A reader let me know about this:

Kittens used as bait by sports fishermen

This video was taken by an amateur journalist photographer in Venezuela, but also has been reported in the United States. He’s hoping to get the word out. Apparently, some of these “sports” fishermen are Americans.

But I am happy to report: This is a scam.

Save Our Cats And Kittens From Fishermen: Or How To Make Lots Of Money Online

I shared this information on a political action blog, and they did what my research could not: exposed it. Which is what I was hoping. Sometimes, it’s great to be wrong!

As you can see from the original link, there was no money raising requests, no link back to the organizations that were supposed to be fighting it, no clue at that point that this was faked; especially when I went to a lot of fishing sites who were discussing it; and they did not call it out.

I think both I and the reader who called it to my attention were taken in; because we know all too well awful things do go on.

There is a new widget in my sidebar; a fundraising gadget for the lovely people at PetAbuse.com. Visit them and spread the word; they are doing vital and important work.

The soft-hearted among us might be tempted to just drop a few bucks and not expose ourselves to the horrible stories they track there, such as the notorious case of Barry Herbeck. I totally understand… such things make me feel sick.

Though we must recognize that this feeling is a good thing. Why do I say that? Because cruelty should make us feel sick.

This indicates we have empathy, that vital force that lets us share feelings, gain perspective, and experience love.

I am happy I’m that way. I’m sure my readers feel the same.

I took a certain amount of flak online for going public with my concerns about this video, and expressing dismay, and urging action. The fact that is was fake; well, I researched it, but as happens so often, just didn’t get the right keyword combination to come up with a confirmed refutation. Fortunately, someone on the blog I posted on, did.

And I’m grateful. That was one of the reasons I checked with them before I put it on this blog; there’s always someone out there that knows more about something than we do.

It’s the beauty of community.

I don’t mind looking foolish in a good cause. Unlike a lot of scams, this one was not luring people in with nefarious appeals to gain riches or put one over on someone. This scam targeted animal lovers; because they were animal lovers.

I’ll never apologize about that.

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