HighestWelfare.Humane.Assured.GoodPractices.Vegetarian. Regenerative.Flexitarian.Lies...
What is the difference between No Welfare, High Welfare, and Highest Welfare when they all require animals to die? Only human comfort, NONE protect the actual animals. The most humane, ethical, and honest Webster-defined "welfare" is NOT exploiting animals - not using, not wearing, not eating, not killing - animals. The only meaningful position is vegan, everything else is just how humans euphemize animals' required suffering and violent deaths: no human exploits animals because they honestly believe that NOT exploiting animals is UNethical or INhumane.
BACKGROUND | FROM STOLEN FROM PARADISE
African green, or “vervet” monkeys (Chlorocebus aethiops) have lived on St. Kitts & Nevis for over 300 years. Estimates vary widely, but today there are thousands of free-roaming monkeys on the islands.
The monkeys live in mountain forests, where they feed off leaves, flowers, berries, fruit and insects. To the frustration of small-scale farmers, monkeys on St. Kitts & Nevis can cause damage to crops, and pose a challenge as the islands work to produce more of their own food and import less.
The killing or export of monkeys is sometimes promoted as a solution to human-monkey conflicts. This is not only cruel, but it fails to address the issue long-term. There are ways to reduce the indigenous monkey population which are not only humane, but also more effective.
In a report released in June 2010, the St. Kitts & Nevis Ministry of Agriculture proposed two long-term strategies to control the monkey population and reduce crop destruction: a spay & neuter program, and the establishment of strategically located feeding sites to provide monkeys an alternative source of food. The sterilization of monkeys has the potential to significantly decrease the population. A spay & neuter program could also act as a teaching tool for the Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, located on St. Kitts. The report also stated that the monkey population on the islands has stabilized—the monkey population is not growing.
Two organizations on St. Kitts—the Behavioral Science Foundation (dba Primate Resources International) and the St. Kitts Biomedical Research Foundation—purchase wild-caught monkeys from trappers and sell them for export. Both organizations also maintain laboratory facilities on the island, where monkeys are used in research and testing for pharmaceutical and biotech corporations.
Write to the officials of St. Kitts & Nevis, and to the Premier of Nevis, and politely ask for a ban on the export of monkeys destined for the research industry. (Mailing addresses; postage is $0.98 from the U.S.)
WHOM TO CONTACT
Online webforms (all characters of Sample Letter fit)
Email block
erasmus.williams@cuopm.com
premier@niagov.com
premmin@nia.gov.kn
mintour@nia.gov.kn
ricky.skerritt@stkittstourism.kn
minister@stkittstourism.kn
info@stkittstourism.kn
rosecita.jeffers@stkittstourism.kn
info@nevisisland.com
john.hanley@sisterisles.kn
Individual
The Honorable Dr. Denzil L. Douglas
Prime Minister of St. Kitts & Nevis
Government Headquarters
Church Street, Basseterre
St. Kitts
e-mail: erasmus.williams@cuopm.com
(Erasmus Williams, Press Secretary To The Prime Minister)
The Honorable Joseph W. Parry
Premier of Nevis and Minister of Tourism
Bath Hotel
Belle Vue, Charlestown
Nevis
e-mail: premier@niagov.com, premmin@nia.gov.kn, mintour@nia.gov.kn
Honorable Richard Skerritt
Minister of Tourism & International Transport
Government of St. Kitts & Nevis
P.O. Box 878
Building 9
Port Zante, Basseterre
St. Kitts
e-mail: ricky.skerritt@stkittstourism.kn, minister@stkittstourism.kn
Rosecita Jeffers, CEO
St. Kitts Tourism Authority
Pelican Mall, Bay Road
P.O. Box 132
Basseterre
St. Kitts
e-mail: info@stkittstourism.kn, rosecita.jeffers@stkittstourism.kn
John Hanley, CEO
Nevis Tourism Authority
P.O. Box 184
Main Street, Charlestown
Nevis
e-mail: info@nevisisland.com, john.hanley@sisterisles.kn
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear Honorable Premier, Prime Minister, Minister, CEOs and Whom It Concerns,
Each year, hundreds of vervet monkeys on St. Kitts and Nevis are torn from their families and forest homes and exported to laboratories around the world. Once wild and free, these sensitive and intelligent animals end their lives in laboratories where pain and suffering are routine. I urge you to ban the export of monkeys destined for the research industry.
I understand that there are conflicts between humans and monkeys on St. Kitts and Nevis, but there are ways of managing this situation without resorting to export or killing.
