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June 30th, 2009
Vancouver Humane Society Takes on the Calgary Stampede Calf-Roping Event




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What I love about the Vancouver Humane Society is its willingness to be political (and therefore controversial) about animal welfare. While many Humane Societies chose to speak softly, or not at all, about animal rigthts issues, the VHS' website opens with the statement: Putting an end to abuse for entertainment. Working to alleviate the suffering of captive animals. Encouraging the consumption of less meat. Putting the chicken before the egg...and providing happy endings. Their emphasis isn't solely about providing shelter for domesticated animals, but promoting the humane treatment of all animals.
The VHS has begun campaigning to end an atrocious event, still celebrated at the Calgary Stampede: calf-roping. Their campaign advertisement (shunned by most local and national newspapers) says it best: The event is one for bullies and their barbarically enthusiastic supporters.
Media loves spin. The campaign is garnering attention because of newspapers' refusal to run the ad. If this is the only way to get the message out at this point, so be it. The message needs to be heard. Calf-roping is cruel. Cruelty should never be fun or entertaining.


May 15th, 2009
Eco warrior!

Environmental journalist and activist Emily Hunter is putting together a compilation of writing by some of this generation's "eco warriors". The book, due for publication in late 2009, is described as "a collection of tales from young eco-activists around the world. These eco-warriors are making change through direct action, documentaries, journalism, politics, economics, legal crusading, policies, and art. Reshaping a movement and taking the next step, it is these young people that are paving survival in the 21st century." I look forward to being a part of the project!
open link


May 5th, 2009
Mourning the loss of Dr. Carole Noon, Founder of Save the Chimps




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There are few people as dedicated to championing animal rights as Dr. Carole Noon, Founder and President of Save the Chimps. I've been truly fortunate in my work, which allows me to meet and document the extraordinary lives of people such as Dr. Noon. In 2008 I photographed Dr. Noon at her Florida sanctuary, where she lived with the 200+ chimpanzees she singlehandedly rescued from the Coulston research lab in New Mexico.
Dr. Noon was a generous, driven and outspoken human being, and a tireless advocate for chimpanzees.
Her legacy continues with Save the Chimps. Her work, over decades, has changed the hearts and minds of many, and improved the lives of the hundreds of individuals whom she rescued from biomedical research, as well as the entertainment and pet trade industries. She touched many lives, and will be sorely missed.
open link
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May 4th, 2009
York University's Undercurrents Magazine Features work from the We Animals Project




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York University's Undercurrents Magazine is a non-profit journal which publishes creative and critical writing and artwork that explores the relationships between nature, society and self. More specifically, it provides space for discussions of environment which challenge the conventional boundaries and assumptions of academic and environmental discourse. The latest issue (#17, entitled "Animal") features recent work from We Animals as well as excellent editorial contributions by Nicole Bonner, Lauren Corman and Rachel Forbes.


April 30th, 2009
An exemplary sanctuary in Kenya.




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There's an amazing organization in Kenya called the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. They offer sanctuary to elephants and other animals while also running conservation, snare-removal and community education programs. I had the privilege of documenting some of their work with the orphan elephants. In this photograph, Joshua helps tuck Sabachi in for the night. It is believed that Sabachi was separated from his herd after falling into a deep well. Local tribes likely freed him, but he then escaped and was found wandering alone near a high-end tourist resort area.
You can learn more about their work and how to support their programs at open link