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From: In Defense of Animals - takeaction [at] idausa.org
Date: Oct 17, 2007 10:31 PM
Subject: IDA eNews: 10-17-07

IDA Action Alerts

Send Elephants Tina and Jewel to a Sanctuary
Former circus performers still living in squalid Texas pen

Canadian Cormorants Face Slaughter
Urge wildlife officials not to cull native colonial water bird

Killer Party: Host’s Cat Bludgeoned, then Burned to Death
Urge maximum prosecution under the law for the accused

Campaign News & Updates

Help Air IDA’s “Veganism: The Power of Compassion” Ad on TV
Expose factory farming during World GO VEGAN Days, Oct. 26 - 28

Puerto Rico Animal Control Workers Accused of Throwing Dogs and Cats from Bridge
Take Action to urge officials to identify and prosecute those responsible and initiate animal policy reforms

Halloween Horror: On Humankind’s Monstrous Cruelty to Animals
Harrowing holiday provides unique opportunities for reflection, advocacy, and tasty vegan treats

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From: In Defense of Animals
Date: Oct 11, 2007 12:41 AM
Subject: IDA eNews: 10-10-07

Having trouble viewing IDA eNews? View it online.

IDA Action Alerts

What to Do…for World GO VEGAN Days
Start planning veg-friendly activities for October 26-28

Black Bear Hunt on National Wildlife Refuge Doubles Number of Hunters
Take Action to urge cancellation of cruel and unnecessary bear hunt

Chickens Beheaded and Eaten on Episode of “Kid Nation”
Demand that CBS stop killing animals on their “reality TV” shows

Campaign News & Updates

Get Ready for Fur Free Friday 2007
Start making plans now for the year’s biggest anti-fur event

Thousands Enjoy World Veg Festival Weekend in San Francisco
Event co-sponsored by IDA and SFVS featured speakers, entertainment, and tasty food

City of York Bans Sale of Foie Gras
Becomes first in UK to outlaw cruel duck liver “delicacy”

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From: In Defense of Animals - takeaction [at] idausa.org
Date: Oct 10, 2007 11:49 AM
Subject: Writing Alert: Cooking Up a Battle over Foie Gras

Congratulations to volunteer writer Marge Hackett whose letter to the Ojai Valley News on foie gras was published.

Time magazine ran an article about the controversy over foie gras. Please write a letter to the editor about the suffering ducks and geese endure to produce foie gras. Send letters at letters [at] time.com.

Read “Cooking Up a Battle over Foie Gras” online.

Cooking Up a Battle over Foie Gras

Tuesday, Oct. 09, 2007
By Lisa McLaughlin

At Philadelphia’s Vintage restaurant last week the special was two delicately pan-seared pieces of foie gras perched atop toasted brioche with a berry coulis, garnished with fresh raspberries and a side of rebellion.

The days of foie gras as a simple exercise in gastronomic luxury are over. Foie gras — French for the fatted liver of a duck or goose — has come under increasing fire in the U.S., where it is a $17 million business. Chicago has banned the sale of it and California law will make it illegal to sell or raise foie gras by 2012. The fiercest battleground right now is in Philadelphia, where City Councilman Jack Kelly has proposed a ban and animal rights group Hugs for Puppies has been protesting the homes and businesses of chefs who serve the delicacy. But a group of Philly restaurateurs are fighting back, under the banner Philadelphia Chefs for Choice, marking the first time anywhere that chefs have organized to protest the foie gras protesters. During the first week of October, nearly 20 restaurants served foie gras specials on their lunch and dinner menus for just $5. The chef group has stated: “In the city of Philadelphia, the birthplace of American liberty, we want to keep the right to serve foie gras.”

The debate is centered around the practice of gavage, in which corn is force-fed to farm-raised ducks through a funnel down their throats. Some argue that gavage is inhumane, while others counter that the physiology of a duck is not the same as a human. “It seems terrible if you don’t know that a duck’s esophagus is lined with a very thick cuticle, if you don’t realize that baby ducks are fed by their mother pushing her beak down the baby’s throat,” says Ariane Daguin, owner of D’Artagnan, the largest foie gras purveyor in the U.S. Recent studies by Dr. Daniel Gu men a leading expert on the physiological effects of gavage, have shown that ducks with young in the wild were under more stress than the ducks being fed through gavage. And both The American Veterinary Medical Association’s House of Delegates and the American Association of Avian Pathologists have concluded that foie is not a product of animal cruelty.

