4 Things You Should Consider Before Buying a Pet Crayfish

You think you want a pet crayfish? Remember, there are all sorts of things to think about with having this exotic pet.

The Fish Tank

First off, you are going to have to invest in a fish take with a water pump and filter. Also, if you plan on having any other fish to go along with your pet crayfish, you'll need to consider the size of the tank. That's because crayfish are aggressive scavengers. They are omnivores who like to eat practically everything. This means your fish too. So if you plan on having multiple fish, sometimes you'll need to buy a bigger tank.

Water Changes

Crayfish are pretty hardy animals. I mean they can live in just about any filth. However, you will have to do frequent water changes with a pet crayfish. Partly because these animals put out a lot of waste, but also because they can make your tank look ugly very quickly and create an unhealthy environment for any other fish in your fish tank. Doing regular water changes are not hard, it's just something you should remember to do regularly. Some people do them weekly and others do them bi-weekly.

The Other Fish

If you do actually decide to put other fish into your fish tank with your pet crayfish, you will have to take into account the fish you select as tank mates. Fish that swim near the top of the tank, are fast and/or are aggressive themselves will be the best tank mates for crayfish. However, there is never any guarantee that a fish will survive living with a crayfish. It's always possible that you may wake up one morning and one of your fish is missing in your tank. It's happened to me before, unfortunately.

A Place to Hide

Crayfish can also fall victim to attacks from other fish, believe it or not. This is most likely to happen when a crayfish molts or when your pet crayfish sheds his exoskeleton. When a crayfish sheds his exoskeleton, he is weak and soft. He's also not too aggressive. Because of this, other fish will sometimes attack him. For this reason, it's very important to have hideouts in your fish tank for when your crayfish molt. Actually, your pet crayfish will like having a hideout anyway. These animals like to burrow and hide often times, when they aren't on the prowl hunting everything in sight. PVC pipe can be used as a hideout for your pet crayfish or you can buy them for cheap online or in most pet stores.

Read more »

Useful Information About Chipmunks

Chipmunks are hard to hate. Not only are they one of the most adorable, furry little critters you see around these parts, they are also one of the most entertaining to watch play and hop around. However adorable, chipmunks can also be little trouble makers. They love to munch on seeds, nuts, fruits, berries, and even dig up plants to eat their roots, all of which make gardens and lawns a prime target this time of year.

If you are having trouble with nuisance chipmunks, it may help to familiarize yourself with some of their common behaviors and habits in order to find a solution to the problem. Continue reading to learn some useful and interesting facts about chipmunks, including what you can do to put a stop to their destruction.

Interesting Chipmunk Facts

Technically, a chipmunk is a rodent, as they are part of the Rodentia order. They are also mammals, of the family Sciuridae, just like squirrels, prairie digs, and marmots. There are 25 known species of chipmunk, one of which is not native to North America.

They eat an omnivorous diet, just like humans. They commonly dine on fruits, nuts, seeds, cultivated grains, vegetables, fungi, insects, arthropods (spiders, butterflies, scorpions, crustaceans, etc.), and sometimes even small amphibians like tree frogs.

Chipmunks have large cheek pouches that they use to stuff full of food they find, then they bring it all back to their underground burrows where they store their food for the winter. They mostly forage on the ground, but will also climb trees to get acorns and fruit.

Did you know that chipmunks are actually loners? Although more than one chipmunk family can reside in the same burrow, they travel alone and basically ignore all other chipmunks around them until mating season starts up again in spring. This is good news for homeowners with a chipmunk infestation in the attic. Most often, it is just one lone chipmunk, which does a lot less damage than an entire colony of squirrels. However, females can give birth to litters of 8 or more, so an infestation can be larger if it is a nursing female.

Chipmunks live in underground burrows that they dig themselves, which usually consist of an elaborate network of tunnels that can extend up to 11 feet in length. They keep their sleeping area clean, while keeping waste and droppings in another area. The entrances to their burrows are well-concealed, and usually only detectable by a trained eye.

Chipmunks hibernate. They fill their burrows up with as much food as possible in late summer and fall in order to have enough provisions for the winter. Aside from hibernation, chipmunks sleep an average of 15 hours a day, mostly because they do not have to stay on alert for predators since they live underground.

Unfortunately, chipmunks do not live for a very long time. In the wild, their average lifespan is between 2 and 3 years. In captivity, they can live a little longer, up to 6 or 7 years with strict owner commitment. This is usually most common at licensed wildlife rehabilitation facilities.

What To Do About Nuisance Wildlife

If you have a nuisance wildlife problem, your best course of action would be to request professional advice from a licensed wildlife removal and control company. They have the training, experience, and knowledge to give you helpful advice or service.

Read more »

The Guide for Animal Tracks

Whether you make it a hobby, or become curious during a walk in the woods, identifying animal tracks is fun and helps you track the wildlife in your area. You can tell what kind of animals have been by and how large they are, just from their prints. Learn how to identify common animals that may be roaming through your backyard.

