Via the Rainforest Action Network:

Tell the AAM to stop blocking global warming legislation!

Right now, the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers is pouring millions of dollars into trying to block groundbreaking global warming legislation by suing states like California, Vermont and Rhode Island.

At a hearing in Sacramento this Wednesday, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will decide whether to allow California’s groundbreaking legislation to proceed – a decision that will have consequences for all states seeking to enact similar laws.

This week, we need as many people as possible to write AAM President Dave McCurdy and let him know that thousands upon thousands of car owners and potential car buyers want the AAM to stop sinking money into fighting regulation and start investing in real solutions to global warming. Fill out the form [here] to write the AAM now!

——————-

Tagged: environment environmental environmentalism environmentalist action alerts RAN Rainforest Action Network climate change global warming aam Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers global warming legislation EPA Environmental Protection Agency

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: DawnWatch – news [at] dawnwatch.com
Date: May 29, 2007 3:09 PM
Subject: DawnWatch: Huge Chicago Tribune spread on animal advocacy, and Newsday on faux meats 5/27/- 5/29/07

Over Memorial Day Weekend, the Chicago Tribune ran a wonderful story on the cover of its magazine section, Sunday May 27, headed, “Ruffling feathers; Once Viewed as Crazies, Animal Rights Activists Say Their Message is Starting to Get Through.”

Proving the point, New York Newsday, one of the countries most widely distributed papers, has a great story on fake meats, on Tuesday, May 29.

The Chicago Tribune magazine cover story, by Mick Dumke, is huge — over 4,000 words long — with loads of great photos.

It opens telling us that PETA protests KFC, using leaflets informing people “the chain’s suppliers abuse chickens–routinely breaking their legs, cutting off their beaks and scalding them alive before they’re slaughtered for food.” We learn that protesters get some snide comments, but mostly support. We read of a protester handing out leaflets to three kids who came running to her:

“Pollock happily set them up–they’re the future of the animal rights movement, she says–and the mother, stuffing the leaflet in her purse, thanked her.”

(more…)

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: In Defense of Animals – takeaction [at] idausa.org
Date: May 29, 2007 2:41 PM
Subject: Writing Alert: Feds exit the chimp breeding business

The Orange County Register and many publications across the country published an article about the NIH’s announcement that it will end breeding chimpanzees for research. Please write a letter to the editor of the Orange County Register to support a ban on chimpanzee breeding. Call on the agency to go one step further by making a commitment to end chimpanzee research. Send letters to the Register at letters [at] ocregister.com.

Read “Feds exit the chimp breeding business” online.

Feds exit the chimp breeding business
Animal rights groups cheer the move by the National Institutes of Health.

By WILL DUNHAM
Reuters

The U.S. National Institutes of Health, which supports a variety of biomedical studies using animals, will stop breeding government-owned chimpanzees for medical research – a step animal rights advocates lauded.

The NIH’s National Center for Research Resources cited financial reasons for its decision this week to permanently cease breeding of government-owned chimpanzees for research. A breeding moratorium on NCRR-owned and supported chimpanzees had been in place since 1995.

The Humane Society of the United States said it suspects that ethical reasons also were involved in the decision. The group, which opposes the use of these apes as lab animals, said the decision on ending breeding likely also means NIH no longer will be acquiring new chimpanzees through other means.

(more…)

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: DawnWatch – news [at] dawnwatch.com
Date: May 28, 2007 10:29 AM
Subject: DawnWatch: Gourmet Magazine on chicken slaughter methods — June 2007 edition

(I preface the alert below with the sad news that Gretchen Wyler, founder of the Genesis Awards, and a beloved friend and mentor to many of us, passed away on Sunday morning, May 27. An official statement from her family will come soon. Throughout her life, Gretchen led the battle to awaken the media to the plight of animals. It therefore seems fitting to send out news of her passing with the extraordinary news that Gourmet Magazine this month features the plight of chickens used for food. Gretchen made an immeasurable difference in her life, and she left us knowing that we have reached some sort of tipping point, and that real change is on the horizon.)

