Action Alerts

American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU): Emergency Action: Senate Set to Cave on FISA
As soon as tomorrow, the Senate will begin to debate legislation that would give the president greatly expanded powers to spy on Americans and let telecom companies that broke the law off the hook.

DawnWatch: FoxNews features Smithfield hog cruelty front and center on its website 12/12 — 12/13/07
“North Carolina Authorities Investigate Alleged Pig Abuse by Supplier for Largest U.S. Pork Producer”

DawnWatch: Hit CBS show, CSI, looks at dogfighting — Tonight — Thurs 12/13/07
Next on CSI — December 13, 9pm et/pt – Lying Down With Dogs. Grissom and his team delve into the world of illegal dogfighting to find out who is responsible for the death of a wealthy socialite.

Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC): Protect Yellowstone and the Greater Rockies
Tell the Bush administration to reject the proposed expansion of the Smoky Canyon Mine.

People for the American Way (PFAW): Take Back the Court
I pledge only to support or vote for candidates for U.S. President and U.S. Senate who will protect the federal courts from extreme right-wing, ideological judges in the mold of Chief Justice Roberts and Justices Scalia, Thomas and Alito.

(More below the fold…)

And while we’re at it, I’d like an Invisible Pink Unicorn, too!

OK, so I’ve been slacking on these “Everyday Activism” posts. Big time. Which is sad, because I’m brimming with them. Plus, they’re generally really simple, easy actions that you diy in no time. Not to mention…people have packed books full of these tips!

So, my tip for today: write/call/email/otherwise harass (but politely) food companies, and ask them to provide more veg*n options. This can be a general request, for example, to Kraft Foods, requesting that they make more veg*n food choices available overall. However, my feeling is that it would be better still to target a specific brand. Think of a veg*n product that you enjoy, but that might be the only veg*n item in that line. Or perhaps a mostly-veg*n line that, despite the manufacturer’s overall animal- or eco-friendly stance, still includes a few non-veg*n items. Write the manufacturer and lay out your case.

For example, I sent the following email to Near East. Love their couscous; wish there were more flavors I could actually eat.

I used to enjoy your Tomato Lentil CousCous immensely. I went through a case of the stuff every few weeks when I lived in New York, but was unable to find it once relocated to the Midwest. So I was delighted to see the Tomato Lentil CousCous in a Whole Foods store last month! However, I transitioned from vegetarianism to veganism a few years ago, and was shocked when I read the label – just in case! – and found that the Tomato Lentil contains honey, an animal product.

Please, please consider using substitutes when possible to make your vegetarian items 100% vegan. It’s so disappointing for new vegans to find that their favorite products are off-limits. Going vegan when possible will help to widen your customer base AND foster loyalty with those customers who are limited by various dietary restrictions. I will continue to enjoy your vegan items, such your Roasted Garlic & Olive Oil CousCous, but would greatly appreciate it if you would consider making more of your vegetarian items all-vegan.

Thanks for reading!

It’s usually all about the money, so stress how much they can expand their customer base by making omni items vegetarian, or vegetarian items vegan. Throw in some stats if you’re feeling math-y. Tell them that you used to love their products before you went veg, and miss them terribly. And so do all your veg*n comrades! If only they’d ditch the whey…

And if the company isn’t all about the money, but also professes to care about animals or the environment, appeal to their ideals: explain why an eco-conscious company can’t, in good faith, sell products laced with factory-farmed eggs. (And cage free eggs are no better.) If you’re especially offended by their non-veg wares, threaten a boycott (but only if you mean it!). Unlike the Kraft Foods conglomerate, a smaller, tree-hugging company might actually care about losing your business – doubly so since you’re more likely to fall in their target demographic.

Got an almost-veg*n vendor who needs a good talking to? Leave the details in the comments. Maybe we can get a letter-writing campaign going!

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Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare action alerts everyday activism easyvegan vegan veganism vegetarian vegetarianism food capitalism animal-friendly eco-friendly food options food choices prepackaged food packaged food meals brands lines

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: In Defense of Animals – takeaction [at] idausa.org
Date: Dec 12, 2007 4:24 PM
Subject: IDA eNews: 12-12-07

Having trouble viewing? View online.

News

Holiday Safety Tips for Animal Companions
Keep your whole family safe and happy during this special season
The holidays are a time for family, friends, and fun. But with all the tempting foods, exotic plants, and artificial decorations around, your animal companions may need a little extra protection to keep them safe and happy around this special time of year..

