The Animal Alliance Office...

THANK YOU!!!

2011-10-20T14:36:00.001-04:00

Thanks to our wonderful supporters, we have GREAT NEWS!!!

When we rescued 32 sheep from the University of Guelph, we rented a barn to house them. The sheep shared the barn with 8 bulls and 1 cow, owned by an absentee farmer and destined for slaughter. Back in July, we e-mailed our supporters, asking for help finding a farm sanctuary for these nine cattle.

The cattle lived ankle deep in their own feces and were without clean water. Siobhan Poole, of Cedar Row Farm Sanctuary, who was taking care of our sheep, was devastated by their condition and began to care for the poor guys. She fell in love with these nine gentle giants and could not face their fate. So we worked together to find them homes.

On October 14, our nine beloved cows and the final five sheep were moved to their permanent loving home, the Wishing Well Sanctuary, run by Brenda Thomas. Their journey went smoothly and everyone is doing well. Brenda is thrilled. Without her generosity and commitment, this rescue would not have been possible. And without Siobhan’s tireless work, we could not have saved so many farm animal lives.

Thanks to Jo-Anne McArthur, we have this beautiful photo of one of our boys, Allastair, enjoying his new home.

THANK YOU, EVERYONE!!!

Lia, Liz and the AAC / AAEVPC crew

Ontario Elections - Vote Vegan!

2011-09-28T14:26:00.000-04:00

For voters in Ontario, you can go cruelty-free and vote Vegan!

The Vegan Environmental Party of Ontario is newly formed and has three candidates running in this election:

Mississauga South - Paul Figueiras

Don Valley West - Rosemary Waigh

Toronto Centre - Harvey Rotenberg

You can visit the Party's facebook page via the link below:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Vegan-Environmental-Party-Parti-%C3%A9cologique-v%C3%A9gan/283571875003156?sk=info&ref=nf

Shop Cruelty-Free!

2011-09-19T15:17:00.000-04:00

Cruelty Free Consumer officially launched and is now open for business!

Shop with peace of mind by visiting www.crueltyfreeconsumer.com

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources Killing Habitats

2011-09-08T09:59:00.000-04:00

Peaceful Parks Coalition

www.peacefulparks.org

For Immediate Release

Ontario Election - Honesty Press Release

McGuinty issues carte blanche exemptions to the ‘Endangered Species Act 2007’.

September 8, 2011 Toronto, Ontario: Since Dalton McGuinty plopped Linda Jeffrey into the chair of Minister of Natural Resources in 2010, there have been two hundred and fifty five (255) permits issued to contravene the ‘Endangered Species Act 2007’. An unprecedented number compared to her predecessor who issued twelve (12) in two years.

On April 8, 2010, the McGuinty govt. issued two carte blanche exemptions – 1) to eighty-three (83) municipalities in south and central Ontario for infrastructure work, and 2) one hundred and three (103) aggregate companies. (EBR # 010-9526 and EBR # 010-9527)

Typical individual exemptions include Metrus Development who in March 2010 received a permit to destroy the habitat of the Redside Dace , an endangered fish, to build a school and park as part of a subdivision inBrampton. (EBR # 010-9085)

“I wonder how those children would feel if they knew their park destroyed the habitat of a species struggling to survive on this planet,” muses AnnaMaria Valastro of Peaceful Parks Coalition.

In April, 2011, the McGuinty government issued a permit to the City of Guelph to destroy a nesting site (an old chimney) of the threatened Chimney Swift for the purpose of establishing a temporary parking lot and a new library. (EBR # 010-3168)

“I guess Minister Jeffrey couldn’t figure out how to incorporate an old chimney stack currently being used by Chimney Swifts into the overall design of the temporary parking lot,” speculates Ms Valastro.

The number of species affected from all the exemptions is vast, including species on the brink of extinction such as Jefferson Salamander (endangered), American Ginseng (endangered), Butler’s Gartersnake (endangered), Mudpuppy Mussel (endangered), Redside Dace (endangered), Round Pigtoe (endangered), Eastern Flowering Dogwood (endangered), and so many more.

“This government is reckless with Section 17 (2)(c), a loophole which allows the minister to issue exemption permits,” concludes Valastro.

“What’s worse, is that on the Environmental Bill of Rights Registry, these exemption notices are listed as an ‘overall benefit’ permit to a species. So unless a person actually opens and reads the notice, one could conclude that McGuinty is protecting hundreds of species at risk,” says Valastro.

This couldn’t be further from the truth.

The McGuinty government is also considering a proposal to exempt the forestry industry, the hydro electric industry and the mining industry from the ‘Endangered Species Act 2007’ as it relates to the protection of Woodland Caribou – a species reliant on ancient forests to survive and whose population is rapidly declining in Ontario.

Enough of this!

2011-08-22T14:57:00.000-04:00

Please see below, from the Canadian Wolf Coalition, of which Animal Alliance is a part.

***

As of mid June this year, wolves in the Cariboo Region of British Columbia have been exposed to even more threats:

Bag limits were removed so that hunters and trappers can kill as many wolves as they want and the hunting and trapping season was extended from 9.5 months to year-round. This means that wolves can be killed in the summer months when their young are with them and their coats are not even used. This type of killing is barbaric and senseless. It must be stopped. It can, if you will help by speaking out against it. Demand the BC government stop this unnecessary killing.

Recent government cuts to the Predator Prevention and Compensation Program have lead to badly informed ranchers taking things into their own hands at perceived threats from wolves and other predators. Insufficient government money has been invested in educating ranchers about responsible and predator-friendly husbandry practices, nor the importance of wolves ecologically. Neither subsidies nor incentives have been provided (such as guardian dog grant programs, or rebates for electric fencing). This is contrary the help ranchers receive when protecting crops from ungulates such as deer and elk feeding on them.

It is within this same region, wildlife management unit five, that wolves are being experimentally sterilized and killed in government-hired trap-lines in the name of mountain caribou recovery. This year, the government plans to kill fifteen wolves and sterilize another ten in a very small portion of region five called the Quesnell Highlands. Everywhere surrounding is now OPEN SEASON UNFAIR GAME – BAITING IS ALLOWED AND WOLVES WITH PUPS CAN BE KILLED. Apparently current decision makers do not know about the social bonds that wolf families share, nor that indiscriminate killing of wolves as a reaction to conflicts with livestock does NOT HELP the situation for livestock producers, as decades of wolf and coyote bounties across North America have proven.

HELP NOW!

Please let these officials know. Send an e-mail to the following decision makers to tell them that their regulations for killing wolves are shameful and need to be improved. In this Decade of Biodiversity wolves play an important role within ecosystems and should be protected and preserved in their most natural form.

SAMPLE LETTER : cut and paste. ADD YOUR OWN COMMENTS and edit to make it personal and have more IMPACT!

The Honourable Steve Thomson, BC Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resources

E-mail: FLNR.Minister@gov.bc.ca

The Honourable Terry Lake, BC Minister of Environment

Email: env.minister@gov.bc.ca

The Honourable Don McRae, Minister of Agriculture and Lands

E-mail: AGF.Webmaster@gov.bc.ca

Dear Minister:

I am writing to let you know that I am against the recent decision to extend hunting seasons and remove bag limits for wolves in region five for the purposes of the livestock sector. Killing wolves indiscriminately is not the solution! This can lead to problems at the ecological level as well as continued conflicts with livestock and thus producers. Funding is required for education about prevention of livestock-wildlife conflict and this needs to be a priority. Please ensure that this goal of funding and education is undertaken as soon as possible.

Please stop the needless killing of wolves. These animals are highly intelligent and social, and they have a right to live fearlessly in what portions of British Columbia and Canada remain wild enough to support them within an ecosystem. In this Decade of Biodiversity please protect more habitat for wolves and other wildlife, and ensure that our province maintains large predators such as wolves as a part of our culture and natural heritage. As resource extraction claims more nature each day, please ensure that protected wilderness areas are created large enough for several wolf packs to survive unthreatened by humans.

I also raise that you put an immediate end to the Wolf Sterilization and Removal Experiment in the name of mountain caribou recovery in this same region. The war zone atmosphere you are creating for these animals is unnecessary and cruel. I would hope that wildlife management in British Columbia would be more responsible, as what remains is precious from a global perspective.

Please let me know that you will update these practices to include moral principles and wildlife stewardship.

Sincerely,

Coordinator, Canadian Wolf Coalition

250-344-7998

www.canadianwolfcoalition.com

PJ’s Pets ends puppy sales

2011-08-17T11:06:00.000-04:00

A good news story!

http://www.thestar.com/business/article/1040266--pj-s-pets-ends-puppy-sales

Animal Lib

2011-08-05T17:03:00.000-04:00

Our detractors often argue that we work to protect only the cute and cuddly animals.

Just for the record, today we liberated two adolescent cockroaches (who probably ran back inside the office through some crack in the building). We live as gently as possible and do not draw the line at "vermin". We are not speciesist.

If I sound a little jadded, it's because it has been that kind of week, with all kinds of calls from people wanting to give up cats, for a whole variety of reasons (all of which we've heard before). I better stop before I rant.

Have a wonderful compassion-filled weekend, everyone! I will do my best to extend my compassion to my fellow man.

Lia and the AAC crew

Heat Advisory for Animals

2011-07-25T16:07:00.000-04:00

Are your cat's or dog's gums suddenly bright red? Is the animal lethargic? Is she panting excessively, even when the temperature is cooler? These could be signs of heat stroke, a potentially fatal condition, says the Animal Protection League of New Jersey, and you should bring your cat or dog to the veterinarian immediately.

Even before bringing your animal to the veterinarian, your immediate goal is to cool the animal down. Place the animal in tub of cool water (not cold), wrap her in cool, wet towels, ice-packs, or simply use the hose to bring down body temperature. Take your animal immediately to the veterinarian in an air-conditioned car.

Never leave companion animals outside or in enclosures on hot days, and provide cold, fresh water at all times. Dogs, cats, rabbits, and all other animals are all susceptible to heat stroke.

Never leave your dog or cat unattended in a parked car. If you see a dog or cat in a parked car, enter the closest store and ask that the owner of the car be paged. If the animal is obviously under duress, immediately call the local police because it's against the law to leave an animal in a car in extreme heat.
In a relatively mild 85-degree day, it takes only 10 minutes for the interior of a car to reach 102 degrees-and within 30 minutes, the inside of the car can be a staggering 120 degrees. New Jersey is under an extreme heat wave, where the temperature is reaching 100 and above and cars can get much hotter and quicker.

Leaving car windows open a few inches does not help. Dogs cool down mostly by panting and the car can become an inferno with the addition of hot panting breath. In only a short amount of time a dog with a high body temperature can suffer critical damage to his nervous system, heart, liver and brain, resulting in death.

For more information about Animal Protection League of New Jersey and our programs, please visit http://www.aplnj.org/

Sheep Moving!

2011-07-20T16:41:00.000-04:00

This weekend, Liz will be delivering six more sheep to their new permanent home in Kingston. Yay! We knew that getting all 30 sheep into sanctuaries would take some time, but now that most of them are in homes and this process is winding down, it's a bitter-sweet feeling.

So four more sheep are scheduled to go to their new home in August, leaving the last three guys for a final lucky adopter.

One home that adopted two sheep decided to adopt two more. Apparently the reunion was quite a sight! The boys ran to each other and chatted up a storm (awwww!). The new arrivals got a guided tour of their new home and seemed to have no difficulty adjusting to their new environment. Next time we'll have to try to capture that on video!

Tail wags,

Lia and the AAC crew

We're on Twitter!

2011-07-14T09:55:00.002-04:00

Follow Liz on Twitter!

Here's the link: http://twitter.com/#!/AACLizWhite

Project Jessie Shelter Challenge

2011-07-04T10:07:00.001-04:00

A New Shelter Challenge Starts Today

Thank you for voting!

The few challenges ago, because of YOU Project Jessie came in first place (for Canada) in this challenge and won $1000. Last challenge we came in third.

Perhaps we can try to push for first again?

If you are going to vote from multiple sites, you do need to "setup" each page once.

Search under "Project Jessie", city "Caledon" "ON" just like you did the first time, but after that, it will take you back to "the shelter you last voted for".

If you keep this email, you can click from any of the links below every day. You can vote up to 17 times a day if you have the time - I REALLY appreciate it!

And feel free to pass this email along to friends and family.

Thank you SO MUCH for your help!!!

Shelly and crew =^..^=

These are all the places where you can go EVERY DAY to vote !!!

Vote for a Shelter @ The Animal Rescue Site

The Animal Rescue Site

Vote for a Shelter

Vote for a Shelter @ Rainforests

The Rain forest Site

Vote for a Shelter 2

To Give

Vote for a rescue site

The feed hunger site

The Animal Rescue Site2

The Child Health Site

Rainforest again

The Literacy site

The Breast Cancer Site

Child health site

The Hunger Site

Vote for a Shelter site again

Pound Seizure - tonight at 6pm on Global

2011-06-30T15:04:00.000-04:00

A little while back, 13-year-old Brittney Johnston contacted us, wanting to know more about Pound Seizure. She and her friend, Ines, made a documentary for their class project and did a fantastic job. You can view their documentary by clicking on the following link.

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?p=PLE057383E23FC9E09&feature=mh_lolz

As a result, Liz, Brittney and Ines are going to be on Global News tonight at 6pm. Please tune in if you can!

Brittney will be joining us this summer, volunteering her time for the animals by making more documentaries on a variety of issues. We can't wait to have her as part of our team!

Have a safe and wonderful long weekend everyone!

Tail wags,
Lia and the AAC / AAEV crew

This is Ziggy.

2011-06-20T17:27:00.000-04:00

He needs a home.

Ziggy is a 1 year old orange tabby. He has been neutered, viral tested (negative), been dewormed and is up to date on shots.

Ziggy would do very, very well in a loving home where he's the only cat, or possibly with one other cat. He's a sweet, affectionate cat who loves having his head rubbed. Because of his rough start in life (he spent all of his kitten hood living outside) he just needs time to feel warm, secure and loved so he can trust his new family completely and relax enough to be the sweet kitty he is inside.

With the right environment and lots of love, Ziggy would make a loving companion for someone.

Please e-mail / call us today if you would like to know more about Ziggy.

On his behalf, thank you!

Meow for now,
Lia and the AAC crew

Hello Veggie Lovers and Animal Lovers Friends!

2011-05-31T09:46:00.001-04:00

Reminder that the Second Annual Joyful "Toronto Veggie Pride Parade” is this upcoming Saturday, June 4th, 2011! We will be meeting/starting on Asquith Avenue (one street north of Bloor) at 11:30am, and then at 12pm we will begin marching south on Yonge Street, all the way to Queen Street and then finishing the parade portion of the TVPP over at Trinity Square for a post-parade event with entertainment, guest speakers, and vegan food!

If you loved last year's 1st Annual Toronto Veggie Pride Parade event (first ever in Canada), then you'll love this year's 2nd Annual TVPP, as it will be even bigger and better than last year's event. Just like last year, our vibrant, Kimberly Carroll, TV Host, will be our Parade MC (and post-parade event MC), leading the joyful parade down Yonge Street.

The Toronto Veggie Pride Parade is for Everyone, so whether you're a veggie (vegan or vegetarian), or a closet wanna-be veggie, or veggie-friendly - YOU ARE ALL MOST WELCOME TO ATTEND THE PARADE, and help us celebrate the "Veggie Lifestyle"! Come and see how diverse and desirable the Veggie Diet/Lifestyle IS! :)

Just like last year it will be a joyful, fun, family-friendly, diverse, and inclusive event that is welcoming to ALL, yet still great, meaningful, diplomatic vegan advocacy! :)

We are a 'real parade', with a float and all, that just happens to be a parade with a social justice cause attached.

For more details please check out our website! www.veggieprideparade.ca

It would be very helpful if you were able to cross-post this email and/or cross-post our attached promotional poster. On our website we also have multilingual posters. And if you are able to print off our poster and post it around town too, then that would be super helpful!

http://veggieprideparade.ca/get-involved/downloads/

Thank you!

Holly :) on behalf of the Toronto Veggie Pride Parade Directors

www.veggieprideparade.ca

Show your Veggie pride!

2011-05-16T15:05:00.000-04:00

Hello Everyone

We are super excited to be hosting the 2nd annual Veggie Pride Parade on June 4th. This is our chance to show the world what a vibrant, fun, caring, environmentally conscious group of people the Veg community is. PLEASE JOIN US. Last year we had 300 people in attendance, this year we want double, triple or quadruple that. This is going to be fun day so put on your best costume (we will be giving our prizes for best costumes) or come as you are. You are welcome to bring along your four-legged creatures to march along in the parade. If you feel you are unable to walk the distance of the parade we can find you a ride in one of the parade vehicles.

The parade starts at 12pm on Saturday, June 4th. Further info can be found at www.veggieprideparade.ca

Also, we are sending out a plea for donations for the Veggie Pride Parade. We still need to raise a significant amount of money to cover the many cost.

As most of you know, we are holding the Second Annual Toronto Veggie Pride Parade Saturday, June, 4, 2011. The Toronto Veggie Pride Parade (TVPP) is a non-profit, all volunteer event. All participants, including performers and speakers, are there on a strictly unpaid volunteer basis. However, the parade is an official legal event and as such has significant fees for permits, rentals and other professional fees. The parade can only take place and be a success for the celebration and outreach for the veg lifestyle with the financial support of the veg community.

If you are able to make a monetary donation towards the TVPP, then we'd be very grateful! :) You can donate by going on to our website and making a contribution via our Pay Pal System (www.veggieprideparade.ca), or if you prefer then you may also mail a cheque to the TVPP at our mailing address which is:

Toronto Veggie Pride Parade
c/o Panacea,
588 Bloor Street West,
Toronto, Ontario, M6G 1K4

Thank you very much in advance for your support. :)

Sincerely,
The TVPP planning committee

3 Minutes to Help 3 Elephants!

2011-05-10T10:05:00.000-04:00

From Zoocheck Canada

***

Please get involved & voice your opinion ASAP!

On May 12, 2011, the Toronto Zoo Board of Management will be considering the future of elephants at the Toronto Zoo.

In 2008, the Toronto Zoo conducted a feasibility study that looked at how their existing elephant exhibit could be upgraded and improved. In 2010, they hired a company called Lord Cultural Resources to look at other aspects of the elephant issue. The Lord study is complete and their report has been forwarded to the Zoo. It has not yet been released publicly.

It's no secret that Zoocheck Canada has been critical of keeping elephants in cold climates and that we think the Toronto Zoo elephants should be moved. But taking that position should not be seen as an attack on the Toronto Zoo. It's not. In actual fact, many zoo supporters, including the zoo's former Executive Director of Support Services, who accompanied the first shipment of Toronto Zoo elephants from Africa back in the 1980s, no longer believe Toronto is an appropriate place for elephants.

In a nutshell, here's why we think the elephants should be moved:

Toronto's climate is too cold, forcing the elephants indoors for significant periods of time;
The indoor elephant enclosure is outdated, small and needs refurbished;
The outdoor elephant yard is less than 1 hectare (2.4 acres) in size, devoid of pasture and other living vegetation and lacks significant structural enhancements and furnishings to keep the elephants mentally and physically stimulated;
Even if the outdoor exhibit was expanded, there is no way to mitigate the climate issue (there is some talk of heated stations in the exhibit, but these are a stopgap measure- the entire outdoor space should be elephant-friendly);
Out of 10 elephants at the Toronto Zoo, seven died before reaching old age (the two oldest were middle aged at 40, the youngest was just several days old);
Records show the elephants have suffered from a variety of infections and are displaying abnormal stereotypic behaviours;
Expanding the exhibit (reportedly to just a few acres in size) will cost an estimated $40 million or more - funds the zoo does not have;
According to a 2010 study conducted by Zoocheck, visitors spend less than 2 minutes looking at the elephants (a result similar to studies in other zoos), too short a time for any positive educational impact;
Other urban zoos that have phased out their elephant displays did not experience a downturn in visitor numbers, and some actually experienced an increase (a Toronto Zoo visitor survey said 85% of people would return to the zoo if there were no elephants);
The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and other zoo and elephant organizations all agree there is no need or intention to breed elephants for reintroduction to the wild, as this will not address the problems that wild elephant populations face;
The Performing Animal Welfare Sanctuary in northern California has offered the elephants a permanent home, with hundreds of acres to roam, at no cost to the Toronto Zoo.

