If you love diving and the environment, here’s a fabulous opportunity for you! A new research project, in one of the Great Barrier Reef’s most spectacular and diverse marine habitats, is calling on volunteer divers to help assess coral disease on the Great Barrier Reef.

The new research project, Recovery of the Reef, has been developed by Earthwatch Australia together with the Australian Institute of Marine Science and is calling on volunteer divers to work with scientists to assess the growing prevalence of coral disease on the fringing reef surrounding Orpheus Island. It’s thought this landmark site is at risk from rising sea temperatures.

Executive Director of Earthwatch Australia, Richard Gilmore, says ‘volunteers will get to experience this unique marine park filled with an unusually wide variety of reef habitats, clam gardens as well as submerged indigenous sites and recent shipwrecks, while helping scientists understand more about the factors influencing the health of coral reefs.’

Richard says for the volunteers, ‘it’s a great way to experience something different, while making a difference to this important World Heritage Site.’

Research Scientist from the Australian Institute of Marine Science, Dr David Bourne, says ‘the research will review how the reef is recovering from recent cyclones and how such extreme physical stress on the reef systems influence coral disease outbreaks. The ongoing research will also assess the seasonal dynamics of coral diseases and the role of other ecosystems stresses such as light, temperature and water quality on disease progression.’

Dr Bourne says ‘working across a variety of dive sites, volunteers will conduct underwater surveys tagging and photographing diseased areas, which will then be monitored over time to assess the condition of the coral.’

Located 1189 km (739 miles) northwest of Brisbane, Orpheus Island is only 11 kilometres long and approximately one kilometre wide, most of which is national park dominated by eucalypts with patches of rainforest and grassland. Part of the Palm group of islands and within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, Orpheus Island offers secluded, sheltered bays, spectacular fringing reefs and stunning scenery.

The first Recovery of the Reef team kicks off on 12 March and runs through until 19 March, with a second team to follow on 30 August, 2012.

To sign up, call Earthwatch on 03 9682 6828 or click here to visit their website 

The multi-talented, Australian entertainer has officially become ‘A Friend of Animal Aid’ where she’ll join Australian opera singers, Suzie Taylor and Tiffany Speight to help promote the Victorian animal welfare organisation and its programs, not only during World Animal Week but also for the long term.

Known for her music knowledge and humour, Myf has appeared on a number of Australian TV shows including Spicks and Specks, My Favourite Album and The 7pm Project.

Myf also has an extensive radio career hosting shows at Triple J, Triple M and the ABC and has also been a columnist for The Age. Myf’s unique style and charismatic presence on the small screen has given the Melbournian the reputation of being a much loved and admired all-round entertainer in Australia.

Myf, an avid animal lover with two cats of her own, recently visited the Animal Aid shelter in Coldstream to witness first-hand the amazing work done by the staff and volunteers.

‘Spending time at the Coldstream shelter gives you a true picture of the amazing work all the staff and volunteers do,’ says Myf.

‘The commitment and dedication of the staff and volunteers at Animal Aid is obvious, the level of care that they show all the animals while they are waiting to find a new home is inspiring’ she says. ‘If I can assist in some small way by helping Victorians learn more about the organisation and its life-saving work, we can make sure that more animals have their opportunity to get a second chance at life.’

World Animal Week runs from 4 – 11 October.

From now until the end of October, you can help Rabbit Runaway Orphanage with the purchase of our book Moments of Connection.

This will be our LAST project for Moments of Connection (view our other projects here) and we want to raise $6,000 to help them build a special rabbit run which is very much overdue and well and truly needed.

The aims of the non-profit Rabbit Run-Away Orphanage are:

• To provide for rabbits that are sick, unwanted, stray, or have been mistreated
• To facilitate approprate short-term care, medical and rehabilitation treament and long-term rehoming solutions
  
• To educate the public on rabbit ownership and care
• To prevent unnecessary euthanasia of rabbits
• To discourage cruelty to rabbits.

