Free the Killer Whale

by Jane Velez-Mitchell, HLN

When it comes to animal exploitation — follow the money. Using animals for entertainment is big business, plain and simple. The killer whale Tilikum has helped SeaWorld sell millions of dollars worth of tickets.

In the process this highly intelligent, social creature has gone through what we can only assume is hell. The hell is called confinement. Veteran whale trainer Dawn Brancheau was killed February 22 when the 12,300-pound killer whale dragged her into a tank at the park and held her underwater long enough to drown her. It happened in front of a crowd, just as she was rubbing the whale after a show.

Read more from Jane on CNN’s HLN.

Last Thursday night, February 25, Jane and Jack Hanna, well-known animal expert, appeared on Showbiz Tonight and discussed the topic of captured whales. You can view the videohere.

Jane Velez-Mitchell hosts “Issues with Jane Velez-Mitchell,” a topical event-driven show with a wide range of viewpoints that airs every night on HLN at 7 p.m. ET. An animal activist, she is a member of the board of Animal Cruelty Investigations and a member of PETA.

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1st Annual Alabama Week for the Animals: March 6-14, 2010

Animal World USA is pleased to announce Governor Bob Riley has officially proclaimed March 6-14, 2010 the 1st Annual Alabama Week for the Animals! The statewide celebration is designed to celebrate and recognize the unique and life-changing role that animals play in the lives of citizens through all walks of life. The week will underscore community spirit throughout Alabama as citizens come together on behalf of the amazing animals.

The 1st Annual Alabama Week for the Animals is bringing together educators, animal shelters, humane organizations, sanctuaries, businesses, students, artists, community leaders, decision makers and caring citizens in a compassionate week of community activities for the animals!

This first ever special week features awesome fun-filled pet adoption events, blessing of the animals, free and low cost spay/neuter opportunities, “Sweet Dog Alabama” Adoption Days, student activities for shelters, pet therapy in hospitals, volunteer appreciation events, R.E.A.D. library events for young students, low cost microchipping and vaccinations, wildlife activities including frogs, pet food/supply donation opportunities to help local orgs, a salute to working K-9’s and handlers, Spay-ghetti Dinner with live musical concert and so much more! Events will be added daily leading up to kick of the week on March 6, 2010.

Precious lives will be saved and communities transformed during this incredible week. The 1st Annual Alabama Week for the Animals will build new relationships for the animals and save precious lives. Visit the 1st Annual Alabama Week for the Animals web site for complete information. For complete contact information, please visit the Animal World USA web site.

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5th Annual SE Rat Terrier Jamboree (April 16-17, 2010)

The Southeast Rat Terrier group would like to invite rat terrier owners and enthusiasts everywhere to attend its annual Jamboree and fundraiser for New Rattitude, a national rat terrier rescue organization.

Location: Sweetwater Valley KOA Campground, 269 Murrays Chapel Rd., Sweetwater, Tennessee 37874. The Southeast Rat Terrier group has procured the use of several acres adjacent to the campground with lots of room for a fenced off-leash play area, event setup, vendor and exhibitor setup, and plenty of parking. Restroom facilities are nearby and there will be a covered pavillion for the cookout Friday night.

Admission: The cost of admission to the Jamboree will be the donation of one item (tax deductible!) per person for the New Rattitude raffle. 100% of the raffle proceeds will be donated to New Rattitude. For the use of their facilities, the KOA will be charging a one-time nominal fee of $3 per person. Please stop and pay on your arrival at the KOA office to receive your 2-day permit for the Jamboree.

There will be no charge to enter the competitions on Saturday.

Please visit the official Jamboree web site for updated information about events.

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Escondido Humane Society: Paws in the Park (03/28/10)

The Escondido Humane Society’s Paws in the Park dog walk is sure to be a howling good time for people and their canine companions. The annual dog walk, which will raise money and awareness for homeless and abandoned animals, runs from 8 am to noon on March 28, 2010 at Kit Carson Park, 3333 Bear Valley Parkway in Escondido, California. Post-walk festivities include a Paw vendor expo, games, contests, entertainment, and more.

Walkers can register online at www.firstgiving.com/ehs. Registration is free, and all walkers will receive incentive prizes based on dollars raised. For more information, please call (760) 888-2235 or visit the Escondido Humane Society web site.

The Escondido Humane Society (Escondido, California 92027) cares for stray, surrendered, abused, neglected, and abandoned companion animals of North County San Diego, providing a safe haven and placement into permanent, loving homes. The Escondido Humane Society advocates for the prevention of animal abuse, neglect, and homelessness by teaching compassion, respect, responsible ownership, and caring treatment for all living creatures, and for the importance of spay/neuter in the prevention of pet overpopulation.

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Soothsoft Canine Cooler Dog Bed

The Soothsoft Canine Cooler Dog Bed, available from SurfPet, has numerous benefits for your dogs health. The Canine Cooler works without electricity to provide a cool spot for your dog to relax and escape heat and exhaustion.

The Canine Cooler removes heat from your dog’s body by taking advantage of the rules of thermodynamics. By providing a spot that is cooler than your dog’s body temperature, the bed actually draws heat away from your dog to ensure your dog stays cool year round.

The softness of the Canine Cooler also ensures that your dog is not putting strain on its joints by lying on hard surfaces that dogs gravitate toward because of the coolness.

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