———- Forwarded message ———-
From: In Defense of Animals – takeaction [at] idausa.org
Date: Nov 16, 2006 4:48 PM
Subject: Urge Senator to Bring the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act Up for Vote

Urge Senator to Bring the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act Up for Vote

While the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (AHSPA) enjoys wide support among both the public and legislators, the Senate has yet to approve their version of the Act (S 1915). If approved, the AHSPA would ban the slaughter of horses for human consumption and the domestic and international transport of live horses or horseflesh for this purpose.

The Senate is just about to reconvene after a long recess, and we need to get this bill up for a vote before the session ends. An estimated 2,000 horses are trucked to slaughterhouses and brutally killed each week this bill awaits action in the Senate, so we cannot allow our leaders to stall any longer. In light of this, one of Senator Jon Kyl’s (R-AZ) constituents called his office on Tuesday, November 14th urging that he introduce the bill. She was told that, if Senator Kyl receives a lot of calls in support of the AHSPA, he will do what he can to get it to the floor.

Please call Senator Jon Kyl’s Washington office immediately at (202) 224-4521. Let him know that you support the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act and urge him to get S. 1915 up for a vote or attach it as a rider to another bill before the Senate adjourns.

Also send Senator Kyl a follow-up email urging his support for the AHSPA. Feel free to edit the sample letter [click here] to your liking.

If you received this message from a friend, you can sign up for In Defense of Animals 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: ida [at] idausa.org

——————–

Tagged: animals animal+rights action+alerts ida in+defense+of+animals horses horse+slaughter horse+meat American+Horse+Slaughter+Prevention+Act AHSPA

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Kinship Circle – kinshipcircle [at] brick.net
Date: Oct 23, 2006 11:01 PM
Subject: [ACT] Your 10/25 Call Could Save Horses

Kinship Circle Animal Disaster Relief List – Permission to cross-post

If you receive this alert in duplicate, it is because you are subscribed to both Kinship Circle Primary (animal issues worldwide) AND Kinship Circle Animal Disaster Relief. While these two separate mail lists rarely overlap, we apologize for this inconvenience.

10/23/06: Your 10/25 Call Could Save Horses
KINSHIP CIRCLE ACTION CAMPAIGN
http://www.KinshipCircle.org

SOURCE OF INFORMATION:
Make the Call to Save Horses
Humane Society of the United States
humanesociety [at] hsus.org

National Call-In Day for Horses – Wednesday, October 25
CALL (& FAX) YOUR U.S. SENATORS. Ask them to support S. 1915, the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act. Urge them to keep America’s horses out of the slaughterhouse.

Congress reconvenes mid-November, but will adjourn for the rest of the year only days later. If we don’t shut down three remaining slaughterhouses now, we’ll have to begin this process from square one — when a new Congress convenes in January. We only have days left… Don’t quit. Call this week, call next week, and call the following week. Be heard on Capitol Hill.

(More below the fold…)

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: DawnWatch – news [at] dawnwatch.com
Date: Oct 16, 2006 4:04 PM
Subject: DawnWatch: Horse slaughter in Vanity Fair Nov issue and Wash Post — 10/15/06

The Sunday, October 15 Washington Post, and the November edition of Vanity Fair have articles that deal with horse slaughter. While both taken a stand against it, the differences in their take is notable.

The Washington Post piece, on the cover of the Style section (pg D1) is headed, “Bo Derek’s Washington Roundup; The Equine Activist Takes A Horsemeat Head Count.”

It tells us that “Derek has joined a stampede of celebrities — including Willie Nelson, Whoopi Goldberg and Christie Brinkley — and other hard-core horse lovers to try to shut down three European-owned horsemeat factories in the United States. Two are in Texas, one in Illinois.”

We learn:

“Last month the House of Representatives passed the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act, which prohibits the transportation and sale of horses for human consumption. A similar bill is being considered by the Senate, but it’s unclear — given all the other pressing issues — whether the matter will come to a vote before Congress adjourns for the year.”

The article explains that Bo Derek can get a hearing with any senator — a strong reason to use her to lobby this issue, even though we read unfortunate quotes from her such as:

“Cattle aren’t wild anymore. We breed them to be docile. Horses are bred to be feisty, flighty and responsive to our affection.”

