Slipstream the Whippet is about to run a 20-km endurance test, and each kilometre he covers is dedicated to raising money for pets in need.

The idea of turning Slipstream's participation in the Dogs NSW Endurance Test into a fundraiser for PetRescue came from Slipstream's 'mum' Melanie. Melanie is a big supporter of PetRescue, an online organisation, helping to rehome pets who need a second chance at happiness. She wants to raise awareness of how much love and joy rescued pets have to offer.

Melanie adopted Slipstream when he was six-and-a-half months old, and as he matured he showed that his talents extended beyond sprinting, snuggling and couch warming. Recognising his potential to 'go the distance', Melanie gave up the 'walkies', got herself a bike, and then the fun began! Slip immediately showed his enthusiasm for going further and faster now that Melanie could keep up (almost!). "I am constantly amazed at his athleticism," she says, "and when he's running he's full of joy, and just lights up! Fulfilling our need for speed together has really enhanced our bond."

Slipstream is being carefully conditioned in the lead-up to the Endurance Test on August 7. When he and the other competitors tackle the event they will be monitored closely and vet-checked before, during and after the test. The test is run at a steady 10-km per hour and includes two compulsory rest breaks. The dogs' welfare is of the utmost importance and any sign that a dog does not wish to continue results in them receiving a very honourable discharge.

Some have expressed surprise that a whippet, most often noted for sprinting prowess, is entered in an endurance event. Melanie enjoys the opportunity the event provides to challenge such preconceived ideas and sees an important parallel: "In the same way that Slip doesn't fit the commonly held whippet stereotype, rescue dogs don't deserve the common misconception that they wouldn't be homeless unless there was something wrong with them." She continues, "The truth is there is an abundance of happy, healthy, adoptable pets just waiting for someone to love them. Fortunately, organisations like PetRescue are doing all they can to assist these dogs to find their new loving homes."

Melanie's love of rescue animals goes back many years. "Since I was a child my family have always had rescue dogs, and the love, loyalty, companionship and fun they've brought me has been immeasurable. Not only that, when you rescue a pet you have the satisfaction of knowing that you have saved a life that's special! I'm really delighted to be supporting PetRescue as they provide their much-needed services to rescue groups and individual carers all around the country. Check out their website next time you're looking to welcome a pet into your life – you just never know who might be waiting there for you!"

Melanie and Slipstream live in NSW with nine companions: Kudos the horse, Wally and Spesh the rescue galahs, Mama Chook the ewe and her twin sons Buster and Dipity, rescue cats Brer-cat and Delilah, and the latest addition to the clan – pound dog Cricket! Mel and Slip work together as Pet Educators in NSW primary schools, and Melanie is studying dog behaviour and training with the National Dog Trainers Federation.

During our recent travels we’ve seen many lovely natured street dogs doing it very tough.

As you may imagine Cuba has little in terms of support. We were fortunate to make contact with a hard working Vet in Trinidad interested in doing what he can with his little resources. We have been able to provide some limited assistance today and are trying to work out how we can contribute more substantially.

If you feel you can be of assistance with this, we would love to hear from you. We understand the most useful form of assistance may well be the provision of veterinary supplies, medicines and other items not readily available for purchase in Cuba.

We are exploring ways of connecting with travelers who might be able to take these items when visiting Cuba. If you or anyone you know of might be able to help, please contact us.or Julio in Trinidad:

http://www.animalsmatter.org/

Please collect signatures for the Animals Matter petition in support of the Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare.

Jamie Oliver asks us to Choose Wisely

There has been an overwhelming response to the premiere of Jamie's Fowl Dinners.

Almost one million people watched the television show that took a confronting look at the poultry industry and aimed to tell shoppers the truth about where their food comes from.

Jamie’s Fowl Dinners has prompted many people to ask how they can help improve the lives of layer and meat chickens.

TAKE ACTION now

Don’t buy cage eggs! If more humanely produced eggs aren’t available in your local store, ask the store manager to start stocking RSPCA accredited eggs and other alternatives.
Don’t just buy the cheapest chicken - look for the certified free range or organic label.
Lobby your local restaurants and cafes to only use certified free range or barn-laid eggs as well as higher welfare chicken.
Make your voice heard! Write to the Australian Government Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, your State or Territory Primary Industry / Agriculture Minister, your local MP and to local newspapers. Express your anger and opposition to cruelty in the intensive farming industries.

To find out more about how you can help hens get out of cages and to make an informed decision at the supermarket visit the RSPCA Australia website.

RSPCA

Pig farming

A recent advertising campaign by an animal rights group about the issues affecting pigs in intensive farming systems has sparked renewed public interest in the industry.

Like it or hate it, what the campaign has done is encourage people to ask questions about where their food comes from. People need to know how their food is produced before they can make an informed choice when buying ham, bacon and other pork products.

So what are the facts?

Pigs are considered to be highly intelligent. In many learning tests, for example, they will outperform dogs. Pigs in a free range environment will forage for food, wallow in mud, socialise and be highly inquisitive. However, most pigs in Australia are raised in intensive indoor systems without access to the outdoors and without the ability to express their natural behaviours.

In these intensive systems, female pigs – or breeding sows – are kept in sow stalls for all or part of their 16-week pregnancy. These stalls are narrow, metal-barred crates that do not allow the sow to turn around and she can only take one small step forward or back. Sow stalls are about as big as the sow herself. Towards the end of her pregnancy, the sow will be moved to an even narrower crate to give birth. This farrowing crate separates the sow from her piglets but does allow the piglets access to the sow’s teats so that they can drink.

After 3-4 weeks, piglets are weaned and grown out in group pens with concrete floors and no bedding – they are then slaughtered at around 6 months old. In the meantime, the sow is made pregnant again, returned to the sow stall and the cycle starts again.

The RSPCA is opposed to the use of sow stalls and traditional farrowing crates because they result in chronic frustration and painful muscle and bone problems. The RSPCA supports rearing systems that provide freedom of movement and that meet both the sow’s and the piglets’ behavioural and physiological needs. Sow stalls will be banned in the European Union from 2013. Around a quarter of Australian pig producers do not use sow stalls at all. The rest of Australia's pig producers should follow suit.

So when you're next shopping look for pig friendly pork products – i.e. RSPCA-accredited pork, certified free range or organic.

RSPCA - The Handle with Care Coalition has launched a call for action and is asking all Australians to register their opposition to live exports by visiting http://www.handlewithcare.tv/au.

How one Blue Whippet turned 'Walkies' into a 20km marathon for rescued pets!

RSPCA - The Handle with Care Coalition has launched a call for action and is asking all Australians to register their opposition to live exports by visiting http://www.handlewithcare.tv/au.

Please let your family, friends and work colleagues know about theHandle with Care campaign.