This Week On Rescue TV!
Victory! Bill That Requires Labs to Retire Cats and Dogs From Testing Passed in California! Great news, Green Monsters! A bill (AB147) that would require healthy cats and dogs who were formerly used as lab animals to be made available for loving forever homes, has been signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown in California this week.
This law addresses the problem of a much-needed lack of protection for animals who are used as test subjects in California. The gentle, easygoing, trusting temperament of beagles, in particular, has sadly led to these dogs’ continual exploitation in the world of laboratory and pharmaceutical testing, as researchers know they can carry out any number of harmful procedures on these sweet pooches without fear of retaliation. Beagles have frequently been poisoned with experimental medications, pesticides, or food additives, in order to test their toxicity … with many dogs dying or being left incurably maimed as a result. In the past, California research labs have been able to quietly have the animals euthanized once they had outlived their “usefulness,” without ever offering up healthy animals for adoption or risking the public outrage that might follow once knowledge of their procedures becoming known. Now, however, AB147 – authored by Assemblyman Matthew Dababneh, in collaboration with the L.A.-based animal rescue organization Beagle Freedom Project (BFP) – will legally compel these labs to work alongside charitable organizations to help find homes for those animals who are healthy enough. BFP, with their long history of campaigning for the freedom of laboratory animals, has welcomed Governor Brown’s official signature of the bill into law. Shannon Keith, president of the group, stated: “this policy addresses a real deficiency of law and we are so proud to have worked with Asm. Dababneh to secure hope and homes for animals that endure so much in our name. No longer will they be hidden away and killed when this tax payer funded research is done.” On the day that AB147 was signed into law, the state capitol building in Sacramento, Cal., was packed with BFP supporters, including families who have given loving forever homes to lab dogs in the past. Famous attendees included recording artist Sia, comedienne Whitney Cummings, and actress Nikki Reed.
Reed said of her involvement with the BFP campaign: “I was honored to be able to lend my voice and passion to AB147. This law will give countless animals the freedom they deserve after being tested on.”
The bill takes effect on January 1, 2016, and BFP have sworn that they will “keep on top of the laboratories to make sure they are complying with the law.”
This news comes as an enormous boost to all who care about the well-being of the countless numbers of nameless, faceless animals who suffer as a result of needless and cruel tests carried out by the cosmetic, pharmaceutical and food industries. California has now become the fourth state to enact legislation requiring that laboratories must attempt to rehome healthy cats and dogs it has discarded, rather than quietly having them killed. As this announcement comes so soon after the unveiling of an amazing statue in Russia that commemorates the unknown number of rats killed in the name of science, it appears that awareness of what lab animals must endure is slowly but surely growing. Let’s hope that safe, viable alternatives to animal testing will continue to grow more and more commonplace … and that one day, no animals will have to endure horrific suffering and death at our hands again.
Tiny, Injured Kitten Rescued by Tourists in NYC Park Recovers at ASPCA Animal Hospital
A tiny, injured kitten named Tuffie has two tourists to thank for her rescue and subsequent recovery at the ASPCA Animal Hospital (AAH) this summer. Idahoans Jo Ellen D. and her 15-year-old daughter, Jillian, were walking through Riverside Park during a visit to New York City when they noticed a cluster of people peering at something on the ground. “We looked over and saw a very little kitten,” Jo Ellen recalls. “Someone said she had been hit by a car.” A Good Samaritan pulled the scruffy calico out of harm’s way. “All the people had places to go and things to do,” Jo Ellen said. “But Jillian and I had no agenda and plenty of time, so we volunteered to take her. I picked her up and she didn't struggle or hiss. She wasn't bleeding, but she was clearly hurt and we assumed in shock.” A veterinary clinic they had passed earlier that day wasn’t fully operational on Sundays, so Jillian and Jo Ellen called 3-1-1. “Then someone told us the ASPCA was on the Upper East Side, so we looked it up, saw it was open and got the address,” Jo Ellen said. Jillian hailed a cab and with the kitten in tow, they headed uptown. “The kitten didn't struggle and let both of us hold her,” said Jo Ellen. At AAH, Intake Assistant Stephen Cameron ran the kitten’s hard luck story by several staff. Taking a cue from her ordeal, they named her Tuffie. Tiny, Injured Kitten Rescued by Tourists in NYC Park Recovers at ASPCA Animal Hospital
Tuffie was examined by ASPCA Veterinarian Dr. Danielle Delfino and Veterinary Intern Dr. Felicia Magnaterra. Her injuries included a leg fracture, multiple ulcerations on her paw pads and an abrasion on her shoulder area, but these did not affect her temperament. “She remained friendly and sweet,” said Dr. Delfino. “She was always purring and wanted to be next to people.” The following day, Dr. J’mai Gayle, Director of Surgery, repaired Tuffie’s fractured hind leg, and Rena LaFaille, Administrative Manager of the ASPCA Adoption Center, took her home to foster her. “She’s a real love bug,” said Rena, who has fostered and adopted several special-needs cats from the ASPCA. “She’s good pals with my cat Lucas, who acts like he’s her father.” “If we could have adopted her, we would have, but geographically it was complicated,” said Jo Ellen, whose family has a rescued 10-year-old Samoyed named Kitty and a two-year-old cat named Belle. “But we were so hoping Tuffie would make it.” She did, thanks to some quick thinking and action by Jo Ellen and Jillian. Tuffie is still being cared for in Rena’s home, but will likely be available for adoption in the coming weeks. “It was truly an honor to be in the right place at the right time,” Jo Ellen said.
ASPCA Happy Tails: A New World for Atlas
Not only is October Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, but it also marks the grand opening of the ASPCA’s new CARE Ward. This ward was created specifically to house and care for canine victims of cruelty brought in through our partnership with the New York City Police Department, and in honor of this momentous occasion, we want to share the Happy Tail of Atlas, a pit bull rescued from horrific abuse. Atlas is living proof of the resilience of animals, and his story serves as an inspiring reminder that an animal rescued from cruelty could soon become your next best friend. Atlas was rescued by the NYPD at the end of May. The two-year-old pit bull had suffered terrible cruelty at the hands of an abuser in the Bronx, New York, and was brought to the ASPCA Animal Hospital for treatment. He spent nearly a month in the Hospital, during which time he also received a neuter operation, but he never once lost his sunny-sweet disposition. Staff noted that Atlas “loves every person he meets and loves to be pet”—and with his painful past behind him, he was soon ready to begin his search for a loving home. At the ASPCA Adoption Center, Atlas’s sweet face helped him get the attention of Tricia R., also of the Bronx. “I decided to adopt a dog because I really missed having dogs around like I had growing up,” Tricia tells us. She had just finished school and finally had the time and resources to care for a pup of her own.
