Humane Network

There are a lot of ways that you can help animals. You could, for example, volunteer at an animal shelter, foster pets who are waiting to be adopted, or donate to a non-profit. But one of the most impactful ways – as well as one of the easiest ways – to help animals around the world is by making smarter and kinder eating choices.

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Consider Going Plant-Based

By now, with all of the studies on nutrition, and all of the news about climate change, you’ve undoubtedly heard about the plant-based diet. This is a diet that eliminates all animal products, and it’s easier than ever to follow this healthy way of eating. Of course, there are loads of resources and forums online that you can turn to, but you can also get valuable advice from a licensed dietitian and nutritionist.

There are many benefits associated with eliminating meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, and any other products that come from animals. For example, a plant-based diet can help reduce your risk of developing a range of diseases, such as diabetes, cancer, and heart problems. It can also help you slim down if you’re overweight, and it’s a great way to increase your intake of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants that support overall health. And, don’t worry, there is plenty of protein to be had when you consume a plant-based diet!

How a Plant-Based Diet Helps Animals

By following a diet that’s focused on plants, rather than animals, it’s obvious that you’ll be saving animals. Because you won’t be consuming meat, you won’t be contributing to inhumane farming practices, and you won’t be contributing to animals being sent to the slaughterhouse. All you have to do to discover the horrors that farm animals go through is a simple internet search. Many undercover investigations at farms and slaughterhouses have proven for many years that what is most common in animal agriculture, is horrific conditions and abuse.

By changing the way that you eat and following a whole-foods, plant-based diet, you can get all of the nutrition that you need while indulging in a wide range of flavors. At the same time, you’ll be reducing the demand for animal products, so producers will need to turn to other modes of making money, such as investing in plant-based meat and dairy alternatives – something that many brands have already done in order to keep up with consumer demand around the globe.

The Plant-Based Diet Also Helps Wildlife

Following a plant-based diet does even more to help animals because it can also support wildlife. When you consider the immense amount of space required for factory farms and slaughterhouses, as well as the land that’s cleared for grazing free-range animals, and the pollution that’s caused by animal agriculture, you begin to understand the environmental impact that an animal-based diet has. Ranchers even go so far as to kill wildlife to protect their farm animals. And let’s not forget about overfishing, which is taking its toll on the oceans.

It’s clear to see that there are many great reasons to choose a compassionate diet to help animals every day, so go ahead and give it try.  

Nothing is worse than the irritating sound of mice in the attic, and nothing shames a host during a party like guests spotting a mouse in the living room. It’s unfortunate that mice don’t discriminate where they choose to live, so even homes that are more expensive are not immune to getting invaded by mice. They are unhygienic, carry diseases, gnaw electricity and internet cables, and damage walls and get into the food in your pantry.

If you have been trying to get rid of mice, you must have established that this isn’t the easiest thing to do since they are small enough to squeeze through the tiniest of openings, and can climb and make nests in areas that you can’t even access, not to mention they are prolific breeders. Some people hate mice so much that all they think of is poisoning and killing them without considering how inhumane it is to kill them in such a horrible way. If you can’t imagine yourself doing such a thing, then you must then find alternative ways of getting them out of your home, and keeping them from returning. This can involve hiring rodent control exterminators that will remove the mice in a humane way, or you can try these alternatives:

1. 
   Smart Mouse Traps
   
   Smart trapping, or live trapping, is a technique that enables homeowners to catch mice without killing or injuring them. It involves mice holding cells that are built like small houses with doors the size of an adult mouse. All you do is place cheese or peanut butter inside of them as bait, and once the mouse enters it and eats the bait, the door snaps shut trapping the rodent inside. You can then set it free at a location away from your home, wash the trap, and then reuse it. Just don’t make the mistake of freeing them near a dumpster where they can multiply and come back to your home.
   
   Note: Some smart traps are spacious enough to trap and hold more than 30 mice at once.
   
   2. Ultrasonic Noises
   
   If you don’t want to trap then release the mice, why not irritate them with weird noises until they run away? There are mice repelling devices which make noises that are only audible to rodents so you’ll never hear a thing. You can buy one for less than $20 and plug it near the area where you suspect the mice are nesting.

2. Repulsive Predator Smells
   
   Mice, just like other rodents, have a strong sense of smell which they use to detect the presence of predators within their space. You can use this against them by placing used kitty litter strategically around the home, giving them a false alarm that there are predators everywhere. If you don’t own a cat, then don’t worry because there are many chemicals out there which imitate the scent of cats. These include mothballs, ammonia solution, and peppermint, all of which will scare mice away when placed near their nests. You will, however, need to replace them regularly as the scent fades away with time.
3. Rodent Strobe Lights
   
   Most rodents hate when high-intensity lights flash around their nests. Rodent strobe lights build on this concept and make the home very uncomfortable for the mice. You will need to install several of these devices around their favorite hiding areas such as the attic, dark rooms, and food storage locations, and keep them on for both day and night until you are sure the mice are gone. While you’re at it, ensure that all rooms in the home are well organized to eliminate the chance of the mice relocating their nests from the attic, for example, to another area within the home.
4. 
   Sealing Up their Entry Points
   
   Once the rodents are out of your home then you need to make sure they don’t return by sealing up any suspected entry points. You probably have tried this method already, but did you do it the right way? If you sealed everywhere but left an opening as small as half an inch, then you didn’t completely prevent them from finding a way back in. It could be the space under your exterior doors, plumbing spaces, or where cables from the exterior enter the house. You will achieve better results by closing all the doors and windows, switching off the lights to make the interior completely dark, and then noting all the light openings. Seal them with wire mesh or, in the case of door openings, replace the weather-strip material.
   