Cast Your Vote for IDA’s Ten Worst Zoos for Elephants in 2007 List
Help us publicize pachyderms’ paltry conditions in captivity
For the last few years, IDA has released its annual list of the Ten Worst Zoos for Elephants to draw attention to the appalling treatment of Earth’s largest mammal in captivity…

Three Face Animal Cruelty Charges for Puerto Rico Bridge Massacre
Perpetrators could spend nine years in prison
The owner of Animal Control Solutions and two of his employees have been charged with animal cruelty for throwing dogs and cats off a bridge in Puerto Rico…

(More below the fold…)

Stephen Colbert hates puppy mills, too!

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Humane Society of the United States – humanesociety [at] hsus.org
Date: Dec 12, 2007 12:49 PM
Subject: What Paris and Britney don’t know about their puppies

****************************************

The Humane Society of the United States
STOP PUPPY MILLS

www.stoppuppymills.org/video.html

****************************************

Learn the dirty secret behind where the rich and famous get their puppies.
Watch our undercover video: www.stoppuppymills.org/video.html

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Last summer, Paris Hilton brought home a new Chihuahua and Britney Spears a Yorkie — both purchased from Pets of Bel Air, L.A.’s pet boutique to the stars.

At Pets of Bel Air, staff members perfume and coif their tiny puppies for sale, creating an illusion of perfection. That illusion fooled Paris, Britney, and many others — showing that even the rich and famous believe what pet store clerks tell them about the puppies they sell.

Watch our exclusive undercover video exposing the dirty secret behind the puppies sold by Pets of Bel Air. Click here: www.stoppuppymills.org/video.html

The HSUS’s undercover investigation revealed that many of the puppies sold at Pets of Bel Air come from puppy mills in the Midwest including Arkansas, Kansas, and Oklahoma. At these large-scale factory farm operations, we found hundreds of breeding dogs living in barren wire cages where they are treated like production machines. Some had untreated injuries, were pacing frantically, and were housed in overcrowded cages that reeked of urine.

Each mother dog at these mills is sentenced to a miserable life in a cage so her puppies can be sold at pet stores across the country. In addition to the lifetime of neglect their parents will suffer, the puppies are also much more vulnerable to illnesses and disease due to the conditions in which they were born — with many falling ill or dying within days or weeks of purchase.

As we celebrate compassion this holiday season, many people will unwittingly support this cruel and inhumane industry when they purchase a puppy from a pet store. Pets of Bel Air is just one of thousands of retail stores and Internet sites that sell puppy mill puppies — and that’s why we need your help. Click here to watch the video: www.stoppuppymills.org/video.html

After you watch our video exposing the truth about the puppies sold by Pets of Bel Air, please share it with your friends and loved ones and help us end this cycle of cruelty. Animal shelters and breed rescue groups are the best sources for dogs — not pet stores or Internet sites.

(More below the fold…)

Action Alerts

Center for American Progress: Tell the Senate to Pass the House Energy Bill
The House passed a strong energy bill on December 6th that goes a long way toward reducing oil consumption. The Senate could vote as early as December 13th. Now is the time to ask your senator to vote for the bill too.

CREDO Action: Filibuster Amnesty Bill for AT&T and Verizon
Tell your senators to support Senator Dodd and filibuster any FISA legislation that includes immunity for AT&T and Verizon.

DawnWatch: New Skinny Bitch recipe book review in USA Today 12/12/07
“‘In the Kitch’: Skinny, vegan, profane; Recipes come with some spice.”

DawnWatch: Pet store puppy mill scandal on CBS and in NY Times and LA Times 12/12/07
Focusing on the ritzy little Bel Air pet store at which Paris Hilton shops, HSUS has carried out a pet store and puppy mill investigation, which has received loads of media coverage.

DawnWatch: Michael Vick sentence on AJC front page and in many other papers 12/11/07
“Vick’s lies boosted prison time; 23-month sentence: Judge cites fallen Falcon’s deceptive answers about dogfighting, pot use.”

