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From: API Newsletters - donotreply [at] apiforanimals.org
Date: Jul 21, 2007 7:17 PM
Subject: Speak Out for Circus Animals, Rabbits, and Wildlife

Alerts at a Glance

* Give Denny’s Your Views on Ringling Bros. Partnership
- Speak out on behalf of circus animals regarding marketing partnership between Denny’s and Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus.

* Oppose PetSmart’s Decision to Sell Rabbits
- Contact PetSmart to oppose its policy change on rabbit sales, and increase the chances of adoption for homeless rabbits across the country.

* Good News for California’s Wildlife
- Local cities and counties maintain the right to enact anti-trapping laws aimed at protecting wildlife, companion animals, and community safety. Please thank the Senator who helped.

* More Good News: Two Humane Bills Move Forward in California
- Find out how two proposed wildlife bills will help establish protective standards for local wildlife and communities, and how you can help them become law.

* Other Ways to Help Animals
- Sedona Spa Beauty Products: Pamper yourself with cruelty-free spa products while helping API help animals.
- Slightly Outrageous Artwork: Support API’s work with a colorful, whimsical framed animal print or wearable art piece.

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National Alert: Give Denny’s Your Views on Ringling Bros. Partnership

The Animal Protection Institute (API) was deeply disappointed to learn of a new marketing partnership between Denny’s family-style restaurant chain and Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. According to a joint press release, this partnership is designed to provide families with an affordable and fun opportunity to spend time together. However, circuses with animal performers are certainly no fun for the animals involved, who are trained through intimidation and abuse to perform tricks for
a few minutes of “entertainment”.

On behalf of the animals in the circus, please take this opportunity to let Denny’s know your opinion of this partnership. Please contact Denny’s CEO Nelson Marchioli to politely urge him to end the marketing arrangement with Ringling Bros. and to let him know that the abuse and exploitation of animals for profit is not a fun form of family entertainment.

To find out more and to take action on this alert, go to www.api4animals.org/actionalerts.php?p=1254&more=1

National Alert: Oppose PetSmart’s Decision to Sell Rabbits

PetSmart has recently announced plans to begin selling dwarf rabbits in its stores. This disturbing decision goes against its previous policy of not selling rabbits but instead partnering exclusively with local rabbit rescue organizations, thus allowing these groups a place to showcase the many homeless rabbits in need of adoption around the country.

PetSmart needs to hear from you in opposition to this decision, which is detrimental to the lives of countless rabbits who end up abandoned in shelters each year — often facing euthanasia. As the third most relinquished animal, behind dogs and cats, rabbits need all the protection they can get towards obtaining a good home, with a caregiver who can adequately meet their needs.

Please contact PetSmart and ask that it not sell rabbits, and instead continue in its tradition of partnering exclusively with rescue groups to find homes for the many homeless rabbits around the country. Additionally, ask that PetSmart discontinue the sale of all live animals in its stores.

To find out more and to take action on this alert, www.api4animals.org/actionalerts.php?p=1255&more=1

California Alert: Good News for California’s Wildlife

California residents, all your hard work in opposition to AB 815 has helped to protect wildlife within the state! AB 815, legislation that would have stripped away the rights currently held by cities and counties in California — to enact local, community-specific anti-trapping laws — has come to a grinding halt in the Senate Natural Resources committee.

If AB 815 had passed, the state Fish and Game agency would have become essentially the only entity with the power to adopt laws or regulations regarding the taking of fish and game in California.

API has devoted much effort over the past few months to opposing this bill, a bill which would have had such a negative effect on the ability of local city and county governments to protect their citizens, companion animals, and wildlife. Additionally, during the committee hearing, Senator Sheila Kuehl eloquently articulated several important concerns about the legislation to committee members. As a result, AB 815 was held by the committee and will not move forward.

Please consider taking a moment to thank Senator Kuehl for her actions on behalf of wildlife.

To find out more and to take action on this alert, go to www.api4animals.org/actionalerts.php?p=1239&more=1

California Alert: Good News Update: Two Humane Bills Move Forward in California

AB 1477 and AB 449 recently passed the Senate Natural Resources & Water Committee. These bills are sponsored by the California Animal Association (CAA), of which the Animal Protection Institute (API) is a founding member. If passed, AB 1477 and AB 449 will work in concert with each other to establish fundamental standards that will provide basic protections for wildlife in California when wildlife control operators are hired to deal with conflicts between humans and wild animals.

AB 1477: will require that wildlife control operators inform customers of available non-lethal methods and that lethal methods actually will be used, if necessary, to kill the animal. In addition, non-target animals (such as family dogs and cats) found in traps would be immediately released or, if injured or diseased, would receive treatment. Finally, wildlife control operators would need to complete continuing education coursework.

AB 449: In situations where the animals must be killed, AB 449 would require that the animals captured by these individuals could be killed only by methods approved by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) panel on euthanasia.

To find out more about these bills and how you can help, go to www.api4animals.org/actionalerts.php?p=1253&more=1

Other Ways to Help Animals

Sedona Spa Beauty Products

The Sedona Spa product line is an exquisite array of spa-inspired products using the best nature has to offer — and particularly the best of nature in the Southwest — to provide elegant products for face, hair and body. All of Sedona’s products are cruelty-free and use animal-free ingredients. Shop Sedona Spa, and 50% of your sales total (minus shipping and taxes) will be donated back to API. Sedona — natural beauty, eternally Southwest. Click here.

Slightly Outrageous Artwork

Animal advocate Lynn Sunday creates colorful, whimsical 8″x10″ and 11″x14″ frameable prints of both dogs and cats as well as wearable ceramic animal images. You can see all of her work at the Slightly Outrageous Artwork website. Lynn will graciously donate 15% of each net sale to API. Go to www.slightlyoutrageous.com

Posted 07/21/07 - Okay to Forward/Crosspost

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Copyright ©2007 Animal Protection Institute, PO Box 22505, Sacramento, CA 95822.

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Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare environment environmental environmentalism environmentalist action alerts api animal protection institute denny’s circus Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus petsmart rabbits overpopulation California wildlife conservation trapping local laws Senator Sheila Kuehl Sedona Spa Lynn Sunday Slightly Outrageous art beauty products