Tidbits
WITH KNOWLEDGE COMES RESPONSIBILITY
If this is your first visit to TIDBITS, please know that it is totally
unassociated with what we do on our PHOTOGRAPHY Workshops; you will not find
these topics mentioned during our workshop weekends. The primary purpose of
TIDBITS is to make access to a variety of environmental and animal subjects
easier by providing contact information. I have given web site sources for
further information gathering. Don’t become overwhelmed with all the
information. Read it one tidbit at a time. The sources keep it up to date.
Everyone’s actions can make a difference.
We all share a desire to maintain a certain comfort level and quality of life;
but there are many matters needing our attention as both caretakers of this
wonderful planet and citizens. But with our agendas so fully loaded, not knowing
makes dealing with an already hectic daily schedule less complicated. And
because we are unaware of certain consequences, we often, unknowingly, elect to
do something that is harmful to the "balance" of our lives; the balance being
the nucleus of survival. Often our priorities, wishes and wants conflict with
what is in the best interest of the whole. Oftentimes bad choices are made out
of lack of knowledge. If we knew the consequences of some of our choices, we
might elect to redirect them. It is our responsibility to educate ourselves and
our children and not leave the delicate balances of life teetering in the hands
of but a few. Our choices affect all life forms and those life forms, no matter
how infinitesimal are depending on us. We all play a roll in forming this
balance, a happy medium, critical to all life. Our future and that of our planet
will someday depend on our making certain adjustments and sacrifices of current
lifestyles. We need to start now. Tomorrow is here. Every voice counts, every
action matter. There is no such thing as insignificant. We can, as a whole or as
an individual, make a difference. If I capture the attention of but one person
from TIDBITS, it will be well worth the effort. The reading is easy. Each
section leads you to links to more information on the subjects. Most
organizations have web sites and have made it so simple for you to take action
that there is no longer an excuse not to anymore – no letters to compose - only
edit if you wish, envelopes to address, contact information to hunt down, stamps
or trips to the mailbox. You simply go to their sight, read the letter they have
composed on the subject at hand, edit it if you wish, click on send and off it
goes to your senator, congressman, representative….(you don’t even have to know
who they are.) I can promise you from past experiences, that these organizations
do not become a nuisance or sell your contact information. And, they do not call
you.
I hope you find it interesting and worth browsing. You'll be disheartened at
some of what you read, rejoice and be thankful for some, discouraged, overjoyed,
disappointed and overwhelmed at what takes place on a daily basis. As I said
earlier, sometimes it's just easier not to know because:
With Knowledge Comes Responsibility
Teach your children
Linda
Ansel Adams: "full appreciation of all life is obscured by a
mistaken interest in only the highest, most theatrical of natural sights - a
typical modern conceit - always looking to maximize dimension and power. Think
of the millions upon millions of friendly living things crowded in the soil, the
edge of pools, the spaces under the leaves, and in the sunny openings of the
forest. Small earthy creatures - dragonflies, larvae, gnats, bees - concern
themselves with the problems of existence, not us. A proper mountain reverence
is deserved by all kinds of beauty.
Web Sites and Magazines:
FIRST I must plug for all the animal rescue groups. I became involved with one
of the local ones two years ago and it has changed my life. Please think twice
before buying and paying money for a pet. And please don’t breed your pets. I
work with a canine rescue group here in Hanover County, BARK, and you just can
not believe how many phenomenal dogs we have at our kennels in need of good
loving homes. You don’t have to pay for love and companionship. They are so
anxious to please they will spend their lives thanking you in every way they
know how. (see the photo below. Photographer unknown.)
If you desire a particular breed go to www.petfinder.com and
search for that breed. Do not get it confused with other organizations having
similar addresses trying to sell all sorts of animals. Petfinder.com works
solely with rescue groups and animal shelters trying to locate homes for the
homeless. Most of these animals find themselves “dumped” through no fault of
there own. Just too many animals. And do not buy from the Amish. They are one of
the worse offenders of puppy mills. I was horrified to learn of this. And they
are not always honest with the purchasers as to where they are getting their
animals. They sell to pet stores, directly to buyers and research labs. They
have some bogus registration of dogs called ACA – a takeoff of the international
AKC registration. (see the Sept./Oct. ’05 issue of Best Friends Magazine for
article on investigation) Just browse through the many available animals, cats
too, looking for homes. Our web site here in Virginia is barkva.org Help save a
life. Rescue, Spay and Neuter!
The following web sites and magazines were used to gather the information that
follows. Most of these sites allow you to take action on issues at the click of
a button.
See for yourself!!
Humane Society of the United States (HSUS):
www.hsus.org or
llanimals@hsus.org
Disaster Services: www.hsus.org/disaster
or call 202 452 1100
WWF (World Wildlife Federation)
http://takeaction.worldwildlife.org/TWS (The Wilderness Society)
http://www.wilderness.org
The Sierra Club http://www.sierraclub.org
Lifesavers, Inc.
www.wildhorserescue.org
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)
www.aspca.org
Environmental Defense (EDF)
www.environmentaldefense.org
Best Friends: www.bestfriends.org
A wonderful organization with a great magazine for families.
National Wildlife Federation (NWF): www.nwf.org
Earthjustice:
www.earthjustice.org/about/major.html
Natural Health Magazine
Sierra Club: www.sierraclub.org
Greenpeace: www.greenpeaceusa.org or
www.cleanenergynow.org
The Humane Farming Association
Defenders of Wildlife: www.defenders.org
Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF): www.tlr-arf.org
Republicans for Environmental Protection (REP): Contact the Wilderness Society
above
Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC): www.nrdcwildplaces.org or
www.nrdc.org/naturesvoice
In Defense of Animals (IDA)
Cape Wildlife Center Student Program:
www.capewildlife.org
To Help Your Local Shelter:
www.AnimalSheltering.org
Animals’ Advocate – Legal Defense Fund:
http://www.aldf.org
Pet Finders: www.petfinders.com
Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR):
www.bestfriends.org
Korean Animal Protection Society:
www.koreananimals.org
Jane Goodall Institute: www.janegoodall.org
Click to help: www.theanimalrescuesite.com
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