Animal Voices

This week, Animal Voices takes the show on the road to bring you a behind-the-scenes audio journey into the Peace Day celebrations at the Story Book Farm Primate Sanctuary, sponsored by the Jane Goodall Institute. We get a rare listen into the sounds of the sanctuary (which is normally not open to the public), as Founder Sherri Delaney takes us through the sanctuary's various rooms and tells us about the day-to-day operation. We also hear from other volunteers who give us specific details about the primates that live there, including their likes, dislikes, and particularities. Story Book Farm Primate Sanctuary provide a safe and permanent home for primates retiring from biomedical research, zoos, universities & private residences, or wherever there is a primate in need of a permanent home. News links: Sea Shepherd food wish list for Operation Waltzing Matilda Animal welfare groups welcome ban on fur farming Abuse victim sees link with cruelty to animals Tags: Sanctuaries

Beneath the finely constructed facades of an urban centre such as Toronto, there is a different city that teems and struggles to make its way. Though we're probably all familiar with the cats that live in our homes or neighbourhoods, we might not know so much about the other world of cats that exists in the shadowy places outside of our regular view. Join us for an interview with Cat City director Justine Pimlott as she discusses her new documentary about cat overpopulation in Toronto. We'll explore the causes and effects of cat overpopulation, from feral cat trapping and steralization to the ever-difficult subject of euthanasia. Justine Pimlott is one half of Red Queen Productions and an award-winning filmmaker who learned the art of documentary as an apprentice at the groundbreaking Studio D at the National Film Board of Canada. Her documentary Cat City will air nationally in Canada on Global TV. News links: Kentucky loses world championship of coon hunting Massachusetts company fattens up monkeys for science Tags: Companion Animals

There is perhaps no "bug" as feared — and misunderstood — as the scorpion. Though scorpions are relatively harmless and non-confrontational creatures, they face a surprising amount of persecution and are maligned for many ill-informed reasons. Scorpion conservationist Matt Ellerbeck gives us a different view, appreciating the scorpions in their own right and debunking the myriad myths that surround them. We discuss some of the more bizarre ways that scorpions are exploited (from being bred to appear in film, or being pickled in liquour) as well as some of the larger implications of scorpion exploitation for ecosystems as a whole. Matt Ellerbeck is a scorpion conservationist, conservation educator, and arachnoculturist who has given numerous educational presentations on animal conservation throughout the Kingston, Ontario area. Some highlights include presentations for the Kingston Field Naturalists, the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority, St. Lawrence Islands National Park, and Environmental Education students at Queen's University. He has also written several articles on scorpions which have been published in numerous environmental and conservation-related publications. He is a member of Creatures 101, a group that specializes in giving both educational and informative presentations on animal conservation. News links: No more examinations for Lucy the elephant, city says China unveils first ever animal cruelty legislation Belgian farmers dump milk in massive protest

Photo © Toronto Vegetarian Association On this special episode of Animal Voices, we speak with Mishka Alarcon — lead organizer of the Annual Toronto Vegetarian Food Fair — and Sarah Kramer — cookbook author extraordinaire — about the passing of some incredible milestones. Both guests give us great insight into how their projects and their activism has grown over the decades. First, we catch up with the whirlwind herself, Sarah Kramer, who gives us the scoop on the 10th anniversary edition of How It All Vegan. She tells us about the book's humble beginnings as a cookzine sold at Vancouver area punk rock shows, and its steady rise to becoming one of the most popular vegan cookbooks ever. Then, we speak with Mishka Alarcon, who tells us all about the (now passed) 25th anniversary of the Veg Food Fair, discussing its founding as an informational fair and its exponential growth, as well as giving us a sneak preview of what's in store for those attending this year. Tags: Cooking

Dr. Barbara Smuts, professor of Biopsychology at the University of Michigan, knows she isn't a rock, which is actually very useful information when studying animals. Similarly, for example, baboons are also aware that the scientist sitting nearby is not an inanimate lump. As Smuts discovered, once this mutual acknowledgement has happened, a whole world of possibilities begins to unfold: Suddenly greetings and etiquette and the potential of understanding social relations from a closer, less detached position emerges. In this interview, Smuts introduces us to her embodied and embedded approach to research. Such an orientation includes paying attention to research results that are often dismissed as mere "noise." Through highly detailed and rigorous methods, such as frame by frame analysis of dogs' play behavior, Smuts discovers worlds of emotional, psychological, and social richness too often denied to exist within animal societies. As she explains, her work draws on "evolutionary theory, studies of complex systems, and developmental research to examine the dynamics and functions of long-term social relationships."

