Giraffe dies after its head slams into highway bridge in South Africa

A poor giraffe in South Africa was killed Thursday in a freak accident on a busy highway that was witnessed by several Twitter users.

Two of the tall, graceful animals were being hauled in an open carriage when the truck pulling it drove under a bridge.

One died after its head slammed into the overpass.

I would love to know what the driver was thinking when he was approaching that over-pass.  It amazes me how people who use animals as commodities, with absolutely no regard for their well being. Just unbelievable.

Full story here: 


http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/south-african-giraffe-killed-head-slams-bridge-article-1.1887376

Antifreeze and Engine Coolant Being Bittered Nationwide

Industry agrees to voluntarily take steps to protect pets, wildlife and children

WASHINGTON (Dec. 13, 2012) --The Humane Society Legislative Fund and Consumer Specialty Products Association jointly announce an agreement to voluntarily add a bitter flavoring agent to antifreeze and engine coolant manufactured for sale for the consumer market in all 50 states and the District of Columbia  to prevent animals and children from being poisoned by the sweet-tasting liquid. Poisoning occurs because animals are attracted to the sweetness of antifreeze and engine coolant, which inadvertently spills in our driveways or is left in open containers in garages.

Continue to the full story HERE

Rescue: Over 130 Neglected Birds from Hoarding Case

The site had lots of birds -- chickens, ducks, geese, even some turkeys living in tight quarters.

Almost a year after Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary's initial efforts to rescue over 160 ducks, geese, turkeys and chickens that were living with a hoarder in appalling conditions, they were finally able to bring them to safety. They are now enjoying sunshine on their feathers, water to swim in, clean bedding, warmth, grass under their feet and room to roam for the very first time.  Initially, they tried working with their owner towards an amicable surrender, pleading with her to consider the quality of life for the birds and used many of our own resources to help provide a cleaner environment for them.  The hoarder’s initial intentions were good and her love for the animals apparent, but she neglected to see how their overcrowding, over-breeding, lack of shelter and space and filthy conditions were hurting them. She also continued to buy chicks and ducklings online and mail ordered to her.

Please click the link below to see the entire story and to view a wonderful video of the ducks taking their first swim!!!


http://woodstocksanctuary.org/2012/09/large-bird-hoarding-case-resolved/

Jenny Browns' Book Release - The Lucky Ones: My Passionate Fight for Farm Animals

Jenny Brown,  founder of the Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary, has released a book entitled "The Lucky Ones: My Passionate Fight for Farm Animals".  I will be attending the book launch party tonight in NYC, and I will be giving away an autographed copy of the book to one of my blog and podcast subscribers.  If you would like a chance to win an autographed copy of this book, please email me your name and email address to AVoice4Animals@AOL.COM  Please enter JENNY BROWN CONTEST in the subject line of the email........Deadline for submitting your name is Sunday, August 12th @ 12P.M.    One name will be picked at random for the prize.  Winner will be notified on Monday August 13th.


The book is also available at all major retailers.
Please check out the book description below.

Jenny Brown was just ten years old when she lost a leg to bone cancer. Throughout the ordeal, her constant companion was a cat named Boogie. Years later, she would make the connection between her feline friend and the farm animals she ate, acknowledging that most of America’s domesticated animals live on industrialized farms, and are viewed as mere production units. Raised in a conservative Southern Baptist family in Kentucky, Brown had been taught to avoid asking questions. But she found her calling and the courage to speak out. She left a flourishing career as a film and television producer after going undercover and exposing horrific animal abuse in Texas stockyards.

Bringing to life this exhilarating transformation, The Lucky Ones introduces readers to Brown’s crowning achievement, the renowned Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary she established with her husband in 2004. With a cast of unforgettable survivors, including a fugitive slaughterhouse cow named Kayli; Albie, the three-legged goat; and Quincy, an Easter duckling found abandoned in New York City, The Lucky Ones reveals shocking statistics about the prevalence of animal abuse throughout America’s agribusinesses.  Blending wry humor with unflinching honesty, Brown brings a compelling new voice to the healthy-living movement—and to the vulnerable, voiceless creatures among us.

Hudson Valley Vegans - Meet Up Dinner at Aladdin Cafe

I belong to a Meet-Up group called Hudson Valley Vegans.  We recently got together and had a delicious dinner at Aladdin Café, in Hopewell Junction, New York.