(More below the fold…)

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Kinship Circle – kinshipcircle [at] accessus.net
Date: Dec 11, 2007 3:31 PM
Subject: Animals After NW Floods – HOW TO HELP THEM

KINSHIP CIRCLE ANIMAL DISASTER RELIEF
PERMISSION TO CROSS-POST

RELIEF GLOBAL
12/11/07: Animals After Northwest Floods – How To Help Them

www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters/

IN THIS ALERT:

1. Floods Plague Pacific Northwest
2. Pasado’s Rescuers Home From Floodwaters – Aid Still Needed
3. Emergency Boarding For Small/Large Animals
4. Oregon Humane Society Takes Dogs In, Sends Food To Coast
5. CAT Helps Victims In Flood Ravaged Vernonia
6. Emergency Animal Sheltering Workshop/Certification

(More below the fold…)

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Feral Power! – alleycat [at] alleycat.org
Date: Dec 11, 2007 1:10 PM
Subject: Alley Cat Allies Sends Letter Urging Senator Boxer to Oppose H.R. 767

Alley Cat Allies Sends Letter Urging Senator Boxer to Oppose H.R. 767

Proposed bill H.R. 767, the Refuge Ecology Protection, Assistance, and Immediate Response Act, seeks to eradicate “harmful nonnative species” in federal wildlife refuges and adjacent private lands. Although the word “cat” does not appear anywhere in the proposed bill, the broad definition of “harmful nonnative species” could leave hundreds of species open to target—including cats.

The proposed bill passed the House of Representatives. It has now been referred to the United States Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, chaired by Senator Barbara Boxer, who is generally favorable to animal issues. Alley Cat Allies has sent Senator Boxer a letter, also signed by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Humane Society of the United States, urging her to oppose the bill.

Alley Cat Allies has spoken to Senate staff members who report that the Committee will take no action on the bill before the end of December. At this time, we aren’t calling for any citizen action, but we will do so if the bill progresses any further.

Read more about the proposed bill.

Read the text of the proposed bill. (.pdf)

Read the letter Alley Cat Allies sent to Senator Boxer (.pdf)

If you have received this email from a friend and are not already a member of Feral Power!, click here to sign up

Alley Cat Allies · 7920 Norfolk Avenue · Suite 600 · Bethesda, MD 20814-2525 · www.alleycat.org

————————

Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare action alerts alley cat allies ferals cats cat felines Refuge Ecology Protection, Assistance, and Immediate Response Act ecology environment barbara boxer

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Last Chance for Animals – campaigns [at] lcanimal.org
Date: Dec 10, 2007 1:52 PM
Subject: Michael Vick Sentenced Today, Mon 12/10

Michael Vick: Sentenced to 23 Months
A Victory for Animals!

Michael Vick was sentenced to 23 months in prison and three years probation this morning for his role in the “Bad Newz Kennels” dogfighting operation and his participation in the brutal killing of several dogs that did not “perform well”.

During his sentencing the suspended football star apologized to the court and his family. However, Judge Henry Hudson told him, “You need to apologize to the millions of young people who looked up to you”.

In August, Michael Vick entered a plea agreement stating that he took part in an illegal, interstate dogfighting enterprise. In documents filed, Vick said he knew dogs that did not perform well were killed. He said the fights involved gambling although he did not personally place bets. To read the full text of the plea submitted by Michael Vick click here.

Judge Hudson called Vick’s actions “cruel and inhumane” and said that Vick was a full partner in “Bad Newz Kennels” and was therefore equally culpable in all crimes committed. Two of Vick’s codefendants were sentenced last week; Purnell Peace and Quanis Phillips, received 18 and 21 months respectively. The final defendant in this case, Tony Taylor, will be sentenced this Friday.

Prior to the sentencing today Assistant U.S. Attorney General Michael Gill asked Judge Hudson to sentence Michael Vick to jail time at the high end of the guideline range of 18-24 months.
Write to the Honorable Judge Henry Hudson and Assistant U.S. Attorney General Michael Gill and thank them for taking a strong stance against dogfighting.

(More below the fold…)

Action Alerts

Audubon: Ecosystem Restoration Funding in Jeopardy
Please write to your members of Congress and urge them to help restore America’s natural resources by fully funding ecosystem restoration in fiscal year 2008.

DawnWatch: Vegan Ultimate Fighter on Spike TV and Vegansexuals in NY Times 12/8 — 12/9/07
Forget homo-, bi- or even metro-: the latest prefix in sexuality is vegan-, as in ”vegansexual.”

