Elephants at the Toronto Zoo

Please read & forward...important info!!

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/750009--tusk-tusk-toronto-is-on-worst-zoo-list

News from the Sea Shepherd

posted by Jo-Anne McArthur aboard the SS Bob Barker..

January 7th, 2010
Update from the Antarctic

click to enlarge

I've had to keep everything confidential until now because I've been on Sea Shepherd's secret vessel, the M/Y Bob Barker, which is a 50-yr old Norwegian whaling ship of all things. It was purchased in Africa and refitted by SS volunteers, which was our port for over a month while the boat was fixed up and brought back to life. Yep, Bob Barker bought Sea Shepherd a ship!

Donated all the money ($5,000,000) for the ship and fix-up as well, and all of associated expenses. Amazing. He is AMAZING.

The regular SS ship, the Steve Irwin, departed from Australia as usual for the Antarctic campaign to stop the Japanese whaling fleet. After years of being harassed by SS, they decided to ramp up their security etc. The Irwin left Australia w/ a tail, one of the Japanese ships. The fleet also added two "security" ships to their fleet, whose goal is to shut us down, basically, and keep an eye on us so that the Irwin's coordinates could be sent back to the factory ship, the Nisshin Maru, and they could continue to evade the Irwin.

SS added the Ady Gil to their campaign this year (the "Earthrace", a small sexy boat, named after Ady Gil who donated it to SS) and made a big media stink about it.

The Bob Barker left Mauritius on December 17th, still undetected and a surprise for the Japanese whalers.

Finally in Antarctic territory, the Irwin got a call from, of all things, a cruise ship, which had sighted the fleet. The expedition leader is apparently a fan of SS and knew the Irwin and the Ady Gil were searching for the whaling fleet. The coordinates of the Nisshin Maru were then sent to us, and of we went to find 'em.

Find 'em we did, and we've been in a bit of a battle ever since. Our cover was finally exposed so we're only now able to write about it, and it's all over the media: SS' third vessel!

The Nisshin caught on quickly that we were an SS ship, and sent their harpoon and security ships to tail us. By this morning (2am), we were surrounded by 4 harpoon ships that would take turns maneuvering closely around us and forcing us to reduce speed while the Nisshin Maru moved away. They sped towards bad weather, which slowed us considerably. We deployed one of our small boats and roughed it in horrible weather before turning back to the Barker. All this before 9am!

Things were looking hairy, but the Ady Gil appeared and buzzed around the Nisshin like an annoying bug, delaying their progress north and throwing stinky and organic cocktails which would possibly taint the meat on board, or coming on board. This was all w/in sight and we were thrilled to have company on our mission, finally! After a few hrs the Ady Gil came by our boat to say goodbye. The 6 crewmembers were all on deck, waving, and we all hooted and cheered at each other. Within moments, a harpoon ship changed course and went straight for the Ady Gil, turning on their water cannons, LRADs (long rang acoustic devices) and charging the boat before they could move out of the way. Incredibly, they actually rammed the Ady Gil, which ripped off the entire bow of the boat.

We called immediate Mayday. The Ady Gil continued to float, and we were able to deploy our small boats and go to their rescue. Had they been rammed a few meters towards the center of the boat, the 6 crewmembers would have perished (from being crushed, or from hypothermia).

The day has been a long one of rescues, media, and a billion things. We've been picking up the scraps of the Ady Gil all day, and we're now towing its remnants while we decide next steps.

We are hoping that the ship that rammed us will be brought up charges for attempted murder. All remains to be seen.

"Sea Shepherd" is one of the top 30 Google searches around the world right now. We're doing tons of interviews.

Perhaps the Ady Gil was our sacrificial lamb, and this will bring huge exposure to the whaling issue, and to the whaler’s behavior. Perhaps this will help finally end illegal whaling in the Antarctic.

Today.... It’s really incredible that no one was killed.

We have the 6 crewmembers on board the Bob Barker now, who'll remain with us for the duration of our campaign as we continue to follow the Nisshin Maru. We target that ship specifically because that's where they process the whales. If we disable or at least block that ship, we stop the whaling.

