ChoreTime

Social Media Storm?

2011-07-19T20:22:00.000-07:00

My heart hurt today, so badly, when I read a story about a mama dog and her new born pups, saved from traffic and shot by animal control. My heart hurts daily when I see the posts and calls for help and I wonder...can we create enough of a social media storm to actually create change for animals? Can we?

Can we hold animal caregivers accountable? Can we hold communities accountable? Can we show that the someone who should do something is actually YOU and ME?

We cannot do it by spouting hate or by promoting violence. We cannot be a voice expecting to be heard if we have nothing to say! Shouting about a problem doesn't solve it. We need to find solutions and we need to create an atmosphere for change.

Facebook, Twitter and other social media sites give us access to millions of people and we should be, and can be changing things. We can reach media and interact with people in an instant way.

If you could know your message would be heard what would you say? If someone asked for a solution what would you offer?

My heart hurts, for cruelty to animals is one small step away from cruelty to you and me, One small step from animal abuse to people abuse. Why in the world don't we do something before they get to that step?

No matter how much we shout NO! NO! and STOP! STOP! unless someone actually finds their voice to hold these people accountable, these organizations, these communities and that means being good at sharing our message. That also means not feeding hate with hate or offering violence as a response to violence.

Create a storm...but remember this the thunder makes lots of noise but the lightning does the work!

Horse Meat

2011-05-16T20:56:00.000-07:00

The Canadian Food TV Network, on their show Top Chef Canada, chose to utilize horse meat. This ignited an uproar across the media and in social media. Facebook has groups, there are posts and comments going around and around. The station issued a statement which, on the surface, seems to indicate sensitivity to the issue but does not actually answer any questions.

I have a singular issue with this and it is this: there are two types of horses going for meat in North America. One group of horses, like cattle, sheep, swine and poultry are purpose bred for meat. The second group are no longer wanted companion horses sold at auction or driven to the plants by owners.

New regulations are supposed to ensure traceabilty for horse meat for the use of non-approved drugs prior to slaughter. CFIA is supposed to ensure humane transport and killing. Provincial authorities are supposed to ensure animal welfare standards are met for the animals.

I don't believe for a minute that anyone outside of a small, vocal group cares that there are two types of horses going for meat. Everyone one sees horses the same and sometimes that isn't a bad thing.

So a horse, is a horse, except for when someone wants to eat it, of course!

When you see a horse being sold at auction you can safely bet it is going for meat.

You can tell when it has been a companion. Would you choose to send a loyal animal friend to a surely frightening end and do it willingly? Many do. Many do it when their horses are sick, old, injured, unable to work and too much bother. The take the out of sight and out of mind position. Once the horse is gone they forget it entirely.

If we are going to accept horse meat as food TV fodder then Food TV needs to accept that their choice isn't supermarket simple. It isn't a clear cut case of protein but often a case of a long, hard trip for an end that is not ensured to be humane at any stage. Not to say that all horses face this end but too many do.

I look at my horses, and I remember the one I couldn't save from slaughter and I won't forget him. He was deserving better of me and I was not in a position to save him. I know if he had to he would forgive me but animals always forgive. Shouldn't we be doing better by them? Yes! We should.

Tell the food shows, tell your friends with hobby horses and acreage companions that they have animals that deserve better. We have to ensure that their lives and their deaths are humane, caring and full of love. We cannot toss aside our animals and forget about our responsibilities to them. In life, and in death. We owe them that for unfailing loyalty and love with no boundaries or limits.

We cannot have a country that claims to care for animals when we toss them away like trash when we are done with them.

Make them Stay

2011-05-12T09:55:00.000-07:00

I know it has been a while since there was a Chore Time post, I've been working on other writing and taking a break from the animal rescue community. But today I have to write and I hope you can read, comment and share.

I was reading, once again, about all the animals (dogs, cats and others) who are going to be shot, heartsticked, gassed or lethally injected and the cries from those who would save adoptable animals from being just one more disposable item in an incinerator or landfill. I was reading about volunteers in New York City who go and spend time with animals who are going to die.

It started me thinking about the times I was there while a pet crossed the Rainbow Bridge. The tears, the heart ache and the awesome responsibility of being there for their last breath, their last heart beat. If we care about them we are responsible for them. In life and through to their death.

This isn't new, call it pet recycling if you have to put a tag on it. We recycle and reduce, we reuse and re-purpose. We are being more green, we are being more energy lean and yet we still throw away our animals (and too often our children and elderly but that's another post) like they are trash.

Shelter reform is needed, certainly, but we also need a reform of the heart! We need people to care about the living creatures they call property and consider their rights as fellow citizens of the earth.

We need to remember they freely love us and so often they loyally trust us even in face of repeated abuse. They were made to be our friends, our companions, our blessing. They are not meant to be left behind, dumped off, abused and tortured.

My heart aches for each animal that is killed for not reason other than the unsound reasoning of a person who wouldn't search for other options. Each animal that is dropped off at a kill shelter should have a requirement of the owner to attend their kill session. That's right! I said it. If you dump your adoptable animal you should have to stay with them as they die. You should be required to hold their bodies as they stop breathing, as they relax in death. If they are 'lucky' enough to be injected. If they are at a heartstick or gassing facility you should still have to watch. Understand the choice you are making.

It is a choice. It is a choice for life or a choice for death. It is a choice of not planning or a choice of not caring. It is a choice. Are you choosing for welfare, for life or are you choosing for someone else to have to bring death? If you had to stay, would it change your mind?

I hate to stay but when my dear old friend or a seriously injured pup needs the ultimate relief from their pain it is my responsibility to be there for them. To be there with them. I keep their collars and one day I'll start a memorial tree for all the empty collars, and make it a foundation and a mission to make sure that no animal is forgotten in their last moments.

Could you do it? Would you do it? If you cannot, do you have other plans in place to ensure that your animal doesn't face it alone?

360 Rescue

2010-10-22T08:24:00.000-07:00

The world of rescue is full of roads and like life full of choices. One of the most challenging things for most rescues is making hard choices for very ill or injured animals. For animals whose temperament or age make them unsafe and unhappy.

The other hard choice can be to choose not to pull when the resources are not available. The constant cry for money and fosters, volunteers and adopters gives the impression that rescues live in a constant crisis mode. So often there is a strong need to save them all. Too often this comes at a huge cost to the animals and the rescue. It does not have to be this way. There can be sustainable balance where animals can be saved, the rescue can provide care and there are adoptable animals finding a forever home!

As an example, a rescue which is oriented saving the next dog can forget about the dogs which are still needing their care and the fosters and adopters which still need their help and support. Rescue needs to have a 360 view of the world around them, not just a small angle of focus. If you look at it not as a pie chart but as a person who stands looking out the same small window, you may see what I mean.

That small window may only show dogs (for example) who need to be pulled from a kill shelter or it may show a sick animal suffering with no care but it doesn't show the whole picture. It doesn't show the other important jobs of a full rescue. It doesn't show that the animals still need you even after they are saved.

A full 360 rescue not only pulls animals from harm (close to home or via long distance relay transport), they ensure that the animals are treated, assessed and made ready for foster homes and then they work with their fosters to get them ready for adoption. Fosters and volunteers are what makes rescue work, and no one can afford to squander their life blood.

We need less crisis mode rescue and more 360 rescue where the animals are not just saved but also cared for until the end of their life. No one can survive in crisis mode for long.

360 rescue and those who see the whole rescue picture understand that you are not successful if you are only focussed on one area. It has to be more than the pull, the dramatic save it has to be the day to day animals are being placed with the right people, the fosters and adopters have someone who is available to help them and they know they are not alone.

All animals, not just special needs animals, should have the fosters and adopters staying in touch with each other for support and help. Fosters need respite, they need breaks so they don't burn out. Volunteers need to be heard and those who are adopters need to feel a sense of community. As a rescue you need to be there for the easy animals and those who are more challenging.

When a foster or adopter calls to say they are lost and don't know what to do you need to be there for them and not be focussed on the next pull, next crisis, the next __________. You made a choice to save that animal you need to keep helping that animal.

Fosters make it easier for animals to be adopted - build supports for fosters!

Adopters make a choice to adopt not shop - built supports for adopters!

Volunteers give of their time and resources - make every bit count!

Rescues make choices about the animals they save and the resources they use - they need to be accountable for each animal.

From the time you pull to the time they have their last rest. That may mean making hard choices in a time of crisis. It may mean doing things differently or facing challenges in other areas. That could mean choosing for the animal and not for the human self.

Animals only know quality of life not quantity of life. People put the quantity on things, forgetting that there are times when quality counts more. That may be hours, days, months or years. All they know is now is good, or bad.

Could you choose for the animal when that choice meant stopping their suffering? Or do you have to have the save? Can you picture how many could be helped if you didn't need the save?

Join the discussion about 360 Rescue here at Chore Time!

NO Designer Dogs!

2010-10-20T06:46:00.003-07:00

Manitoba Voice for Animals http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mixed-breed_dog

This is an excellent wiki article about mixed breed dogs - there are times when we do deliberate crosses, there are times to keep the bloodlines pure bred but to bring in new genetic material to avoid inbreeding and there are many times where by accident or design a dog is mated for the sole purpose of puppies. These dogs are often labelled "Designer Dogs" when they are anything but!

When you purposefully mix dog breeds you are looking to maximize on the good traits of both parents (often purebred) so that you have a calm demeanor in a working animal (for example). What a responsible person does not do is combine animals who have traits that are not desirable and magnify them - mixing dog breeds who both have genetic tendencies towards breathing problems, for example. Or combining breeds that both have high drive without considering what their purpose, their job is going to be.

Mixing large and small breeds can lead to physical challenges such as a small framed animal with the gains of its larger breed counterpart. This is an animal with health issues from the start.

When petstores and online ads market "Designer Dogs" they are combining a cute mix of names from most often 'guessed' at breeds in the parent dogs. This 'chidoodloor' is a random breeding of two intact animals for the sole purpose of making money. With a high cost to the buyer, to the shelters and vets who end up caring for these animals when their health and temperament deteriorates.

The breeders of 'designer dogs' can be puppy mills and backyard breeders who do not take proper care of the health of the animals, they do not provide proper socialization, remove puppies too early from their dams, they do not give adequate attention to the physical needs of exercise, healthy food and clean water and proper shelter for these animals. They breed indiscriminately, they breed many times and when they no longer can do this they are dumped, killed or left to die.

Stores who can bring in 'designer dogs' are deliberately feeding the market of ignorance and providing the unsuspecting public who has a tendency to trust pet stores with animals that wont' be what they want or pay for.

I have seen ads for 'designer dogs' that go from $900 and down...!

By educating people we can stop this trend. Just because it has a 'designer' name doesn't mean it was a well thought out or good idea. Most often, if you look at the runways of Paris and New York, you see things that are strange, unwearable and quite dangerous. The same holds for so-called 'designer dogs' - they are strange, they are often not able to be a long term, healthy family pet and sometimes their health and temperament can create dangerous situations for the families, the vets and the shelters where they eventually get dumped.

Do your part, next time you hear someone talking about 'designer dogs' educate them, when you see ads for them, report it to the site owner and post educational information. If you know a store which sells these dogs ask them to stop, put them in contact with a reputable rescue to learn where their dogs go and give them an option to actually help dogs instead of adding to the problem.

If you know someone personally who is breeding 'designer dogs' or is a backayard breeder contact us and we'll give you some resources to help educate them. If you know of a puppy mill report it, and if you know where they sell to, share that with us.

How Many Stand Silent?

2010-10-14T20:09:00.000-07:00

How Many Stand Silent?

How many stand silent,

Watching as you quietly die?

How many stand silent,

Watching as you are abused?

One, a dozen, the whole world.

What if no one spoke for any of us?

Would you speak if the hand raised,

was raised against you and yours?

How many stand silent,

Knowing who deals death

Just beyond their door?

How many stand slient,

Knowing cruelty lives and thrives

Just beyond their door?

One, a dozen, the whole world.

What if no one looked at any of us?

Would you cry out or would you cower away,

if the cruelty was coming through your door?

How many stand silent,

Waiting for someone to speak?

How many stand silent,

Believing the lies, "I've changed"?

One, a dozen, the whole world.

What if we stopped believing them?

How many stand silent...

How many stand silent waiting for...

Just one person to say, "Stop! Enough!"?

How many stand silent...

How many stand silent waiting for...

Someone else to make the world change?

Messages we give kids

2010-08-23T09:16:00.000-07:00

*disclaimer: Luke and Anna are playing...he knows how to get out of the crate,

indeed he was the one that put them both in there with water, snacks and a bed...

Messages, we get them daily. We send them daily. We either get them or we don't. Do we actually think about them? I mean really think about the message, the intent and the actual outcome?

Two stories come to mind today that really bring this home, and I mean right where you live home.

1: Ad posted on-line: please come get our mama cat and her two day old kittens or my boyfriend will kill them.

Follow up: a good, dear friend who is also an animal rescue friend, went to get them. A child, around 10, told her, "Thank you for taking our kitties, I was so sad that they were going to get killed. I'm happy they get to live and have a good home."

Questions: what sort of lesson is this young girl learning about why things get killed (someone doesn't want or value them anymore) and about caring for those around us (kill it if you cannot give it away). what sort of lesson is she learning about being responsible for not only herself but for those animals? What sort of value does her mother's boyfriend have for her? Is she as expendable as a mama cat and kittens?

2. Woman at a dog park with her children, they are playing rough with their dogs, but the woman is 'proud' that her kids can kick the dog, pull its tail and poke it in the eye. "See it doesn't even mind if you throw it down!" she states proudly.

Follow up: a friend, who works with dogs and other animals, is concerned. She asks why this woman is proud of her children's bad behaviour. Then she asks what happens if the dog finally has 'enough' and snaps? Of course the dog will be gone because it broke the biggest rule of all - do not do unto others. The dog will die, they will get another, and the cycle will start all over again.

Questions: what sort of lessons about respect, caring for others and physical safety are those kids learning? Are they learning that dogs CHOOSE not to bite us? Are they learning they are responsible for their animals? Are they learning that causing hurt is wrong? Are they being taught to treat others as they would like to be treated?

3. A neighborhood watches as yet another dog dies of neglect in a yard. The neighbors are not unaware of what is going on, they talk about it, they know who is doing this and it isn't the first dog. Won't be the last. No one is sure what to do, so they say nothing, hoping that someone comes up with a miracle, life saving plan.

Follow up: the owner gets pressured to take the dog to the vet, refuses help and no one knows what happened to the dog. No one knows when the next dog will come to that yard. Everyone knows what will happen to it. The families who talk about it, know about it and stay quiet are teaching their children not to get involved. They are teaching their children to be silent in the face of abuse.

Questions: Would they be silent if it was a child being abused? What about an elderly person? Would they stay silent if they knew they were teaching their children to be quiet in the face of abuse? What if it was them being abused, would they want someone to speak up for them?

Three tough situations - varying degrees of lessons being taught. What would you do? What would you say? Would you speak up or remain silent?

What lessons are you teaching your children? What lessons do you see being taught that you remain silent about?

Empty Collars

2010-08-14T21:54:00.001-07:00

Up on a hill, surrounded by rolling grassy slopes and wild flowers, watered by a spring of sweet water, stands a great old tree. The branches are gnarled and twisted with age, the leaves grow in rich shades of green. The trunk is wide and offers many roots for climbing, sitting and shade.

This is no ordinary tree, it is a memory tree. Each branch is hung, not with fruit, but with collars and tags. There are old ones made of rope, some braided twine, others of fine leather or other material. The tags are shiny, they are old and worn, some metal, some plastic, some twinkle and some are empty rings. Each one holds the memories of a dog that has cross The Rainbow Bridge.

Their people come here, to hang the collars, to leave their memories with the tree. Of little puppy teeth chewing, of old grey muzzles snoring softy, of a working dog's first successful job, of a service dog's last task. The memories hang from the tree, with each push of the wind the collars shift and softly sound. With each movement the wind brings memories to the people left behind.

We remember a cold nose, soft ears, toe nails ticking on hard floors, puppy barks and old dog mumbles.

We remember wagging tails, first confident steps, tripping over toys and soggy chewies.
We remember first glances filled with love, we remember puddles and poopsciles.

We remember our dogs, those who wore the collars that hang from the tree, and we love them still.

The memories they leave in our minds also leave paw prints upon our hearts.

We never forget their first moment with us, nor do we ever forget their last. That last breath, that last heartbeat, that last living look. Those who lived long lives or those who were barely here - if they were with us long enough to touch our hearts we can rest knowing we also had them long enough to show them our love.

I never forget: Whiskey, KK, Kahula, Jessie, Voodoo, Andy, Sparkie. See you at The Bridge!