—————————

The good news roll began in April, when Gourmet Magazine announced that it would start to include a monthly column in Gourmet Every Day featuring vegetarian main courses. The letter from the editor (Ruth Reichl) that month told us:

“Livestock grazing and feed production now use 30 percent of the surface of the planet, and that takes a toll on the environment. Eating so much meat takes a toll on us as well: Most health professionals agree that we would be better off if we consumed less meat and more vegetables.”

The June issue of Gourmet goes a step further, focusing not just on the environmental and human health effects of our meat-laden diets, but also on the animals. On the cover we read, “Investigative Report: A Chicken’s Life.” The story inside, starting on page 94, is headed, “A View to Kill” and sub-headed, “Americans eat almost 9 billion chickens a year, which requires megafarms and giant processing plants. Is there a better way for the birds to meet their end?”

Daniel Zwerdling opens his report by telling us that he was refused entry into chicken supply farms and slaughterhouses as he researched the story. He suggests that the “entire food industry is being kicked and shoved towards transforming the way it treats animals — and chicken executives are making a last ditch effort to resist.”

Unfortunately Zwerdling overestimates progress in other areas. He describes sow confinement pens “so tiny that the animals can’t even turn around” and writes, “In January, executives at America’s top hog producer, Smithfield Foods, stunned competitors by vowing to phase out all their confinement pens across the country. Their sows can now amble around.” That suggests an awfully quick phase-out. In fact, it will be 10-20 years before Smithfield hogs will be able to amble around — unless we pass more state ballot initiatives like the one that banned sow gestation crates in Arizona in 2006.

Yet Zwerdling has reason to write, “These are astonishing developments — especially when you consider that only ten years ago industry leaders shrugged off the animal-welfare movement as the province of kooks.”

(more…)

Via SaveOurEnvironment.org:

Protect Yellowstone, Stop the Snowmobiles!

The Bush Administration is considering a dangerous plan to triple the current average number of snowmobiles in Yellowstone each day from 250 to 720! More snowmobiles would cause an increase in air pollution, noise, habitat destruction, and disturbances for the park’s wildlife and visitors, alike.

Help stop the snowmobiles to keep Yellowstone’s air clean, its wildlife protected, its visitors happy and its winters serene. Hurry! The public comment period deadline is June 5th.

——————–

Tagged: environment environmental environmentalism environmentalist action alerts saveourenvironment.org yellowstone snowmobiles wildlife conservation pollution

The following prose isn’t entirely appropriate for the occasion, but all the tributes to military and working dogs I could find were gratuitously speciesist in nature. The only authentic poem in this genre seems to be the oft-repeated Rags, but…that’s not really Memorial Day fare, either.

So, in lieu of a schizophrenically sentimental tribute to working animals, a tribute to companions everywhere – along with a gentle reminder to love, honor, and cherish them today, tomorrow, and the day after…because you never know when the tomorrows will turn to yesterdays.

For our nation’s soldiers… Bring them home. All of them.

———————

I Am Your Dog

I am your dog, and I have a little something I would like to whisper in your ear.

I know that you humans lead busy lives. Some have to work. Some have children to raise. It always seems like you are running here and there, often much too fast, often never noticing the truly grand things in life.

Look down at me now, while you sit there at your computer. See, the way my dark brown eyes look at yours. They are slightly cloudy now. That comes with age. The gray hairs are beginning to ring my soft muzzle.

You smile at me; I see love in your eyes. What do you see in mine? Do you see a spirit? A soul inside, who loves you as no other could in the world? A spirit that would forgive all trespasses of prior wrongdoing for just a simple moment of your time?

That is all I ask. To slow down, if even for a few minutes to be with me.

