American Humanes' Livestock Transport Program: Working for Humane Transport to In-Humane Slaughter

American Humane® Certified Farm Animal Program to Develop Humane Livestock Transport
Research of Next Generation of Humane Transportation Will be Monitored

Denver (June 30, 2009)
The nation’s leading animal-welfare monitoring and humane-labeling program for food products – American Humane® Certified -- will convene a panel of experts in animal handling, animal science, veterinary medicine and transportation-equipment manufacturing to develop improved welfare standards for design, technology and monitoring of livestock transportation. American livestock transportation equipment that meets the standards will be recognized with the American Humane Gold Award.

American Humane Certified will begin monitoring the research and testing of a new humanely designed trailer, recently introduced at the World Pork Expo in Des Moines, Iowa. Advanced Livestock Transport (ALT), a new USA livestock trailer company, has imported its first trailer into the United States from trailer manufacturer Castañe of Spain, for introduction to the American pork industry, as well as other species that are transported by truck. ALT is the first transport company to sell equipment in North America that complies with European Union (EU) regulations on animal welfare.

The research on the ALT trailer will be conducted by Texas Tech University, under the direction of Professor John McGlone. Among data to be tracked are the rates of dead on arrival, and non-ambulatory and non-injured pigs compared to other transportation equipment designs. ALT has engineered temperature controls designed to reduce the rate of dead and downed pigs. The trailer also has increased floor space to be able to provide science-based space allowances and an elevator that eliminates the need for ramps. The trailer includes on-board GPS tracking, and temperature and video monitoring of animals during transport. The early research is expected to be completed by late 2009.

The certification of transportation equipment is a reintroduction of American Humane’s historic “Gold Award” for humanely-designed transportation equipment. It was first awarded in 1887 to the A.C. Mather Co. for its improved cattle rail car. Over the decades, American Humane has worked closely with the livestock and transportation industries to develop humane methods and equipment that improve animal welfare during transport. More historical information can be found at http://www.americanhumane.org/about-us/who-we-are/history/farm-animals.html

“American Humane has been involved in creating more humane conditions for animals in transport since our founding in 1877,” said Tim Amlaw, director of American Humane Certified. “It is fitting that we revisit our legacy and once again recognize humane practices in the transportation of livestock.”

Upon completion of the livestock transportation standards and in-depth review by the American Humane Certified Scientific Advisory Committee, the standards will be publicly available on American Humane Certified’s web site, www.thehumanetouch.org.


About American Humane

Founded in 1877, the American Humane Association is the only national organization dedicated to protecting both children and animals. Through a network of child and animal protection agencies and individuals, American Humane develops policies, legislation, curricula and training programs to protect children and animals from abuse, neglect and exploitation. The nonprofit organization, headquartered in Denver, raises awareness about The Link® between violence to people and violence to animals, as well as the benefits derived from the human-animal bond. American Humane’s regional office in Los Angeles is the exclusive authority behind the “No Animals Were Harmed”® end-credit disclaimer on film and TV productions, and American Humane’s office in Washington, D.C., is an advocate for child and animal protection at the federal and state levels. The American Humane Certified™ farm animal program is the nation’s original independent certification and labeling program for humanely raised food (www.thehumanetouch.org). American Humane meets the strong, comprehensive standards of the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance, has been awarded the Independent Charities of America’s “Best in America” Seal of Approval, and has met the stringent standards for financial efficiency and accountability required by the American Institute of Philanthropy to qualify as a Top-Rated Charity. Visit www.americanhumane.org to learn more.

###


http://www.americanhumane.org/about-us/newsroom/news-releases/certified-livestock-transport.html

GA Senator Blocks Obama's only AR Candidate

-- please write him!

Mon Jul 6, 2009 2:06 pm (PDT)


CONTACT FORM / (Click on title above)

http://chambliss.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactUs.ContactForm

Industry News - AM Meatingplace.com
Animal activist stance prompts senator to hold up Obama nominee

By Lisa M. Keefe on 7/6/2009

JBT FoodTech

Georgia Sen. Saxby Chambliss is holding up confirmation of President Obama's candidate for regulation czar over the nominee's pro-animal rights arguments, according to Washington, D.C. political news site, The Hill.

