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Waiting to greet Paul and MacKenzie were volunteers from our longtime partners at 
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donderdag 6 februari 2025
Super news from 'Pilots To The Rescue' : in January 2025 they rescued 62 homeless cats and 115 homeless dogs and some have already been adopted
woensdag 5 februari 2025
“Ierland heeft een nieuw dieptepunt bereikt door 3000 drachtige melkkoeien op lange zeereizen te sturen naar Algerije een land met zeer slechte dierenwelzijnsnormen.
Meer dan 3.000 drachtige koeien zijn sinds 2024 vanuit Ierland naar Algerije verscheept. Dit blijkt uit een onderzoek van Ethical Farming Ireland. De omstandigheden van de transport blijken duidelijk onder de maat te zijn en eenmaal aangekomen in Algerije staat de dieren nog meer verschrikkingen te wachten: Algerije heeft een van de laagste dierenwelzijnsstandaarden ter wereld. Eurogroup for Animals en Ethical Farming Ireland roepen zowel de Ierse overheid als de Europese Unie op om een halt toe te brengen aan deze inhumane praktijk.
Op 15 januari 2025 werden ruim 2.000 drachtige koeien op het schip Shorthorn Express geladen met als bestemming Algerije. Een jaar eerder vond een vergelijkbaar transport plaats, toen 1.000 zwangere koeien dezelfde reis maakten. Dit is alarmerend nieuws, want Algerije heeft nauwelijks regelgeving op het gebied van dierenwelzijn. Wereldwijd wordt het land als ‘G’ geclassificeerd door World Animal Protection —de laagste score als het gaat om bescherming van dieren die gebruikt worden voor landbouwdoeleinden.
Barre omstandigheden
Hoewel de zeereis relatief kort is, blijkt uit rapporten van Ethical Farming Ireland dat de omstandigheden aan boord beneden alle peil zijn. Hoge temperaturen, hoge luchtvochtigheid en gebrek aan ventilatie leiden tot ademhalingsproblemen, diarree en pijnlijke verwondingen aan de poten. Voor drachtige dieren, die al extra stressgevoelig zijn, zijn de risico’s nog groter. Ze kunnen vroegtijdig bevallen, uitdrogen of andere ziekten ontwikkelen. Directeur van Ethical Farming Ireland Caroline Rowley beschrijft de reis als volgt:
“Ierland heeft een nieuw dieptepunt bereikt door drachtige melkkoeien op lange zeereizen te sturen naar een land met zeer slechte dierenwelzijnsnormen. Niet alleen brengt de zeereis de dieren onnodig in gevaar van ziekte en verwondingen, waaronder het afbreken van het kalf, ze gaan ook naar een land waar waterschaarste heerst en waar ze een hete, stoffige voederplaats moeten doorstaan die ver afstaat van de groene velden van Ierland. Zodra deze dieren onze kusten verlaten, worden ze niet langer beschermd en de autoriteiten hebben geen idee wat er met ze zal gebeuren of waar ze uiteindelijk terecht zullen komen. Ik vrees dat het lot van de ongeboren kalveren nog veel erger zal zijn.”
Dierenrechtenorganisaties, waaronder Eurogroup for Animals en Compassion in World Farming, luidden na de eerste export in 2024 de noodklok en riepen de Ierse overheid op deze transporten te stoppen. Uit onderzoek bleek dat de koeien bij aankomst in Algerije in open vrachtwagens werden vervoerd, wat een duidelijke schending van EU-regels voor diertransport is (EC Verordening 1/2005, artikel 3(c)). Toch ging de export dit jaar opnieuw door, en heeft exporteur Cows.ie aangekondigd dat meer transporten zullen volgen. Bovendien lijkt deze exporteur erg trots te zijn op deze transporten, zoals op hun website terug te vinden is. Duidelijk is dus dat de exporteur een heel andere visie heeft op de transporten dan de dierenrechtenorganisaties. De Ierse overheid lijkt echter geen reden om de klachten van de dierenrechtenorganisaties serieus te nemen en laat de transporten toe.
