Latest news with #animaladvocates
CTV News
16-07-2025
- General
- CTV News
Campaign against rat poison
London Watch Animal advocates oppose the pest control method, since it poses a risk to pets. CTV London's Lauren Stallone has the story.
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Runner Who Claims to Be 'Not a Cat Person' Drops Everything to Rescue Adorable Stray Kitten in the Road
Runner Who Claims to Be 'Not a Cat Person' Drops Everything to Rescue Adorable Stray Kitten in the Road originally appeared on PetHelpful. The cats versus dogs debate is a tale as old as time. Almost everyone feels compelled to pick a side at one point or another, but true animal advocates know that you don't really have to choose. Some cats and dogs can even get along! Fortunately for self-proclaimed dog person @kaitlyncruns, she, her husband, and her dogs are all easily swayed by an adorable feline face. When her morning run was interrupted by the cutest surprise on June 28, she didn't hesitate to stop and help. Even then, no one could have guessed what would come next for Kaitlyn and the rescued kitty! Talk about being in the right place at the right time! This tiny tabby kitten found Kaitlyn from the middle of a road, and they had no hesitations with trusting their rescuer right off the bat. Unsurprisingly, that sweetness won over the runner and her husband almost instantly! Did you see the look on Kaitlyn's husband's face when he saw the little kitty? I think he was shaking his head in disbelief because he knew exactly what was coming next! As one commenter wrote, Kaitlyn known went "from 'are you rabid?' to 'he thinks I'm his Mom,' in record time." It sounds like love at first sight to me! Luckily, everyone feels the same way, and it was a unanimous decision to bring the rescue kitten, a little boy named Sam, home. Not only did this selfless runner rescue this stray kitten from the street, but she gave him a forever home, too! It doesn't get much more wholesome than that. Just look at this kitten bouncing around his new home like he owns the joint! This curious cat is settling in wonderfully with such attentive parents, but no one could have guessed just how much this cat dad would embrace his new role. "Pretty sure your husband was always a cat person and you're just finding out," one commenter wrote. That sure seems to be the case! Luckily, he'll never have to choose between his dogs and his new cat, because these 'frenemies' absolutely can get along! Happy tails, Sam and Kaitlyn! first appeared on PetHelpful on Jul 3, 2025
CBC
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
WATCH — How Ed the zebra got loose and became a meme
It took authorities 9 days to catch him A runaway pet zebra became an online meme for outrunning authorities for nine days in the U.S. Ed the zebra was finally caught in Christiana, Tennessee, on June 8, said the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office. Crews airlifted him from a pasture to a nearby animal trailer. Ed got loose not long after he arrived at his new home. Watch the video below to find out what happened next. ⬇️⬇️⬇️ Ed the internet celebrity While he was loose, videos and photos of Ed were being posted online. Some even made memes of Ed, comparing him to a fugitive on the run. In this AI-generated video, Ed is seen dodging police like in the game Grand Theft Auto. (Video credit: EdTheZebraOnSol/X) Businesses and public services in the area hopped on the trend, too, using Ed in their social media posts. Scroll through to see some examples. Zebras as pets If you're thinking about getting your own pet zebra, it's not that simple. Some U.S. states, like Tennessee, allow people to have zebras and other exotic animals as pets. But in Canada, the rules differ depending on the province, territory or municipality you live in. Generally speaking, animal advocates say it isn't a good idea to keep a wild or exotic pet because of their unique physical and emotional needs. Check out these other videos:
Independent Singapore
28-05-2025
- General
- Independent Singapore
A nation's silent victims: Rise in animal abuse cases sparks petition for urgent reform in Singapore
SINGAPORE: A petition on is picking up momentum as animal welfare advocates across Singapore raise the alarm: community cats are being harmed, and too little is being done. The plea — now backed by a groundswell of public support — doesn't just call for justice. It demands it. At its heart lies an urgent cry to protect the voiceless, the belief behind which is that behind every case of cruelty or neglect is a pattern that's no longer isolated. The petition reads: 'If stronger enforcement is not implemented, the abuse will not only continue; it may escalate. A lack of accountability sends the message that harming animals is tolerated.' It warns that each delay risks more suffering and urges the government to act now. This comes as the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) reports a 12-year high in animal cruelty and welfare cases. In 2024 alone, 961 incidents were confirmed — a stark reminder that silent suffering is unfolding right under our noses. Many of the victims were community pets known to residents, fed daily, and sometimes even named. Some were thrown from HDB blocks. Others were found poisoned, mutilated, or gone without a trace. For those who cared for them, their death was heartbreak — each one a quiet tragedy. Abandonment was the most common form of cruelty, followed by physical abuse. SPCA defines cruelty as the intentional infliction of pain, suffering, or death, while neglect stems from a failure to meet basic needs. 