Friends of Animals Action Alert

H.R. 767 (also known as Refuge Ecology Protection and Immediate Response Act) is a bill that is “possibly the most sweeping feral animal extermination mandate ever put before congress,” according to Merritt Clifton, the editor of Animal People (the article is printed below). This bill allows the federal government to kill whomever it deems a “harmful, non-native species” within our national wildlife refuge system. As Lee Hall notes, “so many plants and animals, such as humans, can be considered invasive, yet people choose to kill certain species and not others.” The bill unanimously passed the House of Representatives on October 23, 2007, and is currently in committee (Committee on Environment and Public Works; if passed through this committee, The bill unanimously passed the House of Representatives on October 23, 2007, and is currently in committee (Committee on Environment and Public Works; if passed through this committee, the bill will then pass to the Senate for a vote). You may read the bill in its entirety here by entering the title HR 767 under “search”).

What You Can Do

Animal activists must oppose this bill. Please call, write and/or e-mail your senator now. Let them know you oppose this bill, and request that they oppose it as well. If you choose to call your senator’s office, it’s important to be aware that the person on the phone might attempt to put a different spin on the spirit of the bill. Be sure to mention specific concerns—i.e. the fact that feral cats and other animals are, indeed, not protected.

Please act quickly.

Thank you,
Friends of Animals

Support Friends of Animals

Reprinted from ANIMAL PEOPLE October 2007:

Non-native species extermination bill clears U.S. House unopposed

WASHINGTON, D.C.–HR 767, possibly the most sweeping feral animal extermination mandate ever put before Congress, unanimously cleared the U.S. House of Representatives on October 23, 2007, completely eluding any visible notice from national humane organizations.

No national humane organization issued a legislative alert about HR 767. No national humane organization even mentioned it in online lists of animal-related bills under consideration–not even Alley Cat Allies, whose concerns are most directly targeted.

Introduced by Representative Ron Kind (D-Wisconsin), HR 767 is officially titled the Refuge Ecology Protection, Assistance, and Immediate Response Act, or REPAIR Act. Informally, it is called the Kind Act, but the closest approach to kind language in it is a passage requiring that funded extermination programs must minimize “adverse impacts to the structure and function of national wildlife refuge ecosystems and adverse effects on nontarget species.”

No restrictions are placed on the species that may be targeted or the methods that may be used to kill them.

An October 22 press release from Kind’s office promoting HR 767 mentioned only purple loosestrife, black locust, and zebra mussels as examples of invasive species, but the bill appears to have originated chiefly out of birder antipathy toward feral cats.

“In response to the exploding threat that invasive species pose to the health and abundance of many birds,” said publicist Steve Holmer of the American Bird Conservancy, an organization built on fierce opposition to neuter/return feral cat control, “Kind championed legislation which provides grants to states to identify harmful non-native species and establish priorities for preserving native birds, fish, other wildlife, and their habitats. The REPAIR Act now moves to the Senate, where ABC hopes to see quick passage.”

A native of LaCrosse, Wisconsin, Kind still has one of his two constituency offices in LaCrosse–the same city where birder Mark Smith in 2005 organized a campaign to authorize hunters to shoot feral cats. “I look at feral cats as an invasive species, plain and simple,” Smith told Associated Press.

The 12,031 attendees at the annual state-wide caucuses of the Wisconsin Conservation Congress voted 57% to 43% in favor of the proposal, which was endorsed by most of the major pro-hunting organizations in the state. Governor Jim Doyle bucked hunter opinion in making clear the next day that he would veto an actual bill to allow cat shooting.

Kind is described in his campaign biography as “an avid outdoor recreation enthusiast, hunter and fisherman,” who “loves to duck hunt on the Mississippi River, and hunt turkey and deer up on the family [beef] farm with the boys.” Kind is a member of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus.

