Born Free USA Blog

Pity-less Lessons

It’s my own fault — nosing around in the latest issue of Trapper & Predator Caller. This stuff pulls you down faster than a 20-point drop in the Dow Jones. It features a column called School Days where children can submit articles and win prizes. This month’s story was written by an 8-year-old boy.

Little Cats Helping Big Cats

Who among us is not completely and utterly entertained by the antics of our companion animals? I know in our household, our two companion cats, Timmy (a.k.a. Timothy Leary) and Kokopelli (a.k.a. Koko, Kokobean, Kokobeanhead, or Beanhead) regale us with their antics on the large cat tree in the living room or chasing any number of a dozen various toys around and under furniture throughout the house.

Open mouth. Insert foot

I just finished browsing the October issue of Trapper Predator Caller. Now don't get me wrong, this isn't pleasure reading by any stretch.

But what is a bit amusing is that while trapping proponents publicly claim that trapping is humane, selective (i.e., rarely catching dogs, cats, and endangered species), that it provides much needed income to poor trappers, and that it is well regulated and based on rigorous scientific data, their own trade magazine tells a very different story.

The Wind Beneath Our Wings

During the last several weeks I’ve had the pleasure of speaking to many of our supporters. We’ve always thanked each and every person who donates to Born Free USA with a letter or note but this time we wanted to take it a step further and personally thank many of our new donors with a call.

Six down, 44 to go!

I finished the St. George (Utah) Marathon on October 3 in 3:45:19. I qualified for Boston 2010, finished with a faster time than my last four marathons, and ran the first negative split (second half faster than the first) of my life. And to top it off, I felt great! In the last couple miles, letting gravity help me clock some 7:15-7:30 pace on the welcome downhills, it really helped to visualize the monkeys at the Born Free USA Primate Sanctuary, and to picture the friends who supported my run at St. George by contributing to Born Free USA. You know who you are — and you are heroes to me and to the animals.

The Case of Big Farm and Big Pharm: A Tale of Two Piggies

Today it was announced that the first case of Swine Flu was found in a pig in the United States. The poor little piggy victim was an entry at the Minnesota State Fair.

Beauty for a Cause

Like most of us, I love a good cause ... especially when it’s related to animal welfare and protection.

Admittedly, I also like to shop. But I’m a careful shopper. I’m an animal-friendly shopper. I am an environmentally sensitive shopper. And I love to find a great deal! But what I love even more, is when I have an opportunity to combine all of these things like I do this weekend when Sedona Spa presents its Shop for a Cause.

Let's Be Honest about Global Climate Change

Today (October 15) is Blog Action Day for Climate Change, where bloggers around the world unite to talk about Global Climate Change — arguably the most important environmental issue we now face.