Harvard law Prof. Cass Sunstein, Obama's choice to head the White House office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, has argued that animals should have the right to sue humans in court.

The Hill quotes Sunstein from his 2004 book, "Animal Rights: Current Debates and New Directions," as writing, "I will suggest that animals should be permitted to bring suit, with human beings as their representatives, to prevent violations of current law."

In a 2002 paper, "The Rights of Animals: A Very Short Primer," Sunstein is quoted as writing, "On reflection, the spotlight should be placed squarely on the issue of suffering and well-being," and that his position "strongly suggests" that "there should be extensive regulation of the use of animals in entertainment, in scientific experiments, and in agriculture," according to The Hill.

Sen. Chambliss told The Hill he is concerned about Sunstein's beliefs and their potential impact on agriculture. Chambliss is holding up the nomination until after Congress' July 4 recess.

Sunstein's nomination already has cleared the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee process. The Hill also reports that Sen. Pat Roberts of Kansas, who sits on the Agriculture Committee, has met with Sunstein and was assured that Sunstein would not promote onerous regulations for farmers.


CHAMBLISS CONTACT FORM

http://chambliss.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactUs.ContactForm

YOU MAY USE THE FOLLOWING Address/Zip TO ACCESS CHAMBLISS' WEBMAIL:


State: GA

Zip: 31313

Phone: N/A

E-mail Address: give yahoo, hotmail, gmail, etc.

What is the general topic of your message? WELFARE

Subject of Letter: CASS SUNSTEIN

Please write your message: (fewer than 10,000 characters)

Message: [SAMPLE]

Senator Chambliss:

Holding up confirmation of President Obama's candidate for regulation czar, over his pro-animal rights stance, is shameful and regressive. It is also completely predictable. It proves once again, how out of touch Republicans' on Capitol Hill are, and reaffirms that you are nothing more than obstructionists; serving the needs of special interests and corporations. You have NO desire, whatsoever, to further the democratic process by being inclusive of ALL of your constituents. You are supposed to represent those without a voice, who have known nothing but poverty; instead you go for the gold--selling out to sit on some corporate board and drawing millions for doing nothing. Congress needs to be held accountable for its stupidity, greed and contempt for the freedoms trampled under the Bill of Rights and the Constitution, which you and others continue to shred at the American public's expense. We desperately need term limits for Congress--1 term--prove your
worth--or YOU ARE OUT. Based on your record, you are NOT one which would ever be invited back, I can assure you.

Brennan Browne

******************************************************************************************************

"Dissent is the highest form of patriotism." - Benjamin Franklin

Trust our government to delay, bungle and kill every worthwhile social program they undertake; yet with incredible speed and efficiency--shred the Bill of Rights and the Constitution.

~Brennan Browne~

THE GOVERNMENT’S COVERT, BUT TRUE, DEFINITION OF TERRORISM:
ANY act which threatens to take political or corporate power/profits from the status quo.

~Brennan Browne~

Those that think animals are slaughtered humanely should be the first to volunteer to find out if it's true.

~Brennan Browne~

The concept of 'animal rights' values the simple premise that ALL living creatures have a "right" to be allowed to live their lives without victimization--free from brutality. It is a right that EVERY being strives for.

~Brennan Browne~

Animal Rights--Rational, not Radical.


Man IS superior to every other being...in his ability to excuse away those parts of himself too vile for self-examination.

~Brennan Browne~

Action Alert: Texas "shelter" goes ALL-Kill / No More Adotpions!

From: Nancy C. Underwood [mailto:nancycunderwood@gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, July 07, 2009 1:53 PM
To: Nancy C. Underwood
Cc: Misty (Ferris Shelter); Larry Powell; Skip Trimble; Don Feare
Subject: Emergency Situation in Ferris


Many of you have seen notes on my emails about the great work that Misty at the Ferris Shelter does for dogs and cats every single day. She alone does as much as work as many much larger and fully-staffed shelters to help the animals of Ferris and its surroundings, and she is the most-amazing one woman show you've ever seen. She also never euthanizes unless an animal is medically unsalvageable - anything less and she finds a safe place for them.

I have called and confirmed the following information with the Code Enforcement Supervisor as as well as the office of the City Manager:

Today the Ferris City Manager announced to Misty that the Ferris City Shelter would cease to adopt out animals immediately. The new rules, as of today, state that Misty will intake animals from the City of Ferris only (no more taking in animals in need from other shelters when she is not full), hold them for the minimum three days required by law and then immediately euthanize them.