Please consider the impact that this continued trade will have upon the international reputation of St. Kitts and Nevis: regrettably, until such a time as you discontinue your participation in the barbaric monkey trade, I will be unable to visit; additionally, I will share this unfortunate information with family, friends, and online groups.
Thank you for taking the time to read this important message.
NAME
BACKGROUND| BY STEVE HINDI
Forget the cute little lizard, GEICO has reduced itself to enabling animal abuse at rodeos via sponsorship. If you care about animals, please cancel your GEICO policies. It’s so easy, a caveman can do it!
Vodpod videos no longer available.
WHOM TO CONTACT
GEICO Public Affairs Department
One GEICO Plaza
Washington, D.C. 20076
Telephone: 888-395-6349
Email Geigo’s parent company: berkshire@berkshirehathaway.com
SAMPLE LETTER
To Whom It Concerns,
I am shocked to learn that Geiko sponsors rodeos, one of the most injurious and brutal events illegitimately involving animals. It is a documented fact that all rodeos are inherently cruel and subject animals to untold suffering, including severe injuries and death. Geico’s sponsorship of such animal cruelty is unacceptable and will not be tolerated by a knowing public. As such, I respectfully request that Geico sever any relationship it has with this violent attraction.
Please allow me to elaborate. Animals are subjected to cruel rituals, including choking, bucking, shocking, roping, and pulling. Animals are frequently immobilized by being roped around the neck, roped around the hooves, pulled, beaten, slammed, and electrocuted, all for the purpose of unnecessary human entertainment. This brief description cannot adequately illustrate the dangerous conditions to which the animals are subjected, but video footage has repeatedly established dozens of injuries, many crippling, some lethal, and all incompatible with any written humane policy. (You can find this evidence at the following site: http://www.sharkonline.org/) Additionally, although visual documentation can reinforce the physical injuries animals suffer, it lacks the ability to convey the terror felt by these sentient beings, forced to endure unquestionably fearful conditions in frenzied and exploitative states.
Furthermore, although Geico may pronounce that humane protocols must be followed according to the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) standards, the visual evidence substantiates the position that these directives are being ignored. It is unacceptable that Geico continues to advocate via commercial sponsorship on behalf of rodeos that practice in inhumane manners, especially given Geico’s assertions that animal cruelty is contrary to its animal welfare policy.
Indeed, Geico continues and deliberately deceives regarding its financial relationship with rodeos: rodeos are unprincipled, causing much suffering and death, and as long as Geico continues to unnecessarily and selfishly capitalize on the mutilation, torture, and death of animals, I will not financially support you. It is important to recognize that consumers are increasingly rejecting those companies and events that are complicit in the vicious and unnecessary treatment of animals by shifting their loyalties to those companies and events that do not participate in the exploitation of animals.
I again request that Geico make both the ethical and financially-responsible decision to discontinue its support of rodeos.
Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.
NAME
BACKGROUND | FROM PETA
According to news sources, the Fisheries Resource Conservation Council is considering killing 70 percent of the grey seals who live in the southern reaches of the Gulf of St. Lawrence as an “experiment” to determine if seals are hurting the fishing industry by eating the fish! If this proposal passes, 73,000 seals will be slaughtered immediately, and another 70,000 will be killed over the next four years. Terrified seals will be chased and gunned down, and many won’t die quickly. Orphaned young will be left to starve. All in the name of bad science!
Experts know that killing seals won’t determine anything because there are countless factors involved in fish population dynamics. Please politely urge Fisheries Resource Conservation Council officials to oppose this cruel experiment. Tell them that it’s not based on sound science.
***Please include your postal code and e-mail address when contacting the council.
WHOM TO CONTACT
The Honourable Keith Ashfield
House of Commons
Minister of Fisheries and Oceans
Parliament Buildings, Wellington Street
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada K1A 0A6
Email: min@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear Honourable Ashfield,
I am writing in response to the Fisheries Resource Conservation Council’s proposal to kill more than 140,000 seals in an effort to determine the seals’ effect on fish populations. This plan is neither scientifically sound nor socially acceptable, and I am urging you to forgo it based on fraudulent science and special interest control.
Please allow me to illustrate a couple of these concerns. First, ecologically, populations will fluctuate according to conditions and naturally-occurring food sources; it is the interference of humans that causes imbalance. To blame and slaughter the seals for human-engineered reasons is both irresponsible and unjustified. Second, killing the seals would artificially increase food supplies to the remaining seals, the consequence of which would be increased reproduction and an ensuing greater seal population. In fact, studies have demonstrated that the continual cycle of seasonal hunting is responsible for larger populations in subsequent years.
