Friday, December 30, 2011

ADOPTED!!! NINA aka "The Princess of Play" of FOHA in Northern Virginia!

NINA is available for adoption through Friends of Homeless Animals, www.foha.org -- (703) 385-0224. Hey! Im Nina, a sweet and petite little black and white youngster. Im full of energy and chock-a-block with affectionate-ness. Ooh, Im just so cute -- just look at all my adorable spots, and my face!! Oh my, have you ever seen anything sooooo adorable! Did I tell you yet that I just LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE to play! My favorite toys include feathers, laser toys, bugs, other cats tails, and you! Obviously you can tell by my photo that Im also an expert at video games. But wheres my guitar for Rock Band? I bet Id be fabulous at that game! Whats my Final Fantasy IV?—well, not final, but a four-pawed fantasy for sure? To find a loving forever home of my own! I can tell you I love other kitties, dogs, children and anyone else who crosses my path!! Let me add a little spice to your life! For more information on adopting NINA, please call 703-385-0224 or email adoptacat@foha.org

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Sunday, December 25, 2011

ADOPTED!! Beautiful Princess FAWN of FOHA in Northern Virginia!

FAWN is available for adoption through Friends of Homeless Animals, www.foha.org -- (703) 385-0224. Hi! I'm FAWN. Although my name is familiar to that of a baby deer, I'm not really a baby (probably about 1 year old) and I'm not a deer - though I am a "dear." I'm a very sweet girl named Fawn. Although I was rescued as a stray, I don't want to live outside like a deer - as deer tend to know, outdoor life is dangerous - can we say "cars"? No, I want to lounge around my forever home looking like my beautiful self - that's when I'm not playing or exploring. Feather toys, catnip mice that I can hunt down, and laser pointers are some of my favorite things, next to people and LOVE! I have the most beautiful, soft furr that you've ever felt, and I loved to be brushed and brushed. As much fur as I have, I keep it to myself and don't shed much at all. I'm very sweet and very anxious to meet you. Come let me love you, and win you over with these big doe eyes of mine! I'll be waiting for you!! For more information on adopting FAWN, please call 703-385-0224 or email adoptacat@foha.org

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Sunday, December 11, 2011

Last Chance Dogs Get a New Leash on Life

!±8± Last Chance Dogs Get a New Leash on Life

Millions of dogs are killed every year in shelters because there are no homes for them, they are unloved and unwanted. It's just beyond sad!

What people don't realize is that there is a huge glut of these unwanted dogs in the southern states but in many of the northern states there's actually a waiting list for available adoptable dogs.

The biggest reason for this is that in the north laws are stronger and more enforced when it comes to leash and licensing laws. Dogs are more routinely spayed and neutered so to keep the population down due to the accessibility and affordability. In the southern states these law are non-existent or unenforced and unaltered dogs run free leading to a population explosion of unwanted dogs and puppies that are routinely euthanized in shelters.

Many southern shelters have euthanasia rate of more than 90% and this includes healthy, adoptable dogs and puppies but there is just no one to adopt them.

To combat this horrible and unnecessary problem The PetSmart Charities' launched a program, called "Rescue Waggin" several years ago that to date has saved the lives of almost 20,000 dogs! They partner with shelters and rescues to move dogs from overpopulated areas to areas where dog population is down and all the dogs find loving and caring homes.


Our Solution

The Rescue Waggin' program was created by PetSmart Charities to help save the lives of homeless dogs and puppies through partnership and collaboration with local animal welfare agencies. The program also works to proactively reduce pet overpopulation in those areas of the country that need the most help.

An innovative animal welfare program, the Rescue Waggin' is comprised of three parts:

A pet transport program that transports dogs from areas of high pet overpopulation (where they face almost certain euthanasia) to shelters in areas where adoptable dogs are in demand. This program operates under professionally-developed industry standards for source and receiving shelters, spay/neuter and animal health practices, and humane transport. Funding to expand spay/neuter services for cats and dogs in source areas. Funding and professional consultation to improve shelter facilities and operations for participating animal welfare agencies.

