Guest Author - Susan Hopf
Fashion expert and TV personality Tim Gunn speaks out against cruel fashions and clothing. Mr. Gunn’s popularity will help spread the word and go a long way toward a positive impact in the fashion world. Fur and exotic skins are harvested by cruel and inhumane methods - it is far past time to act like the civil society we pretend to be and finally come to realize that skin, fur and feathers really only belong on the animals from whence they came. This is great news for those trying to make a difference for animals across the globe
A new Facebook game can help support the recovery of Cheetahs. These cats are the fastest land mammals on earth but despite their grace and speed continue to lose ground in the total numbers left in the wild. The game, which creates awareness of the intricacies involved with balancing ecosystems, also allows one to contribute to the “Cheetah Conservation Fund” and “Cheetah Kids” with the purchase of virtual items throughout the game. “Wildlife Refuge” can be found on Facebook games.
Ellen DeGeneres is using her popularity to encourage people to neuter their animals and to adopt shelter pets – shelters are often overlooked and shelter pets are often considering damaged goods. Pairing with the Postal Service Ellen is using her considerable clout to change that mistaken viewpoint. Many animals brought to shelters get good veterinary care as well as some level of obedience and behavior training before they are even put up for adoption. Those that have adopted an animal from a shelter will agree that these animals display their gratitude in many loving ways. With the purchase of these “Adopt-a-pet” first-class stamps you can help with the costs that all shelters across the country face in caring for those animals in need.
Canadian medical schools no longer use live animals in their laboratory work. This is good news for pigs, rats, dogs, cats, primates and a host of other animals that have been and continue to be used for surgical practice, dissection, venipuncture and many other procedures at which medical students must become proficient. In place of the animals are state of the art non-animal educational methods including human patient simulators. These simulators more accurately depict human anatomy making the varying procedures performed by students a better instructional tool as well as a more accurate indicator of the individuals’ skill levels.
Each day in the news inhumane activities are reported but more and more good news is replacing some of the bad. To quote Margaret Mead “A small group of people could change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” And on we go, step by step and person by person, changing the world – making the world a better place for all – animals included.
