YULIN Special issue
STOP YULIN PETA News What dogs do for us Veganism - A way forward New book ‘Rich Dog, Poor Dog’
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Celebs and their Pups Join Dog Selfie Campaign to #StopYulin Dog Meat Festival Lucy Watson, Gemma Atkinson, Jenny Seagrove, Sandi Thom, Ricky Gervais, Brian Blessed, Chris Packham support Humane Society International Made in Chelsea’s Lucy Watson, Emmerdale’s Gemma Atkinson, comedian Ricky Gervais, actors Brian Blessed and Jenny Seagrove, TV vet Marc Abraham, singers Sandi Thom and Rumer, and naturalist Chris Packham, are the latest celebrities to tweet a ‘dog selfie’ in support of Humane Society International’s #StopYulin campaign to end China’s annual Yulin dog meat festival on June21st. The stars are urging their fans to sign HSI’s online petition to Chinese President Xi Jinping to halt the Yulin festival where as many as 10,000 dogs are expected to be killed and eaten. Between them, the celebrities have generated hundreds of RTs and petition shares. Lucy Watson and her German Spitz Klein, Digby, added their selfie on Twitter and Instagram. Lucy said: "No animal deserves to be abused and mutilated the way the dogs in the meat festival are and to think that could be my dog/ best friend, Digby, is unbearable. Something needs to be done, we cannot sit back and watch this cruelty continue.” More than 10 million dogs are killed every year across China for their meat. Most of them are stolen pets and strays grabbed from the streets, still wearing their collars when they reach the slaughterhouses where they are beaten to death in front of each other. Singer Sandi Thom said that her Labrador-beagle mix Laddie inspired her to support HSI’s efforts to end China’s dog meat trade: “I feel so passionate about this issue. Laddie trusts me 100 per cent to treat him with respect and kindness because thank goodness that’s all he’s ever known. But once these poor dogs fall into the hands of the meat traders, they have absolutely no-one but us to speak up for them. How can we be silent in the face of such blatant cruelty?” Most people in China don’t eat dogs, and as the Yulin festival approaches, protests and candlelit vigils are expected to take place across the country. On 14 May in China’s city of Dalian, 100,000 people protested against the Yulin festival. Dog lovers in cities such as Beijing, Shanghai and Dalian are increasingly angered by dog thieves who steal
What is a normal version of Animals Write Magazine? Light hearted, mainly funny editorial with stories and articles written from the animal’s point of view. Also film reviews, featuring animals, guidance on helping animals. News from around the world about animal welfare and reference contacts. This issue did not lend itself to a light hearted approach and although, it is odd to launch a magazine with a different style issue, the plight of the dogs and cats in China, particularly at this time of the year is so dire that we felt it needed it. Please support the outrage at eating pets and don’t turn away. Be brave and help turn the world into the best planet it can be. Imagine it was your pet and please act. Cover photos: Ophelie Metivier Email: contact@bravenewworlds.co.uk Published by Brave New world Intl Ltd. Tel: 0207 118 6249. (Main Number) 0845 1306249 (Local rate call from a land line and 24hr Message centre) Available on http://www.magzter.com their pets for the meat trade. Chris Packham, who posed with his poodles Itchy & Scratchy for his #StopYulin selfie, said: “It’s completely wrong to think that people in China don’t care about their dogs like we do. Millions of people across China want the cruel dog meat trade to end, and they are incredibly angry and upset to have their much-loved pets stolen by dog thieves. The annual Yulin dog slaughter is a hideous event, deliberate cruelty to animals in the name of a festival. I hope the Chinese authorities shut it down for good.” The celebrity dog selfies are the latest phase in HSI’s awareness raising #StopYulin campaign that launched earlier this month with a thought-provoking video featuring Alesha Dixon, Will Young and Professor Green. The two minute video, in which the stars are accompanied by their beloved dogs, shows a pet dog being dragged into a van by thieves, dogs packed tightly into small wire cages on trucks, and Yulin market stalls where dog carcasses are hung for sale. Claire Bass, executive director of HSI/UK, said: “We hope to gather millions of signatures against the grisly Yulin festival. Across the world, people are uniting to urge Xi Jingping to direct resources to end the cruel and largely illegal dog meat trade. Our call for action will only get stronger, as we stand united with our Chinese partner groups in saying we must #StopYulin.” You can support the #StopYulin campaign in these two simple ways: Sign and share the #StopYulin petition at www.hsi.org/ stopyulin Text WOOF03 £3 (or any other amount) to 70070 to donate to help HSI save dogs.
3 We are all joined by spirit, somewhere I feel all that my soul mates feel. I know the suffering that they have, and I pray that humans will help them and stop the torture of not only the innocent but those who only seek to be loyal, give strength in times of trouble and show love above all things. As I gaze out on the wilderness and relish my freedom, I imagine myself caged and alone. frightened and missing my family. My heart breaks for those who will never know the smallest kindness or affectionate kiss.
4 VICTORY: FOLLOWING PRESSURE FROM CAMPAIGN GROUPS, GOVERNMENT BACKTRACKS ON PLANS TO SCRAP STATUTORY ANIMAL WELFARE CODES Defra Confirms It Will Not Repeal Statutory Codes for Broiler Chicken Welfare London – Just hours after receiving a joint letter from PETA, Animal Aid, Humane Society International, Animal Equality, Viva! and Compassion in World Farming – and hearing from Kerry McCarthy, Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs – Defra has abandoned plans to scrap the statutory codes in place for broiler chickens in favour of industry-created guidelines. "In light of views raised, we have given the matter further consideration and believe we can achieve our objectives by retaining the existing statutory codes", said a Defra spokesperson. The groups' letter, addressed to Elizabeth Truss, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pointed out that allowing the industry to self-regulate by authoring its own rule book would risk lowering current animal welfare standards because farmers would no longer be required to abide by the codes – and the action would also potentially increase risk of zoonotic diseases and further overuse of antibiotics. "It would have been unconscionable for Defra to let the fox guard the henhouse by giving the very industry that views and treats animals as mere commodities latitude to write its own rule book about its obligations for animal care", says PETA Director Mimi Bekhechi. "At a time when consumers are deeply concerned about declining animal welfare standards, following multiple investigations into UK farms – all of which revealed that animals suffer and die in filthy and severely crowded conditions – the government must do more to protect animals, not less." The updated statutory guidance that the government is now working towards must be made public before coming into force, in order for the codes to be reviewed and debated.
The groups' letter is available upon request. For more information, please visit http://www.PETA.org.uk.
Our thanks to all the organisations who have supplied us with info and made this issue possible. https://www.facebook.com/yulin2016 Facebook page for yulin.
Message to my Captor. I used to have a loving boy, who held me and sang a song. But then I was taken from him, and now my life is wrong. The other dogs are mainly quiet, they have come to know the cage, but I cant help whimpering as I think about his age. If I dont return soon he may get old and need me even more, I try to speak, I try to bark, to even shake a paw. I dont understand why I am here, or why you brought me so far, I was just waiting in my garden when you locked me in your car. I sense from those around me, that your smile only brings us fear, I see the blood and hear the sounds and know I will die here. I wish I could tell you, how I really feel, If I could use voice and words, Would it make my plight more real? A message to my human, wherever you may be, Remember how I loved you, I know how you loved me.
www.animalswrite.com
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Callum and Iggy The Blue Peter puppy What’s it like living with one of the UK’s most famous dogs? 16-year-old Callum from Bradford can tell you! He’s just become the proud owner of Blue Peter’s guide dog in training, Iggy. Callum was born with Norrie disease which means he has no sight whatsoever. To begin with, Callum got out and about using a cane but last summer approached the charity Guide Dogs to find out if he could get a dog of his own. In February 2016, Iggy became Callum’s guide dog and now the pair are inseparable. Currently studying IT at Shipley College, Callum explained what had helped him decide to contact Guide Dogs: “I’ve used a cane since I was about 5-years-old, I have never enjoyed using one but just got on with it when I was younger. I used to bump into things and was always worried about it going wrong. “As I got older, I found the cane frustrating because I was always dependent on someone to accompany me when travelling to school or to hang out with my friends. However, after meeting some guide dog owners and watching a few television documentaries about people with guide dogs I started seeing it as a very real possibility for myself.” Blue Peter teamed up with Guide Dogs in April 2014, to celebrate 50 years since the two British institutions first worked together. Since then, Blue Peter have followed Iggy from the day she was born right up until present day when she became a fully qualified guide dog. Presenter Lindsey Russell in particular formed a real bond with Iggy. It was Lindsey who chose and named Iggy at Guide Dogs National Breeding Centre in Leamington Spa. Since then she has played a huge part in the life-changing pups development by being by her side at all the crucial parts of her training. Iggy has grown up in the spotlight and the pair are clearly a great match as Callum has appeared on stage a few times himself to perform stand-up comedy. Callum continued: “When I first met Iggy it felt very odd to be guided by a dog instead of using a cane. I walked a bit like a robot to begin with but picked it up really quickly, it was much easier than I thought it would be. “After some training I got the call to say that Iggy and I had been matched. My whole family burst into tears, we were all so happy. “Iggy is amazing. She’s crafty and in her spare time she has
a cheeky inclination to steal and hide my mum’s slippers. She also has her giddy five minutes every day, where she runs around the house at about 100 mph, skidding across the kitchen floor – she goes so fast she looks like she’s using a treadmill!” Callum’s mum, Tracy, wasn’t a dog lover before Iggy moved in she said: “I’ve never owned a dog and wasn’t overly keen on them but Iggy is just fantastic. She’s settled in so well and is definitely part of the family. They’ve only been together a short time, but there is a huge difference in Callum’s confidence and I can already see how much she’s going to change his life.” Callum continued: “Iggy is very well known because of Blue Peter and I think it's fantastic that not only have I got a guide dog, but also the chance to help spread the word about the charity Guide Dogs and the work that they do for young people. It also gives me the opportunity to thank the Guide Dogs team publicly for all the amazing work that they have done.” “Thanks to Iggy, I can already get to and from my Nan and Grandad’s by myself. I’ve also learnt my route to college, which involves both a bus and a train. In the not too distant future I’ll be able to go and meet friends for coffee without having to ask someone to take me. The freedom she brings me is brilliant, exhilarating and really exciting.”
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Ricky Gervais continues to back the end of Yulin Ricky Gervais is urging people to get behind Humane So- who looked as though they’d given up all hope of rescue. ciety International’s campaign to shut down China’s cruel Little ‘Ricky’ and his pals were next in line for killing, dog and cat meat trade. until HSI stepped in.” The Humane Society International Rescue claim, despite officials denying that the Yulin dog meat festival will happen, mass dog slaughter will occur next week. The HSI filmed festival slaughter preparations underway in Yulin late last month.
He added: “One of the cats was so frightened that she climbed the wall of her cage to try to escape. I cannot imagine anything so dreadful happening to my cat Ollie - I would do anything to protect her.
“Little Ricky and his pals are the lucky ones. They’re now Ricky has joined the fight against the 'festival', writing: safe thanks to HSI, but thousands of others won’t be saved "My friends at Humane Society International are working unless we do more to stop this.” tirelessly to end this cruel trade all over Asia, and they desperately need your help. To add support to the campaign go to Change.org "I’ve seen the footage that HSI has captured on video, and it breaks my heart." He added: "I will never forget the look of bewilderment and fear on the faces of these poor animals—the dogs and cats await a horrible fate. No animal deserves to be treated like this." The HSI claims many of the animals set to be slaughtered next week will be stolen pets - still wearing collars. The cats and dogs are scooped off the street and packed into wire cages without food or water before being driven on trucks for hundreds of miles to be brutally killed. Up to 10 million dogs are believed to be killed for their meat in China every year, as many as 10,000 alone for the Yulin event. A cat was so scared it climbed the walls of its cage. During a trip to Yulin last month, the HSI found themselves in a position to rescue two dogs and two cats moments from death at a slaughterhouse. The charity named one of the little dogs they saved “Ricky” in honour of star supporter Ricky Gervais, who does so much to shine a spotlight on animal cruelty. Speaking about the rescued dog, Ricky added: “I want you to know I have hope. HSI is at the forefront of saving animals from the butcher’s knife, lobbying to get Yulin and other dog meat markets closed for good. And they’re making progress.” “HSI managed to save the lives of two dogs and two cats
https://www.change.org/p/stop-the-yulin-dogmeat-eating-festival
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Spare this dog from the 20th June Yulin Dog Meat Festival.
Trying to save just one more dog from the horror of the festival
ASSISTANCE DOGS UK
Recognised assistance dogs are dogs that have been trained by accredited member organisations of Assistance Dogs International (ADI) and the International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF). Over 7,000 disabled people in the UK rely on an assistance dog to help with practical tasks, in addition to the emotional benefits and greater independence that such dogs bring. Recognised assistance dogs: • Have been trained to behave well in public • Have safe and reliable temperaments • Are healthy and do not constitute a hygiene risk observed over a considerable period of time • Are fully toilet-trained • Are regularly checked by experienced veterinarians • Are accompanied by a disabled handler who has been trained how to work alongside their assistance dog • Are recognisable by the harness, organisation specific coat, id tag on their collar or lead slip they wear
Assistance Dogs UK is a voluntary coalition of seven assistance dog charities that aims to promote the freedom, independence and rights of people with assistance dogs across the UK. Canine Partners, Dog A.I.D, Dogs for Good, Guide Dog, Hearing Dogs for Deaf People. Medical Detection Dogs,Support Dogs More about these next issue or click now.
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Humane Society International estimates 300 dogs killed daily in Yulin As China’s Yulin dog meat festival gets nearer, animal groups from across China gathered in Beijing to stand in solidarity with Humane Society International’s global #StopYulin campaign to end the annual event, where an estimated 10,000 dogs and countless cats are brutally slaughtered for human consumption. HSI’s China Policy Specialist Dr Peter Li travelled to Beijing direct from Yulin, bringing new video and photographic evidence of mass dog and cat slaughter continuing to take place in the city even outside of the festival period, something the Yulin authorities have repeatedly denied.