(this post is dedicated to the memory of the dogs I've loved and those I love still...feel free to change dog for cat, collar for halter, and remember your animal friends who have crossed The Bridge. The love is the same, no matter who we loved, how or when.)

Caring for Fosters

2010-08-08T19:36:00.000-07:00

We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.
- Mother Theresa

Rescue Community,

Perk up your ears. Give me a tail thump on the floor if you can hear me. I'm talking to you. How are you taking care of your fosters? Not your animals but those people who actually foster animals for you. What is your plan for caring for them? If they gave you a grade would you be an A+ or slipping below the D mark? What color ribbon would you be given at the end of the day?

Give me a woof if you've checked in with a foster, had a foster orientation, perhaps done a foster respite where your fosters get a break (without guilt), how about a foster appreciation day? Stars on a chart for how many days/dogs/cats/months/years they've fostered?\

Give me a roll over and a 'shake-a-paw' if you've calculated how much your fosters really are worth to your shelter, rescue or group.

Chewies and squeak toys for everyone who has called, visited and stopped by to say 'hey thanks' with something special for a foster. Seriously, I'll mail them out if you send me proof. I'll even get the cute animal ones and organic chewies.

Or are you like so many others rushing from pull to pull, dog to dog, always calling for fosters and always needing more? Instead of saying thanks or do you need a break, are you always looking to your fosters for the next dog? Do you offer support, respite and training for fosters? Do you have a plan to help your long term fosters take a holiday or a break by caring for their dogs, which really are your dogs?

What would happen to your rescue, shelter, organization if your fosters were not available? What if the reason they were no longer available was something you could have prevented? If hind sight is 20/20 then I'm giving you a long view as someone who has and is a foster - we do it because we want to help, because we care and we are giving people. We are doing it for you because we chose you or continue to choose you.

Every organization who relies on volunteers takes care of them, or they soon find they have none. Rescue must operate the same way - you need someone who is responsible from your rescue, shelter, organization for the well being of your fosters. It is a must - there are so many good and worthy causes for our time - making and keeping us with yours is critical to YOU.

Every organization that relies on volunteers knows their value because they wouldn't be in business if they had to PAY for the work their volunteers do, they would no be able to function. Especially non-profits and charities, especially those who work in challenging areas with children, the elderly or animals.

I want to hear from you - good, bad and ugly - what is your BEST foster story, what is your WORST. What is the BEST thing someone did to say thanks, what was the WORST thing someone did that made you question why you were supporting them with your home, your time and your love.

Fosters are more than a house, a 'free board' for your animals - they offer a chance for animals to become adoptable, they offer many times training and rehabilitiation for those dogs and cats and other animals that wouldn't have chance otherwise. They give you space to work with those animals who cannot be fostered, those who need special care and aren't ready to get on the adoptable road.

Fosters are more than people who take care of your animals for you, they are the reason your animals can and do become adoptable . They are the reason successful shelters and rescues have animals get adopted. Fosters are key to your success, whether you have a few select or you cast the net for anyone who has a spare spot for a crate.

So folks, who is going to be cashing in on the chewies and squeak toys? Who is going to be re-examining their policy and treatment of fosters, and who is confident that they won't see a foster of 'theirs' commenting with anything other than love and glowing praises?

Someone Knows

2010-06-22T20:05:00.000-07:00

It almost breaks my heart to see and hear the stories of animals that are abused, neglected, mutilated, left to die and abandoned on a daily basis. It seems no one is immune to the cruelty whether they are committing the crime or remaining silent about their knowledge.

It is proven, and known that many violent offenders learn their craft on animals. What is not so well known but equally valid is many who abuse and neglect animals will do the same to people. Starve them, beat them, torture them, send them to the plant ill or injured, leave them to die the list can literally go on and on. This is horrible, unconscionable and obscene.

There is one other person or persons that need to be called out to answer for their choices. and those are the ones who know something is wrong, and remain silent. Every jurisdiction in Canada and the US offers anonymous tip lines, you don't even have to reveal how you know. You just need to say something!

Someone always knows, they know the kid down the road or in their church is not someone they would trust their children to. They know that when 'Billy' is home the pets seem to be having more accidents. They know that a family is retreating in to a bruised silence. They know that no one called, drove or broke down a gate to check on their own animals. They know someone has quit living or started becoming more violent, addicted or depressed.

These are the people who are never surprised when the person gets caught or the act is revealed, why? Because deep down in their conscience they knew, and they choose to remain silent. They made the choice to shut up and hope that it would magically 'go away'.

People who abuse animals never just 'go away', they stop for reasons such as: death, incarceration or they move on to people. They don't suddenly start, except in rare psychological cases, and they don't just as suddenly stop.

On Facebook, on the news and on the blogs people are cursing the abusers, the violence against those with no voice, and they are right to be outraged and angry. I am saddened deeply by these stories and photos and videos. But they don't tell the whole story, they don't get to the deepest, rottenest core of it all - someone always knows and they rarely do anything about it. They don't call, they don't get help, they don't consider it their responsibility as a member of a community.

What about you? Are you a 'stay silent' type who doesn't know or want to know? Are you a 'speak out' who does their best and tries to stay the course? Do you know why you are the way you are? Were you abused? Did you witness abuse? Do you know deep down in your heart that if you were in the place of those animals or an abused person that you would want someone to speak up for you? Would you want it to be someone like you?

In Manitoba you can call the police, any local detachment or 9-1-1. You can contact the Provincial Welfare Vet at 945-8000. Every province has a similar number, each province has municipal, city and RCMP who can be reached. The sooner you speak up, the sooner the animals can be helped and the sooner a tragedy can be averted.

You can make a difference, can you choose for that? Don't be the silent someone who always knows but never speaks...I cannot abide by that. If you are at risk, call anonymously, pass a note in the store, reach out to someone who can get you to safety and tell your story. No one, not anyone, should be abused. There is no 'degree' of abuse, there is no 'less' or 'more'.

Abuse is abuse, violence is violence, silence is silence.

Why Ohio Won't Go Away

2010-05-27T08:09:00.000-07:00

You have seen the video, or have seen the story. You may have chosen NOT to view the video, that to me is a wise choice if you are already aware of what they are talking about. I personally didn't need a visual reminder, my mind can drill down and drag up all sorts of images without the help of YouTube.

If you don't know what I am talking about here are some links that discuss the story from a couple of sides:
http://www.agweb.com/DairyToday/Article.aspx?id=157584
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/dcnow/2010/05/animal-rights-groups-video-shows-abuse-at-ohio-dairy-farm.html

One worker has been charged but this wasn't the work of one person, this is a system of abuse that shows a blatant disregard for animal well being, worker well being and welfare. The news stories may quote this as a isolated incident or as something out of the norm. And industry really wants to believe this, but how can we be sure? How can we, as an industry, stand up and say we are doing our best when videos and stories like these come out? How many 'exceptions' can there be?

We've had Chino with downer cows, we've had Death on a Factory Farm for hogs and now we have Ohio with dairy calves and cows on farm. These stories are not going to go away, especially Ohio because not only were they abusing animals, but they abusing calves. Blunt force trauma may 'do the job' but that doesn't mean it is the right way or the best way.

The physical welfare of the animals is compromised, the welfare of the workers is devalued as they are taking on tasks that they are untrained or unprepared for, or worse, becoming desensitized to. There is a devaluing of life that is going to be pushing citizens (consumers and producers) into legislative changes which may or may not be in the long term best interests of the animals or the agriculture industry.

When we consider the numbers of calves born daily to dairy operations and the numbers of calves which are put down (I do not consider blunt force trauma to a calf euthanasia - argue with me if you will but I just don't see it as a 'good death') because there is a shrinking veal industry and no finishing market for dairy steers there is a lot of room for devaluing life, for cruelty and for abuse.

When you consider how some animals, any species, are treated you can see how the welfare for animals can be compromised because their well being has NO CASH VALUE. The missing factor here is perception.

If you have read my blogs before you know that my belief is that perception becomes reality. What people believe about us comes from what they see - do they see you doing your job well? Then even if you goof it up they will believe you are doing a good job and that you care. If you do a great job and you are not seeing as caring then your work won't have the same impact. This holds true in policing, politics and farming.

Face it folks, are your farm practices up to the scrutiny of YouTube? Can you honestly say you feel comfortable showing your practices to the world because you KNOW you are doing the best you can for the animals and for your farm. I believe that any sector on any given day can be one video away from the sort negative attention that can only hurt agriculture.

If we are doing a good job why aren't we saying so? If we, as an industry or sector, are confident that we can stand up for what we do - why aren't we?

Spring Farm Safety: Children

2010-04-16T14:22:00.000-07:00

Welcome to our first of a series of Farm Safety Blogs by guest blogger Glen Blahey, CRSP, Provincial Farm Safety Coordinator. Thanks Glen!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The sun is out and so are the children. With more vigour then last year and a curiosity that has grown by 10 times. So what should we be doing to protect them? The gut reaction is to say they were here last year and they know. But the question is; are they really able to recognize all the risks that exist on your farm and are they able to understand cause and effect?

Most child development professionals will tell you that young children have relatively short attention spans and they can not perceive consequences such as a critical injury. So we should be doing a few things to help our children grow and thrive.

Firstly, boundaries need to be established – no wandering around the farm yard, workshop, barns, sheds and so on unsupervised. The best solution is a safe play area – an enclosed space that keeps the toddlers from wandering off. They need a space where they can play and be safe. The Manitoba Government has a grant program for farm families to help offset the cost of building such areas – http://www.gov.mb.ca/healthyliving/injury/farmsafety.html

Secondly, children should only accompany adults to work areas when there is someone to continually supervise that child. If the supervisor is busy working who is watching the child as they explore – and perhaps disappear from sight behind a wheel, into a pen or to the edge of the lagoon?

Thirdly, we all want to share with our children what we do, and they are like gigantic sponges that soak up the mechanical things we do like turn the key in the ignition, unlatch a gate or flip a switch. But before we get too carried away showing 4 year old Johnny how to start the tractor and shift it into gear, we need to remember that it is not a toy, Johnny will remember what we show him, but he will not understand what to do if he wanders over to that tractor when no one is watching and starts it and shifts it into gear.

Our children are our most precious ‘crop’ – protect it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The superior man, when resting in safety, does not forget that danger may come. When in a state of security he does not forget the possibility of ruin. When all is orderly, he does not forget that disorder may come. Thus his person is not endangered, and his states and all their clans are preserved.

Confucius

Protecting Our Comfort Zone

2010-04-15T15:22:00.000-07:00

Do you have these signs up around your industry, your cause, your work? I'm sure you do! We all do, some are small and only in certain areas (personal or private information, places where we are just ourselves). Others are industry or cause wide. They stop us from doing important work because they limit our audience, our scope, our very reach to do our work.

You say, "Not us!" or "Not here!" but yes it is you, and yes it is here.

This is what I have learned, from the inside to the outside, from the outside in. There comes a time when we run out of converts in our own church (horse industry, pork industry, beef, dairy, sheep, goat, GMO seeds, pick yours).

There comes a time when you have to choose between meeting the outside world and speaking out for what you stand for, believe in and work at. Or choose to say inside your comfort zone, put up the yellow and black tape and hide away - hoping that the big bad media, activists, consumers, competition just magically get smart or go away.

Folks, I am here to tell you that when you end up with no one but the converted to talk to, it is time to stop talking and start communicating outside the comfort zone.

Horse industry - are you for or against horse slaughter? Are you for or against welfare? Are you for or against eventing, rodeo, trail riding, pony rides at fairs? Are you willing to stand up outside your comfort zone and say that? Are you for or against owners of horses who do not belong to an organized horse group? What is your stand on spade bits, tie downs and quirts? Do you have a breed preference that is blinding you to horse industry wide issues?

That gasp you heard, the one that sucked all the dust off of everyone's key boards is the collective gasp of someone being told to get the lead out. Suck it up, you won't be popular for speaking out. Suck it up, you won't even be able to convince everyone your point of view has value. Speaking up isn't about popular nor is it about consensus. It is about sharing what you know, the information you have with those who do not know it, have it and need it. It is not about you.

Speaking out is about sharing information, providing resources, telling another side to an issue, advocating for your industry to someone other than your industry.

Pork producers telling other pork producers they are doing a great job means nothing - nothing to anyone who isn't a pork producer! Prove to me, a consumer, that your world is changing to meet the needs of your animals, your customers.

The beef industry telling other beef producers that they are making a difference means nothing to me. The auto industry telling its own members how good they are doing things for the consumer means nothing. The messenger cannot spend all their time speaking to other messengers.

Talk to ME. On my own grounds, in my own media, in my own language about why what you are doing matters, why what you are doing should count in my score keeping, why what you are saying should be weighed any differently than anything else that is said by sources I have come to trust.

"We are concerned but really it isn't our job to do anything, it's _______'s job. We are here to support an industry that ________ of _________. It means jobs, it means money. It wouldn't be an industry if no one supported it." No one wants this type of media friendly, teflon covered, wiggle word double speak. Your media relations people LIED.

That isn't communication. That isn't a message I care to hear. It tells me nothing except where you've taped up your "comfort zone" signs. Tell me how I can make a difference where I am not where you are.

I read the news, I see the cruelty that is done. What I don't see is proactive steps for change. I don't see you on Facebook, I don't see you blogging, I don't see you reaching any new audiences. We matter. We can choose. We can read and research and make decisions. Go to a social networking site and do a search - how many groups, fans and discussions are going on? Hundreds? Thousands? More? Where are you? Where is your voice?

What you need to understand is that if you don't do your job we will assume you either cannot do it or are uninterested in doing it outside your comfort zone. Which one is it? You cannot speak out for horses, you cannot share resources and reach the people who are outside the easy bounds of your comfort zone? Or don't you care enough to try? Is the disinterest an indication of your lack of regard for the audience or an indication of your fear?

You tell me. Really, please do. Tell me why social networking, blogging, advocating, speaking out, reaching past the comfort zone is so threatening, dangerous and hard to do? I'm inviting you agriculture industry to tell me. Please show me where is your fight. Please show me where is your passion. Please come out of the comfort zone into the world with the rest of us.

I'm mean you animal agriculture groups, I mean you commodity groups, I mean you welfare alliances, I mean you lobby groups, I mean you....

The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

2010-04-03T13:06:00.003-07:00

“It’s disgusting that people would do this,” she said. “It’s sick. This is one of the worst cases (of neglect) I’ve ever seen.”

The bad and the ugly is taking an older dog, such as Tribe, not letting her walk enough to wear down her own nails, leave her starving on the side of the road. The ugly is her being hit not once, but twice by cars. The bad is her condition. The really bad is that Tribe is not alone, there are many dogs, cats, horses and other animals experiencing abuse, neglect, outright abandonment and cruelty this very moment!

The good is Animal Control Officers like Bonnie, the good is people like Sally Hull of Hull's Haven Border Collie Rescue, Darcy of D'arcy's Arc in Winnipeg, the people who have joined forces to have a single voice for small shelters and all rescues in Manitoba. Manitoba Voice for Animals has been working to find Tribe a foster to care for her and help her golden years be her best.

The comments you see expressed on social networking sites, blogs and in emails express our outrage (entirely justifiable), our horror (completely understandable) and our disgust (if you aren't then stop reading right now). They show our displeasure and strong feelings about this dog and all animals who have been treated like her with no love, no respect and no care.

The old saying, "The more I get to know people, the more I love my dog (cat, horse, fish, ferret, etc)!" can be no truer than when you hear the voices of animal lovers united in outrage. I would love to be able to harness that sense of outrage and channel it in a slightly different direction.

When we feed the negative, when we build comment upon comment we do get our feelings out. No doubt about it. We also don't get a chance to use that energy to say, "Hey someone cares!" or "Hey, someone is looking out for animals, let's help!" It doesn't give us a chance to say good things about rescue, about animal control officers who truly put welfare first, about shelters working hard to have a no-kill world.

As loud as our voices can be in outrage, the do NO GOOD! We only add to the UGLY, we only remind ourselves and others of the BAD. We don't get the chance to speak out, and be heard, about the choices people have. About the resources available to them that the side of the road is not acceptable and here's why...fill in your reasons...

We don't get to use our voices to shout out about rescues needing fosters, shelters needing loving forever homes, we don't get to speak up for the animals. When we spend out time on the outrage too long it passes and our voices are lost in the noise of the day. No one is left with an idea, a clue, that there are better choices, better options and we lose a chance to gain a friend, a foster, an adopter.

When we get past the first few chances to speak with outrage we have a small window where people pause to get their breath - a moment that the media and the public share - where we can fill it with good information. We can use that small window to paste a link, post a blog, write a comment, volunteer our selves and our voices for the greater cause of caring for our animals!

