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The Problem

Hey there Freecycle members (pending, new and old)! Here’s the problem, in brief. Whenever you email the list moderators at our “generic” yahoo email address (kcfreecycle-owner [at] yahoogroups.com), Yahoo “reroutes” that email and sends a copy to each moderator at his or her personal email address. Lately, Yahoo seems to be having some problems with their email system, so that some of the email sent to kcfreecycle-owner [at] yahoogroups.com never makes it to our personal email addresses. Hence, we’ve had a number of emails go missing, especially the applications that require pending members to return before we approve their memberships.

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While delicious is down, I’ll be posting the daily kcfreecycle link roundup by hand.

To view the descriptions and tags for each link, please check out the kcfreecycle delicious account at del.icio.us/kcfreecycle

Public Citizen | Have You Driven a Ford Lately?

Test drive: The Smart car is revolutionary - Machinist - Salon.com

United Animal Nations (UAN): eJournal, VOLUME 4 :: NO. 7 :: July 2008

Ocean Conservancy: Coastal Connection Newsletter: July 2008

Center for Biological Diversity: Endangered Earth Online: No. 414, June 26, 2008

Give Green - A project of the LCV Action Fund

Best Friends: It’s rescues ’round the clock … and around the country

HSMO: More than 160 animals rescued from Canton, Missouri

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———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Farm Sanctuary - info [at] farmsanctuary.org
Date: Wed, Jul 2, 2008 at 11:33 AM
Subject: Midwest Pigs Urgently in Need of Placement

HOMES URGENTLY NEEDED FOR RESCUED PIGS - WE IMMEDIATELY NEED ADOPTIVE HOMES FOR PIGS IN ORDER TO SAVE AS MANY ANIMALS AS POSSIBLE FROM THE MIDWEST FLOOD DISASTER.

As we reported to you last week, Farm Sanctuary’s emergency rescue team is currently on the ground in Oakville, Iowa saving pigs stranded in the Mississippi River floods and providing them with emergency care and temporary shelter.

Thankfully, our efforts are proving successful as we now have 28 pigs in our custody. Many are in critical condition (suffering from injuries, pneumonia and third degree sunburns) and are receiving urgent care.

Now, as rescue efforts continue, we must quickly secure a large number of adoptive homes for pigs: www.farmsanctuary.org/rescue/adoption.html

We continue to find more and more pigs still alive, surviving against all odds in fields, on levees, anywhere they can find refuge. Pigs are extremely resourceful, intelligent animals they are fighters; they are survivors. After this tremendous demonstration of their will to live and all that they have endured, they deserve peace and comfort in their lives, as well as a chance to know that there is kindness in the world. PLEASE HELP by providing an adoptive home for as many pigs as you can.

Among those we have rescued is a brave, strong mother pig who gave birth to seven piglets within the past couple of days amidst the floods. She and her babies have survived the ordeal but this mother now needs a safe place to call home and nurture and raise her piglets.

Our need for homes is extremely urgent, as Farm Sanctuary already provides lifelong care to more than 50 pigs. We are continuing to rescue as many as we can, but our efforts can only continue with your participation in this extraordinary rescue.

Many of the rescued pigs swam for their lives to escape deadly flood waters. They were stranded without food or water, injured, sick, frightened, and confused. These pigs need you to give them hope for the future and keep them safe from harm forever.

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———- Forwarded message ———-
From: In Defense of Animals - takeaction [at] idausa.org
Date: Tue, Jul 1, 2008 at 4:25 PM
Subject: Fourth of July Animal Safety Tips

Keep Your Animals Safe On July 4th!

Photo via Creativity+ Timothy K Hamilton

The Fourth of July can be one of the most dangerous and frightening holidays for animals. Loud explosions are terrifying to animals who don’t understand them.

With proper planning and some common sense, your companion animals can remain safe and secure on Independence Day. Here are some tips:

* First and foremost, leave your companion animals at home when you go to see fireworks! Resist the urge to take them to fireworks displays.