Door de dierenrechtenorganisaties wordt nu naar de EU gekeken en verzocht of zij maatregelen willen nemen om deze transporten tot een halt te brengen. Verschillende suggesties worden door de organisaties aangehaald:
- Het ontwikkelen van een sterkere transportverordening die bovendien strikt wordt gehandhaafd. Hoewel de huidige transportregels deze export al niet toestaan, wordt er amper gehandhaafd.
- Het beperken van het vervoer van zwakkere of drachtige dieren. Er zijn voldoende ethische en wetenschappelijke argumenten om het transport van drachtige dieren, zeker naar derde landen, te verbieden. Mocht transport toch plaatsvinden, dan moeten er strikte maatregelen komen om het welzijn van deze dieren te waarborgen.
- Het stoppen met het vervoeren van levende dieren naar derde landen. Dit is een suggestie die al vaker, ook in andere contexten wordt genoemd. Denk bijvoorbeeld aan de transporten van Ierland naar conflictgebieden als Gaza en Israël. Het voelt ook wrang aan dat er allerlei regels gelden voor de transport van dieren binnen de EU, maar zodra de dieren van een EU-land naar een derde land worden vervoerd, kunnen deze regels aan de kant worden geschoven. Aangezien de EU veel handel drijft met derde landen, brengt het alsnog miljarden dieren in uiterst pijnlijke en stressvolle omstandigheden.
Er zijn dus zeker verschillende mogelijkheden denkbaar die dit dierenleed kunnen verminderen of stoppen. Ook in Nederland is de afgelopen maanden aandacht geweest voor de transport en slacht van drachtige koeien. In ons land gaat er namelijk ook van alles mis met de behandeling van deze dieren. Zo blijkt dat er veel hoogdrachtige koeien naar slachthuizen worden vervoerd, terwijl dit tegen de regels in is. Ook de slacht van deze koeien is een schrijnend drama, waarbij de kalfjes vaak in de baarmoeder stikken, of, wanneer ze wél levend, vroegtijdig, geboren worden alsnog ter plekke worden afgemaakt.
Drachtige koeien verdienen betere bescherming
De NVWA heeft de afgelopen jaren meer dan 114 schendingen geconstateerd, maar laat het afweten als het om stevige handhaving gaat. Kortom: hoewel de Europese Unie wereldwijd wordt gezien als koploper op het gebied van dierenwelzijn, is in de praktijk betere bescherming van drachtige koeien hard nodig. Zolang er geen effectieve handhaving plaatsvindt, blijven de meest kwetsbare dieren, zoals drachtige koeien — slachtoffer van ernstig dierenleed.
Bronnen:
- Eurogroup for Animals
- Lees Karens blog op AnimalsToday.nl:
©AnimalsToday.nl Femke Oosterbaan Martinius
dinsdag 4 februari 2025
Emotional story with a happy end: Thai Princess adopts stray dog who mourned his owner’s death for weeks lying outside a supermarket
This story follows the viral dog that gained attention for grieving its deceased owner outside a 7-Eleven store in Thailand.
Moo Daeng, the stray dog known for his unwavering loyalty, has found a new home in an unexpected place: a royal residence. Princess Siribha Chudabhorn of Thailand, the niece of King Maha Vajiralongkorn, has officially adopted Moo Daeng, ending his months of sorrow and uncertainty. The princess, deeply moved by Moo Daeng’s story, stepped in to provide him with a forever home. The dog became popular after waiting outside a 7-Eleven in Nakhon Ratchasima province for his late owner, who tragically passed away in November 2024.
Moo Daeng’s touching loyalty has led to him being called the “Hachiko of Korat," drawing a parallel to the famous Japanese Akita who waited for nine years for his late owner’s return.
