EFA: Etsy For Animals Etsy For Animals: February 2011


Etsy for Animals (EFA) aka Artists Helping Animals,

is a team of independent artists, craftspeople,

vintage sellers and craft suppliers on Etsy.com

who are dedicated to providing charitable relief to animals

by donating a portion of the profits from their shops

to an animal charity of their choosing,

and/or to EFA's featured Charity of the Month.

Monday, February 28, 2011

Hog-liday


In Appreciation of Pigs
by Emily Ivey of Yarn Miracle


This Tuesday is National Pig Day! "Wait, what?" You say, "I should drop everything and celebrate swine?" Oh yes, and there are plenty of reasons to do it!



They've got that marvelous snout for one thing. Pig sense of smell is more acute than their canine counterparts, so much so that there has been interest in training them as bomb or drug sniffing pigs. Training pigs for that task has proved more difficult than training dogs, since a pig's motives (FOOD) tend to be radically different than a dog's (LOVE ME).



They also invented the mud bath. Pigs don't sweat ("sweat like a pig" is WAY off base) so they roll around in the mud to keep cool. Their filthy coating also protects them from insect bites and sunburn. Even though they spend a large portion of time covered in mud, pigs are hygienic in their habits: a herd will designate a latrine that is far from their food and water. Even piglets a few hours old will leave their nests to do their piggy business.



Pigs have been domestic farm animals since around 7000BC. So for approximately 10,000 years, they have operated as garbage disposals for farm families (as consummate omnivores, they eat pretty much anything) in spring and dinner for the same families in fall. Left to their own devices, they have a complex social system, elaborate vocal communication and love to cuddle. Or not, it really depends on the pig.



Pig intelligence has never really been questioned - there are plenty of stories about farm yard pigs working together to undo pen latches so they can take illicit strolls around the fields. The best of these stories tells of pigs opening other animals' pens so that they can all wander around together. But it's only recently that researchers have attempted to quantify their intelligence. Since there is no general IQ test for animals, intelligence evaluations are based on the principle of "Can they learn what humans teach them?" Different species were bred for different purposes, and so their minds, motives and retention vary greatly. Pigs have long memories and excel at problem solving. In one 1990s study, they quickly learned to manipulate a joystick indicate that they could distinguish between new pictures and ones they had already seen. Their motivation? Skittles, Reese's Pieces and M&Ms.

That's my kind of motivation.

EFA Team Treasury: Pink PigNic in celebration of National Pig Day !


'Pink PigNic' by yarnmiracle

Tomorrow, March 1st is National Pig Day ! (I know, I didn't believe it either.)

Only the ants are impostors - the rest of the listings are from Team EFA.


Original ACEO Big Pig Face P...
$6.00

SET OF 4 REUSABLE PRODUCE BA...
$14.00

marching ant coasters (set o...
$30.00

Pink Houndstooth Zipper Pouc...
$10.00

Happy Pigs Original Watercol...
$65.00

Pig Spiral Notebook - Ecofri...
$13.00

Ants Surface Graphic
$22.00

Pet treats pouch - you choos...
$3.00

Cutest Little Pink Pig Brooc...
$12.00

Magenta Mother of pearl neck...
$20.00

mens T shirt CRAZY ANTS whit...
$30.00

Swirly Sweets square pendant...
$25.00

Catnip Cat Toy - Pigasus, Fl...
$7.00

Up-sa-Daisy Pop Art Oil Pain...
$200.00

WATER RESISTANT PADDED Handm...
$15.00

Pink Cupcakes
$15.00

Treasury tool is sponsored by Lazzia.com A/B image testing.


Sunday, February 27, 2011

National Polar Bear Day


February 27th is National Polar Bear Day
Let's celebrate with a few basic facts about them

Polar Bear Basics
written by Heather of thebluewindmill

Polar Bear

original ACEO by thebluewindmill



The Latin scientific name for a polar bear is Ursus maritimus, which means sea bear.


Some other names for polar bear are Ice Bear, Nanuk. Isbjorn, White Bear, Beliy Medved, Lord of the Arctic, Old man in the Fur Cloak, and White Sea Deer.


Polar bears evolved from “brown bear ancestors” approximately 200,000 years ago.


Polar bears range throughout the Artic where they hunt for their main food source, ringed and bearded seals, through ice openings. “Five nations have polar bear populations: the United States (Alaska), Canada, Russia, Greenland, and Norway.”


They are the animal kingdom’s largest non-aquatic predator.


Polar Bear moms usually bear two cubs, which stay with their mother for 2-1/2 years.


A polar bears height ranges from 8-10 feet.


Male polar bears weigh from 775lbs—1,700lbs and females weigh 330—700lbs.


At birth, polar bear cubs weigh only 1lb. and are 12-14 inches long.


Polar bears rely on stable pack ice for their survival. Due to melting ice floes, their habitat is being threatened by global warming!





Polar bears are specifically adapted for living on the ice. They don’t need water to survive since they get all of their liquid from the prey they eat.


Polar bears can travel thousands of miles per year following the advance and retreat of ice.


Polar bears have a home range that is far greater than any other bear. One bear’s range can be 45 times the size of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which is home to approximately 400 black bears.


