Fur-Free Designers

 Below is a link to the Humane Society's Fur-Free shopping list. Please have a look and remember to always be fur-free!

http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/fur_fashion/tips/fur-free_shopping.html

 For the Animals,

Companies that DO and DO NOT Test on Animals

Dear Friends,

Below is some vital information about how you can help not support cruelty towards animals.



List from: http://www.beautyfool.net/which-beauty-brands-companies-do-not-test-on-animals/

A link to a PDF of all companies that DO NOT test on animals.
http://www.mediapeta.com/peta/PDF/companiesdonttest.pdf

Animal Ingredients Liat (VERY Long):
http://www.peta.org/living/vegetarian-living/animal-ingredient-guide.aspx

What Makes This Hospital Cruel?

Dear Friends,


Recently, I received an email from PETA  to post a message on Primary Children's Medical Center's (PCMC) Facebook wall opposing its cruel and archaic cat intubation laboratory scheduled for this Monday, February 14. It appears that PCMC has disabled its Facebook account in order to prevent compassionate people like you from posting public messages criticizing the facility's inhumane training exercise.

During this harmful exercise, cats will have hard plastic tubes forced down their delicate windpipes for intubation training—even though modern, superior simulators are available and widely used across the country for this very purpose.

PCMC can try to ignore the recommendations of leading medical organizations and experts in the field who strongly endorse the use of simulators for intubation training. We can't allow PCMC to ignore our voices!


Why would someone choose to be this cruel? Let us speak up for our cat friends and take action now!

Please take a moment to call PCMC's Pediatric Education Services Department at 1-800-910-7262 and politely ask the facility to replace the use of animals in the upcoming Transport Conference with modern and humane simulators.


(I called and left a message today). Please call today too! Thank you!

Killing is NOT Fashionable

 It is disgusting that even today, the fur industry still exists. It is beyond pathetic and disturbing that innocent animals are killed for fashion. The skin and fur of animals are in no way fashionable or should ever be considered such. Innocent animals should never be sacrificed for us to wear. Killing animals should never be a part of the fashion industry nor should it be a step to create clothing.
Donna Karan is one of the companies that still uses real fur in her fashion line. In 2008, she even announced she was NOT going to use fur anymore for her products. What a hypocrite! I refuse to buy her products ever! Please visit Peta's Take Action website against Donna Karan. 

Other brands such as Chanel and Louis Vuitton use lambskin and calfskin when designing their products. I feel if many more caring people realized this and what the fur industry does not reveal would never even think of buying such a thing. I mean, seriously!? How could anyone kill a lamb or calf, or sheep, dog, cat, beaver, seal, deer, mink, etc., etc. for fashion purposes, or even at all. It is beyond me.  
I cannot even describe without feeling sick to my stomach the process of the fur industry. The ruthless killing process is unheard of, and it happens every day, mainly in China, and in many other parts of the world.
There are many types of fabrics, such faux fur that can replace animal products. And it is fashionable! I am always making sure when I buy a product that is made with faux fur or an animal product substitute, such as "pleather." You can shop for vegan clothing products here.
Whenever I have purchased a car, I have always requested that I do not want leather interior. I also buy sofas and furniture that are not made from animal skins. I cannot wait until the day that wearing fur is eradicated.
Please feel free to share your responses to this post.
 

If Only There Were More of Us Part II

 It was uplifting yet heartbreaking at the same time working with puppies and dogs of all sizes that were rescued from puppy mills, dog fighting or abuse.  I was walking a large dog rescued from living on the streets, who arrived at the shelter starving, weighing less than eighty pounds.  She is now a healthy weight, but it was so upsetting because as I was walking her, she would stop and wash her tail.  I had found out later on that because she was starving, she succumbed to eating the top of her own tail.  I was beyond upset from the news.  I am happy to inform you that she has been adopted and is doing very well adapting to her new owners.  When I took care of her, I played fetch and other games with her in the training pen and loved giving her kisses on the top of her head :-).

 Recently, I was working with two cats that my family and I named Sunny and Baron-Puma.  Baron-Puma is a Russian Blue cat, and certainly one of the sweetest and most affectionate cats I have ever met.  He was declawed and assumed to be abandoned by his owner, for he did not behave like a stray, yet he was comfortable being indoors and loved the outdoors.  He would crawl right up next to your face and sit there facing you and start purring.  He is such a blessing.  He is now being taken care of by another.  I have a great deal of experience working with Russian Blue cats.  I consider them to be the most docile cats I have ever worked with.  One Russian Blue cat named Van  I work with has feline aids, who was dropped off, along with his bother named Halen, by an anonymous individual.  It is important to know that feline aids is not life threatening; however, these cats should be adopted into a home with no other cats, because they can become infected.  Feline aids is often transmittable through biting or clawing another cat.  It is NOT transferable to humans.  Also wash your hands thoroughly before and after working with any cat with feline aids.   
Sunny is a half Rag Doll half Siamese cat.  Though he is very shy (I could not even pet him without him slowly backing away) I fed him warmed up soft food and hard food.  He too was abandoned by his owner who moved out of state. 

