Saturday, May 15, 2010

“Sportsmen rip DNR for ad with Humane Society - Green Bay Press-Gazette” plus 3 more

“Sportsmen rip DNR for ad with Humane Society - Green Bay Press-Gazette” plus 3 more

Sportsmen rip DNR for ad with Humane Society - Green Bay Press-Gazette

Posted: 14 May 2010 11:19 AM PDT

MADISON — A group of sportsmen and legislators criticized the state Department of Natural Resources for joining the Humane Society on a radio campaign, saying Thursday that the partnership destroys the agency's credibility.

The DNR and the Humane Society of the United States are collaborating on radio announcements warning people not to take young wild animals as pets.

Wisconsin Wildlife Federation President Jack Nissen said he doesn't have a problem with warning people to leave animals alone, but the DNR shouldn't have aligned with the Humane Society to produce the campaign.

Nissen said the Humane Society opposes hunting, trapping and animal agriculture, in direct opposition to the DNR's wildlife management and farm regulatory duties. He said he feared the partnership could lead to the Humane Society pressuring the DNR to tighten hunting regulations.

State Sen. Neal Kedzie, R-Elkhorn, wrote to DNR Secretary Matt Frank and said he was "appalled" at the DNR's relationship with the Humane Society, especially when hunters are already upset with the agency after a weak November deer hunt.

DNR Chief Warden Randy Stark, who is in charge of the radio campaign, insisted the DNR still considers its partnerships with hunters, anglers and trappers critical. He said the agency decided to approach the Humane Society because of its anti-poaching stance and contributions to rewards in animal thrill-kill investigations.

The Humane Society agreed to match the DNR's $6,000 investment in the ads, enabling the purchase of more air time, Stark said.

Senate Majority Leader Russ Decker, D-Weston, said in a statement that he can't believe the state is spending $6,000 so Stark can "play advertising executive with out-of-state groups."

The ads are set to run statewide through June 13.

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Rescue, please; don't buy a pet - Reporter

Posted: 15 May 2010 03:40 AM PDT

By: Nona Breaux

Click to enlarge

BREAUX

If you were about to add a pet to your family, would you check out a pet rescue or head to a store?

There was an interesting story by The Associated Press this week that made me very happy.

In an Associated Press-Petside.com poll, more than half of the people queried said they would get their next dog or cat from a shelter — and that was about seven times the number who planned on buying that pet from a store.

Only 8 percent planned to buy a cat or dog at a store. Fifty-four percent of those polled said they would probably get their next pet from a shelter, while 23 percent opted for a breeder.

With so many cats, dogs and other critters waiting for a forever home, you have to wonder why in the world there are so many breeders out there adding to the population explosion.

And why people would either seek them out or head to a store for their next family member.

There also was a portion of the poll where people were asked where they obtained their present pets.

If they were like me, you need go no further than your doorstep.

All of the kitties living in our house right now found us. I swear there must be some kind of cat "underground railroad" system with hidden signs directing homeless cats to our door.

Something like "sucker, straight ahead," no doubt.

But I digress. In this poll, 26 percent said their pets had come from breeders and 30 percent said shelters.

More than half of the people polled said their pets had been strays, gifts or the like.

I could identify with one women quoted: "I've probably had 50 dogs and all but two came walking up our driveway," said Colleen Campbell, 71, of Fairview, Texas.

She lives in a rural area that's infamous for its "drop-off" rate of unwanted animals. I'm not quite as bad as she is, however; she's even taken in two donkeys that her vet said needed special care.

It takes a special kind of person to care for a special-needs pet, but they can be so loving that it can be well worth it.

Yes, we've been down that road as well a time or two.

But I hope others will consider this poll if they are looking for a furry friend. There are so many animals who would just love to call your house a home.

And we all know the horrors that have been uncovered where so many breeders are concerned.

Here's something else to consider, whether you have a pet or not. Area rescue groups and the SPCA always need donations and volunteers. So why not consider giving of your time?

One group that's near and dear to my heart — Stray Cat Blues — is facing a special need and perhaps you can help.

The local nonprofit cat rescue has kitty adoption cages at PetsMart, off Knapp Road, Montgomery Township, and needs volunteer cage cleaners for morning shifts (8 to 9:30 a.m.) Monday through Friday.

If you love cats and can spare about an hour and a half one or two mornings a week, the group certainly could use your help.