Food movements have been gaining serious momentum lately. The meanings of "just", "ethical," and "sustainable" food are all contentious. Biotechnology, organics, "free range" meat, vegetarianism and localism are but a handful of issues currently marinating in the proverbial stew. Historian James M. McWilliams, author of Just Food: Where Locavores Get it Wrong and How We Can Truly Eat Responsibly, specifically cautions us against diving too eagerly into that bowl of current popular assumptions espoused by local food proponents. With a respectful nod to the locavore movement, and the many excellent points it raises, McWilliams reevaluates the logic of food miles as the sole criteria for ethical eating. Instead, the lauded scholar underscores the importance of life cycle analyses, and points to issues such as scale as key factors to consider by consumers. Further, McWilliams demonstrates why vegetarian food offers the greatest ecological benefits. Tags: Farmed Animals | History

When disaster strikes, news reports come fast and furious with constant updates and around the clock coverage. However, the coverage of earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes and floods is almost always human-focused; where animals are concerned, the media often has little to say, especially if those animals were to become food or be used as research subjects. In this interview Dr. Leslie Irvine explains how some animals are deemed more worthy of coverage than others, and how an animal's sociological status affects how they are - or are not - protected when disasters occur. Covering both "natural" and "human-made" disasters, Dr. Irvine discusses the current state of animal protection in times of crisis, and gives practical suggestions for how the plight of animals can be ameliorated in the future. Leslie Irvine is Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Colorado at Boulder. She received her Ph.D. from the State University of New York at Stony Brook. Her research focuses on the role of animals in society. She has studied animal sheltering, human-animal relationships, and most recently, animals in disasters. Her book, titled Filling the Ark: Animal Welfare in Disasters, urges us to rethink our use of animals that put them in harm’s way. She is also the author of If You Tame Me: Understanding Our Connection with Animals, and numerous articles on our relationships with other species. Media coalition members against ban on media depictions of animal cruelty 2 men who filmed Namibia seal hunt convicted Animal campaigners call on Kingston council to ban goldfish fair prizes Tags: Animal Rescues | Companion Animals | Farmed Animals

© iStockphoto.com / Timothy Babasade For some, the image of a mangled pig fetus or an cut up frog on the Biology room table remains a painful and disturbing memory. While the number of animals involved in dissection might seem relatively small compared to other uses, Jan Oakley argues that not only are staggering numbers killed every year, but also that the ecological consequences of such "procurement" are severe. In this interview, we connect with doctoral candidate, Jan Oakley, to discuss her research on dissection. We cover scientific understandings, industry economics, controversial student cases, silenced voices, rigorous alternatives, and why the issue deserves much more attention than it gets. News links: Bulls gore 4 runners in Spain 4th animal dies at Stampede Chicken farmers feel threatened by Oklahoma suit Men accused of dragging "stubborn" bull behind car Tags: Dissection | Youth

Mary Martin knows that if you want to get to the heart of human-animal relationships, you have to think critically about the language that's used to describe those relationships. Through her stellar Animal Person blog, she gives readers a daily dose of news and analysis, as well as regular explorations of common words used in animal advocacy. Visitors to her site are guaranteed to find thought-provoking material presented with clarity and conviction. In this interview, Martin discusses her love of animals and her love of language, and how she sees the two converging. Martin also discusses Project Treadstone, the program she started in her local community to trap, sterilize, release and treat feral cats. Through her blog and her activism, she's seen first hand how discourse and language affects our relationship with animals, whether they are the animals we read about in the newspaper, or the stray cats we see on the street. News links: Turkey plant worker sentenced for animal cruelty Vancouver Humane Society sets sights on Stampede for calf roping protest Namibian animal rights activists bid to stop seal slaughter Oppose Puerto Rico's plan for a massive primate breeding facility

"Why love one but eat the other?" is the provocative slogan of the recent campaign launched by concerned citizens of Toronto and the U.S.-based animal advocacy organization, Mercy for Animals. This ambitious initiative, running June 9th to August 15th, involves a series of visually-striking subway posters that centrally juxtapose images of animals typically considered pets in North America against images of animals raised for food. Accompanying these images, text provides stereotype-busting information about "farm animals". Additional images and commentary highlight contemporary factory farm conditions and animal treatment within the industrial food system. In this program, Kimberly Carroll, a key organizer of the campaign, shares her thoughts on these highly-viewed public education materials, including people's reactions to the posters and a few background stories about the animals featured in the heart-rending pictures. News links: Questions mount over Jackson animal kingdom For some local Jews, kosher isn't enough: Ethics of food production is key part of 'ethical kashrut.' Sea Shepherd captain arrested in Portugal Harp seal heart valves being tested for human use Tags: Companion Animals | Farmed Animals

Tofu Benny and photo by Isa Chandra Moskowitz Isa Chandra Moskowitz' new book, Vegan Brunch: Homestyle Recipes Worth Waking Up For— from Asparagus Omelets to Pumpkin Pancakes, makes getting up in the morning a whole lot easier (especially if you're a not a morning person, like yours truly). It also makes spoiling your friends easier, and Sunday mornings (or heck, any morning) a little more leisurely and decadent. Imagine breakfast in bed, with a plate of Chocolate Beer Waffles or Lemon Cashew-Stuffed Crepes with Whole Berry Sauce. Imagine rounds of Pink Grapefruit Mimosas, or Mango Lassis, for a group of your favourite out-of-town buddies. Or, say you've been missing the eggyness of eggs, or the sausageyness of sausages, you'll find ample satisfying vegan translations, such as Cherry Sage Sausages and Tofu Benny. In this interview, Moskowitz dishes on her favourite meal of the day and the creation of the book (and her famed recipes). She also fields a number of listeners' burning brunch-related questions. You might want to eat before you listen to this show, or at least have something tasty to snack on. News links: Toronto Zoo elephant dies after push to ground by one of her own Tel Aviv vegan bar bans Israeli soldiers, settlement products Animal rights group rallies for Lucy the elephant Animal Rights Activists Protest Shark Tournament Tags: Cooking

