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NEWS July
August
2011
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Animal Ethics
USA:
You are not the ‘owner’ of your dog
or cat but their ‘human caregiver’. Your
pets are ‘companion animals’, not just
‘pets’. Such vocabulary shifts will “help
elevate the discourse about other species
and, in turn, improve our treatment of
them,” according to the new Journal on
Animal Ethics.
The foreword in the peer-reviewed
academic publication suggests getting
rid of terms like ‘critters’, ‘beasts’ and
‘wild animals’, along with phrases such as
Animal Ethics
‘drunk as a skunk’ and ‘eat like a pig’, as
they are insulting to animals.
Journal co-editor Andrew Linzey feels that
we do need to examine our language about
animals because a lot of it is derogatory in
the sense that it belittles them and our
relations with them. The journal is the first
scholarly periodical to have the words
‘animal ethics’ in its title. It’s not surprising
that researchers are re-examining their
language as animal treatment becomes
more of a social issue.
Charity to Raise Awareness on Pedigree Dogs
UK:
Dog owner Tania Ledger has set up a charity, Cavalier
Matters, to raise awareness and campaign to improve the
genetic health of pedigree dogs, in particular Cavalier King
Charles Spaniels. Although the charity is currently focusing
on the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breed, in the long term, it
hopes to extend its scope to other breeds that are affected by
genetic health problems.
Tania set up the charity with her husband Graham after two
of their three Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dogs, Molly and
Dougall, were diagnosed with Syringomyelia, an incurable
neurological condition.
“When Molly and Dougall were diagnosed with Syringomyelia
in December 2008, I was devastated,” says Tania. “When I tried
to read up on the condition, I was mystified by all the scientific
jargon and couldn’t find any information online about how to
look after a dog with Syringomyelia”.
“I decided to set up a charity to help other Cavalier owners
deal with Syringomyelia and other genetic health issues. I hope
the charity will enable people to improve the quality of their
dogs’ lives by giving them the appropriate care and the best
veterinary treatment available,” she adds.
Indian Pet Market growing Fast
New Delhi: India has emerged as one
of the best potential pet care markets
in the Asian sub-continent after Japan,
owing to changing lifestyles, rise in
nuclear families and double income
households, encouraging the growth of
pet ownership in the country.
As per Euromonitor International, a
research firm, the pet industry in India is
estimated to grow with an annual growth
rate of 10-15 percent, and is expected to
attain a market size of US$27 million by
the end of this year.
The Indian pet market is largely
dominated by dogs that constitute 80
percent of the total pet market, followed
by cats that make up 15 percent. Five
percent is attributed to birds and fish.
According to estimates, there are 3.6
million pet dogs in the six major cities of
India.
As pet shows gain popularity, the demand
for better grooming and training dogs
also has increased manifold. This has led
to a rise in demand for specialised pet
trainers and nutritionists.
The pet industry in India is estimated to
possess an earning potential of around
US$78.44 million, out of which $56 million
is provided by the pet food industry and
the remaining is contributed by the pet
sector.
900 Pets Homeless after Joplin Tornado
USA: Hundreds of dogs and cats peer out
from their cages at the Joplin Humane
Society, some with cuts, infections and
broken bones from the deadly tornado
that turned their lives, like those of their
owners, upside down.
Since the tornado, the Humane Society
has found itself overflowing with
animals, with about 900 now calling
the shelter home—three times its usual
inventory. One way or another, the pets
became separated from their owners
in the chaotic aftermath of the 22 May
2011 twister that tore through the
town, killing 153 people. In some cases,
the owners, scrambling to find housing
for themselves after 7,000 homes were
destroyed, leaving nearly one-third of
the city’s 50,000 residents homeless,
have simply given up their pets.
World’s Ugliest Dog
USA: Yoda’s short tufts of hair, protruding tongue, and long, seemingly hairless legs
were enough to earn it the World’s Ugliest Dog title at a Northern California fair. The
14-year old Chinese crested and Chihuahua mix acquired the honour at the 23rd
annual contest at the Sonoma Marin Fair.
Owner Terry Schumacher of Hanford, California said the 2-pound dog had come a long
way since she was found abandoned behind an apartment building. Schumacher said
that she first mistook the dog was a rat. Yoda’s distinction comes a year after a oneeyed
Chihuahua named Princess Abby claimed victory. A pedigree Chinese crested
won in 2008 and another Chinese crested and Chihuahua mix was the ugliest dog in
2007.
In past years, the winner’s owner has received a $1,000 check.
