News
The number of news found: 40.
07/31/2013 GOVERNOR ANDREW CUOMO ENDS SHARK FIN TRADE IN NEW YORK
The shark populations of the world have a new hero in New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, who has signed legislation that will end the N.Y. shark fin trade and protect sharks and oceans worldwide. When the new law goes into effect on July 1, 2014, New York will join seven other states (California, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Delaware, Oregon and Washington) and all three Pacific U.S. territories in the fight for shark protection. The new New York law will ban the possession, sale, trade and distribution of shark fins with violations warranting up to 15 days of jail time and a fine of $100 per fin.
07/31/2013 RESCUED PIG NEMO'S SUCCESSFUL CANCER TREATMENT MAKES HISTORY
George Goldner knew something was wrong with Nemo right away when he went out to feed his six pigs. According to Reuters, four months ago the four-year-old, 730-pound Hampshire pig was found laying on the ground and he had stopped eating. So, Goldner and Nemo drove for hours to the Cornell University Hospital for Animals (CUHA) in Ithaca, NY, where Nemo was diagnosed with B-cell lymphoma, a type of blood cancer. Although the doctors told Goldner that they were unaware of any pig being treated for cancer before, he was determined to save Nemo. CUHA resident Emily Barrell, who treated Nemo with medications, explained that because pigs have necks so much larger than those of most humans, it can be difficult to access their veins and administer drugs. Surgeons were able to run a catheter through Nemo's vein to a vascular access port behind his ear. Nemo has continued to live at CUHA while undergoing treatment, but doctors say that he is in remission and will likely be able to go home in September.
07/30/2013 EUROPE RETURNS FIN WHALE MEAT TO ICELAND
One hundred and thirty tonnes of fin whale meat have been sent back to Iceland from the port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands.The large returned shipment, which was due to be exported to Japan, will be viewed as a major success for animal rights groups, who claim the trade is "pointless." TV footage showed the boat, laden with meat, returning to its starting point of Reykjavik. The vessel was being followed by a boat that the International Fund for Animal Welfare chartered.
07/30/2013 ROBERT REDFORD FIGHTS TO CLOSE U.S. HORSE SLAUGHTERHOUSES
Actor and director Robert Redford is taking a stand to close horse slaughterhouses across the U.S. and protect horses from mistreatment and death. As a first step, the Sting star is joining forces with U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Bill Richardson to form the Foundation to Protect New Mexico Wildlife; this foundation, in turn, will partner with the Humane Society of the United States to back a lawsuit preventing the opening of a New Mexico horse slaughterhouse. The slaughterhouse, currently scheduled to open on August 13th, would be the final destination of retired racehorses, injured farm animals and unwanted older horses, many of which were treated with drugs that the FDA prohibits for human consumption. The horse meat would then be shipped overseas for use in both human and animal foods.
07/29/2013 "SIMPSONS" CREATOR SAM SIMON EARMARKS ENTIRE FORTUNE FOR CHARITY
The sheer act of co-creating "The Simpsons" should give Sam Simon enough karma to rival his character, Lisa, in terms of do-gooderism. But it's apparently not enough for Simon to bring joy to the world through cartoons. Diagnosed with terminal cancer in late 2012, Simon, 58, has spent as much time as possible in recent months focused on the same charitable efforts that have defined his non-TV-related work since his departure from "The Simpsons" in 1993. As he tells The Hollywood Reporter in an extensive interview for the Aug 2 issue, his fight to protect animals and end hunger via his Sam Simon Foundation and other endeavors won't stop for a little thing like the end of his life. During a Marc Maron podcast in May, Simon announced the news of his terminal prognosis. He also told listeners that the "tens of millions" of dollars that "The Simpsons" earns in royalties each year will all go to charity. Speaking to THR, Simon clarifies that he's worked with the Rockefeller Foundation to ensure that his own charity work - from rescuing animals to utilizing the principles of veganism to feed the hungry - is "something that will be living after I'm gone."