Birders nationwide, especially in Wisconsin, have been inflamed against cats since 1996 by excessive projections of cat predation on birds promoted by University of Wisconsin at Madison wildlife biology professor Stanley A. Temple. Temple argues that cats kill from 7.8 to 100 million birds per year in Wisconsin alone, with 39 million a “reasonable estimate.”

About 7.8 million is actually the upper end of likelihood, based on the preponderance of data from other sources.

Credible estimates of bird predation by cats nationwide range from 100 million per year, projected in 2003 by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Migratory Bird Management Office biologist Al Manville, to 134 million per year, projected in 2000 by Carol Fiore of the Wichita State University Department of Biological Sciences.

The Congressional Research Service, operated by the Library of Congress, notes that HR 767 “Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to provide (1) a grant to any eligible applicant to carry out a qualified control project to control harmful nonnative species; and (2) a grant to any state to carry out an assessment project to identify harmful nonnative species, assess the needs to restore, manage, or enhance native fish, wildlife and habitats, identify priorities, and identify echanisms to increase capacity building for native fish, wildlife, and habitats.”

HR 767 also “Directs the Secretary to establish a Cooperative Volunteer Invasives Monitoring and Control Program to document and combat invasive species in national wildlife refuges,” according to the Congressional Research Service.

In plain English, this means HR 767 allows the federal government to enlist birders to spot non-native animals and plants, and dispatch recreational hunters, trappers, and fishers to kill them. This is consistent with an August 17, 2007 executive order in which U.S. President George W. Bush directed “Federal agencies…including the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture”, to “Manage wildlife and wildlife habitats on public lands in a manner that expands and enhances hunting opportunities, including through the use of hunting in wildlife management planning.”

HR 767 also stipulates that…”The Congress finds harmful nonnative species are the leading cause of habitat destruction in national wildlife refuges,” a highly debatable claim in view of the impacts of global warming, water and air pollution, and food chain build-ups of toxic substances, including lead from hunters’ ammunition as one of the deadliest to aquatic birds.

Other “findings” ratified by HR 767 are that “More than 675 known harmful nonnative species are found in the National Wildlife Refuge System,” none actually named in the bill, and that “Nearly eight million acres of the National Wildlife Refuge System contain harmful nonnative species.”

A further “finding” is that, “The cost of the backlog of harmful nonnative species control projects that need to be carried out in the National Wildlife Refuge System is over $361,000,000, and the failure to carry out such projects threatens the ability of the System to fulfill its basic mission.”

According to HR 767, “The term `harmful nonnative species’ means, with respect to a particular ecosystem in a particular region, any species, including its seeds, eggs, spores, or other biological material capable of propagating that species, that is not native to that ecosystem and has a demonstrable or potentially demonstrable negative environmental or economic impact in that region.”

HR 767 provides that “The Federal share of the incremental additional cost of including in a control project any pilot testing or a demonstration of an innovative technology” to exterminate non-native species “shall be 85%…The Federal share of the cost of the portion of a control project funded with a grant under this section that is carried out on national wildlife refuge lands or waters, including the cost of acquisition by the Federal Govern-ment of lands or waters for use for such a project, shall be 100%.”

A simple translation is that if killing feral animals who enter a National Wildlife Refuge from private property requires buying the property, the feds will pay for it.

National Wildlife Refuge System chief Geoff Haskett testified at a June 21, 2007 hearing on HR 767 that “In 2006, over two million acres of refuge lands were infested with invasive plants. About 14% of these acres have been treated thus far. In addition,” Haskett said, “there are 4,471 invasive animal populations recorded on refuge lands.

“In 2008,” Haskett added, “the refuge system budget allocates $8.7 million to treat over 255,000 acres infested with invasive plants, and control infestations on 100,000 acres. The system will control 245 invasive animal populations.”

