Interesting Friday 'stuff'

I really enjoy reading certain blogs that often round up animal-related information from news and internet sources - giving a good overview of what issues are paramount, what atrocities are being perpetuated and what gains are being made. So I'm going to aim for something similar on my own blog (although will decide the frequency as I move along).

Want some great deals?  A fan of yard sales?  Scratch your itch AND benefit the animals.  R.A.I.N. is hosting a yard sale TOMORROW, Saturday, September 18 at RAIN FUNDRAISER/YARD SALE REMINDER: This Saturday September 18th from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. 75 Lawton Blvd. (St. Clair/Yonge St. area). Household goods, odds and ends, curios, antiques, books, baking and of course petitions! Drop by if you are in the neighbourhood. Rain date is Sunday Sept. 19th.

TORONTO HUMANE SOCIETY news ... at a volunteer dog-walking meeting a couple of weeks ago, Canine guy Shas reported that the NEW policy on euthanasia in the THS will be based on a decision made by three people; canine person (or cat/small animal person), management and medical expert (as in vet) - a MUCH welcome decision and one I, among many others, will be watching with interest.  There is a definite movement within the THS to continue striving for a 'no-kill' shelter.  Negotiations are continuing with Toronto Animal Services and other organizations towards the resumption of the THS' authority to take in strays.   Since the OSPCA debacle, the THS has legally been banned from accepting anything other than owner surrenders.  As this is hardly the extent of what the THS envisions for itself - this is ongoing and I for one will be watching hopefully for a resumption of their role as a saviour and refuge for the lost, abused and discarded animals of Toronto.

Yes Biscuit has an excellent discussion on PETA's much reported exposure of the research industry: to wit, while it is all well and fine that PETA exposed the atrocities, as per their usual hysterical trumpeting of their wonderfulness, they ah, sorta forgot to you KNOW, actually RESCUE the animals....

Dovetailing into the PETA party is excellent news from Animal Alliance.. not only have all the latest batch of University of Guelph beagles and cats found homes, but NO MORE lost pets will be taken from pounds and shelters to be used for research by the University of Guelph, including the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC).  This is particularly close to my own heart as my Lass - the BEST, the MOST wonderful dog that ever trod the earth was a research rescue. A flat coated retriever/shepherd mix, her sweet, submissive, affectionate nature and her size and overall temperment made her "perfect" for the research labs - but we snatched her first.  She was 29 lbs at 2 and a half when we got her (her proper weight turned out to be 80 lbs), emaciated, frightened and so pathetically grateful to have been rescued she spent the next 13 years proving that some dogs are simply just perfect.  Four years gone and I still cry. 



K.C. Dog Blog always has terrific insights as well as pithy and balanced comments respecting a wide variety of articles to and about dogs and the issues which affect them.  I was particularly interested to read his take on media bias in reporting dog bite and attack stats - which confirms what I have asserted for a long time - that half the issues we face today with the bias against pit bulls and other breeds can be dirctly attributable to the kangaroo courts and fear mongering by media of a credulous public which is ready to believe the lies.  Today's entry was fascinating as it exposes a conundrum for Denver (which really isn't as the law IS the law) as council grapples with innate and created prejudices and tries to maintain a ban on certain breeds of service dogs.