Animal Lovers

Smokey the Bear told us we were responsible for preventing forest fires. Crime dog McGruff helped us take a bite out of crime. Woodsy the Owl told us to “Give a hoot, don’t pollute.” It’s that last one humans seem to have a big problem with. Where a wizened old owl’s advice has fallen short, however, the tragic image of a dead Kemps Ridley sea turtle with a beach chair stuck to its back may prove more compelling. An eye-opening illustration of the damage human pollution has done to our oceans, images of this tangled turtle have been sweeping across the internet, first posted by  Fort Morgan Share the Beach , a local chapter of the Alabama sea turtle protection nonprofit Share the Beach. The story these pictures tell is a dark one which, wildlife advocate or not, is hard to ignore. Source:  Facebook/Fort Morgan Share The Beach The turtle was dead when it washed up onto the shore. “There was a heavy string around the chair that wrapped around the turtle’s neck,”...

>>> SIGN PETITION HERE <<< Chances are, you or someone you know has a bank account with Wells Fargo. It’s one of the largest banks in the world and almost everyone is familiar with this company. But most people don’t know about Wells Fargo’s close relationship with the nation’s biggest fast-food chain: McDonald’s. Not only is Wells Fargo a major shareholder of McDonald’s stock, it also has a special financing program for McDonald’s franchise operators, and until recently the companies even shared 2 board members. Wells Fargo’s close relationship with McDonald’s is bad business because it means working with a company that supports extreme animal cruelty. Right now, McDonald’s is the subject of a nationwide boycott because of its outdated and ineffective animal welfare policies.  The restaurant refuses to enact standards that would prevent some of the cruelest factory farming practices,  despite the fact that many of its competitors, including ...

>>> SIGN PETITION HERE <<< In Illinois, a police dog trainer is threatening that legalizing marijuana in the state will lead to the euthanization of police K9 dogs — a nd an Illinois Sheriff is agreeing with him.  This is a horrible attempt to use animal cruelty to stop marijuana legalization. In March, voters in Cook County, Illinois where Chicago is located passed a measure in support of legalizing marijuana. Marijuana is now legal in nine states and Washington, D.C. and 61% of Americans now favor of legalization.  For Illinois law enforcement to say that they will kill dogs they no longer need for smelling marijuana is awful.   No other state has done this and it is completely cruel and unnecessary. They are using these dogs as a scare tactic for the public so they won’t have legal marijuana.  Join in me in calling on Illinois Governor and lawmakers to stop any attempt to kill police K9 dogs. These police dogs can absolutely be ...

>>> SIGN PETITION HERE <<< Suman is a six-year-old elephant living in shackles, hidden away from authorities underground, isolated from her mother. Suman has already been through so much; she was born into an abusive circus, then sold to a notoriously cruel owner in the notoriously cruel city of Jaipur. Today she is being forced to live in a dark basement, isolated from her family, hidden away from anyone who could help. If her owner decides to employ her as a riding-elephant, men will beat her and break her spirit to make her “tame enough for work." And she will work long, hard hours until the day she drops. >>> SIGN PETITION HERE <<< Baby elephants like Suman should never have to live like this! We rescued Suman's sister Peanut from the same circus that abused Suman several years ago, when Peanut was about the same age Suman is now. Today Peanut has a beautiful life, roaming green spaces with other elephants, full of energy and spir...

To support Georgia Animal Rights and Protection’s fight to end the event, you can  sign this online petition . Every September, the Barnesville-Lamar County Chamber of Commerce in Georgia hosts a greased pig chase.  For hours, one by one, terrified piglets are brought into an arena and thrust towards mobs of screaming children  who run after them grabbing and clawing to try to be the first one to "claim" the pig. After being roughly handled, the pigs are chased by children, teens, and young adults who pile on them with their full body weight. Pigs suffer emotionally and physically as they are  body-slammed to the ground and their limbs, ears, and tails, are yanked, bent backward, and twisted by the frenzied crowd. GARP documented the event workers slamming the pigs down, slapping them, and spitting on them in front of the crowd. Pigs are sensitive, intelligent, affectionate animals who experience physical and emotional harm at this event. Pigs instinct...