07/29/2013 CLIMATE CHANGE DRIVING WORLD'S RAREST CAT TO EXTINCTION
The beautiful Iberian Lynx currently tops the list of the world's most endangered felines with only 250 animals living outside of captivity in the southern regions of Spain. In a recent study, the scientific journal Nature Climate Change predicted that the fate of the lynx hangs in a delicate balance. Due to their very specific forest/grassland habitat needs and the industrialization of their former territory, the wild lynx are currently facing an ever-decreasing amount of hunting land. And, as climate change drives their main food source (the rabbit) away from this land, the lynx must deal with the threat of hunger in addition to illegal poaching and habitat pollutants. If current conditions persist, Nature Climate Change estimates the "time to extinction to be less than 50 years, even with rapid and deep global cuts to anthropogenic [man-made] greenhouse-gas emissions." In short, even if worldwide carbon emission goals are met, the lynx will be unable to adapt.
07/26/2013 ACTIVISTS BRING COOLNESS, LOVE TO SLAUGHTER-BOUND PIGS
Toronto experienced a heatwave ten days ago, with temperatures soaring up to 114F (46C). While most people would have chosen to keep cool in any place air conditioned, a group of activists with Toronto Pig Save took to the streets for pigs' sake. Activists stationed themselves on a traffic island at the busy intersection where trucks transporting pigs eventually turn to get to Quality Meat Packers' slaughterhouse, the pigs' final destination. The traffic lights tend to be long, so this gave activists a little bit of time to give the pigs water, melon, and some affection. The footage of their outreach is alarming and heart-wrenching. The pigs are cramped together and panting in the heat. Some of them seem almost shocked at the sight and taste of water, guzzling as much as they can before the truck pulls away. It's an unforgettable video that you must see.
07/26/2013 LOST BABY SPERM WHALE JUMPS FROM JOY 5FT ABOVE THE WAVES AFTER BEING REUNITED WITH ITS FAMILY
Every small child knows the panic of losing sight of its mother in the supermarket, and as these delightful pictures show, small whales obviously feel the same way. Taken by a British diver who was following the sperm whale calf, they show the minute the baby - who had lost track of its mum - found her again in the sea off the Azores. Soaring 30ft across the waves, the euphoric newborn slammed its body onto the water with joy after becoming separated from its family group in the chilly waters.
07/26/2013 PAUL MCCARTNEY SPEAKS UP FOR ELEPHANT'S FREEDOM
Mali the elephant has been held in captivity at the Manila Zoo for the past 36 years. Freedom has been long overdue for this poor creature, despite the efforts of PETA and many celebrities. The latest star to speak up on Mali’s behalf is Paul McCartney. The rock legend recently penned an impassioned letter to President Benigno Aquino III of the Philippines, urging him to release Mali from the zoo and relocate her to Boon Lott's Animal Sanctuary in Thailand. McCartney reminded the President that in May 2012 there was a direct order from his government to have Mali evaluated and considered for transfer. A year later, no progress has been made, and Mali shows signs of medical distress.
07/25/2013 DOG HEROICALLY RESCUES, ADOPTS ABANDONED KITTEN
A woman called the animal control office in Anderson, North Carolina, reporting a barking dog behind a Home Depot. When Officer Michelle Smith reported to the scene, she was surprised at what she saw: a dog nursing a tiny kitten. After retrieving the adorable duo, Smith brought the pair to the local animal shelter, where they were kept together. Since the dog appears to be someone's pet (the dog was groomed and wearing a collar), the shelter hopes that her owners will turn up soon to bring her - and the kitten - home.
07/25/2013 ARE WHALING COMPANIES LOOKING TO USE UK PORTS?
When news came out that Icelandic fin and minke whale meat was transiting through the Port of Rotterdam on route to Japan a lot of people got annoyed. Nearly a million people voiced their concerns to the port authorities in a petition. The port responded by banning the transit of whale meat through its docks. Rotterdam is now effectively a whale meat free zone. The problem is that whale meat is still going to be shipped to Japan from Iceland and Norway. This means the ships have to stop somewhere on route and the UK could be one possibility.
