UPDATE, 10/5/07:

Still adding to the post…

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UPDATE, 7/27/07:

I’ve been updating this post almost daily; newest links at the top of the link dump. Feel free to add to the roundup via the comments section.

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Unfortunately, the justice system don’t work thataway, so let’s hope for life six years (Six years! WTF!?!) behind bars.

Anywho, a number of animal rights/welfare groups have sent out alerts on this subject, so I’ve included a link roundup below. Links shall be updated as necessary. Also, after the jump, forwarded alerts that are not otherwise available online. (Keep up to date with the latest news via teh Google.)

* DawnWatch: Vick dogs on NY Times front page, and Los Angeles votes for spay-neuter 2/2/08

* Best Friends Animal Society: eNews: December 14, 2007 (Preparing for the Michael Vick dogs)

* People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA): Vick Received Federal Sentence–Demand Tough State Prosecution Now!

* DawnWatch: Michael Vick sentence on AJC front page and in many other papers 12/11/07

* Last Chance for Animals (LCA): Michael Vick Sentenced Today, Mon 12/10

* The Petition Site: Keep Michael Vick Out of the NFL!

* Best Friends: Vick dogs cleared to come to Best Friends

* Kinship Circle: Vick’s Dogs/ YOU Helped Save Their Lives

* Kinship Circle: OCT. KC DIGEST – Killing JFK Cats, Shot Iraq Dog, Petitions… (Parts 1 & 2) [Section 9, "Ensure Vick’s Dogs Are Spared, As Promised"]

* Kinship Circle: UPDATE/ Vick’s Dogs: Clemency For All But One

* American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA): eNews Alert: October 5, 2007 (Update on Michael Vick Case/Dog Health Chat Today!)

* People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA): Michael Vick Takes Empathy Course at PETA HQ

* Kinship Circle: LETTER/ Vick Teammate Faces Unrelated Cruelty Charges

* The Petition Site: Stop Dogfighting Now!

* The Petition Site: To the NFL: Help Pitt Bulls while Punishing Michael Vick!

* In Defense of Animals (IDA): Give Vick Dogs a Fighting Chance at Life

* Humane Society Legislative Fund (HSLF): Congressman Garrett sides with dogfighters — speak out at rally next Wednesday

* Dogs Deserve Better (DDB): “Falling Star, Rising Son: The Football Player and the Pit bull” Art containing Actual NFL Football Tickets from Steeler/Eagles Game

* ROAR: Donate your VICK jerseys – you’ll never wear them again!

* Virginia Voters for Animal Welfare: Michael Vick: Now the Hypocrisy Begins

* Kinship Circle: [GULF COAST] Two Years And Still Counting (Section #9, Michael Vick Did NOT Adopt 14 Katrina Pit Bulls)

* Kinship Circle: LETTER/ Salvation For Vick’s Dogs?

* The Petition Site: Please help get Michael Vick’s fines donated to Pit Bull and other animal rescues

* Now if only Vick’s sentence was meted out in dog years… (easyVegan blog post, 8/27/07)

* In Defense of Animals (IDA): Urge Atlanta Falcons to Kick Vick Off of the Team

* Last Chance for Animals (LCA): 8/27 Michael Vick Update!

* American Humane Association Urges Severe Sentence for Michael Vick Appropriate to the Severity and Inhumanity of His Crimes; Historic Organization Seeks Prison Time, Fines, Banishment from NFL

* American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA): Michael Vick Pleads Guilty/ASPCA President Invites Letters of Thanks

* Humane Society of the United States (HSUS): Vick goes before judge – now YOU be the judge

* DawnWatch: Michael Vick case spurs comments on other animal cruelty 8/22 — 8/26/07

* Best Friends Animal Society: The dogs in the Michael Vick case

* People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA): Tell the NFL to Recognize Animal Abuse as an Offense Warranting Suspension–and More

* Humane Society Legislative Fund (HSUS): Congressman Graves sides with dogfighters — speak out at rally on Monday (Kansas City)

* People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA): What to Do if You See Animal Abuse

* The Petition Site: Save Vick’s Dogs

* In Defense of Animals (IDA): Urge Amazon.com to stop promoting illegal animal fighting

* In Defense of Animals (IDA): Breaking News: Vick to Plead Guilty to Dog Fighting Charges

* Kinship Circle: No Deal For Sick Vick’s Dogfighting Crimes

* Last Chance for Animals (LCA): Michael Vick Admits Guilt, Plea Deal To Be Announced!

