Category: General News

Birds, General News, Hunting, Uncategorized, Wildlife

(UK) Royal Artillery Hunt: We just want police to protect us like everyone else

Hunt master claims authorities failing to act despite increase in attacks by masked saboteurs

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/05/17/royal-artillery-hunt-want-police-protect-us-everyone-else/

17 May 2025 3:00pm BST

The Royal Artillery Hunt said it had been the victim of more than 200 incidents since fox hunting was banned in 2004 Credit: John Eccles

The demands of the Royal Artillery Hunt seem simple – they just want law enforcement to treat them like everyone else.

But after years of attacks by masked saboteurs – and an alleged lack of action from authorities despite dozens of police reports detailing harassment, abuse and physical assault – they are beginning to lose hope.

“If what happened to the trail hunting community happened in other walks of life, then people would almost immediately be arrested, but it doesn’t happen with the sabs,” James Harris, a hunt master, told The Telegraph.

For the first time, the hunt has released its record of attacks by saboteurs. It shows that while there have been more than 200 incidents since fox hunting was banned in 2004, the number of cases has increased dramatically in recent years.

Over the course of the two seasons from 2022, a period covering 14 months, there were 103 incidents recorded and 67 police reports. But there was not a single prosecution.

Perhaps it is no coincidence that the start of the spike was the year that Jim McMahon, Labour’s then shadow environment secretary, vowed to ban trail hunting.

Have the political attacks emboldened the activists? “They have upped the ante,” Mr Harris said. “They smell blood.”

He described his hunt as a “prime target”. As a military pack, they hunt a trail on Ministry of Defence (MoD) land, so following them and making complaints to the landowner allows the activists to put pressure on the Government.

“The hunt saboteurs claim to be monitoring trail hunts but that is a misnomer – the clue is in their title,” Mr Harris said. “Their remit is to incite and upset and disrupt our activities.”

He added: “They are continually masked and they claim to the public that that is for their own protection but that is an out-and-out lie.

“We know their names, we know exactly who they are, they are masked because they are constantly breaking the law and with intent to do so. Hiding their identities means that they cannot be prosecuted, that is the true reason why they are masked.”

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A member of the Royal Artillery Hunt is confronted by an activist

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Please also visit ..
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/hunting/

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/02/22/hunting-ban-came-in-20-years-ago-our-culture-poorer-for-it/

20 years on the Hunting Act remains an attack on the rural working class

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https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/03/27/downton-abbey-peter-egan-bully-league-against-cruel-sports/

Downton Abbey actor accused of bullying boss of anti-hunting charity

Peter Egan, who played ‘Shrimpie’ in the hit TV series, denies claims by former head of League Against Cruel Sports

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https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/02/14/trail-hunting-ban-labour-government/

The Government’s latest attack on the countryside proves Labour hates our way of life

The party’s plan to ban trail hunting is class war pure and simple

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https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/12/10/cyber-security-expert-hacked-huntsmen-abi-waddell-uk/

Cyber security expert used award-winning IT skills to hack huntsmen

The confidential details of thousands of hunt workers were hacked

General News, Hunting, Uncategorized, Wildlife

(EU) EU eases hunting restrictions on wolves after Ursula von der Leyen’s pony killed

(and this is clearly all it takes to de-list an endangered/protected species – an attack on a powerful politicians’ pet)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/09/25/eu-vote-hunting-wolves-conservation/

25 September 2024 5:33pm BST

Predators were once virtually extinct in Europe, but thanks to conservation efforts their numbers have rebounded

Wolves face being hunted in greater numbers after the European Union voted to downgrade their protected status.

The European Commission’s proposal, backed by a qualified majority of EU ambassadors, would allow greater flexibility in organising hunts by downgrading the wolf from “strictly protected” to “protected”.

Ministers will meet to formally vote on the proposal on Thursday, with only Ireland and Spain expected to vote against it, diplomatic sources said. Other member states are expected to abstain.

Wolves were virtually extinct in Europe a century ago but, thanks in part to EU conservation efforts, numbers have rebounded, with more than 1,000 of the predators in some countries.

Amid a backlash against the burden of EU green rules triggered by the cost of living crisis, farmers have complained that rising numbers of the predators are endangering their livestock.

However, conservationists have criticised the “outrageous move” to ease the hunting restrictions.

Hunting of problem wolves is already allowed under exceptions to the EU protections. Limited legal wolf hunting is carried out in Finland, Norway, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Bulgaria, Romania and Slovakia, but it could now become more widespread.

The vote comes after European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen’s favourite horse, Dolly, was killed by a wolf in September 2022 at her home in Germany.

Ursula Von Der Leyen with her pony ‘Dolly’ who was killed by a wolf Credit: Instagram

The keen equestrian and mother-of-seven said her family was “horribly distressed” by the loss of the 30-year-old horse at the lower Saxony compound.