Public Citizen: Keep the Bond Poison Pill Amendment OUT of the Farm Bill!
Bond’s Poison Pill Amendment would create new ways for industry to delay or weaken needed protections for food safety, clean air, worker health and safety, animal welfare, and much, much more.

The Sierra Club: Did your Senators Vote for a Clean Energy Future?
Last week your Senators cast votes on a measure necessary to move forward on clean energy legislation. Unfortunately the measure failed, but your Senators will have another opportunity to vote the right way this week! How did your Senators vote?

The Sierra Club: Act Now to Protect the Northern Rockies!
The Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act (NREPA), introduced by Representative Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) would provide long-lasting protection for this historic territory and the wildlife that reside there.

(More below the fold…)

SPEECH BY AL GORE ON THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE
DECEMBER 10, 2007
OSLO, NORWAY

Your Majesties, Your Royal Highnesses, Honorable members of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen.

I have a purpose here today. It is a purpose I have tried to serve for many years. I have prayed that God would show me a way to accomplish it.

Sometimes, without warning, the future knocks on our door with a precious and painful vision of what might be. One hundred and nineteen years ago, a wealthy inventor read his own obituary, mistakenly published years before his death. Wrongly believing the inventor had just died, a newspaper printed a harsh judgment of his life’s work, unfairly labeling him “The Merchant of Death” because of his invention – dynamite. Shaken by this condemnation, the inventor made a fateful choice to serve the cause of peace.

Seven years later, Alfred Nobel created this prize and the others that bear his name.

Seven years ago tomorrow, I read my own political obituary in a judgment that seemed to me harsh and mistaken – if not premature. But that unwelcome verdict also brought a precious if painful gift: an opportunity to search for fresh new ways to serve my purpose.

(More below the fold…)

Action Alerts

DawnWatch: 60 Minutes on killing of mountain gorillas 12/9/07
onight, December 9, CBS’s 60 Minutes aired at a moving segment, hosted by Anderson Cooper, called, “Gorillas: King of Congo.”

Defenders of Wildlife: Help Farmers Help Wildlife!
Final debate begins this week on the Farm Bill in the Senate — at stake are vital programs that help farmers and ranchers conserve vital habitat for wildlife.

Environmental Defense (ED): Support Conservation Funding in the Farm Bill!
After many delays, the full Senate is expected to begin voting on the 2007 farm bill as soon as on Tuesday, December 11.

National Wildlife Federation (NWF): Final Energy Bill Passes the House! Now Contact Your Senators…
This is it. The House passed the final energy bill. Now it’s the Senate’s turn. Please edit and send the message below urging your senators to vote “Yes!” to clean energy.

(More below the fold…)

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: API Newsletters – donotreply [at] apiforanimals.org
Date: Dec 7, 2007 11:48 PM
Subject: DAF People’s Choice Award / National Bird Day e-Cards

Alerts at a Glance:

* Winner Declared for Design Against Fur People’s Choice Award
- You voted, and the results are just in for this special award — part of an annual design contest to raise awareness that it’s never okay to wear fur.

* National Bird Day Holiday e-Cards Now Available
- New online! Be sure to take advantage of a great way to remind people about this important day — on behalf of the millions of birds around the world who are exploited by the pet industry.

* Other Ways to Help Animals
** NY Artificial: Get an eco-friendly Karuna shopping bag and 60% of the profit benefits API’s work for animals.

(More below the fold…)

Why, oh why, do I get the feeling that this post will see a disproportionate amount of traffic?*

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: In Defense of Animals – takeaction [at] idausa.org
Date: Dec 7, 2007 6:48 PM
Subject: Urgent: Tell FWS to Reject Zoo’s Elephant Semen Import!

Urgent Action Alert: Help elephants by writing to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Deadline is this Monday, December 10!

The Woodland Park Zoo has applied to the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) for an extension of its permit to import semen from a male Asian elephant named Rex at African Lion Safari in Canada for the purpose of artificially inseminating its female elephant, Chai. The Zoo is proceeding with the artificial insemination (AI) attempts despite the known risk that any baby born will contract the deadly elephant herpes virus, which in June claimed the life of Chai’s six-year old daughter Hansa.

The elephant herpesvirus causes death by massive internal hemorrhage and has claimed the lives of 10 elephants since 2000.

