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Tweet #WorldElephantDay to spread the word about the plight of elephants and visit our Press Room for Facebook cover photos, sample blog posts, tweets, and more!
Sign the World Elephant Day Pledge to show your support.
Tweet #BeElephantEthical to promote safe, ethical elephant tourism. Do not support organizations that exploit or abuse elephants and other animals for entertainment and profit.
#10DaysForElephants. You can protect elephants and their homes. Take 10 actions in the 10 days leading up to World Elephant Day, August 12.
Do not buy ivory or other wildlife products. Be an elephant aware consumer. Currently it’s not legal in California, New Jersey, New York, Hawaii, Oregon, Nevada, and Washington State. Ivory ban legislation is also currently being considered in Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Massachusetts.
Study elephants in their “keystone” role in the environment and interrelationships with plants and other animals because all of nature is interconnected.
Visit elephants in countries where they live in the wild – tourism benefits the economy, provides needed jobs, deters poachers and abuse, and gives you the opportunity to experience the beauty, intelligence, and emotional capacity of these magnificent giants.
If you wish to experience elephants in their natural environment, choose eco-tourism operators who support local elephant conservation projects and who treat elephants with respect and dignity.
Learn about and support organizations that are working to protect habitat for wild elephants and finding solutions for human-elephant conflict.
Support organizations that are working to stop the illegal poaching and trade of elephant ivory and other wildlife products.
Support organizations that are building natural sanctuaries and alternative habitat for domesticated elephants to live freely.
Support healthy, alternative, sustainable livelihoods for people who have traditionally relied on elephants, wild animals and natural resources. Learn about indigenous cultures that have traditionally lived in harmony with elephants.
Be aware of elephant habitat. Do not buy coffee that is not fair-trade or shade-grown, nor products with palm-oil. These commercial crops are grown in plantations that have decimated elephant habitats. Only buy wood products that have been certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, which promotes responsible management of the world’s forests – the natural habitat for elephants and other wildlife.
Talk about elephants at your school. Initiate an elephant study group to share knowledge and ideas about the plight of elephants and what can be done to ensure their survival into the future.
What do you love about elephants? Their intelligence, empathy and caring for one another are just a few of their qualities. Embrace these qualities and live them in your own life.
Use your love of elephants and World Elephant Day, August 12, to start a conversation with the next person you meet. Tie a string around your finger right now so, like an elephant, you don’t forget!
An anti-poaching ranger in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has described his striking selfie with a pair of endangered mountain gorillas as “just another day in the office”.
Key points:
The selfie was taken with two endangered mountain gorillas in the Virunga National Park
Mr Shamavu’s selfie grabbed international attention on social media for the plight of the gorillas
The park is protected by more than 600 rangers in a region of the country impacted by war
Virunga National Park anti-poaching ranger Mathieu Shamavu posted his selfie with the two gorillas on Facebook as part of his units’ efforts to raise awareness and funds for the species at the UNESCO World Heritage site.
The image, featuring the two gorillas standing upright and looking at the camera, has grabbed international attention on social media, bringing the plight of the species into the spotlight.
According to the Virunga National Park website, one third of the world’s population of critically endangered mountain gorillas live in the region.
The park is protected by a team of more than 600 rangers, and is situated in a region of the country which has been impacted by war for more than 20 years.
“These local men and women go through intensive training, risking their lives on a daily basis to safeguard the park’s exceptional wildlife, including the last of the world’s critically endangered mountain gorillas,” the website says.
Facebook users thanked the rangers for their work protecting the species, with many donating money.
“Wow that is an awesome office you’ve got there,” said one commenter of Mr Shamavu’s workplace.
These Cosmetics Companies Want to Keep Animal Testing Out of Beauty Products
by Alicia Graef, June 2, 2014
Groundbreaking legislation to end animal testing for cosmetics in the U.S. just got a big push of support with a public endorsement from dozens of compassionate industry leaders and stakeholders who want to see the ugliness taken out of our quest for beauty.
Even though it’s not required in the U.S., cosmetics companies have been using animals to test the safety of their ingredients and products for decades and many continue to force millions of animals to endure an onslaught of chemicals during cruel, painful and unnecessary tests that burn, poison and kill them without pain relief.
