Single Use Plastic Bags Are Hazardous

Photo Credit: reusethisbag.com

Single-use plastic should be outlawed throughout the nation. It is one of the leading causes of aquatic wildlife destruction. By way of suffocating fish, turtles and other oceanic life. On top of that, plastic is not biodegradable.

Plastic bags don’t biodegrade, they photodegrade – breaking down into smaller and smaller toxic bits. A plastic bag can take between 400 to 1,000 years to break down in the environment. As it breaks down, plastic particles contaminate soil and waterways and enter the food web when animals accidentally ingest them.

• In the ocean, these particles eventually end up in massive whirlpool-like currents in the oceans called gyres. Our planet has five major gyres.

• In some locations, there is 46 times more plastic than available food for marine animals.

• Plastic bags cause over 100,000 sea turtle and other marine animal deaths every year.

• Nearly 90% of the debris in our oceans is plastic.

• Plastic bags are among the 12 items of debris most often found in coastal cleanups, according to the nonprofit Center for Marine Conservation.

• Plastic debris accumulates persistent organic pollutants (POPs) like PCBs and DDT at high concentrations. Many of these pollutants are known endocrine disruptors.

• When fish and other marine animals ingest plastic debris, they are also ingesting these toxins.

• If the food we eat is contaminated with toxins, we will be too.

Sources: International Fund for Animal Welfare, the Environmental Protection Agency, NOAA National Ocean Service, and other agencies or persons as cited.

Alternatives to plastic bags: Reuseable bags are bags that are durable and long lasting. They come in all different shapes, sizes, colours, and styles. Reuseable cloth bags are a popular alternative to plastic bags. They are made from a variety of materials, such as calico, cotton, recycled PET, hemp and jute…

The more we cut back on hazardous materials and waste that affect our planet the better life will be. Moreover, the planet will be able to heal.

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Urge Texas A&M University to end their cruel and useless Muscular Dystrophy dog labs: Petition

By Aggies For Doggies

At my university, Texas A&M in College Station, experimenters led by Joe Kornegay breed golden retrievers to develop different types of muscular dystrophy (MD), including Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), which is a particularly severe disease. These diseases ravage their bodies, causing progressive muscle wasting and weakness. Studies with these dogs haven’t led to a cure or even a treatment to reverse disease symptoms, even after experimenting for 30 years.

Dogs who didn’t have the disease but carried the DMD gene were used for breeding. Deprived of loving homes, they frantically paced the slatted floors and bit the bars of small cages in frustration. They didn’t even have the comfort of a blanket.

To gauge just how much a dog’s muscles have deteriorated, Kornegay has invented a crude technique that could pass for medieval torture: He repeatedly stretches them with a motorized lever in order to cause muscle tears.

Kornegay has been at this for more than 30 years. Puppies in his laboratory who are born with DMD are so weak at birth that they require extra nutrition. By 6 weeks of age, their hind limbs have shifted forward, making walking difficult, and some are unable to open their mouths or jaws.

You Can Help Put an End to the Needless Suffering!

Please urge Texas A&M University to close their dog laboratories, stop breeding MD dogs, release all dogs for adoption into good homes, and redirect their resources into humane research methods. As Aggies we have so much pride in our school, and these useless labs need to stop.

Shut Down The Torture

No animal should be used as test subjects when there is TECHNOLOGY capable of helping us find a cure!

Sumatran Last Stand For Orangutans: Petition

I stand with Rainforest Action Network in calling on the US snack food industry to help stop the destruction of Indonesia’s rainforests for palm oil.

The rainforests of Indonesia are some of the most biodiverse forests in the world and home to a number of endangered species, like Sumatran orangutans, Sumatran tigers, pygmy elephants and rhinoceros. These rainforests continue to be destroyed to produce palm oil so it can be used in the manufacturing of food products, including in snack foods and sweets that are some of America’s favorite brand name products.

