Lucy’s Pet Ventures
Thanks to social media, our knowledge of, and attention to, international issues of animal abuse and cruelty, including poaching, has greatly increased. Social media remains the most powerful tool in exposing the reality of how increased demand for specific commodities has affected the planet and the wildlife that is dependent on a healthy, sustainable environment.
Fur Farms (China)
I read an article in November 2013 about Chinese Fox Farms. Animals were being kept alive during skinning to enable the fur to be removed more easily, then clubbed to death, It was one of the most heartbreaking things I have ever read or seen. The pictures and descriptions stay with you forever. They are burned into your memory. You can easily imagine the scene and cries of the animals. This is done in the name of vanity and for the fashion industry. It is by far the subject I feel most strongly about: horrific, unimaginable cruelty. Farm operators say that profit margins are low; that they simply don’t have the money to kill humanely. Does this vindicate an industry based on fur lined coats and hats? In my opinion, absolutely not. I do respect PETA for what they have done for these animals, fighting for justice and a ban on this trade.
Bear Farm Captivity for Bile Harvest (China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Myanmar and Vietnam)
The trade of bear gall bladders and bear bile is a serious threat to the conservation of Asian bear species. Although the use of bear bile is legal within some Asian countries, cross-border trade of bear bile products is prohibited by the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Sadly, trade still occurs throughout the region. Furthermore, the commercial production of bear bile from bear farming has turned bile from purely a traditional medicinal ingredient to a commodity. Bile is now found in non-traditional medicinal products such as cough drops, shampoo and soft drinks. Ursodeoxycholic acid, the component of bile sought after by traditional medicine doctors, is believed to provide potent health benefits for individuals with liver dysfunction and gastric bypass surgery. Modern medicine makes available a synthetic compound available which does this exact job. At the present, it is considered an unacceptable replacement by traditional medicine doctors.
Annual Dolphin Slaying (Taiji, Japan)
Each year from September to May over 20,000 dolphins are slaughtered in Japan. Fishermen use sound barriers to disorient and herd the frantic pods from their normal migrations into hidden lagoons. The lucrative captive dolphin industry is the driving economic force behind the dolphin slaughter in Taiji. Bottlenosed dolphins, especially ones that look like Flipper, are pre-selected by trainers, drugged, captured and sold off for upwards of $200,000 to marine mammal parks around the world. There they will remain in captivity performing as circus acts. In the U.S. alone, dolphinariums represent an $8.4 billion industry, while a dead dolphin fetches a mere $600. After trainers and spectators have left, the rest of the dolphins are inhumanely killed with spears in what can only be described as a massacre. The butchered dolphins are later used for food. The Japanese government has intentionally sheltered consumers from the dangers of eating dolphin meat which contains high levels of mercury. Adding to the risk, purchasers of much pricier whale meat are often unaware that their choice may actually be mislabeled toxic dolphin meat. While the Japanese government defends dolphin hunting as part of their cultural heritage, this tradition has serious health effects on its own people. The International Whaling Commission (IWC) affords no protection for 71 (out of 80, known) cetacean species, including all dolphins and porpoises, so Japan and other countries can legally kill them by the tens of thousands. Something has to be done about this situation. It has to be stopped before we impact the ocean’s ecosystem to a catastrophic degree. The documentary “The Cove” helped enormously to shed light on man’s complete disregard for marine life.
Helping raise awareness and teaching husbandry issues to residents of countries where animals are needed to help them work and live
“The Brooke Hospital for Animals” for the past 80 years, has been working towards the ethical treatment of equids (namely donkeys, mules, horses, ponies). These animals are indispensable to the people they serve, in some of the poorest countries of the world – India, Rwanda, Sudan and Kenya to name just a few. Supporters and staff of Brooke Hospital deserve significant recognition for the tremendous work they do. The program depends solely on donations, charitable events and volunteer workers. They have written a textbook, “The Working Equid Veterinary Manual” which details common husbandry issues and ailments in working animals. This was developed for veterinarians and, especially, para-veterinarians who have very little or no training and limited access to drugs and aid. Copies have been distributed to veterinarians in the above mentioned countries, as well as others, to help raise awareness on common issues. Logical and practical advice is provided on prevention and treatment of common ailments. The organization advocates the every working donkey, mule, horse, pony or other animal should have access to the “Five Freedoms”: They should 1) have a suitable environment in which to live that is free from discomfort; 2) be provided with a healthy diet, i.e. access to fresh food and water; 3) be able to express normal behaviour; 4) have appropriate company and not be distressed or fearful; 5) be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease. Underlining the importance of these “Five Freedoms” is the fact that the most common and significant ailment affecting donkeys is pain from lameness.
Providing Veterinary Care For Dogs And Cats In Disadvantaged Communities
This is another major passion of mine and one dear to my heart. I would like to help provide humane solutions for communities struggling with dog and cat populations. Mass slaughter and cruelty/abuse is not the answer. Charitable spay/neuter clinics (free or low cost) via veterinary volunteers is one solution. Increased awareness of people regarding “kill shelters” in the United States, tighter regulations on breeding pets (licensing?) to reduce the population of unwanted and subsequently euthanized pets, is another. Showing graphic images of the kill-shelter procedures for euthanasia may help the public grasp the reality of how dire the situation actually is. It is a largely unknown fact that PETA’s adoption rate for stray animals is at the horrifically low rate of 2.5%. Recently, statistics have been released that document 7/10 animals that came into their shelter were killed in 2013. This is detailed in the following report: http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2012/03/petas-terrible-horrible-no-good-very-bad-history-of-killing-animals/254130. The purchase of purebred animals to the detriment of strays that are in desperate need for a loving home … this kills me inside.
Elephant And Rhino Poaching For Ivory (Africa):
I feel shock tactics are only way we can make people wake up to the desperate issues around the declared extinction of the African black rhino. Their habitat is being destroyed, there is increased human/animal conflict as well as severe poaching in parts of Africa and India. Media attention is the most successful platform for spreading this information worldwide. Documenting real situations and showing images of the mutilation of beautiful, innocent wild animals for the sole purpose of removing and selling their tusks (ivory) may shock the public into action. Ivory prices are high due to demand. This trade is considered to be in the same league as illegal drugs and arms trafficking and justifiably so. It used to be thought that Japan was the driving force in the ivory trade and was the largest importer/buyer. A recent survey by IFAW suggests this is no longer the case, that China now fills that role. “Only 7% of all poll participants (Japanese citizens) supported importing ivory while 61% (including 30% who are strongly opposed) were opposed. However, 32% of those polled were undecided on whether they support or oppose. The majority of both males and females were in opposition to importing ivory (Male-63%; Female-56%), and, approximately 70% of each age group polled was opposed except for males 15-19 years old (wherein the opposition rate stayed at 49%). Females aged 50-59 had the highest percentage rate of opposition at 71%.” [An Indifference to Ivory poll, 2008 (carried out by IFAW)]. Media will continue to be the most effective way to educate consumers who drive the trade of these products.
