Banksy is an English artist who’s true, real identity is unknown to most.
He is a British icon.
He produces amazing artworks, often on buildings, garages, anything anywhere type attitude; and these artworks ‘just appear’ anywhere overnight for people to enjoy.
Here in New York he does his bit for live animal transport; the ‘Sirens of the lambs’.
This is very typical Banksy:
Going, going, gone:
Behold Dismaland: Inside Banksy’s Disneyland-Inspired Theme Park | Mashable News
Banksy has been secretly assembling his own Disneyland-inspired creation in this West Country seaside town, and it’s not exactly the happiest place on Earth. Dismaland, which opens to the public Saturday and sits on the 2.5 acre site of the Tropicana lido, is the shadowy artist’s first “bemusement park,” and it’s packed full of subversive artworks.
For those of you who are non UK residents, the United Kingdon comprises of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Each has its own Parliament.
Great news – on June 27th, members of the Senedd in Wales voted through a total ban on snares as part of the Agriculture (Wales) Bill.
The next step is to make sure that this historic achievement is replicated by English, Scottish and Northern Ireland governments.
Snares are often used in areas to ‘protect’ the millions of purpose bred gamebirds (until the start of the shooting season) which are then shot and killed for fun by hunters each year – the sick ‘sport’ as they call it. In the UK, lots of wildlife conservation organisations do not allow the use of snares on their land; which proves that despite the arguments put forward by the hunting fraternity, the use of snares is not necessary in modern conservation.
Snares are not selective as they often catch non targeted animals such as dogs, cats, and even our loved and protected badgers.
The ban on snares in Wales has been a difficult and long campaign; especially with pressure from pro-shooting lobbyists who wanted to allow the continued use of snares under a new name of ‘humane cable restraints’. There is nothing humane about snares, they are simple killers, and yes, animals are restrained until their deaths which can be long and cause great suffering.
The Minister for Rural Affairs in Wales, Lesley Griffiths, stood firm and rejected the allowance of ‘humane cable restraints’ by the hunters; citing animal welfare concerns and the indiscriminate nature of snares, which can cause long term suffering to many species.
The victory in Wales is a wonderful result for the movement and one which will save countless animals from appalling suffering. We thank the Welsh government (Senedd) for their decisive action to protect all animals from suffering. The next step is to make sure that this historic achievement in Wales is replicated in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The Scottish government already has the issue under review, and there is an opportunity ton ban snares under the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill which is currently in its early stages.
It is now vital that pressure on snares is kept on MP’s and the government; and that they know that action to ban nars throughout the UK is taken. As a General Election is not far away now, there is never a better time to let the government know that in your opinion, THEY are failing animal in every sense.
I had this through the other day (9/8) from the Conservative Animal Welfare Group; the Conservatives currently being in government here in the UK.
When Boris was the Prime Minister; he appeared to be pushing forward more on animal welfare issues; probably because he was also being driven by wife Carrie; an activist in her own right.
Since Rishi ousted Boris and became PM himself, there has been no real movement on both animal welfare or environmental issues. See below.
The 52 signatories to the letter, dated July 28, include Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace UK, the National Trust, RPSCA and RSPB. They say they represent 20 million people.
After referencing recent wildfires across the globe, and flash flooding in India, they write that the environment “remains a central concern for voters” and there is “no public mandate for a delay”.
The letter concludes: “We will not stand by whilst politicians use the environment as a political football.
Now the CAWF are banging out mails as follows below. Personally I have been fighting for a live export bn for 35 years. In my view, the Conservatives have never had, and currently do not have, any real idea of what a big vote winner both positive animal welfare and environmental action can be; see the poll results in the CAWF actions below. Yet still, right now, both issues appear to have been put on the back burner by the current Rishi government,
How long does tis go on ? – I personally predict that in the next General Election, which will probably be within the next 12 months, the Conservatives are due to be annihilated by other parties who claim to be better at animal and environmental issues. I don’t really have faith in any of them; they all make false promises to get votes and when elected into power on those issues, the British public are just given a kick in the teeth. I have over 60 years experience of being bullshitted to and being kicked in the teeth by past and current governments. The big problem is that in reality, there does not appear to be any UK political party which acts for animals, and will act for animals and the environment in the future. Now I read from the CAWF of their policy recommendations for the Conservative Party to adopt in their next Manifesto.