It seems the Toronto Zoo has three options:

1) Keep elephants and spend millions of dollars upgrading their existing exhibit and, at some point, expanding it (estimated at upwards of $40 million - funds they do not have);

2) Relocate the elephants to a more elephant-friendly facility in a warmer climate and use the vacated space to expand and enhance the living situation for other species in the Africa section of the zoo;

3) Relocate the elephants and replace with an interactive, high technology Elephant Learning Center, a stand alone facility of displays, actitivies and experiences for both kids and adults.

Zoocheck Canada is pushing Option 3. We believe that by following through on it the Toronto Zoo has an opportunity to move forward in an exciting new direction that will not only be good for the zoo and the animals, it will better fulfill the zoo's educational mandate and save money at the same time. To see our proposal for an alternative display called the ELEPHANT LAByrinth, visit http://www.elephantsincanada.com/

Please take a few minutes to get involved by politely expressing your opinion about the future of elephants at the Toronto Zoo. Now is the time for your voice to be heard. Please send your opinion and comments to:

Toronto Zoo Board of Management

c/o Dela Ting

City Clerk's Office

Toronto City Hall

2nd Floor, 100 Queen Street West

Toronto, Ontario, M5H 2N2

Fax: (416) 392-1879 / Email: dting@toronto.ca

Please send Zoocheck a copy as well. We'd like to know your views.

Thank you!!!

2011-05-03T10:43:00.000-04:00

We won the Pepsi Challenge! Thank you all SOOO much!

This money is going to be so great for the animals. Words really cannot how thankful we are to all of you who support Project Jessie.

If anyone would like to continue voting, The Responsible Animal Care Society (TRACS) in BC is entered in the $25K category. AAC Board Member Sinikka Crosland is the co-founder of TRACS, a wonderful group doing great things on Canada's west coast.

To help TRACS follow the link below. THANK YOU!!!

http://www.refresheverything.ca/tracs

The Responsible Animal Care Society (TRACS)
www.tracs-bc.ca
Visit us on Facebook
778.754.5522

We're in 1st!

2011-04-29T11:49:00.000-04:00

THANK YOU EVERYONE sooooo much!

Project Jessie is in 1st place in the Pepsi Challenge! With only one more day of voting, we have our fingers crossed that we will be granted $10,000 for the animals in our care.

This money would be used to pay our hefty vet bills and to upgrade some of our primary foster places.

For the past 20 years, Project Jessie has been helping animals thanks to an amazing network of compassionate drivers, veterinarians, and fosters - Project Jessie saves hundreds of animals every year, primarily dogs and cats in pounds that would otherwise send them to research or euthanize them unneccesarily. Thank you to all of our supporters for making this all possible.

The shortcut to our entry is http://www.refresheverything.ca/projectjessie

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Tail wags and purrs,
Lia, Shelly and the AAC / PJ crew

A Letter is Better

2011-04-25T13:17:00.000-04:00

Write to your MP and MPP That You Care About Animal Welfare

If you care about animal welfare and want to improve their lives, write a letter and mail or email your concerns to your federal Member of Parliament and your Member of Provincial Parliament. We need to educate our political representatives about animal/environmental issues. Even if you think that the politicians won’t change anything, by writing to them we are letting them know what we care about, and that this is how we decide who we vote for.

It is more effective to write a letter to your MP than it is to hand-sign or e-sign a petition. The problem with a petition is that it may not be directed to the person who has any authority to deal with it, and there is often no assurance that anyone is actually collecting or delivering the signatures.

Sources in Ottawa admit that at best, a petition might be tabled in the House of Commons, but thereafter, it is often put on the shelf. The only time signed petitions have a hope of making a difference is if they are part of a larger, highly coordinated and focused strategic plan.

However, when you write your own letter to your MP or MPP, the Minister’s office will write back. The number of letters a Minister receives on any given issue is tallied and lets the Minister know what constituents are concerned about.

In addition to writing to elected officials, it is very effective to donate regularly to a charity, not-for-profit group, or political party that shares your vision, such as the Animal Alliance Environment Voters Party of Canada. At Animal Alliance, your donation will be used to further the goals of animal welfare with genuine, tangible results that you can actually see over time.

Lynda Spencer

Volunteer

Concert in Support of Pet-Friendly Homeless Shelter

2011-04-21T15:42:00.000-04:00

A few things...

Everyone is invited to attend a meeting of the 'fringe' parties. Liz will be there, to represent the animals and the environment. Please feel free to come by and say "Hello!"
Saturday April 23, 2011

Scheduled 2-5 pm

Main Floor Auditorium
Ontario Institute of Studies in Education (OISE)
Downtown Toronto
252 Bloor St. West

For those coming by transit, OISE is at the St. George Subway Stop
Shelly and crew are at the All About Pets Show this weekend, at the International Centre. Again, please feel free to stop by our booth, chat and meet a few small critters in Project Jessie's care!

And finally, for those who will be in Toronto on May 7, 2011, a concert is being held, with a donation to the Fred Victor Centre, a pet-friendly homeless shelter.

Visit www.cantorescelestes.com for more info.

Wildlife Rehab in Ontario

2011-04-11T12:59:00.001-04:00

By Barry Kent MacKay

A supporter recently wrote about an all-too-familiar problem. He had an adult raccoon in the attic and called an animal control service.   The company live-trapped the animal in order to relocate it. But after catching the animal they called back to say “...they had killed the raccoon for no apparent reason.”

I won’t name the company, but I will say that I have had complaints about the same company before.

Then, according to the correspondent, the company called back to say they thought the animal they had killed had babies.   That should have been determined before trapping was even considered.

The writer checked the attic and found six baby raccoons. He wrote, “This seemed like a very sketchy company from the get go and when my mom had told them that we found the babies and were looking for a home for them, they immediately came and picked them up (I was not aware of this). I talked to a good friend who works for the ministry [of natural resources] and she informed me that the babies cannot live without the mother and since the mother was already dead, the babies were killed as well. I am absolutely furious that they killed the mother knowing it had babies.”

The writer claimed he had “found a place that would have taken care” of the baby raccoons, but that the wildlife control company “...told us that it is illegal to posses these wild animals and that they had to pick them up right away.”

The story illustrates exactly what is wrong in Ontario and with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.

The “good friend” who works for the Ministry was wrong. Orphaned raccoon babies can be raised by humans who are properly trained and equipped to do so, in a manner that allows them to survive in the wild. The process by which this happens is called “wildlife rehabilitation”, or “wildlife rehab” and it and the knowledge and procedures to do it successfully for raccoons are very well established. Success, in terms of giving the orphan babies a chance equal to what they would have experienced had their mother been left alone, has been confirmed by research.

Of course the mother animal should never have been removed, let alone killed, and a reputable service would never have done any of this, seeking first to leave the animals in place for the short time it takes until the mother could tend to the young away from the attic, and then rendering the attic raccoon-proof.

But here is the irony. In order to qualify for a license to do animal control, you face virtually no restriction, and can pretty much do as you please, and neither the public nor the animals are protected against unscrupulous companies providing bad, and lethal, “service” and lying about it, as well.

But to qualify for a license to do wildlife rehab one must face onerous restrictions and control, some of which seem designed to prevent people from ever wanting to acquire the necessary permit. Also, some of the restrictions do not allow, in the opinion of many wildlife rehabbers, the best likelihood of the animals surviving. Many would-be rehabbers have been forced to either quit providing this service, or to go underground, meaning they can’t make their services known, and thus are not known to the public who needs them.   The result of this is that many people who lack proper training and equipment try to raise orphaned animals on their own, often with disastrous results to the animal. It is illegal to move an animal more than a kilometre from where it was captured so even if the animal control company were to move the animal, it would return.

I am as angry as our correspondent is at the wildlife control company involved, and others who are no better, but to stop them requires better legislation than exists, and that includes laws that support, not oppose, the practice of wildlife rehabilitation, the most important part of which is educating the public about the nature of “problem” animal situations and how to deal with them effectively and humanely. But mainly I blame Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty and his government for reneging on promises to reform the situation to allow a more balanced approach with wide representation from the wildlife rehab community to address the problems and work out resolutions.   It was a sham, and results in the deaths of animals who could be and should be saved, and in putting the public at risk to the shoddy charlatans who too often inhabit the animal control industry.

Help Us Help the Horses!

2011-04-07T17:54:00.000-04:00

From The Canadian Horse Defence Coalition, of which Animal Alliance is a part.

***

Election 2011 – what you can do to help horses!

Dear Horse Defenders,

The federal election is just around the corner, and we can use this opportunity to bring the issue of horse slaughter to the forefront.

On behalf of the horses we fight for it is our hope that you would take a few minutes to send the form letter shown below to each of the candidates in your riding. Please feel free to modify it as you see fit.

Your local candidate can be found here:

http://www.elections.ca/content.aspx?section=ele&dir=41ge&document=index&lang=e#1

Please forward any responses you receive to: info@defendhorsescanada.org.

Many thanks from the Canadian Horse Defence Coalition
___________________________________________

Dear ______________:

With the federal election pending, I would like clarification from you and your Party on an issue that is of great importance to me – the slaughter of horses for human consumption.

My view is that horses are companion animals and, as such, should never be slaughtered as a food item.

The cruelty inflicted upon these animals can be viewed here: http://www.defendhorsescanada.org/ChambersofCarnage.html.

I am also concerned about food safety, as horses are regularly given drugs that are known to be unsafe for human consumption. One of these drugs, Phenylbutazone, is strictly prohibited and should never have been administered to horses that are to be slaughtered for meat. In addition, virtually every dewormer or other equine medication has a warning printed on the label, “Not for use in food animals”. These concerns should be reason enough to ban the slaughter of horses in Canada.

As you may know, Bill C-544 was tabled by MP Alex Atamanenko in June 2010. This bill called for an outright ban on the import and export of horsemeat as well as the live export of horses for human consumption: http://www2.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?DocId=4633655&Language=e&Mode=1.

As a voter and a concerned citizen, I would like to hear from you regarding your views on horse slaughter.
Thank you. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,

ACTION ALERT ! Big Lakes Alberta Wolf Bounty.

2011-03-22T14:36:00.000-04:00

On behalf of the Canadian Wolf Coalition, of which we are a part.

Please help us put an end to this misguided cruelty.
***

Problem: Rural Municipality of Big Lakes Alberta began offering a $300 bounty on wolves in September 2010. In just In just 7 months 63 wolves killed and claimed!

Why?: Because not all of these wolves have killed livestock, and many likely never would have.

Because the executives of the Big Lakes rural municipality refuse to respond to our concerns and recommendations, or even those of Fish and Wildlife who presented to the council about alternative solutions.

This is $18,900 paid out in tax dollars which could have gone to prevention through improved husbandry practices, education about how to reduce conflicts between predators and livestock, or many other areas in need of funding???

Will the bounty work? No! Because decades of research show that bounties are not effective in the long term for reducing livestock losses to predators, so wolves are being killed needlessly. Other wolves will move in to fill vacant territories. Remember that not all wolves kill livestock.

Issues: What right does this municipality have to disrupt a top predator that is a natural resource to You? The ecological role of wolves as top predators and keystone species means they help maintain biodiversity and healthy ecosystems.

· This unethical act in the name of livestock protection is NOT being supported by Alberta Agriculture.

· Livestock producers need to take some responsibility and promote responsible husbandry practices.

· Many of the wolves being claimed are not even by livestock producers! This is a cash grab.

Action: Phone or e-mail the following people to let them know that you do not support these unnecessary actions in the name of livestock loss prevention. Wolf bounties are immoral and irresponsible. Please politely urge them to do what they can to see this stopped!

Please cc: info@northernlightswildlife.com on all emails.

People to Contact:

Municipal council through the executive secretary of the Big Lakes Municipality (Amanda) execsecretary@mdbiglakes.ca

780-523-5955 or toll free 1-866-523-5955

Association of Alberta Agriculture Fieldmen for Municipal District of Big Lakes agassist@mdbiglakes.ca 780-523-5955

agriculture@mdbiglakes.ca 780-523-5955

Alberta Minister of Agriculture Jack Hayden agriculture.minister@gov.ab.ca 780-427-2137

Alberta Sustainable Resource Development Mel Knight srd.infocent@gov.ab.ca 780-415-4815

Alberta Minister of Environment Rob Renner complaints: 1-800-222-6514 env.infocent@gov.ab.ca

Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach premier@gov.ab.ca 780-427-2251

Alberta Fish and Wildlife program manager enforcement field services steven.cross@gov.ab.ca

Visit Canadian Wolf Coalition’s website for more information: http://www.canadianwolfcoalition.com/

Deer article from "Ancaster News"

2011-02-24T09:40:00.000-05:00

Deer kill may spur more breeding, zoologist contends MNR report supporting hunt lacks science, committee told

By RICHARD LEITNER, NEWS STAFF

Feb 23, 2011

There are many good reasons to leave the deer at Iroquoia Heights Conservation Area alone, a zoologist for a leading animal-welfare group says – including that they will just breed more if threatened by hunting.

Dr. David Lavigne, science advisor to the International Fund for Animal Welfare, told a committee studying the situation that whether the area has too many deer is a value judgment, not a scientific one.

For that reason, he objects to York University forest ecologist Dawn Bazely’s recent assertion that support for a deer hunt must “overcome the emotionally rooted perception of deer as Bambi.” Lavigne said although Bazely’s assessment of the ecological impact of deer overpopulation is based in science, her conclusion that a hunt is necessary is no more scientific than an anti-hunt “wanted” poster featuring a frightened deer in gun sights.

Scientific discourse “It is full of emotional and political discourse, not scientific discourse,” he told the Hamilton Conservation Authority’s deer management advisory committee.

“People purporting to be scientists will accuse those who are defending the animals as being emotional. Well, humans are emotional, but I don’t think Bambi lovers are any more or less emotional than those who promote culling.” The Ministry of Natural Resources conducted an aerial survey in January 2009 that counted 102 in a 66-hectare section of Iroquoia Heights – 90 more than it considers healthy – and is recommending a cull.

In a presentation last October, Bazely told the committee it’s “not debatable” that deer populations of more than 10 per square kilometre kill future trees because they eat any new growth up to two metres above ground.

While she said any decision to kill deer to save trees is a value judgment, she also accused the Animal Alliance of Canada of exploiting the “Bambi” factor to oppose any hunt and of ignoring the damage deer are doing at Iroquois Heights.

Lavigne, a former University of Guelph zoology professor, said killing the deer may have unintended consequences, including that they will breed more if their numbers drop, requiring ongoing hunts to keep their population down.

But he also cautioned the committee against using a single survey to justify the hunt, criticizing the MNR’s conclusion that failing to act will only see numbers rise.

“How can you talk about a population increase or increased damage when you haven’t established a baseline, collected a series of data points and done the analysis?” Lavigne said.

“This, I would argue, is not science.” Tony Perri, who lives in the area and sits on the authority’s board of directors, said he agrees whether or not to allow a hunt is a value judgment, but his decision will be based on what’s best for humans.

He said there may be ways to avoid a hunt, like better lighting on dark stretches of road where they pose a traffic hazard, but public safety is his priority.

“I can live with them eating my vegetables and I don’t have a vegetable garden anymore.

We still get excited when one of the kids says, ‘Oh, there’s a deer in the backyard.’ Everybody jumps up,” Perri said.

“What I don’t want on my conscience is some parent saying to me the worst thing happened because you guys didn’t do anything about the deer overpopulation.” The conservation authority is seeking the public’s input on the deer debate, including through surveys mailed to about 400 homes in the immediate vicinity of Iroquoia Heights.

The survey is available online at http://www.conservationhamilton.ca/iroquoia- heights-community-survey.

The Weeks Ahead

2011-02-08T15:09:00.000-05:00

It has been a busy few weeks to say the least!

Liz was just in Ottawa and will be back there again for another Human - Wildlife Conflict Committee meeting on Tuesday.

The following Wednesday we'll be back on Hamilton for another meeting of the Iroquoia Heights Deer Management Advisory Committee. Dr. David Lavigne, Science Advisor for IFAW Canada, will be making a presentation on 'overabundance'. There were a number of residents present at the meeting in January because of the controversy surrounding the Dundas Valley deer hunt that happened in December. I suspect that there will be several residents present again.

This Thursday Liz will be at a Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) meeting regarding geese. The TRCA has been very progressive on cormorants, so it is our hope that a similar approach will be taken with geese, indeed with all animals under the purview of the TRCA.

We continue to work with residents in Howley, NL to care for a colony of feral cats. Just this morning we were contacted by a resident of Corner Brook on the same issue. There are so many good people working to help these unfortunate creatures, it gives us great hope that things are moving in the right direction. Rescue groups all over the world are scrambling to help these homeless cats, and a number of excellent documents have been produced in the process. A number of municipalities and rescue groups in the United States have set the bar pretty high! For 2011, both Toronto Animal Services and the Toronto Humane Society have a goal of sterilizing 500 feral cats each. We have confidence that this goal can be met and exceeded in the years to come.

And all this amidst other on-going issues...Thank you to everyone for making this work for the animals possible!

Lia, Liz and the AAC crew

How to Know You've Won the Argument

2011-01-04T10:20:00.000-05:00

Bambi has a lot to do with it

By: Barry Kent MacKay

Recently I got into one of those silly online debates, this one with a guy who believes that feeding birds is bad for the environment. It started with a gentleman in Los Angeles enquiring of a list for birdwatchers about what to feed a hummingbird in his very urban neighbourhood. Anyway, while there are certainly risks involved to the birds from things such as mouldy food, picture windows and cats – even disease transmission risks that can be enhanced when birds concentrate at garden feeders – to categorically dismiss bird feeding and bird feeders seems a bit much. But that is what one correspondent did, and I took him on.

We moved the debate offline and I knew I had won, although he wouldn’t say so, when he wrote: “For you it seems, the boundaries of your yard form the limits of the universe; what you can witness, the limit of reality; and the present consequences, the only ones there will ever be. For you it seems, looking at a situation from a scientific point of view is being biased, there is no distinction between the natural and the artificial, and an impact is only of concern if it involves disease or death.”

To this he added: “At least this exchange has allowed me to gain some more insight into how bird feeding enthusiasts view themselves and the world.”

Of course it had done no such thing. There is no solid, ideological block of “bird feeding enthusiasts”, and his earlier comments are simply condescending. And they are only comments, not arguments. The only argument he had mounted was a vague reference to a study in Alaska that showed a ten percent rate of beak deformity in chickadees and apparently suggested that perhaps the high fat content of bird feeder food was in some way responsible. My response to that was to point out that my mentor, the late Dr. J. Murray Speirs, had colour-banded the chickadees that had come to his feeders in Pickering over many years, keeping meticulous notes, and had noted no such morbidity. I remember him casually pointing to one colour-marked chickadee and saying it was into its eighth year, a good age for a small songbird.

I find that when one is debating on behalf of, well, anything, but certainly animals, it’s a good indication one has won when the other side resorts to insults.

One insult we, who work daily to try to protect animals from various forms of abuse and persecution, often hear is reference to “the Bambi Syndrome”. It refers to a Walt Disney movie released to theatres in 1942. I have a confession: I’ve never seen it. I don’t know if it is based on a written story, but if so, I’ve never read it. I’ve seen enough trailers to know it’s a feature length cartoon about a make-believe fawn who is orphaned, I think to a forest fire, but even as a child I wasn’t that fond of anthropomorphic stories about animals.

But it is much, much easier for our critics to assume that we have somehow been corrupted and misdirected by a 69 year old film than to address the merit, or lack thereof, of the arguments we present.

Don’t misunderstand me; there may be people on all sides of any issue who will defend their goals from positions of weakness, from misunderstanding. Nature is infinitely complex and we who seek to defend wildlife are all continually learning new things about the interrelationships between animals and the environment and people. But that is why issues should be argued on the basis of what is known, and why values must be identified as something distinct from always developing information, said information being judged on merit.

And we have to avoid falling into the insult trap. If I had any advice to advocates it would be to keep to what you know and critically analyse the arguments made against your position; take nothing for granted.

