RAISE UR PAW TALK: WHAT IS HAPPENING AT BOWMANVILLE ZOO?

    When Animal Organization PETA released the investigation video via social media about the treatment of a tiger at Bowmanville Zoo, a tsunami of outrage and outpouring of concern from individuals and other animal organizations quickly followed.  It sparked a worldwide demand of not only the removal of the innocent animals but also to revoke the permits/licenses of Mr. Michael Hackenberger, the accused who appeared on the video, apparently whipping the tiger at least 19 times (according to media sources)

   According to releases the OSPCA quickly began investigation, and even put out a statement on Dec. 23, 2015 reassuring the public that the society would be making sure that the animals were getting the care they require while the investigation was going on, and also stated that due to no immediate distress the animals could not be removed from the premises of the zoo.

PLEASE SIGN PETITION: https://www.change.org/p/mayor-adrian-foster-remove-animals-from-bowmanville-zoo

     Even though there appeared much hope in the society to do what is right for the animals, this statement of reassurance did not sit well with countless others, especially when more footage and past allegations against this individual and zoo surfaced. 

     This here started a whole new whirlwind of outrage, not only for the zoo and the individual accused but also towards the OSPCA, especially since there has been no further updates on the investigation.  This has raised many questions and intentions of the OSPCA and there is much concern that this case could possibly be swept under the rug until forgotten.

    We are truly hoping that this will not be the outcome, and that these innocent lives will not end up being “failed” by the Government or the organizations whose duties are to protect and save the lives of the innocent.  We need to unite as one powerful voice and make the difference that is so desperately needed. 

Please RAISE UR PAW Worldwide.

ITS OKAY TO CALL YOUR PETS YOUR "CHILDREN"

   So... today I had a good laugh, especially after reading an article that was called “Saying Your Dog Is Your Baby Is An Insult To Moms Everywhere” dated Aug. 29^th 2015.

ARTICLE HERE --> http://www.popsugar.com/moms/Comparing-Pets-Children-37693220

   Of course being an animal lover, a father myself and a “dog father”,  I felt the need to respond and give my thoughts on the amusing facts that the author was trying to make points and opinion as to why your pets are not  your children, and from what I noticed, was showing more similarities between pets and children. So here it goes....

Dear Author of this Article, Whoever You May Be:

   First off I would like to say that I understand that you and other individuals out there have many thoughts and opinions on individuals like us who call our pets our children, but what I do not understand is why for some unknown reason you feel the need to pass judgement upon us for the way we observe and connect to our furry family members and find it necessary to condemn our attachment by stating that it is an insult or some negativity towards others.

   After carefully reading your article, I do have to give you credit for attempting to make an argument, but... it seemed to me, not sure about others who read this article, that you were merely grasping at straws to make a case for yourself.

  The countless statements and points in which you added, seemed heartbreaking to me and I couldn’t help but feel somewhat sorry for you that you could not see past physical differences and observe the similarities between a child and a pet – and that your views and beliefs of the word “parent” and “child” restricted you to only human children, and prevents you from experiencing the connection and attachment that we hold dear to our fur-babies.

   It is in some way shocking that you had clearly stated that you had your dogs before you had your children, and there was absolutely no realization that it was these innocent lives (dogs) that perhaps gave you your first experience at parenthood, or you did but your opinions and beliefs made you deny that fact – because they were not human children, so therefore they do not deserve to have that recognition as being your first “child”.

   But the truth is certainly clear, especially in your article, that there are people who are completely closed-hearted and cannot see this realization even though it is staring them in the face – that the active roles that we play as parents and pet owners, the responsibilities, duties are indeed the same.

  The reason that I say this is because we nurture and provide the basic needs of life, we are guardians and caregivers, raising and nurturing them to the best of our abilities, and taking on the commitment no matter the race, species,  adopted or not it is what we feel within our hearts for these innocent lives, and the way that we observe them that makes us true “parents”.

   Is it really fair to judge us on who we consider our “children” or to be disparaged because we accepted a life that is different to be a child within our family, a piece of our heart, a living being that we love unconditionally --- how is that insulting or negative?