I urge anybody tempted to swallow Derek’s take on the differences between horses and cattle to visit one of the farm animal sanctuaries throughout the US and meet some of the cows and steers. On a visit to Farm Sanctuary in Watkins Glenn I met Travolta who followed me around everywhere I went and rested his huge head on my shoulder whenever I stopped walking. One would say he was “responsive to our affection.” Then there was Queenie, the small cow famous for having dashed out of a Queens slaughterhouse and through the streets of New York until she was captured and brought to Farm Sanctuary. Anxious to meet the star I wandered into her pen but soon bolted over the fence as she charged me, showing me the “feisty” energy that had saved her life. Queenie is not “docile.”

(More below the fold…)

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Kinship Circle – kinshipcircle [at] brick.net
Date: Oct 6, 2006 10:15 PM
Subject: Give Slaughter-Bound Horses Second Chance
To: “14. KINSHIP CIRCLE Animal Disaster Relief List”

Kinship Circle Animal Disaster Relief – permission to crosspost

10/6/06: Give Slaughter-Bound Horses A Second Chance

KINSHIP CIRCLE ALERT, http://www.kinshipcircle.org

Horse Trailer Overturn [VIDEO]

Horse trailer accident and horse slaughter [FORUM – COMMENTS]

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR / ST. LOUIS POST DISPATCH
900 N. Tucker Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63101
fax: 314-340-3139
email: letters [at] post-dispatch.com

On 9/27/06, The Humane Society of Missouri (HSMO) assisted in the rescue of 25 horses and one mule from a ghastly tractor-trailer accident on I-44 near St. Clair, Missouri. Another 16 horses didn’t survive the crash.

Members of both Kinship Circle Primary and Kinship Circle Animal Disaster Relief have asked us what they could do to keep these horses from proceeding to their original destination — Cavel International Slaughterhouse in DeKalb, Illinois (one of three equine slaughter plants in the U.S.)

Charles Carter, a broker from Loveland, CO, is the “owner” of these horses destined to die beneath the knife. HSMO is currently negotiating with Carter’s insurance company to acquire custody of the horses in exchange for waiving medical fees — which have already soared over $50,000.

How horrible for these traumatized animals, now in the nurturing hands of HSMO at their Long Meadow Rescue Ranch, to wind up in the hands of butchers!

Kinship Circle is based in St. Louis, Missouri. By coincidence, I am holding my son’s birthday party at HSMO this year, with a humane education theme for his kindergarten classmates. While planning the party, I’ve had the opportunity to ask about the rescued horses firsthand. I believe HSMO’s fight to heal and home these horses, whatever the cost, is courageous…

At this time, there is no call for a letter campaign. However, if Carter’s insurance company rejects the Humane Society’s offer to keep the horses in exchange for waiving medical costs, we will let you know.

In the meantime, please consider:

* SPONSORING AN INJURED HORSE SURVIVOR
* or DONATING TO THE ENTIRE HORSE RESCUE & RECOVERY OPERATION (Donation details below)

READ UPDATES HERE:
http://www.hsmo.org/m_eventsprograms/inthenews.php

Brenda Shoss, Kinship Circle
http://www.KinshipCircle.org

(More below the fold…)

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: ASPCA – website [at] aspca.org
Date: Sep 8, 2006 10:40 AM
Subject: Good News for Horses: H.R. 503 Passes!

A big thank you to everyone in the ASPCA Advocacy Brigade who participated in the National Call-In Day on Wednesday, September 6, to urge their representatives to protect horses. In a vote of 263-146, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 503, the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act, originally introduced in 2001. The Horse Slaughter Prevention Act will permanently ban the slaughter of both wild and domestic horses for human consumption.

Despite the introduction of two amendments during the floor debate that would have gutted H.R. 503, members of the House overwhelmingly defeated them and spoke out in opposition to horse slaughter, a reflection of the American public’s distaste of this practice. H.R. 503 now goes to the Senate, which must vote on the bill before it can be sent to the President for enactment into law.

Visit http://www.aspca.org/site/R?i=8d-P-TR2V5kJ14EL9uhqwA.. to see how your representative voted. If your legislator voted “Aye” please call and thank him or her for supporting this groundbreaking legislation. If your representative voted “Noe,” please call and let him or her know how disappointed you are.

