Article: Activists rally against SWA over Seaworld

[k5jm]

I am glad that Shamu 1 is still flying.

 

[Justin Jett]

I am glad that Shamu 1 is still flying.

 

[hipchickie]

My 2 cents: I know the vast majority of people on these boards will never agree with the idea that SeaWorld is bad/orcas should be released/etc, and I'm not trying to change anyone's minds (though I do mostly agree with Holly here) but I would put forth that everyone commenting on the issue should at least watch the film to see what's being said, and so they don't have to start every comment with 'I haven't seen it, but...'

no kidding!
so much ignorance from top to bottom here, very saddening to read

 

[Justin Jett]

no kidding!
so much ignorance from top to bottom here, very saddening to read

Ignorance? No!!!

I have 7 years of experience with dealing with these "animal rights advocate" types!!!!

What is sad to see is people getting on the "Blackfish" ban wagon.

The movie is well edited to pray on emotion, promote an agenda, make money, and ruin lives!!!!!

 

[hipchickie]

Ignorance? No!!!

I have 7 years of experience with dealing with these "animal rights advocate" types!!!!

What is sad to see is people getting on the "Blackfish" ban wagon.

The movie is well edited to pray on emotion, promote an agenda, make money, and ruin lives!!!!!

"7 years experience"? what is that even supposed to mean?

Interesting, if we sub a few words in your sentence it works better
"Sea World PR is well designed to pray on emotion, promote an agenda, make money, and ruin lives!!!!!"

So tell me, what part of the movie do you think is untrue? What motivation is there to promote an agenda (skip the money blah blah, because obviously SW has more to gain and lose there) How much money do you think SW actually donates to conservation?
Do you not understand the difference between animals that have been domesticated for millenia and wild animals?
Since you bring dogs into it, would you find it humane to keep a dog on a 3 foot leash for its entire life?

 

[DisneyKevin]

no kidding!
so much ignorance from top to bottom here, very saddening to read

Disagreement does not equal ignorance.

 

[hipchickie]

Disagreement does not equal ignorance.

disagreement with obvious lack of facts or incorrect facts is ignorance

 

[DisneyKevin]

I live in central Florida and I believe SeaWold does a great deal of conservation.

 

[Justin Jett]

"7 years experience"? what is that even supposed to mean?

Interesting, if we sub a few words in your sentence it works better
"Sea World PR is well designed to pray on emotion, promote an agenda, make money, and ruin lives!!!!!"

So tell me, what part of the movie do you think is untrue? What motivation is there to promote an agenda (skip the money blah blah, because obviously SW has more to gain and lose there) How much money do you think SW actually donates to conservation?
Do you not understand the difference between animals that have been domesticated for millenia and wild animals?
Since you bring dogs into it, would you find it humane to keep a dog on a 3 foot leash for its entire life?

You are not gonna like this, but you asked. I shall answer.

http://vimeo.com/58442704

Taylor Nation Greyhounds, Inc. is the Greyhound racing business that I am building. I have a formal business plan and everything. I am fully licensed and regulated by the state of Florida to raise, train, and race Greyhounds. This growing business is somthing that I am working on with another adoption volunteer, and things should really take shape once I am living in Florida. I have long term goals, so it will be a while before the Taylor Nation becomes what I envision it to be. I am very proud of our success so far, and we are moving forward in the right direction toward a very bright future.

The name Taylor Nation is a play on "Gator Nation. The majority of dog registered by Taylor Nation Greyhounds will have "Taylor" or "Gator" in the racing name. The TNG dogs also wear orange collars with blue muzzles. I am planning to break the naming tradition one time. Details later when I get the paperwork back from the National Greyhound Association.

The care and welfare of my Greyhounds is my first priority. I research farms and kennels, to ensure a high level of care for all of the dogs affiliated with my company. The final step in my 15-year business plan is a non-profit division, dedicated to Greyhound adoption. The overall goal of my company is to preserve today’s breed of Greyhound through responsible racing, adoption, and educating the public.

