Promoting Our Wildlife Programs

Posted on by NHARL in News

Today NHARL had an exhibit at the Saving Special Places conference in Alton, NH to promote our various wildlife protection programs, coordinated by our volunteer Wildlife Programs Promoter, Caelin Graber. 

The conference attracted professionals working in conservation, land trusts, and natural resources management, so it was a perfect networking opportunity for NHARL.

One of our talented (and humble) members created this beautiful banner, printed on eco-friendly canvas

The colorful artwork drew visitors to our table and was the perfect starting point for talking about our wildlife programs and the philosophy of just leaving nature alone.

We gave out packets of native wildflower seeds.  

We also handed out postcards (shown below) with more information about our programs and copies of our Landowner’s Guide to Protecting Your Property.

New requests for free No Hunting signs are already coming in!

NHARL will be taking this “Choose Coexistence” exhibit on the road throughout the spring and summer to farmers’ markets and other events.

Join the Turtle Brigade

Posted on by NHARL in Wild Animals

Turtles look tough, but they are in trouble! New Hampshire has 7 species of turtles and 4 are considered in greatest need of conservation. Worldwide, 50% of modern turtles are either threatened or extinct.

Major threats to turtles include loss of habitat due to development and roadways. Other threats include plastic trash, dogs, and non-native turtles released into the wild.

Every turtle is a miracle! Eggs and young turtles are food for many other animals. A turtle that beats the odds and makes it to adulthood can take up to 20 years to reproduce.

Join the Turtle Brigade

Want to help us help turtles? NH Animal Rights League is forming a “Turtle Brigade” to formulate a plan for better protecting New Hampshire turtles from unnatural hazards. Early ideas include assisted crossings, wide use of signage, and protecting/creating nesting sites. Implementation will begin Spring 2025.

Please sign up if you might like to be involved. Signing up is not a commitment!

  • Feel free to provide some additional information about your interest in turtles and any turtle experience or expertise you might have. Thank you!
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Ways to help turtles

  • Watch for turtles crossing the road and assist them if necessary
  • Support conservation efforts
  • Don’t disturb nesting turtles
  • Watch dogs around wetlands
  • Learn your turtles and report sightings to
    RAARP@wildlife.nh.gov
  • Contact NHARL to help us help turtles!
© Caelin Graber

How you can help fight climate change

Posted on by NHARL in Articles & Letters

Letter to the Editor
The Concord Monitor
March 4, 2024

Regarding the Feb. 22 My Turn in the Concord Monitor that is making the most read list, “Our first Virginia winter? How climate change has impacted NH” by Eric Orff, I would like to respond.

Mr. Orff’s My Turn is an important reminder to everyone that climate change is real and happening faster than anyone thought it would. His voice is hugely important because it is being listened to by others who may still be on the fence about climate change. Our carbon footprint is weighing heavily on the only home we have. Some footprints are heavier than others. People who eat meat and dairy have footprints that are 73% higher than people who eat no meat or dairy.

Many of us can’t afford electric vehicles or solar panels but one inexpensive thing we can all do is to eat less meat and dairy, maybe even none.

I recently took an online quiz to see what my carbon footprint is. It came back with these remarks: “Avoiding animal products makes a big difference in your carbon footprint. Cows and sheep are ruminants that let out large amounts of methane gas, and the fact that you prioritize plant-based foods makes an even bigger difference. A completely plant-based diet has about 15% less carbon footprint than even a vegetarian diet that includes eggs and dairy products.”

Thank you, Mr. Orff, for your My Turn. Let’s all start helping by eating more plant based foods, which not only helps the planet, but our own health too.

BJ WAHL
Sullivan

Pet Store Puppies

Posted on by NHARL in Companion Animals

Bought a Sick Pet Store Puppy? What You Can Do

Many people unknowingly buy a sick puppy from a New Hampshire pet store. If this happens to you, there are things you can do to help prevent it from happening to other people — and puppies. Follow these suggestions, and contact us if you need help.
It is well documented that the majority of pet store puppies come from “puppy mills.” A puppy mill is a commercial breeding operation that disregards the well-being of dogs for profit. Animals are housed in crowded and often unsanitary conditions. To maximize profits, female dogs will be bred at every opportunity with little or no respite between litters. When they are worn out or no longer able to reproduce, breeding females are often killed.
Photo Credit: Michelle Heath Photography

Despite the growing trend to adopt a homeless dog rather than support an industry that profits from bringing more animals into the world, there are five pet stores in New Hampshire that still sell puppies.