In March, Rep Jim Moran (D-VA) introduced the Humane Cosmetics Act (H.R. 4148), which would effectively ban the manufacture and sale of cosmetics products tested on animals in the U.S. Last week, 133 companies came forward to show their support for ending the practice for good.
Thousands of animals are still used to test cosmetics throughout the world — but with your help we really can make our world cruelty free. If you believe that we should make this happen, then please do these three things to help us free animals from cruelty: 1. Give Freedom – Make a donation to help us make the world cruelty-free. 2. Buy Freedom – Make sure you buy cruelty free products. 3. Share Freedom – Spread the word — we need an army of people like you!
Please visit http://www.crueltyfreeinternational.org to see how you can Give, Buy or Share Freedom – and help make the world a little bit more cruelty free.
The list includes a number of companies that have already taken steps to go cruelty-free, including Kiss My Face, Lush, Paul Mitchell, Seventh Generation, Aubrey Organics, Beauty Without Cruelty and The Body Shop, among many others.
“Aubrey Organics is proud to be a staunch supporter of the Humane Cosmetics Act. This is not something we take lightly; it is our way of life, our creed. In-vitro testing of ingredients, in the lab and not on animals, is now a scientifically proven harmless and effective manner of ensuring consumer safety. This progress can easily be rolled out to all cosmetic products produced within the United States without delay or hardship. It is simply the right thing to do,” said Curt J. Valva, President & CEO, Aubrey Organics, Inc.
Not only will the Humane Cosmetics Act end the suffering of animals used in painful tests, but it will also encourage the development and validation of more alternatives that are cheaper, faster and more reliable, in addition to helping cosmetics companies in the U.S. stay competitive in a global market that continues to move towards mandating cruelty-free alternatives.
Last year the European Union finalized its ban on animal-tested cosmetics, which prohibits animal testing and the sale of cosmetics that were tested on animals anywhere in the world. The EU now stands with Israel, Norway and São Paulo, Brazil, which could soon be joined by Korea, Canada and Australia where efforts are underway to ban animal testing for cosmetics.
This month India finalized its ban on animal testing for cosmetics products and announced it is considering a proposal that would ban imports of products tested on animals. Vietnam also announced that it will ban the use of the eye irritation tests for rabbits, and starting this summer China will end its mandatory testing requirement for domestic and imported cosmetics.
Even with a ban in the U.S., companies can still choose from thousands of ingredients that already have a long history of safe use and switch to alternatives for animal tests that are already available.
More than 500 companies have already proven they can create safe and cruelty-free products and have been certified by the Leaping Bunny program, which requires them to make a voluntary pledge not to test products or ingredients on animals at any stage of development and requires their suppliers to do the same.
Of course we want to know products hitting the market are safe for us to use, but we also want them to be humane and thanks to advances in science and the development and validation of alternatives, there’s no longer a reason to sacrifice one goal for the other.
TAKE ACTION!
Please sign and share the petition asking your representative to support and co-sponsor the Humane Cosmetics Act.
Craigslist Shocker: “3 Years Ago You Were Evicted and I Have Your Dog”
by Laura Simpson, February 20, 2014
A New York adopter recently marked the three year anniversary of the rescue of her elderly, red pit bull who still wears the physical scars of a once-torn life. In a poignant letter to the person who abandoned the dog, the writer opens the window on a very personal journey of love and recovery. Here is that post which appeared in the Craigslist online classified ads:
“On Feb 9th 2011, you were evicted from an apartment at 20 Catherine St and your old red pit bull was seized by animal control and taken to the kill shelter. She was really skinny and had bad skin infections, and had been bred A LOT. She’d even had a Caesarian, judging by the scar. They said at the kill shelter she was 12 years old. She also had a lopsided face and it looked like there were a few cigarette burns on her head/ears.
I figure you were having a pretty bad time of it, since you were being evicted. I hope things have gotten better for you in the intervening years. Although it’s unlikely you’ll ever see this note, I just wanted you to know that I have your dog and she is doing great.
The AC named her Cathy, for Catherine Street. She was held for cruelty investigation (she was REALLY skinny) then immediately put on the kill list, which is the sort of irony that happens at Animal Care & Control every day. I like old dogs and I loved Cathy’s little lopsided face. A rescue pulled her for me and sent her north.
