You will not go to the gym. You will feed me.

Action Alert: Your Help Needed to Protect the Pryor Mustangs

BLM Sets Sights on Cloud's Herd Once Again
Dear Cloud and Pryor Wild Horse Defenders;

The BLM is proposing another significant removal of wild horses on the Pryor Mountains. I know. Just when you thought it was safe... they’re back!

BLM’s recently released Environmental Assessment (EA) seeks to remove via bait trapping and potentially water trapping, 30 young Pryor mustangs, ages 1-3 years. Bait and/or water trapping could begin as early as mid-January. Comments are due by January 6, 2012. We urge you to comment and to support the NO Action Alternative, the only alternative that keeps a viable population of horses on the mountain.

Cloud's yearling daughter, Breeze, is just one of the
horses that could be removed in 2012
Here are the points we feel you may want to mention in your remarks. Make sure to use your own words.

1. Making decisions on a 30 horse removal now could put the Pryor Wild Horse Herd in jeopary of a die-off. Natural mortality in the winter of 2011-2012 is an unknown. The number of foals to be born and survive in 2012 is also unknown.
2. The population of the Pryor Wild Horse Herd is currently stable with only 150 animals one year of age or older. According to Gus Cothran, PhD, the foremost equine geneticist in the U.S., "A census population size of 150-200 is required to achieve the minimum effective population size (usually 1/4 to 1/3 of the of the total population)." Currently, the Pryor population is at this bare minimum level.
3. In 2011 there was no population growth. Births equaled deaths—18 births versus 18 deaths.
4. Removing 30 young horses in one year alone is risky, unnecessary and threatens the genetic viability of the herd, diminishing their ability to survive into the future.
5. We urge BLM to wait and see what winter brings as far as mortality, and what the foal crop looks like in August of 2012. Late summer would be the time to assess herd growth and health as well as range health and decide on whether removals are really necessary.
6. No details have been provided in this EA regarding the disposition of young horses once they are caught, other than their transport to the Britton Springs corrals at the base of the mountain. What then? Where and when would the young horses be available for adoption? These details need to be revealed to the public.
7. There are no criteria cited which ensure that young horses with narrow genetic representation in the herd, unique or underrepresented colors and markings, and rigorous physical characteristics (i.e. size, health) would be retained on the range. Consideration must be given to these removal criteria to ensure that the "best" are left on the range in order for the herd to perpetuate itself into the future.
8. Urge BLM to adopt the No Action Alternative.

Jasper (left) is the only male descendant of the stallion Starman, while Jewel (right) is a unique pale buckskin.
Both could be removed in 2012.
We are encouraging you to speak up on behalf of this small, isolated, genetically unique, world-famous herd. BLM will not accept emailed comments but feel free to send your comments via email to info@thecloudfoundation.org and please put in the subject line, "Pryor EA comments." We will print out your emails and mail them with our Foundation comments. Or you can send your letters directly to: 

Jim Sparks
Field Manager
BLM Billings Field Office
5001 Southgate Drive
Billings, MT 59101


Cloud's grandson, Echo, represents both unique coloration and rare bloodlines
being one of the only descendants of the late stallion, Mateo.
Thanks for speaking out to ensure that the Pryor herd and Cloud’s family line will continue into the future! Stay tuned for an update on our latest visit.

Happy Trails!Ginger

Copyright (C) 2008 The Cloud Foundation All rights reserved.

Nyaah Nyaah Nyaah...I stole your sun patch!

Happy Holidays from Our Place to Paws!

Franklin the Feral Cat -- Before and After Pics

Happy Halloween

World Wildlife Fund Pumpkin

You go, Toronto (and other Canadian Communities)

The Toronto City Council has banned the possession, sale, trade and distribution of shark fins and their byproducts within the Toronto City limits. The move comes on the heels of similar prohibitions that have recently been passed in the cities of Brantford, Mississauga and Oakville.

Read more here.

Franklin Celebrates National Feral Cat Day

Franklin says "thank you" to everyone who helps ferals, and former ferals, like him!

There's Still Time to Take Part in the Biggest National Feral Cat Day Ever

The big day is almost here—National Feral Cat Day is this Sunday, October 16! How are you going to celebrate?

Join us in showing America’s compassion for cats from coast to coast by participating in National Feral Cat Day 2011. With more than 320 events registered nationwide—far exceeding our goal of 250 events in all 50 states—this will be the biggest National Feral Cat Day in history. Don’t miss out on your chance to be part of it!

Here’s a few ideas of how you can help protect cats’ lives on Sunday (visit http://www.alleycat.org/NFCD for links to each idea!)

Attend an event near you to show your support for humane cat care.

Talk up National Feral Cat Day on your Facebook and Twitter accounts.

If you have a blog, write a post about feral cats, TNR, and/or National Feral Cat Day. Feel free to link to our online resources and add a National Feral Cat Day banner to your website!

Download and hand out materials like posters and truth cards to educate your community about feral cats.

Make a special National Feral Cat Day donation to Alley Cat Allies so we can continue helping cats year round.

Find more ideas and the instructions and information you need to make them happen on our National Feral Cat Day website.

However you decide to improve the lives of cats this weekend, be sure to let us and the entire National Feral Cat Day community know about it. Post about it on Twitter using the hashtag #NFCD2011, tag us in your Facebook posts, and don’t forget to show us your pictures!

Sincerely,
Alley Cat Allies

P.S. Make the biggest National Feral Cat Day ever even bigger! Share this message with your friends.