Raccoon
Raccoon tracks have five toes with a larger set of back feet. Typically, the back feet are 3 1/8 inches long, while the front feet measure 2 1/4 inches. The back footprint is beside a front footprint because of the way it walks.

Bobcat
The bobcat, a familiar cat in wooded areas, can be distinguished by the absence of nail marks and a more rounded appearance. The back and front feet are about the same size, averaging a length of 1 3/4 inches and a width of 1 7/8 inches.

Deer
Deer tracks can be identified by their almond-shaped hooves. They have no toes or claws, just two pointed hooves. On wet ground, the hooves appear rounder and less pointy.

Coyote
Coyote tracks are easily identified by their resemblance to a large dog print and the imprints of the nails. Coyote tracks take on a more oval shape than a domestic dog, and are more compact.

Bear
The front track of a bear resembles a large human foot, with sharp nail imprints. They measure around 7 inches long and 3 1/2 inches wide. The hind track resembles the front track, simply without the gap between the front and the heel. Bears also have five toes, just like a human.

Read more »

Some Characteristics of Crustaceans

Apart from being a delicious treat to our taste buds, crustaceans are also a very unique creation of nature! Take a look at the characteristics of crustaceans described in this article.

In the animal kingdom, crustaceans belong to the subphylum 'crustacea' of the phylum 'arthropoda', and form a very large group of aquatic creatures. This group includes creatures like lobsters, crabs, barnacles, shrimp, etc. The reason behind writing this piece of information is that crustaceans have unique characteristics, unlike any other animal group in nature.

About 50,000 species belong to the group of crustaceans in marine biology. Their sizes range from about 0.1 mm to 12.5 ft, with various animals showcasing a number of different characteristics. Most common characteristics of crustaceans are mentioned in the following paragraphs, so read on, and find out interesting facts about them.

General Characteristics

There are other groups of arthropods, which are the insects, chelicerates, and myriapods, that have very different characteristics than the crustaceans. However, they all belong to the same phylum, and therefore might have a few common characteristics. It is known that most of these creatures are marine animals, but some can either be terrestrial or parasitic in nature. They have a very unique set of crustacean features and peculiarities, irrespective of being aquatic or terrestrial. Crustaceans have typical digestive systems, and typical ways of reproduction and movement. To give you a glimpse of the basic features of crustaceans, we have put together most of them in the coming up paragraphs, take a look!

✦ Head and Body
The most distinctive characteristics are observed with respect to the body structures of crustaceans. They have two compound eyes. Each body segment, known as somite, bears a pair of appendages. They all have very well built heads, and the head segment bears two pairs of antennae, the mandibles, and maxillae. The antennae form the first two pairs of the appendages, through which the food, weather temperature, and dangers are detected. After the antennae, the next pair defines the mandibles or jaws, which are used for holding the food and tearing it. The next two pairs are the maxillae used for feeding. The other part of the body is also segmented which comprises the thorax and the abdomen. The thoracic segments bear legs, pereiopods (walking legs) and maxillipeds (feeding legs). The abdomen bears pleopods, and ends in a telson, which contains the anus. Many crustaceans have additional abdomen features, i.e. legs used for swimming or "swimmerets". They also have the setae, thin whisker projections that extend from the head.

✦ The Exoskeleton
Another very common yet unique one of the crustacean characteristics is the exoskeleton. It covers the entire body of the animal including the head, appendages, thorax, and the abdomen. These animals do not have an internal skeleton. They are covered by a hard and calcified covering, which is made up of limestone, commonly known as chitin. The reason nature has provided these crustaceans with the exoskeleton is because their internal systems are very delicate, and are open immediately below the exoskeleton. They have an open circulatory system (no heart), and a two part nervous system (one ventral nerve and ganglia system). Thus, these delicate inner parts are protected by the exoskeleton. As a soft exoskeleton forms underneath the old hard exoskeleton, the old one is shed. This is known as molting.

✦ Reproduction and Sexuality
Crustaceans follow sexual reproduction, wherein the males and females mate to produce offspring through eggs (oviparous). The eggs are usually carried by the female under her abdomen till they hatch. There they undergo a series of metamorphoses. The two sexes are always distinguished by the swimmerets or pleopods, where the first pair of pleopods in males are meant for sperm transfer. A few crustaceans are also known to be hermaphrodites, where the organism consists of both the male and female reproductive organs, for example, barnacles.

✦ Feeding and Diet
Crustaceans are hunters like most other animals. They catch their prey with the help of their appendages. They hunt for small fish or other aquatic animals. However, the smaller crustaceans are known to be scavengers, as they feed on dead material. These animals use their setae for creating currents in the water, so that their prey doesn't escape, and ends up into their mouth! Their diet can be smaller animals and sometimes plankton.

You can have crustaceans as pets. They are very interesting creatures found in nature, and studying them can be a real pleasure! Some of these hardy little creatures live several decades with proper care.