The culprit was identified through DNA evidence as a wolf known as GW950m. But a permit to kill it expired before it could be hunted down, meaning it could still be at large.

The keen equestrian and mother-of-seven said her family was “horribly distressed” by the loss of the 30-year-old horse at the lower Saxony compound.

The culprit was identified through DNA evidence as a wolf known as GW950m. But a permit to kill it expired before it could be hunted down, meaning it could still be at large.

Brussels was forced to deny that Mrs von der Leyen had intervened in the permit process to take revenge for the death of Dolly. The permit was applied for before the horse was killed.

The Eurogroup for Animals said wolf populations had increased but had not reached “favourable” conservation status, as it decried a move that “seriously jeopardises the conservation efforts of the past decade and prioritises politics over science”.

‘Long-overdue’

“Wolves are our allies, not our enemies and it is crucial to protect them,” said Léa Badoz, of the Eurogroup for Animals. More than 300,000 EU citizens had signed a petition to stop wolf hunting.

“This is a very outrageous move and shows that member states are ignoring their citizens’ calls and science,” she said. “We urge the other parties to the Bern Convention to reject this proposal.”

Centre-Right MEPs from Mrs von der Leyen’s European People’s Party (EPP), which campaigned to loosen the protections before June’s EU-wide elections, said the decision was the start of a “long-overdue process” to bring wolf populations under control. 

“As these populations grow, their conservation status must evolve too,” said Alexander Bernhuber, an EPP member of the European Parliament’s environment committee.

Italy was among the most vocal countries demanding protections be weakened. The wolf was pushed to the verge of extinction in Italy by the 1970s, when the population dipped to just 100 individuals. Numbers are now estimated to be about 3,300.

“It is a step forward that fills us with satisfaction,” Paolo Borchia, an Italian MEP from the Right-wing League party, said on Wednesday. “It is unacceptable that it took years to come to terms with a situation that is clear for everyone to see.”

Birds, Environmental, Farm Animals, General News, Hunting, Live Transport, pets, Stray Animals, Uncategorized, Wildlife

(UK) Chris Packham is no saint. He’s an environmental extremist to us country folk

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/05/16/chris-packham-is-an-environmental-extremist/

(It was only a matter of time when the backlash would come …)

The Springwatch host saw no issue being likened to St Francis of Assisi, making his holier-than-thou attitude worse than ever this week

Vanity is a bewitching drug for some of the BBC’s biggest stars. Jostling for most luminous position in the media firmament this week, next to Gary Lineker (who completely by mistake, and in the knowledge that the media watches his every social media move, managed to post to Instagram the suggestion that Jews were rats) was Chris Packham. …..

Please ref. to previous post:

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

General News, pets, Uncategorized

(UK) Pictured: The Queen’s new dog

New eight-week-old Jack Russell called Moley will be featured at the Chelsea Flower Show

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2025/05/18/pictured-the-queens-new-dog/

Queen Camilla is the patron of the Battersea Dogs and Cats home Credit: Instagram

The Queen has shared a picture of her new rescue dog.

The image of Moley, who was adopted from Battersea Dogs and Cats home, shows the animal perched on a wooden chair.

The King and Queen are expected to see the names of their dogs featured in a Chelsea Flower Show garden when they visit the attraction on Monday.

Monty Don, of BBC Gardeners’ World, is behind a dog-friendly garden which aims to celebrate the UK’s reputation as a nation of dog lovers and garden enthusiasts, opening to the public on Tuesday.

The Queen, who is the patron of Battersea Dogs and Cats home, took the step of adopting an eight-week-old puppy after the death of her beloved rescue terrier Beth.

…

Environmental, General News, pets, Stray Animals

EU: The EU Could Save Member States Billions Of Euros With Mandatory Registration Of ALL Cats And Dogs Throughout ALL Member States – Here Is Our Evidence For MEP’s.

Microchipping and registering animals is not only essential for improving the welfare of cats and dogs; as well as ensuring public health; it could also save EU stated up to 25 BILLION euros per year.

As the European Commission’s proposal on the welfare of dogs and cats; including their traceability; makes its way though Parliament; the mandatory identification and registration of all companion animals remains a crucial element of the legislation.

Under current legislation proposals, certain animals are at risk of being excluded from the mandate to microchip and register pets. Leaving gaps in the legislation will allow the illegal pet trade to continue unabated, resulting in lost revenues for tax authorities and a continued burden on the public sector related to the maintenance of unwanted and abandoned animals.