The Rescue Waggin program is steadily expanding and plans to rescue approximately 9,000 dogs a year. Here are some more facts about the program;

Drivers are trained in pet care and animal first aid are carefully selected to ensure the highest quality care of the dogs during the trip Vans are equipped with closed-circuit video which enables drivers to monitor dogs and ensure they are resting peacefully Dogs ride in the temperature-controlled comfort of a custom-designed van fully supplied with plenty of water, toys and even music for their enjoyment This progam had been well thought out and organized with guidelines reviewed by veterinarians and national humane organizations and are considered the gold standard for pet transport
Areas the Rescue Waggin' Serves:

Midwest Region: Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Tennessee and Wisconsin Northeast Region: Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia and West Virginia Great Plains Region: Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska and New Mexico

Based on this model, there are a number of animal welfare organization have instituted well-organized, responsibly operated animal transport programs to save dog's live. The important thing to keep in mind here is 'well-organized and responsibly operated.' There are numerous other rescue organization that also do these 'mass transports' that are well intended but often not organized or truly prepared to deal with situations that might arise during sizable transports.

But even I cannot deny that every effort is needed to save lives that should not even be in jeopardy and I cannot more highly praise the shelters, rescues and charities that work so diligently.


Last Chance Dogs Get a New Leash on Life

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Monday, November 28, 2011

Renting to Pet Owners Without Ruining Your Investment

!±8± Renting to Pet Owners Without Ruining Your Investment

Even the words "pets", "dog" and "cat" can send cold chills down the spine of any landlord who has had a bad experience with tenants who thought that cleaning the litter box once a month was enough or let their dog tear up the living room carpet for amusement. However, accepting pets can mean better tenants who stay longer. Finding responsible pet owners to rent from you might take more time than a simple ad in the paper, but they can be worth it.

Any pet owner looking for a rental can tell you that "no pets" or "n/p" is one of the most common sights in the Rentals section of the newspaper. This is for good reason; any landlord can tell you horror stories about pet owners who don't clean up after their pets, prevent and/or repair damage caused by said pets, or keep their pets under control. People like these ruin it for the rest of pet owners, as many landlords feel that they can't take the risk of accepting pets into their rentals.

First, what are you planning to accept? Caged animals generally don't leave their cage for any length of time and their mess is confined to the cage and immediate area. Birds can be an exception; a medium to large bird can cause a lot of mess if not cleaned up after regularly. Many more landlords accept cats into rentals than dogs, since cats can be happy living in small quarters and are often cleaner. Small dogs are more likely to be accepted than big dogs for the same reasons.

No matter what kinds of animals you decide to accept, recognize that there is no such thing as a completely clean pet. Even fish need to be cared for regularly or their aquarium and area becomes a breeding ground for smell, mold and mildew. It's not so much the mess that the pet produces; it's the commitment of the owner to keep their pet and its surroundings clean and livable.

Some landlords charge pet deposits for pets, which is certainly an option for you. Most responsible pet owners realize that deposits are a part of real life and will be willing to pay one in exchange for being able to rent a decent home. If the pet owner complains that they 'can't afford' a pet deposit, reconsider renting to them - what is going to happen if there is some kind of pet-caused accident or damage to your property? Will they refuse to fix it, citing that they can't afford to?

When interviewing a pet owner, it is a good idea to see the pet(s) if at all possible. If you can interview the person in their present lodgings, you can see how clean they keep the place (of course, you may allow for packing/moving disarray), whether it smells of pet and how clean and well-trained their pets are.

Well-groomed pets usually indicate people who have a care for cleanliness and the quality of their environment. A pet should have no strong odors about it and should have a healthy, glossy coat. Watch for scratching or chewing that may indicate parasites. Inquire as to the type of pest prevention used for the pet. An indoor cat may legitimately be left prevention-free, but pets that access the outdoors should have some kind of preventative program in place.

Inquire into the training of their pets. If you are lucky enough to have a prospective renter whose dog goes to obedience classes and has won titles, seriously consider them. Dogs with temperament testing and obedience titles are more likely to be well-trained pets in the home. Other titles of achievement in the canine world are indications that the person is involved with their dogs and has a care for their welfare and living area.

Cats can be harder to ascertain whether they are being regularly interacted with. You can look for signs of scratching on the furniture and carpet. A cat tree and cat toys are a good sign that the owner is committed to providing their cat(s) with items to exercise their inclination to scratch and rub on instead of walls and floors. Cats that are 100% indoor, or only indoor-outdoor under control & supervision are less likely to pick up dirt, parasites and disease.

Ask for references, such as vets, groomers, trainers and other pet professionals the person claims to have interacted with. References from previous landlords can be a good indication of their treatment of rental property. References from the local SPCA or humane society can also be a sign of a good tenant, since most animal rescues have an interview process of their own for pet adoption.

Take the time to consider those people who have anticipated your concerns by providing an upfront plan of care, maintenance and reimbursement concerning their pets. The people who take the time to alleviate your concerns about their pet and who show themselves willing to take responsibility for any damage that pet may do are more likely to care for your property in the manner that will keep it rent able after they leave.

