Adopt don't shop

Adopt don't shop - By: Jessica

I know it sounds great to have a purebred Corgi or Bengal cat but there is a dark side to breeding.There are many innocent animals in shelters being euthanized because people didn't adopt them fast enough. Here are some reasons why you should adopt a pet and not buy one from breeders or a pet shop.

Shelter kittens that need your help

Shelter puppies that also need your help

1) When you adopt a pet from a shelter you are saving it's life, there is a huge inflow of animals in shelters but usually they don't have enough room so their "solution" is to euthanize the pets that don't get adopted.

Many cats like this one aren't picked because they
 aren't cute purebred kittens

2) You have a big choice of what dog or cat you get. You can still get a pet if you want, or you can get an old, well trained one, it's up to you! There are many types of mixed breeds in shelters which are just as pretty as any full Husky or Scottish Fold.

This dog is a cute shelter mutt!

3) You are putting puppy mills to a stop. be real, puppy mills are absolutely awful. Puppy mills are factory-style breeding facilities that put profit above the welfare of dogs. Animals from puppy mills are put into extremely poor conditions and are often very sick and traumatized. The mothers are kept in cages to be bred for years upon end. And after the mothers can't have anymore puppies, they are thrown away, killed, deserted or sold at auction. 

A Corgi with her babies

A Husky puppy mill

Plastic is not fantastic

 

Over the past few years of sailing aboard Terrapin, I have noticed something disturbing. I have witnessed plastic thrown on beaches, floating in the ocean, or laying on streets. Even while crossing the Pacific Ocean, I saw plastic floating in the middle of nowhere. Something must be done! We, all of us, need to reduce our plastic use.

DID YOU KNOW?

93% of plastics are not recycled. Considering most of us use plastic every day...this stinks!

We consume plastic without even knowing it. 1/4 of the fish we eat contain plastic. 

You are drinking plastic. 83% of tap water tested has plastic microbeads.

More than 8 million tons of plastic are dumped into the oceans each year. 

 It is estimated that between 5000-15000 sea turtles are entangled each year in fishing gear in Northern Australia alone.

The life of plastic can be from 10 to 1,000 years.

You can easily reduce the amount of plastic you use.



                  

Ways you can easily reduce your plastic use.

Take reusable bags to the stores with you! Easy.

Refuse straws! 

Ditch the plastic water bottle. It is easy to bring your own reusable bottle where ever you go.

When ordering coffee, have the barista fill up a reusable coffee cup.

Bring your own to go containers when eating out. Refuse the styrofoam "to go" container. 

Loose your plastic toothbrush. Order a bamboo toothbrush off Amazon. 

Send your kids to school (like when Emma and I went to school) with reusable sandwich bags. After use, your kids can bring them home in their lunch boxes.

Throw out anything that claims to have microbeads.

When grabbing a soda on the go...choose the can instead of the plastic bottle.

Use bar soap instead of plastic pump soap. 

Consider using stainless steal ice cube trays. 

Choose natural cat liter.

Buy your laundry detergent in boxes not plastic jugs.

Use wooden combs and hairbrushes.

Use tinfoil instead of plastic-wrap

Just by changing 2 or 3 of daily habits can have a huge effect.

Become a friend of Animals Fiji

During our stay in Savusavu, Fiji, we have been able to volunteer with Animals Fiji. Recently, we went to an outter village during one of Animals Fiji outreach programs.


                             


In addition to being able to work hands on with Animals Fiji, learn veterinary techniques, we also got to witness how important the services are that Animals Fiji provides.

We have started the "Friends of Animal Fiji" fund to help offset the costs associated with their outreach programs that serve remote village. Please consider making a donation to this amazing charity. Thank you! Jessica and Emma