07/25/2013 US AGENCIES CLAMP DOWN ON INTERNET WILDLIFE CRIME WITH DOZENS OF ARRESTS
Scores of wildlife traffickers face federal and state charges for selling protected species online last summer. The announcement follows a coordinated undercover law enforcement operation led by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and involving officers from 16 States, three Federal agencies, and three Asian countries. Operation Wild Web resulted in 154 "buy/busts" in the United States: 30 involving Federal wildlife crimes and 124 for violations of State wildlife laws. It also exposed online trafficking of live birds and tiger and leopard pelts in Southeast Asia, where enforcement agency participation was coordinated by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations-Wildlife Enforcement Network (ASEAN-WEN).
07/24/2013 BULLFIGHTING, DOG FIGHTING, COCKFIGHTING BANNED IN VERACRUZ
Veracruz has become the most recent city in Mexico to update its Animal Welfare Code to ban bullfighting. The government of Veracruz - a port city about 186 miles east of Mexico City - joined four other cities - Xalapa, Fortin de las Flores, Teocelo and Boca de Rio - all located in Veracruz state, in passing a ban on bullfighting. A comprehensive change to the Animal Welfare Code by Veracruz city lawmakers last month, however, included banning "bullfighting and all other shows featuring animals." The city will now also address other blood sports that have long been accepted, and this new legislation will end the traditional festivals that offered animal fighting as entertainment. Individuals violating the new regulations will receive a written warning for the first offense and will be subject to fines of up to 6,700 pesos, or $521, for subsequent offenses, said Union Pro-Animal President Maria Nieves Milchorena.
07/24/2013 HUNDREDS OF STINGRAYS FOUND DEAD ON MEXICAN BEACH
It was an eerie scene last Tuesday on a beach in the Mexican state of Veracruz, as roughly 300 large stingray carcasses littered the shore. The cause remains mysterious, and Mexican authorities are investigating. But some speculate that Chachalacas fishermen, who possibly captured the winged rays in nets, dumped them after failing to get a worthwhile price. Veracruz's Environment Minister, Victor Alvarado Martinez, has asked federal authorities for help investigating the incident. Stingrays are found worldwide in temperate seas, mostly in shallow coastal waters. They can measure 6-plus feet and can weigh more than 700 pounds.
07/24/2013 LARGE SEIZURE OF ANIMALS FROM ILLEGAL WILDLIFE TRADER IN PHILIPPINES
The Philippines Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has declared an all-out war against wildlife poachers, especially those endemic to the country, after authorities seized a large number of protected animals during a raid on a home in Manila. The raiding team recovered 78 Palawan hill mynas, 12 blue-naped parrots and five juvenile Indo-Pacific or saltwater crocodiles - all dead. Only 14 Philippine forest and pond turtles were retrieved alive. Under Republic Act No. 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, illegal trade of endangered species is penalized by a fine of P200,000 (£3,000) and a jail term of two years while the killing of endangered animals carries the penalty of imprisonment of six years and a fine of P500,000 (£7,500).
07/23/2013 HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON COMBATS ELEPHANT POACHING
Hillary Rodham Clinton has agreed to take up the public fight of saving African elephants, who are being slaughtered in large numbers to supply the growing demand for ivory in China and other Asian countries. Clinton, who met privately with representatives from a dozen environmental groups and National Geographic at the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Central Park Zoo, pledged to use her political connections as America's former secretary of state to enlist other world leaders in the effort to curtail the illegal ivory trade.
07/23/2013 ANIMAL ACTIVIST TO SPEND 35 DAYS LIVING LIKE A SHELTER DOG
In an effort to better communicate the conditions that shelter dogs face, animal activist Sean Le Vegan will live inside a kennel at England's Manchester Dogs' Home for 35 days. Le Vegan will follow the exact same routine as the shelter dogs. For the first four days, he'll eat nothing – mimicking the behavior of stressed out pups when they first arrived. He'll only have one hour per day to relieve himself and will stay locked up from 5pm until 8am when staff at the shelter return. According to MSN, Sean will share his digs with another dog, sleep on a blanket on the floor and has already been microchipped. In an effort to raise money for the Manchester Dogs' Home – founded in 1893 to help strays around the city – Sean will broadcast his 35-day campaign online via a live Kennel Cam with £5 subscriptions.
