It’s Peak Breeding Season – You Can Help Homeless Animals

Please Love Me

Spring and early Summer marks the peak breeding season for cats and dogs (and most other creatures) so now more than ever, the critters need our extra effort to help them find homes and not land up in a shelter or pound – facing an untimely and unjustified end.  This weeks Animal Action Alert – 25th Nov 09 features five more animals looking for homes – plus a call out for volunteer foster carers to help the Cat Haven cope with the increased numbers being surrendered every day.  If anyone can take a cat or two into their home for a few weeks – you most likely will save some lives… and that’s a pretty darn cool thing to do!!

The Alert also features a heap of handy links to a variety of interesting and natty things – there’s tips on how to deal with dog behavioural problems, information on the recent factory farmed pigs expose,  animal lovin charities, yummy recipes, awesome cruelty free products, and a thought provoking quote – what more could an upstanding animal lover need or want?

You dont have to stop at this edition either – you can find loads more in the Animal Action Alerts archive - so have yourself a ball!  Oh and please don’t forget to share the Alerts with all your friends – that is the simplest, yet MOST EFFECTIVE thing you can do to help these animals find new homes. 

Thanks heaps for your support!  Love from me and affectionate gnaws from one of our many little residents – “Chico”. 

A letter to Coles & Woolworths

A sow confined to gestation crate

After the expose on factory farmed pigs on 60 minutes last night, I decided to write a letter to Coles & Woolworths:

Dear Decision Maker,

It is a no brainer that the industrialised abuse of farmed animals will not be tolerated by an informed society – and that your patrons will be looking to you to support “humanely raised” animal products. Whilst this is, of course – an essential step for a retailer such as yours to take – I sincerely hope you will also increase your stocks of meat alternatives (vege meats). The simple fact is that free range and organic are again just “labels” and “guidelines” that can be manipulated and abused – at the end of the day producers will “do what it takes” to meet demand and this very fact is what has created this mess in the first place. If we significantly decrease our meat demand the production levels can be scaled down – removing the supply/demand “need” for intensive farming. When you consider too the environmental implications of animal agriculture, the reasons to reduce meat are more compelling than ever. We look to you to please fill this growing need for alternatives.

Sincerely …

I hope the terrible realities of intensive farming gives us all reason to think deeply about the role we play and the effect our purchasing choices have. It’s all very well to demand that producers change their methods but we have to remember that they are doing what they have to do to keep up with heavy demand. So it is up to us to reduce that demand – and reduce it significantly!

As you already know – I decided to remove myself from the “consumer chain” completely two years ago and became a vegan. I did this because it suddenly became clear to me that every time I purchased an animal product, I was saying “I’m ok with whatever the producers are doing to these animals, I support it”. I could see that no amount of “labeling” (ie; freerange) will ever be a guarantee that the animals I eat will be treated well. I came to this conclusion as I considered a society that starts to put heavy demand on these labels … How could this industry ever really change if the demand is so high? There will be an ever increasing population of people, increased competition, fewer resources and dwindling unoccupied land …. It just doesn’t pan out. I then started to investigate the health & environmental impacts of a meat versus vegan diet. Everything started to make sense – all of these very important issues were linked – so it was an easy decision for me to make, and a decision I have been very happy with ever since – no regrets. (yes, there is life after cheese!!

I’m not asking you to become a vegan (although that would surely make my heart sing with hope) … I’m just laying out the situation as I see it and inviting you – dear reader – to consider these points and to think about what you can do.

We are all responsible for our world, and in these troubling times we have much to consider. The writing is on the wall for the animals, our environment and our health – it really is up to us to take a stand and demand change.

What are your thoughts on this topic? Will you be making any changes to tackle the issues that are important to you? Please share your thoughts with us, I would love to read your point of view!

Peace & love – from Mars xxx

Look at Fantastic Florence who needs a loving home

Desperate Pets Announcement: 18 Nov 09

Please share this – Florence still doesn’t have a home – she’s just beautiful and time’s running out.  Anyone interested, please contact Freedom on 0403 152 991, 9442 3618 or at freedom_the_vegan@yahoo.com.au – from the Shenton Park Cat Haven (Perth Western Australia).