In addition to the loss of her daughter, Chai has endured four failed artificial insemination attempts to date. The procedure is highly invasive; elephants are restrained for several hours at a time while veterinarians pass an endoscope through their entire reproductive tract into the uterus.

In their zeal to produce a baby elephant (which always increases zoo attendance), Woodland Park Zoo officials are willing to subject any offspring produced to the significant risks of contracting this deadly virus, and to force the mother, Chai, to endure the anguish of watching another baby die a terrible death.

(More below the fold…)

UPDATE, 12/29/07:

6. You Got The Pet-Killing Dogcatcher Canned

DATE 12/14/07
SOURCE: Kinship Circle’s anonymous source in Gerald, Missouri

12/7/07: Serial Pet Killer Goes Unpunished In Small Town — We share news that at least HALF of what we called for in letters has occurred: The Gerald City Council voted to FIRE the dogcatcher who lured, trapped and shot companion animals at close range. Though dogcatcher Dean Tadaro is jobless, he has NOT been charged with violating animal cruelty statutes. Below is an update from KC’s anonymous source, a resident of Gerald, Missouri:

Brenda, last night the City Council meeting was packed! The lady from the Humane Society of Missouri (Brenda Dean) spoke. The mother of the little girl’s missing cat spoke. The report from the Missouri Dept. of Agriculture (Mary Martin) was read… Many in the audience had their say and the City Clerk spoke of being swamped with phone calls, fax messages, etc. to the point where they could not get their normal work done this week!

The Council voted to fire the dogcatcher and to get a license and abide by the rules/regulations of the state. So, thanks to your help and others we WON for the humane treatment of all animals in our small town!

KINSHIP CIRCLE REFERENCES:

12/7/07: “Serial Pet Killer” Goes Unpunished In Small Town
www.kinshipcircle.org/letter_library/letter.asp?LetterID=1703&seriesfirst=true

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UPDATE, 12/15/07:

TWO EMAIL ADDRESSES HAVE BEEN FOUND SINCE THIS ALERT’S ORIGINAL POST:
– Robert Parks, Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney: unioncse [at] yhti.net
– Gerald Chamber Of Commerce: geraldcc [at] fidnet.com
(Gerald Board Of Alderman meetings held here)

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Just an FYI: You can download the attached Word Doc (with contact info and a sample letter) here.

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Kinship Circle
Date: Dec 7, 2007 5:29 PM
Subject: ACT/ Serial Pet Killer Goes Unpunished In Small Town

KINSHIP CIRCLE PRIMARY – PERMISSION TO CROSS-POST AS WRITTEN

12/7/07: “Serial Pet Killer” Goes Unpunished In Small Town
KINSHIP CIRCLE ACTION CAMPAIGN

www.KinshipCircle.org

SOURCE OF INFORMATION / BACKGROUND:

An anonymous source from Gerald, a town in Franklin County, Missouri, informed Kinship Circle the city dogcatcher has been luring, and shooting caged cats at close range. He’s also slaughtered at least one dog. ALL were companions with caretakers. None were strays.

Our anonymous source, accompanied by local police, found the animals’ burial site on public works grounds, near a lagoon. One young girl’s family, who lost their cat to this “serial pet killer,” is filing charges. But law enforcers have been slow to investigate or press criminal charges. The city of Gerald still employs this dogcatcher.

We urge EVERYONE to send comments via fax, mail or phone calls. There are no publicly available email addresses for town officials. PLEASE WRITE. Let’s show Gerald, MO they are on our “radar screen,” and it is unacceptable and illegal to randomly kill companion animals.

***A sample letter in WORD DOC format is attached to this email. This is so you can easily personalize, print, sign and send it via fax or mail.

(More below the fold…)

Update, 12/8/07:

See also: Best Friends: Vick dogs cleared to come to Best Friends.

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Keep reading after this alert for an important appeal from Kinship Circle…

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Kinship Circle – kinshipcircle [at] accessus.net
Date: Dec 6, 2007 5:19 PM
Subject: Vick’s Dogs/ YOU Helped Save Their Lives

KINSHIP CIRCLE ANIMAL DISASTER RELIEF – PERMISSION TO CROSS-POST

COMPANION ANIMAL CAMPAIGNS
12/6/07: UPDATE – Vick’s Dogs… YOU Helped Save Their Lives

—— Forwarded Message
From: Wayne Johnson – seiku [at] tmail.com
Date: Wed, 5 Dec 2007

—–Original Message—–
From: Shaermedia [at] aol.com

To all of you who wrote and called, thank you. 47 pits will have a good holiday, thanks to you.