Tricia had been to the ASPCA Adoption Center once before to tour the facilities and “get all the paperwork out of the way,” though she first spotted Atlas on the ASPCA website. “He showed up online with a blurb about how smart and eager to please he was, and I knew he was the one,” she recalls. “I went to the Adoption Center the next day to meet him and it was love at first sight!”
After making the adoption official, Tricia reported that Atlas “adjusted to life at home with lightening speed,” and that he and his feline brother Gus love to play together. Atlas loves spending time with Tricia, whether it’s hanging out at home or romping through the nearby park, and he is also fond of making canine friends.
As if surviving abuse weren’t achievement enough, Atlas has more big plans for his future: In December, when he and Tricia pass their six-month-mark together, he will officially begin training to become a therapy dog. Not only will this special pooch bring joy to his new adopter, but he’ll spread so much happiness to others as well—and prove once more that, no matter how dark the past, every single animal deserves a bright future.
A Cruel Human Chopped Off This Puppy’s Leg, But She’s On Her Way to Recovery Thanks to Rescuers. As animal lovers, it can be absolutely heartbreaking to hear news about cruel people abusing animals. While we might be able to fathom how any human being could harm an animal, the reality is that animals are subjected to horrific forms of abuse every day. The good news, however, is that for every human that is doing something terrible to animals – there are many more who are doing amazing things. Just take the story of Eldad Hagar and Kayla the puppy for example. Eldad Hagar the founder of Hope For Paws recently rescued Kayla, a spunky little pup that has suffered through one of the worst cases of abuse that we have ever seen. The pictures below are graphic, but it’s important that we look at them to understand the severity of the situation. This is Kayla. She was found after someone cut off her leg with a knife and gouged her eye out.
Everyone at Hope For Paws is used to caring for injured animals, but even they were taken aback at the depravity of this act.
Kayla also had Ehrlichia (which is a dangerous tick disease) and a ton of intestinal parasites on top of her injuries. The vets needed to work fast to save her.
Kayla was treated right away. Despite the pain and the recent trauma, she was still wagging her tail and licking people’s fingers!
They were hoping to get Kayla into surgery right away, but her injuries and the infections made her unstable. She had to recover for a few days first.
Kayla isn’t even a full grown adult yet. What a rough start for a puppy…
The surgery was a resounding success! While Kayla only has three legs know, we have no doubt that she will be able to live a healthy and happy life anyway.
Even through all that, Kayla remains a smart, loveable dog that loves to give kisses to humans!
While we are heartbroken to know that this puppy had to experience such pain, we can take solace in the fact that she couldn’t be in better hands! It might have been difficult to read what happened to Kayla, but stories like these are important because they help reignite our convictions and stir us to greater action. If Kayla’s story touched you, please take a look at Hope For Paw’s website and send a donation if you feel so inclined. Even better, consider adopting a rescue animal like Kayla. Every second of love you give them goes to mending their broken hearts. All image source: Hope for Paws/Flickr. 5 Before and After Photos of Rescued Dogs That Will Warm Your Heart. There is nothing that we love more than hearing the stories of incredible animal rescues, especially the stories that involve dogs. As Green Monsters, we are dog lovers through and through and know what it means to be a dog guardian. From the day we adopted our four-legged companions, they became our best friends, our most loyal listeners, and stead-fast play mate. We understand the unbreakable bond that exists between a dog and their guardian and we love to celebrate all the many ways that this bond shows itself. Of all the incredible things that can come of the bond between dogs and their guardians (like awesome coordinated dance moves), one that we have noticed in many of our rescue stories is the amazing resilience of formerly abused dogs when they finally find their life-long guardians. No matter how deplorable their previous life circumstances may have been, dogs have the extraordinary ability to recover and to learn to trust and to love as if they’d never known fear or pain. Every dog deserves the chance to live a wonderful life filled with kisses and treats. To celebrate the many fantastic and kind humans who have rescued a dog and changed their lives, here are the before and after stories of 5 dogs that are sure to make your dog-loving heart happy. 1. Moxie Moxie is a former puppy mill dog who spent 12 years used for breeding before he was rescued by National Mill Dog Rescue. When Moxie was rescued his feet had been permanently damaged from standing on wire grates and he had lost all the teeth from his lower jaw. However, after being rescued and given the love and care he deserved he made a full recovery and is now an ambassador for National Mill Dog Rescue. Read Moxie’s entire story here.
2. Samantha This little dog was discovered chained to a post in the Bronx, abandoned and alone. Her rescuers were able to determine that Samantha had been used as a breeding dog and was greatly neglected by her former guardians. After being taken in by NYC’s Top Dog, Samantha was adopted into a forever home and is now happy as ever! Read Samantha’s entire story, here.
3. Patrick Patrick was rescued from a trash bag when he was just a small puppy. Completely emaciated and traumatized, Patrick’s road to recovery was long and hard. But Patrick’s story has an incredibly happy ending! After making a full recovery, Patrick was adopted into a forever home where he is now healthy and loving life. Read more about Patrick, here.
4. Luke Luke was abandoned by his family. When they decided they no longer wanted to care for this little dog, his family drove him far from home and left him. Thankfully, he was discovered by He’Art of Rescue. Luke was in terrible condition when he arrived at the sanctuary, but after a long rehabilitation period Luke made a full recovery. Just look at what a happy, strong dog he has become!
5. Fraggle When Mazie’s Mission Rescue Clinic got a call about a little dog who was brought into an animal shelter with an extreme case of mange, rescuers sprang into action to save this poor puppy. Mange, a skin infection, had caused all of the dogs fur to fall off, except for her fuzzy ears which lead her caretakers to name her Fraggle. With patience and the proper medication, all of Fraggle’s fur grew back and now she is leading a fabulous life with her forever family. Read more about Fraggle, here.
So Green Monsters, have you rescued a dog? We want to see your before and after pictures! Post photos of your smiling pup in the comment section. Pregnant Horse Rescued from Auction and Slaughter.
Nova and her colt Orion were rescued from an auction house and given a second chance at the good life! https://www.facebook.com/VetRanch https://instagram.com/vet_ranch If you are interested in helping with animals in the future, please visit http://www.vetranchrescue.org to learn more about what we do and to donate if you would like. Dr. Matt Carriker, a veterinarian licensed in Texas founded Vet Ranch Inc., a 501(c)(3), tax exempt non-profit organization. There is no shortage of pets in need, so every donation means more lives we can positively change. If you are not able to donate, please enjoy the videos and share if you like them!!! Music: "Rosa Dear" by the band Ruth. Ruth has given express permission for the use of their music on Vet Ranch. http://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-... Abandoned Kitten 3 | He Ran to Me.
Cat Shot in Chest with Arrow Deserves Justice.