Responsible pet owners do not do this to their animals. This act of cruelty is going to be a rally point for people. We as people care enough to share our resources, our knowledge, our passion and fill that window with something other people and the media can use. Links to rescues, links to vets, links to Facebook groups and fan pages where the questions of "What can I do?" and "How can I help?" meet face to face with the people who can properly answer them.

We can choose to turn the outrage into something that can bring good, we can choose to use our space of time to be heard in a way that gives people tools, choices and resources. Options for something better for themselves and animals.

Be outraged! Be angry! Be offended! Be careful...the hateful words you say today could drown out the information you would wish to share tomorrow. The unfocused anger could leave us with no energy left to speak out and advocate for change.

It's okay to say this is terrible but it is even better to follow it with but together we can do something to change it!

Guest Blog: Rescue Work Can Be Bad For Your Health

2010-03-29T14:01:00.000-07:00

Rescue Work Can be Bad for Your Health
by Sheila Webster Boneham, Ph.D.
Author of Rescue Matters! How to Find, Foster, and Rehome Companion Animals (Alpine, 2009).

Rescue work can be bad for your health. I know, that seems an odd thing for me to say, since much of my writing career for the past 14 years has promoted companion animal rescue and responsible pet care in one way or another. But the longer I work with rescuers and write about responsible human-animal relationships, the more concerned I become about what rescue does to some people. Whether we call the results “burnout” or “compassion fatigue” or something else, the signs and results can be significant.

But first, how do you know if you, or someone you know, is burning out? Signs of burnout vary because we all process stress differently. In addition, we all bump into rescue situations that make us furious and sad. If we can feel those emotions and then move on to productive action, we can maintain personal equilibrium and, hopefully, continue to have a positive effect. But sometimes the emotions that we experience overwhelm us. Typically, a person who is burning out experiences one or more of the following feelings or behaviors:

chronic physical exhaustion
depression
a sense of hopelessness
chronic anger
impatience with pet owners, other rescuers, or potential adopters
lack of compassion for people

When those feelings overshadow more positive aspects of life , including the positive aspects of rescue work, it’s time to take a step back and reassess. Why? Several reasons. First, feeling overwhelmed makes a person less effective at his or her job (whether paid or volunteer). Not only does that feeling make it difficult to accomplish necessary tasks effectively, but it diminishes our ability to interact effectively with other people - and that clearly is an essential part of rescue. Eventually chronic stress will affect a person’s physical health as well, potentially leading to serious illness.

So what to do if you (or someone you know) seems to be burned out? And what can you do to prevent burnout from happening in the first place? Here are some suggestions:

Be realistic. If you don’t have the time, space, or energy to foster animals, then find another way to help. Do what you can do, but don’t beat yourself up for what you can’t do.
Trust your colleagues to do their jobs – don’t try to micro manage everyone else.
When you have enough on your plate, learn to say no. Don’t feel you must explain or make excuses; just say, “Thank you for thinking of me, but at this time I have to say no.”
Maintain some balance in your life, and have some fun. Rescued animals are important, but so are your own pets, your family, your friends, your job, and your health. Make rescue part of your life, not your whole life.
Take part in or spectate at other sorts of animal-oriented activities, and get to know responsible breeders, fanciers, and trainers. Listen with an open mind to what they have to say about animal-related issues.
Be as kind to people as you are to animals, be slow to judge, and avoid gossip. Focus on positive action. Educate the people who will learn, realize that some won’t, and move on.
Ask for help when you need it.
Take breaks from rescue when you need to, for a week, a month, a year. You can always come back to rescue work later if you want to, or you may find other ways to contribute to society.

Think of this self-care as a preventive healthcare program for rescuers. After all, if you ignore the niggling signs that something is wrong, you may burn out completely. Stay healthy and happy, and you can continue to help animals indefinitely!

Thanks Sheila for the guest blog spot, be sure to look for Sheila and the Rescue Matters! Fan page on Facebook as well as check out her website. When work in rescue, like so many other areas, we need to care for ourselves so that we can care for others. SJS

Here comes the spring...

2010-03-12T07:34:00.000-08:00

It’s starting to feel like spring – rain instead of snow, melting white stuff and mud everywhere. In Manitoba we start thinking about our annual spring arrival – flooding! How prepared are you on your farm, in your home and in your family? There are many guides, links and resources to help people prepare for flooding, evacuation and cleaning up as you return home. But how many people have used them? Feeling pretty confident that, as a Manitoban, you have flood planning under control and you are ready? Okay, one more question: what is your plan to care for your animals?

There are three basic options when you are faced with a flood situation: stay put, evacuate with animals or evacuate and have ‘care-in-place’ for your animals. Let’s talk a bit about each, with a focus on animals.

Stay Put: when you are behind a dyke or in an area where it is safe for you to stay in your home or on your farm there are things you should do in preparation for that stay, especially if you could be isolated there for a time during the height of the flood.

· Ensure you have enough food and fresh water for your animals
· Make sure you have medications/prescriptions filled for any animals who are on medications
· Have a first aid kit for animals handy
· Make sure you have an evacuation kit for each animal in case you do have to evacuate (detailed below)
· Have a container for collecting poop from your animals (if you have animals in a confined area or yard) to keep their outdoors area clean for you and them
· Have a list of your animals, with their names, chip or tag numbers, ages and a photo of each attached with contact numbers should you and your animals become separated at some point during the flood

Evacuate with Animals: there will be times you have to leave with your animals, and there are some special steps to take to ensure a smooth evacuation.

· If you animals have special food (critical for sensitive animals such as those having treatment, or specialty breeds)
· Be sure each animal has their own crate with name and contact number on it
· Be sure each animal has a collar, tags, leash or other way of identification on them when possible
· Take your list of animals with you when you leave
· If you have an ‘Animals In Home’ sign in your window, take it down so rescuers know there are no animals inside
· Double check that the evacuation centre you are going to will let you bring your animals, if it does not contact the Provincial Welfare Vet or a local rescue to find where your animals can go during the evacuation
· Leave early! If you are in an area that is under evacuation notice, move your animals out early so they can be safely cared for with less stress
· Ask for help! If you cannot transport the animals you have, ask for help and ask early!

Care-In-Place: there will be times that individuals and communities leave their animals behind to have ‘care-in-place’ provided for them. This situation relies on volunteers to check on animals left behind after the people are evacuated. Make their job easier using some of these steps:

· Put up your “Animal In House” sign so they know it is a house with animals (these are a free download here and here)
· Leave a list of animals, names and any special needs they may have
· Ensure that they have adequate food
· Do not leave any animals behind that are: pregnant, with very small newborns, having recently had surgery or otherwise need constant care as this is not the job of care-in–place volunteers. Make arrangements for them in advance and evacuate them early.
· Animals which are dangerous, aggressive or threaten caregivers may be removed by animal control for everyone’s safety, be sure to notify caregivers if any animals have issues that can be dealt with before an issue arises

If you feel any animals are in danger, have been left behind without care or have other welfare concerns or questions about flood preparations please call the Provincial Welfare Vet at 945-8000, Animal CARE Line. If you are outside of Manitoba, call your local ALERT or CARE line for assistance. Link up with your Rescue groups on Facebook, in Manitoba we have the Manitoba Emergency Response For Animals (MERA) which is looking for volunteers but also will be helping with animals during the flood.

What do you use your Facebook for?

2010-03-10T12:05:00.000-08:00

Picture this: a fire in a city, a dog is scared and runs away from the noise, the smell and the confusion. The family is injured, the lost dog is older and alone in the night. One message on Facebook gets the word out to hundreds of people, many of which start looking or messaging friends in the city to look. Photos are posted, numbers are shared and later the dog is found and is safely being cared for. Literally with a single message popular social networking sites such as Facebook, MySpace and Twitter can connect people from next door or around the world.

Picture this: an animal lover learns about two senior dogs that no longer have people caring for them on their remote farm, and the neighbor is going to shoot them if no one gets them out before winter. Someone stops by and drops off food but they are essentially alone. Their photos and a story are shared with a breed rescue group (in this case Hulls’ Haven Border Collie Rescue, of Teulon, MB). The group posts the photos to their Facebook pages, and asks their members to cross post and share. The request? Find a home for these two dogs to ‘retire’ to, and find drivers for their rescue relay (a series of drivers or sometimes planes, which transport rescue animals from distant areas to a safe place) and arrange for everyone to put the trip together. The dogs found a home, the drivers volunteered and the diligent Customs Officers’ ensured they were properly documented for entry and they are enjoying a working retirement on a Manitoba ranch.

What would the outcome for these three dogs have been without the efforts of rescue volunteers and the power of social networking? Certain death for two, and possibly a long, cold time spent alone and lost for the other.

One of the quickest ways to get in touch with people, Social Networking has been tested and used by Emergency Measure’s Organizations to notify members, by animal rescue groups to get help for animals in need and by the community while looking for people who may be at risk. The world shrinks according to how connected we are to each other, and while this can lead to many challenges it opens up far more opportunities. When planning to be prepared for emergencies, social networking can be a key tool.

There are many ways that social networking can help provide resources, and information about animal care and animal welfare. Through groups and fan pages information can be shared, requests and posts can be uploaded, photos and calls for assistance can be circulated and people from the animal rescue community can connect with each other, share resources and talk. A quick search for ‘animal rescue’ revealed over 775 pages and almost 4000 groups! Not all are going to be actual rescue organizations, some maybe support groups, authors and resources. Some could be activists or just folks fooling around but even with all that where else could you find literally thousands of people who share, care and work together with a common goal – in this case, animal rescue.

Other ways to connect include blogs and websites – one a newer media and the other an old standard. The trouble with either of them is the lack of immediate connection you get in social networking. You literally can put out a message and come back with response minutes later. From grass roots local organizations working with groups from both sides of the Canada-US border, to international groups sharing information with their hundreds of thousands of members and everything in between.

Post, cross post, share, like and comment can make all the difference in the world to an animal or animal rescue group. What do you use your Facebook for?

Dr. Temple Grandin - on HBO!

2010-02-04T06:45:00.001-08:00

As many of you know I admire, and very much enjoy, Dr. Temple Grandin, and now so many more people can learn about this remarkable woman. HBO did a special on her life and work. Here are some links for it, watch it and post some reviews here in the Comments section.

Interview with Dr. Grandin by Red & Black
http://www.redandblack.com/2010/02/02/autistic-scientist-relates-to-animals/

Film Shows Many Sides to Renowned CSU Professor
http://www.ncbr.com/article.asp?id=27678

Information about the Movie
http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5hLhXMhN6wb7NpsGBu1-WZQ9InsLQ

Be Sure to Go to HBO to see the trailers and more info!

Read some of Dr. Grandin's papers here at www.grandin.com and learn about autism and her work at www.templegrandin.com, and be sure to read some of her books. An amazing lady who I've had the honour of visiting with a few times.

Some Headlines To Share...

2010-01-29T14:41:00.000-08:00

Lots going on in the animal world, some funny, some tragic and some hopeful...browse the stories and share your thoughts...

World's Animal Groups Work To Help Animals In Haiti
http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5jwWMzJf8tGwKhRjVdXmxn0h-rD5Q
Three cheers for the animal rescue and aid organizations for working together for the animals of Haiti, which in turn helps the people of Haiti...and the rest of us!

New Zealand Dog Shooting - Dispute Between Neighbors
http://www.odt.co.nz/news/national/91222/decision-charges-a-week-away-spca
Since when does a 'dispute' between neighbors lead to the shooting of dogs? This has folks riled up from the top down.

Chicken Plays Chicken in CA
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/29/AR2010012903147.html
Should the Rescue Ink guys or some Manitoba Chicken catchers head down to help out? One black chicken is giving some pretty 'black' eyes in a California town.

Expanded Animal Shelter in Windsor
http://www.windsorstar.com/life/Feds+province+fund+expansion+animal+shelter/2497504/story.htmlNMore room to care for animals is a good thing...

BLM Finds Round Up Stress
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/29/AR2010012903077.html
Are they following the spirit or the letter of the law? Is it about what is best for the horses and the land? How can 22 horses die in a round up that is supposed to be humane?

Acton School Vandals Kill Fish
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/756167--animal-cruelty-charges-as-vandals-kill-school-pets?bn=1
Fish? C'mon! What did the fish do to them?

D.C. Animal Watch
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/27/AR2010012701861.html
A smattering of what our D.C. friends deal with...

China Changing The Menu?
http://blogs.citypages.com/food/2010/01/china_starts_re.php
Controversy surrounds movement in China to remove dog and cat from menus...for the animals or for the politics?

OSPCA Retains Reins to Humane Society
http://www.torontosun.com/news/torontoandgta/2010/01/26/12622701.html
The troubled Toronto Humane Society will remain under the watchful eye of the OSPCA.

Wintering Well

2010-01-18T11:24:00.000-08:00

“Wintering Well”

We’ve had a few successive “soft” winters, but this year we’re starting off with what’s looking like one of the old fashioned kind. November has been overcast, blustery, quite cool, and we have nearly two feet (60 cm. plus) of snow on the level in our neck of the woods. Good sleighing - poor trucking!

Recollecting life on the homestead in northeast Saskatchewan in the early 1940’s, I remember bands of horses ranging free in winter, travelling through the yard, and on to the stubble fields or next hay meadow. In the spring, “winter lumberjacks” would become “summer stubble jumpers“, catching up and laying claim to an outfit for seeding, haying, bindering, stook threshing, perhaps hauling wood, before turning the horses loose, and themselves heading back to the winter bush camps. We had our feed stacks fenced in next to the barn, protected and handy for Mom and her wee boys to feed our own stock, horses haltered and housed, handled and hitched every day. Quite a contrast, but those running out and those stabled in all seemed to prosper! I’m recounting this because it seems we are now in an age of “free expression” on standards of equine care. “Those who think they know may be a source of some annoyance to those of you who do!”

The “Recommended Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Horses”, developed in 1998 and currently under review, remains a voluntary educational tool, promoting sound management and welfare practices. http://www.carc-crac.ca/english/codes_of_practice/horse.htm The recommendations cover a wide gamut of horse husbandry levels of care, based on the best knowledge currently available. Recognition of the basic elements of responsible care: comfort and shelter, water and diet for full health and vigor, opportunity for reasonable movement, the company of others of like kind, the opportunity to exhibit normal patterns of behavior, prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment of abnormal behavior, injury and disease, emergency procedures to cover outbreaks of fire, the breakdown of essential mechanical services and the disruption of supplies ….these constitute the starting point of this 34 page document with which all

horse persons should be familiar.

Knowledgeable experienced horse people will generally be aware. “Fair weather” horse people, inexperienced owners, and those who have become “horse poor” are more likely to make judgment errors negatively affecting their animals over winter.

Horses should be in good body condition and health going into winter. We need to plan for them, because they can’t plan for themselves. If they are going to range out, they need range with enough residual to maintain weight with the higher energy requirements of the season. They need salt, mineral, and a source of water, especially in the transition period between freeze up and sufficient snowfall for them to meet their fluid needs. They should have been de-wormed after the first good killing frost to deal especially with large and small strongyles, pinworms and bots. Any dental problems need to have been checked out. All in a band should be reasonably compatible, with the very young and old grouped separately. Hooves trimmed, halters off and kept under a watchful eye.

Young horses in training, horses in everyday use may be kept at home, fed and exercised outside or stabled all or part time. I believe horses are by and large healthier and happier kept out. Fewer respiratory problems, fewer vices and boredom habits, a better attitude and a whole lot less work result. You need a well ventilated stable. You need the very best of high quality dust and mould free preferably grass-legume hay. You need clean heavy weed-seed free oats. Barley and wheat are down the list as suitable horse feed unless you‘re planning on sending them to

Japan

. And you may need some oat straw for them to chew on to balance out the need for adequate roughage in the ration. A little flax seed will put a shine on the coats. A horse should be groomed from the inside out and the outside in!

Now, it’s a matter of your eye. You will know which one’s are easy keepers. You don’t want them to get too fat. Rest and fat are the two worst enemies of the horse (and us too!). Some will be hard keepers and take more to keep them up. Sometimes there’s a reason for this (bad teeth, parasitism, nervous temperament, bottom end of the pecking order, poor digestion, heaves, overwork, manger fever, altitude disease, not all correctable). Sometimes that’s just their metabolism and you’ve got to feed them more.

Watch their eye, which should always be bright and full. Watch their eating, drinking habits, level of physical activity, and the degree of interaction with others. Note body eliminations for volume, consistency and colour. When you put him to work, does he stay the course? Along with coat and hoof health you’ll have a measure of overall wellness.

Next spring when he’s shed all that hair and you’ve found your horse again, let’s hope he’s wintered well!

B.W.R. Rothwell, D.V.M

Winter Feeding Tips

2010-01-07T13:23:00.000-08:00

Courtesy Dr. Brynne Rothwell and Kathy Hyland

Winter-feeding of livestock

Livestock can adapt to living outside during the cold season; however, owners must be vigilant to ensure the welfare of their animals.