Additionally, if you have not already done so, please contact your senators and urge them to support the Senate version of this bill, S. 1915. Visit http://www.aspca.org/site/R?i=AxC-8u1KUWoxnQL4RE2RuQ.. to take action on S. 1915.

We will keep you posted on any progress in the Senate. Thank you again for supporting this historic legislation–and please continue to take action to protect America’s horses!

Another action alert re: H.R. 503 / S. 1915 from In Defense of Animals:

House Votes to End Horse Slaughter. Urge Senate to Follow Suit.

Great news – the House of Representatives has passed the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (HR 503)! The Senate, however, still has to approve their version of the Act (S 1915) in order to end the slaughter of horses in the U.S. for human consumption.

Please Take Action to send your Senators an email urging them to support S 1915, the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act.

The following is a follow-up to an action alert sent out on 9/6/06.

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Kinship Circle – info [at] kinshipcircle.org
Date: Sep 8, 2006 10:07 AM
Subject: UPDATE: Stu Is Safe! / Big Win For Horses

Stu Is Safe, For Now

Kinship Circle: 9/6/06–End Stu’s Nightmare Inside LAAS

Congratulations Kinship Circle! Your flood of emails/calls regarding Stu, the dog in LAAS wrongfully slated to die, just may have saved his life.

Never doubt the power of your words, the strength of your numbers. I am forever humbled by those who take action, whether it is a single life or many lives at stake… I will keep you posted on any change in events regarding Stu and LAAS. For now, Stu is safe.

Brenda Shoss, Kinship Circle

(More below the fold…)

UPDATE: The American Humane Association also released an action alert and sample letter re: the senate version of H.R. 503, S. 1915. Click here to take action on American Humane’s website.

Via the Humane Society of the United States:

Horses Headed Toward Final Hurdle

On September 7, the U.S. House voted 263-146 to pass the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (H.R. 503), moving the country closer to preventing the annual slaughter of nearly 100,000 horses in the United States for human consumption abroad. Now it’s time for the Senate to act on behalf of America’s horses.

TAKE ACTION

Please make a short polite phone call to your two U.S. Senators today. You can reach your Senators by calling the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121, or click here to find their Capitol office phone numbers. Making a call is easy. All you need to say is:

“I am a constituent and I am calling to ask my Senator to please protect American horses from slaughter. The House has voted overwhelmingly to pass the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (S. 1915) and now it is time for the Senate to act. Please do all that you can to support the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act and move it to the Senate floor for an immediate vote. Thank you.”

After you make your phone call, fill in the form at the right (click here) to automatically send a follow-up email to your two Senators about the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act.

Click here for a list of media coverage of the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (via Google).

Also see SAPL’s press release, “VICTORY FOR AMERICA’S HORSES: House of Representatives Passes Bill to End Horse Slaughter Over Ag Industry Opposition.”

Farm Sanctuary also sent out a similar alert today;

For more information on the history of this bill, please visit their Horse Slaughter Prevention Act Campaign page.

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: API Newsletters – donotreply [at] api4animals.org
Date: Sep 6, 2006 10:06 AM
Subject: National Call-In Day for Horses Is TODAY

National Call-In Day for Horses Is TODAY

American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (H.R. 503) Vote Scheduled for Thursday, September 7

With a vote on the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (H.R. 503) expected this Thursday, your support is urgently needed! Today, Wednesday, September 6, is the national call-in day for constituents to urge House members to permanently protect horses from slaughter in the United States.

Last year, almost 100,000 horses suffered and died in the United States in foreign-owned slaughterhouses, so that their flesh could be flown to Europe and Asia for human consumption. We must send a clear signal to the world that American horses are not here to be slaughtered for food to serve the foreign market.

Make the call now! Please call your U.S. Representative and urge him or her to vote “YES” on the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act! Tell your Representative: “I am a constituent, and I am calling to ask that Representative [Last Name] please protect American horses from slaughter and support H.R. 503, the Horse Slaughter Prevention Act. I also urge you to oppose any amendments to H.R. 503. I am very concerned about American horses, and I don’t want them to be slaughtered.”

(More below the fold…)

Via the ASPCA:

With a vote on the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (H.R. 503) expected this week, your support is urgently needed! Wednesday, September 6, is the national call-in day for constituents to urge House members to permanently protect horses from slaughter in the United States.