07/23/2013 KIND HUMANS HELP REMOVE PORCUPINE NEEDLES FROM RAVEN'S FACE
A raven recently had an unfortunate run-in with a porcupine, leaving the bird looking a bit like a pin cushion. The bird crowed for help, and was fortunate enough to receive it from some kind humans, who brought with them a camera. In this YouTube video, which has been making the rounds on the Internet and has racked up over 700,000 views to date, you'll see a wild bird put trust in human hands. Though obviously an unfortunate and stressful situation, the bird stuck around, knowing it had found good, gentle help. According to the video's description, the bird had three quills in its face and one in its wing. After the removal, the bird "hung around for the day and was gone the next."
07/22/2013 BELGIUM BANS WILD ANIMALS IN CIRCUSES
Last week Belgium passed a bill introduced by the Minister for Animal Welfare that will ban the use of wild animals in circuses. Concerns about the living conditions that animals who travel in circuses are forced to endure have raised concerns for some time. Last year, Belgium adopted laws that would require circuses to adhere to the same standards as zoos, but according to the Belgian animal advocacy organization Global Action in the Interest of Animals (GAIA), those standards wouldn't, or couldn't, be met, reports FarmingUK. While many cities in the country had banned circuses with wild animals, the organization and animal advocates continued to fight for a full ban. Belgium now joins other progressive countries that have taken steps to stop cruelty by enacting bans on animals in circuses including Cyprus, Greece, Croatia, Columbia and Austria, which will be joined by the UK in 2015.
07/22/2013 MAN'S FAMOUS BEST FRIEND PASSES AWAY
Schoep, a dog whose story touched the hearts of millions, has passed away at 20 years old. Schoep became famous after a sweet picture of him and his caretaker, John Unger, surfaced, showing the pair's close bond. Unger would take Schoep to Lake Superior and swim every night to help relieve the dog's arthritic pains. Touched by their beautiful bond, animal lovers all over the world donated money to the dog's care. Schoep will be deeply missed.
07/19/2013 CROATIA JOINING EU IS GOOD FOR ANIMALS
Croatia this month became the 28th member of the European Union in a move that bodes well for animals in Croatia and in the remaining 27 countries of the EU. "Croatia has some excellent animal protection legislation. IFAW looks forward to Croatia being a force on behalf of animals within the European Union," said Sonja Van Tichelen, IFAW EU Regional Director. "Joining the EU is a chance to improve animal welfare in Croatia and the other 27 EU member states," said Anita Euschen, International Campaigns Coordinater for Animal Friends Croatia. "We encourage all 12 Croatian MEPs to join the Parliamentary Intergroup on Animal Welfare just as we encourage the other 27 member states to replicate Croatia's ban on fur farming." "Now that Croatia is in the EU their ban on the importation of commercial seal products is also under threat from Canada and Norway at the WTO," continued Van Tichelen. "We expect Croatia to be a strong voice in maintaining the EU seal ban regardless of the ruling handed down by the WTO."
07/19/2013 DRONES DEVELOPED TO DISCOVER ILLEGAL DRIFTNETS
A revolutionary partnership has risen to combat the illegal driftnet fishing activities believed to take place in the Mediterranean Sea. Marine conservation organization, The Black Fish, is combining efforts with ShadowView, a tech based organization, to develop drones capable of observing the Mediterranean's fishing activities. So far, the sum of their labors has been incredibly promising, and hopefully they'll continue to advance their technologies.
07/18/2013 UNLIKELY ANIMAL FRIENDS: A LION, TIGER, AND BEAR!
At Noah's Ark, a wild-animal rescue center in Locust Grove, Georgia, an unlikely trio consisting of an American black bear named Baloo, Leo the lion, and a Bengal tiger named Shere Kahn are the best of friends. The three animals—collectively known as the "BLT"—were rescued as two-month-old cubs nearly 12 years ago from an abusive home and have been inseparable ever since. They cuddle, play ball, chase each other, and eat together daily. For years, trainers worried and expected the animals to fight, but witnessed nothing other than peace among the three. What's more, when trainers tried to separate the trio, the animals immediately acted out. The three gentle giants seemingly have no comprehension of their animal differences.
