LAWS Newsletter - Fall 2005

Coming Events
October Garage Sale: date to be announced
LAWS Annual General Meeting - St. James Anglican Church: Wednesday, October 26th at 7 p.m.
Annual Bazaar - Perth Lion's Hall: Saturday, October 29th at 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Freda's Christmas Sale in Carleton Place at Interval House: Saturday, November 5th
Raffle Draw at LAWS Shelter: Saturday, December 10th

Message From the President...

The good news is that we are continuing to help every animal that comes to our shelter and have helped more animals in this past year than ever before in our history. Over 1400 cats, dogs and assorted other species such as rabbits, guinea pigs, birds and wildlife were admitted to the shelter or taken to persons who specialize in their care in the last year. While in the shelter or in foster care there were a considerable number of kittens and puppies born to animals under our care. Although we had adoptions of approximately 800 of these animals, regrettably, some had to be euthanized because of sickness or poor behaviour. At year’s end, over 100 animals remained at the shelter or in foster care waiting for adoption.
The bad news is that our increased activities have raised expenditures beyond what came in revenue or donations. Fortunately, LAWS has a modest capital reserve designed to help the Society to pay for repairs and carry the shelter over periods where our revenue does not match our expenditures. This over expenditure is the second consecutive year this has happened. By extreme belt tightening, our deficit for the 2004/2005 fiscal year has been reduced to half of the previous year. This has come almost completely on the heads of our shelter staff who have had their hours reduced and who have at the same time worked more hours without pay than ever before. Additionally, our magnificent volunteers have continued to support the shelter staff most admirably and we are very, very grateful.
We cannot ask the shelter staff to continue to endlessly donate unpaid hours to try to balance the books. Especially not when the inflow of abandoned, surrendered and homeless animals continues with ever increasing numbers. At one point we believed that the numbers of unwanted cats was our major problem but lately the numbers of homeless dogs has also risen. It is heartbreaking for the staff to work so hard in providing care for the continuing numbers of animals and do everything possible to find them good homes when for every animal adopted, more come in the door.
The Board of LAWS has been wrestling with the problem of the excess of expenditures over revenue for months and will be considering some relief for our long suffering shelter staff. As well, some needed modifications to our buildings, especially the air intakes and exhausts, along with improvements to the pound intake room must be carried out if we are to receive continued approval to operate from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, by whom we are under licence to act as a pound. All of this will cost additional time and money.
We debated if there were any activities that could be cut and decided that we could not refuse to take in any abandoned cat or dog if we were to be considered a responsible animal welfare society. Our letters patent require the Society to protect animals and to provide for the relief of cruelty, thus we also felt that we must continue to operate a shelter and to have the ability to investigate alleged cases of cruelty. We have tried to reduce the numbers of staff but with the increasing workload, this has only been counter-productive. Even with the help of volunteers, our shelter staff are at the minimum possible staffing level. The only solution appears to be that we must be more energetic in our fundraising.
An examination of our most recent financial statement reveals that the Society requires approximately $850 per day to properly conduct all of our current activities. These operating expenses are up from just a few years ago when the daily expenses were approximately $700 per day. Currently, the shelter income from adoptions and pound fees realize approximately $200 per day. $555 is earned on average each day through fundraising activities such as garage sales, bingos, raffle tickets sales, book sales, tag days and special events, etc., along with revenue from memberships and donations. Regrettably, the most recent year saw a deficit of almost $35,000 or $95 per day. Although this is half of the previous year¹s deficit of $70,599, the Society cannot operate for very long with any deficit as to do so would see us bankrupt and forced to close our shelter and cease our activities. We must increase our revenues, thus we implore our readers to buy our raffle tickets and support our book and garage sales and bazaars. Most importantly, please respond to this newsletter and send a donation to help us continue to operate. Any amount, no matter how small, will be gratefully received, and all donors will receive a tax credit receipt and an annual membership. Our members can also help by enlisting neighbours and friends to join LAWS in our efforts to provide a refuge for abandoned, stray or abused animals.
We are very concerned about the increasing numbers of abandoned or homeless animals. The pet over-population problem is not unique to the territory served by LAWS, but exists across Ontario and affects shelters run by every humane society. It is our belief that the only long term solution would be a major humane education campaign to inform the public as to the proper care of domestic pets, including the need for proper identification and to spay and neuter family pets. Such a campaign should be carried out by all the humane societies, hopefully aided by the school teaching staff, and should reach all the students in public schools as well as their parents. To be successful it must be supported by the Provincial Government, not only by the provision of funding, but by legislation designed to curb the indiscriminate breeding of family pets.
We are not aiming at registered breeders or the average pet stores with these suggestions but at the unsupervised breeding of animals by those who do so only as a source of cash and those who do not care where their puppies and kittens end up. We also know that family pets cannot have litter after litter of kittens or puppies, with their owners believing that these animals can always find a home. The public must come to understand that family pets do not need to have puppies or kittens as a normal course of events. In fact, it has been proven that early sterilization, either spaying or neutering, actually increases the health and life expectancy of family pets as well as improving their long term behaviour.
The pet overpopulation problem in Ontario is largely hidden from view by the operation of volunteer run, not-for-profit, charitable animal shelters. The general public take their "unwanted animals" to shelters and these shelters and their membership take responsibility for finding homes for these animals or in many cases, euthanzing the often older, unadoptable or sick animals. Very often, animals are stripped of their identification and abandoned. Governments, at both the provincial and municipal level, are happy to have volunteer run animal welfare organization deal with the problem. This means they do not have to increase local property taxes to do this, although the hidden costs affect everyone.
Regrettably, any major campaign of humane education to help solve the problem of surplus domestic pets is a long way off. Like LAWS, most animal welfare societies are overcome with the challenges of dealing with the current volumes of surplus animal and are unable divert either the time or the money to run successful humane education campaigns. The only province which has come to grips with this problem is British Columbia, which has mandated humane education within the school system. We, in Ontario, must convince our government to do the same.
LAWS will continue to operate a shelter as we will do everything in our power to provide a home for any animal that is brought to our doors. We intend to ask the local municipalities to assist us in this regard, since all municipal residents benefit from our provision of services. We will continue to investigate all alleged cases of cruelty and we will press for increased penalties for those found guilty of cruelty or abuse of animals. We will also continue to press for more realistic federal legislation to provide more meaningful legislation to prevent cruelty and abuse of animals. We have a lot to do and we ask all our members to continue to support us in protecting animals and in continuing to run our shelter. Ask your friends and neighbours to become members and supporters of LAWS. Together we can continue to help the abused, abandoned and homeless animals.
Finally, again we thank our selfless and capable shelter staff and our wonderful volunteers who keep our shelter operating despite all the difficulties. We are all very grateful.

