The King and I

King is one of our eight cats and his name would not fit any of my other cats. For King's free, proud and adventurous spirit kept me longing for that day that he would decide to stay with us. Yes, you could say that King was a stray cat for most of his life, but he knew that the roof of a certain house (and many other houses) belonged to him.

King was born on the roof of my husband's house (long before he was my husband) about 11 years ago. My husband knew about the kittens and started feeding them by putting food on the roof. I was told that most of the kittens left and went their own way, but King always came back for the food or maybe for the love that was represented by the food. My husband left for overseas work in Taiwan end of 1998. King's roof and house was left with a caretaker who continued placing food for him on the roof.

My husband and I met in 2000 in Tawain (where we both were teaching) and in 2002 I visited the Philippines for the first time. During my month's visit I had the honor of meeting King and also decided to name him after witnessing his conquering leaps from roof to wall to wall to roof. Occasionally he would jump down to the backyard and allow me to pet and talk to him. His sincere "hugs" and "purrs" against my legs felt like we knew each other before we met.

I left for a new teaching job in South-Korea and ended up staying for almost 3 years, but never did I forget King. Whenever I phoned my then to be husband in the Philippines, I would ask: "How is King?" My husband and I got married in South Africa (where I am from) end of 2004. I moved to the Philippines, started a job, had a son and enjoyed King's irregular visits to our backyard. Often he enjoyed baking in the sun on the wall or on the corner couch, but never long enough . . . freedom was to inviting for him and putting him in the house (as I tried many times) was against his religion.

Then one week, in 2006 there was no visit from King. After several weeks passed without seeing King, I started blaming myself for not forcing King into a cage to have him castrated just to cure him from that admirable free spirit. Never did I stop looking for King. Every night when I fed my other very domesticated, "never dare to go anywhere" cats I would call for King, hoping that he would find his way back to our roof.

Two years passed and no sight of King, until one evening in March of 2008. King was there, right there on his roof, our roof. With his unique high-pitched "miaau" he responded to my every loud overjoyed call for him. King came home. His one ear was collapsed due to ear mite infestation and he had plenty of infected scratches, bite marks and wounds. King was now 10 years old and nothing not even his free spirit would keep me from letting him slip through my heart again.

Within the next week King was castrated and treated for his many wounds and ear mites. After a two-week cage rest we allowed King the freedom of our garden and backyard. Yes, he jumped on the wall but he didn't leave and looked at us as if he wanted to say: "I will stay, I'm already old and I've done it all and I choose to stay with you." He never left again.

King is now 11 years old. His kidneys need medicine, his on a special diet and our vet mentioned that his condition might only get worse. Last week, King spent 3 days in an animal clinic, but he made it through and welcomed 2009 with us. His eyes and "purrs" are still filled with that same enthusiasm from 6 years ago. King is King, and we will hold on to him as long as he can hold on to us . . . and I believe this was exactly his reason for coming home.

One dog at a time

The Philippine Animal Welfare Society needs caring people like you to adopt a dog or a cat. Phone them today at (02) 475 1688 or visit www.MeFindHome.org

The difference a day makes . . . "JAN"

"JAN" was a dog that was never owned or cared for. He was a stray dog until my husband and I rescued him Tuesday evening at about 10pm close to our neighborhood. We have noticed him about a week before rescuing him, but then he was not always in that same spot until he was there again on Tuesday.

We took him to Animal Clinic Alabang on Wednesday. Unfortunately, "JAN" already had a serious viral infection that attacked his liver. Due to his suffering state he was “put down” late yesterday afternoon. This came with a lot of disappointment as it was the first dog we rescued, usually we rescue cats, and I saw myself nursing him back to health with the help of a vet and also PAWS. At least he did not die on the street and for one day he was owned and cared for. I’m writing about "JAN" because I want you who care so much about animals to also give “JAN” a moment of acknowledgement. Despite "JAN"'s irreversible condition, he was very kind and he wagged his tail when he saw us.

So even when some stray dogs look like they are mending for themselves on the streets, their bodies are always in a terrible state due to malnutrition, worms, and infections. I do not have a picture of "JAN" as I wanted to wait until he would feel better.

The Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare

The Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare is a contract among people and nations to recognize that animals are responsive beings and can suffer, to respect their welfare needs, and to end animal cruelty. This Declaration will be presented at the General Assembly of the United Nations.

PRINCIPLES OF THE DECLARATION
1. The welfare of animals shall be a common objective for all [states];

2. The standards of animal welfare attained by each [state] shall be promoted, recognized and observed by improved measures, nationally and internationally. [Whilst there are significant social, economic and cultural differences between societies, each should care for and treat animals in a humane and sustainable manner][in accordance with the principles of the Declaration];

3. All appropriate steps shall be taken by [states] to prevent cruelty to animals and to reduce their suffering;

4. Appropriate standards on the welfare of animals be further developed and elaborated such as, but not limited to, those governing the use and management of farm animals, companion animals, animals in scientific research, draught animals, wildlife animals and animals in recreation.
Quoted from the Provisional Draft of the UDAW.

Click on the link to SIGN the Declaration.
http://www.animalsmatter.org/

All Things Bright and Beautiful

[Roy would be about twelve then and heaven only knows how old Mrs. Donovan must have been, but the big golden animal was trotting along effortlessly and his mistress, a little more bent, perhaps, and her head rather nearer the ground was doing very well. When she saw me she came over and I felt the familiar tight grip on my wrist.
"Mr. Herriot," she said, and in the dark probing eyes the pride was still as warm the triumph still as bursting new as if it had all happened yesterday.
"Mr. Herriot, haven't I made a difference to this dog!"]

I am busy reading James Herriot's All Things Bright and Beautiful. What a beautiful book filled with true stories about a man (and a vet) who appreciated every emotion life could throw at him. His unforgettable and real encounters with people and animals gives us a glimpse of how our relationship with animals and people should be.
I bought my copy from a local bookstore POWERBOOKS, Makati, Manila.

Gestation crates, debeaking and more . . .

Modern methods are not modern if it is not guided by ethical and humane policies.

Factory farming methods and its negligence towards animal welfare and consequently animal and human health is probably one of the worst problems facing our world. Most factory farms don’t adhere to modern day policies regarding animal and environmental welfare. These farms are steered for maximum profit which makes those behind the wheel blind towards inhumane treatment of animals. We, the consumers who pay for these "farmed" products, have no clue of what is going on behind the high walls of these farms.

"more needs to be done by lending agencies, governments, non-governmental organizations, and individual consumers. Changing the meat economy will require a rethinking of our relationship with livestock and the price we’re willing to pay for safe, sustainable, humanely-raised food." (Danielle Nierenberg)

Factory Farming in the Developing World
~ read the article by clicking on this link
http://www.globalpolicy.org/socecon/hunger/economy/2004/may2003meat.pdf

Science meets Compassion

The Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science (JAAWS), offer in-depth and wide-ranging articles and reports that examine society's complex relationship with animals. JAAWS (a joint project with the ASPCA) publishes articles and reports discussing methods of experimentation, husbandry, and care that enhance the welfare of animals in laboratories, farms, homes and the wild.

Click below and be informed!
http://www.animalsandsociety.org/resources/index.php?pid=83&tpid=30