Forest Owlet to be State Bird
Mumbai: The Forest Owlet, a bird that is
active during the day unlike its cousins,
is set to strut in the diffused morning
light when it is crowned the state bird of
Maharashtra. The honour is being taken
away from the green pigeon because it
has just dawned on the state that this
bird isn’t unique to Maharashtra—it is
found across not only India, but also in
Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. On
the other hand, the Forest Owlet, which
was struck off as extinct for 113 years,
was spotted one morning in November
1997 in the foothills of the Satpuras,
northeast of Mumbai.
The recommendation to change the state
bird will come up for approval when the
wildlife board meets next, according to
Anna Dani, additional chief secretary of
the department of revenue and forest.
Le Toutou Bar in Brusselssels
Belgium: Belgium might not have had a
fully elected government for over a year
now but it can boast a first—a restaurant
with a menu for dogs. Le Toutou bar (the
doggie bar) in Brussels is serving dishes
destined to delight the palate of even
the most discerning dog.
The restaurant is owned by Bernard
Schol and his wife Houria Agalam, who
have the licence to run the Pavillon Louis
XV, a splendid building dating from 1745,
owned by the local authority and which
can be found in the Wolvendael Park in
the Belgian capital.
There’s a choice of dishes from pasta
or rice to vegetables, beef or chicken.
All of them are high in fibre and low in
salt—just the ticket for panting pooches
and their owners, who’ve returned from
a brisk walk or run around the park’s 18
hectares.
World’s Oldest Panda dies
China: Sad news for animal lovers as Ming Ming,
the world’s oldest giant panda, died at the age of
34. Ming Ming passed away on May 7. The cause of
death was old age-related kidney failure.
Ming Ming died at the Xiangjiang Wild Animal
World, where she had been residing since 1998.
Before that, she travelled to zoos all over the world,
including London and Ireland.
While the death of any one of these highly
endangered animals is tragic, there is some comfort
in knowing that Ming Ming’s 34 years far outpaced
those of most giant pandas, who to live for about
15 years in the wild, and 22 in captivity.
Navy SEAL Dog part of Osama Raid
USA: The Navy SEAL team that brought down Osama bin Laden had a
single canine unit among its ranks. The identity of the dog, like its Navy
SEAL counterparts, remains a mystery. Reports say the animal was a Belgian
Malinois, although reports indicate it may have been a German Shepherd.
The dog’s role in the raid on Bin Laden’s compound is unclear, although the
use of dogs in the military is nothing new. Belgian Malinois are regarded
for their intelligence, agility, loyalty, and particularly, the sensory abilities
that allow them to detect weapons and enemy forces at great distances.
It also has been reported that, in addition to their natural gifts, Navy SEAL
dogs have “titanium fangs, capable of ripping through enemy protective
armour”.
Could Cuban Blue become New Breed?
Havana: In a Havana apartment, four
silvery grey cats race around the floor
and trip over the furniture playing with
each other, occasionally jumping into the
laps of their human visitors. They behave
like typical house cats but these aren’t
just any felines. They are members of
what Cuban cat lovers believe is a newly
identified breed of short-hair cat called
the Cuban Blue.
Angel Uriarte Rubio, president of the
Cuban Association of Cat Enthusiasts, led
the effort to identify the Cuban Blue as a
new breed and hopes it will one day take
its place alongside the world’s five other
cat breeds known as ‘Blues’. The other
breeds of Blue are the Russian Blue, the
Chartreux, the Korat, the Nebelung and
the British Blue.
Reese Witherspoon’s Donkeys annoy Neighbours
USA:
Reese Witherspoon’s liking for
donkeys as pets is giving nightmares
to her neighbours, who claim the
animals make too much noise. The 35-
year-old star, who lives on a ranch in
Ojai, California, owns two miniature pet
donkeys, named Honky and Tonky. Her
neighbours complained that the animals
make loud and disruptive noises and
have called on the Legally Blonde star to
silence her pets.
American Zoos attract Visitors with Sleepovers
USA:
For wild animal lovers not content
with watching tigers and gorillas during
the day, a growing number of zoos in
America are offering a more thrilling
after dark experience—overnight stays.
From Philadelphia to Denver, nocturnal
visitors are learning what happens
when the gates slam shut, the sun goes
down and the moon rises over some of
America’s most well-known zoos.
The Philadelphia Zoo has been running
its ‘Roars and Snores Overnight Programs’
for about 20 years. The most popular
theme program is the ‘Night Flight
Overnight Program’, where children aged
5-12 sleep in the zoo’s tree house.
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