Action Alerts

Born Free USA / Animal Protection Institute (API): Exotic Animals in Missouri Need Your Help
Two tiger attacks in Missouri last week graphically illustrate the need for new laws. On August 4, 2008, a 16-year-old worker at Predator World — an unaccredited zoo in Branson, MO — was attacked by three tigers, and the victim is currently in the hospital in critical condition. On August 3, a tiger was shot and killed after the animal attacked a worker at Wesa-A-Geh-Ya, a private menagerie in Warren County, MO. The victim’s leg had to be amputated.

Center for Biological Diversity: Endangered Species Act Under Assault
On August 11th, Dirk Kempthorne, secretary of the Interior, announced devastating changes to the Endangered Species Act, signaling the end of protection for thousands of imperiled species. In addition, last week Kempthorne and Bush tried to slip another proposed rule change under the radar that would limit protection of a species only to where it is currently found.

Defenders of Wildlife: Stop the Bush/Cheney Assault on Endangered Species
For more than 30 years, the Endangered Species Act has protected wildlife at risk of extinction. Now the Bush/Cheney Administration wants to make some serious changes to this landmark law — changes that would eliminate vital checks and balances that are crucial to protect our wolves, polar bears and other imperiled wildlife.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA): Louisiana Officials Refuse to Investigate Animal Torturer
PETA caseworkers recently urged Louisiana officials to investigate a Natchitoches resident who posted to an online forum a lengthy description of his exploits in cruelly “hunting” wild pigs. In his own words, this man—apparently named Cy Brown—describes the carnage with glee…Please contact officials and urge them to initiate an immediate investigation and file appropriate criminal charges against all parties responsible for cruelty-to-animals and hunting violations.

Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS): “Drill” in Detroit to Bring Down Gas Prices!
In response to high gas prices, the Bush administration and its allies are calling for new oil drilling that would take decades and eventually save only pennies-per-gallon. Meanwhile, Bush’s Department of Transportation is undermining historic new fuel economy standards. They unrealistically assume gas will cost around $2.50 through 2020 and that hybrid vehicles won’t even exist until 2014. Because the agency balances the cost of new fuel economy technology against the gas savings the new technology provides, these outrageous assumptions are being used by the administration to reduce the automakers’ requirement to bring more fuel-efficient options to consumers.

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Action Alerts

End Oil.org: Pledge to Reduce Fuel Consumption
Studies show that drilling in these protected sites would do little to relieve our pain at the pump. The good news is that according to the U.S. Department of Energy fuel efficiency habits like driving more safely and sanely, and keeping a well maintained vehicle would save more oil than would be captured in ANWR and in offshore drilling combined! Take a personal pledge to reduce the amount of oil you use for transportation by 20% this year.

In Defense of Animals (IDA): Tell Alaska Governor To Stop Wolf Slaughter
As many Alaskans already learned via media reports, 14 one-month old wolf pups recently were killed by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game in a practice known as “denning”. Denning is the practice of killing wolves in or around their den, in this case by shooting them in the head. 14 adults were also killed. Please, as soon as possible, contact Alaska Governor Sarah Palin expressing your objections to this unethical and illegal decimation of Alaska’s wolf population. Tell her you will take your tourist dollars elsewhere.

In Defense of Animals (IDA): Ask Rochester Hills to Not Allow Deer Bow-hunts
Rochester Hills, Michigan has proposed a three-year moratorium on the city’s bow-hunting ban, due to increasing collisions with vehicles. Killing deer is not an effective population reduction method. In fact, deer hunting actually increases deer population size. If the city is truly concerned with deer/vehicle collisions (DVC), let’s help them come up with some humane solutions.

In Defense of Animals (IDA): We need your Help to Stop Circus Vazquez from Endangering More Animals!
Circus Vasquez along with Will Davenport and his three elephants, Tina, Queenie and Jewel, will be performing at Bicentennial Park in Miami, Florida from August 8 through August 18, 2008. This circus has a terrible record of animal handling and care.