Polar bears are well insulated for cold climate—an average temperature of -29 degrees F in Jan. and Feb--with two layers of fur, and up to 10 cm or 3.9 in. of blubber. Their two layers of fur consist of a dense layer of underfur and an outer layer of guard hairs, which are actually transparent but can appear to white, yellow, or tan. Compact ears and tail also help conserve heat.


Polar Bears have dark blue-black skin under all that white fur, which help absorb the sun’s rays.


Polar bears have keen hearing as well as other sharp senses that help them survive.


Polar bears prefer to walk at a leisurely pace so they don’t overheat like they often do when they run.





Here are some ways for you to celebrate:


Visit your local zoo and see polar bears!


Watch a documentary on polar bears!


Wear white! Also feel free to wear white faux fur and many extra layers so you feel and look like a polar bear.


Be sure to dress your toddlers and dogs in their best white polar bear gear!


Practice the polar bear pose in yoga: Lie down on all fours like a polar bear and cover your nose with your “paws”!


http://www.ursainternational.org/PBS.html



Things -not- to do on National Polar Bear Day:


Stick out your tongue

(unless you’re an actual polar bear) !



Polar Bears have blue-black tongues, and

occasionally like to show them to people.



Happy Polar Bear Day !!



Resources:


http://www.polarbearsinternational.org/polar-bears/bear-essentials-polar-style/polar-bear-names


http://www.polarbearsinternational.org/polar-bears/bear-essentials-polar-style/polar-bear-basics


http://whyzz.com/why-do-polar-bears-have-a-blue-tongue


http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/where_we_work/arctic/area/species/polarbear/polar_bear_facts/


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polar_Bear



Polar Bear Gallery

Saturday, February 26, 2011

weekly Animal Petitions Corner

Animal Petitions Corner

by Alicia of WoodsEdge



1. Save Abandoned Rabbits From Being Killed at the University of Victoria, BC


Rabbits who’ve been dumped at UVIC by irresponsible people had exploded in population on campus. While about 900 were saved last year, UVIC’s policy on letting the ones remaining inside of its traffic circle to live has been reversed and the school will begin killing rabbits on Feb 28.


Sign the petition telling UVIC that rescue groups should be given the opportunity to save the remaining rabbits and also to support bylaws that will prevent the sale of rabbits who are not spayed/neutered.


http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/stop-bunny-kill/



2. Ban Animal Testing for Cosmetics in the EU


In 2009, the European Union vowed to ban animal testing for cosmetics and sales of cosmetics that are tested on animals by 2013. The cosmetics industry is now pushing for a delay that could put this huge step for animals on hold for another ten years.


Sign the petition asking European leaders to stick to their 2013 deadline!


http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/833/238/375/


3. Tell PetSmart Not to Encourage Impulse Purchases of Reptiles

PetSmart is running a campaign offering a $10 discount on reptiles to people who bring in ticket stubs from the movie Rango. Most people will agree that deciding to bring an animal into your home requires careful consideration as they require a lot of care, attention and a lifelong commitment.


Tell PetSmart to end their irresponsible campaign.


http://www.change.org/petitions/tell-petsmart-stop-using-movie-tickets-to-encourage-impulse-purchases-of-reptiles



4. Stop the Canada’s Annual Seal Hunt


Canada’s annual seal hunt is the largest slaughter of marine mammals on earth. This year’s hunt began on Thursday in Nova Scotia and will kill 1,900 baby grey seals. The quota for grey seals was raised this year and the Harp seal quota has yet to be set. Despite dwindling markets, global outcry and a majority of Canadians being against this cruel hunt, politicians are trying to keep this dying industry alive.


Sign the petition to Canada’s Prime Minister Stephen Harper asking him to stop the senseless slaughter.


http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/818/254/058/?z00m=19944118



Help the animals

please make time to sign

1-2-3-4 petitions this week


Thanks !

FEB CHALLENGE COMPETiTiON: Companion Corner


'Team EFA February Challenge Competition ' by thebluewindmill

This is EFA's February's challenge competition treasury for "Companion's Corner", pay homage to your furry companions !

It consists of the first 16 entries of our monthly challenge and will be posted on the challenge blog where each visitor will have a chance to vote for their favorite item...

The winner will get a free one month advertising slot on either the EFA blog or the Challenge blog, winner's choice, for the following month!


My Little Joker (8x10 matted...
$25.00

Hello Dog Handmade Card - 15...
$4.25

Classic Teddy Bear / Checker...
$26.00

Love Unspoken Dog and Child ...
$

carrot colored rabbit finger...
$15.00

custom valentine collage pet...
$24.95

Commissioned Pet Portrait - ...
$75.00

Hamster Mixed Media Stamp P...
$9.00

Loyal Companion Dog Art Note...
$12.50

Haute Dog Reversible Bandana...
$

Matching Dog and Human Rainb...
$45.00

Wild Thing Grrrrr Humorous P...
$50.00

Ellie Smiles - Pet Portraits
$40.00

Cat Hair Pin. Tabby Bobby Pi...
$5.00

ACEO Hi from the Animals pri...
$4.00

Plush Dachshund - Rupert Ruf...
$28.00

Treasury tool is sponsored by Lazzia.com A/B image testing.



TO CAST YOUR VOTE before end of day, Monday Feb 28th... click HERE to get to the Challenge blog & scroll down to the bottom of the blog page !

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