          ¯ Livestock feel the cold - provide shelter from wind and rain, snow or ice

¯ Livestock need energy to stay warm – increase feed rations at low outside
   temperatures

¯ Livestock can only eat so much – provide supplemental feeds if roughage
   (hay) does not meet the animals’ energy needs

¯ Livestock need water – provide water regularly or consider heated water
    sources. Check water sources daily. Snow is not an acceptable source of
     water.

¯ Livestock shouldn’t lose weight – observe animals closely and address
     weight loss immediately

“Keepin’ Up the BTU’s

Three to the barn for oats and hay
           Orderly entering their stalls
A morning routine, pampered
           Creatures of habit in every way

Two hours in, then out to play
           Happy, curried and fed
Packed snow shed, from hooves
             Two harnessed and hitched to the sleigh

Two stand too close! TIMBER! Not understood
              As I fall and block
Split and pile, harvest
               Dead standing wood

Three follow me, axe in hand
                I open a hole in the ice
Each drinks in respectful turn
                “Order of rank” in the band

Atop the dugout mound of clay
                Three stand sleepily content
Broadside to the warming winter sun
                 On this clear crisp November day
                                                                          Rothwell 2006”

Horse Welfare Alliance of Canada

2010-01-07T10:07:00.000-08:00

Not that long ago, when all the furor arose about the horse meat and horse slaughter industry, a group of concerned and caring horse people in Canada came together.

Their goal, much like that of their counterparts in the US, was to create a united voice to provide information and increase knowledge about the horse industry in Canada. There are many welfare issues concerning horses in Canada, and by education and advocating the people within the industry can provide information and support towards better care for all horses, across Canada and provide an example for the rest of the world.

Towards that end they have formed the Horse Welfare Alliance of Canada which has a website, Horse Welfare Alliance, and has many articles and resources posted. The objectives of the HWAC are simple:

The communication of correct information related to the Canadian horse industry to horse owners and the general public.

Objectives

The Horse Welfare Alliance of Canada will:

support the existing education programs of each of its partners
promote humane handling of horses throughout all of their life stages.
inform its constituents and partners of matters and issues related to the welfare of the horse population.
enhance public awareness of matters and issues relating to the welfare of the horse and the horse industry.
strive to network with other organizations who might assist the Alliance in the achievement of its purpose and objectives.

I would encourage you to check out their site, and also cross link and share resources. Informed people make informed decisions!

A thought for a new year...

2010-01-03T13:17:00.000-08:00

...wouldn't it be great to not need rescue groups, animal shelters or humane societies? Wouldn't it be great to not need someone to tell us how to farm, eat, play, or enjoy our animal friends? Wouldn't it be a great new year if all old dogs got homes? Wouldn't it be great__________________________(fill in your blank).

Sadly, this probably won't be the year that this wish comes true, so instead we all continue to work together to make things better for animals when their worlds are no longer safe or kind to them. I am sitting at my computer with our special dog friends around me, our animals are outside enjoying abundant hay, fluffy bedding and fresh, clean water. The bird feeders are full, the suet cakes are fresh and the cats smell like the hay stack (sorry mice you don't get much but thanks for being a good snack :-) ). How many animals, though, within a few miles of us are sucking on dry, cold snow? Pawing at the ground for meager bits of winter grass? Huddling against whatever offers even a slight break from the cold wind? If there is even one it's one too many...

We did our family Christmas photos by the old farm truck and another set out in the bush. Earl built a fire, we had our photos, cleaned up some deadwood and roasted hot dogs for a snack. The cattle and horses eyed the fire and as it burnt down we watched them from the warmth of the house...the horses stood close to the embers for the warmth. The cows sniffed around and then stood heads down over the last bits of the smoke. The cold ashes the next morning showed many signs of curious noses and hooves...used to summer smudges they were very interested in this winter fire.

How are your animals faring? Have you noticed any who are needing some extra care? What were you able to do to help them? Let's make this a year which has fewer animals in need of urgent rescue and a year where more people become educated and proactive when it comes to animal welfare - for all animals, all the time.

Thanksgiving...

2009-11-24T16:46:00.000-08:00

My friend Dan Murphy shares with us here at Chore Time now and again, and because it is just past our Thanksgiving and just before the American one he has contributed this piece. Thanks Dan!

I know what I am thankful for...and being able to share with you all on Chore Time is one!

Shanyn

Animal, Vegetable, Pitiful

The vegan argument against Thanksgiving turkey is half-baked and tough to swallow

By Dan Murphy

’Tis the season, apparently.

It’s Thanksgiving, so get set to be treated to another ride on the vegan Guilt-O-Rama, this time courtesy of a New York Times op-ed piece (www.nytimes.com/2009/11/22/opinion/22steiner.html) from avowed vegetarian Gary Steiner, professor of philosophy at Bucknell University. Steiner asks, “Is it wrong to kill animals for human consumption?”

For never-say-die vegans, that’s a rhetorical question. Of course they think it’s wrong! In Vegan World it’s wrong to kill anything (including nonsensical debate over meat eating). Nevertheless, Steiner rolls out the usual chestnuts about, “Eating animals for food is mass murder,” and, “The practice of delivering animals to the table abhorrent and inexcusable,” and decries the folly of those who offer “impassioned calls for more ‘humanely’ raised meat.”

But his most revealing point comes when he argues that, “People who are ethical vegans (as if there’s some big splinter group of outlaw vegans) believe that differences in intelligence between human and non-human animals have no moral significance whatsoever.” Which means that killing an animal for food would be morally indistinguishable from killing another human being. And that’s the principle upon which Steiner and those of similar beliefs base their vegan credo.

He concludes his piece with a final stick-in-the-eye rejoinder: “Think about [animal suffering] when you’re picking out your free-range turkey, which has absolutely nothing to be thankful for on Thanksgiving. All it ever had was a short and miserable life, thanks to us intelligent, compassionate humans.”

I’ve got news for Steiner: There are a whole lot of wild birds who also had a short, miserable life. It’s called Nature. Look into it.

Of mice and men

In truth, it is a fairly straightforward process to refute the vegangelical assertion that humans who eat animal food are somehow morally circumspect. Since he’s a classic example, let’s deconstruct Steiner’s rationale, starting from a philosophical standpoint.

To adhere to the vegan doctrine, one must believe that all animal life is morally equivalent. And if it is wrong on principle for humans to kill and consume animals, then it must be equally wrong for any animal to kill and consume other animals. By that standard, then, billions of animals would be morally culpable.

But that makes no sense, nor is it what vegans believe. They argue that it’s only wrong for humans to eat other animals. Nobody in the veggie community would ever voice criticism of a wolf pack for running down and slaying a pregnant moose, or a hungry group of crocodiles for picking off dozens of terrified wildebeests as they struggle to cross a rain-swollen river. That’s what they do.

The rules are different for humans, however. Why? Only one reason: Because we are different from and superior to other species. Otherwise, since all life is ultimately based on a kill-and-be-killed model, the entire planetary ecosystem would be judged immoral. So if humans are different from other animals, then we’re back to comparing whether our consumption of animal foods is any different from the cruel and often savage tactics used by virtually every carnivore and omnivore who walks, flies, swims or crawls upon the Earth.

I would argue that it is very different, and when animal husbandry is practiced wisely and compassionately, far better.

The wisdom of the ancients

Next, the naturalistic perspective. This piece of the vegan doctrine posits that vegetarian foods represent our natural lifestyle, as if we were biologically hard-wired to live off processed soybeans, tropical fruits and jet-freighted, out-of-season produce, today’s modern veggie staples. But if we’re seeking the sources of what could be understood as a natural diet, shouldn’t we access the wisdom developed over many millennia that our ancestors used as the foundation of civilization itself? There isn’t an indigenous tribe or people on any continent in any time period in history that didn’t hunt, fish or trap wildlife or make use of domesticated animals as a principal food source.

Native American folklore and spiritual teachings are filled with songs and prayers of gratitude to the Great Spirit who provided the game and fish upon which the people depended for sustenance. Are we to assume that hundreds of sophisticated societies across the eons were all inherently misguided? That every tribe we’ve ever studied somehow got it all wrong?

Of course not. There has always been a natural symbiosis between humanity and the natural world, even though that has been sadly subsumed in our modern urban lifestyles. As do virtually all species at the top of the food chain, early humans learned to co-exist with other animals, capturing and eventually domesticating the wildlife whose flesh, organs, fur, hides, bones and antlers provided not just nourishment, but shelter, tools, medicines and clothing.

Vegans like Prof. Steiner will argue that we have “evolved,” that we are no longer primitive people living in the forest or on the plains, dependent on the vicissitudes of drought, blizzards or natural disasters to survive. But such thinking implies that we have cut our ties with Nature, that by harnessing science and technology we have fundamentally altered our relationship with the ecosystem we share with all life on the planet, that we no longer need to worry about consuming a “natural” diet.

Show me the vegan who buys that belief and I’ll give up meat eating for good.

Truth is, we are creatures of Nature, as surely as every other member of the animal kingdom that vegans pretend is so sacred. So my challenge to Steiner, et al, is this: Either embrace the omnivorous diet to which our human biology has adapted over the last 30,000 years, or admit that the very existence of a vegetarian option is purely a product of recent scientific and technological progress—which means accepting production agriculture, mechanized food processing and complex distribution infrastructure as normal and necessary components of life.

Answering the carbon question

Finally, let us examine the validity of a vegan lifestyle from a sustainability perspective. Even if there weren’t 6.2 billion people alive today—with another three (or four) billion more expected by mid-century—the challenge of providing sufficient food for everyone on Earth would remain a formidable one. As enlightened citizens of the Third Millennium, we now understand the importance of our carbon footprint and its impact on everything from global climate change to conservation of energy to the limits on critical food production resources, such as arable land and irrigation water.

But would a wholesale departure from eating animal foods help or hurt the cause of conserving resources and reducing carbon emissions? Several high-profile studies by activist groups, think tanks and the United Nations suggest that livestock production is a major contributor of atmospheric greenhouse gases. Even if that were true—and the calculations in such studies are invariably based on meat production models that require the maximum possible inputs—we have to consider the alternative. What would happen if all beef, pork, chicken, turkey, mutton and all other animal proteins were taken off the menu?

For one, we’d need billions more acres of land to be cultivated to replace even a fraction of the calories supplied by meat, poultry and dairy, assuming that most of the replacement food value would have to come from grains and legumes (they’re a complete protein—ask any veggie). That would seriously devastate enormous swaths of precious wildlife habitat, consume vast amounts of water in precisely the regions that could least afford it and displace multi-millions of indigenous people from a livelihood of herding, ranching and meat production without much in the way of viable alternatives.

The problem with even considering putting more land to the plow is that fully one-third of the arable land on Earth is suitable for grazing animals but unfit for non-irrigated cultivation of cereals (and you might want to consider where the fertilizer needed for all that natural, organic farming is supposed to come from). Science and technology, in the form of genetically engineered crops, might mitigate that hurdle, but there isn’t a vegan alive who thinks that GMOs are the answer to feeding the world on a vegetarian diet. They cannot and dare not embrace even the thought of biotech, because it’s “not natural.”

Just like the highly processed, soy protein-extruded, artificially flavored analog meats and faux foodstuffs that occupy the center of the plate for vegans like Prof. Steiner. But on Thanksgiving, they’d think nothing about enjoying a big bowl of “vegetarian ice cream,” made from the following ingredients:

· Soybeans, likely grown in Brazil (one of the world’s top producers) on land where rainforests once stood

· Palm or coconut oil, grown on massive, mono-culture plantations carved out of jungles across the Philippines, Indonesia and India

· Brown sugar, which is white sugar spray-dried with molasses, a by-product of the refining process and the substrate for the rum-making that fueled the colonial slave trade and made millionaires out of Prohibition-era gangsters

· Cocoa, the dried, fermented seed of the cacao tree native to the Andes, for which the veggies who want to eliminate factory farming can thank the Conquistadors for exporting cacao trees to colonies in the Caribbean and Asia, becoming yet another cash crop that displaces native agriculture, requires destruction of indigenous vegetation and ends up as a commodity that can’t feed the local population

And eating veggie ice cream is supposed to be morally superior to the real stuff made with eggs, milk and cream produced on farms right here in the United States? Please.

As if all that isn’t enough, that natural veggie dessert is processed in high-tech, automated plants, shipped thousands of miles via an energy-intensive frozen food chain and marketed aggressively by the very corporations responsible for the destructive production practices required to produce the raw materials in the first place.

Vegetarian? Sure. Humane? Hardly. Ecological? Not on your life.

If deep thinkers such as Prof. Steiner truly want to address such issues as food security, agricultural stewardship and sustainable food production on a moral basis, there is no better model than small-scale, multi-species animal husbandry practiced by more than a billion people across the world today.

But raising animals for food just wouldn’t be enlightened, would it?

—Dan Murphy is Strategist + Owner of M-PhaticComm, a marketing consultancy specializing in communications for food and agricultural organizations

M-Phatic Communications 2116 Cedar St. Everett WA 98201 425.359.3425 danielmurphy1@msn.com

My Remembrance Day Shame

2009-11-11T17:04:00.000-08:00

When I was growing up today was one of the most embarrassing school days of the year. I didn't understand why there was no part in the day for me. No one in my family was listed on the plaques. No one was on a memorial. No family stories. I remember going home to ask why we didn't have any 'heroes' in our family, soldiers who fought for our freedom, people who did their part for the greater good in time of war. When I was young I didn't understand what I do now - that my family, and my husband's family, contributed to the war efforts here on the 'home front'. Heroes can be anywhere, and ours were in the fields and community halls.

I grew up thinking we played no part, for some mysterious reason, in what we were remembering on Remembrance Day. It wasn't until I was older that my Grandpa told me the stories of how he and his friends supported those fighting the war in the fields growing grains, supporting the soldiers on leave with their band that played on the weekends.

I am proud to be the granddaughter of a farmer who worked hard during lean times to provide for his family, the families of his friends who were fighting overseas and in his time off the fields played in his band to raise spirits of those who had returned home. I am proud that they changed the name of their band often for a 'new look' and that they always played the old favorites and welcomed their friends home again with a bounty of love, food and music. I am proud that they worked hard in the fields - horses and men - to grow the crops that ensured that the mess halls had what they needed to feed the men and women seated there.

I am proud of Earl's grandpa who did the same, just on the other side of the prairies. I'm proud of everyone who stayed and worked in the farms and factories, took care of those who came home wounded and ministered to those who had no one coming home at all.

When I look at the poppies I remember the poem, I remember the images of crosses and poppies, of fields of dead. But I also look at the poppy and remember the tillers of the land, the workers who packed, shipped, ministered, sewed and laboured to support our troops.

The old generals said an army travels on its belly, and I'm proud to say that our family helped keep that belly full. I'm not ashamed on Remembrance Day anymore, I'm proud of my friends that serve and have served, I'm honoured to know their families and I will always remember the farmers who fought the odds and the weather to get their crops in on time - not just for themselves but for everyone.

Another TV Tackle on Animal Welfare

2009-11-06T07:14:00.000-08:00

I admit, I do love certain shows, and as my husband will attest some will draw me in and won't let go until the final credits roll. But sometimes I am intrigued by other parts of the show. A while back Numb3rs covered animal rights and a university setting, this time it is Bones dealing with animal rights and animal welfare at a broiler 'farm' and the spin-off of cute pig faces. The show handled as many angles as they could with their usual science, caring and humorous ways.

The reason I am blogging about this episode is to talk about how I felt regarding their key messages and the points they put forward - which, by the way, I thought was brilliantly done - regarding the changing face of agriculture, the onward march of urban into rural areas and the changing views we have about animals and how they are cared for or used and how our perceptions can become our reality. If you have not watched it and are going to I won't give anything away like a spoiler. If you farm, if you care about animals this is one episode to watch - if for nothing else to see how our 'reality' is seen in a 'fictional' world.

Some questions asked, and perhaps fictionally answered but also posing real world questions included: long term exposure to confinement housing without proper PPE (personal protective equipment), how communities change when a farm becomes more urban than rural and is surrounded by other urban dwellers, how technology can remove the animal and our humane reaction to them through 'assembly line' processes, how people can work at a job or in a place which does not match their social, emotional and spiritual needs because it satisfies (even marginally) and economic or foundational need.

The questions raised by the lengths to which people will go to make a point and how far does that point go after you've made it. It also questions the 'face of food' and the 'face of farming' issues that we face in all sectors from farmers to processors to consumers.

I found it very heartening that the questions were raised, the issues were posed and the responses were not 'global' messages but became personal and interpersonal responses. What we believe and what we choose to act upon are personal choices based upon our beliefs whether they be science, emotional or socially based. The fact that people can come from different places and find common ground is the basis for all movement and growth forward. How fundamental is that?