In January, Moo Daeng’s heartbreaking story went viral on social media, leading locals to offer their care and support. Employees at the 7-Eleven provided food, blankets and even stuffed toys to comfort the dog. Despite their efforts, it was evident that its grief lingered deeply.
According to The Independent, last week, Princess Siribha Chudabhorn took to her official Facebook page to share the news of his adoption and to reassure his many admirers. “To all of Moo Daeng’s fans, I want to bring you up to speed so you don’t have to worry, feel anxious or have unanswered questions after all the recent drama," she said, as reported by Khaosod English.
Princess Siribha Chudabhorn revealed that she had first learned of Moo Daeng through a video highlighting the community’s fundraising efforts for his medical care. What struck her most was not just his physical condition, but the emotional toll of losing his beloved owner. “All my dogs have experienced trauma, whether through abuse, abandonment, or injury. But in Moo Daeng’s case, it’s severe depression," she explained. She noted that he was suffering from major depressive syndrome caused by the sudden loss of a loved one – something she herself has struggled with for nearly a decade, as reported by The Independent.
According to The Independent, last week, Princess Siribha Chudabhorn took to her official Facebook page to share the news of his adoption and to reassure his many admirers. “To all of Moo Daeng’s fans, I want to bring you up to speed so you don’t have to worry, feel anxious or have unanswered questions after all the recent drama," she said, as reported by Khaosod English.
Princess Siribha Chudabhorn revealed that she had first learned of Moo Daeng through a video highlighting the community’s fundraising efforts for his medical care. What struck her most was not just his physical condition, but the emotional toll of losing his beloved owner. “All my dogs have experienced trauma, whether through abuse, abandonment, or injury. But in Moo Daeng’s case, it’s severe depression," she explained. She noted that he was suffering from major depressive syndrome caused by the sudden loss of a loved one – something she herself has struggled with for nearly a decade, as reported by The Independent.
maandag 3 februari 2025
Persbericht: Nederlandse hulp voor overstroomde dierenopvang in Spanje gaan helpen met de wederopbouw van de verwoeste dierenshelters in het rampgebied
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zondag 2 februari 2025
Ex- Dancing Monkeys Rescue, Rehabilitation and Release: ( video shows where they go for a new life in the wild )
Dancing monkeys have been banned in Jakarta since the end of 2013 and in West Java since 2016 and on national level since 2019. Now they are being rehabilitated and release
Jakarta Animal Aid Network https://www.jakartaanimalaid.com/
In recent years, thanks to our efforts and your donations, we were able to rescue and release hundreds of ex-dancing monkeys after a successful rehabilitation process.
Read our full monkey rehabilitation process in the 36 page book 'The Long Journey to Freedom' (dancing monkeys, pet monkeys, and poaching and illegal trade.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tVQ8GZmV0pLX2gtkW1-BrwYXQSPHqGsk/view
A short summary of this program's activities
Locating and closing training centers
Dance monkeys are forced to perform tricks for the public. The macaques wear doll clothes and masks to resemble people as much as possible. The abuse they undergo to learn the tricks are cruel. During training, they are chained to a wall and then have to learn to stand on two legs for a long time. Their arms are tied on their back. With a metal ring around the neck with two chains attached to two posts, the animals must remain standing. In our battle against dancing monkeys, our team investigates where training centers are located. These can be dismantled together with the national police, after which the macaques can be confiscated.
Monkey rehabilitation
The rehabilitation process usually takes one year. The monkeys arrive in a terrible state: they are extremely skinny, have broken tails or ingrown chains. Some have infections in their mouth because their teeth have been pulled out. Others have serious chronic diseases such as tuberculosis. Some, unfortunately, do not survive.