She gained weight and recovered from her skin issues. Her coat shines now and you can’t see the little round cigarette burn marks any more. We spayed her (her hormones were really out of whack from all the litters she had). She has been wonderful with my young daughter, and our other two dogs. And it turns out she loves to swim! She loves fetch too. If she really was 12 back in 2011, that would make her 15 now but I doubt that as she still will go on long hikes with me, and swim and retrieve balls from the bay until she can barely stand… even though, yes, her face is turning white. She is truly an ambassador for her breed, even people who don’t like pits will stop and pat her as she happily wags her tail. She loves to sleep in sunbeams, and is so happy to go on walks or swims she just wags her tail with every step.
She is sleeping next to me as I type this, grunting with joy. In fact, she sleeps on my bed every night. Your dog is an awesome dog. We love her so much. The past three years we’ve had with her have brought us (and her) so much happiness.
If you do see this, we’d love to know how old she is, and what your name for her was. Also please say a prayer for her, as soon she is going to have mammary surgery to remove some small lumps… unfortunately not spaying a dog and breeding her a lot means she is very likely to get mammary cancer, and Cathy has it. Luckily my vet caught it early, so I am hoping Cathy can spend many more happy years with us. She really is the best dog.
P.S. you can’t have her back.”
Your Animal Rescue Stories Wanted – Submit Your Story
The Great Animal Rescue is a forum for everyday animal lovers to share their extraordinary rescue stories. These personal accounts are frequently shared with a large, worldwide audience here on Care2.
bestofmvm.wordpress.com
When someone calls you “animal” feel it as a compliment, being a human is more like an insult sometimes.
After 37 Years, Mila the Elephant Meets Another of Her Kind
by Alicia Graef, February 24, 2014
The dream of a former caretaker at the Franklin Zoo in New Zealand is finally being realized with the sweet introduction of two elephants, Mila and Mary.
Mila, who is now 41, has spent almost her entire life alone. She was born in Namibia in 1973 and, like many others who find themselves in captivity, was taken from her home and her family shortly after.
Mary is the first elephant Mila has seen in 37 years.
The two meet through a barrier at the San Diego Zoo for the first time.
Mila and Mary’s introduction is as heartwarming as they come, and clearly part of an effort to do what’s best for Mila at this point. However, a more important part of her story is how she got here in the first place and why she spent so much time alone.
After being torn from her family, Mila was moved to a zoo in Honolulu where she was reportedly bullied by other elephants. When she was 4-years-old, Mila was bought by trainer Tony Ratcliffe and flown to New Zealand to join the Whirling Brothers Circus. There she was known as Jumbo and was taught tricks, with the use of a bullhook, that she would be forced to perform for crowds for more than 30 years.
During that time, she spent long periods shackled to a short chain in her trailer where she was observed swaying back and forth, which is a stereotypical behavior of an elephant who is suffering from psychological distress that has never been observed in the wild.
Is Your Beauty Worth the Lives of 11.5 Million Innocent Animals?
by Jessica Ramos, February 5, 2014
When a woman whose main job requirement is to be beautiful expresses that animal testing for the sake of vanity is wrong, you have to wonder what lawmakers were thinking.
The controversy surrounding animal testing for cosmetic and personal products always brings out passions. Do you remember the Urban Decay backlash when they wanted to sacrifice their cruelty-free standing in order to enter the Chinese market (where animal testing was required by law) and the second wave of backlash when they sold to L’Oréal? While L’Oréal insists that it is committed to ending animal testing, they do admit to making exceptions where animal testing is required by law. They also have a history of not being totally transparent.
If the United States’ Safe Cosmetics and Personal Care Products Act of 2013 (SCPCPA) goes into effect, then cue more passionate backlash.
11.5 million animals will be tortured, and, most likely, killed for the safety of your vanity.
L’Oréal always reminds us that we are ‘worth it,’ but aren’t those 11.5 million animals’ lives worth it, too?
