Day: May 14, 2025

About Us, General News, Uncategorized

When it gets too much …

Work in animal activism is not easy – if you mean it and really do not spare yourself. It gets even more difficult if you have health issues (and I do not mean mental h. i.), because your strength is limited, and you forever hear from family, friends, doctors — do NOT overdo it. You know what’s at stake.

It’s called “compassion fatigue” or “secondary traumatic stress“.

But – and let me say this, Mark and I have met many, over the years, whose commitment, especially when handicapped, disabled, chronically ill, was, and to use a much abused term in US Politics at the moment, “ironclad”. In the best sense – so throwing caution, and their own welfare, to the wind, for the cause, for the animals they care so much about. Quite of few of those have since passed away …

Both, Mark and I, are struggling with health issues of our own – Mark with MS, me with advanced cancer. But, personally, and I think I can speak for Mark also, who has been “in it” longer than I have (live export being his special area of expertise) , I’ll be damned if I give up now.

Especially the issue at the kill shelters of the US, San Antonio (articles on this site), and others, is draining me currently. I happened upon it working on another issue two weeks ago, and was .. shocked. And believe me, it takes a bit to shock me, after the “Cat Torture” and various other, extreme, issues over the years. I do not spare myself – both of us don’t – and being blessed (!) with a photographic memory I never forget any of it …

Today I am waiting to see what dogs have been murdered (I say murdered, because that is what it is) at San Antonio, on Instagram. As every day clearly, it is too many, healthy and mostly young – going against every law of nature there is. Like hunting and shooting the individuals among wild animals that nature meant to reproduce – before they can do so – being turned into sick trophies.

This entire family – mother and pups died today …

It is beyond unbearable. And I fear the 4 little ones I have developed a special love for, Squirtle, Mudkip, Chicorita and Totodile may be among today’s killed and incinerated on site. How sick is that …

I wrote to the authorities two days ago, it was past midnight, to show mercy – for these, and so many others. I’ve heard nothing, mails came back as undeliverable.

It is that, more than anything, that drains us all – the ignorance, the denial, the refusal to listen, the helplessness – and the reckless, brutal and stubborn continuation of cruelty and mass murder, on and on and on.

We do not intend to give up – and personally, if it’s the last thing I do, I will stand up until my last breath. And so will Mark. But sadly too many colleagues and friends who have devoted their lives to animals, their welfare and rights, have decided to depart this world voluntarily, and prematurely – their compassionate souls too hurt to be able to cope with any more of it. They will, no doubt, join the animals they care so much about ..

And I find a quote very fitting, from someone who also, at his time, was a voice for the helpless innocent creatures we continue to fight for …

“All that is best in me I have given to animals and I mean to stand by them to the last and share their fate whatever it may be. If it is true that there is to be no haven of rest for them when their sufferings here are at an end, I, for one, am not going to bargain for any heaven for myself. I shall go without fear where they go, and by the side of my brothers and sisters from the forests and the fields, from skies to seas, lie down to merciful extinction in their mysterious underworld, safe from any further torments.”

Preface to The Story of San Michele by Axel Munthe

Diana, and Mark

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To name but a few … Rest in Peace, dear Friends.

https://vegnews.com/respected-animal-activist-mary-max-has-died-by-suicide

Respected Animal Activist Mary Max Has Died By Suicide

Wife of legendary artist Peter Max, Mary Max dedicated her life to helping animals in need. 

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https://edition.cnn.com/2013/11/10/us/ohio-animal-rescuer-suicide-dogs

Ohio animal rights activist kills herself, 31 rescue dogs, police say

The founder of an animal rescue organization in Ohio committed suicide, taking dozens of pets with her, the Moreland Hills Police Department told CNN. …

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https://www.animals24-7.org/2021/02/08/vegan-animal-advocate-thomas-tommy-bloom-raskin-25/

Vegan animal advocate Thomas “Tommy” Bloom Raskin,  25

Second young activist suicide in six months raises profile of “compassion fatigue” …

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https://theirturn.net/2020/08/04/in-memory-of-animal-rights-activist-shimon-shuchat-tribute/

In Memory of Animal Rights Activist Shimon Shuchat

Shimon Shuchat, a 22-year-old animal rights activist from Brooklyn, died on Tuesday, July 28th. In spite of being so young, Shimon was one of the most wise, humble, ethical, empathetic and hard-working activists in New York City. ….

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https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-36573395

The vet who ‘euthanised’ herself in Taiwan

… On 5 May last year, Ms Chien took her own life, using the same drug she used to put down animals. She said she wanted to help people understand what happens to strays in Taiwan. …

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_Regan_Russell

On June 19, 2020, 65-year-old Canadian animal rights activist and protester Regan Russell was run over and killed by a livestock transport truck after a demonstration outside Sofina Foods Inc. subsidiary Fearman’s Pork Inc., a pig slaughterhouse in Burlington, Ontario.

