Joy Wizard » Animal Welfare

Australians Benefiting From Cruel Live Export To Middle East

Alex Webley — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 22:43:51 +0000

A significant number of Australians benefit from the live export trade to the Middle East where animals – sheep and cattle – are treated cruelly.

These Australians are guilty by association and financial benefit from these activities.

Check out the video below and see for yourself:

WARNING: this video contains footage of Animals Australia’s November 2010 Festival of Sacrifice investigation that was considered too distressing for television.

Execution of the Exmoor Emperor: sadness after giant red stag shot dead

Alex Webley — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 12:08:43 +0000

It is with sadness I read today of the execution of the Exmoor Emperor – a magnificent giant red stag.

The Guardian writes….

End of the Exmoor Emperor: sadness after giant red stag shot dead

Of course, I have no idea who killed the beautiful stag. I do however have some views on the situation, which I made public on Facebook.

Here is what I wrote:

Trophy hunting is sick. Minds which get a thrill out of hunting down and then displaying part of the animal have something wrong with them. Minds such as these will also likely have problems in their primary relationships. I expect cruelty will be second nature to many of them.

On the outside, many probably look nice – well dressed, good homes and cars; yet on the inside….full of emotional filth.

Disagree?

Then I suggest you spend some time researching psychological profiling; especially where it relates to abuse or mistreatment of animals. People who indulge in such can often be cruel to humans also, sometimes dangerously so.

Killing animals for fun, sport or for a trophy is wrong. If you indulge in it, then there is something wrong with your mind.

Still don’t believe me? Then ask a police criminal profiler. They deal in FACTS.

PS: I am not a vegetarian. We humans are omnivores – naturally and biologically designed to eat meat. We should be kind to the animals concerned (why factory farming is wrong), take only what we need, waste not and thank the Spirit of the animal.

Execution of the Exmoor Emperor: sadness after giant red stag shot dead is a post from: Joy Wizard Blog

Australians pride themselves on giving people a fair go – what about chickens?

Alex Webley — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 14:58:30 +0000

Why aren’t Australians giving chickens a fair go?

Perhaps because many of them don’t know about the torment suffered by factory farmed chickens. Such horrific cruelty.

Australians pride themselves on giving people a ‘fair go’, so hopefully chickens will benefit as more people become aware of what is being done to chickens in their name.

‘Fair go’: I quote from Wikipedia:

The belief in a “fair go” is a key part of Australian culture and Australian society, related to the support for the underdog. This can be seen in the existence of strong public health and education systems in Australia, and equal opportunity legislation to ensure people are not excluded from jobs or positions by their race or gender. It is an idea which involves everyone having an equal chance to achieve their goals.

Factory farmed chickens suffer terribly & we as a society are responsible due to buying factory farmed meat based on such torment.

I guess that makes many of us a bunch of assholes (if we keep buying factory farmed chicken after seeing this).

Think of the cruelty being inflicted in YOUR name.

Are you poisoning your pet?

Alex Webley — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 11:21:45 +0000

No doubt you mean well, or are just plain unaware of the poisoning risks to your pets.

Check out this excellent resource:

Animal Poison Control Center

…..it’s part of the American Society For The Prevention Of Cruelty To Animals (ASPCA) site, which contains lots of other helpful and interesting information for animal lovers.

And by the way…pets are for life.

A personal note….

I always wondered what happened to our cats when my mother and father divorced.

The were given away to a new home as far as I know (I don’t think they were executed). I always wondered what kind of life they had, when they died and so on. It was over 40 years ago now. When my mother took us away she left the cats with my father, who gave them away.

My mother and brother stayed in a flat for a while so keeping cats was not possible – that said; it would have been nice had she made arrangements to have the cats stay somewhere. We had cats later when we moved into a house so we could have had them back then. She got rid of the new cats when we went to live with our father (one of the biggest mistakes of my life – I was 9 and I got conned. Years later, in an unguarded moment, my father said he was glad I ran away from my mother’s place because “you brought Stuart to me” – Stuart was his favorite).

While I was at the flat I had a Guinea Pig – my mother gave him away as well. She fed me some rubbish about giving him away to a girl who was very ill. The girl and her mum could have afforded a Guinea Pig easily – my mum was just telling me lies because SHE wanted to get rid of my guinea pig.

We had a dog once (at the new house) too – she was called Susie; a brown Collie. I was told she was my dog. After a while she was taken away with another lying story. Susie was the only dog I ever had personally. For ages afterward I wondered where she was. I never saw her again.

My mum, and father, told me loads of lies. And the venom! Hiss hiss. Perhaps they should have kept snakes (apologies to snakes for the comparison ;)). These days my father looks like a Cane Toad, as well as sharing some of their other characteristics.

After I went to live with my father I started to dislike dogs. This was because as an already badly damaged kid, but a sensitive, intuitive one, I realized that my father thought more of dogs than he did of me.