–Merritt Clifton

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Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare action alerts foa friends of animals cats felines feral cats animal people news in the news H.R. 767 Refuge Ecology Protection and Immediate Response Act wildlife conservation wildlife management

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA): Federal: The American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act Reintroduced in Congress

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA): Missouri: “Pet Friendly” License Plates Now Available

DawnWatch: MSN on budget and health benefits of vegetarianism 7/26/07

DawnWatch: Shocking poultry slaughterhouse footage on Fox and on A&E’s “The Two Coreys” reality show 7/25 – 7/29/07

DawnWatch: Adidas lobbies to overturn Supreme Court upheld Kangaroo shoe ban NY Times, LA Times, NPR — 7/24 -7/25/07

DawnWatch: NY Times lead story “Bringing Moos and Oinks Into the Food Debate.” 7/25/07

Earthjustice: URGENT: Stop the Countdown to Wolves’ Slaughter

Friends of Animals (FoA): Help Stop the Bush Administration’s Latest Debacle: Aerial Gunning of Greater Yellowstone Wolves

In Defense of Animals (IDA): Urge Congress to stop oil drilling in Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

In Defense of Animals (IDA): Atlanta Falcons Quarterback Faces Felony Dog Fighting Charges / Urge the NFL to suspend Michael Vick from play under strong suspicion of criminal activity

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA): Tell Nike to Drop Vick NOW!

Rainforest Action Network (RAN): Tell Ontario to Stop First Nation Exploitation!

Save the Manatee Club: Ask Governor Crist to Appoint New FWC Commissioners / Ensure Balanced and Science-Based Leadership on Manatee Protection Issues

Society for Animal Protective Legislation (SAPL): Contact Legislators on Behalf of Animals Used for Research NOW

The Wilderness Society: Help protect community forests and restore wildlife habitat

Working Assets / Act for Change: Tell Nike to Cancel Michael Vick’s Endorsement Contract

Campaign Updates, Press Releases, etc.

Bread for the World: Fairness Amendment to Farm Bill Fails in House; Fight For Meaningful Farm Reform Continues

Corporate Accountability International: Pepsi Agrees to Reveal Sources of Aquafina Bottled Water / In Response to Think Outside the Bottle Campiagn, Agrees to Print ”Public Water Source” on Labels

Dogs Deserve Better (DDB): Michael Vick & Dogfighting

Carnivals

Carnival of Hurricane Relief #98 (July 26, 2007 @ One Man Band)

Newsletters

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA): News Alert, July 27, 2007

In Defense of Animals (IDA): eNews, July 25, 2007

Petitions

STOP PUPPY MILLS!!!

CLARK COUNTY DOGS DESERVE BETTER

Stop Cruelty Taking Place on the Water

Help save Giraffes

Your Daily Click-Through Reminders

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Tell the Bush Administration “No” to Cloned Milk and Meat

The Bush Administration recently pronounced products from animal-cloning experiments safe for the retail market.

“This should be ringing alarm bells throughout the animal-advocacy field,” said Lee Hall, legal director of Friends of Animals.

If the agency’s report is adopted, the United States will be the first country to approve animal cloning in food production, and cloned flesh and dairy products could soon be in grocer’s aisles.

Scientists will thereafter attempt to work out the kinks in their sheep and chicken cloning projects, and introduce genetically modified fish into the stream of commerce.

A voluntary moratorium on the sale of the milk and flesh of clones and their offspring has applied since 2001. The Food and Drug Administration tentatively approved the products in 2003, but retreated after its own advisory panel found insufficient scientific agreement. Now the FDA’s ready to go again.

“Implicated in this promotion are multiple questions whose answers can only be found at a deeper level than a regulatory body can reach,” said Lee Hall.

“The most fundamental question is: Why clone at all?”

Your Comments, Please

The FDA seeks comments from the public until 2 April 2007. For information, see www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2006/NEW01541.html and scroll for the link to submit your electronic comments.

Note carefully:

The question you must answer is whether you oppose approving products from any cloned animals and their offspring for the retail market.

Please be clear in your comments that the animal-advocacy community will not be placated by labels or husbandry regulations. Regulating the relevant procedures does not mitigate the harm that cloning imposes.

