Animal Welfare

Animal welfare means how an animal is coping with the conditions in which it lives. An animal is in a good state of welfare if (as indicated by scientific evidence) it is healthy, comfortable, well nourished, safe, able to express innate behavior, and if it is not suffering from unpleasant states such as pain, fear, and distress. Good animal welfare requires disease prevention and veterinary treatment, appropriate shelter, management, nutrition, humane handling and humane slaughter. Animal welfare refers to the state of the animal; the treatment that an animal receives is covered by other terms such as animal care, animal husbandry, and humane treatment. Protecting an animal's welfare means providing for its physical and mental needs.

One rabbit dies of overdose, a second dead from a broken back, two more rabbits found dead in restraint stocks! Over 20,000 guinea pigs used in painful experiments WITHOUT anesthesia!

To the average person the subjects of animal rights and animal welfare may seem to be one in the same; but they could not be lesser so. Animal rights is the general thought that animals should be treated as equally as their human counterparts, whereas animal welfare is the idea that we, as animal caregivers and researchers, should treat and care for animals as humanely as possible while we use them for such things as research, teaching,  and or testing. ‘Animal welfare is based on the belief that animals can contribute to human welfare by providing food, fiber, work, companionship, entertainment, or by serving biomedical research or education, and humans have moral obligations to provide for the well-being of animals^.”

Water Pollution

The water we drink, the places we swim, and the plants and animals within our environment are increasingly threatened by one thing--pollution. Agricultural practices, household uses, urban runoff, and other sources significantly impact our communities and the world. The ways we use water, the pollutants found in it, and the issues that challenge its quality must be understood if we are to protect this vital resource. This award-winning program examines the threats, surveys the experts, and challenges you to make a difference through the choices you make.

 Many things cause water pollution. Most water pollution is casued by humans, but some pollution is caused by nature. Things that pollute our water are: sewage drainage into our water cycle, oil from vehicles, oil spills, fertilizer from crops and garbage dumps can run into our water system when it rains, hot water dumped from factories or nuclear plants, salt water can pollute fresh water, and dust and ash from volcanoes. 

Water Pollution Solutions

Inside The Home:

• Conserve water whenever possible.
• Do not deposit any harmful chemicals or medications down the drain.
• Use environmentally-friendly household cleaning products and personal products.
• Recycle and dispose household waste properly.
• Support organic farmers by purchasing organic food and other products, since these farms are against using pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers.
• Properly dispose toxic products such as; paint, oil and other hazardous materials.
• Install water filters to help clean the water in your home.

Outside The Home:

• Enforce and obey anti-litter bylaws.
• Report misuse and participate in anti-litter campaigns.
• Refrain from using fertilizers or pesticides on lawns or gardens.
• Preserve our forest, which are natural water purifiers, by reducing paper use and by supporting reforestation.
• Don't deposit any waste or litter in any water system.
• Use storm bins to save rain water for future watering of gardens and lawns.
• Maintain vehicles to prevent oil leaks.
• Keep all boats and water crafts well maintained.