Welcome to Animal Nation!

Lions and tigers and bears ... oh my! Pets and the wild and their rights ... oh my! We will now be writing a weekly posting dedicated to all things animals, called Animal Nation!

I would like to start this off on a cute and funny note about my dog Hannah (a.k.a. Hannah Banana .... also, the love of my life). There's no doubt that pets have a way of brightening your day. Nothing compares to that unconditional, never ending love they give .... and of course, who can forget all those entertaining and hilarious moments.

Hannah has acquired this quirky new habit lately of sleeping with her tongue sticking out of her mouth. The first time I noticed it, I laughed so hard and grabbed my camera right away to make sure I could document this kodak moment. So, here is my Hannah Banana caught with her tongue out ... hehehe!

ENJOY!


On this day, the tongue was slowly making it's way out ... lol

Help animals for free

You can help every day by clicking on the purple button at The Animal Rescue Site. When you click on the purple button, the sponsoring advertisers make a donation to feed and care for animals in shelters.

Looking to buy a something for your pet or possible searching for a great gift for your animal-loving friends? Check out The Animal Rescue Site store for an array of options! Every purchase made at The Animal Rescue Site store helps fund food for animals in shelters at no extra cost to you.

Help our lovely animals today - It’s super easy and FREE!

With warm thoughts,
~Ami

Surprised Kitty video

This is so adorable that I had to share... Hopefully it will bring a smile to your face right when you need it :)

Surprised Kitty Video

God and Dog

This is so beautiful! Made me appreciate and love my Hannah even more. Can't wait to take my morning walk ... and my walks are also my pray time. This video really touched my heart :)

Order holiday cards + ornaments that help animals

Purchase your holiday cards and ornaments through the Humane Society of the United States to support this amazing organization and help our beautiful animals.

Choose from a beautiful array of holiday cards or fun ornaments!

Spread the word and send this link to your friends and family.

Much Love!
~Ami

Earthlings - Intense!

The trailer to this documentary called Earthlings is why I am a vegetarian. Please prepare yourself before watching this trailer. It is intense - AND real! I've read a bunch of details about what we are doing to our animals and could barely get through each word, but actually seeing some of it goes way deeper. The cruelty and inhumane torture of animals is beyond my comprehension. Please take the time to watch this....it's hard to watch, but if we can eat it, we need to see it .... we need to know.... we need to be aware of what we are promoting by what we eat. So please have the courage and the heart to watch this and help spread awareness by sharing it with others.

Earthlings - watch the trailer here

Shelter animals make GREAT pets!

Between three and four million dogs and cats are euthanized each year in animal shelters across the nation. If more families looking for a pet chose to adopt their new furry friend from a shelter, we could put an end to this tragedy. The bottom line is shelter animals make great pets! Your local shelter is full of pets looking for love and a second chance for a loving and forever home.

That's why I encourage you to please take a moment to watch this video and pledge to adopt your next companion from a shelter -- you will be saving a life!

You can also search for adoptable pets near you

Person to person advocacy

Put that compassion into action for the animals! By spending just a few hours handing out literature and talking with people one-on-one, you can educate countless people about the exploitation of animals. The Animal Rights Foundation of FL (ARFF) needs your help to leaflet at the following events:

• Maitland Art Festival, October 2-3.
• Winter Park Autumn Art Festival, October 10-11.

If you can help please contact: ArffCentralFl@arff.org

Help needed at ARFF Information tables

Information tables are a great way to educate the public and provide them with literature and information they need to be informed about animal exploitation and abuse.

Animal Rights Foundation of Florida will have a booth at the Central Florida VegFest on Saturday, October 24 in Orlando's Loch Haven Park.

If you would like to sign up for a shift for one of the following events, please contact: ArffCentralFl@arff.org.

Help animals through your wedding registry :)

To all couples who are animal lovers...

Guess what? By creating a wedding registry at WeddingChannel.com, your guests can purchase gifts for you and a portion of the sales price will be donated to benefiting The Humane Society of the United States. Isn't that wonderful?!

Be a part of this awesome opportunity to help animals and visit WeddingChannel.com to create your wedding registry today.

Many blessings,
Ami

Recycle your Electronics

We wanted to share with you a great opportunity to help the planet as well as animals!

Have you ever wondered what to do with all your old electronics? Now you can recycle your old cell phones, MP3 players, laptops, and many other electronics through a company called My Bone Yard. It's simple, safe, and My Bone Yard will even pay for shipping.

How does this help our animals? ..... By recycling through this company, the value of your items will be donated to The Humane Society. Get started now and visit My Bone Yard for more information.

Peace and blessings!
Lovebug

End Dogfighting Program

The End Dogfighting program through The Humane Society of the United States focuses on young men on the streets who have been involved in fighting dogs. This program gives these dogs the opportunity for a new and better life that is free from animal cruelty. They offer free pitbull training classes to these young men who can not control their lunging, snarling animals. They have the opportunity to gain pride their dog's performance and experience positive competition, which makes dogfighting much less tempting. The men begin to see their dogs as friends, not fighters -- and with these new feelings and beliefs, they realize it is no longer the way they want to treat their pets. Some men even become community representatives and help pull others out of the quicksand that is urban dogfighting.

Over the last year alone, the End Dogfighting programs have reached hundreds of at-risk youth and dogs with constructive alternatives and a message of compassion. So many cities across America are desperate for The HSUS's innovative community-based outreach programs.

