A Voice Against Yulin Dog Meat Festival

Photo: Yang Xiaoyun - a Chinese woman and a dog lover
An initiative post by AboutGermanShepherdDog.com

Please consider contributing to our initiative of raising a strong voice against Yulin Dog Meat festival by sharing this post and raise an awareness. This contribution doesn't involve any donation and crowfunding. 

Across the world wide web there have been talks on on the infamous Yulin Dog Meat festival, the 10 days annual celebration held in Yulin, Guangxi, China, during the summer solstice, where the festival goers eat dog meat. Several thousands of dogs that are rounded up to be eaten, include all types of dogs starting from poor strays to stolen house hold pets .

A festival cannot be an event of cruelty. Such events should be abolished completely.


It is immensely appreciable that in 2011, Jinhua Hutou Dog Meat Festival in Zhejiang, which was another popular festival, was completely banned by the local government. Good news is that the sale of dog meat in Yulin have come down by 60% in 2014 from the previous year. Several dog meat restaurants in some cities have closed down. But this needs to come to a complete end.

This appeal is not only in the interest animal welfare, but also in the interest of public health and food safety as the same time.

Our earnest request to Mr. Chen Wu, the Governor of Guangxi Autonomous Region and Mr. Peng Qinghua, the Guangxi Communist Party of China Chief to kindly consider putting a permanent end to this cruelty.


Note:

Yang Xiaoyun (photo above). She is different from all who visit Yulin Dog Meat festival. Xiaoyun stands out of the crowd and provides the dogs with unconditional love, food and water. More than that she also provides medical attention to he furry kids.We need more people like Xiaoyun in China and all across the globe.

Turkey Day Tips for Keeping Your Dog Safe

Thanksgiving is a holiday that’s all about food, family, and fun. However, the time leading up the big feast tends to be busy and stressful. There’s so much to think about and plan for, and it’s easy to forget things in the midst of it all. One thing you should never forget to consider is the safety of your beloved pets. If you have a dog, there are several things to watch out for during Thanksgiving. Utilizing the best dog fence to keep them contained, decorating with caution, and making sure your dog doesn’t get any turkey bones are just some of the things that can prevent unfortunate incidents. Let’s explore these tips and more in-depth.



Keep Your Dog Out of the Kitchen

When there is a lot of activity going on in the kitchen, accidents are more common. To keep everyone safe, it’s best if you don’t let your dog near you while prepping and cooking. Your dog’s sudden movements can cause someone to trip, for example, and sharp knives and hot foods can cause serious injuries. If possible, keep your dog in a closed room or crate. Another possibility is to block their access to the kitchen with a barrier. A baby gate would work, and a portable wireless dog fence is also an option. An invisible dog fence barrier has the added benefit of not blocking the path for you or your guests.


Be Wary of Hazards While Traveling

If you’re traveling this year and bringing your dog with you, take some extra precautions to ensure their safety on the road and in new places. For example, your dog should be wearing a special dog seat belt while in the car. At the very least, your dog should be contained in a crate, so that they can’t get into the front seat and risk distracting whoever is driving. At your relative’s house, keep an eye out for cleaning chemicals, fertilizer, medications, and other hazards that might be in reach of your dog. Always bring along the telephone number to your vet’s office, as well as your dog’s vaccination records and any medications they take, just in case.


Be Careful When Feeding Your Dog

The safest thing to do on Thanksgiving is not share any of your meal with your dog. While they may beg and whine because it smells so good, your dog doesn’t know what’s best for them. Turkey skin can actually cause pancreatitis, for example, and turkey bones can pierce your dog’s intestines, stomach, or throat. Chocolate is toxic to dogs, and so is the sugar substitute xylitol. Onions are also bad for dogs, and so are coffee, tea, and alcohol. Your dog could choke on small things like raisins, grapes, or nuts. If you want your dog to enjoy something special on Thanksgiving, purchase them some dog treats beforehand.