EDITED FOR LENGTH
For immediate release: December 4, 2007

ALL BUT ONE OF THE REMAINING AMERICAN PIT BULL TERRIERS IN VICK CASE ARE RECOMMENDED FOR PLACEMENT

VALPARAISO, IND. – Of the 48 remaining American Pit Bull Terriers in the Michael Vick civil forfeiture case, 47 have been recommended for placement with rescue organizations, with many likely eligible for future adoption by the public. The recommendations were made by Valparaiso University School of Law Professor Rebecca J. Huss, court appointed Guardian/Special Master of the dogs. One dog has been euthanized for medical reasons.

…Professor Huss recommended the dogs be placed with eight organizations. Those receiving the most dogs are Best Friends Animal Society, with 22, and Bay Area Doglovers Responsible About Pit Bulls (BAD RAP), with ten. The US Attorney late this afternoon filed a motion in U.S. District Court containing the report and urging the Court to adopt its recommendations. The Court will now determine whether to accept or deny the motion.

(More below the fold…)

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: In Defense of Animals – takeaction [at] idausa.org
Date: Dec 5, 2007 8:06 PM
Subject: IDA eNews: 12-5-07

Having trouble viewing? View online.

News

Guardian of the Month for December – Elaine Hendrix
Actress, activist, and IDA celebrity spokesperson is a superstar for animals
IDA’s Guardian of the Month for December 2007 is the multi-talented Elaine Hendrix.

Victory: Final Four Murphy Horses Safe At Last
Long-suffering Boulder equines will go to new homes in Arizona and California
We are proud to report that the last four Peruvian Paso horses “owned” and bred by Mike Murphy of Boulder, Colo. are finally out of his “care” forever.

Tell Congress to Ban Aerial Gunning of Wolves
Canine-slaughtering season in Alaska to open soon
As part of their “predator control program,” the State of Alaska has already started issuing permits for the aerial gunning of wolves.

IDA Releases Report on Elephant Herpesvirus
Deadly virus is caused by mixing Asian and African elephants in captivity
A relatively recently discovered disease, the Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesvirus (EEHV), is having a deadly impact on Asian elephants in zoos.

IDA Prompts Fish and Wildlife Service to Investigate Illegal Sale of Elephants
Take Action to urge FWS and the USDA to send Tina and Jewel to a sanctuary
Tina and Jewel are Asian elephants in their early forties who have endured lives of hardship and abuse traveling with the Cole Brothers Circus.

(More below the fold…)

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: In Defense of Animals – takeaction [at] idausa.org
Date: Dec 5, 2007 2:57 PM
Subject: Writing Alert: Elephant breeding under fire

The Seattle Post-Intelligencer published an article about a report IDA issued on the deadly elephant herpes virus. Please write a letter to the editor supporting IDA’s call for an end to breeding of Asian elephants at affected zoos, as well as for severe restrictions on the transfer of elephants between facilities. Send letters to The Seattle Post-Intelligencer at editpage [at] .seattlepi.com.

Read “Elephant breeding under fire” online.

Elephant breeding under fire

Risk to baby too high, activists tell zoo leaders

Last updated December 4, 2007
By KATHY MULADY
P-I REPORTER

Animal rights activists called Woodland Park Zoo’s elephant breeding program “reckless” and “irresponsible,” and demanded Tuesday that zoo leaders abandon plans to artificially inseminate an elephant next month.

The group wants to stop the insemination of Chai until a treatment or cure is found for herpes, the virus that killed the elephant’s 6-year-old offspring, Hansa, in June.

“It is just common sense. You have a contaminated facility. There is a very, very good chance you will have another death,” Catherine Doyle from In Defense of Animals told zoo board members.

“It is unconscionable for the zoo to risk subjecting another young elephant to this fatal disease and putting Chai through the anguish of watching another baby die a terrible death.”