To see submitted comments from which you may select points and phrase as you see fit, visit Friends of Animals’ comments. Feel free to quote and support Friends of Animals’ comments.

For a background article, see “Mad Science: Cloned Milk and Meat of the Fast Track”, presented in Satya magazine, a monthly publication focusing on vegetarianism, environmentalism, animal advocacy, and social justice.

Friends of Animals, headquartered in Darien, Connecticut, has been a global leader in animal rights advocacy since 1957.

| view comments | add yours |

Friends of Animals, 777 Post Road Ste 205, Darien, CT 06853

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Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare action alerts foa friends of animals milk meat dairy cloning cloned meat fda Lee Hall

Stop Net-and-Bolt Deer Control

“Net and bolt” means trapping deer under nets, then attempting to restrain them, pressing a captive-bolt gun against their heads, and firing a retractable steel rod into their brains. The deer may struggle and kick, fracturing limbs or sustaining other injuries. Deer who move as the bolt is fired can be painfully wounded, not killed, and the struggle continues until additional shots are fired.

Stress may be so acute as to cause the death of some of the deer prior to bolting.

The reasons given for considering this? A burgeoning deer population has been cited as a problem in New Jersey. But in the absence of violent or artificial manipulation, deer will adjust to food sources and available shelter to create a natural balance. On the other hand, killing is cyclical. [...]

Net-and-bolt deer control is unreasonable, ineffective, and grotesque, and we are urging its immediate prohibition.

For more on deer “control” in NJ – as well as contact info for NJ officials – see the Friends of Animals blog.

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Tagged: animals animal+rights animal+welfare action+alerts friends+of+animals nj new+jersey deer deer+control net+and+bolt

Elephants, tigers and other animals in circuses never have a day off. Their spirits are broken; their lives are spent in demeaning performances – robbing them of their freedom and dignity.

Animals don’t do headstands or jump through fire because they enjoy it; they do it because they fear punishment. Circuses with animal acts are not decent family entertainment.

Baby elephants are removed from their mothers and forced into a lifetime of performing. As the families of these animals are broken, so are their spirits. Elephants have their legs chained and live in cramped quarters 12 months a year.

Let’s stop teaching children that they should applaud animal slavery, abusive confinement, training, and commercial exploitation.

Wild animals belong in their homelands, not under the bright lights of a circus ring.

Please show that you respect animals – Boycott Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus!

Come join the protest:

When: 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 25 – Opening Night
6:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 26
6:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 27
10:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m., & 6:00 p.m., Sat., Oct. 28
12:30 p.m., & 4:30 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 29

Where: Arena at Harbor Yard, 600 Main St., Bridgeport, CT

If you are unable to attend, please support our efforts by making a donation.

Directions to the Arena at Harbor Yard, 600 Main St., Bridgeport:

FROM 95 SOUTH: Traveling South on 95 take Exit 27 (Harbor Yard Sportsplex) and bear right on the exit ramp. Follow Lafayette St. to State St. Turn right on State St. Two blocks to Main St. turn right on Main. Follow Main St. to North Frontage Rd. (General parking) – turn right on North Frontage Rd. Parking lot is on your right (Parking fee).

FROM 95 NORTH: Traveling North on 95 take Exit 27 (Harbor Yard Sportsplex) continue straight to Lafayette St. Turning right on Lafayette to Allen St. Turn left on Allen lot will be on your right (parking fee.)

An alternate route is at the bottom of the exit 27 northbound ramp is to take a right on Myrtle Ave. after going under the railway over pass take a left on Railroad Ave. Travel straight to Broad St., parking lot will be on your right.

FROM ROUTE 25/8: From the Route 25/8 connector take exit 3 Main St. south. Follow Main to North Frontage Rd. – turn right on North Frontage Rd. parking lot will be on you right (parking fee.)

PETA2 reports that POM has finally agreed to stop testing their products on animals. More here.

