Action Alerts

Finnish Support Group for Bear Rescue in Asia: HELP RESCUE CAGED MOON BEARS
Please sign this petition to be sent to the Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean Governments. Our bear rescue petition has already been forwarded to the Chinese government, but signatures are still being collected in petitions to be forwarded to the Vietnamese and South Korean governments.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA): Ask That Charges Be Filed Against Trooper Caught on Tape Abusing Police Dog!
Many of you may have heard about the recent outrage generated by a video in which an apparent North Carolina state trooper strings up his canine partner by the legs and kicks and yells at the dog, apparently as a twisted form of “discipline.” According to news sources, former Highway Patrol Sgt. Charles Jones was fired last September after the video came to the attention of North Carolina Gov. Mike Easley, who apparently asked that Jones be dismissed from duty.

Public Citizen: Demand a Strong Consumer Bill
With your help, we recently pushed the House and Senate to pass legislation that will make consumer products safer. Now we’re heading to the finish line. Today, members of the House and Senate will begin negotiating differences in the legislation they passed and writing a final bill.

Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA): Washington County Bill Is Still Unacceptable for Wilderness
On April 9, Senator Bob Bennett (R-UT) introduced S. 2834, the Washington County Growth and Conservation Act of 2008. While in some ways this bill is better than Senator Bennett’s 2006 version, which you helped to defeat, it still contains some of the same damaging provisions for southwestern Utah that would perpetuate bad precedents for all future public lands bills. Once again we need your help! Please let your Senators know that S. 2834 is bad for Utah wilderness!

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…she’s having three more teeth extracted today, for a grand total of nine since we adopted her in September of ‘06.

She’s a tough broad, but I still worry with the anesthesia and all. Not to mention, the dental specialist doing the surgery is located an hour and a half from our house; he’s on the south side of the city, while we live up north. So. Shane drove her down there this morning (she had to be there by 7:30 AM – yeeks!), and is hanging out at the nearest McDonald’s, working off his laptop, while she undergoes and recovers from the surgery. Since he’ll be gone so long – probably upwards of 12 hours – we decided it would be best if I stayed home with the other four. (Lest we come home to, I dunno, feces on the walls? These dogs are seriously spoiled.) So I am really freaking out. If something goes wrong – ugh, I can’t even be there. I’m so worried about Kaylee, the backed up kitchen sink and leaky roof aren’t even bugging me.

Sigh.

This is gonna be a looooong day.

UPDATE, 9 PM: Kaylee’s back home, snuggled in bed and doing well. She ended up having four teef yanked instead of three. Turns out her super-fang had a fistula, which connected it to her nasal cavity. The vet found out when he squirted some liquid teeth cleaning solution in her mouth during surgery…and it came out her nose. So it had to go. So long, Eva Fangoria.

Photos after the jump.

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———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Kinship Circle – kinshipcircle [at] accessus.net
Date: Tue, Apr 29, 2008 at 5:51 PM
Subject: FIRE STATUS: Sierra Madre, California

KINSHIP CIRCLE ANIMAL DISASTER AID NETWORK – PERMISSION TO CROSS-POST
Networking resources for animal disaster victims + companion animal campaigns

RELIEF GLOBAL, www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters
4/29/08: California — Sierra Madre Fire Zone

IN THIS ALERT:

1. Fires Near Los Angeles, Evac Orders Lifted Today
2. MuttShack Report From Sierra Madre Fire Zone
3. Fire Evacuees’ Pets Sheltered In Pasadena

There is no call for outside help for animals in Sierra Madre (CA) fires atthis time. We will let you know if this changes.

PHOTO: From 400 Montecito (just east of Canon), 11:31pm, www.sierramadrenews.net/

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———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Kinship Circle – kinshipcircle [at] accessus.net
Date: Mon, Apr 28, 2008 at 4:43 PM
Subject: ACT/ Tell NIH Animals Don’t Smoke

KINSHIP CIRCLE PRIMARY – PERMISSION TO CROSS-POST AS WRITTEN

4/28/08: Tell NIH Animals Don’t Smoke

EMAIL kinshipcircle [at] accessus.net FOR WORD DOC OF A FORMATTED LETTER.
Easily modify letter and copy/paste it into an email or print out to fax or mail.

LEFT: This monkey was used in an experiment in which pregnant females are injected with nicotine in order to observe its effects on their fetuses’ lungs. PETA

RIGHT: Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) experimenter Eliot Spindel has been killing infant monkeys (like Thimble, pictured here) in nicotine studies for 24 years. IDA

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Action Alerts

Defenders of Wildlife: Make the Call for Wyoming Wolves
Since the Bush Administration ended protections for wolves in the Northern Rockies, at least fourteen wolves have been killed in Wyoming — the most of any state in the region.
Help change the political climate that is driving the wolf slaughter. Call the Wyoming Governor’s Office at (307) 777-7434 and deliver this message…

National Horse Protection Action Fund: Senators, Stop Stalling!
Horse slaughter plants in Illinois and Texas were officially shut down last year, but this success is only temporary until the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (S 311/HR 503) is passed. This law would outlaw slaughter throughout the entire United States and prohibit the export of horses for the same purpose.

Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC): Tell your representative not to reverse important protections against dirty fuels
Coal industry supporters in Congress have introduced legislation that would repeal important provisions of the 2007 energy bill that prevent federal agencies from purchasing liquid coal and other dirty fuels. Urge your representative to oppose any legislation that would reverse these important protections.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA): Help End the Sale of Cruel Glue Traps
Many major companies—like CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreens, and Safeway—have stopped selling glue traps because of the suffering that they cause. Sadly, other corporations insist on stocking glue traps despite repeated letters and phone calls from PETA staff trying to convince them otherwise. Now we need your help!

Save the Manatee Club: Help Ensure Emergency Treatment for Manatees
Thanks to your help, the Florida House recently concurred with the Florida Senate during the Budget Conference and has agreed to fund the manatee rescue and rehabilitation program, University of Florida Marine Mammal Veterinary program, and retention of 66 law enforcement positions for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), but this funding is conditional on the passage of the vessel fee increase bill (SB 1286).

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[A] commenter asked me:

What root system does your concept of ‘animal rights’ come from?

My answer: They’re self-evident.

The fact that we need cages and fences to contain animals suggest they have wills of their own that that those wills do not match human desire. Moreover, having shared my life with plenty of creatures, I’ve gotten to know their personalities and can surely tell you that they are sentient beings who experience physical pain and emotional pain. I need no God or state to prove this to me. I know it from my experience and my capacity to think and empathize.

- Elaine Vigneault, What Are Animal Rights?

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Tagged: quotables rights animal rights Elaine Vigneault

Wear a mask in public, go to jail. The fashion police have spoken:

On Saturday, April 12, an FBI agent arrested an animal rights activist at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA. The activist was charged with wearing a mask in public—a Class 6 felony in Virginia.

On April 5, the arrested activist attended a protest at GMU and wore a mask. After the GMU Police Department identified the activist, a warrant was issued for his arrest. When he appeared at a protest one week later, he was identified and subsequently tackled and arrested. The arrested activist was protesting Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus for their history of animal abuse.

The FBI agent who arrested the activist is part of the Joint Terrorism Task Force and is based in Prince William, VA. His name is Vincent Antignano and his badge number is #1035. He was stalking the arrested activist after he protested on numerous occasions against a private company, Huntingdon Life Sciences, which conducts medical tests on animals.

The activist was arrested for violating Virginia’s law on face masks, which states “it shall be unlawful for any person over sixteen years of age while wearing any mask, hood, or other device whereby a substantial portion of the face is hidden or covered (§18.2-422 )”

Via Will Potter, who adds:

I spoke with the activist arrested, and I think it’s critical to note that neither he, nor the other protestors, were charged with anything like property destruction. He simply wore a mask at a lawful protest.

No doubt Special Agent Vincent Antignano with the Joint Terrorism Task Force of the F! B! I! received a shiny gold star from his corporate overlords at Acme Animal Abuse ™, subsidiaries of which include HLS, Ringling Brothers and Bulladelah Douchebags, Inc….but I wonder what became of the activist in the pink fro wig? If donning freakay funkay headgear isn’t already criminal, I’m sure the great state of Virginny will soon come up with a nice slice of retroactive legislation to outlaw such atrocities. Watch out, my fuzzy pink sister – teh manz should be coming for you any day now.

(Crossposted from.)

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Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare activism civil liberties protest first amendment police harassment terrorism war on terra war on terror

Action Alerts

Amnesty International: Please Support the Global Online Freedom Act, H.R. 275
Ask your Representative to support H.R. 275, the Global Online Freedom Act of 2007, which would prevent U.S. companies from carrying out or facilitating the suppression of online speech in repressive countries.

Center for Biological Diversity: Act to Protect Coral Reef Habitat
Take action now to protect critical habitat for some of the world’s most imperiled coral reefs. A federal proposal to protect coral habitat is making its way through the government channels, and your voice counts.

DawnWatch: Veggie baseball star on NY Times Sports front page 4/27/08
The lead story on the front page of the Sunday New York Times sports section, April 27, is headed “A Cleanup Hitter Who Leaves Something on His Plate.” The article, by Alan Schwarz, is about the newly vegetarian sports star, Milwaukee’s first baseman, Prince Fielder.

Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC): Save America’s Redrock Wilderness
Urge the Bush administration to protect the natural and cultural values of Nine Mile Canyon.

Public Campaign Action Fund: Support The Voters First Pledge!
Sam Waterston and other citizens have teamed up with Public Campaign Action Fund to support our Voters First Pledge, which urges federal candidates to support Fair Elections or full public financing of elections.

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UPDATE, 4/28/08:

There’s now a petition going at The Petition Site: Abused GSD Being Denied Justice. Southern Cross German Shepherd Rescue is posting updates there, so go sign it and check back for more information.

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Kinship Circle – kinshipcircle [at] accessus.net
Date: Sun, Apr 27, 2008 at 9:29 PM
Subject: Justice For Hannah [KC MEMBER ALERT]

KINSHIP CIRCLE ANIMAL DISASTER AID NETWORK – PERMISSION TO CROSS-POST
The following information is brought to you courtesy of Kinship Circle.
Please DO NOT hit reply!

Respond directly to: nlgsdrescue [at] yahoo.com or carol [at] justfurkids.com

ALERT FROM KINSHIP CIRCLE MEMBER:
4/27/08: Demand Charges For Hannah’s Life Of Abuse

ALERT FROM / REPLY TO:
Becky Kaase, North Louisiana German Shepherd Rescue, Founder
nlgsdrescue [at] yahoo.com * nlgsdrescue.petfinder.com/
Humane Society of Louisiana, Lincoln Chapter President, humanela.org/

Carol Murphy, carol [at] justfurkids.com

BACKGROUND / EDITED FOR LENGTH:

FULL ACCOUNT: Abused Former K-9 Handler’s Dog Is Denied Justice

Hannah, a 4-year-old German Shepherd was formerly owned by a Tattnall County, GA, K-9 handler. From a very young age, Hannah was used as a breeding machine, confined until her muscles atrophied, starved and neglected. When deemed no longer useful, she was surrendered to an animal control facility in Reidsville, Georgia (about 75 miles southwest of Savannah, in Tattnall County) with orders to euthanize her.

At the time of her surrender, Hannah (known then as Haunna) was in horrific condition. She’d been starved and was severely emaciated at only 41 lbs. Her pads were so wounded that she walked on her haunches. Her fur was rubbed off in many places due to confinement. She was also pregnant and gave birth to three stillborn puppies while at the animal control facility.

On February 7, 2007, Southern Cross German Shepherd Rescue saved Hannah. On her way to a vet, she began to bleed — mostly from giving birth combined with her extremely poor physical condition. A statement from the vet:

Today, I examined Haunna (now Hannah), an approximately 4-year-old GSD. During the examination, it was noted Haunna is severely underweight. On a typical scoring scale, with 3/5 being a normal, healthy weight, Haunna is a low 1/5. This type of body condition is typically only noted in dogs suffering from long-term cancers or long term starvation. No signs of neoplasia (cancer) were noted in Haunna. Haunna had hair loss on her caudal thighs consistent with long term kenneling, skin disease, or both. If you have any questions, or other information I can provide, please don’t hesitate to call.

Sincerely, Will Baldwin, DVM, Cornelia Veterinay Hospital Cornelia, GA * 706 778-6605

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———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Kinship Circle – kinshipcircle [at] accessus.net
Date: Sun, Apr 27, 2008 at 12:35 PM
Subject: Cancel Charity Bullfight, May 3 [KC MEMBER ALERT]

KINSHIP CIRCLE PRIMARY – PERMISSION TO CROSS-POST
The following information is brought to you courtesy of Kinship Circle.
Please DO NOT hit reply! Respond directly to: miguel.moutinho [at] animal.org.pt

ALERT FROM KINSHIP CIRCLE MEMBER:
4/27/08: Ask Portuguese Fire Fighters To Cancel “Charity Bullfight,” May 3

ALERT FROM / REPLY TO:
Miguel Moutinho | ANIMAL, miguel.moutinho [at] animal.org.pt

BACKGROUND:

The Portuguese Fire Fighters League seems to persist in having its so-called “charity bullfight,” on 3rd May, near Lisbon, Portugal, to raise funds to build the “Fire Fighters House.”

Bullfights are extremely violent spectacles which consist in harassing and torturing 6 bulls just for fun, as part of a tradition which is no longer accepted by the majority of the Portuguese society (despite the lawful standing this spectacle still holds) and which could never be justified under any possible moral grounds.

It is absolutely shocking to know that the organisation that represents fire fighters, nationwide, in Portugal — and which holds “a life for a life” as its motto — is involved as the beneficiary and co-promoter of this “charity bloodshed.” It is also disappointing to see that, despite the many hundreds of emails sent from people across the world and from within Portugal to this league, this institution has not even bothered to respond — while keeping its programmed bullfight.

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