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From: API Newsletters - donotreply [ay] apiforanimals.org
Date: Jun 21, 2007 8:45 PM
Subject: Make Plans for TAFA 2007, and take critical steps for animals in your state

Make Your Plans for Taking Action for Animals 2007

Taking Action for Animals 2007, the leading national conference of the animal advocacy movement, will kick off in Washington, DC on July 28. The conference will last for three days, including a special lobbying day on Capitol Hill, and will bring activists — both new and seasoned — together with movement leaders and other experts from across the country.

Taking Action for Animals is designed to motivate, inspire, and teach advocates how to be a voice for animals. This year’s conference will have a special focus on taking action for farmed animals. It will also cover other timely animal issues such as the pet food recall, and is filled with sessions and training workshops — including hands-on training in lobbying, media relations, advocacy campaigns, and much more.

The conference’s downtown Washington, DC location offers attendees a unique opportunity to network with animal welfare leaders and hundreds of grassroots activists, lobby in the heart of the U.S. government, and also view the historic sites of our nation’s capital. Additionally, an array of restaurants, shops, other attractions, and public transportation are all just moments away.

The Animal Protection Institute is a co-sponsor of this year’s event, and is one of the founding organizations of the Taking Action for Animals conferences.

To find out more, and to learn how you can register for this event, click here.

Minnesota Residents: Help Put an End to Circus Animal Cruelty

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From: API Newsletters - donotreply [at] apiforanimals.org
Date: Jun 15, 2007 12:44 PM
Subject: Keep the Pressure on Guess?

Keep the Pressure on Guess?

A few weeks ago, API asked supporters to join activists around the world in urging Guess? to go fur free. Please keep the pressure on.

Guess? is a multinational clothing chain headquartered in Los Angeles. With about 800 stores in over 60 countries around the world, Guess?’s influence on the international fur trade is considerable.

The international effort has already had some success with 5 European Guess? Franchise stores vowing not to sell fur in their stores. Urge Guess? headquarters to make their stores fur-free worldwide and to put that commitment in writing.

API recently released in the U.S. an investigation conducted by Animal Portugal, exposing shocking conditions and inhuman treatment of rabbits whose fur is used in the international fur trade. Investigators noted inhumane handling practices, overcrowding, dead, dying and diseased animals, and cruel slaughtering methods. See the investigation report at www.furfreeshopping.com/press?p=1203&more=1.

To find out more and to take action on this alert, go to www.api4animals.org/actionalerts.php?p=1233&more=1

API Drops Amazon.com Link

In light of Amazon.com’s refusal to end the distribution of materials promoting gruesome, and illegal, animal fighting, API has chosen to terminate our relationship with the online company and have since removed the pages from our site. As an animal advocacy organization, we can no longer ethically continue such a partnership.

Other Ways to Help Animals

Stacey Lamothe Fine Art

Animals are the main inspiration for Stacey Lamothe’s unique metal-work jewelry. Stacey’s work — predominantly designed from copper and sterling silver — includes sweet and endearing images of dogs, cats, chickens, horses, and little houses. Each piece is hammered, sawed, soldered, riveted, and stamped into a mini-masterpiece you wear or give as a gift. When purchasing Stacey’s jewelry or other art pieces from her website at www.staceylamotheart.com, simply enter “API” in the comments section,
and Stacey will donate 15% of each sale (minus shipping and taxes) to API.

Purr…fect Cat Fence

Purr…fect Cat Fence is the first complete, free-standing, backyard fence enclosure for cats. Now any cat can safely enjoy all the benefits of the great outdoors, without you worrying about their safety. Additionally, Purr…fect Cat Fence can act as a deterrent to deer and other wild animals entering your yard. Purchase Purr…fect Cat Fence through our dedicated link at
www.cartserver.com/afl.cgi?c=s-5375&u=www.purrfectfence.com&d=5184000&a=003 and API will receive $25 for each sale.

Posted 06/15/07 - Okay to Forward/Crosspost

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Please do not reply to this email. Send any questions to the webmaster [at] api4animals.org.

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

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Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare action alerts api animal protection institute guess guess jeans fur fur trim faux fur fur free amazon amazon.com dog canine pet companion animal dogfighting animal fighting cockfighting Stacey Lamothe Stacey Lamothe Fine Art jewelry cat feline cat fence

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From: API Newsletters - donotreply [at] apiforanimals.org
Date: May 31, 2007 3:24 PM
Subject: Ask Raley’s to Adopt Humane Standards for Farmed Animal Transport

Ask Raley’s to Adopt Humane Standards for Farmed Animal Transport

Recently the Animal Protection Institute (API) contacted the supermarket conglomerate Raley’s and asked it to take a stand against the long distance transport of farmed animals destined for slaughter.