Read more »

What is Reverse Socialization

Reverse socialization refers to the act of nursing injured or abandoned animals to health and training them to survive in a natural habitat.

In literal terms, reverse socialization is a deviation from socially acceptable behavior in younger generation. In usual circumstances, a child gets his/her lessons on life from his/her parents, however, in reverse socialization a child may teach the parents a thing or two! A classic example of this type of socialization is kids teaching their parents a few things on computers, cell phones or other advanced gadgets. However, it mostly applies to animals rather than human beings. In animals, this term assumes an altogether different meaning. Reverse socialization in animals means the act of nursing and training young animals in such a way that they are able to survive by themselves. 

What is Reverse Socialization

Many young jungle animals are abandoned at a very young age by their mothers. Sometimes, wild animals get killed during hunting or wildfires, which leaves their young ones orphaned. When these young animals are found by activists, they are often in a deplorable condition. They are deprived of nutrition, shelter and protection, which makes them vulnerable to death and other dangers. In a rescue shelter, they are nursed back to health by volunteers. These animals are bottle fed and housed in shelters especially designed for them. Their nutrition is also adjusted as per their individual requirements. During this process, animals grow fond of humans and rely heavily on their touch. If these young animals are to survive in natural habitat, they need to be weaned from human interaction as soon as they are fit to be able to survive on their own. However, it is dangerous to return these animals to their natural habitat without providing them any training about jungle rules. The process of training these young animals to make them worthy of living in natural habitat is called reverse socialization. 

Steps of Reverse Socialization

Reverse socialization begins several months before an animal is ready to live on its own, in its natural habitat. In natural circumstances, a young one derives its basic instincts from its mother. The mother gives practical training to her young ones, which enables them to derive the characteristics of their species. This is not the case with animals that have lived in rescue shelter since they were very young. A tiger cub living in a shelter would be oblivious to its hunting instincts as it has been fed by human hands until now. In reverse socialization, an animal is made aware of its natural behavior through human intervention. Given below is a step by step illustration of how a young animal is prepared to live on its own. 

Isolation from Humans
It is but obvious for a young animal to become fond of humans around it. As humans are the only ones who care and nurture for it, it starts relying heavily on human interaction. However, a contact with unknown human in natural habitat may spell danger for wild animals. Hence, they must be taught to stay away from humans. This can be done by moving animals to bigger, isolated shelters where human interaction is minimum. 

Training
Animals must be taught how to fend for themselves in natural habitat. This is done by imitating the scenarios in natural habitat. Firstly, animals are fed foods that are their natural diet. For instance, a young bear or raccoon is first taught to eat fish by feeding it. Then, it is encouraged to catch fish on its own by exposing it to a small pool of water with a live fish in it. Young ones of monkeys or squirrels are exposed to fruits hanging from branches, so that they know what they are supposed to eat once outside the shelter. 

Release
The training period may stretch over several months. Once, the animal becomes trained enough to be able to survive on its own, it can be released in its natural habitat. The location and time of release is often pre-decided. 

Reverse socialization is achieved only through herculean efforts of volunteers. More often than not, these volunteers fend for young animals out of their own pockets. Fortunately, there are still such people in our society who place the interest and well-being of animals before their own.

Read more »

Wildlife Rehabilitator Career Tips

A wildlife rehabilitator career can be developed properly with the help of knowledge and dedicated service for the welfare of animals. One shouldn't expect high paying jobs in this field. This kind of job is for those who want to serve animals selflessly...







The job of a wildlife rehabilitator mainly involves taking care of animals in the process of reinstating them back in forests/natural habitats. Wildlife rehabilitators do not need a certain, specific degree. The National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association (NWRA) is an organization actively involved in the rehabilitation of wild animals. As per the guidelines set by this organization, no formal education is needed to become a wildlife rehabilitator; there is no wildlife rehabilitator degree as such. It is however, advisable to have a degree with specialization in biology, veterinary science, or other subjects related to animals, in order to make wildlife rehabilitator a career. Let us understand what needs to be done in order to work in this field.







How to Become a Wildlife Rehabilitator







To start off as a wildlife rehabilitator, it is necessary that one obtains enough information about animal care through books and trained professionals. In the beginning, one cannot expect a full-time job that pays well. Selfless service is the foundation or base of wildlife rehabilitation. As you gain experience and thereby knowledge about how to treat animals with care and responsibility, you can think about applying for positions in bigger organizations which employ wildlife rehabilitators; the wildlife rehabilitator salary is not fixed and depends on the funds received by the organization you work for; on an average, you can expect an income of $20,000 annually. In order to gain experience in this field, internships, part-time jobs and seasonal jobs are considered the best.







Educational Requirements



As stated above, formal education is not necessary to become a wildlife rehabilitator. However, basic knowledge about animal care and subjects of biology/zoology is necessary. Veterinary doctors and veterinary technicians can also think about using their knowledge in this field. Those who want to enter this field should take up courses like ornithology, animal behavior, mammology, ecology and similar subjects during college. This kind of education makes them well prepared for the job of wildlife rehabilitators.







