Livin’ Veg

Should Felony Animal Abusers Register Like Sex Offenders? February 24, 2010

Photo by Marci Stenberg

A bill by Sen. Dean Florez of California proposes that felony animal abusers should be listed on a public registry. This is the same tactic used with sex offenders. The hope is that if you know who has committed a crime, you can help prevent those same crimes in the future.

This article says:

Florez said animal abuse is especially bad in the Central Valley. He said the biggest problem has been with hoarders, people who keep more than usual numbers of animals as pets, without having the means to take care of those animals. Some hoarders have been found with hundreds of animals, often living in appalling conditions, Florez said.

“We’ve had a lot of convicted hoarders moving into the Valley,” Florez said. “There’s no way to find out about these people until it’s too late.”

The program would be paid for by placing a levy of 3 cents per pound of pet food. That figures to about a buck fifty a year for the average companion animal guardian. It also ensures that the state (as we all know, Cali is broke) doesn’t have to pay for the program.

This bill would surely help prevent animal abuse. I have no doubts about that. However, I’m always a bit nervous when we take away people’s rights to privacy. Should felons expect the same rights to privacy as a law abiding citizen? Should certain crimes be up for public display while others remain more confidential? For example, wouldn’t it be helpful for women out in the dating world to know if the guy they are seeing has been convicted of domestic abuse? Or is it wrong to judge people based on their past behavior? People do change. Any thoughts? I like this idea. It would be great for animals. But what about, instead of making it public, making it mandatory for a person who has been convicted of animal abuse to notify the local law enforcement about their crime instead of making it common public knowledge?

HSUS Enters The Dog Food Business February 11, 2010

This is bound to cause controversy even though it shouldn’t. HSUS has just released a new brand of dog food called Humane Choice. Humane Choice is an organic (almost) vegan dog food full of quality ingredients and made without animal suffering. Apparently there are some by products… I think in the supplements that are in the food.

Wayne Pacelle, CEO of HSUS has this to say about it:

We created Humane Choice to give pet guardians an option to feed their dogs a complete and balanced food that is also sustainably grown and helps us in our work to combat inhumane factory farming practices. Humane Choice is certified organic…Our formula contains only vegetables and grains that are grown without the use of synthetically produced fertilizers, pesticides, growth regulators, or genetically modified organisms. Our product is cruelty-free and contains no fats or protein derived from animals. Most importantly, Humane Choice is nutritious.

For you skeptics out there, dogs are omnivores - kind of like people. They can eat meat but they don’t have to as long as they get a balanced diet through plant based sources. Note: puppies are a different story. This food is only for adult dogs. And like with any change in food, HSUS recommends you speak with your veterinarian.

I’m sure all you dog lovers out there are thrilled to have experts like HSUS supplying dog food. An extra bonus: 6% of the whole sale price will go to HSUS. Which means you can support them while feeding your dog! Visit the site and read all about it. So great!

Companion Animals Need Your Help. Seriously. October 14, 2009

My jobs involve many things (I work for two organizations). All of it having to do with animals and the planet. But one of my tasks is a less than glamorous one. I go through and respond to all the grant inquiries that come in. That means I read through each story of an organization in need or an animal in trouble. And more times than not I have to reject them because they do not fall within the funding parameters of the foundation.

But here is something I’ve learned from the over 1500 grant inquiries I’ve received over the last 3 years: Local rescues need your help. They are completely overwhelmed by the millions of animals that are abandoned by their guardians each year. And with the economic crisis, they need your help even more.

Helping doesn’t just mean providing funds. Although any shelter will be eternally grateful if you are able to open up your wallet. Donating dog/cat food, blankets, or whatever else they put on their wish list is incredibly helpful. At your Halloween party (or any kind of party), ask your guests to bring donations. Add a dollar jar to the donation pile and ask people to give lose change or a dollar.

Or, if you have more time, volunteer in person. Walk a dog once a week or socialize with the cats. Foster an animal if a shelter has run out of room. And of course, if you can, adopt an animal and give a gal/guy a home.

Companion animals need our help. The good people running the shelters can only do so much. They need our support.

The Shelter Pet Project September 30, 2009

The Shelter Pet Project is designed to give a voice to animals who live in a shelter and sit there waiting to be adopted. Through humorous video and audio it debunks all kinds of myths people believe about shelter pets. Many people believe animals put in a shelter are damaged goods - that they were abused, that they are dangerous. But that’s a sad stereotype. And even many animals who were abused continue to be loving and friendly, albeit a little shy.

Many companion animals are abandoned by people who lose their homes (especially over the past year). Others have to give up their dog or cat due to getting sick. An elderly person might pass away - then what happens to their animal? These animals don’t have a thing wrong with them. It’s just the unfortunate circumstance.

Take a moment and go to the Shelter Pet Project Campaign section and watch the videos. Listen to the audio. They are funny and poignant. Then on the Pet Project website click the share button and share it on Facebook, Twitter, email it to friends. Share it with whatever technology you use. Help spread the word that shelter pets deserve a home. Adopt!

What Do Race Horses, Greyhounds and Lab Animals Have in Common? August 26, 2009

If you guessed that they are considered disposable by the people who use them, then you’re right.

In this country there is no system in place that requires the people who make money off the backs of animals to care for them in their retirement years. Basically, animals need a pension plan.

