Sunday, April 15, 2007

Animal cruelty activist do a lot in protecting the animals. But they do get help from others. Celebrities play an important role in promoting the cause. They are the ones that are mainly in the public eye; Without them, the job would be harder than it already is.

Alongside Stella McCartney, Andy Dick, Sarah Jessica Parker, Pamela Anderson, Dolly Parton,and Jamie Lee Curtis, Bollywood actors are increasingly joining the fight against animal cruelty with PETA. Newly joining the group is Bollywood actor Rahul Khanna. To advertise to the world the inhumanity still occurring, Rahul Khanna was chained up and bruised in a ripped Tee portraying the mistreatment circus Elephants are facing more more everyday.

It is proven that, every time a celebrity joins the fight against animal cruelty, whether fans or concerned citizens, more people become aware and ready to lend a helping hand.

Because these celebrities are getting involved, their friends and family hopefully will also see the light and join in. As for those who are participating in animal cruelty such as Jennifer Lopez, Tommy Hilfiger, and Burberry, negative attention will be drawn to them. As a result they will be hurt financially and in the public eye causing them to give in....sooner or later.

"Role Models" of Today

In a society where media influences the majority of what we do, its hard not to follow what the people we look up to are wearing and supporting. One big icon and "role model" is our dearly beloved Jennifer Lopez. With her new fashion line in stores, many fans are running in order to support her and her new creations. The sad thing about this, is that Jennifer Lopez is strutting her models down the catwalk wearing fur.

It is no surprise to anyone what immorality it is considered to be caught wearing fur and even less supporting this horrible trend. But thanks to PETA, the world can now know the thought and process Jennifer Lopez is putting into her fashion designs. Unfortunately, you will discover no thought at all is being put when the poor animals she is solely depending on are being brutally killed.

"When the fur is finally peeled off over the animals’ heads, their naked, bloody bodies are thrown onto a pile of those who have gone before them. Some are still alive, breathing in ragged gasps and blinking slowly. Some of the animals’ hearts are still beating five to 10 minutes after they are skinned," stated an undercover PETA reporter. Now imagine this being done hundreds of time. Whats the end result? ONE fur coat.

The funny thing about this is, that PETA has let Lopez know about their knowledge in what she does to these poor animals, and still Lopez insist on denying these accusations. Now why go around looking up to a woman who can't even take responsibility for her own actions? She manufactured many fur items for her line "sweet face" and ended up calling it "high end." What this "smart business woman" doesn't know is that there are so many designers out there today making a living in designing clothes and not even once have they used fur, but are still considered high end. Things should be considered high end when its good quality, not when hundreds of animals were murdered just to make one clothing item.

Now, what us the people have to do, is start reconsidering our morals and values. A role model should be a person that motivates us in becoming a better person and being successful in life. Is Jennifer Lopez doing this by promoting the gruesome slaughter of hundreds of animals?

Need more convincing?
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=2022734848








http://www.jlodown.com/
http://www.sparklelikethestars.com/wp-content/Jlo.jpg
http://www.smh.com.au/.../2005/04/12/1113251612066.html

Saturday, April 14, 2007

Animal Slaughter

The simple thought of becoming a vegetarian to some people is physically impossible for them to ever consider. The thought of giving up foods such as hamburgers, bacon, steak, and more would be complete hell to them. The problem is that some so called "animal lovers" still insist on eating meat. What they don't know is that even these farm animals such as Cows, Horses, and Pigs are experiencing a horrifying level of animal cruelty that will make anyone reconsider ordering any kind of meat.

So what really does happen before the food makes it to your plate? Well before you eat that nice slice of steak, this calf will spend the only weeks they have to live in a wooden box. The catch is, the box they are placed in will be too small for the calf to be even able to move an inch. By limiting movement, the development of muscle will be retained so that the calf's meat will remain tender. To add to the process, the animal is fed an iron-deficient diet to cause anemia in order to produce a pink meat, which us consumers seem to love. When this 26 week process has come to its end, the calf will see light for the first time and led to its destiny...the slaughter house. Now how's that for a medium rare 7 oz steak?