This proposition is neither factually valid nor morally justified: animals are sentient creatures, capable of love, fear, pain, and suffering. As humans do, animals experience these emotions and have the desire to live free from exploitation and slaughter. I ask that you please consider your potential participation in this cruel plan. As intelligent people capable of sound conclusions, you should recognize the importance of life over the lies and exaggerations of unscrupulous special interest groups. Additionally, this type of mass killing would certainly adversely affect both visitation and tourism; it would be financially detrimental to implement such a cruel and unnecessary killing since citizens and tourists both have quite vocally rejected seal massacres with boycott consequences.
Thank you for taking the time to read this important message.
NAME, POSTAL CODE, EMAIL ADDRESS
Stop animal murderer
Image | Change
Please click on and sign Bring Animal Murderer to Justice
Our Memorial Art Gallery (MAG) has commissioned a piece of sculpture by a man named Tom Otterness. Mr. Otterness is notorious for “adopting” a dog from an animal shelter, chaining him to a fence, shooting him, and then filming his agonizing death for “art’s sake”
Mr. Otterenss; criminal actions were recently uncovered by journalist Gary Indiana. In 2008 Mr. Otterness issued what he calls a public apology.
Ultimately he lost a commission in San Francisco (they were unaware of his past activities).
Sadly, my hometown knew of his past and hired him anyways.
Since the petition activated on October 2, we accumulated over 800 names.
Many local, regional, and the petition has gained national and global interest as well.
Consider adding your name if you believe he should be stopped. I love the MAG and spent many visits there as a child and now an adult. I realize we all make mistakes in our lives..but this one is heinous.
Related news items and group :
- Petition site Bring Animal Murderer to Justice
- Facebook site Rochesterians Against Tom Otterness
Thanks for your time.
Michelle Brownstein, DVM
Read more…
Please send sample letter requesting the UN’s presence in Syria against the Bashar al-Assad terror regime
Image | Belfast Telegraph
BACKGROUND | FROM CARE2
Beheaded Woman’s Body Found in Syria: Is a Civil War Impending?
It has been six months since the uprising began in Syria when a group of teenagers were arrested for scrawling anti-regime graffiti in the southern city of Deraa. Protesters have demonstrated peacefully and called for President Bashar al-Assad to step down and institute democratic reforms — and been met with not only soldiers but tanks firing at them. At least 2,700 have died according to the United Nations. Now, with no sign of any sort of meaningful dialogue and no unified opposition with clear objectives, the fear is that the Syrian revolution will become a civil war. The creation of an exiled “Syrian national council” was announced last week in Istanbul. The council hopes to serve as a transitional body in the way of Libya’s National Transitional Council, which, now that Muammar el-Gaddafi has been ousted, has become the legitimate government of Libya. But the Syrian council faces, among many other obstacles, a huge credibility gap. Meanwhile, brutalities against protesters and civilians continue at an alarming rate. At the end of last week, a young woman, headless and mutilated, was found. Syrian security agents are thought to be responsible for her torture and death. According to Amnesty International, the young woman, 18-year-old Zainab al-Hosni, was from the central city of Homs and is believed to be the first woman to die in Syrian custody. Yesterday, squadrons of tanks surrounded Homs, which has been under siege for a week and faces shortages of food, water and electricity. Syrian security forces said they have killed four soldiers who were attempting to escape; reports that soldiers had deserted and were setting up ambushes for the Syrian military have led to a heightened armed presence near Homs. Dozens of soldiers have also defected in Hama, in central Syria, and in Latakia on the Mediterranean coast, say activists. Commenting on how the uprising in Syria is changing from peaceful protests to a possible armed conflict, the Guardian‘s Simon Tisdall says:
The belief that revolution could prevail through peaceful moral suasion and popular pressure was always misplaced, argued Gary Gambill in Foreign Policy. “There are no plausible circumstances under which a democratic transition would constitute a rational choice for the embattled dictator,” he said.
“The crux of the problem is Syria’s unique minority-dominated power structure … Alawite solidarity renders the loyalty of the internal military-security apparatus nearly inviolable, enabling Assad to mete out a level of repression far beyond the capacity of most autocrats.” To surrender power would be suicidal for Assad, he argued.
Tisdall also quotes Al-Jazeera’s special correspondent Nir Rosen, who was recently in Syria. A senior opposition figure said plainly to Rozen that ”In the end we cannot be free without weapons.”
The Syrian government has continued to claim that foreign conspirators are at the root of the unrest and that it is fighting against “armed thugs” who have killed more than 700 police officers and security forces. Speaking at the United Nations on Monday, Syria’s foreign minister, Walid Mouallem, accused the West of trying to foment “total chaos” in Syria and undermine the balance between the country’s many religious groups: “How can we otherwise explain media provocations, financing and arming religious extremism?” Mouallem said. The United Nations Security Council has condemned the violent crackdown of civilian protesters by Assad’s regime. But the council’s membership is divided between China, Russia and other emerging nations and the US and European nations who seek further action beyond the sanctions already in place.