So many times, you have been saddened by the words you read on that screen, of other of my kind, passing. Sometimes we die young and oh so quickly, sometimes so suddenly it wrenches your heart out of your throat. Sometimes, we age so slowly before your eyes that you may not even seem to know until the very end, when we look at you with grizzled muzzles and cataract clouded eyes. Still the love is always there, even when we must take that long sleep, to run free in a distant land.

I may not be here next week. Someday you will shed the water from your eyes, that humans have when deep grief fills their souls, and you will be angry at yourself that you did not have just “One more day” with me. Because I love you so, your sorrow touches my spirit and grieves me. We have NOW, together.

So come, sit down here next to me on the floor, and look deep into my eyes. What do you see? If you look hard and deep enough we will talk, you and I, heart to heart. Come to me, not as “alpha” or as “trainer” or even “Mom or Dad,” come to me as a living soul and stroke my fur and let us look deep into another’s eyes, and talk.

I may tell you something about the fun of chasing a tennis ball, or I may tell you something profound about myself or even life in general. You decided to have me in your life because you wanted a soul to share such things with.

Someone very different from you, and here I am.

I am a dog, but I am alive. I feel emotion, I feel physical senses, and I can revel in the differences of our spirits and souls. I do not think of you as a “Dog on two feet” – I know what you are. You are human, in all of your quirkiness, and I love you still.

Now, come sit with me on the floor. Enter my world, and let time slow down if only for 15 minutes. Look deep into my eyes, and whisper to my ears. Speak with your heart, with your joy and I will know your true self.

We may not have tomorrow, and life is oh so very short.

–Love, (on behalf of canines everywhere)

Author Unknown

———————

Photo via slagheap

Caption:

Lance Cpl. Charles E. Byerly, a 20-year-old dog handler, shows his dog Danny, 10, some love at Camp Habbaniyah, Iraq, Sept. 1. He wanted to care for his four-legged companion before they head back for Danny’s retirement in Camp Lejeune, N.C. Danny has deployed three times in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and one to Djibouti, Africa as a military working dog fighting insurgents with Marines. After the dog’s retirement Byerly will adopt his battle buddy. Byerly is from Mars, Pa., and is currently serving a seven-month deployment with 3rd Battallion, 2nd Marine Regiment in the Habbaniyah area under Regimental Combat Team 5.

Photo by: Lance Cpl. Ray Lewis
Submitting Unit: 1st Marine Division
Cleared for Release

To open your heart and home to a soldier’s companion, start at www.guardianangelsforsoldierspet.org.

———————

Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare holidays memorial day working dogs war dogs military dogs working animals pet companion animal dog canine prose literature yesterdays best friends companions mates

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Kinship Circle – kinshipcircle [at] brick.net
Date: May 28, 2007 2:54 PM
Subject: Give Jessie & Cupcake A Future

Kinship Circle Animal Disaster Relief
PLEASE CROSSPOST

Help is desperately needed for 2 puppies in Mississippi, a Gulf Coast state still operating with limited resources in the aftermath of Katrina.

Linda Merideth lives in Greenville, Mississippi. She rescued 19 dogs from miserable conditions at a Mississippi shelter. Of the 7 dogs she was forced to leave behind, 3 have since died.

Linda has managed to place all survivors except Cupcake and Jessie. These two puppies, both under 4 months, need foster homes by THIS FRIDAY (June 1, 2007) when Linda travels out of state.

Linda is willing to pay for transportation or other necessary fees, if assured the dogs go into “good, loving hands.”

If Cupcake and Jessie do not find homes by this Friday, they will return to the same substandard shelter from which they were rescued.

ANYONE WHO CAN HELP, CONTACT:
Linda Merideth
662-332-7955, HLM500 [at] aol.com

**Due to urgency of situation, please do not waste time contacting Kinship Circle. Speak to Linda Merideth directly. You are welcome to copy us on any emails.

This is Cupcake.

German Shepherd mix
Female, Unaltered
Estimated Age: 3 to 3-1/2 months
Weight: 18-20 lbs.
Coloring: black and brown

This is Jessie.

Mix (?) With Some Shepherd
Female, Unaltered
Estimated Age: under 3 months
Weight: 15 lbs
Coloring: brown and gold

ANYONE WHO CAN HELP, CONTACT:
Linda Merideth
662-332-7955, HLM500 [at] aol.com

**Due to urgency of situation, please do not waste time contacting Kinship Circle. Speak to Linda Merideth directly. You are welcome to copy us on any emails.

(more…)

Animal Abuse

Petition to get profiles that promote animal abuse off of Myspace

We,the undersigned would like for myspace to revisit the issue of whether or not the profile promoting bestiality (myspace.com/i_luv_muh_k9 as well as many other profiles like this one) truly falls in the appropriate content category as we have found this profile promoting animal abuse morally reprehensible (as well as others like this) Thank you. [Read more...]

Help fight violence against animals in middle Georgia!

This petition is for the citizens of middle Georgia to voice their disgust about the violence being committed against animals by teenagers. Recently, there were several incidents that have been reported regarding teenagers killing and mistreating animals in Macon, Georgia. www.macon.com/198/story/42942.html, www.macon.com/198/story/43843.html, www.macon.com/220/story/43246.html. The Macon Telegraph reported three boys who burned a dog to death and teenage girl who threw kittens down a storm drain the week of May 14th, 2007. While these offenders are minors and some of these animals survived, this points to a serious problem with middle Georgia’s youth that needs to be addressed. [Read more...]

Animals As Entertainment

FREE MAGGIE

“Maggie” is the Alaska Zoo’s African Elephant that has been at the Ak zoo since 1983, and since 1997 when her companion died, she has been alone. She has a very small inside living quarter, appx 1600 sq. feet ..that is jail-like in appearance. Despite being a herd animal and naturally in dry, hot temperatures, she is alone and spends approximately half the year inside. My family loves the AK Zoo, we love Maggie and want to see her in a place more suited to what and who she is. We have spent time talking to her through the metal bars and watched her as she chewed on sticks and threw them for entertainment. She has a tread-mill that the zoo has designed for her to get exercise, but it has been reported that she will not use it. Please sign to show that Maggie, although loved in Alaska, needs to be in a location better suited for the magnificent animal she is. [Read more...]

Tell the NFL commissioner to expel Michael Vick

Prosecutors and the NFL are trying to find out if Michael Vick was involved in a dog fighting ring at a Virginia house that he owned. Please tell the NFL commissioner that such behavior is unacceptable to us as animal lovers and football fans. [Read more...]

Give Michael Vick the maximum sentence for dogfighting!

Micheal Vick is fighting DOGS. Because he is famous, he might not get ANY jail time or anything. We need to send a message to EVERYONE that dogfighting is WRONG!! [Read more...]

Animals As Food

Factory Farming- Stop the Brutality. Put an end to the Exploitation, Pollution and the Waste!

Please boycott Factory Farmed beef, pork, poultry and fur products. Why support a cruel industry that kills millions of animals in a violent and inhumane way every year through Factory Farming and Fur Farming and Trapping? Film footage, photography and interviews with meat and fur industry employees is documenting regularly that animals are routinely being scalded, skinned and dismembered while still alive and conscious, on a daily basis across the country. The United States Department of Agriculture was made aware of these violations of the “Humane Slaughter Act” when it was given copies of the Humane Farming Association’s Chief Investigator’s, (Gail Eisnitz) book “Slaughterhouse”, which documents meat industry abuses. [Read more...]

Animals As Game

Stop Canned Killing of Animals for Sport or Amusement

To the Chair of the State Senate Environmental Conservation Committee, Senator Carl Marcellino. Senate Bill 784 which would stop canned shooting of animals for sport or amusement is being reviewed by this committee. Make your statement to end canned shooting known by signing this petition. [Read more...]

Save the Bears in Pakistan from Bear beaiting!