The City Council has convened and determined that it's more expensive for them to allow their municipal shelter to adopt animals to the public than to immediately destroy them.

As if things were not hard enough, times not tough enough, and the situation not dire enough, now we contend with this nonsense. Misty has gotten the Ferris euthanasia level down to something ridiculous low, like 3%, and was actually in the process of working on getting spay/neuter legislation passed by the council. An expansion of the shelter was budgeted by the City this year. Now all of this has been decimated.

You can help in two ways:

1) Please call the City Manager and City Council members listed below immediately and tell them that this is not the will of the people;

2) If you're able to adopt, foster, or rescue in any other way one of these animals, they must all be moved today as the City Manager is attempting to enforce their immediate murder. (I do not believe that all euthanasia is murder, but in this case the term is appropriate). They say that if Misty will not serve as their contract killer, they will replace her with someone who will.

If you have any connections in the City of Ferris (at any level, including regular citizens), please contact me (and/or them) immediately so that we can work together to address this through the people of Ferris. If you have a flexible enough schedule right now to head-up a campaign, please let me know. Finally, the next City Council meeting will be held on July 20th.

Your help is extremely appreciated!
Nancy


Ferris City Manager: (972) 842-5761, (972) 544-2110
Ferris City Council Members:
City Council, Elected
Jim E. Parks, Jr
Mayor
100 Town Plaza
Ferris, TX 75125
(972) 544-2110
Richard Barrett
Place 1
100 Town Plaza
Ferris, TX 75125
(972) 544-2110
Billy D. Dunn
Place 2
100 Town Plaza
Ferris, TX 75125
(972) 544-2110

Bill Pardue
Place 3
100 Town Plaza
Ferris, TX 75125
(972) 544-2110
Gary Ross
Place 4
100 Town Plaza
Ferris, TX 75125
(972) 544-2110
Carol Wright
Place 5
100 Town Plaza
Ferris, TX 75125
(972) 544-2110


FERRIS ANIMAL SHELTER, FERRIS, TX
FERRIS ANIMAL SHELTER

This posting mostly current at of 7/7/09 NOON …

Ferris is just south of Dallas only about 15 minutes - very short drive.

PLEASE CALL MISTY AT 817-877-1210 (WORK NUMBER) OR TRY HER ON HER CELL PHONE AT 469-682-5441.

You can try emailing her also at misty@mytocn.com but a phone call may be much quicker.

SOS for PB Doxie & PB Rat Terrier in Ga.Shelter - to be Euthanised July 8th!

Fw: Augusta, GA - PB Rat Terrier, & PB older Dachshund! - URGENT! - Due to be euthanised July 8th!!

Sun Jul 5, 2009 6:48 pm (PDT)

*Contact Priscilla at: 706- 564- 5914, or email: pcrisler@augustaga.gov

if you can help these dogs.


PERMISSION TO CROSS POST!

Augusta Richmond Co Animal Services
Augusta, GA


*Contact Priscilla at: 706- 564- 5914, or email: pcrisler@augustaga.gov
(at augustaga.gov) if you can help these dogs.



Rat Terrier F, tri, approx 4 yrs old, 12 lbs. Very sweet, good w/kids & other pets, housebroken. HW POS. Shelter does not offer Heartworm Positive dogs for adoption. RESCUE ONLY!



PB Dachshund F, tan/white, 8 + yrs, 11 lbs. Had severe flea infestation so has hair loss/bad skin. Very nice girl!

Free Riverside Mini-Farm in Upstate NY

Rural Preservationists Only. Click on title above for details;

http://www.freewebs.com/erthma/freeminifarm.htm

"Rocket" Blasting Off to a New (Temporary) Home / Outgrows his Own / Turtle-Love

609-pound tortoise taking trip to Tulsa

Jaime Oppenheimer/The Wichita Eagle

Rocket, an Aldabra tortoise at the Sedgwick County Zoo, has outgrown the indoor winter facility and will soon move to the Tulsa Zoo. The 609-pound tortoise is 78 years old and has been at the zoo since it opened. Zoo officials hope to bring him back when the exhibit is enlarged for him. (July 2, 2009)

Gallery: 609-pound tortoise has outrgrown the zoo
Tortoise outgrows home at Sedgwick County Zoo
At age 78 and tipping the scales at 609 pounds, Rocket is a ladies' man — as far as tortoises go.