The National Anti-Vivisection Society (NAVS): Federal: Farm Animals Anti-Cruelty Act
The Farm Animals Anti-Cruelty Act, HR6202, would make it a federal crime to abuse animals used for commercial purposes, primarily for agricultural purposes. According to the language of the bill, “It is the policy of the United States that the raising, handling, transport, and slaughter of animals held for commercial use shall be carried out only by humane methods.”

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Via Noemi @ Vegans of Color, PETA’s latest publicity stunt: pro-vegan ads on, of all places, the US-Mexico border fence:

While many view the contentious border fence as a government fiasco, an animal rights group sees a rare opportunity.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals plans today to announce an unusual marketing pitch to the U.S. government: Rent us space on the fence for billboards warning illegal border crossers there is more to fear than the Border Patrol.

The billboards, in English and Spanish, would offer the caution: “If the Border Patrol Doesn’t Get You, the Chicken and Burgers Will — Go Vegan.”

“We think that Mexicans and other immigrants should be warned if they cross into the U.S. they are putting their health at risk by leaving behind a healthier, staple diet of corn tortillas, beans, rice, fruits and vegetables,” said Lindsay Rajt, assistant manager of PETA’s vegan campaigns.

The Department of Homeland Security is working to meet a deadline to complete 670 miles of fencing and other barriers on the Southwest border by Dec. 31. The fencing operation has run into stiff opposition by landowners fighting government efforts to obtain their land through condemnation.

PETA says its billboards would picture “fit and trim” Mexicans in their own country, where their diet is more in line with the group’s mission. Another image on the sign would portray obese American children and adults “gorging on meaty, fat- and cholesterol-packed American food.”

PETA’S offer to the feds is expected to arrive in a letter to Border Patrol officials today.

But a government spokesman in Washington said the request will be rejected because it would limit visibility through the fence. And Border Patrol does not allow advertising on its property or installations, the officials added.

“The fencing being put in place is, in many cases, mesh fencing to allow our officers to see what’s happening on the other side and to better secure the border,” said Michael Friel, a spokesman for U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

One property owner on the Texas-Mexico border laughed at PETA’s proposal.

“I think it’s ridiculous,” said Noel Benavides, who is contesting the construction of a fence dividing his family’s 145-acre ranch in Roma on the Rio Grande. “I can’t see the point of something like that.”

But Rajt said the rent money they’d pay would help offset the huge costs of the fencing — and the advertising message “might even be frightening enough to deter people from crossing into the U.S.”

PETA has often been criticized for its aggressive animal rights crusades. It’s used billboards to push many of its controversial positions such as “Buck Cruelty: Say NO to horse-drawn carriage rides” or “Feeding Kids Meat Is Child Abuse.”

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Action Alerts

American Rights at Work: Take Action: Tell the FEC to investigate Wal-Mart
According to a recent article in the Wall Street Journal, Wal-Mart has been threatening employees that if they vote for pro-worker candidates like Barack Obama in November, the Employee Free Choice Act will pass, making it easier to form unions in Wal-Mart stores. Telling employees how to vote in a U.S. election is not only morally reprehensible, it’s potentially illegal. We’re delivering our petition to the Federal Election Commission on Thursday. Sign to join us in asking for an investigation into Wal-Mart’s potential electioneering.

Animal Welfare Institute (AWI): eAlert: Please Contact Your Legislators This Month to Enlist Their Support for Animal Welfare Bills!
Because Members of Congress are in their home districts until after Labor Day, this is the perfect time for you to lobby them directly on behalf of the animals! Visiting with your Senators and Representative as a constituent in their home offices can have a significant impact. If you are able, please call their local headquarters today to set up a time to meet in person, asking them to support the following important pieces of animal protective legislation.

CREDO Action: Tell McCain: No Offshore Drilling
Senator McCain was against oil drilling before he was running for President, but times have changed. Now, McCain has the gall to run political spots featuring himself as an advocate for renewable energy. The oil executives might be buying these lines, but we aren’t. This rhetoric is dangerous, and the American people deserve better.

DawnWatch: NBC4 covers animal sanctuary and Thanking the Monkey 8/12/08
Yesterday, Tuesday August 12, the Going Green segment on Washington DC’s NBC affiliate covered my visit to Poplar Springs animal sanctuary, which was a precursor to the Thanking the Monkey event there this coming Monday evening.