HSI estimates that as many as 300 dogs are being killed for food every day in Yulin, with dogs being beaten to death very close to local schools within earshot of children as young as six years old. The Capital Animal Welfare Association, VShine Animal Protection, The Ta Foundation, Hong Kong SPCA and China Animal Protection Power joined with HSI to add China’s voice to the global protest against its brutal dog meat trade. The campaigners were joined by Lian Lian, a dog rescued from a dog meat truck bound for slaughter, now adopted by a loving family in Dalian.
9 HSI’s Peter Li visited three dog and cat slaughterhouses where numerous animals were seen still wearing their collars, indicating that these were stolen pets. HSI witnessed animals being bludgeoned to death with metal rods in full view of their cage mates. Traumatised dogs waiting to be killed were kept in holding pens, the floor awash with blood. Li said “This was one of the most harrowing visits I’ve ever made to Yulin. The dogs and cats I saw were visibly traumatized, their spirits broken from their terrifying ordeal. It’s hard to imagine their mental suffering, watching other dogs being killed, disemboweled and dismembered in front of them. It was like a scene from a nightmare that will haunt me forever. It shocked me to see how close these awful scenes are to local schools, with a high risk of young children being exposed to sounds and sights of extreme animal suffering. And it is apparent from the volume of dogs, and animals wearing pet collars, that Yulin remains a hub for dog and cat theft. It is astonishing that this illegal and cruel trade is tolerated, and so HSI is joining hands with our Chinese animal group partners to urge the Chinese government to crack down on the trade in time to halt the Yulin festival once and for all.” HSI brought back video and photos from two slaughter operations in Yulin, taken between March 29 and April 2, and confirmed that dog meat is widely available in restaurants throughout the city. From interviews with dog meat traders and local residents, HSI estimates that around 300 dogs are being killed in Yulin daily, with a high likelihood that dogs
and cats are being stolen to meet demand. One restaurant owner told HSI that whenever he needs dogs, he simply calls a trader and dogs are provided immediately. There is a constant supply with at least one truck every day bringing live dogs from areas outside the city and other parts of the country. Mm. Qin from Capital Animal Welfare Association called on the whole of China to reject the Yulin festival. Mm. Qin said: "I appeal to you, our Government, to crack down on the illegal activities involved in the dog meat trade, a cancerous act that carries so many negative connotations. China's reputation is in great jeopardy because of this socalled 'tradition,' an eating habit that has long been discredited as something indecent and distasteful by our ancestors." An estimated 10-20 million dogs are killed for human consumption every year in China. It is a brutal trade that involves immense animal cruelty, criminal activity and serious risk to human health, with the World Health Organisation confirming that the trade is linked to cholera and rabies. The Yulin festival takes place this year on June 21, and HSI’s team will return to shine a global spotlight on the suffering. In the meantime, they are leading the global #StopYulin campaign with an online petition at http:// www.hsi.org/helpstopyulin which will be submitted to Chinese officials in early June.
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VIDEO: Alesha Dixon, Professor Green, Will Young and Their Dogs Star in HSI/UK PSA to #StopYulin Dog Meat Festival in China 10,000 dogs to be killed at brutal event
LONDON (3 May 2016) – Alesha Dixon, Professor Green and Will Young star alongside their adorable dogs, in a powerful video appeal to see an end to China’s annual Yulin dog meat festival that takes place on June 21st. Around 10-20 million dogs and countless cats are killed every year across China for their meat. Most of these animals are stolen pets and strays grabbed from the streets, still wearing their collars when they reach the slaughterhouses where they are typically beaten to death in front of each other. Most people in China don’t eat dogs, and there is mounting Chinese opposition to this cruel and largely illegal trade.
The stars and their canine companions are backing the #StopYulin campaign by animal charity Humane Society International, and calling on the public to sign and share their petition urging Chinese President Xi Jinping to halt the Yulin festival and spare thousands of dogs and cats. The 2 minute video, filmed for HSI by The Media Trust on location at the dog-friendly Blacks Club Soho, shows Alesha with her Cocker Spaniels Rosie and Prince, Will with his Border Terrier Esme and Standard Dachshund Nelly, and Professor Green with Old English bull terrier, Arthur. Click here to download the video. Alesha Dixon said: “I am absolutely horrified by the Yulin festival so I’m proud to support HSI’s #StopYulin campaign and their work all year round to end the dog meat trade. How anyone can call the barbaric slaughter of thousands of helpless dogs and cats a festival, is beyond me. Many of these poor animals are stolen pets, who must be utterly bewildered and terrified by their ordeal, and their owners must be frantic knowing what a dreadful fate awaits their beloved companions. There are no animal protection laws in China whatsoever, so these animals need the world to speak out for them and implore the Chinese government to end this appalling spectacle of cruelty. Please join me in
11 signing HSI’s #StopYulin petition.” Far from being a traditional event, the Yulin festival was launched as recently as 2010 for commercial rather than cultural reasons. Previous to that, and much like the rest of China, dog meat was rarely eaten in Yulin. The festival was invented by dog meat traders to boost flagging sales, and endorsed by local authorities in the hope of attracting tourism – a gamble that has spectacularly backfired as Yulin has become infamous globally as symbolic of China’s gruesome dog meat trade. Will Young said: “Esme and Nelly mean the world to me, so when HSI asked me to support #StopYulin, I said yes straight away. The thought of them being stolen, crammed onto the back of a truck in a tiny cage, and ending up terrified in a Yulin slaughterhouse, is heart-breaking. HSI works in partnership with Chinese campaigners representing the millions of Chinese citizens who want this awful trade to end too. They have my support, please give them yours too.” HSI has travelled to Yulin many times to shine a global spotlight on the plight of animals who end up there as part of the illegal dog and cat meat trade, and to rescue animals wherever possible. They will return to China to present the #StopYulin petition, and travel to Yulin in seven weeks’ time when this year’s festival begins. Professor Green said: “I don’t understand the mentality of people who treat animals so cruelly, and I really admire HSI and their Chinese activists for stopping illegal dog meat trucks and rescuing the animals. It’s all too easy to look away and say it’s culture, but the truth is most people in China don’t eat dogs and the Yulin festival is out of step
with a new generation of Chinese people who want a new culture of compassion.” As part of its campaign to end the dog meat trade, HSI set up China Animal Protection Power, a team of Chinese activists dedicated to intercepting trucks loaded with live dogs headed to slaughter. CAPP volunteers also assist the network of animal shelters across China who take in the rescued dogs and cats. Regular adoption days see many of them rehomed inside China, while HSI has flown others to new loving homes in the USA. Xing Hai, a Chinese activist working with HSI, said: “I’m ashamed of China’s Yulin dog meat festival, it stains our reputation around the world and it doesn’t represent the modern China that my generation wants to see. The dogs and cats who end up in this trade endure an unimaginable amount of suffering, including deliberate pain in the misguided belief that the more they suffer, the better their meat will taste. These old fashioned ways of treating animals need to end, which is why we are so happy that people all over the world are supporting our efforts. It means a lot to us.” http://www.hsi.org/world/united_kingdom/news/releases/2016/05/alesha-dixon-professor-green-will-youngyulin-dog-meat-video-appeal-050316.html
You can support the #StopYulin campaign in these two simple ways: • Sign and share the #StopYulin petition at http://www.hsi.org/stopyulin • Text WOOF03 £3 to 70070 to donate £3 to help HSI save dogs.