And finally, be prepared, if you work to help wildlife, to be told you have a “hidden agenda”. It ties the “Bambi Syndrome” as the most often heard accusation in place of solid debate. There’s nothing “hidden” about it. We are here to work against the destruction of wildlife; we can’t always succeed, and we know the value we place in compassion is far from universal. But that is what we do, what are supporters demand of us, and our best assets are facts. When the insults start it’s a good sign the other side has run out of reason; it’s a good sign we’ve won the debate, whether or not that translates into a win for the animals.

Barry Kent MacKay is a Director for AAC, Zoocheck Canada and Born Free USA United with The Animal Protection Institute. He is an author and artist. Barry assists AAC primarily on various bird and wildlife issues.

We did it! THANK YOU!

2010-12-22T15:17:00.000-05:00

We won $1,000 from the Shelter Challenge! Thank you all SO much for voting for Project Jessie! Your support from day 1 was just outstanding, we really cannot thank you enough. Especially at this time of year, we are reminded that there are good people in this world, working together, for the animals.

From all of us at Animal Alliance and Project Jessie, our most heartfelt thanks.

Lia and the AAC / PJ crew

P.S. That's Munch, in the pic above. Munch is a big, affectionate and charming bunny boy!

He is sweet and affectionate, curious and inquisitive. This is THE bunny for the first time adopter, or for the experienced person looking for a great companion. Because he is a big boy, he needs an environment where he can have some space to stretch out. He is not a bunny for a small cage.

He loves to jump up on the bed, or sit beside you on the couch. He is a very cuddly boy!

Munch is neutered and house trained.

If you are looking for a charming and delightful new companion, please call or e-mail Shelly at 519-940-4712 / shelly@animalalliance.ca

Dundas Valley Deer in trouble - vote today!

2010-12-21T15:47:00.002-05:00

For those who have voiced opposition to Hamilton's consideration of a deer cull at Iroquoia Heights - THANK YOU!

The link below is about the Dundas Valley Conservation Area where a deer hunt is now taking place. Please take a moment to read the article and vote on the poll about hunting on HCA lands.

http://www.thespec.com/news/local/article/303858--deer-hunt-is-a-native-tradition-dating-back-thousands-of-years

Click on the following link for more information on Hamilton's Iroquoia Heights Deer Management Advisory Committee.

The next meeting is scheduled for January 19th, 2011, 7-10pm, in the HCA Auditorium, 838 Mineral Springs Road, Ancaster. The following meeting will be held Wednesday February 16th.

Members of the public are encouraged to review the Committee's Terms of Reference and meeting Minutes. All meetings are open to the public. If you would like to address the Committee, you must contact the Secretary, Shari Faulkenham, to do so.

We need to make sure that the City implements a non-lethal approach to the deer. Please send a letter to the Mayor and Members of Council urging them to implement a non-lethal prevention programme for the deer in Iroquoia Heights and throughout the City of Hamilton.

THANK YOU all again, for being a voice for the animals.

Lia and the AAC crew

THANK YOU!!!

2010-12-16T15:03:00.001-05:00

Hurray! We did it!

We made the finals of the AVIVA community fund contest.

Thank you so much to everyone who voted - the support was awesome!

Now the finalist ideas go to the AVIVA group of judges, and winners will be announced January 25th... fingers crossed!

Today is also the last day to get your requests in for Project Jessie Christmas adoption packages. If you were planning on ordering one for that "hard to gift" person on your list, you can phone the office at 416-462-9541 or email Lia (lia@animalalliance.ca)

And while we don't recommend giving pets as gifts, if you are having a quiet holiday and were thinking of adopting a new friend for yourself, please remember that Project Jessie has many lovely animals looking for permanent homes right now. Perhaps you can find a perfect new friend to share the holidays with? Feel free to email me and I will be happy to chat with you about the creatures we have and whether there is a potential match.

Thanks everyone! And a safe and happy holiday to you and your families!

Shelly and crew

Voting ends December 15 - Please vote for Project Jessie!!

2010-12-03T10:50:00.001-05:00

Dear animal friend,

As you probably know, Project Jessie has submitted one of the Ideas in the AVIVA Community Fund competition. If our idea is one that wins, we would get $25,000 to help Project Jessie.

Thanks to you all, we made it to the semi-finals! So here we go!!!

The semi-final round started yesterday and continues to December 15th. People have emailed me to say that they forgot to vote some days - so I will be posting every day just for these final days of voting and emailing people who are on our e-activists list.

You do need to register once, and create your own password for their site.

To go straight to our idea every time you vote use:

http://www.avivacommunityfund.org/ideas/acf7965

Please help us out, and please pass along to your email list of friends and family.

If there is anyone that you know is voting but isn't on this list, let me know at shelly@animalalliance.ca and I would be happy to add them so that they get a daily reminder.

It would mean a great deal to the animals if we won!

Shelly

Shelly Hawley-Yan
Director, Project Jessie Coordinator

Animal Alliance of Canada
221 Broadview Avenue, Suite 101
Toronto, ON M4M 2G3

On the Web:http://www.projectjessie.ca/
http://www.animalalliance.ca/
email: shelly@animalalliance.ca

COUNTDOWN - DAY10 Please Help Project Jessie Win $25,000

2010-11-15T14:50:00.000-05:00

Dear animal friend,

As you probably know, Project Jessie has submitted one of the Ideas in the AVIVA Community Fund competition. If our idea is one that wins, we would get $25,000 to help Project Jessie.

Here we go!!!
The third (and last) semi final round starts TODAY - November 15th. People have emailed me to say that they forgot to vote some days - so I will be posting here every day just for the 10 days of voting and emailing people who are on our e-activists list.

If everyone who voted in the second round, voted every day in the third round - we should easily make it into the top 10 small ideas - and into the finals.

You do need to register once, and create your own password for their site.

To go straight to our idea every time you vote use:
http://www.avivacommunityfund.org/ideas/acf7965

Please help us out, and please pass along to your email list of friends and family.

If there is anyone that you know is voting but isn't on this list, let me know at shelly@animalalliance.ca and I would be happy to add them so that they get a daily reminder.

It would mean a great deal to the animals if we won!
Thank you, thank you!!!
Shelly

Shelly Hawley-Yan
Director, Project Jessie Coordinator
Animal Alliance of Canada
221 Broadview Avenue, Suite 101
Toronto, ON M4M 2G3

On the Web:
http://www.projectjessie.ca/
http://www.animalalliance.ca/
email: shelly@animalalliance.ca

"In a world older and more complete than ours they move finished and complete, gifted with extensions of the senses we have lost or never attained, living by voices we will never hear. They are not brethern, they are not underlings, they are other nations, caught with ourselves in the net of life and time, fellow prisoners of the splendour and travail of the earth." ***Henry Beston (1888-1968)

UPDATE - Help Project Jessie Win $25,000

2010-11-10T11:34:00.002-05:00

Dear animal friend,

As you probably know, Project Jessie has submitted one of the Ideas in the AVIVA Community Fund competition.

The second round of voting has ended and the bad news is that we were not in the top 10 - which we needed to be to move into the finals.

The good news is - the third (and last) semi final round starts November 15th. People have emailed me to say that they forgot to vote some days - so I will be sending one email reminder every day just for the 10 days of voting.

If everyone who voted at least once in the second round, voted every day in the third round - we should easily make it into the top 10 small ideas - and into the finals.

If our idea is one that wins, we would get $25,000 to help Project Jessie.

You do need to register once, and create your own password for their site. Everyone who registers, is allowed to vote once a day. If you are registered before the 15th then you can jump right in to voting from the first day!

If you save this email, the link below will take you straight to our idea every time you click it to vote.

http://www.avivacommunityfund.org/ideas/acf7965

Please help us out, and please pass along to your email list of friends and family.

It would mean a great deal to the animals!
Thanks,

Shelly

Shelly Hawley-Yan
Director, Project Jessie Coordinator
Animal Alliance of Canada
221 Broadview Avenue, Suite 101
Toronto, ON M4M 2G3

On the Web:
http://www.projectjessie.ca/
http://www.animalalliance.ca/
email: shelly@animalalliance.ca

"In a world older and more complete than ours they move finished and complete, gifted with extensions of the senses we have lost or never attained, living by voices we will never hear. They are not brethern, they are not underlings, they are other nations, caught with ourselves in the net of life and time, fellow prisoners of the splendour and travail of the earth." ***Henry Beston (1888-1968)

Project Jessie Shelter Challenge

2010-11-02T10:57:00.001-04:00

Shelter Challenge Update
Thank you for voting!

Thanks so much to everyone who has been voting!

Because of you Project Jessie has been cruising along in first place (for Canada) in this challenge and if we can maintain it - we will win $1000.

It has been brought to my attention, that you can vote multiple times a day, through other pages on the Greater Good website. I suspect this is intentional on the part of the contest holders because they want more people to visit the rest of their site.

(One of our near competitors is urging all of their members to vote often - that's how they are rapidly gaining on us!)

I did contact the site to find out more info, but have not heard back.
So, I have voted multiple times today .. I am asking you to also.

You do need to "setup" each page once - Search under "Project Jessie", city "Caledon" "ON"
just like you did the first time, but after that, it will take you back to "the shelter you last voted for".

If you keep this email, you can click on each of the links below every day, and go directly to another voting page.

Thank you SO MUCH for your help!!!

Shelly and crew =^..^=

These are all the places where you can go EVERY DAY to vote !!!

Vote for a Shelter @ The Animal Rescue Site

The Animal Rescue Site

Vote for a Shelter

Vote for a Shelter @ Rainforests

The Rain forest Site

Vote for a Shelter 2

To Give

Vote for a rescue site

The feed hunger site

The Animal Rescue Site2

The Child Health Site

Rainforest again

The Literacy site

The Breast Cancer Site

Child health site

The Hunger Site

Vote for a Shelter site again

Please Vote Daily!

2010-10-18T12:27:00.005-04:00

Thank you all so much for voting for us (Project Jessie) in the third Animal Rescue Site Shelter+ Challenge with Petfinder.com of 2010. The contest closes December 19th and we're holding strong at #1 in Canada! We may be able to win $1000 to help the animals! But we can't get complacent - please keep voting everyday!

And there's one more contest we need help with...the Global Pet Foods "Name Dropping" Contest.

Global Pet Foods has always been very supportive of Project Jessie, and the Global store in Alliston, ON always features one or two of our adoptable kitties. This has really helped increase visibility and helped us to find some fabulous homes for cats.

Global has launched a contest to name their mascots. The top 10 dog and cat vote getters, have a chance to win cat or dog food for a year - or even a new hybrid car. We don't have to be number one in this contest, just in the top 10. Then Global decides who the winners are.

You can vote for one dog and one cat, per computer, everyday. Please vote for "Pompfrey and Lloyd" (currently in 20th) and "Sally" (currently in 46th). The contest closes November 1 so we have just a couple weeks to move up in the rankings!

http://wildfireapp.com/website/6/contests/61519/voteable_entries/9149981

http://wildfireapp.com/website/6/contests/56448/voteable_entries/9035769

Also, if you are a Facebook member, be sure to join one or both of our FB groups. Search under Animal Alliance and also under Project Jessie to find them. See you on Facebook!

As always, thanks!

Shelly, Lia and the Project Jessie crew

Stop UBC Animal Research

2010-10-13T12:04:00.003-04:00

We have been working with the Stop UBC Animal Research group, and they put out a media release, which has received quite a bit of coverage (see below).

They're doing great work to shine the light on what's happening to animals behind closed doors. Congratulations are in order!

For the Animals,
Lia and the AAC crew

***

GROUPS FROM ACROSS CANADA, US, EUROPE CALL ON UBC TO DISCLOSE INFORMATION ABOUT ITS ANIMAL RESEARCH

VANCOUVER (OCTOBER 12, 2010) – Today, sixty animal advocacy groups from across Canada, the US, and Europe called on the University of British Columbia (UBC) to fully disclose information about its animal research programs. In a letter to UBC, the organizations – led by Stop UBC Animal Research and including UBC student groups, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, National Anti-Vivisection Society, Animal Alliance of Canada, Animal Defenders International, Born Free USA, In Defense of Animals, International Network for Humane Education, Liberation BC, and Vancouver Humane Society, among others – urged UBC to provide details about its animal research, such as the numbers and species of animals used at UBC, research protocols, research grants, assessments of UBC's research, any reports of UBC non-compliance of animal care guidelines, and photo and video documentation of animal experiments. The groups wrote “UBC’s lack of transparency to date has given the impression it does not want the public to see what researchers are doing to animals behind closed doors.”

“UBC must lift its veil of secrecy surrounding animal research,” said Brian Vincent, spokesman for Stop UBC Animal Research. “Since much of UBC’s animal research is funded by taxpayers, the public has a right to know what the university is doing to animals with public money.”

In their letter, the organizations expressed frustration that specifics about UBC’s animal research programs are hidden from the public. The groups wrote, “While published studies can be found on sites such as PubMed, information about UBC’s research, such as key data (e.g. numbers and species of animals used), veterinary and necropsy reports, and photos and video, has not been made available. UBC’s website, and both the Animal Care Centre and Animal Care Committee sites, provide little useful or detailed information about animal research. Furthermore, Canadian Council on Animal Care assessments of UBC's research and reports of non-compliance are confidential, which means the public has no way of knowing if the university has violated animal care standards.” The groups noted that other countries have a far more transparent system. In the US, for instance, the National Institutes of Health and the US Department of Agriculture post comprehensive information about animal experiments online, allowing for public scrutiny of university research.

"It's time for animal experimentation at UBC to come out of the closet,” said Debra Probert, Executive Director of the Vancouver Humane Society. “Society has a right and an obligation to make informed decisions about how far scientists ought to be able to go when using animals in research. With the limited and cryptic information that is presently available to the public, this is impossible."

“Why is UBC so defensive about their animal research?”asked Liz White, Director of the Animal Alliance of Canada. “What have they got to hide? And why is the CCAC supporting the university’s lack of disclosure? Maybe the university is in compliance with CCAC requirements and maybe it is not,” White continued. “We have no way of knowing. Yet, approximately 100,000 animals are subjected to experimentation with oversight from UBC’s Animal Care Committee comprised of a majority members with interests in animal research and the CCAC, an agency whose governing body is made up of 25 organizations, 24 of which either conduct or fund animal research. The entire system is a closed shop. UBC spends millions of tax dollars without ever having to explain how the money is spent and how many animals are used and for what purpose. The University must open up its laboratory doors and its books to allow for full public disclosure. Only then will we really know what happens to the animals at UBC.”

UBC is one of the largest bio-medical campuses in Canada. Each year, UBC conducts thousands of experiments involving animals, including on cats, pigs, mice, rabbits, rats, non-human primates, and other animals.

***

MEDIA COVERAGE ABOUT THE SIXTY-GROUP LETTER TO UBC

Group demands UBC lift 'veil of secrecy' around animal testing (Vancouver Sun)

UBC animal experimentation questioned in letter (Canadian Press wire service. Story ran widely in newspapers across Canada, on CBC, Macleans on campus, other news outlets)

Animal-advocacy groups call on UBC to disclose animal-research activities. 'What have they got to hide?' activists ask (Vancouver Sun wire story. Ran across papers in Canada)

Drop veil of secrecy, UBC. Public has right to know, activists say (The Province)

***

Stop UBC Animal Research is a community grassroots campaign that employs peaceful, legal, and compassionate approaches to educate the public about the grim realities of research on animals at the University of British Columbia and to ultimately bring about an end to research on animals at UBC. Please visit their website at: http://stopubcanimalresearch.org/

Reminder and Thanks!

2010-10-05T15:38:00.003-04:00

Hi Everyone,

This is just a reminder of the next Hamilton Deer Management Advisory Committee meeting tomorrow night, in case anyone would like to join us.

The next meeting is scheduled for October 6th at 7pm in the Murray Ferguson Room (Ancaster Municipal Building), with possible presenters including Hamilton Police Services, to speak about by-laws, and Stacey Baker, Senior Program Consultant for Enteric, Zoonotic and Vector-borne Diseases, Ministry of Health and Long-term Care, to speak about Lyme Disease.

And thanks to all who are voting for Project Jessie on the Shelter Challenge contest! Please keep clicking! We're holding strong at # 1 in Canada = )

Story Book Farm

2010-09-24T13:48:00.003-04:00

For those who will be in the Toronto area tomorrow, Story Book Farm, a wonderful primate sanctuary, is having a silent art auction.

September 25, 2010
6:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Jersey Studios

131 Jersey Avenue (Bloor & Christie)

Donation: $10

Contact: Jax, 416-837-9263

They are featuring originals and prints from Canadian artists, including Robert Bateman, AJ Casson and Stephen Watson.

Everyone is welcome and all proceeds go to Story Book.

For more information, you can visit their website at http://www.storybookfarmprimatesanctuary.com/

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Lia and the AAC crew

VSTEP update

2010-09-15T13:39:00.005-04:00

GREAT NEWS!!!

As of June 1, 2010, no lost pets will be taken from pounds and shelters to be used for research by the University of Guelph, including the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC).

As well, we have just been informed of the University’s policy to stop using live animal terminal surgeries to train veterinary students - an important step forward.

Finally, all 10 VSTEP beagles and the four cats are now in loving homes! That's Finnigan, who is having a great time with her new people = )

Thankfully, the OVC has started to modernize their veterinary student training through increased computer modeling and hands-on experience through their new community veterinary clinic.

We continue to encourage the OVC to follow well-known veterinary colleges that have model animal use policies, such as Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine and the University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine.

Thanks to everyone who made this work for the animals possible!

Hamilton Deer Committee: September Update

2010-09-09T10:22:00.003-04:00

After a brief summer break, Liz and I are back in Hamilton for deer committee meetings.

A big THANK YOU to everyone who has sent in letters to the Mayor in support of the deer at Iroquoia Heights! For those who would like to send in letters, a sign-on letter is available in lieu of a hand-written letter.

Last night the Committee discussed the ecological monitoring initiatives, jointly presented by Shari Faulkenham, an ecologist with the Hamilton Conservation Authority, and Lisa Jennings, Assistant Ecologist. Following Shari and Lisa was Art Timmerman, Management Biologist from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, who presented data on deer-car collisions and deer carcass removal. All presenters cautioned that one could not draw any conclusions from the data and these initial studies.

The next meeting is scheduled for October 6th at 7pm in the Murray Ferguson Room (Ancaster Municipal Building), with possible presenters including Hamilton Police Services, to speak about by-laws, and Stacey Baker, Senior Program Consultant for Enteric, Zoonotic and Vector-borne Diseases, Ministry of Health and Long-term Care, to speak about Lyme Disease.

Beagle Update

2010-08-23T11:21:00.006-04:00

We just received word from the University of Guelph - 6 of the 10 VSTEP beagles have homes. There were two others who were set to go to homes, but things fell through. So for anyone still interested in adopting a VSTEP beagle (or two!), please e-mail us for more information.

Liz White
liz@animalalliance.ca

Lia Laskaris

lia@animalalliance.ca

That's Maggie in the pic, adjusting to her new home with her wonderful people! We've received e-mails and pictures from people who have brought their new family members home - stories to warm our hearts. THANK YOU ALL for giving these little girls a second chance at life.

VSTEP update

2010-08-16T17:41:00.003-04:00

Thanks to so many caring and compassionate people, as of last week, 8 of the 10 VSTEP beagles were adopted and staff had six potential adopters for the remaining 2 beagles. The four cats used by VSTEP will undergo their anaesthesia this week, and after being recovered, all will go home to wonderful adoptive families.

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH for making this possible for the animals.

As I've said before, additional dogs will be available soon, so if anyone is still interested in adopting a research animal, please give the University a call. The person to call at the University's Central Animal Facility is Annette Morrison, one of the animal care technicians. She is responsible for adoptions and can tell you about the other dogs they have.

Annette Morrison
1-519-824-4120 ext: 54308

As well, two of the three beagles in a shelter waiting to enter our Project Jessie programme have been adopted. Yay!

We really cannot thank you enough, on behalf of the animals.

Lia and the AAC crew

Congratulations to the City of Toronto!