07/18/2013 SHARK FIN SOUP COOLS DOWN IN CHINA
Shark fin soup has been considered a tasteless dish for a number of years now. Perpetuated by social and cultural pressures, the dish fuels a barbaric and wasteful practice where Chinese fishermen cut the fins off sharks, then throw the animals back into the ocean to die. Fortunately, China's acceptance of the practice may be changing. China is finally opening it's eyes beyond the scope of tradition as shark fin soup is not nearly as desired as it once was.
07/17/2013 RYAN GOSLING SPEAKS UP FOR PIGS
Actor Ryan Gosling is speaking up a lot for farmed animals. Among other efforts, the superstar has urged the USDA to stop allowing slaughterhouses to kill chickens and turkeys by slowly suffocating them with foam, and he wrote to the National Milk Producers Federation, calling for an end to painful dehorning of cows through burning or the use of sharp tools. Now, in an article for The Globe and Mail entitled "A tiny cage is not a life," Gosling is calling for an end to the cruel confinement of female pigs. A Canadian himself, Gosling applauded Canada's National Farm Animal Care Council's decision to stop allowing female pigs to be confined to crates for "nearly their entire lives." The actor compared his "beloved dog George" to these thinking and feeling pigs, who he says are also deserving of compassion. He adds that the use of gestation crates has been widely "criticized by veterinarians, animal protection advocates, consumers and even major food retailers as inhumane and unnecessary."
07/17/2013 MORRISSEY DONATES RAMSAY GOOF-UP MONEY TO PETA
In 2011, Britain's Channel 4 made a big mistake when they used The Smiths song, "Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want" in a commercial for a Gordon Ramsay cooking special. Morrissey, of "Meat is Murder" fame, has always been a strong supporter of animal rights. Ramsay, on the other hand, is a big fan of serving foie gras. Naturally, this was not a wise combination, so Morrissey's legal team set to work to make things right. Morrissey won the settlement, and donated all of the money ($15,000) to PETA U.K. to fund an anti-foie gras ad campaign. He sounds tickled that money tied to Ramsay to helping educate the masses about the cruelty of foie gras. PETA U.K. greatly appreciate the large donation, and also find amusement in the Ramsay connection.
07/16/2013 HUGH JACKMAN CONSIDERS VEGANISM TO "GIVE BACK TO ANIMALS"
Hugh Jackman has not only been portraying Wolverine, but he's been eating like Wolverine, too. Now he wants to make a big change... and an apology. Jackman will be gracing the cover of Men's Health Magazine for their August 2013 issue. In his featured interview, he discusses his work-out routine and diet to get into Wolverine shape. He sounds thankful that it's ending. "I eat one steak a day, minimum," Jackman tells Men's Health. "Now I don't know any doctors recommending a 12oz steak every day. I’m pretty sure that’s not good. And my carbon footprint is disgusting." All that steak put him over the edge and now he’s ready for a break, confessing, "... I think after this film I need to be vegan for a while, just as my way of giving back to the animals."
07/15/2013 POLISH PARLIAMENT REJECTS KOSHER SLAUGHTER
Poland's parliament on Friday rejected a government-backed bill that would have allowed slaughterhouses to produce kosher meat, angering Jewish groups who say the decision violated their religious rights. Lawmakers who opposed the bill said they did so because kosher slaughter is cruel to livestock. But Jewish groups said prejudice about their faith – a sensitive subject in a country where the occupying Nazis killed millions of Jews – had played a part. Industry groups in Poland have said banning halal and kosher meat production would stop firms from exporting to markets in Israel and the Middle East. Opponents of the practice said that was no justification. "Even if we were talking about significant losses - and we're not - there is no permission for animal cruelty in the name of money," said Andrzej Rozenek, a leader of the leftist Palikot Movement.
07/15/2013 BLACKFISH: A FILM THAT WILL BLOW SEAWORLD OUT OF THE WATER
Over the past few years the animal protection movement has seen an increase in the number of exceptional and thought provoking films being made about everything from factory farming to dolphin slaughter to veganism. Now, "Blackfish," a new documentary about captive orcas and the story of Tilikum, is raising the bar again. Even if you think you know the full story, this documentary will show you something entirely new.
