UPDATE, 3/14/07, via Last Chance for Animals:

I would like to thank all of you who took action on the alert sent out Monday regarding the elephants at the Los Angeles Zoo. The Mayor’s office has received them and our message was heard.

Second, there have been a few questions regarding LCA’s position on the issue, and I’d like to take this opportunity to clarify.

LCA is very happy that Ruby is going to a sanctuary. She has spent many years in both the circus and zoo environments and has suffered tremendously. Her relocation to the PAWS sanctuary is a positive first step. If and when we know the elephant exhibit will be permanently closed, it will be a meaningful one in the larger context.

I want to make it clear that I am concerned about Ruby and Billy as I am about all other elephants. I don’t want to continue seeing elephants suffering and dying in zoos, as I have for almost 20 years, and I certainly don’t want to see zoos viewing sanctuaries as a dumping place for their unwanted elephants.

We are very much still willing to work with Mayor Villaraigosa and have hope that he will do the right thing.

As for any further action, please hold off on sending any emails and letters or making any calls or faxes to Villaraigosa right now. Our position was made crystal clear and we will take this opportunity to reformulate our campaign plans. We will keep you informed as things unfold and will definitely let you know when the time is right for more action.

Thank you for your quick action and for your continued support.

The elephants will win this one.

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———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Last Chance for Animals
Date: Mar 12, 2007 7:08 PM
Subject: Dark Day for All Elephants

Darkest Day for All Elephants; One L.A. Zoo Elephant Out, Eight More to Arrive

The Los Angeles Zoo announced today that they are sending Ruby, the African elephant, to a sanctuary. However, the zoo has not bothered to announce that the plan for the new exhibit is to house as many as eight elephants; making the new $39 million exhibit smaller in comparison to the old exhibit.

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———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Last Chance for Animals - campaigns [at] lcanimal.org
Date: Mar 5, 2007 3:21 PM
Subject: Pet Safety and Protection Act Reintroduced - TAKE ACTION

The Pet Safety and Protection Act Reintroduced!

Great news! The Pet Safety and Protection Act (PSPA) is off to a strong start!

Earlier this week, in both the House and the Senate, the PSPA was reintroduced!

S. 714, the senate version, was introduced by Senator Daniel Akaka of Hawaii. H.R. 1280, the house version, was introduced by Rep. Mike Doyle of Pennsylvania and had 22 co-sponsors.

The bill will amend the Animal Welfare Act to ensure that all dogs and cats used by research facilities are obtained legally. Specifically, it will make Class “B” dealers an illegal source of animals for medical research laboratories.

The United States Department of Agriculture licenses animal dealers; anyone selling animals to laboratories (or selling more than 24 dogs or cats per year at the wholesale level) must be licensed. Class “A” dealers maintain their own breeding colonies while Class “B” dealers obtain animals from “random sources” - meaning they can legally be obtained from pounds, shelters and people that have bred and raised the animals themselves. However, investigations have revealed that dealers illegally acquire animals from “bunchers,” who steal animals from backyards, cars and through “free to good home” ads.

The current system, in which the USDA regulates the dealers via the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) is not working - as the USDA is unable (or unwilling) to enforce the AWA and the AWA, as it currently exists, does not provide adequate protection to America’s companion animals.

See below for information on “Dealing Dogs”, the HBO documentary on LCA’s undercover investigation on Class B dealer, C.C. Baird. “Dealing Dogs” has become an important tool in the lobbying efforts for the PSPA!

Contact your senators and representative and urge them to co-sponsor the Pet Safety and Protection Act!

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———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Campaigns Department - campaigns [at] lcanimal.org
Date: Feb 8, 2007 2:51 PM
Subject: International Chinese Fur Protest, Tuesday, 2/13

Protest the Cruel Chinese Fur Industry!

The International Anti-Fur Coalition is planning protests against the Chinese fur industry in the U.S. and 10 other countries on Tuesday, February 13th.

Please join LCA in this important protest and make a difference for the animals.

Over half of the world’s fur today is produced by China, a country with no animal welfare laws where millions of dogs and cats are killed for fur every year. Undercover video investigations have shown Chinese fur farm workers skinning animals alive without concern for their pain, leaving them to a slow and agonizing death. Though illegal in the U.S., dog and cat fur still winds up on store shelves through a loophole which exempts manufacturers and retailers from having to label fur garments under $150 with information about the species of animal or country of origin.