Know How to Recognize Signs of Stress

The hustle and bustle of the holidays can be particularly stressful for dogs, especially if they’re not accustomed to being around a lot of noise or people. When dogs get stressed out, their body language will tell you. Look out for signals such as hiding, cowering, shaking, freezing up, growling, panting, showing the whites of their eyes, and raised fur. If your dog starts exhibiting these signs, they need some quiet time away from the action. Either in a closed room or with an electric dog fence, create a “safe zone” for them with as little noise as possible, toys, food, and plenty of water, so they can de-stress.


Ensure Your Dog’s Environment is Safe

There are several environmental hazards that you might not automatically think about during the holidays, particularly when you’re decorating your house. Corn stalks and pumpkins look festive, and they may also smell tasty to dogs. However, chunks of raw corn and pumpkins are hard to digest. They can cause your dog to choke, or they can lead to dangerous blockages in the intestines. Keep them out-of-reach, along with any lit candles your dog could knock over. Also be careful with cooking items like aluminum foil, plastic wrap, twine, and cheesecloth. Make sure all trash from your meal is put in the garbage outside immediately.


Tell Relatives to Be Cautious, Too

It’s smart to talk to your relatives about dog safety during the holidays, too. They should be told, for example, not to feed your dog anything off their plates, and not to leave their plates or drinks unattended. Don’t forget to talk to young children, too, and remind them not to hug or kiss dogs. If you’re using an electronic dog fence as a barrier for your kitchen, make sure your relatives know it’s in place, so they don’t try to bring your dog across it. Ask your relatives to inform you if they notice any weird behavior from your dog, or if they see your dog eating table food.


As long as you observe these simple tips, you’ll greatly reduce the chances that your dog will experience any injury or illness during the holiday. Thanksgiving should be enjoyed, not stressed over, and keeping all of your loved ones in mind - including your pets - will ensure everyone has a fulfilling, safe holiday. Happy Thanksgiving!

Callous Act of Stabbing Staffordshire Bull Terrier To Death

Quite recently in February, 2013 the news of a man stabbing a pet bull terrier to death created a buzz amidst the dog lovers’ community across the globe.

The man - Terence Micheal Renton, 31, of showed his insanely wild behavior by killing a bull terrier – a pet dog after his mother complained that she had been given a bad scare by some dog of the same breed (Staffordshire Bull Terrier). Her son – Renton started looking for a dog of the same breed in the locality and went on asking people if they had seen a Staffordshire Bull Terrier in that region, and was told that a dog of the breed he was looking for was kept fenced in the nearby garden. Renton who was armed with a knife, went into the premise and stabbed the dog in the neck and the poor dog died from just a single fierce stab.
People who had witnessed the incidence were shocked and called the cops and the RSPCA. Hannah Bryer, the RSPCA inspector said, "To inflict any physical harm or violence on any animal is inexcusable but to intentionally go out with a view to harm an animal and cause its death is a cold, calculated and callous act of cruelty."

Sever Penal Action Taken Against Terence Micheal Renton

The man pleaded guilty to causing serious harm to an animal that had been kept protected. A severe penal action has been taken against Renton and he has been put behind the bar for 6 months. According to the magistrates his act has been described as "cruelty of the gravest gravity". Moreover, Renton has been banned from keeping any animal throughout his life. The criminal will not be allowed to appeal the order for 15 years. In this context Hannah Bryer of RSPCA said, "I am pleased the court has recognised the serious nature of this type of offending and has also imposed a lifelong disqualification order from keeping animals."

More Incidences Of Inhuman Acts On Dogs

Renton’s is not the only case of inhuman conduct to animals. There have been series of similar incidences that have been traced in the different parts of the world. Rescued by Scottish SPCA Sheila, a Staffordshire bull terrier, had been shot15 times by her owner with an airgun. Another incidence of a Staffordshire bull terrier being burned to death by his owner was reported in Peebles. One more incidence was reported in Brechin, Angus by Scottish SPCA, where a dog was fastened to a barbed wire fence and was made to starve till he was dead. Yet another incidence… the beloved dog (Lucky) of a Henderson man was firstly poisoned and secondly, was fed sewing needles along with the food with intent to kill him.