Pork chops you say? Well, before you can stab your fork into it, that pig that has been locked up in the dark for 6 months in a crowded pen will have its little tail clipped off, without anaesthesia of course, and see light light. But after their 15 min. of daylight, off to the slaughter house it is. Imagine that...pigs being forced to have breed just to feed us. But not only do they have to suffer in a cage, they have to force themselves to make a safe environment for their offspring in order to give them the nutrition they need...or in this case, nutrition we want to eat.

If we love animals as much as we do, why would we put them through the hell they are now experiencing. It's not that we "can't live" without meat, we just prefer not to. The simple act of becoming a vegetarian is something that will not only benefit your body, but also the animals. Why keep putting something in your body that takes 7 years to decompose? Why not just eat healthy and put an end to all the slaughtering and injustice occuring around the world. And what happens when we eat all the animals possible? What do we eat next? Eachother?









Friday, April 13, 2007

Actions Speak Louder Than Words

It is evident that we expect animal rights organizations to do the "heavy duty" work in protecting those without voices; Making justice against those who abused and unattended "man's best friend." But when you come and think about it, the rest of society should also pay the consequences of hurting the animals of the world for we contribute to the cause in a much more complex way.

One of the main problems we are faced with today is Global warming and how our daily routines go about in affecting our environment. Sadly, what we think about is how we can save ourselves from the worst that is to come. I believe, that instead we should be asking ourselves what we can do NOW in saving those in which are being affected by our "conveniences" and greed as we speak.

The consequences that we are currently facing and are expecting to happen are alteration in weather, temperature, melting ice caps, depletion of geographical marvels, droughts, wildfires, polluted waters, rising sea levels, and the list just goes on. All this caused by?...US.

What we are not taking into consideration is how all these changes are affecting wildlife and marine life itself. Habitats are being destroyed due to weather and pollution. Oceans are warming up and polluted with our rubbish affecting the marine life living in the oceans. Forests are burning down, along with all the food that any living organism currently residing there needs in order to survive and reproduce. So along with us killing our earth, we are also managing to kill the animals that are helping us carry out agricultural jobs, environmental duties, and even food sources. Still think we're the smartest form of organisms living? I think not.

If we are as smart as we say, we'd find alternatives to this growing problem. I know it may seem hard to understand why I would consider this a form of animal cruelty, but its really not that complicated. We have been told about the possible things we can do in order to stop this process of Global Warming and yet, we still ignore the situation. So are we not being ignorant by choice? And if I'm not mistaken, one of the main ways of contributing to animal cruelty is through pure ignorance.

We are indirectly affecting an immense amount of animals, and sadly can't seem to come to an agreement in a way to not only help mankind, but other organisms and earth as well. We are all first to jump and think of ways to help the cause, but seem to fail to carry them out. But ultimately, our actions speak louder than words. And right now there inst enough action.






Thursday, April 12, 2007

Beauty Is Pain: Exotic Animals

The Zoo; A fun filled place where families go to look at the exotic animals of the world while walking around eating some ice cream. The Circus; a jam packed night of entertainment with special performances made by clowns and theyre exotic sidekicks. But in between all the fun you're having not once do you stop and think of what these rare animals do once the zoo is closed and once the circus is not in town. Unfortunately, some of these animals are suffering adapting to their new lifestyle and location.

According to the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA), places such as the Zoo, the Circus, Park attractions, and even breeders bring these exotic animals into a whole new place where they usually experience neglect and abuse. These animals, such as Tigers, Cougars, Leopards, Wolves, Bears, Primates, and more are taken away from their natural habitat. This alone is a major change these gorgeous creatures have to adapt to. Living a life of captivity and show biz isn't what these animals were trained to do causing a major psychological damage. The instincts they were naturally born with are no longer adaptable to their new "home."

Because of situations like these, the WSPA works along with the Peace River Refuge & Ranch in an attempt to provide the proper care and environment for these suffering exotic animals. Peace River Refuge & Ranch rescues such animals and place them in Sanctuaries; a certain place where animals are placed in sections according to what their naturally used to with the proper care and attention they need all according to what they have experienced.

The fact that people have a hard time accepting that wild animals belonging to such organizations (Zoo's and Circuses) can experience thier own kind of animal cruelty is very ignorant, in my eyes atleast. The simple act of removing an animal from their natural habitat should be enough reason for an animal to be affected and unhappy. It would be the same as if you were just taken from your home and put in a completely different country with a different dialect and weather; You would obviously have a hard time adapting and finding your way around. So why put animals through such situation for our pure amusement?