Taylor May Duffy is one of the top Greyhounds currently running at Derby Lane.

Taylor Nation Greyhounds was founded 7 years ago, and I have been President the entire 7 years. Animal Rights people often try to portray me as the "evil dog owner." Many of them change their tune once they get to know me and my dogs.

I do know the difference between domesticated and wild. Dogs and cats were not created as domesticated animals. While they have been domesticated for thousands of years. I know this......but, they were wild and free at one time. Someone had to domesticate wild cats and dog to keep and breed as pets. Dogs and cats are not free to roam at their will. People build fences to hold them in. There are leash laws to keep pets from roaming. What "Blackfish" portrays as captivity, I see as domestication. SeaWorld has a very responsible breeding program, and the majority of their animals are born at SeaWorld. They have never seen the ocean, nor have they learned to hunt to survive. Sure, they do have some natural instincts, but is that enough to survive? We don't know.

Saying that is is okay for an animal to die as long as it is free? Is putting SeaWorld out of business more important than an animal's life?

Should people set there pets free?

While I see the entire "Blackfish" film as a complete load of propaganda crap, I find the use of Dawn Brancheau''s accidental death to be disgusting and disrespectful to Dawn Brancheau and her family.

SeaWorld does WONDERFUL work in animal rescue and conservation. The SeaWorld Busch Gardens Conservation Fund is a 501c3 nonprofit, and the financials are available on Guidestar. The 2013 reports are not yet available at the time of this post, but SeaWorld did donate $109,000 of their revenue to the fund in 2012.

I have witnessed a SeaWorld rescue effort first-hand.

Again, I ask how much of the royalties and revenue from "Blackfish" is being donated to animal charities or fund. Or, does it only matter how much SeaWorld donates?

SeaWorld's PR department is mishandling this whole thing. They need to stand up and fight these "animal rights advocates" in order to protect the animals and the people who truly love them!

http://vimeo.com/29580066

http://vimeo.com/29571660

Greensboro News & Record (NC)

March 12, 2006

Dogs' best friend


Author: TINA FIRESHEETS

Edition: People & Places
Section: People & Places
Page: P1
Dateline: RANDLEMAN
Estimated printed pages: 3

RANDLEMAN - On the day Skip Potter met Justin, he discovered his purpose in life: to work with greyhounds.

It was December 2004, Potter's first visit to Project Racing Home's retirement and adoption center in Randleman. The center relies on a crew of dedicated volunteers to help care for the dogs.

Potter, who has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair, never doubted that he could help at the kennel, despite his physical limitations.

Justin, a 74-pound rambunctious greyhound, acts more like a puppy than a retired 5-year-old race dog. But on Potter's first day there, Justin put his head obediently on Potter's lap.

Potter stroked Justin's head and talked to him soothingly. He then told kennel owners Kimberly and George Jewell that he would put Justin back in the crate.

The Jewells told Potter to give it a try, but that he probably wouldn't succeed. People without disabilities have a hard enough time managing Justin, a stubborn and muscular dog.

But Potter was stubborn, too, and stronger than he appeared. He worked tirelessly to grasp Justin by the collar, leading him toward the crate - a task more difficult for Potter because he is unable to use his right arm and leg.

The Jewells taunted and teased him. "C'mon Skip. We've got to get him back in there. Today!" they joked.

Forty-five minutes later, face flushed and the veins in his neck bulging, Potter got Justin inside the crate. He felt like he'd won a race, and it became a turning point for him.

Potter, 31, volunteers twice a week at the kennel and is a Project Racing Home board member. He often joins the dogs and other volunteers at events promoting greyhound adoption.

Since his first victory with Justin, Potter has trained three Project Racing Home greyhounds to be therapy dogs, which can assist owners who use a wheelchair. Two have been placed in homes and one is ready for adoption.