Renting to pet owners can be risky, but it can also bring great rewards for the landlord who carefully chooses a responsible pet owner. Pet owners who care for their animals are more likely to care for their living space and stay in a place that will accept their pet. With careful consideration and interviewing, landlords can find responsible people who take their responsibilities to their home as seriously as their responsibilities to their pet.


Renting to Pet Owners Without Ruining Your Investment

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Friday, November 25, 2011

Ott's Sonata for Trombone, Mvt. I (Pt. 2)

Doctorate student Brian Plitnik performs the first movement from David Ott's Sonata for Trombone during a faculty recital at West Virginia University that he shared with WVU trombone professor Dr. H Keith Jackson in the spring of 2009. *This song was recorded in two chunks because I was trying to keep each file size under one gigabyte.

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Saturday, November 12, 2011

The Joy of Pigs: Rooting Out the Truth

!±8± The Joy of Pigs: Rooting Out the Truth

Calling someone a pig implies that they are dirty, greedy, or otherwise unworthy of our respect. Yet in reality the pig is clean, odorless, and smart. The more we discover about the history and mysteries of pigs, the clearer it is that they demand respect rather than inclusion in our recipes.

What is a Pig?

Beyond the cute curly tail and the portly body, what is a pig? Classification of animals begins broad and narrows dramatically. In the wider sense, pigs are grouped in the order Artiodactyla. This order includes 211 species. All are even-toed ungulates, meaning they have hooves. The order Artiodactyls is divided into 9 families. Hogs and pigs, which are synonymous, make up the family called Suidae. This hog-happy family has 16 species. What is a species, exactly? Michael Taylor, author of Pot Bellied Pigs as Your New Family Pet (New Jersey: T.H.F. Publications) simplifies the science with this definition: “A group of similar animals that will freely interbreed under natural conditions.” (1)

Distribution

The domestic pig that we’re all familiar with is called Sus Scrofa. Originally Scrofa and 15 similar species could be found throughout Africa, across Eurasia south of 48° N and on islands as far away as the Phillipines and Sulawesi. Where humans go, pigs follow. As a result of being introduced to almost every country (generally for hunting) pigs now star in Australia, New Zealand, North America and various islands.

Pig Personality

Writing about the Vietnamese pot-bellied pig in Rare Breeds Journal, Kiyoko Hancock says: “Each piggy has an amazing depth to his feelings, a real ability to communicate, and an affectionate nature coupled with a high degree of intelligence. (2) Although this comment is specific to the Vietnamese pot-bellied variety, these qualities are true of all domestic pigs. Wild pigs may also have these traits, but given humankind’s limited knowledge of many species of Suidae, whatever character distinctions these possess is sheer speculation.

The domestic pig is less of a mystery. Despite this, myths prevail. The most prevalent is that they are dirty. The reality is quite different. “They tend to keep themselves cleaner than most animals,” says the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo. (3) Naturalist and author of The Whole Hog (London: Profile Books), Lyall Watson agrees. Recently he told the UK’s Guardian newspaper: “The first thing you learn when you walk with a pig for more than a day is that he has a latrine somewhere. That he will never do it anywhere else. In sties they don't have much choice." (4) What about their penchant for rolling about in mud? Far from being an indication of bad manners, this is an adaptive skill. Since pigs have few sweat glands they need this muddy moisture to cool themselves. It also serves to protect them from insect bites and sunburn.

Combine a lack of direct experience with pigs with pigs portrayal on television (think sweet-but-stupid Porky Pig) and it’s not surprising that most people are unaware of the pig’s intelligence. Yet pigs are intelligent. Like dogs they can be leash-trained, house trained and can learn tricks. Even circus tricks. Pigs are capable of walking on tightropes and jumping through hoops. They are capable of remembering things and can solve problems like opening a bolted door. (5)Other special traits include an advanced sense of taste. This is especially useful since their vision is flawed; having eyes on the sides of their head limits forward vision.