07/12/2013 AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT RECOGNIZES VEGAN DIET
Australia's peak health body, the NH&MRC, has finally recognized that a vegan diet is a viable option for all Australians. Australia's top health experts are now in agreement with those in the USA and Canada that well-planned vegan diets are safe and healthy for all age groups. In the newly-released Australian Dietary Guidelines, plant-derived foods are given as alternatives to animal-derived foods, with meal planning advice accommodating vegan eating. In fact, the Guidelines state that alternatives to animal foods (such as nuts, seeds, legumes, beans and tofu) can, for all Australians, "increase dietary variety and can provide a valuable, affordable source of protein and other nutrients found in meats." The official Australian Guide to Healthy Eating will be a great resource to show to anyone who claims we need to eat meat to be healthy.
07/12/2013 WOMAN REUNITED WITH CAT 2 1/2 YEARS AFTER FLOOD
Booval, Queensland, Australia resident Judith White was reunited with her beloved cat this week, 2 1/2 years after he got lost during the devastating 2010-2011 Queensland floods. Goodna, where Judith was living at the time, was flooded in January of 2011, sending Judith and her cat Eddie Boy in search of shelter. Eddie was turned away from an evacuation center, so Judith left him with a friend. She was comforted by the thought that Eddie was microchipped, but was heartbroken when he escaped from the friend's home the first night he was there. Judith lost everything in the flood, but the only loss that mattered was that of Eddie. When Eddie disappeared, Judith returned to the Goodna park every day looking for him. This week, Judith got the call she waited 2 1/2 years for, when the Bellbowrie Veterinary Surgery rang up to say "We've got your cat." Judith rushed to the vet and was reunited with her cat, who she expects to live the quiet life on the couch from now on.
07/11/2013 SAN DIEGO BANS PET STORES, PROMOTES ADOPTION
In a packed chamber hall on Tuesday, the San Diego City Council voted unanimously to ban the commercial sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits city-wide. The decision was met with cheers and applause from the crowd, and a little grumbling. The ban, which goes into effect in 30 days, will require pet retailers to only get dogs, cats, and rabbits from animal shelters, humane societies, and rescue groups. Those opposed to the ban argue that it penalizes "well-run" shops that sell "properly registered animals." But many people disagree. "These animals live their entire lives in small cages," said Sydney Cicourel of the Companion Animal Protection Society. "They never touch the ground, they never have a name, never have a toy."
07/10/2013 LEONA LEWIS WOULD TRADE HER CAREER FOR ANIMAL SAFETY
Britain's Leona Lewis has released chart-topping hits, been nominated for several awards, and has sold over 20 million records worldwide. But she recently told Cosmopolitan magazine that she would trade it all for a worldwide ban on animal testing. In the interview, Lewis was asked to choose between her career and an end to vivisection. She sided with animal protection, adding, "I could still do my music in any capacity if I wanted to, but I think it's just so important for humans to show compassion. They say you can judge a society on how it treats its animals, and I think that’s very true – it all filters down."
07/10/2013 NIKON OFFICIALLY SUPPORTING TROPHY HUNTING LIONS IN AFRICA
Nikon, one of photography's most respected names, faces a backlash from within the industry for portraying itself as a friend of wildlife photography while making sights for rifles for big game trophy hunters in the US and Africa. The Japanese camera manufacturer makes a rifle scope designed specifically for killing large game, the £170 "Monarch African." Nikon's marketing literature boasts that the scope is perfect "for those seeking their dangerous game adventure on the dark continent" and is "the proven choice for dangerous big game hunting," adding: "Africa has long been a continent of dreams for hunters around the world." In its latest catalogue for amateur and professional photographers, meanwhile, Nikon describes itself as being "at the heart of nature." Next to a photograph of two polar bears, it states: "Nature is full of moments of timeless beauty, to be captured before they are gone forever."