VIDEO FOOTAGE
Vodpod videos no longer available.
WHOM TO CONTACT
Public Inquiries
Visitors Services Department of Public Information
United Nations Headquarters Room GA-1B-57
New York, NY 10017
Tel: 212-963-4475
Fax: 212-963-0071
Emails: inquiries@un.org , dpi_dis_unit@un.org
CNN Webform HERE
BBC Webform HERE
***You must modify and shorten the letter for the webforms, which limit the characters allowed.
SAMPLE LETTER | COURTESY VICTOR S. POPALICIU
Dear Peacekeepers,
All free people from the world and the Syrian Nation demand the United Nations to stop the massacre of thousands of innocent Syrians who ask for freedom, justice, and peace!
Since 1945, the creation date of the UN as a peace-keeping entity that encompasses the world, this international organisation is the shield for nations against, war, injustice, and tyranny. Today the heart of the Syrian people is bleeding, thousands of innocent people – children, women, and men – are murdered in the streets and in their homes by the criminals sent by the Bashar al-Assad terror regime. The UN must take appropriate action to monitor and quell the human rights abuses that occur daily.
Millions of Syrians, indeed the whole Syrian nation, demand freedom, peace, justice, and a chance for their children to grow happily and freely in Syria, children who now need the shield of the UN peacekeepers. Their parents fight in the streets of Syria armed only with idealism and dreams against bullets and tanks. They fight and sacrifice their lives to protect their children and to protect Syrian aspirations of freedom! The Syrian Nation and all free people from around the world demand the UN to take action and protect Syrian people now.
In June 1945, the UN announced to the world that “future generations must be protected against the calamity of war and the fundamental human rights must be respected all over the world.” The Syrian nation is part of this future generation, it has the right to be free! The Syrian Nation, like all Nations, has the right to live in peace and justice!
History’s wind of freedom, the wind of change – the heart – beats in millions of people who have sacrificed their lives for centuries to be free and can be heard today in Syria. Millions of Syrian heroes fight today with empty hands against bullets and tanks, against the terror regime of Bashar al-Assad.
The Syrian Nation needs the UN shield NOW!
Thank you for reading this vital request.
NAME
After Many Decades, Algeria Set to Resume Bullfights: Please Send Sample Protest Letters
Image | SHARK
BACKGROUND | FROM INTERNATIONAL MOVEMENT AGAINST BULLFIGHTS
Dear Friends,
Oran, the second largest city of Algeria, has a bullring. The first bullfight took place in 1954 and during the French colonization held bullfights that ended with the independence of the country. During the 90’s the bullring was used for political meetings, sports and theatre.
Meanwhile over time the bullring became delapidated so the City Hall of Oran decided to repair it in 2010.It will be inaugurated in December this year and instead of using it for cultural spectacles they decided to reopen with a bullfight to boost tourism.
The media of Algeria begin to report these intentions in August. Meanwhile some of the articles mysteriously disappeared but the City Hall has this announcement in their website (http://www.oran-dz.com/ville/actualite/article69.html ).
We cannot allow that another country hosts bullfights. The bullfighting industry is desperate to export their bloody business to other countries because in their own countries is no longer profitable.
Please send letters of vehement protest to the authorities with CC to the newspapers and blind copy to us. Sample letter below (in French and English), please modify if you can but send polite letters.
WEBFORMS
http://91.121.220.162/~ont/fr/index.php?option=com_contact&view=contact&id=1
EMAIL BLOCKS
TO:
President@el-mouradia.dz
ministre@m-culture.gov.dz
cabinet@m-culture.gov.dz
info@oran-dz.com
mail@algeria-us.org
CC:
nationale@elwatan.com
redactionweb@elwatan.com
region@elwatan.com
lecho_doran@yahoo.fr
lejourdz@lejourdalgerie.com
info@lesoirdalgerie.com
admin@lequotidien-oran.com
infos@lequotidien-oran.com
BCC:
IMAB@iwab.org
Tel: (202) 265-2800
Fax: (202) 667-2174
Newspapers
El Watan: admin@elwatan.com,nationale@elwatan.com,redactionweb@elwatan.com,region@elwatan.com
L’Echo d’Oran: lecho_doran@yahoo.fr
Le Jour d’Algérie: lejourdz@lejourdalgerie.com
Le Soir d’Algérie: info@lesoirdalgerie.com
Le Quotidien: admin@lequotidien-oran.com, infos@lequotidien-oran.com
SAMPLE LETTER ENGLISH
Dear Mr. President, Ministers and Local Authorities,
It came to my knowledge that the City Hall of Oran intends to reopen its bullring in December with a bullfight.