Southern California residents, please join us this year at the international protest and stand up for the cats, dogs and other animals suffering on Chinese fur farms. All other LCA members not living in Southern California, please visit The International Anti-Fur Coalition website to find a protest near you!

What: Protest against the Chinese fur industry
When: Tuesday, February 13th starting at 11:00 am
Where: Consulate General of the Peoples Republic of China, 443 Shatto Place, Los Angeles 90020

Whether or not you are able to make it to the demonstration, please call, fax or email the Chinese Consulate on February 13th to urge them to stop killing dogs and cats for fur and to pass meaningful animal welfare laws. Please be polite and respectful in your communications with Consulate staff.

Consulate General of the Peoples Republic of China
Tel: (213) 807-8088
Fax: (213) 807-8091
Email: press [at] chinaconsulatela.org

See you at the protest!

For the animals,

Campaigns Department

Please visit www.lcanimal.org to see other ways you can help end the cruel practices of the Chinese fur industry.

email: campaigns [at] lcanimal.org
phone: (310) 271-6096 x30
web: www.lcanimal.org

Forward email

Last Chance for Animals | 8033 Sunset Blvd. #835 | Los Angeles | CA | 90046

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Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare action alerts LCA last chance for animals dog canine cat feline dog fur cat fur fur China International Chinese Fur Protest The International Anti-Fur Coalition fur farm protest day of action

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Campaigns Department - campaigns [at] lcanimal.org
Date: Dec 22, 2006 4:37 PM
Subject: AETA Update from Chris DeRose

“I Am Not a Terrorist”

LCA is unwavering in our commitment to challenge the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act (AETA), no matter how hard or how long it takes.

We are continuing our coalition building with other major animal groups, welfare, protection, rescue and rights organizations, as well as legal organizations and non-animal organizations, to work together so that there is a single message from all of us. This is important! Our voices must be strong and unified to gather support for the repeal of the AETA.

We were overwhelmed by the positive feedback and the number of people that want to join the fight. We have been in touch with people all over the county. The public needed someone to carry the torch and to have a main focus.

I want to continue stressing that the AETA has the ability to affect all animal groups; welfare, protection, rescue and rights. In LCA fashion, we will stay on it and pursue it until it no longer exists.

Please continue contacting your senators and representatives. Let them know that you support the repeal of the AETA and you want them to support the repeal also! Call back frequently; become familiar with the staff…you can make a difference.

For those of you near Washington D.C. - members of Congress will be sworn in on Thursday, January 4th, and most will hold receptions for their constituents. This is a great opportunity to approach your representatives (and others) about repealing the AETA. They usually require an RSVP, but they may not be too strict about barring unannounced visitors.

Check in with LCA and Equal Justice Alliance often for updated information on the fight against the AETA.

We’re going to kick ass and stop this damn thing!

For the animals,

Chris DeRose
President and Founder
Last Chance for Animals

email: campaigns [at] lcanimal.org
phone: (310) 271-6096 x30
web: www.lcanimal.org

Last Chance for Animals | 8033 Sunset Blvd. #835 | Los Angeles | CA | 90046

——————

Tagged: animals animal+rights action+alerts lca last+chance+for+animals aeta Animal+Enterprise+Terrorism+Act free+speech censorship first+amendment terrorism animal+terrorism eco-terrorism civil+liberties chris+derose

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Campaigns Department - campaigns [at] lcanimal.org
Date: Dec 4, 2006 8:58 PM
Subject: An Important Message from Chris DeRose

Keep Fighting, the Animals Need Us!

The Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act (AETA) has been signed into law…now what?

The government can call constitutionally protected freedom of speech and the act of helping animals “terrorism,” but that doesn’t change the fact that millions of animals are needlessly suffering for vanity, appetite, entertainment and sport. The animals still need us, regardless of how the animal abusers portray us in the media and the halls of Congress.

LCA’s team of lawyers and lobbyists have been pouring over the language of the bill to figure out exactly what this means for activists and are strategizing on how to fight this absurd bill.

The LCA team has two suggestions for animal rights activists, thus far:

1) Attempt to repeal the law (LCA is working on this critical repeal).