   I may not be able to change your opinions or views, but to be honest that is fine, but I will say that me calling my dogs my “children” is not what is insulting – it is the ignorance and negative views of individuals that is. 

Love Me and my “fur-kids”

SAVE THE ANIMALS AT BOWMANVILLE ZOO: Our Plea To the World

  As an animal rights not-for-profit we have always relied on the compassion and support of others, individuals like ourselves who make a stand each and every day for our voiceless in hopes of saving and protecting them from issues in which they face.

    But there are times when mere voices are not enough, and the tears and sadness of such actions cannot remove these issues from the world – that only the power of action, making a stand and standing upon the frontlines is the only strategy that must be made in order to make a difference.

    A few days ago I wrote a blog about the cruelty that was happening at the Bowmanville Zoo, expressing my deep sadness and anger of the cruel actions of one Mr. Michael Heckenberger towards an innocent tiger that fell victim to this man.  Although my words were spread to listening ears of individuals, I felt that I needed to do more – to show more support and action than just sending out words that may or may not make any difference.

    I understood that there are apparently investigations going on, but in my eyes even though these organizations were trying to get down to the truth, leaving these animals within the walls of this establishment was not preventing these innocent lives from being further victimized with such treatment and actions.

    I still cannot understand how this man is still permitted to have these lives in his possession, considering that there has been past issues and a high number of concerns about the welfare and well-being of these animals within his care, and that the video that showed such actions was not enough to have these babies removed from the site.

But what sort of action could I take that may help these innocent lives?

    It wasn’t until I spoke with another animal angel that I decided to create a petition that would be addressed to the Mayor, City Council Members and the M.P.P for Durham in request for their assistance for the removal of these animals from the establishment and the revoking of Mr. Heckenberger’s permits to obtain and have animals within his care.

   Along with the petition I will be emailing each individual of the City Council and M.P.P for Durham, furthering my reach to make sure that this issue is acknowledged and taken seriously in hopes of protecting and saving these innocent animals.

  It is now that I am relying and pleading with each and every individual to please join me by not only signing the petition but to also make a stand for these innocent lives.. we as voices of humanity are the only ones that can have their voices heard and their pain and suffering acknowledged.  These cruel and inhumane actions and behaviors should not be tolerated and should consequences.

PETITION (PLEASE SIGN AND SHARE) - https://www.change.org/p/mayor-adrian-foster-remove-animals-from-bowmanville-zoo

Please Raise Ur Paw Today, For the Voices We Raise Today, Is the Impacts Made Tomorrow!

Bowman"Hell" Zoo - Something Needs To Be Done!

As many of you are aware a recent investigation video, that was done by PETA, has stormed social media and raising many red flags against the Bowmanville Zoo and it's owner Mr. Hackenberger.

VIDEO HERE: https://youtu.be/mWhNHvmfyZ4

      Being an animal advocate/activist and President of RAISE UR PAW, a Canadian Federally Incorporated Not-For-Profit, I felt the need to view the video myself - and although I was quite hesitant at first, it was imperative that I seen for myself what was allegedly happening at this site.

These are the "RED FLAGS" that I got from the VIDEO:

   The video itself gave me many impressions and feelings towards this individual in question. Impressions and feelings that were not just of anger and disgust but also concerned for these innocent lives that are in his care.  There was absolutely no professionalism in his actions, and I could see much anger and hostility issues within this gentleman.

RED FLAG:  Sometimes when a person becomes angered their actions will extend further and more violently towards the victim. If the accused has already crossed that line of abuse/cruelty, you can be sure that it is a continuous behavior, not just upon one specific victim but others as well.  Such anger and hostility can lead to further concerns and may even lead to death of that victim or another life.

   The victim in question (Siberian Tiger) was on the ground, and you could definitely get the impression of fear, terror and distress from this life from the way the tiger was acting as the sounds of the whip were being heard.