They say; We have been disappointed by moves to drop the long-promised Consultation on animal welfare labelling, and the discontinuation of the Kept Animals Bill (which included an end to live exports for fattening and slaughter). While we remain supportive of the Government’s approach to deliver these measures through alternative legislative vehicles, we fear not all of these can become law before the next General Election.
The Kept Animals Bill was already working its way through Parliament; this would have included a ban on the live export of animals for both slaughter and further fattening. Along with New Zealand, the UK would have been pivotal in halting live animal exports. Now. Rishi has done a U turn and scrapped the entire Bill.
I can do U turns as well; and steering well clear of Conservative Manifesto bullshit for the next General election will be at least one of the. They have betrayed so amny of us, the voting public; maybe soon it will be time for revenge !
From the CAWF:
Dear Friend,
We hope you are enjoying a relaxing summer. From briefing officials at 10 Downing Street, to launching our new report on perceptions of farm animal welfare, it’s certainly been a busy few months since our last update in April.
With a General Election now on the horizon, CAWF launched its 2024 Manifesto ‘Leading the Way for Animals’ in July which set out key policy recommendations for the Conservative Party to adopt in their next Manifesto. This coincided with some brand new polling we commissioned through Opinium, which showed two thirds of people (64%) would feel more positively about a political party if they included a strong commitment to animal protection.
Last month we also launched a new report ‘Farm Animal Welfare in the UK: What Does the British Public Want?’ which reveals the significant gap between what the British public demands as citizens and consumers, and the realities of what they receive via standard UK farming industry methods of production and practices.
Meanwhile last week our Co-Founder Chris Platt delivered a speech at the 2023 Animal and Vegan Advocacy (AVA) Summit in Los Angeles, United States. We were delighted with this opportunity to expand our international presence and advise other countries on building genuine, Conservative animal welfare advocacy.
Of course, all of this has taken place against the backdrop of major legislative changes on animal welfare. We have been disappointed by moves to drop the long-promised Consultation on animal welfare labelling, and the discontinuation of the Kept Animals Bill (which included an end to live exports for fattening and slaughter). While we remain supportive of the Government’s approach to deliver these measures through alternative legislative vehicles, we fear not all of these can become law before the next General Election.We are calling for a specific Government-led Bill on live exports, to ensure this vital policy and key Manifesto commitment for farmed animals is honoured.
We are also urging our supporters to ask their local MP to write to the Prime Minister and ensure time is set aside for a Government Live Exports Bill.
Read on for more information about all of this and much more. We hope you have a restful summer, and look forward to continuing to keep you up to date with our latest work.
Thank you for your support and best wishes,
Chris and Lorraine Platt Co-Founders
Finally, on a lighter cringe note, I guess he should have should have stuck to guitar
At least he got a clap. How do they all sit there with such straight faces ? – I would be howling with laughter !
Lithuanian animal protection organisation, and colleagues of Respect for Animals in the Fur Free Alliance, “Tušti narvai” today publishes shocking footage that reveals the cruel reality for animals killed for their fur. The new undercover investigation into fur farms in Lithuania reveals animals punched, thrown, and suffocated in gas chambers, and for the first time includes clear footage from inside a killing box.
WARNING – Footage showing the reality of life and death on fur farms.
Launch of Animais de Rua’s new Trap-Neuter-Return manual
8 August 2023
Animais de Rua
The global cat population is (roughly) estimated at around 600 million (127 million in Europe only), half of which are not owned. Cats have certainly managed to adapt well to most environments, particularly to more urban habitats which, like us, they see as their territory.
Coexistence between people and cats has not always been peaceful. Most developed countries promote neutering campaigns in compliance with the guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE).
There is not single intervention that will work for all situations while managing cat populations. What is essential is that the programme is comprehensive and focused on root causes of the cat roaming population and not solely on treating the symptoms (see “Dog and cat population management guidelines” and “ICAM guidance“).
Animais de Rua, our Portuguese member organisation, that help thousands of stray animals has recently published a manual with practical and science backed up advice for those official animal collection centres, animal welfare organisations and informal groups of citizens who are willing to help the street cats in their communiy.
