API: Speak Out against Rabbit Fur Fashion, Leghold Traps, and more!
May 24th, 2007 12:11 pm by Kelly Garbato———- Forwarded message ———-
From: API Newsletters – donotreply [at] apiforanimals.org
Date: May 23, 2007 7:34 PM
Subject: Speak Out against Rabbit Fur Fashion, Leghold Traps, and more!
Spread the Word about the Cruelty of Rabbit Fur Fashion
To further our efforts in educating the public, retailers, and designers about the cruelty of fur fashion, the Animal Protection Institute (API) has now made clips from the recently released rabbit farm investigation conducted by Animal Portugal available online via YouTube.
You can speak out for rabbits and help spread this message by visiting API’s “gofurfree” page on YouTube and viewing, rating, and commenting on these videos.
Fur produced in Portugal is sold around the world. Because much of it is sold as a raw material to China, fur and fur-trimmed garments sold by U.S. stores under the label “Made in China” may have originated on the farms exposed in the investigation.
In the United States no federal laws govern how animals raised for fur should be housed or slaughtered. The absence of federal laws means that industry practices in the United States likely do not vary substantially from those documented in Portugal.
To view the video clips and take action on this alert, go to www.api4animals.org/actionalerts?p=1218&more=1
Speak Out Against Cruel Steel-Jawed Leghold Traps
Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY) has introduced HR 1691, legislation that would ban the import, export and shipment in interstate commerce of leghold traps in the U.S. as well as fur derived from animals caught using these devices.
H.R. 1691 is designed to end the needless maiming and suffering inflicted on animals through the use of leghold traps. With your help, we can build the momentum needed to get this bill moving in the right direction.
Please call, email, or fax your U.S. Representative and urge him or her to cosponsor H.R. 1691, and to support this legislation when it comes up for a vote this session.
To find out more and take action on this alert, go to www.api4animals.org/actionalerts?p=1217&more=1
California Residents: 3 Animal Bills Need Urgent Action
Currently being considered in the California legislature are 3 bills that need your urgent action:
* AB 1634, The California Healthy Pets Act — the spaying and neutering of companion animals
* AB 1614 — veterinary care standards at rodeos
* SB 880 — the sale of Kangaroo skins in California
These bills will be voted on at any moment, so it is critical that you take a few moments and contact your legislators today. Many animals need your voice!
To find out more and take action on this alert, go to www.api4animals.org/actionalerts?p=1216&more=1
Other Ways to Help:
We Count on You!
Saving animals is API’s reason for being, and your support is what enables us to continue advocating on behalf of those who cannot speak for themselves. No donation is too small (or too large) and each and every donation is truly appreciated.
There are a variety of ways in which you can support our efforts — from becoming an API Member to making a memorial or tribute donation to adopting a primate from our Primate Sanctuary. Or you can donate online via our secure website.
We also have several affinity programs in place, such as our Travel program, Bank of America Platinum VISA, Message!Products personalized checks and our vehicle donation program — with more on the way! To learn more, go to www.api4animals.org/donations/index.php?main_page=page&id=4
API continues to partner with a number of animal-friendly businesses. When you Shop Our Partners through API’s website, your compassionate choices support our continued efforts on behalf of animals. For details, go to www.api4animals.org/e10_partner_list.php
Thank you for all that you do to help us help animals!
Posted 05/23/07 – Okay to Forward/Crosspost
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Please do not reply to this email. Send any questions to the webmaster [at] api4animals.org.
Copyright ©2007 Animal Protection Institute, PO Box 22505, Sacramento, CA 95822.
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From: API Newsletters – donotreply [at] apiforanimals.org
Date: May 23, 2007 2:37 PM
Subject: Bulletin: Food and Friends: A Message from the API Primate Sanctuary
Food and Friends: A Message from the API Primate Sanctuary
Feeding the Sanctuary residents is our main task every day. With an annual feed budget of at least $110,000, we plan menus and purchase food weekly for the different troops and various social groups. Along with a healthful and varied selection of fresh fruit and vegetables, we provide commercial monkey diet biscuits, and a forage mix of peanuts, sunflower seeds, and milo. Unfortunately, this year, poor weather across the country during the winter means a major increase in the cost of fresh
produce.
Although food is a critical part of our residents’ lives, an equally important part is companionship with others of their kind. Nonhuman primates are highly social animals and require this companionship for their psychological and emotional well-being. They have complex networks of interaction that are reinforced by grooming and playing. Many of our rescued primates were once kept as “pets.” After an unnatural life in human households, deprived of the companionship of other monkeys, many arrive at the Sanctuary displaying disturbed behavior, such as self-biting. Initially we pair compatible individuals, and with time, increase the number of individuals in a group in order to form larger social groups. It is a long and often difficult process and can take many months to achieve. However, after years of what amounts to solitary confinement elsewhere, it is wonderful to have a successful introduction and watch formerly dysfunctional individuals interacting with others of their kind. Here are just a few of the successful and heartwarming introductions that your support has made possible. At the same time we ask for your continuing support to meet our growing food bill.
Help support us at www.api4animals.org/donations/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=2
Thank you!