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———- Forwarded message ———-
From: In Defense of Animals - takeaction [at] idausa.org
Date: Oct 3, 2007 7:12 PM
Subject: IDA eNews: 10-03-07

Having trouble viewing IDA eNews? View it online.

October 3rd, 2007

IDA Action Alerts

Ask Congress to Permanently Protect Chimpanzees Retired From Experimentation
Close loophole in CHIMP Act so that they won’t be recalled into research

Alaska’s Aerial Wolf Hunting Under Fire in Congress
Take Action to support bill to ban shooting of animals from planes

Drunk Man Decapitates Tame Duck in Hotel Lobby
Take Action to hold killer accountable to the law and his government employer

Campaign News & Updates

IDA’s Guardian of the Month for October - Mary Lee Withers
Owner of P.C.’s Pantry for Dogs and Cats in Boulder puts animals first

Victory: Domestic Horse Slaughter Abolished
Urge your federal legislators to ban export of live horses for slaughter

Cook Up a Storm on World GO VEGAN Days: Oct. 26-28
Impress your family, friends, and co-workers with sweet vegan treats

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From: In Defense of Animals - takeaction [at] idausa.org
Date: Oct 3, 2007 6:33 PM
Subject: Writing Alert: Mishandling of Germs on Rise at US Labs

The Washington Post and many other publications throughout the U.S. ran an article about the “Mishandling of Germs on Rise at US Labs.” Please take a moment to send a letter to the editor of the Post, or your local publication if the story appears. Send letters to the Post at letters [at] washpost.com.

Read “Mishandling of Germs on Rise at US Labs” online.

Mishandling of Germs on Rise at US Labs

By LARRY MARGASAK
The Associated Press
Tuesday, October 2, 2007; 5:14 PM

WASHINGTON — American laboratories handling the world’s deadliest germs and toxins have experienced more than 100 accidents and missing shipments since 2003, and the number is increasing as more labs do the work.

No one died, and regulators said the public was never at risk during these incidents. But the documented cases reflect poorly on procedures and oversight at high-security labs, some of which work with organisms and poisons that can cause illnesses with no cure. In some cases, labs have failed to report accidents as required by law.

The mishaps include workers bitten or scratched by infected animals, skin cuts, needle sticks and more, according to a review by The Associated Press of confidential reports submitted to federal regulators. They describe accidents involving anthrax, bird flu virus, monkeypox and plague-causing bacteria at 44 labs in 24 states. More than two-dozen incidents were still under investigation.

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———- Forwarded message ———-
From: In Defense of Animals - takeaction [at] idausa.org
Date: Sep 27, 2007 3:05 PM
Subject: Writing Alert: Help protect bears

The Boulder Daily Camera published an opinion piece on IDA’s push to require Boulder residents to “bear proof” garbage receptacles after the killing of a bear in Boulder who violated the state’s “two-strikes” policy. The state policy mandates that any bear who has been relocated outside of the city once is killed if he returns. Many Colorado cities have ordinances in place requiring residents and businesses to bear proof garbage receptacles. Please write a letter to the editor of the Daily Camera: openforum [at] dailycamera.com.

Read “Caring for bears” online (free registration required)

Caring for bears
Protecting wildlife worth a little money and inconvenience

Clay Evans, guest editor
Thursday, September 27, 2007

What would you be willing to sacrifice to help prevent the tragic sacrifice of “nuisance” black bears who wander into human-inhabited areas of Boulder County? A little money? Some convenience?

Wildlife advocates from groups as diverse as Sinapu, the Sierra Club and In Defense of Animals are hoping we’ll at least consider a little of both. Following the latest killing of a roaming bear on Sept. 14 in eastern Boulder, they’ve asked the city to enact a law to punish citizens who leave unsecured, bear-attracting garbage cans at the curb.

It’s far too late to pass an ordinance this year, as bears soon will be heading back into the high country for a long winter’s nap. But now is exactly the right time for the city - and Boulder County, for that matter - to start the process of putting put some legal teeth into now-voluntary suggestions that people don’t lure bears into danger with trash, bird feeders and fallen fruit.

You can hardly blame bears for heading to where the living is (relatively) easy, particularly in a dry year when food is scarce. Unfortunately, under the state’s “two strikes” rules, bears caught more than once in town typically are shot and killed.