   While there are many ways to rid your home of mice, the five that we have discussed are both effective and humane. They are proof that you don’t have to be cruel to animals in order to keep them under control. One last tip: keep your home interiors and exteriors tidy at all times as this will significantly reduce the breeding areas for rodents.
   
   Sources:

https://www.mnn.com/your-home/at-home/blogs/5-humane-critter-catchers
https://www.nytimes.com/2000/10/01/realestate/your-home-eliminating-hospitality-for-rodents.html
https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/property/966699/how-to-get-rid-of-mice-in-the-home-pest-control
https://www.humanepestcontroltips.com/rodent-strobe.shtml

If you have ever had to deal with an unwanted animal in your attic, you know that simply shooing them away is hardly enough to get them to leave without coming back. Even if you are an animal lover, having a raccoon or rats in your attic can be annoying and even dangerous. You constantly have to deal with strange noises and if they decide to chew their way through your attic, you could be looking at thousands of dollars’ worth of damage.

Calling a wildlife removal expert may help you get rid of the problem, but make sure whoever you call only removes them in a humane fashion. If however you are a DIY kind of person that thinks they can tackle the job themselves, then here are a few suggestions that will help you eliminate the unwanted guests without harming them:

1. Know your enemy

Different animals will require different methods to get rid of. The first step is to determine the species of the animal inhabiting the attic. The easiest way to know which animal is in your attic is by the noises it makes. Scampering or scurrying noises coupled with gnawing and squeaking at night shows the presence of rodents like rats or squirrels. Purrs, whimpers, growls, screams, and hisses indicate that you might have a raccoon problem. You can also check the openings where the animals are getting in and out to get an idea of the size of the animal.

2. Make them know they are not welcome

Once you know what you’re dealing with, it’s time to show them that they are not welcome. When animals inhabit your attic, they are usually looking for a safe, warm, and dark place to stay especially if they want to have babies. As such, your job is to transform your attic into the worst place possible for the animals to call home. Here are some effective tactics to convince your furry visitors that they moved to the wrong place:

a) Predator smell – Nothing will have pests running faster than the thought of being trapped with a dangerous animal out to kill them. Place a used dog or cat blanket as close as possible to the area where the animals are living in your attic. The smellier the blanket the better. You can even soak it in dog or cat urine, or purchase fox urine for even better results.

b) Make a lot of noise – You can’t afford to leave the animals alone. If they get comfortable, they could multiply easily so you need to keep them on their paws. Periodically, go into your attic and make some noise. Blow whistles, clang pots and pans, honk air horns and create as much chaos as possible. You can even have a wireless stereo up there playing loud rock music whenever you suspect they’re there. Make sure you are making the noise during the sleeping times of the animals, but be careful when setting this up since some of the animals, like raccoons, can be aggressive when provoked.

c) Turn on the lights – The next step is to make sure the attic is well-lit at all times, day and night.

3. The wait

Once you’ve utilized all these scare tactics, it’s time to give the animals some time to move out. This should happen within 48 hours. If the animal had babies, you need to give her time to get her babies moved to a new location. If you don’t, they will never leave and will force their way back into your attic just to get their babies.

4. Use traps

If you’ve tried the above tactics and the animal still refuses to leave, you may need to use a trap. There are currently many types of traps available for purchase that will work on different animals without harming them. However, trapping should only be used as a last resort particularly for raccoons or squirrels that have babies. Also make sure you check the traps daily just so you don’t starve them to death by trapping them to where they can’t get food or water.

5. Ensure they don’t get back

Once you’ve gotten rid of all the unwanted guests, you need to ensure they never find a way to get back into the attic. Block all possible entryways with strong netting or thick boards, and trim back tree branches that the animals may have used to jump onto the roof.

Sources

http://www.wildlifehotline.com/welcome/mammals/raccoons/evicting-raccoons/

http://www.ftwl.org/node/28

https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/04/160424-raccoons-animals-science-washington-wildlife/

If you’ve had a problem with wildlife invading in your property, then you know how frustrating it is to deal with them. They like sneaking into homes with hollow spaces beneath porches, attics, basements, wall insulations, and other warm pockets. Some animals can scratch through weak walls and even erect nests around your property. The worst you can imagine is when they begin to chew your property and also dig up your lawn. Trying to remove or control them on your own is not easy, so whether they are rats, mice, squirrels, raccoons, bats, opossums or other dangerous animals, it is vital to contact a wildlife control professional for help.