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HUMANE RAT TRAP SENT TO WORMWOOD SCRUBS PRISON PETA Sends Prison Tips and Humane Trap to Address Unwanted Guests London – After learning that Wormwood Scrubs prison was seeing a rise in its rat population, PETA has sent the prison an example humane trap and a letter urging the use of only humane trapping methods. “By choosing non-lethal, humane traps, Wormwood Scrubs will set the right example to prisoners that all living beings deserve to be treated in a non-violent, compassionate and respectful manner,” says PETA campaign coordinator Kirsty Henderson. In the letter, PETA points out that killing rats is not only cruel but also ineffective. As long as the area remains hospitable, more rodents will simply move in to take the place of those killed. Modifications – including sealing up cracks and holes in walls and foundations, keeping food and rubbish in sealed containers, and keeping floors and countertops clean and free of crumbs and spilled food – discourage rats from entering a space. PETA has also urged Wormwood Scrubs to avoid using glue traps, which are the cruellest rodent-control devices available. Animals who are caught in these traps panic and struggle – tearing skin and flesh – only to die from shock, dehydration, asphyxiation or blood loss. Rats and mice are fastidiously clean animals who groom themselves several times a day and are less likely to catch and transmit parasites and viruses than dogs and cats are. PETA’s letter to Wormwood scrubs is available here. For more information on humane rat control, please visit http:// www.PETA.org.uk.
PETA TO BERNARD MATTHEWS: LAY OFF THE TURKEYS, NOT THE EMPLOYEES Group Wants to Talk Turkey – Vegan Turkey After hearing reports about Bernard Matthews’ financial crisis, PETA rushed a letter to the company’s CEO, Rob Burnett, urging him to turn the company’s fortunes around by laying off the turkeys – not the staff. In the letter, the group points to the growing demand for meat-free meals and urges the company to switch to producing humane and tasty vegan meat. “Successful companies adapt to the times”, says PETA’s manager of special projects, Dawn Carr. “As the demand for vegan fare skyrockets, there has never been a better time for Bernard Matthews to start offering delicious vegan meat – with all the taste but none of the cruelty of animal flesh.” PETA – whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to eat” – notes that interest in vegan eating is on the rise. The market for meat-free products is worth over £625 million, Google searches for “vegan” are at an all-time high, and government surveys reveal the lowest rates of meat and fish consumption in at least a decade. In addition to sparing many animals every year the horrors of the abattoir, vegans are less prone to suffer from cancer, obesity and diabetes than meat-eaters are. They also have a lower carbon footprint. These are just some of the reasons why millions of British people (including 20 per cent of 16- to 24-year-olds, according to the research group Mintel) have chosen to ditch animal-derived foods
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Cats Protection and RSPCA Cymru join forces for new scheme in Wales - Get your cat neutered and microchipped for just £5 A new scheme to encourage cat owners across Wales to get their pets neutered and microchipped has been launched. The Wales Cat Neutering and Microchipping Project is being run in partnership by Cats Protection and RSPCA Cymru. Its aim is to encourage cat owners to neuter and microchip their pets. More than 100 vets across Wales have signed up to the scheme, which is available to cat owners who are in receipt of benefits or on a low income in Wales. For their cat to be neutered and microchipped the owner will only have to pay £5 - which is a fraction of the price these procedures would usually cost. Both charities believe that population control for cats is vital as felines are prolific breeders. As one unneutered female cat could produce up to 18 kittens a year, or 20,000 descendants over five years, owners who do not neuter their cats may unwittingly be contributing to more cats being abandoned in the future. Neutering Manager for Cats Protection, Jane Clements, welcomed the initiative and said: “Neutering is such an
important decision which cat owners sometimes fail to make before their female cat has an unexpected litter of kittens! This is because many people don’t realise that kittens can reach puberty at four months of age. Female cats do not need to have a litter before they are spayed, and males can also be snipped at four months old. A spay or a snip has health benefits, can prevent injuries from roaming or fighting and generally allows cats to enjoy playing outside without the risk of getting pregnant or being hit by a car in the quest to find a mate.”
RSPCA Cymru’s national welfare manager, Coralie Farren, said: “Neutering cats is so important as it can help prevent illnesses and reduce the number of unwanted kittens. Cats are able to start breeding from as young as four months old and sometimes mate with their brothers and sisters. Spaying or snipping your cat is a straightforward procedure which prevents unwanted pregnancies in female cats and can help reduce fighting and roaming of male cats. Repeated breeding and fighting is unhealthy for cats and can increase the risk of disease, while microchipping is really important if a cat becomes lost or injured.” Although microchipping is a safe and permanent means of identification, which increases the chances of a missing cat being reunited with its owner, nearly half of the UK’s owned cats are not microchipped¹. Both organisations believe it’s vital that all cats are microchipped as it gives cat owners more peace of mind and enables the charity to reunite missing cats with their owners. Those interested in taking part in the scheme can check if they qualify and if there is a vet (that has signed up to the scheme) near them by visiting http://www.cats.org. uk/what-we-do/neutering/current-neutering-campaigns/ wales-neutering-campaign
The Secret Life of Pets - Out Soon
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Ruff edit: Dogs Trust launch Doggy Dub - the first dubbing app featuring dogs! Dogs Trust has launched Doggy Dub - a pioneering new app in which users record their own voices over specially created videos of past and present Dogs Trust residents to share with friends. The charity, which has worked tirelessly to give dogs a voice over the last 125 years, is releasing this UK-first innovation as part of its anniversary celebrations in 2016. Doggy Dub follows the hugely successful launch of Dogs Trust Emoji Keyboard in 2015, which received over 41,000 downloads, and aims to harness the popularity of dubbing apps such as Dubsmash, bringing a twist on the technology to the canine loving public. From gazing adoringly in the mirror to excitedly nodding in agreement, the app features videos showing dogs moving their mouths in a range of different scenarios, as if talking. Users then give their own voices to the dog stars by recording over the footage to time with the pooch’s mouth movements, and the app will then cleverly layer the audio over the visual.
How to ‘do the Doggy Dub’
• Scroll through and select your favourite video (e.g. hungry, sleepy, lazy) • Practice a few times with your chosen clip to ensure you’re word perfect! • Hit the Doggy Dub button to record your 8-second message • Replay your efforts or re-try as much as you like until you’re happy • Share your best efforts with friends and family via direct messages or on social media using #DoggyDub All of the dogs featured in Doggy Dub are past and present residents of Dogs Trust. From Larry the Neapolitan Mastiff to Trudi the English bulldog, the charity cares for nearly 17,000 dogs across its network of 20 Rehoming Centres in the UK and one in Ireland. Through technology such as Doggy Dub, Dogs Trust aims to showcase the personality and sheer variety of dogs in their care as well as allowing dog owners and dog lovers from across the globe to share and celebrate this diversity in videos to friends and family. Adrian Burder, CEO of Dogs Trust said: “At Dogs Trust we are always striving to find new ways of communicating the variety of the dogs in our care and we think Dogs Trust Doggy Dub does just that. Each dub created and each video shared is another conversation about rescue dogs and a fantastic way to ring in our 125th year.” Dogs Trust Doggy Dub is available to download for free on Apple iOS and Google Android.