I don't have to agree with the practices of 'modern' dairy, hog or poultry production. I can ask, and reasonably expect, that the standards for welfare will continue to be improved upon and that our concern for animals will continue to grow as our knowledge and understanding of their needs and our wants can come together.

I, as a consumer, can speak with my buying choices. I, as a voter, can speak with my election choices. I, as a farmer, can choose to promote and advocate for the highest standards I am able to achieve. I, as a person, can be empathetic, and understanding of people who do not feel the same way as I do. I can hope, as a person, to be treated with the same respect in return.

What's going on?

2009-11-04T12:16:00.001-08:00

A copy of an editorial from The Beef Site on welfare for farm animals...read and share what you think...

Editorial: Animal Welfare Questioned?

Animal welfare was highlighted at the Worldwide Food Expo, with Temple Grandin addressing the issue of vigilance regarding welfare on farm and in the slaughterhouse. This comes as a report in the US shows abuse on infant veal calves, which has shocked the industry.

A Canadian MP in now fighting for animal welfare rights in transit. Currently ruminants can be confined up to 52 hours without food or water. Alexandra Mendes, Quebec MP is asking for this to be lowered to 12 hours.

In the US, a coalition of food and consumer groups, backed by McDonald's Corp, the nation's largest restaurant user of beef, has asked the Food and Drug Administration to ban the practice of feeding poultry litter to cattle. The group believes this practice increases the risk of cattle becoming infected with bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE).

In Northern Ireland beef prices paid by some processors have increased, however, there is still a difference of 33 pence a kilo between NI and mainland UK prices. The National Beef Association has said that they have tried numerous methods to increase income to beef farmers in NI, however, plans are thwarted by processors and the government. Ulster Farmers' Union recently met with Sainsburys to highlight the difficulties faced in the NI beef industry.

With the past few disastrous months for the Australian beef industry, it is little surprise, that AAco, Australia's largest cattle company has said that they do not expect any significant earnings this financial year. The company says each one per cent fall in AAco's herd valuation costs it A$4 million.

Charlotte Johnston

We are in a crisis...

2009-09-30T08:30:00.000-07:00

Warning: This is a long one, but if you get through it and comment you'll be rewarded :-)

We are facing a crisis…

In the early days of certain fictional Churches a situation called a “Crisis of Faith” brought together all of the leaders of the church, the community and the wisest people in the land. They put aside their distinctions, their badges and robes of office and sat down in a plain room to fight for the future of their faith and their people. There were no egos, there were no semi or outright secret agendas – it was about the crisis and how to deal with it. Today, in the real world, we face these types of situations more often than we would like, but because we are trained and accustomed to allowing ‘leaders’ to handle these things for us we do not demand results that are for our benefit. We do not demand, and speak with our votes, that they be accountable to the majority who tend to remain silent rather than a vocal, visible minority with a small, highly personal agenda.

The ‘Crisis of Faith’ that I’m talking about people is not one of organized religion, although I would love for those leaders to step up. It is the ‘Crisis of Faith’ in farm country, and we are in the middle of a fight for our very lives, our very culture and heritage – for our right to do the jobs we love on the land we love and provide for people safe and affordable food. The rhetoric is ramping up. The sides are being chosen, sadly, by default for many. We are being lied to, accused of crimes we did not commit and being pursued in a manner that if we were any other cultural group in the world would make headlines for the pursuit. But our pursuers make the news, our pursuers are in the ‘good guy’ cape and tights. We, the agriculture community, are still trying to figure out how to work together, let alone fight together. And that is why we will always bring a knife to a gun fight, we’ll always be 101 miles from the 100 mile diet and we will always be without an advocate voice on the most critical days of our industry.

Advertising won’t cut it – cute kids and pigs or men hugging chickens can’t compete with the videos and bloody photos of the few choosing to do their jobs badly. A pig hanging to death from a tractor bucket or a barn of barely recognizable hogs, burned after death in a barn fire. (BE SURE YOU KNOW THIS: the VAST majority of animals in a barn fire are dead from the smoke before they even know there is danger.) We cannot provide enough free recipes to counter stories of hidden BSE, of unsafe meat leaving the packing rooms. There are no good enough reasons to debate the lack of uptake on the higher welfare systems we have available, that the very researchers are throttled from speaking about. There is a simple reason we cannot win this fight on their grounds – the agriculture industry will attempt to fight emotions with science (a basic no win), they will hide from the fight behind the skirts of commodities, government bailouts and advertising and they will never come together as a SINGLE INDUSTRY and say, “Hey! You! BACK OFF! I know there is a better way, they have proven it just down the road, I’m getting there.”.

The simple fact of the matter is EVERYONE eats farmed foods. Period, end of discussion. The simple fact is MEAT is part of our diet. We are omnivores – teeth for eating variety of foods, eyes in front (predator faces) and guts that are built for variety. Some people choose another diet, and that is simply a CHOICE. And on they are welcome to make for themselves, but don’t try to bully me into sharing it. Another simple fact is that NO ANIMAL deserves to be treated other than with the highest welfare possible. This is a moral law, this is a code that even the very earliest of domesticators learned – if you don’t care for your animals they cannot provide the materials that will keep you alive. Bad farmer, bad caretaker used to equal dead or dying farmer or caretaker. We have welfare laws in Canada, and we are working on making the enforcement of them better, and the weight of their charge more hefty. It takes time for people to care about things differently – it wasn’t that long ago that people didn’t wear seatbelts and smoked in their cars. We know that’s not a great plan anymore, but it took time to change.

This past week we lost a great voice in Agriculture, for the world, and I’ll bet you didn’t even notice the passing of the man who for most of his career chased one singular goal – keeping people from starving to death. This great Aggie knew we weren’t going to ‘feed’ the world from our fields and farms. He knew that we were going to feed the world by showing them how to feed themselves. Norman Borlaug (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_Borlaug) won a Nobel Peace Prize for contributing to world peace through increasing food supply. He worked his whole life in creating ways for food to be grown (as a food for people or for animals) in places that would challenge even the most dedicated Canadian or American farmer. He embraced technology and the culture of agriculture to help find ways to help people feed themselves. Who from PETA, HSUS or any other group has done that? Show me their Wiki listing! How much of their 9 million dollars pushing for Prop 2 in California actually got California food on to the tables of Californians who were going without? NOT ONE CENT! Guaranteed. The same can be said for the 9 million spent fighting Prop 2. It wasn’t spent supporting the distribution of farm products to areas which lack access and means to find nourishment.

We have known for a while that the HSUS and its partners have decided to expand, and in the US states are fighting or falling as they determine the economics of fighting an organization with a huge budget and a very ambitious agenda to stop certain types of animal agriculture. Not for the animals, you cannot you believe they care about animals, but for the agenda of controlling an industry they feel cannot be operated, even after thousands of years of production, within the confines of their social conscience. It is hard to argue with the HSUS, they are not as rabid or as ‘out there’ as PETA, but they still hold to the same hard line.

They just deliver it in a more reasonable and hard to argue against tone. They sound like they really believe that our industry, our culture, would be much better off if we did things their way – their way being that of a non-farmer in an urban world trying to justify their political agendas. It isn’t about the welfare of the animals, it is about a conception about meat and meat production that vilifies farmers and divides agriculture against itself. And it is a winning strategy. Because when farmers do bad, when workers are cruel, they get caught. No one shows videos of happy animals, abundant fields and farm families. They show barn workers doing horrible things because that gets attention, that gets airplay and ink. The face of farming that we see isn’t a face we recognize because it isn’t the one out in the fields and barns every day.

Yep, I said it. A winning strategy. They will win, because the agriculture industry will never stand up with a unified voice, with an advocate voice, to stop them. There will never be poultry, egg, dairy and hog producers standing side by side, arm in arm, in front of their elected leaders saying, “STOP!” They won’t put aside their own ‘save your own skin first’ attitudes long enough to realize that divide and conquer works well. Always has, always will – randomly pick a show off of History Channel tonight and tell me you don’t see the message?

What would happen if all the farmers quit – if the grain guys and the animal production guys and the oilseed guys (and gals) said, “I’m done.” That means no more tofu, no more soy milk, no more veggie burgers either folks. No one is going to start eating their lawns and foraging in national parks. No one is eating petroleum by-products, not every day and staying alive. We know farmers won’t quit – they didn’t in the ‘30s when the land dried up and blew away. They don’t when their land is underwater, when they have no sun or no rain, or too much of either. They didn’t during the wars around the world when their fields were torn apart and bloody with war. They didn’t stop when they had to send their children out to guard the animals from predators and thieves while they tended the fields. They won’t now, but by making it harder for farmers to farm we make it harder for us to maintain our source of food which we take so for granted.

We have legislation in Canada for the welfare of animals, researchers are getting better at making systems which work for the care of animals. Supporting their work, providing resources to help farmers transition into new, higher welfare systems, would seem to be a great way to spend 18 million dollars. Not fighting to pass legislation that once signed, becomes a dead document which cannot change or grow to reflect increasing knowledge and understanding. Support researchers who believe in animal care, and not hobble them with commodity agendas and rhetoric. If our agriculture industry is stifled enough we’ll end up importing our products, potentially from countries over whom we have no control for quality or safety. And no political way to make them ‘shape up’ to the ‘standards’ which crippled our own industry.

I would like to take a poll of the animal rights activists who are so against primary production – stand up if you are a) a farmer b) ever farmed c) ever been on a working farm d) ever worked to save an individual animal in crisis. Funny I don’t think anyone is standing up, okay the guy from R-Calf, you can sit down. Okay, people, now it’s your turn. Stand up if you are a) eating food today b) enjoying that food c) found shelves full of food at the store d) never had to worry about empty shelves. Hmmm…being since you are all STANDING already, why don’t you stay standing up for the farmers that provided the answers to a through d?

I advocate for animal welfare, I do not believe that welfare should be something that is negotiable. I believe that we have the right to farm, and we have the obligation to do it well. For our families, for our animals and for our future. I do not believe animals are ‘people in animal suits’, nor do I believe that they should be used without regard for their welfare (familiar with the Five Freedoms? Google that right now). I don’t believe that doing something well and right should be legislated when there are far better ways to encourage and move towards better and more humane production systems.

If you believe in doing things better, then put your money where your mouth is and start an Animal Husbandry & New Age Welfare training centre. Invite farmers to learn from you, if you think your message can bear the strain of ‘in field’ testing. Build some production systems, have some taste tests, invite people over for supper. Put your money where it will do some good for the animals and for the people who are raising your food. If you believe that ‘science’ is not compatible with animal care, prove an alternate and make it work. (oh wait, that would be science wouldn’t it?) Put your money where the animals live and breathe. Not in a political war chest to make a political point that ‘we changed the world’ through legislation that cannot be cost effectively utilized, is not sustainable and meets the emotional needs of a small group of people but not address the great needs of agriculture in our ever changing world.

Activists - I respect you for caring, but I cannot support your methods because they do not raise a hand to help animals in crisis and they do not embrace welfare as a long reaching goal.

Agriculture – we have to stick together or we’ll fall one by one. Just because you are the last one standing doesn’t mean you’ll stay that way.

Let me be clear...

2009-09-01T07:45:00.001-07:00

This is my blog, where we talk about animal welfare - for all animals - but mostly we have talked about farmed animals and companion animals. Today's blog, which is actually way over due, is simply to state a response to the situation in Steinbach, Manitoba.

Clearly, if you know me at all, you'll know I am not an activist but a welfare advocate - much different. That said, read on and see what you think at the end...then search Google News for the stories and let the Mayor and the media know what you think...someone has to speak for the animals, will it be you?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Talk it up on Facebook, www.winnipegdogs.com or contact the Mayor himself, I'm sure he would love to hear from you. Show your support for the Steinbach Humane Society so they can feel strong enough to be an effective voice for animals in that community.

I was one of the people who brought a situation to the attention of the media, which of course did get a lot of attention both positive and negative. It brought some pressure for change, and an expression of a strong desire to maintain the status quo. The key point to remember here is that the media notification was one of the last steps we took in trying to resolve the situation. We had spoken to the Mayor, we had called in to the Welfare Vet for the province, we did talk to people in high places...and NOTHING was happening!

So a friend who is a reporter (Richard Cloutier from CJOB) came out one day, and talked to some people and the agreement was if there wasn't a story, then there wasn't a story - no pressure to 'make' news. But lo and behold, there was a story, and it was one no one wanted to hear told...too late! Other media picked it up but it didn't even make the news in the city it was centred on...

Gunfire euthanasia for animal control, with the exception of vicious or dangerous animals, is not a recommended practice ANYWHERE in Canada or pretty much the U.S. or the E.U. You don't just get to shoot them in a kennel next to other dogs. Not to mention on a concrete pad, in a semi-urban neighborhood without a backstop or other safety measures. Not to mention no chips were checked, no tattoos registered, no 'found' postings put up on the city website (which woulda been FREE)...nothing. There are vets in the area, like Pet Vet and Old Country Vet who would help out if asked, but no one ever asked. EVER. We checked.

Then there is the issue of a grossly out of date animal control by-law (circa 1986) that wasn't even being upheld in it's own jurisdiction. Clearly stated in the bylaw were the measures and actions to be taken by Animal Control. There is the issue of a job description that does not include the work being done by the Animal Control officer. Nothing directed at the peopleinvolved, they are 'just doing their jobs' but at the actions of the elected leaders of this community who choose to let them do a job incorrectly..

They misquoted guidelines, they misstated intentions and the very group that should be speaking out for animals is trying to 'back door' their way in by grabbing some stones and lobbing them at those who would speak out. Hey, you do what you gotta do, but don't get mad if someone speaks up while you remained silent.

Is this community alone in their penchant for the easy way out by shooting dogs? Heaven's no! Many rural municipalities do it, sometimes too freely, but that doesn't make it right. Sheer numbers of people or organizations doing the wrong thing don't make it right by volume.

That being said, are there other issues? Of course - housing, care, re homing, disposal of carcasses, licenses and training for animal control and funds. Support is needed for a Humane Society in one of the last hold out cities in Manitoba where there could be better care for animals and better chances for owners to be reunited. This isn't a small farm town (as if that should be an excuse) it is a city which does business as a city, has an urban population and serves a market that is both urban and rural.

There is lots of finger pointing, blaming and misleading statements going around. That's fine, if you have to make noise to avoid the issue at hand then do so, but when there is a quiet moment the questions will still be there:

1) Are the animal control by-laws going to be reviewed, updated (1986), upheld and enforced?

2) will there be a modern, inspected animal shelter for the animals lost in this city?

3) will the practice of gun shot euthanasia for animal control be banned, except in exceptional circumstances?

4) will there be visible support for the establishment of an animal shelter and humane society within the city?

Will the mayor call anyone back if they don't have a Steinbach prefix? Will those who care for animals be labeled 'activists' just because they refuse to accept the status quo? Will anyone care, at the end of the day, that it took people from the outside looking in to notice there was something not right happening? Will the people with pets care enough to speak out or is the desire to be a 'closed' community too strong?

Don't be angry that outsiders are asking these questions, don't tell people who care to 'butt out'...some day you might need their help. Will they say no? If they did, could you blame them?

If you get caught, smoking gun in hand, with a dead dog at your feet, don't say, "Hey you don't live here, never mind!" The laws in Canada and in Manitoba for animal welfare do not exempt anyone based on municipal boundaries. The Animal Care Act in Manitoba even demands that their shelter facility be inspected and licensed. That doesn't even begin to address the care practices absent and that's a whole other story.

So if you want to be upset because someone told you something you didn't want to hear, that's your right, but you cannot expect them to remain quiet while you enjoy a nice trip down 'denial'!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Here are some facts:

Gunshot SHOULD NOT be used for routine euthanasia of animals in animal control situations, such as municipal pounds or shelters. – CVMA Euthanasia Guidelines 2007

The intravenous injection of a concentrated barbiturate with prior sedation is widely considered the most humane method for euthanizing animals. It causes a comparatively aesthetic death, is rapid-acting, reliable, and effective. Care must be taken, however, to ensure that animals killed with barbiturates are disposed of in a responsible manner since such animals can be a significant source of environmental toxicity. Improper disposal may result in the illness and death of scavenging animals (1,5).

CVMA (Canadian Veterinary Medicine Association) Guidelines

When other methods cannot be used, an accurately delivered gunshot is a conditionally acceptable method of euthanasia.

CVMA Euthanasia Guidelines

The too often misquoted CCOC guidelines are firstly for experimental animals only - and they do not advocate gun shot euthanasia for dogs at any rate.http://www.ccac.ca/en/CCAC_Programs/Guidelines_Policies/GUIDES/ENGLISH/V1_93/APPEN/APPXIV.HTM

Money, Rodeo, Summer Heat

2009-06-29T05:59:00.000-07:00

Money Driving Animal Welfare

http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/article/2009/06/29/88711_business-news.html

Coulda told you this, but it is interesting in the context of China which has been working to enact their first animal welfare legislation.