Work Environment



Wildlife rehabilitator jobs require you to stay away from your family in most cases. Finding orphaned elephants (taking them to the family/herd) and other animals are amongst the important tasks these wildlife rehabilitators undertake these days. One can also think about staying at home and working for animals in the surrounding areas. For example, baby birds that fall off the nests require proper medical treatment and assistance. Feeding these birds is one of the most time-consuming and tedious tasks. This is because baby birds need to be fed every 15-20 minutes (during day time) in their growing phase. This would keep a wildlife rehabilitator busy for almost the entire day. Dealing with wild animals can be dangerous at times and it is necessary to get yourself covered with adequate medical insurance.







Types of Jobs



There are different types of jobs that wildlife rehabilitators have to perform. Caring for baby birds (described above) is one of the jobs these professionals have to handle. The other tasks include that of working at animal rehabilitation services and providing medical treatment (bandaging, fluid therapy, etc.) to different animals, transporting injured animals to rehabilitation centers, maintaining records on animals, cleaning cages, etc. Promoting the cause of wildlife rehabilitation in society is also one of the responsibilities shouldered by these professionals. Creating awareness on the subject of animal care, communicating with concerned citizens and similar jobs are also carried out by wildlife rehabilitators.







Permits



A license is must for those who seek to develop their career in a legitimate manner. It is necessary to obtain the required permits or licenses from federal and state agencies. The rules for handling protected animals vary from state to state, and it is necessary to be aware of these rules. Handling protected animals species without possession of a permit can lead to legal action. It is therefore, necessary that you take all the precautions before getting into this field.







Developing a successful wildlife rehabilitator career is not as easy or fun as it seems to be. It requires knowledge about animal behavior, treatment, and most importantly, the willingness to understand what a particular animal needs. There are variety of jobs ranging from creating awareness about stopping ivory usage to caring for baby birds that one can undertake as a wildlife rehabilitator. However, as stated earlier, selfless service is of utmost importance to serve animals.

Read more »

Facts of Animal Rights

In theory, the concept of animal rights needs no introduction. However, most of the facts about its history and various laws pertaining to it continue to elude the human mind.
Animal rights, also referred to as animal liberation, is a concept based on the idea that the basic interests of animal species should be given equal importance like the basic interests of humans. The concept encompasses various rights which would ensure that animals don't get exploited or abused by humans for their vested interests. According to it, the use of animals for any practice in which they are subjected to pain or suffering, right from their use in circus or zoo to their exploitation in the name of experimentation and fur trade, is unethical, and thus, has to be dealt with stringent laws. Statistics on animal abuse reveal that millions of animals bear the brunt of such unethical practices every year in the United States alone.
In 1822, Colonel Richard Martin, the MP for Galway County in Ireland, introduced the Ill Treatment of Horses and Cattle Bill. Also called the Martin's Act, it was the first major legislation to provide protection to animals.

Animal Rights Movement
Also known as the animal liberation movement or animal advocacy movement, this is a global program which seeks an end to moral as well as legal distinction between humans and animals. The proponents of this movement are of the opinion that humans should treat non-human beings in a humane manner, and not as if they were their property. It strongly opposes the practice of animal testing and the use of animals in entertainment and cloth manufacturing industry, as well as for food.
The animal rights movement follows a three-tier structure: (i) philosophical debate, (ii) legal development, and (iii) direct action

Interesting Facts about Animal Rights
► While many people are of the opinion that the concept of animal rights came into existence in 1975 with Peter Singer's book titled 'Animal Liberation', the fact is that it began with the formation of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) back in 1866. The ASPCA was formed by Henry Berg to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States.

► In 1966―exactly a hundred years after the ASPCA came into existence―the Congress passed the Animal Welfare Act, which forms the basis of animal rights laws in the United States as of today. Since its formation in 1966, it has been subjected to six amendments; one each in 1970, 1976, 1985, 1990, 2002, and 2007.

► Despite being the only proper law to regulate the treatment of animals in the United States, it has often been criticized for the exclusion of animals which are bred specifically for research and food, as well as coldblooded animals.

► Other important milestones were the formation of the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) to protect the interests of animals through the legal system in 1979 and the formation of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) in 1980. PETA has since become the largest animal rights group in the world, with over 3 million members worldwide.

► Besides the Animal Welfare Act, each of the 50 states of the Union have their own set of laws regulating animal cruelty. Of these, 46 states have felony penalties for certain forms of animal abuse.

► According to the data compiled by the Animal Legal Defense Fund, the states of California, Illinois, Maine, Michigan, and Oregon have the best anti-cruelty laws in the country. In contrast, Kentucky, Iowa, South Dakota, New Mexico, and Wyoming have the worst laws, and thus, are considered the worst states for animals.