Potter chooses dogs with calm dispositions and those that are comfortable around his motorized wheelchair. It takes him three to six months to train a dog. It never occurred to him that he wouldn't be successful - even on that first day with Justin.

"It's hard to explain; I just know things have to be done, and I just figure out a way to do them. That goes for inside the greyhound walls and outside in my daily life," said Potter, who also runs an online travel-consulting business.

Potter also is drawn to energetic dogs like Justin. They have a lot in common, he said: "I can't sit still. Neither can Justin. I love to be around people and so does he."

Potter's love for greyhounds began with a visit to Iowa in 2000. While visiting a friend at a casino, he planned to wager on a horse race. But something else caught his attention: a greyhound race.

"I had been interested in the American Kennel Club and dog shows for years, but had never seen or heard of greyhound racing before," Potter said.

He gave it a try and, after four hours of betting, he won enough money to buy a soda. He attended many greyhound races thereafter. "It's just beautiful to see these dogs run," Potter said.

But it wasn't until a family friend adopted a greyhound in 2003 that Potter came into contact with one.

He searched the Internet for local greyhound groups and found the Jewells' then-fledgling organization. Potter became a volunteer, working on communication and fund-raising efforts, mostly from his home.

He now owns two greyhounds, Taylor and Brandy. Brandy lives with Potter and his parents; Taylor, a race dog, lives on a farm in Florida and will begin training in June.

People have a lot of misconceptions about greyhound racing, Potter said. He's visited several training farms and hasn't observed any signs of abuse. Greyhounds, which can reach speeds of up to 40 mph, love to run, he said.

"For me, personally, it is my goal to help the dogs keep doing what they love to do and place them in a home when they retire," Potter said.

His love for greyhounds has spread to his father, Doug, a High Point dentist who also serves on the PRH board of directors.

Doug Potter said his son has become a different person since he's discovered greyhounds.

"The dogs gave him a sense of worth, a sense of importance," Doug Potter said.

George Jewell, concerned for Potter's safety, initially was hesitant about his working at the kennel. But his wife convinced him otherwise.

"He won't break. If he falls, we just pick him back up," Kimberly Jewell said. "I don't view anybody who's handicapped as any different."

Potter, who has earned national recognition for his work, spoke last year at a national greyhound convention.

It still surprises him that his life has changed so much.

"I'm not going to be in the NFL. I'm not going to be in the NBA. This is my chance to be involved in a professional sport," Potter said. ''I just love raising and training them."

Contact Tina Firesheets at 373-3498 or tfiresheets@news-record.com

Caption:
Jerry Wolford/News & Record

Skip Potter has gained national recognition for encouraging Greyhound adoption groups to allow disabled people to work with them.

 

[Justin Jett]

g

 

[OKW Lover]

Thanks for posting your story Skip.

 

[k5jm]

no kidding!
so much ignorance from top to bottom here, very saddening to read

I am not sure where you see ignorance? Shamu 1 is still flying and that is a fact!

 

[jcb]

I am not sure where you see ignorance? Shamu 1 is still flying and that is a fact!

But there is something anachronistic about winglets on an orca.

 

[k5jm]

But there is something anachronistic about winglets on an orca.

Like fins on a chicken?

 

[Lee Disney]

I have very proudly purchased an annual pass to SeaWorld, because the revenue from that annual pass will go to help feed and care for these wonderful animals. Also, it helps support the people who feed, care for, and truly love these animals. I feel sorry for those who have been vilified by someone with a video camera and an agenda.

Is the revenue and royalties from "Blackfish" going to help marine life? Being donated to animal charities? How is the revenue from "Blackfish" being used?

It is okay if Shamu dies, as long as he dies in the ocean? Very interesting train of thought. SeaWorld is "cruel," so let Shamu go hungry and die? Pewrsonally, I think THAT would be cruel!!!!! Shamu can't hunt.

If animals in captivity is wrong......doesn't that call domestic pets into question?

What about police dogs?

