Help A Horse Refuge by Just Daily Votes

"Rescued Horses & People

 Healing Together with a Wellness Center"

Refuge RR for Horses wants people who are suffering either from disease or anything else to connect with the animals that have suffered from abuse and disease. They all suffered horrible situations and survived and are happy living in a peaceful natural environment. RR would like everyone one to benefit from the healing energy from animals who have learned to trust each other and humans alike, Once we connect that we are all the same, we all feel and suffer and can heal the same we will make a better world for everyone.

Please support Refuge RR for Horses by Voting Daily at their AVIVA Idea to help get funding to create this Wellness Center on the current property. This will allow many people learn abowut how animals and people have similar emotions, pain, diseases, and healing.

You can view HERE how a Vietnam Veteran helped himself by befriending a horse named "Rain" and then how he shared his connection to help more veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Find Refuge RR for Horses on Facebook HERE

Festival of a Protest at Marineland Canada

It was October 7th, 2012 at Marineland Canada's final day of the season when over 800 activists came together and made a stand against Captivity!

Ontario and Nation wide laws for animals and especially Marine animals are really non-existent. So many are preparing action to get the laws changed to protect the animals behind Marineland gates and many other roadside zoos within Ontario and nationwide.

The first video you all want to watch is the activists storming the gates of Marineland that has hit media around the world

When the activists and concerned citizens stormed the gates by just a large mass of over 200 people "Walked" through the gates in a peaceful manner chanting "SHUT IT DOWN!" The owner John Holer got into his truck and drove off. The mass then continued down the path to the Dolphin Show that was currently going on and the people sitting watching the show started to be exited out the stadium on the far side resulting in the stadium to be filled with signs saying "Marineland Abusement Park" and "Not Everyone Loves Marineland" throughout! The chanting never stopped going from "Shut it down!" to "No Excuse for Animal Abuse". Then the police arrived announcing if your protesting to leave or be arrested.

One girl was arrested and fined $65 but if you look at this video the one Niagara Regional Police was not professional in his actions and literally came up and aggressively pushed the girl prior to the handcuffs being placed on her wrists.

Immediately after the activists came back to the planned event outside the gates a former Marineland entertainer placed down  his ghetto blaster and dressed in spandex with his name across his clothing saying "Spandy Andy" started to dance and captured the crowd's energy!

The amazing dance celebration immediately after the storming of the gates was looking like a music video until the Niagara Regional Police came through the crowd and started to shut down the ghetto blaster and remove Spandy Andy from entertaining!

This event was organized by Marineland Animal Defense (M.A.D.) that started to focus very closely on everything Marineland was doing the past couple years. The days events showed how well it was organized with an itinerary of when musicians and speakers were to be at the main area.


Below are some speakers and musicians that helped make this day a success! Please check them out!

Phil Demers (Former Animal Trainer at Marineland) Speaks at the Event:

Ric O'Barry Speaks at the Event at Marineland

Ric says "Stop Schools busing childrene to Marineland!"

Ric's Full Speech to the Marineland Crowd!

Many singers were at the event like Ariana Gillis. I was not able to find any video footage of her singing an original inspired by the movie The Cove but here is the song filmed by herself.

Marineland Animal Defense spokesperson Dylan Powell says "The People can Hold John Holer Accountable!"

Niagara Animal Defense League - Marineland PSA 

 

Activists Storm Marineland Gates - Owner Runs!

October 7th, 2012

Closing day for Marineland Niagara Falls Canada and over 800 Activists came together for speeches from Ric O'Barry and Phil Demers organized by M.A.D. - Marineland Animal Defense. Many musicians played and entertained their voice to shut down the Captivity Industry!

It was just an hour into the demonstration when over 200 activist formed in front of the gates to enter the property and they just started to walk in chanting "SHUT IT DOWN!" and the owner jumped into his truck and drove away! The activists then walked down to the Dolphin Show pushing out the viewers and taking over the stands!

