The Animal Athlete!

Many Animals Are involved in Sporting Events...

The animal athlete, in a sense, is a type of working animal.  Many types of sports include human and animal participation in varying degrees.  A few of the sports include: rodeos, dogsledding, horse racing, greyhound racing, agility competitions, elephant polo, dog-fighting, pigeon racing, bear baiting, camel wrestling, hunting, fishing, obedience trials, show jumping, and dressage.

Talking Points:

• Olympic Games
• Highly Trained Animals
• Natural vs Unnatural Activities
• Overworked
• Profit
• Animal Achievments
• Education
• Satisfaction Gained
• Death
• Animals in Peak Condition

Sources:
(a) International Debate Education Association (IDEA)
(b) Library Index

Do you think the animal athlete is well-trained competitor or are humans exploiting these creatures?  Are these legitimate sports or should they be illegal?  WA2S.org wants to know what you think?  Are these topics something that we should focus a lens upon in the coming year?

If you enjoy our blog, please click on the follow button in the widget on the right-hand side of this page.

--MW

This is Only a Test, Or is It?

Non-Human Animal Testing, Experimentation, Vivisection....

Animal experimentation is surgery conducted for experimental purposes on a living or non-living organism, typically non-human animals, to view internal structure, for classroom experiments, product testing, vehicle crash worthiness tests, and teaching purposes. 

Talking Points:

• Biology Teaching Purposes
• Medical Field
• Production of Vaccines (Human and / or Veterinary)
• Animal Welfare / Animal Rights
• Alternative Methods
• Pain or Suffering
• Pound Seizure / Class B Dealers
• Bred for Testing

Sources:
(a) Cad. Saúde Pública vol.15  suppl.1 Rio de Janeiro  1999
(b) Wikipedia
(c) National Acadamies of Science: Scientific and Humane Issues in the Use of Random Source Dogs & Cats

Click here for a list of Companies who do test and who don't test from the Caring Consumer/PETA.

Are there valid alternatives to this type of experimentation or is it necessary in the first place?  Do you think that this is an area that the WA2S.org should explore in more detail?  Please comment...

--MW

Does Captive Breeding Help or Hinder?

What is your opinion about captive breeding?  

Captive breeding is the process of breeding animals in human controlled environments with restricted settings, such as wildlife preserves, zoos and other facilities. Captive populations are established for many reasons, including  conservation, education, exhibit of interesting species, the exotic pet trade and research.

Talking Points:

• Extinction
• Reintroduction to the wild
• Biodiversity and the health of ecosystems
• Inbreeding
• Exotic Pet Trade
• Genetic diversity
• Puppy Mills

Sources:
(a) Wikipedia
(b) Smithsonian National Zoological Park
(c) Born Free USA
(d) National Wildlife Federation
(e) Humane Society of the United States 

Click here for Lesson Plans for Teachers from National Geographic Expeditions

Do you have an interesting story about captive breeding programs?  Do you think this is a topic that WA2S.org should document?   Join WA2S.org in exploring these human + animal interactions to study how our world is evolving.  Share you ideas today.

--MW

The WA2S.org Wants To Know What You Think!

What do you think are the most important ANIMAL-CENTRIC stories of our day, right now (puppy mills, BSL, factory farming, fur, etc...)?

The WA2S is interested in what you think? What stories should the WA2S make a priority when filming in 2010?

Leave a comment here or submit your ideas through the website today! WA2S.org

--MW

A Beastly Haitian Affair - Aurora, CO

Join us for a gallery opening and fundraiser for the World Animal Awareness Society. This will be a fun-filled night with photography, food, drink and silent auction. There is NO CHARGE to attend this event but we would welcome any donations for this great organization. We have goody bags to hand out and a ton of great auction items and door prizes.

***If you are unable to make it to the fundraiser, stop by anytime between 9am-8:30pm. We will be having an open house all day with free portrait sessions and hourly drawings!

Any business interested in donating auction items or door prizes to this event, please contact Heather Green at 303-514-2422 or heather@heathergreenphotography.com

WEMU: Filmmaker Documents Plight of Pets in Earthquake Ravaged Haiti (2010-02-11)

WEMU: Filmmaker Documents Plight of Pets in Earthquake Ravaged Haiti (2010-02-11)

Tom McPhee interviewed WEMU today

Tom McPhee, Executive Director of the World Animal Awareness Society - WA2S.org will be featured in an interview by Bob Eccles on WEMU.org this afternoon (February 11, 2010) at 4:50PM and 6:20PM discussing the trip to earthquake striken Haiti for the World Animal Awareness Society - WA2S.org. Please tune in, won't you....