In recent years we were able to release hundreds of monkeys in protected forest areas. To find suitable territory, the team spends months exploring nature. For example, release is not possible within the territory of existing monkey groups. Now the monkeys can be monkeys again and leave their dark past behind them.
zaterdag 1 februari 2025
Hundreds of Foxes, Raccoons, Wolf-Dogs, Skunks & Coyotes Rescued From Fur Farm In Ohio ( video and photos )
This weekend, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and Ohio authorities completed a rescue operation of hundreds of animals from a fur and urine farm near Cleveland, Ohio.
The Ashtabula County Commissioner’s Office requested the assistance of HSUS after the owner of Grand River Fur Exchange died in late December 2024, escalating an already-dire animal welfare crisis on the property.
Foxes, raccoons, wolf-dog hybrids, skunks, opossums, and coyotes were living in filthy wire-bottom cages with little to no protection from the frigid cold conditions. Some of the animals had missing toes, ears, tails, and limbs. Veterinarians determined that the animals likely lost their toes due to the cages’ wire flooring, while the animals missing limbs and paws had likely been caught in steel-jaw leg hold traps found around the property. Many were emaciated and severely dehydrated, and several animals were found deceased and covered in snow. When responders arrived on the property, they found a coyote dying slowly, caught in a leg hold trap.
The animals were being raised and slaughtered for their fur, bred for sale as exotic pets, and held captive for urine farming. Predator urine is used in hunting, trapping, dog training, and ironically, as a “humane” wild animal deterrent for gardeners. Some of the animals were bred in captivity while others were apparently imprisoned on the property after being trapped in excruciatingly painful leg hold traps.
“This is one of the most horrific situations I have ever seen—the terror and pain was palpable,” said Adam Parascandola, vice president of HSUS’ Animal Rescue Team. “Our team is exposed to immense cruelty in the criminal cases we regularly respond to, like dogfighting and severe neglect, yet this stands out both in terms of suffering and because of these fur farming practices. It’s haunting.”
Animals in the fur trade suffer immensely, both in their daily lives and when they are killed. They are often killed using methods like gassing, anal electrocution, or clubbing, which result in slow, painful deaths. These methods are commonly used on fur farms to prevent damage to the pelt. Responders found electrocution tools on the property.
“Ohio must end the suffering of wild animals being farmed for fur or urine, or to be sold as pets. These inherently exploitative industries profit from animal cruelty and are radically out of step with the values of our state,” said Mark Finneran, Ohio state director for HSUS. “While I’m proud of the efforts made to help the animals on this farm, we can never allow this horrific treatment of animals to happen in Ohio again.”
“I’m incredibly grateful to the HSUS for stepping in to assist our county with this animal welfare case. The situation arose right around Christmas, during some of the worst possible weather conditions, and we simply didn’t have the local resources to manage it effectively or ensure the animals were cared for humanely,” said Casey Kozlowski, Ashtabula County Commissioner. “Their significant logistical support, along with the efforts of our county humane agents and the ODNR Wildlife Division, made all the difference. I can’t thank them enough for their collaboration. My hope is that, as a result of this situation, we can implement greater safeguards at the state level to promote and ensure the humane treatment of animals in the future.”
While fur farms fly under the radar of state and federal oversight, this case serves as a disturbing example of an operator subject to federal inspection slipping through the cracks. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is responsible for licensing and inspecting operations that breed wild animals to be sold as pets, such as the wolf-hybrids and skunks bred for sale as pets by Grand River Fur Exchange. In 2011, the USDA fined and prohibited the operator from engaging in the breeding and sale of wild animals, yet they continued to engage in those practices, apparently without further enforcement.
Documents found on the property indicate the owner sold pelts to Fur Harvesters Auction, the last remaining fur auction house in North America. Fur from the auction is sold globally and is used for home decor and fashion products, such as fur-pom hats and trim on gloves or shoes.
Due to the dire circumstances on the property, including severe injuries and illness, some of the animals were humanely euthanized during the course of the rescue operation. Ultimately, more than 250 animals rescued from the property were successfully placed with wildlife rehabilitators and in sanctuaries.