With almost 6 MILLION dogs in demand across the EU each year; a staggering 79% come from unverified sources. With a conservative purchase price of around 800 Euros per puppy, dogs coming from un verified sources constitute up to 3.8 BILLIONG in lost revenues and VAT annually. With around 78 million cats in EU households, and some purebred prices reaching a disgusting 50,000 Euros; cats are a vital element of this proposal.

The uncontrolled trade and breeding of dogs and cats leads to striking costs of managing free roaming populations. Feral and abandoned pets constitute 30% of all cats and dogs worldwide, with the number of abandoned, homeless cats and dogs in EUROPE most likely underestimated to be 100 MILLION animals. In Italy alone it costs 180 – 200 million Euros of public funds to keep ABANDONED DOGS in shelters, If we look at the numbers throughout the EU, then the numbers and prices become staggering.

The lack of EU wide requirements could be costing EU member states, municipalities and EU citizens up to 25 BILLION Euros per year, an equivalent of 0.15% of total EU GDP. However, this money could be saved if the European Parliament acts responsibly when handling the current legislative proposals.

Currently, 24 EU member states require the mandatory of dogs; and 7 EU member states require it for cats; with more countries anticipated in coming years.

The obligation is especially important for stray and street animals – we campaigned for them when we were fighting the government in Serbia from 2005 onwards under ‘Serbian Animals Voice’ or SAV – – https://serbiananimalsvoice.com/about-serbian-animals/ and https://serbiananimalsvoice.com/about-us/

An EU wide system needs to be implemented to ensure that animals are traceable and that information on ownership, health and any disease history is fully recorded on an EU database.

The average annual ownership costs amount to approximately 1,129 Euros for cats and 1,305 Euros for a dog. THE ONE OFF COST OF MICROCHIPPING works out at around 40 Euros per animal – just 3-4 % of the annual ownership for a dog or a cat. Therefore making microchipping mandatory feasible for all EU animals throughout all EU member states. With adapted transition periods and local solutions in place; this highly practical solution is within reach.

In the development of a sound and reliable identification and registration system throughout ALL EU member states, the costs related to the acquisition of animals from unknown sources as well as the management of ‘unwanted animals’ will reduce over time; and thus leading to more responsible breeding and keeping of animals throughout ALL EU member states.

Thus this our evidence – we hope it is enough for EU citizens to this site to be able to ask their MEP’s to fully support this legislation.

Regards; Mark and Diana.

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.

General News, pets, Stray Animals, Uncategorized

(US) Stop the killing San Antonio Animal Services: for Mia. No more shockingly high kill rate!

We have several posts on the issue here on the site – the kill shelter at San Antonio has exceptionally high numbers – today, Tuesday, 48 dogs are listed for “euthanasia” …

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https://www.change.org/p/stop-the-killing-san-antonio-animal-services-for-mia-no-more-shockingly-high-kill-rate

Please stop the killing of loving healthy and loveable dogs! And they kill owner surrenders first. Mia in the photo here was 4–her owners said very sweet. She was wagging her tail happily in her pink harness as she entered the shelter. Then, terrified, despite the best efforts of volunteers, she was killed three days later. Her life was short—and precious. She deserved better.

In 2024 , six days a week, animal rescue nonprofit and kind individuals have less than two hours to rescue dogs that are released to be euthanized. They were on target to kill more than 4000 dogs and cats in 2023–and it’s as bad this year.

It would be worse without the army of volunteers and kind rescues who step up to save these sweet adoptable pets. In March 13 2023 they even killed a service dog despite efforts to save him including an adoption bid.

ACS euthanizes healthy adoptable dogs three days after intake—a Director stated in an interview he wished he could do this quicker. There are usually 20 plus dogs killed at a time, including sweet friendly and highly adoptable puppies. Over 20% of dogs are killed—the figure for cats is worse. 

They euthanize puppies, nursing mothers, young dogs, dogs that are confiscated because of cruelty and seniors. They euthanize gentle loving dogs.

Let’s stop this killing together. Let the mayor Ron Nirenberg, city manager Eric Walsh and governor Greg Abbott and the director of Animal Services in San Antonio feel your outrage at these unnecessary deaths by signing. Let them know they need to pay attention to the dogs and you—and stop this! Networking and more funding—with a change of policy and perhaps personnel at administration level—would be a good start. Other cities manage this. 

The policy of high kill isn’t helping San Antonio’s problem with strays and the dumping of dogs. They need an aggressive spay and neuter  campaign.

Up to 508 puppies can be born from one unspayed female dog and her offspring in seven years.

Up to 4,948 kittens can be born from one unspayed female cat and her offspring in seven years.

The more they kill the more are produced, and spaying and neutering—and limiting breeding in the city—would be a cheaper solution than slaughter.

And without your help thousands more dogs will be quietly killed. Please sign—and share and promote if you can. Their lives are sacred—it’s the only one they get.

Targets: