Tales of Seven

First Blow: Seal Hunt Started Today

"It began at 5:48 Eastern time this morning. This year the Canadian government will allow commercial sealers to slaughter 280,000 seals for their fur."

While certainly not the only animal-related industry that should be scrutinized, one that uses the practice of clubbing to kill animals for fur stands out as especially horrendous.

Donations can be given to the Humane Society here. More information on the seal hunt and wins against it are here. I donate every year in the hopes that organizations like the Humane Society can bring enough public pressure against this industry to shut it down.

 

 

Cat in the Window

Every year, the SF/SPCA  partners with Macy’s to promote pet adoption through festive windows that feature available cats and dogs.  Last year, the windows inspired the adoption of 277 animals and approximately $37,000 in donations. 

Interested in helping :)? Volunteer for a couple of hours to greet the public, answer questions and take donations! I'll be headed over this weekend for my first shift :).

WSPA Undertakes Historic Work in Cuba

This month, WSPA (The World Society for the Protection of Animals) began animal disaster relief operations in Cuba in response to devastation by the recent hurricane season. Congratulations to them for being the first animal relief organization allowed within Cuban borders! I hope their work opens the door to future cooperation on animal welfare.

WSPA Undertakes Historic Work in Cuba 

The Food We Eat - Leading the Way in Humane Treatment

We have a moral obligation to provide humane treatment for the animals that we use for food. Period. Factory farms throughout our country have failed miserably in this regard, cramming animals into tiny spaces that disallow basic movement.

Proposition 2 is a modest proposal that requires all animals in California factory farms be able to "tum around freely, lie down, stand up, and fully extend their limbs".  I hope that California will once again lead the way by approving it.

As always, it is excellent to purchase meat and eggs from cage free and free range farms. It costs a little more, but I look at it as a donation for humane treatment of animals.

Warning: the video below contains some graphic images.

2 Paws on the Floor

This brought a smile to my face. Despite having just two legs, this little dog makes his way through the world like a champion.

 

Pas de deux

A rare moment of peace and tranquility between the opposing forces.

On the left, weighing in at 9lbs, 'Left Hook' Bean. On the right, weighing in at 15lbs, 'Lightning Paws' Loki.

'tis the season ... for raccoons

Several years ago, I worked a full summer as a volunteer at a wildlife hospital and as a part of that received training on how to do raccoon foster care. Ever since, I've remained involved with foster program, providing either full time foster care or acting as a babysitter when other caregivers need to go out of town.

The ultimate goal of the program is to raise the orphans until they can be released back into the wild, and it provides a unique and immensely satisfying way to 'give back'! I've just signed up as a babysitter this year and hope to have an animal in my care soon.

• Pictures of Raccoon Home Care
• More Information on the Lindsay Wildlife Museum

As with every post I do on this subject, I'll note that wildlife should never be raised without proper training and supervision. Not only would the Department of Fish and Game toast your *ss (it's *illegal*) but it's too easy to do it incorrectly, to the harm of you and the animals.

(Kits from my first 'two pack')

Cormorant Finishing School

Out for walk, I came upon a sleek, black, long-necked bird that appeared out of sorts.... one step closer and then another and he made no attempt to get away. Worried he was injured I returned with box in hand, on a mission to get him help.

He quietly focused his eyes on me. “I dare you.”

A pause.

A raising of the towel.

The tackle.

Bird and towel were dumped unceremoniously into the box, in a ball of feathers and terrycloth. A sharp beak punctured the box once, then shot up through the box top at my face. Devil bird.

One hour later I handed my ward over the counter to a wildlife hospital reception clerk. “What was this again?” she asked. “ A seabird?” I suggested. “One moment please.” She reappeared wearing construction goggles and carrying a bright yellow CAUTION sign. “They like to spear bright shiny things like your eyes, “ she explained. (--A pause to consider--)

A few days later, a progress call revealed he was a juvenile cormorant, anemic from a lack of food. His treatment? A full scholarship to the Marin-based Finishing School for Seabirds, where he would learn to hunt in style, sit with excellent posture, and learn which wines paired best with bay fish. Fancy.

That Which Brightens My Day: Part V

I can't help but share this puts-a-smile-on-your-face picture. Click here for more images of "Tiny Animals on Fingers".

Kits Away

Well, my recent fostering duty is now complete. The kit got well enough over this week that she's ready to be paired with other kits her age.

In a single week, the she went from just over 400g to over 1000g and from eating 3/4oz of food at a time to 3oz each time. The growth rate was incredible. Now I hand her off before she becomes the raccoon equivalent of a teenager. Just right.