Protect Wolves on National Forests

Under a new plan proposed by the State of Wyoming, wolves in Bridger Teton and other National Forests in Wyoming could be shot on sight.

Denning wolves are at risk. Wolf pups are at risk. And the very mission of conserving wildlife on our National Forests is at risk.

Tell President Obama and Secretary Vilsack, who oversees the Forest Service, to draw a line in the sand and oppose the shoot-on-sight plan for wolves on Bridger Teton and other National Forests in Wyoming.

https://secure.defenders.org/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=2250&autologin=true&s_src=3WRE1111C3X33&s_subsrc=090211_ADVACTFF_NF-Wolves-NonRenew-Variant&JServSessionIdr004=qld2v76kg3.app225a

Shell: Take Your Toxic Drilling Elsewhere!

The oil industry is at it again. Oil giant Shell is planning to conduct coalbed methane drilling in a beautiful and remote area of British Columbia called the Sacred Headwaters. If completed, Shell will construct a network of gas wells that would underlie a large portion of the Headwaters.

Coal bed methane developments have grave impacts for the environment. Methane drilling can contaminate groundwater and disturb natural ecosystems — like the one at the Sacred Headwaters that's home to salmon, caribou, and wolves. And not only is it home to precious animal life, the Sacred Headwaters was declared one of British Columbia's most endangered rivers.

The Sacred Headwaters are home to countless species of invaluable plants and animals. We can't allow big oil conglomerates like Shell to operate in areas that should only be preserved.

Write to Shell executives imploring them to take their toxic drilling elsewhere.

http://www.therainforestsite.com/clickToGive/campaign.faces?siteId=4&campaign=ShellSacredHeadwaters&ThirdPartyClicks=ETE_090611_ShellSacredHeadwaters_F

Help The Horses And Burros Of Nevada!

The fight to protect animals against cruelty is a really long one. Just after hearing some good news, one cannot sit with ease because there are far too many places around the world where animal cruelty is common.

For the longest time, we have been signing petitions to help horses in Nevada against BLM’s flying helicopters that round the horses in an inhumane and unnecessary manner. This time round, the legislation is denying them access to water so the horses are always threatened by humans in one way or the other.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the American Wild Horse Preservation Campaign have joined hands to urge Nevada state legislators to reject AB 329 – a bill that redefines the definition of ‘wildlife’ and excludes wild horses and burros in the appropriation of water.

As a result, horses and burros will be denied water and will die due to lack of drinking water. The bill has already passed the Assembly with a vote of 35-7 and is now pending in the Senate Natural Resources Committee.

The rationale behind this law is that cattle ranchers want to remove wild horses and burros from public lands and denying water to them is the easiest way to solve their problem. However, the horses and burros are protected under the Wild Free Roaming Horses and Burros Act, which ensures their right to beneficial use of water.

Thus, we need to stand up against the cruel humans and grant the horses the right to drinking water.

Please Take Action!

Tony The Tiger Wins Freedom From His Caged Life!

I am so happy to write this wonderful news today that Tony The Truck Stop Bengal tiger will soon win freedom from his caged life. We shared petitions for Tony’s cause time and again and felt helpless often but finally we hear some good news as animal welfare groups and animal activists worked together endlessly for a long time. Though we only waited…the most difficult this journey has been for Tony himself.

Tony spent a decade at the Tiger Truck Stop in Grosse Tete, Louisiana as a mere attraction for people amidst noise and pollution caused at the highway. He never had any female companion in all these years and was confined to a caged life without a pool of water or natural environment that is needed for a healthy life of any wildlife tiger.

Some 67,000 signatures were signed by Care2 members and over 10 petitions were carried out to help free Tony. Recently, the East Baton Rouge District Court granted the Animal Legal Defense Fund’s (ALDF) request for a permanent injunction that will prevent the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries from renewing the permit that allows the owner of the truck stop to display Tony.

Thus, after December 2011, ADLF will work with the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to find a better and more natural habitat for Tony.

I recall how we once had a discussion on our blog with a fellow reader who insisted he researched enough that Tony is being kept by a kind owner and that he spent a major chunk of his life in the cage so what is the use of that freedom now. He also question that the future home might be worse than this cage. Well, there were stories favoring the owner who was indeed influential and had many contacts that allowed him to display Tony in the first place, when it is abandoned to display tigers or such exotic animals in Louisiana completely. But justice is delivered finally.