Target: Douglas R. Lloyd, Eaton County, MI Prosecuting Attorney Petition: Click Here Goal: Ensure person who shot a cat in the chest with an arrow is given a harsh sentence, when found. A cat was found with a crossbow arrow stuck inside its chest. A concerned citizen found the cat and immediately called animal control for help. The cat is currently in critical condition after having emergency surgery. Activists need to take action to better ensure the responsible party pays for this heartless crime. Animal control employees stated that sometimes people justify their actions of shooting cats because they are annoyed by their presence. However, the legal penalty for purposely hurting an animal in this manner is a fine of up to $5,000 and up to four years in prison. It is important that this case be thoroughly investigated and that all means and resources possible are utilized to find whoever committed this disgusting act of animal cruelty. If the person who did this gets away with it, many more helpless animals are liable to also get hurt or killed by this sick individual. Sign this petition and urge the county prosecuting attorney to do everything possible to try and ensure this person be given a harsh legal sentence if they are caught. Other animals will likely be much safer as a result. PETITION LETTER: Dear Attorney Lloyd, A concerned citizen found a cat under his deck walking around with an arrow inside of it. It is important that the investigation to find this person remain open so that the best possible effort is put forth to find whoever committed this thoughtless crime. The cat had to undergo immediate surgery. Sadly, it is now barely hanging on to life. Horrifically, some people justify shooting cats with arrows because they find the animals annoying. These people need to be made an example of to society in order to show people how someone can be legally punished when such an act is carried out. It is therefore important that all possible efforts and resources be put into finding whoever committed this shameful crime. If such strong efforts are not made, many other animals may inhumanely suffer at the hands of this cold-hearted individual. For all of these reasons, I encourage you to suggest to animal control employees to keep this investigation ongoing and to further recommend that if this person is caught, he or she receive a harsh sentence under law. No animal deserves to be treated in this manner, and many more animals around the area will likely be safer if whoever committed this horrible crime is quickly brought to justice. Sincerely, [Your Name Here] Photo Credit: Capital Area Humane Society This Amazing Man Has Rescued Over 200 Dogs Abandoned in the Wake of Greek Financial Crisis. Whenever a crisis hits, animals are, all too often, the forgotten victims. One of the lesser-known effects of the ongoing Greek financial crisis is the impact it has had on the growing stray dog population of the country. Families in Greece have increasingly been unable to pay for their dogs’ food and medical bills, leading to the animals’ tragic abandonment. Sometimes, these dogs are taken in by kind passers-by, as happened this summer when British tourist Georgia Bradley rescued a pooch named Pepper, who had saved her from attack on the island of Crete, and brought her back home. However, most of the abandoned dogs are left to simply fend for themselves. The plight of the ill, starving, and desperate street dogs of Lerapetra, Crete, has moved one man so deeply that he gave up everything to help care for them. Theoklitos Proestakis – known within his community as “Takis” – gave up his career as a dentist and has now been running the Takis Shelter for over three years. He said, “One day I went to the rubbish dump and I saw horrible and crazy things there. There were so many dogs, and they had broken legs, they were starving, they were so skinny and so sick and dying. It horrified me. I just wanted to help them. So I started looking after them, taking them food and water and I was so happy when they started to get stronger. But the people who live in the neighborhood started to get really angry with me and telling me they were going to kill the dogs because they were becoming a nuisance. So I started the shelter as somewhere safe where I could keep them.” The animals often arrive at the shelter in tragically emaciated states.
But no matter how desperate their condition, Takis is always ready to lend a helping hand.
Takis has come across many of his rescued pooches at the local dump, where they forage for whatever scraps of leftover food they can find. His selfless devotion to their well-being is truly breath-taking.
British woman and friend of Takis’, Lesley Kackson, who has lived in Crete for over nine years, said, “I believe that the amount of dogs being abandoned now is directly related to the financial crisis. No one has one dog here, everyone has about five or six. There are a few reasons for why so many end up thrown out like rubbish. There isn’t a culture of neutering dogs here, so lots of people end up with puppies that they don’t want and can’t look after. … (Takis) works seven days a week and then goes home from the shelter and immediately starts posting photos of dogs online and trying to find them homes. But there’s not a day that passes that he doesn’t find another dog abandoned.” Takis added, “I am absolutely alone here at the shelter. I have no money. I had to sell my car, I had to sell my caravan, I have nothing. I had to borrow money.”
The Takis Shelter has now expanded to cover an area of 5,200 square meters. It costs €2,000 ($2,275) per month to cover the dogs’ food and veterinary expenses. 98 percent of donations to the shelter come from outside of Greece, as Takis claims that local authorities are unable and unwilling to help.
Takis recently set up a YouCaring fundraising page for the shelter, and the great news is that the appeal has far exceeded its initial goal of €1,500 ($1,705) and hit the incredible amount of €23,312 ($26,505)!
An emotional Takis thanked supporters by saying, “I think that I live in a dream now! I am in shock with so much support! I feel that I am not alone anymore!”
It is a wonderful outcome for this kind man who has given up everything to help the terrified, abandoned dogs that no one else wanted to save.
The turning point for the shelter came about after Takis shared images of Fellnase, a pup who had been skinned alive, asking animal lovers for their support in treating her injuries.
Takis said, “Since I put up the photos online [of Fellnase] and the work that I had done to heal her, people have seen the pictures and want to help. I still have my shelter, and now I have hope. This is my life. It’s difficult, but I love it. I work so hard here but when I see the dogs happy and enjoying themselves and learning to trust people again then it’s all worth it.” There are still over fifty days left to donate to Takis’ YouCaring appeal … so if you want to help secure the long-term future of the Takis Shelter and enable this incredible, compassionate man to continue carrying out his wonderful, life-saving work, why not donate today? You can also keep up with the shelter’s progress by following their Facebook page. All Image Source: Daily Mail UK Severely Emaciated Dog Surrendered by Cruel Owner on the Road to Recovery! Although the experience of adopting an animal can be incredibly rewarding, it is not something that should be jumped into without a lot of forethought. Yes, dogs and cats make wonderful companions who are fun and loving, but they are also a huge responsibility. Adopting a pet should be considered on par with adopting a child, yet many don’t recognize this and are faced with the reality that they are not financially prepared to pay for food, vet bills, and other expense – or perhaps, they simply don’t have the time needed to care for animals – when it is already too late. When this happens, people often abandon their animals on the streets or, in the best case scenario, surrender them to local animal shelters. PAWS Atlanta Animal Shelter is used to taking in animals from owners who get in over their heads. But a local woman showed up with one of the worst cases of animal neglect the shelter had ever seen. This dog, now named Spirit by rescuers, was 20 pounds underweight and covered in fleas.