We need to ask everyone to contact their local MPP to ask that they support NDP Cheri Di Novo in parliament ~ she'll be presenting a motion to BAN the importation of wild marine animals. The other MPP's have to hear from their consituents in order to agree with the motion being passed. Please contact your local MPP and ask for his/her support and pass this on to everyone you know to do the same. 

Check out the amazing ENERGY by watching the Video!

Ric O'Barry Speaks about Marineland (Video)

Friday October 5th Rob Laidlaw of Zoocheck Canada had Press Conference at Queen's Park in Toronto with Ric O'Barry of DolphinProject.org. Many questions were answered regarding education, children, animal welfare, and Laws in Ontario and Canada.

Three things Ric O'Barry says to do:

1.   Stop Capturing whales and dolphins
2. Release any and all whales and dolphins that can be released back into the Ocean. The ones that cannot then send them to an open sea pen to feel the rhythm of the ocean again.
3. Put the dolphins and whales on birth control. No dolphin/whale needs to be born in captivity!

 Ric O'Barry will be at the "Marineland Animal Defense" organized demonstration today October 7th, 2012

Watch the video of the press conference.

Rob Laidlaw (Left) from ZooCheck Canada & Ric O'Barry (Right) from Dolphin Project

Now who "LOVES" Marineland - Cruelty Exposed by Trainers

Marineland Inventory as per ZooCheck

The cruelty within the past 6 (1951) decades has been hidden very well but local activists have been fighting to expose it almost as long as Marineland has been standing. Many wild animals have been captured, orcas, dolphins, sea lions, belugas, bears, deers, etc just for exploitation not education. As the song says on every radio station and television channel commercial is that "EVERYONE Loves Marineland"! Well if you have been reading the Toronto Star this week you will definitely know now that the animals do not love Marineland as well as former trainers.

Below are the three newspapers that came out this week in a row! Please follow the links on the titles to read the entire story from Toronto Star:

Front Page Toronto Star "INSIDE MARINELAND" August 15th, 2012

Front Page Toronto Star "SHE FINALLY DIED IN OUR ARMS" August 16th, 2012

Front Page Toronto Star "MARINELAND FACES SPCA INSPECTION" August 17th, 2012

There is a massive demonstration tomorrow, August 18th at 12:00pm infront of Marineland to help educate anyone deciding to enter the business where the animals are truly suffering. The Toronto Star has also tweeted that they will be supplying the Demonstrators tomorrow with the Newspapers of Marineland.

According to the Toronto Star articles Phil Demers was working at Marineland for 12 years and recently quit due to deteriation of the animals health. The water quality was bad due to equipment failures and no one getting them fixed. This had extreme issues to the Sea Lions eyes causeing blindness and horrific issues to the mammals that had to stay in the stagnant water like the dolphins and orcas which said their skin was flaking off in chunks. Most of this initial news was in the past year and off-season.

The evidence has been ongoing through Zoocheck Canada over a decade of information documenting the deaths, capture, and suffering. Still no laws have been implemented in Ontario to protect these animals.

If you watch this movie "A Fall From Freedom" that is free on Youtube you will see the brutal violence on capturing these animals for the water cages. This  movie also exposes an orca that was named "Junior" by activists after a lady exposed the evidence of him being housed in a warehouse pool within Marineland's property since he could not get along with other captive orcas. He was alone for a long while then a lone dolphin became his friend prior to him passing on without seeing family, sunlight, and even touched for almost 5 years. His death was never exposed to the public since there are no laws in place to do so!

FULL DOCUMENTARY OF "A FALL FROM FREEDOM" FREE TO WATCH AND SHARE!

ACTION TO TAKE

Laws need to be made regarding the protection of animals in Zoos and Aquariums for Ontario and in order to do this we need support from Canadians. Pressure is needed now more than ever to create these laws and I have found some information to help below. Please share far and wide!

 First please share and attend the Marineland Massive Demonstration tomorrow at Noon!
https://www.facebook.com/events/287942164646336/290581207715765/?ref=notif&notif_t=plan_mall_activity  

Join MAD - Marineland Animal Defense here: https://www.facebook.com/marinelandanimaldefense

Contact Dalton McGuinty to put pressure on the Provincial Government to create a Provincial Law to protect the wellbeing of the animals within these establishments, stop the import of animals, and stop the breeding of these wild animals. Tell him you are very concerned about the lack of Rules, Regulations and oversights of Zoos, Menageries, and Aquariums in Ontario.