Bear baiting is possibly the world‘s most savage blood sport. Teeth and claws removed, bears are tied to a post and set-upon by pit bull terriers. [Read more...]

Wildlife Conservation & Environmental Issues

Protect Sturgeon, Source of Black Caviar

Sturgeon have roamed our seas for nearly 200 million years, but over the last few centuries they have declined at a rapid rate because of overfishing to supply global demand for their salty roe, or caviar. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) has monitored the sturgeon and caviar trade since 1998, but its actions so far have not stemmed the decline in the species. In fact, some evidence suggests that the Caspian Sea population of beluga sturgeon experienced a 45 percent decline from 2004 to 2005. [Read more...]

PROTECT HAWAI‘I’S OCEANS FROM HARMFUL HUMAN-GENERATED NOISE

The warm waters of the Hawaiian Archipelago are a natural safe haven for marine life, as well as a source of recreation for all who enjoy our waters. As stewards of this refuge, the people of Hawai‘i have a kuleana (obligation) to ensure it is fully protected. [Read more...]

NEW YORK CITY! IMPLEMENT BIODEGRADABLE PLASTIC BAGS!

We ask that New York City implement the usage of environmentally safe biodegradable plastic bags in every store in New York City. At the moment New York City still uses unsafe, harmful plastic bags which choke the environment, the land, the oceans , even children. They take thousands of years to degrade. New York City can do better than that! [Read more...]

Miscellaneous

If Animals Could Vote – PATH’s Eight for 08

People Protecting Animals & Their Habitats – PATH Inc. believes the United States of America can and should become a more humane and compassionate nation. Treating nonhuman animals with compassion not only protects animals, but also benefits humans by improving public health and conserving natural resources. By signing this petition I am informing all candidates seeking elected offices (local, state and national) in 2008 that treating animals with kindness and compassion matters to me and that I support… [Read more...]

————————

Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare environment environmental environmentalism environmentalist action alerts petitions the petition site animal abuse cruelty to animals animal cruelty bestiality zoophilia myspace Georgia dog canine cat feline pet companion animal Alaska Zoo elephant zoos Maggie Michael Vick animal fighting dog fighting NFL National Football League Virginia factory farming meat slaughterhouse humane slaughter act hunting canned hunting new york Carl Marcellino Pakistan bears bear baiting blood sports sturgeon caviar black caviar fishing overfishing Hawaiian Archipelago Hawaii noise pollution marine life New York City NYC bags plastic bags biodegradable plastic bags People Protecting Animals & Their Habitats PATH Inc. 2008 elections elections voting

See also: IDA: Protest Hartford Hospital’s Live Pig Trauma Lab.

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Kinship Circle – info [at] kinshipcircle.org
Date: May 26, 2007 3:48 PM
Subject: LETTER/ Pigs Aren’t People. Stop Live Labs.

Kinship Circle Primary – PERMISSION TO CROSS-POST AS WRITTEN
(Please do not delete identity/disclaimer information)

5/26/07: Hartford Hospital: Pigs Aren’t People. Stop Live Labs.
KINSHIP CIRCLE ACTION CAMPAIGN

www.KinshipCircle.org

SOURCE OF INFORMATION:

Justin Goodman, justin_goodman [at] sbcglobal.net

Detailed info about Hartford Hospital campaign: www.uchckillsmonkeys.com/harthosp

Pigs As `Patients’ Draws Protest / Animal Rights Activists Decry Surgical Training Program

Advanced Trauma Operative Management

www.harthosp.org/ATOM/index.asp

Surgery trainees/practitioners manage 14 traumatic injuries in live pigs (right column, page 472)

www.uchckillsmonkeys.com/jacobs_atom_2003.pdf

U.S. Department of Agriculture documents (see page 5)

www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_welfare/downloads/7023/2005/2005Connecticut.pdf

====================

SAMPLE LETTER & CONTACT INFO

Sample letters are prepared to give you ample background on an issue.