Now, they are not a vegan restaurant, however, they prepared an ALL-VEGAN buffet for our group. 

The ambiance was very authentic Middle Eastern and I got that “very cozy” feeling when we were seated.  The wait staff,  consisting of Mills, and several other young ladies, was extremely nice, very knowledgeable about the menu and accommodating to our needs, and the food was served at a very good pace.

Our menu for the evening consisted of:

Appetizers:

Falafel with Tahini Sauce and side cucumber & tomato salad

Tabbouleh Salad

Taziki dill sauce – Arabian

Pita Bread

Hummus

Fattoush (Tomatoes, mint, lemon, cucumbers)

Mint Tea

Dinner: 

Kepsaa – Basmati rice with tomato sauce, almonds, raisins, peas and carrots

M’ jedarah – Lentils, rice, onion with tahini sauce

Dessert:

Baklava – Filo dough with ground walnuts, spices, pistachio and syrup

Ghrieben (Arabian butter cookies) with pistachio nuts

It was a very nice evening and I would definitely recommend this restaurant to anyone who may like fine Middle Eastern cuisine.



Members of Hudson Valley Vegans enjoying the food and company.





Appetizers





Kepsaa - This was my favorite dish!





M’ jedarah



 

Ghriebeh



Baklava



The Humane Society of the United States Offers Reward in New York Python Neglect

(May 17, 2012)—The Humane Society of the United States is offering a reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for releasing a python in Hyde Park, New York.

The Case: News reports give the following account: On May 8, 2012 a police officer captured a 5 1/2-foot Burmese python in a pizzeria parking lot on Route 9G in Hyde Park. The snake was brought to the Dutchess County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty before being transported to the Bronx Zoo. The neglected snake, which the DCSPCA named ‘SAL,’ was described as hungry, covered in mites, suffering the adverse effects of the cold temperatures and may have a skin condition or abrasions. Pythons exposed to cold temperatures can die or develop illnesses such as respiratory infections or mouth rot. Mites can cause anemia and spread diseases. The snake’s former owner could be prosecuted for animal cruelty and for illegally possessing a python.

“This abandoned snake could have suffered a miserable death from the cold weather, been run over by a car, or seriously injured a child,” said Patrick Kwan, New York state director for The HSUS. “This poor snake suffered horribly as a result of being turned loose or escaping from a poorly secured cage, and we are hopeful that our reward brings forward anyone with information. This incident, and hundreds like it, illustrates the urgent need for Congress to pass H.R. 511, which would stop the import and interstate commerce of deadly giant constrictor snakes for the pet trade.”

“The staff of the Dutchess County SPCA is happy that ‘SAL’, the Burmese Python, was spared additional suffering, and now has a good home,” stated Joyce Garrity, the DCSPCA’s executive director. “We are all very grateful to The Humane Society of the United States for their generous offer of a reward to help us locate the person responsible for releasing the python. We are confident that someone will come forward with information as a result of the involvement of HSUS.”

Authorities are finding released or escaped pet pythons, boa constrictors, and anacondas all over the country, including several other cases in New York. Reptile dealers commonly peddle these high-maintenance and dangerous predators to unqualified people at flea markets and over the Internet. In 1996, a Bronx teenager was strangled to death by his 13-foot, 44-pound pet Burmese python. The HSUS recommends that people stick with traditional companion animals, such as cats and dogs, and avoid contributing to the cruel trade in exotic animals.

The Investigators: Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact the DCSPCA Humane Law Department at 845-452-7722 extension 4.

Disabled Border Collie ‘Wakes Up Happy Every Day’ - By Robert F. Bukaty

PORTLAND, Maine — When Stephanie Fox went to see the puppy almost three years ago at New England Border Collie Rescue, she knew the breed didn’t always make the best pet. As an experienced owner of other border collies, she was well aware of their need for constant work and attention. So how much more of a challenge would it be if she adopted one with deformed front legs?
“The only difference between Roosevelt and other dogs is that instead of a collar I snap on his wheels to take him out,” she said.
“People think he should have been put down because they think he’s suffering,” she said. “But he wakes up happy every day. If you had a child with a disability you’d try to enrich them, give them opportunities. So why not do the same with a dog?”

More pictures of Roosevelt here:
http://bangordailynews.com/slideshow/disabled-border-collie-wakes-up-happy-every-day/