Environmental Defense Fund: Take Action to Protect America’s Endangered Species
Your landmark Endangered Species Act is under attack. The Bush administration is proposing new rules that would weaken species protections and eliminate independent scientific review of development projects that could threaten species habit. We need your help to fight back.

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———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Kinship Circle – kinshipcircle [at] accessus.net
Date: Sat, Aug 9, 2008 at 2:25 PM
Subject: ACT/ Dogs Crushed In Traps As “Animal Control?”

KINSHIP CIRCLE PRIMARY – PERMISSION TO CROSS-POST AS WRITTEN

8/9/08: Dogs Crushed In Traps As “Animal Control?”

FOR A FORMATTED VERSION OF THIS LETTER (WORD DOC): kinshipcircle [at] accessus.net
Easily modify letter. Copy/paste it into an email or print letter to fax or mail.

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

FULL CONTACT INFORMATION. Sample letter follows.

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

El Paso, Colorado County Commissioners
27 E. Vermijo Ave
Colorado Springs, CO 80903-2208
ph: 719-520-7276 * fax: 719-520-6397

Commissioner Districts
Wayne Williams, District 1: waynewilliams [at] frii.com
Amy Lathen, District 2: 719-520-6412 * amylathen [at] elpasoco.com
Sallie Clark, Third Member, District 3: 719-520-6413 * sallieclark [at] elpasoco.com
Dennis Hisey, Chair, District 4: 719-520-6414 * dennishisey [at] elpasoco.com
Jim Bensberg, Vice Chair, District 5: 719-520-6415 * jimbensberg [at] elpasoco.com

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———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Kinship Circle – kinshipcircle [at] accessus.net
Date: Fri, Aug 8, 2008 at 9:22 AM
Subject: ACT/ Mayor’s Dogs Gunned Down In Police Raid

KINSHIP CIRCLE PRIMARY – PERMISSION TO CROSS-POST AS WRITTEN

8/8/08: Mayor’s Dogs Gunned Down In Police Raid

FOR A FORMATTED VERSION OF THIS LETTER (WORD DOC): kinshipcircle [at] accessus.net
Easily modify letter. Copy/paste it into an email or print letter to fax or mail.

LEFT: Berwyn Heights, Md., Mayor Cheye Calvo and wife Trinity Tomsic speak at a news conference 8/7/08. Calvo is asking for the U.S. Justice Dept. to investigate a county police raid on his home in which his dogs were killed. (Source.)

RIGHT: The mayor’s two family dogs, Payton and Chase, seen in photo. (Source.)

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Action Alerts

Born Free USA / Animal Protection Institute (API): Stop Capture of Wild Macaques in Japan for Use in Laboratory Research
Tragically, the Ministry of Environment in Japan currently allows thousands of snow monkeys to be killed each year. Now they are considering allowing the live capture of snow monkeys for laboratory research. We cannot let this happen. Please send letters to the Ministry today to prevent this atrocity.

Center for Biological Diversity: One More Chance for Higher Gas-mileage Standards
Despite an existing law that requires the Department of Transportation to set gas-mileage standards at the “maximum feasible level,” the administration is likely to push through a new set of inadequate standards for model years 2011-2015 before leaving office. Please sign our petition to Transportation Secretary Mary E. Peters demanding fuel-economy standards that spur automakers away from “business as usual” and toward deployment of new technologies, increased fuel economy, and decreased greenhouse gas emissions, as required by law.

DawnWatch: Men’s Journal on “Dog Torturers” crackdown — August 2008 edition.
The August Edition of Men’s Journal includes a fantastic article about the efforts of HSUS’s John Goodwin, headed “Crackdown on the Dog Torturers.” (p 130.) The article, by Mary Fischer, has the subheading, “Michael Vick was just the beginning. The dog fighting world is bigger and sicker than you can imagine. Meet the man who wants to wipe it out for good.”

DawnWatch: Vegan living, gorillas, and kosher laws in the New York Times this week 8/4 — 8/8/08
As I catch up today on animal news this week I am focusing on the New York Times, not just because of its world wide reputation and distribution, but because there is so much animal news in it this week.

