Save our wildlife: save the date!

“New Jersey has only 17 days a year when some animals are not hunted.”  As an animal-advocating state resident, I was shocked by that statement -- and the accompanying information:

On the 348 other days [of the year], deer, bears, turkeys, geese, opossums, coots, coyotes, groundhogs, squirrels, ducks, rabbits and numerous other species are all in the crosshairs of hunters.

That list of target animals was followed by “partial kill lists,” which are probably under-estimates since not all killings are reported.  Please, force yourself to look at all those horrifying specifics and try to picture the animals who lost their lives.  

Our state’s wildlife is and has long been in grave danger because of the attitudes and practices of the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife (NJDFW), considered by many to be a “rogue state agency” -- one far more intent on “sport” hunting than on management or conservation.  Its antiquated outlook has made killing its default action in conflicts with wildlife (as the kill list totals readily demonstrate).

This inhumane and ineffectual practice must stop!  

That’s why the Animal Protection League of NJ (APLNJ) is sponsoring a “Wildlife Protest” on Saturday, Feb. 24, calling for nonlethal 21^st century means of dealing with wildlife conflicts that could put an end to hundreds of thousands of animal deaths each year.  

Please use this link to see the entire call-to-action message about the Wildlife Protest: ttps://conta.cc/3Ik8Xjv

                                                                   Jersey is blooming!

No, that’s not Garden State news.  It’s about my rescue cat, Jersey, with me for more than a year.  A lovable multi-colored and toothless tabby, he has definitely made his presence felt.  But for much of his time here, he was (probably necessarily) subordinate to Billy, my dear aging tuxedo.  

Now that sweet Billy is gone, Jersey’s a changed creature: more affectionate, outgoing, playful, and fun.  As the new “king of the hill,” he’s more assertive toward me and even his vet (!).  It’s been an interesting transition to watch.

I’ve read about this pattern so often it’s become an animal-behavior cliché:  A new, young or abused pet is suddenly accepted, adopted or newly treated lovingly.  In turn, that animal’s personality undergoes a positive, dramatic change -- sometimes described as “blooming.”

Familiar to you?  It’s familiar to me now, too!   

 Adult cat seeks home

Meet Bronx, an all-black 4-year old with no tail, now in the care of the EASEL Animal Rescue League shelter, in Ewing.  Reported to be both gentle and playful, Bronx is seriously searching for -- and deserving! -- a loving home.  

(Specs on visiting and adopting cats are available at EASELNJ.org.)                                

 

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