Before people paint a person or organization as evil, they should take the time to get to know the people involved!!!!! Not just jump on someone's ban wagon because it is cool.

This whole situation is a bunch of crap, and frankly, extremely annoying.

Please move on!!!!!!!!!!

Well said Skip! I too have a SW Annual pass and love the park and all they do. I live in Florida and see the rescue operations and conservation projects that SW is involved with every day on the local news. I have volunteered with SW on beach clean ups. They are not the villains. I stand behind SW 100%.

 

[HollyL]

What I am about to post is not meant to be disrespectful in any way shape or form.

I apologize in advance if I offend anyone.

Use of words like "kidnapped", "wrongly stolen", "pathetic, tiny, overheated" etc are very similar to the tactics used by PETA.

We are attaching human traits to these animals and they are not human. Orcas may be highly intelligent for an animal, but it is still an animal. Orcas have killed those who treat them the best and deliver food and stimulation. Please don't think I blame the orca anymore than I blame the tiger that hurt Roy of and Roy. They are wild creatures and we lose site of that. They have natural instincts and we can't fault them for that.

What we can do to honor them is to stop giving them human traits. They are beautiful animals, but they are animals.

I would also venture a guess that a lot of folks that are upset by this got their first experience with an orca from Seaworld.

Without SeaWorld, I'm guessing folks would not care as much.

I have a reason to believe this.

Something happened in the last few days that absolutely sickens me and I have not seen a word posted about it here,

Something called the Dallas Safari Club auctioned off a permit to hunt and kill one of the rarest and most in danger of extinction animals on earth...the black rhino.

Experts believe there are less that 5000 left.

Their reason for doing this...because it will help the rest of the rhinos. They state that they will donate the money raised to countries in Africa to help raise awareness and educate people about the rhino.

The said news...some tool with a lot of money paid $350,000 to hunt and kill an endangered animal.

I'm not sure how far $350,000 will go in poor countries, so in my opinion, it's legitimized murder.

I'm guessing SeaWorld raises multiples of $350,000 every day and does it's best to educate guests about the animals on display....none of which are endangered, except maybe the manatee.

All that being said.....no one has posted a word about this. No outrage. No bands canceling performances, Nothing. Zilch. Squat.

It's because of this that I think this hoopla over SeaWorld is overblown.

No offense taken Kevin, and yes, I am saddened by the rhino story that you mentioned as well. There are so many horrible things happening in our world, it just leaves me depressed.
Aside from the term "kidnapped" I don't think any of the terms I used were human traits.
I also have issues with PETA, I think initially their hearts are in the right place, but they take things too far and to the extreme, and that turns many people off.
I don't have the time or energy to be a "cheerleader" for all captive animals, and I do think there are certain animals that benefit from the right type of captivity, but it's not a "one size fits all" situation. There are certain animals that are not meant to be "kept" or used for entertainment.
I don't want to argue anymore, I just know what I believe and I will stick to my guns.
I have encouraged friends and family to watch "Blackfish" and I have also told them what I know from my years of research, but in the end, everyone will decide for themselves what they think is right.
I think orcas in captivity did serve a purpose at one point in time, in the very beginning, when we were ignorant, and didn't know what we were getting into. Many things have been learned, but now, we just know too much, and it's not right. One good thing is that SW is not capturing any wild orcas and they haven't for many years (unfortunately, it is still happening in Russia) and maybe eventually the whole orca display business will die out. I just wish that if this has to continue, that vast improvements will be made. Orcas as not meant to swim in circles and in such close proximity to other orcas that are not pod members. They are not meant to be bred as young and as frequently as they have been, or artificially inseminated, or be separated from their calves. They are not meant to eat dead fish. Sure, the film focuses on SW, but there are definitely worse places that keep orcas. I don't think SW is purely evil, as they do spend one whole penny per every hundred dollars earned on conservation efforts, but there are still too many things done wrong. They need to dig deeper into their pockets and provide a better environment for their biggest money makers. It will never be right, but it will make life just a little easier for their orcas (and dolphins and belugas). Create a "man-made" oceanic type environment and let all of the cetaceans live out their lives without having to perform unnatural tricks and maybe people will not be so outraged.

