novelist Jonathan Safran Foer's latest, "Eating Animals," is terrific. It is vivid, and detailed, on the subject of factory farms -- which has been explored by other writers before now, of course, but this charming writer gives a powerful new presentation. He is beautiful, on the ethical considerations of going vegetarian, involving his relationships with his old grandmother and his young son; eating is about being with people whom you love, he rightly argues, so we all need to decide: Do we want to be sociable, and continue acquiescing in carnivory?, or, Do we want to do something good for society, and take a stand against meat-eating practises?

Especially welcome for me is his up-front inclusion of fish amongst animals victimized by the meat industry. "Although one can realistically expect that at least some percentage of cows and pigs are slaughtered with speed and care," JSF writes, "no fish gets a good death. Not a single one. You never have to wonder if the fish on your plate had to suffer. It did."

I do not know if there was ever a writer whom I have more wanted to meet.

Forum: Animal Rights - Animal Welfare

Bourdain's Stupid Interview with Larry King

King — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 14:58:13 GMT

Posted: October 28, 2009 06:04 PM

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In a recent interview with Larry King, celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain quipped that it was OK for humans to kill and eat animals because we've been designed to chase down "smaller and stupider creatures." Never mind that cows and pigs, two animals that are slaughtered by the millions for food, are most certainly bigger than we are. It was the "stupider" remark that caught my attention, and not just for Bourdain's obvious grammatical shortcomings.

I think many of us feel that animals are dumb; that animals lack the intelligence we humans seem to have so abundantly. I believe this looking down on animals plays a big part in what allows us to treat them in the most heinous ways -- from factory farms to fur farms to laboratories to circuses. We believe that because animals can't write a book, compose a symphony, or do algebra that we're so much better than them.

What a load of bullshit.

Did you know, for example, that pigeons can fly thousands of miles to find the same roosting spot with no navigational difficulties? Some species of birds, like the Arctic Tern, make a 25,000-mile round-trip journey every year. Many species use built-in ferromagnets to detect their orientation with respect to the Earth's magnetic field. Can you do that?

Dolphins have a very distinct language that scientists now refer to as "dolphinese" which humans can't decipher. For all our human knowledge, we have no idea how to understand what should be, according to Bourdain, a "stupider" means of communication.

Salmon are born in rivers, but swim thousands of miles to the ocean only to return to the exact same spot upstream to die.

Elephants communicate with each other subsonically, using low rumbles that can travel for miles underground. They also mourn their dead and have been seen cradling the bones of family members that have passed on.

Butterflies are now thought to have the equivalent of a GPS system in their antennae.

Pigs have the mental capacity of a four year-old human child and have beat humans in memory games.

So, perhaps animals are not stupid. Perhaps it's we who are stupid for not recognizing the amazing things animals can do, many of which we can't do ourselves. Perhaps it's we who are dumb for not being able to circumnavigate the globe without instruments as albatross do, or find our way home across thousands of miles of ocean as Blue Whales do.

Maybe humans can actually learn a thing or two from these "stupid" animals. How about we start with this: animals don't create trash. Animals don't build nuclear weapons to annihilate each other. Animals don't conjure up religions and then kill each other in the name of their Gods. Animals with white fur don't discriminate against animals with fur of a different hue or color. Animals only take what they need. Animals are self-cleaning and don't waste water -- my cat has NEVER had a bath yet he'd smell better than any human who didn't shower. Animals don't gay bash homosexual animals. Animals don't screw over other animals for financial gain a la Bernie Madoff. Animals don't breed other animals to be prettier, fatter, or tastier. Animals don't systematically torture and abuse and kill billions of other animals (or each other) the way humans do. Animals don't commit Holocausts, they don't factory farm, and they don't ethnically cleanse each other. Animals don't cheat. Animals don't front. Animals are their authentic selves.

Yes, humans can do some amazing things: we can cure diseases, we can build skyscrapers, we can figure out how to travel into space. But only human arrogance would suggest that we're better or smarter than animals. The animals of the world evolved to be just as they are. They exist for their own reasons. Only an idiot would call them stupid.

This Blogger's Books from

Abnormal Psychology Live (Version 2.6)
by Ari Solomon

Forum: Everything Else

ASPCA issues statement on euthanasia of Oreo (thrown off a 6th floor rooftop)

dogs have rights too — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:14:40 GMT

Press Release

ASPCA Issues Statement on Euthanasia of Oreo

November 13, 2009

ASPCA Media Contact
http://www.aspca.org/pressroom/press-releases/111309.html

NEW YORK The ASPCA (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) issued a statement from President and CEO Ed Sayres prompted by today's euthanasia of Oreo, a victim of animal cruelty:

On June 18th, a one-year old Pit Bull Mix named Oreo was thrown off a 6th floor Brooklyn roof top by 19-year old Fabian Henderson. Oreo sustained two broken legs and a fractured rib in the horrific incident. Amidst a flurry of media coverage and public outcry, Oreo was taken to the ASPCA hospital to be treated for her injuries, and Mr. Henderson was placed under arrest by ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement Agents.

The circumstances that led to this most difficult and heartbreaking of decisions are not widely known. In fact, details such as these are usually closely guarded. And yet, what is even more tragic about this story's ending is that it is an all-too-familiar outcome in shelters across the country.

It is the true face of the fight against animal cruelty.

Oreo was a victim of cruelty at the hands of Mr. Henderson. The details surrounding these incidents are largely unknown. However, after Mr. Henderson's arrest in July, it was learned that several of his neighbors reported hearing the sounds of the dog being beaten for at least 20-30 minutesand the dog whimpering as a consequence.