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YOUNG CITIZEN AWARD FOR KINDHEARTED BAILEY
Councillor Young added: “I was pleased to come and meet Bailey, a very pleasant and caring young man. Bailey suffers with ADHD but is proof that the condition can be overcome. I was very proud to meet him and his mum Lisa. If Bailey had his way the family would home with 100 cats because he wanted to take them all home. A big thank you to Cats Protection for entertaining Bailey today.”
An eight-year-old boy who won an award for carrying out 100 acts of kindness has added another good turn to his list – by donating £250 of his prize money to Cats Protection. Bailey Sloan, from Barry, won Rotary International’s Young Citizen Award in recognition of his many kindhearted deeds which have included clearing litter from the beach, presenting passers-by with roses and leaving chocolate gifts on doorsteps. The inspirational youngster, who has ADHD and autism, was awarded with a trophy and £500 to split between his chosen charities – Cats Protection and homeless charity Llamau. Cat-loving Bailey, who has three moggies of his own, visited Cats Protection’s Bridgend Adoption Centre on Monday (25 April) to hand over the cheque in a presentation which was also attended by the Mayor and Mayoress of Bridgend, Councillor Richard Young and his wife Annette. During his visit to the centre Bailey got to meet some of the unwanted and abandoned cats which will benefit from his kindness, and talked to staff about his own cats, named Mog, Pink Loveheart and Ginger Beauty. Bailey said: “I chose to give to Cats Protection because I adore and care for cats, they are adorable creatures and kindness is magic.” Centre Manager Sue Dobbs said: “It was a true privilege to meet such an inspirational boy like Bailey and we absolutely loved having him here. We gave him a tour of the centre so he could see for himself how his kind donation will be put to use.“ “I was very touched by Bailey’s 100 random acts of kindness. He is very enthusiastic and has an obvious passion for cats, something which came across during his visit to the centre. We feel honoured that we were one of his chosen charities to receive part of his prize money for wining his Young Citizen Award.” Bailey’s mum Lisa Harrhy, who came up with the kindness challenge to help him learn about empathy, said: “I am very proud of Bailey and I am happy that he has done so many acts of kindness which are an inspiration to others.”
Children and their pets, a friendship like no other – Love, loyalty and fun! A series of adorable photographs celebrating the special bond between young children and their pets has been exclusively commissioned by The Baby Show. A new study revealed that nearly half (47%) of new parents today have pets at home in the first three years of their child’s life, while 83% of parents believe that having a pet is beneficial for their child’s development. The survey also reports why parents think having a pet has a positive impact on young children with 60% saying it is good for them to interact with animals from a young age and almost a third (29%) believing it teaches them responsibility whilst 1 in 10 (9%) say it improves their social skills. Dogs were crowned king of the pets, beating cats, rabbits and fish as the nation’s favourite animal to have with young children.
17 • Dog (48%) • Cat (30%) • Rabbit (7%) • Fish (6%) • Guinea Pig (4%) • Hamster, Gerbil, Mouse or Rat (3%) • Bird (2%) The heart-warming photos feature an array of animals and their young owners, including toy poodles, turtles, British bulldogs, kittens, lizards, snakes and even an albino hedgehog! Sarah Beeson MBE, expert speaker at The Baby Show and author of Happy Baby, Happy Family says: “It’s no surprise that such a high number of new parents have pets. We often practice our caring skills on our beloved animals before we embark on parenthood.“ “It’s always better to be on the safe side when setting boundaries for the relationship between your child and your pet but it’s a great opportunity for your little one to learn. The experience of pet ownerships shows us how to be loving and respectful, and can give children a little bit of supervised responsibility. The relationship your toddler has with your pet often starts long before they make friends at school or nursery; they really are part of the family.” The Baby Show asked parents of the children who featured in the photo shoot why they chose to have a pet with their new baby. Anna Ashby, mother to Logan, says: “Having a pet encourages children to consider another being outside of themselves. Children have an instant friend who teaches them love, loyalty and fun!” Sophie Ive, mother to Shayla, explains the joy her dog, Kim, brings to her daughter: “She is always excited to see our pet - she even reaches out to other dogs and squeals for them to come closer to her. She’s grown up loving and
caring for animals. Children are calmed by animals as they learn how to share and love.” Participants described how their children and toddlers often confided in their pets and this helped them to build social skills and companionship. Billy the bulldog is a best friend to Danny Wong’s child, Laila He says: “They love each other’s company – we often find them under the dining table playing something or other together!” Families agreed that having a pet is the perfect way to help them prepare for interaction with other children. Exercise with their pet was also a beneficial way to keep fit and talk through any issues their child may be having. Danny Wong, father to Laila and Charlie (picture 4) says: “A dog walk is the perfect time to have a casual chat with the kids about any problems they may be experiencing. It also provides lots of fun activities and games to play as a family whilst also getting some much needed fresh air.” Natalia Dolan, mother to Maya says: “We interact wonderfully without our animals, but they are an added bonus to our daughter. The animals are a comfort to her if she is cranky or upset, and of course she is more interactive when she is happier!” Anna Ashby, mother to Logan adds, “It is a friendship like no other. A sense of trust and a bond. It also teaches loss and how to deal with that when the time comes. To appreciate relationships alongside the responsibility of taking care of a living thing is a hugely important aspect of growing up.” The Baby Show, with MadeForMums, was at the NEC in Birmingham 13th to 15th May. The ultimate pregnancy and parenting shopping event for new and expectant parents, it will be home to over 200 exhibitors, showcasing the very best baby and infant essentials. http://www.thebabyshow.co.uk
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CAMBRIDGE TEEN WINS PETA AWARD FOR LAUNCH OF ANIMAL RIGHTS GROUP 14-Year-Old Campaigns for Vegan Meals at School, Calls for an End to Trips to the Cruel Aquarium, and More Cambridge, England – Whether he’s campaigning for vegan options at his school lunch hall or planning to run an interactive stall focused on animal rights at an upcoming music festival, 14-year-old Joseph Knight is always ready to fight for animals in his home town of Cambridge – and now PETA is recognizing his outstanding efforts with its prestigious Compassionate Teen Award. Joseph has even launched his own animal rights group, called StandUp which is currently urging his school’s administration to cancel trips to Parc Astérix, an aquarium that houses captive dolphins and sea lions. The group is also applying for a grant from The Pollination Project to tackle other vital issues affecting animals, and it publishes a weekly newsletter.
“Joseph’s work is shining a spotlight on the plight of animals in many different industries that profit from abusing and killing them”, says PETA Associate Director Elisa Allen. “His boundless compassion is a wonderful example for teens and adults to follow.”
Excerpt of the new book, out at the end of the year.
Rich Dog, Poor Dog.