 

 Come Facts About Cruelty Towards Animals

• Many healthy Greyhounds are put to death each year because they lack potential for racing due to injury or for some genetic cause.
• Even today dog fighting are still reported the urban and suburban regions in many parts of the world.
• Wild animals are killed for their skin and bones
• Animals like rats, monkeys, felines, canines, birds, guinea pigs etc. are killed in mass in the laboratories for drug and cosmetic testing each year.
• Animals like bears, wild cats, wild boars etc. are used in hunting sports. 
• Lots of websites still offer the opportunities of buying tickets for the bullfights

Misuse of Choke and Prong Chains

Obviously, the most dangerous of all training tools is the choke chains and prong chains. If used on a dog that has not been trained properly can even claim life within a second chance. If used by an inexperienced handler the choke chains can lead to serious injury.

Records have shown evidences of canine injuries due to the misuse of choke and prong chains. Serious choke/ link chain injuries such as oesophageal damage, tracheal injuries, ocular vessels injuries, necks sprain, laryngeal nerve paralysis, misalignment of the cervical vertebrae, horner's Syndrome, transient foreleg paralysis and hind leg ataxia etc. have been documented in the veterinary record in March 1999.


The Kennel Club and RSPCA, however, still considers the choke chains as legal training tool – provided they are used by "experienced handlers". This policy, by itself sounds vague, because there's no parameter to count the experience of a handler. Most significantly accident can happen at any point of time even though they are used by experienced people.


Electronic dog training collar, however, has proved to be quite humane and a thousand times safer than the prong and choke chains. The device works on a static stimulation system. The dog gets a static stimulation by a device attached to the collar. The device is operated by the trainer by a remote transmitter. One pressing the button of the transmitter the device generates a static stimulation or an ultrasonic beep upon which your dog is trained to act.

Get more information about dog training collar at http://dogtrainingcollars.com

Non-Abusive Dog Bark Collar

Does your dog bark up a storm each time he finds other animal passing by? First off... it is your fault because you have not been able to socialize your dog to different situations, sounds and sights. However, the non-abusive dog bark collar has come up with a solution and acts as one of the most effective Temperament Teaching System. It is a simple device that works on sound impact sensor for detecting the sound vibration of the bark of the dog that wears the collar. This device has been designed to address the mad barking behavior of individual dog.

The device works in three simple phases:

• First – It detects the sound sound vibration of the dog's bark, as soon as the dog that wears the collar bark.
• Second – As soon as the sensor detects the vibration, it delivers a corrective ultrasonic beep that is perceived by the dog in question
• Third - The dog stops barking as soon as the dog hears the irritating ultrasonic sound

Following phases are used by the trainers to teach the dog to bark or to stop barking on command. The trainer knows that the dog is going to stop barking, because the dog bark collar is worn round his neck. So, as soon as the dog starts barking, deliver a command 'NO' (which acts as the corrective command as the ultrasonic sound) firmly and the dog will stop barking – not because of your command but because the device's corrective beep. Once your dog stops barking reward him with his favorite tidbits and praise him lavishly. This lets him know that it pleases when he stops barking and he gets the reward. Repetitive practices with consistency will eventually correct the bad barking behavior.

More information about dog bark collar can be found at http://www.dogbarkcollar.com.

Disadvantages of a Wifi Dog Fencing System

Dog is unparalleled in their loyalty and friendship among all companion animals on the Earth. If you have ever loved a dog, I sure you have been showered by million-fold return. I have come across thousands of dog owners, but a few - just a few of them have exhibited responsible ownership.

Owning a dog is a lot easier than being a responsible owner. Not training him or not providing him the right kind of nutrition can save you some dollars instantly, but can claim a huge loss in future. It is important to fence your dog's yard. Physical fencing is preferred over the electronic fencing system, but many dog owners cannot meet the expense involved in installing a physical fence. A hi-tech wifi dog fencing system is however a great alternative for an expensive traditional fence.

An wifi dog fence works in the same way as the traditional enclosure, by creating a virtual boundary that you set. Whenever you dog tries to out pass the boundary, an automatic warning beep alerts the dog. The entire system is controlled automatically through a device that is set to monitor your dog’s movement based on the maximum the range that you set.