              ~ Chris Snider, President

Message From the Vice-President...
So-called "sport hunters" may be accused of a lot of things, but possessing a sense of humour isn't one of them. No group takes itself more seriously and woebetide anyone who dares to ridicule the sacred fraternity.
Not surprising, when a LAWS newsletter included a reprint of a tongue-in-cheek article by the late columnist Frank Lowe, which appeared originally in The Montreal Star many years ago, it was deemed "offensive" by the hunting acquaintances of a colleague.
"Offensive"? Perhaps. It was, after all, a satire and it was also amusing as many readers can attest. No prominent individual, nor any group of individuals, escapes the satirists's pen. Presidents, Prime Ministers, royalty, the clergy, lawyers, academics, the medical profession - all are lampooned with regularity. Even God and the Pope have fallen victim. Why, then, do hunters as a group consider themselves sacrosanct?
It's all part of the macho self-image, according to the late Roger Caras, noted American naturalist, a former Vice-President of the Humane Society of the United States and a member of two dozen national and international organizations concerned with animal welfare.
Many hunters, says Caras, see themselves as strong and virile, daring sportsmen, conservationists, natural predators reducing animal populations in order that any survivors will benefit, financial contributors to organizations ostensibly devoted to the preservation of wildlife, if only to provide future game for the hunter. Who would dare to ridicule such paragons!!
Roger Caras was not impressed by the hunters' self-image, for he viewed hunting as "an absurd anachronism - a shard of a buried culture, an unwelcome artifact of another kind of man." It reflected, he said, a sickness in society. For years, Caras recorded the reported "exploits" of hunters in America: hunters killed by other hunters; endless numbers of cows, horses and other domestic animals shot "by mistake" - or in frustration; hunting dogs abandoned to die; illegal hunting from aircraft and snowmobiles; countless animals left to bleed to death; hunters threatening landowners opposed to trespassing; hunting dogs tearing apart small animals "for practice"; carcasses left to rot because the hunter "was only out for kicks.”
"Remember this", Caras was fond of emphasizing, "in your lifetime you will meet many non-hunters who were formerly hunters, men and women who have matured and stopped the idiocy. You will never meet a non-hunter who has matured into a hunter."
In the spirit of fairplay, herewith a brief glimpse of the "opposition", as provided by Milton Shapiro, author of "A Beginners Book of Sporting Guns and Hunting."
The book opens with an exciting account of an African safari, featuring the bravery of a young man who drops a charging rhino in its tracks, with the aid of a Winchester .458. The author extols the virtue of modern ammunition that can drop a charging rhino, thus saving a human life. No mention is made of the fact that neither man nor rhinoceros would have been in danger if our hero had stayed home where he belonged, instead of destroying a member of a species already on the brink of extinction.
Shapiro suggests that since a bullet travels at least a mile, hunters should shoot only in "unpopulated" areas. That's right, fellas. Get out of the towns and cities where they frown on the discharge of firearms. Come to the country where few hunters are concerned with distance from dwellings, witness the number of reported near-fatal or, on occasion FATAL incidents of bullets penetrating windows or walls of dwellings, not to mention the number of barn doors and rural mailboxes that display bullet holes.
Mr. Shapiro devotes a chapter to what he terms "fun shooting" (fun, that is, for the shooter). He features rabbits, squirrels, skunks, foxes and raccoons as "fun targets" and assures the reader that he can't go wrong with any type of rim-fire rifle (whatever that is!).
"If the object is to kill the varmint, hollow point bullets are the ticket".
One wonders what old Milton had in mind, rather than killing. Maiming? Or maybe just giving the little critter a damn good scare! Newstands are filled with magazines glorifying guns and hunting; every newspaper in the country has an "Outdoors" column devoted to killing something; hunters and guns are featured on a variety of T.V. shows; add Mr. Shapiro and his ilk to the mix and perhaps "offensive" comes to mind.