There is a huge need for Rabbit Run-Away Orphanage as bunny orphans are often sent there as overflows from animal shelters such as AAPS, Lort Smith, Animal Aid, council shelters and private rescues and shelters throughout the state. Bunnies also come to the orphanage as dumped or neglected rabbits handed into vets or rescued through the orphanage’s rescue service.

This is the last of our books, so get in quick and help this wonderful organisation keep hopping strong. Three books for the price of two offer.

The Commission is taking action against Baiada Poultry Pty Ltd and Bartter Enterprises Pty Ltd which supply chickens nationally under the Steggles brand, Turi Foods which supplies La Ionica brand meat chickens in NSW and Victoria and the Australian Chicken Meat Federation Inc.

According to the ACCC, ‘Promotional activities that convey an impression of farming practices are powerful representations which influence many consumer purchases and food choices. This is an area where the ACCC will be vigilant in promoting consumer interests and ensuring companies adhere to the law’.

The Commission followed a complaint prompted by Animals Australia and initiated by the Barristers Animal Welfare Panel. The matter has been filed in the Melbourne Federal Court’s Fast Track List.

Here’s what the ACCC has posted on their website:

The ACCC alleges that Baiada Poultry and Bartter Enterprises made false or misleading claims in print advertising and product packaging, that Steggles meat chickens are raised in barns with substantial space available allowing them to roam freely.

The ACCC alleges that Turi Foods made false or misleading representations through in-store displays and advertising on delivery trucks. La Ionica brand meat chickens were claimed to be able to roam freely in barns with substantial space and in conditions equivalent to a free range system.

The Australian Chicken Meat Federation Inc. is the peak body of Australia’s chicken meat industry representing meat chicken breeders, growers, processors and suppliers. The ACCC alleges that the Federation has engaged in misleading and deceptive conduct and made misleading representations that meat chickens are raised in barns in which meat chickens have substantial space available allowing them to roam around freely.

The ACCC alleges that the population density of meat chickens raised in barns preclude such movement.

The ACCC is seeking:

• declarations
• pecuniary penalties
• injunctions
• orders that the processor respondents publish corrective notices in newspapers and magazines and, in respect of ACMF, on its website
• orders that the respondents implement trade practices compliance programs, and
• costs.

Australians have traditionally enjoyed a close affinity with companion animals but demographic and lifestyle changes, as well as increased regulation, are creating challenges for pet owners and the pet industry alike.

In an environment where dogs are restricted on beaches (in Greater Sydney they are not allowed on any beaches), where the majority of strata-title buildings and rental accommodation have a no-pets policy and where pet populations have been in steady decline for 10 years, the Australian Companion Animal Council asks: What could socially responsible pet ownership look like in contemporary Australia?

The Australian Companion Animal Council has brought together leading international and Australian researchers, public health experts and veterinarians for a one-day conference to examine the choices and challenges facing pet owners and Australia’s $6.02 billion p.a. pet care industry.

Speakers include:

• Craig James, Chief Equities Economist, Commonwealth Securities – The economic ramifications of a declining market
• Mark McCrindle, Director, McCrindle Research – Australia’s shifting demography and the impact on animal ownership
• Dr Lisa Wood, Associate Professor, University of Western Australia – Public health challenges in an urban environment – where do pets fit in?
• Stephen Jenkinson, UK-based expert on dog behaviour and management – Socially responsible pet utopia: What would the ideal situation be?

Other speakers will cover the role of pets in aged care facilities, mental health and pets, how the industry is adapting to the changing environment, why people are choosing not to own a pet, and the role of government in socially responsible pet ownership.

To find out more about the day, including registration prices, click here.

Animal Rescue QLD Inc began as a result of the January 2011 floods and the overwhelming need to help displaced, lost or abandoned animals. They rescued 72 dogs from Brisbane City Council animal shelters alone from the period of the floods right through until 15 February when the flood conditions were lifted. That is, when it was officially decided that dogs entering the pound were no longer flood victims. All of the dogs under their care have been vet health checked, desexed, vaccinated, microchipped and heartworm tested and any additional vet work provided by Animal Rescue QLD. During this time there were three dogs detected with parvovirus (as a direct result of the floods) all of which were treated (at a cost of $1,500 on average per case) and regained full health.