Keep in mind that cage cleaning is a physical activity— you have to stand to sweep out the 10 cages, scoop litter boxes, and fill food and water bowls.

But what great exercise!

Plus, you get to spoil the cats a bit.

If interested and available, e-mail savingstrays@yahoo.com, or call (215) 631-1851.

Just think how happy you'll make those kitties. And remember, they're all up for adoption, not for sale.

Nona Breaux is executive editor of The Reporter. Her blog is By Chance at thereporteronline.com.

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BUNNIES: Neighbor kills Westport 4-year-old’s pet - Tri-City Herald

Posted: 13 May 2010 07:20 PM PDT

Voice of the Mid-Columbia | Kennewick, Pasco and Richland, Wash. |

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Savage beating death of gentle alpaca in Ohio upsets ranchers - Canada East

Posted: 13 May 2010 11:06 AM PDT

CINCINNATI - Almost as comforting as the soft sweaters made from alpaca fleece is the affection that the llama-like animals from South America bestow on their owners. Jeff Pergram's alpaca, named Masterpiece, would trail and nuzzle him.

So it was heartbreaking not only to Pergram, but also to owners throughout the state known as "Little Peru" for its thriving alpaca industry, when Masterpiece was stolen, beaten to death with a makeshift club and dumped in a barn.

"I can't imagine anyone looking into the gentle eyes of an alpaca and doing such a thing," said Beth Kressin, an alpaca owner in Medina, in northeast Ohio.

Two 17-year-old boys are charged with animal cruelty and other counts, and a 23-year-old woman is charged with complicity offences. A judge ruled that one of the teens will be tried on the animal cruelty count in juvenile court and as an adult on the felony charges. A juvenile court hearing on the other teen's status has been continued until May 24.

There doesn't appear to be a broader trend of attackers taking advantage of alpacas' trusting nature, but the Ohio attack has rippled through the national network of alpaca ranchers even though most believe their pastures are well-fortified.

"This was tragic, but I think it is an isolated case," said Jerry Miller, spokesman for the national Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association. Still, "it might make some owners keep an extra eye open."

The attack is still discussed at alpaca shows, and owners and others have registered their distress on websites such as a "Justice for Masterpiece" Facebook page, which has drawn thousands of comments.

Smaller but similar in appearance to llamas and to camels without the humps, the long-necked alpacas are prized for their fleece, which is made into sweaters, socks, rugs, blankets, even teddy bears. They are raised also for breeding and show.

The fibre varies in price according to market demand and use. It can bring $2 or more an ounce in the raw state, with finished products sometimes costing more than $1,000.

Prices of the animals vary according to fleece, heritage and breeding characteristics. Some lower-quality alpacas sell for $250 to $300, while others sell for thousands of dollars, said Jeff Bradford, president of the Ohio Alpaca Breeders Association. One sold at auction this year for $675,000, he said.

Ohio leads the country in registered alpacas with 25,000. More than 150,000 alpacas are registered in the United States, according to the national association, based in Nashville, Tenn.

Typical security measures to protect alpacas from the likes of coyotes, dogs or mountain lions include no-climb fences and guardian animals such as livestock dogs, llamas, or donkeys, Miller said.

Masterpiece's owner did not have a high fence or animals to protect the few alpacas at his Butler County farm 65 kilometres north of Cincinnati. Pergram has sold his other three alpacas partly because of the January attack.

Masterpiece, worth $8,000, was part of his livelihood but also a gentle and lovable pet, said Pergram, who has received hundreds of sympathetic cards and e-mails.

There have been media reports through the years of humans needlessly killing farm animals, including horses, cows, llamas, sheep and goats. Animal welfare groups such as the Humane Society of the United States don't track such slayings and believe they are less common than those involving dogs and cats.

Someone killed Tana Ward's five-day-old alpaca, Arianne, in 2007.

"I came home one day from work to find her in the pasture, decapitated," said Ward, who owns an alpaca farm in Walworth County, Wis., about 70 kilometres southwest of Milwaukee. "We think it was kids, but there wasn't enough evidence to bring charges."

She now has dogs for protection and empathized with Pergram through the Facebook page.

"My heart broke when I read about the loss of Masterpiece," she wrote. "Condolences and hugs to his family."

Debbie Zulli, an alpaca owner in York Springs, Pa., said she believes her alpacas are adequately protected by the larger llamas and a high fence.

"But if someone wants to do something like this," she said, "they will probably find a way."

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