Claims have been made that this will boost the tourism in the city.
Bullfights in Spain, France and Portugal, however, have been more and more contested and tourists avoid visiting these countries due to that fact. Indeed.the popularity of the bullfights in these countries is decreasing year after year as tourists decide to spend their money in countries that don’t allow such cruelty against sentient animals. As such, importing a barbaric custom to your country is not a wise financial choice.
Please use the bullring for exhibitions of art and not spectacles of bloody torture, pain, suffering, and a cruel death.
Trusting that your wisdom will prevail over atrocity, I request you to not allow this or other bullfight proposals as unmerited and cheap entertainment to your country.
Waiting for a positive response.
Sincerely,
Name/Country
SAMPLE LETTER FRENCH
Monsieur le Président,Ministres et Autorités Locales,
J’ai appris que la Mairie d’Oran a l’intention de ré-ouvrir ses arènes en Décembre avec une corrida de taureaux car ça va stimuler le tourisme dans la ville.
Les corridas en Espagne, en France et au Portugal sont de plus en plus contestées et les touristes évitent visiter ces pays en raison de ce fait. La popularité des corridas dans ces pays est en baisse année après année.
L’importation d’une coutume barbare à votre pays n’est pas une choix judicieux, bien au contraire. Beaucoup de gens qui pouvaient choisir visiter votre pays ne le feront pas.
S’il vous plaît utilisez les arènes pour des spectacles d’art et non de torture et mort.
Espérant que votre sagesse prévaudra sur l’atrocité, je vous demande de ne pas permettre cette corrida de taureaux ou autres corridas dans votre pays.
En attendant une réponse positive,
Sincèrement
Name/Country
VIDEO FOOTAGE
Vodpod videos no longer available.
URGENT, please send sample letter opposing “Turkey Drop”: live turkeys dropped from planes
UPDATE | NO TURKEYS DROPPED
In Yellville, Arkansas, the annual tradition of hurling live turkeys to their deaths from airplanes was stopped this year because of Federal Aviation Administration scrutiny and public outrage. Thank you to everyone who spoke out against this event, especially the countless Arkansas residents who made themselves heard. PETA’s reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the “Turkey Drop” stands. Please know that we will push for a vigorous prosecution of anyone directly involved in future incidents as well as revocation of his or her pilot’s license.
BACKGROUND | FROM PETA
On October 7 and 8, the city of Yellville is holding its annual Turkey Trot Festival, during which wild turkeys — who typically fly only short distances, rarely reaching 100 feet — are hurled from private planes traveling around 70 miles per hour at altitudes of approximately 1,000 feet as part of the “Turkey Drop” tradition. Disoriented and unable to right themselves, most birds plummet like bricks, fatally crashing onto buildings, cars, and the street. Those with wind under their wings careen at extreme speeds into the landscape. City officials declare that this isn’t sanctioned by the festival, yet it continues year after year. Video footage of the 2010 Turkey Drop can be viewed below.
The Turkey Drop clearly violates Arkansas law (§5-62-103), which states that “a person commits the offense of cruelty to animals if he or she knowingly subjects any animal to cruel mistreatment.” PETA is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone directly involved in this activity. But we need your voice!
Please politely urge officials to do everything in their power to end this cruel and illegal act.
WHOM TO CONTACT
The Honorable Shawn Lane
Mayor of the City of Yellville
Yellville City Hall
Phone: 870-449-6581
Emails: clerk@yellville.net , mayor@yellville.net
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear Honorable Lane,
I have just learned of the annual “Turkey Drop” during which live turkeys are tossed from planes, and I am writing to respectfully request this event be cancelled due to its inherent cruelty as well as its illegal content consistent with the below statute and also based on FAA rules.
Please allow me to elaborate. Are you aware of the brutality inflicted on animals for this cruel “tradition”? Turkeys are dropped from planes, condemned to a torturous and excruciating ceremony for citizen fun: indeed, this is a clear case of illegal violence and abuse as these animals are being exploited in the worst manner possible. Is the ruthless destruction of animals a mere manifestation of social greed and cheap entertainment? Surely when you support such violence against innocent animals via apathy you indeed allow indifference and cruelty to permeate our society and tarnish your image.
Furthermore, the Turkey Drop clearly violates Arkansas law (§5-62-103), which states that “a person commits the offense of cruelty to animals if he or she knowingly subjects any animal to cruel mistreatment.” This event also proves potentially dangerous to people on the ground as well when these gentle, frightened creatures are hurled over homes, businesses, and busy streets.
