Hello Kitties!

"As every cat owner knows, nobody owns a cat."
(Ellen Perry Berkeley) [Pic]

This post is for all the cat lovers, cat haters and everyone who wants to know a little more about our feline friends.

Felis catus or felis domesticus, is what domestic cats are known scientifically. To most of us, they are simply 'cats' or 'kitties'. Today, they are arguably the most popular pet in the world. (Dog lovers, chill!)

"Thousands of years ago, cats were worshiped as gods.
Cats have never forgotten this.
(Anonymous) [Pic]

Cats and history

Cats have been featured in human lives for thousands of years. Their history as human pets can be traced as far back as the Ancient Egyptian era. The word for cat in Ancient Egypt was "mau". This sounds similar to the universally known word of "meow".

Cats 'meow' internationally. [Pic]

Cats in various languages

Besides "meow", cat is interestingly known by very similar names around the world. It is "gatto" in Italian and "gato" in Portuguese. The Vietnamese say "meo" and the Chinese say "mao"(猫). In Dutch, different names are given for male cats (kat) and female cats (poes). (See 'cat' in other languages)

Cats can be taboo. [Pic]

Cats as symbols

In many cultures and folklores, black cats are seen as a symbol of evil omens. This is the main reason why black cats have a lower chance of being adopted from shelters. In Thailand, the Korat cat is seen as a symbol of good luck. In Japan, the Maneki Neko is believed to bring 'fortune'.

Cats can be scary. [Pic]

Cats as a phobia

Ailurophobia is a form of persistent, irrational fear of cats. Similar terms include felinophobia, elurophobia and gatophobia. Just like other forms of phobia, it is likely to be developed by earlier bad experiences.

Cats can be funny. [Source]

Kats R Funny

Apart from their usual regal and aloof image, cats are often being picked as elements of humor. You can find lots of cat jokes in the Internet. "I Can Has Cheezburger?" weblog featuring lolcats is probably one of the most visited feline sites.

Puss in Boots: Endless cat wits.
[Source]

Cats as fictional characters

The recently released 'Puss in Boots (3D)' movie (watch trailer) has received largely positive reviews. The combo of feline and wits is just purrfect. 

That is but just one. There are countless other popular fictional characters featuring cats: Figaro in Pinocchio, Dinah in 'Alice in Wonderland', Garfield in 'Garfield the Movie', Lucifer in 'Cinderella', Doraemon from the Japanese animation, Hello Kitty from Japan, Tom in 'Tom and Jerry' and Aristocats, the Disney movie are just some examples.

Oreo: Our house pet [Pic]

Cats as pets

A pet is for life and it is the same with having a pet cat. There are pros and cons and it is important that you do not introduce one into your life on impulse. Where possible, adopt. (See "A Pet is for Life")

Maru: A famous Internet Star [Source]

Cats as Internet Stars

Maru is a male Scottish Fold in Japan. His videos on YouTube have received millions of hits. He is known to love boxes and here is one of his videos. Check out others. You will love them.

Nora is a gray tabby cat adopted from the shelter in New Jersey. She has become famous for 'playing the piano'. Watch her play on the keyboard in this video.

In Singapore, Duke is a cat loved by many fans here and abroad. He was once a stray but now lives in an office. He has been a voice for other strays and has helped raise funds and awareness. Duke is taken care of by 'Minion' and his fans are known as 'dukakis'. (Read news and blog)

Cat quiz

Finally, give yourself a simple test and find out how much you know about cats. (I barely pass).

"People that don't like cats haven't met the right one yet." (Deborah A. Edwards, D.V.M.)

Say "NO" to Bear Farming

Help end bear farming. Source

Bear bile farming is a shameful trade and you ought to know.

Bile is a bitter fluid produced by liver to aid digestion. Since ancient time, this extract from the gall bladder of bears has been used as a useful ingredient in the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Since the 1980s, bear farming was carried out in China to meet increasing demand. The scale grew out of control. Today, there are a few hundred such farms capturing tens of thousands of bears.

A bear farm in appalling conditions. Source: wspa

What is bear farming?

Bear farming involves caging bears in tiny spaces. This to restrict their movement to facilitate extraction of bile juice via a catheter. The captured bear would have a tube extending into its gall bladder for the rest of its life.

'The rest of its life' is sadly a short span of time. Between age five to ten, the bears stop producing bile. They are then put away to die of illness or killed for their paws and gall bladders.

