animal.writes : sit.wilbur.sit

So, one of the biggest driving forces of vegetarianism vs. eating meat (for me) is that I am coming to terms with my feelings about how there is very little difference between the animals we use for food and the animals we keep as companions. One of the most startling cases of this is our friend the pig. Pigs are highly intelligent, complex creatures who on a cerebral level, share so many qualities with man's best friend, the dog. And yet people have a rather stone age impression of them as just being filthy, dumb animals that serve no other purpose than to "taste delicious". Hopefully after reading this, you'll feel a little differently about how YOU regard these fine and gentle little creatures!

Fun facts about pigs!

• Pigs, much like dogs, have a powerful sense of smell
• Also like their canine counterparts, pigs are extremely loyal
• Pigs are *smarter* than the average 3 year old child
• These smartypants pigs have been known to play videogames!
• Smashing the stereotypes of "sweaty pigs" and "eat like a pig": they cannot sweat and do not ever, in nature, over-eat
• Mother pigs SING to their piglets when nursing them... AWWWW!

With these two beautiful and similar species of animals receiving SUCH opposite types of treatment from humans, isn't it up to us to demand that all pigs receive the same amount of love and care that we shower our dogs with? Can you imagine if dogs were commonly slammed head-first into the ground, beaten with metal rods or having their teeth cut out without any painkillers?! There would be riots in the streets!!

Please take a moment to sign a petition that demands better and more humane treatment for these wonderful babies! You can sign here.

Thanks from Rabbit AND the pigs of the world!

animal.writes : no.safe.haven

Ugh. The NRA is at it again! In a reckless about-face on the issue triggered by pressure from the radical leaders of the National Rifle Association (NRA), the National Park Service is considering a change in the law that would allow park visitors to carry loaded weapons in national parks.

According to the HSUS, allowing loaded weapons will give cover to poachers who would take aim at park wildlife. Currently, the presence of a loaded weapon is the main clue available for rangers in discovering and identifying poachers.

Please speak out against this by visiting this site and telling the U.S. Fish and Wildlife that this is NOT OK!!

We can't afford to not protect those who are defenseless!

animal.writes

And we're back with another bit of animal writes.

Today's topic comes from my friends at the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). Basically, Senate and House members will be meeting to iron out their differences over their final versions of the Farm Bill.

The protection measures that we are fighting to get through are as follows:

- The use of former or stolen pets in research. (Click here)
- Puppy imports (Click here)
- Strengthening the federal dogfighting law (Click here)
- Animal Welfare Act (AWA) Accountability (Click here)

What can you do to help ensure that these issues be enforced legally? Take a minute or 2 (I don't know how fast you can click and type) to fill out this letter to our local congress, urging them to include these measures in the Farm Bill.

I've already sent mine, please help me strengthen our government's awareness of these critical issues!!

polar.bare

This is giving me agita.

Polar bears are starving and drowning.

How can we be allowing this to continue?? Certain conservationist groups have worked tirelessly to get the polar bears protected under the Endangered Species Act. However, federal bureaucrats are illegally delaying the decision to include these gorgeous, magnificent creatures under the act.

Please take all of 2 minutes to visit this link and sign a petition to tell the Bush administration to immediately list the polar bear as an endangered species.

You may not care a great deal about this cause, but it certainly will not hurt you to take a moment to sign this. I cannot express how vital it is to the future of these sweet babies!