It is always best to adopt from a shelter.  Without a doubt you will find an animal that will become a perfect addition to your family.  If you adopt from a breeder, you are supporting the unnecessary breeding of animals.  Animals are often abused and suffer from the breeding.  Please support your local animal shelter and adopt from them!

If Only There Were More of Us

"The Family Couldn't Take Care of Him," "Neglected Because of Marital Discourse," "Family Moving to Apartment," & "Abandoned." These phrases are often included in the descriptions of the innocent and adoring dogs and cats in animal shelters around the world, particularly the United States. It upsets me to see that animals are merely treated as property, and are often tossed side when it becomes too much of a responsibility. I stronger oppose adopting an animal as a "fashion accessory" or to entertain your children or because "it's what everyone else is doing:" "Well, my neighbor has a dog, so I am going to get one too, but I am going to get purebred." These are the most vial, selfish, and pathetic phrases I have ever heard. There are now many small dogs that were over-bred that do not have homes, only because it was the "it" thing to do-- to have a small dog. Adopting a pet is a rewarding effort. Especially when you adopt, or find a stray cat, for example, you are taking a very valuable step. Cats and dogs bring peace and tranquility to a home. In recent multiple studies, those who have animals that they regularly take care of are less stressed overall than those who do not have pets. You gain a higher degree of happiness while taking care of animals.

For the past year, I have volunteered at my local animal shelter.  I must say that I have never been more eager to go visit a workplace.  Writing and working with animals are my two greatest passions; animals are the most delicate yet strong-willed souls on earth.  Each should be treated with respect and compassion.  I urge you to volunteer at an animal shelter.  If you are a teacher, bring your class there on a field trip and or allow someone to visit your class to give a discussion on how to properly care for and treat animals.  Most animal shelters allow volunteers to start when they are 16, with a guardian 21 or over, and over the age of 18 on their own.  Volunteering at an animal shelter is an excellent way to begin your community service ventures. 
It is abhorrent behind reason that anyone would harm an animal in way.  That is the cruelest form of punishment that exists, in my opinion.  When animal acts in defense, it is because the animal has been provoked or threatened.  Do NOT take it out on them, never take your anger out on them.  If they could speak words they would say, "Why are you hurting me?  I thought you [loved] me.  I don't understand, what did I do to you?"  Humans have the choice and the upper hand to refrain from causing abuse.  It is evident that all animals have feelings and emotions, so let them always be loved and cared for.  

There are two cats at my shelter that were once feral.  They are resident animals, meaning they live at the shelter full-time.  I love them dearly and they always greet me each time I visit.  One cat's name is Amanda, she is an adorable Russian Blue cat that has been a resident at the shelter for four years.  Another cat named Amy is also at the shelter.  I allow each of the cats to come to me first before I pet them, because they may be in a playful mood or simply not want to be bothered.  Never take it out on them if they go to bight or scratch when you pet them.  Sometimes it is instinct.  Just let them approach you, and if they go to bite or scratch, walk away, never provoke them by trying to continue to touch them or play with them.  For example, one time I was petting Amanda and she went to bite.  I stepped away from her and then a few minutes later she ran over to me and rubbed on me.  Also, be sure to never corner an animal, because they will become frightened and think you may attack, thus they may "act" first.  Cautiously, let them come to you, show them that you are not a threat.  You can toss them a toy or give them some food, or leave them be.

Go ORANGE in April with ASPCA

Wear Orange and Support Animal Rights

(From ASPCA website)
This April, the ASPCA invites you to join millions of animal lovers across the country as we celebrate Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month. Starting four years ago as a small adoption event in New York City, the ASPCA’s April celebrations have mushroomed into a nationwide observance of the human-animal bond and our victories on behalf of animals. We encourage you to organize a pet parade in your neighborhood, get your town hall to light up in orange, or enter our Go Orange Photo Contest to show your love and support of the furry kind.

I recently went to an ASPCA event and received orange bracelets!  I will be wearing mine!

Welcome Ladies and Gentleman to my Blog

Thank you for visiting!
I look forward to sharing my experiences and insights into what I love most!  I will mostly be blogging about:

• Cooking/Baking- TONS of dessert recipes, tips for beginner cooks, foreign foods, restaurants & recommended food products that I love
• Animal Rights- My journey along the way on how I am transitioning into becoming a "pescetarian" (I will only eat shellfish/fish), a month being a vegan & the personal health benefits I encounter, and current projects I am working on to promote animal rights & working with animals
• Writing- I am currently finishing three novels, learning how to market myself, and am currently looking for an AGENT!  If you are an agent, please READ :-)  I wrote my first novel when I was13 & self-published it when I was 17, CHECK IT OUT: A Memory Between the Hills (By V.A. Pinto)  *I will be changing my writing name back to my real name, Vanessa Pinto, permanently.  I recently attended Author's Night and played in The Artist's & Writer's Softball Game
• Travel- I absolutely LOVE traveling!  I will blog about my travels around the world, my work at the United Nations, my experience volunteering abroad & working with NGO's (non-governmental organizations).
• The Little Sips of Life

Enjoy!