http://www.networkforanimals.org/blog Blog entries from Network For Animals en christina@networkforanimals.org Copyright 2012 2012-05-10T08:22:48+00:00 http://www.networkforanimals.org/blog/rescuing-badgers-in-the-west-country /blog/rescuing-badgers-in-the-west-country#When:08:22:48Z Thursday 10th May 2012

Wrongly blamed for the spread of bovine tuberculosis … butchered on Britain’s roads … victims of the cruel practice of badger baiting … there’s no denying that times are hard for the British badger. Bob, from Cornwall Badger Rescue has had a difficult winter out on the road rescuing badgers from all manner of bad situations.  In the past we’ve brought you tales of happy badger cubs; rescued, weaned and released back into the wild…but the reality of life as an animal rescuer means you experience far more of the bad times than the good. “I’ve seen all sorts this winter,” Bob explains, “I rescued two cubs last fortnight but they wouldn't stop having fits and had to be put down.  There’s another cub in the house and adult in the barn … ]]> Badger Cull, 2012-05-10T08:22:48+00:00 http://www.networkforanimals.org/blog/stroud-100-establishing-local-opposition-to-the-badger-cull /blog/stroud-100-establishing-local-opposition-to-the-badger-cull#When:08:56:39Z Monday 30th April 2012

The Stroud 100 are a group based in Stroud, Gloucestershire, who are mobilising opposition to try and prevent a badger cull on local land.  The founders, Nick and Jeanne Berry, have worked tirelessly to collect members of the public, local celebrities and the town council together in a unified group to stop the cull.  We got in touch with them to hear their story and see if the model of opposition they created could possibily be replicated in other regions where culling is set to take place.  What follows is a guide they produced outlining their background, their objectives and their methods for gathering support for their cause. Why we wanted to get involved We’re very privileged to live in a beautiful part of Stroud in Gloucestershire surrounded by nature and wildlife including deer, squirrels and badgers. We like all animals but we became particularly fond … ]]> Badger Cull, 2012-04-30T08:56:39+00:00 http://www.networkforanimals.org/blog/hunting-with-hounds-postcards /blog/hunting-with-hounds-postcards#When:08:31:22Z Friday 27th April 2012

We're getting some postcards relating to the Hunting Act 2004 printed up next week and will have them available to pick up at events around the country and by order from our office.  David Cameron has stated that he intends to give the House of Commons the opportunity to vote on the repeal of the Hunting Act during this parliamentary session and we are keen to demonstrate that there is widespread public opposition to these moves.  Although the Act is not a perfect piece of legislation, it has been proven to work in a number of cases since its introduction and it represents the committment of the British people to eradicating unneccesary cruelty to animals in our countryside.  We have to stand and be heard: We do not want the Hunting Act repealed.  Back the Ban! ]]> Hunting with Hounds, 2012-04-27T08:31:22+00:00 http://www.networkforanimals.org/blog/kabang-a-story-of-canine-heroism /blog/kabang-a-story-of-canine-heroism#When:14:37:48Z Tuesday 13th March 2012

After reading the compelling story of Kabang, the heroic dog in Zamboanga City in the southern Philippines, who saved two children from being run over by a motorcycle but suffered horrific injuries as a consequence, our team in the Philippines offered to lend a hand in her rehabilitation…But the curious tale of Kabang started several months earlier. The Bunggal family had a history of keeping dogs, but not in the way one might imagine.  Most of the dogs that came through their home were destined for the dinner table and the family had a reputation amongst neighbours for their predilection for dog meat.  However there was something about the puppy Rudy Bunggal found in a swamp one day that led him to make an exception and keep this one as the family pet.  Once she joined them at their home, the bond that developed between … ]]> Dog Meat Trade, 2012-03-13T14:37:48+00:00 http://www.networkforanimals.org/blog/cool-sports-not-cruel-sports-in-support-of-blue-foxes /blog/cool-sports-not-cruel-sports-in-support-of-blue-foxes#When:18:20:20Z Tuesday 3rd January 2012

                                                                           Despite the existence of the Hunting Act 2004, on Boxing Day this year thousands of people gathered to witness hunts depart from rural towns and villages, perhaps suggesting that not a great deal has changed since the introduction of this legislation.  Although there is a hardcore element flouting anti-hunting laws, many animal welfare groups, politicians and members of the public still strongly support the Hunting Act and are prepared to pursue all legal and political channels necessary to ensure that the coalition government's plan for a free vote on repeal is not a pro-hunting success story.   A recent briefing by the RSPCA showed that although many pro-hunting groups would like … ]]> Hunting with Hounds, 2012-01-03T18:20:20+00:00 http://www.networkforanimals.org/blog/field-report-from-typhoon-washi-2 /blog/field-report-from-typhoon-washi-2#When:11:21:51Z Tuesday 3rd January 2012