The woman came in and waited her turn to surrender Spirit. While she was waiting, shelter staff called the authorities to alert them about the state of the dog now in their care. In the meantime, Spirit was taken into custody at PAWS and plans were made to help her recover. As veterinarian Dr. Ashley put it, “We’ve got a lot of work to do.” It will take months for Spirit to make a full recovery, but we can take comfort in the fact that a full recovery is actually possible – many other animals aren’t so lucky. The woman who surrendered Spirit listed “allergies” as the reason for abandoning the pup. The authorities have launched an investigation to find out how Spirit ended up in such a state.
Spirit was uneasy at first – likely because she was not used to being treated kindly. With a little time, though, she became friendly and loving. According to her caretakers, she’s doing great thanks to proper nutrition and care.
What’s most important is that Spirit showed no signs of intestinal parasites, heart worms, or other lingering diseases. She’s been putting on weight steadily since living at PAWS as well. Spirit now has a foster mom who is teaching her what it means to be loved and cared for. Looks like this pup will be back on her feet in no time!
To learn more about Spirit and the other dogs at PAWS, visit their Facebook or their website. All image source: PAWS Atlanta/Facebook Save Neville the Dog!
Austin Pets Alive! promotes the safety of humans and of our animals.
Neville was taken into Austin Pets Alive!’s rescue program a few months ago. Neville is a young, friendly dog who has never shown any signs of aggression. On September 22, Neville was playing with other dogs in a play yard when a family entered the yard to visit the dogs. The parents were advised by a staff member not to put their small son on the ground, because the dogs were playing energetically and a toddler could easily be accidentally knocked over. However, the child was placed on the ground and allowed to grab Neville, who unfortunately bit the child.
It is a very unfortunate situation for everyone, as we would never want a child to be harmed. However, we believe this was entirely preventable had our staff’s instructions and common sense been followed.
The family pleaded to the court system to have the dog killed, and Municipal Court Judge Clervi issued an order that Neville be killed, despite the evidence we presented.
“We don’t believe this is a dangerous dog,” said Mike Kaviani, APA!’s Dog Behavior Team manager. ”He did not seek out the child to bite, he was simply reacting to the child who cornered him. We haven’t been given any options at all other than killing the dog or we would be taking them. We are saddened and outraged we were not given an opportunity to find a better outcome for Neville.”
“Dogs can’t speak to us and tell us they don’t like something we are doing,” said Kaviani “They have limited ways to communicate and it’s our job to understand that.”
Austin Pets Alive! has created this petition in hopes of allowing Neville to be saved and placed in a home outside of Travis county.
LETTER TO
City of Austin Municipal Court
Read more
" data-tolerance="20" data-view-attached="true" data-view="components/ellipsis" style="box-sizing: border-box; max-height: none; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; word-wrap: break-word;">Save Neville the Dog! Please allow Neville the dog's life to be saved, and to have him re-homed outside of Travis County. This dog has shown no previous signs of aggression, but has been a happy and friendly dog.
Petition update
Temporary Stay of Destruction for Neville
Thank you again for your support of Neville and Austin Pets Alive!. Although Neville is still very much at risk, we have received news tonight that the municipal court judge has agreed to reconsider his decision and has...Click here!
India’s Most Beloved Animal Shelter Faces Closure – How You Can Help! The oldest animal shelter in Delhi, India, Friendicoes Society for the Eradication of Cruelty to Animals (SECA) was recently the center of widespread media attention. Based in India’s capital New Delhi, the shelter was started in 1979 by a group of school children, in a small shop with neither electricity nor running water and a mere curtain as a fourth wall. Within its first week, Friendicoes cared for almost thirty dogs and 12 cats. It has since grown beyond expectations and has become India’s most famous animal shelter.
Friendicoes rehomes multitudes of homeless animals and cares for over 2,000 animals at any given time, across four facilities in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR). Alongside its main shelter in Defence Colony, it runs a clinic in South Delhi, a country sanctuary in the Gurgaon suburb — where it cares for retired police horses, who would be auctioned off to carry carts and heavy loads were they not taken in by Friendicoes — and two animal birth control centers in East and West Delhi that run the city’s most successful spay and neuter program for stray animals. Additionally it runs a helpline and organizes various vaccination drives for stray dogs in the capital. One of the 36-year old refuge’s chief and best-known features is its 24/7 ambulance service, which drives all around the NCR to pick up strays or abandoned animals in need. The ambulance routinely rescues and cares for abused and ill animals with anything from fractures and skin infections, to open wounds and acid burns. According to Geeta Seshamani, co-founder and vice-president of Friendicoes, the shelter ambulance responds to “over 900 distress calls each month” relating to stray animals that have been hit by cars, are sick or have been abused or traumatized by cruel handling. Additionally, theirs is “one of the largest cat sanctuaries in the north” and they “have over a hundred cats that come to [them] through injuries, street attacks, and accidents.” Seshamani describes Friendicoes as more than a shelter: “It’s a place of great solace, of healing and caring for the hundreds of souls that pass through our doors.”
Part of what makes Friendicoes special is its policy never to turn away an animal in need. “Every morning, we find dogs abandoned at the shelter. We have to take them in,” said Geeta Seshamani. But rescuing animals is not all Friendicoes does. It also attempts to curb the growing trend of animal abuse and abandonment by educating the public, organizing school programs to teach children compassion towards animals and urging people to “adopt rescued and abandoned dogs rather than purchase pedigreed dogs that are usually imported breeds, not suited to Indian weather conditions.” In India, stray dogs — also called pariah dogs or pie dogs — are a common sight in urban areas and large cities such as Delhi. Most pertain to the native landrace of the Indian sub-continent sometimes known as INDog or “Indies,” though some have mixed with dogs from imported breeds. These dogs live as free-ranging urban animals, feeding off scraps they find. This exposes them to accidents, disease and acts of human cruelty. While some dogs are fed and cared for by communities and certain kind individuals, others are left to fend for themselves and breed freely, which adds to the wide pool of strays roaming the streets. Some pie dogs are adopted by families straight off the streets or cared for by shelters and put up for adoption through them. Unfortunately, adopting the strays is not always possible because of the sheer number of them. Additionally, they often come from generations of dogs that have learned to live on the streets and appreciate their freedom to a certain extent. The next best thing after offering them up for adoption is to use the “catch, sterilize, release” method of population control. Less dogs on the streets mean fewer accidents, human-animal conflict, and disease. In Delhi, Friendicoes has taken center-stage in the initiative to bring down the stray population; the shelter was assigned to carry out a continuing sterilization drive in Delhi by the municipal corporation. Friendicoes combs the city area by area, sterilizing dogs, caring for them post-operatively, before releasing them back to their territory. They also use the opportunity to vaccinate the strays to control rabies and other diseases. However, the