I would prefer my crackers, chocolate, cookies, peanut butter, and ice cream not to come with orangutan extinction. That is why I am standing with RAN in calling on snack food companies to protect Indonesia’s rainforests and all of the people and wildlife who depend on them by cutting palm oil tied to rainforest destruction and social conflict out of their supply chains.

Petition By Rainforest Action Network

Save The Orangutans

Don’t Dump Animals On The Street

There are advocates out there driven by emotions instead of logic. These advocates are a danger for animal kind. A friend of ours encountered such a person on a public forum. While defending responsible owners for surrendering their beloved companions to a shelter, because they fell on hard times. Losing a job and forced to move out of state, to a place that has restrictions, is all too familiar to our friend.

The moment that our friend defended the owner was the very moment an irrational advocate lunged at her verbally.

Stating: ” I would rather go hungry and die before placing my fur kids in the shelter. I would even rather see them running free on the streets” among other hateful words.

Okay, let’s make some things very clear here about dumping your animals on the streets.

First Your animals are domesticated, they have no clue how to survive without human intervention.

Second, not everyone is kind to strays or homeless beings. Rocks are thrown, people put poison in food or water. Dog fighters pick up strays to use as baiting. Some people even shoot to kill.

Third, if cruel people don’t get a hold of the now new stray that you just casually dumped. The elements will, by which we mean your dumped companion can die from exposure. Heat, cold, other animals and or cars. Not to mention the slow painful way to die by way of starvation.

Fourth, on top of all that if your companion isn’t spayed or neutered, what do you think happens? The stray population grows, and the majority of the time it causes a FERAL colony. Which is not only dangerous for the general public yet also dangerous for the animals.

Yes, most shelters kill to make room. Others use a fostering program to make room. And about a third are a pet store affiliated facility that makes room for new animals by giving animals to pet stores, such as PetSmart and Petco.

People have options when it comes to surrendering their animals for any legitimate reasoning.

Dumping them on the street IS NOT and SHOULD NOT be one of those options.

Those who advocate for dumping on the street are those who have no true compassion for animal life. Streetlife is full of suffrage and it’s no place for any living beings.

So please, use the shelters, or find a home for your companions. Just don’t dump them on the streets.

Dangerous Foods To Avoid

Alcohol

Alcoholic beverages and food products containing alcohol can cause vomiting, diarrhea, decreased coordination, central nervous system depression, difficulty breathing, tremors, abnormal blood acidity, coma and even death. Under no circumstances should your pet be given any alcohol. If you suspect that your pet has ingested alcohol, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center immediately.

Avocado

Avocado is primarily a problem for birds, rabbits, donkeys, horses, and ruminants including sheep and goats. The biggest concern is for cardiovascular damage and death in birds.  Horses, donkeys and ruminants frequently get swollen, edematous head and neck.

Chocolate, Coffee and Caffeine

These products all contain substances called methylxanthines, which are found in cacao seeds, the fruit of the plant used to make coffee, and in the nuts of an extract used in some sodas. When ingested by pets, methylxanthines can cause vomiting and diarrhea, panting, excessive thirst and urination, hyperactivity, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures and even death. Note that darker chocolate is more dangerous than milk chocolate. White chocolate has the lowest level of methylxanthines, while baking chocolate contains the highest.

Citrus

The stems, leaves, peels, fruit and seeds of citrus plants contain varying amounts of citric acid, essential oils that can cause irritation and possibly even central nervous system depression if ingested in significant amounts. Small doses, such as eating the fruit, are not likely to present problems beyond minor stomach upset.

Coconut and Coconut Oil

When ingested in small amounts, coconut and coconut-based products are not likely to cause serious harm to your pet. The flesh and milk of fresh coconuts do contain oils that may cause stomach upset, loose stools or diarrhea. Because of this, we encourage you to use caution when offering your pets these foods. Coconut water is high in potassium and should not be given to your pet.