Vancouver Humane Society Shunned in Alberta Over Stampede Campaign

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/british-columbia/vancouver-humane-society-sets-sights-on-stampede-for-calf-roping-protest/article1200184/

For anyone who is interested there has been animal welfare monitoring of the rodeo events in professional rodeo for literally decades...including the Calgary Stampede and Cloverdale.

Young Turks Discuss Animal Welfare and Animal Pain

http://www.theyoungturks.com/story/2009/6/27/152920/533/Diary/Thoughts-on-animal-welfare-animal-rights-etc-

Although it has a very small response the poll at the end shows an interesting trend amongst this blog's readers...

Education Needed For Animal Welfare

http://www.pal-item.com/article/20090628/NEWS01/906280309

Educating people and changing attitudes is the best way to improve animal welfare...not by legislating change, but creating an understanding of change and leading the way through education...

Next Generation Trailers in USA

http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20090629005213&newsLang=en

Based on EU humane transportation standards, these units will be made available in the USA - getting better but don't forget in Canada we have CFIA, provincial laws and the Certified Livestock Transport training program to enhance the TQA. Google for more details...or click the links above...

All animals require food, water, shelter and care to have a healthy happy life, but sometimes people don't think about the weather conditions and how that impacts the animals in their care. The most caring person can, sometimes, forget and others while seemingly interested in their animal's welfare tend to think nothing of their actual impact on the animal's well being. Many sites offer care tips for summer (and the other seasons)...check some out and remember they can apply to farm animals as well. Take care of our animals, it is the right thing to do!

http://www.weather.com/outlook/homeandgarden/pets/articles/d93

Mixed Bag

2009-06-24T06:03:00.000-07:00

My last attempt to update Chore Time was crashed by a router on strike, so we shall try again, and the latest today is this:

H1N1 May Have Had Asian Origins

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/24/health/24flu.html?hp

Untested theory but it does have points that make sense.

Tasmania Cracks Down On Welfare Breaches

http://www.abc.net.au/rural/news/content/200906/s2606941.htm

EU Adopts Slaughter Regulations

http://www.meatinfo.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/8886/EU_adopts_slaughter_welfare_regulation_.html

Dealing with Animal 'Welfare' Groups - Op Ed Ill.

http://westernfarmerstockman.com/blogs.aspx?fcb=2&fcbp=395&fcbpc=10&s=2009-05-23&e=2009-07-23

Op Ed Piece concering the activities of pseduo welfare groups like the HSUS in farm country.

Changes to Regs in Ohio Challenging Farmers?

http://www.cattlenetwork.com/Content.asp?ContentID=324668

If a Prop 2 type legislation is passed in Ohio, can the states farmers remain competative or will it 'shut' down confinment agriculture...is this part of a national plan by the HSUS to impact all of American animal agriculture? The answers are blowing in the wind...or rather on their website!

IDF Joins FAO in Online Farm Animal Welfare Project

http://news.alibaba.com/article/detail/agriculture/100121902-1-idf-joins-fao-animal-welfare.html

Gateway to Farm Animal Welfare

Today's News

2009-06-16T13:34:00.001-07:00

The news today has some pretty interesting, and significant stories. There is a theory that when we do not value human life we are not able to value animal life, if human welfare isn't important then it follows that animal welfare is not valued. When you see a country, like China, taking care of not only it's human citizens but its animal ones is is heartening. See the stories below:

China Plans First Animal Welfare Law

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jun/16/china-plans-animal-welfare-law

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-06/16/content_11552550.htm

Animal Rights vs Animal Welfare

http://www.examiner.com/x-7468-Pet-Health-Examiner~y2009m6d15-Animal-rights-versus-animal-welfare

Heavy Sentences in UK Horse Abuse

http://www.wymondhamandattleboroughmercury.co.uk/content/wam24/news/story.aspx?brand=WAMOnline&category=news&tBrand=WAMonline&tCategory=news&itemid=NOED16%20Jun%202009%2009:52:07:343

Farm Break In Defended

http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/rural/2504710/Farm-break-in-defended

PETA Fish Protest

2009-06-15T11:17:00.000-07:00

Our friend Dan Murhpy has done a commentary for us on a recent protest by PETA. It may surprise you, certainly did me!

PETA fish protest has dangerous hidden agenda

It’s pretty easy to trash People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals as a collection of overreaching, attention-hungry media hounds who personify the old show-biz adage that any publicity is good publicity.

Witness the recent protest PETA launched against the Americ
an Veterinary Medical Association, whose members have the option to enjoy a “fish tossing demonstration” put on by the fish mongers from downtown Seattle’s landmark Pike Street Market. For the uninitiated, fish tossing is a tourist-only sideshow during which vendors at the Pike Street Fish Market sling around whole salmon, the “eye candy” in the c
old case that draws crowds to their seafood stand.

The century-old Market itself is a charming mix of shambling wooden stalls and staircases, an indoor boardwalk filled with restaurants overlooking nearby Pu
get Sound, eclectic little trinket shops and countless street hawkers hustling everything from kitschy Americana to fresh produce to overpriced souvenirs of Seattle’s iconic Space Needle.

The fish tossing is of much more recent origins, and the King and Chinook salmon getting slung around these days are no longer pulled from Puget Sound, but instead are shipped in from Alaska (mostly) or flown in from Iceland, Norway and points even further east.

No doubt tourists have come from equally distant places, in large part to witness the Pike Street boys and their flying fish. As a result, the seafood vendor has created a motivational skit to inspire business audiences at conferences—such as the AVMA’s meeti
ng next month—to “take the challenge” of catching a slippery 30-pound salmon (thankfully cleaned and gutted) as a metaphor for succeeding at the equally challenging game of customer service.

Or public persuasion, in the case of PETA. In fact, I don’t doubt their staff has seen or even attended one of the Pike Street Fish Market’s presentations and came away with a different inspiration: Here’s a new way to guilt trip even the enlightened souls who’ve switched from bloody red meat to healthy fresh fish. As PETA’s letter to the AVMA stated, “People who care about animals are appalled that a veterinary organization would promote an event in which animals are treated so disrespectfully and are handled as if th
ey were toys.”

Except . . . they’re dead. Which would make a protest over humane treatment moot, one would presume.

Only PETA doesn’t want the Pike Street boys to cease and desist tossing their wares around the stall. As the national media coverage has connected their phony outrage with a fish tossing stunt most Americans never even knew about, it becomes a wonderful emotional trigger to remind people of the many causes—and the endless fund-raising opportunities—PETA continually conducts. On behalf of poor, defenseless animals, of course. Dead or alive.
Predictably, most folks in Seattle have reacted with a fond invitation for PETA to drop dead, like the salmon at the center of their protest. “PETA is a joke and a farce, as usual,” one letter to the editor stated. “They never cease to amaze me at how stupid they are,” another read. Another asked, “Why don’t they take up a real cause, like saving the whales or protecting other endangered species?”

Even The Seattle Times opined that calls for the Pike Place Fish mongers to substitute rubber fish in their presentation were misguided. “Do the presentation as is—with all its slimy charm,” the editors wrote. “Let this hissy fit about absolutely nothing run out of steam.”
That’s probably the attitude of most industry folks, as well. Let the idiots at PETA spout off about mistreating dead fish. Who cares? Most people reject such an idea out of hand.

True enough, but the danger here isn’t that PETA will soak up another 15 minutes of media attention for yet another ridiculous protest 99% of Americans find absurd. PETA isn’t interested in “awareness” about animal issues, as their legions of apologists always insist. Bemoaning the
tossing of dead fish isn’t about publicity, or even awareness. It’s about credibility.

That’s why these tactics are so insidious. Publicity is one thing; credibility is quite another. PETA’s ultimate objective isn’t visibility, it’s coronation by the mainstream media as the go-to group on the animal rights debate.

So rather than merely chuckling at the absurdity of a protest over dead fi
sh, those who work for, believe in or who wish to continue patronizing the meat and seafood industries ought to take a moment to share their thoughts about whether PETA deserves its self-anointed status as standard-setters on animal welfare.

If you believe campaigns to protest somebody tossing dead fish are ridiculous, imagine if they were in charge of writing the regs on animal rights.

—Dan Murphy

Rescue Ink & Monday Headlines

2009-06-15T07:40:00.000-07:00

Chore Time started, originally, to share news, commentary and information on farm animal welfare. Because my personal concern for animal welfare is not limited to animal agriculture I also, from time to time, try to share information, news and stories on a broader scale. There are animal care groups and organizations around the world that care for the welfare of all animals, and others which have specialites. Some have broad geographic reaches and others are regional, but each is doing their part to forward the cause of welfare for animals. Many on the front lines, others in less 'frontal' areas that are just as important.

There are many groups, and if you know of one that our blog readers would be interested in knowing more about, please message me. I'd love to share and raise awareness.

Rescue Ink

http://www.antonnews.com/levittowntribune/news/956-rescue-ink-takes-fight-against-animal-abuse-to-a-new-level.html

(see link at bottom of Chore Time for book details!)

Head Lines

Iowa State: Sending A Message for Farm Animal Welfare

http://www.crestonnewsadvertiser.com/articles/2009/06/09/r_g6wt4mssxazcam3mpyw/index.xml

H1N1 (Nope won't call it Swine Flu here!) Across the Country (Canada)

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/flu-hits-all-provinces-as-nfld-reports-its-first-case/article1181943/

UK's Farm Animal Welfare Council - value?

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/peter_wedderburn/blog/2009/06/10/is_the_farm_animal_welfare_council_worth_a_hapenny

Tuft's Vet School Cited by USDA

http://www.examiner.com/x-13595-Boston-Animal-Advocacy-Examiner~y2009m6d13-USDA-report-faults-Tufts-School-of-Veterinary-Medicine-for-animal-welfare-violation

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5h5MKE2WCWAA2uAbi90WZZKwAbngAD98PAB3O2

UK Farming Minister A Veggie!

http://www.meatinfo.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/8868/New_farming_minister_is_a_veggie.html

Jail Term: Powerful Message to Abusers (UK)

http://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/news/4436613.Rescue_boss__jail_sends_out__powerful_message_/

More Than Laws Uphold Animal Welfare

http://www.canada.com/More+than+upholds+animal+welfare/1650040/story.html

Jakarkta NGO Calls For Animal Welfare Law

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/06/08/local-ngo-calls-animal-welfare-law.html-0

Alberta Swine Flu Mystery Deepens

http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5hi29HAkJT3vOx6O5clVSltHUFP5A

Ohio to Have Farm Animal Cruelty Legislation?

http://www.cattlenetwork.com/Content.asp?ContentID=321347

HSUS Fired Up in Ohio?

http://www.examiner.com/x-9806-Tampa-Vegan-Examiner~y2009m5d22-Humane-Society-vs-the-Ohio-Farm-Lobby

Factory Farms NOT To Blame For Flu Pandemic

http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/ci_12586872

H1N1 UP-DATE

2009-06-09T09:56:00.001-07:00

H1N1 Up-Date

There is some new information and news today that I wanted to share. Be aware, be prepared and be informed.

Additional Cases Confirmed

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8091789.stm

This site has some very key areas to check out, look for the links there or click on some below:

Country by Country H1N1 Roll Call

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8083179.stm

Nunavut Hit with 19 New Cases

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/north/story/2009/06/08/swine-flu-nunavut.html

First Nations At Risk

http://www.calgaryherald.com/Health/Numbers+aboriginals+critical+condition+with+surge+Manitoba/1675486/story.html

For those of us in Manitoba this story has some significant information and numbers.

Wass'up?

2009-06-08T09:06:00.000-07:00

As the song goes, "Monday, Monday" and here we are with the headlines that are in the news for animal agriculture around the world. Popping up as usual is the H1N1 situation worldwide, and the issues we may be facing this fall with the full blown flu season. Other animal agriculture headlines from around the world are here too...check them out...

Farm Animals Moving Science Forward

http://www.latimes.com/news/science/la-sci-farm-animals6-2009jun06,0,4389934.story

Alberta Farmer Culls Entire Swine Herd

http://www.edmontonsun.com/news/swineflu/2009/06/08/9710011-sun.html

This herd is the only example, worldwide, of human to swine infection of Type A H1Ni. Well it was, as the farmer has chosen to cull the entire herd to hopefully aid the industry. I wish him well as he starts again.

H1N1 On The Rise Worldwide

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-06/08/content_11507424.htm

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-06/07/content_11502149.htm

http://www.chinaview.cn/sf/

Egyptian Pig Cull May Impact Tourism

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jVZK18QxzhLIxk2Eeps4QrpKGVKA

Study Shows Farmers Importance

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/devon/8087647.stm

http://www.leafuk.org/leafuk/

Mass. Making More Room for Animals

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/06/04/bill_would_give_farm_animals_more_space/

Op Ed - Toronto Star: Canada Lags behind EU on Farm Animal Welfare Reform

http://www.thestar.com/comment/article/645184

Aussies Revamping Animal Care Codes

http://www.horsetalk.co.nz/news/2009/06/038.shtml

US Race Horses At Risk of Slaughter in Japan

http://www.horsetalk.co.nz/news/2009/06/038.shtml

And surprise, surprise PETA isn't helping, nor are they making it easy for the people who are to do their jobs. Sadly, PETA has decided to enter into the horse slaughter arena...will it help or hurt horses? Anyone who knows their track record will have the answer...

Pint Sized Beef Cows = More Good Cuts

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/06/06/MNTC17TFO4.DTL

Guard Donkeys Do Their Work for Farmers

http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20090607/ARTICLES/906079966/1155?Title=Donkeys-guard-Brunswick-County-farm-from-coyotes

Pigs Tattooed In Beijing 'Art Farm'

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2008-11/21/content_7227726_5.htm

This is where I tend to have a problem - tattooing an animal, as conceptual art, then once they have been euthanized for meat, selling the hides to collectors as 'art'...anyone have a problem with this? Anyone think that you could do this anywhere BUT China? Be sure to NOT skin off and frame my tattoo(s) after I die...

Fascinated by Farm Life

http://www.clevelandbanner.com/index.cfm?event=news.view&id=B1B95516-19B9-E2E2-6775FF3C11DA68AB

Groups Applaud FAO Animal Welfare Portal

http://www.albawaba.com/en/countries/UAE/246446

A few headlines affecting all animals and their welfare:

What about the Animals?

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/as-the-investigation-continues-what-will-happen-to-the-cats-and-dogs/article1172058/

Sad Reasons We Need Shelters

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/letters-to-the-editor/sad-reasons-we-need-shelters/article1168036/

Animal Care Group in Kuwait

http://www.arabtimesonline.com/kuwaitnews/pagesdetails.asp?nid=33337&ccid=9

Odyssey with Animals - looking at rights and welfare for animals

http://blog.oup.com/2009/06/animal-welfare/

Animal Welfare Officer Saved by Vest

http://www.koco.com/news/19634115/detail.html

Rescue Ink Steps It Up in Long Island

http://www.antonnews.com/hicksvilleillustratednews/news/836-rescue-ink-takes-fight-against-animal-abuse-to-a-new-level.html

http://www.rescueink.org/

June 1 Round Up

2009-06-01T06:56:00.000-07:00

And by round up I don't mean chemicals nor do I mean cattle - although both could apply at some point or another. This is the news that is in the headlines this morning, regarding farm animals and their welfare, as well as other farm animal related news. Check out the links, comment back and let's talk!

California lawmakers rally on animal welfare issues

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iiYxUHuGyBnMjl5Rwp4eI71Ns32wD98HO2M00

Farm Animal Council of Sasktachewan Launches New Teaching Tool

http://www.farmscape.com/f2ShowScript.aspx?i=23109&q=Farm+Animal+Council+of+Saskatchewan+Launches+New+Teaching+Tool+

UK Asking for Better Pre-Slaughter Welfare for Birds

http://www.farmersguardian.com/story.asp?sectioncode=1&storycode=26537

More Space for Ohio Farm Animals?

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jERJwucMdkZrwwB3M-bwkxtuj0-wD98AHB700

More on Antibiotic Use In Animals - the Debate Continues

http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20090531/NEWS10/305319883/1031/BIZ

Dutch Pig Poop Feeds Grid - Green or Brown power?

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gjMI86Hl5pTmHFlmDK8POHxUvsjgD98HCRBG0

More Than Laws Uphold Animal Welfare

http://www.canada.com/More+than+upholds+animal+welfare/1650040/story.html

Important to Note: In Manitoba you may call 945-8000 to report any concerns over the welfare of animals or to arrange the surrender of your animals should you be unable or unwilling to care for them any longer. There is NO EXCUSE for abuse and neglect of animals.

