What to do this World Animal week.

World Animal Week

4th-10th October 2015

 

The intention of World Animal week (and World Animal Day, 4th October) is to draw attention to how every person can make the lives of animals better.

So lets celebtate by having a look at how you can make the lives of animals better with some current animal welfare issues.

 

1. Greyhound Racing. 

I discussed the issue of greyhound racing earlier.Yes, its actually still a thing that people do. The cruelty is continuing and the industry is still heavily government subsidised. In fact even more cruelty has been exposed and the industry is in even more disgrace.

If you want to do something about this issue check out the bottom of my greyhound racing post for links to petitions, adoptions and more information.

2. Wool Industry 

 Our wool industry has been shown to be rife with outrageous animal cruelty performed upon sheep, by Australia shearers. For more information or to take action on this issue please follow the link to those who exposed this cruelty.

3. Lion Killer 

Remember when that poor excuse for a man, Walter Palmer killed Cecil the lion? Did you know you can "adopt" a lion and help protect it from gun wielding tourists? Do something for Cecil.

 4. And Beyond

There are many issues that negatively effect animals. Do some research and find something you can be passionate about, do some good for out animal kin. Here are some examples; Factory farms, live export, puppy farms, hunting in national forests, circus animals, animal testing, pet adoption, the list goes on and on, but every one of these items needs a champion. Even if you are the champion for that one cat that you adopt, your still doing good.

 People for the ethical treatment of animals

Animals Australia

 

5. The easiest step.

By far the easiest thing you can do for animals is not eat them. Its simple and cruelty free. It will save you money and improve your health. At least go vegetarian for World Animal Day.

Get a free vegetarian starter kit. 

Read the PDF kit.

Get a free vegan starter kit.

 

 

Greyhound Racing

No more chances

Greyhound racing is where there are a number of dogs and those dogs race around a track, people usually bet on who the winning dog will be, that dogs ‘owner’ will make a lot of money. It is heavily subsidised by taxpayers.

There has been a lot of cruelty in the industry over the years.  The dogs spend most of their time confined in a small cage or kennel. Of the 20,000 greyhound pups that are bred by the industry, Animals Australia estimates that 18,000 healthy dogs are killed in the greyhound industry each year. 8,000 puppy’s killed before ever racing, and 10,000 dogs killed because they aren’t fast enough to win a race. The dogs are often underfed and their confinement, training, racing existence causes health problems with around 5 dogs killed in official races each week. The dogs natural life expectancy is about 14 years, but few in the industry make it past 6 years, even those retired into breeding programs.

Live baiting is a practice that I remember being disgusted in when I was very young, while all trainers may not have used live baiting; it has been routine practice in the industry for many years. Live baiting is illegal and live animals should not have been used in training greyhounds. Live baiting involves kittens, piglets, possums, and rabbits. The Four Corners story is available online, but viewer discretion is advised. The 7:30 program has also exposed doping within the industry.

I think the Greyhound racing industry has had its chance; it’s had many an opportunity to clean up its practices, and has failed. It is time the industry was outlawed. It is time to end this barbaric practice as we have shown we cannot keep it going without resorting to the vilest of cruelty. No amount of reform will ever be enough to wipe the slate clean.

What can you do to help?

• Don’t go to greyhound races, and don’t bet on greyhound races.

• Stay informed, visit these organisations; Animals Australia, Greyhound Cruelty, RSPCA, PETA,

• Share the above sites on social media.

• Donate to any of the above organisations if you can afford it.

• Watch the programs on Four corners and 7:30.

• Sign the petitions here and take action here.

• Adopt a greyhound.