Contact your Ontario MPPs and get them involved to create LAW(s) as mentioned above.


Contact the OSPCA for your complaints regarding Marineland and demand regular surprise visits on the said Marineland property. Please email complaints to OSPCA info@ospca.on.ca  and Niagara Falls Humane Society humane@nfhs.ca and "CC" Zoocheck Zoocheck@zoocheck.com

OSPCA Website: http://ontariospca.ca/contact-us/provincial-office.html
 OSPCA Affiliate - Niagara Falls Humane Society email humane@nfhs.ca

Contact CAZA - The Canadian Association of Zoos & Aquariums
National director Bill Petersoronto

1888-822-2907

http://www.caza.ca/en/about_caza/contact_us/

 _________________________________

Also a future Captive Industry is being built in Toronto for Summer of 2013 named "Ripley's Aquarium of Canada" and I would like you to sign and share the following petition that will be presented to the Toronto City Council to not permit the wild caught protected Sand Tiger Sharks from South Carolina.

Shark petition
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/525/111/437/stop-delivery-of-sand-sharks-to-torontos-ripley-aquarium-2013/


Join TARA - Toronto Aquarium Resistance Alliance to follow action: https://www.facebook.com/TorontoAquariumResistance

Suffering Seagull, Newfoundland MP says use a Hakapik

It all started only a few days ago at the St. Patrick's Church in St. John's, Newfoundland. A seagull somehow landed and impaled one wing onto a sharp spike like bar and was not able to free him/herself. The severity of the wound is unknown since the seagull is still on the roof and has had no personal contact.

The story of this seagull hit the CBS News after a preist of the church was left with no one to help. He had called the local SPCA, Fire Department, Wildlife Centre, and Local Government which they all stated it was a Federal Issue. The preist had no choice but to go to the media for help.

Local concerned citizens wanted to use a regular ladder but if you see the video it is a very steep and high roof that the preist had to decline due to someone getting hurt and suing the church.

A cry for help from a Facebook user, Melanie Blake, to her friend Lisa Chansky of Durham, N. Carolina got the ball rolling. Lisa notified  me and others of the situation and I gathered my information to post for global help and help I did receive! Many people from across Canada and the world for that matter got on board and started to phone the church, the Wildlife Centre, the SPCA, and the Fire Department. Only the Fire Department answered stating they were waiting on the SPCA and the Wildlife Centre to help.

Scott Andrews tweeted this reply "gulls are like seals.. no one would miss one.. get a hakapik and put it out of his misery."

Further to the support we came upon Twitter and a local Politician named Scott Andrews, a local Liberal MP. A concerned Canadian from P.E.I tweeted him asking for his help regarding a suffering seagull. His reply was nothing but appropriate for this sensitive matter. Scott Andrews tweeted this reply "gulls are like seals.. no one would miss one.. get a hakapik and put it out of his misery." Another concerned Canadian from Montreal replied "I would miss them. You need to learn compassion. "MP".

After I received word regarding the MP Andrews Tweet I decided to go further and question Bob Rae the Liberal Party leader what he thought about this public statement and how it fit with the Liberal Values. I am learing fast how powerful twitter is and how many upstanding public figures forget that when words are put out they cannot take them back.

The morning of August 5th many individuals posted to the SPCA St.John's page and a reply was given "The SPCA has not been involved in this situation but I am making inquiries into this and we'll post when we have more info." The Church preist phoned them on Thursday August 2nd making this the 3rd day the seagull has been suffering and possibly bleeding to death. With extreme heat temperatures this week and on a metal roof this must be intolerable for any living being.

Now we wait for news from the SPCA's move on this matter. Please check my Facebook page for any updates at Artist for the Ocean

by Bob Timmons

Action you can do:

NEW INFORMATION:
Injured wildlife in NFLD are supposed to be reported to the NFLD Department of Environment and Conservation. The Minister is Terry French. terryfrench@gov.nl.ca (709) 729-2577.