2010-08-10T11:26:00.003-04:00

Jacqui and I attended the official opening of the City's new spay / neuter clinic last night. How wonderful it was to see everyone's hard work for the animals paying off. The clinic is just opening its doors this month and will be available for their own adoptable animals (from their 4 Toronto Animal Services locations). A fantastic new service is the offer of free spays/neuters for feral kitties. It has been a lot of work and organization - well done everyone involved!!!

Aside from a few kinks that need to be ironed out, the clinic is well on its way to making Toronto's ferals happier, healthier kitties - yay!

Feral cat caregivers can take advantage of traps loaned out by the City to catch ferals for sterilization. All the necessary information and forms will soon be available through Toronto Animal Services' website. In the mean time, caregivers who wish to use the program will need to register the colony and take a TNR workshop (see below for details). Caregivers can contact the Toronto Animal Services clerk at 416-338-6281 for a sterilization appointment upon completion of the workshop.

With this new service and a push for more responsible pet ownership through licensing, Toronto is well on its way to becoming a model city, like Calgary.

A big 'Thank you' too to everyone who contacted us about the beagles at the University of Guelph. Adoption applications are being reviewed and interviews are being set up. The University should have no trouble finding 10 suitable homes for the girls. Additional dogs will be available soon, so if anyone is still interested in adopting a research animals, please give them a call. The person to call at the University's Central Animal Facility is Annette Morrison, one of the animal care technicians. She is responsible for adoptions and can tell you about the other dogs they have.

Annette Morrison
1-519-824-4120 ext: 54308

Alternatively, we have 4 beagles currently waiting to come into the Project Jessie program who would love to go straight into new homes.

We also have 4 cats that will be coming out of the same Guelph VSTEP program towards the end of August. If you are looking to adopt a pair of these cats, please let us know.

Tail wags,
Lia and the AAC crew

***

TNR and Feral Care Workshop
Toronto (East York), Saturday, August 21st

Dear Colony Caretakers,

The next in our series of workshops on TNR and feral colony care will take place in East York:
Anyone interested in feral cat care and population control is most welcome to attend.

This is the perfect time to plan your spay/neuter project and get cats ready for the season-that-shall-not-be-named.

Trap-Neuter-Return and Feral Colony Management

Date: Saturday, August 21st, 2010
Time: 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m
Location: East York Civic Centre, Committee Room A
850 Coxwell Avenue (Coxwell and Mortimer) http://www.toronto.ca/311/assets/PDFs/map_east_york_civic_centre.pdf

Caretakers who would like to access the new Toronto Animal Services clinic for free spays or neuters for ferals must attend a TNR workshop, and register their colony with the Toronto Feral Cat Survey http://www.feraltoronto.com/en/register/.

Workshops are offered monthly in different locations in the city of Toronto.

*Please note that registration for this workshop is by mail only and space is very limited*

Deborah Chalmers
Toronto Feral Cat Project
http://www.feraltoronto.com/

Great News!

2010-08-03T17:16:00.002-04:00

For Immediate Release: August 3, 2010

ANIMAL PROTECTION COALITION APPLAUDS INTERNATIONAL ADOPTION OF REPLACEMENT TO CRUEL RABBIT “DRAIZE TEST”

New International Guideline Lauded as Global Standard for Skin Irritation Testing

Toronto––After more than a decade of scientific research and lobbying by animal protection advocates, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) test guidelines programme has approved a new, internationally agreed nonanimal approach for skin irritation testing. The guideline was adopted on July 22 and it is now available for use by companies and governments worldwide.

The OECD guideline allows for the use of three artificial human skin models engineered by SkinEthic in Nic e, France, and MatTek of Ashland, USA, or other methods that meet the guideline’s specifications.

These methods in all but a few circumstances will fully replace the 1940s-era Draize rabbit skin test, which entails the application of a test chemical to the shaved, raw skin on the backs of rabbits.

These new methods, however, provide a humane—and more accurate—assessment of the potential damage a substance poses to human skin. Manufacturers use excess skin cells from surgical procedures to construct a three-dimensional skin model that closely mimics the properties of human skin. Substances are applied to the skin model to assess the potential for skin damage when used in industrial or consumer applications.

As OECD invited experts, the International Council for Animal Protection in OECD Programmes (ICAPO) provided scientific expertise that helped create the new guideline and ensure its acceptance. In addition, ICAPO members have individually lobbied for regional acceptance of in vitro skin irritation tests or provided direct financial support for the rigorous scientific trials that demonstrated the efficacy of one of the new methods.

“The science of safety testing has come a long way since the 1940s,” says Troy Seidle, who represents ICAPO member Animal Alliance of Canada. “By embracing new testing methods based on 21st century science, OECD countries are making a vital statement that the goals of animal, human health, and environmental protection are not mutually exclusive.”

The OECD produces safety-testing guidelines for its 31 member nations, which represent many of the world’s largest economies.

The new guideline is available at http://bit.ly/b2KNYM.

– 30 –

ICAPO comprises 11 animal protection organisations from North America, Europe and Asia for a combined representation of over 20 million citizens, and is dedicated to the replacement, reduction, and refinement of animals in OECD guidelines and other programs. Online at ICAPO.org.

On Behalf of the Guelph Beagles, Thank You!

2010-07-29T16:13:00.002-04:00

There has been a tremendous outpouring of support for the little beagles from the VSTEP programme in Guelph. We have been in touch with a number of people who sound like ideal adoptive families, so many that we are confident the staff at the Central Animal Facility (CAF) will be able to find homes for them all. We hear from potential adopters that CAF staff have responded promptly to phone calls. They will screen applicants and arrange for interviews. We want to thank the CAF staff for making sure the beagles find loving, permanent homes.

If anyone is still interested in adopting an animal from the University, please feel free to call CAF Animal Care Technician Annette Morrison at 1-519-824-4120 ext: 54308 for more information. There are other animals who are up for adoption and are in need of a second chance.

The University has made significant advances by no longer purchasing lost pets from pounds and shelters and by agreeing to recover these 10 beagles. We encourage the University to continue with their progress by ending live terminal surgeries during the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree programme at the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC). We have been contacted by a number of veterinarians who are excited by the prospect of change, not just at VSTEP but at the OVC as well. We all eagerly await the University's decision.

As an aside, if you are in the Guelph area and would like to help, the Central Animal Facility also has a volunteer programme for those interesting in spending time with the animals. To find out more about their dog, cat, rabbit, guinea pig and rat volunteer programs, contact them at 519- 824-4120 Ext. 54311. As well, there are many volunteer opportunities available to you at the OVC Teaching Hospital. For more information visit http://www.ovc.uoguelph.ca/future/dvm/volunteer/

Again, on behalf of the the beagles and from all of us at Animal Alliance, THANK YOU!!!

Liz and the Animal Alliance crew

416-462-9541 ext: 23
liz@animalalliance.ca

University of Guelph Beagles Need Homes!

2010-07-26T11:59:00.002-04:00

Beagles at the University of Guelph need our help. Please let us explain the situation.

For the past few months, Animal Alliance has been working to rescue beagles used in the Veterinary Skills Training and Enhancement Program (VSTEP). VSTEP is a program for international vets who want to practice in Ontario. Typically, the beagles are spayed then euthanized. We've said to the manager of VSTEP that the beagles do not have to die, that Animal Alliance can find them loving homes. After a great deal of pressure from us, the beagles are going to be recovered but adopted out only to individuals, not released to Animal Alliance's care.

If you have been thinking about adopting a dog, we have been informed that these beagles are sweet, lovely little girls. There are 10 beagles, all female and approximately one to two years of age. They will likely need lots of love and patience. Most have spent their entire lives in cages and have never walked outside, climbed upstairs or been on a leash. But they are gentle loving animals in need of a permanent loving home.

Please call or e-mail us to learn more about the process and how you can help.

On behalf of the beagles, thank you!!!

Tail wags,
Liz and the Animal Alliance crew

416-462-9541 ext: 23

liz@animalalliance.ca

Hamilton Deer and Toronto Feral Cats

2010-07-16T17:16:00.002-04:00

Just a couple quick updates.

The meeting Tuesday night of the Hamilton Deer Committee was mostly concerned with tidying up how the Committee would function and issues that still need to be considered. There was brief discussion about the deer; when the Committee reconvenes in the fall, the deer will be discussed more in depth. Although the Committee will not be meeting for the remainder of the summer, please keep sending in letters and calling the City in support of progressive, non-lethal methods to deal with factors affecting Iroquoia Heights (since there are more complicated factors than simply the deer eating vegetation!).

Yesterday, Liz and I attended a meeting of the Toronto Feral Cat TNR Coalition (more on this to come). Both of us were very excited to see a number of groups working together to address Toronto's feral cat population. This progressive, cooperative initiative is quite unique. A big congratulations to Toronto Animal Services and all the groups involved for working to help the ferals!

Have a good weekend everyone!

Lia and the AAC crew

Hamilton Deer and other stuff

2010-07-09T15:00:00.004-04:00

Update Number 1:

For those who have voiced their opposition to Hamilton's consideration of a deer cull at Iroquoia Heights - THANK YOU!

The next Deer Management Advisory Committee meeting is Tuesday July 13, 2010, 7pm, Ancaster Mun. Building, Murray Ferguson Room.

Members of the public are encouraged to review the Committee's Terms of Reference and meeting Minutes. All meetings are open to the public. If you would like to address the Committee, you must contact the Secretary, Shari Faulkenham, to do so.

Click on the following link for more information on Hamilton's Deer Management Advisory Committee.

UPDATE Number 2: from the Canadian Horse Defence Coalition

Canada has its first Bill to ban horse slaughter! A big thank you to NDP MP Alex Atamanenko and horse supporters everywhere for this huge, historical step toward banning horse slaughter in Canada.

Bill C-544, "An Act to amend the Health of Animals Act and the Meat Inspection Act (slaughter of horses for human consumption)", was tabled on June 16, 2010 by MP Alex Atamanenko: http://www2.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?DocId=4633655&Language=e&Mode=1

Click on the various sub-titles on the left of the document.

On June 16, 2010, a Private Member's Bill to ban the slaughter of horses for human consumption was tabled in Canadian Parliament by MP Alex Atamanenko (NDP Agriculture Critic). The basis of the bill is the fact that horses are not food-producing animals and many are treated with drugs that are prohibited from entering the human food chain.

This bill is a huge step forward in the movement to abolish a cruel, archaic and unnecessary industry, and we applaud Mr. Atamanenko for his monumental initiative.

UPDATE Number 3: from yours truly

Last night, my husband and I brought home Tegan, a Project Jessie cat who has been waiting for a home for nearly a year. Introductions to our two other Project Jessie rescues will be slow but I'm confident everything is going to work out. Poor little Tegan was the last of his litter to find a home - Shelly says that it's quite difficult to find people willing to adopt black cats. But Tegan doesn't have to wait anymore. He's home at last. = )

Hamilton Deer Committee

2010-06-30T13:33:00.002-04:00

For those who have voiced their opposition to Hamilton's consideration of a deer cull at Iroquoia Heights - THANK YOU!

The next Deer Management Advisory Committee meeting, which was scheduled for today, has been cancelled. We will be sure to inform you of the next date for those who wish to join us.

Members of the public are encouraged to review the Committee's Terms of Reference and meeting Minutes. All meetings are open to the public. If you would like to address the Committee, you must contact the Secretary, Shari Faulkenham, to do so.

All meetings are held at 310 Wilson St E, Ancaster, unless otherwise indicated.
May 19, 2010 - Meeting Agenda
June 2, 2010 - Meeting Agenda
June 16, 2010 - Meeting at and Tour of Iroquoia Heights Conservation Area
June 30, 2010 - rescheduled
Sept 8, 2010
Oct 6, 2010
Nov 3, 2010

Click on the following link for more information on Hamilton's Deer Management Advisory Committee.

We need to make sure that the City implements a non-lethal approach to the deer. Please call and write the Mayor and Members of Council urging them to implement a non-lethal prevention programme for the deer in Iroquoia Heights and throughout the City of Hamilton.

THANK YOU all again, for being a voice for the animals.

Lia and the AAC crew

****

Mayor Fred Eisenberger and Members of Council
Hamilton City Centre
77 James St. North
P.O.Box 2040, LCD1
Hamilton, ON L8R 2K3

Telephone: 905.546.4200
Fax: 905.546.2340
Email: mayorfred@hamilton.ca

Toronto's Animals affected by G20

2010-06-25T14:44:00.003-04:00

While we may be worried about property damage and traffic delays, animals at Toronto Animal Services (TAS) South Centre are feeling the affects too of world leaders descending upon Toronto. Through no fault of their own, TAS staff have decreased access to the building and the animals in their care. Some animals have been moved to the city's other shelters, but for those that remain, we're certain that the end of the G20 cannot come soon enough.

If anyone has a stray who needs help, the South Centre will be back to normal soon. At the moment, animals are being rerouted to the city's other shelters. The Toronto Humane Society (THS), now under new management, will also be reopening at the end of the month. Please feel free to call us if you need any advice.

If you need to rehome your cat or dog, the THS has started booking appointments ("To inquire about surrendering your animal please contact 416 392 2273 ext. 2248 or mailto:admissions@torontohumanesociety.com"). Many groups, including Project Jessie and the THS, will do a curtesy posting - just e-mail a photo, description of your companion animal, and your contact information. This is a great way to minimize the stress of rehoming, especially since coping with a shelter setting is difficult for many animals.

We hope everyone has a safe and happy weekend,
Lia and the AAC crew

Hamilton Deer Meeting

2010-06-03T11:25:00.002-04:00

Liz and I were in Hamilton last night for another meeting regarding the deer at Iroquoia Heights Conservation Area. The meeting began with a review of the Committee's Terms of Reference, which are still in draft format. The Committee has one more issue to discuss in this regard.

The meeting went on to discuss correspondence the City has received about the deer. Interestingly, people writing in to support the deer are writing in from other cities!

For those in Hamilton, it would be great if you could
write or e-mail Council with your thoughts.

The Committee was then presented with the 2009 Deer Wintering Survey, prepared by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. The discussion and questions that arose were thought-provoking and, hopefully, informative for the Committee.

The night had to end there. The next meeting, on June 16, is going to be at Iroquoia Heights for a tour of the area. If it rains, the Committee will be meeting at the Town Hall (address below).

All meetings are held at the Old Ancaster Town Hall, 310 Wilson St E, Ancaster, unless otherwise indicated.

May 19, 2010 - Meeting Agenda
June 2, 2010 - Meeting Agenda
June 16, 2010 - Meeting at and Tour of Iroquoia Heights Conservation Area
June 30, 2010 - Public Forum
Sept 8, 2010
Oct 6, 2010
Nov 3, 2010

Click on the following link for more information on Hamilton's
Deer Management Advisory Committee.

140 OSPCA Animals Still at Risk of Being Killed!

2010-05-14T14:33:00.001-04:00

Friday May 14, 2010: What is the fate of the 140 animals that remain under the care of the OSPCA? We don't know. OSPCA spokespersons have not made a commitment that the remaining 140 animals are safe from euthanasia. In fact, in the OSPCA’s own special advisory dated May 13, 2010 Kate MacDonald states, “Let me assure the public that no healthy animals have been or will be euthanized. Animals are being tested and retested to monitor the spread of this disease.” (OSPCA web site, May 13, 2010)

“Where are the clear and unequivocal statements from the OSPCA that no animal of the remaining 140 are at risk of euthanasia?” asked Liz White, Director of Animal Alliance of Canada.

“The animal protection community, the municipalities who have contracts with the OSPCA, staff and donors, and members of the public want assurance that these animals are safe,” continued White. “But as far as I can tell from reviewing the web site and the media, the OSPCA has made no such statement.”

Animal Alliance and Animal Alliance/Environment Voters sent letters to the municipalities, Aurora, Markham and Richmond Hill, who have OSPCA animal control contracts. “These three municipal governments are the only avenues of public oversight into the actions of the OSPCA and then only as it pertains to the animals from all three towns. Otherwise there is no mechanism to require the OSPCA to be held accountable for its actions," White continued. "There is no way to confirm the accuracy of the statements made by the OSPCA. The OSPCA does not provide euthanasia figures and reasons why the animals were killed, even though it is required to provide that information through its contracts with municipalities."

"There is a municipal election this fall. Councillors and residents of all three towns want to know what happened to their animals," continued White. "We have asked all three towns to cease sending animals to the OSPCA until this crisis has been resolved. We are requesting that all three councils hold public meetings to receive public input on the actions of the OSPCA, to address community concerns about the OSPCA’s handling of the situation and to force the OSPCA to publicly account for its actions. We want everyone to remember that the animals paid for this situation with their lives. No more should die."

On behalf of the animals, Thank You!!

2010-04-30T16:16:00.003-04:00

Just before "kitten season" begins, we just want to say a BIG THANKS to all our supporters, from everyone at Animal Alliance and Project Jessie. There are so many animals in need, and we wouldn't be able to help them without you. From volunteer drivers, to caring foster homes, to donations of pet food, and wonderful success stories -- thank you, thank you, thank you!

Recently, we've even been sponsored, by NuCelle Inc., an ethical, cruelty-free skin care company. Twenty percent of all retail sales will be donated to Project Jessie! Visit www.nucelle.com/AAC/ for more information.

With all the badness we encounter, we are continually reminded that there are caring and compassionate people out there. And for that, we are eternally grateful.

With gratitude,
Lia and the AAC crew

Hamilton Deer Need Your Voice

2010-04-05T16:46:00.002-04:00

Deer in the City of Hamilton's Iroquoia Heights Conservation Area need our help. Like other municipalities fortunate enough to share urban space with wildlife, Hamilton is having difficulty solving human / wildlife conflicts. But, like other municipalities have learned, there are several progressive, humane methods that can be employed.

We first learned of Hamilton's situation through Paul Glendenning, who approached Liz after her presentation to Hamilton on their companion animal by-laws. Paul and other local activists took us on a tour through Iroquoia Heights, a big beautiful green space in the heart of the City. He had a great article in the Hamilton Spectator, which summarizes the issue perfectly. Click on the following link for Paul's article http://www.thespec.com/Opinions/article/739434

He recently e-mailed Liz:

The article at the link below was printed in today's paper. Though I will endeavor to respond, it would be appreciated if others would write something in support of the deer to back up the idea that there is more than just my 'opinion' involved. http://www.thespec.com/Opinions/article/744295
Sincerely,
Paul

Hamilton's mayor and council members need to be flooded with phone calls, e-mails and letters from people who oppose the killing of the deer.

Local animal and environmental protection groups are rallying to convince Council that humane methods can be used successfully.

We need to make sure that the City implements a non-lethal approach to the deer. Please copy, paste and print the letter below to send to the Mayor and Members of Council urging them to implement a non-lethal prevention programme for the deer in Iroquoia Heights and throughout the City of Hamilton.

THANK YOU all again, for being a voice for the animals.

Lia and the AAC crew

****

Mayor Mayor Fred Eisenberger and Members of Council
Hamilton City Centre
77 James St. North
P.O.Box 2040, LCD1
Hamilton, ON L8R 2K3

Telephone: 905.546.4200
Fax: 905.546.2340
Email: mayorfred@hamilton.ca

Dear Mayor and Members of Hamilton City Council,

I am writing to ask you not to implement a cull of the deer in Iroquoia Heights Conservation Area. I urge you to implement an integrated human-deer conflict prevention and non-lethal intervention programme for the City of Hamilton. Please consider some of the following suggestions:

Comprehensive prevention and non-lethal intervention programme for Iroquoia Heights deer:

1. Stopping feeding the deer: Visitors to the area bring food for the deer. This encourages the congregation of larger numbers of deer than would occur if food was not provided. The City should educate residents and visitors why feeding deer at Iroquoia Heights may increase conflicts and result in a proposal to kill many of them.

2. Excluding the deer from conflict areas and from specific plants and bushes through fencing: Fencing provides a longer term solution to the impact of deer on landscaping, backyard gardens and bog plants.

3. Using repellents to make plants less palatable and less desirable to deer and deterrents to deter the deer: Repellents and deterrents are options to be used as part of an integrated non-lethal plan.

4. Planting less palatable landscape plants: City staff should consider using native plants that are rarely or seldom damaged when rehabilitating degraded areas of the conservation area. Residents whose yards back on or are close to the area should consider plants that are largely unattractive to deer.