Last year, almost 100,000 horses suffered and died in the United States in foreign-owned slaughterhouses, so that their flesh could be flown to Europe and Asia for human consumption. We must send a clear signal to the world that American horses are not here to be slaughtered to serve the foreign market for horsemeat.

Make the call on September 6! Please call your U.S. Representative tomorrow, September 6, and urge him or her to vote “YES” on the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act! Tell your Representative: “I am a constituent, and I am calling to ask that Representative __________ please protect American horses from slaughter and support H.R. 503, the Horse Slaughter Prevention Act. I also urge you to oppose any amendments to H.R. 503. I am very concerned about American horses, and I don’t want them to be slaughtered.” To find contact information for your representative, click here, or call the Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121.

The time is now! A vote on this bill is imminent. As always, thank you for your continued support to help us protect America’s horses!

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Cathy Liss, Legislative Director – action [at] saplonline.org
Date: Sep 3, 2006 7:01 PM
Subject: URGENT SAPL eAlert: House of Representatives to Vote on a Permanent End to Horse Slaughter on September 7

If you are unable to view this SAPL eAlert, please click here: http://www.saplonline.org/Alerts/090306.htm

House of Representatives to Vote on a Permanent End to Horse Slaughter on September 7, 2006

Please Contact your Representative Prior to the Vote!

September 3, 2006

After 5 years of strident work to end to horse slaughter in the United States, a vote is expected to take place in the U.S. House of Representatives on September 7, 2006 on the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act. It is vital for everyone you know to call their Representative immediately and urge a “YES” vote for H.R. 503, the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act and oppose any amendments.

Sponsored in the House by Congressional Horse Caucus Co-chair John Sweeney (R-NY), Representative John Spratt, Jr. (D-SC) and Representative Ed Whitfield (R-KY) and Representative Nick Rahall (D-WV), the Act will end the slaughter of horses for human consumption and the domestic and international transport of live horses or horseflesh for the same purpose. Just last year, over 90,000 horses were slaughtered in the three foreign-owned horse slaughter facilities located in Texas and Illinois.

We have always believed that, if given a fair chance and an open vote, Congress would support this complete ban. Four separate times, Congress has demonstrated interest in stopping horse slaughter for wild and domestic horses by voting in favor of amendments. The upcoming vote is crucial, and it represents a culmination of five years of hard work by supporters from across the United States. PLEASE ACT TODAY!

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

Please call or fax your Representative before THURSDAY asking him or her to vote “YES” on H.R. 503, the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act without amendments. It would help if you could provide the office with your name and mailing address and request that, as a constituent, you would like a response back from your Representative clearly defining the position on this issue. You may wish to check your email every day for the latest news.

When talking with your Representative’s office please include some of the additional facts about horse slaughter listed below. To locate your Representative’s contact information and to learn more about horse slaughter and the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act please visit http://www.saplonline.org/horses.htm.

Please share our “Dear Humanitarian” eAlert with family, friends and co-workers, and encourage them to call or fax their Members of Congress, too. Thank you very much for your help!

Sincerely,

Cathy Liss
Legislative Director
http://www.saplonline.org
http://www.compassionindex.org

p.s. If you can be in Washington, D.C. on September 5th, please join us at the Rally for Horses on Capitol Hill. Following the Rally you can visit your Representative’s office and personally urge support for H.R. 503, the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act. For more information on the Rally for Horses please visit: http://www.saplonline.org/Alerts/rallyforhorses.htm

FACTS AND FAQ’s ABOUT HORSE SLAUGHTER

* Last year three foreign-owned slaughter plants cruelly slaughtered more than 90,000 horses for human consumption in Europe and Asia. Tens of thousands more of America’s horses were exported from the U.S. and slaughtered in other countries.

* Slaughter is NOT humane euthanasia. Horses suffer horribly on the way to and during slaughter.

* Passage of the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (AHSPA) will reduce animal suffering ­ hence its wide support throughout the equestrian and veterinary world, as well as the humane community.

* Americans overwhelmingly support an end to horse slaughter for human consumption (polls from Kentucky, Virginia, Texas and Utah respectively show that 82, 74, 72 and 69 percent of those questioned oppose the practice). In California, a 1998 ballot initiative (Prop. 6) banning horse slaughter for human consumption passed with 60 percent of the vote.

