November 2013
Animals
are vulnerable beings in that they are subjected to situations beyond their
control. Using animals as a bridge to discuss social justice issues can be a
way to ease students into more sensitive and personal social justice issues
such as racism and stereotyping.
This BC SPCA Humane Education department
has created a short overview, Animal
Welfare: A Key Component of Social Justice, which includes outlined
activities and discussion questions that should get the conversation started. Designed
to encourage critical thinking about where personal beliefs and ideas come from,
these activities and questions can help students in their future discussions
about issues involving people in society, as well as give them a chance to
reflect on their own views on animals.
Are there consequences to keeping animals in
captivity? The critically acclaimed documentary, Blackfish, explores
this issue. While focusing on just one species, the killer whale, this
compelling film encourages the viewer to consider the dangers to both humans
and animals when natural behaviours are suppressed in unnatural environments.
Blackfish
follows the life of one particular orca, Tilikum, who was captured in the wild,
killed several people and is still being used as a breeding specimen for other
whales in captivity. His story is told through interviews with trainers and
experts who contemplate his motives and the motives of the marine park
industry.
Blackfish is
a must-see for animal lovers, especially those who may have gone to a marine
animal park but left feeling more uneasy than dazzled.
This movie would be suitable for audiences 14+.
Read
more BC SPCA movie and book recommendations.
Help keep
pets safe this winter by creating a display of winter hazards for pets!
Many animal
guardians have ended up at the emergency vet clinic during the holidays because
their pet ingested what they believed was an innocuous object. Tinsel,
chocolate and Christmas tree water can cause serious illness, as can meat
bones, some nylon bone toys and other small pieces from toys.
As the
temperatures dip, it is important that guardians keep pets indoors whenever
possible. Cats seek out warm places such as car engines, so it’s a good idea to
bang on the car hood before getting in – just in case a kitty has made this his
warm bed. Salt used to melt snow can be irritating to paws, and can be harmful
if ingested, so pets’ feet should be wiped off before they have a chance to
lick them.
Antifreeze is
another hazard that is more prevalent in winter as people top up car fluids to
winterize their vehicles. Any antifreeze that spills or leaks can be deadly for
animals who walk through it and then lick their paws. This hazard can be
avoided altogether: Switch to non-toxic antifreeze and spread the word to
others; it does the job just as well and can help save the lives of animals. We have more
tips online
to keep pets safe this winter.
Don’t forget
to send us pictures of your projects and events so we can put them up on our website,
as well as enter your club into the draw for some cool club prizes.
Check
out the winners of this year’s Wildlife-in-Focus Wildlife Photography
Contest. We received 700 entries from around the province for our two
categories, Backyard Habitats and Wild Settings. It was difficult for the
judges to choose from such an array of stunning photos. From dragonflies to
bear cubs, the winning photos and honourable mentions will impress.
Learn more
about this news item and
other BC SPCA news that you may want to include in class discussions.
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