Sincerely,

Signature _____________________________________________

Name _______________________________________________

Address ______________________________________________

Prov. and Postal Code ____________________________________

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2010-03-06T23:36:00.001-05:00

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Great News!

2010-03-02T13:13:00.001-05:00

The City of London, ON, will not be killing any deer in 2010!

After we presented alternatives to council last year on how to help the city's sensitive Sifton Bog, councillors still thought killing deer with bows and arrows was the only solution. A report for council by city ecologist Bonnie Bergsma notes that it is humans and the invasive buckthorn, not the deer, that threatens the health of the bog.

For the most recent article on the issue, visit http://www.lfpress.com/news/london/2010/03/01/13064661.html

Thanks to everyone who spoke up on behalf of the deer!

If you have a moment, please send "Thanks!" to London's Mayor and Members of Council:

Mayor Anne Marie DeCicco-Best and Members of Council
c/o City Hall
214- 300 Dufferin Avenue
London, Ontario N6B 1Z2

Mayor DeCicco-Best:
City Hall: 519 661-2500 Ext. 4920
City Hall Fax: 519 661-5308
adecicco@london.ca

Unfortunately, our work to protect deer is not over. Now the City of Hamilton's Conservation Authority is considering killing deer in the city's Iroquoia Heights Conservation Area. Much like London's Sifton Bog, Iroquoia Heights is a magnificent green space, surrounded by a highway on two sides and homes and major road on the other two sides. Not completely cut off from other green spaces, the deer in Iroquoia Heights are able to move in and out of the conservation area. The Conservation Authority is arguing the deer carry disease, are negatively impacting the Conservation area, are causing car accidents - all the same arguments as other pro-culling municipalities.

Please send a message to Hamilton's City Council - Council needs to consider humane, non-lethal alternatives and promote programs and policies that enourage tolerance of wildlife in the urban area.

Mayor Fred Eisenberger and Members of Council
Hamilton City Centre
77 James St. North
PO Box 2040, LCD 1
Hamilton, ON L8R 2K3

Mayor Eisenberger:
City Hall: 905-546-4200
City Hall Fax: 905-546-2340
mayorfred@hamilton.ca

With gratitude for your help,
Lia and the AAC crew

Happy New Year!

2010-01-07T10:05:00.003-05:00

Happy 2010!

It's a new beginning, and we're going to do all we can to make this a good year for the animals. This month alone Liz has five meetings on various issues. I'm crossing my fingers for good discussions at at least two!

One meeting is in Halifax on the grey seal issue...judging from the province's democratic process on the issue late last year, I'm not going to get my hopes up. The following link summarizes the issue quite well.

http://www.thecoast.ca/halifax/ndp-deliver-protected-wilderness-to-seal-hunters/Content?oid=1393142

On a happy note, Little Miss Muffet, the poodle I've been fostering for the past couple months (seen here with Shiloh) is going to her new home soon! Yay! She is, quite possibly, the BEST and sweetest dog I've ever met - and I've met A LOT of dogs. Someone called the office and said she found Muffet on the street. The poor thing is 8 - 12 years old, was never spayed, and had two mammary lumps, one about an inch wide. So we got her all fixed up and throughout the whole process, she was a little angel. She wore her Elizabethan collar with no problem and acted like nothing unual had happend. She didn't even bat an eye when we left her at the vet. I've been fostering animals for a couple years now but this little girl is going to be hard to let go. She's going to wonderful people, so I don't have to worry THAT much = )

Let's hope the rest of the year is filled with more happy endings!

Tail wags,
Lia and the AAC Crew

It's December Already!

2009-12-08T17:08:00.004-05:00

It's hard to believe that it's already nearing the end of 2009. This has been another hectic year, filled with all kinds of ups and downs. Horrible things are still happening to animals all over the world, with progress inching forward at a glacial pace. We remain hopeful that the animal movement will one day become trendy, like the green movement.

In the interim, we're reminded that there are good humans in the world. Alice is triving in her new home with her wonderful people - yay! We received a Christmas card from a woman who adopted a Project Jessie dog in 2003 and they're both doing very well - yay again! We are receiving e-mails of encouragement and thanks for speaking out on behalf of those with no voice. And everyday we come to the office, we are greeted by four happy, bounding, purring little kittens. That's Morris and his helper, Little Morris, in the pic = ) Little Morris follows Morris everywhere he goes, even up ladders! It's hard to be down when you're surrounded by kitties who don't have a care in the world!

We still have our fingers crossed that some kind humans will open their hearts and homes to these four babies - they have FIV which makes things slightly more difficult in terms of adoptions because of the stigma surrounding feline aids. We're always touched when we are proven wrong, when someone realizes that these kittens would make a great addition to their family, no matter what may happen down the road.

Adoptions have been slow, however, and not just for us. This has been a terrible year for cats. I just hope things are better in 2010. We'll be doing our part, that's for sure!

That's it for now. Thanks for reading!

Lia and the AAC office crew

Meet the Rugrats!

2009-11-11T14:42:00.006-05:00

That's Hannah, asking me to play. Her brothers (Shiloh, Isaac and Morris - named after our wonderful volunteer, Morris) were busy elsewhere in the office, causing trouble no doubt!

They have been settling in great, as is Alice in her new home with her new and fantastic family. We're so happy for her, the sweet girl.

We have high hopes for finding homes for these new members of the Animal Alliance family - but finding a place for kittens can be hard, especially these kittens who have tested positive for FIV.

They are perfectly happy and healthy but are carriers for Feline Immunodeficiency Virus. Like human HIV, FIV is not likely transmissible through casual contact with other cats. Still the stigma of FIV makes people hesitant to care for these special little guys. We're going to try our darnedest to find them the loving homes they deserve, but if these kittens end up staying with us forever, we won't complain = )

Project Jessie has been busy with some pretty tough cases - visit the Project Jessie blog for the stories.

We are awaiting a decision regarding the Environmental Assessment of Presqu'ile Provincial Park, which we began in order to protect deer, cormorants and restoration projects.

We continue to help out TRACS with the Kelowna bunny situation. TRACS has been doing a fantastic job, providing a humane model which can be used in other cities with similar issues.

And we continue to try to mitigate human / wildlife conflict issues in Ontario, working with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources to provide advice about progressive and humane resolutions.

Finally, we're gearing up for our annual open house, during which we reconnect with supporters and local community activists. This is a busy time of year for us, to say the least!

Thanks to all who have called and written in support of our campaign to protect bears in Quebec - we will keep you up to date as the issue unfolds.

And a big thank you to everyone for allowing us to continue to protect ALL animals and the environment - our work can be really difficult at times, but we are comforted when we remember that the world DOES have caring people like you, making a difference and speaking out for non-human animals.

Thank you SO much,
lia and the office crew

New Office Foster Kitties!

2009-10-17T11:31:00.002-04:00

The past few weeks have been super busy with meetings and reports and mailings. There are bear issues in New Brunswick and Quebec; ongoing shelter issues with municipalities across Ontario; cormorant and other wildlife sagas in our provincial and national parks; and closer to home, our two office fosters will be leaving to make room for other kitties in need.

Alice will be going with Shelly and Bobby (that's him in the pic) to another foster home, in order for us to accomodate four kittens with feline aids. The liklihood of these kittens being adopted is slim to none, but at least they'll be able to grow up in the (relative) peace and security of the office. They came to Project Jessie during the municipal strike. We hoped and hoped that the tests would come back negative but it looks as though they're going to have to live with the stigma of aids. We have to be realistic in that they could be with us their entire lives. I just think it's sad that someone wouldn't want to open their heart and home to a wonderful companion because of possible medical complications and expenses. I would take them home if I weren't so damn allergic to cats!

Still, I'm going to keep my fingers crossed that some kind human will surpise us all and adopt them.

My next task will be to say good-bye to Bobby and Alice, wishing them all the best on their next part of their journey through life.

Stay warm everyone!

Till next time,
lia and the office crew

Hurray for Kitties!

2009-09-15T11:59:00.005-04:00

As hard as it was for me to let them go, the four orphaned kittens I was fostering during the municipal strike have now all gone back to the shelter. Even though I have fostered before, it was particularly difficult this time to say goodbye.

Shelters and rescue groups all across Ontario are having a hard time finding homes for cats - there are simply too many abandoned cats and still more being born everyday. I sent back my fosters not knowing how long they would remain in the shelter, but I was comforted to know that we would be called should the shelter become crowded or should the kitties become depressed / ill.

I have thought about the kitties everyday for the past few weeks and received great news yesterday. The two most rambunctious kittens have been adopted! Hurray! The other two girls were being spayed yesterday, and after they recoup, they will be up for adoption. I'll cross my fingers that they are just as lucky to find their forever homes. As much as I want to, my allergies simply would not permit me to integrate two more cats into my home ( I have a hard enough time with my two rescues as it is! ).

Shelly reports that a few of her fosters have also found homes. Yay!

The office cats, Bobby and Alice, have been together now for over a month. They still do not like each other but seem to be tolerant enough so that no major battles happen. Even though Bobby is bigger, he was declawed by his previous people, so Alice could put him in his place if she chose to. But she's a lover, not a fighter, one of the most gentle cats we've ever had in the office.

On top of dealing with cats in need of homes, we've been working on some pretty big issues, including cormorants, human / wildlife conflict, and barn fires. But that's for another day. I'm just so happy that, after a long wait, cats are finding their forever homes. I'd like to wrap up on a happy note = )

Tail wags, everyone!

ttys,
lia and the AAC office crew

Special Needs Cat in Need of Special Home

2009-08-31T09:39:00.002-04:00

Picasso is a well cared for socialized grey and white deaf cat with a back leg deformity. He was found in a stray cat colony in the winter and rescued by AAC Board Member, Marie Crawford, and a colleague. The twisted back leg led us to believe he was badly injured, but an x-ray proved that the defect was either there since birth or due to a bad injury that healed without medical assistance. He was checked for disease, neutered, given all shots and deworming aid. The vets' decided that amputation of the back leg would not help his mobility since he seems to use it to get around just fine. We decided to not place him back in the colony since it would seem he had a hard enough life as it was. The fact that he was also deaf made his little story that much more incredible. He survived for two years in the wild like this!

He was terribly fearful of people and it took a year for Marie to gain his trust. Now he is a changed cat and is a lovable companion. The only problem is that he is terribly lonely. Marie owns her own business and is gone for the most part of the day - every day. He cries constantly when he can't see her and she can hear his screams (boy - deaf cats sure have a pair of lungs!!) for a block down the street when she leaves the house. Marie would like to find him a home where he can enjoy the company of another cat and/or the presence of a person who is home a lot.

"A large part of me does not want to lose this lovely little guy, but I know he could have a much richer life elsewhere - since he is a special needs cat he needs a special home!! Would perhaps do well with lots of other cats. If anyone could recommend a home for him I would be grateful," Marie. mariecrawford@sympatico.ca

Our New Office Foster

2009-08-14T10:02:00.002-04:00

With the municipal strike over, our fosters are slowing being returned to the shelter. The bunnies we were fostering at the office went back = ( Other bunnies found homes (yay!), some kitties are going back and others are staying in the Project Jessie programme until we find them a permanent, loving family. All in all, it has been a great group effort, which has saved over 50 lives.

Alice (Ali for short) is our new office foster kitty. And she's SO cute! Apparently her owners died and the family didn't want her, so she ended up at a city shelter. She wasn't doing well so shelter staff called us for help. She is SO sweet and SO friendly, in just a couple hours she was playing and following us around the office! Ali's an older girl (about 12) but doesn't look a day over 8. She will remain here at the office until she finds her forever home.

It's been a busy summer so far, but a good summer. And having Ali here is a nice way to end the week.

Enjoy the sun, everyone!

Municipal Strike affected City Shelters

2009-07-30T15:11:00.002-04:00

There was a lot of talk during Toronto's municipal strike about garbage but not a whole lot about the city shelters. The last time the city was on strike, shelter staff was reduced, and as a result, many animals that needed special care either died or were euthanized.

This year, we were ready. The first day of the strike, Project Jessie Coordinator, Shelly Hawley-Yan, and long-time volunteer, Andrea, rescued dozens of "special needs" animals. In total, Shelly, Andrea, our main office and our wonderful volunteer foster homes have been caring for over 50 animals: rabbits, guinea pigs, orphaned kittens, kittens with moms, you name, we have it!

Some are going to start going back to the shelters, like the bunnies who will have a better chance at finding their forever homes. Some of the mama cats and their babies will be staying with us. All in all, it was a wonderful group effort - shelter staff were great, volunteers stepped up and offered their homes for these animals, and Shelly and Andrea provided amazing support, checking in to make sure everyone is okay and making themselves available around the clock to answer questions.

The little kitty in the pic above is Rosie, a little purring machine, who has been with me and her other foster brother and sisters for about six weeks.

Like I've said before, we're always looking for foster homes and forever homes for these sweet little snuggle bugs. If you, or someone you know, is thinking about opening their hearts and homes to a four-legged friend, please call / e-mail us today.

Main Office: 416-462-9541

Shelly: 519-940-4712

shelly@animalalliance.ca

contact@animalalliance.ca

www.projectjessie.ca

"Burned Alive" - Help save Farm Animals!

2009-06-16T10:54:00.005-04:00

Hi everyone,

We just recently started working on the issue of Barn Fires. According to the National Farm Building Code, only farm buildings with high human occupancy (greater than one person per 40 square meters) are required to be fitted with sprinklers and smoke alarms.

A Winnipeg Free Press article on January 02, 2009 reported that last year seven barn fires in Manitoba killed more than 30 000 pigs - about eight times more than the previous year. In 2007 more than 3 500 pigs died in six fires.

Large scale intensive farm practices mean that more animals are housed in small spaces, therefore fire prevention and animal evacuation are paramount to ensuring the health and well-being of animals.

Currently, Manitoba is considering making changes to provincial regulations on farm buildings. Please, for the sake of the animals, take a moment to read the documents below and mail in a sign-on letter.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zh3QoEYHFmo

Letter to the Standing Committee on Fire Protection.pdf

Loss of Lives by Fire.pdf

Appendix II - Data from Ontario.pdf

Sign-on Letter.pdf

http://www.firecomm.gov.mb.ca/docs/fbc_discussion_paper_final_may2009.pdf

Contact Info for the Manitoba Fire Commissioner:

Office of the Fire Commissioner
508-401 York Avenue
Winnipeg MB R3C 0P8
Telephone: (204) 945-3322
Fax: (204) 948-2089
Toll Free: 1-800-282-8069
Email: firecomm@gov.mb.ca

Piglets Pounded Against Concrete

2009-06-11T15:37:00.001-04:00

Dear all,

Footage was released today from a fantastic animal advocacy organization in The Netherlands called Varkens in Nood (Pigs in Distress) showing a still-live but suffering piglet thrown into a garbage bin at a farrowing operation. See www.varkensinnood.nl .

Unfortunately, The Netherlands is not the only country where this horrific practice happens. Each year in Canada, millions of piglets are PACed (Pounded Against Concrete) and thrown into garbage bins. Please see our latest video shot in Manitoba and Quebec which shows the practice here in Canada. So many still-live piglets are disposed of in this way that one rendering company in Ontario has had to send letters to pig producers reminding them to please ensure all piglets are dead before being thrown away. This is an enormous welfare issue that we should all be concerned with.

Please forward and cross-post widely!

Thank you.

Twyla and the CETFA Team
www.cetfa.com
cell: 204-296-1375

Thank you all!!

2009-05-25T16:19:00.004-04:00

Hi everyone!

Just a quick "THANK YOU!" for all you make possible. We've made some progress on a few campaigns, and we could not have accomplished this without your support for the animals. We've delayed the cormorant slaughter in Presqu'ile Provincial Park and saved thousands through our presence in Point Pelee National Park. We saved the Sifton Bog deer in the city of London from a fall hunt. We worked together in conjunction with other groups to have seal products banned in the European Union and to have a horse slaughterhouse in Saskatchewan closed down after being caught on video violating regulations, negative exposure from the media, and after the Canadian Food Inspection Agency was pressured to investigate. And we continue to rescue orphaned dogs and cats through Project Jessie.

During these difficult times, we really cannot thank you enough for being a voice for the animals.

With gratitude,

Lia Laskaris

Donor Relations / Treasurer

5th Annual Project Jessie Doggy Fun Day!

2009-05-15T09:35:00.003-04:00

Yikes!

The Project Jessie doggy fun day is this Saturday!!!

Are YOU going to be there? Please come!

This year's Project Jessie reunion is going to be held Saturday,May 23rd from 11am to 2pm at the Caledon Community Complex (directions below).

We are REALLY excited about our fifth Project Jessie reunion and doggie fun day - because the others were great!

We are inviting all Project Jessie adopters, drivers, fosters, volunteers and anyone else who even likes dogs, to a day of fun and joy! Well behaved doggies (on leash please!) are very welcome to attend, but you don't have to bring a dog in order to come!

We will have goody bags for the first 50 people to arrive, raffles and silent auctions, demonstrations and displays, and best of all - we hope that YOU will be there!

Please consider attending - we would dearly love to see you! The event is being held at the Caledon Community Complex - 6215 Old Church Road - in Caledon East, ON. It is about an hour north west of Toronto, an hour east of Guelph and an hour north of Mississauga.

To look up directions on Mapquest, you need to use "Get map of [6133-6167] Old Church Rd, Caledon East, ON" (The actual address is Caledon Community Centre, 6215 Old Church Road, Caledon East, ON but Mapquest doesn't seem to recognize that address for some reason!)

From east or west, take Hwy 401 to 427 north. Hwy 427 ends at Hwy 7 (QUEEN Street) in Brampton.
Turn left (west) onto Hwy 7. Turn right (north) onto AIRPORT Road.
You will travel north about 35 minutes. Once you are in the town of Caledon, you will come to a set of stop lights.
(There will be a liquor store on the west side of the street and a large log building on the south-east corner). This is OLD CHURCH ROAD).
Turn right (east) onto OLD CHURCH ROAD. You will pass a fire station on your right, then a police station. JUST past the police station, turn into the driveway. The Community Complex shares the driveway with the police station and is set behind it.

For more information, to volunteer to help at the event, or if you would like to donate something to the raffle or silent auction, please contact me directly - thank you!!!

It should be a great day and we really hope to see YOU there!

Shelly Hawley-Yan
Director, Project Jessie
221 Broadview Avenue, Suite 101
Toronto, ON M4M 2G3

email: shelly@animalalliance.ca
Phone: 519-940-4712 or
Phone: 416-462-9541

Victory for the Seals!

2009-05-05T13:21:00.002-04:00

Victory For Seals! The European Union Bans the Trade in Seal Products

May 5, 2009 by The HSUS: Rebecca Aldworth

I have watched history being made today. The European Union has closed its borders to products of cruel commercial seal slaughters, removing a primary market for Canada’s globally condemned sealing industry. Many believe this ban will deliver a blow from which the Canadian seal slaughter may not recover.

The Canadian government tried every trick in the book to try to derail the ban: sending massive delegations to lobby on behalf of the sealing industry, misinforming decision makers, and even threatening trade reprisals. But the EU acted on behalf of its citizens and, in doing so, has saved millions of defenseless seals from a horrible fate.

We’ve Made History

I grew up in sealing country, and I have observed the commercial hunt for 11 years. In that time, I have witnessed cruelty that no thinking, compassionate person could ever accept. It has been difficult, often heartbreaking. But I have always known that in bearing witness to this slaughter, we can stop it.

Every year, the ProtectSeals team has endured hazardous conditions to document the seal hunt. We are committed to showing the world that the Canadian government is lying when it claims that the hunt is humane.

On our trips to the ice, The Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International have brought key opinion shapers such as Paul McCartney and Swedish Member of the European Parliament Carl Schlyter. Neither has wavered in speaking out against the hunt. Shortly after seeing the seal hunt, Schlyter introduced a resolution in the European Parliament, calling on the EU to ban trade in seal products. Our footage of the seal slaughter and our testimony were key in convincing the rest of the EU to agree to the ban. It gives me enormous satisfaction to know that we played a central role in making history for seals.

What Does It Mean?

This is the beginning of the end for the Canadian seal slaughter. The EU was a primary market for Canadian seal products, and the Canadian government estimates the loss of the EU market will cost Canada’s sealing industry $6.6 million (CAD) annually. Given that the landed value of the Canadian seal hunt last year was less than $7 million, the implications are enormous.