Our first field report covered our team in the Philippines and their efforts to bring food and veterinary care to pets and their owners following the recent flash flooding in the Philippines. Since then our team has worked hard during the christmas break to do what they can to improve the situation in an area that has suffered utter devastation.  Our vet on the ground, Dino, describes the latest scenes in the worst hit areas.   "I returned yesterday afternoon from 3-days of work in Iligan and Cagayan de Oro. As you have seen in photos, it seems a miracle how those people survived the flash flood. The scene is really a nightmare. While there are now several welfare agencies that are helping the flood victims, we are the only ones who are working on the welfare of the animals. So far the reception to our work … ]]> Disaster Relief, 2012-01-03T11:21:51+00:00 http://www.networkforanimals.org/blog/2011-round-up /blog/2011-round-up#When:10:34:07Z Friday 23rd December 2011

As the year draws to a close it's a good opportunity to reflect on the successes and failures of the past 12 months as well as making plans for the future.  It's been a busy year for Network for Animals with new staff, new challenges and the odd moment of careful optimism.  We thought it would be nice for you, our supporters, to read our round up of the successes we achieved in 2011 and what we have identified as the key goals to strive for in 2012. - 2011 saw the successful prosecution of dog meat traders under anti-rabies legislation in the Philippines.  We see these as benchmark rulings which will hopefully set a precedent for more prosecutions to come. - This year saw two devastating natural disasters in Asia that we felt compelled to act on.  The first was the terrible flooding in Thailand, for which … ]]> 2011-12-23T10:34:07+00:00 http://www.networkforanimals.org/blog/field-report-from-typhoon-washi /blog/field-report-from-typhoon-washi#When:09:58:47Z Friday 23rd December 2011

Following Typhoon Washi, which struck Mindanao in the Philippines last weekend, we dispatched our vet in the region along to the worst hit areas with a disaster relief team to provide food and emergency care to displaced animals.  The typhoon caused widespread devastation across the region, washing away homes, businesses and lives.  With nearly 1000 people officially dead and many more missing, the consequences for people and animals in the area are dire.  We took the decision for our disaster team to distribute food and treat stray animals, but also to provide rice for people who were struggling in the aftermath of the typhoon.  Dino and his team are working long hours in a precarious situation encompassing health risks and a demolished infrastructure.  His first report describes the tragedy in terms of devastating lost, but a gritty determination to pick up and carry on.  " … ]]> Disaster Relief, 2011-12-23T09:58:47+00:00 http://www.networkforanimals.org/blog/discover-dogs-2011 /blog/discover-dogs-2011#When:10:03:32Z Wednesday 16th November 2011

  Over the weekend Network for Animals had a stand at Discover Dogs 2011 to promote our work on the dog meat trade in the Philippines, talk to supporters and get people signing our postcards to the Filipino Ambassador in London.  It was a busy weekend at Earl’s Court, with thousands of people and dogs pouring through the doors to find out about our canine friends.  There were plenty of animal welfare groups in attendance, ensuring that the event had an animal-friendly feel to it and lots of information available about responsible pet ownership, rescue dogs and healthy breeding standards.  As well as our campaign against the dog meat trade being highlighted, groups such as the Kennel Club were encouraging visitors to sign petitions against puppy farming and informing people about where not to buy their new pet from.  Pets as Therapy were also promoting … ]]> Dog Meat Trade, 2011-11-16T10:03:32+00:00 http://www.networkforanimals.org/blog/slaughterhouse-raid /blog/slaughterhouse-raid#When:12:48:16Z

Tuesday 30th August 2011

On April 22nd 2011 in a joint operation between Network for Animals and Malasiqui Police in the Philippines, 43 dogs were seized on their way to slaughter.  Before their rescue, these dogs were collected off the streets south of Manila, muzzled with plastic string and sent on the start of their grim journey to restaurants in Baguio City in a cramped, overheated van.  Following tips offs and an investigation, NfA and the local police were able to raid the slaughterhouse and halt production.  A cursory look at the pictures we obtained at the slaughterhouse show the horrific fate in store for dogs there; unsanitary conditions, rudimentary equipment and inevitable anguish. The dog meat trader responsible for this, who owns a private illegal slaughterhouse for dogs and a storage area for live dogs in the province of Pangasinan, north of Manila, is currently facing prosecution for violations of the Animal … ]]> Dog Meat Trade, 2011-08-30T12:48:16+00:00