* Animal cruelty is NOT a property rights issue. It is illegal to abuse and neglect any animal, and horse slaughter is one of many tragic forms of animal cruelty.

Sick and old horses to slaughter

Question: Is it true that slaughter is only a last resort for infirm, dangerous or no longer serviceable horses?

Answer: 92.3 percent of horses arriving at slaughter plants in this country are in “good” condition, according to the US Department of Agriculture’s Guidelines for Handling and Transporting Equines to Slaughter.

Neglect and abuse

Question: Will horse abuse and neglect cases rise significantly following a ban on slaughter

Answer: There has been no documented rise in abuse and neglect cases in California since the state banned horse slaughter for human consumption in 1998. There was no documented rise in Illinois during closure of the state’s only horse slaughter plant in 2002 until its reopening in 2004.

Cost of caring for unwanted horses

Question: If there is a ban on horse slaughter, will horse rescue and retirement groups have the resources to take care of unwanted horses? Should the government have to pay for the care of horses voluntarily given up by their owners?

Answer: Not every horse currently going to slaughter will need to be absorbed into the rescue community – many will be sold to a new owner, others will be kept longer and a licensed veterinarian will humanely euthanize some. Opponents of this legislation admit passage of the bill will not necessarily lead to an increase in the number of horses sent to rescue facilities, precisely because humane euthanasia is so widely used. It is not the government’s responsibility to provide for the care of horses voluntarily given up by their owners, as these animals are private property. Hundreds of horse rescue organizations operate around the country, and additional facilities are being established (a list is available). When a companion animal can no longer be cared for, it is the owners’ responsibility to provide a humane solution–whether the animal is a dog, a cat or a horse.

A safe and humane solution for sick, old and unwanted horses

Question: If slaughter is not an option, what will we do with sick, old and unwanted horses

Answer: Approximately 900,000 horses die annually in this country (10 percent of an estimated population of 9 million) and the vast majority are not slaughtered, but euthanized and rendered or buried without any negative environmental impact. Humane euthanasia and carcass disposal is highly affordable and widely available. The average cost of having a horse humanely euthanized and safely disposing of the animal’s carcass is approximately $225, while the average monthly cost of keeping a horse is approximately $200.

Export of horses for slaughter abroad

Question: If there is a ban on horse slaughter in the United States, will there be an increase in the export of horses for foreign slaughter? Will horses suffer from longer transport for slaughter in countries where there may be weaker welfare laws?

Answer: Horse slaughter has declined dramatically in the United States over the past decade, but there has been no correlating increase in the number of American horses exported for slaughter abroad. Further, the AHSPA prohibits the export of horses for slaughter abroad, and contains clear enforcement and penalty provisions to prevent this from happening. Risk of federal prosecution and the high costs associated with illegally transporting horses long distances for slaughter abroad are strong deterrents.

Standards of care at sanctuaries and rescue organizations

Question: Is it true no standards exist for horse rescue facilities that take unwanted horses?

Answer: The Doris Day Animal League and the Animal Welfare Institute published “Basic Guidelines for Operating an Equine Rescue or Retirement Facility” in 2004. Additionally, the Association of Sanctuaries and the American Sanctuaries Association provide accreditation programs, a code of ethics and guidelines for the operation of sanctuaries and rescue organizations. Horse rescue groups must also provide for the welfare of horses in their custody in compliance with state and local animal welfare laws.

Use of horsemeat in pet food

Question: If there is a ban on horse slaughter, will horsemeat no longer be available for pet food?

Answer: There is no horsemeat in pet food. This practice stopped decades ago following enactment of protections for America’s wild horses in 1971. The US public and Congress were outraged to learn federal agencies were rounding up and allowing the exploitation and slaughter of these national treasures for items such as pet food. Some by-products of the horse slaughter industry are used in various consumer items, but they are derived from the rendering (a different process than slaughter and not affected by the AHSPA) of dead horses and other animals.

Sign up for SAPL eAlerts to receive the latest legislative news on what you can do to help us protect all animals. http://www.saplonline.org/action.htm

Society for Animal Protective Legislation | PO Box 3719 | Washington | DC | 20027

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: DawnWatch – news [at] dawnwatch.com
Date: Sep 3, 2006 3:53 PM
Subject: DawnWatch: Terrific coverage of horse slaughter on KHOU 9/1/06

I have been at the Taking Action for Animals conference over the weekend but wanted to make sure animal advocates got a chance to see a story that aired on Houston’s KHOU on Friday, September 1, about the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act.