Please, I implore upon you to act swiftly and responsibly by discontinuing any relationship you maintain relative to the Turkey Drop and use all available and legal resources to make certain the Turkey Drop does not occur. Regrettably, until such a time, however, I feel my only recourse is to promote a boycott of your city and state and share this alarming news with others. Please, I ask respectfully for you to be a model of empathy and condemn the Turkey Drop and demonstrate that yours is a compassionate city that will not enable or support this brutality against turkeys.
I know your time is limited, and I want to thank you for your attention and consideration.
VIDEO FOOTAGE
Vodpod videos no longer available.
Urge Health-Care System in Virginia to Avoid Glue Traps
Image | Wikipedia
BACKGROUND | FROM PETA
The Halifax Regional Health System (HRHS), a South Boston–based organization that runs hospitals and other health-care facilities in Virginia, reportedly uses glue traps for rodent control. PETA informed HRHS officials about the extreme cruelty and disease risks inherent in using glue traps, but our concerns have apparently fallen on deaf ears.
Glue traps are some of the worst rodent-control products on the market, causing immense and prolonged suffering. Panicked rodents often rip themselves to pieces in their frantic struggle to escape the sticky mess. Exhausted and terrified, they die from shock, dehydration, asphyxiation, or blood loss. Death can take days. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Health Canada warn against using glue traps because of the disease risks posed by the many pathogens in the waste of ensnared rodents, who eliminate out of stress and fright. This should be a concern for any business that patronizes ill or immune-compromised individuals!
WHOM TO CONTACT
Chris Lumsden
Chief Executive Officer
Halifax Regional Health System
434-517-3100
chris.lumsden@halifaxregional.com
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear CEO Lumsden,
I have just learned of your use of glue traps to capture and kill mice. Killing the mice is inherently immoral, and using glue traps to do so compounds the vicious nature of such an extremely painful and fearfully agonizing experience for animals. These animals are further traumatized trying to free themselves, causing skinning, tearing, ripping, and dismemberment, a profoundly agonizing ritual of attempting to escape for hours upon hours; death sometimes can take days. If you had to experience such a barbaric form of torture and prolonged death, would you be willing to justify it?
This also proves medically dangerous to humans considering that, according to the CDC, glue traps create optimal conditions to spread disease. I would hope any organization that shares a core principle of human health and quality of life, such as yours, would be equally concerned with any disease-spreading forms of rodent control.
It is impossible to contemplate supporting any business that capitalizes on the brutality of animals, and when you utilize such horrendous accessories, you are indeed establishing your complicity and apathy in doing so, and I respectfully request you discontinue using glue traps. Indeed, I hope this letter finds you willing to scrutinize both your own involvement in the intentional exploitation of animals and your desire to therefore protect, rather than harm, them.
Please consider, instead, using humane traps to capture and release mice in an ethical and painless manner. These can be found at hardware stores and local animal rescue groups, who would be willing to assist you.
Thank you for your time and attention to this important issue.
NAME
FREE FAXES
Send two free faxes per day HERE (consider the environmental ramifications, though, please).
BACKGROUND | FROM FACEBOOK
The following companies, gov’t agencies, and universities have purchased live monkeys from Primate Products in recent months. They are the financial support behind Primate Products’ bloody business.
Please contact them and ask that they end their relationship with Primate Products.
WHOM TO CONTACT | EMAIL BLOCK
wrair.publicaffairs@amedd.army.mil
jwagner@wakehealth.edu
directorsoffice@wanprc.org
rlea@usouthal.edu
customer-service@sri.com
rtsc_rush@rush.edu
info@prelabs.com
NIHinfo@od.nih.gov
info@mpiresearch.com
customer.relations@gsk.com
andrew.witty@gsk.com
nhatoum@experimur.com
investor.relations@amgen.com
jmaraganore@alnylam.com
investors@alnylam.com
detolla@vetmed.umaryland.edu
crs.ch@harlan.com
SAMPLE LETTER
To Whom It Concerns,
I was disappointed to learn that your company/institution has purchased monkeys for use in experiments from Primate Products, Inc., a Florida-based company with a record of shoddy animal care and reckless decisions that have led to animal suffering. There have been a number of serious incidents that suggest substantial problems at Primate Products:
– In July 2009, Primate Products dumped close to 100 owl monkeys that they could not sell at a roadside zoo in Homestead, Florida. Within a week, at least 25 of the monkeys were dead!
– In 2010, disturbing photographs surfaced of monkeys inside Primate Products suffering from horrible wounds and crude surgical mutilations.