I shot the entire day in detail, including the ramming of the Ady Gil. SS is in the process of sending these pics worldwide. I'll post some soon as well. Keep watch at open link and in this week's news.

More soon.

For the animals,
Jo-Anne

Grocery shopping, seen in a different light...

Today I went grocery shopping for Christmas. I went to the Loblaws SuperCenter (one of our bigger Canadian chains). Of course it was busy, but that is expected this time of the year.

I went up & down every isle picking out the things that were on my list (which I left at home!)

I found myself going down the meat isle, basically because it was one of the isles!

I guess being 4 days before Christmas everything was stocked to over flowing.

I have been vegetarian for 12 years & vegan for 1 1/2 yrs & this is the first time I really "saw" what was there.....hundreds of large frozen headless turkeys, overflowing freezers with pig rumps (hams) & god knows what else I chose not to notice....I actually got choked up....and hurried on my way out of this place. I know my meat eating friends will be thinking "oh God Susan" but this is really how I felt. I want everyone to just think & see what I saw in that isle & perhaps reflect a little to the suffering that goes into that Christmas feast.

I remember my first Thanksgiving after going vegetarian. I was so concerned about what I would eat & how the meal would not be the same as the past. Well, I have to tell you my plate was full, I enjoyed every bite & never missed that slab of flesh on my plate...our minds are just so programed from children that our meal must include meat...obviously not so. I have never felt better both physically & mentally since giving up animal products!

Merry Christmas & a happy , healthy 2010 to all !!! and I mean ALL ...

***Think for a moment....Is the "eating more important than the knowing...or should the knowing be more important than the eating"... I personally choose the "knowing"....

Noelle's story...

Yesterday December 7th I received an email from a girl on my rescue list. She had seen an ad on "Kijiji" (an online buying/selling site) selling a live 300lb pig to "fill your freezer".

Within 24 hrs we had bought her, arranged a truck/trailer, pick up time & a sanctuary home for the pig we nicknamed "Noelle". After the excitement of knowing this was going to have a happy ending the ultimate crash of emotions happened.

Today, December 8th I phoned the lady who was selling her to arrange the time on Saturday for pick up & she bluntly told me she was "gone"....sold to a higher bidder & already at the butcher for slaughter. I was so stunned & overcome with emotion the right words did not come...I do remember saying "karma is a bitch Donna, remember that" to her ....but wanted to say much more.

How can people be so cruel....she knew this pig could have a happy , safe home but sold her for a few extra dollars (which I would have gladly paid) to be slaughtered for a Christmas meal.

Our entire rescue network is reeling with sadness over this poor pig we never met but loved all the same.

I am only glad she is free from this world of cruelty now.

Toronto Zoo & another Elephant death...

Toronto Zoo a Dangerous Place for Elephants?

Another neighbour just died, in her prime. Tara, a 41 year old African Elephant, died on the last day of November, at the Toronto Zoo, near where I live. Okay, not a next door neighbour, but I feel as though I knew her as I sketched and photographed her and simply watched her, many times. She is the third elephant to die there in the last 14 months!

The Toronto Zoo has told the media that elephants only live about 40 to 45 years. This from the same industry that claims part of its raison d'être is to educate the public about wild animals. Then zoos should tell the truth. In Kenya . elephants have been known to give birth in their 50s. Elephants in the wild live well into their 60s or longer, and an Asian elephant has lived to age 86.

Tessa, Tequila, Tantor, Toronto, and TW are other elephants who died well before their time at the Toronto Zoo. In fact, friends of mine who track captive elephants predicted Tanya's passing when Tessa, at age 39, died six months ago. And they have, sadly, predicted more of my elephant neighbours dying in the next little while, as all have reached not maturity, as the Toronto Zoo would have us believe, but are middle aged, and therefore about as old as captive elephants can expect to survive.