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———- Forwarded message ———-
From: In Defense of Animals
Date: Sep 6, 2007 12:59 PM
Subject: Writing Alert: Giraffe dies in fire at Six Flags amusement park in Vallejo

The San Francisco Chronicle ran an article about the death of a giraffe at Six Flags Amusement Park in Vallejo, Calif. Please write a letter to the editor of the Chronicle explaining that animals don’t belong in amustement parks. Send letters to letters [at] sfchronicle.com.

Read “Giraffe Dies in Fire at Six Flags Amusement Park in Vallejo” online.

Giraffe Dies in Fire at Six Flags Amusement Park in Vallejo

By Marisa Lagos, Chronicle Staff Writer
Thursday, September 6, 2007

A 2-year-old male giraffe was killed in an early morning blaze at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo that also destroyed the giraffe barn, officials said today.

Two female giraffes had already escaped the blaze when fire crews arrived at the amusement park around 2:15 a.m. to find the barn engulfed in flames, Fire Department spokesman Bill Tweedy said.

“Fire was coming out of all the doors and the roof was gone,” Tweedy said. “They suppressed the fire inside the building … then discovered the third giraffe inside.”

Firefighters found Makonnen, the male giraffe, dead in his stall. Makonnen had been at the park since spring 2006, said Six Flags Discovery Kingdom spokeswoman Nancy Chan.

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Action Alerts

European Coalition to End Animal Experiments (ECEAE): Help Us Stop Primate Experiments. For Good.
We currently have a real opportunity to get a ban on all primate experiments across Europe – but we need your help.

The Foundation for Taxpayer & Consumer Rights (FTCR) / OilWatchdog: Stick It to Big Oil
Send a free fax to your U.S. Senator by clicking here, and ask him or her to support McCaskill’s “Fair Fuel” bill, S. 1997!

Four Paws: Join us in a protest against the ruthless dog mafia in Europe
FOUR PAWS wants to thwart the unscrupulous trade in puppies. Take part! Support our protest and sign our online petition.

In Defense of Animals (IDA): Get Tina and Jewel Out of the Circus
Urge USDA to send suffering elephants to a sanctuary now

In Defense of Animals (IDA): Ask Prosecutor to seek maximum sentencing for animal hoarders
Over 100 Animals Removed from Animal Hoarders’ Home; Supplies needed to care for 68 surviving dogs and cats

(more…)

Action Alerts

Ecological Internet / The Rainforest Portal: Protest Destruction of Colombian Rainforests and Livelihoods to Feed Automobiles
It is gravely unethical and ecologically devastating to expand production of biofuels at the expense of ancient primary rainforests, biodiverse grasslands, local communities and their food sovereignty.

In Defense of Animals (IDA): Police Officer Accused of Killing K-9 Partner
“Take Action” to ask State Attorney to seek maximum sentence

In Defense of Animals (IDA): New York Passes Fur Labeling Legislation
“Take Action” to ask Congress to pass federal fur labeling bill

Newsletters

Best Friends Animal Society: eNews: August 31, 2007
Cats from hoarding situation safe at Best Friends

Dr. Greger’s Pandemic Update: August 2007
World Health Organization Calls Attention to Poultry Intensification; What Are the Odds a Pandemic Will Strike Within the Next Year?

In Defense of Animals (IDA): eNews: August 29, 2007
IDA Action Alerts, Campaign News & Updates

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———- Forwarded message ———-
From: In Defense of Animals - takeaction [at] idausa.org
Date: Aug 30, 2007 10:40 AM
Subject: Writing Alert: Trying to Connect the Dinner Plate to Climate Change

The New York Times ran an article about the growing awareness of the effects of a meat-based diet on the environment. Please write a letter to the editor of the Times informing readers that the best thing they can do for their health, animals, and the environment is to go vegan. Send letters to letters [at] nytimes.com.

Read “Trying to Connect the Dinner Plate to Climate Change” online.

Trying to Connect the Dinner Plate to Climate Change

By CLAUDIA H. DEUTSCH
August 29, 2007

EVER since “An Inconvenient Truth,” Al Gore has been the darling of environmentalists, but that movie hardly endeared him to the animal rights folks. According to them, the most inconvenient truth of all is that raising animals for meat contributes more to global warming than all the sport utility vehicles combined.

The biggest animal rights groups do not always overlap in their missions, but now they have coalesced around a message that eating meat is worse for the environment than driving. They and smaller groups have started advertising campaigns that try to equate vegetarianism with curbing greenhouse gases.

Some backlash against this position is inevitable, the groups acknowledge, but they do have scientific ammunition. In late November, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization issued a report stating that the livestock business generates more greenhouse gas emissions than all forms of transportation combined.

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