Their Lives, Our Voices
Midwest Animal Advocacy Conference 2008
Their Lives, Our Voices 2008 seeks to bring together individuals from across the region for a hands-on, high-quality conference focused on helping animals. Our goal is to make the conference as inclusive and accessible as possible for both new and veteran activists in the Midwest region, with a focus on farmed animal advocacy efforts. We want to enable as much attendee participation and networking as possible, so we're hoping you can come and make this a great event.
This conference is being organized by Compassionate Action for Animals, an animal advocacy organization based in Minneapolis, MN.
The conference will take place Friday, June 6 through Sunday, June 8, at the Hubert H. Humphrey Conference Center in Minneapolis, MN.
Registration
Registration is still available. The cost is $80 for the general public and $40 for students.
More details about the conference.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Monday, May 19, 2008
Katrina Rescue Film to Premiere on Anniversary of Hurricane
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Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Calliope & company
I'm going to pick up a new foster family tonight. My friend S. picked them up and has been keeping them for me for the since Friday. She took this photo of the kittens first venturing from the carrier. The kittens are 1-2 weeks old. Momma Calliope is taking good care of them and they are too fat to even waddle.Calicos often have a variety of kittens, but this is a particularly interesting-looking bunch. One is a tuxedo (I have a weakness for tuxedo cats), one has unusual black spots on white making him or her look more like a Holstein cow or a Dalmation dog, and the third one is Siamese! The darker markings on her face and ears are becoming more apparent every day. At first we couldn't figure out her dirty white color.
While I generally foster for Feline Rescue, this group is from the Animal Humane Society in Golden Valley, MN. I help out there when I can because they do euthanize animals when they are full. When a third e-mail notice went out on this group to the fostercaregivers on last Friday afternoon, I couldn't take a chance with their lives. I moved Vanna and the Vanalikes to a giant kennel in the basement and this little family will move into my bathroom.
Monday, May 5, 2008
8th Annual Plant Sale: Cans for Sam Benefit
8th Annual Plant Sale
Cans for Sam Benefit
Saturday May 17, 2008 - 8 am - 2 pm
3608 - 38th Avenue
South Minneapolis
A note from Vickie:
Some of you have asked me to remind you when the "Cans for Sam Benefit 8th Annual Plant Sale" will be.
As you may or may not know, our good animal friends, Frank Forkins and Linda Featherstone, host this every year in memory of their dog, Sam. It started as collecting aluminum cans. Then they got into a yearly plant sale and the proceeds go into helping cats and some dogs and an occasional bunny here and there. Last year they helped 229 animals on their own.
I still say, "that Frank is the best (cat) live trapper I know...." Frank and Linda are both wonderful people. Always a great event and fun to meet others we know there and there is a great assortment of flowers and plants, You won't go home empty handed..
Bring those aluminum pop cans and cat food cans if you go to this or you can also drop them off anytime in their garage and if you can volunteer some time for this call Linda at 612-722-1886.
Thanks,Vickie
Cans for Sam Benefit
Saturday May 17, 2008 - 8 am - 2 pm
3608 - 38th Avenue
South Minneapolis
A note from Vickie:
Some of you have asked me to remind you when the "Cans for Sam Benefit 8th Annual Plant Sale" will be.
As you may or may not know, our good animal friends, Frank Forkins and Linda Featherstone, host this every year in memory of their dog, Sam. It started as collecting aluminum cans. Then they got into a yearly plant sale and the proceeds go into helping cats and some dogs and an occasional bunny here and there. Last year they helped 229 animals on their own.
I still say, "that Frank is the best (cat) live trapper I know...." Frank and Linda are both wonderful people. Always a great event and fun to meet others we know there and there is a great assortment of flowers and plants, You won't go home empty handed..
Bring those aluminum pop cans and cat food cans if you go to this or you can also drop them off anytime in their garage and if you can volunteer some time for this call Linda at 612-722-1886.
Thanks,Vickie
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Dog Starved for Art Exhibit?
While the details are not clear, there was an exhibit with a starving dog and I certainly don't consider it to be art!
Guillermo Vargas a.k.a. Habacuc is an artist from Costa Rica, born in San José in 1975. Amongst his stand alone exhibitions have been Graffiti Galería Cultura (2001), Expocisión # 1 Galeria Codice Managua, Nicaragua (2002); Exorcision, Jacob Karpio Galería, San José, Costa Rica (2002); Alfombra Roja [The Red Carpet]. 300kilos de tomates (2006). He has also exhibited at the Inter-American Development Bank [1].
The Dog Exhibit Controversy
It is reported in blogs, Internet forums and YouTube uploads that in 2007 Guillermo Vargas allegedly took a stray dog called Natividad from the streets of Managua, Nicaragua, and tied it to a short leash as an exhibit in an art gallery. It was initially reported that the dog was left to die with food just beyond its leashes length as patrons passed by in the gallery. Many images have appeared on the Internet showing a thin, emaciated dog tied to a line in a room full of standing people. There are no indications in the photos of where or when or who took them.[2][3] He refuses to say whether the dog survived the show but the director of the Códice Gallery is reported as saying that the animal was fed regularly and was only tied up for 3 hours on one day before it escaped.[4] A probe by the Humane Society revealed that the dog was in a state of starvation when it was captured and escaped after one day of captivity. [5]
References
^ Young Costa Rican Artists: Nine Proposals.
