THE VEGETARIAN BLOG

The Boston Vegan Society (BVA), with the kind and generous help of a private donor, is beginning a new outreach initiative. Effective immediately, the BVA will begin wholly funding the printing and distribution of its full-color ‘Respecting Animals’ pamphlet to qualifying advocates throughout North America.

The process of applying for funds is simple but it requires the organization to have the same strategy as the Boston Vegan Society, that is, an abolitionist approach to animal rights via vegan education. “We are committed to funding the printing and distribution of the pamphlet to any vegans and vegan advocacy organizations whose work is consistent with our methodology.” So have a look the BVA website and get the information you need before getting in touch with them.

Those willing to apply for funding visit this page. The digital version of the pamphet can be seen here.

 Photo credit: P. Wallerstein

I occasionally receive updates from Marine Animal Rescue (MAR) in California about one of their good deeds and today was one of those days. I always like the way they word their emails, which always include a photo of one of their rescuees. This is what they told me today:

The young sea lion pictured stranded himself today (23/12) in Santa Monica. Trembling, most likely due to hypothermia, the skinny yearling wanted nothing to do with the ocean. Skinny seals and sea lions have a difficult time warming their bodies in the water. Sometimes sea lions will float with one flipper exposed to the air and sunlight hoping to warm themselves. If that doesn’t work, they’ll strand themselves out of the water to warm their bodies. Many of the pinnipeds that strand should be left undisturbed and others, like the sea lion rescued today are in need of human assistance and must be rescued. Surfers and joggers running by the sea lion didn’t bother him at all. MAR successfully rescued the sea lion and immediately transported the young animal to the care center for medical attention.

What a cutie and I have to say, this sea lion warmed my heart today and I wish him and all other sentient creatures in the world a happy time, for Christmas and for ever!

The founder of the Found Animals Foundation, Gary Michelson, announced at the National Spay/Neuter Conference in Chicago that his organization will give $25 million to the person or group that finds a safe, one-time non-surgical method to sterilize male and female cats and dogs. On top of that, he will make another $50 available to those who can come up with plausible approaches.

Like most sensible people concerned with the plight of the millions of cats and dogs killed in shelters every year - not to mention the rough lives they live on the streets - Mr Michelson knows that the only way to solve the problem is avoiding birth. No birth, no kill, it’s as simple as that. We must come to a point when only wanted pets will come into this world.

Michelson is a billionaire retired inventor who now dedicates his time to animal welfare. A non-surgical spay/neuter approach would definitely help boost sterilization rates in the country and probably in other parts of the world as well. So, yes, great idea.

Thanks to Peaceful Prairie , a vegan-run animal sanctuary in Colorado where animals are given a second chance to live their lives as they should, not as mere commodities. Please visit their website and give them your love.