Raley’s, which includes the Bel-Air, Nob Hill Foods, and Food Source chains, operates 139 stores in northern California, Nevada, and New Mexico.

Specifically, we asked that the retail giant incorporate animal transport limits into its stores’ meat purchasing polices — by not carrying any meat from animals transported more than 8 hours. We also asked that at the very least Raley’s use in-store signage to distinguish which meat products did not require the long distance transport of farmed animals.

Not only has Raley’s failed to take a stand on long distance transport, it has refused to respond to API’s repeated offers to meet and discuss this important issue.

It’s time Raley’s hears from its customers that the long distance transport of farmed animals is an issue worthy of its attention.

To find out more and to take action on this alert, go to www.api4animals.org/actionalerts.php?p=1221&more=1

Other Ways to Help Animals

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———- Forwarded message ———-
From: API Newsletters - donotreply [at] apiforanimals.org
Date: May 23, 2007 7:34 PM
Subject: Speak Out against Rabbit Fur Fashion, Leghold Traps, and more!

Spread the Word about the Cruelty of Rabbit Fur Fashion

To further our efforts in educating the public, retailers, and designers about the cruelty of fur fashion, the Animal Protection Institute (API) has now made clips from the recently released rabbit farm investigation conducted by Animal Portugal available online via YouTube.

You can speak out for rabbits and help spread this message by visiting API’s “gofurfree” page on YouTube and viewing, rating, and commenting on these videos.

Fur produced in Portugal is sold around the world. Because much of it is sold as a raw material to China, fur and fur-trimmed garments sold by U.S. stores under the label “Made in China” may have originated on the farms exposed in the investigation.

In the United States no federal laws govern how animals raised for fur should be housed or slaughtered. The absence of federal laws means that industry practices in the United States likely do not vary substantially from those documented in Portugal.

To view the video clips and take action on this alert, go to www.api4animals.org/actionalerts?p=1218&more=1

Speak Out Against Cruel Steel-Jawed Leghold Traps

Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY) has introduced HR 1691, legislation that would ban the import, export and shipment in interstate commerce of leghold traps in the U.S. as well as fur derived from animals caught using these devices.

H.R. 1691 is designed to end the needless maiming and suffering inflicted on animals through the use of leghold traps. With your help, we can build the momentum needed to get this bill moving in the right direction.

Please call, email, or fax your U.S. Representative and urge him or her to cosponsor H.R. 1691, and to support this legislation when it comes up for a vote this session.

To find out more and take action on this alert, go to www.api4animals.org/actionalerts?p=1217&more=1

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———- Forwarded message ———-
From: API Newsletters - donotreply [at] apiforanimals.org
Date: May 10, 2007 7:51 PM
Subject: Prevent Cruel and Inhumane Treatment of Rabbits in Fur Fashion & More

Prevent Cruel and Inhumane Treatment of Rabbits in Fur Fashion

Consumers for a Fur Free Society (CFFS), the Animal Protection Institute’s program to put an end to the use of fur in fashion, is asking retailers to drop all fur from their inventories. Additionally, CFFS is calling for retailers to take a stand against the cruel international fur trade by putting in writing their commitment to no longer sell fur or fur-trimmed items.

Your help is needed to be sure we target all U.S. retailers who are currently selling fur or fur-trimmed items in their stores and catalogs. We also need you to harness your consumer power to let retailers know that profiting from the suffering of animals used in the fur trade is not acceptable. Fur is never in fashion!

API recently released in the U.S. an investigation conducted by Animal Portugal. This investigation exposes shocking conditions and inhumane treatment of rabbits, whose fur is used in the international fur trade. Investigators noted inhumane handling practices, overcrowding, dead, dying and diseased animals, and cruel slaughtering methods.

To learn more and find out how you can partner with us to put an end to an outdated and cruel form of unfashionable “fashion,” go to www.api4animals.org/actionalerts?p=1205&more=1.

Thank you for taking action to keep animals from falling victim to the cruel fur trade!

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From: API Newsletters - donotreply [at] apiforanimals.org
Date: Apr 18, 2007 8:01 PM
Subject: Stop Prairie Dog Poisoning & more

National: Stop Prairie Dog Poisoning on National Grassland

The National Forest Service is currently seeking input on a prairie dog management plan for the Thunder Basin National Grassland. The current management plan allows the extermination of prairie dogs only in cases where the animals are overrunning cemeteries and buildings. The proposed amendment would expand the use of poisoning and other lethal means of control to the entire National Grassland — even in areas designated for the reintroduction of the endangered black-footed ferret.

