Welcome to Paws & Claws e-news! Every month we will bring up to date information on what is happening in the pet and animal world. Your news, thoughts, ideas and suggestions are always welcome.

Our aim is to bring you the most informative and educational articles while promoting responsible pet ownership and care for our wildlife. To date, we have donated over $140,000 of advertising and article space in Paws & Claws Magazine to non-profit animal organisations. We donate a further 10% of our profits to the Animal Welfare League of Qld and the RSPCA Qld annually, so please support our advertisers.

PAWS & CLAWS AT THE GOLD COAST CAT CLUB'S CAT SHOW

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE PHOTOS OF THIS GREAT EVENT!

All-Breeds Championship Cat Show on Saturday the 21st of June at the Albert Waterways Centre, Broadbeach (opposite the cinema end of Pacific Fair). Watch the judging of pedigree and companion cats, browse cat merchandise stalls, and chat to the breeders. Refreshments will be available and there are terrific raffle prizes. Some purebred kittens will be available.

For further information or to enter your pet cat, please email Robbie.

Jill Robinson MBE, founder of Animals Asia Foundation (AAF), is currently visiting Australia updating supporters on her campaign to end the barbaric practice of bear bile farming. While here, she spoke at fundraising events in six cities to raise much-needed funds for AAF’s Moon Bear Rescue Centres in China and Vietnam.

Animals Asia is the only group working “on the ground” in China, so far rescuing 219 bears since opening its first sanctuary in Chengdu, Sichuan Province in 2000. In Vietnam, the new rescue centre will eventually be home to 200 bears that have suffered for years at the hands of bile farmers. There are still an estimated 11,000 bears on farms across Asia.

Ms Robinson uncovered bear farming in China in 1993, when she discovered magnificent Moon Bears (Asiatic black bears) being kept in cages so small they couldn’t stand up or turn around. She saw crude catheters inserted into their abdomens draining their gall bladders of bile for use in traditional medicine. Some bears remain caged like this for up to 25 years.

In 2000, Jill’s tireless work in building relationships and undertaking culturally sensitive negotiations, paid off, with China entering a landmark agreement with Animals Asia, which would free 500 endangered Moon Bears from a lifetime of captivity and suffering on bear farms. This historic agreement was the first accord between the Chinese Government and any outside animal welfare organisation.

The Vietnam Government recently agreed to phase out bear farms, and has signed an agreement with Animals Asia to bring 200 bears to the charity’s new Moon Bear Rescue Centre near Hanoi.

In recognition of her services to animal welfare in Asia, Jill has been awarded an MBE (Member of the British Empire).

Right: Jill plays with adorable rescued bear, Mara.

The worst known case of sustained mass animal cruelty is being perpetrated in China.  In addition to millions of other animals, more than 2,000,000 cats and dogs are skinned alive every year for their fur – that’s right! Skinned Alive!  The pelt is callously cut and ripped from a live animal whilst it writhes in excruciating pain emitting the most horrible "screams" (which, still sounds in my head, keeping me awake at nights) and, the gruesome task accomplished, the live torso, completely denuded of all its fur, is brutally tossed aside to die slowly, whimpering in shock, terror and agony.  All to earn a few measly Renminbi (or should I say Chinese blood money?)

This Awful Trade Must be Stopped!  Please act now – submit the petition and send this email to all your friends and associates.  Please don’t put it off. Every petition is vital.

We are taking our Animal Saviors Awareness Campaign worldwide.  Our immediate aim is to collect 2,000,000 petitions addressed to the Chinese government – one signature for every cat or dog that is skinned alive every year.  Every batch of 100,000 petitions collected will be personally delivered to the Chinese Ambassador in Australia or country from which the petitions are received.

And please Stop Buying Fur Products – most of the fur is exported from China as fur trim to garments, accessories, children’s fur toys and souvenirs and don’t think the Chinese traders label it as “Labrador Fur” or “Siamese Kitten Fur”.  And the products from the fur may not be "Made in China".

The link directly to our petition on our website is http://animalsaviors.org/petition.html and for more information on our Campaign, please look at the rest of the site after you’ve sent the petition.

On behalf of all those helpless animals. Thank You.

It's Raining Cats and Dogs at the AWL

The weather hasn't been the only deluge here on the Gold Coast over the last month. Pet owners are continuing to surrender their pets to the Animal Welfare League at an alarming rate.

It's not just raining cats and dogs but literally overflowing and, again, the AWL reached maximum capacity for both cats and dogs this week.

The AWL staff are begging the public to think of the Welfare animals at this time. It is a sad state of affairs when the rate of re-homing (which is at record highs) can not keep up with the amount of animals coming to us. Of course, the dogs and cats already with us will stay until they are re-homed, but for us to be able to take in more animals that need our help, we desperately need to re-home the ones we already have! The AWL currently care for many breeds, from large to small, varying ages and suitable for all kinds of owners.

