Friday, January 29, 2016

Good News for Hens, and a Long Way to Go

Here is a letter from the President of the Humane Society:

We’re just one month into 2016, and it’s already shaping up to be a tremendous year for hens!

The list of companies who’ve announced cage-free timelines this year is growing fast: ConAgra, Target, Denny’s (which uses half a billion eggs annually), Wendy’s, Quiznos, Barilla, Campbell Soup, Norwegian Cruise Lines, California Pizza Kitchen and Mondelez (the $30 billion snack food giant) have all joined a landslide of companies in committing to abolish cages for egg-laying hens from their supply chains. 

While cage-free doesn't guarantee perfect living conditions, it’s a dramatic step forward to a better life. Cage-free hens, even in indoor barns, have at least double the amount of space per bird as caged hens, and often much more space than that. In addition, they have the ability to walk, spread their wings, perch, lay their eggs in a nesting area and more -- all behaviors denied to caged hens.

This momentous shift simply would not be happening without you. Your support provides a voice for the hundreds of millions of hens who can’t speak for themselves. And it shows food companies that animals have allies around the world willing to take a stand against cruelty.

Thank you for everything you do for animals.

Wayne Pacelle
President and CEO 
The Humane Society of the United States


May all beings be free.

Monday, January 25, 2016

Michael Jackson's "Ben"

Let us remember, this is a love song to a rat. Having had friendships with many beloved rodents, this song always brings a tear to my eye. "Ben" could just as well be any animal, any pet. Could we still see a song to an animal sung at the Oscars, or have we become too inured to our current global predicament, our artificial and apparently increasing separation from our animal friends?

Michael Jackson sings "Ben" at the Oscars

Listen to "Ben" (click here to view the YouTube video).

May all beings be happy and well!

Friday, January 8, 2016

A Friendship We Can Learn From

It is the story of an animal friendship that was never meant to be.

A month ago, at a safari park in the far east of Russia, a goat was released into a tiger's enclosure as a live prey.

Things haven't turned out as might have been expected for Timur and Amur - and now fans are following the pair's progress via a live webcam.

BBC: 3 January 2016:

May all beings be happy!