Not related to farm animal welfare but an excellent example of when the hard choice (euthanasia) is also the right choice when it comes to the welfare of animals.

http://www.sowetan.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=1010120

International Collaboration Centre Focus on Animal Welfare

http://www.voxy.co.nz/national/expanded-international-collaborating-centre-focusing-animal-welfare/5/15147

Think Safe, Work Safe, Play Safe

2009-05-29T18:26:00.000-07:00

I, along with my furry sidekick Feathers, attended and presented at the annual Safety Day in Altona. It is geared towards kids and being safe on the farm mostly - equipment to animals and everything in between. It got me thinking how much we have to teach people about being safe (yes, that includes our farmers! or sometimes especially our farmers)...and I wanted to share some links about safety and well being on the farm.

http://www.gov.mb.ca/healthyliving/injury/farmsafety.html

Farm Safety Program is a grant for farm families to build safe play areas for thier children or grand children. We have accessed this program and built a great safe place for our son and his friends. You must check it out...pass it along and share!

http://www.fwdmanitoba.com/

Manitoba Farmers With Disabilities is a great organization to help educate farmers and farm families about safety and to help farmers return to their vocation after an accident. Neil has a great story to share too!

http://www.safemanitoba.com/farm_family.aspx

Safe Manitoba is a great group that does a lot to educate Manitoban's (and everyone) about safety. Their farm safety resources are excellent and get the point across. Worth looking at and sharing.

http://www.ruralstress.ca/

Great resources for your mental health, and some great folks to talk to when you need a trained ear of someone who knows farming and understands the stress that is farming. Call or email - reach out someone is there for you! Promise...

Let's talk turkey...and welfare...

2009-05-27T17:24:00.000-07:00

When video comes out like that is linked below, there are no excuses or rationals that can explain away what a viewer sees. Without even a need for context, anyone can tell that something isn't right in this video. And the Canadian's for the Ethical Treatment of Food Animals would like you to lobby for change by the company, to the CFIA and through legislation.

Noble goals for welfare but as always the question arises - did anyone do anything about the abuses or questionable practices they were seeing while making their video? Did they make a call, which in Manitoba would go directly to a provincial Welfare Vet? Did they raise a ruckus that day, or the next on the news? Uh, well, no. The reason? The more bad stuff you can pack into one report the more of an 'impact' you'll have. Well, uh, no...not really...because people who can think, and do think, will ask what you did for THOSE ANIMALS on THAT DAY...and the answer would be NOTHING.

No excuses for anyone either on the (mis)handling side nor on the videoing side - neither were holding the welfare of any animal to a higher standard that day or any before or after it. The truly sad thing is a report like this will lose credibility with those who could affect change for the very reasons stated above - you didn't do anything when you could make a difference, so why should you be believed right now?

We should speak up for welfare, and many groups do just that on a daily basis for all animals - companion, farmed and research. We need to speak out for those without a voice regardless of what animal they are - but we should not wait to compile a report or make a political statement or do something that will catch the eye of the media. We need to pick up the phone and make a call to show that we care - right here, right now.

As much as I hate the anamorphisic attitude that animals are people in animal suits, I have to ask - if it was your child being thrown onto a school bus would you video it and make a report about school bus abuse when they graduate or would you be calling right there, right then? The latter I would fervently hope and pray...and would you not do the same for any other child, senior or person, pet or creature? So WHY NOT for a farm animal? Think about that...and next time you have a chance make the call!

http://e-activist.com/ea-campaign/clientcampaign.do?ea.client.id=23&ea.campaign.id=3505

http://web2.gov.mb.ca/laws/statutes/1996/c06996e.php

Manitoba's Animal Care Act (There are provincial and federal statutes to Google - get busy!)

http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/anima/trans/transpoe.shtml

Canadian Food Inspection Agency - Animal Transportation Regulations

What's news in the news...

2009-05-26T17:19:00.000-07:00

Well here we go! This first one is very interesting - and I wonder how it came together!

Thai businessmen build livestock farm near Moscow

http://en.rian.ru/business/20090526/155096181.html

GM Policy 'Crippling' Livestock Industry? EU

http://www.farmersguardian.com/story.asp?sectioncode=1&storycode=26389

USDA Livestock Disaster Program

http://www.nj.com/warrenreporter/index.ssf/2009/05/usda_hackettstown_office_offer.html

Genetics vs. Breeding: the best approach for livestock

http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2009/05/22/f-stephen-strauss-genomics-genetic-engineering-farm-animals.html

We cannot slaughter our way to horse welfare - Op. Ed.

http://www.harnesslink.com/www/Article.cgi?ID=72491

Good Egg Awards :-)

http://en.greenplanet.net/news-in-brief/news-in-brief/548-good-egg-awards-2009-to-free-hens-from-battery-cages.html

H1N1 Worldwide Update

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/151373.php

Week Enders

2009-05-22T08:39:00.001-07:00

It was a short work week for us Canucks, and a long weekend ahead for our US friends but from the links below you'll see for some it was a busy week! More later, have to get to work on some other items for the 'to-do' list!

HSUS Sets Sights On Ohio

http://www.porkmag.com/directories.asp?pgID=675&ed_id=7609

Gateway to Animal Welfare - from the U.N.

http://www.fao.org/ag/againfo/programmes/animal-welfare/en/

(Food & Agriculture Organization of the United Nations)

USDA Faces Farmer Concerns in Texas

http://www.news8austin.com/content/your_news/default.asp?ArID=241134

Nova Scotia and other Canadian Provinces Rank High

http://thechronicleherald.ca/NovaScotia/1123231.html

Cow Injured in Knife Attack (true!)

http://www.tewkesburyadmag.co.uk/news/evesham/4389811.Cow_injured_following_alleged_knife_attack/

NZ Minister Orders Review of Welfare Code for Pigs

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10573579

TO Chemist Says "Regulate Farm Populations"

http://www.thestar.com/comment/article/630185

Alberta Farmer: Cull Entire Herd, Help Industry

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/edmonton/story/2009/05/11/edmonton-pig-farmer-swine-flu.html

Not really about the flu anymore...

2009-05-03T08:30:00.000-07:00

Some stories from around the world, mostly about pigs and the 'flu'...

Following the Cases

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20090502/canada_H1N1_090502/20090502?hub=TopStories

(click for interactive map)

http://www.ctv.ca/generic/WebSpecials/CP_interactive_2009/swine_flu/

Egypt's Pig Cull - not about food safety or people safety but religion

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hYolUUv3mSkHkS3537SkR9RYOmZA

Albertan Gives Flu to Pigs

http://www.calgaryherald.com/Health/Alberta+farm+under+quarantine/1558477/story.html

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/Health/Alberta+pigs+catch/1558624/story.html

More watchers?

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/Health/Canada+case+shows+need+surveillance/1559342/story.html

Guest Commentary - Dan Murphy

2009-04-30T08:54:00.000-07:00

My friend, Dan Murphy, author, speaker and industry commentator, as agreed to join us at Chore Time every now and again. This is his piece on the 'Swine Flu' outbreak, just got it last night.

Thanks Dan!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Flu outbreak exposes strengths, weaknesses among producers, policymakers

By Dan Murphy, industry commentator (www.themeatofthematter.com)

With the spread of a virulent new virus across North America – and the fist U.S. fatality Tuesday – there is growing concern among meat industry leaders about how this affects public perceptions of their business, and ultimately, their operations.

From a medical and public health perspective, the response to date has been most gratifying. Unlike other recent public health emergencies that occurred during the Bush administration, the federal government’s communications and reactions have been sharp, timely and focused on effective investigation and mitigation strategies.

That’s a welcome change.

Internationally, the UN’s World Health Organization has also responded decisively, raising the pandemic alert level to Phase 4 (“confirmed person-to-person spread of a new influenza virus able to cause community-level” outbreaks”). Domestically, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued warnings against non-essential travel to Mexico (now there’s some real genius advice – or as comedian Hal Sparks suggests, “Wash your hands, don’t rub your eyes and avoid eating a pulled pork sandwich in Cancun while sitting next to somebody blowing their nose into a bandana.”) and began stockpiling personal protective equipment, respiratory protection devices and antiviral drugs such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir.

The good news is that this influenza A-H1N1 virus appears to be susceptible to those drugs, and should the spread of the disease widen, treatment would likely help most victims recover without incident.

Now for the bad news.

Despite the seriousness of this situation, very few industry groups have gotten out front of the news with their external communications. Here’s one suggestion:

STOP CALLING IT SWINE FLU.

Even the UN boarded that bus this week, noting that the term “swine flu” implies that you can catch the disease from consuming pork products. Reality is that this virus is a unique mutation that combines biological material from human, porcine and avian influenza viruses.

Granted, it’s difficult to wean the media off using of precise medical terms (like “octomom”), but certainly industry shouldn’t be referring to this virus as the equivalent of mad cow disease. “The flu outbreak,” or the use of the technical name for this virus – H1N1 – would be a far better choice.

And speaking of that hysteria, it is time for industry to start talking about the critical importance of biosecurity. (In an eerie parallel to the dairy cow born in Canada but diagnosed with BSE in Mabton, Wash., in 2003, the young boy who became the first U.S. fatality in Houston was actually a Mexican national who had only recently returned to Texas). The spread of virtually every deadly zoonotic disease, such as foot-and-mouth, is exacerbated when the prevailing production model is small farms, outdoor operations and lots of buying and selling of individual animals among local farmers and producers.

In other words, every practice demonized by the anti-industry activists – confinement production, centralized systems, the use of specialty growers – turns out to be precisely the way that such outbreaks could and should be controlled. This is the time to do some serious consumer and media education.

If ordinary reporters and producers can eventually get their arms arou

nd the idea that BSE prions are confined to neurological tissue (brain and spinal cord), which North American don’t consume, they can also begin to internalize the concept of biosecurity as a series of measures that are positive with respect to public health, if not perceived animal welfare.

Remember foot-and-mouth in the U.K.? The widespread practice of swapping and trading animals among England’s smaller farms was exactly how the outbreak outran efforts to contain it. And with BSE, the biggest problem investigators had with the initial reference animal was trying to figure out which herds and what farmers had bought and sold the cow prior to her positive diagnosis.

This outbreak will get worse before it gets better. Thankfully, public health authorities are rapidly gearing up with measures that, even if they’re not needed, will help make us all safer should an actual pandemic occur.

Meanwhile, industry should be working equally hard to communicate the idea that this virus likely originated due to the “natural” production conditions typical of less developed agricultural models, such as Mexico, and that the value of modern confinement production systems should now be understood less in terms of greedy producers making obscene profits and more in terms of protecting our non-farm population from the occasional, though potentially deadly, eruption of a new zoonotic disease organism.

The way pork producers operate in North America is designed to keep pigs safe, and humans even safer.

Let’s get busy and share that thought.

Human Flu, Mexican Flu?

2009-04-28T06:52:00.000-07:00

SWINE FLU UPDATE

It's not a swine flu, it's a human flu

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090428.wfluquestions28art2243/BNStory/National/home?cid=al_gam_mostview

WHO Raises Alert Level

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8021827.stm

WHO warns flu unstoppable

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/apr/28/swine-flu-mexico-scotland

Potential Outbreak Source Identified

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/apr/27/swine-flu-search-outbreak-source

Mexican Farm Workers Monitored in Canada

http://www.vancouversun.com/Life/Mexican+workers+will+face+great+scrutiny+before+entering+Canada/1539651/story.html

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/manitoba/story/2009/04/27/montreal-migrantworkers-swine-0427.html

Closer to Home:

Manitoba Stories

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20090427/mexico_tourism_090427/20090427?hub=World

http://www.winnipegsun.com/news/manitoba/2009/04/28/9273991-sun.html

SWINE FLU UPDATE

2009-04-27T09:08:00.000-07:00

Important Swine Flu Information for you:

Internet Web Links:

http://www.health.gov.sk.ca/influenza-monitor

CFIA Questions & Answers

What is Swine Flu and how can humans catch it?

Souce: Canadian Food Inspection Agency, April 26, 2009

Swine Influenza - Advice for Veterinarians and Swine Producers

What is swine influenza?

Swine influenza is a contagious respiratory disease of pigs. The disease is commonly seen in North and South America, Asia and Europe. Illness is cause by type A Influenza viruses, which also affect a range of other animals, as well as humans.

Are humans affected by swine influenza?

Yes, but human cases of swine influenza are normally uncommon. Most often, cases involve people who have had close contact with pigs, such as farmers and veterinarians. Some cases of human-to-human transmission have been reported. Symptoms of human illness are similar to regular flu: cough, nausea, body aches, fatigue, runny nose and congestion.

Although the risk of human illness is low, anyone having contact with pigs or potentially contaminated equipment should thoroughly wash their hands and limit contact with possibly infected pigs.

Swine, avian and human influenza viruses can combine within pig cells to form new influenza viruses. Flu-like symptoms in swine or people that may have had contact with swine should be reported to animal or public health professionals. Doing so will allow health authorities to maintain a current understanding of the viruses circulating in the animal and human populations.

What are the symptoms in pigs?

Signs of swine influenza include the following:

fever
loss of appetite
weight loss
coughing
sneezing
nasal discharge
difficulty breathing
reduced fertility or abortion

Swine influenza generally does not lead to death, and affected animals usually recover within five to seven days.

How do pigs become infected?

Normally, virus spreads when infected pigs cough or sneeze in close quarters with other pigs. Contaminated equipment or other objects may also play a role in transmitting virus. Influenza virus from birds and humans can also infect pigs.

How can pigs be protected?

The following actions can potentially prevent swine influenza:

vaccinating animals
ensuring farm working maintain good hygiene
following strict biosecurity practices
providing adequate ventilation in barns
identifying and segregating sick animals as early as possible

What roles do veterinarians and producers play?

Veterinarians should work closely with clients to develop management strategies to limit the incidence and spread of swine influenza. As part of this approach, veterinarians suffering from the “flu” should limit contact with pigs, and farm workers should follow similar advice. Given the current situation, particular caution should be exercised with visitors to farms, especially those who may have recently returned from the southern United States or Mexico.

Does swine influenza affect food safety?

No, swine influenza is not a food safety concern.

For additional information: www.inspection.gc.ca

What is swine flu and how can humans catch it?

Souce :Angela Mulholland, CTV.ca News

What is swine flu?

Like humans, pigs get the flu. They develop a sudden fever, a barking cough, sneezing, lethargy and typically lose their appetite.

Pigs usually don't die from swine flu; their flu viruses cause high levels of illness but low death rates.

Swine influenza viruses circulate among pigs throughout the year, but most outbreaks occur during the late fall and winter, just like with outbreaks in humans.

Most swine flu viruses belong to the Influenza A H1N1 and H3N2 subtypes.

Can humans catch swine flu?

Normally, swine flu bugs don't infect people. When they do, it's been in people who have direct contact with pigs; historically, there's such a case every year or two in the U.S.

Between Dec. 2005 and Feb. 2009, there were12 human swine flu infections in the U.S. -- about four a year.

It's possible this uptick was due to improved reporting systems, but the U.S. Centers for Disease Control says "genetic changes in swine flu viruses and other factors might also be a factor."

Since March 2009, a number of confirmed human cases of a new strain of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection in the U.S. and internationally have been identified.

Can humans pass swine flu?

Usually no. But what makes this new outbreak worrisome is that in all the recent cases, none had any direct contact with pigs.

Two of the new cases were among 16-year-olds at the same school in San Antonio and there's a father-daughter pair in California, said CDC's Dr. Anne Schuchat.

Is this a new kind of swine flu?

Yes. The CDC reports that the virus in these latest cases is a never-before-seen mixture of viruses typical among pigs, birds and humans.

The influenza A H1N1 virus contains DNA typical to avian, swine and human viruses, including elements from European and Asian swine viruses.

Although it's called swine flu, this new strain is not infecting pigs and has never been seen in pigs.

Why would a new strain be worrisome?

Epidemiologists have been warning for years that it's just a matter of time before a new strain of the flu emerges that has the potential to kill millions. Flu pandemics have historically occurred about three times per century and the world hasn't seen one in more than 40 years.

If an influenza virus changes and becomes a new strain against which people have little or no immunity -- and this new strain is easily spread from person to person -- many people around the world could become ill and die.

The World Health Organization estimates that in the best case scenario, the next pandemic could kill two to seven million people and send tens of millions to hospital

Is there a vaccine?

There is a vaccine available that can be given to pigs to prevent swine influenza. But there is no vaccine to protect humans from swine flu.

I got the flu shot this year. Am I protected?

No. H1N1 swine flu viruses are very different from human H1N1 viruses and, therefore, vaccines for human flu would not provide protection from H1N1 swine flu viruses.

Can people catch swine flu from eating pork?