(More below the fold…)

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Kinship Circle – kinshipcircle [at] accessus.net
Date: Dec 3, 2007 8:02 PM
Subject: ACT/ Stop Whale Killers: Japan, Norway, Iceland

KINSHIP CIRCLE PRIMARY – PLEASE DO CROSS-POST, AS WRITTEN

12/3/07: Stop The Whale Killers: Japan, Norway, Iceland
KINSHIP CIRCLE ACTION CAMPAIGN

www.KinshipCircle.org

4 SAMPLE LETTERS IN THIS ALERT:
1. To JAPANESE Whale Killers
2. To NORWEGIAN Whale Killers
3. To ICELANDIC Whale Killers
4. To U.S. CONGRESS: Protect Whales

SOURCE OF INFORMATION:

Ask the New Japanese Prime Minister to Stop the Whale Hunt

community.hsus.org/campaign/hsi_whaling_JapanesePM?rk=K1SS0YsqI7ujE

Endangered humpback whales – new target for whalers

www.ifaw.org/ifaw/general/default.aspx?oid=186261&aid=9539&tr=y&auid=3174948

Japanese whalers hunt humpbacks

news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7099720.stm

International Whaling Commission

www.iwcoffice.org/commission/iwcmain.htm#conservation

PETITION: Whales Revenge / Target: International Whaling Commission

www.whalesrevenge.com

PETITION: HELP REVOKE MAKAH WHALING RIGHTS!

www.thepetitionsite.com/2/help-revoke-makah-whaling-rights

(More below the fold…)

Update, 12/12/07

Two more gift guides, courtesy of Vegan Outreach:

* The Vegetarian Site: Top 20 Vegan Gifts under $20

* The Vegetarian Resource Group (VRG): Vegetarian-Friendly Books for Children and Parents (.pdf)

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Update, 12/7/07 @ 2:30PM:

Doh! As feared, I forgot a few links!

Firstly, in terms of animal rescue groups, add Eastern Shore Chicken Sanctuary to the list. You’ll have to make your own gift package, but it’s well worth it. Founded by the lovely pattrice jones, Eastern Shore

provides a haven for hens and roosters who have escaped or been rescued from the poultry and egg industries or other abusive circumstances. In addition to sheltering and advocating for chickens, we conduct research and community education aimed at diet change and agriculture reform.

Also, consider ordering a copy of pattrice’s book Aftershock for the activist in your life. (You can read my review here.)

In my hurry to get this thing posted, already (!) I even overlooked a whole mini-category of non-profit groups: animal rescue groups that primarily care for the companion animals of deployed military personnel. This could make a great gift for a relative who may not normally be concerned with animal welfare issues – but wants to “support the troops”.

Check out:

* Guardian Angels for Soldier’s Pet / MVP Sanctuary: The group is a network of foster homes that care for the animals of deployed soldiers anywhere from 6 to 24 months+. A sanctuary in Arkansas is in the works.

* Elgin Pet Welfare: Located on Eglin Air Force Base, the group is open to the public, but aims to serve those who serve their country.

Come back for updates – methinks there will be a few.

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‘Tis the season…and this season, Americans say they’ll spend around 866 large on gifts for their loved ones. Why not put some of that change to work – changing the world?

Last year, my Holiday Gifts for Activists & Agitators proved to be surprisingly popular (as did its follow-up, Even More Holiday Gifts for Activists & Agitators), so let’s see if we can’t share the love again this year? I’ve got even more links to round up this time around, which means more options for a green, animal-friendly, and socially-conscious Christmas Christmas / Hanukkah / Kwanzaa / Festivus / FSMas season.

(More below the fold…)

Action Alerts

Center for Biological Diversity: Get the Lead Out Across the Golden State
Send a message that it should vote to get the lead out of the rest of the range of condor in California, and phase out the use of all lead ammunition for hunting statewide.

Center for Biological Diversity: Support Wildlife First on the Conte Refuge
Please attend an upcoming meeting or submit comments to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on the management options the refuge is considering. (Tiny Violin(tm) alert on this one, folks!)

Defenders of Wildlife: Take the New Year’s Pledge for Wildlife!
Looking forward to 2008, we’ll need you even more. Start the New Year off right — Resolve to help save wildlife in 2008 with Defenders of Wildlife’s New Year’s Wildlife Action Pledge!

Free Press: Build the Wall of Protest Against Big Media
In 2003, nearly 3 million citizens like you stood up to the FCC. We can do it again. But we have to act now. Add Your Picture to the Wall. Stop Big Media.

New American Dream: Carbon Conscious Consumer (C3) Campaign
Bring your own bag, enter to win a prize!

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