History

When did the pig transform from charging boar to peaceful pet? Many authors speculate that this occurred before recorded history. Yet the exact dates of this history are under debate. Juliet Clurtton-Brock; author of Domesticated Animals from Early Times (Enland: British Museum) believes that pig remains in the Pre-pottery of Jericho trace its relationship with man back to 7000 BC.(6) The World Conservation Union dates the pig’s Jericho domestication back to 8,500 BC and adds Europe, the Near East, southern Greece and north-eastern Iraq to pig-keeping places. Other experts contend that the fossilized records of pig-made hollows indicate that domestication began in the Far East around 11,000 BC.(7)

Fascinating yes. Specific no. More recently, detailed records highlight the specifics of man’s relationship with pigs. In his book, Nicobar Islands (New Delhi: National Book Trust), K.K. Mathur reveals the respect shown by this culture in India. He states that they “occupy an exalted place in the sentiments of the people”, enough for the Nicobarese to compose songs in their honor. Despite this the Nicobarese eat pork and hunt wild pinks. (8) The pet-to-pork transition can also be found in Asia and in Christianity. In Asia, both domesticated pigs and dogs were pets before they were meat. (9).

Mythology

Being that its hoofed feet have left muddy tracks all over the world, it’s not surprising that the pig has also left an impression in mankind’s mythology. A love-hate one, however. Egyptians, while believing pigs to be unclean, thought sacrificing swine to the moon and Osiris would be highly appreciated. Further south, in the ancient Asian area of Malaysia and the Philippines, pigs were though to support the earth yet also cause earthquakes. (10)

Irish folklore imbues pigs with psychic and healing powers. In Southern Ireland it’s long been believed that hogs can see the wind, and that walking three times around a pig cures illness. A pig-positive perception is also shown in the name of Ireland itself. One of the ancient names for this region is Muic-Inis, or “Pig Island”. (11)

Threatened Cousins

The domestic pig’s pink proliferation is in stark contrast to its relative the pygmy hog. Averaging 10 inches (20 cm) at shoulder height and weighing 26.2 pounds (11.8 kg), this native-to-India nest-dweller is aptly named. With less than 150 left, the World Conservation Union lists the pygmy hog as critically endangered. (12) This special species joins Sus barbaratus and Sus verrucos. Sus barbaratus is also known as the bearded pig. This large, grey, migrating pig is named after the rugged bristly hairs that surround his snout. Found in the islands of Southeast Asia, our bearded friend’s numbers are being chopped down along with his habitat. Adding insult to injury, since having his habitat destroyed drives him into farmlands to look for food, he is considered a pest. The 40,00- year-long practice of hunting him also demonstrates a lack of compassion. (13) Today Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), lists him as endangered.

Pigs as Pork

In The Singular Beast: Jews, Christians, and the Pig ( New York: Columbia University Press) author Claudine Fabre-Vassas reveals how from the Middle Ages to the present Christians have defined themselves through eating pork as much as the Jewish have distinguished themselves through not eating it. “The more we enjoy the piglet, the better Catholics we become,” declares one 18th century song. Although for Christians, serving pig as a main course has long been synonymous with serving God, before its’ slaughter the pig was a treasured family member similar to a child. Pig was welcome in the home, fed with care and cared for when sick. (14)

Although though Genesis 9:3 states that “every living thing will be meat for you,” it hastens to add, in Genesis 9:4: “But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat.” It doesn’t take a scholar or theologian to interpret this. Unfortunately people often interpret things according to their needs. Perhaps God was referring only to raw meat: One could argue that when cooked properly meat has no visible blood, so it’s okay to eat it. Or is it?

"With corporate hog factories replacing traditional hog farms, pigs raised for food are being treated more as inanimate tools of production than as living, feeling animals,” says Susie Coston. Coston is the Shelter Director for Farm Sanctuary With over 100,000 members, Farm Sanctuary is America’s leading farm animal protection organization. Their work ranges from legal and institutional reforms to hands-on rescue and refuge. Their 175-acre shelter in upstate New York and 300-acre shelter in northern California is home to over 1,000 rescued cows, chickens, turkeys, sheep, goats, rabbits, ducks, geese and the star of this article…pigs. “Pigs come to us from many different situations. The largest portion of our current herd actually came directly from a factory farm in North Carolina- on their way to slaughter in Pennsylvania. When these pigs arrived most had very swollen leg joints, from standing on concrete. Most of the pigs came off of the truck walking on their knees- unable to stretch out their legs ful ly. It took months of intense physical therapy with some of the pigs to get them up on their feet again, but all did make it. Of the 40, 30 still reside here at the shelter.” That was 5 years ago. Today these same animals enjoy a warm, straw filled barn and their very own pond, not to mention the expansive pastures of Farm Sanctuary's essential estate.

