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One of our animal's stongest voices, Lee Hall

Please read Capers in the Churchyard and On Their Own Terms.

And please visit Lee's blog!

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No one has ever had the right to a painless life. Nor are those who can’t feel pain to be envied.

Paul Waters and Steven Pete were born with a life-threatening inability to feel pain.  TheFactsofPainlessPeople.com describes their experiences: as babies, they chewed their tongues to pulps. As children, they would hit their heads, crash through glass, burn and cut themselves, and unwittingly injure other children. Children with this condition need constant protection to survive; some die from their injuries or resultant infections. The experiences of painless people (and the generosity of Waters and Pete in sharing their stories) help us understand our need for pain sensitivity.

Karen and Pola  -United Poultry Concerns

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http://www.io9.com/experts-gather-at-yale-to-discuss-whether-animals-are-1480618670

The above report, by conference speaker George Dvorsky on last weekend’s Personhood Beyond the Human conference at Yale, reveals the growing support among ethicists, lawyers, scientists and others for changing the status of nonhuman animals from one of legal thinghood, with no rights, to a status of personhood with a capacity for legal rights. The Nonhuman Rights Project, founded by attorney Steven Wise, who spoke at the conference, is breaking the ground on legal rights for nonhuman animals, for whom, he says, “The passage from thing to person constitutes a legal transubstantiation.”

Robert Grillo is a dedicated savior to many animals, and spreads the word on animal rights, quite effectively, through his site, Free From Harm.  Please visit and share this great forum. 

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It’s entirely understandable that the Romani people would want to close down the pig factory farm and build a memorial in its place. What’s quite startling is that nowhere in the news coverage I’ve seen is there any mention of the obvious irony in one oppressed group reviling, rather than recognizing, the nonhuman animal victims of the currently unfolding atrocity. No one wants to see the pattern.

Jenny Stein and James LaVeck  - Tribe of Heart

MUST view:   Peaceable Kingdom and The Witness

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Do the dramatic contradictions expressed in this article ( NEW YORK TIMES by Nicholas D. Kirstof   Jul 2008   7/31/2008) reveal an underlying struggle to overcome the guilt associated with complicity in the harm and killing of others? HumaneMyth.org deconstructs the myth for us here: 

Jonathan and friend.  For more on his books  and essays please visit: http://jonathanbalcombe.com/writings

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Two new scientific studies illustrate the current scientific interest in animal pain, and a stark contrast in viewpoints. On the one hand, a research team from Belfast, Ireland has shown that crabs quickly learn to avoid a once-desirable shelter after it delivers a mild electric shock. On the other, a team of seven scientists from the USA, Canada, Germany and Australia claim in a lengthy literature review that fishes are unconscious and incapable of feeling pain.

Every life matters!

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Greetings from Fish Feel
 Dear Fellow Fish Advocates,
 It’s been a busy first season for Fish Feel! I’m very glad for this chance to update you about it. First, thank you for letting us know of your interest and concern for fish. It’s very heartening to know that so many other people care about the well-being of our aquatic earthmates. It’s been a true pleasure to meet many of you while tabling at the numerous conferences and festivals where Fish Feel has exhibited.

Cleveland Premier 

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Please consider supporting the Healthy and Humane Observer, and spreading the word on antispeciesism by attending the Cleveland Premier of this film at the Cedar Lee on January 9th.  The premiere is hosted by HHO.  There will be door prizes, amazing and educational raffle prizes, and compassionate literature available to help educate the newcomer or the curious. 

A true animal lover, Ellie Israel.

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Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, whatever you choose to call it, is just another day to the animals of the world.  Another day of misery because humans want to wear their coats, eat their flesh and be entertained by whatever unnatural acts animals can be forced to perform.
 

Marc Bekoff gives us amazing insight into the emotional lives of animals.  Please visit Marc's official site for more information.  http://www.literati.net/authors/marc-bekoff/

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In 2009 I was asked to write on animal emotions for Psychology Today. Some 500 popular, jargon-free essays later, the field of anthrozoology—the study of human-animal relationships—has grown exponentially, as have scientific data showing how smart and emotional nonhuman animals (animals) are.

Jesse builds these amazing shelters!

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The Healthy and Humane Observer would like to thank Mark LoPresto and Jesse Armaline for the time and dedication they have recently been giving to our very large stray and feral cat population in North East Ohio. 

Woo Who Foundation  -grassroots and helping, locally

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Woo Who Foundation is a not for profit organization devoted to providing a service to our Breast Cancer Community. Whether it's supporting a woman through the trials of breast cancer, aiding the families of those women who continue to fight or have lost their battle with Breast Cancer, or supporting causes that promote the fight for a cure. Our goal is to host a number of fundraisers and events throughout the year in order to grow a fund to benefit several local families in need.

Helped by The Euclid Beach Feral Cat Project

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The Euclid Beach Feral Cat Project has been practicing TNR (trap, neuter, release) since its inception in April 2009. To date, the Project has assisted over 1,200 cats from the streets of North Collinwood, including Wildwood Marina, The Euclid Beach Mobile Home Park, the Euclid Beach pier, and Euclid Beach Villa Apartments. These numbers also reflect the spay and neutering of over 400 cats.