* Humane Society of the United States (HSUS): Thank the U.S. Attorneys in the Vick Case!

* API: End Dog Fighting for Sport, Sign a Petition to Help Wildlife, and much more…

* Kinship Circle: [RELIEF GLOBAL] Flooded NY Shelter/ TX-KS Updates/ Left Behind In War Zone… (Section #5, 63 Kittens Used As Dogfighting Bait Dumped At Shelter)

* DawnWatch: NPR commentary on dog fighting and canned hunting 8/8/07

* DawnWatch: “‘Culture’ Argument Doesn’t Excuse Cruelty” — Richmond Times-Dispatch 8/6/07

* Kinship Circle: ACTION-UPDATES / The Vick Dogfighting Files

* Kinship Circle: LETTER / To NFL: Release Michael Vick Without Pay

* Michael Vick Blog Carnival #2 (August 2, 2007 @ Campaign to Sack Michael Vick)

* What do you think about the SCLC’s plan to honor Falcons player Michael Vick, who has been indicted on dogfighting charges? [Poll and story on AJC.com, 8/3/07]

* People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA): Sign the Statement Against Dogfighting

* The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS): Help Pass the Dog Fighting Prohibition Act

* The Petition Site: Ban Michael Vick From The NFL

* DawnWatch: Nike drops Vic plus NY Times spay-neuter column 7/30/07

* Michael Vick Blog Carnival #1 (July 28, 2007 @ Campaign to Sack Michael Vick)

* Campaign to Sack Michael Vick

* 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

* Dogs Deserve Better (DDB): Michael Vick & Dogfighting

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

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

* The Petition Site/HSUS: Suspend NFL Quarterback Michael Vick for Dogfighting!

* The Petition Site: Petition to let the NFL know how stupid they look

* DawnWatch: “Warning on red meat and greenhouse gases” Australian, (and Vick update) Friday July 20

* DawnWatch: CBS stories, polls, and other coverage of Vick and dogfighting 7/18/07

* Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) -> NFL, Throw the Book at Michael Vick

* People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) -> Tell the NFL to Suspend Michael Vick!

(More below the fold…)

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: In Defense of Animals – takeaction [at] idausa.org
Date: Jul 16, 2007 10:58 AM
Subject: Writing Alert: Coming this fall: Zoo expansion plans

The Birmingham News published a story about Birmingham Zoo’s future plans for a new elephant exhibit. Please write a letter to the editor on the suffering elephants endure in zoos urging the zoo to scrap any such plans. Send letters to the Birmingham News at epage [at] bhamnews.com.

Read “Coming this fall: Zoo expansion plans” online.

Coming this fall: Zoo expansion plans

Sunday, July 15, 2007
STAN DIEL and WALTER BRYANT, News staff writers

Mona, the elephant beloved by her fans but pitied by animal rights activists before her death last month, will not be the Birmingham Zoo’s last elephant.

An ambitious zoo expansion plan to be unveiled in the fall will include a “much bigger” elephant exhibit, said Dr. Bill Foster, the zoo’s chief executive officer.

(More below the fold…)

Here’s the TOC from IDA’s 7-11-07 newsletter.

Click on the links to take action, or read the whole newsletter online.

IDA Action Alerts

Help Save Great Cats and Rare Canids; Urge congress to protect endangered species around the world

Oppose Destructive Longline Fishing on West Coast; Submit public comments to National Marine Fisheries Service before July 13

“Owner” Murders Husky with Chainsaw; Sign online petition urging prosecutor to seek maximum penalty

Campaign News & Updates

243 Goats Die in Truck Accident Tragedy; Trailer carrying more than 400 goats capsizes just outside of IDA headquarters

Help Your Animal Companions Stay Cool This Summer; Follow these tips for beating the heat while having fun

Food Industry Moves to Improve Animal Welfare; Compassionate consumers and animal advocates prompting companies to change

An archive of past IDA eNews newsletters is available here.