► In 2002, Germany became the first European country to give constitutional rights to animals. Even though Switzerland had ensured a place for animals in its constitution in 1992, the country opted to rewrite the entire constitution in 1999. Nevertheless, Switzerland has very tough animal protection laws in place.

► Even the Nazi Party put into place some tough laws pertaining to the protection of animals when they came to power in 1933. Adolf Hitler is believed to have said "Im neuen Reich darf es keine Tierquälerei mehr geben." ("In the new Reich, no more animal cruelty will be allowed.")

► In the past, we have had the likes of Pythagoras, Charles Darwin, Jeremy Bentham, and Frances Power Cobbe argue against cruelty to animals. Some of the famous animal rights advocates in the world today are Bob Barker, Anita Roddick, Betty White, Peter Singer, Ellen DeGeneres, etc.

► When we talk of animal rights activists, one name which deserves a special mention is that of Henry Spira, the founder of the Animal Rights International and one of the most effective animal rights advocates of the 20th century. He successfully used the reintegrative shaming method to tackle with the likes of the American Museum of Natural History and cosmetics company, Revlon.

While there do exist laws regulating animal cruelty, the need of the hour is to amend them, so as to make them more concrete, and implement them at the grass-root level.

Read more »

Help to Reduce Animal Accidents

Underpasses, overpasses, viaducts, and all the other barriers that are designed for the safety of animals are broadly called wildlife crossings. These have been successfully implemented in various countries around the world, and have proven to be of great help in reducing animal-human collisions.
In a report by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to Congress, each year, drivers in the U.S. spend approximately $8 billion on wildlife-related collision damages to vehicles.

Effectiveness of Wildlife Crossings
Wildlife overpasses and underpasses help in diverting animals from the path humans take, to their habitat. These crossings serves as a connectivity for the animals to their natural habitat, thus preventing any animal-vehicle collisions.
Once an animal cannot find a way through the road it gets accustomed to the crossings constructed for it. It travels back and forth the same route. As such, casualties on the road are prevented.
Wildlife crossing structures are designed according to the habitat of the animals who are using it. The surroundings play an important role in deciding the animals' path, and so they are prevented from choosing the road for commuting.
There is a light generated on the fences of the crossings every time an animal is around. This alerts drivers to reduce their speed, and a collision is avoided.
In many animal crossings, a bait is put for the animals, wherein salt licks or silhouettes of the animals are placed, which make the animals think that some other animals has already used the crossings and it is safe. This method prevents them from coming onto the highway, thereby reducing accidents.
There are certain wildlife crossing signs put as a reminder for the drivers to slow down their vehicles while passing through an animal inhabited area. This helps a great deal in avoiding mishaps.

Read more »

Alternatives of Animal Testing

Facts about the various alternatives to animal testing are presented in this article. It provides some information about the measures being taken to minimize animal cruelty which happens during the testing phase.

With a growing number of animals losing their lives in animal testing activities, it has become important to find methods which inflict lesser or no pain on them at all. Also, it is necessary to carry out as many tests as possible (meant to develop medicines for humans) directly on human beings (assuming that all the safety measures are followed).

The pros and cons of animal testing is not the topic of discussion in this article. However, understanding them should help in finding out the need for substitutes to the same. There are many arguments against animal testing which need to be considered for studying this subject. The first and foremost concern is that of pain inflicted on animals during the tests and experiments. Animals have rights, and flouting the guidelines laid for protecting animal rights is unethical and also illegal. There are hardly any arguments which can support this cruel practice. Given below is some more information about which alternatives are being used for it.

Cell Culture

This form of testing has established itself as one of the successful alternatives to the use of animals, in vivo. Few of the important areas where cell culture can replace animal experimentation are tests conducted for chemical absorption by skin, phytotoxicity, skin corrosion, etc. The 'Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development' (OECD) is known to have approved these tissue culture techniques as a substitute.

The 3T3 Neutral Red Uptake Test (NRU) is used in the process of detecting viability of 3T3 cells while exposing them to the harmful effects of the sun (phytotoxicity). Earlier, cells from the embryo of a mouse were used for such kind of testing. The OECD has approved the 3T3 Neutral Red Uptake Test.

Computer Simulation

One of the alternatives is the use of computer simulation, which is increasingly becoming a viable option instead of testing on animals. Crash test dummies/computer operated mannequins are used for the computer simulation tests. Such computer operated mannequins are installed with internal sensors. The use of pigs for crash testing has been replaced by these dummies.

Human-based Testing

Well-known/common instances of human-based testing are found in areas like pyrogenicity, skin irritation, etc. The pyrogens which affect the immune system cells are responsible for conditions like fever and inflammation. Instead of making use of animal cells, the human donated cells are used as an alternative. The skin patch test is used in finding medicines for skin irritation; the test which is used in Canada replaces animals with human volunteers without inflicting any side-effects on their health.

Scanning Techniques

The scanning techniques like Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) are also amongst the substitutes to testing on animals. Human scans obtained with this technique provide in-depth information. An autopsy is also an alternative, which helps in carrying out biomedical research.

