General Interest Meeting

Hello Everyone!

The semester is winding down and finals are just around the corner (like you need me to tell you that). In preparation for next semester, SALDF is going to be having a general interest meeting this Thursday at 1pm in room W302. This will be a very informal meeting and basically just to guage interest and brainstorm some future ideas for the organization and hopefully get them into action for Spring 2011!! Bagels with vegan cream cheese will be served! Hope to see you all there.

For Your Consideration

Okay, so its getting cold out again and that means that mice are starting to make their way off the streets and into the walls of our apartment buildings and ultimately (gasp) into our homes!

Now before you run out and buy the traps at your local hardware store, consider this:
While no one wants mice running around in their personal space, they are living creatures and the average traps kill by either painful asphyxiation or by breaking their little bodies.

I myself prefer to release them outside and at least give them a shot at surviving the winter. So here is what I do:

1)Get a toilet paper tube and crease two lines to form a flat sided tunnel.

2)Put a treat on one end of the tube: A cracker and dab of peanut butter works great.

3)Get a tall (at least 20 inches) bucket. A trash can works well.

4)Balance the tube precariously on the edge of a table or counter with the treat hanging directly over the tall sided receptacle.

5)The mouse will scurry to the treat and fall into the trap.

Then you can take the bucket outside and toss the little critter by some garbage or set it up outside somewhere with some food. Too much work? Maybe, but I just wanted to throw it out there.

This mouse trap was created by Adam Pash and was found off Lifehacker.com

Animal Rights State to Watch: Missouri

This election season, animal rights advocates should be watching Missouri very closely. Missouri is home to the only animal rights ballot measure this year, and it could be a game changing victory for dogs everywhere. Proposition B, or the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act will require breeding facilities to comply with common sense rules regarding the safety and health of the dogs they produce and care for.

This is a huge deal, because Missouri currently produces 1 out of every 3 puppies sold in pet stores each year.

The act would cover any breeding facility with ten or more intact females and would require that each dog have:

1. Sufficient food and clean water;
2. Necessary veterinary care;
3. Sufficient housing, including protection from the elements;
4. Sufficient space to turn and stretch freely, lie down, and fully extend his or her limbs;
5. Regular exercise; and
6. Adequate rest between breeding cycles.
   

The act also limits the number of intact dogs over 6 months of age at any one facility to 50.

This act would ensure what all reputable breeders already know, practice, and do. Healthy puppies must come from healthy mothers, and healthy mothers need exercise, space, veterinary care, quality food and water, and rest between their litters.

Puppies from pet stores are not good deals, and people should encourage adoption from shelters, breed specific rescue, or from a reputable breeder (breed specific rescues keep a list of breeders they consider reputable.)

For more information, please go to: Yes on Prop. B

Please encourage your Missouri friends to vote YES! on Prop. B!