Source: Animals Asia

During bile milking, the bears suffer such unimaginable physical pain and mental stress that they would normally exhibit disturbing behaviors. They were seen to be banging their heads against the cages, gnawing on the cage bars and chewing their own paws. Most of them suffer from skin sores and malnutrition.

The process of bile extraction is crude. A rubber tube is surgically inserted into the gall bladder. It is placed to run under the skin up to the thigh where the bile juice is collected. The surgery is done by untrained farmers. The bears would suffer during the procedure and there have been many incidents of death due to complications.

Here are more picture on bear farming.

Bear bile products. Source: Bush Warriors

Why go after bear bile?

The value of bear bile comes from a chemical known as ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). It is used by TCM practitioners who believe that it has properties that help to reduce fever and protect the liver, among other things.

Nothing is of any commercial value unless it is sought after. Bear products are widely banned but they were reported to be readily available in the U.S. (91%), Malaysia (78%), Japan (77%), and Singapore (74%), closely followed by Canada (67%), Indonesia (62%), Australia (49%) and Taiwan (30%).

Bear products stay in demand because people continue to believe in its benefits. Few were aware that in modern chemistry, cheaper and equally effective alternative medicines are available. Most importantly, many are clueless about the horrendous cruelty that went into the products.

Bile milking. Source: Bush Warriors

Who cares?

For a long time, many people in and outside China were unaware of this cruel practice. In recent years, pressure has been mounting locally and internationally to end bear farming. Somehow, the Chinese Government has been slow in giving due attention to the matter and they barely bow to the demand from lobbyists.

A baby step was taken in 2000 to act against the cruel acts. In July that year, the Animals Asia Foundation signed an agreement with the Chinese Government to remove 500 endangered Moon Bears from the worst bile farms in Sichuan province. The agreement has an eventual goal of ending the bile trade.

Here is a video on the bear rescue.

Billboard in Beijing: "Rescue Black Bears. Give Up Bear Bile."
Source: Animals Asia

You can help!

Meanwhile, here are some of the things you can do to help end bear farming:

- Do not support bile trades

- Support "Say No to Bear Bile" Campaign

- Get involved

- Donate

- Sign a petition

- Learn more about it

There are many articles in the Internet and here is one by GreenMuze. You can also watch this video by Jackie Chan (成龙) who teamed up with the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) to create awareness. Karen Mok (莫文蔚) also teamed up with Animals Asia Foundation and gave the same message in a separate video.

Lastly, you can spread the words to raise awareness. Share this article with your friends. No one should stay ignorant about bear farming.

Read A Pet is for Life, Animal Cruelty: Who Will Cry For The Abuser?, Please Free The Dolphins and other stories in My Animal Planet

"One of the ill effects of cruelty is that it makes the bystanders cruel." ~Thomas Fowell Buxton~

A Pet is for Life

Be a responsible pet owner. [Pic]

At the SPCA, an average of 600 animals are taken in every month. Some are lost pets but many are abandoned or given up.

Some simple numbers taken from the SPCA website:

"In 2010, we took in 7,597 animals. These included unwanted pets (cats, dogs, rabbits and hamsters) and strays (cats and dogs). 1,412 of the animals we received were pedigree dogs. On average, only 33 dogs, 37 cats and 29 small animals are adopted from the SPCA each month."

The numbers in earlier years are not good-looking too: 

• 2007: 9,487
• 2008: 8,738
• 2009: 7,678

Give a homeless animal a second chance. [Pic]

This gives us some sensing on the scale of the problem. Yet, we are just looking at one animal welfare organization. There are many more in Singapore and they too have a consistent story to tell.

This is what you get out of ignorance and irresponsibility.

The cuteness of little animals often attract instant fondness for them. Unfortunately, when reality sinks in and when they out-grow their cuteness, their fates change.

Don't buy pets on the spur of
the moment. [Pic]

It is also common to find great enthusiasm in getting animals related to the zodiac of the lunar year or buy a bunny for Easter. The sale of puppies soars in the Year of the Dog and the same for bunnies in the Year of the Rabbit.

Many of these animals do not get the attention they need after the initial excitement wears off. Their impulsive or ill-informed owners resort to giving them up at the shelters or simply abandon them on the streets.

I believe this happens everyday, everywhere.