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Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare action alerts ida in defense of animals meat farming factory farming companion animal pet dog canine cat feline companion care summer heat heatstroke animal abuse animal cruelty cruelty to animals great cats canids endangered species wildlife conservation longline fishing fishing west coast environment environmental environmentalist environmentalism goats food industry San Rafael California Spanish goats Marin Humane Society San Rafael Police Department San Rafael Fire Department California Highway Patrol San Rafael Public Works Marin Sanitary Service inhumane criminal speciesism Terri Oyarzun Goats R Us Elliot Katz animal rescue tragedy

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: In Defense of Animals – takeaction [at] idausa.org
Date: Jul 6, 2007 1:30 PM
Subject: Writing Alert: Animal rights group asks government to protect pachyderms

The Vallejo Times Herald ran a story about IDA’s complaint to the USDA about Six Flags Discovery Kingdom and our call to send the elephants there to a sanctuary. Please write a letter to the editor of the Times Herald in support of IDA’s call to move the elephants to a sanctuary as well as the suffering these animals endure in captivity. Send letters to the Times Herald at opinion [at] timesheraldonline.com. Please put “Letter to the Editor” in the subject line of e-mails.

Read “Animal rights group asks government to protect pachyderms” online.

Local animal Animal rights group asks government to protect pachyderms

In Defense of Animals claims Vallejo theme park violated Animal Welfare Act

By DAN JUDGE/Times-Herald staff writer
Article Launched: 07/06/2007

An animal rights group is asking the U.S. Department of Agriculture to investigate Six Flags Discovery Kingdom’s allegedly abusive treatment of the Vallejo amusement park’s elephants.

In Defense of Animals has filed a complaint with the USDA charging that Six Flags has violated the federal Animal Welfare Act by failing to provide adequate veterinary care or living conditions for the elephants.

“The conditions at Six Flags are causing these elephants to suffer and some of them to die,” IDA spokeswoman Catherine Doyle said Thursday. “We’re asking them to determine the elephants should be removed from the situation.”

(More below the fold…)

Here’s the TOC from IDA’s 7-3-07 newsletter.

Click on the links to take action, or read the whole newsletter online.

IDA Action Alerts

IDA Tells Six Flags to Tackle Elephant Problem; New report reveals evidence of illness and abuse at amusement park

Speaking for Animals in Letters to the Editor; Put the power of language to work for IDA’s Guardian Campaign

Oregon Becomes First State to Ban Gestation Crates by Act of Government; Take Action by urging your federal legislators to support related farm animal welfare bill

Campaign News & Updates

IDA’s Guardian of the Month for July – Sheriff Joe Arpaio; “America’s Toughest Sheriff” has a heart for needy animals

Victory! Louisiana Outlaws Cockfighting; Vicious blood sport to be illegal in all 50 states

South Korea Passes New Animal Welfare Law; Dog and cat meat consumption still not expressly prohibited

An archive of past IDA eNews newsletters is available here.

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Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare action alerts ida in defense of animals elephants zoos six flags amusement park Six Flags Discovery Kingdom Vallejo California letters to the editor oregon gestation crates pigs sows meat pork Farm Animal Stewardship Purchasing Act Sheriff Joe Arpaio Joe Arpaio America’s Toughest Sheriff no-kill shelter mash unit pet companion animal dog canine cat feline animal rescue animal fighting cockfighting, blood sports louisiana south korea dog meat cat meat International Day for Korean Dogs and Cats july 25 events

See also: IDA Writing Alert: Elephants’ treatment called harmful.

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: In Defense of Animals – takeaction [at] idausa.org
Date: Jun 28, 2007 4:49 PM
Subject: Breaking News: IDA Issues Report on Elephant Abuse at Six Flags

Breaking News: IDA Issues Report on Elephant Abuse at Six Flags

This morning, In Defense of Animals (IDA) held a press conference at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom to issue a report on the state of the elephants at the North Bay amusement park.

Citing medical records and eyewitness testimony, we revealed evidence that the elephants are victims of abusive treatment and are suffering from ailments related to the inadequate, stressful, and barren conditions at the park. At the press conference, IDA President Dr. Elliot M. Katz issued an urgent plea to the City of Vallejo to send the elephants at Six Flags to a sanctuary. IDA called for an immediate end to shows that exacerbate the elephants’ physical ailments.

IDA’s request comes before the pending sale of the City’s interest in Six Flags Discovery Kingdom to the park. The sale would include four elephants “owned” by the City of Vallejo.