For some species, zoo life can be free of hunger, predation and other problems faced in the wild, and as a result, there are a few animals, a dwarf crocodile at Toronto Zoo, for example, whose captive life exceeds what would probably be expected for a wild counterpart. But not many species, most emphatically not including elephants.

While the local media was reporting Tara's untimely death, it failed to report that India, where the Asian elephant is a native species, had just decided that no elephants should ever be kept in captivity. It is morally irresponsible.

And while zoos and refuges can breed and release a relatively small range of endangered species, that does not apply to elephants. The world's zoo elephants are not put into the wild, nor would that serve any conservation purpose even if they could be. Breeding is something wild elephants do very well when protected in the wild.

The money spent (or, in Toronto, that will be spent if the idea of increasing the indoor elephant holding area's size goes ahead) by zoos would go so much further in conserving elephants if donated to efforts to reduce elephant poaching and fight the demand for ivory that thousands of animals could survive wild and free where they belong, for every pathetic specimen in zoos and circuses.

There are viable elephant sanctuaries where elephants could be sent to live a semblance of natural life in social groupings, and maybe have a chance at truly surviving to full maturity.

A blog by Barry Kent MacKay.

The Ladies are Home...

The hens arrived late last evening during the pouring rain. A nice couple, Taunya & Mike, made the long journey to pick up the ladies & bring them to their new home. The girls settled in quickly,picking , scratching & making their cute clucking noises as they explored their new digs!

I can hardly wait until my day off work this week to spend more time with them!

Notice how beautiful they look now with their lovely feathers!!

The girls are arriving today!

The rescue hens from Cobble Hill are arriving today! They have been at Cobble Hill now for about 2 months & are ready for their new lives here!

We have their stall all set up with lots of straw, nesting areas, perch's, feed & water containers. I have never had hens before so this will be a learning experience!

Here is a photo of when they arrived at Cobble Hill in September from their factory farm hell.

I will take some "after" pictures in the next couple of days & post them here.

Valentine's B-Day!!

Today is our first pig, Valentine's 12th birthday!!! I can't believe it has been 12 years since our little (165 lbs !!) baby was born!

Little did we know what getting her would bring into our lives...a blessing for me , perhaps not so much for my husband! LOL... Either way it sure has changed our lives.

I am happy to say Valentine is a healthy, active pig who has taken to living outside with such gusto! She spent the first years in the house but when we had the large outdoor heated house built we thought we would try her out there....she loves it !!!

I am sure all the other critters will wish her a very Happy Birthday & "thank you" for being born because now we all have a forever home...

Jumbo is free...

Victory! It has taken over three decades of campaigning, determination and wishful thinking, but after 32 years of being cruelly confined inside the back of a truck, Jumbo, the aging female African circus elephant is free. SAFE began its campaign to free Jumbo and other circus animals over 25 years ago and has constantly challenged touring national and international circuses with exotic animals. The release of Jumbo from the Loritz Circus spells the end of a sad era which once saw baboons, lions, tigers, monkeys, a camel and Jumbo the elephant touring under big tops throughout New Zealand. "SAFE is absolutely thrilled that Jumbo is now on her way to becoming a free elephant. SAFE has been working with the SPCA and Franklin Zoo in an effort to secure Jumbo, so is delighted that her transition from the circus to an elephant sanctuary has begun," says SAFE campaign director Hans Kriek. "Jumbo has been a sad case of animal exploitation for over 30 years and SAFE has been committed to getting her out of the circus. It has been no small effort and with the aid of the SPCA Jumbo is now on her way to a more deserving life," says Mr Kriek. SAFE has been leading the campaign to make New Zealand circus-animal free. In 1999, SAFE staged a high-profile rescue and relocation of two circus chimpanzees to an African primate sanctuary and reached an agreement with the circus to never have exotic animals again. SAFE and the SPCA mounted a massive campaign against the Great International Moscow circus in 1992 that resulted in it being the last international circus to ever visit New Zealand. SAFE says the release of Jumbo from the circus could not be a better Christmas gift. "Jumbo has been deprived the company of her own kind for almost her entire life. Finally Jumbo has an opportunity to be relocated to an elephant sanctuary so she can socialise with other elephants, and SAFE will do anything in its power to ensure she retires in the best home possible for ex-circus elephants. It's the greatest and quite possibly the largest Christmas gift imaginable," says Mr Kriek.