– In April 2011, Primate Products was cited by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for leaving monkeys who were still under anesthesia in an enclosure without supervision, and in the hot sun.
– In August 2011, two Florida lawmakers called for an “immediate suspension” of the government’s contracts with Primate Products over $1.3 million awarded them in stimulus money meant to create jobs.
Your business with Primate Products is no secret. Poor employee morale at Primate Products has made the company leakier than an old rusty bucket!
Please, do the right thing and permanently sever your ties with Primate Products.
Thank you for taking the time to read this important message.
NAME
VIDEO FOOTAGE
Vodpod videos no longer available.
URGENT: Ask NIH to Stop Funding the Ivy League’s Animal Abuse
Image | PCRM
Click on and sign Please Halt Funding for Animal Experiments at Ivy League Universities
From PCRM
A dead puppy was found under a floor grate at the University of Pennsylvania. Baboons were burned and blistered in an experiment at Yale. PCRM’s new report uncovers shocking animal abuse at all eight Ivy League schools.
PCRM evaluated the Ivy League universities on their adherence to the minimal standards of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) and their stewardship of taxpayer funding through the National Institutes of Health. The report finds that all the universities had disturbingly high numbers of AWA violations. Animals at the schools suffered injury and death from various causes, including unauthorized surgical experiments.
At Harvard, a cage was sent through a mechanical cage washer with a primate still inside. He was found dead. These are the lethal conditions he had to endure: The washer’s water temperature reaches 180 to 200 F. Detergent and acid or alkaline wash solutions were pumped into the cage. The wash cycle’s duration lasted 15 to 20 minutes. At times, its water pressure was the same as a riot-control water cannon, according to product specifications.
“Federal inspectors at Ivy League laboratories should not be uncovering burned baboons and a dead puppy under a floor grate,” says John J. Pippin, M.D., F.A.C.C., a PCRM physician and former Harvard Medical School faculty member. “Prestigious research institutions getting millions of dollars in grant money should be held accountable for neglect and abuse of animals used in experiments and should commit to replacing animals in research.”
Based on a PCRM scoring system that weighs the number and severity of violations, the Ivy League schools were ranked from worst to least bad in the Ivy League Research Misconduct Report Card:
See More:
ivy league schools
tradition and prestige
still in the stone age
with animals, beseiged
this must be stopped
and until that time
these sadists
should not get
a dime!!!!
Karen Lyons Kalmenson
Five actions for wolves …
Please click on and sign the following wolf petitions, thank you:
1. Let the few wolves in Oregon live..if you haven’t already killed them.
2. Oppose Idaho’s Violent And Greedy Wolf Slaughter
3. The Killing Game: Politics Win, Wolves Lose (Again)
4. Wolf Emergency: Wyoming Wolves To Be Shot on Sight
5. Governor Kitzhaber: End the ODFW Wolf Witch Hunt
1. Background | From Care2 Petition Site
2. Background | From Kinship Circle
When Congress passed a federal budget rider that delisted Western gray wolves from Endangered Species Act protections, it opened the floodgates to wholesale slaughter. Idaho’s proposed 2011 Wolf Hunting Season is a statewide bloodbath, with killing permitted both “in and out of hunting season,” the Idaho Fish and Game Department promises. Now that “management” of Western gray wolves rests with state agencies, it seems that no plan is too violent or greedy.
Wolves removed from endangered species list | Jane Velez-Mitchell
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3. Background | From Kinship Circle
U.S. Congress has never before ousted an animal or plant from Endangered Species Act protections — until now. In August, a federal district court ruled to NOT delist Western gray wolves. The case is still open on appeal. Yet Congress ignored separation of powers (between judicial and legislative branches) by taking matters into their own hands. A rider attached to the recently passed spending bill delists wolves, thereby deleting their federal safety net.
This political maneuver is unconstitutional and leaves wolves in the crossfire of state-sponsored killing. Idaho already conducted a hunt by helicopter in which wolves are cornered and shot at point blank range. Last year, pups and mothers were gassed inside their dens.
4. Background | From Change
Last week, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and new Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dan Ashe announced a reckless plan to remove protections for Gray wolves in Wyoming that could unravel the successful recovery of wolves across the region. Secretary Salazar stated that the Interior Department has agreed in principle to a management plan for the State of Wyoming that would allow wolves to be shot on sight across most of the state. No permit would be necessary, and all wolves would be fair game. No protections for pregnant or nursing females, no protections for pups. In fact, wolves could be killed in much of the state, anytime, EVEN WITHOUT A HUNTING LICENSE. Tell Secretary Salazar that this management plan is grossly unacceptable.