“The city of Vallejo has made millions of dollars from this park and these elephants,” writes Dr. Katz in a letter delivered to the Mayor this morning. “Instead of selling them like furniture, the City must take immediate responsibility for their well-being by sending the elephants to a sanctuary where they can live the rest of their lives in peace.”

Conditions at Six Flags are among the worst of any zoo in the country. In addition to outdated facilities and circus-style training methods that rely on force and physical punishment, the park uses elephants in rides and circus-like shows, practices many zoos have abandoned due to humane and public safety concerns.

What You Can Do:

(More below the fold…)

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: In Defense of Animals – takeaction [at] idausa.org
Date: Jun 28, 2007 10:55 AM
Subject: Writing Alert: Elephants’ treatment called harmful

The San Francisco Chronicle ran a story about IDA’s report on the state of the elephants at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom and our call to send the elephants to a sanctuary. Please write a letter to the editor of the Chronicle in support of IDA’s call to move the elephants to a sanctuary as well as the suffering these animals endure in captivity. Send letters to the Chronicle at letters [at] sfchronicle.com.

Read “Elephants’ treatment called harmful” online.

Elephants’ treatment called harmful/Six Flags Discovery Kingdom denies hurting animals

Thursday, June 28, 2007 (SF Chronicle)
VALLEJO/ Kantele Franko, Chronicle Staff Writer

Local animal advocates say recently obtained veterinary records support their claims that tight living spaces and performance demands for elephants at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo probably cause or exacerbate their foot problems, wounds and other ailments.

The nonprofit In Defense of Animals, which obtained the veterinary Reports for four of the park’s seven elephants through a California Public Records Act request, is demanding that Vallejo city officials stop elephant performances and release the mammoth entertainers to a sanctuary.

The records form the thrust of a report released today by the nonprofit that details elephant injuries and alleged abuses at the park during the past decade. In Defense of Animals could not obtain records on the remaining three elephants because they are owned privately, not by the city. But the group suspects those elephants are similarly affected by captivity, said program director Suzanne Roy.

(More below the fold…)

Here’s the TOC from IDA’s 6-27-07 newsletter.

Click on the links to take action, or read the whole newsletter online.

IDA Action Alerts

Protect Polar Bears from Hunters; Ask Congress to support the Polar Bear Protection Act

Animal Experimentation Under Fire; Scientific and spiritual leaders speak out for humane alternatives

New Book: “Get Political For Animals”; Handbook offers how-to guide for effective legislative action

Campaign News & Updates

Victory! Federal Judge Throws Out Furrier’s Lawsuit; Court rejects charges of illegal protesting and protects animal activists’ freedom of speech

Victory! San Jose Becomes Newest “Guardian City”; Learn how to start a Guardian campaign in your community

IDA-Project Hope Helps Rescue Trapped Kitten; Please thank police and firefighters for helping rescue cat from storm drain

An archive of past IDA eNews newsletters is available here.

Also, a contest/event announcement after the flip.

(More below the fold…)

Here’s the TOC from IDA’s 6-20-07 newsletter.

Click on the links to take action, or read the whole newsletter online.

IDA Action Alerts

Federal Legislation Threatens State Animal Protection Laws; Urge your members of Congress to ensure Farm Bill preserves voters’ rights

Urge Veg Rockers Not to Perform at Brutal Rodeo; Tell Def Leppard and Bon Jovi that animal cruelty isn’t cool

Hurricane Season is Coming: Are You Prepared?; Keep yourself and your animal companions safe when disaster strikes

Campaign News & Updates

Exciting IDA-Africa Benefit: Born To Be Wild; Dr. Sheri Speede to tell chimpanzees’ stories at L.A. event in July

International Day for Korean Dogs and Cats – July 25; IDA to hold protests concurrent with events around the globe

New Online Video Documents Japanese Dolphin Slaughter; Save Japan Dolphins coalition spotlights both animal cruelty and health concerns [Note: video embedded below]

An archive of past IDA eNews newsletters is available here.

