Click here or on the image to get a free copy of animal protection laws
offered through the Animal Legal Defense Fund.

And excerpt from Bruce Wagman's article:

"I had to learn the science of elephants for my job, and that requirement is one of the fantastic things about practicing animal law, especially for someone like me.  That is, in order to do a good job, I am compelled to learn not just the law, but often the biology, physiology, psychology and behaviors of whatever species is at the center of the case I am litigating.  For me that is turning work into fun or at least intellectual exploration, which is fun for a law geek like me.  Because there are “cat people” and “dog people” and “chimp people;” and when on safari in Africa some people mainly want to see the big cats; others the birds.  There is an inherent speciesism, just like when we pet a cat and eat a cow, or think it is bad to eat dog because we do not do it, but it is okay to eat a pig because we do.  But I’m a garbage-can animal lover, meaning I love them all." READ FULL ARTICLE

The unimaginable horrors for bears as the demand for bear paw soup continues .... READ MORE

In parts of Asia, bears are farmed for their bile in appallingly cruel conditions. Once extracted, the bile is used in some Traditional Asian Medicines. Read More

WSPA (World Society for the Protection of Animals) is working with the Traditional Asian Medicine (TAM) community to end the use of bear bile by promoting effective herbal and synthetic alternatives.

The bile tradeBears are the only mammals to produce large amounts of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), the active ingredient in bear bile.

Bear farms emerged in the 1980's as a cost effective way to meet the demand for UDCA, which has been used to treat kidney problems and stomach and digestive disorders.

More recently bear bile has been added to non-medicinal products such as wine and shampoo.

Since the 1980's, the number of bears farmed in Asia has increased. Official figures from the region show around 12,000 bears are held in farms.

The conditions are enclosed, barren and lead to physical and mental illness.

"If people realised what is happening, they would be ashamed to be part of the crisis. We don’t want to spend our time catching criminals, we want to stop the crime from happening.” Samuel Wasser, of the University of Washington in Seattle who recently led the study of the of 23 tons of ivory seized over a 12 month period. Read more at International Anti Poaching Foundation.

International Ranger Training Academy

The IAPF Victoria Falls Ranger Training Facility was opened in March of 2010. This international academy on 5000 hectares currently allows up to 28 rangers to be trained at one time. Trainees are exposed to a vast diversity of wildlife and terrain, preparing them to deploy to any area and fulfill the daily challenges of protecting wildlife. 

During the course rangers are taught a number of subjects in the classroom before taking these various components and fulfilling the operational requirements of protecting the academy itself. 

The Academy was only made possible through the outstanding and unwavering support of the community and all the relevant authorities.  It demonstrates what can be achieved when all concerned stakeholders are working together towards a common goal.

10 different subject matter experts make themselves available for instruction at the academy. This diversity in knowledge and teaching methods provides trainees with the best possible platform for achieving everything they can.

Plans are being finalised for the construction of phase two which will house an additional 118 rangers. Facilities within the academy will make it the Continent’s premier facility for producing the highest calibre rangers. If you would like to make contributions towards the construction of this progressive institution then please contact Trianon at: trianon@iapf.org

Stories of animals from different species peacefully coexisting with one another warms the heart especially at a time when there is so much fighting and killing going on in the world. This made the email circuit, so it might not be new, but still worth viewing a second time!

Debby Cantlon, who  plans to release Finnegan, the young squirrel, back into the wild, bottle-fed the infant squirrel after it was brought to her house. When Debby took in the tiny creature and began caring for him, she found  herself with an unlikely nurse's aide: her pregnant Papillon, Mademoiselle Giselle -- her dog.  
 
Finnegan was resting in a nest in a cage just days before Giselle was due to deliver her puppies. Debby and her husband watched as the dog dragged the squirrel's cage twice to her 
own bedside before she gave birth.  
 
Debby was concerned, yet ultimately decided to allow the squirrel out and  the inter-species bonding began. Finnegan rides a  puppy mosh pit of sorts, burrowing in for warmth after feeding, eventually working his way beneath his new litter mates. 
 
Two days after giving  birth, mama dog Giselle allowed Finnegan to nurse; family photos and a videotape show her encouraging him to suckle alongside her litter of five pups.
 
Now, Finnegan mostly uses a bottle, but still snuggles with his 'siblings' in  a mosh pit of puppies, rolling atop their bodies, and sinking in deeply for a nap. Finnegan and his new litter mates, five Papillon puppies, get along together as if they were meant to.  
 
Send this along to brighten someone's day! 
 MORAL OF THE STORY:  Keep loving everyone, even the squirrelly ones... 

Koalas are thick, furry marsupials (have young in a pouch like a kangaroo) averaging 9 kg (20 lbs) who spend most of their time in trees. "Koala" came from the Aboriginal word meaning "no drink" which perfectly fits this little guy since most of his hydration comes from Eucalyptus leaves.  Koalas only drink water when they're ill or during droughts when leaves don't have enough moisture.

SAVETHEKOALA.COM (below) has great information about what's going on with the koalas and their habitat and ways to get involved to really make a difference. Take a browse if only to learn a little more about these amazing creatures! But before you go, please scroll down to sign the petition asking for help with the current disease devastating the koala population.

CLICK TO SIGN PETITION from The Animal Rescue Site

When I say warning I mean it. Most people will pass up this video to keep the conscience feeling light enough to continue eating meat. I've been there. I did it too. I was a huge animal lover who turned a blind eye to this issue as well as a deaf ear because I'd been raised eating meat. I was actually raised eating a lot of deer and elk in addition to the store bought meat. I haven't watched many of these 'behind the scenes' videos. I don't like slasher films or tremendously violent films. I don't like graphic stuff. And I know the swine and cattle industry hate these films and claim they aren't the truth at all. You'll have to decide that for yourself.

Hearts United for Animals is a national no-kill animal shelter, sanctuary and animal welfare organization dedicated to the relief of suffering. We rescue dogs from all over the country and specialize in long distance adoptions. We take creatures who are lost, afraid, hungry or ill and comfort them, give them a warm, soft bed, good food, medical care and most of all, love.

HUA is a place of happiness, joy and love. Everything we do is in the best interest of the dogs. The dogs have big fields of grass and trees in which to run. Our primary interest is what will make them happy. HUA is a place to celebrate the joy of life.  READ MORE

Since 1996 one main mission of Hearts United for Animals has been the rescue and rehabilitation of puppy mill dogs. During that time we have rescued over 5,000 dogs from puppy mills. These gentle, fragile creatures have both broken and warmed our hearts. Every set of frightened, sad eyes steels our resolve to see the horrible practice of holding dogs prisoner come to an end. It is our belief that dogs are companion animals, not meant to be housed in bare wire cages with no blankets, no clean food or water, no veterinary care, no ability to touch grass and no understanding of love or kindness. The atrocities we see are staggering. The injuries we repair, both physical and emotional, are beyond comprehension for most loving pet owners. It is a labor of love, one that pays back when we see a dog know health, touch grass and understand that they are safe and loved for the first time in their long lives. GO TO THEIR WEBSITE

LEGACY OF LOVE reminds us to make preparations for our beloved animals should something happen to us. Let your family and friends know your wishes to ensure that your animal(s) are well taken care of in case you're not around. Click on Legacy of Love to read the full article. Pass it on.