National Zoo Awareness Day 2008
National Zoo Awareness Day is held twice a year - Easter Bank Holiday and again during August, among the busiest days for zoos.
This bi-annual event raises awareness of the animal rights and conservation issues surrounding zoos. The whole concept of zoos is increasingly under question as our knowledge of animal behaviour, natural history and threats facing wildlife increases. Zoos have historically been about tourism, and providing a 'day out' rather than anything to do with education, conservation and research (the 3 'pillars' of the zoo industry).
Many people are now aware of the real lives of wild animal societies, through natural history programmes on TV, books and the internet. An increasing number of TV programmes focussing on wildlife has revealed the wonderful natural history of our own gardens, parks, woods etc, showing that wildlife in our own areas can be as exciting as that of other continents.
The increasing awareness of animal behaviour also reveals the impoverished lives of animals confined to zoos, and the physical and behavioural problems captivity creates. Zoos also play an insignificant role in conservation, with the protection of natural habitats being the only serious way forward to prevent further losses of species.
National Zoo Awareness Day aims to spread this awareness and encourage people to withdraw support for captive animal entertainment facilities.
Across the country there will be peaceful protests outside zoos, information stalls in town centres, and people will be writing letters to local and national newspapers to spread this awareness.
For more information on our opposition to zoos click here and to read opposition to aquariums click here Don't visit zoos and aquariums - your money keeps them in business.Become a CAPS supporter - you can help to make a difference.
This bi-annual event is organised by CAPS and helps to raise the awareness of the animal rights and conservation issues surrounding zoos.
We would encourage as many groups as possible to hold peaceful protests outside zoos, to set up information stalls in city/town centres, send letters to newspapers etc.
The event is held on Easter Monday, what is traditionally seen as the start of the ‘season' for zoos. This day is one of the biggest days in any zoo's calendar. By participating in this years Awareness Day you can help educate the general public about the suffering caused to animals in zoos and help bring the day closer when ALL animals will be left where they belong - in the wild.
Please get in touch with CAPS to see if there is a protest organised at your local zoo. If there is not any planned CAPS can help you organise one. If you are unable to attend a protest, why not write letters to your local or national newspapers or you could even help spread the word in other ways.
CAPS produces leaflets, fact sheets, posters and a DVD to support our ‘Sad Eyes and Empty Lives’ campaign, which we will send to groups free of charge who plan to hold a demonstration or information stall. (Please allow enough time to process leaflet requests)
Please contact CAPS on 0845 330 3911 or via email info@captiveanimals.org if your need more information or help on National Zoo Awareness Day.
Forget about Labradoodles, Puggles and Schnoodles. Costly crossbreed felines are the latest designer hybrid to hit the catwalk
from Jessica Dickler, CNNMoney.com staff writer
NEW YORK - Goodbye Goldendoodle. Designer dogs are so last season. Now animal lovers are clamoring for cat crossbreeds - and they are sparing no expense on the latest "it" pet.
Hybrid house pets were originally developed to create well-behaved companions that don't shed. But with unmatched cuteness and likeability, crossbreeds like Puggles, Labradoodles, Yorkipoos, and Schnoodles drove demand among the dog-loving set.
Now mixed-breed cats, with their beauty and stature, are causing a craze for those with a fondness for felines.
And for some, no price is too high for a designer kitten.
"For our customers, money is no object," said breeder Simon Brodie.
Brodie used a "secret recipe" to mix an African serval and Asian leopard cat with a domestic cat, to create the world's most expensive feline hybrid.
The Ashera, an exclusive product of Brodie's firm, Lifestyle Pets, resembles a little leopard and can weigh up to 30 pounds. But it's more suited for lounging than stalking prey.
"They are very friendly, very affectionate," Brodie said.
Although an Ashera costs $22,000 (plus $6,000 for the premium placement option, which will expedite kitten delivery by about six months) Lifestyle Pets has already sold several cats to customers around the world since the pricey pet was unveiled last May.
Once an order is placed, the Ashera is hand delivered (the cost of delivery is approximately $1,500 within the United States) by a representative who remains on hand for a few days to answer questions and facilitate the transition. Asheras come fully vaccinated with a microchip identifier, a supply of kitty food and cat toys, access to an animal behaviorist, and a year of veterinary insurance included.
There's even a certificate of authenticity that includes an image of each kitten's DNA "fingerprint." But what else would one expect for a cat that costs as much as a car?
Brodie says that his company will keep the supply small, developing less than 50 cats each year to uphold its unique appeal - and high price.
Although the Ashera may be the most expensive mixed-breed offering to hit the market recently, it's certainly not the only one.
Other popular hybrids include the Bengal (part Asian leopard mixed with a house cat), Savannah (part African serval, part house cat) and Chausie (part jungle cat, part house cat).
Holly Hummel, who has been breeding hybrids for 20 years, says demand for exotic blends is growing, and the pricier the pet, the more sought after it seems.
"The more expensive ones move faster than the less expensive ones," Hummel said.
Even though her top-of-the-line Habari-breed cats range in price from $10,000 to $12,000, "most of our kittens are spoken for by about two weeks of age," she said.
But does coughing up that kind of dough guarantee a perfect pet?
With any designer hybrid, "there are things to watch out for, as far as genetic defaults go," cautioned a spokeswoman from the International Cat Association.
But, generally, emerging exotic breeds are well monitored, she said. "We're very careful that there is no genetic downside."
That means pet owners can rest assured that their investment in a designer cat will not disappoint - that is until the next hot mix hits the horizon.
Article LinkBack:
http://shopping.yahoo.com/articles/yshoppingarticles/89/how-much-is-the-kitty-in-the-window-22000
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