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Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare action alerts ida in defense of animals farm bill section 123 activism states’ rights federal power legislation laws bill local laws Def Leppard Bon Jovi concert rodeo bull calf horse cowboy animal cruelty cruelty to animals animal abuse hurricane hurricane season disaster preparedness ida africa benefit events born to be wild chimpanzee chimp animal rescue wildlife conservation korea International Day for Korean Dogs and Cats dog canine cat feline pet companion animal dog meat cat meat japan dolphin dolphin slaughter video you tube fishermen

While reading through the article, this sentence jumped right out at me: “In the early 1990s, the zoo stopped chaining the animals and allowed them to roam freely at night.”

Early ’90s, you say? How progressive. Not. Seriously, you want kudos for unchaining your elephants in the 1990s? That’s like the World Health Organization bragging that they no longer consider homosexuality a mental disorder…as of 1992. (Even the APA was late to the party…in 1973.) Bully for you!

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: In Defense of Animals – takeaction [at] idausa.org
Date: Jun 20, 2007 5:46 PM
Subject: Writing Alert: Elephant euthanized at Wild Animal Park

The North County Times published a story about the death of an elephant at the San Diego Wild Animal Park who was suffering from severe foot disease. Please write a letter to the editor of the North County Times on the suffering elephants endure in zoos. Send letters to the Times at letters [at] nctimes.com.

Read “Elephant euthanized at Wild Animal Park” online.

Elephant euthanized at Wild Animal Park

North County Times – Escondido,Calif.
By: PAUL EAKINS – Staff Writer

SAN PASQUAL VALLEY — A North County celebrity who appeared on “The Tonight Show” with the late Johnny Carson and whose feats of strength and agility kept crowds in awe has died.

But critics say the death could have been prevented.

Carol, a 39-year-old Asian elephant, was euthanized because of health problems Tuesday at the San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park east of Escondido, zoo officials said.

Officials said euthanasia was the “humane” thing to do, but wildlife advocates said Tuesday the animal should have been sent to an elephant sanctuary instead. At a sanctuary, advocates said, the elephant might have recovered from the illnesses they say were caused by poor treatment at the animal park.

(More below the fold…)

Here’s the TOC from IDA’s 6-13-07 newsletter.

Click on the links to take action, or read the whole newsletter online.

IDA Action Alerts

IDA Online – New Technology Advances Animal Advocacy; Join IDA’s social network, watch videos, and get your friends involved!

Bounty for California Goat Killer Up to $21,000; IDA adds $2,500 to reward for information leading to killer’s conviction

S. Korean Political Protesters Torture and Kill Pig as “Performance”; Urge Korean officials to prohibit animal abuse

Campaign News & Updates

Unchained: IDA Battles Dog Fighters over Anti-Tethering Law; Efforts to limit chaining in North Carolina gain momentum

IDA Rescues 11 Neglected Horses; Removed from squalor, horses now have new homes

New Episodes of Undercover TV Expose Animal Abuse; IDA’s groundbreaking animal rights program airs on over 100 stations

An archive of past IDA eNews newsletters is available here.

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Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare action alerts ida in defense of animals flickr facebook myspace photobucket, youtube california Oakland hills goats animal abuse cruelty to animals animal cruelty goat killer pig piglet protest south korea north carolina dog canine pet companion animal chaining tethering Suzanne Roy dog fighting animal fighting horses neglect colorado boulder undercover tv documentary animal cops

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: In Defense of Animals – takeaction [at] idausa.org
Date: Jun 11, 2007 8:51 PM
Subject: Urge U.S. Forest Service to Protect the Heber Wild Horses by 6/15

Urge U.S. Forest Service to Protect the Heber Wild Horses by 6/15

As we reported in our March 28th eNews, IDA and others took a significant step toward protecting wild horses in Arizona’s Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests, reaching a historic stipulated agreement with the U.S. Forest Service that was signed as an order by the Federal Court. The agreement, signed in good faith by all parties, stipulated that the Forest Service would conduct a National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) study on the horses and create a management program for horses in the Heber Wild Horse Territory and on surrounding lands in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests.

The agreement came after a lawsuit was filed by IDA and other animal protectionists in 2005 to make the U.S. Forest Service protect hundreds of wild horses in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests of Eastern Arizona and to prevent the horses from being sold at auction and most likely sent to slaughter in Mexico. This rare group of equines are descendents of horses whose roots can be traced back to the region as far back as 1699, and represent an important part of our national heritage that the courts have agreed should be preserved.