              ~ Dawn Trent, Vice-President

FUNDRAISING
Once again, the fun highlight of LAWS' fundraising summer was our annual Dog Wash, held in July, under the auspices of FOODSMITHS of Perth. Well-behaved dogs, happy, friendly owners and dedicated dog washers - a recipe for a great day. Not only was it fun, but by day's end LAWS was $1,600 richer!
Despite the rain, TAG DAY was pronounced a success, netting $1,300.
Frances Batoff, LAWS "bottles and BBQs lady" has this year, to date, contributed $2,557.45, revenue from cash jars, LCBO jars and three BBQs. That's dedication!
LAWS' Garage Sales, under the capable management of Bonnie Pengelly and her merry band of sorters and sellers, are the big money-makers this year with revenue totalling $5,044.62. Thank you, ladies! We're hoping that the final sales of the season will be equally successful.
Patti Pokorchak’s Down to Earth Annual Garden Party netted $218.
To add impetus to LAWS' fundraising efforts, it's been suggested that the creation of an auxiliary might interest individuals not currently involved with the Society. Anyone interested should contact Sharon Laing 267-7785.

ONTARIO'S WILDLIFE REHABILITATION CRISIS
Letters from all over the world are offering stinging criticism of the Ontario Liberal government for allowing orphaned baby wildlife to die. The Press Release below, by the Ontario Wildlife Coalition, exposes what lies behind this shameful debacle.

Press Release...
Natural Resources rabies programme scam uncovered by wildlife rehabilitators.
Deadly for wildlife!
Abusive of taxpayers dollars!
Puts human and wildlife health at risk!

Monday, February 14, 2005: For the last 4 years the Ministry of Natural Resources has persecuted wildlife rehabilitation organizations in Ontario allegedly to "…protect human health from the deadly disease of rabies" and the health of wildlife populations.
It makes no sense. Why would the Ministry attack a group of volunteers who rehabilitate orphaned and injured wildlife from their own funds and public donations? Why would the Ministry unfairly target rehabilitators who have the animals in their care immunized, seen by veterinarians, and released only at the optimal time? Why would the Ministry go after a group of dedicated people who will take in orphaned and injured wildlife from members of the public who find these animals, therefore assisting in the protection of human health?
Why, with the professed concern about human and wildlife health, does the Ministry only target wildlife rehabilitation and not the commercial wildlife removal companies who annually trap and relocate tens of thousands of adult animals without regard for the state of their health?
The Ministry's bloated rabies programme: The Ontario Wildlife Coalition asserts that with limited tax dollars and a province facing serious programme cuts, the Ministry is doing everything in its power to protect its bloated and unwarranted rabies budget.