After arriving at the ASPCA's facility, Oreo began to recuperate from her injuries, only to begin showing signs of extreme aggressionwith little provocation or warning. As is customary at the ASPCA, the dog underwent a series of comprehensive behavior evaluations. This evaluation system has been used to assess many other dogs and is used to determine the rehabilitation programs needed to prepare them for foster care or placement. In the case of Oreo, we also sought the assessment of an outside veterinary behaviorist. The outcomes of these evaluations were all the same: the dog was not able to be placed in a home. Despite extensive behavior rehabilitation efforts undertaken by ASPCA staff, Oreo continued to lunge, growl, snap and attempt to bite. She would lunge at a behaviorist, only to spontaneously and unpredictably redirect her aggression toward her handler. She could not be socialized with other dogs for fear of an attackher aggression toward other dogs was clearly evident during her evaluations. For the safety of the individuals at the ASPCA, the other animals, and Oreo herself, she had to be kept in relative isolation, and daily contact with her was kept to a minimum of essential, and highly-trained, personnel. In fact, employees were even directed to refrain from making sustained eye contact with Oreo so as to not incite aggression.

Because adoption was not an option, the ASPCA looked at placing Oreo in a long-term resident facility. However, because of the aggressive behavior displayed, it is almost certain that Oreo would have lived out her entire life in seclusion from other dogs and people. Her contact with the outside world would have been minimal at best. Her quality of life would have been reduced to virtually nothing. Thus, we arrived at the painful yet clear decision to humanely euthanize Oreo.

While Oreo's plight has garnered a plethora of media attention due to the sensational nature of her injuries, the decision to euthanize her is not a novel one. These are decisions that we have had to make beforeand will undoubtedly have to make again. And as painful as these choices are, they are the same ones that face dedicated shelter workers throughout the country each and every day. However, these outcomes are made all the more tragic because they are often preventable.

Animals that suffer cruelty at the hands of their owners often face tragedy beyond that which they have already endured. Animals like Oreo are abused every day. These cases often don't make headlines; in fact, most people don't even know this abuse is quietly occurring in their backyard. But this abuse is all too frequent, and despite more rigorous efforts by law enforcement across the country, shows little sign of completely abating.

Sometimes these animals are fortunate enough to escape the confines of their abuse and are placed in loving homes. Sometimes, they die as a result of the abuse. And sometimes they retaliate from their abuse in the only way they know how: aggression. It is this last unfortunate circumstance that places shelters in the precarious position in which we find ourselves now. We have done everything humanly possible to save Oreo's life; yet, as a result of the abuse she suffered at the hands of Mr. Henderson, or for other reasons we may never know, she has come to a place where she can no longer be around people or other animals. We make this decisionand others like it-- with a heavy heart and a complete understanding that had she been treated with love and respect, Oreo's fate would be much different.

People know that the ASPCA is in the business of saving animals lives-- it serves as the very core of our 143 year-old mission. Yet, the moment this statement is picked up, we will feel the repercussions of the difficult decision we know had to be made. We will receive angry phone calls profanity-laced e-mails... and we will likely be vilified by tweeters and bloggers across the country. And the rallying cry of these missives will all be the same: the ASPCA failed this animal. If the ASPCA has failed at anything, it is shielding America from the true face of animal cruelty for far too long. Animal cruelty isnt pretty and doesnt always have a happy endingit is ugly and sad and, ultimately, tragic. As a community of individuals committed to the welfare of animals, we have to be more proactive and insistent in raising our voices against crueltyand hope that the nation is ready to listen.

###

Founded in 1866, the ASPCA (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) is the first humane organization established in the Americas and serves as the nations leading voice for animal welfare. One million supporters strong, the ASPCAs mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. As a 501 not-for-profit corporation, the ASPCA is a national leader in the areas of anti-cruelty, community outreach and animal health services. The ASPCA, which is headquartered in New York City, offers a wide range of programs, including a mobile clinic outreach initiative, its own humane law enforcement team, and a groundbreaking veterinary forensics team and mobile animal CSI unit. For more information, please visit http://www.aspca.org.

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A Call for Artists -- the Nesting Project

luciedove — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:21:07 GMT

A Call for Artists!

text copied from
The Nesting Project

The idea is for artists to explore the concept of nesting much in the way birds gather objects to build a home. What does the word nest mean to you? Where do you find sanctuary? What inspires you?

We are accepting nests of all shapes and sizes, they can even be photographs, or painted works!

Nests are due latest: on November 28 when we install the show at Jivamukti. The show opens Dec 1 and runs through New Years Eve!

You will also have to provide us with your photo, a one line bio of you, and notes on the idea for your art piece for the show.

To participate and for any further questions, please email thenestingproject@gmail.co

Inspired by the teachings of David Life and Sharon Gannon, we come together as a community to enrich the creative culture by yoking it with the force of spiritual activism to make a difference in the lives of others.

Artists explore this concept by creating nests similar to the way birds gather objects to build a home. The nests will be on silent auction throughout the month of December to raise funds to build actual homes for those displaced.

All proceeds will go to HABITAT FOR HUMANITY in Sri Lanka, to aid families without homes still from the Tsunami in 2004, and those living in relief camps in the wake of the Sri Lankan civil war.

JIVAMUKTI CAFE, DECEMBER 2009
841 Broadway, 2nd floor (at Union Square)
Opening: Tuesday, December 1

6:45pm Fundraising yoga class taught by Dechen Thurman accompanied by live music followed by an opening party!

Join Dechen Thurman for some blissed out yoga and tour of Sri Lankas natural and cultural treasures this January 14-27, 2010. Go to http://www.tibethouse.org

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