07/09/2013 NHL STAR BACKES CELEBRATES WEDDING ANNIVERSARY AT ANIMAL SANCTUARY
A traditional gift for a couples' 5th wedding anniversary is something made of wood, but NHL star, David Backes and wife celebrated with something different: fluff. Backes, who is captain of the St. Louis Blues, and his wife, Kelly, visited Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, the largest no-kill animal sanctuary in America. The couple, animal lovers who regularly rescue and foster dogs back home in St. Louis, didn't just tour the facility – they dove right in and helped. The sanctuary shelters 1,700 dogs, cats, horses, and other animals, so there's plenty of work to be done. Touring the sanctuary, meeting the animals, and hearing their back-stories made a lasting impression on the Backeses, who now have "the inspiration to dream big" in creating their own charity.
07/08/2013 NEW JERSEY MAYOR RESCUES ABUSED DOG VIA TWITTER TIP
Mayor Cory Booker of Newark, New Jersey, is turning out to be quite the animal hero. When one of his city's residents used Twitter to alert him about an abused dog, Mayor Booker sprung into action. Responding to a tweet about a dog left in a small crate for four days in the rain, the Mayor decided to venture out to investigate the situation on his own. Mayor Booker is no stranger to a hands-on approach to those in need. In January, he also rescued a Newark dog left in freezing temperatures in response to a Twitter post. Not just a friend to his city's critters, last year Booker rushed into a burning home to save a neighbor.
07/05/2013 ADRIEN BRODY'S "APE AD" WINS PRESTIGIOUS FILM AWARD
The stunning visual effects featured in the PETA ad voiced by actor Adrien Brody have been awarded a "Gold Lion" at the prestigious Cannes Lions awards. The heartbreaking short, which showcases the misery and isolation of an ape who is forced to perform, was brought to life by celebrated production company The Mill. The animal rights org reports that since airing the spot, three more ad agencies have signed PETA's Great Ape Pledge and promised never to use real apes in their projects.
07/04/2013 PRESIDENT OBAMA STRIKES BACK AGAINST POACHING EPIDEMIC
President Obama's African trip is already paying off in a big way for wildlife. In a major speech in Tanzania on July 1, Obama announced a new policy that could mean the difference between extinction and survival for iconic species like elephants, big cats, rhinos, and other hard-hit victims of the international poaching epidemic that has surged in recent years. Speaking to diplomats and members of the media, the President said that his Administration will provide funding and expertise from law enforcement and federal agencies to protect wildlife from illegal trafficking - "An issue," as he put it, "that's inseparable from Africa's identity and its prosperity." The White House will also work to strengthen laws and regulations here in the United States, in recognition our own country’s role in the problem.
07/02/2013 RALPH FIENNES URGES UK STORE TO STOP SELLING FOIE GRAS
Actor Ralph Fiennes is stepping up to end the sale of foie gras in his native UK. Last week, after viewing an undercover video by PETA, Fiennes penned a letter to the store's managing director, Ewan Venters, to stop the sale of the cruelly produced meal. In the letter, Fiennes implores Venters: "A product that causes so much suffering that's illegal to produce in the UK should not be sold in an iconic British department store like Fortnum & Mason. As managing director, you have the power to end the company's involvement in this cruelty." Foie gras is produced when geese are force-fed to encourage their livers to swell and distend. During this practice, abnormally large amounts of grain are forced into the animal's stomachs. Feeding is done through metal pipes, and sometimes sticks, causing much pain and distress. Fiennes joins other animal-friendly celebs such as Sir Roger Moore, Chrissie Hynde, and Morrissey to ask Fortnum & Mason, the British department store favored by the Royal Family, to stop supporting this cruel industry.
07/01/2013 INDIA BANS CRUEL ANIMAL TESTING FOR COSMETICS
Animal welfare groups were elated on Friday as India took the all important decision to ban cruel animal testing methods for cosmetic products. The Bureau of Indian Standards has on Saturday approved the removal of any mention of animal tests from the country's cosmetics standard. The use of modern non-animal alternative tests also becomes mandatory, replacing invasive tests on animals. Humane Society International (HSI), People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and People For Animals (PFA) welcomed this landmark announcement by Drug Controller General of India, Dr GN Singh, in the capital. PETA India, which had also been campaigning for this ban on animal testing, thanked Maneka Gandhi for her support on this issue.
The number of news found: 40.
