Newsletter -
Although Britain is considered to be a nation of animal lovers there aren’t many
events where we can learn more about our pets and other animals.
Learning About Animals was set up to provide information and promote interest in the welfare and behaviour of animals. The aim is to bridge the gap between professionals/scientists working with animals and the public.
If you have any suggestions for future events or if you would like to be considered to be a speaker please contact me.
I am also a qualified equine behaviourist and run consultations in Surrey and the Home Counties. For more details please visit the relevant section of the web site.
Events 2009
Charity lecture: Working for animal welfare worldwide
An event in aid of WSPA
Morning
talk, 17th October 2009
The World Society for the Protection of Animals has been promoting animal welfare for more than 25 years. This talk will take you on a journey around the world, learning about WSPA’s work. From projects helping stray dogs, to the orangutan sanctuary featured in Orangutan Diary and the bear sanctuary where Bear Rescue was filmed, from projects helping farm animals and horses to those campaigning for whales, this talk will be enjoyed by anyone who likes animals. All profits will be donated to WSPA. £5 adults, £2.50 children under 12. Details.
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Horse Sense and Horse handling: a day with Ben Hart
November 21st 2009, Woking, Surrey
A day packed full of information to give us an insight into life through a horse’s eyes (and ears!). Then how to apply this to horse handling skills with a chance to test our observation and behaviour skills by analysing video clips of horse behaviour in all sorts of different situations. Details.
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Dog behaviour with Amber Batson
Beyond Dominance: understanding the latest findings
in dog social structure and how it affects the dog / human relationship
Saturday morning lecture, 28th November 2009, Woking, Surrey
Details. Amber Batson
is a vet and behaviourist and her lectures are always very popular. £15 (£12 concessions).
10am-
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Small furry pets
Saturday morning lecture, date to be confirmed, October 2009, Surrey
Rabbits,
guinea pigs, hamsters, rats, chinchillas -
£5
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Animal Sentience
A lecture exploring the emotional lives of animals, looking at the
science but also packed with stories. Details of topic and speaker to be confirmed
soon.
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For further details of all events/tickets/how to book please visit the web site or call 07961 996628.
Photo corner -
Horses sleep for about 4 hours a day.
But not all at once...they are polyphasic sleepers -
Horses spent about 30 minutes in every 24 in REM sleep, for this they need to be laterally recumbent, this just means that they lie on their sides with their legs out (as in the photo).
They can sleep standing up but not deep sleep. The 'stay apparatus' of the forelegs and 'check apparatus' (functions of the leg tendons and ligaments) of the hind legs allows them to rest and relax but not fall down.
It is important that we bear this in mind with the way we keep our horses. For example,
because they don’t sleep all night like we do we need to keep them busy if we use
stables. Unlimited hay is a good way to do this but use your imagination -
What topics/speakers would you like to see Learning About Animals cover?
I am planning the calendar of talks for 2010. What would you like to see cover? Who would you like to see speak? Did you attend an event this year that you particularly enjoyed and would attend something similar? Do you think there should be ‘levels’ of talks depending on the prior experience of the group?
I would really appreciate your thoughts...
Check out the Wildlife Aid web site – 
which includes the following:
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Summer reading
Simon King’s new book Wild Life: Amazing Animals, Extraordinary People, Astonishing Places is out this month. In it the author writes about growing up and his life as one of Britain’s best loved natural history presenters.
The latest issue of Shark Focus is also out now. Available from the Shark Trust web site. This issue contains the latest shark news and features including a look behind the scenes of shark documentaries and an update on the progress made improving the EU Commission;s shark finning legislation.
Quote
“They [horses] have always understood a great deal more than they let on. It is difficult
to be sat on all day, every day, by some other creature, without forming an opinion
about them. On the other hand, it is perfectly possible to sit all day, every day,
on top of another creature and not have the slightest thought about them whatsoever."
~ Douglas Adams
Can horses be naughty?
I was asked recently whether I think that horses have the capacity to be naughty or if this is a label we give horses because we humans think in those terms. However, I believe that ‘naughty’ is a term that is overused for animals and children alike.
We call children ‘naughty’ so often when more accurately they are frustrated, tired, have misplaced humour, or are expressing an opinion that differs from ours. ‘Naughty’ is one word to cover things we don’t like – and it conveniently puts the blame with the child or animal. If we call a child or a horse naughty we don’t have to look at ourselves to see if something we are doing is the underlying cause of their behaviour. Through the label of ‘naughty’, especially for horses, we convince ourselves that punishment, an easy option, is justified.