2) AETA court challenge. What this means; if an activist is accused of a crime in the process of helping an animal under the AETA, we will have the opportunity to challenge each and every case in court.

Animal abusers would love to see activists spend all their time and money defending themselves in court instead of speaking up for the animals. We won’t let that happen. We have found several lawyers who will handle specific cases pro-bono and help minimalize our valuable time and resources.

This is a PR war and we can’t give them an inch. Animal activists and this whole movement must take a step up and be savvier in how they approach the struggle; negative and threatening remarks accomplish nothing for our cause. THE RIGHT KIND OF ACTION WILL GET RESULTS!

I encourage activists everywhere NOT to be swayed: but to continue and increase your non-violent activities (non-violent does not always mean laws are not broken) advocating for the animals. If we don’t, who will?

LCA was the first national organization to take this issue head on. We will keep fighting. I will lead the charge. I PERSONALLY WILL CONTINUE TO BE ON THE FRONT LINE. We must never ever back off! This is the time we work and fight harder and smarter.

For the animals,

Chris DeRose
President and Founder
Last Chance for Animals

email: campaigns [at] lcanimal.org
phone: (310) 271-6096 x30
web: www.lcanimal.org

Last Chance for Animals | 8033 Sunset Blvd. #835 | Los Angeles | CA | 90046

————

Tagged: animals animal+rights action+alerts lca last+chance+for+animals chris+derose free+speech first+amendment censorship aeta Animal+Enterprise+Terrorism+Act terrorism animal+terrorism eco-terrorism activism advocacy

Oy. Literally seconds after posting this update re: AETA, I received the following alert from Last Chance for Animals in my inbox. What a sham.

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Campaigns Department - campaigns [at] lcanimal.org
Date: Nov 27, 2006 9:28 PM
Subject: Breaking News - President Bush Signs AETA 11/27

President Bush Signs AETA Today — 11/27/2006

President Bush signed The Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act (AETA, S.3880 ENR) into law today, Monday, November 27th.

The AETA not only puts our constitution in jeopardy, it puts all of us who speak out against the status quo in jeopardy. Animal rights activists, civil rights activists, the media, entertainers and even the NRA are all in danger of being called “Terrorists.” The broad language in this bill creates a dangerous, slipperly slope that can be used to take away our first amendment rights and put innocent people in jail!

The bill was fast-tracked through both the House and the Senate by the biomedical industries — people who have everything to gain by silencing legitimate protests against their cruel animal abuse. Click here to see the official language of the bill as it was signed today.

“LCA has been at the forefront of fighting and opposing the AETA on a national level. Former Congressman and lobbyist for LCA, Charlie Rose, has been working feverishly against the AETA,” states LCA President Chris DeRose. “This is not over for LCA, this is just the beginning.”

Fight the AETA

Contact your Senate and House Representatives and let them know you oppose the AETA and their complacency during the passing of the bill.

Visit www.house.gov and www.senate.gov for contact information.

email: campaigns [at] lcanimal.org
phone: (310) 271-6096 x30
web: www.lcanimal.org

Last Chance for Animals | 8033 Sunset Blvd. #835 | Los Angeles | CA | 90046

————

Tagged: animals animal+rights action+alerts lca last+chance+for+animals free+speech first+amendment censorship aeta Animal+Enterprise+Terrorism+Act terrorism animal+terrorism eco-terrorism activism advocacy

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Campaigns Department - campaigns [at] lcanimal.org
Date: Nov 10, 2006 6:49 PM
Subject: URGENT - ACTION NEEDED ON AETA! NOW IS THE TIME!

BREAKING NEWS! Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act to be Voted on MON. 11/13

NOW IS THE TIME! Action Needed NOW!

LCA has found out from our lobbyist that Republican leaders have placed the Senate version of the AETA on the House suspension calendar ON THE EXTREME FAST TRACK to ensure its passage when the House reconvenes next week — the AETA will be voted on as early as this Monday the 13th!

WE URGE YOU TO contact your House representative TODAY by phone or email and say the following:

“As your constituent, I urge you to vote NO on S. 3880, the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act, which Republican leaders have placed on the House suspension calendar and will be voted on as early as Monday the 13th. Thank you.”