Even though wildlife invasion is a nuisance and can deprive you of your comfort and safety, it is recommended to remove them through humane ways. For instance, certain states cannot allow you to trap and locate animals without proper legal permits. Below are some of the suggested humane methods for wildlife removal from around homes.

Exclusion by Net-Proofing

It involves the use of a gnaw-proof netting that helps to exclude animals from entering a home. It doesn’t include any trapping whatsoever. A mesh can also be installed by burying it underneath the soil to help bar burrowing animals from finding their way in. This method is excellent if you’re planning to prevent damage such animals cause to gardens. A vinyl-coated mesh is stronger and preferable.

Use of Frightening Devices

This is a non-chemical way of eradicating animals from invading your home. Frightening devices come in different types including visual, audio, audio-visual and biological. Visual devices are things like effigies or plastic owls. These devices have scary eyes that control unwanted animals like raccoons and squirrels. Devices that move are very effective. A spotlight with laser pointer or pistol can also be used to drive away animals at night. When using these devices, it is advisable to use them in safe and humane ways. They should not point directly to the eyes. The beams should point parallel to the ground.

The use of audio-visual devices that use both sight and sound are excellent for rural settings. They can disperse birds from living on building tops and erecting nests.

Use of Sonic Net Technology

This is a new method of deterring animals and birds. It involves the use of directional speakers that scare away problematic birds that are prone to building nests on the property. The sound doesn’t have to be so loud. It uses a combination of waveforms that is commonly called colored noise. It also helps to reduce losses caused in agricultural fields and gardens.

Use of All-Natural Repellents

Use of harsh chemicals to kill wildlife isn’t good either. With the introduction of organic repellents, you can flush out and control animals around your home safely and naturally. However, you need to understand the type of animals on your property. If it is birds, then ensure that the state or federal government do not protect them before you remove them. To control unprotected birds, you can use methods such as propane noisemakers, plastic bird spikes, liquid repellents, reflective bird tapes and more. The materials you use should be EPA-registered.

Repellents contain ingredients that aren’t pleasant, and birds cannot tolerate although they are eco-friendly. Avian Migrate is the best since it is eco-friendly and non-lethal. A portable spray can be used to disperse the solution in the habitat where birds live.

Propane noisemakers aren’t harmful to birds. However, they can be a bit pricier and need proper maintenance. Bird spikes are excellent and can be used around building ledges. Unlike steel counterparts, plastic spikes are very safe.

Habitat Modification Method

Modifying the habitat of these animals can also help flush them out for good. Habitat modification can limit the access of these animals to requirements such as shelter, food, and water. Seeds and pet food should be kept in well-sealed containers to help remove their sources of food.

Cracks and holes can be sealed to prevent animals from gaining access to the property. It helps to control animals such as bats and rodents. Firewood, garden debris, and other building supplies should be kept above the ground to limit hiding grounds.

Bottom Line

Animal invasion can be a severe annoyance. Apart from posing a danger to your health, they also damage your property. In case you’ve identified wild animals in your property, then the above are the humane ways that are recommended for safe removal. You can also get a consultation from a professional.

References:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuisance_wildlife_management#Control_methods

http://wildlifecontroltraining.com/training/wildlife-control-methods/

A pet can help make a family complete as pets truly become a part of the family over the course of time. The loss of a pet can be more devastating than anything as we often look to our pets for comfort. Pets of all kinds can tell the emotions that you are having so many do actually try to console you if you are upset for some reason. The truth is that not all people are ready for a pet or deserve a pet as animal abuse is much more rampant than many people think. The following are signs that you and your family can have a pet that will be cared for appropriately.

It Won’t Be A Strain Financially

Themoneyalert.com notes that if you are going to have a pet that you need to be able to take care of it health wise and this costs money. Vet bills can be enormous for even some of the most routine of procedures if they are invasive. There are going to be some pets like dogs that are going to eat quite a bit. This gets expensive when the dog needs a special type of food due to having a sensitive stomach. For those families that are living paycheck to paycheck, a pet it just not right for you at this time.

Your Kids Are Good With Animals

The last thing that you want is to have to put your pet down due to it attacking your child. Certain children and animals simply do not mesh as there are kids that do not understand how to handle pets. If you have children that often times abuse animals you need to avoid getting a pet as a pet cannot tell you when it is being abused. After this you need to get your child mental help as abuse towards animals is caused by an underlying mental issue.

You Have Enough Room

There are going to be certain breeds of dogs that are just too large to live in an apartment. Even if they can live there they could tear the entire apartment up due to boredom or excess energy. This does not mean that you cannot have a dog in an apartment but you need to make sure that they get their daily exercise no matter what. If you are living in a studio do not opt for a Husky or Great Dane, but rather get a smaller dog that thinks the studio is their palace.

You Have Knowledge Or Are Willing To Learn About The Pet

Getting a pet that you know nothing about is fine as long as you are willing to learn how to care and train the pet. The internet allows people to learn things that would have taken firsthand experience in the past. You can learn to housetrain your dog through YouTube videos rather than having to send them to an obedience class. Utilize these resources that technology has given you if you need to learn a bit more about your pet.

A pet can change a family dynamic so make sure this is understood. Pets are valuable to emotional health and this is something to keep in mind as well.