With this ban, the EU joins the United States (which outlawed seal products in 1972) and Mexico and Croatia, which ended the trade in 2006. Soon there will be nowhere left to trade the products of cruel commercial seal slaughters, and seals will be worth more alive than dead.

Seals' lives have already been saved. Just the promise of an EU ban was enough to drive this year's price for seal fur down to $15 (CAD) per skin—a decline of 86 percent since 2006.

As a result, many sealers stayed home. Out of Canada’s quota of 338,200 seals, fewer than 60,000 have been killed to date. By the regulated closing date of the seal hunt—May 15—it is likely more than a quarter of a million baby seals will have been spared a horrible fate.

Now that the EU has banned its trade in seal products, countless more seals will live their lives in peace from this year forward.

What’s Next?

We must remain vigilant. With generous government subsidies, the Canadian sealing industry may soon develop new markets for seal products. We must ensure that other nations follow the example set by the EU. The ProtectSeals campaign is working in several key countries already to ensure that there is nowhere left for the Canadian sealing industry to market its products.

To provide an economic incentive for the government to act, a global boycott of Canadian seafood products was launched in the U.S. in 2005. Since that boycott began, the Canadian fishing industry has suffered a $750 million (CAD) drop in the value of snow crab exports alone to the United States.

Now we are expanding the campaign to European Union, and I believe the Canadian government will soon take action to protect the fishing industry by ending the seal hunt forever. If you haven't joined the boycott, please sign on now.

The only way to permanently end Canada’s commercial seal slaughter is for the Canadian government to pass a strong law prohibiting commercial seal hunting. Senator Mac Harb has introduced such a ban, but no other senator has been brave enough yet to step forward and support it.

We are working hard in Canada to turn public opposition to the seal hunt into political action. The overwhelming majority of Canadians want the slaughter to stop, and it is time for the government to take action.

There is still much work to do, but we should all take a moment to celebrate this historic achievement. We have won this victory as a movement, and it is one we will remember for decades to come.

I am grateful to the European Union for rejecting cruelty, and I am grateful for everyone who has worked so very hard to make this day possible. The seals could not ask for stronger allies.

Rebecca Aldworth is Director of Humane Society International Canada (HSI Canada). For the past decade, she has been a firsthand observer of Canada's commercial seal hunt, escorting more than 100 scientists, parliamentarians and journalists to the ice floes to witness the slaughter.

London Deer Saved! Thank you!!!

2009-04-22T11:21:00.003-04:00

After seven long months of fighting to protect the London deer, City Council voted unanimously not to proceed with the killing of all but 8 deer who frequent the Sifton Bog. THANK YOU all who spoke out to protect the deer! The London Free Press article below summarzies the result.

Thank you!
Liz White, Director

***

Deer dodge bullet once again

LONDON CITY HALL: Council has rejected killing deer this fall in Sifton Bog pending a report due in February

By JONATHAN SHER, LONDON FREE PRESS

London city council has rejected the killing of deer this fall in Sifton Bog, voting unanimously last night to delay consideration of a cull until the results of a key study are completed next February.

"I don't want London to become the first city in Canada to support a deer hunt," Controller Gina Barber said. "It's a great day, indeed."

A week ago Barber was on the losing side of a vote as four politicians on the city's environment and transportation committee recommended a cull in the fall.

The majority argued any delay could irreparably harm the bog.

But much has changed in the past seven days:

- Though neighbours of the bog and some environmentalists lobbied for a cull, politicians were deluged by those opposing the kill, with more than 400 people signing a petition submitted yesterday.

- The city ecologist said she favoured delaying consideration of a cull until a key study is finished and the deer population in the bog is counted in the fall. Last year the numbers dropped by about 30%.

- Politicians who supported a cull went to the city's acting chief administrator to complain about the city ecologist, a tactic criticized inside and outside city hall.

"Needless to say, this has become a very emotional, explosive and sensitive issue on both sides," Coun. Paul Hubert said.

The bog is in Hubert's backyard and ward, where the deer have long been a source of complaints by neighbours.

But for Mayor Anne Marie DeCicco-Best, the issue was one so controversial it shouldn't be considered until all the evidence was in on the harm caused by deer to the bog.

"We should . . . do our homework," said the mayor, whose proposal for a delay was then backed by all of council.

For most of the past century it has been people, not deer, who have posed a threat to a bog that environmentalists say is an ecological treasure and rarity in Southern Ontario.

People drained the bog, flooded it, stripped its peat, cut its black spruce for Christmas trees, surrounded it with development and gravel pits and planted an invasive plant that is likely its biggest threat, buckthorn.

It has only been the past decade those protecting the bog turned their focus to deer. Though a citizens' committee and city staff once recommended a cull, council has not gone that route.
Yesterday's recommended delay included some more immediate elements.

The city will ask Ontario's Natural Resources Ministry for permission to consider options beyond a cull that aren't allowed without ministry approval, such as sterilizing deer or trying to drive them out of the bog and erect a tall fence with space underneath for smaller animals.

Government needs to Audit Horse Slaughter Plants!

2009-04-07T13:55:00.003-04:00

CHDC Calls for Audit of Horse Slaughter Operations After Plant Shut Down Over Food Safety Concerns

REGINA, April 7 /CNW/ - With the news that the Natural Meat Company (formerly Natural Valley Farms) in Neudorf, Saskatchewan has been shut down by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) for food safety concerns, the Canadian Horse Defence Coalition (CHDC) is calling for a complete audit of Canada's remaining horse slaughter operations by the CFIA.

Graphic evidence of animal welfare violations was documented at Natural Valley Farms in April and May 2008 and aired to the public a month later. At the time, government officials made repeated assurances regarding the plant's operations.

Over six months later, the CFIA quietly ordered the plant closed citing food safety concerns.

"Despite the attention given to this operation, this action shows that there are major problems in Neudorf and quite possibly elsewhere," said Sinikka Crosland, CHDC's Executive Director. "Only a full audit can begin to deal with the real concerns that the public has with Canadian horse slaughter operations."

"This is exactly the kind of problem that arose in the United States and the reason, along with concerns associated with inhumane treatment, that saw the US close every single one of its slaughter houses," added Ms. Crosland.

For further information: Sinikka Crosland, CHDC, (250) 768-4803 or visit www.defendhorsescanada.org

Great News for Horses!

2009-04-06T09:41:00.002-04:00

Natural Meat Company Shuts Down

We are pleased to inform you that Natural Meat Company (formerly Natural Valley Farms) in Neudorf, Saskatchewan, closed its doors in mid-February. No more horses are being slaughtered in that facility!

According to the Director of Parliamentary Affairs for Canada, Natural Meat Company was shut down by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency for food safety concerns. At this time we are attempting to clarify details surrounding the closure.

Graphic evidence of animal welfare violations was documented at Natural Valley Farms in April/May 2008. This footage was released to CHDC by undercover investigators, and the concerns were aired on CBC's No Country for Horses the following month: http://www.cbc.ca/national/blog/special_feature/no_country_for_horses/no_country_for_horses.html .

In September 2008, CHDC Western Region Director, Twyla Francois, filmed horse blood from the slaughter plant being illegally dumped on the banks of a nearby river: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udbD6OeiUBY .

Further Good News from the U.S.

On April 3, 2009, the governor of Montana issued an amendatory veto on a bill that had already been passed by the Montana House and the Senate and simply needed an official signature. That bill was intended to stop any citizen from launching a lawsuit that might prevent a horse slaughterhouse from being built in the state. On April 2, 2009, CHDC had assisted U.S. horse defenders by supplying proof of the closure of Natural Meat Company for food safety reasons. This evidence then found its way into the hands of the governor. As a result of the veto, the amended bill will now go back to the legislature for consideration, thus opening up an opportunity for debate. With such strong evidence of food safety and environmental concerns, to say nothing of animal welfare violations that are inherent in the horse slaughter industry, it is clear that step-by-step progress for the horses is being made.

We applaud the Equine Welfare Alliance for serving as an intermediary between our efforts and the many wonderful grass roots groups involved in the state and federal initiatives in the U.S.

Remember the Horses

In order to commemorate the lives lost in Neudorf and to pay homage to the suffering that occurred there, we plan to visit the massive horse graveyard on site--resting place for former pets, race horses, rodeo horses, and other unfortunate animals who, one way or another, were sent to a fate that none should ever have to endure.

Anyone wishing to submit a poem, blessing or memorial message for this occasion can e-mail it to Twyla Francois by April 8, 2009: twyla.1@mts.net . Your tribute to the horses will be placed where their remains lie...and where each strong and graceful spirit moved forth...away from the pain, away from the crippling fear, and away from the betrayal of trust that marked this final and brutal interaction with humankind.

But no matter what has gone before, horses continue to have friends...in all of us who defend them. And our numbers are growing.

May the equine spirit be the wind beneath our wings until slaughter is ended forever.
_________________________________________________________________

Canadian Horse Defence Coalition
P.O. Box 26097
Westbank, B.C.
V4T 2G3
Ph/fax: 250-768-4803
info@defendhorsescanada.org
http://www.defendhorsescanada.org/

TRACS granted contract to save Kelowa rabbits

2009-03-30T09:57:00.002-04:00

Sinikka Crosland is one of our wonderful Board Members, doing all she can for the animals of BC. Visit www.tracs-bc.ca for more information.

Greak work, Sinikka!

___________________________________

TRACS clear for rabbit rescue -- March 27, 2009

Kelowna‘s remaining feral rabbits should be caged, sterilized and cared for, rather than killed, city council will hear Monday. Staff recommend an $11,550, one-year contract be awarded to The Society for Responsible Animal Care, a volunteer-group that‘s been highly critical of a city contractor‘s effort to kill hundreds of rabbits.

“This is wonderful news that has been a long time coming,” TRACS executive director Sinnika Crosland said Thursday. “I‘m really happy the city is giving us the chance to get involved in this way. There aren‘t many of the bunnies left now, but if we get this contract we‘ll do what we can to save them.”

The money can only be used for the “monitoring and control” of the rabbits, according to a city tendering document circulated to nine contractors and groups. TRACS was the only one to submit a proposal. What the condition means, in practise, is that TRACS can only use the money to sterilize any rabbits its volunteers are able to trap. The money cannot be used for the ongoing feeding of the animals. With sterilization costs of about $70 per animal, TRACS could use the $11,550 to neuter or spay about 165 rabbits. Estimates of the remaining wild rabbit population vary from two dozen to about 100. TRACS volunteers intend to trap the remaining animals, have vets sterilize them, then place them either in foster homes or in secure pens. To deal with the burgeoning population of wild rabbits last year, most of which were concentrated along Enterprise Way, the city awarded a contract to EBB Environmental Consulting. The company killed hundreds of rabbits, sparking protests from animal rights groups. Meanwhile, volunteers with TRACS were also out capturing rabbits, caging about 450 of them. The group raised about $30,000 in donations to help cover the cost of sterilizing the animals, and putting them in foster homes or pens. The contract to be considered Monday includes a provision that city staff be satisfied the rabbit problem is abating. If municipal officials believe the rabbit population is on the increase, the contract with TRACS could be cancelled.

If city council awards the one-year contract to TRACS, the group will appeal for more volunteers to help out with the caging of and caring for the rabbits, Crosland said.

“We‘ve had a consistent group of about eight volunteers, but with the weather improving and the nights getting longer, I hope the numbers will go up,” she said.

http://www.kelownadailycourier.ca/stories_local.php?id=174929

http://www.castanet.net/edition/news-story-45938-1-.htm#45938

Thank you! (and Horse update)

2009-03-16T15:20:00.004-04:00

BIG THANKS to everyone who came to our office to be a part of our "visual petition" to save the seals. We had a great turnout, and it was so nice to meet and chat with you all. Thanks also to those who were at the Yonge/Dundas Square demo. While Liz and I were here at the office, it sounds like it was a well-organized and well-attended event.

It's not too late to send letters to the European Parliament. Harpseals has great information and contacts listed on their website (click on link below).

www.harpseals.org/help/letters_and_emails/index.html

As well, please send comments to Diana Wallis (click on link below).

www.dianawallismep.org.uk/pages/SealProducts.html

AND finally, on March 11, an MP called for a ban on horse slaughter (see below).

TILSON TABLES PETITION ON BAN OF HORSE SLAUGHTER - March 11, 2009

PARLIAMENT HILL – David Tilson, Member of Parliament for Dufferin-Caledon, rose in the House of Commons today to table a petition calling for a ban on the slaughter of horses and on their export for the same purpose.

When asked about the petition, Tilson said, “This is an issue of deep concern for many of my constituents – not just those who own horses, but also those who recognize that horses occupy a special place in our heritage and are an important source of companionship for a large number of Canadians.”

The petition, signed by hundreds of residents of Dufferin County, notes that horse slaughter is not humane euthanasia, and that a majority of Canadians do not eat horse meat and do not breed horses for consumption. The petition also highlights the horse industry's significant contribution to the economy, supplying millions in revenue for local farms and stables and providing thousands of jobs in Canada.

Help Stop the Commercial Seal Hunt

2009-03-11T07:59:00.001-04:00

This Saturday, March 14th, a rally is being planned in Toronto by the International Fund for Animal Welfare, Zoocheck and other animal welfare groups as part of the International Day of Action Against the Commercial Seal Hunt.

Join with local environmental and animal protection advocates in your area and across the country and register your opposition to Canada's annual slaughter of harp and hooded seals, set to get started in just a few weeks.

Toronto Anti-Seal Hunt Rally
March 14th, 2009
1:45 - 3:00 pm
Yonge & Dundas Square
Facebook event page
RSVP Contact: Ellie Dickson, edickson@ifaw.org

The 'Harper Seals' band will be performing for 30 minutes as a way to raise awareness about the commercial seal hunt. Songs include 'Do you really want to hurt me' and 'Staying alive'. So bring your friends and family, make your own posters and signs and come out to the event to have your voice heard!

To find the most up-to-date information on the event being planned for your area as well as other events being organized across the country visit the website of the International Fund for Animal Welfare. Interested in knowing who else in your area is participating? Each event has its own page on Facebook.

Animal Alliance of Canada will be at the rally with a video camera for those who'd like to record a personal message of opposition to the seal hunt. These video messages will be sent to Members of the European Parliament who will be voting next month on a resolution which could ban all harp and hooded seal products from Canada. If you are unable to attend the rally on Saturday, you can schedule a time to be videotaped at Animal Alliance of Canada's office at 221 Broadview Avenue anytime between 10am - 7pm this Saturday or Sunday by contacting Lia at 416-462-9591x 24 or email lia@animalalliance.ca.

The World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) supports the efforts of those groups that are working to end Canada's commercial seal hunt, on the grounds that the hunt, as it's being conducted, is exceedingly cruel and unnecessary.

***
This message was sent by:
World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA)
90 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 960 Toronto, Ontario, M4P 2Y3, Canada

Project Jessie - Sad News and Happy News

2009-03-03T09:56:00.003-05:00

Sad news - and we could really use your help.

Monday, February 23rd, 2009

Although we are always careful as to how we spend our dollars, this program has never been focused solely on the costs. For example, we have never euthanized an animal in the program solely because the vetting costs were going to be high. We have never refused to help an animal that we knew would cost us money because they needed extra help – dental work, medications, extra vetting etc.

This past week was a shocker. Cameo came into our program from a high kill shelter that would have sent her to research, or killed her using gas. She would have spent her last days either in a lab, or gasping out the last moments of her life with burning lungs.

She was a young dog, just over a year old, and seemed to be in good spirits and in good health. She spent a few fine days at her foster home and everything seemed to be going well. She was eating well, loved going for walks, and was playful and silly with the other dogs when the mood struck.

She went to the vet for the same treatment that all Project Jessie dogs undergo – an over all examination, basic bloodwork, spaying, vaccinations and microchipping.

Everything looked good – until the vet actually had her on the table and made the first incision.

Cameo stopped breathing.

Not sure what was happening, the vet manually breathing for her, they took an x-ray and found something astonishing. Cameo had been brutally traumatized at some point – her diaphragm was ruptured and most of her abdominal organs were up inside her ribcage instead of where they belonged. Her liver was wrapped up and over her heart.

This was a major issue. We either needed to euthanize her on the spot – or try and perform heroic surgery on her. Because she was young and very sweet, we felt she deserved a chance.

Two vets spent the next 4 hours putting everything back into place, and repairing the damages. Based on the type of injury and the fact that healing had started to take place (for example her liver was adhering – starting to grow attached to her heart), it was surmised that she was likely hit by a car or had some similar type of blunt force trauma happen to her 3 or 4 months previously.

She did well – seeming to recover well from the anesthetic and going on the next day to eat, get up and wander a bit, and to follow the vet outside for a bathroom break. In fact she had just had a little wander, had come back to her bed to rest and about 20 minutes later – she suddenly and quietly died. We were all devastated.

Despite everyone’s best efforts, poor Cameo wasn’t strong enough to make it. She is a perfect example of the types of sad surprises we encounter when dealing with animals. There was no indication that anything was amiss, and no indication that she would be such an expensive girl. Despite very deep discounts that our vet gave to us, her bill was almost $4000.

Should we have spend that much money on one dog when we could have covered routine costs for probably 20 other Project Jessie animals with the same money? If my crystal ball was working and I knew that she wouldn’t make it – obviously I wouldn’t have put her through the long surgery. It would have been kinder to let her go.

But we didn’t know. We didn’t know she was damaged before she came in and we didn’t know that the surgery wouldn’t work. She was already in the program, and we had already made the commitment to help her be healthy and adoptable and to find her a home.

How could we not try?

Unfortunately, it didn’t work, and unfortunately we now have a big vet bill that needs paying. I don’t normally ask for money in this newsletter, but I am asking today.

I know that times are tough for everyone. We are already seeing a slow down in adoptions and hearing from people who are giving up their animal companions because of the economy.

If everyone reading this message would consider donating a mere $10 we would more than cover Cameo’s bill – as well as the other Project Jessie animals.

We rescued dear Aldwin – a very sweet senior shihtzu just a couple of months ago and his vet needs amounted to about $1200. The beautiful Himalayan with the strange bump on her nose needed it removed because it was cancerous. Her bill was $500. A lovely little American Eskimo came in 2 weeks ago. Although he was already neutered, he needed 23 rotten teeth removed and his bill came to $400.

Although most of the animals that come into our program only need the basics (spay/neuter, vaccinations, microchipping) every little “extra” needs to be covered by donations. Yes, we do charge an adoption fee. But in most cases, it does not fully cover the vet bill. We rely on compassionate people like you, who believe that these animals deserve to have a second chance at a nice life.

You can make a one-time donation online using our secure server via the website https://wwws.vex.net/aac/jessieform.py or by mailing a cheque, or credit card info to the main office 221 Broadview Ave., Suite 101, Toronto, ON M4M 2G3 or please consider becoming a monthly donor.

Every little bit helps so much!

Thank you for caring, and for helping us to help the animals!

Shelly

For more information about the program, please visit www.ProjectJessie.ca Thank you!!!

***

Thank YOU!!!

Animal Alliance supporters are the very best!

Thank you so, so much for your help! Donations big and small have been coming in and as of this morning we have covered Cameo's bill.

I am so grateful to all of you. Thank you from the very bottom of my heart!

Although the financial support was much needed and VERY appreciated, I was also incredibly touched by the kind words of support and love that were included as well.

This type of work can be emotionally draining, and you can feel like you are slogging away and no one notices. It is SO nice that you would take the time to write such wonderful and supportive messages. It really means a lot to know that you are all out there quietly supporting us, and thinking about the animals.

Thank you!!!

Thank you for caring, and for helping us to help the animals!

Shelly

For more information about the program, please visit www.ProjectJessie.ca Thank you!!!

Take the New Year's Pledge to Go Cruelty-free!

2009-01-19T14:23:00.007-05:00

Well, another year has passed and a new one has just begun. However, it’s never too late to make a pledge to go cruelty-free!

We are asking you to add your voice to the growing list of North American consumers who have pledged to purchase products that are cruelty-free. The Pledge was initiated by the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics’ (CCIC) - a collection of animal protection groups that have come together to establish a clear and concise definition for “cruelty-free” and “not tested on animals”- .