* Before you leave home for the fireworks, make sure your animals are indoors in a sheltered, quiet area. Some animals become destructive when frightened, so be sure that you’ve removed any items that your companion animal could destroy or that would be harmful if chewed or swallowed. Leave a television or radio playing at normal volume to keep him/her company.

* Make sure your animals are wearing identification tags (and it’s even better if they’re also microchipped!) so that if they do become lost, they can be returned promptly.

* Do not leave an animal in your car. With only hot air to breathe, your animal friend can suffer serious health effects, even death, in a few short minutes. Partially opened windows do not provide sufficient air or cooling, but they do provide an opportunity for your animal to be kidnapped.

* If you know that your animal becomes seriously distressed by loud noises, consult with your veterinarian before July 4th for ways to help alleviate the fear and anxiety he or she will experience during fireworks displays.

* Never leave your animals outside unattended, even in a fenced yard, and especially not on a chain. With explosions occuring, animals who normally wouldn’t leave the yard may escape and become lost, or become entangled in their chain, risking injury or death. (There are lots of other reasons to never leave your dog chained! Contact us if you want more information about the negative effects of chaining dogs.)

* If you find somebody else’s companion animals running at-large, either take them to the address on the tag, if you feel comfortable doing so, or bring them to the local animal shelter, where they will have the best chance of being reunited with their human families.

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Say meow to Bambi, our Featured Adoptable this week. Currently staying with True Treasures Rescue in Belton, MO, Bambi’s rescuers have this to say about the Tortoiseshell/Domestic Long Hair girl:

No animal is disposable, all are truly treasures!

Born apx June 2006

Indoor Only

Bambi is a beautiful orange and black tortie with a full measure of torti-tude. She is very picky about her kitty friends but those she picks have a friend for life. She loves to cuddle with her people friends and kitty friends. She specializes is supervising work (see picture) and loves to be cuddled.

Like a lot of torties Bambi tends to be a little reserved when she meets new people. When people take time to get to know her on her terms, they find her to be a very sweet girl who wants nothing more than attention.

Bambi would like to find a home without small children as she does give love bites occasionally and does NOT like to be handled carelessly. She does not like dogs.

Treasures come from high-kill shelters/pounds, feral cat colonies, and high-risk situations (working known rescues groups only).

Visit Bambi’s Petfinder listing to find out more about the sweet little girl and the adoption process.

———————–

Each Wednesday, the Kansas City Freecycle blog will feature one adoptable animal from a local KC rescue group or animal shelter.

We do this for several reasons:

- To highlight the plight of companion animals in the Kansas City area.

- To remind members of our no-animal policy, and provide an alternative venue for members who wish to adopt an unwanted animal.

- To encourage members to adopt a furry friend.

- To help out out local animal rescue groups and animal shelters, many of which are overwhelmed by the sheer number of animals in need.

- To illustrate these animals’ unique personalities and characteristics, thus underscoring the fact that they are not objects and should not be “freecycled”.

Click here to view past Featured Adoptables.

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Tagged: kcfreecycle freecycle kansas ks missouri mo kcmo kcks featured adoptables animal adoption animal rescue petfinder pet companion animal cat feline bambi Tortoiseshell Domestic Long Hair True Treasures Rescue Belton

While delicious is down, I’ll be posting the daily kcfreecycle link roundup by hand.

To view the descriptions and tags for each link, please check out the kcfreecycle delicious account at del.icio.us/kcfreecycle

American Rivers: The Current, June 2008

ASPCA: Pet Care: Fourth of July Safety Tips

Carnival of the Green # 133

NRDC: Take Action: Tell Congress You Don’t Buy the Lie!

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While delicious is down, I’ll be posting the daily kcfreecycle link roundup by hand.