municipal corporation still owes Friendicoes the equivalent of 58,000 dollars for its work! The Beloved Shelter Close to Shutting Down Because of this and the significant cost of medical care and food for its animals, the oldest animal shelter in Delhi recently found itself in dire financial straits. Facing closure, the shelter was unable to pay its debts and powerless to safeguard the future of the hundreds of vulnerable animals in its care. August 13th, an initial post on Friendicoes’ Facebook page alerted followers of the shelter’s financial plight. The shelter — “liked” on Facebook by close to 65,000 people — is also widely known in Delhi for its quick response to calls alerting it of animals in distress, but mostly for its effective and humane sterilization program. It is thanks to its popularity as a valuable organization working hard to care for Delhi’s stray and unwanted pet population that the shelter’s call for financial help was shared widely on social media. The “Let’s save Friendicoes from shutting down“ campaign was launched on BitGiving, an Indian crowdfunding platform, on August 24th, followed by a host of individual initiatives, such as collection drives organized by students, a clothing label named Vajor creating t-shirts to help save the non-profit and a photography exhibit featuring animals rescued by Friendicoes being held, with proceeds from the photos going to the shelter. Additionally, production company Black Ticket Films created short and easily shareable videos, giving a furry face to the cause to encourage donations for Friendicoes’ four-legged residents. A number of live crowdfunding events were held to support the beloved shelter, such as a concert taking place on September 13th — which was India’s first live crowdfunding event ever — as well as Sufi performances, a slam poetry session, and a comedy show, amongst others. Thanks to these crowdfunding campaigns as well as to the support and generosity of thousands of individuals, Friendicoes is out of the dog house and back at work housing dogs. A couple months after its initial post and a powerful Internet campaign later, the organization has managed to raise the equivalent of $91,000 to keep it running, for now. Even when it was caught in a financial crisis and on the verge of shutting down, the shelter did not give up or shut its doors: “We simply refuse to allow that to happen for the sake of the thousands of animals who would be left helpless and dying on the streets of Delhi,” says Geeta Seshamani. “It’s been a very emotional time, to go from facing closure to receiving so many generous contributions,” Seshamani told the Times of India. How You Can Help A quick scroll down Friendicoes’ Facebook page gives a face and a story to the thousands of animals rescued by the organization: from Blindey the unfortunate dog found with his eyes gouged out to Tripod the three-legged pup, Friendicoes saves countless vulnerable animals who would be out on the street were it not for generous contributions by the public. One of these dogs is Royce, a sweet black lab abandoned in the street who was rescued by Friendicoes. Royce subsequently caught distemper and sustained injuries from another dog but was cared for all through his journey by the shelter that worked hard to heal his physical and emotional wounds and finally found him a loving home. Animals who aren’t as lucky as Royce and can’t be rehomed are taken in permanently, going to live in Friendicoes’ lifetime sanctuary in Gurgaon.
Thus, contributions and donations are continually needed to allow Friendicoes to keep up its lifesaving work and ensure that animals in Delhi are not left to suffer without care or hope. Additionally, the funds raised so far are only enough to clear part of the existing debt. Donors in India can contribute funds here, as well as offer donations in kind to the shelter. You can also add your name to the petition urging the municipal corporation of Delhi to give Friendicoes the money it is due. For campaign updates and information on the non-profit’s amazing work, follow Friendicoes’ Facebook page. Finally, you can follow out the amazing example that this shelter sets by always remembering to Adopt, not Shop. Lead Image source: Columbo222/Creative Commons Kind People Go to Incredible Lengths to Rescue a Drowning Wolf.
If you are in the mood to be uplifted by a stunning animal rescue story, then look no further than this five-minute video uploaded by the Italian animal rescue organization Centro Tutela e Ricerca Fauna Esotica e Selvatica – Monte Adone. It documents the awe-inspiring rescue of a wolf pulled from freezing waters in Bologna, Italy. Navarre, the wolf in the video, had exhausted himself trying to get out of the river and was close to death when a courageous team of human rescuers got into the water and battled to save him. He was conscious but paralyzed, and the team had to work hard to get him out of harm’s way. Once on shore, Navarre’s body began to shut down from hypothermia, and he went into cardiac arrest. His rescuers performed chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth resuscitations on him until he finally responded. From there, the brave wolf was transported to the Monte Adone rescue center. A medical examination revealed that he was suffering from hepatic disease and mange. Over the following two months, he began to improve slightly, gaining some weight and regaining the use of his back legs. Tragically, however, Navarre was unable to make a complete recovery from his trauma. About four months after his rescue, he suffered a “sudden malaise” and passed away. Though they were devastated by his loss, his carers were comforted by the knowledge that they had done everything they could to save this beautiful wolf and provide him with the best quality of life they possibly could. Rest in peace, sweet Navarre! Over 200 Farm Animals Rescued From Deplorable Conditions at NY Backyard Butcher. This week brings good news from upstate New York as the Hudson Valley SPCA closed down a roadside farm and slaughterhouse for animal rights violations. The property, which was located in Hamptonburgh, New York, housed over two hundred cows, goats, pigs and sheep, all of them starving and neglected, living in horrific conditions. In an urgent letter requesting funds for the rescue, Farm Sanctuary’s National Shelter Director Susie Coston recounts the horrific scene. “The owner of the property has a restaurant and keeps these animals to kill for meat to serve his customers. If his customers saw what I’m seeing, they’d be thoroughly disgusted … The conditions are deplorable. It’s like a garbage dump with animals. I have to step past body parts of the dead to get to the living.”
Nearly all of the animals found on the property were extremely emaciated and had been living in their own filth for likely their entire lives. Many of the animals were suffering from stage 4 pink eye, extreme lice, and intestinal parasites. It is blatantly clear that these animals were never given medical attention or even basic care. Despite the filthy and highly unsanitary conditions in which these animals were living, the facility continued to butcher the animals and sell their meat to consumers. Thankfully, all of the animals are now on their way to a much better life.
In a massive group effort, Farm Sanctuary, Skylands Animal Sanctuary and Rescue, Woodstock Farm Sanctuary and Catskill Animal Sanctuary worked alongside the SPCA and Cornell University to provide transport and new homes for all of the animals healthy enough to travel. Most of the animals were so hungry that they were easily coaxed into rescue wagons. Those whose medical needs were too great were taken to Cornell University for medical treatment.
The owners of this facility will be brought up on animal cruelty charges while these farm animals will be able to live out the rest of their lives in dignity, without having to worry about such horrific treatment again.
If you would like to donate to Farm Sanctuary, Skylands Animal Sanctuary, Woodstock Farm Sanctuary or Catskill Sanctuary, visit their websites or click on their names. With combined efforts like this, we can make a difference for the animal victims of human cruelty. Sweet Rescued Cow Loves Being Groomed By His Human BFF.