A New Evil is Born: Over Harvesting

When animal cruelty is mentioned, people usually think of domesticated animals that are living at home and are easily trained. The truth of the matter is, that everyday marine animals suffer more more through the common activities of harvesting.

As humans, we look at marine mammals, especially fish, as overpopulated creatures which main purpose is served through food. But the fact that seafood is such a major part of our diet, consumption grows and grows. The thing is that no one stops to think of the consequences of catching too many fishes.

What we don't know is that the number of fish life available to us is decreasing immensely year by year because of over harvesting. The explanation to this problem is very simple; The more fish we catch, the less adult fish are available to lay eggs, which means less fish to catch the next time around. The eggs that already have been laid will then later hatch. These will be caught providing us humans with smaller and bony fishes to eat. Unfortunately there is no simple solution to this increasing problem.

The only possible alternative in slowing down the process of over harvesting is trying to limit the amounts of fish being caught per season and in each major coastal area. No, this isn't going to solve the problem completely, but it will help increase the fish population by a little.

Another thing we don't realize is that by over harvesting fish, we are not only affecting ourselves food wise, but also the other marine life that depend on fish for survival. If fish are completely killed off, what will mammals such as seals eat? So on top of us taking away their main source of food, we are also hurting them by adding competition.

To think that severe results have to occur in order for people to understand what is happening is very upsetting. Its as if we need to see it to believe it. Instead of just waiting around for it to happen, government and society have to take action...before its too late.






http://www.animalcruelty.com/acfastfacts.html
http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/29362606/?qo=13&q=fish&qh=boost%3Apopular+age_sigma%3A24h+age_scale%3A5

Saturday, March 10, 2007

Burberry:The High Price of Fashion

The fashion industry has been running strong for years and years catering to the many needs of those who have to own that pair of "to-die-for" shoes, or that "to-die-for" handbag. Now with all the designer brands available today, imagine how many produce items that are "to-die-for" season by season. But it is no wonder the items being manufactured by many high priced brands are considered "to-die-for", especially when animals have to die in order to produce them.

Burberry is one of the many glamorous brands used today by the rich and famous. What many don't know is that Burberry itself is participating in the horrible trend of "luxury" by producing fur items and causing themselves to take a part in animal cruelty.

PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) has recently discovered that in order to produce those amazing plaid coats, handbags, and hats, animals not only have to die, but also suffer through their last few days.

These unlucky animals are sent to fur farms where they each await their "fashionable" destiny. Each animal is put in cages without sufficient food and protection from the elements. Aside from the fact that they are denied their natural born rights to run around, discover, and play, they are also denied appropriate amount of food in order to stay alive in well.

So with all money grossed every single year, Burberry has the nerve to use the cheapest ineffective killing methods, which cause some of the animals to wake up during the procedure. "The animals convulse, shake, and often cry out before they have heart attacks and die," states PETA in their BloodyBurberry website.

By continuing to buy products from brands that partake in animal cruelty, we are only enforcing this atrocity they are doing. By boycotting their products the designers and developers of Burberry will finally start to see that animals shouldn't pay for the high price of fashion. Superb quality, good designs, and great fashion don't have to include for nor any kind of animal cruelty.

But even now, that PETA is spreading the word about Burberry, and the other companies that use fur, why do people still insist in remaining loyal to these brands? Maybe they're just having a hard time believing that a company with such great reputation and history can play a part in one of the many things that are wrong in society. Maybe they just have to see it for themselves:



Now I ask, is that fur trimmed coat you "need" really have to be "to-die-for"? There are alternatives to fur that are fashionable, glamorous, inexpensive, and animal friendly, such as faux fur. Why not use it as a replacement?






http://http://www.bloodyburberry.com/feature.asp
http://animal-rights-club.deviantart.com/

Death Price of Beauty

The cosmetic industry has been around for years and years providing flawless faces and odorless bodies. But before these products can be sold, several tests have to be done to determine risks and reactions to the human body. So why are these products being tested on animals?

There are thousands and thousands of cosmetic products such as mascara, eyeshadow, lipstick, and perfume manufactured every year. To make sure that our bodies wont have any negative reactions to these products, all these things are being tested on animals to get a sense of what would happen.