You can read much of the text of the piece, and actually view the piece, which includes some distressing horse slaughter footage, on line.

The piece describes horse slaughter as America’s “dirty little secret,” explaining that most Americans have no idea that three foreign-owned slaughterhouses are operating in this country and killing 100,000 American horses every year, the meat being shipped out for human consumption primarily in Japan, France and Belgium.

(More below the fold…)

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: In Defense of Animals – takeaction [at] idausa.org
Date: Aug 31, 2006 5:05 PM
Subject: Corrected Alert: Join Rally and National Call-In Day for Horses on Tues and Weds, Sept. 5 and 6

(This Alert is a corrected version that includes the link to contact your Representative. Please disregard the previous version and use this alert. Thank you.)

Join Rally and National Call-In Day for Horses on Tues and Weds, Sept. 5 and 6

Urge House of Representatives to Pass the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act

The American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (HR 503) is one of the most important animal welfare bills ever to reach Capital Hill. If HR 503 passes, the slaughter and international transport of live horses or horse flesh for human consumption would be banned in the U.S. This landmark legislation could save more than 90,000 wild and domestic horses from dying horrible deaths in slaughterhouses every year.

Polls indicate that the vast majority of Americans want the slaughter of horses for human consumption to end. Veterinary and equine rescue associations also stand strongly behind the measure because it will greatly reduce the suffering of these noble and intelligent animals. Animal advocates must speak out against this cruel and barbaric industry now as the House of Representatives prepares to vote on the issue.

What You Can Do:

(More below the fold…)

Via the Humane Society of the United States:

Mark your calendars for Sept. 6, 2006, the National Call-In Day for Horses. With a vote on the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (H.R. 503) expected when Congress returns from its recess that week, your support is needed to permanently move American horses beyond the reach of slaughterhouse butchers.

Help us lay the ground work for our day of action next week.

Click here to send an email now to your U.S. Representative in support of H.R. 503.

Watch your email on Sept. 5 for special Call-In Day instructions.

Please encourage your friends and family to take action, too.

Your emails and calls will not only make a difference, they will help make history. Help us end horse slaughter in the United States forever.

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Cathy Liss, Legislative Director – action [at] saplonline.org
Date: Aug 22, 2006 8:34 AM
Subject: SAPL eAlert: PLEASE JOIN US AT THE RALLY FOR HORSE

PLEASE JOIN US AT THE RALLY FOR HORSES
US House of Representatives to Vote on H.R. 503

August 22, 2006

If you are available, please join the Society for Animal Protective Legislation (SAPL) at the Washington, D.C. Rally for Horses in support of the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (AHSPA).

When: Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2006 at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Cannon platform on the lawn of the US Capitol, at the corner of Independence Ave. and New Jersey S.E. (see arrow on attached map)

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

The US House of Representatives is expected to vote on H.R. 503, the AHSPA, on Sept. 7. This vote will represent the culmination of five years of campaigning by concerned constituents on behalf of the horses. Since SAPL and the Doris Day Animal League began their national campaign to end horse slaughter for human consumption in late 2001, more than a quarter of a million horses have been brutally killed in the three remaining US slaughterhouses and sold overseas to be served to the patrons of upscale restaurants. As we continue our fight to end this tragedy through passage of the AHSPA, we must remember an estimated 2,000 horses are slaughtered each week as the bill awaits adoption by Congress.

We can still make a difference. The American people are being heard through the calls, emails and faxes that have flooded Congress, and legislators are listening. However, we must redouble our efforts and keep pressure on Congress to act strongly and decisively now. Please continue to contact your Representative (you can be connected to his or her office by calling the Capitol Hill switchboard at 202-224-3121), and encourage your friends, family and coworkers to do so as well. While support has been overwhelming, we can do even better for the horses. SAPL will not stop its campaign on behalf of America’s horses until the bill has passed and the brutal horse slaughter industry has been abolished.

If you have any questions, please contact us at 703-836-4300 or horses [at] saplonline.org, or visit SAPL online at http://www.saplonline.org/horses.htm. You might also wish to purchase a shirt, hat or bag at http://www.cafepress.com/sapl to promote our fight and to wear to the rally. As always, thank you for your help.