Within the month, Rocket will be headed across the Kansas border in search of a bigger pad and lost love.

The Sedgwick County Zoo's most iconic Aldabra tortoise — commonly known as the giant tortoise — has grown too big for the zoo's 1970-era amphibian and reptile building.

Rocket is not only leaving Wichita, where he's lived for 40 years, but also leaving his tortoise friends Speed, Missy and Washington.

The Aldabra tortoises are native to the Aldabra Atoll in the Indian Ocean and are not considered endangered.

Moving, however slowly, will be a big change for this septuagenarian.

"We are excited about the prospect of having him down here. An animal that big is kind of exciting," said Barry Downer, curator of reptiles and aquatics at the Tulsa Zoo and Living Museum.

He will temporarily join Tulsa's Aldabra tortoise herd and live with Big Al, Mo, Dozer, Kadabra and Tofi.

That's good news for Rocket, Downer said, because the Tulsa zoo has one of the most successful Aldabra tortoise breeding programs in the nation.

Rocket will have larger, more plush living quarters, a pool to swim, three yards to graze in and an indoor facility with heated floors and skylights.

Both Sedgwick County and Tulsa zoo officials say Rocket's move is only temporary, possibly three to five years or until a new amphibian and reptile building can be built at the Sedgwick County Zoo to house a tortoise of such gargantuan girth.

Rocket's legacy

When the Sedgwick County Zoo opened on Aug. 25, 1971, it featured only American and Asian farm animals.

The next year, exotic animals began arriving, said Christan Baumer, spokeswoman for the zoo.

The first of the exotic animals was a pair of Caribbean flamingos and three Aldabra tortoises — of which one was Rocket.

He was 40 years old then and already "a big boy," Baumer said.

In the nearly four decades since, Rocket has thrived simply by eating and growing.

To get some perspective of just how big Rocket is, consider these facts:

* The largest Aldabra tortoise weight ever recorded was 683 pounds. If Rocket keeps up his current regimen he will bypass that weight in about six years.

* The average weight of a male Aldabra tortoise is closer to 250 to 400 pounds.

* He is already one of the nation's largest Aldabra tortoises.

Although Aldabra tortoises typically live 60 to 90 years, there have been some known to live up to 150 years.



Move is for his safety

The giant tortoise is one of the most asked-about animals at the zoo.

"He is very beloved by keepers and guests," said Nate Nelson, curator of amphibians, reptiles and fishes at the Sedgwick County Zoo. "Guests know him by name and ask for him."

At times, Rocket's personality has been a crowd-stealer.

"He is so big and charismatic," Nelson said. "He'll come and check you out and want to know what's in your hands."

He has a favorite red ball. He likes to munch carrots, salads and prairie hay. He quickly downs sweet potatoes and watermelon.

But he has also grown so large he puts himself in danger.

Because he isn't shy, Nelson said, Rocket has been known to get his feet over the herpatorium's enclosure. Should he fall from the raised exhibit, it could seriously injure him.

"When this building was constructed in the early 1970s, it wasn't built for a 609-pound tortoise," Nelson said. "It's a three-foot drop to the floor. At that weight, he could conceivably injure his shell or legs. We don't want to see that scenario play out. As soon as possible, we plan on enlarging our indoor and outdoor exhibit and bringing him back."

And, because of his girth, he hasn't been able to spend the winter in the public indoor exhibit area for the tortoises. He has been regulated to the herpatorium's greenhouse, away from the other tortoises.

That will change once he arrives in Tulsa.

Terrie Correll, zoo director at the Tulsa Zoo and Living Museum, is an old friend of Rocket's. She was his zookeeper at Sedgwick County Zoo when he first arrived.

She remembers Rocket was already climbing and testing the bars at the Sedgwick County Zoo.

"He did that when I was there but apparently he has gotten worse and now strands himself," Correll said. "We have a much better setup for an animal that large. "

She also remembers Rocket was quite taken with lady tortoises, which is good because Tulsa intends to use him as a breeding male.