Many pedigrees are given up each year. [Pic]

The fate of the pedigrees are not necessarily better. SPCA took in 7,597 animals in 2010. 1,412 of them were pedigree dogs. It always perplexes me to see unprepared and impulsive pet owners spend a fortune on pedigrees only to discard them later.

Owning a pet is a lifetime of commitment. We are talking about their lives and we are talking about our responsibility. Before you become a pet owner, be informed first. Consider adoption. Don't buy.

A pet is for life. Help spread the words.

Here are some pictures taken from the Singapore SPCA Cattery.

Many animals in the shelters are waiting for adoption. [Pic]

Not every animal is suitable for adoption. [Pic]

Due to low level of adoptions, a large number of
animals are put to sleep each month. [Pic]

Around 20,000 cats and dogs are put down
every year in Singapore. (AVA) [Pic]

Culling the strays need not be the only solution. [Pic]

Sterilization can help to control the
number of strays. [Pic]

A pet can cost you thousands of dollars
in its lifetime. [Pic]

Culling stray cats not the way: Khaw [Pic]

Cats are banned in HDB flats.  [Pic]

Many await a reversal of the HDB ruling.  [Pic]

A little animal is a not a soft toy.
Don't buy it as a gift.  [Pic]

Keeping a pet comes with its responsibilities.
It is not unlike having a child. [Pic]

A single female cat takes just 7 years to be the
source of 20,000 new kittens! (SPCA) [Pic]

Everyone can help promote kindness
towards animals.  [Pic]

A pet is a lifetime of commitment.
A dog or a cat will live 10-20 years [Pic]

Animals given up to the SPCA may be
put to sleep in 24 hours. [Pic]

SPCA distributes free sterilization vouchers
to the public. [Pic]

You might also want to read:
Don't Buy Rabbits in the Year of the Rabbit
Please Free The Dolphins

Animal Cruelty: Who Will Cry For The Abuser?

How Much Our Pets Cost in a Lifetime

"If we cannot be clever, we can always be kind."  ~Alfred Fripp~

Please Free The Dolphins

Source: Acres

Controversies at the Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) do not just stop at their casino.

When RWS was opened in Jan 2010, it promised a slew of attractions to be rolled out in stages. Later this year, the Marine Life Park will add another major attraction to RWS. However, before anyone gets to peep into what it has to offer, the upcoming attraction has sparked much controversy, especially amongst the wildlife conservationists.

Source: Acres

In 2008, RWS bought 27 Indo-pacific bottlenose dolphins from the Solomon Islands and they were kept in a holding area in Langkawi, Malaysia. In Oct 2010, two of them had died after they were infected by the melioidosis bacteria. RWS later moved the remaining animals to the Ocean Adventure park in Subic Bay, Philippines.

The death of the two dolphins has again roused much controversy over RWS' plan. Ironically, one of the opposing voices came from the dolphin trader, Mr Chris Porter, who sold these mammals to RWS. Mr Porter has stepped out to urge RWS to rethink their intention to use the dolphins as a tourist attraction. (see article)

In May this year, the animal welfare group, Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES) launched a campaign named "Save the World’s Saddest Dolphins". ACRES hopes to raise public awareness on the matter and urges RWS to free the mammals.

ACRES has said in the campaign website...

"25 bottlenose dolphins that once roamed free and wild in the vast Pacific Ocean, are now facing a life of captivity, boredom, stress, claustrophobia, frustration and slow death, thanks to Resorts World, which plans to keep them in its spa at Sentosa, Singapore. Two of their family have already died during the ordeal. Please help save these remaining animals."

Source: Wikipedia: The Cove

Mr Ric O'Barry, the maker of the Academy Award winning movie, The Cove, wrote to RWS and the Singapore Tourism Board, calling RWS to do the same. (see letter)

Many concerned individuals also wrote to RWS on the controversy. In its response, RWS maintained their stand that the dolphins "have a special role in the area of conservation" and will proceed with its plan to have a dolphin exhibition in its oceanarium. (See reply from RWS and response from ACRES)

Source: SPCA

At the onset of its development, RWS has been under constant pressure from animal activists to reconsider its marine life exhibition. After drawing flak from animal welfare groups, it scrapped plans to exhibit whale sharks in 2009. Will RWS do the same this time with the dolphins?

The line between commercialization and conservation has always been fine. On the surface, it is hard to say if zoos, aquariums and oceanarium are really after tourism dollars or are truly committed to animal conservation.

