Trying to explain to people that there is no difference between killing this animal or that, for food or for "sport," can sometimes be excruciatingly frustrating. Who deserves the priority of living - cows, dogs, coyotes?  Well, we have to kill the cows because steak tastes good, and we have to kill the coyotes so they don't kill the cows; but we certainly can't kill dogs!  If they have their own department store for food, fun, and fashion, we certainly can't kill them. Lee Won-bok understands the challenges of changing peoples minds.  We meet Lee Won-bok in a LA Times article.  He is a 45-year old animal rights activist who stages graphic photo displays to protest the use of dogs for food.  The images show dogs kept in cages, hanged and butchered, and the meat that is prepared for market.  Won-bok knows the images are hard to look at, and [...]

In an interesting new article, Sherry F. Colb discusses the animal rights movements as compared to the gay rights movement.  It’s a fascinating look at the similarities of each and what we can learn from both. Here’s a snippet: “The first thing to note is that there is a risk in analogizing the struggle for gay rights with the struggle for animal rights. The danger that concerns me is not, as some might think, that of offending people. People were (and some continue to be) offended by comparisons between struggles against racial oppression and struggles against homophobia, but it is precisely the resistance to an unfamiliar claim (especially a claim that implicates one’s own behavior) that makes it seem “offensive.” If inflicting terrible suffering and death on nonhuman animals who can feel pleasure, pain, and a wide range of emotions represents a real harm – and most people acknowledge, at [...]

VCA Animal Hospitals announced that all VCA facilities located near the Station Wild Fire that is burning thousands of acres north of Los Angeles are offering free boarding for companion animals whose families have been evacuated or displaced from as a result of the current firestorms. “As people are being evacuated to shelters or facing the loss of their homes, VCA is committed to assist them by offering free boarding for pets so they can focus on the critical issues with their families and homes,” said Art Antin, Chief Operating Officer of VCA Animal Hospitals. “We want everyone to know that they have this option to keep their pets safe during this difficult time.” VCA Animal Hospitals situated in Los Angeles can provide a safe environment for pets that have been affected by the fires on a space available basis as long as the fires persist. Boarding assistance for pets [...]

We’re going to start this story with the original press release from Friends of Animals simply because it says it all the best: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Priscilla Feral Phone: (203) 656-1522 Even though wolves were only taken off the Endangered Species List in Idaho in May, 2009, Idaho Gov. Butch Otter is not only endorsing the proposed trophy hunt this fall, he’s vowed to participate in it. He told a group of hunters, “I’m prepared to bid for the first ticket to shoot a wolf myself.” The wolf hunt is an apparent effort to boost elk populations for hunters to slaughter, and will begin on September 1, 2009. The permit to kill a wolf costs $11.50—with 220 wolves set to be killed statewide. Equally dismaying is the fact that Gov. Otter claims to “respect” wolves—making the nonsensical claim, in an interview with The Idaho Statesman, “You can still hate [...]

It's pretty awesome to see that some Universities are waking up to the fact that healthy vegan food is in.  The University of Maryland Dining Services will introduce new vegan and vegetarian options this semester to promote healthy eating habits among students.  The new menu will be available by the end of the month (today?). The hope is that, by expanding their vegan options, they will not only encourage vegans but all students to eat healthy. John Gray is the senior executive chef for Dining Services.  He said he found the Sprouts section of the Diner lacking in variety.  “Before my time, our main food supplier dropped a lot of vegan products,” Gray said. “Over the summer, we’ve found a company that stocks all these products.”  And that's good news since it means that there will be more vegan options by the end of the year.  And Gray isn't the [...]