Regarding MP Scott Andrews' Tweet:

Contact the Canadian MP - Scott Andrews
on Twitter @ScottAndrewsMP
by Email: andrews.s@parl.gc.ca
By Phone Toll Free: 1-866-883-3424

Contact the Liberal Party's Leader - Bob Rae
On Twitter: @BobRaeMP
By Email: info@bobrae.ca
Phone: 1-416-954-2222
Fax: 1-416-954-9649

Regarding incompetence of saving the Seagull:

Contact the City's Mayor - Dennis O'Keefe
by Email: dokeefe@stjohns.ca

Speak to the local SPCA: (1) 709-726-0301
Facebook Page: http://www.Facebook.com/SPCAStJohns

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST

Thank the Church for doing their best to help and moving forward to alerting CBS News: (1) 709-754-1195

Forest Activists United Need Help

Forest Activists United have teamed up with local Conservationist in Nigeria to help stop deforestation for Cocoa & Palm Oil Plantations. Please help by taking the three step actions at the bottom. Together we can put pressure on this situation and save the forest between Cameroon & Nigeria saving the animal species that are considered unique and endangered.


 1. Invite People To This Event for more Petition Signers and Supporters of Forest Activists United Action!  On Facebook https://www.facebook.com/events/126943454112809/

2. Ask to Join "FOREST ACTIVISTS UNITED" to join the FIGHT with Locals of Cameroon & Nigeria as well as US, the NETIZENS who Care! https://www.facebook.com/groups/ForestActivistsUnited/

 __________________

3. Please SIGN & SHARE the following TWO Petitions:

PETITION ONE: To be delivered to: His Excellency, Liyel Imoke, Governor of Cross River State

Save the Cross River National Park in Nigeria
http://www.avaaz.org/en/petition/Save_the_Cross_River_National_Park_in_Nigeria/?fhyvFab&pv=4

Why this is important:

 A cocoa plantation of 7241 hectares is being built in the Cross River South Forest Reserve and the support zone of the Oban Division of the Cross River National Park. The region is home to many endangered primates including the Nigerian-Cameroon chimpanzee, which is listed as the most endangered of all chimpanzee subspecies. The cocoa project violates the Cross River State of Nigeria Forest Laws and Regulations CAP 55, that prohibits farming activies in forest reserves; The National Park Service Act No. 46, which protects the National Park and prohibits forest-based commercial activities within the delineated National Park support zones as well as the buffer zones; It is contrary to the interests of the indigenous communities and inimical to the peaceful co-existence of the members of the neighbouring communities; and completely in conflict with the contemporary global initiatives on Climate Change, We believe that the concession was an error and are reaching out to Cross River State officials to issue an Order of Revocation of this land title that was given to the cocoa plantation.
 ___________________

PETITION TWO: ACTION ALERT: KORUP NATIONAL PARK, CAMEROON.

Please sign and share. There is some urgency to this which is why we're only asking 300 names. The RSPO is considering all complaints from environmental groups and scientists worldwide. The area is a biodiversity hotspot and must be protected!

To be delivered to: Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil Say no to a palm oil plantation in the African rainforest
http://www.avaaz.org/en/petition/Say_no_to_a_palm_oil_plantation_in_the_African_rainforest/?chyvFab

Why this is important:

Herakles Farms USA and its subsidiary SGSOC Cameroon have plans to build a 70,000 hectare palm oil plantation in the heart of Africa's rainforest. Researchers and scientists worldwide have condemned the location of this plantation as it sits in the middle of two national parks and two protected forest areas. surrounded by Korup national park and the Rumpi Hills Forest Reserve in Toko and and the protected areas of Bakossi Natioal Park and Bayang-mbo Wildlife Sanctuary is a global biodiversity hotspot and habitat for several critically endangered primates including the endemic Drill, Red Colobus and the Nigerian-Cameroon chimpanzee. The plantation will cut off their travel routes as they migrate from one forested region to another in search of food. Cameroonian NGO, Struggle to Economize Future Environment ( SEFE ) has issued an urgent call for worldwide activists support against this oil palm plantation. They have advised of the catastrophic consequences to the biodiversity and natural environment to the region if the plantation goes ahead. The RSPO has received ten complaints against this plantation from environmental groups worldwide and decide on the matter in the summer of 2012 so add your voice here!
 ____________________