Protest /Banning Dog & Cat fur importing into Canada

Event: Ban Dog and Cat Fur in Canada! Every year over 2 million dogs and cats are killed for their fur in China Usually raised on breeding farms but also kept tethered outside of family dwellings, these animals endure cramping, severe weather conditions and are often deprived of food and water. Family pets are also stolen. The Canadian government has been importing Chinese furs for years, most of which arrive in this country unlabeled. There are no labeling laws for fur in Canada! Cat and dog fur is easily dyed to resemble other species. It is mostly used as trim for coats, gloves, boots and even trinkets and cat toys! If you wear fur or fur trimmed clothing, it could very well be a cat or dog! Tell your friends! Say NO to fur and stop supporting this horrific trade! Please join us to educate the public and collect signatures to urge our government to ban the import of cat and dog fur once and for all!

PROTEST: Ban Dog and Cat Fur in Canada

WHEN: Saturday, November 21, 2009 from 1 - 3 pm

Start Time: Saturday, November 21 at 1:00pm

End Time: Saturday, November 21 at 3:00pm

Where: North East corner of Queen and Spadina, Toronto

To see more details and RSVP, follow the link below:

http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=176608371589&mid=168e8acG2a371d6aG7f4ea70G7

Christmas is coming...

Christmas is fast approaching ...where does the year go?? I just wanted to share the cute Christmas cards we had made up this year. Each one features a different "Snooters" animal in their Christmas hats! The card is blank inside just waiting for your own personal message & has the "Snooters" logo & site address on the back.

Show your friends & family how you care about & support rescue animals!

A pkg of 10 (with envelopes) is $12.99 (plus shipping).

Visit the web site to see other products that would be great for Christmas/holiday gifts!

www.snootersforeverhome.com

Hearts on Noses needs your help....

My friend & fellow sanctuary operator is in need of help.

Janice runs "Hearts on Noses" completely on her own. Recently Janice was forced to sell her property in Mapleridge, BC & has bought a lovely piece of property 20 mins away in Mission BC. The help required is to move all her animals safely to their new home. The move is taking place this weekend (Nov 14) & will continue for several weeks. All the animals houses need to be moved as well. If you know anyone in BC who could possibly spare a few hours, a day or 2 & use of their car/truck/trailer please email them!!

Here is Janice's email heartsonnoses@shaw.ca

www.heartsonnoses.com

A day with friends...

Yesterday was a beautiful autumn day here in Ontario...warm & sunny! My dear friend Kristi & I made the trip to visit another very dear friend, Marianne, at her sanctuary .

Marianne & I met about 5 years ago through a pig rescue & have been friends ever since!

Marianne & Ben have a lovely piece of property & about 25 pigs (pots & big pigs), 2 horses, many dogs(!), cats, ducks, parrots....I hope I didn't leave anyone out!

We talked (& talked....& talked...!!), went for a nice walk to visit the pigs in the fields.

The apple tree still had some apples on the branches so Marianne & Kristi shook most of the apples down & the pigs had a big feast!! It was so funny to watch them running from all over to join in the unexpected afternoon snack!

All in all a great day with friends!

Puggles arrives...

We picked up little "Puggles" yesterday from the dog rescue. She is a 10 year old pug/chihuahua cross who was used in a puppy mill down in Ohio for her entire life. Now unable to produce puppies she was discarded.

When she arrived at the rescue in June she could not even stand. This was due to a lifetime of living in a small cage, leaving her back legs with no muscle control. Fortunately after some rehab at the rescue she can walk , not well, but at least gets around!

Puggles is blind in one eye & I don't think she sees well from the other either. She was never housebroken (didn't need to be in a cage) so that is a work in progress.