The hard fact is that racing animals is legal. As is testing on animals for reasons such as providing people with botox. But once the race is finished or the test is complete, the animals are either discarded or euthanized. So many former race horses end up in slaughter houses in Canada and Mexico (since the USA outlawed horse slaughter, that’s now where the horses are sent). Greyhounds end up in shelters or euthanized. Just look up greyhound shelters and you’ll see tons of them devoted just to that one breed.

All of these practices are legal. They are not going to be outlawed any time soon. But something can be done to ensure that these animals are taken care of after they have finished being used. Make the people in the industries set aside cash for the care of these animals.

An opinion piece in the NY Times talked about that very issue yesterday. Read it here.

I’m not aware of any campaigns in the AR world to get this done. Has anyone else heard anything? If there isn’t, then there should be.

PS: The dog in the picture is named Kevin and he’s up for adoption. Click here to learn more about Kevin. He’s currently in a foster home in Connecticut getting along famously with cats and kids.

I’m Pro HSUS Working With Michael Vick August 18, 2009

I felt like I should state that in the title to this blog. So many AR activists are furious over HSUS’s decision to work with Michael Vick to help end dog fighting.

My feeling is this. Michael Vick has become a symbol for the consequences of dog fighting and for the brutality of the “sport.” Who better than that very symbol to go and talk to kids from under served communities about the horrors of dog fighting? Who better to reach these kids and to tell them it’s wrong? I think Michael Vick is the perfect spokesperson for the issue. Working with HSUS, he’ll reach many kids and tell them about his own experience.

People are petrified that Vick is not genuine. That he cares more about his career than he does about the dogs he killed and tortured. Well, ladies and gents, the truth is, we’ll never know. He spent two years in jail (which is frankly pretty great considering how soft courts usually go on animal cruelty charges), and he’s had lessons in humane education. He’s had time to reflect. But even if he isn’t genuine, even if this is all about his career, he’s still making a difference for the cause. Going and talking to at risk youth is amazing, and as long as he gets the message across, I’m not that fussed about how tortured he is about it on the inside. He’s one man. We need to think about the dogs, and the kids who grow up thinking that dog fighting is normal and cool. And he’s the perfect guy to talk to those kids. I applaud HSUS for looking at the big picture. On 60 minutes Wayne Pacelle says there are probably about 40,000 people fighting dogs professionally in this country. Let’s focus on them, and hope Michael Vick can help influence them for the better.

Disagree? Let me have it:)

If you missed it, watch the 60 Minutes clip here.

HSUS Rescues Hundreds of Dogs in Dogfighting Raid July 9, 2009

This is the kind of news I love. HSUS rescued hundreds of dogs and made arrests in six states: Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas. It was the largest raid in the history of this country. Kudos to HSUS and the other organizations that assisted with the raid.

The pup in the picture is from the raid and is missing a big chunk of his tongue. It makes me heart hurt.

My worry is obviously what will happen to the dogs. They are being processed and assessed to “to determine their suitability for possible placement with rescue groups or individual adopters.” Dogs who have been abused in the past have been seen as difficult to rehabilitate. All they have known is violence. Best Friends Sanctuary took many of the Vick dogs when most other orgs wanted to put them down. Only time will tell what happens to these dogs.

Dogfighting definitely got more press when Vick came into the picture. People are against it and stronger laws have been passed with the help of orgs like HSUS. But we’re still a long way from getting rid of it all together. Hopefully this raid by HSUS will bring the issue back into the limelight so people will continue to take a stand.

Read about the raid here.

Micael Vick and PETA Spoof PSA May 20, 2009

PETA will not be using Michael Vick in any of their public service announcements but here is a spoof on what it would be like if they did. What I really appreciate is that this makes fun of PETA and Vick. The best spoofs take on everyone, and this one does. Watch the video below.

Here is the good part about Vick’s horrible crimes. EVERYONE now knows about dog fighting. Even the kids I teach know what it is as long as I say Vick in the same sentence. Of course I wish Vick wasn’t a sociopathic animal abuser. But I am happy some good came out of a horrible situation.

Via Ecorazzi

Rush Limbaugh Cares About Animals?! April 17, 2009

I have never in my life liked a thing that Rush Limbaugh has spouted from his right wing conservative lips. That was until yesterday when I heard from Ecorazzi that Limbaugh is a supporter of HSUS. But you’ve got to hear it to believe it.

And you’ve got to read this little story from Rush on his cat Punkin (super cute cat). Rush obviously loves his cat and has a big old soft spot in his heart for companion animals. He talks about animal cruelty and violence as well as dog fighting in his PSA’s for HSUS.

Rush - I’m still not a fan, but perhaps I don’t hate you as vehemently as I did before. That’s something I guess.

Watch this PSA:

Domestic Violence and Animal Violence April 15, 2009

Most people know there is a link between hurting people and hurting animals. Someone who is comfortable hurting animals may be more likely to hurt a human. Want some proof - well, look at every serial killer movie you’ve ever seen. Or just read this article on domestic abuse and animal abuse.

In a study from HSUS, they found 71% of women who were victims of domestic violence had reported that “their pet was threatened, harmed or killed by their partners.”

That’s a heck of a big percentage. Here is another scary stat:

The Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals cited studies that show 48 percent of people would not leave or would return to a violent relationship because they feared what would happen to their pet.

These women do not want to abandon their animals. So to protect companion animals in these situations would also protect domestic abuse victims by giving them more incentive to leave. Without having to worry about their loved ones they have a different sense of freedom and options.

To see what Massechussettes is doing to help animals and battered women, click here.