Florence is, simply put, an awesome cat. She is absolutely stunning to look at – pure white and fluffy, with one piercing blue eye and one mellow green eye – and has the personality to match. If you are looking for a family cat, the kind who will smooch around your ankles, hang out with visitors and not mind being picked up and slung over the kids’ shoulders, this is the cat for you. She is approximately 18 months old, so still has the activity levels and playfulness of a kitten, without the curtain-climbing, litter training etc.Flo does like to be very dominant with other cats, so would definitely prefer being a spoiled only child, but I think she would adjust to living with a dog quite well. There is really not a lot to say about this girl, as she is, quite simply, a great cat. We do strongly recommend that, as with all white cats, Florence be a completely or at least mainly indoors cat, as she will be extremely prone to sunburn and subsequent cancers, but she has been totally indoors at my house for over a month now with no concerns whatsoever – she is not the sort to sit mournfully by the door, begging to go out!
When she was initially handed in to Cat Haven as a stray, Flo was really in quite poor condition, with huge matts all over her body, so she has a bit of a funky haircut at the moment, but she does love being groomed so if you keep on top of doing this regularly, there won’t be any problems in this regard. We were initially suspicious that Flo had signs of ringworm, which is why she came to stay with me in the first place, however this has never developed into anything. Anyone who takes her on needs to be aware that she has now been exposed to ringworm and could potentially develop signs within the next few weeks, however I consider this very unlikely and anyway, ringworm is an extremely mild and easily treatable itchy skin condition, no different to having athletes foot. If she were to develop signs and required medicating, this would be at no cost to the new owner. Other than that, Flo is in fantastic health and is eagerly awaiting meeting her new family. If you think that could be you, please contact me on 0403 152 991, 9442 3618 or at freedom_the_vegan@yahoo.com.au

Action Alert – Xmas Not So Hot for Animals.

I’ve just finished producing the Animal Action Alert – 13th Nov 09 and boy oh boy, this one is pretty full!  There are 7 animals in todays edition, and as I was creating the Alert more emails about animals needing homes were hitting my inbox in a steady and seemingly unrelenting stream.  It’s a sad time of year for animals – breeding is at a peak and the looming holidays often spell abandonment for many creatures – not to mention those who are given as thoughtless “gifts”.  Pardon me for seeming pessimistic but sometimes it is hard to see the lighter side when you consider the harsh realities that so many animals face.  The really heartbreaking thing is each and every one of these animals – given the opportunity – would dedicate their lives to loving their human guardians and offering their unquestioning trust and respect.  Animals can teach us a lot about the sort of people we should be.  I hope and pray that we can help these few animals find safety and security this Christmas. 

Speaking of the festive season – the sidebar of this Alert gives you some cool ideas on humane gift giving.  PLUS – If you’re an environmentalist – you wont want to miss the link to Camp for Climate.  The animal lovers will enjoy the links to Sea Shepherd Perth visit, holistic vets and the Dog Havens “Wet Nose Day” – and cooks (or those who wish they could) will enjoy the recipe link and the free offer for vegetarian starter kits.

There’s lots to read and enjoy in the Animal Action Alerts - plus you can help the critters find new homes if you share the Alert with your friends.  Pretty cool eh?  Have fun reading and thanks so much for helping!!

Better Than Cheesecake Recipe Added!

You have no doubt read about this amazing BETTER THAN CHEESECAKE recipe I made on World Vegan Day – well due to overwhelming demand, I have posted the recipe for you to enjoy.  To see more delicious vegan recipies, click on the Recipes tab at the top of this page or on the left hand column.

My Raw Food Detox Rave

For those of you who have endured my ravings about the raw vegan food detox I attended in October – I KNOW you’re desperate to learn more, (who could blame you?) so here is the link to the Embracing Health website. 

The kind and very talented lady who runs the retreats is Leisa Wheeler and I can assure you, she knows her stuff when it comes to natural health and diet!  During 6 days of detox you learn more about the very essential role a clean diet and lifestyle plays on your health and overall wellbeing than you’re ever likely to remember (thank god for the information folders – thanks Leis!).  You not only cleanse your body during the retreat – you also open your mind, debunk mainstream health and dietary myths, tap into your personal power and before you know it you’re feeling amazing and you’re ready to truly take control of your health - possibly for the first time in your life. 