We are urging people looking for a furry addition to make the Re-homing Centre on Shelter Road, Coombabah their first stop, rather than visiting a commercial pet store. Doing so will not only help the animals already waiting for a home, but will mean we will then have the capacity to take more animals that need us.

The Animal Welfare League of Qld care for over 12,000 stray and abandoned companion animals every year, and re-homes at one of the highest rates in Australia, but can only continue to do so if they have the space and support of our community.

Visit our website today to learn more about what's happening at AWL - www.awlqld.com.au.

scottish sculptor creates iconic steel dog for South Australia
World renowned Scottish sculptor, Andy Scott, has created an breath taking iconic sculpture for the Whyalla, South Australia.  The construction technique of welding a mosaic of thousands of small sections of 10 & 12 mm steel together is unique to Andy Scott and  creates radically different sculptures. The statue is of “Tommy” the mischievous Labrador Retriever from Henry Lawson’s famous story “The loaded dog”.

The dog was the inspiration of Dr. Andrew Melville-Smith, the principle veterinarian at the Whyalla Veterinary Clinic and was sculpted by world famous sculptor, Andy Scott, in Glasgow Scotland and shipped out to Australia.

“When someone of Andy Scott’s reputation agrees to make you a statue of a dog” commented Dr. Melville-Smith “It had to be something very special and after a lot of searching, we came across the story of “The Loaded Dog” and it was prefect” He said the bush theme suited Whyalla and central character “Tommy” was perfect for a veterinary clinic.

In keeping with the environmental message, Whyalla Mayor, Jim Pollock, expressed delight at having the statue in Whyalla and presented Carmel Dundon from Trees for Life with a cheque for $250.00 to plant  native trees to remove the carbon emissions from the manufacture and transport of the statue from Glasgow to Whyalla. He said that the vets and nurses care a great deal about our planet and we needed to pay a lot more attention to ensure that there is clean air, water and soils for future generations.

Dismissal of work upheld
An employee who was dismissed for repeatedly hitting a cow with a plastic pipe has lost his claim for unjustified dismissal.The cow was in such a distressed state that its leg became trapped and it required the attention of a veterinarian.

The Employment Relations Authority member stated that abuse of animals, particularly in a business where the income is earned by the management of animals, is very serious, and he could not imagine a more serious offence in a farming situation than that observed by the employer that particular day.

Physical abuse of this nature could be considered serious misconduct and an employee could be properly dismissed under the Employment Relations Act provided the employer followed carefully the proper process.

For our free checklist on how to handle a disciplinary process call 0800 733 424 or download by clicking the following link:  http://www.raineycollins.co.nz/_r/uploads/2007/10/employers-guide-to-the-disciplinary-process.pdf

Together we can stop the long distance transport of animals for slaughter.

live export - it's just cruel!

Each year millions of farm animals are transported across the world for slaughter. Sheep sent to the Middle East by sea are crammed in pens holding around three sheep per square metre and little room to move. The journey can take up to three weeks. On the way they'll suffer from stress, heat exhaustion and extreme temperatures.

Many don't eat, are injured or suffer from disease. Tens of thousands will die on the way each year.

Those that reach their destination are regularly transported in car boots in extreme temperatures before being handled and slaughtered in the most barbaric way. There is no need for this cruelty.

Australia already exports chilled meat from animals that have been humanely transported and slaughtered in Australia. Ending the live export of animals and replacing it with a growth in the chilled meat trade will benefit animals. New Zealand is heading down this path, now it is Australia's turn.

TAKE ACTION | CLICK HERE

Looking for a good home

Hayley is a 5 year old black silver classic tabby Maine Coon. She is friendly and very affectionate young lady who now needs a home where she can remain forever. A home that will continue to keep her in the safe lifestyle she has always existed in: as an indoor-only puss.

To read Hayley's story click here or visit http://www.fidelisbordercollies.com/Cat%20%20Hayley.htm.

Coomera Pet Barn and Paws & Claws are giving you the opportunity to WIN a total fish set up worth over $3,000!

It's EASY to ENTER, simple fill in the entry form below and drop into the fish tank @ Coomera Pet Barn, 147 Old Pacific Hwy, Oxenford before Tuesday 29th April 2008

The winner will be notified via phone or email on the 29/04/08.

CLICK HERE FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN OVER $15,000 WORTH OF MARKETING AND ADVERTISING FOR YOUR BUSINESS. HURRY! OFFER ONLY FOR A LIMITED TIME.

BaliContemporaryArt.com is an online gallery based in Australia. The website was started in 2007 and has successfully brought many Balinese artists to the attention of art lovers and collectors around the world. The founders and owners of the website have strong ties to the island of Bali and are committed to raising the awareness of the poverty affecting so many families.

By purchasing from BaliContemporaryArt.com you will be helping Bali children have a better education. Bali Childrens' Art Calendars are only $16.50 plus postage & packaging of $2.50.

~50% OF THE SALE WILL BE DONATED TO THE AWL~

You can order your calendar through email at info@balicontemporaryart.com or phone 0423 683 215 | 0411 149 249. Credit card facilities available.