Yet, while the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests have already begun their NEPA evaluation, people who attended the first two public comment meetings regarding management of the horses have already voiced some serious concerns regarding the Forest Service’s intentions. Please speak up for the horses to ensure that the Forest Service creates a plan to manage the Heber horses in a humane and benevolent manner.

Please “Take Action” to tell the Forest Service that the Heber horses should be protected and managed humanely. The deadline for comments is this Friday, June 15. Important talking points are included in the sample letter, but please edit the letter to express your personal viewpoint for maximum effectiveness: just remember to be polite and respectful. Also submit public comments via postal mail and email to the following officials and copy your legislators:

(More below the fold…)

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: In Defense of Animals – takeaction [at] idausa.org
Date: Jun 11, 2007 1:09 PM
Subject: Writing Alert: May zoos learn from a lonely elephant’s tale

The Herald published an editorial about the death of a baby elephant at Woodland Park Zoo and Maggie, the lone elephant at the Alaska Zoo, who activists are working to get sent to a sanctuary. Please write a letter to the editor of The Herald on the suffering elephants endure in zoos. Send letters to the Herald at letters [at] heraldnet.com.

Read “May zoos learn from a lonely elephant’s tale” online.

May zoos learn from a lonely elephant’s tale

Monday, June 11, 2007

As people mourn the death of the Woodland Park Zoo’s youngest elephant, 6-year-old Hansa, another pachyderm story is playing out in Alaska.

The Alaska Zoo board finally, after years of pressure, decided to relocate the zoo’s lone elephant, Maggie. It must be determined first, however, if the 25-year-old African elephant is healthy enough for travel.

In the wild, Maggie would be at the prime of her life, reproducing and roaming with the herd. In captivity, Maggie twice recently was unable to get up off her concrete floor, requiring the help the Anchorage Fire Department to raise her up.

Maggie arrived at the zoo in 1983 as a baby when her herd in South Africa was culled. She has been alone since Dec. 14, 1997, when the zoo’s other elephant, Annabelle, died at age 33 of a foot infection.

Attention was focused on the zoo in 2004, when it was revealed that Maggie was overweight at 9,120 pounds, more a proper weight for a male African elephant. Calls were made at the time to move Maggie. But the Alaska Zoo did not want to give up its only elephant. The board decided to address the problem by … buying a $100,000, 16,000-pound, custom-built treadmill.

(More below the fold…)

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: In Defense of Animals – takeaction [at] idausa.org
Date: Jun 8, 2007 8:51 PM
Subject: Take Action: Stop Solomon Islands dolphin captures

Take Action: Stop Solomon Islands dolphin captures

As many as twenty dolphin were recently captured in the Solomon Islands to meet supply and demand for the epidemic of captive dolphin amusement parks popping up around the world. At this early stage we don’t know exactly where the “Solomon Twenty” are destined for. When we find out we will inform you.

Dolphin dealer Christopher Porter of Marine Export Ltd (MEL) apparently has a buyer for twenty dolphins. Mr. Porter is working with his partners, Wildlife International Network, Inc. (WIN). You may recall that WIN is also known as Ocean Embassy (OE) in Panama. OE applied for a permit to capture eighty dolphins from Panamanian waters. A grassroots campaign is underway in Panama to stop these captures.

The Solomon Islands has a ban in place which prohibits the export of dolphins from the country, however the new government may have changed their mind about the export ban. We need to flood the prime minister — and the newspaper — with e-mail messages in order to stop this international traffic in captive dolphins.

The capture of wild dolphins and whales is violent, cruel, and disruptive to entire communities of cetaceans and the ecosystems in which they live. One capture method involves chasing dolphins to the point of exhaustion with high speed boats. The dolphins are then netted and dragged aboard. Undesirable dolphins (the old, the very young, the weak, injured, or sick) are thrown back into the sea, while the young, healthy specimens that meet aquarium specifications are kept for sale and transport.

(More below the fold…)

Here’s the TOC from IDA’s 6-06-07 newsletter.

Click on the links to take action, or read the whole newsletter online.

