When rescued, this emaciated bear could barely walk – look at him now – watch the YouTube video by clicking on the second link (directly) above.
Life on a bear bile farm caused moon bear Wolfie’s muscles to waste away due to lack of use, but loving care is helping him learn how to be a bear again.
Standing upright and swaying his head from side to side in a classic sign of distress, rescuers could clearly see the bones of Wolfie’s massive frame poking through his sagging skin.
Thankfully, Wolfie and eight other bears were rescued in June from a bear bile farm in southern Vietnam and taken to Animals Asia’s sanctuary to begin their recovery from a lifetime of abuse.
Click on the first link above to read the full story.
Posted on October 3, 2017 by Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)
Owners who took their dogs to have their vocal chords cut out claimed they didn’t know what to do in the face of neighbours’ noise complaints.
When a stall opened at a market in Chengdu, China offering to perform debarking surgery on dogs, it didn’t take long for the authorities to act.
They demanded to see the practitioner’s veterinary license and – when he failed to prove his credentials – they closed down the operation.
But by then the floor was littered with vocal chords freshly cut out of anaesthetised dogs. Each dog which underwent the operation will never be able to use their voice to communicate ever again. Their natural barks will be replaced with an eerie wheezing sound.
Animals Asia Founder and CEO, Jill Robinson MBE said:
“Bodily mutilation such as this is clearly hugely damaging to a dog’s welfare and quality of life.
“It is well known that dogs are social animals and their bark is a key part of communication. They rely on their voice to communicate with both animals and people.
“Imagine the psychological trauma of a debarked dog trying to alert another dog or his guardian to danger and not being able to vocalise – it’s literally the stuff of nightmares. A key natural behaviour is completely destroyed.”
Yet amazingly, many of the customers who brought their companion animals to be debarked, didn’t realise how much damage they were doing.
Tragically, they just didn’t know what else to do.
In China, as in many countries such as the majority of the US, debarking can legally be carried out by a qualified vet in regulated conditions.
Animals Asia’s Cat and Dog Welfare Director Irene Feng said:
“While legal, debarking is not common in China and we have to congratulate the authorities for being quick to close down this unlicensed practitioner. But this case has highlighted that education is key – we can’t afford to be complacent about responsible companion animal ownership.”
Companion animal ownership has exploded in China in recent years, with 100 million animals – mainly dogs and cats – registered as of 2015.
While this change has fuelled an increase in animal welfare awareness and respect for non-human animals, it has also raised social challenges.
Irene said:
“Raising awareness about animal welfare and responsible companion animal ownership is absolutely vital in China right now. Responsible guardians must look to understand why a dog is barking, and train them not to bark in certain situations if necessary.
“The ‘quick-fix’ debarking surgery does nothing to address the root of the dogs’ vocalisation. Barking is a behaviour that comes out of many emotions, including frustration, excitement, boredom and angst.
“Understanding problem barking and looking at changing the dogs’ environment, our own dog management or seeking behavioural specialists can be difficult, but it is in the best interest of the dog, the guardian and the public.”
To help improve the lives of companion animals in China, Animals Asia produced an award-winning animated video, Animal Welfare Around Us, which has taught thousands of people how to give their beloved companion the best possible care.
In addition, the latest case of debarking has led the Hong Kong-based NGO’s Chengdu sanctuary – the China Bear Rescue Centre – to plan to introduce education on debarking surgery to their veterinary training programmes for Chinese vets.
The China Bear Rescue Centre currently provides vet training to around 80 vets in Chengdu to provide skills in anaesthesia, pain relief, animal handling and animal welfare. The charity aims to expand the programme significantly in 2018 to up to 300 vets.
By ensuring these trainee vets are well-informed about the inherent cruelty of debarking a dog for convenience, Animals Asia hopes to prevent the procedure being unnecessarily performed by Chengdu vets. The classes will also cover alternative management methods for excessive vocalisation
Animals Asia Senior Veterinarian Emily Drayton said:
“The risks of performing this procedure are alarming. There is a massive risk of infection due to unsanitary and non-sterile conditions, while secondary infection can lead to other complications like fistulas, bleeding, aspiration, and tissue necrosis. Long-term effects including narrowing of the airway, chronic coughing and regurgitation.”
“All vets need to understand the reality of what this operation involves and we will ensure that those vets completing our training courses in Chengdu will turn their backs on it and be able to speak from a position of knowledge when advising peers and the public to do the same.
“At the same time, if confronted by one of the rare instances when devocalisation surgery is necessary for medical reasons – such as removing a cancerous tumour – then these vets will know exactly what kind of post-operative care their patients require.”
Watch the procedure being done on the street here – some viewers may find this graphic – but this is the reality; so take action as given below:
USA you really do need to get your NRA supported Congressman to do something about your total lack of gun control – this is such a regular thing in the USA.
Good to see Trump has ‘God Blessed’ everyone – but has failed to talk about gun control laws – after the biggest mass slaughter in recent times!
Posted on October 1, 2017 by Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)
We have been working with Gordana over the last few weeks regarding these dogs. At one point we hoped it may be possible to bring them to England for finding new homes; but this has turned out to be impossible,
So now it is critical that new homes are found in Serbia for these dogs – and as quickly as possible,
Here below is the Facebook link and the message from Gordana
Please crosspost and do everything you can to find new hoes for these animals.
30th September 2017 : Is there anybody who can help this five rescued dogs to be adopted?
I lost part time job, I will be soon homeless if I don’t find job. This dogs are dependent on organization with sharing dogs posts. I cannot do anything else if owner of dogs doesn’t want dogs back, I can only ask public communal company who have shelters in Serbia if they can take dogs, if they cannot help to take dogs I can only return dogs back on the streets. I don’t have anywhere to keep dogs, dogs are at the moment in the shelter Pansionzapse Maza. If anybody can help please let me know or tag yourself in this post so dogs get more attention to be faster adopted or please share post to help dogs with adoption.
Thank you!
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Bleki, Milica, Bob, Snoopy & Dina are in Serbia
Dogs are for adoption
Share! Thank you!
Posted on September 25, 2017 by Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)
We are pleased to have given some financial support to the making of the new film about the suffering that has been Tibet since it was invaded by China.
Here is a short animation about the future.
It is an exciting time to speak out for the people of Tibet who have recently suffered so much.
Read more by typing in ‘Free Tibet’ on the search box at the top right of the page.
Serbian Animals Voice (SAV) 