Dog blinked up at the sunlight, it had been sometime since he had been out of the barn. His fur bristled as the warmth spread through to his skin and he realised how cold he had been for the past few days. Other puppies were joining him now, his brothers and sisters and fifteen or twenty other puppies from adjoining stalls in the barn. They started to run about together and play. The area was well fenced, it was only small, but enough to start some good games of tag and roll. Dog found himself playing with a girl who was a bit bigger than him, possibly a couple of weeks older. He recognised her bark from in the barn. ‘I’m on your tail’ she barked as she grabbed the tip of his golden fur lightly in her teeth and started to tug. Dog laughed as only dogs can, a happiness eminating from around his head completely filling his aura. Their playing was cut short by the arrival of some full dishes of food. As they were placed on the ground by a man,his young son and an older man, the puppies dived into them. There were fifteen large dishes of food brought out , enough for the puppies to have their fill. After they had eaten they continued to play for a few more minutes before feeling sleepy and curling up together. A man walked through the enclosure counting them and looking at their bodies to see if they were okay. He picked Dog up and had a quick look at him. Dogs don’t normally understand the words that people use, unless they are taught, but they understand what they mean telepathically. Words are interpreted through emotion, even small degrees. ‘This is going to be a big one’, the man was saying. ‘We could keep him back to next year, get more money for him?’ The old man strolled over and looked into Dog’s eyes, Dog wagged his tail and tried to put his tongue out. “No,’ the old man said. ‘He would cost us much in food to grow him. Better sell him half grown. Sooner we get rid of them the better. We don’t want a repeat of last year”. The old man glanced over at the boy. ‘That won’t happen again,’ the man said and dropped Dog back to the ground. He squeeked in surprise, then scampered back to his friend. They would soon be back in the barn. He loved the sunshine on his fur but he also missed his mother, Mama. She was still stuck in the barn with the other mothers, they would not let them be out together. Mama was not typical of the other mothers. This was her
19 first litter and she had a wonderful scent. It seemed so full of happiness to them, unlike the other mothers who were all much older, some by a couple of years. Their demeanor was always sad and sometimes bad tempered. Whereas Mama kept her tail high and took it upon herself to make all the puppies in the barn happy. ‘Why do you bother?’ One of the other mothers had growled at her that morning. ‘They’ll soon be gone, how will you feel then?’ ‘It doesn’t matter how I feel, she had replied. ‘They are young innocents who should have some happy memories before they face whatever is out there. When they come to take my puppies, I wont let them, I will bite and jump and stop anyone from hurting them.’ ‘Stupid dog’, the other mother said,’do you not think we all felt that way the first time we had puppies? Most of us were six months old when we started, I am on my sixth litter. All of the others gone.’ Another mother joined in, she was a medium sized mixed breed as several were, they called her Fluff. ‘If you are lucky, people will come before they are all taken, people who will choose just one puppy. You can tell from the way they are, that these people will offer a good home to the puppy. That he will never want for food or love. Such a person came here last year. I had twelve puppies then and the woman could only take one. She came in a big car and was going to a place beyond the sea. She spoke of flying a puppy and that it would live on her farm. She was only interested in my puppies and I had two that I wanted her to take the most. I know you shouldn’t have favourites but I couldn’t help it. Paw and White were almost inseperable from birth. They use to play tricks on me and hide and then jump out and surprise me. They cuddled me more than any other puppy I have known and they loved each other so much. Their hearts were so kind, they helped other puppies who were feeling sad, they tried to warm up the tiny ones. When the woman came they both ran to her, I was there so that she could see what I was like. I didn’t want to bark or anything in case it put her off. I tried to look friendly but all the while I watched my puppies and hoped she would take them both. Finally she picked White up and stroked his fur and I felt myself willing for her to pick up Paw too. He was sitting at her feet barking up at her, wagging his tail. Then she did pick him up and held the two of them together, I was full of hope that she would take both. Then as fast as my heart had soared in the sky it fell rapidly to the ground. ‘I can only take one’ she said. She put White back down and carried Paw to her car. Paw looked back at White and they both let out a yip. I ran to White and told him to be quiet, that barking may make the woman decide not to take either and felt my heart breaking as he went quiet for a moment. Paw was still barking and looking very unsure, the woman stopped walking to her car. Suddenly White leapt forward and cried to his brother. ‘Have a good life, I will always think of you. Please lick her face so that she knows you are the one and dont’ worry about us, we will all have great homes soon’. Paw listened and then looked at the woman and gave her a
long lick. She hugged him in return and put him in the car. He was still looking out the back window as we were taken back in the dingy barn. White cried all night. Even though I tried to comfort him, their bond could not be broken with distance, he could still feel his brother’s breath on him. I became even closer to White after Paw left. He was a tough puppy, he kep telling me he would never leave me, that I would always be with him. I couldnt believe that he was so intuitive, he seemed to know what humans were thinking even before they did. The little human boy grew to love him too. His white fur covered him completely, just his nose was pink. A few weeks later White was taken from me with all the other puppies. I was locked in the barn, I scratched at the wood and howled as I saw my loved ones being crammed into cages. My nails were breaking as I tried to push my head out to see more. The young boy had run up to them and had picked up White before he could go into the cage. The boy was pleading with his father. Then his father wacked him with the back of his hand and the boy fell to the ground. The man grabbed White but White sank his teeth into the man’s hand so that the man dropped and kicked him, then he went over to where white had landed to stamp on him. ‘I closed my eyes, but as he brought his foot down the boy shielded the dog and took the full boot in his face. A woman appeared then and grabbed the child, his face covered in blood, she shouted at the man. He looked surprised at what had happened. White was thrown into the cage by another man and the door locked, then it drove off.’ ‘It was the last I saw of him. I dont even know if he was badly hurt from the kick he received. Next time I saw the truck the cages were empty. They were only twelve weeks old when they were taken away. I hear that they go to another place some distance where they stay for a few months. White could still be there. I don’t know what happens to them after that.’ ‘You must have hope’, Mama said. She had such beautiful eyes, an intense brown and such a kindness that seemed to come from her very soul. Dog and the other puppies were hearded back into the barn and returned to their mothers. They were all pleased to be with each other again. The mother’s breathed a sigh of relief. They could see their pups were growing and they knew it would only be a few more weeks before they would be taken. That night, Dog was snuggling into his mother when he heard something round their stall, he went to investigate and saw that the ground was being scratched away. A pink nose appeared, followed by a muzzle and then a medium sized dog was pushing itself into the shed. He stood and looked at Dog. He was completely white and was much larger than Dog had first thought. The white dog glanced around and then let out a soft howl just loud enough to engulf the barn. All the dogs awaoke and Dog scampered back to his mother’s side. the white dog howled again and then his mother howled back. White had come to get his mother. (to be continued)
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THE JUNGLE BOOK NEEL SETHI, BILL MURRAY, BEN KINGSLEY, CHRISTOPHER WALKERN, LUPITA NYONG’O, IDRIS ELBA, SCARLETT JOHANSSON, GIANCARLO ESPOSITO DIRECTED BY JON FAVREAU Directed by Jon Favreau (“Iron Man”), based on Rudyard Kipling’s timeless stories and inspired by Disney’s classic animated film, “The Jungle Book” is an all-new live-action epic adventure about Mowgli (newcomer Neel Sethi), a man-cub who’s been raised by a family of wolves. But Mowgli finds he is no longer welcome in the jungle when
fearsome tiger Shere Khan (voice of Idris Elba), who bears the scars of Man, promises to eliminate what he sees as a threat. Urged to abandon the only home he’s ever known, Mowgli embarks on a captivating journey of self-discovery, guided by panther-turned-stern mentor Bagheera (voice of Ben Kingsley), and the free-spirited bear Baloo (voice of Bill Murray). Along the way, Mowgli encounters jungle creatures who don’t exactly have his best interests at heart, including Kaa (voice of Scarlett Johansson), a python whose seductive voice and gaze hypnotizes the mancub, and the smooth-talking King Louie (voice of Christopher Walken), who tries to coerce Mowgli into giving up the secret to the elusive and deadly red flower: fire.