^ "Outrage at 'starvation' of a stray dog for art", The Guardian News Paper.
^ Death for No Reason.
^ Alleged Animal Abuse Sparks Outrage Against Artist.
^ Humane Society International FAQ.
" THIS WILL TAKE A MINUTE OF YOUR TIME AND WILL SAVE A CREATURE – AND HOPEFULLY REMOVE THIS SO-CALLED "ARTIST"!!! http://www.petitiononline.com/13031953/petition.html
"Kindness and compassion towards all living beings is a mark of a civilized society. Racism, economic deprival, dog fighting and cock fighting, bullfighting and rodeos are all cut from the same defective fabric: violence. Only when we have become nonviolent towards all life will we have learned to live well ourselves." - Cesar Chavez
The Dog Exhibit Controversy
It is reported in blogs, Internet forums and YouTube uploads that in 2007 Guillermo Vargas allegedly took a stray dog called Natividad from the streets of Managua, Nicaragua, and tied it to a short leash as an exhibit in an art gallery. It was initially reported that the dog was left to die with food just beyond its leashes length as patrons passed by in the gallery. Many images have appeared on the Internet showing a thin, emaciated dog tied to a line in a room full of standing people. There are no indications in the photos of where or when or who took them.[2][3] He refuses to say whether the dog survived the show but the director of the Códice Gallery is reported as saying that the animal was fed regularly and was only tied up for 3 hours on one day before it escaped.[4] A probe by the Humane Society revealed that the dog was in a state of starvation when it was captured and escaped after one day of captivity. [5]
References
^ Young Costa Rican Artists: Nine Proposals.
^ "Outrage at 'starvation' of a stray dog for art", The Guardian News Paper.
^ Death for No Reason.
^ Alleged Animal Abuse Sparks Outrage Against Artist.
^ Humane Society International FAQ.
" THIS WILL TAKE A MINUTE OF YOUR TIME AND WILL SAVE A CREATURE – AND HOPEFULLY REMOVE THIS SO-CALLED "ARTIST"!!! http://www.petitiononline.com/13031953/petition.html
"Kindness and compassion towards all living beings is a mark of a civilized society. Racism, economic deprival, dog fighting and cock fighting, bullfighting and rodeos are all cut from the same defective fabric: violence. Only when we have become nonviolent towards all life will we have learned to live well ourselves." - Cesar Chavez
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Rainbow Bridge
Unlike most days at Rainbow Bridge, this day dawned cold and gray, damp as a swamp and as dismal as could be imagined. All of the recent arrivals had no idea what to think, as they had never experienced a day like this before. But the animals who had been waiting for their beloved people knew exactly what was going on and started to gather at the pathway leading to The Bridge to watch.
It wasn't long before an elderly animal came into view, head hung low and tail dragging. The other animals, the ones who had been there for a while, knew what his story was right away, for they had seen this happen far too often. He approached slowly, obviously in great emotional pain, but with no sign of injury or illness. Unlike all of the other animals waiting at The Bridge, this animal had not been restored to youth and made healthy and vigorous again. As he walked toward The Bridge, he watched all of the other animals watching him. He knew he was out of place here and the sooner he could cross over, the happier he would be.
But, alas, as he approached The Bridge, his way was barred by the appearance of an Angel who apologized, but told him that he would not be able to pass. Only those animals who were with their people could pass over Rainbow Bridge. With no place else to turn to, the elderly animal turned towards the fields before The Bridge and saw a group of other animals like himself, also elderly and infirm. They weren't playing, but rather simply lying on the green grass, forlornly staring out at the pathway leading to The Bridge. And so, he took his place among them, watching the pathway and waiting.
One of the newest arrivals at The Bridge didn't understand what he had just witnessed and asked one of the animals that had been there for a while to explain it to him. "You see, that poor animal was a rescue. He was turned in to rescue just as you see him now, an older animal with his fur graying and his eyes clouding. He never made it out of rescue and passed on with only the love of his rescuer to comfort him as he left his earthly existence. Because he had no family to give his love to, he has no one to escort him across The Bridge. "
The first animal thought about this for a minute and then asked, "So what will happen now?" As he was about to receive his answer, the clouds suddenly parted and the gloom lifted. Approaching The Bridge could be seen a single person and among the older animals, a whole group was suddenly bathed in a golden light and they were all young and healthy again, just as they were in the prime of life. "Watch, and see" said the second animal.
A second group of animals from those waiting came to the pathway and bowed low as the person neared. At each bowed head, the person offered a pat on the head or a scratch behind the ears. The newly restored animals fell into line and followed him towards The Bridge. They all crossed The Bridge together.
"What happened?"