Animal Alliance is proud to be an international partner of the CCIC, and as such, we are encouraging our supporters, friends and compassionate consumers to take the Pledge by clicking on the banner below.

The CCIC’s Leaping Bunny Program is the only internationally recognized certification program that ensures that manufacturers of cosmetic, household and personal care products are TRULY free of animal tests. Tests like the Draize and other skin irritancy tests are becoming obsolete as companies have bend to consumer pressure and found ways to test the safety of their products without the use of animals.

The CCIC website is a great resource for compassionate shoppers who want to purchase cruelty-free products. Over 200 companies, including over 12 Canadian manufacturers, have been certified by the CCIC and the list is constantly updated as more companies become certified. For a list of Canadian companies that are on the CCIC’s list, please visit our website.

Please ask your friends, family and co-workers to sign the pledge.

TOGETHER WE CAN... make a difference for the thousands of animals who are needlessly suffering in laboratories.

Look for Leaping Bunny Logo when shopping.

Thank you!

Calm Before the Storm

2009-01-07T10:04:00.006-05:00

Things are getting back to normal, whatever "normal" is around here. The office was "closed" for a couple weeks at the end of December, but we were still here for Cajun and Spice and to receive the mail. Now we're back to our regular schedule, and it's quiet, relatively speaking. I have a bad feeling this is the calm before the storm.

We're preparing for our upcoming annual audits -- our regular audits, not political party campaign audits -- and I'm certain that we'll soon be inundated with calls about cats, once all this snow melts.

In December, my colleague Jacqui attended a feral cat meeting at which she learned about the North American stray / feral cat situation. Our neighbours to the south have a very different way of handling the issue: they run highly organized, large scale "Trap, Fix, Return" days during which large numbers of cats are sterilized simultaneously. It's impressive, and one would think this would make a greater impact on the stray cat population, but their hard work has about the same results as the Toronto method of independant groups / people catching and steralizing one cat at a time.

We still advocate for the implementation of the techniques employed by the city of Calgary, which has the best run animal services program in North America, if not the world. To date no municipality has heeded our advice, and, to date, no municipality has cared for their city animals as well as Calgary. There are solutions to help these animals -- it's just a matter of finding city councils willing to listen and to act in the best interests of the animals.

If anyone has the time to talk to their city councillors about this issue, PLEASE speak up, on behalf of the animals. For more information on Calgary Animal Services, please click on the following link.

http://content.calgary.ca/CCA/City+Hall/Business+Units/Animal+and+Bylaw+Services/Animal+Services/index.htm

Kittens adopted during Open House, yay!

2008-12-17T12:34:00.006-05:00

On Sunday we had our annual open-house for our volunteers, donors and colleagues and what a sucess it was! The best part was that a wonderful couple fell in love with Cleo and Coco and decided to take them home that night, yay!!

We had approximately 100 people file through the office, enjoying the company and the vegan food -- generously provided and prepared by several volunteers, particulary Board Member Kathrine Paterson. Many said it was our best party yet who knew? It's wonderful to be able to get together, reminding us that there are a lot of us out there, trying to make this world more compassionate. The animal protection movement may be hard at times, but at least we have like-minded people around to understand us when we need to vent = P

And we seem to be venting quite a bit lately. This time of year tends to be somber, reminding us that even though there are numerous animals who we've saved, there are countless more that won't be so lucky. Like I've said before, I hope that compassion at this time of year extends to people's dinner tables as they sit down to feast. I'm so thankful for my food as I prepare myself to eat, but I can't help cringing as my family digs into turkey. What a brief, difficult and cruel life those birds must endure. I'll have to make sure I bite my tongue before my convictions get the better of me! All I can do is hope that people are thankful and respectful of the lives that were involuntarily sacrificed for them.

(On that cheery note!) Wishing you all a safe and merry Christmas, happy Hanukkah, Solstice, Kwanzaa or whatever else you celebrate. And thank you again for all your support for our non-human friends = ^..^ =

Winston found a home!

2008-11-21T16:03:00.004-05:00

A note from Winston's new human:

"Yesterday, I worked the whole day from home, so he did not hide at all. He spent the whole time talking to me and curling up on my lap or by my feet as I worked. He ate at his dish several times and is now consuming almost a good tin of wet food a day. I went out last night and when I returned, he wasn't under the bed, but greeted me from a chair in my living room.

He was also very playful....running around and chewing at his toys...running into his tent for his favourite game.

He now spends the whole night on the bed curled up beside me. He gets up occasionally for what sounds like a snack...and then returns. He was even less distressed when I ran the washing machine yesterday!

He's become a lot more curious and talkative as well. I'm really surprised by his progress and am very happy to see him starting to blossom. He is the softest, sweetest boy and I really love having his company."

We couldn't have asked for a happier ending!

We're having withdrawl here at the office but thankfully we have two new kittens to distract us from missing Winnie. Spice and Cajun are surrogate mothers to our new little girls -- if anyone is looking for an instant family, give us a call!

Hope everyone has as good a weekend as Winston = ^..^=

Below is a video of Cajun and Spice (Winston is in his tent, as usual)

North America's ONLY Vegetarian Food Bank

2008-10-30T13:47:00.011-04:00

Toronto is home to North America's ONLY vegetarian food bank! And they need help.

I was sent the article below over e-mail and recently had a brief phone conversation with Malan Joseph, the founder of the food bank. He's a wonderful and modest man, eager to help those in need. He said that even though they specialize in vegetarian food, everyone (including meat-eaters) who asks for help is given food. Since no one is turned away, they are in urgent need of donations. If anyone would like to donate food or if anyone has contacts in the food industry, please call Malan at the number below.

*********

Canada's only vegetarian food bank is barely five months old and already serving more than 200 people from two locations, its founders say.

"We've been very busy," says Jessica Smith.

"And I have a feeling with the economy doing what it's doing, we may get more." Smith, a vegetarian, helped set up the food bank with Malan Joseph in May. It now serves 45 families, or about 220 people, from locations at 2370 Midland Ave. and 2400 Finch Ave. W.

Joseph is a Catholic but his wife worships at the same Hindu temple as Smith. He says he saw the need for the food bank as waves of Hindu immigrants moved to the city but had trouble making ends meet. They went to food banks but, as strict vegetarians, they could not use much of what they were given.

Smith says much of the fresh fruits and vegetables come from a Milton-area farm operated by a community of Sikhs for the sole purpose of donating the produce to charities and food banks. The group prefers to remain anonymous, she says.

The food bank is open Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon at the Finch location and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Midland.

Anyone interested in helping can call 416-744-4357.

http://tinyurl.com/4amlp7

Wonderful Winston and his girls

2008-10-02T12:37:00.010-04:00

Well, in all the excitement over the past few months, I neglected to tell you all about the latest additions to the Animal Alliance office.

Amidst all the chaos with Annabell and her kittens -- Tony still needs a home = ( -- we received a frantic call from one of our volunteers, Andrea. She was contacted by the shelter that Annabell came from; they had two terrified cats that didn't eat for 10 days. The cats had to be force-fed by shelter staff just to keep them alive. Staff said that unless we could help, they would be forced to euthanize them. We said of course we'll help, we'll find space for them here. So our wonderful volunteer Morris drove with Liz to bring back two very scared little cats, Winston (in the pic) and his sister Molly.

Winston and Molly's story is a sad one. The couple shared their home with Winston and Molly for seven years. The wife died and the husband developed dementia. For a year, Winston and Molly lived with stress and loss before being surrendered to the shelter. Their stress continued weeks after they arrived here. Both had lost weight and could not cope with all the change. Gradually they came out of hiding but a little too late for Molly. She eventually succumbed to her stress; she developed kidney problems and stopped eating and eventually had to be humanely euthanized. With yet another loss of someone familiar, Winston had to figure out a way to cope on his own. His solution was to retreat again.

With all his brothers and mother gone, Tony was also feeling lonely. We decided to try Tony and Winston together. Long story short, about a week later we received yet another call from Andrea asking us to take in two more cats from the shelter to save them from the needle. So in came mommy Spice and her daughter Cajun. But it doesn't stop there -- oh no, there's always something else! In comes Justice, a 19-year-old cat, with terrible health and a whole lot of attitude. We eventually are able to integrate everyone, much to Winston's chagrin. But in just a short while, Winston realizes that this is now his new family. Now he has really come into his own, playing, grooming and sleeping with Cajun and Spice.

The sad news is that now Justice has to be put to sleep; her congestive heart failure has progressed to the point where it would be cruel to try to keep her alive. She wants to go, so we let her.

Now we are left with the task of finding a home for THREE adult cats -- it would be too hard for Winston to be separated from Cajun and Spice, to lose his family again. Please, pass along our plea for a home for three amazing, affectionate, adorable cats. It would be an instant family that I promise you'll love.

The Passing of a Sweet Girl

2008-08-18T09:42:00.000-04:00

It has taken me all day just to be able to actually compose this letter.

It is with great shock, and overwhelming sadness that I am writing to let you know that Bijoux has passed away.
The amazing little white cat that came into my life almost exactly one year ago, is no longer here.

Bijoux was the little cat with the squeaky voice that was rescued by Liz and Georges from Montreal - where she was to have been killed within the hour.

In the past year since she underwent her surgery, she blossomed into an amazing, joyful and beautiful cat.

We fell into a comfortable routine for managing her condition, and the two of us really have shared a very special bond. She has had a very good few months - playing with the other cats, (pushing Fluffy off the top of the cat tower was her favorite game!), cuddling with Murphy, acting the royal diva and hoarding all the crinkle balls. She had an incredible spirit and a feisty, mischievous approach to life.

In the past month or so though, she started losing a bit of weight. In the past week, the weight loss really accelerated, and in the last few days she seemed tired, and so I had booked her to see the vet on Friday to redo some blood work, and see if perhaps there was something else going on.
I was thinking perhaps a thyroid issue? diabetes? or???
In fact after doing bloodwork and an xray, we could see that there WAS something going on.

Bijoux had FIP. Her liver was nearly nonfunctional, she had fluid in her abdomen and a very large granuloma in her lung. She was dying and FIP is totally non treatable.
For those who don't know, FIP is a weird virus - cats can live with it for years and it might never be an issue. Or it can turn deadly.
Actually if Bijoux's mom was a FIP kitty, that might actually explain why she had the congenital issues that led to her megaesophagous. Regardless of why, the reality was that she was dying. The vet recommended euthanasia but I couldn't get my mind around it.

Besides - how many times had she bounced back from things that should have killed her already?
Maybe she could lick this too...., so we gave her a mild painkiller and I took her home.

We spent the day offering her all of the foods that she had craved and had been denied for so long because of her megaesophagus, but she was uninterested. That in itself told me something, since she has been a fierce little kitty about food. Always trying to steal stuff she knew she shouldn't have - but determined to get it anyway.
She had a great zest for living in the moment!

Anyway, I had a feeling that she did not have long, and since she didn't seem to be stressed or painful I decided to keep her here.
My darling kitty passed peacefully and gently in her sleep last night, laying in my arms.

This whole thing was so "out of left field" that I am having a really hard time believing it.
Bijoux has cheated death so many times that I keep expecting her to come peeking around a corner to tell me that she has done it again.
I guess this time it really is for keeps.

So many people who met her, felt the special spark that she carried inside of her.
She was greatly loved and is greatly missed.

Rest in peace darling girl...

Shelly

An Interesting Article

2008-06-18T10:23:00.002-04:00

From ANIMAL PEOPLE, June 2008

Addenda to Swinging Canadian elections keeps the sealers swinging clubs: Animal Alliance of Canada pursues electoral strategy

Commentary by Merritt Clifton

Long before University of Texas at El Paso philosophy department chair Steven Best became a popular speaker at animal rights conferences, noted for fiery defenses of "direct action" vandalism, film maker Stephen Best of Shelburne, Ontario became quietly known to animal advocacy insiders--and the political opposition--as one of the most astute strategists in the cause. When defenders of the seal hunt produced strategy papers, obtained eventually by news media, Best was repeatedly identified as one of the voices most essential to isolate and neutralize, even though few grassroots activists had ever heard his name. Grassroots activists knew his work. Best's 1973 documentary Seal Song, commissioned by the International Fund for Animal Welfare, "became part of the long-running British television series Survival," he remembers. More than that, Seal Song put the annual Atlantic Canada seal hunt into living rooms worldwide. Eighteen years earlier, film maker Harry Lillie brought back the first film of the seal hunt, inspiring an informed few to revive anti-sealing campaigns that had previously been waged in the early 1900s, late 1920s, and late 1930s, but it was Seal Song that turned the cause into a cultural phenomenon. Best produced wildlife documentaries through 1980, then accepted a full-time job with IFAW. From 1980 to 1984, Best "developed and managed various political, election, and public relation campaigns in Germany, the United Kingdom, and Belgium," he recalls. These campaigns won a ban on the import of baby harp and hooded seal products into the European Community. "The ban reduced the number of seals killed in Canada's commercial seal hunt from almost 200,000 per year to about 20,000," Best recounts. Best in 1985 helped other ex-IFAW staff to found the Inter-national Wildlife Coalition, but left IWC in 1998, after "finally admitting that the environmental movement was making no net progress," he says. "Despite 5,000% growth in monies and membership between 1970 and 1998," Best adds, "the international environmental protection community achieved a further 40% degradation in our environment." Best returned to screen production, while contemplating new approaches to ending the seal hunt.

The hunt, nearly history a decade earlier, had been revived in 1995 with higher quotas than ever before. Having heard nothing from Best in 10 years, and having been unsuccessful in an attempt to find him, I had no idea what Best had been doing since 1998 when I wrote my May 2008 ANIMAL PEOPLE commentary "Swinging Canadian elections keeps the sealers swinging clubs." I learned a month later that Best and Animal Alliance of Canada executive director Liz White had co-authored a similar essay in November 2002. Though distributed to mass media and posted to the Animal Alliance web site, it did not reach ANIMAL PEOPLE, and received much less attention than it deserved. "Despite decades of intensive, well-funded anti-seal hunt protesting," Best and White wrote, "the seal hunt is larger now than 30 years ago...more cruel, and is managed with less regard for science, conservation, and the survival of harp and hooded seals. What this dismal record of failure proves is that all the strategies and tactics used in Canada in the past to end the seal hunt don't work. "The only reason the anti- seal hunt community was able to secure the European seal import ban [in 1983] was electoral politics," Best and White observed. "For individual politicians in Europe, defending Canada and its seal hunt became an electoral liability." Almost a year later, in September 2003, Best produced a document entitled End the Seal Hunt Strategy Framework, also posted to the web, yet largely overlooked by anti-seal hunt campaigners. "The seal hunt will end--or be dramatically reduced--when two conditions are met in Canada: the political cost of the seal hunt to federal politicians and political parties exceeds its political benefit, and there is a plausibly justifiable reason for reducing the hunt, other than appearing to succumb to the pressures created by advocacy," Best wrote. "Politically," Best determined, "the Canadian seal hunt has a value of seven to a dozen federal seats in Atlantic Canada and Quebec. In the current Canadian political environment a pro-seal hunt policy is necessary for a politician or a political party to get elected in these districts. An anti-seal hunt policy would insure defeat. In the rest of Canada, the seal hunt is electorally irrelevant: seal hunt policy does not influence enough votes to matter. [Therefore] It is obvious to every politician and to all the federal parties that a pro seal hunt policy is good politics. "The political benefits of a pro seal hunt policy can be eliminated and turned into unacceptable political costs by direct involvement oin elections," Best projected. "Electoral involvement means conducting election campaigns in electoral districts that the voting history and polling suggest will likely be decided by 5% of the voters or less. The campaigns should have the objective of shifting votes from one candidate to another, i.e. influencing who wins or who loses. It is this kind of political activity that is of concern to politicians. "The federal government and all political parties have strong pro seal hunt policies," Best emphasized, "not because they believe sealing is intrinsically important, but rather because they are cognizant and wary of the political power wielded by the fishing community and, to a lesser extent, the sealing community...Power resides in the pro seal hunt advocates, not the seal hunt issue." Best was already mobilizing.

"In 1998," White told ANIMAL PEOPLE, "Animal Alliance founded Environment Voters, our political arm. The intent was that Environment Voters would reward politicians who had a supportive environmental and animal protection record and punish those who did not. Best was instrumental in helping us set up Environment Voters, assisting with strategic decisions and campaigning in a number of key elections. "We were involved in provincial elections and by-elections, federal elections and by-elections, and municipal elections," White continued. "In 2000, amendments to the Canada Elections Act were introduced that would eliminate any meaningful involvement of third parties in electoral politics at the federal level. The National Citizens Coalition through Stephen Harper," now the pro-sealing prime minister of Canada, "challenged this change right up to the Supreme Court of Canada. Although Harper won in all the lower courts, he lost in the Supreme Court. So, third parties can only spend just over $3,000 per riding [electoral district] and $120,000 to pay for general electoral information but not specific riding information. "Through Environment Voters," White said, "we demonstrated that we could shift 4% to 5% of the vote in any given riding. In ridings that were won or lost by less than 4% to 5%, a campaign to shift the votes could affect the outcome. The cost ranged from $15,000 to $20,000 in tight races and more in ridings that were not so closely contested. The effect of the amendments to the Canada Elections Act was to remove any possibility of influencing votes in the swing ridings. "Around the same time that the Supreme Court set strict limits on third party spending," White added, "the Court removed the barriers to forming a political party. The only way to be involved in an effective way now at the federal level in Canada is to become a political party. In December 2005, we achieved party status. We are now the Animal Alliance Environment Voters Party of Canada. We are in the process of building the party so that we can influence the electoral process around the seal hunt and other issues." The Animal Alliance supports the boycott of Canadian seafood called by the Humane Society of the U.S., "and we support the initiatives in the European Union to get a European ban on seal products," White added. But their bottom-line strategy now is swinging votes.

Cormorant cull protests to begin

2008-04-30T11:04:00.001-04:00

Point Pelee National Park To Kill Over 7000 Birds In Four Days.

Beginning April 30, 2008, Parks Canada will shoot thousands of nesting double-crested cormorants at Point Pelee National Park. They have scheduled 4 days - April 30, May 1, 2, and 5 to complete the slaughter. It is going to be really bad and very sad.

Join Us In Protest against this killing of nesting birds.

Day of Action - Sunday May 18, 2008 (Victoria Day long weekend)

WHERE:
Point Pelee National Park – primary location

Also

Ojibway Nature Centre – Windsor
Pelee Island ferry docks - Leamington
Rondeau Provincial Park – Chatham
Long Point Provincial Park – south of Kitchener
Ward’s Island - Toronto

The action is simple. It involves handing out information asking visitors to boycott Point Pelee National Park. For those visitors already at Point Pelee, we will ask them to wear black arm bands while in the park, and consider cancelling future visits to the park.

All action will occur outside the park gates and off park property.

The Peaceful Parks Coalition has called for a boycott of Point Pelee National Park because we believe a boycott would be effective. Visitors to Point Pelee are already at an all time low, and a strong rejection of park policy by supporters could halt the shooting of cormorants scheduled for the next five years.

Parks Canada is part of a broader partnership, that includes the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Toronto Region and Conservation Authority, Canadian Wildlife Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, whose mandate is to kill double-crested cormorants at their nesting sites throughout the Great Lakes basin, leaving no place safe for these birds anywhere.

For detailed background information, please link to www.peacefulparks.org and http://www.peacefulparks.org/ppc/action_cormoranthm.htm

The information that will be distributed will be an updated version of the two factsheets included below: Boycott Point Pelee National Park – Protect Birds and Why a Boycott Will Work.

The Peaceful Parks Coalition will provide all information factsheets, organize transportation and billeting for those who can travel to Point Pelee National Park, and will provide all participants with a protocol on how to interact with the public.

If you can help, please forward your full name, address and telephone number.

Please circulate widely

Peaceful Parks Coalition W. www.peacefulparks.org E. ppc@peacefulparks.org T. toll free 1.877.785.8636

Cormorants to be killed as soon as tomorrow

2008-04-29T14:45:00.004-04:00

The cormorants of Middle Island are to be shot as soon as tomorrow by Parks Canada. I would like to thank to everyone who spoke out on behalf of the cormorants. I will let you know what the next steps are as soon as we regroup. Below are the comments of Barry Kent-McKay, a board member and birder. His sentiments are shared by us all.