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“The Jungle Book� seamlessly blends liveaction with photorealistic CGI animals and environments, using up-tothe-minute technology and storytelling techniques to immerse audiences in an enchanting and lush world. One of the must see films of the year. The snake looks frightening and the bear cuddly. Trailers can be seen online. I normally shy away from remakes of Jungle Book as the Disney animated classic was pretty unbeatable. Until now. Finally live action and animation come together to lift the story to a new height and bring more frights than any purely animated film can. All the characters are very engaging and the story has many enhancements. The film contains two songs and should be seen on the big screen.
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Rare Behavior by the World’s Second Largest Creature Caught on Film In May, Barnstable, MA. Passengers on board Hyannis Whale Watcher witnessed the highly unusual sighting of a breaching finback whale. Finback whales are a federally endangered species and the second-largest creature on earth, out-sized only by the blue whale. Full grown, fin whales reach lengths of 75 ft (22 m) long and up to 80 tons (72,575 kg). While sightings of fin whales are not unusual in the waters off of Cape Cod, the dense-bodied whales are rarely seen throwing their body out of the water, a behavior known as breaching. Biologists from the Whale and Dolphin Conservation were on board at the time, and note they have no records of fin whales breaching in their database which documents over 4,000 whale watches over the past ten years. According to Monica Pepe, WDC’s Conservation and Education Manager, “Breaching is a behavior that probably serves many purposes, and may include communicating or removing parasites. We may never know why whales breach, but we do know that it uses a lot of energy, so it must be important for them.”
“It is humbling and overwhelming to have the privilege to see something so amazing and rare” said Jon Brink, lead naturalist at the Hyannis Whale Watcher “These are wild animals doing what they want, when they want to. It’s why I love whale watching- you never know what you will see from one trip to the next.” The Hyannis Whale Watcher is based in Barnstable Harbor, and is a proud member of the award-winning Whale SENSE program where participating companies voluntarily agree to adhere to a higher standard of responsible whale watching. Hyannis Whale Watcher also provides a research and education platform for Whale and Dolphin Conservation’s international Field Research Internship Program, where interns collect sightings data as well as educate passengers about marine mammal biology and conservation. Pepe went on to say that the breaching fin whale was not the only surprise sighting today. “We also spotted a critically endangered North Atlantic right whale today. Seeing the right whale today is an important reminder to all boaters that they should proceed with caution and post a lookout when transiting the waters off Massachusetts.” Fewer than 500 North Atlantic right whales remain and their recovery is impeded by vessel strikes and entanglements in fishing gear. Regulations designed specifically to protect this highly-endangered species include a 10kt speed rule in place in Cape Cod Bay from January 1st through May 15th as well as an approach regulation which requires all vessels to maintain a distance of 500 yards from right whales.
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Animal Antics and beach fun in Lee Valley Lamb racing, sheep shearing, water sports, cycling the Olympic Way and taking a historic walk in the country, are just some of the myriad of activities to try in the Lee Valley this May. The region is packed with fun activities for children and adults alike, with a host of special events especially for children over the May half term period as well as nature trails, workshops and key sporting events throughout the month. There’s a chance to test athletics skills at the Lee Valley Athletics Centre, try a balancing act on ice at Lee Valley Ice Centre or have a go at FootGolf - brand new to Lee Valley, combining football and golf in one exciting game at Lee Valley Golf Course in Edmonton. A six mile long sculpture trail is one of the latest highlights of a visit to leafy River Lee Country Park, filled with lakes and green spaces, providing the perfect setting for bird watching, fishing, cycling and walking.
Animal antics on the farms For those looking for some animal attractions as well as fun and entertainment for children in the holidays, what better way to spend a day than at Lee Valley Park Farms in Waltham Abbey.
Feeding newborn lambs, making sheep masks, watching sheep being sheared and lamb racing are just some of the many activities going on at May Half Term (shearing Monday 30 May to Friday 3 June). Children will be able to select the number of one of the young lambs before a race and those who pick a winning lamb get a medal! Visitors can also say hello to the latest new arrival, a new born male Oxford Down lamb, just days old (pictured) and can also help staff to feed carrots and greens to the rabbits and guinea pigs. With the farms open every day of the week, the fun never stops, as during the whole summer there are a host of activities and attractions, including taking a thrilling toboggan ride and meeting the 300 animals, including cheeky Meerkats, llamas, guinea pigs, rabbits and exotic species such as Bearded Dragons. And after Half Term, the farms have a celebration of the Queen’s Birthday on Sunday 12 June, when children are invited to come dressed up as Princesses and Knights. The farms are also marking Father’s Day on 19 June, when dads go free! Open daily until 30 October 2016, 10:00-17:00. Price: Adults £9.50, children/concessions £8.50, under 2s free (book online for 10% off). Date: Sheep Week - Saturday 28 May to Sunday 5 June Time: 10:00 – 17:00 Address: Lee Valley Park Farms, Stubbins Hall Lane, Waltham Abbey EN9 2EF.
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PETA Honours Students for Their Persuasive Messages Calling on Public to Help Captive Whales
Warrington – Courtesy of PETA, students in Class 4 at the Thelwall Community Junior School in Warrington received a Compassionate Action Award for writing letters to raise awareness of the suffering of captive orcas at SeaWorld (sample letters are available here and here). The children’s teacher, Rosie O’Hara, let them choose a real-life topic for their persuasive writing lesson – and, through their own research, the students were shocked to discover that captive orcas are kept in tiny barren tanks and endure years of illness and stress before a premature death. Their letters include hand-drawn illustrations and urge the public to join PETA in calling for the release of the captive orcas to seaside sanctuaries. “Please stop whalenapping these creatures”, pleads one student. “SeaWorld gives customers more room to park than they give orcas to live. This is horrific!” writes another, while a third poignantly asks, “Doesn’t it break your heart that orcas die at the age [of] 13 when in the wild they live for 30 years?”
Is
it time to go Vegan? ‘What a load of bull!’ Football association under fire from PETA for plans to use live bull at FA vase final Animals Are Not Props, Says Charity
Hereford – After hearing that the Football Association (FA) has granted permission to Hereford FC to parade Hawkesbury Ronaldo, a bull, around Wembley Stadium this Sunday before the start of the FA Vase final, PETA rushed a letter to FA CEO Martin Glenn. The letter urges “Kids naturally love animals and are eager to call for or- Glenn to revoke the permission immediately and implecas’ freedom once they learn how these sensitive beings suf- ment a policy against allowing the use of live animals in fer in captivity”, says PETA UK Director Mimi Bekhechi. football stadiums. “We’re grateful that these kind students are spreading the message that orcas belong in their ocean homes – not in “Hawkesbury Ronaldo will likely be terrified and alarmed when subjected to the crowds of shouting football fans”, captivity.” writes PETA campaigns coordinator Kirsty Henderson. As the children’s letters vividly describe, the sensitive, in- “We urge FA CEO Martin Glenn to use his influence to telligent marine mammals who are imprisoned at marine spare this bull the stress and misery of being paraded in parks like SeaWorld are denied the intricate social relation- front of thousands of screaming football fans on Sunday.” ships and daily 100-mile ocean journeys they would experience in the wild. Housed in tiny concrete tanks, captive orcas swim in endless circles and often break their teeth from gnawing on metal tank bars out of stress and boredom.