"That was a rescuer. The animals you saw bowing in respect were those who found new homes because of his work. They will cross when their new families arrive. Those you saw restored were those who never found homes. When a rescuer arrives, they are allowed to perform one, final act of rescue. They are allowed to escort those poor animals that they couldn't place on earth, across The Rainbow Bridge. "
"I think I like rescuers", said the first animal.
"So does GOD", was the reply.
-- Author Unknown
It wasn't long before an elderly animal came into view, head hung low and tail dragging. The other animals, the ones who had been there for a while, knew what his story was right away, for they had seen this happen far too often. He approached slowly, obviously in great emotional pain, but with no sign of injury or illness. Unlike all of the other animals waiting at The Bridge, this animal had not been restored to youth and made healthy and vigorous again. As he walked toward The Bridge, he watched all of the other animals watching him. He knew he was out of place here and the sooner he could cross over, the happier he would be.
But, alas, as he approached The Bridge, his way was barred by the appearance of an Angel who apologized, but told him that he would not be able to pass. Only those animals who were with their people could pass over Rainbow Bridge. With no place else to turn to, the elderly animal turned towards the fields before The Bridge and saw a group of other animals like himself, also elderly and infirm. They weren't playing, but rather simply lying on the green grass, forlornly staring out at the pathway leading to The Bridge. And so, he took his place among them, watching the pathway and waiting.
One of the newest arrivals at The Bridge didn't understand what he had just witnessed and asked one of the animals that had been there for a while to explain it to him. "You see, that poor animal was a rescue. He was turned in to rescue just as you see him now, an older animal with his fur graying and his eyes clouding. He never made it out of rescue and passed on with only the love of his rescuer to comfort him as he left his earthly existence. Because he had no family to give his love to, he has no one to escort him across The Bridge. "
The first animal thought about this for a minute and then asked, "So what will happen now?" As he was about to receive his answer, the clouds suddenly parted and the gloom lifted. Approaching The Bridge could be seen a single person and among the older animals, a whole group was suddenly bathed in a golden light and they were all young and healthy again, just as they were in the prime of life. "Watch, and see" said the second animal.
A second group of animals from those waiting came to the pathway and bowed low as the person neared. At each bowed head, the person offered a pat on the head or a scratch behind the ears. The newly restored animals fell into line and followed him towards The Bridge. They all crossed The Bridge together.
"What happened?"
"That was a rescuer. The animals you saw bowing in respect were those who found new homes because of his work. They will cross when their new families arrive. Those you saw restored were those who never found homes. When a rescuer arrives, they are allowed to perform one, final act of rescue. They are allowed to escort those poor animals that they couldn't place on earth, across The Rainbow Bridge. "
"I think I like rescuers", said the first animal.
"So does GOD", was the reply.
-- Author Unknown
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Help needed for cats rescued in Iowa
Dear Best Friends Members,
Linda of Raccoon Valley Animal Sanctuary and Rescue in Central Iowa is looking for wonderful homes for wonderful cats. She needs foster and permanent homes for domestic cats and, barn cat situations for the less friendly of the many cats who will be rounded up in the great, collaborative TNR effort for the Randolph Iowa stray cats. The cats will be trapped in humane traps, spayed or neutered, vaccinated and many will be released back to their area where they will be maintained by a colony caretaker.
Some will need new locations; if you can provide a home, indoor for a friendly domestic cat or barn home for a hardworking mouser, please contact Linda directly at RVASpets@msn.com.
Transportation will be provided for distant areas so please pass this on to all your friends to help us find homes for these wonderful cats.
Please see the details on our network web site,
http://www.network.bestfriends.org/iowa/news/24116.html ...
Thank you all so very much,
Diane
Diane Young
Animal Help Specialist
Best Friends Animal Society
5001 Angel Canyon Road
Kanab, Utah 84741
435 644 2001 x 4800
diane@bestfriends.org
www.bestfriends.org
http://network.bestfriends.org
A better world through kindness to animals.
Linda of Raccoon Valley Animal Sanctuary and Rescue in Central Iowa is looking for wonderful homes for wonderful cats. She needs foster and permanent homes for domestic cats and, barn cat situations for the less friendly of the many cats who will be rounded up in the great, collaborative TNR effort for the Randolph Iowa stray cats. The cats will be trapped in humane traps, spayed or neutered, vaccinated and many will be released back to their area where they will be maintained by a colony caretaker.
Some will need new locations; if you can provide a home, indoor for a friendly domestic cat or barn home for a hardworking mouser, please contact Linda directly at RVASpets@msn.com.
Transportation will be provided for distant areas so please pass this on to all your friends to help us find homes for these wonderful cats.
Please see the details on our network web site,
http://www.network.bestfriends.org/iowa/news/24116.html ...
Thank you all so very much,
Diane
Diane Young
Animal Help Specialist
Best Friends Animal Society
5001 Angel Canyon Road
Kanab, Utah 84741
435 644 2001 x 4800
diane@bestfriends.org
www.bestfriends.org
http://network.bestfriends.org
A better world through kindness to animals.
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