Earthjustice: Tell Congress: You Won’t Stand for Polluted Water
It’s time for Congress to stand up for what’s right and put a stop to the devastation of our rivers, streams and headwaters. Sign this petition to support the Clean Water Protection Act, which would protect our waters from being filled with millions of tons of waste from mountaintop removal mining. Help us get the message to Congress that we will not stand for coal companies polluting our water.

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———- Forwarded message ———-
From: PETA – newsmanager [at] peta.org
Date: Thu, Aug 7, 2008 at 11:07 AM
Subject: Exotic Animals in Missouri Need Your Help!

Two tiger attacks in Missouri this week graphically illustrate the need for new laws. On August 4, a 16-year-old worker at Predator World—an unaccredited zoo in Branson, Mo.—was attacked by three tigers, and the victim is currently in the hospital in critical condition. On August 3, a tiger was shot and killed after the animal attacked a worker at Wesa-A-Geh-Ya, a private menagerie in Warren County, Mo. The victim’s leg had to be amputated.

These are not Missouri’s first tragic incidents involving exotic animals. Previously, a volunteer at Predator World was bitten by a leopard, and three wolves, a grizzly bear, and a fox have escaped from the facility. In 2001, an African lion at Ozark Nature Center in Morgan County escaped and was on the loose for four days. In 1999, a 5-year-old boy in Williamsville was mauled by a neighbor’s “pet” lion.

Potentially dangerous wild animals—such as big cats, bears, wolves, and primates—should not be kept in captivity. These animals pose public health and safety risks, and they suffer immensely when they are kept as “pets” or in poor conditions at unqualified and inexperienced roadside zoos or pseudo-sanctuaries.

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———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Kinship Circle – kinshipcircle [at] accessus.net
Date: Wed, Aug 6, 2008 at 2:10 PM
Subject: Katrina Animal Memorial 8/29/08

KINSHIP CIRCLE ANIMAL DISASTER AID NETWORK – PLEASE CROSSPOST
www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters — Communicating during disasters to mobilize volunteers, supplies, and other resources for animal victims.

GULF COAST
8/6/08: Return To New Orleans For A Katrina Animal Memorial On The 3rd Anniversary Of Hurricane Katrina, 8/29/08

ALERT FROM / REPLY TO:
Jeff Dorson, Humane Society of Louisiana, stopcruelty11 [at] gmail.com
You’re invited to commemorate the 3rd Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina…

Book Your Discounted Room Now!

DISCOUNTED RATE FOR OUT-OF-TOWN GUESTS AT:
Astor Crowne Plaza / $89 for singles or doubles.
– Ask for Humane Society of Louisiana special price to qualify for discount.
– To reserve room, call: call 1-866-750-4202 before August 18, 2008.

A Two-Day Extravaganza!

10:00am to 12:00pm — FRIDAY 8/29/08: KATRINA MEMORIAL STATUE
Join us to unveil the nation’s first memorial statue honoring animals lost in Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. In New Orleans City Council chambers, Councilwoman Stacy Head will accept the statue on behalf of the city. We’ve commissioned well-known artist, Mr. Richard Chashoudian. An invocation will be read along with a special reading by Ed Kostro, poet and author.

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———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Kinship Circle – kinshipcircle [at] accessus.net
Date: Tue, Aug 5, 2008 at 5:59 PM
Subject: ACT/ The Other Canadian Seal Hunt

KINSHIP CIRCLE PRIMARY – PERMISSION TO CROSS-POST AS WRITTEN

8/5/08: The Other Canadian Seal Hunt: Grey Seals Of Nova Scotia

FOR A FORMATTED VERSION OF THIS LETTER (WORD DOC): kinshipcircle [at] accessus.net
Easily modify letter. Copy/paste it into an email or print letter to fax or mail.

SLAUGHTER OF GREY SEALS IN NOVA SCOTIA

There is another slaughter of baby seals on the east coast of Canada each year. This slaughter…happens very quietly, but the nature of the slaughter is the same. Fishermen…descend on recently weaned defenseless seal pups and proceed to shoot and bludgeon them to death. The pups’ skin is then ripped from their bodies and oftentimes the carcasses are left to rot…

www.antisealingcoalition.ca/GreySeals/index.php

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