Reporting Bird Abuse or Neglect

There have been several stories of captive bird neglect in the news recently. Unfortunately, and though we don't like to think about it, abuse and neglect occurs more often that the news reports.

The Avian Welfare Coalition has updated its article called Reporting Bird Abuse or Neglect. This thorough resource offers a wealth of information, including steps that can be taken if you see a bird being abused or neglected.

If you see a bird (or any animal) in dire straights, don't be afraid to speak up. They can't defend themselves, and depend on caring people like you to say something.

How We Celebrate Labor Day Every Day!

Labor Day may officially be less than a week away, but we celebrate it every day. How? By offering an amazing selection of animal gifts made in the USA.

Some of the USA-made brands we carry include Sienna Sky, Marjolein Bastin towels, Wild Bryde, as well as our bird crossing signs, selected Kirks Folly items, selected cotton tote bags, DVDs and CDs. Our other products come from companies that are based in the United States, except for Canadian-based Shagwear.

It's not particularly easy to find well made, durable and affordable merchandise that is USA-sourced. As a matter of fact, it's become more challenging in recent years. Plus buyers want prices that are low. We believe we've struck a great balance of quality + affordability with our USA-brands.

We also carry well-made, Fair Trade and other brands sourced from other countries. And we're pleased to carry these. But it's important to us to support US-based companies as much as possible.

We Have the New Bungalow 360 Designs!

Bungalow 360 introduced two new animal prints this season - fox and deer. And they haven't disappointed. One print features two foxes, one purple/pink and the other yellow; the other print features the friendship between a deer and bird.

We love Bungalow 360, and not only for their fun and colorful designs. Bungalow 360 makes their bags and accessories using all natural cotton canvas and water based ink. This company is pro animal and environment, and we are thrilled to offer you their bags.

Our new Bungalow 360 bags include: fox satchel (pictured here), fox wristlet bag, fox clutch purse, fox messenger bag; plus deer satchel, deer wristlet bag, deer clutch purse (pictured here), and deer messenger bag.

Keeping Green!

We believe it's important to run our business as greenly as possible. As a company that ships merchandise on a regular basis, it's important that our packaging and supplies are not only attractive, but that they put as little exertion on the Earth as possible.

We look for packaging that has the most recycled content and post-consumer content available. The following are some of the products we currently use, as well as their respective contents. We are always looking for ways to minimize our "footprint" and will seek out the most socially-responsible materials available to us.

The following are just a sample of some of the supplies we use in our business.

Cardboard shipping boxes - 100% post-consumer recycled content
Business cards - 100% post-consumer recycled content
Jewelry/gift boxes - contains 100% recycled box board
Printer paper - contains 30% post-consumer content

These supplies cost a little more, but to us, are a super value. : )

New Sienna Sky Earrings

I'm always thrilled to announce new Sienna Sky earrings in stock. As you can tell by now, we are crazy for Sienna Sky.

What's not to like: Fun and vibrant designs, production and design in the USA, made for durability and comfort, sterling earwires, and attractive price points.

Here are new Sienna Sky earrings just added: Owl earrings (pictured), chipmunk earrings, poplar tree leaves earrings, and tree of life with heart earrings.

Oprah and Farm Sanctuary

There is a nice little writeup about Farm Sanctuary and Gene Baur, in the September issue of Oprah Magazine; it's on page 62. Farm Animals Awareness week is coming up, September 18 to 24.

Here's hoping that animal awareness articles and features become more prevalent in mainstream media.

Monarch Butterfly

Two days ago I posted a photo of a gorgeous Tiger Swallowtail, one of many which pay us visits. Here's a photo of the Monarch Butterfly that I snapped yesterday afternoon. Gorgeous!

Monarch butterfly populations, unfortunately continue to decline, which you can read about in this article by Discovery News.

These are amazing creatures, and how fortunate we feel to be able to experience their beauty up close.

Nature's Beauty

I spotted this beautiful Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterfly this morning on our front lawn, and couldn't resist taking a picture. After doing a bit of research, I learned that the blue on the tail signifies that this is a female.

There was another Swallowtail not far from this one, but the photos didn't come out as hoped.

We've been fortunate to attract numerous butterfly species (some of which I'm still trying to identify) as well as honeybees and bumble bees.

Rise of the Planet of the Apes

Being a fan of Planet of the Apes (the 1969 original) I was excited to see Rise of the Planet of the Apes, which opened today. And so glad that I did. Excellent visuals and spellbinding story line aside, this movie does something more. Like its original, I believe it gets people thinking about our relationship with the great apes; at least it does for me.

Rise of the Planet of the Apes, although a science fiction movie, lends itself to some realism. The sad fact is that while other developed countries are banning or restricting use of chimpanzees in research, the United States stands alone in its continued use of these magnificent apes. If passed, a law like the Great Ape Protection and Cost Savings Act of 2011 would prohibit invasive research on great apes. Organizations, like that of Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, believes the money used in great ape research (hundreds of millions of dollars worth) could be better utilized by investing in current, more sophisticated research. This bill needs to pass, as chimpanzees deserve much better than they are currently getting.

If you do see this movie, I would love to know your thoughts.

The Bond

I finally bought The Bond by Wayne Pacelle this past weekend. The index, as well as testimonials by names such as Jane Goodall, Peter Singer and John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods Market, is impressive; and I can't wait to start reading it.

If it weren't for the other books vying for my attention, I would have bought The Bond back in April, when it first came out. But better late than not at all. One of the next books on my list is The Monkey Bible by Mark Laxer. Purchases of this book also benefit Born Free USA.

Do you have a favorite book, about animals or otherwise?