Animals and Music

                                                 http://www.flickr.com/photos/walkadog/3353936487/in/photostream/

Yesterday I posted a video that depicted a dog in Japan who refused to leave his companion behind in the aftermath of the Tsunami. The dog was obviously very stressed, as well as sad and concerned for his "friend". This got me thinking: What other seemingly human occurrences/things effect animal emotions in profound ways? Music immediately came to mind. One may argue that only humans can experience and truly appreciate the wonders of music, but certain studies say otherwise. At least as far back as the 1909 appearance of "Effects of Music Upon Animals of the Zoo" in The New York Times, it has been found that different types of music appear to have the same unique effect on certain animals. For example, when upbeat music is played animals become noticeably delighted and become more social, while heavy metal causes agitation and aggression. Similar findings are already in use at various businesses in which animals are present. For example, the Arizona Animal Welfare League plays classical music in all of its pounds because classical has been found to have a calming influence over animals in captivity. Maybe something to think about the next time you play the radio near your pets? And although my last two posts may seem like fluff pieces, the next one is going to be a knockout.

-Zach


Sources: 1, 2

Even More Chickens?

So, as it turns out, my father is now housing six new "chicks" in his tool building in our backyard.  Yes.  Six.  This makes a total of eight chickens living within the confines of the Collier property.  I am now witnessing how adorable the animals actually are, and the thought of hurting these creatures is painful in itself.  Watching the videos and seeing the chickens being abused is one thing, but seeing the chickens first hand really can make a difference.  How someone could kill them almost unconsciously is beyond me.

I realize this probably makes my family seem a bit strange.  Watch for us on the next episode of "Animal Hoarding" on Animal Planet.

Pictures coming soon.

- Payton Collier

"Pronounced like the Middle Eastern bread..."

PETA, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, is one of the most prominent, as well as extreme,  organizations working for animal welfare. According to Jonathan Safran Foer in his book Eating Animals, "PETA will do almost anything legal to advance their campaigns, no matter how bad they look (which is impressive) and no matter who is insulted (which is not so impressive)" (Page 71). Although PETA can be completely ridiculous and outrageous, they somewhat have the right idea in mind: animal welfare.

In his book Eating Animals, Foer looks into many major issues with food, including the issue on animal rights, hence his section on PETA. I found the chapter on word meanings particularly interesting. In this chapter, Foer presents some interesting questions:

Why are some animals food while others are not?

Are those who take into account the welfare of animals on farms realists or sentimentalists?

and most importantly... What is suffering?

The book offers many value facts that every person needs to know about the food they consume every day in a way that makes the reader want to learn more. It is clearly an essential read for anyone looking for the facts behind their food.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Knut_IMG_8095.jpg

Knut, a polar bear in the Berlin Zoo, was mentioned in Eating Animals. 

Knut's arrival to the zoo was celebrated extensively, but what made Knut more

important than the hot dogs being sold at a stand nearby?

Kelly

It Stinks!

Pig With Boots--Ethan Bloch

Could you seriously condemn this pig to a life of torture? It's even wearing tiny green rain boots.

After reading more of Jonathan Safran Foer’s book Eating Animals, I’ve got more bad news. Say goodbye to any more peace of mind when it comes to eating bacon, pork chops, ham sandwiches, and pulled pork because this next revelation reveals the nastiness of pigs raised in factory farms.

Smithfield is the largest pork processor in the nation. Each year it kills 31 million oinkers for food. To put that in context, imagine adding up all the humans in LA, NYC, Chicago, Phoenix, Houston, Philadelphia, San Diego, San Antonio, San Jose, Dallas, Jacksonville, Detroit, San Francisco, Indianapolis, Fort Worth, Austin, Memphis, and Columbus. That’s how many people it takes to have 31 million people. I think you get the point, Smithfield kills a whole lotta pigs.

So what is life like for Wilbur and his ilk? Terrible, in one word. In two words, really terrible.