These retreats are so much more than just detoxing off junk food – they are a tonic for your whole person, an essential education and a truly holistic approach to addressing your health and lifestyle concerns.  I highly recommend Leisa and her amazingly wonderful team to anyone who wishes to heal – on any level – in a safe and compassionate environment. 

Thank you Leisa (and all the participants at the WA Busselton retreat) for gently guiding and supporting me to another level of health, awareness and happiness.

World Vegan Day – Fun, Food and Laughter

Just wanted to blog quickly to mention our great success in celebrating World Vegan Day. We invited 7 wonderful people to wine & dine with us, to meet the animals, to hear their stories and to share the beautiful vibe of peace and tranquility we enjoy every day here at Willow Springs.

Our group was a small assembly of diverse individuals who eat differing diets but share a common interest in good food, the plight of animals, the environment and our health.  Meeting the animals (some pets - some rescues – all loved) and dining on authentically cruelty free, healthy and environmentally friendly cuisine was symbolic of our shared concerns.  

The vegan dining experience went incredibly well, we were so happy to see everyone enjoy their meals (most reaching for seconds!) and requests for recipes at the end. The menu was as follows;

MAINS:
Chickpea, lentil & barley shepherds pie with cheezy breaded crust; served with tomato & zucchini salsa and blackened brussell sprouts.

DESSERT:
Jiffy’s Mongrels (caramel banana tarts with cashew cream – thanks so much Geoff & Ramona!) and Better Than Cheesecake (raw vegan cheesecake with raspberry sauce).  See the droolworthy photo!

The food was delicious, the company was top quality and the focus of the day - Veganism - was inspiring. What an AWESOME day!

HAPPY WORLD VEGAN DAY!

Animal Action Alert Tab

Be sure to click on the Animal Action Alert tab to learn about what we’re doing to help abandoned and/or abused Perth animals.  To see the latest edition of the Action Alerts, click on the archive link on the right side of this page – we create a new one at least once a week – sometimes more – so if you’re thinking of taking in a new pet, please PLEASE consider any of the wonderful animals featured on the alerts.

Recipes tab added!

I have created a recipes tab for you to read, subscribe, try out, rave about, rant about, try em out, share em with your friends.  Two recipes are in there so far – Spicy noodles with Chanterelles and Brown Rice Asparagus Casserole and I can assure you that they are seriously YUM!  So hurry, hurry and click on the recipe tab to check them out!  Many more recipes will follow soon. If you would like to leave feedback, that would be really very cool.  Peace and love to all you animal, environment and health lovers! xxx

Hello West Australian Animal Lovers!

Thank you for visiting my new blog spot! 

The primary goal of this site is to educate and inform on all topics relating to animal rights and welfare, particularly focusing on abandonment and abuse topics – but certainly not limited to them.  Unfortunately there is a whole world of information we can explore that directly or indirectly links in with animal abuse and exploitation.. but for a start and for now, we will stick with pet abandonment and abuse. 

To this end, I will feature e-newsletters called “Animal Action Alerts”.  These alerts will feature Perth animals needing new homes, right now - which you can actively participate in by viewing and sharing the Alert with your friends to help spread the word.  This tactic of spreading the word via electronic media is proving to be largely successful in getting the word out fast for the animals – many of which are living on borrowed time – and finding new homes for them.

Down the track, I will also be linking in with other major West Australian rescue groups with the objective of providing a “one-stop” site for those interested in helping animals – be it by adoption, fostering, volunteering, activism or lifestyle adjustment.   What does she mean by “lifestyle adjustment”? - I hear you say.   I mean the articles and blogs I plan to post will hopefully encourage you to look at your own actions in your daily life that may contribute (most likely inadvertently and completely unconsciously) to animal suffering.   I’m talking about everything from food choices, to clothing  - from fast food to cosmetics.  All of these things and many, many more are intrinsically linked to not only animal suffering, but to the sorry state of our environment and health.  At the very least, this is very fascinating and eye opening stuff.

But enough about that for now – as I said, that is all in the future!  For now I must humbly ask you to bear with me while I learn to navigate the wonderful world of “blogging” and familiarise myself with the inner workings of WordPress.  It may take me a bit to get it all right, but I hope you will follow my journey and hang in there for the good stuff.

I look forward to sharing information and helping animals with you very soon!

Maree – Actioning for the Animals