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Fundraiser to get "WATER for ANIMALS"

"SUMMER SIZZLING MONTHS" Fundraiser to get "WATER for ANIMALS"

 It's a precious resource that not only we need, our children need but life around the world desperately needs, its WATER. Water has become an issue at Horse RR Refuge since their WELL has completely gone DRY and with over 700 animals it now has to be trucked in, and this is expensive. 

Refuge RR for Horses in Alexandria, Ontario is located on the Ontario-Quebec border and not only has Horses but there are over 700 animals at this location! This is the largest Farm Animal Sanctuary in Canada but with no Government Funding. From horses, cats, dogs, goats, chickens, ducks, pigs, to even more animals that are saved and rescued daily!"

There is only "ONE LADY" who runs the show and she is an Angel to these animals!

 

 Rose at RR Refuge

Rose is her name and on a daily basis she is not only taking care of her own sanctuary of animals but she receives phone calls daily to take in abused, sick, or displaced animals in need of help! Rose will not turn down any animals! She then brings them to be Vet Checked and after they are healthy she will adopt them out by signing an adoption contract stating that if you can no longer care for the animal it comes back to the sanctuary!

Recently Rose has taken in 27 unwanted cats that were at a "So-Called" Cat Rescue, she heard about them and with no hesitation she took them into her happy sanctuary. She had them vet checked and noticed one of the cats had a hole in its stomach with maggots coming out. She rushed her to the emergency and had the cat worked on so she can be healthy again. Then the following day she rescued two starving dogs found on a highway. All of this was just this past weekend.

Now the Refuge RR for Horses is run on Rose's energy and compassion but we all know that cannot feed and care for these animals. DONATIONS is the only income for this incredible sanctuary and WATER in the WELL is DRY! Rose has been trucking water into the property for months now while trying to locate a new plot of land that is affordable and can house all the animals. Until then we need to help with the CARE OF THE ANIMALS through donating!

We want to raise $10,000 over these 

"SUMMER SIZZLING MONTHS!"

* Donations are tax deductible through Horse RR Refuge *

Please go here to donate: DONATE to "SUMMER SIZZLING MONTHS" 

and in the message area state ""SUMMER SIZZLING MONTHS" 

so we know its for this fundraiser! 

If you would like to be a SPONSOR please go here (SPONSOR PLEASE) and fill the form and be sure to put on the form "SIZZLING SUMMER MONTHS" to attach the donation to the Fundraiser here.

Together We Can Do It!

Follow the Thermometer Reach the GOAL of $10,000 here:

 FUNDRAISING THERMOMETER

Make your donation count in our own personal way:

- Feed for a day/week for a PIG: Donate $50/$350

- Feed for a day/week  for a HORSE: Donate $75/$525

- Feed for a day/week for a Chicken: Donate $25/$175

- Feed for a day/week for a dog/cat: Donate $10/$75

- Water for a day / week / month Donate: $100 / $700 / $3000

- Veterinarian Care for Day /Week /Month Donate: $100/ $650 / $2500

Caring for animals is a daily effort and a public action when they are housed in a Sanctuary. Rose needs help during these Summer Sizzling Months.

If you can donate a few dollars it all helps us reach our GOAL and if you can do an event to raise AWARENESS & DONATIONS please tell us about it! We want your story on how you raised the money and send photos/video to share to "ArtistfortheOcean@gmail.com"
Have a lemonade stand, car wash day, collect beer bottles, Bake Sale, collect pennies, sell your art, have a battle of the bands, whatever it is please share! We have a few months to reach our goal and I know you all can help!