Animals and people seem very different on the outside. Really, when you think about it what could a 2,000 pound cow, a 10 pound cat, and a 150 pound human have in common? Well, the answer is actually a lot. Aside from sharing similar emotional abilities and the ability to learn and puzzle our ways through problems, animals and humans all want to be loved. The animals at Santuario Igualdad Interspecie are lucky enough to have the love of dozens of different humans, chickens, pigs, cows, and goats each day! You can tell by the way the sweet cow in this video just melts into their human caretaker’s arms as she brushes his coat that he is the happiest cow on Earth. Like people, cows have best friends and get stressed when they are separated from their BFFs for long. We don’t want to imagine how sad this cow would be if his human disappeared from his side.Many people don’t realize how affectionate and loyal cows really are, but this little guy puts all doubts to rest. If only everyone could learn to love and respect farm animals like the kind people at Santuario Igualdad Interspecie, the world would be a much happier place.
Injured Greenfinch Struggles to Wake Up After Surgery
Injured Greenfinch Struggles to Wake Up After Surgery
Wildlife Aid
Last week, a woman came into reception with what seemed to be a ball rolled up in towels... We discovered that it was a greenfinch stuck inside a bird feeder! The lady said that the bird had been inside the feeder for a while, looking very unwell. The bird should have been able to fly through the bars by itself, but it didn't, so there was clearly something wrong. The vets examined it and discovered wounds on each side of its body, but nothing that couldn't be fixed by our vet, Emma! The bird was anaesthetised so she could stitch up the wounds. After the quick surgery, Emma started to wake it up. It was taking an unusually long time to regain consciousness and we began to be very concerned. After all it been through, it would have been very sad if it didn't make it through the operation. After many long and worrying minutes, it finally woke up a little confused, but fine! We released it after a few days, in a wood near where it was found.
Violet: a MUST SEE rescue of a sick Maltese. Please share and help find her a home.
Violet: a MUST SEE rescue of a sick Maltese. Please share and help...
Hope For Paws - Official Rescue Channel
Please make a small donation and help us save more lives: http://www.HopeForPaws.org To adopt Violet, please contact: http://www.barknbitches.com If you would like to meet Violet IN PERSON, all you have to do is: 1. Get in your car. 2. Drive safely to: 505 N. Fairfax Ave Los Angeles, CA 90036 She will be right there waiting to give you kisses :-)
Itty Bitty Rescued Puppies Have First Halloween
What could be cuter and more soothing than watching itty bitty Yorkie mix pups playing with itty bitty pumpkins! These 7 puppies were fortunate to have survived without their mom this September. They were taken in by 2nd Chances Rescue Norco. Now, they are loving their first Halloween and destroying pumpkins! Okay, rather, gently nibbling on pumpkins. The puppies were supervised during their entire play time so that the pumpkins would not accidentally harm them. Special thanks to 2nd Chances Rescue and foster mom Andrea for taking such good care of these adorable babies. Please donate $5 to 2nd Chances Rescue: http://www.2ndchancesrescuenorco.com/ Catch up with 2nd Chances Rescue socially: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/2ndChancesRe... Twitter: https://twitter.com/2ndChancesNorco Catch up with PAWsitive socially! Subscribe:http://bit.ly/PAWsitiveSubscribe Facebook: http://bit.ly/PawsitiveFacebook Twitter: http://bit.ly/PAWsitiveTwitter G+: http://bit.ly/PAWsitiveGooglePlus Director: Hai-Lam Phan Producer: Dawn Poomee Music: Creative Commons Attribution music by Josh Woodward The songs were not modified in any way. "Little Tomcat" (Instrumental) by Josh Woodward from "The Wake" album Free download: http://joshwoodward.com/song/littleto... Find more of Josh's music here: http://www.joshwoodward.com ASPCA Assists in Emergency Rescue and Sheltering of Animals Affected by Historic Floods in South Carolina
In the wake of severe flooding in Georgetown County, South Carolina, members of the National Animal Rescue and Sheltering Coalition (NARSC), including the ASPCA, are assisting Georgetown County Emergency Management with emergency sheltering as well as conducting water rescues for animals in the area. Additionally, the organization has established a distribution center to provide pet supplies to pet owners throughout the community. “The ASPCA is pleased to be able to offer support through the coalition as this community recovers from the devastating floods,” said Dr. Dick Green, ASPCA Senior Director of Disaster Response and former NARSC chair. “For many people, pets are part of the family. Our goal is to provide critical resources to rescue and care for animals displaced by the disaster, so that pet owners are able to focus on rebuilding their lives until they can be reunited with their animals.” The Georgetown County Emergency Management called in NARSC to provide relief to local agencies, including Saint Frances Animal Center and All 4 Paws, who have been working at capacity to care for a large number of animals displaced during the storm. Residents who need assistance with emergency sheltering for their pets are encouraged to contact the Emergency Operation Center at (843) 545-3273. NARSC member organizations AHA (American Humane Association), Code 3 Associates, IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare), PetSmart Charities, Inc. and RedRover are also assisting in this operation. With your support, we’ll continue to respond where animals need us most. Please consider making a donation to the ASPCA today to help with our ongoing operations in South Carolina, and rescue efforts nationwide.
Rescued Camels Discover That They're Soul Mates
Rescued Camels Discover That They're Soul Mates
PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals)
Rare Amur Tiger Cub Saved From Becoming Dinner Now on the Road to Recovery. You would be forgiven for assuming that although rare, endangered animals have to contend with a variety of threats – ranging from poaching to habitat loss – the one thing they don’t have to contend with is being raised as a source of “exotic meat” for humans who believe that when it comes to mealtimes, “only forbidden flesh will do.” Because surely no one in their right mind would complain about efforts to ban the consumption of critically endangered animals like lions or tigers, on the grounds that it “curtails choice” … oh, wait. There are folks out there who think exactly that.
While the U.S. finally cracked down on the lion meat trade earlier this year, critically endangered animals continue to be sought out all over the world for their “exotic” flesh. However, the Amur tiger cub featured in this article was lucky enough to be spared this grisly fate and is now on the road to recovery!
Police in Nizhnevartovsk, Russia, recently intercepted and seized the container in which the cub was being held. He was in the process of being illegally smuggled into China after his mother had been shot. Authorities believe that he was likely destined to end up on someone’s plate … just another sad victim of the exotic meat trade.
Several of the cub’s would-be smugglers were arrested while police are working to track down the remaining members of the gang.
Luckily, the orphaned tiger is now safe from harm and is being rehabilitated in Moscow.
He was understandably terrified when rescuers first approached him.
Anton Kulbachevsky, senior Moscow environmental official, said, “Parts of bodies of tigers obtained in Russia basically go to China. They are in demand for Chinese medicine and cuisine. In fact (tiger meat) is considered a delicacy. People pay huge money for this.”
Since arriving at his new home, the baby tiger has made friends with an adolescent lion called Boniface, who was also seized from poachers at a young age.
Sadly, he cannot be returned to the wild, as carers believe he now lacks the experience that he would need in order to survive without his mother.
