Animal welfare group Mercy for Animals released undercover footage taken at an Iowa egg hatchery depicting male chicks being thrown into a grinder while still alive. Sadly, the practice – also referred to as “instantaneous euthanasia” is widely practiced and accepted in the egg industry. In fact, United Egg Producers confirmed that approximately 200 live male chicks are destroyed in this manner every year. The footage also revealed chicks dying on the factory floor – one after being scalded by a wash cycle and the other having fallen through a sorting machine. Hy-Line North America, the owner of the hatchery, conceded that such footage “appears to show an inappropriate action and violation of [Hy-Line's] animal welfare policies…” For complete article click HERE.

As I’m sure you know there’s a huge fire burning north of Los Angeles. You can see it day and night burning it’s way down the mountainside towards homes, businesses and animal sanctuaries. I just wanted to take a moment to encourage you to donate money, supplies and time, not only to Animal Advocates Alliance but to the rescues that are in the line of the wild fires and in threat of evacuation. They desperately need kennels in case of evacuation. Many animals have lost their lives in the fires. News casters reporting from the front lines report seeing dead burned animals that just couldn’t outrun the raging wildfires. It’s a sad way to go.

Tippi Hedren’s 65-acre sanctuary is home to lions, tigers and other big cats and is also in danger of evacuation. Hedren, mother of actress Melanie Griffith, said she has spoken with the Fire Department and has steel crates and trailers ready to move the 64 big cats if the fire gets closer to the property.

Linda Blair of the World Heart Foundation wrote in her blog… “We waited and watched as flames raced across the top of the mountain. This has been an extremely unnerving time but we have been able to pull through with the help of all the kind souls that have come forward. Thank you to everyone who has responded to our pleas for manpower, crates, and willingness to wake up at a moment’s notice to help us evacuate. Because of the overwhelming response we are prepared to take action should the need arise.”

Linda also posted these pictures on her blog:

So I just wanted to take a moment to encourage all of you to do what you can do to help the animals that are in danger of losing their homes… even if the home is a shelter that they share with 50 other dogs. It’s important that we love and care for the animals we’ve brought into this planet the best we can. If you have an old crate, blankets, towels, bowls, leashes… any dog supplies please contact your favorite charity and donate them!

http://lindablairworldheart.org/

A wirehaired Dachshund mix named Chanel, who held the Guiness Book of World Records’ title for oldest dog, died Friday, August 28, 2009 in Long Island, New York. She was twenty-one years old, which is equivalent to 147 dog years! To read the full story, click HERE.