Now to help get you motivated to be involved with this great fundraiser

I want to let you know there will be THREE TOP $$ MONEY RAISERS $$

First Prize - Worth $300

Second Prize Worth $200

Third Prize Worth $100

The prizes will be adjusted over the Summer Sizzling Months and will be awarded

only after we reach our Goal of $10,000 or over $7500 by September 15th, 2012.

Please join into the Fun to get "WATER FOR ANIMALS!"

Horse RR Refuge will also welcome donations of the following:

Building & fencing materials (new or used), Services of: Veterinarians, blacksmiths, carpenters, etc, .Animal feed, hay, and fresh produce, Straw & shavings, Comfy pet beds, Horse blankets, Feed & water buckets.

They can be mailed to:

21305 Concession 10 RR 2,

Alexandria ON, Canada

K0C 1A0

E-mail: refugerr@xplornet.ca

Thank you all for helping us in this time of NEED for these Animals! Water is a vital necessity for all living beings and with over 700 plus lives we need your support in any way you can - sharing, donating, raising awareness about Horse RR Refuge.




Thank you All!
--

Bob Timmons

Co-Host for Herbivores - Animal Frequency Show
http://www.facebook.com/HerbivoresAnimalFrequency

Artist For The Ocean
http://www.bobtimmons.org
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/aartistfortheocean
Twiiter: https://twitter.com/ArtistforOcean
Store: http://www.etsy.com/shop/MarineArtist
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/stalyun2006

Ontario Regional Coordinator for Sea Shepherd
http://www.facebook.com/SSCSToronto 

http://twitter.com/SSCSToronto

Ocean Activists United Founder
http://www.facebook.com/oceanactivistsunited

http://twitter.com/oceanactivists

 

 Willy & Mikey at Refuge RR

Toronto says: S.O.S. Save Our Skipper!

Sea Shepherd Toronto Chapter

Toronto says: S.O.S. Save Our Skipper!

FREE PAUL WATSON TORONTO DEMONSTRATION at the GERMAN CONSULATE

As we all know now Paul Watson was arrested in Frankfurt, Germany Sunday May 12th on a Bogus Warrant submitted by Costa Rica. Paul will be released on a $230,000Euro Bail Monday May 21st making his incarceration 9 days for this Bogus Warrant that INTERPOL does not Support!

Mascot Shan'non photo by Bob Timmmons

Supporters of Sea Shepherd Conservation Society from Ontario - Canada mobilized on a call from the organization to meet at all of the German Embassy's & Consulates Worldwide. There were over well over 60 cities in 6 Continents that rose to the occasion to yell "FREE PAUL WATSON!" On this day in Berlin, Germany the Costa Rican government arrived for a visit while being greeted with over 400 Sea Shepherd Conservation Society supporters.

Upon my arrival I was asked by the Consulate General of Toronto to come up and speak to her. Sabine Sparwasser came out of her secured floor and spoke to me about the issue. She told me that they have been receiving a lot of phone calls and emails that support Paul Watson, and that our presence outside will be documented and sent back to Berlin. So I left and proceeded to mobilize the presence out front to be heard to the 25th Floor of the German Consulate General of Toronto's floor!

Paul Watson is still on house arrest to Frankfurt, Germany but awaits release due to pressure from global support and the removal of a bogus warrant from Costa Rica that Germany reacted upon. Interpol did not support this warrant and publicly announced this on their website and sent it off to all 90 countries.

Below is the video I prepared from our Toronto Sea Shepherd Chapter for May 23rd in solidarity with our SKIPPER! Paul Watson! Keep the Pressure on the German Minister!

Sea Shepherd Toronto infront of German Consulate photo by Chris Behrmann

( Background Information:
http://www.seashepherd.org/news-and-media/2012/05/16/germany-considers-sending-whale-defender-to-what-will-be-a-death-sentence-in-costa-rica-1377 )

(Interpol Statement regarding warrant:
http://www.interpol.int/en/Internet/News-and-media/News-media-releases/2012/N20120514 )

Toronto
http://www.canada.diplo.de/Vertretung/kanada/en/01/GK__Toronto/__toronto.html
German Consulate General in Toronto
2, Bloor Street East, 25th floor
Toronto, ON, M4W 1A8
Canada
Tel: + 1 416 925 2813
Fax: + 1 416 925 2818

