This made my day! I wrote about the den hunts in an article called KILL FOR THRILL. I think this is one of those changes that is coming about because people voiced their opposition through a petition drive. Kudos to all those who signed and took action. Thank you! Now if we can just get bears protected from bear paw soup and gallbladder harvesting.... 

Here is an email notice from IFAW that was in my INBOX this morning:
Dear Betsy, 

I've seen a sneak preview of Disneynature's new film "African Cats" and I have to tell you, it is simply amazing.Here's the trailer.

On the heels of their record-breaking documentaries "Earth" and "Oceans", Disneynature will premiere "African Cats" this Earth Day, April 22, 2011.

The film, of course, has Disneynature's trademark breathtaking cinematography. The sweeping landscape and endless horizon of the African Savanna is truly captivating, and the way the film captures the sharpest details really makes you feel like you're there. 

And Disney has enlisted a narrator worthy of the film's incredible story and vision, Academy Award nominee Samuel L. Jackson.

But what really makes this film so special is the deep emotional connection you'll feel for the cat families.

The true story features Mara, an endearing lion cub who strives to grow up with her mother's strength, spirit and wisdom; Sita, a fearless cheetah and single mother of five mischievous newborns; and Fang, a proud leader of the pride who must defend his family from a rival lion. You'll be amazed by their determination, laugh at their misadventures, and feel the love that deeply bonds their families together.

A Shared Commitment to Protecting Large Cats and their Habitat

The Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund has long supported IFAW and our Emergency Relief team, helping us rescue thousands of endangered penguins threatened by an oil spill in 2000, and supporting IFAW's emergency responses to the Haiti earthquake, Hurricane Katrina, the Asian tsunami, and other lifesaving missions and projects.

And just like Earth Day 2010, when Disneynature's "Oceans" coincided perfectly with IFAW's successful campaign to defeat a deadly proposal to legalize whaling, "African Cats" comes at a critical time for large cats, especially lions.

Over the past two decades, the number of African lions has declined by nearly 50%. Today, there are fewer than 40,000 African lions remaining.

IFAW and a coalition of animal welfare groups have petitioned the United States, by far the largest importer of lion "trophies," to list African lions as Endangered under the Endangered Species Act.

By making the plight of these cat families so personal, Disney has succeeded in creating an emotional side to this issue that can't be ignored - you can't watch this film and not want to help Africa's majestic kings of the savanna.

See "African Cats", Save the Savanna

During the film's opening week (April 22-28), a portion of the proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to ensure the future of lions, cheetahs, elephants, zebras, giraffes and a host of other animals in the vibrant African Savanna.

So treat yourself to this incredible film, while helping protect the very habitat the cats depend upon. Order your tickets today by calling 1-888-DISNEY6 or visiting www.disney.com/africancats.

See you at the movies! 

Fred O'Regan
IFAW President

PS. There will be an opportunity for the public to comment on the African lion listing petition before the US government makes a final decision. Please watch for an alert from IFAW and help us win this victory for lions!

Washington, D.C. -- The Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) is pleased to report that President Barack Obama signed the Shark Conservation Act into law. Both the Senate and the House of Representatives passed the bill in the last days of the 111th Congress, approving the long-awaited measure by unanimous consent. The president’s signature makes the law official.

AWI and other shark advocates have been pushing for passage of this law - which represents a giant step forward for shark conservation - since it was originally introduced in the House in January 2009 by Representative Madeleine Bordallo (D-GU) and in the Senate in April by Senator John Kerry (D-MA). Following its passage, Senator Kerry issued a statement: “Shark finning has fueled massive population declines and irreversible disruption of our oceans. Finally we’ve come through with a tough approach to tackle this serious threat to our marine life.”

The Shark Conservation Act will curb the practice of shark finning, by which living sharks’ fins are sliced off and their mutilated bodies thrown back into the ocean, where the sharks endure long, painful deaths. Shark finning kills an estimated 73 million sharks each year, driven by the demand for shark fin soup.

In 2000, President Bill Clinton signed the Shark Finning Prohibition Act, making it unlawful to possess a shark fin in U.S. waters without a corresponding carcass. Loopholes in the ban, however, prevented effective enforcement, and finning continued. As a countermeasure, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued regulations in 2008 mandating that sharks must be landed with fins attached in the Atlantic, Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico, but not the Pacific. The Shark Conservation Act extends this requirement to all U.S. waters, and prohibits the transfer of shark fins at sea.

“Thankfully, now the U.S. has an enforceable finning ban,” said AWI’s president, Cathy Liss. “Requiring that sharks be landed with their fins attached is the only way to truly enforce a prohibition on finning and we hope that other countries will follow suit.”