Actually, it is very difficult to argue with people all the time when they cannot see the simple realities of life. Wildlife animals like Tony deserve freedom and healthy, natural lifestyle. Of course, tigers like Tony cannot be left in forests after leading a life of severe confinement now but he did not deserve to be caged for a good ten years. Cruelty does not only mean beating and burning animals. When we humans cannot live in a locked room for a day how can we accept a tiger to live like that? We have lived with the small cats for over 15 years and some of them simply love the fresh air and they make sure they get their freedom even it means sitting in our garden for 30 minutes. If small cats love their freedom so much, the so called truck owner was very unkind to Tony who could not see the very basic need of a cat…big or small…cats love their freedom. They hate to be caged!

I would like to thank all those who saw the petition of Tony on our blog and signed up. This was something that was very dear to us and we truly hoped for a better life of Tony.

Urge US Congress Not to Cut Animal Welfare Budge

As Congress focuses on reducing spending, we need your help to make sure it doesn't slash funding for enforcement of vital federal animal-protection laws. While the amounts required to support these laws are quite modest, all programs—whatever their focus—are vulnerable.

Two members of Congress, Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), are asking their colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives to co-sign a letter of support to protect the ongoing funding of important humane laws like the Animal Welfare Act. The letter will soon be submitted to the House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee. It's an uphill struggle, particularly this year with so much budget tension.

We don't have much time: Legislators must sign the Smith-Blumenauer letter by Wednesday, April 13.

What You Can Do

Visit the ASPCA Advocacy Center right now to email your representative in the U.S. House and request that he or she sign the Smith-Blumenauer letter.

The Animal Welfare Act, the Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act, the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act and the Horse Protection Act are among the most important pillars of animal protection that our nation has, and we must make sure their enforcement is properly funded.

Justice for 100 Slaughtered Sled Dogs

One hundred healthy sled dogs were slaughtered by Outdoor Adventures Whistler - a dog sled company in April of 2010. After bookings for their Dogsled Tours slumped following the Winter Olympics, Outdoor Adventures Whistler ordered a decrease in the size of the company's dog pack. When a vet refused to euthanize the healthy animals, an employee took the culling into his own hands, using a gun and a mass grave.

Many dogs needed to be shot twice, and there are reports that some were buried alive.

The British Columbia SPCA is investigating the case. These lovely animals deserve justice and we should stand up for all the wrong that happened with them.

Take Action by Signing The Petition For The Slaughter Of 100 Sled Dogs.

Happy Animal Tales:Two Men Sentenced After Georgia Dog Fighting Raid

One year ago, ASPCA FIR team rescued 26 abused and neglected pit bulls from an underground dog fighting operation in Georgia.

On Wednesday, January 5,  after one year,the two men responsible were convicted of animal cruelty and sentenced to time behind bars.

Following a three-day trial, Derrick Montez Daniels and Billy Taylor Jr. were each convicted of 26 counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty. Daniels, the dogs’ owner, was sentenced to five years in state prison and five years of probation, while Taylor, who lived on the property and was the dogs’ caretaker, was sentenced to one year in county jail and nine years of probation.

Well it is really a good sign to hear such positive news amongst all the cruelty.

Happy Animal Tales: 100+ Neglected Horses Rescued, Abuser Charged!

On December 9, 2010, members of the ASPCA FIR Team arrived at a farm in rural Fulton County, Arkansas, to rescue more than 100 neglected horses. Most of the horses were starving, and many had open wounds, untreated fractures, infections and other ailments.

Most of the horses are responding well to veterinary care, and they’re regaining strength every day. “The horses are still under quarantine and are not yet available for adoption,” says Kyle Held, ASPCA Midwest Director of Field Investigations and Response, “but we’re hoping once they become available, the community will open their arms and offer these beautiful animals permanent homes.”

Rodney Kankey

As 2010 drew to a close, the horses’ owner, horse trader Rodney Kankey, was charged with 118 counts of animal cruelty—five of them felonies. Each felony carries a penalty of up to six years in prison. On December 30, an arrest warrant was issued for Kankey. Coincidentally, on the same day, a deputy police sergeant from nearby Boone County responded to a call of a break-in and theft in progress and arrested Kankey at the scene. Kankey is being held in Boone County without bail on the Fulton County animal cruelty charges.