For example, take the child that is saying he/she doesn’t want to have a bath. He
is expressing an opinion. We as adults often don’t want to do things and either we
do them because we understand that we have to, or we simply don’t do it. Rather than
punish the child for getting frustrated that his opinion doesn’t change anything,
we change tact -
However, we expect our horses to understand without explaining. For example, consider
a horse that doesn’t want to be caught. It is much easier to label them as ‘naughty’
rather than address the fact that he/she would rather stay in a field than go somewhere
with you. The horse is expressing an opinion -
With horses, we are quick to use punishment to get what we want -
In summary, the question to ask is not whether or not horses can be naughty but ‘why is my horse doing that?’ – then we have started on the path to a better partnership with the horses in our lives.
Suzanne Rogers
Featured charity -
To bring about significant and lasting improvement to the treatment and status of animals in Greece.
For over 50 years the Greek Animal Welfare Fund (GAWF) has addressed animal welfare problems in Greece. In 1959 Eleanor Close arrived in Greece and was confronted by suffering that appalled her. To help end this suffering she founded GAWF, which has since funded animal welfare work all over Greece.
Today their work ranges more widely than Mrs. Close ever imagined. GAWF work within Greece to find practical solutions to the animal welfare problems there, supporting local neutering initiatives, liaising with the Greek veterinary community and bringing the animal welfare message to people of all ages – with a specific focus on young people. Real progress has been made, and GAWF are beginning to see a shift in attitudes – the dawn of a more compassionate era for the animals of Greece.
GAWF explain what they do:
“Helping street cats and dogs: We campaign for better treatment and humane stray control measures for cats and dogs, run neutering programmes, support Greek based animal welfare groups in their work, and promote responsible pet ownership.
Working with animal welfare groups throughout Greece: We provide grants to organisations and individuals undertaking animal welfare work in Greece. This network of caring people enables us to reach more animals in need.
Delivering our messages through education: We understand the importance of building on the changes by educating future generations. Schools all over Greece are visited every year and hundreds of pupils are offered the animal welfare message through our education programme.
Caring for horses, donkeys and mules: Our equine project provides on-
Campaigning for the animals: We campaign on a wide variety of issues from lobbying to stop animal circuses visiting Greece, to raising awareness of the plight of exotic animals sold in pet shops.
Improving farm animal welfare: Our work has ranged from the education of slaughterhouse personnel in humane techniques through to informing the public of the mistreatment of animals in these establishments.”
How you can help
If you find an animal in urgent need of help please call GAWF’s Athens office (while you are still on holiday) on (00 30) 210 38 40 010 or email gawfgr@otenet.gr. If they can they will put you in touch with a local animal welfare contacts or try their best to help you in another way. Alternatively visit the web site and fill in our Animal Report form with as many details as possible. If you are calling from the UK please call our UK HQ on 020 7357 8500 or email gawf@gawf.org.uk.
The web site (www.gawf.org.uk) also includes tips for tourists that you will find useful whether you are in Greece or have just returned.
And, of course, donations and support are always welcome.
Who’s the monster?
Last June a conscientious member of the public in the south of Spain alerted a small
animal welfare charity in Seville (ASANDA) of the mistreatment of a dog now known
as Raitán.
Raitán is a dog that lived in a small dark filthy room that was beaten up regularly by his alcoholic owner. The dog had suffered years of neglect and abuse. When he was found by members of ASANDA and the police this criminal offense became quite clear. In the summer time he had to endure roasting temperatures of most than 40 C and then cold winters. He could barely move due to the unhygienic conditions and filth encrusted in his hair that he had endured for years.
After years of neglect, a new fresh haircut and a shower, Raitán is slowly learning to walk free once again and socialise with other dogs at the shelter. You can see videos of his progress here. (Raul Matamoros)
Issue of the Month -
Last month saw the release of the film ‘The End of the Line’. This was based on a
book by the same name about the state of our seas.
The book estimates that if we continue to fish at the rate we are currently we will see the end of most seafood by 2048.
After having watched the film two major high street stores changed their policies
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The film is now being shown in various cinemas throughout the country and I highly recommend it.
For a list see http://endoftheline.com/screenings/
Quote
"The whole problem with the world
is that fools and fanatics
are always so certain
of themselves,
and wiser people so full of doubts."
~ Bertrand Russell, 1872-