Sarah Kite,
Co-director API Primate Sanctuary
Nedim C. Buyukmihci, V.M.D.,
Co-director API Primate Sanctuary
The Story of Carly
You may remember the pitiful story of Carly, a snow monkey who had been severely neglected and forced to spend years as a “pet,” living in social isolation, away from others of her kind in a small cage in a garage.
Carly arrived at the Sanctuary in 2005. Attempts to introduce her with other snow monkeys were unsuccessful due to aggression. Some ex-“pets” are so dysfunctional because of their early life experiences that they may never be able to form social groups with others of their kind. Carly was no exception.
Happily, after many months of trying, Carly was successfully introduced to two other snow monkeys — Chessie and Jerry — who are also ex-“pets.” The three have recently been moved to a much larger semi-natural enclosure at the Sanctuary with new shelters, high “skyways,” as well as a tree and logs, grass and shrubs. All three monkeys now socialize with a number of other snow monkeys who live around them. This enriched social environment is a far cry from those awful years when Carly was forced
to live in that small cage.
The Story of Mo
At first it was difficult to socialize Mo, an 18-year-old snow monkey who came to the Sanctuary from a zoo. Eventually, we were able to successfully introduce him to a social group of younger male snow monkeys in one of our semi-natural enclosures. As the older and considerably larger male in the group, Mo was quickly seen by the others as the “boss.” He showed himself to be tolerant, but quick to discipline if necessary. He also protected low-ranking males who were occasionally picked on by the others.
Once Mo had established himself, we moved the whole group into one of our free-ranging enclosures comprising several acres. Probably for the first time in his life Mo has space, freedom, and the companionship of many other male and female snow monkeys. He has settled well into his new home and has already made a number of friends, including Chirp, who like Mo came to the Sanctuary from a zoo.
New Arrivals
Zach
Last August, the sad case of Zach, a young male rhesus macaque kept as a “pet” by a family in Chicago, hit the headlines. Zach escaped from his cage and bit a teenage girl severely enough that she had to be hospitalized. The girl recovered but Zach was seized by Animal Control as the family had no permit to keep him. In such situations, it is not uncommon for an aggressive monkey to be killed. Fortunately for Zach, he was sent to the API Primate Sanctuary. Unfortunately, cases such as Zach’s are all too familiar to us and demonstrate why all wild animals, not just nonhuman primates, should not be kept as “pets.” Raising primates in human households is not only cruel; it also results in severe emotional and behavioral problems which can lead to dysfunctional behavior. As monkeys reach sexual maturity they become more aggressive and will attack people.
When Zach arrived at the Sanctuary, he showed signs of stereotypic behavior, including thumb-sucking and clutching his feet. He was thin and picky over what foods he ate, showing a preference for sweet things. Zach has now settled well into his new surroundings and, probably for the first time, is able to experience the sights and sounds of other monkeys. He has struck up a close friendship with another new arrival, a young male rhesus named Teddy by Sanctuary staff. Teddy came to the Sanctuary after his “family” reached the right decision that it is wrong to keep primates as “pets.” He is a playful individual with a large appetite. Teddy and Zach bonded very quickly. The two now live together and have become inseparable. They spend their days chasing each other, playing in the water, grooming, and eating together. It is wonderful to watch them.
Jessica
The bonnet macaques we wrote to you about last year have now settled in and are enjoying their new lives. Now retired from the research industry, the group’s youngsters spend their days chasing and playing with each other while everyone enjoys hours foraging in the vegetation and earth. Recently, a young female bonnet monkey found wandering the streets of a Florida beach resort, likely an abandoned “pet,” joined them. Named Jessica, she was immediately welcomed and placed her arms around them
in greeting. It is very rewarding to know the difference we have been able to make to this young monkey’s life.
Betsy
There has been much excitement in the baboon enclosure following the arrival of a number of female baboons. The females have been living in the “introduction” area, an enclosure attached to our natural five-acre, free-range baboon enclosure. This has given them the opportunity to get to know and form attachments with the resident group of baboons. One of the females, Betsy, quickly bonded with Spencer, a male baboon who came from the research industry. Betsy was recently released into the
baboon enclosure and the two are now inseparable. After years of living in a small, desolate concrete pen Betsy can now, probably for the first time in her life, enjoy the natural landscape of trees and space as well as the companionship of many others of her kind.
A Day in the Life of an Ex-”Pet”
As our members know, A Life Sentence, API’s recent investigation, provided disturbing insight into the keeping of exotic animals as “pets.”
In particular, our groundbreaking investigation revealed the sad and lonely existence of nonhuman primates who are forced into unnatural lives.
Forcibly removed from their own mothers at birth, these poor animals may be raised in human households as if they were children. They may be forced to wear children’s clothing and diapers, and be taken around on a leash or in a harness. People will even try to train their “pet” monkey to sit in a highchair, drink from a cup, and use silverware. Such practices can interfere with the animal’s natural development and almost always result in dysfunctional behavior.
Many “owners” also deliberately mutilate their “pet” primates to make them more manageable by having their teeth as well as their fingernails surgically removed. Such practices can be extremely painful and stressful and compromise the well-being of these individuals.
To read the results of our investigation, go to www.api4animals.org/a3b_exotic_pets.php
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Please do not reply to this email. Send any questions to the webmaster [at] api4animals.org.
Copyright ©2007 Animal Protection Institute, PO Box 22505, Sacramento, CA 95822.
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