What are the costs of rabies research in Ontario?:

- It is conservatively estimated that over $35 million dollars has been spent on rabies research, testing and control in Ontario in just the last four years alone. This incredible amount of money has been spent because a small but determined group of Canadian and United States scientists have propelled rabies into a thriving "industry", in spite of the fact that rabies represents one of the lowest public health risks in North America
- The rabies "industry" is made up of government scientists and academics, plus vaccine and bait manufacturers who have grown dependent on millions of dollars of public funds each year. But to keep this funding flowing, the Ministry must convince the public that rabies is a major health threat

What are the health risks from rabies?
Rabies is the lowest health risk of any disease in North America as demonstrated below:

- Rabies is not considered to be a risk in North America (Map available upon request or at www.animalalliance.ca). The lack of risk is attributed to pet vaccinations, public education and adequate post-exposure treatment being available, in the very rare case where a person is bitten by a raccoon or skunk
- The lack of risk is demonstrated by the fact that only one person has died of raccoon rabies since the disease was discovered over fifty years ago. This is in spite of the fact that there have been thousands of positive-tested animals in densely human populated areas in the U.S. over many years
- To put the virtually non-existent rabies risk in perspective, consider that 63 people die from lightning strikes and 40 or more die from hornet and wasp stings annually in the U.S.

Why does the Ministry's persecution of wildlife rehabilitation have to do with rabies research spending?

- Everything. After all, it is hard to depict baby raccoons, bats, skunks, squirrels and foxes being cared for within wildlife rehabilitation programs, without the animals ever having presented a risk, as a deadly threat to human health.
- It becomes impossible for the Ministry to perpetuate the irrational political fear-mongering about the threat of rabies so desperately needed to shore up its multi-million dollar rabies budget when faced with rehabilitators who educate politicians and members of the public to appreciate and respect wildlife, not fear it.

No one is suggesting doing nothing about rabies. On the contrary, the promotion of pet vaccinations, public education and wildlife rehabilitation programs for people seeking help for wildlife are the progressive and cost-effective measures needed, not irrational fear-mongering, the denial of help for wildlife and the unchecked spending to support the ambitions of career scientists.
For further information contact the Ontario Wildlife Coalition at 416-462-9541 or visit the Wildlife Ontario web site at www.wildlifeontario.ca

WANTED: Caring, compassionate individuals truly concerned with the welfare of animals to be appointed to LAWS Board of Directors at the Annual General Meeting October 26, 2005
Apply in writing prior to October 10th
To: LAWS
P.O. Box 256,
Lanark, Ontario
K0G 1K0

Annual General Meeting
The past newsletter mentioned the Annual General Meeting to be held at 7.00 pm on October 26 at St James Parish Hall in Perth. The agenda will include an annual report, the tabling of the audited financial statement for the past year, a report on fundraising, the appointment of auditors for the current year, the tabling of a budget for the current year and the election of members to Board of Directors. There will also be a report from the Cruelty Inspector and from the Shelter General Manager. As in past years there will be a Kindness Award to recognize "exceptional compassion and help to animals in need". This year there will also be the tabling and request for ratification of minor amendments to the Society By-laws to allow the Board of Directors to appoint individuals with special qualifications to fill vacancies on the Board but without necessity having had previous membership in the Society. We would also like the membership to permit the Board and Executive Committee to hold meetings electronically using a combination of the internet and telephone. Currently, the Board may only conduct its business by meeting in person.

Dumb animals know more about humans than dumb humans know about animals!