Sadly, Farm Sanctuary's idyllic conditions are not the norm for farm animals. A September 30, 2005 report from the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service states: “U.S. inventory of all hogs and pigs on September 1, 2005 was 61.5 million head… All inventory and pig crop estimates for September 2004 through June 2005 were reviewed using final pig crop, official slaughter, death loss, and updated import and export data.”(15) Sound cold? It’s appropriate language for a heartless industry. Today’s farming is big business, and business is booming. In 2004, the average American ate 221 pounds of meat and poultry, even more than 1990’s 199 pounds. (16) In the hog trade, 50 percent of American hog slaughter is dominated by 4 corporations. (17) Human contact is little more than being pushed into a transport truck for slaughter. Food, water and waste removal are automated. “In order for the industry to turn a profit on the low prices Americans have come to expect, most livestock are kept and slaughtered on factory farms, where animals eat corn- and soybean-based feed — 10 to 30% of which is often radically different from what the animal would consume naturally,” writes Jane Black in “10 Things Your Butcher Won’t Tell You”, which was featured in the October 11, 2005 issue of Smart Money magazine.(18)

And that’s the sanitized version. In Freefarmanimals.org, a Farm Sanctuary website, expert testimony is given from sources such as the Journal of Animal Science. “The Welfare of Sows in Gestation Crates: A Summary of the Scientific Evidence”(19) reveals the horror of modern farm life. While there natural lifespan ranges from 12-18 years, a breeding sow exists for 5. For most of this time she will be kept in a stall. The National Pork Producers Council recommends that this be 9.2 to14 square feet, or approximately 2x7 feet and 3.3 feet high. (20)This does not allow enough room to turn around, but comfort isn’t the goal. Production is.

The sow will leave this gestation crate only for one month periods when it is time to nurse her piglets. This takes place in a farrowing crate, which is about as comfortable as it sounds. Explains Coston: “After being impregnated, the sows are confined in gestation crates — small metal pens just two feet wide that prevent sows from turning around or even lying down comfortably. At the end of their four-month pregnancies, they are transferred to similarly cramped farrowing crates to give birth. With barely enough room to stand up and lie down and no straw or other type of bedding to speak of, many suffer from sores on their shoulders and knees.”

Pet Pigs?

Since pigs are smart and trainable, why not keep them as a pet? Just like getting a dog or cat have different factors to consider, so does getting a pig. “Pigs are not maintenance free animals and are not as easy to care for as a cat or dog,” says the website of Pigs, A Sanctuary ; a West Virginia refuge for abused, abandoned, neglected and unwanted animals that specializes in the care of potbellied pigs and farm pigs. “Vietnamese potbellied pigs have been heavily promoted as house pets -- the Sanctuary does not endorse this belief and does not believe that pigs should be raised full time as house pets.” Considerations listed in the Pro’s and Con’s section of Pigs, A Sanctuary, include allowing for the size of a potbellied pig-often over 130 pounds. And if you take on this commitment be aware that pigs live between 12-18 years. During this time, explains the Pro’s and Con’s section, pigs may struggle for dominance to establish themselves as “top pig.” Except without any other pigs around, you or a very surprised houseguest may be the one they struggle with. This can get dangerous. (21)

The owners of Washington’s Pigs Peace Sanctuary also warn against premature pigging-out. Like Pigs, A Sanctuary, Pigs Peace Sanctuary is a nonprofit 501©(3) organization. Also like its kindred refuge, the Pigs Peace Sanctuary is dedicated to providing a safe home for unwanted, abused or neglected animals in need . Their online FAQ page reveals that getting easily bored is an aspect of the pig’s high intelligence, and this boredom can result in raiding the refrigerator and cupboards and ripping up clothing and blankets to make a bed. (22) Veterinarian Lianne McCloud, a veterinarian and About.com’s resident guide to exotic pets, advises teaching your pig rules and boundaries to thwart bad behaviors and giving positive reinforcement. “Consistent rules, praise for good behavior, and correction/redirection with lots of repetition and patience will help produce a well mannered pig with a good relationship with its family.” (23)While Pigs, A Sanctuary and Farm Sanctuary sometimes adopt their pigs to suitable homes, Pigs Peace Sanctuary is more tentative: “High quality life long homes for pigs are hard to find and the adoption process is difficult,” relates their website. Pigs, A Sanctuary allows adoption of its animals, provided. They request filling out a written adoption application and require vet references. Farm Sanctuary also has high standards, so be prepared. “Adopters must be vegetarian. They have to have good vet references, proper facilities and fencing and a vet who can work with their pigs. That is the basic criteria for all animals from our shelters,” says Coston.

