Dictionary Page A

Agri-business

This is often used to denote factory farms. [ Factory Farming ]

Airline

The distance of a race as measured by a straight line down to the nearest thousandths of a mile is called the airline. It is measured from the area where the birds are released (release point) to the finishing point of the race (loft). The airline is measured and certified by “civil engineering firms.” [66] [ Pigeon ]

Animal Collecting

See "Animal Hoarding." [ Companion Animals ]

Animal Hoarding

Also known as animal collecting, this is a psychological illness known as an obsessive compulsive disorder. Animal hoarders keep a large number of animals in a situation of neglect. They can’t stop thinking about the animals in which they keep, yet they are unable to adequately care for them. No certain number of animals qualifies a particular person to be considered a animal hoarder; it is the circumstance in which the animals are kept that is the distinguishing criterion. The ASPCA defines it as such “A person could keep 40 cats in an apartment, and keep them clean and healthy and not be a hoarder. But if one neglects to care for the animals and his or her environment, and is in extreme denial about the situation, that person is a hoarder.” In some states hoarding can be a crime depending on the level of neglect perpetrated upon the animals involved. However, because hoarding is a mental affliction there is a near 100 percent rate of recidivism even after treatment and/or incarceration. [55] [ Companion Animals ]

Animal Liberation Front (ALF)

"The Animal Liberation Front (ALF) carries out direct action against animal abuse in the form of rescuing animals and causing financial loss to animal exploiters, usually through the damage and destruction of property." No official membership exists because ALF activities are illegal; therefore all members work individually or in small cells. There is also a second section named the Animal Liberation Front Supporters Group (ALFSG). This body seeks to defend activists imprisoned, educate the public, aid and protect the ALF, publish a newsletter, and provide financially for the legal methods of the group. The ALFSG is designed for members who wish to aid in the animal rights struggle yet stay within the law. Therefore all ALFSG activities are legally conducted. [11] [ Animal Rights ]

Animal Liberation Front Supporters Group (ALFSG)

This is a division of the ALF called the Animal Liberation Front Supporters Group. [11] Please refer to the ALF definition above for further information on both the ALF and its Support Group. [ Animal Rights ]

Animal Welfare Act

The Animal Welfare Act (AWA) was created in 1966. [12] The AWA loosely controls how some animals are cared for covering “handling, treatment and transportation.” It is enforced, and I use that term loosely, by a branch of the United States Department of Agriculture named the Animal and Plant Inspection Service. The AWA does not provide protection for animals used in experimentation “retail pet stores, state and county fairs, livestock shows, rodeos, purebred dog and cat shows and ‘fairs and exhibitions intended to advance agricultural arts and sciences.” The act also excludes certain types of animals such as, “birds, all cold-blooded animals (e.g., reptiles), rats and mice bred for research, and horses and other farm animals such as cows and pigs, used or intended for use as food or fiber. Horses and other farm animals are covered if they are used in experiments, but equine animals are specifically denied coverage if they are used in entertainment events.” The protection supposedly provided by the AWA is “minimal” and worse yet is subject to the whims of individual inspectors. [13] [ Animal Rights ]

Antlers

Antlers are the bone like growths atop the head of a male deer. Antler size depends in part on genetics and the composition of his diet. Simply, better nutrition equals increased antler growth. Age also plays a factor as very young or extremely old males do not develop large antlers as do their middle aged counterparts. Antler growth begins in the spring and ends in the fall. Once growth has ceased to occur the antlers begin to harden. Once hard, deer use their antlers for marking trees (called scrapes) and for sparring or fighting with other males. During winter months, the antlers fall off (sheds) and the process begins anew come the subsequent spring. Antler Types [ Hunting ]

Arabian

Originating, as the name suggests, in Arabia this horse was bred by the Bedouin tribe. Arabian horses are known for their “gentle, affectionate nature, [. . .] striking look and proud spirit.” Arabian horses are gray, chestnut, bay, roan, and sometimes black. An Arabian horse is usually 58 - 62 in / 147 - 157 cm (14.2 – 15.2 hands) in height and between 800 and 1000 lbs / 364 – 455 kg. [18] [ Equine ]

Arrival Time

When a racing pigeon arrives at the finish of a race her time is recorded. This time is referred to as the arrival time. [66] [ Pigeon ]

Ash

This term refers to a type of coloration found on pigeons. A pigeon having this coloration has no colored bars on its wings and is a “light tannish color.” Pigeons sporting these colors are sometimes referred to as a “barless Mealy.” [66] [ Pigeon ]

AU

Short for the American Racing Pigeon Union, Inc; this organization touts itself as being the biggest pigeon racing “organization” in the U.S.A. [66] [ Pigeon ]

Aviary

This is a structure constructed of wire rods, similar to a conventional bird cage, which is attached to the outside of a pigeon loft allowing them to bathe both in the sun and water. [66] [ Pigeon ]

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Posted/Updated: 7/09/04