These days I just feel sad for the animals concerned. I hope they had a good life. It was very painful for me at the time, however I am so glad I had such a crappy start in life because I managed to turn it into a positive and experienced things few people ever do. It doesn’t make me better than others – just more blessed. And no, I do not feel bitter. Bitterness is a waste of time and leads to ill health, among other things. My parents are sad pathetic, empty people.

Anyway, as I said, pets are for life. Not something to be disposed off when circumstances change. People of real character look after their animals.

Are you poisoning your pet? is a post from: Joy Wizard Blog

Pet's Wish List

Alex Webley — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 19:17:38 +0000

This list is common around the Internet in various forms. I am unsure of who is the author of this version.

The list is called the “Pet’s Ten Commandments”.

Personally I prefer to call it a ‘Pet’s Wish List’. We should all be doing these things as a matter of course, however many items can get overlooked or ignored. When we see the list from the perspective of a pet, then it is easier to comprehend the animal’s needs and desires. The pet becomes more personal. Most abuse and neglect has a strong element of depersonalization.

Have a look at this list from the pet’s viewpoint – not that of a list of should dos/must dos.

Do the things on the list because you want to and because you care.

Character springs from within, not a list.

A PET’S TEN COMMANDMENTS………

1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.

2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.

3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.

4. Don’t be angry with me for long and don’t lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I have only you.

5. Talk to me. Even if I don’t understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.

6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.

7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet, I choose not to bite you.

8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I’m not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak.

9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too, will grow old.

10. On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can’t bear to watch. Don’t make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so.

PS: Please don’t ever drop me off at one of those so called animal welfare organizations without checking VERY CAREFULLY first. They can look nice on the outside but some of them have a ‘death camp’ out the back where loads of pets are ‘processed’. They remind me of those nasty Nazi places we saw in TV documentaries about Europe in the 1940′s with lots of numbers.

Pet's Wish List is a post from: Joy Wizard Blog

Give Mom a really wild gift this Mothers Day

Alex Webley — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 10:52:11 +0000

Mothers Day here in Australia is on Sunday May 10th, as in many other places around the world.

This Mother’s Day why not show how much you care by giving her something a little more interesting and memorable than your average gift?

WSPA Wild Gifts are a unique way of showing how much you care and also of transforming the life of an animal in need.

You can feel confident that every present you choose from WSPA Wild Gifts is money well spent. And each person who receives one of these gifts will know the life of an animal in need has been transformed in their name. What a great way to spend your money or time for Mum this Mother’s Day.

Here is a WSPA news article for more information.

The WSPA stands for: World Society for the Protection of Animals

Give Mom a really wild gift this Mothers Day is a post from: Joy Wizard Blog

Have you ever felt ill after a plane flight?

Alex Webley — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 10:41:35 +0000

Commercial airliners are very safe right?

I mean they have all those engineers testing stuff, pilot checks and procedures, air traffic control, pre-flight safety briefings and so on. It is easy to get the impression that safety is a key concern, if not obsession.

But have you ever felt unwell after a plane flight?

Have a read of this disturbing article:

Will your holiday flight poison you? The toxic fumes leaking onto planes and the people who have suffered their effects.

When you read the above article you get the impression that a cover up is going on.

The airline business is very competitive. The lack of profit opportunities will militate against the customer and the service provided. You see, in life you generally tend to get what you pay for. Cheap flights are going to make it much more difficult for airlines to fix problems of the kind covered in the news article.

Sowing and reaping again.

Is it really the airline’s fault? Big business trying to squeeze us?

Who is it who wants the sometimes ridiculously cheap flights? Us – the consumers.

Generally, any area in which there is high downward price pressure will tend to run the risk of corner cutting. At times, real efficiencies or technology leaps can produce cost savings without a reduction in quality, however there are many examples in recent history where this is not the full story. Food quality is one. This is a key reason why organic food costs more, yet usually tastes better. The cruel treatment of chickens for supply to some fast food businesses is another example.

In many respects, we are to blame. We want this and that for the lowest possible price at the highest convenience. We forget though, that we will often end up paying another ‘price’ instead, and often one which is hidden or obscure. Too often we cannot see past the end of our noses.

Perhaps some of us don’t want to know what is really going on. We are nice, decent people right?

When we sit down to our tasty, fast chicken, we don’t want to think about what might have happened to the poor bird. What kind of a life he or she had. If we did, then we might have to reevaluate our self concept of being nice, decent folks. Would nice decent folks eat chickens which had suffered for a low price, or a more expensive chicken which had not suffered? And the sting in the tail? Many of these mass produced chickens will have ingested antibiotics and other (government approved) chemicals – how do you know that eating that stuff won’t cause you health issues later on in life? Sowing and reaping – life gets you back.

Truth is not always pleasant and it is human nature to want to hide in the dark. Don’t kid yourself. Airlines are run by people. They want to make a profit and they have to eat too.

I used to feel sorry for my step father. He was a senior British Army officer and used to return from operations and tours in a noisy C130 Hercules with stringy type seats. If the above article is anything to go by it looks like he was better off.

For more on truth, check out an article I wrote last week:

Embrace truth – even if it hurts.