This program is about change -- the kind of change that inspires. Both people and pups can make astonishing progress through The HSUS' End Dogfighting program. But they can’t continue to make a difference without our help.

If you would like to contribute to this wonderful program, Click Here to make a special gift today . This is an opportunity to reduce dogfighting on the streets and protect dogs from this horrible lifestyle and brutality.

Animal Protection Studies - Degree available

The Humane Society University (HSU), a division of The Humane Society of the United States is licensed to provide degree-granting undergraduate curriculum exclusively dedicated to Animal Protection Studies for a Bachelor of Science or Graduate Certificate Programs in Animal Studies, Animal Policy and Advocacy, and Humane Leadership.

Apply Today

Some exciting course topics include Animal Behavior, Animal Minds and Animal Protection, Animals and Literature, Animals and Ethics, Animals and Public Policy, Organizational Leadership and Culture, and Finance for Managers. Online courses are also available.

See how you can make a difference for animals. For more information, to fill out an application, or to see course listings: Click Here or email them at admissions@humanesocietyuniversity.org

Protect animals and their fur!

Please join ARFF (Animal Rights Foundation of FL) and local activists to speak up for the millions of animals who are poisoned, electrocuted or skinned alive for their fur every year.

Together, we can educate others about the cruelty involved in the fur trade. Help to make our community aware in hopes that they will choose compassion over fashion by no longer buying fur. Hopefully, they will also spread the word to others and we can truly make a difference.

Posters and leaflets will be provided by ARFF, so just bring yourself and anyone else who may want to be a part of this cause.

Date and time: Wednesday, August 26 from 12:00 to 1:00pm
Location: At the corner of International Drive and Universal Drive

If you can make it to the protest please RSVP to ArffCentralFl@arff.org

Wonderful puppy needs a new home

Are you looking for an affectionate and kid loving puppy to add to your home and family? Sadie would be perfect for you! She is 15 months old and is a very happy, loving and friendly dog. She is excellent with kids, other dogs and cats too. She has a great temperament and is up-to-date on all her shots. She also is current on her heart guard medicine AND is also crate trained. Her current owner just doesn't have the time and energy to keep up with the care and attention that this wonderful pet needs.

It would be wonderful if she could find a new, loving home with kids and maybe other dogs to play with. If you are interested or know anyone who is, please feel free to contact us:
revitalizeorlando@gmail.com
http://www.myspace.com/revitalizeorlando

Much Love always!
~Ami

Puppy mill survivors free from cages

Thanks to the work of your Humane Society of the United States, nearly 300 puppy mill dogs have a fresh start and are free forever from the horrors of the mass breeding operation known as Thornton’s Kennels in Wayne County, N.C.

The animals were treated at an emergency shelter, where dedicated teams of local volunteers and veterinarians, along with partners from the animal welfare community, have been tending to the dogs' many critical needs. Finally, these dogs are at the beginning of their ultimate journey -- to a loving home of their own.

Watch this video that takes you inside the rescue of these innocent victims. You can also make an emergency contribution to support this rescue operation and others like it.

Tragically, hundreds of thousands of dogs still suffer at the hands of this industry. These are the animals that the HSUS rescue teams are trained to save. In fact, during the past year alone, they’ve rescued thousands of animals from puppy mills around the country.

Please help make these animal rescue operations possible.

Thank you for you love and support!

Help neglected animals

Hi, all you animal lovers!

The Animal Rescue Site is having trouble getting enough people to click on their web site daily to meet their quota of getting free food donated every day to abused and neglected animals. It takes less than a minute (how about 20 seconds. CLICK HERE to go to their site and then click on the purple box that says "Click to give, it's free". That's it and it doesn't cost you a thing. Their corporate sponsors/advertisers use the number of daily visits to donate food to abandoned/neglected animals in exchange for advertising.

Pass this along to people you know, so they can help as well :)

Help to stop Puppy Mills!

Many of you are probably aware of the investigations linking Petland to Puppy Mills. Well, on January 10, 2009 a bunch of people came together for a demonstration and crowded the sidewalks in front of 22 different Petland store locations to tell the company to stop supporting puppy mills. What an amazing experience this must have been! Hopefully the word is getting out to more and more animal lovers and will encourage them join this effort to protect our animals from this cruel treatment.

Are you interested in attending or helping to organize future demonstrations at a Petland near you??? Please email the Humane Society at stop-puppy-mills@hsus.org with the following information:

1. Your name, email address, phone number and closest Petland: Go Here for a list of locations (just scroll down to the bottom of the page to do a simple search)
2. Whether you would like to be an attendee or organize and lead a demonstration.
3. Whether you would like to take photos at a demonstration.
4. Whether you would like to accept pet supplies (including towels and blankets) at a demonstration and take them to local shelters.

We can make a difference if we put our hearts out there....

Peace and God Bless!
~Lovebug

FREE COCKATIEL - Needs a good home

Hi everyone,
A beautiful, young, yellow/grey cockatiel is looking for a good home. The owner was an older lady who recently passed away. Temporarily staying with a neighbor until we can find a new and loving home.

If you are interested or know someone who might be, please contact me at ami@macreations.net or 407.694.1467

Please pass this message along to your friends and keep this sweet cockatiel in your thoughts.

Peace and Love,
Ami