IDA Action Alerts

Help Make Your Community a Guardian City in 2007; Learn how to start a Guardian campaign in your community

Undercover Slaughterhouse Investigation Exposes Cruelty; Urge USDA to protect chickens and turkeys under the federal Humane Slaughter Act

Polls Show Strong Support for Banning Foie Gras; IDA and RSPCA call on consumers and lawmakers to reject deadly “delicacy”

Campaign News & Updates

Alaska Zoo Announces Decision to Relocate Maggie the Elephant; IDA Urges Move to Sanctuary; Not Another Zoo

IDA’s Guardian of the Month for June – Jan McHugh-Smith; New SF/SPCA President helped Boulder, Colo. become first guardian city

IDA-India Seeks Justice for 17 Dogs Burned to Death; Complaint triggers official inquiry by Animal Welfare Board of India

An archive of past IDA eNews newsletters is available here.

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Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare action alerts ida in defense of animals guardian city guardian city guardian campaign meat usda u.s. department of agriculture Humane Slaughter Act chickens turkeys mercy for animals slaughterhouse factory farming birds poultry foie gras ducks liver duck liver zoos alaska zoo elephants maggie Jan McHugh-Smith india dog canine pet companion animal animal abuse cruelty to animals animal cruelty

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: In Defense of Animals – takeaction [at] idausa.org
Date: Jun 7, 2007 11:05 AM
Subject: Writing Alert: It’s time to ban foie gras, the trifecta of misery

The Philly Daily News ran an opinion piece about foie gras in support of a ban on the cruel “delicacy.” Please write a letter to the editor about the suffering ducks and geese endure to produce foie gras in support of the legislation. Send letters to views [at] phillynews.com.

Read “It’s time to ban foie gras, the trifecta of misery” online.

Stu Bykofsky | It’s time to ban foie gras, the trifecta of misery

FOIE GRAS is French for “fatty liver.”

For many, including Councilman Jack Kelly, it is animal torture, and that’s why he introduced a bill to ban it.

Chances are, you never ate foie gras.

Chances are, if you knew what it is and how it is made, you never would.

A Zogby International poll of likely Pennsylvania voters said 61 percent never eat foie gras.

A piddling 2 percent eat it at least once a year. One-third said they’ve never even heard of it.

Each year in the U.S., almost a half-million ducks are caged, tortured and slaughtered for their livers, deliberately diseased by the cruel hand of man.

To create “fatty liver,” tubes are jammed down the throats of helpless male ducks two or three times a day to force-feed them up to a total of four pounds of grain mush. The forced feedings go on for 12-15 days.

(More below the fold…)

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: In Defense of Animals – takeaction [at] idausa.org
Date: Jun 1, 2007 9:25 AM
Subject: Writing Alert: Baby elephant turns to her grandmother for milk

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch ran an article Jade the baby elephant at St. Louis Zoo who was rejected by her mother. Please write a letter to the editor of The Post-Dispatch about the suffering elephants endure in zoos. Send letters to The Post-Dispatch at letters [at] post-dispatch.com.

Read “Baby elephant turns to her grandmother for milk” online.

Baby elephant turns to her grandmother for milk

By Diane Toroian Keaggy
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH

Thursday, May. 31 2007

Rejected by her mother, the youngest elephant at the St. Louis Zoo has found a new source of milk: her grandmother.

Three-month old Jade gets about 10 bottles of elephant formula a day but recently started to nurse from grandmother Ellie, who also nurses her own 10-month-old daughter, Maliha.

“It’s a very unique situation,” said curator of mammals Martha Fischer. “We don’t envision that Jade is going to be adopted by Ellie, but we do want Jade to have an opportunity to have some real elephant milk.”

(More below the fold…)

Here’s the TOC from IDA’s 5-30-07 newsletter.

Click on the links to take action, or read the whole newsletter online.

IDA Action Alerts

Alaska Zoo Report Admits Inability to Care for Maggie the Elephant; “Take Action” to urge Zoo Board to transfer her to a sanctuary

Help Protect Animal Habitats along Caribbean Coastline; Urge Puerto Rico’s Senate to designate area as a nature reserve

New Books About Animals Entertain and Educate; Authors donate proceeds to IDA and other animal protection organizations

Campaign News & Updates

IDA Reissues Call to End Chimpanzee Research; Urges permanent ban on chimpanzee research in honor of Jane Goodall

Animal Rights Champion Gretchen Wyler Passes Away; Broadway, film, and TV actress brought animal issues into the mainstream

Discounted Registration for AR 2007 Ends Soon; Get your tickets now for the movement’s premiere conference

An archive of past IDA eNews newsletters is available here.