A rescue team from Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue and Protection saw the saddest sight in Kakata, Liberia. After receiving an anonymous tip, they went to a supply shop and found a little baby chimpanzee sitting inside a cardboard box, heartbreakingly clinging to an old, tattered piece of clothing. The 1-year-old chimp, named Chance, was being kept as a pet for the past few months. The rescuers didn’t know how the ‘owners’ acquired Chance, but they had an idea. “We know her mother was killed,” Jenny Desmond, founder of LCRP, told The Dodo. “One cannot acquire a baby chimpanzee without first killing his or her mother and other nearby adult family members. The adults are butchered and sold on the black market for bushmeat and the infants are kidnapped and sold into the live pet trade, both locally and internationally.” Since Chance was just a baby when her mother was killed, she had no one to properly take care of him and provide her the nutrition he needed. Sadly, her new owners didn’t...

Why stop at just one? It’s an amazing experience being a pet parent. So why stop at just one? The 15 photos below show why it’s better to have multiple pets in your life. We think you’ll be convinced by the end… #1 They always have someone to roughhouse with! #2 Cuddling is always an option. #3 Best friends go together perfectly. #4 It’s more fun to get in trouble together! #5 When you need a boost… #6 More pets to help out with the chores! #7 The playtime possibilities are endless. #8 They deserve each other. #9 Even nap time is better! #10 They can teach each other things, like how to relax. #11 They increase overall happiness. #12 They’re more willing to take a bath… #13 Everywhere you see one, you see two! #14 Pets have lots of love to spread around. #15 Are you convinced yet? It’s an amazing experience being a pet parent. So why stop at just one?

Four white tigers living in Houston haven’t see the sun for 12 years. These same tigers haven’t been able to feel grass or earth under their feet either. In 2004, the four tigers, who were bred in captivity, sold to an indoor aquarium in Texas. The aquarium is called the Downtown Aquarium and has a second-floor restaurant, and the aquarium is on the first . Image Credit:  FACEBOOK / DOWNTOWN AQUARIUM HOUSTON The tigers are all between the ages of 12 and 13, their names are Marina, Coral, Reef, and Nero. They live in the “Maharaja’s Temple” attraction. Image Credit:  FACEBOOK / DOWNTOWN AQUARIUM HOUSTON Inside the exhibit are concrete floors, and their only view of the outside world is through the glass wall that separates them from the visitors. The indoor exhibit looks more like a movie set than a tiger habitat. When the tigers are not on the exhibit, they are kept in the holding areas in the back and are held in cells, with more concrete and still...

A young, male sperm whale washed ashore on the Murcian coast in southern Spain at the end of February. Now, an autopsy has revealed the unlucky animal died from gastric shock after swallowing 29 kilograms (64 pounds) of plastic debris. Human junk including pieces of ropes, nets, plastic bags, raffia sacks, and a plastic jerry can were found in the whale's stomach and intestines, regional authorities announced on Friday. Experts at the El Valle Wildlife Rescue Centre believe the 10-meter (33 feet), 6-tonne (6.6 tons) giant died after developing an inflammation of the inner walls of the abdomen (peritonitis), usually triggered by a bacterial or fungal infection. This, they say, was likely the result of the massive amounts of undigested plastic in its body. Why go #plasticfree ? THIS ~> Sperm whale found dead on the coast of Murcia in southern Spain was killed by gastric shock caused by ingesting 29 kilos (64 lb) of plastic waste https://t.co/fM0PoO3e0Q — Blue Planet Soc...

Easter is a special time for a lot of families. Most kids are home enjoying Spring Break during Easter. And even if you aren’t religious, Easter is a time to appreciate family and the springtime weather. Even if it’s still snowing where you are, you can admit that the temperature definitely feels warmer! Easter is a time to dye eggs, and have a fun Easter egg hunt. There are chocolate bunnies to be eaten, and a ham to cook. But while you get ready for Easter Sunday, don’t forget about keeping the holiday safe for your pet. Our friends at Embrace Pet Insurance helped us out with a list of Easter dangers you should never forget come spring. 1. Chocolate Chocolate is always something you should keep from your dog. But during Easter there is more it around, and often left in low places by distracted children. Chocolate is toxic to dogs, specifically the ingredient theobromine which affects the cardiovascular and nervous system ; make sure everyone in the family knows t...