Try to change some words, pare down letters, and make them your own.

**DELETE ALL REFERENCES TO KINSHIP CIRCLE BEFORE SENDING**

====================

(more…)

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Farm Sanctuary – info [at] farmsanctuary.org
Date: May 25, 2007 3:52 PM
Subject: Farm Sanctuary’s E-News & Action Alert 05/25/07

Speak up now for Chicago’s foie gras ban!

Ever since the passage of Chicago’s historic foie gras ban in 2006, the foie gras lobby has been using every trick in the book trying to overturn it. We need every animal protection advocate in the U.S. to speak up and voice support for Chicago’s humane law. Click here to find out how you can help!

Brooklyn Ducks, Chickens Find Refuge, Seek Permanent Homes

When separate groups of ducks and chickens were dropped off at New York City Animal Care & Control on the same day, it left a lot of people scratching their heads. But a closer look at the animals revealed they were all around eight weeks old, their ages coinciding with the annual influx into shelters of abandoned baby animals purchased around Easter. Now, the lucky ducks and chickens are living at Farm Sanctuary’s New York Shelter and are seeking placement into loving homes as part of our Farm Animal Adoption Network. Read more.

Call for Artwork and Auction Items for Farm Sanctuary’s 2007 Gala

Thanks to the generosity and creativity of auction contributors, Farm Sanctuary auctions have raised thousands of dollars for our rescue and protection campaigns, helping us to help more farm animals. We are currently seeking contributions of farm animal-inspired artwork and other unique items for Farm Sanctuary’s Gala for Farm Animals, which will take place in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Sept. 8. Showcase your artwork or promote your business and help farm animals all at the same time! For more information, contact us at 607-583-2225 ext. 237 or mailto:gala [at] farmsanctuary.org.

Activists of the Month! Glenn Gaetz and Joanne Chang

Glenn Gaetz and Joanne Chang lived worlds apart as children. When fate smiled upon them as adults and they met while traveling along a similar path, Joanne and Glenn not only discovered a promising future with each other, but also a shared life devoted to animal advocacy. Now Glenn and Joanne are two inspiring parts of a powerful pair that’s doing all it can to take action and speak up for those who can’t. Read more.

In the News

Governor’s Signature Bans Horse Slaughter
Chicago Tribune – May 25, 2007

Life Long Vegetarian Diet Reduces The Risk Of Colorectal Cancer
Science Daily – May 23, 2007

In the Store

Factory Farming Compilation DVD
(75 min.) Compilation DVD featuring five productions (including Life Behind Bars) and seven public service announcements on various industries.

About Farm Sanctuary

Photo via nullalux

Farm Sanctuary is the nation’s leading farm animal protection organization. Since incorporating in 1986, we have worked to expose and stop cruel practices of the “food animal” industry through research and investigations, legal and legislative actions, public awareness projects, youth education, and direct rescue and refuge efforts. Our shelters in Watkins Glen, NY and Orland, CA provide lifelong care for hundreds of rescued animals, who have become ambassadors for farm animals everywhere by educating visitors about the realities of factory farming. For more information about Farm Sanctuary or our programs, please visit www.farmsanctuary.org or call 607-583-2225. To become a Farm Sanctuary member or to make a donation today using our secure online form, www.farmsanctuary.org/join/donate2.htm. For updates on previous action alerts, www.farmsanctuary.org/actionalerts/update.htm.

Please forward and distribute widely! Thank you
Farm Sanctuary, P.O. Box 150 Watkins Glen, NY 14891.

–

To subscribe: www.farmsanctuary.org/signup.htm

———————-

Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare action alerts farm sanctuary foie gras duck liver chicago chickens pets companion animals easter novelties Farm Sanctuary’s 2007 Gala artwork donations auction gala events Farm Sanctuary’s Gala for Farm Animals September 8 Beverly Hills California Glenn Gaetz Joanne Chang flickr pig