RED FLAG: Putting an innocent life through such distress and fear, causes many concerns not just for the life being victimized but for others that interact with this victim as well.  In this case, the Tiger could turn the fear and distress that it is being subjected too to anger and violence against another life, which in the end would lead the Tiger to be destroyed due to this behavior.  The cruel and inhumane actions of Mr. Hackenberger in his so-called "training" sessions is not only endangering the lives of his victims but to all those around.

   Mr. Hackenberger is then shown explaining his cruel actions, and he clearly finds humor from the cruel acts in which he subjects these innocent lives too - there is absolutely no remorse, compassion or respect.

RED FLAG:  This is a redflag because he acknowledges his behaviour and finds it humorous, even adding that if PETA was to get a video of such treatment they would "Burn Him To The Ground" - and I get the impression that he believes that he will get away with such treatment,

   I believe that with this many red flags, plus many others and the fact that this is not the first time that Mr. Hackenberger and Bowmanville Zoo has been underfire ...

OTHER CASES: 

Limba The Elephant:  http://www.examiner.com/article/bowmanville-zoo-did-not-intimidate-brave-animal-activists

Bowmanville Zoo Director Swears at Monkey on Live TV:
http://www.country104.com/2015/08/29/bowmanville-zoo/

    If these actions were against a human child you can be sure that the proper authorities would be involved and the children removed immediately from the situation - pending investigation.  It is desperately needed and imperative that these innocent lives be removed from the situation at hand, because how far does this inhumanity have to go before actions are taken in order to protect and help these innocent lives?

PETITION HERE -- https://www.change.org/p/canada-s-accredited-zoos-and-aquariums-animal-alliance-of-canada-canadian-zoo-and-aquarium-association-caza-leader-liberal-party-of-canada-chef-parti-lib%C3%A9ral-du-canada-justin-trudeau-stop-michael-hackenberger-bowmanville-zoo-animal-abuser?recruiter=225643561&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=autopublish&utm_term=des-lg-share_petition-reason_msg&fb_ref=Default

Please RAISE UR PAW TODAY



 

H.E.L.P (Humane Education Learning Programs)

   We at Raise Ur Paw, a Canadian Federally Incorporated Not-For-Profit, was inspired to create H.E.L.P (Humane Education Learning Programs) due to the lack of humane education within our educational institutes and educational system.

   These programs in which we are designing will help provide our youth with the knowledge of importance for humane education, the skills necessary to build up their characteristics, experience to fulfill a compassionate and respectful identity for bettering the world and future, and help them achieve their potential by being positive change-makers.

  We need to fully acknowledge that our youth are our most valuable resources, and that placing this stepping stone is an extensive and imperative investment into the development and life-altering benefit of such resources.

   It is crucial to also comprehend that basic education, which comes from parental involvement is not enough and that we as civilization cannot be only reliant on just this, we need the co-operation and participation of educational systems and institutes to continuously nurture and cultivate this beneficial wisdom in order to achieve a better world, future and difference makers.

OUR PROGRAMS FROM KINDERGARTEN – GRADE 9: --- http://raiseurpawnews.blogspot.ca/2015/12/our-help-humane-education-learning.html

Our programs will offer:

Lectures which are developmentally appropriate, and addresses such aspects as (animal welfare laws, respect and compassion for animal life, ways and methods to be animal-friendly) along with many other topics of interest and benefit.

Foundation in which such educational benefits and strategies can be integrated into the lifestyles of our youths and young adults.

Educational Professionals and Students the necessary resources, strategies, information and skill development assistance that can be implemented into the classroom in efforts to foster humane education and fulfilling the goals of compassionate & respectful lifestyles.

Age and Developmental appropriate awareness on the issues at hand.

Provisions necessary (guidance, knowledge, passion and expertise) to discover solutions and personal opinions to the most critical issues and challenges in which is faced.

Field trips (shelters, humane societies etc) gives observational learning and understanding.

Provide Vegetarian/Vegan snacks and meals (along with the recipes to make such meals at home) and provide information on such lifestyles. (if they choose to take that path.)