Montreal
German Consulate General in Montréal
1250, boul René-Lévesque West, bureau 4315
Montréal,QC
H3B 4W8
Tel.: 514 931 2277
Fax: 514 931 7239

Ottawa
http://www.canada.diplo.de/Vertretung/kanada/en/01/__Ottawa/__ottawa.html
Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany
1 Waverley Street
Ottawa, Ontario, K2P 0T8, Canada
Tel: + 1 613 232 1101
Fax: + 1 613 594 9330

"HUNTER to the OCEAN" Fundraiser SUCCESS

A fundraiser I started over a month ago lasted only 7 days when 40 people came from all over the world to help make one young man's dream come true!

In 7 days we raised $1027USD to help create a way for Hunter Shaffer, 14 years old and in a wheelchair all of his life, make it to the ocean. Hunter fights for the ocean & animals daily online and through his personal life working at a local conservation area. Hunter has had over 400 bones break in his 14 years of life and knows first hand what pain is all about so he now lives a vegan lifestyle and has taken on a voice for the voiceless.

Hunter inspired me to create this fundraiser and I am so happy to say "It was a SUCCESS!" Hunter and his family took this opportunity as a family road trip to Jupiter, Florida. Jimi B. Long set up the event at the Florida destination and has only spoke to Hunter over the internet for months. So they too were able to meet for the first time and Jimi is in a wheelchair as well and knew first hand how he could help make this day something to be remembered for the rest of Hunter's life! Now we have photos to share!

Hunter Shaffer with Michael Worden, Jimi B. Long, Erik Brush, Danny.
Photo by Susan Mabe

 This is the status that Hunter put out only 11 hours ago from his resort in Florida:

"Snorkeling at coral cove was great, and my first time in the open ocean! Was also the first time I had seen a fish in the wild while I was in the water. My biggest thanks to Danny, Michael Worden, Jimi B. Long, Erik Brush, Susan Mabe, Jim Shaffer, and most of all Bob Timmons for helping me to get to Florida in the first place! A big thanks as well to Amber Foster for watching the pets back at home so I could come here!

I am now VERY comfortable with the ocean, and snorkeled again today at a different location. Snorkeled 300FT out right over a coral reef and saw Sea Urchins, Crabs, Puffer fish, Appears to be Bermuda Chub, a large Yellow Fish that I was unable to identify *Thought it was a Trumpetfish, but looks nothing alike!*

Erik, Jimi and I also went to the Loggerhead Marinelife Center, we saw a variety of rescued turtles and sat for a 30 minute educational interactive course about sea turtles. *This was also the spot where I beat Jimi in 2 wheelchair races, no need to brag about that, videos will come soon! ;)*

All in all, I could not have asked for a better time in Florida and saw a variety of life! A huge thank you to ALL who donated to the Hunter To The ocean campaign! Without your help, I would not have been NEAR the ocean, let alone 100 meters out over a reef! Considering going out early in the morning tomorrow to swim with the Bull Sharks when they migrate into the shallows to feed as the sun rises. Thank you, everyone!" ~ Hunter Shaffer

Jimi B. Long, Hunter Shaffer & Erik Brush at the Loggerhead Marinelife Center
Photo by Susan Mabe

Comments from the days event:

Susan Mabe
Was up at Blowing Rock today with Hunter Shaffer on his snorkling trip ! Kudos to Bob Timmons for his fund raising and all who donated. A big fins up to Erik Brush, Jimi B. Long, Mike & Danny for getting Hunter into the water. Went to the Loggerhead Marinelife Center as well. It was a great day. Pics will be posted later. WTG Hunter ! ♥

Michael Worden
It was a pleasure! So proud of Hunter, he did a great job in the water this morning!

Jimi B. Long Meeting Hunter and his wonderful family was without a doubt, one of the highlights of my life!! What a great bunch of people, to spend an awesome day with! Thank you to everyone who showed up to help!! I had a BLAST!!! Next time, I'll know better than to challenge Hunter to a wheelchair drag race.. The little bugger blew my doors off and left me in the dust...TWICE!!!!!