However, there are certain limitations of a wifi fencing system:

This hi-tech containment system may not work for you if:

1) Your dog is not fence trained - Proper fence training is a must for optimum success
2) Your dog's yard is beyond the wifi signal range - DIY Dog Fence system works best in yards not more than 100 acres.
3) Minimum yard size or dimension of the dog's yard is too large - The yard must be near to the power outlet


Check out more information on http://www.dogfencediy.com

Harder Law Against Eating Dogs Urged

The activists for animal rights protested against a Taiwanese prosecutor’s office decision so that they drop the charge against five suspects accused of killing dogs and use them as their foods. They also demanded strict laws against animal abuse, stating that the current law demands too much evidence to be practical.

Ruan Mei-ling one of the activist said that 5 men were caught while killing two dogs hanging them on a tree and having them grilled. The prosecutors dropped indictments against those 5 men last week stating that there was no sign of torture on the dog’s bodies and the men were not caught eating their meat.

Many Taiwanese believe that there is nutritious value in dog’s meat. But in recent years such practices are taken to be illegal and has faded out under a ban on killing or torturing animals.

Sasha the Wonder dog

Here is another big news of animal surrogacy. Well, it cannot be called purely surrogacy, I have used the word deliberately, as I hardly find any difference in mothers carrying others’ fetus in their womb and those who do not exactly do that, but give other’s babies a new horizon of life! It’s not about Jasmine - the greyhound this time, but a Rottweiler, Sasha who saved the life of a new born abandoned piglet. Yes, a newly born piglet, who had been abandoned by its mum found her life and a new world, while snuggling down with Sasha and her black-tan puppies. Sasha is indeed a good dog, but more than that she is a great as a mum – a Godmother!

The incidence happened in the farm house of Heidi Rhiann, of Pont Llogel, near Llanfyllin. The Belgian Blue piglet, named Apple Sauce had been abandoned by its mum as a the runt in the litter of 13 piglets. Sasha has changed the way we have been looking into the breed. Rottweilers have earned a great deal of bad fame as being one of the most dangerous dog breed in the world. Some governments have banned keeping Rottweilers. But Sasha has proved things wrong!

Apple sauce was in danger of kissing the dust when her mother rejected her. It’s life was to be decided by Rhiann. She thought Sasha her dog might take on the maternal duties for Apple Sauce, though she wasn’t sure. As a last resort, pig breeder Ms Rhiann was stuck by shrieking surprise to see Apple Sauce was suckling. Sasha, her puppies and Apple Sauce have formed an unlikely bond. Rhiann said, "It was the last chance for the piglet.I wrapped Apple Sauce in a blanket the puppies had been on to try and transfer the scent and left her next to Sasha…. about an hour later I went to see how they were getting along and Apple Sauce was suckling." She also said that the first-time mum Sasha, an 18-month-old, 45-kilo Rottweiler, had been a wonderful mother to Apple Sauce. Said said, Apple Sauce was skin and bone when I handed her over to Sasha and now she's gaining weight and starting to fatten up … Apple Sauce has a poorly trotter at the moment and Sasha knows this and is trying to lick it better. She instinctively knows Apple Sauce isn't in perfect health. We feed Apple Sauce with some supplementary feed and Sasha gives a concerned whine when we pick her up, as much as to say 'what are you doing with my puppy?'."

Jasmine The Greyhound Becomes Surrogate Dog Mother For 50th Time

With the fall off 2009, another animal news has created a sensational impact on animal lovers around the world. Dog lovers, especially, have to celebrate their love for dogs by getting the news of the Greyhound, who has become surrogate surrogate dog mother to 50 animals! Jasmine is her name. When she arrived in the sanctuary, she was scared, hungry and devoid of love; dirt could be pinched out of her coat. She required a lot of love, good food and immense care to regain back her health. Just with a flap of skin on some bones, Jasmine - the greyhound was rescued from the dreary phase of her life. Now she is paying off her debt! She is a known rescuer of many abandoned animal babies. The seven-year-old Jasmine has taken up the charge as a rescuer or has been playing a surrogate dog mother to many newborn animals with whole hearted love and attention to aid their growth.