History of Animal Testing

It can be traced back to the period of Aristotle and Erasistratus, i.e. between 3rd and 4th century BCE. Erasistratus was the first person to conduct experiments on animals; later in the 2nd century AD, Galen started performing vivisection. He is therefore known as the father of vivisection. In due course, animals were used in research for basic and medical sciences. Emil von Behring, a physiologist from Germany, conducted tests on animals to check the effect of diphtheria toxin. Guinea pigs were used for these tests; these tests were conducted in the 1880s and 1890s. The use of animals for testing in the cosmetic industry is one of the main causes of concern.

The search for alternatives to animal testing shows that there are people who care about animal rights. Animal cruelty is no doubt a burning issue, related to the subject of testing. However, one shouldn't miss out on the very basic thing that using animals for selfish (human needs) motives is indirectly affecting our already fragile eco-system. Human interference in the natural functioning of the eco-system should be kept at the minimum level possible. Of course, nature has its own ways of striking the balance. However, then, human beings shouldn't complain about the disastrous consequences.

Read more »

17 Things Animal Lovers Do

Some of us absolutely love animals, so much so, that if we had to pick between friends and a pet, we wouldn't hesitate in picking the obvious choice. So, if you too are one hopeless animal lover, this article is definitely for you! We've enlisted a few things that you'd understand if you love animals. Take a look!

"Until one has loved an animal a part of one's soul remains unawakened."
― Anatole France
Most of us love animals, while others just can't stand them. We wonder why? Animals are wonderful creatures who are unique in their own ways. They make us a part of their lives, and share a unique, silent bond with us. We love them so much, not only because they are adorable, cute, fluffy, and make great companions, but also because they love us back tenfold. However, there are some who take this love for animals to a whole new level. We're not just talking about pets here, but also exotic pets. We're talking about all kinds of animals - fluffy, furry, scaly, cute, exotic, etc. Such people prefer spending time with four-legged or slimy creatures, rather than partying with friends. If you too are of this type, then I'm sure you'll identify yourself with these 17 signs that prove you're an animal lover. Check 'em out!
Things You Relate to if You're an Animal Lover
Your profile pictures are mostly selfies with animals

Your profile pictures and other pictures on different social media sites feature a lot of animals or your pet. Your phone is full of images of animals, because wherever you go, you end up clicking their pictures and taking videos.
You love all kinds of animals, and not just the cute and fluffy ones
People are scared of visiting your place because of the 'pets' that you have at home. Come on people, they're not that scary!
You visit a vet more than you go to your own doctor

You make sure to visit a vet every month for regular checkups of your pet, whether or not you visit your own doctor.
You automatically don't like a person whom your pet dislikes
You can never date a person who doesn't like animals, or if your dog ever growled at them. If it doesn't like someone, you don't either. Period.
You can't wait to get back home and spend time with your pet

Right from the time when you leave home for work, you think about getting back already and playing with your pet. And you make sure that you're not away from home for a long time. You wish you had the superpower to talk to animals, but you anyway end up greeting them with at least a 'Hi'. You like it when you have some meaningful conversations with them, because only you and your pet can understand the language. It's an alien thing for others.
You turn into a monster whenever someone is being mean to animals
"I don't believe in the concept of hell, but if I did I would think of it as filled with people who were cruel to animals." ― Gary Larson. I so agree with you Mr. Gary Larson. You just can't see any sort of injustice happening to animals. You instantly turn into some kind of a rage monster like The Hulk. For instance, people throwing stones at dogs or teasing them. You wouldn't hesitate in giving them a piece of your mind, so much that they won't ever think of doing it again. How would you feel if animals did that to you, eh?
All your money goes in pampering them

Shopping for you means visits to several pet stores, and pampering them with expensive toys and treatments. They have their own bed, pillow, raincoat, shoes, pet food, and other accessories like chew toys. But in the end, they'll end up chewing on your shoes or slippers anyway.
You wish pets were allowed at work
Oh, it would be so much fun to work with your little pooch or kitty by your side, isn't it? You'd do anything to be allowed to get your pet in office everyday. Can't it be a legitimate perk of doing some good work? All the employers out there, hope you're reading this!
You dream of owning a farmhouse with all kinds of animals

Since the time you realized that you love animals, it has been your dream to own a big farmhouse far away from the city, so that you and your lovable pets can live peacefully.
You can't decide when people ask what your favorite animal is
How are you even expected to answer that when they are all SO cute, adorable, lovable, charming, cuddly, fluffy, funny, etc?
Watching a movie in which animals suffer or die is too much for you to handle

Marley & me, Hachiko: A Dog's Story, Eight Below, etc. You've watched them all! And the most common thing between them was that they all choked you with tears. You can handle war movies, but can't handle animal movies, especially the ones with sad endings and where the animal has to die in the end. Why would they even do that? Don't they have a heart?
Your idea of a vacation is where animals are

