DON’T TORTURE ANIMALS ON YOUR NEXT TRIP

You know those cute horse carriages that cart tourists around? Looks like fun, right? But you would probably think twice before climbing aboard if you knew that horse had to go for hours without food or water. Make sure that your summer vacation plans don’t include torturing animals. Cruelty, confinement, neglect and abuse are common practices in the tourism trade – but travelers (even animal loving ones) don’t think twice about jumping on an elephant or horse carriage. “Most people do not realize that donkeys, horses and elephants are sometimes forced to carry tourists for hours without food or water or that performing animals are often trained using cruel techniques,” says Dena Jones, U.S. programs director of the World Society for the Protection of Animals.

Here are five ways you can help animals on your next vacation:

1. Volunteer to help animals in your vacation. The Compassionate Travel Web site (www.compassionatetravel.org) offers a list of volunteer vacations in 30 countries.

2. Stay away from bullfights and roadside zoos. Do visit nature reserves, animal sanctuaries or rehabilitation centers, where the entrance fees benefit the animals.

3. Try eco-friendly excursions, such as dolphin-spotting or whale-watching.

4. Avoid animal rides or transport that could cause suffering. Many of these donkeys, horses,elephants and camels work for hours with no food, shelter, or water.

5. Don’t buy wildlife souvenirs or products that may have endangered animals, such as ivory, tortoiseshell, fur and horns. For more ideas, take a look at the new Web site, www.compassionatetravel.org. You’ll also find free “I am a Compassionate Traveler” luggage tags, along with a wealth of information, brochures, videos and actions you can take.

Happy trails! And happy tails.

Meet Lily, an animal shelter mutt and her brood

I’ve been posting stories about animals in need, abused animals, and animals in trouble. Thought it was time to give you something to smile about: Iowa Dog Nurses Orphaned Kittens

A Call For Help

SFV animal activist needs you now!

By Maryann Hammers

 

 

Hello, Ex/Urbanites! Thanks for stopping by my everything-about-animals blog. I was hoping to introduce myself with something warm and fuzzy, and I promise this blog will have its share of “aw, cute”  kitten and puppy stories and funny animal moments.

But something crossed my desk this morning that is so urgent it takes priority over all else. We animal lovers have to act fast, or 143 local animals will soon be killed.

Here’s an email I just received from a member of a local animal-rescue group. Please read and help however you can. Thanks, and I’ll be back soon!

There  is a situation in the San Fernando Valley [of Los Angeles] where 60 dogs, 80 cats, 2 rabbits, and 1 chicken need help ASAP! An elderly lady, who is now ill and incapacitated, began taking in stray animals with the intent to place in homes; however, this never happened. Unless these animals are moved into the care of rescues and/or adoptive families, this will be considered a hoarding situation and they will be confiscated by the city and held as evidence. Meaning 143 current shelter animals will be killed to make room and then these ‘evidence animals’ will sit in cages for possibly years, while the courts decide what to do. These animals desperately and immediately need rescuers who are willing to step in and help them or they will be confiscated or euthanized!

1. I especially need a cat rescue to help with the cats, as I have very few cat-contacts. Individual pictures of cats will be taken on Saturday.

 

 

 

2. PLEASE consider taking animals under your wing. These are all great animals; they have been a bit neglected because of the numbers, but were not abused, are not aggressive, and they seem animal and people friendly. They have minor medical conditions like ear infections, possible dental issues, ticks, etc. but most of the animals appear to be fairly healthy. (There are a few  special cases.) I can give you specifics on any of the animals you are interested in helping. Many of these dogs and cats are highly adoptable breeds! Please look through this online album and see the animals:

Help These Animals photo album!

3. Would you be willing to foster a dog, cat, or bunny? Having available foster homes will make it easier for rescues to commit to helping these animals.

4. Care to donate? Can you sponsor an animal? Having donations available will assist rescues in being able to take in these animals. We also are in desperate need of FRONTLINE PLUS for dogs & cats so we can get relief to these animals who are covered in ticks.

5. Please help spread the word – send this out to rescues and people who you think can help!

If there’s any way you can help, or if you have questions, please contact Julianne Wotasik, a volunteer with Pugs to Pits Rescue. Email her at julianne1030@peoplepc.com or call 323-718-1648.

Maryann Hammers is an animal lover, cat owner and freelance health and travel writer.