Foer writes that pregnant sows have to live in gestation crates. These small confines do not allow for the sow to turn around. They end up leading to a decrease in bone density. They prompt the development of sores on the body of the pigs. The pigs live in their waste. They sometimes go insane and drink their urine, incessantly drink water, or munch of the bars of their torture chambers, I mean, crates.

While these gestation crates are being outlawed in places like California, Florida, and Arizona, sows live just as poorly once they give birth.

The pregnant sows are put in farrowing crates which are similar to the gestation crates and are some time held down against the floor of the crates so that they won’t crush the piglets. The piglets themselves are deformed and 9-15% die by the time they start being fed solid food (but hey, 100% of them die sooner or later. Maybe these are the luck ones). The runts of the litter are picked out and have their heads smashed against the floor in a process called “thumping.” Can’t waste food and antibiotics on small pigs is the logic there. By the time the pigs get ready for the big dance (slaughter, that is) 30%-70% have respiratory infections due to their own toxic waste, the large number of pigs with compromised health and immune systems, and the poor factory environment. This of course prompts disease and pandemics amongst pig and possibly human populations.

Now lets talk about how pig farms harm humans. The waste that comes from the floors of the factory farms is held in large retaining ponds. To get rid of the waste, the factories make feces fountains (it does have a ring to it) and shoot it into the air so that it can escape to nearby neighborhoods. Foer shares that this can cause “severe neurological damage” not to mention nosebleeds, chronic diarrhea, burning lungs, and ear aches. There is also suspicion between MRSA (a flesh eating bacteria) and folks who have the misfortune of living near pig farms.

Then there is the environment. Smithfield was on the receiving end of 7,000 violations of the Clean Water Act in 1997 which cost the company $12.6 million. Now Smithfield rakes in $12.6 million dollars just about twice a day (really every ten hours).

Consider this the next time you purchase factory farmed flesh.

Shockley

Natalie Portman Inspired by "Eating Animals"

Face it.  We all know and love the young, beautiful and talented Natalie Portman.  Along with being the most attractive individual on the planet, she also is a devoted vegetarian.  But the question rises... Why?  Why would someone like Natalie Portman make the switch to vegetarianism?  Well, the answer has been found in a single book.  This book happens to be "Eating Animals" by Jonathan Safran Foer- the very book that our group was assigned to read.

Now, I will admit.  I have slacked off some, and found myself lacking the motivation to read this long, long novel.  But I have found inspiration while not even searching for any.  If someone such as Natalie Portman could be affected by this book, then maybe I will be too.  

Read the article here!

Portman says, "... this book reminded me that some things are just wrong. Perhaps others disagree with me that animals have personalities, but the highly documented torture of animals is unacceptable, and the human cost Foer describes in his book, of which I was previously unaware, is universally compelling." 

I have always loved and admired Natalie, and here is just another reason why she remains my favorite.  


- Payton Collier

Japanese Tsunami Animal Rescue Efforts

 
As the Japanese people are recovering after the 9.0 earthquake and resulting tsunami that wrecked the country last Fri-e-day, much of the world's concern has been directed towards the relief of those people whose lives were directly affected. However, certain organizations (ex. PETA, American Humane Association) are focusing on the forgotten citizens of Japan, the animals. Donations are being accepted almost everywhere (see below), and would be greatly appreciated.


Donations: American Humane Society

-Zach

Other Links Available Here: Lend a Helping Paw to the Tsunami Animal Rescue Efforts

Springer Mountain Farms Chicken

Off season for wrestlers means its time get big. Making up for the 5 months of harsh, restrictive dieting by lifting weights and training 6 days a week to rebuild what was lost during the grueling season. to stay fueled up and full I eat tons of chicken, and before we started this unit for class i didnt give the quality of the meat much thought at all. But recently I started seeing adds for Springer Mountain Farms Chicken. Springer Moutnain is the most humanely operated chicken farm in the U.S., if not the universe. As their website states: "We are the only poultry company in the world to be American Humane Certified by the American Humane Association." I thought this was awesome so I decided to give their chicken a try. I've already finished a pack of their chicken breasts this week, and I have to say thats some damn good chicken. Hers the link to their website if you want to check it out. http://www.springermountainfarms.com/