Have you ever felt ill after a plane flight? is a post from: Joy Wizard Blog

Why didn't they use a tranquilizer round?

Alex Webley — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 11:36:18 +0000

A lioness escaped from her enclosure and was moving towards a public area of a NSW zoo.

So they shot her dead.

I cannot understand why they would not have used a tranquilizer round, instead of a lethal one.

The zoo claims:

She was part of the Mogo Zoo family and a very important animal

I am not an expert on zoo animal management, nor privy to all the details of this case; however I am aware that large animals can be sedated at range by tranquilizer rounds. I have seen it happen many times on TV documentaries for example.

In the light of this, I find it hard to comprehend why the zoo killed the lioness. Personally, I don’t believe their claim: “She was part of the Mogo Zoo family and a very important animal” either.

It is clear that people had time to reach cover, so it was not as if the Lioness had someone in her jaws. Looking from outside it seems to me that there would have been ample time for use of a tranquilizer.

Who knows, perhaps they had run out of tranquilizer ammunition. Hard to believe, but possible I suppose. Not an excuse though.

In my view, the case, and the zoo’s animal management practices, should be investigated by an impartial authority and charges brought if necessary.

Here is a news article:

Lioness Jameila shot dead after Mogo Zoo breakout

Why didn't they use a tranquilizer round? is a post from: Joy Wizard Blog

One year old boy saved by cats & RSPCA's new ad campaign.

Alex Webley — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 11:43:15 +0000

Yesterday I came across two interesting articles to do with cats:

A BOY aged one has been found living rough on the streets — being kept alive by CATS.

An amazing story about how 8 cats saved a one year old child. I liked the story for obvious reasons but also because during my healing process from a very bad start in life (which included poor parenting) I had to work through issues associated with only having an awareness of receiving maternal love from a cat. I could not remember anything maternal about my mother (a cold bitch) and had maternally bonded to a cat. After my parents split up when I was 5 my mother improved somewhat so perhaps my father (nasty man) had something to do with supressing her.

I have been fond of cats ever since and interestingly have never teased a cat in my life.

Regular readers of my blog may recall two articles I have written about animal welfare organisations in which I mentioned the way mass executions of unwanted pets are handled, and covered up somewhat. At last, the RSPCA is apparently now going to tell it how it is and run a shocking advertising campaign:

RSPCA to stun animal lovers in advertising blitz

You can read my articles here.

One year old boy saved by cats & RSPCA's new ad campaign. is a post from: Joy Wizard Blog

Pet Rescue in Australia

Alex Webley — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 10:45:24 +0000

This article is mostly relevant to Australian readers of this blog. That said, it is about a terrific idea to help pets and perhaps I can suggest that if you are reading this article in a country or area that does not have a similar service; that you consider what you might do to encourage or assist formation of a similar thing.

Currently tens of thousands of healthy pet animals are executed at various pounds or so called “shelter” type places across Australia. Not all such places participate in what is euphemistically called “euthanasia” however it is a common practice for dealing with “excess animal stock”. If in doubt, ask.

Personally I would never take an animal to meet its executioner and wrote an article about the issue in May of this year:

Why you should be careful where you take stray cats & dogs.

Executed and executioner are strong evocative words. Frankly I am fed up with the way the issue is clouded by sanitized words that tend to obscure the truth. Better I think to call a spade a spade. Can you imagine going to work in a job where you have to batch process death? I wonder if they line them up, or if they take them into the “chamber” one at a time? Next!

The simple math is that local councils (local government for non Australians) see unwanted cats and dogs as an issue which is solved by carrying out mass executions. They do not have the resources to house or rehome all the animals and cannot let them loose either. Yet, not all councils require mandatory desexing (except for exempt categories). To me that would seem a sensible first step.

Another cause of the “oversupply” problem is that animals today are often seen as a commodity, a household extra, whimsical purchase, fancy Christmas/Birthday/Wedding present, consumer product or a fashion item. Often easily disposed of at the local (death) shelter when moving home to a place where they can’t have pets for example (just get a place where you can have pets, or find some other way of re-homing your pet you creeps). Many unit complexes (low to medium level blocks of flats/condos – close density dwellings) or high-rises (tower blocks of flats/condos) do not allow pets in Australia, even cats and little dogs are banned. Ironically, values of these places would likely increase if they allowed pets because demand would rise significantly!

Recently I attended my vet Gold Coast Vet Surgery for an FIV vaccination (for the cat, not me!) and noticed a laminated poster created by the vet practice for re-homing a cat. The cat had been brought in to be killed by its distraught owner because she had been discovered with an unauthorized pet by the “Stasi” at her residential complex. The vet refused to kill the cat and instead went to a lot of trouble (including medical treatment) at his own expense to re-home it. I take my hat off to him.

Then there are the acts of unspeakable cruelty which are a regular and common occurrence in Australia, perpetrated by anyone from teenagers to grown middle aged men. I even know of a man who will try and deliberately run cats over when out driving, if he can.

Joy Wizard » Animal Welfare

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