Opportunities and Developmental Experience to become part of positive change and difference, and to secure a wide range of abilities, sustainability and focus on our changing world.

    We are hoping that this coming year 2016, we will at least have our programs brought into area schools – and bring the idea to Government officials to apply these programs within educational institute curriculum.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A CONTRIBUTION TO OUR HUMANE EDUCATION PROGRAMS (H.E.L.P) YOU CAN JUST CLICK AND DONATE HERE -> 
 -- https://www.youcaring.com/h-e-l-p-humane-education-learning-programs-488511#.VnJPTkbDR7Y.twitter  YOUR CONTRIBUTION WILL GO TOWARDS THE DEVELOPMENT AND PUBLICATION OF THE PROGRAMS AND ALSO PARTIAL OF THE PROCEEDS MADE WILL GO TO HELP INNOCENT SHELTERED ANIMALS :)

Our H.E.L.P (Humane Education Learning Programs) Kindergarten - Grade 9

PROGRAMS BY GRADE:

KINDERGARTEN

   Youth will discover the imperativeness of taking care of their pets or animals around them through activities in which builds responsibility and empathy.  Other activities that will be involved is reading stories of animals and using informative flashcards to engage students in conversations about the resemblance of animal and human emotions, needs and actions along with an educational activity that is age and developmental appropriate.

GRADE ONE:

  As like our Kindergarten program, we will use the similar strategy and method, except the GR 1 program will include the do’s and don’ts of your pet, a discussion of feelings towards animals, the responsibility that we have as humans towards our domestic animals, along with activities using coloring sheets and pictures to extend their views and opinions to further their way of thinking.

GRADE TWO:

  The Grade Two program will hold a presentation from a local animal shelter, which will provide the youth with the knowledge of adoption, fostering and rescuing of animals, the important information on when you adopt/foster a sheltered animal,  The body language in which animals use to communicate and warning signs, which will involve activities (pictures, coloring sheets etc.) This program will also involve some aspects from the Grade 1 program as well.

GRADE THREE:

    The Grade Three Program will introduce the Animal Welfare’s Three R’s (Respect, Responsibility, and Rights) and how we can act humanely towards living beings both wild & domestic.  Various topics will be brought to discussion which permits the youth to give their own insight, opinions and views – and even bring upon their own personal methods to use.  It will also include some aspects from the Grade Two Program.

GRADE FOUR:

   The Grade Four Program will provide the students with interactive, understanding and compassion building along with problem solving – such activities will include certain topics in which students will be able to discuss (giving their own views, opinions and work alongside other students) be provided with activities, information and resources to fully understand the task at hand.  There will also be a discussion on how to recognize and report animal abuse/cruelty and the imperativeness of responsibility to helping an animal in need. There will be certain aspects from Grade Three Program Added.

GRADE FIVE:

  The Grade Five Program will take a look into the world of captivity, the use of animals in entertainment, animal experimentation/research and the negative impacts that such use can cause to living beings, and students will be given activities and information in order to raise awareness in society but also within their own selves.

    Included in this program will be a presentation and even interactive discussion which permits students to give their own views, opinions and beliefs, and give them the opportunity to create their own awareness project in which they can present to other members of the class.  Certain aspects from Grade 4 Program will be added to this program as well.

GRADE 6:

  In our Grade Six Program, students will be taking a look into the laws dealing with animals (municipally, provincially and federally) – there will be a discussion (on own and as a team) to figure out what is working to help and what needs to be done or changed for the future.  This discussion will come with activities and even a debate to observe the youths opinion, methods/strategies and ideas.

     Included in this program will also be how animal abuse/cruelty is investigated and prosecuted, determine the different types of animal cruelty/abuse and informative resources that youth can use in order to further this educational experience.  We will also be adding certain aspects of Grade 5 program.