The controversy over RWS Marine Life Park is not new and it is unlikely to end here. While I am certainly not sitting on the fence, I can see the needs for RWS to answer to its shareholders. However, RWS has to do more to convince me that it is keen in conservation.

Which side of the fence can I find you?

You might also want to read

The Cove: The Killing Must Stop

A Tank As Big As The Ocean? (RWS: Whale Shark)

Sharks: Prey or Predator?

An Unnatural Fate (White Tiger)

Don't Buy Rabbits in the Year of the Rabbit

Picture Blog #13 : Extinction is Forever (Singapore Zoo)

Further updates:

CNN report (Video) 5 Aug 2011


Divine Forgiveness Project, created to set the dolphins free (Video)

Animal Cruelty: Who Will Cry For The Abuser?

How do you feel when one takes joy in animal cruelty? [Pic]

Why wouldn't I be upset? He killed a cat and bragged about it.

Joseph Carlo Candare, a 21-year old Philippine student tortured and killed a cat and then talked-big about it in his blog. This is what he wrote in April 2009:

"I pulled it on its tail and threw it. Then like some pro wrestler I jumped on it and my feet landed on it's (sic) torso. Slam! Felt good! But the cat didn't die, well not yet,"

For that gruesome act, the Manila court found him guilty (on 12 May 2011). He was to pay a fine of P2,000 (US$46) and do community work for 2 months. Ironically, he is ordered to take care of maltreated or abandoned animals for the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) as punishment. (see news report)

What is considered an appropriate punishment
for animal abusers? [Pic]

Landmark case

Candare's case is not the first conviction for animal cruelty in the Philippines. Earlier ones involved mass animal abuses, including the transport and sale of dog meat. Nonetheless, this is a landmark case where a person is punished for inflicting cruelty on a single animal.

While Candare may not be a mass animal abuser, he admited that he has killed more than one cat. This is what he wrote:

"I didn't see it die but Myles (his friend) said it coughed up blood or at least something like that.... This isn't the first time I've killed a cat but this time it's different,"

Everyone is responsible for animal abuse. [Pic]

Who is wrong?

His blog post in 2009 outraged the animal lovers community. Online comments were unkind to him, understandably. I was upset initially. But when my concerns shifted from the cats to Candare, I have many other thoughts.

Was Candare born like this or was he a case of misguidance? In any case, he is a psychologically troubled person showing signs of zoosadism. He seems to have drawn extreme pleasure from acts of inflicting cruelty on animals. If left untreated, persons with such emotional disorders may redirect their targets on human beings.

It appears that Candare's behaviors were not a simple case of mischief. When he explained his 'unexplainable' acts in his blog, he seemed to be somewhat disturbed psychologically:

"Now everyone knows I hate cats. It's an unexplainable feeling towards them. Like some internal hatred. I just don't know why but I just cannot overcome my hatred for cats."

Will mutilating little insects an acceptable form of
animal cruelty? Where do you draw the line? [Pic]

I am not familiar with the relevant laws in the Philippines. If there are no technical difficulties, I think it is more helpful to let Candare receive therapeutical and psychological treatments.

I fail to see how he can become a better person after clearing cat litters for two months. In fact, I am concerned that he might direct his frustrations on those animals under his care. I sure hope that his community work will be carried out under close supervision.

I do not know anything about Candare's childhood. However, psychologists suggest that some of the children who are cruel to animals have witnessed animal or child abuse. They may also have been victims of abuse themselves.

Parent can do much to guide children from young. Not all adults are animal lovers. However, that does not mean that they can afford to let their juniors engage in any acts of cruelty. If you think that pulling out wings of little insects to derive joy is trivial or even amusing, you may be in for something more troublesome. Don't wait till your children exhibit behaviors that defy social norms.

Animal abusers need help too. [Pic]

They need help

I am not writing this to vent my anger on animal abusers. Rather, I hope there is a higher level of awareness that animal abusers need psychological help and not just a straightforward punishment.

Animal abusers usually receive lighter punishment than those who inflict bodily harm on human beings. What is lesser known is that animal abusers are potentially dangerous to people. The law should not be such that they are lightly punished and then let go. They need help.

"It is much easier to show compassions to animals.
They are never wicked." ~Haile Selassie~. [Pic]

Last month, in a separate incident, a woman killed and mutilated a cat to use as part of an outfit to wear to Lady Gaga concert. She was charged and she was also receiving treatment for psychological illness. (See news report)

The next time you come across an animal abuse case, spare some thoughts for the abuser and his potential human victims as well.