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Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare action alerts ida in defense of animals elephants zoos alaska alaska zoo maggie USDA U.S. Department of Agriculture environment environmental environmentalism environmentalist wildlife conservation Caribbean Coastline Puerto Rico books Kay Pfaltz Marie Mead rabbit dog canine pet companion animal animal rescue animal research animal testing animal experimentation vivisection primates chimps chimpanzees jane goodall actress Gretchen Wyler Genesis Awards obituary obit education events conference ar2007

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: In Defense of Animals – takeaction [at] idausa.org
Date: May 29, 2007 2:41 PM
Subject: Writing Alert: Feds exit the chimp breeding business

The Orange County Register and many publications across the country published an article about the NIH’s announcement that it will end breeding chimpanzees for research. Please write a letter to the editor of the Orange County Register to support a ban on chimpanzee breeding. Call on the agency to go one step further by making a commitment to end chimpanzee research. Send letters to the Register at letters [at] ocregister.com.

Read “Feds exit the chimp breeding business” online.

Feds exit the chimp breeding business
Animal rights groups cheer the move by the National Institutes of Health.

By WILL DUNHAM
Reuters

The U.S. National Institutes of Health, which supports a variety of biomedical studies using animals, will stop breeding government-owned chimpanzees for medical research – a step animal rights advocates lauded.

The NIH’s National Center for Research Resources cited financial reasons for its decision this week to permanently cease breeding of government-owned chimpanzees for research. A breeding moratorium on NCRR-owned and supported chimpanzees had been in place since 1995.

The Humane Society of the United States said it suspects that ethical reasons also were involved in the decision. The group, which opposes the use of these apes as lab animals, said the decision on ending breeding likely also means NIH no longer will be acquiring new chimpanzees through other means.

(More below the fold…)

Note: For previous IDA alerts re: Maggie the elephant, click here and here.

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: In Defense of Animals – takeaction [at] idausa.org
Date: May 25, 2007 2:40 PM
Subject: Take Action Now to Help Lone Elephant at Alaska Zoo

Take Action Now to Help Lone Elephant at Alaska Zoo

Last week on two separate occasions, Maggie, the lone elephant at the Alaska Zoo, was found prone and unable to stand up.

Amidst a torrent of public outcry, IDA called on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to immediately investigate the Alaska Zoo, remove Maggie from the Zoo and send her to a sanctuary with the space, climate, and conditions elephants need to thrive.

Foot and joint disease in elephants are linked to cramped quarters, lack of exercise, and standing on hard surfaces like concrete, often in feces and urine. Maggie is especially prone to such unhealthy conditions, as she must live completely indoors during the harsh Alaskan winter, constantly walking and standing on hard concrete.

In December 1997, Maggie’s long-time elephant companion, Annabelle, also collapsed and could not right herself. News reports indicate that Annabelle was “so sick with infection in her foot and hurting so badly that she couldn’t stand up anymore.” She was euthanized at age 33, half an elephant’s natural lifespan.

Earlier this week, the Anchorage Assembly passed a resolution supporting Maggie’s transfer to a suitable facility. The Alaska Zoo’s Board of Directors will consider Maggie’s fate next Tuesday night. They are soliciting public comments at directors [at] alaskazoo.org. Please send a polite email to urge the Zoo to do right by Maggie and send her to a sanctuary. Urge friends and family members to weigh in as well.

To learn more and to find talking points to help you draft your email, visit www.helpelephants.com

If you received this message from a friend, you can sign up for IDA’s Action Center.

In Defense of Animals is an international animal protection organization with more than 85,000 members and supporters dedicated to ending the abuse and exploitation of animals by protecting their rights and welfare. IDA’s efforts include educational events, cruelty investigations, boycotts, grassroots activism, and hands-on rescue through our sanctuaries in Mississippi and Cameroon, Africa.

In Defense of Animals 3010 Kerner Blvd., San Rafael, California 94901 – P: (415) 388-9641 F: (415) 388-0388

email: idainfo [at] idausa.org

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Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare action alerts ida in defense of animals elephants zoos alaska alaska zoo maggie usda U.S. Department of Agriculture elephant sanctuary retire