GRADE 7:

  In the Grade Seven Program, students will further their knowledge and understanding concerning the “Cycle of Violence” concerning animal abuse/cruelty and the transition to human violence. Students will be provided with scenarios of abusive behaviour which they will evaluate as a group and individually – this will help the youth discover and gain insight on the abuse/cruelty within the world and also observe that there are many views on abuse (individually and group)

    As in the Grade 6 Program – this program will also look at the laws for animal abuse/cruelty and animal welfare – and discuss what laws would apply to such scenarios or if there should be laws for such cruelty and abuse etc. Each student will be provided with the necessary resources and then later present a presentation upon the scenario in which they were issued.

GRADE 8:

  The Grade Eight Program will discuss industrialized cruelty and organized crime ( fur industry, factory farming, dog fighting, puppy mills etc.) it will also bring up on the issues of animal experimentation and vivisection, ag-gag laws, and worldwide issues that animals are facing and enduring.

  The program will also include certain aspects of the Grade 7 program – the laws of animal welfare.  It is then that students will be requested to do a research project on topic of choice, and present it to their fellow classmates, and after a discussion of what was learned, what can be changed, and how we can make the difference.

GRADE 9:

   The Grade Nine Program will discuss Conservation, Trophy Hunting, Poaching and the illegal trade of animals and their parts.   This educational experience will help students to create ideas and give their views and opinions on how we as humanity can save life that is endangered or not, and how we can unite to bring solution to the issues that are destroying these innocent species.

    Including in this program will be videos, educational resources necessary and even give the students the opportunity to help by creating an event to help raise awareness on such issues.  This experience will allow the students to become involved and do their parts to help bring light to the issues, there will also be a presentation to further that knowledge and discussions afterwards.

Although we are currently developing the programs for Kindergarten to Grade 9, we are also working on including from 10-12 as well.  We would like to inform that each program that children and youth are involved with will receive a certificate after accomplishment.  These programs will include Vegetarian/Vegan snack and meals along with information on choosing a lifestyle such as this and the benefits of such a choice.

   In the development of these programs, there may be additional educational materials, topics, and/or methods/strategies brought in.  

Your contribution to https://www.youcaring.com/h-e-l-p-humane-education-learning-programs-488511#.VnJPTkbDR7Y.twitter will help with the production, efforts and distribution of our programs, we appreciate any and all support :)

OFFENDER TO ANIMAL ADVOCATE: Can A Person Change Their Ways?

Could forgiveness and acceptance for actions of cruelty and inhumanity be given to offenders who have seen the errors of their ways and stepped into the light of fighting for animal rights/welfare instead?

    It is a question that I am sure that many people would stop and think about – or perhaps quickly turn towards the negative response and say that “leopards don’t change their spots!” Many times we as humanity will continuously reside with the image of the deeds done and make it very difficult to accept the amends being made for the wrongs that offenders have put out in this world.

   As an animal advocate/activists and President of RAISE UR PAW, I believe that it does take more than just an offender saying “I have seen the light, and now I want to change!” because it takes more than just words to be able to seek out redemption and demonstrate to the world that these individuals have truly transformed from the past image that they had displayed.

   I agree that it is truly difficult to see past the crimes in which offenders have created – because sometimes those actions have burned their image so far into our memory that seeing the individual as something different is a task that is truly challenging.

    As I sit here now writing this blog, I am still searching for the answer of whether or not an offender can truly be forgiven and change, and especially depending on the crimes in which they have put out into this world.  It is then that I think about other things such as:  If someone who wears make-up tested on animals changes to no-animal testing products should they be forgiven? if someone had been a meat-eater changed vegan... or if someone has participated in the actions to enslave innocent life changes can they redeem themselves? Because whether we do the action or participate and buy into these inhumanities, there is still a part being played in the destruction and cruelty to a living being.

    But the question still remains – can a person step away from these deeds and make a 180 and change for the better?

     Time is the key I guess, to truly witness if these individuals have revolutionized themselves from the past image that they have painted, and demonstrate this change for all to observe – and if by chance that they have indeed seen the errors of their ways and made that life-altering choice, then the decision falls upon us as humanity whether they deserve the acceptance and forgiveness for their past actions.

What is your opinion?  Can a person be forgiven and Change? We want to hear your opinion

#RaiseUrPaw Today

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