Think compassion.

"Human it is to have compassion on the unhappy." ~Giovanni Boccaccio~

Don't Buy Rabbits in the Year of the Rabbit

Lunar New Year 2011 3 Feb - 17 Feb 2011

I see 'red' everywhere.

In 2 weeks' time, Chinese around the world will be celebrating Lunar New Year (农历新年). According to the Chinese Zodiac, this new year will be the Year of the Rabbit (卯).

Chinese people are strong believers of the element of luck and many would go an extra mile for it. Most of the beliefs involve some form of symbolism. For example, 'Red' is considered a lucky color.

Be a responsible pet owner.

In Singapore, some people buy rabbits on impulse believing that having them in the house during the Year of the Rabbit would bring good luck. Some even buy these furry animals as gifts.

Many of these pet owners are not ready for a long term commitment. As soon as they realize that rabbits are not low-maintenance pets, they abandon them. In the previous Year of the Rabbit (1999), 625 rabbits were abandoned here and that was 340 more than the year before.

The pet shops have good reasons to be happy as many expect a rabbit craze  (article). Some are taking this opportunity to use rabbits as a marketing gimmick, luring consumer to buy the 'lucky charms' on impulse.

"Don't dump me!" (Photo Credit: Mile)

On the other hand, the animal activists have much to worry about. The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Singapore (SPCA) and the House of Rabbit Society (HRSS) jointly released a Press Statement on 7 Dec 2010, urging the public "Please Don't Buy A Bunny!".

On 23 Dec 2010, the Straits Times carried another story reminding readers: "Don't usher in Year of the (dumped) Rabbits". In the article, a 'feng shui' (geomancy) master 'debunked the myth that people need rabbits to bring luck or prosperity in the Year of the Rabbit.'

On 2 Jan 2011, the HRSS asked viewers to "Help Save Rabbits this Chinese New Year" via a YouTube video. A local citizen journalism website, 'Stomp' also sent out a similar message: "Save a bunny! Please don't buy one just because it is the year of rabbit". The 'Mood Meter' on site indicated that about 95% felt either 'Enraged' or 'So sad' with the idea of buying pet rabbits as 'good luck charms'.

Pets are 'Friends For Life"

Owning a rabbit or for that matter, any pet, is a long term commitment. Not many people who buy rabbits on impulse realize that they are walking into a 10-year commitment. The cute and furry look of the animal somehow makes them forget that they are not buying a soft toy but a living animal.

The pet shop owners are not the only happy people. Some restaurants are offering rabbit meat dishes during this festival in the name of good luck. The Szechuan Court at Fairmont Singapore is one such example. 

Spicy Szechuan Heavenly Soup Pot
with 18 Treasures & Rabbit Meat

The restaurant is promoting an 'auspicious' new year dish known as "Spicy Szechuan Heavenly Soup Pot with 18 Treasures & Rabbit Meat". This 'auspicious' (or 'audacious'?) dish was also reported in Straits Times on 11 Jan 2011, 'Year of the rabbit stew: Diners trying rabbit meat'. Online readers at the 'Stomp' website reacted to that dish and found it distasteful. The 'Mood Meter' showed that many were either 'Enraged' or 'So sad'.

The Year of the Rabbit does not give us any excuse to behave like an impulsive and irresponsible pet owner. Neither does it suggest that we should chomp rabbit meat to bring in good luck.

Pet rabbits are not soft toys.
(Photo Credit: TOMAHAWK)

If for some reasons you must keep rabbits as pets in the Year of the Rabbit, I suggest you get a virtual pet from the Pet Society. However, if you think you are ready for the long term commitment, do some homework before you bring your little companion home. Check out basic information about house rabbits provided by the HRSS or go to the 'Pet Channel' to find out what other rabbit owners do. Most importantly, do not buy the bunnies. Adopt them. Many bunnies are waiting to be brought home from the HRSS Adoption Gallery.

Pets are friends for life, not soft toys. If you really want to attract good luck, save them, don't ditch them! Please help to spread this message.

Wishing you a Hoppy New Year!

You may also be interested in:

I Love You No More  

'Paw'ever Friends

(Cruel) Food For Thought

(Cruel) Food For Thought #2

Sorry! Moggies!

Watch Your Cattitude!

Love Me. Love Me Right