For now, plans are being made to help Rocket on his journey to Tulsa.

The massive 2 1/2-foot tall tortoise who is nearly 3 feet wide and 4 feet long is being trained to follow his red ball up a ramp. That skill will come in handy when he is transported by trailer.

"Rocket has seen lots of people come and go out of his life," Baumer said. "And now he is leaving us. He is going to be very missed. But we hope we can bring him back."

Reach Beccy Tanner at 316-268-6336 or btanner@wichitaeagle.com.


http://www.kansas.com/topstories/story/880651.html

Warning! New Deadly Dog Virus / Canine Influenza

A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseasea


Date: 2 Jul 2009
Source: The Examiner [edited]



K-9 influenza outbreak reported in central New Jersey
-----------------------------------------------------
An outbreak of canine influenza has beeen reported in the Millstone region.
Over the last several weeks, NorthStar VETS, a specialty and emergency
trauma hospital located in the Clarksburg section of Millstone, has seen an
increasing number of patients being admitted for the treatment of this virus.

There have been 9 cases in the hospital so far, and because of its
contagious nature, more are expected. Canine influenza is not contagious to
people, cats, or other species, although people can carry the virus in
their nasal passages and transmit it to dogs at home.

Canine influenza should be considered a serious disease; infected animals
have a 100 per cent mortality rate. However, with a rapid and accurate
diagnosis, proper treatment can reduce this statistic to a 1-5 per cent
mortality rate, according to information from the hospital. According to Dr
Daniel Stobie, owner of NorthStar VETS, "It is a new virus. There seems to
be a resurgence, with young and older pets being more susceptible."

NorthStar VETS is encouraging dog owners to be vigilant and on the lookout
for signs such as difficulty breathing, dry coughing, nasal discharge, high
fever, severe lethargy or lack of appetite. If any of these signs are
displayed, they suggest isolating the dog from other animals and seeking
medical treatment immediately.

In conjunction with recommendations from the state veterinarian and
Department of Agriculture, the hospital has been disinfected and fumigated
to eliminate the virus. In addition, NorthStar VETS has arranged to have a
mobile isolation unit on the property located away from the hospital to
accept and manage influenza cases. This mobile isolation unit is equipped
with oxygen and medical supplies for the treatment of patients. The main
hospital will function as normal to receive referrals and emergency care.

"While this is a disconcerting virus, NorthStar VETS is completely prepared
to assist family veterinarians and pet owners alike to manage this crisis,"
said Brie Messier, hospital administrator, NorthStar VETS. "We are very
pleased to have been able to mobilize quickly and efficiently, allowing us
to be a resource to the community. Together, we hope to save many family
dogs."

For further information, contact North-Star VETS at
.

--
communicated by:
HealthMap Alerts via ProMED-mail


[Canine influenza is a type A orthomyxovirus. It mimics "kennel cough" or
_Bordetella brochiseptica_/parainfluenza virus complex, which sounds like a
hacking cough that does not seem to stop. The cough with canine influenza
can be either moist or dry and about 20 per cent of infected dogs may show
little or no clinical signs but still be shedding virus. Canine influenza
is contagious by aerosolized droplets and contaminated fomites (inanimate
objects) that the dog can contact. People can transmit the disease to their
pets.

Unfortunately, treatment is non-specific but generally supportive. It is
important to get treatment early to reduce the death rate.

For a brief fact sheet on canine influenza, see the Washington State
University College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington Animal Disease
Diagnostic Laboratory (WADDL) website
. There is also
an information sheet available on the University of Florida College of
Veterinary Medicine website
. The
location of the outbreak may be seen on - Mod.TG]

[see also:
2007
---
Influenza, canine - USA (PA): corr. 20070802.2495
Influenza, canine - USA (PA) 20070801.2482
Influenza, canine - USA (Multistate) 20070208.0502
2006
---
Influenza, canine - USA (FL) 20060620.1703
Influenza, canine - USA (WY) 20060503.1279
Influenza, canine - USA (multistate) 20060325.0921
2005
---
Influenza, canine - USA (multistate)(03) 20051002.2883
Influenza, canine - USA (multistate)(02) 20050925.2830
Influenza, canine - USA (multistate) 20050923.2811]

....................tg/ejp/sh


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