vegansaurus!
11/22/2010
Shark fin soup is bad news! Here’s how you can help! »
Poor sharks! They are being hunted and killed for their fins to make shark fin soup. SF Appeal had a great piece about the issue last week and I learned so much! The soup is a traditional dish in many Asian countries served at special occasions. It’s supposed to show how much of a baller you are because it costs up to $100 a bowl. LAME! SFAppeal and other sources are blaming the shark’s bad rep for the indifference to the fact that 70 million sharks are killed annually and 30 percent of shark species are threatened with extinction. Seventy million? Goddamn. Many times, because people don’t want shark meat, their fins are cut off while the sharks are still alive and then they are just dropped back into the ocean to die. OUCH! You can see just how awful it is on YouTube but I won’t assault you here.
Sea Shepherd (everyone’s favorite vigilantes) has a campaign against shark-finning, part of which is changing your perspective on sharks:
Myth: Sharks are bloodthirsty man-eaters and ruthless killing machines.
Reality: More people are killed each year by falling vending machines than by sharks.
San Francisco has a lot going on with regards to shark-finning. Wild Aid, which seems pretty awesome, has its headquarters in SF. Check out their volunteer opportunities. San Francisco-based journalist Erica Gies is also involved with Wild Aid; read about her efforts on spot.us—a very interesting site on its own I might add. You can also read her interview with shark-activist and Goldman Environmental Prize-winner Randell Arauz. Sea Stewards has an initiative called The Shark Sanctuary that is devoted to better understanding and conservation of sharks in the Bay Area. You can sign their petition to the city to ban shark fins and shark fin products in SF. Hawaii actually became the first place to ban shark fin soup earlier this year; maybe San Francisco could be next?!
On a national level, here’s a list of restaurants to avoid because they serve shark fin soup. New York and San Francisco totally stand out with the most restaurants listed. L.A. and Las Vegas do pretty well, too. Stopsharkfinning.net has a list of other ways you can help. You can also donate money to the Sea Shepherd for their shark conservation work. Read Oceana’s report on the international fin trade here.
[images via Stop Shark Finning and SF Shark Sanctuary]
∞ posted at 13:30 by youtalkfunny 
09/10/2010
» Free shelter for pets affected by the San Bruno fire!
SFist & SF Appeal have up-to-the minute coverage of all the news and things we can do to help with the fire. Like, for instance, blood banks are at capacity but there will be more need in the upcoming days. It’s good to give blood, anyway BE A GOOD PERSON. Plus, free juice!
Anyway, we just heard word that Petco in San Bruno is providing shelter for displaced pets. If anyone knows of any other emergency animal services in the area, please let us know. Our hearts go out to everyone affected by this stupid terrible tragedy.
UPDATE (12:14 pm)
The Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA (PHS/SPCA) is prepared to offer temporary sheltering, pet food and supplies for any pets belonging to residents displaced from their homes following this evening’s gas explosion in San Bruno. For pets requiring immediate veterinary care, the emergency veterinary clinic closest to San Bruno is located in San Mateo at 227 North Amphlett Blvd. The phone number is 650/348-2575.
Update (1:30 p.m.)
Vi Z. reports that San Francisco’s High Tail Hotel is offering shelter to displaced San Bruno dogs as well. The hotel is located at 2275 Revere Ave., and the phone number is 415/913-7101.
Update (1:40 p.m.)
Called Peninsula Humane Society re: donations or help for the pets in the San Bruno fire, and they could use donations of cat and dog food, collars and leashes and treats in sealed bags. These can be dropped off at their facility and they can disburse to the owners or use at their Shelter for the pets that were brought in. Please pass along to anyone that can help!
Update (4:22 p.m.)
SF Appeal has lots more info on how PHS/SPCA is stepping up to help (and can maybe you can help them!)
∞ posted at 11:58 by laurahooperb 