To see what I "FELT" only weeks ago, go from a thought, to a reaction, to networking, to a JOURNEY for a young man and his family! People globally were affected by his compassion to join in and create an Incredible Story for him and all of us! Hunter keeping on Rocking the Free-World for the Animals! I think you know now that we ALL LOVE YOU Bud!

By Erik Brush

Here are some photos of the Card I made to send the names of all the donators and the money orders:

Bob Timmons

Co-Host for Herbivores - Animal Frequency Show
http://www.facebook.com/HerbivoresAnimalFrequency

Artist For The Ocean
http://www.bobtimmons.org
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/aartistfortheocean
Twiiter: https://twitter.com/ArtistforOcean
Store: http://www.etsy.com/shop/MarineArtist
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/stalyun2006

Ontario Regional Coordinator for Sea Shepherd
http://www.facebook.com/SSCSToronto

http://twitter.com/SSCSToronto

Ocean Activists United Founder
http://www.facebook.com/oceanactivistsunited

http://twitter.com/oceanactivists

Taiji Interview aired in Rogers TV - Ontario

Attention Ontario and Hlobal viewers: My interview that will be Aired Only in Southern Ontario, Rogers TV, is available on my website here! It's about The Taiji Dolphin Slaughter and my Awareness Paintings. First TV showing is today at 1pm. Scheduled showings are on Channel 20 in South-Western Ontario: Wednesday, May 2nd  at 1pm, 9:30pm Thursday, May 3rd at 5pm Saturday, May 5th at 10am, 3:30pm. 9pm Sunday, May 6th at 10am, 6:30pm Twitter for Inside Angle @Inside_Angle To view interview go here: http://www.bobtimmons.org/rogerstvinterview.htm

Ocean Wish: "Hunter to the Ocean"

A young man bound to a wheel chair most of his life and absolutely loved on Facebook for fighting for ocean animals has shocked me even more when I heard he has never swam in the ocean.

Hunter Shaffer is this young man and when I first seen him popping up on threads regarding animals I felt this was a man of well informed knowledge. The words and facts this young man was putting out showed he was definitely aware and has done his research on the matters. What we didn't know was his age. At this time I believe Hunter was only 12 years old.

We learned about his disability to walk but also learned about his great ability to fight! On March 13th, 2012 Hunter put this as his status on Facebook:

"I can stand up by myself again..

They said I would die at birth, and encouraged my mother to have an abortion.... I would be hooked up to life supporters for my entire existence. Weak and frail? Nope. Dead? Nope..

Four hundred broken bones later, I'm alive and am out to protect the worlds inhabitants, with one primary mission: Conserving the biodiversity within this fragile world, that are perhaps as fragile as my bones.

Defying all odds, I'm here to help the animals.. And THIS is my journey.

Get off of your excuses, get out and make a change.. No, BE the change you WANT to see in the world. You CAN do it.. I did."

This inspired so many people that already knew who he was and now I am taking this young man's inspiration and sharing it with all of you!

Just searching around his threads and how Hunter comments truly inspires me to think we can make a change on this world and Hunter at his now age of 14 years old is proving this true! Hunter fights for animals and has taken on a Vegan Lifestyle to show his true stand for all animals.

Hunter commented on one thread regarding diving in Florida by saying He has never swam in the Ocean. This is when I took my skills, time and energy to put out an online fund-raiser to make his wish come true! "HUNTER to the OCEAN" is what I have created and within 21 hours we raised over $670 Canadian Dollars to make it happen! The money keeps coming in and its definitely not local! We have a global support team donating from Canada, Portugal, Sweden, USA, Ireland, UK, Norway, and Germany so far! We want to reach $2500 so we can help the whole family make it to an Ocean Shore of Hunter's choice. They will have to rent a Wheelchair accessible van to make this happen and we definitely look forward to seeing Hunter with Sea Salt Tears!

Please help get "HUNTER to the OCEAN" by going to the following link and watch the Thermometer Rise!

http://www.bobtimmons.org/apps/donations/