Grapes and Raisins

Although the toxic substance within grapes and raisins is unknown, these fruits can cause kidney failure. Until more information is known about the toxic substance, it is best to avoid feeding grapes and raisins to dogs.

Macadamia Nuts

Macadamia nuts can cause weakness, depression, vomiting, tremors and hyperthermia in dogs. Signs usually appear within 12 hours of ingestion and can last approximately 12 to 48 hours.

Milk and Dairy

Because dogs do not possess significant amounts of lactase (the enzyme that breaks down lactose in milk), milk and other dairy-based products cause them diarrhea or other digestive upset.

Nuts

Nuts, including almonds, pecans, and walnuts, contain high amounts of oils and fats. The fats can cause vomiting and diarrhea, and potentially pancreatitis in pets.

Onions, Garlic, Chives

These vegetables and herbs can cause gastrointestinal irritation and could lead to red blood cell damage. Although cats are more susceptible, dogs are also at risk if a large enough amount is consumed. Toxicity is normally diagnosed through history, clinical signs and microscopic confirmation of Heinz bodies.

Raw/Undercooked Meat, Eggs and Bones

Raw meat and raw eggs can contain bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli that can be harmful to pets and humans. Raw eggs contain an enzyme called avidin that decreases the absorption of biotin (a B vitamin), which can lead to skin and coat problems. Feeding your pet raw bones may seem like a natural and healthy option that might occur if your pet lived in the wild. However, this can be very dangerous for a domestic pet, who might choke on bones, or sustain a grave injury should the bone splinter and become lodged in or puncture your pet’s digestive tract.

Salt and Salty Snack Foods

Large amounts of salt can produce excessive thirst and urination, or even sodium ion poisoning in pets. Signs that your pet may have eaten too many salty foods include vomiting, diarrhea, depression, tremors, elevated body temperature, seizures and even death. As such, we encourage you to avoid feeding salt-heavy snacks like potato chips, pretzels, and salted popcorn to your pets. 

Xylitol

Xylitol is used as a sweetener in many products, including gum, candy, baked goods and toothpaste. It can cause insulin release in most species, which can lead to liver failure. The increase in insulin leads to hypoglycemia (lowered sugar levels). Initial signs of toxicosis include vomiting, lethargy and loss of coordination. Signs can progress to seizures. Elevated liver enzymes and liver failure can be seen within a few days.

Yeast Dough

Yeast dough can rise and cause gas to accumulate in your pet’s digestive system. This can be painful and can cause the stomach to bloat, and potentially twist, becoming a life threatening emergency. The yeast produces ethanol as a by-product and a dog ingesting raw bread dough can become drunk.

Sources: American Veterinarians Association, HSUS, ASPCA, WebMD- pets.

Ban shark fin products in US & save sharks from extinction.

Petition By United Conservationists, Inc

Sharks – the apex predators of the oceans – have survived 400 million years of evolution, yet many species may face extinction within our lifetime. Up to 100 million sharks are being killed every year, most often their bodies are discarded and only their fins are kept to be used in Shark Fin Soup – a delicacy in some Chinese restaurants*. Over hunting of the world’s largest fish has caused severe declines among many shark species, including the iconic Great White. Currently a third of shark species are threatened with extinction, and some populations have plummeted by over 90%.

The situation has become so dire that China has decided to ban Shark Fin Soup at official state banquets. In the U.S. several states to date (including California, Oregon, Hawaii and New York), have introduced state-wide bans on shark fins, with more states in the process of introducing bans.

Sharks are essential to the health of our oceans. As apex predators, sharks maintain a critical balance in the ocean. When sharks are eliminated, disastrous effects have been documented further down the food chain, including the collapse of commercial fisheries and the degradation of coral reefs. If sharks were to become extinct, this would have massive unintended consequences for our ocean ecosystems worldwide.

Time is running out for the world’s shark populations. Please sign and share the petition to tell our leaders take a big step in preserving the world’s vital oceans by banning the sale and distribution of shark fins and shark fin products nationwide. It’s time for all Americans to join the FinFree™ movement!