TNR (Trap, Neuter and Return) is a reproduction control and veterinary care leading to the management of unowned cats in situ on the streets, a humane and effective method of managing cat populations.
When implemented correctly, TNR is not just limited to the capture and neutering of cats, but it also includes the creation of a safe and healthy environment for animals and people, the set up of feeding points, good winter shelters and community engagement promoting an amicable relationship within the neighbourhood.
This manual will help to know whether your organisation is up for the challenge, to lay out the necessary policies and procedures, protocols with veterinarians, motivational guidelines for the volunteers, trapping techniques, step by step approach to TNR, relocation, adoption and much more. No matter how small, every TNR programme, as part of a bigger picture of cat population management will certainly contribute to a better cat welfare.
With a bit of perseverance, at long last I have now managed to get Goldfinches into the garden continually; I have put out a lot of Sunflower hearts for them, and this is really doing the trick to attract them.
Despite weeks of forewarning, saying farewell to animal protector Seema Mohanchandran was bitter-sweet.
After several years gracing Udaipur with her care for animals, Seema’s husband (and partner in kindness) Mohan was recently transferred to Calcutta.
The generous staff lunch she hosted–one of several over the years–ended in a tearful goodbye
Seema has fed 80 dogs in her neighborhood every day, and arranged for us to sterilize more than 200 dogs. And by “arranged” we don’t mean simply placed a request. She befriended, caught, contained, and often personally transported many of them.
Ever resourceful, Seema has arranged for neighbors andfriends to continue feeding and getting sterilized the four-legged friends she has protected for many years. They made an epic journey across India with their eight rescues, including Vayu, pictured here, who is paralysed in his hind legs.
We will miss Seema so much, but we take great joy knowing the dogs of Calcutta are in for a beautiful surprise
The beauty of a Blessing
Old, emaciated and dehydrated, this beautiful girl was admitted with a seriously infected wound on her face. When she arrived, we found that she had a twitching condition caused by the canine distemper virus. The virus was no longer infectious, but it left her with permanent neurological twitch. Her twitching was focalized to her mouth, and had caused one of her teeth to puncture through the roof of her mouth, leading to infection in her nasal passage.
The wound made it almost impossible for her to search for food or to eat. We started her on antibiotics and gave her IV fluids right away. With coaxing, she ate her first nutritious meal in a long time.
Day by day, she continued to gain weight and get stronger. But she was elderly and needed extra time, both to get strong on her feet and to beat the infection. She’ll never have complete control of her tongue, but in our eyes, she’s all the more beautiful for it. Meet Blessing today.
When Petey’s multiple problems were solved, what he wanted most was to be a good boy.
This elderly street dog seemed to know we were there to help. He sat right down and let us carefully carry him to our ambulance. Covered in scabs and wounds from mange, as well as a deep wound on his leg and a seriously infected eye, this poor gentle boy had almost reached the end of his life. With a deep maggot-filled wound on his leg, he could hardly walk.
His vision too was blurredby a wound near his eye that was probably caused by scratching. He was starving and evenhis toes were swollen and tender. When we reached our hospital we removed maggots from the deep wound on his leg, and began the series of creams, medicated baths and nutritious food that would change–and save!–his life. He’s not rambunctious or bouncy.Gentle Petey is one of those shining souls who just wants to be a good boy.
16 years later…welcome back to Animal Aid, brave lady.
When we rescued this elderly lady for a wound on her shoulder and trouble walking, she seemed hazily at ease. Her old crooked tail wagged peaceably and her eyes shone with sweetness behind blue cataracts.
While conducting her admission exam,we saw something curious in her ear:A tattoo, faded and illegible, but definitely made by our team from a much earlier era of Animal Aid, when we used to tattoo the dogs we sterilized.
We know how old this lady is because we only tattooed the ears for a couple of years between 2005 and 2007, making this lady at least 16 years old–truly ancient for a street dog.
Hugs all around to gorgeous Lady, who may have sailed the seven seas for all we know. Her longevity is a testament to her neighbors who cared for her all these years, up until the point of calling us when she needed our help for the last time. We don’t think she will ever be mobile enough to be released, so Animal Aid will be her old-age home.
Achievements in July that you made possible
Looking good, Doing good.
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