Reader Resources:

Farm Sanctuary is America's premier farm animal protection organization. It operates farm animal shelters in upstate New York and northern California. Visit http://www.farmsanctuary.org

Howard Lyman is an ex cattle rancher whose current objective is “to educate people on sustainability and the dangers of current methods of food production”. This is a wonderful website with plenty of eyebrow-raising info from impeccable sources. http://www.madcowboy.com

Jane Black’s article, 10 Things Your Butcher Won’t Tell You is also an eyebrow-raising must-read. [http://www.smartmoney.com/10things/index.cfm?story=november2005]

Pigs, A Sanctuary. Thinking about getting a pet potbellied pig? This site has a wonderful Pros and Cons section. http://www.pigs.org/article.asp?article_id=3

The Frequently Asked Questions of Pigs Peace Sanctuary offers even more info about pigs. [http://www.pigspeace.org/faq/]

Veterinarian Lianne McCloud gives a wonderful summary of the nature and nurture of pet pigs. http://exoticpets.about.com/cs/potbelliedpigs/a/pbpexpect.htm

References:

1. Taylor, Michael. Pot Bellied Pigs As Your New Family Pet. New Jersey: THF Publications. 1993.

2. Willis, Marguerite. A Straight…Pacific Rim Magazine, 1991.

3. Domestic Pig. Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo. Copyright © 2005 Fort Wayne Zoological Society. http://www.kidszoo.com/animals/Pig.htm

4. Nettleton, Paul. Dispeller of Pig Ignorance. The Guardian Newspaper. Clutton-Brock, Juliet. Domesticated Animals from Early Times. England: British Museum . © 1981

5. Guardian Unlimited: Science. Thursday, October 14, 2004. [http://www.guardian.co.uk/life/interview/story/0],12982,1326316,00.html

6. Oliver, William L. R. and Deb Joy, Sanjoy. Chapter 5.3: Pigs, Peccaries and Hippos Status Survey and Action Plan. [http://www.iucn.org/themes/ssc/sgs/pphsg/APchap5-3.html]

8. Clutton-Brock, Juliet. Domesticated Animals from Early Times. . England: British Museum. © 1981

9. Leach, Marian ed. Fried, Jerome. Assistant ed. Funk & Wagnalls Standard Dictionary of Folklore, Mythology and Legend. NY: Funk & Wagnalls. 1972

10. Ibid

11. Oliver, William L. R. and Deb Joy, Sanjoy. Chapter 5.3: Pigs, Peccaries and Hippos Status Survey and Action Plan. [http://www.iucn.org/themes/ssc/sgs/pphsg/APchap5-3.html]

12. Animal Bytes: Wild Swine Zoological Society of San Diego . © 2005 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/animalbytes/t-wild_swine.html

13. Fabre-Vassas, Claudine. The Singular Beast: Jews, Christians, and the Pig. New York: Columbia University Press. 1997. Page 147. Secondary Source: Salisbury, Joyce E. The Singular Beast: Jews, Christians, and the Pig-Review. FindArticles. Journal of Social History. Summer 1999. http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m2005/is_4_32/ai_55084008#continue

14.Quarterly: Hogs and Pigs National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board.

15.U.S.Department of Agriculture. September 30, 2005. [http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/reports/nassr/livestock/php-bb/2005/hgpg0905.txt]

16. Black, Jane. 10 Things Your Butcher Won’t Tell You. Smart Money Magazine. Published: October 11, 2005 [http://www.smartmoney.com/10things/index.cfm?story=november2005]

17. Wolfson, David, Beyond The Law: Agribusiness and the systemic abuse of animals raised for food or food production, Farm Sanctuary, 1999

18. Black, Jane. 10 Things Your Butcher Won’t Tell You. Smart Money Magazine. Published: October 11, 2005 [http://www.smartmoney.com/10things/index.cfm?story=november2005]

19. The Welfare of Sows in Gestation Crates: A Summary of the Scientific Evidence. Farm Sanctuary. [http://www.freefarmanimals.org/gc_evidence.html]

20. National Pork Producers Council. Swine Care Handbook, p.12.

21. Pros and Cons of Potbellied Pigs. © 2001-2005. Pigs, A Sanctuary. http://www.pigs.org/article.asp?article_id=3

22. Frequently Asked Questions. Pigs Peace Sanctuary. Date Accessed: December 1, 2005. [http://www.pigspeace.org/faq/]

23. McCloud, Lianne. Pot Bellied Pigs as Pets: What to Expect. Exotic Pets. About.com. 2005. About.Inc. http://exoticpets.about.com/cs/potbelliedpigs/a/pbpexpect.html


The Joy of Pigs: Rooting Out the Truth

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Saturday, October 29, 2011

Raising Meat Goats - Can Feral Goats Be Used to Improve Hardiness For US Producers?