No. Swine influenza viruses are not transmitted by food; you cannot get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products.

What are the symptoms of swine flu in humans?

Symptoms of swine flu are similar to those of our regular flu, with sudden onset of:

Fever

Lethargy

Lack of appetite

Coughing

Some people with swine flu also have reported:

Runny nose

Sore throat

Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

How is the virus transmitted?

Human-to-human transmission of swine flu is believed to occur the same way as seasonal flu, mainly through coughing or sneezing of people infected with the influenza virus.

People also can become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

Can we treat swine flu in humans?

Yes. Most swine influenza viruses have been treated with antiviral medications.

The virus from the most recent U.S. swine flu cases appeared to be resistant to amantadine and rimantadine but were susceptible to zanamivir and oseltamivir (Tamiflu).

Have there been swine flu outbreaks before?

Yes. Most famously, there was an outbreak in 1976 at Fort Dix, N.J., among military recruits that grabbed big headlines at the time.

Worried that they had the beginning of a pandemic on their hands, U.S. officials ordered the manufacture of swine flu vaccine and the country launched a mass immunization program that saw about 40 million people vaccinated.

But the outbreak didn't turn into a pandemic and went away as mysteriously as it appeared.

Sources: The Canadian Press, Public Health Agency of Canada and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control

More News...

2009-04-27T07:49:00.000-07:00

It will be a dual news day for Chore Time, this is your regular edition with news, links and images from the world concerning animal agriculture.

Is Nature 'Biting Back'?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-kirby/swine-flu-outbreak----nat_b_191408.html

Nebraska: 74 confirmed dead equines

http://www.9news.com/seenon9news/article.aspx?storyid=114503&catid=509

Predator Impacts

http://news.guelphmercury.com/Opinions/article/473115

'Dumped' Animals, Recession Victims?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/apr/27/rspca-abandoned-animals-recession

Pack Dogs Destroy Farms

http://www.canada.com/Dogs+tear+into+farmer+entire+herd+sheep/1537503/story.html

California Moves to Ban Routine Antibiotic Use

http://www.centralvalleybusinesstimes.com/stories/001/?ID=11743

Farmer? Vet? Both?

http://www.boston.com/news/local/connecticut/articles/2009/04/26/facing_a_vet_shortage_conn_farmers_do_own_doctoring/

A crisis in the US is a shortage of large animal vets, we do not face this crisis in Canada at this time but could be impacted by it through 'brain drain', recruitment and our own trends towards smaller animal practices.

Italy Cares for Quake Impacted Animals

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jf9xeSD9qpENa1KLXQ1DEkKK0k2wD97F5TU84

30 Horses Rescued

http://www.fox8.com/news/wjw-news-horses-rescued,0,117337.story

video link included

Swine Flu - SPECIAL EDITION

2009-04-27T06:48:00.000-07:00

SWINE FLU SPECIAL EDITION

As more groups start to produce information for consumers, producers and media those links will be posted. Keep an eye out for the SWINE FLU SPECIAL EDITION headers to know when they are up!

A regular edition of Chore Time will be posted in the coming days...subscribe so you don't miss a thing!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We have gone from being prepared and feeling ready for Avian Influenza to being faced with Swine Flu - as producers, consumers and industry professionals how prepared do you feel we are? Where are you on your own farm, with your own family in being prepared?

Here is what's on the news today:

Confirmed cases in BC & NS, More to Come

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2009/04/27/swine-flu042709.html

The federal government has set up a hotline and websites for information about the swine flu virus. The number is 1-800-454-8302, and the websites are www.fightflu.ca, www.voyage.caand www.phac.gc.ca.

"The new flu strain, a mixture of various swine, bird and human viruses, poses the biggest risk of a large-scale pandemic since avian flu surfaced in 1997, killing several hundred people."

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/Health/Swine+cases+expected+rise/1538141/story.html

Interactive H1N1 Swine Flu Map

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&t=p&msa=0&msid=106484775090296685271.0004681a37b713f6b5950&ll=32.639375,-110.390625&spn=15.738151,25.488281&z=5

Winnipeg Lab Working on Swine Flu

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/Health/Winnipeg+working+swine+vaccine/1536602/story.html

Pork Producers Urged to Do Their Part

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/Health/Pork+groups+urge+farmers+reduce+risk/1536014/story.html

It is important to know that there is no direct link between hogs and this outbreakd of swine flu...read article for more details!

National Pork Board Encourages Producers to Protect Their Herds

http://www.porkmag.com/directories.asp?pgID=675&ed_id=7423

Mexican Farm Workers in Limbo

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090427.wfluquebec27art22312/BNStory/National/home

Origins of Virus, OIE Needs More Data

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/world/04/27/09/virus-has-bird-pig-human-components-farm-trade-watchdog

and yes the blame game begins...Mike Davis slings

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/apr/27/swine-flu-mexico-health

What's going on?

2009-04-24T11:51:00.000-07:00

This Chore Time will be topped off with an image, and a link back to my good friend Ben Crane. His work is a bright light for many of us in farming and ranching country - and anyone who is a fan of Lean'n Tree knows his special 'picks'! Enjoy...

There are lots of things going on in the news, including many about farming and farm animals.

Check out the links below...you'll be sure to find something worth reading! From Flu to the Malta perspective on farming to a new 'compartive' virtual farm experience. You should also click on Biomimicry (http://www.biomimicryinstitute.org/)- pretty awesome stuff there! I'm very intrigued and am going to be adding that to my 'wanna know more' list!

We are going to be featuring some commentary from friends in Agriculture coming soon...keep an eye out for those special Chore Time editions.

Remember feedback is important so comment, share and talk about what's going on!

Swine Flu - Mexico, California and Texas...Canada?

http://uk.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUKN24537252

How does it spread...more information on Swine Flu

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-mexico-flu-box25-2009apr25,0,5114253.story

Speak up for Animal Science - as US schools get shorted

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2009-04/msu-usc042209.ph

Vet's Charged with Animal Cruelty

http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5h3wCC8mHi07IzJ7tzjpbJuvs4lCg

EU Visits to Farms? Interesting story with numbers...

http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/2009/04/22/t5.html

California to Ban Dairy Cow Tail Docking

http://www.centralvalleybusinesstimes.com/stories/001/?ID=11742

A new Farm Experience - Virtually!

http://dmnnewswire.digitalmedianet.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=724593

Farm Sanctuary is an American group calls themselves a 'leading farm animal rescue and advocacy' group. This is a comparison between 'factory' farms and their ideal of farming practices.

North Dakota Farm Animal Losses Topping 90,000

http://www.bismarcktribune.com/articles/2009/04/23/news/update/doc49f0ebcfd426f441056209.txt

http://www.minotdailynews.com/page/content.detail/id/527168.html

Photos and more details on second link

Lakeland College Managed Farm Animal Project

http://www.vermilionstandard.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1536923

PETA Taken to Task over Animal Euthanasia Record

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/celebritynews/5106600/Peta-under-fire-over-claim-that-it-kills-most-animals-left-at-its-US-headquarters.html

And on a lighter note:

"Nazi" Super Cows Debut in UK

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/apr/21/super-cows-wild-ox

MSU Circus over a Circus

http://www.dairyherd.com/news_editorial.asp?pgID=675&ed_id=8488

Some more stories to check out...

2009-04-16T07:12:00.000-07:00

Some news stories to check out...

A review of Dr. Temple Grandin's newest book, Animals Make Us Human, we should all read her books, articles and at least once see her in person.

http://www.greenmuze.com/reviews/books/1029-animals-make-us-human-review-.html

Cargil Achieves Eight Critical Animal Welfare Assurance Goals

http://www.farmandranchguide.com/articles/2009/04/15/ag_news/livestock_news/live13.txt

Volley's in BC over Free Range vs. Caged Egg Production

(be sure to check out both stories as one is a response to the other)

http://www.farmandranchguide.com/articles/2009/04/15/ag_news/livestock_news/live13.txt

http://www.vancouversun.com/Health/Free+range+ruling+leaves+Metro+with+face/1372862/story.html

Focus on Farm Animal Pet & Working Animal Welfare

http://www.dailypost.co.uk/farming-north-wales/farming-news/2009/04/16/farm-pets-put-under-welfare-scrutiny-55578-23395996/

Note: horses and donkeys are included as working farm animals not livestock in this initiative.

The American Association of Swine Veterinarians’ Pig Welfare committee recently considered the issue of animal cruelty and its implications in U.S. swine production.

http://www.porkmag.com/directories.asp?pgID=675&ed_id=7366

Food Safety Modernization Act, HR875 tackles farm size, welfare and definitions of farm types

http://www.wilsoncountynews.com/article.php?id=22998&n=agriculture-today-debate-interest-on-hr-875-continue

Canada's Agriculture Policy gets a UK Hit

http://www.farminguk.com/news/Canada-Animal-Rights-complaining-over-meat-industry.14332.asp

Well known NY Breeder Charged with Animal Abuse

http://www.horsetalk.co.nz/news/2009/04/069.shtml

Prices Soaring for "Unwanted" Horses as a Shortage of Loose Horses is Seen in the US

http://www.horsetalk.co.nz/news/2009/03/118.shtml

(warning GRAPHIC IMAGES)

In The News...

2009-04-14T11:15:00.000-07:00

In the news so far this week:

Homes for Horses Conference in Vegas

http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=13950

Ohio State Educator Raises Awareness of Animal Welfare

http://www.lancasterfarming.com/node/1864

PETA vs. KFC on Animal Welfare Claims

http://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idUSN0930250520090409

Horse Rescue &Welfare in the UK

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/397/280471.html

John Block Blog (with comments) on AgWeb (A MUST READ)

http://www.agweb.com/Blogs/BlogPost.aspx?src=JohnBlockReportsFromWashington&PID=c5077b37-7c41-4740-873e-8da258a175f2

What have you been doing to prepare and care for your animals during this flooding time? How prepared do you feel you are? Share your thoughts, ideas and stories! Photos are always welcome!

Visit www.chrisd.ca to see images and updated stories on Flood Watch 2009.

Numb3rs

2009-04-10T21:10:00.000-07:00

Okay you are probably wondering why that show is the topic of this blog entry, but animal rights and activism was featured on this show tonight. The activity was freeing and bombing at Cal-Sci especially of the lab animals. The most interesting part, for me, was when the member of one of the uninvolved groups told investigators how he knew they were amateurs - because they were not freeing animals from 'factory farms' where the 'real torture' and 'real abuse' is happening. There was a slight vegetarian message but was overidden by free choice and the light hearted joke about food choices being something that can be partially made to be more attractive to another person. Well done episode and anyone who has done some research knows they were pretty accurate on many things. If you are able to watch, do so...definately worthwhile.

Happy Easter!

2009-04-09T14:49:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter! Much like Christmas, Easter also has it's share of animal participants and stories. One of my favorite Easter stories is about how the donkey got a cross across his back. There are many different versions of this story. The donkey colt which carried Jesus through the city on Palm Sunday stayed as close to his Master as he could, wishing to ease His burden along the road to the cross. He was not able to carry the burden but he did loyally stay by his Master, and as he stood by the cross he was unable to look at the shadow of it fell across his back, and the reminder of his loyalty stayed on amongst all of his decendents. There are a number of wise and brave donkey's in the Bible, but this one is really special to me.

Now for your list of interesting stories...

Ohio Reaction to HBO "Death on a Factory Farm"

http://www.thedairysite.com/news/26855/ohio-on-the-look-out-for-livestock-welfare

Save The Prison Farms!

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2009/04/08/f-vp-allen.html

Farm Sanctuary Statement on Iowa Farm

http://www.pr-inside.com/farm-sanctuary-issues-statement-on-r1175311.htm

OFAC Enlisting Ambassadors for Agriculture

http://www.thedailyobserver.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1513188

Defending Agricultural Antibiotic Use

http://www.tuftsdaily.com/features/farmers-defend-right-to-use-antibiotics-in-animals-despite-nationwide-controversy-1.1646384

Egg Farm Managers Fire Back At Activists

http://www.mpbn.net/News/MaineNews/tabid/181/ctl/ViewItem/mid/1858/ItemId/10007/Default.aspx

Hog Farm Hopes Bigger Gets Better

http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20090405/BIZ0102/304059944

Links to Look At...for today

2009-04-02T13:32:00.000-07:00

Some links to check out today...

PETA asked pointed pet adoption questions

http://www.agnetwork.com/content.asp?contentid=303010

The new Framework For Agriculture has some critics

http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/April2009/02/c6989.html

New England's biggest Egg Producer investigated for animal cruelty

http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view/2009_04_02_Maine_egg_farm_investigated_for_animal_cruelty/

Another concern for free range hog producers, rustling!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/staffordshire/7977379.stm

Knoweth Thy Animal - A dog is not a cow

http://www.midwestagnet.com/Global/story.asp?S=10078327&nav=menu1585_7

You Are Awesome...

2009-04-01T18:44:00.000-07:00

Thanks to your generosity we now have enough crates to fill a trailer which can head south to help our friends in North Dakota or stay here at home to help our animals during our own upcoming flooding. Keep checking back here or at the Facebook group for Manitoba Emergency Response for Animals to see what is going on. We are compiling a database of volunteers so if you have a desire to help email Ciem and let her know what you can offer. We are so proud of all of you, and are honoured to have your help.

What's new?

2009-04-01T05:05:00.000-07:00

There are some good news stories, and some that urge caution and some that are just plain strange. The good news is that the flooding, for now, has eased in North Dakota but with the snow we had last night and they had this week it could come back up again. The strong winds that were forecast didn't materialize and their dykes held. That also means they can start getting back to normal for work and school and for animal care.

Our flood forecast seems not too bad except for the 'big three' which are of course more rain, more snow and ice jams on the river. Any of these or a combination of will bring us challenges perhaps not seen before but I'm sure we'll prevail. How are your plans for your farm, family and other animals going? Have found a way to volunteer and get vulnerable places and populations taken care of?

Before I do some flooding and news links I'll share my two 'daily' links, espeically in rural areas, we need to be aware of the weather. Check out: http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca and because much of our weather imports from the south link to: http://www.weather.gov/radar_tab.php These two links will not only show you what is going on but hopefully give you time to prepare. And if you do the live loop the storms look rather pretty :-)

Next up are some flood update links:

http://www.canada.com/news/Military+scouting+ground+Manitoba+flood+zone/1449334/story.html

We had a pretty good hit of snow last night and we were on the 'fringe' of the storm that really dumped on North Dakota. Remember folks that water comes north and we already have lots of our own...

Until something better comes along sandbagging is going to be the primary tool for flood fighting. Although a new device http://www.nofloods.com is being tested around Selkirk this week. We have our spider which makes short work of bagging. This is the story about our sandbag spider: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/spider-speeds-up-sandbag-work-42251177.html

This is a move in the right direction, in the US a number of areas have farm groups asking their legislators to scrutinze the agendas of the animal rights activists who are proposing legislation. While often we have similar goals when it comes to animal care our perspectives and experiences are worlds apart. Our legislators need to remember this when they are considering choosing between supporting change for producers or legislating change. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-wi-animalactivists,0,6833216.story

In Canada we have a few advantages when it comes to our animal care codes and our animal welfare legislation but it is always good to know what our friends down south, or in other parts of the world are facing for challenges. This is an emerging one in the US that could have ripple effects for us all...http://www.theindependent.com/articles/2009/03/29/news/local/doc49cff85af3c43701612569.txt

And the old saw, "If you have livestock you'll have dead stock" is true and with the new rules and legislations on the books the removal and appropriate disposal of dead stock is a major issue for producers in every day operations not even considering situations where you'd have higher than normal numbers. Canadian provinces from Ontario to Alberta are considering changes which would be more supportive of producers while others are looking in the other direction. Do you know what your local regs are? How compliant are you? Don't tell me - you just need to know! Check this link and follow the other stories on Google. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20090326.DEADSTOCK26/TPStory/National

That's the full Chore Time for this week, photos and updates will be posted as they come up. Keep a close eye on things close to home by using the net, talking to friends and neighbors. There are a number of really great blogs to check out including: http://www.chrisd.ca/blog/

Don't forget you can help with flood relief efforts by letting the good folks at Manitoba Emergency Response for Animals know what you can offer and where you are located. Check out their group on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=59977928830, check out their website at http://www.mb-searchandrescue.com/pages/prog_mera.html or contact Ciem here. We are continuing our crate and animal food drive, with drop off points in both Winnipeg and Steinbach. Contact Ciem or myself for details.

NOTE: I have included full url's for the website links rather than hotlinks for those folks who don't have reliable hotlinking in their browsers, I know it isn't as pretty or easy to read but I think we can be brave and muscle through eh? Thought so!

For the next blog I'd like to see some photos to share - send some pictures of your spring this year...white and grey as it is right now...or of your flood preparations or whatever...