Please Act Now! To support the USDA Petition to Prohibit Public Contact with Big Cats, Bears, and Primates
All you have to do is follow these steps to speak up for the animals.
1) Click this link to go to the USDA Comment page.
If that does not work, go to www.Regulations.gov and cut and paste : APHIS-2012-0107-0002 into the search box.
2) Click the “Comment Now!” button on the far right.
3) Fill in a brief comment asking USDA to approve this rule banning public contact and your contact information. - See more at the wild cat sanctuary
Monday, September 23, 2013
Betsy's Story
This small female black bear was ordered removed by officials with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Fish and Wildlife not once but twice, before finding permanent refuge.
Her first owner tied her up on a very short chain to a post and allowed people to pay to bring in their dogs to train them how to hunt bear. As a result she suffered a lot of abuse and carries with her many scars, a badly healed broken foot, partial blindness, and many missing and broken teeth. This illegal activity was finally stopped and the bear was relocated to another private owner.
Just two years later Betsy was again suffering from inadequate care and had to be removed. This time officials asked a well respected animal sanctuary to take her knowing the bear would finally receive the proper care she deserves. This story is only one of many that are currently going on in the United States, and most people have no idea.
Just two years later Betsy was again suffering from inadequate care and had to be removed. This time officials asked a well respected animal sanctuary to take her knowing the bear would finally receive the proper care she deserves. This story is only one of many that are currently going on in the United States, and most people have no idea.
You can visit Black Pine Animal Sanctuary in Albion, IN.
About this Blog
The exotic pet trade is the 2nd largest trade in the United States landing right behind the illegal drug trade. Many people have no idea that this is going on. Would you believe that there are more tigers living just as pets, not counting the ones in zoos, in the U.S. than there are left in the wild?
It's true!
I became aware of this in 2008, I completed an internship at an animal sanctuary in Indiana. I was shocked at the horrible background stories some of these animals had.
Why had I never heard of this before? These stories hardly ever hit main stream media.
I found out that these horror stories are happening all over the U.S. They often start with the purchase of cute fuzzy babies that soon turn into wild poop throwing primates, or 500lb carnivores.
After working in zoo education for years, I have come to the realization that the majority of the general public just don't have a clue. They don't want to harm animals, they honestly don't understand when they are supporting the mistreatment of exotic animals; by paying for pictures with baby animals, and paying to see exotic animals at traveling shows that many fairs and festivals host.
As an animal caretaker I believe it is my duty to not only properly care for my animals but, to be their voice, letting the general public know the difference between supporting organizations that care for animals versus organizations that only exploit the animals in their care.
I'm convinced that if true animal caretakers stick together, we can successfully spread the news and share the animal's stories. Once enough people know and begin to care about this topic, change will follow.
Hopefully we can achieve this before more tragic incidents like the one that happened in Zanesville, OH in 2011.
It's true!
I became aware of this in 2008, I completed an internship at an animal sanctuary in Indiana. I was shocked at the horrible background stories some of these animals had.
Why had I never heard of this before? These stories hardly ever hit main stream media.
I found out that these horror stories are happening all over the U.S. They often start with the purchase of cute fuzzy babies that soon turn into wild poop throwing primates, or 500lb carnivores.
After working in zoo education for years, I have come to the realization that the majority of the general public just don't have a clue. They don't want to harm animals, they honestly don't understand when they are supporting the mistreatment of exotic animals; by paying for pictures with baby animals, and paying to see exotic animals at traveling shows that many fairs and festivals host.
As an animal caretaker I believe it is my duty to not only properly care for my animals but, to be their voice, letting the general public know the difference between supporting organizations that care for animals versus organizations that only exploit the animals in their care.
I'm convinced that if true animal caretakers stick together, we can successfully spread the news and share the animal's stories. Once enough people know and begin to care about this topic, change will follow.
Hopefully we can achieve this before more tragic incidents like the one that happened in Zanesville, OH in 2011.
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