Most interestingly, Jasmine - the surrogate dog mother, has played surrogate mother to other puppies, chicks, guinea pigs, rabbits and even fox and badger cubs. Jasmine is presently busy in caring for her 50th ward - 11-week-old roe deer fawn Bramble. Sanctuary boss Geoff Grewcock said: "She dotes on the animals as if they were her own, it's incredible. She takes all the stress out of them and helps them settle. As soon as an animal is brought in, she walks over, takes a sniff or two and then licks and cuddles them. She even lets birds perch on her nose. Her maternal instincts take over. It is amazing, particularly as she is a greyhound and they are quite aggressive".

Biography of Jasmine: Jasmine's biography was best defined by Mr Grewcock. Grewcock said, "Jasmine was abused when she was younger. The police brought her to us after discovering her whimpering in a garden shed. She was nervous around us, caked in mud and dust and very thin. It took a while, but she got used to us". Jasmine's latest charge Bramble arrived just a couple of months ago. She will be looking after this newborn abandoned animal until it is released back into the wild. Grewcock went on: "They are inseparable, Bramble walks between her legs and they keep kissing each other. Having been neglected herself, it's a surprise to see her show so much affection to other creatures. It's not just animals, she's great with children too." Grewcock added, "they walk together round the sanctuary. It's absolutely marvelous. It's a real treat to see them. But she is like that with all of our animals, even the rabbits which greyhounds usually chase down the track". She had been taken to the Nuneaton and Warwickshire Wildlife sanctuary in the year 2003, after being found dumped. So far Jasmine has taken nurtured and looked after 5 fox cubs; 4 badger cubs; 15 chicks; 8 guinea pigs; 15 rabbits; 2 pups 1 fawn. Jasmine, who exemplifies a perfect surrogate animal mother has become a surrogate dog mother again for the 50th time, by shouldering the responsibility of nurturing the Bramble on herself.

Animal News: Huani, The Surrogate Dog Mother

Image Courtesy: credit: Lu Chaunguan/Xinhua/AP
A very interesting story - rather a fact - had created a buzz across the web as it was flashed on the media on May 2007. A female dog (mongrel) became the center of focus of animals lovers around the world by being the surrogate mother of three tiger cubs, born at a zoo in the country's eastern Shandong province. The god mother named "Huani" is suckling three little tiger cubs, who had been named imaginatively as ONE, TWO and THREE by staff at Jinan Paomaling Wild Animal World. The trio ill-fated babies were rejected by their mother shortly after their birth and the responsibility of nurturing them was shouldered by "Huani", who continued to suckle the three little tiger cubs until their appetites outpaced her supply of milk. The zoo manager, Chen Yucai, said that it wasn't surprisingly uncommon for Chinese zoos to use female dogs as surrogate mothers for abandoned tiger cubs. It's almost a dog's life for the three newborn tiger triplets in Eastern China.

The art of introducing the tiger cubs to dogs for nursing had always been quite unique. The zoo staff used to rubbed the urine of surrogate mother - the female dog on the coat of the tiger babies, and gradually brought them close to her. This made the surrogate mother think that she was nursing her own pups. But this time, it wasn't that much of hardship for the zoo staff, because Huani had already nursed tiger babes before. She did not mind caring for ONE, TWO and THREE. Huani proved her angelic magnanimity that every mother should have. We humans have a lot to learn from this mongrel!

A spokeswoman at London Zoo said that staff usually try to match the abandoned animal babies with a mother of the same species. In the 1990s, an Asiatic lion at the London Zoo had abandoned her cub, when the staff had to place the little creature with another lioness that had given birth to her own two cubs. According to many, the abandoned animal babies are placed in the surrogate mother's litter of the same species, because it would acquire her smell and be accepted by her too. So there's a chance of re-abandonment of the cubs or killing of the foreign cubs by the surrogate mothers. If a surrogate of the same species can't be found, London Zoo staff would try try to find a companion animal for abandoned babies. But Chinese dogs like Huani have made things easier for the zoo staff.