Click here for representative contact information. You don’t have to wait until Monday to call or email — you can leave messages on the weekend too.

To read the bill in its entirety, please click here (.pdf).

For more information on why the AETA is disatrous for animal rights/welfare/protection, click here.

IT IS URGENT THAT YOU ACT NOW TO PREVENT THIS UNCONSTITUTIONAL NIGHTMARE FROM BECOMING LAW!

Together we can make a difference!

email: campaigns [at] lcanimal.org
phone: (310) 271-6096 x30
web: www.lcanimal.org

Last Chance for Animals | 8033 Sunset Blvd. #835 | Los Angeles | CA | 90046

————–

Tagged: animals animal+rights action+alerts aeta Animal+Enterprise+Terrorism+Act free+speech terrorism animal+terrorism eco-terrorism censorship lca last+chance+for+animals

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Campaigns Department - campaigns [at] lcanimal.org
Date: Oct 27, 2006 7:13 PM
Subject: LCA Update on Federal AETA Bill

Message from Chris DeRose

The most dangerous bill facing animal rights is about to be passed. The Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act (AETA) will forever hurt all activities pertaining to helping animals and, not surprisingly, is being pushed by the big businesses that exploit animals.

If the AETA had been in effect a few years ago, LCA would never have been able to infiltrate and bring down C.C. Baird without being prosecuted as terrorists under this ridiculous bill.

I can’t stress it enough that the passage of this bill will mean disaster for the animals we care about so much. Even though animal activists have not caused serious injury or death to anyone, we are being singled out and branded “terrorists” by the very people committing the most heinous acts of violence against the animals we are trying to protect.

It is URGENT that you contact your federal representative and urge him/her to OPPOSE the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act (HR 4239).

Click here for representative contact information and read below for quick talking points.

1. AETA needs hearings to ensure fair and adequate debate.

2. Laws should be fairly applied to all citizens without singling out animal advocates.

3. Advocating for animal protection should not be equated with terrorism.

4. More than 100 animal protection and social justice organizations oppose this act.

Please click here for more information on how you can help.

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———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Campaigns Department - campaigns [at] lcanimal.org
Date: Sep 12, 2006 2:39 PM
Subject: 2 Great Events Sept. 16 & 20

Save the Dates: Sat. 9/16 and Wed. 9/20

Attend Puppy Mill Awareness Day - Sat. 9/16

Approximately 500,000 puppies per year are bred in puppy mills across the country, facilities known for their filthy, overcrowded conditions and the unhealthy animals they produce. Only half of the dogs bred at puppy mills make it to the pet store; the other half die from the mill’s squalid conditions, hypothermia, starvation, or other horrors of transport.

Puppy Mill Awareness Day 2006 is an event aimed at educating consumers and mobilizing activists to combat the horrors of ‘puppy mills.’

Lancaster County, Pennsylvania — known as “The Puppy Mill Capital of the East Coast” — has the largest concentration of dog breeders for any county in the United States. Lancaster is commonly recognized for its large Amish population. Although the Amish are known for their very traditional, religious lifestyle, they also own and operate many of the worst puppy mills in Lancaster. Their involvement with these mills brings them millions of dollars each year.

This year’s event includes speakers, booths and a protest march through the “Puppy Mill Capital of the East Coast” – Lancaster County.

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———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Campaigns Department - campaigns [at] lcanimal.org
Date: Jul 5, 2006 4:48 PM
Subject: LA Zoo Admits Fault - LCA News Conference Thurs. 7/6

LA Zoo Admits Fault in Elephant Death

Last Friday, June 30th, the Los Angeles Zoo released the findings of an “internal investigation” into animal activists’ allegations that, despite the zoo’s statements that Asian elephant Gita was found down by keepers the morning of her death, zoo workers actually witnessed her down the night before but failed to act. The zoo’s “findings” indicate that these allegations are correct, and this failure to provide basic medical care to Gita resulted in her being down for over 8 hours before anyone took action to help her.

If Gita had been cared for during these crucial hours, she may have survived — or at least been spared the unimaginable suffering she endured in the last hours of her life.

The circumstances surrounding Gita’s death are reprehensible. How the zoo can claim to provide the best possible care for these elephants when they can’t manage something as elementary as an emergency phone call is beyond us.

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