The law includes an exemption for smooth dogfish sharks, for which a small fishery exists in North Carolina, primarily targeting the fish for meat. The exemption will allow these few fishermen to continue to separate fins of this species from carcasses at sea to conserve space on their boats. These fishermen will be responsible for demonstrating that the fins on their boat belong to the carcasses.

“We applaud President Obama and this bill’s champions for their leadership in passing this landmark law,” Liss added. “Though we are disappointed that the law does not include a blanket ban on the removal of all shark fins at sea, it clearly signals that the U.S. is committed to ending the cruel and wasteful practice of shark finning.” Source of this article: http://www.awionline.org/ht/display/ReleaseDetails/i/32967/pid/232

"As top predators, sharks serve as caretakers of their ocean environments. By feeding on the sick and weak, they strengthen prey populations and maintain the genetic quality of species below them in the food chain. Some sharks are also scavengers, removing the dead from their environments. The presence of sharks likely encourages biodiversity in an ecosystem." 
Source: http://www.awionline.org/ht/d/ContentDetails/id/2696/pid/2457

These are the internet petitions to protect sharks and demand a ban on shark finning that are posted on STOP SHARK FINNING. They urge people to sign as many of them as you can!

If you know of any others please let them know!

Added Narch 21st 2011:

Support Chinese Legislation to Ban Shark Fins.

Added March 18th 2011:

Petition to Mr Chan Restaurant, South Africa.

Added March 9th 2011:

Senator Leland Yee is opposing bill AB 376, which would ban the shark fin trade in California and it illegal to be in possession of shark fins. Yee is siting the usual spurious "cultural" reasons. Please sign the petition asking Senator Leland Yee to support the bill.

Added January 27th 2011:

Red Chilli Restaurants in the UK Serve a range of Shark Fin dishes. Lets put pressure on them to take it off their menu, thus reducing the demand for shark fins in the UK. Sign here.

Added January 24th 2011:

Mabul Island (Malaysia) is a small island that is being developped for tourism - and guess what - they are finning sharks there. Please sign the petition asking them to ban finning. Sharks are worth more alive than dead. Divers want to see sharks in the ocean, not in a bowl of soup!

Added January 18th 2011:

Petition to ban all shark finning in the EU. This petition is being organised by Global Ocean.

When you see this kind of ignorance and greed and lack of compassion and understanding toward living creatures it raises many questions not the least of which is how did humans devolve to such shallow depths? Many think of the east as holistic, mystical and wise.  Hmmm...  The worst treatment of bears on the planet is perpetrated in China. Animal trafficking is driven by much of the superstitions of Chinese culture. The tiger penis is served in exclusive Chinese restaurants as a viagra meal and commands $5,000. Where do these horrors originate, and I mean not just in China, but where do they originate in human beings? Is it tied to the ancient history of human superiority over all other life forms? Animals as human entertainment goes back thousands of years and we still exploit and abuse them in the name of entertaining us. READ: HUMANS NEED TO RETHINK ...

SOURCE OF ARTICLE BELOW: http://www.geekosystem.com/chinese-turtles-fish-keychains/

"Filled with colored water, each 7-centimeter long key ring encapsulated either one Brazil turtle or two small kingfish, and is filled with “nutrient rich” water, by which vendors claim allow the animals to live for several months. Unfortunately, after your few months are up, you have a carcass key chain.

However, no need to worry as rumor has it that nothing goes to waste – the cadavers are heated in the microwave for 15 seconds and eaten while enjoying an ice cold beer.

These adorable little gifts, which are typically sold at subway and train stations, are protected by law and, according to said law, are not considered animal abuse." Source: http://helablog.com/2011/03/cruel-and-bizarre-live-fish-turtle-key-chains/

It's sad that stuff like this actually goes on in this world and ridiculous that petitions must circulate to give an avenue to those of us who know this is wrong, a place to be heard, but it's the way life goes sometimes. I'm not saying the petition is ridiculous -- just that the issue is so moronic that we shouldn't be seeing petitions on subjects like this! I'm signing it. Petitions have shown over and over to be an effective way to make change and this must change. It must stop. Click here or below to go to Care2's petition site.

"At the outbreak of World War One, Joey, young Albert's beloved horse, is sold to the cavalry and shipped to France. he's soon caught up in enemy fire, and fate takes him on an extraordinary odyssey, serving on both sides before finding himself alone in no man's land.