 

[hipchickie]

So you have a completely preconceived notion of all "activists" due to your career in a field that is known for animal cruelty, abuse and neglect.
Trust me, I know plenty about greyhounds too, I have adopted and fostered greyhounds. Congratulations on being a conscientious breeder, if that is true. It does not negate or make untrue the acts of most others. Just like any work for other sea creatures SW does does not change the fact they are being inhumane to orcas

You obviously have not looked too deeply into the subject, otherwise you would now there is no plan to just truck these animals to the nearest ocean and drop them off. There is a well researched plan developed. Shockingly, SW opposes it and says it will not work

There is a huge difference between an animal that has been bred to be reliant on humans for thousands of years being kept, vs a wild animal that was taken from a healthy life in the ocean. I don't suppose you are aware that while SW purports to not capture wild orcas anymore, they have affiliation with marine parks all over the world that essentially "launder" orcas - catch them in the wild, keep them for a few years, then move them to the US

Did you know that SW actually only gives .0001 percent of their income to help animals in the wild. Before you say that is more than Blackfish, consider that SW promotes this as their mission - Blackfish has never claimed to do more than tell a story.


Since you work with dogs and say you are a humane breeder, and since you did not answer the first time - again I ask, do you think it would be humane to keep a dog on a 3 foot leash its entire life?

Ironically, to the person who brought up the rhino, I find that situation to be acceptable. That is an animal who is going to be culled anyway, and whose culling will actually increase the fertility rate of the herd. Totally different than taking the youngest animals of a herd. That money will all go to conservation - interestingly, the amount raised by that one rhino auction ($350K) is twice what SW actually gave to conservation in 2009 ($172K) (the most recent figures I could find)

 

[k5jm]

So you have a completely preconceived notion of all "activists" due to your career in a field that is known for animal cruelty, abuse and neglect.
Trust me, I know plenty about greyhounds too, I have adopted and fostered greyhounds. Congratulations on being a conscientious breeder, if that is true. It does not negate or make untrue the acts of most others. Just like any work for other sea creatures SW does does not change the fact they are being inhumane to orcas

You obviously have not looked too deeply into the subject, otherwise you would now there is no plan to just truck these animals to the nearest ocean and drop them off. There is a well researched plan developed. Shockingly, SW opposes it and says it will not work

There is a huge difference between an animal that has been bred to be reliant on humans for thousands of years being kept, vs a wild animal that was taken from a healthy life in the ocean. I don't suppose you are aware that while SW purports to not capture wild orcas anymore, they have affiliation with marine parks all over the world that essentially "launder" orcas - catch them in the wild, keep them for a few years, then move them to the US

Did you know that SW actually only gives .0001 percent of their income to help animals in the wild. Before you say that is more than Blackfish, consider that SW promotes this as their mission - Blackfish has never claimed to do more than tell a story.


Since you work with dogs and say you are a humane breeder, and since you did not answer the first time - again I ask, do you think it would be humane to keep a dog on a 3 foot leash its entire life?

Ironically, to the person who brought up the rhino, I find that situation to be acceptable. That is an animal who is going to be culled anyway, and whose culling will actually increase the fertility rate of the herd. Totally different than taking the youngest animals of a herd. That money will all go to conservation - interestingly, the amount raised by that one rhino auction ($350K) is twice what SW actually gave to conservation in 2009 ($172K) (the most recent figures I could find)

Whoa! Getting very close to points land.

You have just veered way off the topic of Southwest Airlines.

So, please enjoy the following picture montage.

 

[hipchickie]

Whoa! Getting very close to points land.

You have just veered way off the topic of Southwest Airlines.

is that a joke?
The topic is an article, this is the discussion.
If you didn't want the discussion, don't post

 

[DisneyKevin]

I