In its letter, PETA – whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to use for entertainment” – notes that bulls are sensitive animals who are extremely intelligent and aware of their surroundings. When they are subjected to stressful and unnatural environments, there is no telling PETA – whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not how they will react, creating a potential risk to spectators ours to use for entertainment” – continues to urge all ma- and staff at the match. The group also suggests that Herrine parks to retire their long-suffering orcas to seaside eford FC be encouraged to arrange for one of its supporters to dress up as a bull, thereby promoting their team in a sanctuaries. manner that avoids all cruelty to animals. For more information, please visit http://www.PETA.org.uk.
In 2013, UEFA President Michel Platini agreed to stop the slaughter of sheep in a pre-game ritual by FC Shakhter Karagandy after hearing from PETA.
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Veganism up by 350% – Fastest growing lifestyle movement
range of dairy-free milks and other vegan-friendly products. “As consumers become more savvy about the reality of the farming industry, and the health implications of meat and dairy products, this boom will only continue.”
There are over half a million vegans in Britain, new re- De Boo added: “The reasons behind the rise of vegansearch commissioned by The Vegan Society in partnership ism are numerous: the positive portrayal in the media has contributed to its changing image; documentaries on the with Vegan Life magazine, has found. shocking realities and consequences of animal agriculture At least 542,000 people in Britain are now following a ve- have gained prominence; delicious-looking vegan recigan diet and never consume any animal products includ- pes have multiplied online and on social media as society ing meat, fish, milk, cheese, eggs and honey. This is an becomes increasingly health-conscious; and top vegan increase of over 350% since the last estimate of 150,000 athletes keep proving that you can be fit and healthy on a ten years ago, making veganism one of Britain’s fastest plant-based diet. growing lifestyle movements. “Going vegan is the best thing any individual can do for The study, carried out by leading researchers Ipsos MORI, the animals, the planet and your health. What are you surveyed almost 10,000 people aged 15 or over across waiting for?” England, Scotland and Wales – the biggest ever poll quantifying the vegan community.
Brighton ranks first in England for ‘Vegan’ Google searches
“To have over half a million vegans in Britain is fantastic. More people than ever before are acting upon the health and environmental benefits of veganism, and finding out what really goes on in the meat and dairy industries and deciding they do not want to contribute to the pain and PETA Notes East Sussex Town Is Part of Larger Movesuffering of animals,” said Jasmijn de Boo, CEO of The ment Towards Plant-Based Eating Vegan Society. Brighton – Brighton residents are the keenest in England to learn about vegan grub, according to a Google Trends analysis of searches over the past year. The East Sussex seaside town has the highest percentage of queries for the word “vegan”, trailed by Bristol, Bournemouth and Oxford. The finding follows a similar analysis earlier this year that showed UK residents overall are googling “vegan” in record numbers. In addition, research from Mintel has reThe movement is being driven by young people making vealed that a whopping 20 per cent of 16- to 24-year-old more ethical and compassionate choices – close to half of Brits have chosen to ditch animal-derived foods. all vegans are in the 15-34 age category (42%) compared to just 14% who are over 65 – evidence to support even “The benefits of going vegan for our health, animals and greater growth in the future. the environment continue to pile up, so it’s no wonder Brightonians are eager to learn about this compassionate The study also found that 3.25% of the population, around lifestyle”, says PETA Director Mimi Bekhechi. “With de1.68 million people, are either vegetarian or vegan. More licious plant-based options easier to find than ever, PETA than 860,000 of all vegetarians and vegans also avoid all encourages everyone to make the switch today.” non-dietary animal products such as leather and wool. The results make encouraging reading for those who care about animals and the planet. Nearly half of vegetarians who are not vegan said they would like to reduce their consumption of dietary animal products. This equates to 521,000 people across Britain, meaning there could soon be in excess of one million vegans in total.
A popular holiday spot, Brighton is known for its beaches The vast majority of vegans live in urban or suburban arand plentiful dining, including delicious vegan-friendly eas (88%) compared with rural areas (12%) and this is reeateries like Terre à Terre, VBites, Purezza and The Prince flected in London, where 22% of all vegans in Britain live George pub. – more than any other region. Vegan Life magazine publishing director Keith Coomber said: “The public perception of veganism is changing fast. It’s no longer an extreme lifestyle, it’s easy and accessible - walk into any supermarket and you're greeted by a huge
Join in and try vegan for yourself! Request PETA’s free vegan starter kit or visit http://www.PETA.org.uk for more information.
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DOWNTON ABBEY’ STAR PAYS HOMAGE TO SHAKESPEARE IN POIGNANT NEW VIDEO
Looking the way her harmless. young one went,
Peter Egan and PETA Draw Attention to Cruelty of Dairy Industry in Unique Tribute for 400th Anniversary of the Bard’s Death
“William Shakespeare wrote these words more than 400 years ago,” says Egan in the video, “but to this day, mother and baby cows continue to be torn apart and killed. You can help them today simply by choosing vegan meals.”
London – As William Shakespeare fans around the world mark the 400th anniversary of the Bard’s death on 23 April, Downton Abbey star Peter Egan is proving just how relevant Shakespeare’s works remain today. In a brand-new PETA video, Egan, who is vegan, recites a passage from Henry VI over footage from a modern-day dairy farm: Thou never didst them wrong, nor no man wrong; And as the butcher takes away the calf And binds the wretch, and beats it when it strays, Bearing it to the bloody slaughter-house,
Even so remorseless have they born him hence; And as the dam runs lowing up and down,
And can do nought but wail her darling’s loss
Shakespeare vividly describes how a distraught mother cow cries out for her stolen calf for days. Just like a human female, she is pregnant for nine months but typically, her calf is taken away from her within hours of birth. Most female calves are destined for the same fate as their mothers: repeated artificial insemination until their bodies give out and they’re slaughtered for cheap meat. PETA – whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to eat” – notes that plant-based milks are far kinder to animals and contain none of the artery-clogging animal fat and cholesterol of cows’ milk. PETA offers a free vegan starter kit on its website
Don’t forget the Tiger situation. Of the original nine subspecies of tigers, three have become extinct in the last 80 years; an average of one every 20 years. It has been predicted all tigers may become extinct in the wild within the next decade. Poaching, habitat loss and fragmentation have reduced the global population of tigers from over 100,000 in the 1900′s, to less than 4,000 in the 1970′s. Today, four of the remaining subspecies of tigers are considered endangered by the IUCN, while two of the subspecies are considered “critically” endangered. The total number of all the wild populations of the six remaining subspecies of tigers (Bengal, Indochinese, Malayan, Siberian, South China, and Sumatran) is estimated to be between 3,000 – 3,600 tigers. Find out more about the Tiger situation.
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