              ~Lilian Jackson Braun

Shelter Report
Have you ever worked in an animal shelter on a daily basis? Have you ever REGULARLY volunteered at a shelter? If the answer to both is "no", you are denying yourself heartwarming and/or heartrending experiences. Moreover, you can have no true appreciation of the staff's commitment to animals.
Longtime members can remember the days in our first official shelter - the old Harper-Conde school in Smiths Falls. There was no paid staff - only dedicated volunteers that worked tirelessly under the most rudimentary conditions, simply for the love of the animals.
Some things have changed. LAWS has a modern shelter at a new location, with up-to-date facilities. The all-volunteer staff has been replaced by six part-time employees, but the care of and concern for animals remains the same.
Seven days a week the three on-site staff members begin their duties at 7 a.m. At this writing, the Shelter houses 109 cats and 26 dogs, whose immediate needs are a priority the moment that the staff arrives at the Shelter. Dogs are taken to their outdoor locations, fed and watered, after which the staff meets for a brief discussion concerning any problems which have arisen or may be anticipated.
Cats are next on the agenda. Ill cats in isolation must be medicated and healthy cats must be checked daily for incipient illness, after which cages are cleaned and all the cats are fed and watered. It is now approximately 8 a.m. and shelter animals scheduled for spay/neuter are due to be transported to the veterinary.
Although the "official" shelter business hours are 12 noon to 4 p.m., it's the norm for someone to arrive before 8 a.m. with a stray dog or cat and between then and noon, despite the "closed" sign visitors are made welcome.
When the catroom chores are completed and the indoor dog runs are clean and ready for the return of their inhabitants, the staff turns its attention to readying the front offices for the visiting public wishing to adopt or relinquish ownership of a pet. By four o'clock, staff has also cleared accumulated paperwork, attempted to return countless telephone messages and dealt with never less than half a dozen "emergencies".
Shortly after 4 p.m. the dogs are brought indoors, cat cages are checked for cleanliness and adequate food and water, outdoor problems are dealt with, more telephone messages are returned and usually by 5:30 p.m. barring an emergency, the Shelter is closed for the day.
June through August, 116 dogs were admitted to the Shelter, 68 were adopted and 33 were claimed. For the same period, 355 cats were admitted, 98 were adopted and eleven were claimed.

The Rewards of Fostering & Volunteering
Have you ever wanted to visit a shelter but the thought of so many homeless animals is just too overwhelming? After all, how can one person with a little time to spare be of benefit to a facility like LAWS? The first thing to realize is that you can be a vital part of an animals daily life through volunteering and/or fostering. Simply stopping by to snuggle with a cat, walk a dog or by fostering an animal with special needs can make a HUGE difference in these animals lives and in some cases their survival.
Over population is an everyday reality at Lanark Animal Welfare Society. Truly dedicated staff members are stretched to their limits to provide the quality care the residents of LAWS deserve. (It must seem impossible some days.) This is when a volunteer or foster home can become a god-send to both the animals and the staff.
Over the past three years since I began to volunteer and eventually foster animals from LAWS I’ve experienced the most wonderful challenges from senior canines and felines to orphaned wood ducks to day old orphaned kittens to rescued meat rabbits. Wow! What a feeling it is to think that I made a significant difference in each of these creatures lives.
Consider taking a moment out of your hectic schedule to spend a few moments with one of the many absolutely magnificent animals at the Lanark Animal Welfare Society. Trust me, you’ll find it to be as satisfying as the animals do!

              ~ Sue Hutchison (Proud Supporter of LAWS)

Sponsor a Pet for Christmas
Instead of buying gifts that people may not appreciate or use, why not sponsor an animal at the Shelter. Send a donation and LAWS will provide (in time for Christmas) a photo of your animal and a list of things that your donation provides, ie: food, surgery, medication, etc. either to you or your recipient named and you will receive an income tax receipt.
All donations will directly benefit the animals.
Cheques should be sent to: LAWS, P.O. Box 256, Lanark, Ontario K0G 1K0

The Kindness Award
This award is presented annually at LAWS General Meeting in memory of two beloved dogs, Annie and Jennie, who died sixteen years ago, to a deserving recipient who has shown “exceptional compassion to animals in need”. Anyone knowing of such an individual who should be considered for the award is asked to contact LAWS in writing, at P.O. Box 256, Lanark, Ontario K0G 1K0. Last year’s recipient of the award was Frances Batoff.

In Loving Memory
Companion animals remembered through memorial donations...
Carley - Janet Laraway
Shaylin - Jim & Elfride Ronson
Chelsey - Dr. Omayma Moharram
Silken & Tiggy - Gail Thomas
Lady - Tony & Cecile Chapman
In memory of all our companion animals - Gerald & Moira Anderson

In Remembrance
Since our last newsletter LAWS has received donations in memory of...
Robert Beck
George Coote
John James & Marion Dunn
Lois Gibson
Donna Hinton
Dorothy Leach
Bill McVey
Lilian Pruner
Vera Ryder
Helen Stefaniak

WE GET LETTERS...
Dear LAWS:
We would like to thank the staff at LAWS for the wonderful friend and companion that we adopted from the Shelter.
Her name was Harley (now Sandy) and she is the most lovable, quiet and gentle dog we have ever had. She should be called Shadow or Velcro, as she is constantly at our side, day and night, sleeps beside the bed and lays at our feet when we watch T.V. at night.
We take long walks twice a day, unless it's raining, because Sandy detests water in any form. She "bites" the water from the hose, but she doesn't put up too much fuss when it's bath time. She loves her "Teddy" and makes it squeak as much as possible when playing with it, and she's extremely well-behaved on car rides.
Although essentially a quiet dog (when she wants to go out she simply licks our hands and does a little dance) if someone comes to the door she'll give a couple of deep barks to let us know that we have visitors.
Thank you again for this wonderful addition to our family. We hope to have many happy years together. God bless you all for caring for our friends that cannot care for themselves.