!±8± Raising Meat Goats - Can Feral Goats Be Used to Improve Hardiness For US Producers?

During the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries sea traveling explorers and merchants deliberately released goats and hogs on off shore islands along their routes to establish feral populations that could be used as sources of fresh meat on future trips. These animals thrived on these islands because the islands did not have predators.

Trying to develop a meat goat adapted to the warm, humid climate of New Zealand, Garrick Batten developed the Kiko breed by crossing feral goats found in New Zealand, with dairy goats (Toggenberg, Saanen, Nubian, and Alpine.) He began selecting feral goats from all districts of New Zealand. He selected for rapid growth, hardiness under range conditions, resistance to hoof rot, and resistance to internal parasites. He worked with a herd of about 1,000 head from 1978 till the early 1990's. The herd was reduced to about 50 head by 1994. In 1994 the entire herd along with the GOATEX Group Ltd. shares were sold to new shareholders who exported most of the animals to the United States. The Kiko breed is very popular in the southeastern United States where warm humid weather makes it difficult to raise meat goats because of internal parasites, but Kikos are still scarce and very expensive.

The feral goats of New Zealand were descendants of Old English Milche goats brought to New Zealand by Captain James Cook. The same breed of to goats was brought to James Town, Virginia, and Plymouth, Massachusetts, by early English settlers and later into Northern Arkansas and Southern Missouri by early settlers from the eastern United States. The breeds of dairy goats brought into Northern Arkansas and Southern Missouri in later years are the same ones used to develop the Kiko breed. These breeds are the ancestors of brush goats in northern Arkansas that are used by cattle ranchers to control weeds and brush in pastures. These brush goats are treated like feral goats except guardian animals are used to protect them from predators. They are equal to Kikos for hardiness, mothering ability, and resistance to internal parasites, and they are inexpensive. Crossing these brush goats with Kiko bucks might even produce meat goats that are better than either breed because of hybrid vigor.

Two of the meat goat breeds found in the United States (San Clemente Island goats and Arapawa goats) are feral breeds. All of the other breeds (except Pygmy) are composite breeds developed by crossing several breeds of goats. The San Clemente Island goats and Arapawa goats will play a very important role in developing new composite meat goat breeds in the United States. DNA testing of these breeds done by Amparo Martinez Martinez and Juan Vicente Delgado Bermejo at the University of Cordoba in Spain in 2007 and reported by Dr. D. Phillip Sponenberg shows that these two breeds are highly inbred and are not related to each other or to Spanish goats found in the United States or to Saanens, Alpines, Nubians, Boers, to ten breeds of goats found in Spain or to breeds of goats found in Cuba, Brazil, and Bolivia. The Spanish goats in the United States were found to be related to the breeds of goats found in Spain and Latin America. Additional testing done at Cordoba in 2009 showed the San Clemente Island and Arapawa goats to be unrelated to feral Rawhiti goats from North Island, New Zealand, feral goats from Galapagos Island, Old English Milche goats, Golden Guernsey goats, and Damascus goats (http://www.arapawagoats.com/dna.html.)

The American Livestock Breeds Conservatory has recently begun efforts to rescue a herd of about 30 head of feral Spanish goats on a costal island near Murrells Inlet, South Carolina. They will remove selected animals from the herd and place them in conservation breeding herds to protect them from predators and increase their numbers. Two pregnant does, one buck kid and one doe kid have already been moved to Brook Green Gardens, south of Murrells Inlet. DNA samples, for further testing, have been taken from these animals under Dr. D. Phillip Sponenberg's supervision. These goats will contribute valuable genetics to our meat goat population in future years. More details of this rescue can be found at http://albc-usa.blogspot.com/2010_06_01_archive.html.

Hardiness, fertility, mothering ability, and resistance to internal parasites are the most important traits for making a profit raising meat goats. Feral goats will play a very important role in improving these traits for US producers.


Raising Meat Goats - Can Feral Goats Be Used to Improve Hardiness For US Producers?

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About George Adamson

!±8± About George Adamson

The father of the Lions, George Adamson was one of the greatest defenders of all time. He was a man beyond his time - a hero whose devotion to the lions in Africa is unparalleled. He sacrificed his life for the conservation and welfare of the endangered lions in Africa - the fight against poachers, bandits, bureaucracy and its frailties of age, only to preserve the habitat - fauna and flora Kenya's wildlife.