Mary and I helping to promote the message to STOP PUPPY MILLS

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Dog by Dog is a documentary that aims to wake up the American public to the horrible realities of puppy mills by following the money trail across the United States and making us aware cruel reality that is the pure bred dog industry.  Hoping to inform people that the puppy they have purchased has left behind parents caged, abused and neglected for their entire lives.  With shelters overflowing and streets teaming with strays it is time for us to stop the support of breeding and give homes to the many homeless animals in our nation.  

Freedom makes them smile!

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Happy Cows!!!

Mary Gabriel provides graphic design and imagery for Voices For Animals.  http://www.marygabriel.com/

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Animal activists worldwide have their plates full with something other than yummy vegan food, and many may not even yet be aware that a serious issue is corrupting the animal rights movement. It has been building for quite some time, but activists have largely stayed quiet in the interest of working together in order to serve the greater cause of helping animals and out of fear of causing internal division within the movement. However, the issue has begun to reach a climactic state and the animals can no longer afford our peacekeeping silence. Activists must speak out and take a stand, or risk losing the very meaning of the movement and everything for which it stands.

Zach!

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A friend asked me what enlightenment meant to me.

That’s a pretty big question. All sorts of things initially ran through my mind: the waking up in Buddhism; freedom from the mind;  a true understanding of our nature; freedom from desire and sadness.

Fitness guru  - Mike Shiplett!

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You are looking for a vegan/vegetarian breakfast that gives you a ramp of energy and fuels the start of your day? I have a perfect choice for you and before you grimace in dimensional horror, let me be the first to tell you that you will enjoy it. Oatmeal! Yes, that dreaded, boring word. Fear not, because oatmeal has a clean, great taste and it is your friend in every aspect of your health and wellness.

Plant Kingdom  Jeremy Koosed with some favorite products!

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You know it’s bad when industrial agriculture has garnered enough scrutiny that state legislatures are scrambling to pass “Ag-Gag” laws to criminalize taking video footage of confined animals on factory farms. The news on bee-killing pesticides, the massive amount of greenhouse gas emissions attributed to animal-Ag, and the obesity epidemic has not been flattering for big-Agribusiness. Hence support is going up for energy efficient agriculture systems that provide whole foods directly to people. Currently, some 80% of Ohio agricultural products are processed into corn and soy derivatives or fed to animals. It doesn’t seem like responsible land use to Plant Kingdom Bakery owner, Jeremy Koosed, who studied land-use planning at the University of Akron before going on to processing a distinct line of Hemp seed snack foods.

DJ: The Dog Who Rescued Me

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David Toussaint and I met at the AR Conference 2013 where I first learned of his relationship with his dog, DJ, and of the inspiration DJ has given to David and many, many others.

A Colossl Wreck by Alexander Cockburn  - one of the many thought provoking books available on the Counterpunch site.  http://store.counterpunch.org/product-category/books/

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In the year since Adam Lanza entered Sandy Hook Elementary School and murdered 26 people and then himself, the various experts have come up with a single “explanation”: it is unexplainable. The recent Connecticut State’s Attorney report concludes: “The evidence clearly shows that the shooter planned his actions, including the taking of his own life, but there is no clear indication why he did so.” This is not meant as a confession of intellectual powerlessness, but a whole conclusion. As summarized by USA Today: “It remains a mystery and probably always will be.” Case closed.

"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." - Nelson Mandela  (photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

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I grew up planning for my future, wondering which college I would attend, what to study, and later on, where to work, which articles to write, what my next book might be, how to pay a mortgage, and which mountaineering trip I might like to take next.

Now, I wonder about the future of our planet. During a recent visit with my eight-year-old niece and 10- and 12-year-old nephews, I stopped myself from asking them what they wanted to do when they grew up, or any of the future-oriented questions I used to ask myself. I did so because the reality of their generation may be that questions like where they will work could be replaced by: Where will they get their fresh water? What food will be available? And what parts of their country and the rest of the world will still be habitable?

Heart Healthy Pizza

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For all vegans who have been pining for delicous, homemade pizza there is good news.  Mark Sutton has written the one and only vegan pizza cookbook, Heart Healthy Pizza, which features over 100 delicous recipes for this favorite staple of so many!

Dr. Neal Barnard, president of PCRM

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This simple spinach-and-mushroom lasagna is a perfect dish to serve to the whole family for the holidays.

Check out all of Tamain's amazing cookbooks!

Grills Gone Vegan, American Vegan Kitchen, Whole Grain Vegan Baking, Vegan Finger Food (with Celine Steen),and Vegan Sandwiches Save the Day!

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Almost Instant Apple Pies with Dark Caramel Sauce

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Vegan Squash Locro

Check out Rebecca's class schedule.

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What's great about these delicious brownies is getting your chocolate craving satisfied without the risk of getting carried away and eating too many--thanks to the heft of all the black beans (and dates) they contain! Yep--black beans are the super stars in "Super Raspberry Protein Brownies" from Dr. Neal Barnard's newest book, Power Foods for the Brain.

he Healthy and Humane Observer tries to consistently give a "shout out" to those who work to promote the ethics this paper endorses.  This list is certainly not all encompassing.  If you would like your group or cause mentioned, please join our member center and submit your information.  Thank you everyone.  Practice compassion.