Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone. As we enter a new year, and a new decade, let's hope that the year is a good one for our animal counterparts.

May you all have a wonderful New Year.

Disappearing sea lions

Some of you might remember that I posted about the sea lions on Pier 39 in San Francisco a few months ago. It seems that they've suddenly disappeared - global warming, migration or something else?

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone! I hope you have a peaceful and restful holiday!

Lawsuit against killing someone's pet

I thought this lawsuit brought against someone whose pet dog was shot has interesting implications. Can you imagine if a similar lawsuit was brought to court in Singapore? It would also have implications for peoples' pets that were trapped in AVA traps. Bear in mind that I doubt it would cancel out a person's right to keep animals off their own property, but that would be a separate right altogether.

For example, say you have a child, and your child runs into your neighbour's garden. Does your neighbour have a right to grab your child and hit them? What this couple is asking for is that an animal be viewed as more akin to a child than to a piece of property.

I have always wondered about baiting the AVA traps. Arguably, one is enticing the cat onto the property - but for the food, the cat might not have walked on.

Rats sniffing out landmines

Another fantastic example of using an animal considered a 'pest' to do something very useful and which can save lives.

Babies born in dirtier conditions are healthier

Here's another interesting article about how dirt may actually be good for babies. For all the parents who are worried their children are being exposed to 'dirty' animals, they may actually be doing their children a big disservice.

Dogs smarter than cats?

What do you think of this article? I think that the fact that cats refuse to be tested might show that THEY are actually smarter :) Seriously though, I think it's comparing apples and oranges. Dogs tend to want to please - and therefore may be more willing to take a test. However I had a dog that always wanted to see what the 'reward' was before he did anything - and cats that are very eager to please. I guess at the end of the day, every animal is different!

Declawing cats on the rise

This is sad news - one wonders why there is an increase of people declawing their cats. I did speak with a few vets about trying to get the Singapore Veterinary Authority to ask all vets to voluntarily refrain from carrying out the surgery a few years ago. I was told that it was unlikely all vets would agree but that the procedure was relatively rare.

Hoarding

This is a really interesting article on hoarding - and apparently they've now made a tv show about it!

What do cats do all day?

This was interesting - and I wonder why it is that most of the time when we look at cats, they're sleeping then? It would be interesting if it was done with even more cats.

Trees disallowed

Aminah - let me have your address by email and I'll send you the book :)

In other news, despite the fact that it seems some residents took it upon themselves to beautify their community by planting trees, these trees will be torn down because they were not authorised. The article doesn't mention anything about the trees causing a problem - just that they were not planted in the proper place and with the authority of the Resident's committee. So much for community bonding.