George Alexander Graham Adamson was born onFebruary 3, 1906 in Etawah, British India. His mother Katherine was English and his father Harry was Irish. After training in England, George and his brother Terrance moved to Kenya to work in a coffee plantation. This lifestyle, however, not only the adventurous nature of George and after trying various initiatives such as the goat and the gold trade, eventually took the position of Director of Department of play in Kenya in 1938. In 1942 he married the Austrian artist Joy Bally. Togetherthe lover of nature couple lived happily in their beautiful surroundings.

It was not until 1956 that the fate of an unexpected turn that would forever change the lives taken by Adamson. Earlier that year, George learned that there was a man-eating lions terrorizing some villages. George and his party went in search of the male lion and killed the maneater. Just then, the lioness burst out of nowhere and pays them unexpectedly - leaving men no choice but to shoot. It was only later thatGeorge learned the reason for the aggression of the lionesses' - her three newborn males.

Knowing that the guys on survival in the wilderness, George brought the three lionesses child at home, where he and Joy tried several recipes, up to a lion's milk formula, and accepted that the boy could develop fed. Over time, the boy grew up in adorable and playful little lions, and brings so much joy to George and Joy, who would not have had a sontheir joy with three abortions during their marriage.

As the boys grew, it became clear that they no longer remain as cuddly pets and thus the two elders were sent to Rotterdam Zoo in Holland - an excellent framework in which their visit years after George. Undertaken an almost impossible task, an almost domesticated wild lion - The younger brother, was named Elsa, after the insistence of Joy who has held, despite all conventional wisdom and advice. Thishad never been done before. George supported his decision and joy into the two together to teach Elsa how to hunt and fend for themselves in the set of the African bush.

After many months of hard work and dedication, Elsa finally kill her first. After some time has learned to interact with other lions and was finally able to truly independent in the desert - "live free" in the position after the "free born." This story was amazing and brought very soon cinematizedFame and the spotlight on George and Joy. Humble as always bypassed most of the attention, and George began his long and lonely road to preserve something of the wild population of lions in the region. Bill Travers and Virginia McKenna, who played the part of George and Joy respectively in the Oscar-winning film Born Free animal lovers has been great and lifelong friends of George.

George continued his work with lions in the Meru National Park in the Northern Frontier Province of Kenya.Unfortunately, with only five years, Elsa died of what was believed to be tick-borne illness, his last breath in the lap of George - brings a lot of grief for a man who would have broken my heart so much more to experience moments of his life. Only five years after the release of the movie, George had snatched from his position as senior warden after one of 'Boy' on his lion, go to another son of a retired custodian.

George was removed from the park and could only take his lions to the remote hotLands to an unknown place called Kora. Shortly after, separated in 1970, George and Joy in pairs, although switching to Christmas together with George still have a lot of love and affection for his wife continued.

In 1980 Joy Adamson was murdered. The brutal murderess was a servant who was suspended after she was found had been stolen. The same year Terrance was mauled by a lion and Government of Kenya to end the program, George tame lions and an introduction to the orphanswild.

In 1981, after a couple again, the government allowed George and his assistant Tony Fitzjohn leopard launch a program of training. However, could do little as poachers and bandits ravaged the animal world to do in Kenya, killing elephants for their tusks, rhinoceres for their horns, leopards for their pelts - terrorizing conservationists and the poor animals in the same way. George continued to struggle and to speak for the rights of animals, a constant threat from poachers and SomaliBandits and cattle grazing, the destruction of the country were the natural prey of the lions, forcing the herds to migrate and lions to starve.

On August 20, 1989 some European tourists were scheduled to visit kora. On the way to George Field, Somalis were attacked by bandits and robbed and brutally beaten. George went to his aid in his Land Rover. It 'was hit twice by bandits - once in his thigh and then in the back - and died immediately. Two other workers weremurdered. The killers stole George clock before departure. In the days after the assassination of George, were sent hundreds of policemen on the scene and made some arrests.

Kora is now protected as national park ranger. George poses alongside his favorite lions left in the whole straw huts buried. Home in nearby villages and past still remembered with affection to him. Lion footprints are often buried near George Square as ...

George Adamson was aHe saw a man unlike any the world has ever known. He understood better than anyone ever done the lions and has spent his entire life walking and living alongside the majestic cats. He loved her more than life itself, and eventually had to pay the price with his life for doing the lion wild and free again. His work has generated public interest and awareness that in many respects to the return of the endangered species most at risk from the big game in Africa.

Some time before his death, Georgewrote:

"Who will now care for the animals because they can not fend for themselves? There are young men and women who are willing to take on such commissions and raise their voices when they are led away from the wind, to plead their cause?"


About George Adamson

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