A Promising Spring for Seals?

August 28, 2010

The news for Canada’s harp seals this coming spring shows some promise. Not because of anything Canada’s government has done, but in spite of it.

The European Union is expected to ban commercial seal products. As our readers know, we’re talking about the largest systematic attack on free-living animals anywhere in the world in the name of commerce.

Friends of Animals president Priscilla Feral said, “The Canadian government is still fused to that relic of a bygone era known as the fur industry. So much so, that non-profits in Canada are shy about agitating against fur. But the outcry in Europe is having its effect and is poised to set an important example.”

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Black Dog Syndrome

August 23, 2010

By Michele C. Hollow, Pet News and Views

When I first heard about Black Dog Syndrome, I thought it was an Internet hoax. A trainer who rescued a black Labrador retriever told me that the shelter workers where she adopted her black Lab from were thrilled that she chose a black Lab over a yellow one.

If you are unaware, Black Dog Syndrome is when people don’t adopt dogs with black or dark fur. I grew up with a German Shepherd/Collie/Beagle mix who was mostly black and dark brown. He was extremely handsome, and quite intelligent, which made me think that Black Dog Syndrome just couldn’t exist.

Yet, I kept on hearing about it on chat rooms, on the Internet, from friends who do rescue work, and from people who work at animal shelters. One person told me that when she was looking to adopt a Labrador retriever, she was astounded at the disparity between available yellow dogs versus black dogs. The wait for a yellow lab from a rescue group could be months or years, while there were plenty of black labs available.

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Judge Orders Protections Reinstated for Gray Wolf

August 06, 2010

A federal judge on Thursday criticized the removal of the gray wolf’s protection in Idaho and Montana as political (Matt Volz, AP, 5 Aug) and reinstated Endangered Species Act coverage.

U.S. District Judge Donald Molloy said the entire Rocky Mountain wolf population either must be listed as an endangered species or removed from the listing, but the protections for the same population can’t vary depending on the state in which various individuals from an estimated population of 1,700 wolves happen to be found roaming.

The federal government in April 2009 turned over wolf management to Montana and Idaho officials but continued federal protection of wolves in Wyoming, where state law is considered hostile to the animals’ survival.

Wolf hunts will now be illegal in Montana and Idaho — sparing 186 wolves from Montana’s autumn wolf-hunt quota.

We welcome and applaud the judge’s decision.

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Activists Take the Protest Against Canada Goose Slaughter to “Bloomberg Mansion”; Demand Protection for Urban Wildlife

August 05, 2010

For Immediate Release
Contact: Edita Birnkrant, NY Director, Friends of Animals, 917.940.2725, Email
When: Monday 9 Aug. 6-8pm
Where: Chez Mayor Bloomberg: 17 East 79th Street, between Madison Avenue and Fifth Avenue

New York City—City officials have devised a slaughter contract with the USDA’s Wildlife Service Division to target thousands of Canada geese inhabiting New York City parks and waterways. Friends of Animals and bird-respecting New Yorkers put the responsibility at Mayor Bloomberg’s door, where they will demand the plan itself be killed.

Edita Birnkrant, NY Director of Friends of Animals, said, “New Yorkers resist the claim on our tax dollars for a wildlife massacre. New York should not put a quota on geese.”

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