Sincerely,

Cathy Liss
Legislative Director

P.S. Please visit our new website, www.compassionindex.org, to locate your legislators and see how they stand on animal welfare legislation.

Sign up for SAPL eAlerts to receive the latest legislative news on what you can do to help us protect all animals: http://www.saplonline.org/action.htm

If you are unable to view this SAPL eAlert, please click here: http://www.saplonline.org/Alerts/rallyforhorses.htm

Forward important SAPL eAlert!

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Society for Animal Protective Legislation | PO Box 3719 | Washington | DC | 20027

Via Care2 and The Petition Site:

Support the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act

Last year, three foreign-owned slaughter plants cruelly butchered more than 90,000 horses for human consumption in Europe and Asia. Tens of thousands more of America’s horses were exported from the U.S. and slaughtered in other countries.

The methods used to slaughter these horses can be exceptionally inhumane. The horses are frequently forced to endure repeated stuns or blows and often times remain conscious while they are being killed.

A bill is being proposed in congress that would put an end to this cruel practice by permanently prohibiting horse slaughter for human consumption in the U.S.

The American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act would prohibit the transport, moving, delivering, receiving, possessing, purchasing, selling, or donation of any horse to be slaughtered for human consumption. Earlier this year, H.R. 503 was introduced in the House of Representatives. Now a Senate companion bill, S. 1915, has been introduced.

Sign this petition now and urge your representatives to support the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act!

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: DawnWatch – news [at] dawnwatch.com
Date: Jul 25, 2006 4:32 PM
Subject: DawnWatch: Washington Times editorial page against horse slaughter 7/25/06

Once again, the Washington Times editorial page has come out strongly against horse slaughter and those who pervert the democratic process in order to maintain the practice.

The July 25 editorial, headed, “Stop Horsing Around” (Pg A 16) opens:

“If horse slaughter is ever banned in the United States, it won’t be for lack of obstruction on the part of supporters of this barbaric practice. The latest maneuver in this ongoing tragedy is Rep. Bob Goodlatte’s attempt to hold up a floor vote on Rep. John Sweeney’s bill to ban horse slaughter. Without getting into specifics, Mr. Goodlatte essentially hijacked the regular committee process by invoking a fuzzy parliamentary procedure whereby his Agricultural Committee would be allowed to consider the Sweeney bill before it can go to the floor.

“It is only the latest in a long list of anti-democratic abuses employed by opponents of the ban to keep them in good standing with their rancher buddies, who for inexplicable reasons view the campaign to end horse slaughter as somehow threatening to their cattle interests.”

(More below the fold…)

Via In Defense of Animals:

Take Action to Pass the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act – HR503/S1915

The House Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection will hold a hearing to discuss the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (AHSPA) (HR503/S1915) on Tuesday, July 25th. If it passes, this historic bill would end the slaughter of horses in the U.S. for human consumption overseas.

Please contact members of the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection by email, phone and fax now, urging them to support the AHSPA, as it is written.

Also tell a friend about this issue to spread the word and donate to IDA so that we can continue our important work for animals.

A hearing for H.R. 503, a bill that would “prohibit the slaughter of horses for human consumption and the trade and transport of horseflesh and live horses intended for human consumption,” is scheduled for 7/25. Both the HSUS and SAPL have recently released alerts asking subscribers to contact their Representatives and urge co-sponsor the bill, also known as the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act.

First, the HSUS:

Great strides have been taken to prevent the annual slaughter of nearly 100,000 horses in the United States for human consumption abroad — but we are not there yet. We got a great vote last year, but it didn’t lead to a permanent ban on horse slaughter. It has paved the way, but we have to take the next step now. […]

A hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, July 25, 2006 on H.R. 503, that could trigger movement to push this legislation through the full House, and on to the U.S. Senate. This is our chance to protect our American horses from slaughter once and for all.

Please make a short polite phone call to your U.S. Representative today. You can reach your federal legislators by calling the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121, or click here to find his or her Capitol office phone number. […]

After you make your phone calls, fill in the form at the right to automatically send a follow-up email to your Representative and your two Senators about the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act.

Then hop on over to the SAPL’s web site, where you can find a ton of additional information.