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Friends of Animals – mail [at] friendsofanimals.org
Date: Sep 10, 2006 6:26 PM
Subject: Boycott POM products

Friends of Animals

Pomegranates are Wonderful; Animal Testing Isn’t

Friends of Animals Boycotts Juice Company

Friends of Animals members and supporters have spoken. And they don’t want animal testing in their pomegranate juice.

The group called for a boycott of POM Wonderful brand juices until the company and its profits cease to be implicated in animal research or testing.

According to an April 2006 report in The New York Times Magazine, POM Wonderful owners Lynda Resnick and Stewart Resnick have funded $15 million in research on the health benefits of pomegranate juice. Friends of Animals members were stunned to learn that some of this money went to animal testing.

POM Wonderful has supported tests published in June 2005 on the effects of the juice on brain injuries in mice and on erectile dysfunction in rabbits.

“POM Wonderful should and can be mindful of the health of all species, not just our own,” said Friends of Animals president Priscilla Feral.

“Why not simply support and cite studies on human populations?” asked Feral. In 2005, Dr Dean Ornish published a paper in the American Journal of Cardiology, looking at blood flow to the heart in 45 patients with blocked arteries who were given a placebo or pomegranate juice.

“Until POM Wonderful makes a public commitment against animal testing, we’ll encourage people to choose a different juice.”

Please contact POM to notify them of your pledge to boycott POM products at:

POM Wonderful
11444 West Olympic Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90064

Phone: (310) 966-5800

Email: customerservice [at] pomwonderful.com

This message was sent from: Friends of Animals, 777 Post Road Ste 205, Darien, CT 06853.

Action Online: Summer 2006

In My View

Behind the Bird Trade

The True Story of Agave Nectar

Spotlight on Squirrels

Movement Watch Special Edition: Still Killing Them With Kindness

Cheers and Jeers

Capers in the Churchyard: Animal Rights Advocacy in the Age of Terror

Nellie McKay’s Brilliant Voice for the Animals

Other Voices: Dr. John McDougall

Veganism: Liz Lovely Cookies

Breeding a Name Brand: The Dog Hybrids

Restaurant Review: Yuan Fu Vegetarian Restaurant

Merchandise Catalog

And feel free to share your thoughts on these (or any other) stories in the comments section!

Please take a moment to respond to a poll by the Wall Street Journal concerning the drilling in the Artic National Wildlife Refuge. You may also add your comments and join a discussion group on the drilling.

Click here to register your vote.

Currently, the tally is 52% in favor of opening the Refuge to drilling, with the “No’s” trailing behind at 48%.

Friends of Animals: Salem Vegan Society Interviews Lee Hall

This July marks the release of a thought-provoking new work by Lee Hall, legal director of Friends of Animals. Capers in the Churchyard: Animal Rights Advocacy in the Age of Terror defines animal rights, discusses dominant definitions of terrorism, and provides on-point analysis of relevant laws and campaigns.

Hearing that the book takes a look at these timely issues through a decidedly vegan lens, the Salem Vegan Society invited Hall to speak about the book.

Here are a few quotes from the interview.

On free-range farming:

“It’s ethical game-playing. Trendy grocers want us to pay a premium to get those ‘less objectionable’ animal products. Even VegNews had a recent article calling eggs from hens in sheds (rather than conventional cages) ‘egg-cellent news’ for hens. What nonsense. This is all about humane advocates promoting very egg-spensive products.”

On non-violence:

“A truly vegan animal-rights movement would necessarily be non-violent, and it is no accident that Donald Watson, throughout a rich life that lasted most of a century, never wavered on this point. Watson was a conscientious objector to war. Notably, Watson never said that war could be made humane.”

Click HERE to read the full interview.

Capers in the Churchyard is the new book from Nectar Bat Press, with Foreword by Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson. Receive a complimentary Friends of Animals membership when you order directly at the FOA Web site. International orders are available at Amazon.com.

Sent from: Friends of Animals, 777 Post Road Ste 205, Darien, CT 06853.