You always take vacations to wildlife sanctuaries or national parks where you would get to see animals. And if you are not vacationing, you're volunteering at some animal shelter. And if you have a pet, you plan your outings and vacations as per their convenience.
You always stop your vehicle for the animals crossing the road
Squirrels, dogs, cats, snakes, etc. You always, always brake for them. And if it's some animal like a turtle or tortoise, you pull over and help it cross the road, and then carry on with your journey.
You always dream of someone gifting you puppies or kittens

"Someone please gift me a dog, or any other animal," is all you keep saying to everyone. You would do or give up anything to wake up or open the door only to find a bunch of puppies or kittens on the other side. Hamsters, rabbits, turtles, snakes, iguana, tiger cubs, monkeys, chimpanzees, and baby elephants would also do BTW!
You end up getting the abandoned ones home
And sometimes, even foster them. You have special hatred for people who abandon their pets for no reason. It's heartbreaking for you to see any animal or pet abandoned or left to live on their own without any provision.
You feel miserable on seeing animals in the zoo

You wish you had the power to set them free. It breaks your heart to see them caged like this.
You're probably a vegetarian
Your love for animals has influenced you so much that you gave up eating meat, not because you love veggies, but because you love animals. And you also have immense respect for organizations like PETA and SPCA for the good work that they do.
These were some signs that tell you simply adore animals. So, how many of these could you relate to? Do let us know by dropping in a few lines in our comments section.

Read more »

Wildlife Rehabilitator Average Salary

Wildlife rehabilitation is not a regular 9 to 5 job, it is a way of life for a wildlife enthusiast. While this career does have a below average pay scale, the growth rate for this job is expected to increase more than average. One thing is certain though, this career is a rewarding choice for all those who love animals and wildlife. Continue reading this article for more details.

According to the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association (NWRA), wildlife rehabilitators are responsible for nursing sick, abandoned, and injured animals. While working in the wildlife rehabilitation centers, they help release those animals back into the wild.
Earlier pursued by individuals as a part of their hobby, or due to their love for wildlife and wild animals, wildlife rehabilitation has recently turned into a full-fledged profession. Wildlife conservation has gained importance in recent years, with massive deforestation and loss of species across the globe. Many countries facing extinction of native flora and fauna, have started conservation programs that call for volunteers and individuals, who are willing to devote their time and energies to provide care, and nurture local wildlife, and rehabilitate them. The rehab may be limited to one particular species or animal, or may focus on tackling a recent natural disaster, a forest fire, or an oil spill, that might have affected the local wildlife. However, as the wheels of time have turned, with various non-governmental organizations and environmental enthusiasts encouraging participation from people, this career is taking new shapes and dimensions.

Salary Data
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual wage for employees in non-farm animal care is $22,970 p.a.
Also, the mean hourly wages are around $10.
States with the best mean salaries in this sector are Hawaii ($30,060), California ($26,260), and Oregon ($27,050).
States with highest concentration of jobs in this sector (per thousand) are California (1.13), Texas (1.11), Florida (1.24), Illinois (1.38), and New York (1.18).
Growth in this sector is likely to be in the 20-25% range for the period between 2010-2020.
Although the mean salary is in the lower range, some wildlife directors get paid as much as $90,000 per annum.
*Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Job Description
Salary is paid to those working full-time, however, if one is part of a wildlife conservation project funded by the government, even part-timers may be paid a stipend. Following are some of the tasks a wildlife rehabilitator must undertake:
Feeding and bathing baby birds and animals is one of the most important tasks assigned to a rehabilitator. One must consult the latest books and literature for diet information and feeding habits of various animal and birds.
Veterinary technicians and doctors require support in administering critical care to injured animals, and a rehabilitator is often required to pitch in.
Injured animals require first-aid and supportive therapy, and a rehabilitator has to administer first-aid. He/she takes care of animals hurt as a result of abuse or accidents.
Supervising, guiding, and instructing paid or voluntary workers.
Maintaining a regular database, about the health, food, and other factors that help in tracking the growth of the animals.
Moving rehabilitated animals to secure locations also comes under the purview of a rehabilitator. He/she must work with wildlife biologists, vets, and logistics handlers, to provide a safe transfer of animals.
Spreading awareness about endangered animals in areas where they are hunted or poached. Working actively with authorities to watch for illegal activities concerning such animals.
Requirements
One must have a drive for selfless service towards animals to enjoy working in this field. Many states have made rehabilitation licensing a must, whether the work done is paid or voluntary.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), offers licensing for Wildlife Rehabilitators. Candidates must pass the exam with a score of 80% or higher, produce two letters of recommendation, and appear for an interview with their regional wildlife office.
The International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council (IWRC) conducts the Certified Wildlife Rehabilitator (CWE) exam, which enables candidates to practice rehabilitation with a certain degree of professionalism and enhances their credentials when dealing with Federal and State officials.
In the US, it is mandatory for bird rehabilitators to gain a permit from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service at both, the state and Federal level before beginning any rehabilitation work.
It is advisable that people entering this profession acquire the requisite licenses, as this enables them to work with full authority. Though no degree or qualification is essential for becoming a wildlife rehabilitator, yet every profession demands skill and knowledge, some NGO's and firms prefer people with a degree in animal anatomy, zoology, biology, and other life sciences. The idea is that the worker must have basic knowledge of animals and their habitats.
Challenges of being a Wildlife Rehabilitator
There are certain aspects one needs to be aware of before taking up this profession.
The job requires handling animals and birds who may be in distress, and may attack the handler in self-defense. One must be careful at all times when taking care of aggressive animals.
Keeping personal insurance up-to-date is another priority for people working with animals. Make sure you and your family are adequately insured before starting to work as a rehabilitator.
The job of a rehabilitator can be demanding in terms of financial and physical resources. Birds and animals require cages, alarm systems, feeding mechanisms, and special diets, which the rehabilitator may have to pay for in the beginning. Later on, with proper experience, he can set up a non-profit organization to accept donations and carry on the good work, but this too needs extensive paperwork and legal compliance.
Finally, a wildlife rehabilitator must be ready to spend time away from his family, often in the woods and in difficult circumstances. His family too must be supportive and understanding of the demands of his profession.
Becoming a successful wildlife rehabilitator may be a challenge, but with focus, dedication, and a genuine love for animals in need, one can excel in this career.
Read more at Buzzle:http://www.buzzle.com/articles/wildlife-rehabilitator-salary.html