Over the last 150 years, prairie dog populations have declined by more than 95%. Scientists say that if this downward trend continues burrowing owls, black-footed ferrets, and other wildlife will disappear along with the prairie dog.

Please send comments to the National Forest Service in opposition to this amendment by April 30, 2007.

To find out more and take action on this alert, go to www.api4animals.org/actionalerts?p=1193&more=1.

Thank you for protecting prairie dogs and other prairie wildlife!

California Residents: Improve Conditions for Captive Elephants

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UPDATE, 5/5/07, via the HSUS:

The President Signs Landmark Animal Fighting Legislation

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: API Newsletters - donotreply [at] apiforanimals.org
Date: Apr 12, 2007 3:06 PM
Subject: Victory! Animal Fighting on the Way Out

Victory! Animal Fighting on the Way Out

Update: Great News! On April 10, the U.S. Senate unanimously approved the Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act (S. 261). This follows closely on the heels of the House of Representatives’ passage of the same bill (H.R. 137), by a landslide vote of 368-39 on March 26. This legislation will now go to the President, who is expected to sign it into law. Once signed, the new law will take effect immediately.

Thank you to all of you who contacted your legislators! Your efforts truly made the difference in bringing this crucial bill into law!

The Animal Prohibition Enforcement Act will make it a felony to transport an animal across state or international borders for the purpose of fighting. This federal legislation will modify the Animal Welfare Act to increase the imprisonment penalty for animal fighting violations from one to three years. Additionally, the bill prohibits the interstate or foreign commerce of any knife, gaff, or other sharp instrument used in a bird-fighting venture. The Act also revises enforcement provisions.

Having this legislation in place will give federal law enforcement officials the necessary tools to put an end to the cruelty that is currently being inflicted on birds, dogs, and other animals in the underground world of animal fighting in this country.

This is a great victory for animals across the U.S., and we thank you for your help in achieving it!

Learn more about the Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act.

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———- Forwarded message ———-
From: API Newsletters - donotreply [at] apiforanimals.org
Date: Apr 4, 2007 7:22 PM
Subject: Ask Wal-Mart to Take a Stand

National Alert: Ask Wal-Mart to Take a Stand Against the Long Distance Transport of Farmed Animals

Recently the Animal Protection Institute contacted Wal-Mart asking it to take a stand against the long distance transport of farmed animals destined for slaughter. Specifically, API asked the retail giant to incorporate animal transport limits into its stores’ meat purchasing polices by not carrying any meat from animals transported more than 8 hours. At the very least, we asked that it use in-store signage to distinguish which meat products did not require the long distance transport of farmed
animals.

When asked to take a stand against the long distance transport of farm animals, Wal-Mart replied that it does not have direct control over its suppliers’ transportation activities. Rather than checking with its suppliers to determine how far animals used in the production of meat sold in its stores are forced to travel, and taking necessary steps to encourage shorter travel distances, Wal-Mart opted to continue doing business as usual.

To read more of this alert and find out how you can take action, go to www.api4animals.org/actionalerts?p=1175&more=1.

California Residents: Help End “Pet” Overpopulation in Your State

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From: API Newsletters - donotreply [at] apiforanimals.org
Date: Mar 29, 2007 1:41 PM
Subject: Pet Food Recall — and more

National Alert: Pet Food Recall - What You Can Do to Save Your Animal

With recent news reports of the tragic results of contaminated dog and cat food, The Animal Protection Institute would like to be sure that you have the necessary resources at your disposal to help ensure the safety of your beloved companion animals.

As many of you may already be aware, recently there has been a large scale recall of dog and cat food. The food is manufactured by the Menu Foods company and is sold under a variety of brand names. Animals who have ingested the contaminated food have quickly succumbed to the effects of acute kidney failure. Some animals have died as a result.

For more information and a list of useful resources on this issue, click here.

As news from the recall continues to develop, we urge you to remain vigilant in keeping up with the latest media coverage by checking your local news or the national news daily.

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From: API Newsletters - donotreply [at] apiforanimals.org
Date: Mar 21, 2007 5:10 PM
Subject: Protect Chimps and other Exotic Animals & Improve Life for Animals in Pet Shops

National Alert: Object to the Use of Chimps in Commercials

On television and its website, Suburban Auto Group has used promotional advertisements involving chimpanzees. This is part of its “Trunk Monkey” marketing gimmick. In most of the videos, a chimpanzee is depicted as being a “protector” for the person involved and is shown “hitting” a “transgressor” with a lug wrench, bribing a policeman, threatening to shoot someone with a rifle, and so forth.

You can work with API to help end Suburban Auto Group’s use of chimpanzees in its commercials by taking a moment to let it know that you do not agree with its exploitive use of primates for entertainment and profit.

California Residents: Build Support for the Elephant Protection Act

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