Asia, Birds, Environmental, Farm Animals, Fish, Fur and Fur Farming, General News, Hunting, Live Transport, pets, Stray Animals, Uncategorized, Vivisection, Wildlife

(UK) Chris Packham poses as St Francis of Assisi in new portrait

Well, novel certainly … not sure we may hope for Chris, CBE, being sainted by the Vatican any time soon … even with the link to S. Francis.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/05/14/chris-packham-poses-saint-francis-of-assisi-new-portrait/

14 May 2025 7:39pm BST

Chris Packham with his portrait, which it is said depicts him as “a living saint”, in the Fitzrovia Chapel Credit: Richard Ansett/Radio Times

Chris Packham has posed as St Francis of Assisi in a portrait celebrating him as a “living saint”.

The portrait of the presenter and environmental campaigner is now on show on the altar of the Fitzrovia Chapel, central London.

Originally commissioned by Radio Times magazine to mark Earth Day, it is the work of photographic artist Richard Ansett.

Packham is surrounded by images of some of the UK’s most endangered species. Mr Ansett said it also made reference to Packham’s neurodiversity – the presenter was diagnosed with autism in his 40s.

“I hope that every pixel of this portrait offers a safe space for anyone challenged by neurodiversity. Packham’s remarkable connection to the natural world drives him relentlessly to save us from ourselves,” Mr Ansett said.

The portrait of Packham is available to view until May 21 at the former chapel, where it is described as a work “elevating him to the status of living saint”.

Chris Packham is surrounded by some of the UK’s most endangered species in the artwork Credit: Richard Ansett/Radio Times

Packham said: “This photo is about a fundamental level of engagement, an engagement of equals. It conveys the importance of nature to heal us, provide us with a sanctuary in times of terrible trouble.

“But the species featured are also rare or declining so it serves to remind us that our one and only home, our Earth, is on a brink too many are refusing to see and act to protect and repair.

“This is a photograph about love, a love of life, all life.”

The featured species include the red squirrel, the house martin, the woodcock and the hedgehog.

Mr Ansett, an award-winning photographer whose previous works include Sir Grayson Perry in the style of the Madonna and Child, added that the Packham portrait “recognises the difficulties that he has prevailed over to become a success in his career and a positive light for so many people”.

It is “a personal tribute to Packham’s humanity in challenging the worst parts of ours, in our ambivalence to the destruction created in the wake of our own needs”, the photographer said.

General News, Hunting, pets, Stray Animals

EU – Regulations Risk Face Leaving Millions Of Cats and Dogs UNPROTECTED.

Firstly, we wish to welcome all our international visitors to the site https://clustrmaps.com/site/1a9kn – we hope that you find our posts interesting and informative; and trust you can use the data to act as a supplement to your personal campaigning. Regards, Diana and Mark.

As MEP’s, or Members of the European Parliament, prepare to vote on the landmark regulations for the welfare of both dogs and cats, animal protection organisations are sounding the alarm – proposed amendments and exemptions could undermine the regulation, thus leaving millions of cats and dogs unprotected.

In December 2023 the European Commission (EC) unveiled the first ever regulation on the welfare of dogs and cats – a move which was greatly applauded by welfare organisations and EU citizens alike.

It is now concerning however that a solid proposal from the commission; strengthened by the EU Council, is now at risk of being significantly weakener by some political groups with the European Parliament. MEPs now have a chance to step up their reputation and their game by upholding a regulation that delivers for all companion animals.

Welfare organisations are particularly concerned about:

The possibility for cats to be exempted from identification and registration (I and R) and breeding requirements. Without mandatory I and R authorities cannot trace ownership, fight illegal breeding or manage disease outbreaks. In addition to protecting cat welfare, mandatory I and R could reduce costs to public authorities by up to 25 billion Euros EU wide.

A proposed amendment to exempt small and household breeders from registration and other responsibilities. One unregulated household breeder can be responsible for up to 100 pups or kittens in an animals lifetime. Without controls, this could lead to breeding in areas which are both unsanitary and unethical (puppy mills), an exponential increase in the number of strays, which in turn leads to an increase in pressure on the numbers of excellent shelters which ARE ALREADY OPERATING AT MAXIMUM CAPACITY around the EU.

Leaving out Hunting and Military dogs, despite them having the same behavioral and health needs of any other dog. Allowing mutilations and other painful practices under the guise of ‘preserving health’ is known to cause significant suffering and trauma to these types of dogs.

Watering down of breeding practices, with a possibility of lowering the breeding age of female dogs to 12 months, and allowing for artificial insemination in most cases. Breeding from animals which are unable to mate naturally often perpetulates hereditary problema and poor welfare outcomes.

Other companion animals left unprotected. Animal welfare organisations call for the proposal to offer a legislative opening to the future for other companion animals to be protected, through the production of an EU wide positive list which would be a tool stipulating which animals would be allowed as pets. This will address the current inconsistent Member State rules, enforcement gaps and loopholes which are currently undermining international welfare.

Crazy ? – NO – ASK EU POLITICIANS FOR THEIR VIEWS.