Animal Rescue QLD began official operations on 2 February and since that time have rehomed more than 300 dogs! Animal Rescue QLD still have two dogs in care from the floods – Tucker, a Bull Arab cross who was only three months old when he first came under their care. Tucker is currently in trial foster home with the view to adopt. The other dog is Pearl – pictured here – a Ridgeback cross who is approximately three years old. Pearl is currently being treated for heartworm, which is apparently quite rare in Queensland and vets suspect that she could have contracted it due to the higher amount of mosquitoes present during the floods. Once her treatment is finished, she’ll be ready for adoption.

Mel and Simone from Animal Rescue QLD are committed to saving as many animals as they can and work hard to rehome animals into new, suitable ‘forever’ homes where they’ll be loved and cherished for the rest of their lives. Animal Rescue QLD is a 100 per cent No Kill organisation.

To find out more about Animal Rescue QLD or to make a donation visit them here.

As part of our Black Saturday projects, the Leadbeater’s Possum Project involved creating awareness and publicity for this amazing little Victorian creature. This snapshot of our badge – on cards with the title ‘Help Save Me’ – were delivered to the Friends of the Leadbeater’s Possum last month.

They were also distributed at Petbarn Victorian stores as part of their Fun Days and are still available at ‘Animal Lovers’ retail store in Fitzroy.

The Leadbeater’s Possum is currently listed as endangered under both State and Commonwealth legislation, and is predicted to undergo population declines of more than 90 per cent over the next 40 years. Endemic to Victoria, and the only mammal restricted in distribution entirely to Victoria, it’s also the State’s Faunal emblem.

Remarkably, the Leadbeater’s Possum was unsighted for more than 50 years and presumed to be extinct until its rediscovery in 1961 in the Montane Ash forests of the Victorian Central Highlands. The rediscovery of the Leadbeater’s Possum was celebrated earlier this year, with a ceremony honouring the man who rediscovered it, Eric Wilksonson. See here for our story on Eric and more about the Leadbeater’s.

It was estimated the devastating fires of Black Saturday wiped out 40 to 50 per cent of the Leadbeater’s Possum’s habitat and threatened its existance once again. Production and distribution of the badges was the final stage in our Leadbeater’s Possum Project.

For more information on the Leadbeater’s visit The Friends of the Leadbeater’s Possum.

This project was made possible by the sale of Moments of Connection. Thanks to everyone who bought a book and all our volunteers who helped assemble the badges!

Like thousands of Australians across the country, we watched the ABC’s

The Adore Animals Foundation, like many other animal organisations including Voiceless and Animals Australia, believe the treatment of these animals, and of animals in live export more broadly, is ethically indefensible. Although the Australian live export industry has claimed that progress to animal welfare improvements have been made (over two decades), the footage on Four Corners clearly shows that extreme animal abuse is still happening.

Under the government’s new ‘supply chain assurance’ arrangements with Indonesia, which must meet World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) standards, the humane treatment of our cattle cannot be guaranteed. These standards fall well below those required in Australia. Also, these standards are NOT enforceable.

In a 2010 report on the trade to Indonesia by Meat And Livestock Australia and Livecorp, published on the Department of Agriculture website, the RSPCA confirmed that exported animals are ‘subjected to significant levels of pain, fear and distress, and an inhumane slaughter’.

So what can we as a community do about it?

The first thing is to register your protest in a letter to Prime Minister Julia Gillard, calling for a conscience vote for the bills to end live animal export. This is easy and will take one minute to do via the Animals Australia website. It’s all set-up, just fill in your details and make sure you add your name to the letter. Here is the link

The second thing is to tie a black ribbon to the front of your house, as explained by long-time animal campaigner Tracee Schifferle. We adore her simple but effective idea so check it out here.

If you would like to read more about the live export trade, we suggest you visit this Voiceless page and follow the links. 

