Posted by: michael
on May 14, 2009
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As the global recession deepens and people look to elected officials for leadership, once more confusing parliamentary question period with reality, following an overwhelming vote at the European Union to ban the import of seal products, last week angry (and apparently proud) Members of Parliament voted to demand that Canadian Olympic athletes wear the skins of seal pups killed in sight of their mothers at the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver.
Posted by: michael
on Apr 29, 2009
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After pictures of our new family member, “Denali”, a rescue Siberian Husky appeared in my last missive, our office cats “Buzz” and “Bouka” have been using my leg as a scratching post demanding get equal air time. A brother and sister who have been together since birth, they are five years old, spayed and neutered, and as you can see are a big help around the office, seven days a week, rain or shine: researching issues, hands on work to help animals, news interviews … you get the picture.
Posted by: michael
on Apr 28, 2009
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The newest member of our family joined us today when we adopted a rescue Siberian Husky from our friends at the Toronto Humane Society. “Denali” is an eight month old spayed female who has a genetic condition known as “luxated patella” which means that the knee cap is off to one side instead of where it should be. Skilled surgery fixed one leg and we’re waiting to see whether the other needs to be repaired as well.
Posted by: michael
on Apr 24, 2009
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The Obama administration gets high praise for its decision to uphold a ban on the importation of polar bear trophies from Canada killed by US hunters. For twenty years such importation had been illegal until the Bush Administration reversed the law in 1994 resulting in the killing of almost 1,000 polar bears since then. It is already illegal for American hunters to engage in this practice in their own country.
Posted by: michael
on Apr 23, 2009
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I would like to remind people that wild animals are extremely vulnerable at this time of year. Animals having and raising their young are particularly susceptible to human activities.
Posted by: michael
on Apr 22, 2009
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Last November, Operation Baba, a five-country law enforcement operation in Africa co-ordinated by INTERPOL with the support of The Humane Society of Canada and other dedicated groups, resulted in the arrest of 57 people and the seizure of one ton of illegal elephant ivory. The one-day sweep targeted more than 50 locations, including local ivory markets, airports, border crossings and smuggling points involving more than 300 law enforcement officers from police, customs, national wildlife and national intelligence agencies in Congo (Brazzaville), Ghana, Kenya, Uganda and Zambia, and represented the largest-ever international wildlife law enforcement operation conducted in Africa.
Posted by: michael
on Apr 06, 2009
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Only with your help can we bring about an end to the largest taxpayer funded slaughter of marine mammals anywhere on earth.
There is no humane way to kill a seal pup on vast ice fields under uncertain and constantly changing weather conditions with sealers experiencing fatigue and frustration. Even the Canadian Government now admits that overfishing and not seals are responsible for declining fish stocks.
Posted by: michael
on Apr 06, 2009
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A message from Michael - PROTECTING ANIMALS AND THE EARTH
We sure could use a little good news in these troubled times. Animals only want our respect and compassion and in turn they provide us with so much in return. With their soulful eyes, and the warmth of their unconditional love, in the difficult days and weeks that lie ahead, the bond between people and animals will become stronger than ever before.
Posted by: michael
on Apr 05, 2009
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About Michael
Married for nearly 24 years, Michael, Lise and their teenage children, Pierce and Elan share their home with a houseful of dogs and cats. For more than 30 years, Lise's professional career has involved helping a wide range of charities; and for more than 40 years, Michael has worked in Canada and in over 100 countries on issues affecting people, animals and the environment. During that time, he’s has worked on programs to help companion animals, horses and livestock, laboratory animals, wildlife and the environment.
