Exploring Nature: Good N ews
A recent news item made me realize how little I know about how different people regard animal welfare.
The news was that starting in January of this year, the National Assembly of South Korea passed legislation to ban the country’s dog meat industry.
Previously, dogs were killed to provide food for humans. I don’t know if there were similar culinary killings of cats.
At any rate, I think it is good news that dogs are off the menu in South Korea. I say it is about time.
And I know it is good news that the Humane Society continues to operate a 400-acre sanctuary for animals in the great state of Texas. While eating dogs is a terrible idea, taking care of animals is a most worthwhile endeavor.
The Black Beauty Ranch is spread over the rolling hills of East Texas, about 90 miles southeast of Dallas. It includes habitat for critters ranging from bison and big cats to llamas, emus and kangaroos.
In all, some 650 animals call the sanctuary home, many of them rescued from abusive situations.
One example of the rescued animals is 10 lemurs left homeless when a zoo in Puerto Rico went out of business. These banded-tail animals have strict dietary limitations, but the Black Beauty staff crafted a specialized menu and also built the lemurs a spacious enclosure with large trees to climb. Result? Some very satisfied lemurs.
So let us celebrate two bits of good news — dogs will be safer in South Korea and the good work at Black Beauty Ranch will keep on keeping on.