These pet stores purchase dogs from commercial breeders located in faraway places such as Arkansas and Missouri. The puppies are handed over to truck drivers to be transported halfway across the country to New Hampshire, displayed like a product, and sold to anyone with a credit card.

Peace of Mind Bakery

Posted on by NHARL in Vegan

Peace of Mind Bakery is vegan and gluten free bakery, offering flatbreads, whoopie pies, doughnuts, muffins, cookies, and pizza crust.

The bakery is also home of Magic 8 Donuts! These delicious vegan and allergy-friendly gourmet donuts are made fresh mid-week on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.

Shop online or find their creations in retail locations and restaurants.

Peace of Mind baked goods can also be found in the Gluten-Free/Vegan specialty freezer at many Hannford supermarkets in New England!

Letter: World day for octopuses

Posted on by NHARL in Articles & Letters

Letter to the Editor
Concord Monitor
October 4, 2023

Wolrd Day for Octopuses

World Octopus Day is Sunday, October 8. It is a day to celebrate these amazing animals, and we should do that by pledging not to eat them and avoiding restaurants serving them. If you become aware of a restaurant with octopus on the menu, consider writing a brief email or letter telling them why you will not patronize their restaurant. Octopuses are considered the smartest of all the invertebrates. Because they have no bones, they can squeeze through openings as small as a coin. Octopuses have been recorded escaping captivity and are called the Houdini of the sea. They have nine brains, one in their head and one in each of their eight tentacles. They have three hearts and blue blood.

Life is becoming more difficult for all sea animals because of climate change and overfishing. Octopus populations in the wild are decreasing. So, Spain plans to open the first farm to raise octopuses for the food industry. Being solitary animals, they will suffer greatly in the crowded conditions of a farm. The slaughtering method that would be used is extremely cruel. They will be fed other sea animals, decreasing those already depleted. Aqua farms are notorious polluters. If you search online, you will find more information and a source to sign a petition to stop this octopus farm. Watch ‘My Octopus Teacher’ on Netflix for some inspiration. After viewing, you will want to protect octopuses rather than harm them.

LINDA DIONNE
Raymond

Trupo Treats

Posted on by NHARL in Vegan

Trupo Treats is a vegan chocolate company dedicated to making ethical and delicious vegan milk chocolate.

Founded by the Trupo Twins, Brian and Charlie, the company is veganizing your childhood favorites while also giving back to causes that help animals and the environment.

Summer Outing a Big Success

Posted on by NHARL in News

We had another perfect weather day for the New Hampshire Animal Rights League’s annual summer outing held August 12, 2023 at Four Tree Island, Portsmouth!

President James Glover spent the day behind the grill, with his volunteer sidekick Trevor, serving up plant-based burgers from our friends KindRoots in Somerville, MA.

Volunteers Felisha, Carole, and Lynette were indispensable, setting up beforehand and doling out sides of pasta salad, potato salad, and chips.

Dessert was a decadent platter of mouthwatering vegan brownies and chocolate chip cookies.

Hangin’ Out on the Island

Our annual summer outing gives people who care about animals an opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals. Guests enjoyed seeing old friends and making news ones.

Sno Kones!

Nothing says fun quite like a Sno Kone machine! Linda and Derek jumped in, serving up these frosty creations to our younger guests. 

Speaking up for sea life

The theme for that day was protecting sea life and the ocean. Fish are intelligent animals who feel pain just as we do. Because no U.S. law regulates the treatment of fish, both the commercial fishing industry and fish farms treat fish in ways that would be criminal if they were dogs or cats.

Posters were on display with information about the harm caused by fishing, along with handouts for visitors to take. Many people who were not signed up for the outing stopped to learn more, and we invited them to enjoy a delicious vegan burger.  

Thank you!

Thank you to everyone who came out for this event, to all our helpers, and to those who made donations. We couldn’t do this work for animals without your support.