While the tragedy of his mother’s death cannot be undone, it is such a relief to know that this cub will be cared for and shielded from human cruelty. Let’s hope that he gets to live out the remainder of his days in peace and security!
Meanwhile, his species – the Amur or Siberian tiger – is seeing a gradual rebound in numbers after being brought to their lowest level of just 40 individuals during the 1930s. Their population now stands at around 500, and a series of recent rescue-and-release operations performed by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) has given animal lovers further reason to believe that this species can be saved. To find out more about conservation efforts for these animals, and how you can help, check out the Amur Leopard & Tiger Alliance (ALTA) or Save Tigers Now. All image source: Daily Mail UK
Sweet Pit Bull Who Won Our Hearts Making His Shelter Bed Every Day Finds a Forever Family! Some Green Monsters might recall that last week, we reported on the story of Rush, a sweet Pit Bull pup who had learned how to make his bed every day as he awaited his forever home. The Society for the Improvement of Conditions for Stray Animals (SICSA), based in Kettering, Ohio, were thrilled when the video went viral. They said, “We are amazed and thankful for everyone’s concern for this little guy. Thank you so much!” Rush, too, was very excited about his new-found fame.
For those of you who have yet to behold his astounding bed-making expertise, feast your eyes below:
It looks like all the sharing of that video has paid off, because we are now pleased to report that he has found his new family! As of Oct. 9, Rush has officially secured a forever home with this kind couple, who have an amazing story to tell about how they found him.
After losing their first dog, the couple were initially too heartbroken to even consider adopting a new one. However, when the man saw Rush on a news broadcast, and the woman saw him featured on a California-based rescue site, their interest was piqued. Though the woman joked that her partner should have tried to talk her out of adopting a new pup, the pair soon found themselves on the road, excited to meet Rush. They knew he was meant to be a part of their family when they passed by a Cincinnati Bengals billboard on the way to SICSA, carrying the prophetic message: “Rush to Be There!” And if you want to hear Rush’s new guardians explain how they found him in their own words, look no further than the video below:
What prospective guardian could have resisted this adorable face?
Seriously … could this pup be any cuter?
It now looks as though he will be loved and cherished by his new guardians for the rest of his days: a life that every pooch deserves. SICSA have one very important message to share in relation to Rush’s story: “We have received heartfelt messages from all over the world and hope we can return the favor by helping other homeless pets like Rush, who are waiting for homes, in every part of the world. If you have been touched by Rush’s story, please donate a little something to your local animal shelter in his honor.” With over 70 million homeless cats and dogs estimated to be living across the U.S., and untold numbers of them scattered throughout the world, this message could not be more urgent. Giving your time, money, or fundraising and advocacy skills to a local animal rescue group is a wonderful way to make a difference in the fight to end pet homelessness. If you would like to help SICSA continue with their incredible work, click here. All image source: The Society for the Improvement of Conditions for Stray Animals/Facebook ACRES Wildlife Rescue Team: Reuniting a lost baby bat with his mother!
Be inspired by this rare footage of an adult fruit bat sweeping in to the rescue of her lost baby bat. The baby bat was found lost and stranded almost two hours prior to this reunion it was amazing to see that the parent was around the area and was so quick to pick up on her baby's calls for help and fly around us. It took her about 2 minutes to get to her baby as she flew in circles trying to accurately pinpoint where her baby was and negotiate her way to him. We stayed a distance away as we watched in excitement hoping for the reunion to be a success. We thank Mr Joel Guglietta for his genuine concern and eagerness to help us in ensuring that the baby bat is safely contained prior to our arrival. Every animal is important to us and we hope this video will highlight how wonderful these animals are and how a little help can go a long way in making sure that they stay safe. Do help us to share this video and visit us at www.acres.org.sg or call our 24/7 wildlife rescue hotline at 97837782 if you need our assistance. Newborn orphaned kittens trapped in exhaust duct rescued.
Owners of a restaurant told us that they heard kittens in an exhaust pipe who had been crying since the last 2 days. Their mom hadn't come back for them. 2 kittens were hypothermic and in critical condition. Please donate to support animal rescues in India : www.animalaidunlimited.com/donate Like us on Facebook and twitter : www.facebook.com/animalaidunlimited www.twitter.com/animalaid_india Another Win for Pixie! Rescued Calf Gets New Splints to Help Her Run and Jump.
When Pixie the calf first arrived at Edgar’s Mission, there were a lot of uncertainties about her future. She had just been rescued from life in on a dairy farm where she was rejected by her owners due to a leg deformity, and she was weak and could barely stand. One thing about Pixie, however, was certain: she wanted to live. Despite the odds being stacked against her, Pixie had a spark for life that inspired her rescuers at Edgar’s Mission to do whatever was necessary to help her thrive. With a lot of care and a few trips to the vet, the Edgar’s team was able to arrange for a set of special splints to be made for this little calf so that she could run and jump as readily as they knew she wanted to. In this video, we see Pixie testing out her brand new leg splints and from the fervor with which she wags her little tail, we think she loves them! It is truly incredible and inspiring to see the lengths that the kind people at Edgar’s Mission are (more than!) willing to go to help the animals in their care. If we could all learn to regard animals with the same compassion, the world would certainly be a much happier place! Mangy puppy abandoned in the middle of nowhere is rescued - and he's sooo happy!
Name: Melios (aka Mel) Sex: male /mixbreed/ spayed Age: Born February 2015 Height: 40 cm Size: Small size, 8 kilos Background: He was found tired and alone in the middle of a highway in a rural area in Greece, 40 kms away from the nearest city. He suffered from demodex that was spreading on his tiny body. When found, his front leg appeared to be broken and very painful. It was x-rayed and put in a splint for 3 weeks. By then the fracture was nicely healed. Today he is fine, he still limps a little, but he is getting better day by day. He is currently in his foster home. Character / Ideal home: Melios is a low level energy young dog, who is mostly a cuddler! Even in his most difficult days on the streets, he was searching for any type of company he could follow and be with. Whether it was another dog or human. He was a bit shy when we found him but once he got his strength back, he started expressing himself and showed us what a lovable dog he is. He doesn't like being alone because he gets the feeling he is left behind. Melios loves the whole world! Especially other dogs and cats. In his foster home he lives with another male adult dog and three cats. For that reason the ideal home for him would be a home with other dogs or cats. Or both! He needs a little time to trust you and the new environment. You must constantly remind him that being alone in a room is not scary. That a door is not a barrier and it doesn't mean he is banned from the world. A door is something that shows protection and relaxation. He showed progress in learning that! So the whole learning process of being alone, should be continued. He likes being outdoors exploring and smelling the ground. After all he is a sweet tiny hound! He is a bit of a whiner too, but that's until he makes sure that you'll return home every time you leave. He can be left alone with no problems, if he has his chewing toy or a bone to keep him occupied until he falls asleep. During his foster care, he learned basic obedience commands which he performs effortless! He loves walks and he is excellent on the leash, although he might get spooked when a car or a bike drives be fast. Music: New Land by ALBIS & Rags 2 Riches Rag by Audionautix Rags 2 Riches Rag by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...) Artist: http://audionautix.com/ Dog Refuses To Leave The Side Of Man Who Saved Him From Flood. Severe rain and flooding across the East Coast has forced more than a thousand residents to flee their homes. But amid so much devastation and uncertainty, one furry flood victim not only escaped with his life, he made a new friend in the process.