The Ugly of SCPCPA
A peer-reviewed article, published in ALTEX, found that SCPCPA wouldn’t be good for businesses or the animals. Over the course of a decade, cosmetic and personal care companies would be required to shell out between $1.7 and $9 billion to perform the new tests under the Act. Meanwhile, the present worldwide cost of animal testing is $54 million per year, or $540 million over a 10-year span.
According to a Leaping Bunny press release, over a 10-year period, “11.5 million animals would be required to test and retest finished products and ingredients for safety.” The authors estimate that there are currently 27,000 cosmetic tests performed worldwide annually, or 270,000 over a 10-year span.
In the Leaping Bunny press release, Jean Knight, a co-author of the peer-reviewed article, explained that the language, or jargon, of the Act “can’t be easily understood unless you have some background in toxicology, so the impact was flying under the radar.” Ironically, many Leaping Bunny certified companies were initially in favor of the Act.
On a more practical note, the evaluative article also highlighted the cost and time inadequacies of the Act. As the Leaping Bunny summary explains, the authors of the ALTEX article note how, “Even under optimal conditions, the number of ingredients to receive evaluations would be 10,000, a little over half of the ingredients likely in use in 10 years.” The authors also explain how holding on to archaic animal testing practices hinders the development of alternatives that would speed up the efficacy of current animal tests and spare the lives of millions of innocent animals in the process.
The Beauty of the World
How does SCPCPA make any business sense? Let’s consider the countries that have banned, started banning, and/or are open to creating and implementing cruelty-free alternatives:
European Union – Check!
Israel – Check!
India – Check!
China – Check!
You see where this is going? Cosmetic animal testing is increasingly becoming an unpopular trend across the globe. The United States would lose a competitive advantage by reinvigorating dated practices.
Consumers Get it
In 2013, The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) shared nationwide poll results related to animal testing for cosmetic use. Their findings found that 67 percent of Americans were against cosmetic animal testing.
Another poll result highlight is that while the majority , 68 percent to be exact, were aware that cosmetics were tested on animals, 70 percent, of the 802 voters, believed that cosmetic animal testing should be illegal.
Some Brands Get it Too
Brands that listen to their customers know that the demand for cruelty-free products is real. Urban Decay sort of listened by not going to China and remaining cruelty-free, but they did sell their company to L’Oréal, in the end.
At the same time, Lush Cosmetics, a company committed to ethical and cruelty-free products, issued their China stance claiming that they wouldn’t enter the Chinese market until China’s mandatory animal testing law is “changed out-right.”
Yes, it’s the same Lush Cosmetics that made headlines with their live human animal testing demonstration.
Whatever became of Lush Cosmetics?
As The International News Magazine reports (as of January 28, 2014),”With 910 stores in 50 countries, we [Lush Cosmetics] are delighted with an overall increase in our global sales of +17.6% for the same 5 week period (+11.4% LFL) with global highlights being North America (+21% LFL) and Australia (+35% LFL).”
I hope that other brands will see that nothing too horrible will happen if they take, and keep, a stance. Hopefully, brands (and the minds behind the SCPCPA) will also see Lush Cosmetics’ North American ‘highlight’ — hint, hint.
If you don’t want your favorite brand to support SCPCPA, then let them know. It’s safe to say that you’ve probably invested more in their brand than the SCPCPA.
Your dollar, your vote. Your vote, one more innocent life saved.
Adopt responsibly, rescue abandoned animals from the street, recover abused animals, visit a shelter and help us continue giving dignity and respect to animals and most important… to ourselves !
taken steps to go cruelty-free, including Kiss My Face, Lush, Paul Mitchell, Seventh Generation, Aubrey Organics, Beauty Without Cruelty and The Body Shop, among many others.
“On Feb 9th 2011, you were evicted from an apartment at 20 Catherine St and your old red pit bull was seized by animal control and taken to the kill shelter. She was really skinny and had bad skin infections, and had been bred A LOT. She’d even had a Caesarian, judging by the scar. They said at the kill shelter she was 12 years old. She also had a lopsided face and it looked like there were a few cigarette burns on her head/ears.
She is sleeping next to me as I type this, grunting with joy. In fact, she sleeps on my bed every night. Your dog is an awesome dog. We love her so much. The past three years we’ve had with her have brought us (and her) so much happiness.
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