Oil as Think as Pancake Batter!

Congratulations Exxon Valdez; you’ve been supplanted by BP.

Like much of America, I’m so mad I feel sick.  The most recent MSNBC news coverage of the BP oil spill reports oil “as think as pancake batter” oozing into the Louisiana marshes.  It’s beginning to “cook the birds” it’s so hot and thick.

• See: Gulf Oil Spill (PHOTOS): Animal in Peril

On the verge of tears and yelling from the top of my lungs, I say “WHERE’S THE PICK UP? WHERE’S THE CLEAN UP BP?”

I saw this photo pop up on Facebook the other day — a sign at a local BP station claiming user responsibility for spills.  Ironic right?!

For all you animal lovers, take a look at the official statement on the spill from the Humane Society of the United States.  I’m sure you’ll agree that consequences of the spill do not end at the shoreline.

 

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World Turtle Day?

Never thought The Daily Paws would be taking a break in the day for turtles.  But, I couldn’t pass this one up without sharing it with you.  Today is “World Turtle Day!”

 

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission approved a draft rule in April prohibiting the commercial take of freshwater turtles in the state. The HSUS was among the organizations and scientists who urged passage of the rule, which was championed by Governor Crist. Though a few loopholes remain, the rule goes a long way to protect Florida’s natural resources. It is expected to be finalized in June. 

Here’s a couple ways you can save the turtles year round:

• Don’t get a turtle as a pet.
• Watch out for turtles on the road.
• Report turtle harassment, injury, or egg collection, especially if the species is endangered.
• If you are on the beach, steer clear of turtles and keep the lights down.
• Support turtle-protection laws in your state.
  (Source: HSUS)

 

In honor of the turtles and today being Friday, I’m posting one of my favorite commercials — Comcast’s Slowsky’s.

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STOP the Bloody Seal Hunt!

Earlier today I saw a story from the HSUS demonizing the Canadian government for the gruesome and barbaric slaughtering of baby seals. A video documenting some of the killings off the east coast sickened me and literally brought me to tears. (It was just too horrible to include a link on this site, so I decided to write about it instead.) How could such inhumane actions be warranted, simply for the fur? In the photo and videos I’ve seen, the poor beautiful seal pups look longingly at the hunters as they thrust their club up in the air like a golfer preparing to tee off.  It’s awful! Seal pups are dying regardless due to global warming and lack of sea ice…there’s no reason to kill even more.

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans has not only allowed the seal hunt to continue despite depressed prices, a lack of buyers for the furs, and left-over stock from previous years, it is now allowing sealers to slaughter more than 50,000 animals than they did in 2009 – nearly 330,000! If met, this would represent more than 5 percent of the estimated North American harp seal population.

While I understand that fishermen need to make a living, I just can’t see that as an excuse for these actions. There are other ways to survive in the industry than killing seal pups with clubs and guns. After reading more, I am convinced that more nations need to pass bans on Canadian seal products just like Europe has.

Read more and decide for yourself, but if you see the HSUS video on YouTube, I’m sure you’ll think twice.

• Canada’s seal hunt sends a different message about the Olympic nation
• Baywatch actress seeks seal hunt info
• East Coast seal hunt quota increases despite very poor ice conditions
• Despite mild winter and few hunters, seal pups face threats

 

Pledge not to buy seafood products from Canada. I did!

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PLEASE CALL …

I received the below message from the Humane Society of the United States and felt it important to post.  Please do your part to help stop puppy mills.

AS EMAILED FROM WAYNE PACELLE, PRESIDENT/CEO on December 10, 2009

Make a Call to Protect Puppy Mill Dogs

Puppy mills mass-produce puppies for sale in pet stores, over the Internet and directly to the public. Dogs in these facilities are often confined in filthy conditions without veterinary care or human interaction. In Illinois, the state Agriculture Department convened a task force on the issue, but unfortunately the agency has been unwilling to improve minimum standards of care to protect breeding dogs — including banning wire-floored cages, providing adequate living space, and letting them set foot outside of their cages for daily exercise.

Please make a brief, polite phone call to Gov. Pat Quinn’s office at 312-814-2121 or 217-782-0244. Ask him to become personally involved and support meaningful legislation that will protect dogs in puppy mills. You can say: “We need you and the Agriculture Department to support meaningful legislation to address the puppy mill problem in Illinois.” After you call, send a follow-up message. Thanks for all you do for animals.

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HOORAY for the Dog Fighting Raids!

In this Wednesday July 8, 2009 photo, dogs are taken from a St. Louis location by Humane Society officials. (AP Photo/The St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Emily Rasinski)

THREE CHEERS for all the federal, state and local authorities who seized more then 400 dogs across Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Texas and Oklahoma on Wednesday and Thursday!!  The raid, which was the result of more than a year-long investigation, was one of the largest crackdowns on dogfighting in the United States.  Authorities have indicted at least 26 men — including a registered nurse, Little League coach and teacher — on federal charges.  It just goes to show that even those we consider the “good guys” could be the most inhumane of all.

Forcing a dog to fight to death is not a sport.

The majority of dogs rescured were American Pit Bull Terriers.  Let’s hope they’re able to be rehabilitated and fostered out to good homes!  While this raid has been deemed a success, I feel it may have just scratched the surface at bringing down organized professional dog fighting.

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