Jason Lee@TSN_JLee
Neighbors helping each other evacuate Waccamaw Drive in Conway.
Earlier this week, Alex Scroggins was helping his mother and sister gather what they could from their homes in the hard-hit town of Conway, South Carolina, when he spotted a dog barking and whining on a neighbor's porch. Assuming the animal's owner was nearby, he and a few friends who were assisting in the effort continued on their way in his small boat. After making several trips, however, with floodwaters continuing to rise, Scroggins noticed the dog was still there and growing more frantic. He began to wonder if there was anyone to help him after all. "I asked some neighbors and they said the owner had left the dog there a few days earlier," Scroggins told The Dodo.
The Sun NewsVerified account@TheSunNews
Conway flood evacuees save life of Lucky the dog http://ow.ly/T4gCa
Realizing that the abandoned dog would likely die unless someone intervened, Scroggins stepped in to help. "I approached him, and he was skittish at first, since his owner had left him high and dry. After I put my hand out and let him get used to me, he calmed down and I pet him. We scooped him up and took him to safety on the boat," he said. "He was almost without a dry place to stand by the time I found him. That dog was going to be swept out. It would have been only a matter of time before we saw him floating in the river dead."
Charles Perry@TSN_CharlesPerr
This dog was abandoned at a flooded home on Waccamaw Drive. Some Good Samaritans rescued him. #SCFlood #SCflooding
Scroggins was able to carry the dog to safety, after which he tried to find a no-kill shelter that might be able to take him in. "All the shelters around here were completely full, so I decided to bring him home with me for the night," said Scroggins, who has since named the dog Lucky. "I cleaned him up and fed him. He was so happy to be safe." The next day, after talking with some other neighbors, Scroggins learned the person who had left Lucky all alone seemed to have no interest in getting him back. On top of that, this wasn't the first time one of the owner's animals needed to be saved from neglect. "The owner who left the dog knows I have him, but he doesn't care. He didn't even ask about him," said Scroggins. "He had another dog before that needed to be rescued by the Humane Society because he left him tied to a tree outside without food. I don't think he cared if Lucky would die out there. He had time to come get him, but he didn't. Who would do that? I'd get my dog before I got anything else." Although he hadn't been planning on getting a dog, Scroggins says Lucky will be welcome to live with him from here on out — in fact, he might not have much choice about it either way. "I feel like he understands what happened, 'cause now he refuses to leave my side," said Scroggins. "It makes me feel better knowing the dog is in a better place than he was. If you see someone in need of help and you can do something, then do something — that goes for people and animals. If you can help out, try. That's what I hope people take away from this." Zookeeper Finally Sees His Elephant Free After 50 Years In Captivity. he Urban Elephant is an award-winning account of an elephant named Shirley and her keeper, Solomon. After Shirley was relieved of her nightmarish life in the circus, she spent over 20 years inside a Louisiana zoo, longing for the companionship of other elephants. Solomon was Shirley’s keeper for over two decades. The two shared an incredible bond, and Solomon grew to recognize and understand Shirley’s sense of loneliness as she remained trapped in a man-made world. Solomon spent as much time as he could trying to comfort her and shower her with affection, but deep down he knew that Shirley needed freedom and fellow elephant friends. In 2003, the zoo finally agreed to send Shirley to The Elephant Sanctuary, which provides hundreds of acres where elephants wander free or relax inside heated barns. In the video below, Solomon travels with Shirley to help her settle into her new home, but I should warn you that you’ll need to keep your tissues close. It’s a bittersweet goodbye, to say the least; Solomon breaks down in tears as he bathes Shirley for the last time, but he knows she’ll finally be happy. Just when you think this video couldn’t be any more amazing, Shirley is unexpectedly reunited with an elephant from her past — and her reaction is something you don’t want to miss… Click Share This Story On Facebook 58.9K For 22 years, Solomon was Shirley’s keeper at a Louisiana zoo. Solomon loved Shirley, and she loved him back. Her daily baths became their favorite past time together.
But Shirley was far from happy. She longed for the companionship of other elephants, and only knew life in captivity, be it a circus or zoo. Solomon spent as much time as he could with Shirley, but he knew it wasn't the type of companionship she truly needed.
In 2003, the zoo finally sent Shirley to what the video below calls “a little piece of heaven carved out of the rolling hills of Tennessee.” The Elephant Sanctuary was the complete opposite of the zoo. Here, Shirley could finally roam free and be surrounded by other elephants just like her!
Solomon accompanied Shirley to her new home. He broke down in tears as they shared their final moments together
“I am going to miss her," he says. "But when I saw this place I told her that there will be no more chains. I don’t know who was the first to put a chain on her but I am glad to know I was the last to take it off. She is free at last.” Another elephant named Jenny arrived at the sanctuary. That night, the staff was stunned by the overjoyed sound of elephants trumpeting. In a shocking turn of events, it was discovered that Shirley and Jenny worked together in the same circus 30 years earlier! Jenny was just a baby, and Shirley was like a surrogate mother. Free and together, at last.
Another elephant named Jenny arrived at the sanctuary. That night, the staff was stunned by the overjoyed sound of elephants trumpeting. In a shocking turn of events, it was discovered that Shirley and Jenny worked together in the same circus 30 years earlier! Jenny was just a baby, and Shirley was like a surrogate mother. Free and together, at last.
Friends rescue dog by rappelling 100 feet into mine shaft.
Two friends say they rescued a dog by rappelling more than 100 feet down a mine shaft in Southern California.
Michael Schoepf and Nick Gladden were off-roading last week near Lake Mathews, about 60 miles southeast of Los Angeles, when they discovered an abandoned mine and shined a flashlight into it. They saw a pair of eyes looking up at them.
Using sections of nylon rope tied together, Gladden carefully lowered Schoepf down. Schoepf tells the Press-Enterprise newspaper (http://bit.ly/1NenBoF ) that the pit bull climbed right onto him and he brought the animal to the surface.
Keri Berka of Happy Tails Animal Hospital says it treated the dog for some scratches and traumatic glaucoma in its left eye, which could have happened if it fell down the shaft.
They hope to find the animal's owner.
___
Information from: The Press-Enterprise, http://www.pe.com
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