But Albert cannot forget Joey and, still not old enough to enlist, he embarks on a treacherous mission to find him and bring him home.

The National's new epic is based on the celebrated novel by the British Children's Laureate (2003-05) Michael Morpurgo. Actors working with magnificent, life-sized puppets by the internationally renowned Handspring Puppet Company lead us on a gripping journey through history." Source: http://www.newyorkcitytheatre.com/theaters/vivianbeaumonttheater/theater.php

If you're lucky enough to be in New York when War Horse is playing, I think it would be fabulous to see. Click here or on the image below to buy tickets.

Lilies are toxic for cats

 "Lilies are a popular flower, especially around Easter. But if you have cats, you might want to avoid having lilies in your home," writes Rose Hayes. "The entire lily plant -- leaf, pollen and flower -- can be toxic to cats." It can cause heart problems in both cats and dogs according to www.petanim.com.

"All Lillies are toxic to cats, especially day lillies. They can cause kidney failure," Rose writes. Symptoms of lily toxicity in include lethargy, loss of appetite and vomiting. These symptoms worsen as the kidney damage progresses until death.

Seek veterinary treatment early. If you suspect your cat has eaten any part of a lily or its pollen, call your veterinarian immediately.  

Can proper dental care help prevent heart disease in my cat? 
It might sound farfetched, but it’s true. Proper dental care can cut down on your cat’s chances of suffering from heart disease. And that’s not all. Of course, as you might expect, poor dental hygiene can result in your cat suffering from tooth decay, tooth infection, and eventual tooth loss. But it can also lead to more serious, and less obvious, health problems, like lung disease and kidney disease.

Fortunately, it’s easy to make sure your cat gets proper dental care. First, you should brush their teeth once a week using a soft, child-sized toothbrush, and edible cat toothpaste. Choose cat treats and cat food that promote healthy teeth and gums. And make sure your cat gets a dental checkup once a year. Source: http://www.thecatsource.com/cat-health-tips/

Is it healthy for a cat to be spayed or neutered?
Many cat owners have questions about spaying and neutering. Primarily, they wonder how healthy these procedures really are for their pets.

The fact is that your cat being spayed (for females) or neutered (for males) is a very good thing. On average, cats that have had their reproductive organs removed live longer than those that haven’t. Among other things, these cats won’t suffer from cancers related to the reproductive system, like uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, and testicular cancer. Pets that have been spayed or neutered also tend to be calmer, happier, and more affectionate. And male cats that are neutered are less likely to feel the urge to run off and get into trouble. So not only is spaying and neutering good for your cat’s health, it can also be beneficial to their overall well-being. Source: http://www.thecatsource.com/cat-health-tips/

What Can You Do To Prevent Feline Urinary Disease?
There are many steps cat owners can take to prevent their cats from developing feline urinary tract problems. The most important thing you can do is to feed a high-quality canned food. Cats are supposed to get most of their water from their food.

A cat who eats only dry food is usually chronically dehydrated, which leads to his urine becoming concentrated. And concentrated urine can lead to cat bladder stones, and a whole host of problems that goes along with them.

Be sure your cat always has access to plenty of clean, fresh water, too.

You may want to consider giving your cat a natural remedy for pets that supports bladder health in felines. This remedy should contain herbal extracts of barberry and uva ursi, along with the homeopathic remedies Cantharis and Staphysagria. These natural treatments have stood the test of time for bladder infections in humans, and they have been proven to work very well in cats. Source: http://purraffection.com

Digestive Problems
In kittens, vomiting or diarrhea can quickly become life threatening. Whenever any cat vomits more than 24 hours or vomits and acts depressed, veterinary attention is needed.

Cats are discriminating about what they eat, so they don't have much digestive trouble. A few cats occasionally gobble their food so fast they regurgitate undigested (and usually unchewed) food immediately afterwards. If this happens, withdraw food for half an hour and then give smaller amounts.

If your cat vomits but continues to act alert and interested in food you may want to try home treatment for 24 hours before seeking veterinary attention. Source: www.placervillevet.com

Did you know cats don't taste sweet things?
If a cat has ever licked you, you know that his tongue feels rough, like sandpaper. The tongue is covered with hundreds of papillae - tiny backward facing hook like structures that act like a natural hairbrush, which a cat uses for grooming the coat. In the wild, cats use their rough tongues to lick meat off bones. Their taste buds are located on the sides, tip, and back of the tongue. Cats and kittens can taste bitter, acids, and salty flavors but not sweet tastes. When drinking, they curl their tongue in at the sides to form a cup or spoon to lap up the liquid. Source: http://www.buzzle.com

by Betsy Seeton

This is the best news I've heard in a long time and Chippy and Jasper are elated! The UK is banning animals in circuses. The change comes after undercover video reveals horrendous abuse of a circus elephant. This type of undercover filming is being voted on in the United States and may soon become a felony! It's outrageous to take away this tool as a way to bring needed change. Read more on that issue here and read about the UK's compassionate, intelligent, progressive changes below. 