************

Dear Everyone,

I don't have the details, but apparently the judge ruled against us, and the cormorants, this morning. I haven't seen his ruling yet, but from the second-hand account I have it seems that he agreed on our legal argument, but still bought into the "ecosystem in peril" argument that Parks Canada presented. This is most frustrating to me, personally, since we are not allowed to present the "scientific argument", which at any rate is difficult for a lay person (which, outside matters of law, the judge is), to understand -- that we are not arguing that the cormorants won't alter the vegetation, even remove whole species, but that it does not matter as that is natural to the primal condition that Parks Canada is mandated to seek for the island. In other words I believe whatever the merits of our legal arguments that Parks Canada did not follow legally mandated processes, our "scientific" arguments are categorically valid. If Parks Canada's legal arguments fail (and like I say, I haven't read the comments, that's what I know via hearsay) and if we are not allowed to present scientific argument (or if we do it is automatically discredited) we don't have a chance.

Julie, Rob and Liz are either on Pelee Island, or will be there shortly. They, and other volunteers (badly needed, as is funding) will do what they can to document the killing. I can't believe that use of a .117 calibre rifle (that's the size of an air-rifle) that Parks Canada plans to use can do anything other than create an even higher wounding rate than the tragedy documented at Presqu'ile Provincial Park two years ago, using a slightly higher calibre (.222), with something like 30% wounding rates.

I honestly believe that some day people will have a more enlightened understanding of ecology, and the fact that natural ecosystems are not parks designed to conform to esthetic taste (not that I find a cormorant colony unattractive, but clearly others do). But it is a continuing, uphill battle. We have come a long way, but we have much further to go.

Barry

Annabelle's boys ready for their forever homes!

2008-04-18T09:37:00.008-04:00

Well, spring has finally sprung and so have the kittens! Now that Earl has moved along in the adoption process, we have Annabelle and her boys here. Earl's home didn't work out so he's back with Shelly. If anyone is looking for a great cat who needs to be on his own, Earl would be a perfect fit.

Annabelle came to us from a shelter where staff felt they couldn't provide the best environment for a cat with newborns. There were just a couple days old (and looked like little gerbils!) when we brought them to the office. Now they're about two months old and full of spunk! They may look calm in the photo but don't let them fool you! They sleep for a couple hours then are tearing around the resource centre, climbing your legs (which we are trying to discourage -- it really hurts if you're not wearing jeans!), and pretty much getting into everything. The two little white guys are Sammy and Mickey McGee (with the darker ears). Then we have Tony the Tiger (the tabby on the left), Tiny Tim in the middle and Diego, the biggest and fuzziest of them all. They just got their vaccinations yesterday and the vet said they're perfect! Would you expect anything less = )

My allergies are running at full capacity with all these little furry bodies so if anyone is interested in a little bundle of joy (they're little trouble-makers but they're so darn cute!), PLEASE call or e-mail us at 416-462-9541 or lia@animalalliance.ca

Cormorant Slaughter Set For April

2008-03-10T11:31:00.007-04:00

New Slaugther Proposed!

Middle Island, part of Point Pelee National Park, is a small island in the western Lake Erie basin that is home to a wide variety of wildlife. But the ecological integrity of Middle Island is now being challenged by Parks Canada, the very agency charged with its protection.

A proposal to micro-manage, impair and possibly damage Middle Island’s natural processes, in ways that may include the slaughter and disturbance of wildlife, is now being considered. Insidiously proposed as a conservation strategy, the proposal will negatively impact on the natural evolution of Middle Island in an effort to maintain and control it in a static and artificial state. The Parks Canada proposal specifically singles out Double-crested cormorants, a native colonial water bird, by claiming that their numbers are threatening the island and that thousands of them need to be slaughtered.

Double-crested cormorants are a native Ontario water bird and a part of the natural ecology of Middle Island. The Parks Canada proposal to manage them is ill-conceived, short sighted, a waste of resources and enormously cruel.

Help Ontario's Cormorants Today!

Raise this issue today with Environment Canada Minister John Baird! Let him know that the proposal to slaughter cormorants on Middle Island, part of Point Pelee National Park, must be stopped. Tell him cormorants are a part of the natural ecology of Middle Island and that it should be allowed to evolve in a natural way. Remind him that their is no way to humanely kill large numbers of birds in the field and that doing so is an archaic, destructive and cruel method of wildlife management that has no scientific or ecological justification.

John Baird, Minister of the Environment

Les Terrasses de la Chaudiere10 Wellington Street

28th FloorGatineau, QC K1A 0H3

Tel.: 819-997-1441

Fax: (819) 953-0279

Email: John.Baird@ec.gc.ca

Raise this issue today with Premier Dalton McGuinty! Let them know that the killing of cormorants is an archaic, destructive and cruel method of wildlife management that has no scientific or ecological justification.

Dalton McGuinty, Premier
Legislative Building, Queen's Park
Toronto ON M7A 1A1
Tel.: 416-325-1941
Fax: (416) 325-3745
Email: www.premier.gov.on.ca/feedback/feedback.asp

For more information, visit www.zoocheck.com/cormorant or call Animal Alliance of Canada at 416-462-9541.

Happy Ending!

2008-02-19T14:08:00.004-05:00

Our little Earl has finally found a home! While it's not yet official, it seems that Earl has captured some wonderful person's heart. Shelly took him to the vet to have him microchipped and the vet couldn't say no! So for those who thought I was exaggerating...see! He really is a great cat! Here he is supervising Herb, one of our volunteers.

So to take his place, we have a couple more cats coming to the office: a mama cat and her new little kitties and a distressed cat who needs some TLC. Office productivity went back up for about a week and is sure to go back down once the new wiggly kittens arrive tomorrow.

We want them all to find great homes, but we always have such a hard time letting go. We fretted all week when Earl went with Shelly, calling her all the time to check up on him (we're such worry-warts!) It's easy to see how people can become cat collectors!

We have another sweet little guy, Pablo Picasso, currently in foster. He was picked up off the street because he has a bad leg. We thought it was broken but it turned out to be a birth deformity. He limps around and is also deaf, so he's quite a nervous cat. He's coming around, slowly, so we're looking for a special human who's willing to work with him. You can see his video at www.projectjessie.ca. If you or someone you know can help Picasso, please call. We all like happy endings!

Still No Takers...

2008-01-22T10:06:00.000-05:00

Earl is still at the office, but I'm not complaining! He is needier than ever and can't seem to get enough love from us. I thought since Buffy and Cujo are in their new home, office productivity would go back up, but I was wrong. Earl cries until you can't take it anymore and give in to playing with him. And it's hard to resist when you seem him jump and run after his toys -- he clears at least three feet! Here he is helping Morris with the mail = ) This great picture was taken by our wonderful co-op student, Carol.

Sorry for not writing over the past couple weeks; we've been busy preparing tax receipts for our monthly donors to our political party, the Animal Alliance Environment Voters Party of Canada. Yes, it is a mouthful -- we're working on it.

Liz just finished editing a paper written by board member and birder Barry Kent-McKay. The reason for the paper is Parks Canada's inclination to slaughter the cormorants on Middle Island, in Lake Erie, instead of leaving the native bird alone. All their reasons are scientifically unsound, so we're doing our best to talk some sense into them.

And it looks like Liz is on her way back to Guelph. They are close to a decision on the trapping issue. Please visit the link below and let council know that traps should be banned, once and for all!

http://www.animalalliance.ca/urgentalert/index.html

Happy New Year!

2008-01-07T10:21:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year, everyone! I hope everyone had a safe and restful holiday.

It was a flurry of activity here at the office over the past few weeks. Liz is madly trying to finish editing a paper, written by Barry Kent-McKay, that is to be submitted to Parks Canada. After we campaigned against the cormorant cull in Presqu'ile by the Ministry of Natural Resources, we must now campaign against Parks Canada, a branch of Environment Canada which seems determined to kill cormorants on Middle Island, in Lake Erie.

Jacqui was burried in requests for Project Jessie packages that people wanted to give away as Christmas gifts. With some help from our wonderful co-op students, she managed to send them all out.

I've been busy with our monthly donor processing, paying bills, and preparing to send out about 800 receipts for people's contributions to our political party.

The good news is that a few kitties found their new homes over the holidays. We still have Earl here at the office. He's as needy and demanding as ever! His pictures don't do him justice; you have to see him in action! For Christmas, we gave him an empty box, which he loves -- as they all do!

And just as an update, please visit www.spaycentral.com for info on the progress of Toronto's first potential low-cost spay / neuter clinic.

The year has started off to be a busy one -- I hope for the animals' sake that it's also a successful one.

Thanks for the visit!

2007-12-10T13:31:00.000-05:00

To all of you who visited us yesterday during our drop-in office party, thank you! We had a wonderful time meeting and chatting with you all. And for those who could not attend, perhaps another time. An open-ended invitation is extended to anyone who would like to come to the office for lunch or a quick coffee!

Teddy and Earl were very well behaved during all the chaos of the party; Earl was particularly laid back, contented to sit on anyone's lap, staying wherever he was plunked down! They're both exhausted today, though, poor little guys = ) What patience to put up with people!

That's Bijoux in the picture above. Shelly reports that Bijoux is doing very well, mischievously getting into everything, and getting away with it thanks to that beautiful little face of hers! She has an appointment with the vet soon to decide what to do about her feeding tube. Stay up-to-date by visiting www.projectjessie.ca and clicking on Bijoux's story. We have had such an outpouring of support for Bijoux, we really cannot thank you all enough for your compassion and generosity.

I hope that compassion at this time of year extends to people's dinner tables as they sit down to feast. I'm so thankful for my food as I prepare myself to eat, but I can't help cringing as my family digs into turkey. What a brief, difficult and cruel life those birds must endure. I'll have to make sure I bite my tongue before my convictions get the better of me! All I can do is hope that people are thankful and respectful of the lives that were involuntarily sacrificed for them.

(On that cheery note!) Wishing you all a safe and merry Christmas, happy Hanukkah, Solstice, Kwanzaa or whatever else you celebrate. And thank you again for all your support for our non-human friends = ^..^ =

Join Us In Celebration!

2007-11-19T12:34:00.000-05:00

It’s that time of year again! And we’re having a party! Come join us for drinks and vegan snacks. We would love to see friends again and for those whom we have not yet met, finally to put faces to names. And the more, the merrier, so bring a friend!

Date: Sunday December 9, 2007

Time: 12 pm – 7 pm

Location: Animal Alliance office at Broadview and Dundas
221 Broadview Avenue, Suite 101, Toronto, ON M4M 2G3
(please ring the AAC bell outside the front door, street parking available)

Please RSVP: call Lia @ 416-462-9541 ext: 24

A note from Earl Grey, the cat: The wonderful humans here at Animal Alliance have been so kind to take me in. Since I’m new here, if you wouldn’t mind, please leave your canine friend at home. I do apologize but I would be ever so grateful!

Our Earl

2007-11-05T10:00:00.000-05:00

You'll have to pardon me, but I can't help talking about Earl Grey. He's so darn cute, and I would have never expected him to come around like he has. Cujo and Buffy have left the office for their foster/forever home, but we're preparing for their possible return (things aren't going as well as we expected with their new cat-mate). In the mean time, since Cujo is gone, Earl has settled in amazingly - surprisingly, they didn't get along at all. He even turned belly-up in my arms last night when I came into the office to visit him - so cute! When he was first brought indoors, from off the street, he barely wanted us to touch him. Now he cries for hugs! He's so gentle and he's finally playing! I think he would probably do best in a home by himself but we're testing out integrating him with yet ANOTHER boy we have here, Teddy. Cross your fingers ; )

Shelly came down to the office a few weeks ago for a staff meeting and brought little Bijoux with her. Another amazing kitty! You would never know that she was sick because she's full of beans now! If you don't know about Bijoux, check out Shelly's blog on the Project Jessie website. Thanks to everyone who donated and sent best wishes for Bijoux.

Liz is in Guelph today on the trapping issue again. The committee is almost at a decision as to how to handle trapping in and around the city. Let's hope the animals win...

It's that time of year again...

2007-10-17T14:26:00.000-04:00

Just in time for your Holiday Shopping...

Here’s how you, your family and friends can shop & save at Bay stores across Canada and, raise funds for Animal Alliance of Canada.

The Bay is holding a special day on Saturday November 03, 2007 as a special fundraiser for those Community Groups that are registered with the Hbc Rewards Program. Shoppers with a “Giving Day” ticket will have an opportunity to save 15% on almost every item in the store.

In addition to the savings, ticket holders will be treated to special entertainment and automatically be entered for a chance to win a $2,500.00 Pre-Holiday makeover or one of five $100.00 Hbc Gift Cards.

Each ticket costs only $5.00 and AAC keeps the entire proceeds.

To order tickets, please contact Jacqui at the office (416)-462-9541 ex 22 or Jacqui@animalalliance.ca or use this link (https://wwws.vex.net/aac/donation.py) to order online.

Thank you!

2007-10-15T15:46:00.001-04:00

Thanks to everyone who came out to the 4th Annual Project Jessie Reunion. We raised over $1,000!!! Tail wags until next year!

Some good news: Tabby from our office and a few other kitties in Shelly's care have all found wonderful homes. And the other week, just before a meeting, Karen Levenson (our Guelph staff member) found a wandering kitty outside our office and scooped him up -- that's him in the pic. We had him neutered, treated for fleas and had a broken tooth removed. Since we couldn't decide on a name, the vet's office granted him the title of Earl Gray. He's just learning and becoming comfortable enough to play and sit in our laps. No more worries about his next meal or trying to stay warm. He has a comfy little bed, a food bowl that's always full and Buffy and Cujo to keep him company when we're not here, mind you, I'm not sure he's too thrilled about that : )

It's good that Earl will live a leisurely life now, but he reminds us that there are so many others out there struggling, with winter on its way. Every group will tell you that this has been a particularly bad year for cats. Unless Toronto begins to consider improving its by-laws, the situation for cats will only worsen. I'm going to sound like Bob Barker but please remember to have your pets spayed or neutered. This will save generations from a harsh and inhumane life. And please consider adopting when looking for your next companion animal. Many shelters and small groups have animals with amazing personalities, fitting into all different types of lifestyles -- young animals, old ones, playful ones, lethargic ones, you name it!

If you want to know more about Earl or any other Project Jessie adoptee, just e-mail or call us. Thanks in advance!

Project Jessie 4th Annual Reunion!

2007-09-07T11:31:00.000-04:00

COME ONE, COME ALL! On October 14th from 11 am to 2 pm at the Caledon Community Complex (see link below), Project Jessie will be having a reunion! This is a fun time to meet and greet the many wonderful dogs that have been adopted through the PJ programme and the amazing humans that helped them every inch of the way. Everyone is invited to enjoy the four-legged company, door prizes, the silent auction and raffle.

We are still looking for donations for the silent auction and raffle. Trying to figure out what to do with that old vase or gift basket of bubble bath you'll never use? We'll gladly take it off your hands! Any money raised will be of great help to the PJ programme. If you would like to lend a helping hand (or paw) or have something to donate, please contact Shelly at shelly@animalalliance.ca

http://www.projectjessie.ca/events.html

Tail wags and belly rubs to all!!!

Please write Guelph!

2007-08-31T09:27:00.000-04:00

It has been crazy in the office, to say the least. With people dropping by, computers driving us mad (they have been down for a few days now and work nearly ground to a halt), and Liz running in and out for meetings, all I can say is TGIF!

Liz's most important meeting was in Guelph on a trapping issue. At a leash-free park in 2006, Harper, a three-year-old Jack Russell, died horribly when his neck was caught in a conibear trap. His owner tried to free him but could not release the trap; Harper died in her arms as she watched helplessly. The MNR investigated, deciding that the trap was set legally and the trapper would not be charged. Karen, our resident Guelph staff member, immediately sprang to action and has since collected thousands of signatures in support of a citywide prohibition on trapping. Aside from being a cruelty issue, this is also a safety issue. Please write to the Mayor and Members of Guelph Council to tell them it's time to make Guelph a safe and compassionate city.

http://www.guelph.ca/cityhall.cfm?subCatID=1359&smocid=1942

Our Love Bugs - Cujo and Buffy

2007-08-20T14:38:00.000-04:00

I think Cujo (that's his handsome face in the pic at left) and Buffy deserve their 15 minutes of fame!

This lovely 5 year-old couple came into our lives quite a number of months ago. They were office cats at a company that changed ownership and employees were told that they would have to find them a new home. The transition was not easy for Buffy and Cujo, or for their previous caregivers; now we see why giving up these two sweeties was so difficult. We feel very lucky that Animal Alliance was chosen to be guardians for Buff and Cujo. No matter what new cat joins the office, Buffy and Cujo are always eager to make friends, even with the most difficult of felines. No hiss or swat has ever deterred these patient and forgiving souls.

Cujo and Buffy also eagerly await their morning and afternoon treat (a tiny bit of watered-down wet diet food!), Cujo moreso than Buffy. Thanks to their healthy food and entertaining toys, both have lost approximately two pounds! Cujo now weighs in at a hefty 18 pounds and Buffy, 10. Buffy is a little more lady-like and mostly reserved, but Cujo LOVES any available lap and LOVES to play. You'll get about 10 minutes out of him until he's down for the count! The more weight that comes off, the more he plays (when he first arrived, he had no interest in play).

A wonderful couple thought they might like to adopt Cujo and Buffy, and we were so ecstatic. We told them all these great things about the two, but when a visit was arranged, Cujo must have sensed a change in the air and decided he did not want to be adopted. He was distant and aloof for the entire visit, even shrinking away from us!

The little bugger got his way and has been here with no prospective homes ever since. I can't complain because I love them so much, but Cujo doesn't know what he's missing -- a soft couch, stairs to run up and down, company at night and on weekends. If you, or someone you know, would like to get to know Buffy and Cujo, please give us a call. When these two little love bugs wiggle their way into a home, I can guarantee it will be an adoption that some kind human will never regret.

Meet Tabby!

2007-08-13T15:13:00.000-04:00

This is Tabby, the new addition to our office. After Beatrix found a home, we had space for another little kittly so Shelly brought us Tabby. She's a beautiful, friendly, young cat, who loves attention and loves to play! She's been here for less than a week and has already made friends with Cujo and Buffy. She greets me every morning at the door and follows us around the office as though she were a little puppy dog. I know we say this about all cats we meet but she really is a wonderful little girl! I hope, like I hope for all the cats we're fostering, that she'll find a home soon (but, at the same time, don't mind having Tabs here to play!).

Beatrix was adopted!

2007-08-07T12:10:00.001-04:00

Well, last week ended with an adoption! Yay!!! We wish every week could end that way : )

Taylor, a volunteer who runs our rescource centre, posted a flyer in his building about Beatrix, a beautiful, gentle 4-year-old female. Someone visiting a friend in the building saw the flyer and gave us a call. He arranged to visit Bea here at the office and, after a chat with Liz and Shelly, decided he would like to share his home with Bea. So far, things have been going just fine (yay, again!).

Bea's story is not unusual. We were contacted by a woman looking to adopt an adult cat. Shelly came across Bea at a shelter and decided that she would be perfect for this woman. Shelly brought Bea home and called the woman to tell her a wonderful cat was waiting for her. The woman said "4 years old! That's too old!" (grrrrr!) So Bea had to wait for some kind soul to open their heart and home to her.

Too many amazing critters are rejected solely because of their age. In Montreal, where 100 animals a day are killed, if you're not a kitten, you don't have a chance. They have so many cats and dogs, only the youngest are given the chance at adoption. Liz was there recently for a meeting on this issue and made it just in time to rescue Minou, who now lives with me. He's a beautiful, rambunctious, energetic 2-year-old (that's him in the pic above). And it makes me sick to think that he would have been killed simply because someone thinks he's "too old". There are simply too many and it's our fault -- but of course, it's the animals that pay the price. I catch myself glaring at people with companion animals that aren't fixed. I bite my tongue when people call the office looking to surrender their animals, especially when they aren't fixed. It's so simple yet this concept seems to be beyond the grasp of some people. Humans claim that we are more evolved and that other species are savage. At this point, I'm no longer surprised by our hypocrisy.