Ban shark fin products in The US & save sharks from extinction.

Leash Laws: Are For Everyones Safety

The care of companion animals starts with obeying laws put in place. Not only do these laws protect other people yet they also protect your companions. They protect them from running off, protect them from attacking or being attacked.

When laws of this magnitude are broken it can wind up deadly for all companions. For instance, some states are a one bite law. If found guilty that companion is euthanized. No matter who instigated the situation.

On top of the companion being euthanized, some municipalities/government consider taking it a step further by writing up a ban on whichever animals they see as likely to be vicious.

This is why it is important to follow and understand laws as well as understanding the consequences behind the neglect to follow laws. It only takes one person to make it problematic for everyone else.

As it is many are dealing with restrictions and or bans on Pit Bull type dogs, because a select few of people were irresponsible. Those few didn’t train, didn’t follow rules and or didn’t socialize their companion. Others have used them for entertainment and greed in underground dog fights.

This caused a mass massacre in CO. Which people are still seeking justice and an emendation to the current laws. In order to make changes for any animal to have a chance at life, there needs to be a compromise between community and government.

To us, Breed-specific legislation (BSL) is a bad idea. It punishes everyone and not just those who are at fault. This is where the law needs to change. It should only restrict those responsible for any damage that may have been done from owning any animal.

More to the point those people should also pay for damages since they were responsible for the well being of the community and animals.

As we said leash laws are very important to follow to keep everyone safe from drastic consequences.

Some leash laws that we know of include muzzles, a short leash of 5ft and a tag of colors, alerting others whether they are easily startled, aggressive and or in training.

In order to check your laws, talk with police or check your local government website.

In our next post, we will be going over dangerous foods since that is the next problematic area.

Shelters Experience Alarming Rates Of Lost Pets

Throughout the USA shelters are experiencing an alarming rate of lost pets, since the start of the 4th of July. Even though, advocates and shelter PR personnel have placed information on how to keep companion animals safe. It is apparent that the information fell on deaf ears.

In a majority of states, media reports have also circulated animal injuries and deaths due to irresponsible use of fireworks and neglecting the companion’s anxiety levels.

It’s 2019 and it seems that people are continuing to be ignorant of facts. Which places animals lives in immediate harm. When will a majority of people learn that even animals have emotions, feelings, and mental health disorders?

These neglectful actions are taken a toll on precious lives. We as a community must band together, to once again educate the masses on companion care.

In the days to come, we will be working on just that. By way of information posts pertaining to animal care, animal training, and animal health.

As of now, shelters are asking for owners to come forward to claim their family members. Therefore, if you have lost a companion animal please check the shelters.

A Fourth Of July Reminder

Keep your pets as safe as possible today and tonight.

Leave pets at home unless you are going to a friend/families house that is well prepared for animal guests…

Keep them away from grills. As they can get hurt when spooked.

Make them feel comfortable at all times when the fireworks start. By placing them in a room with distractions, such as toys, treats and a TV or Radio on.

If they should escape making sure that they have an ID tag on them at all times with up to date information to contact you. Is a must have!

🎆Happy 4th Of July everyone.🎆

All animals removed from hoarder home in Livingston Parish

PORT VINCENT – The Humane Society of Louisiana says it’s helping relocate dozens of animals, including dogs, goats and chickens, after they were found packed in tight, poorly-kept spaces.

According to the Humane Society, Livingston Parish Animal Control workers were called to the Port Vincent home last week. The owner was reportedly charged with simply cruelty to animals.

Authorities said there were 99 animals living on the property – half inside the owner’s home.  Sixteen dogs, 14 cats, and ten chickens were found inside, police said. Outside, 8 goats, 46 chickens and five ducks were found.

The Port Vincent Police Department said Alva Marino was charged with cruelty in connection with the case.

Read more – WBRZ2: Animals Removed from Hoarder.