R-E-S-P-E-C-T

R-E-S-P-E-C-T
(Written by Arwenya)

It is National Pet’s Week and what better way to celebrate, then reading about some touching animal welfare success stories?!

I was browsing the news websites, under the Google search of ‘animal welfare news’ and found this wonderful story from Yahoo. I thought I would share it with you, as many of us have cats. And we all know just how precious they can be (when not bringing half-dead mice to our doors), so thank goodness someone saved these little darlings…

Chinese animal rights victory takes cats off the menu
Jonathan Watts in BeijingTuesday February 13, 2007 The Guardian

China's nascent animal rights movement claimed a rare victory today after rescuing more than 400 cats that were about to be slaughtered for their fur and meat.
They were saved from a market in Tianjin after a standoff last week between 100 pet lovers and police which left one protester hospitalized.
Until recent years, respect for animal rights was almost non-existent in China, but the country's rising affluence has brought with it a pet-pampering middle class. Activists are becoming bolder, posting video footage of cruel treatment on YouTube and staging protests.

I am glad Animal Activists are finding new and inventive ways to get their opinions, and voices heard! If we don’t speak out for the less fortunate, who haven’t voices of their own – who will?
Speaking of those who are ‘needy’ of our help, Mooseluvr posted this plea to you on Sunday. And I shall bring it up once more, as Second Chance Rescue needs all the help they can get right now! Without this help they will not be able to do the fantastic work, which they are doing right now for the furry ones.
To remind you of that work, I have taken this quote from Mooseluvr’s post:

“She is responsible for rescuing, caring for and fostering out many, many homeless and needy dogs following Hurricane Katrina's destruction. She also single-handedly sought out owners and played a crucial role in reuniting displaced pets with their rightful owners.”

If you could spare any money at all, even if it is just $5 – every little helps!

But please do consider reaching into your wallets/purses today, and see what you could spare. We are all ‘hard up’ at times, and I’m sure if the furry ones could work for money they would to survive. However they can’t and they need our help desperately, lets give back the love and care which they have given us for so long now!

Moving on however, I have another success story to share with you all. This one is also from Yahoo, and is fantastic. I have a soft spot for monkeys, and to hear these two have been rescued and retired to a wonderful sanctuary in Florida makes me very happy indeed…

Hollywood chimps 'given freedom'

A pair of chimps who appeared on a number of Hollywood film and TV shows, are being retired following allegations of animal cruelty.
The Animal Legal Defense Fund and other groups sued trainer Sid Yost last year in a US federal court, accusing him of beating the chimps with sticks.

Mr Yost did not acknowledge any wrongdoing in the settlement, which saw the chimps leave California.
A spokeswoman for the Animal Legal Defense Fund said they were "thrilled".

"They're not going to be forced to perform unwillingly anymore," said Lisa Franzetta.

"This is such a happy day to see these chimpanzees being retired."

The Animal Legal Defense Fund was set up by a group of primatologists, lawyers, scientists and actors who have started a campaign called No Reel Apes - to call for an end to the use of primates in entertainment.
The group accused Mr Yost of using an electric shock stick on the chimps and punching, taunting and intimidating them.

Sable, a female, and Cody, a male, have lived at Mr Yost's ranch in San Bernardino for five years with Angel, an older female, who will be shipped to Florida next week.

The chimps have appeared in productions including That 70s Show and forthcoming Bruce Almighty sequel, Evan Almighty.

Mr Yost denied abusing the animals and said he would miss them.

Tobin Dunlea, an animal trainer at the ranch for seven years, also denied the chimps were abused.

"They love us and they trust and that's why we've done so well with them in the business," he told the Associated Press news agency.
Sable and Cody will eventually join Angel at a sanctuary in Florida.

Well that is almost everything I wanted to share with you in today’s post, however I did find a funny video from YouTube which I thought you may all enjoy. So please, cuddle up with your pet tonight. Consider donating or helping some cause in your area or the world, and don’t ever take those who ‘seem’ inferior to you for granted!

God Bless