George Blake continues his hunger strike for animals

http://www.nilesstar.com/articles/2008/04/08/news/ndnews2.txt

By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
Tuesday, April 8, 2008 10:51 AM EDT

NILES - Eleven days ago, George Blake went on a hunger strike for abandoned animals. As of Monday, Blake has lost 20 pounds and said it's been "tough. I haven't eaten anything and I've only been drinking water."

Blake is going on a 40-day hunger strike, which will end on May 1. The only thing he will consume is water. The hunger strike is an attempt to bring awareness to the rising number of animals being abandoned. Blake, manager at Ewert's Pet Store has seen first hand the number of reptiles, birds and fish that often get dropped off at the store.

"People are turning their animals loose on an increasing basis because they can't afford to take care of them or they don't want them anymore," Blake said.

Though Ewert's does not accept cats or dogs, Blake encourages people with other animals to bring them to his store before taking matters into their own hands.

"It's a misdemeanor to abandon an animal and, in some cases, can be a felony as well. There are other options for these animals and we want everyone to know that our door is always open," Blake said.

In preparation for his hunger strike, Blake educated himself by reading different books about fasting. He also fasted for five days in the northern Michigan woods in 2005 and in 2006, Blake and his son traveled to the Arizona desert, where the two went 39 and one half days without food.


FULL story at link.

to raise awareness. Good for him.