              ~ Richard and Jean Halifax, Osgoode, Ontario

Dear LAWS,
We are writing this to say "thank you" for the care and subsequent well-being of our beloved dog, Chief, who suddenly became ill late at night, taking seizures and convulsions.
We discovered that veterinary assistance was not available unless we could produce payment, and we were desperate, fearing that Chief would die. Then we thought of LAWS, because we know that you always help animals.
It was a long, terrible night, but in the morning we phoned the Shelter and your Manager, Glen, told us hat he would find a way to help Chief. We were never certain how he accomplished it, but arrangements were made with a vet and Chief was given the attention and medication he needed. Also, Glen provided a way for us to repay the costs over a period of time.
Our family - especially our 13 year-old son - will always be grateful to LAWS and Glen for giving Chief a second chance at life.
Thank you from the bottom of all our hearts.

              ~ Darlene, Donnie, Justin, Kyle and Chief Waddell

Dear LAWS:
I adopted Molly (Mo) last month, and although she's still a nervous wreck she seems to enjoy being here. She loves to dig holes in my backyard, which is fenced, so she can run around like a greyhound.
She has had her rabies and booster shots, and seems none the worse for them. She has gained five pounds and the vet says to feed puppy food for a month to help her put weight on faster, which is being done. Her coat is improving and she now seems to enjoy car rides. Overall, she's a changed dog.
At first, she had no social skills, she was nervous of any sound, especially barking dogs, and I had to put on a leash to get her in or out. Now I simply leave a door open so she can come or go as she pleases. She's making progress.
Thanks for your newsletter and good luck with fundraising. If I lived closer I could help.

              ~ Brenda Hodgson, Richmond, Ontario

Dear LAWS:
Please accept this letter as my sincere appreciation for the advice and assistance that I received at the Shelter when adopting a cat. I make frequent visits to the Shelter to donate food, money, blankets etc. and the staff is always very pleasant, taking a moment to express their "thanks", even though extremely busy.
The Manager - Glen - does a remarkable job, and the local community is fortunate to have such a person in charge of the Shelter. And it amazes me that Stacie remembers all the details of the animals for adoption. She was most helpful with my recent adoption.
Thanks to ALL for the time and love you give to those who cannot speak for themselves.

              ~ Cathy Hasler

Aid for Flood Victims ...
Michael O’Sullivan, Executive Director of the Humane Society of Canada, has announced that his organization has joined forces with the American Humane Society Association of Boulder, Colorado, to aid in the rescue and care of the many thousands of pets, livestock, and wildlife lost, abandoned and injured in the flood-ravaged areas of the southern United States.

You can help: Humane Society of Canada
347 Bay Street, Suite 806
Toronto, Ontario
Canada M5H 2R7
Telephone: 1-800-641-5463
Web Site: www.humanesociety.com

For Your Information ...
-Pope John Paul II taught love for animals more than any other pope in recent memory. In 1990, his Holiness proclaimed that “animals possess a soul, and men must love and feel solidarity with our smaller brethren.”

-The British Columbia government says that it is prepared to build frog-sized tunnels with little guide fences, beneath the Sea to Sky Highway, to prevent a colony of re-legged frogs from becoming roadkill. The frogs, an at-risk species, have been discovered in a wetland area.

-The changing of shipping lanes in the Bay of Fundy has reduced the probability of a ship colliding with a whale by 95 precent. Since there are now fewer than 350 right whales in existence this is very important news.

Health Warning: Watch your pet for these signs of ill-health...
Excessive thirst; excessive urination; voracious appetite; loss of appetite for more than 24 hours; unexplained weight gain or loss; red, inflamed gums; odour from the ears; unexplained hair loss; constant scratching; excessive panting or coughing; profuse discharge from eyes or nose.
- Discuss any of these symptoms with your veterinarian.

A Little Litany
For birds with broken wings,
For rabbits caught in springs,
For poor bewildered foxes
And butterflies in boxes -
For dogs without a home,
For cats that walk alone,
For horses worn and old,
For sheep without a fold,
For all those weak and lonely
Depending on man solely -
By all we hold most holy
Hear us, we beseech thee,