ChipIn to help Tigger!

I saw this post by a Facebook friend and thought I should share it:

Please pass this on...my cat Tigger is in the hospital for a urinary blockage. I was told it would be fatal if it is not taken care of. He may need to go to the ER hospital on Sunday...that is gonna up what I have to pay...his sedimentation (sp) rates are still high, and now he refuses to eat...I am going there to try to coax him into eating and to comfort him. I will take a couple of pictures of him too...he is at least being a cranky butt...and that is good because when he came in he would not move even when handled by the vets. I will keep you posted...please please share this...this bill is so high already and if he has to go to the ER clinic overnight that is gonna push it, but I can't risk not having him there if he is still at risk of a reblockage yet. I will keep you guys posted...much love.

Here's the latest update, lifted from Tigger's donation page:

I came home from work to find my cat Tigger unable to walk well, in pain, yowling, not eating, not drinking, and vomit all over the floor. I brought him to the vet and they told me he has a urinary blockage and that without treatment he would die. They said this is fatal. So I am letting them do the treatment. The breakdown of his bill will be shown on a jpeg I post on here when I scan in the bill. Tigger is a 6 year old orange and white furball cat. He is a therapy animal and I am on SSI and barely can make ends meet, and now I will have a huge bill to pay. A rundown of the things he needed:

Examination, Blood Profile Monitor, Anesthesia-Domitor/Torb/Ket, Urinary Catheter, Radigraph, IV Catheter, IV Fluids, Surgical Materials, Hospitalization (1-3 days give or take depending on his needs), Urinalysis with Sedimentation, Examination (Medical Progress), Polyflex Injectable-Ampicillin-250mg/ml, Buprenorphine Injection, Cyproheptadine 4mg, Zeniquin 25mg, Prednisolone 5mg, Feline S/D Cans (2 weeks), Fluid Pump (daily), Tramadol 50mg, and Hospitalization (for today). The bill is aprox 1,120 if no complications, up to 1,500...if there is. 

Tigger is my world. Please help me so I can help him.

As a cat owner myself, I'm saddened by this. I can't imagine watching my own cat suffer this way. If you are willing and able to help out, please visit the donation page and chip in, or pass this on and raise awareness. Every little bit helps!

 http://tamzwagner.chipin.com/tiggers-urinary-blockage-treatment

An animal activist calls PETA out on shenanigans

Greetings, fellow animal lovers, and welcome to Artemis Temple, a blog dedicated to raising awareness of animal cruelty. The blog's title comes from the Greek goddess Artemis, protector of animals (particularly deer, who she considered sacred) as well as Hellenic goddess of the hunt, wilderness, childbirth and virginity. 

Contrary to what PETA may have you believe, not every animal rights activist resembles those bald Hare Krishna devotees from the movie Airplane!, pestering passersby with fliers and flowers until Robert Stack brandishes his Kung Fu skills and takes them all out. Believe it or not, there are some perfectly sane animal activists out there. You’ve just never heard of them because they’re not the ones setting McDonalds on fire. While standing in the parking lot holding signs. In the nude.

Animal Welfare vs. Animal Rights

When I took an animal science class in high school, I was taught the difference between the belief system of animal rights and that of animal welfare. Animal welfare is the term used for the fair treatment and responsible use of animals to satisfy human needs.

An example of an animal welfare group would be Compassion in World Farming, a UK-based organization that campaigns against cruel farming methods, such as the use of live exports and certain methods of livestock slaughter. A better-known animal welfare group would be the ASPCA (the one with those heartbreaking Sarah MacLauchlan commercials). The basic philosophy is that, even when animals are raised to be eaten and whatnot, they must be treated in a humane manner. I say that’s reasonable.

Then we have animal rights, a philosophy that goes above and beyond the rallying cry for fair treatment of animals. Its basic idea is that animals should be afforded the same rights as human beings: the right not to be property and to be part of our moral community. According to this, animals should not be used for food, clothing, scientific research or entertainment. Alright, I see where they’re coming from.

And then there’s PETA, which, time and again, has proven itself to be little more than a group of misguided, attention-seeking and outright silly activists who provoke ridicule with their antics and general inanity. In the process it makes all those in favor of helping animals look like they all have the mental capacity of a goldfish.

Recent act of ludicrousness number one: while PETA has long been known to use sexuality to promote their cause—most often with models and actresses posing nude with a slogan like “I’d rather go naked than wear fur”—the group recently announced its plans to launch its own porn website. Because nothing gets the message across like butts and bosoms, right?

Recent act of ludicrousness number two: PETA released a statement condemning the latest Super Mario game because the title character is portrayed wearing a tanuki suit, thereby sending the message that it’s okay to wear fur. And while he’s at it, he also promotes flying, throwing fireballs and turning into a statue. How dare he?

Recent act of ludicrousness number three: in honor of Thanksgiving, PETA has launched a campaign attempting to convince the residents of a town in Texas called Turkey to change its name to Tofurkey. And while we’re at it, let’s head to the Middle East and change the country’s name as well.

My Beliefs

Although my personal beliefs lay on the cusp between the two philosophies, I lean more towards animal welfare. I respect animals and believe in humane treatment, and I am opposed to the wearing of fur, the use of animals in blood sports and needless experimentations, and the exploitation of animals in circuses and other such institutions. However, I acknowledge exceptions: though I am mostly a vegetarian, I eat fish for medical reasons, and I favor the use of animal testing as long as the experiments contribute to the medical community and the quality of health care. Needless to say I don’t believe animals should vote or run for office.

As an animal activist, I do have some valid things to say, cases to make and causes to promote, and I certainly do not declare allegiance with groups such as PETA. When a sane, diplomatic activist wants to make their voice heard, please listen. Don’t write us all off.