Under existing laws in the UK, travelling circuses only have to comply with relatively simple guidelines under the Animal Welfare Act which governs how domestic pets must be treated. They are specifically excluded from tougher cruelty and welfare laws for zoos. But all that is about to change. Source: http://www.express.co.uk

Last week, this  undercover footage seen on YouTube (below) of the brutal treatment of Anne, a 59-year old Asian elephant owned by a UK traveling circus - Bobby Roberts Circus - inflicted by Anne's trainer, caused a huge public outcry all across the UK. The end result of this horrendous abuse has motivated Environment Secretary, Caroline Spelman, to take action in favor of the animals being exploited and abused. She has determined that forcing elephants, tigers, lions, & camels to perform tricks for paying customers is wrong and intends to ban the practice throughout Britain. She also stated that the conditions in which they travel thousands of miles each year is detrimental to their health.

Anne has been relocated to Longleat Safari Park in Wiltshire where she will be protected from such cruelty the rest of her life.

I hope Anne's abuser is charged and sees jail time for his abuse. I also hope the United States will soon follow in the compassionate, evolved footsteps of the UK and ban animals from all circuses and performances. (I couldn't finish watching the video .... )

CLICK BELOW TO READ THE FULL REPORT

Take Action!
Please send a polite letter on ALDF's website in care of Assistant State Attorney Geoff Fleck, encouraging Judge Rosier to hand down aggressive and meaningful sentences which clearly reflect the Court’s recognition of the cruel violence and attendant criminal activities which dogfighting inflicts on communities.

Dear Betsy,

After seizing 13 allegedly abused dogs in April 2010, Baker County, Florida police charged Cletus Gaskins and Omar Aldridge with animal cruelty and dogfighting. Reportedly running away from the officers on the scene and leaving his four-year-old son behind in the process, Aldridge was also charged with child neglect. 

Dogs raised for fighting are forced to live desperately, repeatedly suffering ruthless and gruesome abuses as well as systematic neglect. Tragically, it is not unusual for children to be victimized by this culture as well -- either taken to fighting events by the very adults they should be able to count on to shield them from harm, or chronically exposed to squalid and dangerous living conditions.

On March 8, 2011, Gaskins and Aldridge entered no contest pleas to charges of both cruelty to animals and fighting or baiting animals -- both felonies under Florida law. The prosecution will present its sentencing recommendations to Judge Rosier at a hearing on Wednesday, April 27, 2011 at 2:00 p.m.

Take Action!
Please send a polite letter on ALDF's website in care of Assistant State Attorney Geoff Fleck, encouraging Judge Rosier to hand down aggressive and meaningful sentences which clearly reflect the Court’s recognition of the cruel violence and attendant criminal activities which dogfighting inflicts on communities. 

Local residents are encouraged to support the prosecution by attending the court proceedings. The sentencing hearing is currently scheduled for Wednesday, April 27, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. Court information can be found on ALDF's website.

Thank you for speaking out against dogfighting!

For the animals,

Stephen Wells
Executive Director
Animal Legal Defense Fund

Exposé by WSPA Member Society ENV prompts a crackdown on tour companies

HANOI – March 21, 2011 – The Vietnamese government has announced a crackdown on illegal bear bile tourism, following reports of bile extraction for tourists by the World Society for the Protection of Animals’ (WSPA) member society, Education for Nature-Vietnam (ENV).

Last month, ENV released an exposé on bear owners in Quang Ninh Province who continue to extract bear bile and sell it to tourists. Shortly after, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism sent a letter to tour companies engaged in this so-called bear bile tourism, warning that they could lose their business licenses if they continued to sell the product.

“This is fantastic news and clearly demonstrates that the government of Vietnam sees the damage bear farming is causing their tourist industry,” said Dave Eastham, WSPA Captive Bears Campaign Leader. “We urge the authorities to now step up their efforts to ensure an end to the farming of thousands of bears across the country for their bile.”

Approximately 3,000 bears – almost all stolen from the wild – are kept under terrible conditions in illegal bear “farms” in Vietnam. They live in tiny, barren cages, often with no space to stand or move, for the duration of their lifetime. READ FULL ARTICLE