The poor little thing just walks in circles but seems to love life just the same. She loves to snuggle & eats like a piggy!! Oh & howls to get up at 5:30am....doesn't understand this daylight saving thing...LOL!

We will make sure she has a good life here with us for her remaining years!

Welcome to Snooters , Puggles!

Teacup Pigs All the Rage, But Animal Welfare Group Urges People to do Homework Before Taking One Home

Teacup Pigs All the Rage, But Animal Welfare Group Urges People to do Homework Before Taking One Home

Click on the smaller font to view the article!

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Our Web Store is now open...

Our web site is now fully up & running!! Please take a few moments to read about our gang, sign the guestbook, become a member & shop in our "store".

100% of the proceeds go to helping the animals!

Check back often as new products & info will be added on a regular basis!

Thanks from all of us here at "Snooters" !!!

www.snootersforeverhome.com

We lost a friend at Hoofers Haven...

When I first got Valentine (our very first pig) I met via the internet a lovely lady who ran the only potbellied pig sanctuary in Canada. Her name is IIona & along with her husband Ellis, they run Hoofers Haven in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. Like all of us they sacrifice much of their own money to keep all the pigs happy & healthy. 

A few years ago Ellis was diagnosed with cancer & after several surgeries and treatment Ellis was recently given the "all clear" from cancer!!! Tragically Ellis died very suddenly of a heart attack last week.

This leaves IIona on her own to care for & fund the sanctuary. This is a time in her life she should be retired & relaxing, but instead must work full time to make ends meet. They have not taken in any animals for several years (due to their age & health) but still have an aging herd to care for.

PLEASE if you can spare a few dollars for a donation to Hoofers Haven it would be so very much appreciated!

Paypal to

hoofershaven@hotmail.com

or 

IIona Osbourne

Hoofers Haven

641 Barrie Dr

Thunder Bay, On

P7C 5N5

New Electrical !!!

We saved up & are finally able to get an electrician out to bury the cables & get plugs right to all the big pig houses & water troughs!

For years now we have run extension cords from the barn to the houses for their infrared overhead heaters plus cords to the 3 water trough heaters....quite the tangled mess trying to get them all on separate circuits so they don't "trip" when the weather is cold & the heat on high.

Well, this year we will not have to worry about that....each house will have its own GFI plug ! Funny how things like this excite me now...LOL!

One more thing off the list of things to do here! Yeah!

** picture of what we have to look forward to....but with NO extension cords !**

IGNORE the above post..the electrician just called & cancelled....I guess it is extension cords again this year...why can't anyone just do what they say they are going to do!!....very disappointing ;(

Yeah!! PPS... we found an electrician & the work is done!! No more extension cords to be seen! Thank goodness we have had good weather so late into November...everything worked out great in the end!

World Farm Animal Day

We had a wonderful day yesterday spreading the word about farm animals & veganism! It was a nice , sunny day with lots of traffic (both cars & foot) at the intersection we were set up at. Lots of pamphlets handed out, and people spoken to about the cause ! 

What a nice bunch of people doing the demo! If this is any indication of the young people in our world ,I think we (& the animals) will be okay one day!

Take a look under "links of interest" for all the photos. This was organized by Jamie who did a great job!

Our new girls....

I was contacted by a lady who does "battery cage" hen rescues asking if we could take in some hens. We decided to take 4 girls into our Snooters home. The rescue took place the end of September but the hens will stay at her place until rehabbed...probably the end of November. They were a rough looking bunch with no feathers & terrified of people (no wonder!). This rescue farm has foster home teens come to care for the chickens...it helps both the teens & the hens to appreciate each other....excellent idea I think!

The picture attached is of some of the hens in their little coats to keep them warm (they have no feathers!).Apparently small feathers are coming in already! I am excited to get the girls next month & have named them "Paula, Joan, Georgia & Ringo" !!!! 

My dear friend Kristi has come up with a great logo for our sanctuary....I just love it!! We will get some shirts, hats etc done up for fundraising....take a look & see what you think!