Companies such as Avon, Boots, Yardley and Revlon have all pulled away from this horrible testing process. So why haven't other companies followed their footsteps? Is it because testing on animals is "cheaper?", a way of "protecting" the environment?, or just done for the mere purpose of human safety? All these excuses are being used in order to carry on what they are doing to the animals they have victimized.

The truth of the matter is that these animals have severe and negative reactions to these products. So not only is animal testing inhumane,unreliable, expensive, and meaningless, but it is also unhealthy to the animals. According to ClearLead Inc., side effects include irritation, allergic reactions, bleeding, liver problems, and even death.

So with all the laws "protecting" animal's rights, why do people keep finding more and more ways to hurt them? If scientist are looking to see how a human body would react to these cosmetic products, then why not test them on human body parts (that have been donated of course)? It is no mystery that animal bodies are built and react differently to those of humans, so wouldn't that mean that all the results from the testing being done are inaccurate?

Click here to see other experiments being practiced on animals and what the effects are. http://worldanimal.net/cos-background.html


Government Role in Animal Cruelty

With the amount of abuses occurring daily with animals, we can't always depend on people to take action immediately. So how do those who are presently active in fighting for animals get things done? The answer is with government help. All 50 states have some type of anti-cruelty laws, but only 41 states consider these acts as felonies as of the year 2005.

According to the article "Over view of sate cruelty laws," there are only two types of acts punished: Intentional acts, and failure to act.

When it comes to charging some one with failure to act (neglect), there are a couple of things that have to be done. First of all, the prosecutor has to determine if the animal really needed shelter, if the weather conditions were harsh enough to need shelter, and finally, if the shelter provided was suitable for the pet. If owner failed to provide any of these, consequences will be suffered. "Mandatory counseling or education, community service, restitution (in some cases paid to a local ASPCA), seizure of the animals, reimbursement for the cost of care, and limitations on future animal ownership" will be considered,writes Rebecca F. Wisch.

When dealing with intentional acts, punishments are most severe. If repeated, felonies will be charged under that law. For the states that do consider animal cruelty as a felony, a fine and jail time will be faced. Surprisingly, there are a few exceptions to to these laws. According to the table of state laws, institutions such as Zoos, circuses, pest control, and food production companies. Hunting and killing an animal in your own home is an humane way are also things that arent considered as animal cruelty.

To see the penalties your state charges click here: http://http://www.animallaw.info/articles/arus5animall69.htm





http://www.animallaw.info/articles/ovusstatecrueltylaws.htm
http://www.cnn.com/2000/US/07/03/animal.rights/

Wednesday, March 7, 2007

Types of Animal Cruelty

With all the animal abuse taking place today, there are a countless amount of things that can be counted as animal abuse. According to the ASPCA ( The American Society for the Protection of Animals), there are two main types of animal abuse: Passive Cruelty and Active Cruelty.

Passive Cruelty consist of pure neglect of the animal. Although no physical abuse is involved, severe animal neglect can be very painful and even fatal to a pet. Lack of attention consist of starvation, dehydration due to lack of water, parasite infestations caused by unhealthy living conditions, poor shelter in harsh weather conditions, and lack of medical attention when needed.

The following graphs show the body condition of a pet who has not been fed due to neglect or being overfed fue to mistreatment. Being extremely skinny OR excesively obese are both unhealthy and dangerous for pets.

In many cases, passive cruelty is a cause of pure ignorance in the owners part. Therefore, it is crucial that you educate yourself in every way possible for the safety of your pet, and yourself.

Active Cruelty consist of harmful and abusive actions taken towards an animal. This intentional type of abuse is the most disturbing for the simple fact that it proves to show psychological problems in a person. According to the ASPCA,the most inhumane cases of animal abuse are caused by active cruelty.

Unlike in a case of passive cruelty, the investigator can determine if the damage was caused by pure ignorance or more and take action and removing the pet from the home, as to a case of active cruelty when you know exactly that the person causing the harm is doing it intentionally and gets a sense of pleasure and accomplishment from it.

Other acts of cruelty consist of hoarding(keeping a lot of animals in a certain area), poisoning and shooting.