If you have any other suggestions, please leave a comment or join our Facebook discussion

The watchful eyes of our four-legged friends are a key deterrent to burglars according to the latest research from the Petcare Information and Advisory Service (PIAS).

‘With statistics showing that someone in Australia is burgled just about every minute , the vast majority (88 per cent) of dog owners say that having a dog around the house deters burglars and they report that this is primarily about the dog’s ability to monitor and alert neighbours if an intruder enters the property,’ says Susie Willis from PIAS.

And it seems that leading insurers agree with these findings.

‘We know that thieves are opportunistic and generally look for “soft targets”, those homes where they can get in and out quickly without being seen or heard. Anything that makes this more difficult, whether that be a monitored alarm, well-secured doors and windows or a dog that will speak up if it sees anything unusual is a good thing,’ says Andrew Tubb, Corporate Affairs Manager, NRMA Insurance.

Research from the University of Western Australia shows that dog ownership does contribute to a broader feeling of safety within the community.

‘The perception of safety is one of the key measures of community well-being and it is clear from the UWA research that the presence of dogs in a community contributes to feelings of safety,’ says Susie.

Dr Lisa Wood from the School of Population Health at the University of Western Australia found that people out walking dogs increased social interaction within the community and made the community as a whole feel safer.

‘This isn’t about guard dogs and fences; it is about people recognising a neighbour who they see out walking their dog or people stopping to chat to a dog owner.  It is also about the feeling of personal safety that dog owners have, with the research showing that 83 per cent of dog owners say they feel safer in their homes because they own a dog,’ says Susie.

Dogs may well be an effective deterrent to burglars, but it is clear that they also bring a range of benefits to their owners and the broader community,’ says Susie. Like Dixie (pictured) who is a trusted family member and a vigilant guarder of the family home!

Snowy, the cat who was tied up with an electrical cord, tortured, severely burned and his left ear cut off is finally back at home after a year of treatment.

The animal abuse case that caused a public outcry still remains unsolved, but for Snowy, things are improving. One of Snowy’s family members, Sana, says her family is amazed at Snowy’s recovery and effort that’s gone into Snowy’s treatment. 

‘We are eternally grateful to everyone involved,’ says Sana. ‘Snowy is back to smooching and running around the house as normal and his appetite is still as good as ever.’

After hearing about the abuse, people donated thousands of dollars towards Snowy’s veterinary treatment according to RSPCA NSW Inspector Skye Adams. ’The overwhelming response for Snowy’s case was incredible,’ she says.

Snowy was cared for by the RSPCA and the Animal Referral Hospital (ARH) in Homebush, New South Wales. ARH veterinary surgeon Dr Sarah Goldsmid says during the past 10 months, Snowy had several operations on his skin, as well as skin grafts to close the skin over his back legs and chest that were affected by burns. Dr Goldsmid says performing skin grafting surgery on Snowy was challenging because he hardly had any good skin left to replace the burned skin, and she had to rely on burned skin from other parts of the body.

‘Now, Snowy’s body is covered with beautiful, white fur, but he’ll never have fur on his nose or hair on his eyelids,’ Dr Goldsmid says. But this doesn’t seem to bother Snowy. ‘When we change the bandages, Snowy gets excited as he loves his grooming time when the bandages are off,’ says Dr Goldsmid. 

What amazed the ARH and RSPCA staff was not just Snowy’s remarkable healing from the horrific injuries, but the way he handled the recovery.

‘He’s the most affectionate cat you’d ever want to meet,’ says Inspector Adams. ‘His personality got him through this. He’s very trustworthy and always happy to see people, even after what he’s been through.’

There’s been no justice for Snowy yet as the person/s responsible hasn’t been caught.

‘I’ve been an inspector for nine years,’ says Inspector Adams, ’and when it’s intentional, we can’t stomach it. I can never shake off deliberate acts of cruelty.’ 

The RSPCA and NSW Police are appealing to anyone with information which may assist this investigation to contact the RSPCA on 02 9770 7555 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.