To view the descriptions and tags for each link, please check out the kcfreecycle delicious account at del.icio.us/kcfreecycle

Big Green Purse

Unnecessary Evil; On short-haul flights | By Umbra Fisk | Grist | Ask Umbra | 25 Jun 2008

Ask Pablo, Global warming | Salon Life

Shakesville: Sneaky, nasty, nationwide attack on solar power

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While delicious is down, I’ll be posting the daily kcfreecycle link roundup by hand.

To view the descriptions and tags for each link, please check out the kcfreecycle delicious account at del.icio.us/kcfreecycle

Ocean Conservancy: July 2008 Newsletter

Organic Consumers Association: Organic Bytes #137: 6/26/2008

YouTube vs. CNN on the Clean Coal Debate | Center for Media and Democracy

Sierra Club: Club Insider: June 24, 2008

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———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Kinship Circle - kinshipcircle [at] accessus.net
Date: Thu, Jun 26, 2008 at 12:05 PM
Subject: The Lucky Ones, Iowa Flood Pigs

KINSHIP CIRCLE PRIMARY
6/26/08: The Lucky Ones… Iowa Flood Pigs

Photos courtesy of Molly Wald, Best Friends Animal Society.
www.bestfriends.org
flickr.com/photos/mollywald/sets/72157605698148806/

When Kinship Circle began working with Iowa Dept. of Agriculture/Veterinary Response to coordinate volunteers for Iowa animal flood victims — we soon learned about the pig tragedy. Hog farms had filled with water, with pigs trapped in crates and others adrift over a wide swath of southeast Iowa. As many as 40,000 pigs were evacuated. An estimated 4,000 pigs died. Still others swam for their lives in rapid waters. Some managed to hoist their bodies atop levees, only to be shot dead by officials concerned they’d destroy sandbags. Residents and officials herded some on to barges, to ferry them back to owners. Many carcasses remain as waters recede.

But pigs are smart. And some escaped to dry ground. Reports came in daily: Pigs spotted by churches, in homes, near levees, on rooftops. Early during this operation, Kinship Circle called Farm Sanctuary, the nation’s leading farm animal protection organization, to ask if their Emergency Rescue Team could come to Iowa. Within 24 hours, they were on the road from Watkins Glen, New York to Oakville, Iowa.

On conference call with state officials, we learned that pigs currently stranded, when found, could be taken to a temporary holding area… And once in Farm Sanctuary’s custody, receive immediate care and transport to sanctuary. That’s right: sanctuary.

Kinship Circle Animal Disaster Aid Network volunteers have assisted Farm Sanctuary rescuers. See below, to donate to FS Emergency Rescue Fund.

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———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Farm Sanctuary - info [at] farmsanctuary.org
Date: Wed, Jun 25, 2008 at 12:56 PM
Subject: Disaster strikes for farm animals: Stranded Pigs Need Urgent Help

EMERGENCY RESCUE FUND
Stranded Pigs Need Urgent Help!

Flood waters have ravaged the Midwest, and farm animals need immediate rescue! The recent flooding has hit largely agricultural areas, leaving pigs, cattle and other animals stranded.

Hundreds of factory farm pigs have been left trapped and drowning in crates, or freed only to be swept away by rapid currents … trying desperately to survive on area levees.

Farm Sanctuary dispatched a rescue team with our large animal rescue trailer last week and we are currently on the ground in Iowa and Illinois to save drowning and stranded pigs.

Please, give to the Emergency Rescue Fund right now to help our lifesaving efforts and rescue these stranded, suffering animals:

secure2.vegsource.com/farmsanc/fs/donate_erf_pigs08_alert.html

This rescue is urgent and every moment counts. We, and the pigs, need your help right now.

Many pigs swam for their lives to the closest land or levee. Many are stranded without food or water. They are desperately clinging to life and waiting for rescuers to arrive.

Farm Sanctuary is working with other organizations to transport surviving pigs to a temporary holding area, and once pigs are in our custody, Farm Sanctuary will be ensuring their immediate care and transport to sanctuary.

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