It is tragic to see these types of incidents happening to innocent animals on a daily basis. But in order to make a difference, the community has to come together and let their voice be heard.





http://www.pet-abuse.com/pages/animal_cruelty/neglect.php
http://www.pawsofaustin.org/stopabuse.html
http://www.johnsoncountyhumane.org/law.html

Preventing Animal Cruelty

The fact that animal abuse is something that occurs too often in our society, putting an immediate end to it is almost impossible. But there is help we can provide that will benefit animals everywhere... gradually. Some things you can do are:

EDUCATE YOURSELF: Many people have pets today and do a great job keeping them. But although you may be responsible enough to have a pet, unfortunately, we always don't know what is best for them. Making sure you educate yourself on how to train and support a pet is crucial for the simple fact that some of the things you are doing may not be so good for them after all. Yes, it may not seem like you are hurting them, but why take the risk? Having all the knowledge you need is a big step in having a healthy and safe relationship with your pet while keeping them safe.

HELP OUT A LOCAL RESCUE CENTER: Playing a role in a local rescue center can do so much for the current pets there, and also the future one's to come. Donating some money can do more than you can imagine, even if its a little. Not all of us have the extra cash but, if you do its a great way to help out. Stopping by the rescue center to play with the pets is also a good way to help. With that simple gesture, you have donated your time and have showed that you do care about what happens to animals. Donating some extra time by helping organize events such as a car wash, bake sale, or garage sale to come up with extra money for the center is also another way to help out.

LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD: Since animal cruelty is considered an offense in only 31 states, you can write a letter to your local government and let them know the things that are happening to animals around the world; that animal abuse is a growing problem that needs to be put to an end.

THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX: You don't necessarily have to do these things to help out. You can do other creative things to help out the cause. Things like volunteering to help out in abuse prevention programs can be useful in making kids and adults aware of the situation. Selling goodies can also be a good way to spread the cause and donate money. You can sell them door to door and explain your purpose and goals.

There are probably more things you can come up that will cause others to get involved and fight for the cause. There is nothing more beautiful than a group of individuals coming together to fight for something, and in the end developing a great passion for it.


http://www.bestfriends.org/nomorehomelesspets/pdf/WhatOnePerson.pdf

Monday, March 5, 2007

Animal Cruelty Violence Connection

There are many problems taking place in the world today. As people, we are faced with countless conflicts such as global warming, poverty, and war to name a few. However with our rights and voices we have to speak out for those who can't, like animals. None of these problems are as important as the atrocities animals are being faced with today. The number of cases involving violence to animals which resulted in prison sentences rose from 46 in 2001 to 57 in 2002, and keeps increasing every year. The same animals that we should be putting our all into protecting are being cruelly mistreated throughout the world, and without the luxury of voices of their own it is therefore our job to speak out for their rights and against the inhumane people that mistreat them.

With the multitude of animal cruelty crimes being committed, you truly begin to wonder the driving force behind these actions and the perpetrators that commit them. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to animals, "A kid who is abusive to a pet is quite often acting out violence directly experienced or witnessed at home." But in order to establish a link, you have to ask yourselves why people abuse at all, and in the end it all comes down to having a sense of control. If a person has experienced abuse at home, their parents are the ones in control. So, abusing an animal is a way for a human to get a sense of joy and power through the torture of an animal they know can't defend itself, just like they themselves couldn't do when they experienced abuse. Same reasoning applies to rapists and child abusers; they do what they do because whom ever they are hurting can't fight back.

Agent Allen Brantley, FBI Supervisory Special Agent, states "Animal cruelty...is not a harmless venting of emotion in a healthy individual; it is a warning sign..." In other words, these animal offenders have been damaged mentally to a certain extent that will eventually lead them to cause more severe and violent crimes towards humans. But what about those who don't have a childhood filled with abuse? Agent Brantley calls them "budding psychopaths." These people have no empathy at all at what they are doing and the pain they are causing to these innocent animals. Examples of people how have committed high profile crimes against humans and have had a history of animal cruelty are: Serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, the "Boston Strangler," Albert DeSalvo, and Earl Kenneth Shriner, to name a few.

So, even with these high profile cases, animal cruelty is still taking place. Knowledge about the connection of animal cruelty and violence has to be taken seriously so that action can be taken towards these growing perpetrators. This way we will be helping to put an end to growing animal abuse and human violence.



http://www.pet-abuse.com/pages/abuse_connection.php
http://www.pet-abuse.com/.../statistics/case_status.php
http://photosc.msspro.com/pic/animalrights.htm