Enlightened thinking on coyote control

Broomfield, Colorado, has just launched their draft Coexistence with Wildlife Policy, which uses two levels of hazing of coyotes to discourage them from coming into contact with humans, in an effort to avoid the use of lethal control.

Full story. A shame the Nova Scotia government is not so enlightened.

For the love of Dog

Last week one of the main news stories in Nova Scotia was the discovery of nearly 100 cats and dogs being kept in appalling conditions at a private animal shelter. This is yet another reminder of the gross overpopulation of cats and dogs, many of which will end up homeless or at a shelter desperately hoping to find a loving home.

PETA have two videos on the subject which I'd like to share with you. The first talks about all the reasons why owners should have their pets neutered or speyed:




The second is a plea to get pets from a shelter rather than a pet store or breeder:


Learn more about PETA's ABC campaign at PETA.org.

Whales Revenge

Here's a cute little video game and petition to stop whaling.
www.whalesrevenge.com

I'm not sure how effective petitions are, but at least it is one way to express one's opinion.

Mink - the inside story

Have you ever wondered what happens to a mink once it's fur has gone to make something fashionable?

This job posting (May 11, 2007 - the link may expire) for an "Environmental Researcher" may give you a clue:

"Spec Environmental Solutions Inc. (SPEC) belongs to the Spectacle Lake group of companies located in Concession, Digby Co., NS. SPEC operates a commercial composting site serving the local mink farming industry by processing organic waste by-products from approx. 1,000,000 mink per year."

Three things strike me about this. First is the huge number of animals. Second is the fact that Spectacle Lake seem to make no mention of this side of their business on their website. Third, they use their construction company to 'hide' the trucking of the carcases:

"Spectacle Lake Concrete & Excavating Limited does all the trucking and marketing for the composting facility."

I guess it's not something they are not proud of?


technorati tags: animal rights, fur, fur farming, Nova Scotia