Read more »

12 General Animal Rights

Why do we need genetically manipulated transgenic animals anyway, when you can't behave well enough with the existing genetically unmanipulated, non-transgenic creatures of both the four-legged and two-legged variety?

1. Abolish all animal research - I don't have any problem with this one. I saw a film about a Research Lab Chimpanzee, where they graphically described all the experiments that had been conducted on him―and I thought, whoa, you do that to a human being and you end up at the Nuremberg Trials. Anyone who thinks I'm being over-dramatic and insensitive here should take a look at their favorite pet and imagine such research being done on it. It's easy to say, go ahead, and shut your eyes to the torment and pain involved when you personally don't know the animal concerned. Surely, with all the modern technological developments, we can come up with some better and humane ways to treat and extend our own lives?

2. Abolish all product testing, dissection, or demonstrations on animals - More or less same opinion.

3. Encourage 'vegetarianism' for ethical, ecological, and healing reasons - Encourage, yes, but don't force. Otherwise you're being unethical and unhealing.

4. Phase out all forms of 'animal agriculture', i.e., the growing of animals for food - I go with this too. I like cows and pigs and goats and sheep and rabbits and chickens and turkeys (I always wonder how anyone can have a thankful day after having just dispatched someone to their death) and geese and ducks and so on.

5. Abolish all pesticides and any form of predator control - To some extent, yes, as a gardener I try to use natural pesticides. I'm not sure what 'abolish any form of predator control' means - is it 'word overkill' or 'word malfunctioning'? - The Forest Department here just caught a leopard that had sneaked into the neighborhood - if the meaning here is doing nothing and letting that leopard have a go at me, nope, I'm not that altruistic - I highly recommend catching the predator, as they did, and releasing it back into the wild, again as they did.

6. Transfer the enforcement of animal welfare legislation from the Department of Agriculture to a new agency created for the protection of animals and the environment - More bureaucracy? Or an effort to create more jobs?

7. Abolish all trapping and fur ranching - I can't imagine raising furry goofballs and skinning them so people like Ms. Crawford don't have to wear sweaters (I don't have anything against shaving the sheep, by the way).

8. Abolish all 'hunting and fishing' for sport! - For food I can understand, for fun, no, I can't and don't want to either. And people who think it's 'brave' to go hunting are sick and have a screw missing. Stop reading Hemingway for inspiration. He was a good writer, but an idiot otherwise―and we know what happened to all his manly bravado in the end.

9.Save the rain forests and ban all international trade in wildlife or goods produced from exotic animals - OH YES!

10. Abolish all breeding of companion animals - including pedigreed or purebred dogs and cats - OH NO!

11. Abolish the use or association of animals in sports, entertainment, zoos, rodeos, coursing, or aquariums - As Dick Francis, one of my favorite authors said, horses like to run; since he was a jockey himself and spent a major portion of his time around horses probably he knew what he was talking about. As for entertainment and the zoo, if I were a tiger, I would rather be jumping through hoops in different cities than growing listless in the same old cage. Of course, if I had the choice, I wouldn't have left the jungle in the first place, but you know how these humans are, they think they can decide and manage things for other species.

12. Prohibit the production of genetically manipulated transgenic animals - Don't toy around too much with Mother Nature, I say. Why do you want genetically manipulated transgenic animals anyway, when you can't behave well enough with the existing genetically unmanipulated, non-transgenic creatures of both the four-legged and two-legged variety?

Read more »