Original air date: May 20, 2008 Ever considered becoming a vet? If so, you may encounter some unexpected ethical dilemmas in your training. In this engaging interview, Dr. Erika Sullivan provides an intimate portrait of her veterinary school experience. An award-winning graduate of the Ontario Veterinary College in Guelph, Ontario, Sullivan is concerned that many students still choose to practice surgical techniques on live animals. The animals are transported to the college, kept in the students' care, later anesthetized, operated upon, and then killed. Where do the animals come from, and why are healthy animals being "euthanized"? Given that an alternative stream exists, why do the majority of students opt for the regular program? Which program provides the better learning experience? Dr. Sullivan answers these and other questions as we don our scrubs and tour the veterinary classroom. Invaluable to both potential students and the general public, Sullivan's perspective is informed as much by science as compassion. News links: Cock-fight thriving in Aizawl Farmed Fish May Pose Risk For Mad Cow Disease Black dog, hard sell Rockville lab cited for animal violations Tags: Animal Experimentation | Companion Animals | Dissection

Toronto listeners will likely be aware of the recent Globe and Mail's shocking investigation of the Toronto Humane Society (THS), Canada's largest animal shelter. The allegations are serious and damning, including claims that animals languish in filthy conditions, as others are left to slowly die without proper veterinary care, while still others are adopted out with undisclosed pre-existing health conditions. Needless to say, the Globe article sparked huge public outcry. As those who work in animal shelters can attest, the labour is demanding and an ideal care environment can be difficult to achieve. Many feel that the THS has not met the challenges well, arguing that animals continue to suffer unnecessarily under the organization's watch. After the Ontario Society for the Protection of Animals (OSPCA) stepped in to begin their own comprehensive investigation, the THS quickly declared itself vindicated by the organization's initial search, contrary to the opinion of the OSPCA. In this interview, Kristin Williams, spokesperson for the OSPCA, discusses the frictional relationship between the OSPCA and the THS, the phases of the investigation, and potential legal ramifications. Williams also weighs in on some of the sticky issues, such as euthanasia and pet overpopulation, that the THS controversy has undeniably pushed into the foreground. News links: Roo meat sales have vegetarians seeing red Taiwan to enact world's strictest law on veggie food labeling Improve image to fight activists, speaker says Animal experiments could end in a generation Tags: Companion Animals

Photo from Wikimedia Commons by Superbass The ubiquity of cockfighting is shocking. Even in places such as the United States, where the practice is illegal, underground fighting continues to be a lucrative (and inherently cruel) industry. Before a fight, roosters (or gamecocks) have their spurs cut off without anaesthetic, and metal or plastic razor-sharp blades (known as gaffs) are attached to their legs. Sometimes their beaks are sharpened. In the cockfighting pit, a pair of birds are provoked and pitted against each other. Trained to be violently aggressive, the roosters may be further stimulated with drugs, such as methamphetamine. The battles involve intense injuries and bloodshed, which cause incredible pain for the birds, and often result in at least one death. In this interview, we hear two different perspectives on cockfighting, one from the United States and one from Puerto Rico, where the practice remains legal but enmeshed in criminal activity. Tune in to hear about the relationship between cockfighting and crime, more about the activity, arguments by proponents and opponents, and how positive change is happening. Dana Campbell is a lawyer with the national nonprofit organization, Animal Legal Defense Fund. She also started her own animal law practice in Rochester New York. She teaches Animal Law as an adjunct professor at Cornell Law School in Ithaca New York. Leisha Swayne is the Vice President of the Humane Society of Puerto Rico, and an Animal Cruelty Investigations Consultant for the AdopciónMascotas.com. She is also a member member of the Animal Rights Commission of the Bar Association. Tags: Animals in Entertainment

At first glance, for many, New York City's horse-drawn carriage industry might seem pretty benign, even romantic and quaint. However, like most animal industries, there is much that is disguised, distorted, and hidden from public view. In the documentary Blinders: The Truth Behind the Tradition, filmmaker Donny Moss gives the viewer an intimate — and frequently startling — picture of the horses who not only labour in poor conditions, but who also find scant comfort in their resting stalls. Despite their years toiling in dangerous streets or standing in cramped and barren housing, most horses do not retire to sanctuary at the end of their thankless working lives, but instead are shipped to slaughter. In this interview, Moss talks about what surprised him most about the industry, and why he believes that a ban is the only way to really help the horses. News links: Dolphin hunt movie wins Hot Docs audience award U.S. polar bear decisions frustrate Nunavut Inuit group 2 in Wayne County charged with stealing, killing, eating calf Tags: Horses