'Protecting the vulnerable should never be optional. It must be urgent,' the petition reiterates. Many of those who signed it are community cat caregivers who, without state support, pay out of pocket for vet care and rescue operations. For them, the emotional toll is growing, matched only by their frustration. Adding to the crisis is a dark and growing trade that too often escapes public attention — Singapore's role in the illegal wildlife pipeline. In 2024, authorities uncovered 42 smuggling cases, the highest in recent memory. Living, breathing creatures are being packed into suitcases with no air, kittens are being drugged and stuffed into modified car boots, and birds are being bartered like collectables over Telegram chats. These animals weren't being rescued. They were being sold with their worth reduced to novelty or profit. NParks and the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority have ramped up enforcement with mobile X-rays and DNA testing, but questions remain: If we can mobilise advanced forensics for smuggled wildlife, why are community animals still left exposed? Pet businesses are also under scrutiny. In 2024, SPCA looked into 56 cases involving pet groomers and trainers — people who keep pets trusting them with their animals. Among the most horrid was a case where a corgi, left unattended on a grooming table, fell and tragically died after being choked by its leash. What was meant to be a routine grooming session instead ended in horror. Incidents like this reveal deep cracks in professional accountability, with some errant businesses simply rebranding and reopening, leaving grieving pet owners with no answers — and no justice. The youth demographic is another concern. Fifteen cases of cruelty were committed by minors in 2024, more than double the previous year. SPCA warns that, without intervention, a generation could grow up desensitised to violence. See also Ex-WP MP and PSP member call for universal minimum wage Singapore has tools — from wildlife DNA labs to enforcement units — and laws that provide up to 18 months in jail and a $15,000 fine for first-time animal cruelty. What's missing, activists say, is the will to use them consistently. The petition's message is clear: this is not just about cats. It's about the kind of society Singapore wants to be. Community cats are voiceless — but those who care for them are speaking out. Whether the authorities will listen remains to be seen. Until then, every act of cruelty is more than an isolated incident. It's a national test of our empathy and a call to conscience.
The Independent
23-05-2025
- General
- The Independent
New rules to come into force in all UK zoos for staff and visitors
Zoos across Britain will be subject to new animal welfare regulations, requiring them to provide more spacious enclosures in a bid to end outdated practices. The reforms, announced by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), mark the first modernisation of zoo standards in over a decade. The new standards aim to enhance the welfare of a wide range of species, from snowy owls and golden eagles to elephants, stingrays, and octopuses. Elephants, in particular, will benefit from significantly larger habitats. The regulations will also prohibit the long-term tethering of birds of prey, a practice criticised by animal welfare advocates. The common practice of allowing visitors to touch fish and cephalopods, such as rays and octopuses, will also be discontinued. Animal Welfare Minister Baroness Hayman hailed the changes as the initial phase of a broader government initiative to implement the "most ambitious welfare reforms in a generation." These reforms signal a commitment to improving the lives of animals in captivity and ensuring their needs are met within zoo environments. Zoos and aquariums will face a two-year timeline to adapt to the changes, which will also require them to improve conservation standards and safety measures when keeping dangerous animals. Baroness Hayman said: 'We are a nation of animal lovers, and our best zoos and aquariums are truly world leaders in setting the standard for how wild animals should be kept. 'Today's long-overdue reforms lay the foundation for an even stronger, even more compassionate future for all zoos and aquariums — and the animals they protect. 'This is the first step as part of our commitment to deliver the most ambitious animal welfare reforms in a generation. 'We're making sure all sectors have the tools they need to thrive, which is vital in our mission to deliver economic growth and make lives better for people across the country under our Plan for Change.' Dr Jo Judge, CEO of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums, which represents over 130 zoos and aquariums, said its members have been 'working closely' with Defra officials to meet the updated standards. 'The new standards are a significant step up in legal requirements and cement Britain's position as a global leader for zoos and aquariums', she said. 'We are delighted to see them published today, demonstrating government's and the sector's commitment to the highest levels of animal care, and helping empower zoos and aquariums to keep leading the fight for nature.'