5. Background | From Care2 Petition Site
The Imnaha Pack is one of only two reproducing wolf packs in Oregon. Killing two surviving members, including the alpha male, will make life even harder for the two wolves in the pack who are left — and make them more likely to resort to preying on livestock.
Such heavy-handed reaction to occasional wolf depredations will squelch wolf recovery in Oregon. Far more effective would be to insist on better livestock husbandry practices to reduce the vulnerability of stock and the likelihood of conflict.
Government wolf killing has not built tolerance for wolves in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming, where more than 1,000 wolves have been killed in response to depredations; yet now calls for killing wolves are growing. To build true coexistence, and perhaps a measure of tolerance, Oregon’s state government must first tolerate the wolves.
Save And Release Lennox: petition, sample letter
Imange | Save Lennox (Law) site
Everyone: Please click on and sign Save And Release Lennox and send Sample Letter below
UK Friends: Email your MP and ask them to support Lennox’s case. Ask them to support legislative reform to the Dangerous Dogs Act, with new measures focused on responsible ownership and a ‘deed not breed’ approach. Also sign the petition to to end Breed Specific Legislation.
Background | From SaveLennox.com.uk
Hi, I’m a 6 year old American Bull dog Labrador cross and Belfast City Council want to put me to death because of how I look, I have never done any wrong. Please can you help me? I want to go home!
On the 19th May 2010, Lennox, a now six year old American Bull dog Labrador cross was wrongfully seized by Belfast City Council Dog Wardens from his loving family home where he lives with his owners and his kennel mates. Lennox committed no crime nor did any member of the public complain about him. Three Belfast City Council Dog Wardens came with the PSNI to his home unannounced. The Dog Wardens then told the Police to leave as there was no need for them at the location. The Belfast City Council Dog Wardens then had tea with his owners, smoked cigarettes, chatted, played with the other family dogs after which the Dog Wardens then measured Lennox’s muzzle and rear legs with a dress maker’s tape measure and decided on those measurements without seeking any professional advice that he was possible “Pit Bull Type Breed” and so he was led from his home to be put to death by the Council. Northern Ireland has yet to fully implement the same dog legislation as mainland UK; if Northern Ireland were to complete the dog legislation here then Lennox could now be at home with his family and they would not now be facing legal prosecution. The USPCA said the law in Northern Ireland could be changed simply and rather quickly by an order in Council.
Lennox’s family have done more than required by the law as responsible dog owners who also foster dogs for various Northern Ireland dog shelters. When Lennox was a puppy his owners had him neutered, licensed, insured, DNA registered, Pet Safe registered and micro chipped and although the Belfast City Council have issued a dog licence for Lennox for the last five years and continue to do so today, the Council now find the need to class him as a Pit Bull type dog and murder him. On the day Lennox was ripped from his family home the Belfast City Council issued his owner with a warrant of seizure which was incorrectly addressed and was for another location, furthermore the Council used the ADBA Inc (American Dog Breeders Association Incorporated) breed standards guide to help identify Lennox as possible Pit Bull type. It has now become clear that the Council used this ADBA breed standards guide illegally breaking international and Berne copyright laws as Belfast City Council have never been authorised by the ADBA to use the copyrighted breed standards guide in full or derived version. Since Lennox’s seizure the ADBA have issued the Belfast City Council with ‘Cease & Desist’ orders due to the Council’s unauthorised continued use of ADBA material.
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Lennox’s owners have only been contacted once by the Belfast City Council and this was two hours after Lennox had been taken. One of the Dog Wardens who seized Lennox telephoned Lennox’s owner to say “If you do not sign him over to us to be destroyed then you will most certainly lose your job as we will force a prosecution upon you through the courts.” On many attempts the family have telephoned the Council’s Dog Control Manager but to date the Manager has never taken the families call or returned any calls. Lennox’s family have never been told where he is being kept, what condition he is in, what type of care, feeding or regular exercise he receives, if any. Lennox’s family have repeatedly requested visitation to see what condition he is in however the Dog Control Manager for Belfast City Council Dog Wardens Department has continually refused all requests through the families Solicitor. Photographs of Lennox have emerged recently and have been passed to the family which clearly show Lennox in a cold inhumane concrete kennel which is visibly too small, there are no visible signs of a constant fresh water supply, heating, toys for stimulation and the photographs show Lennox sitting upright in a box type bed surrounded by his own faeces with only saw dust for bedding which many dog experts have agreed is harmful to dogs and unsuitable for bedding, yet Belfast City Council Dog Wardens Department have stated they practice humane animal welfare as set out by the DARD (Department of Agriculture and Rural Development). After studying the Animal Welfare Act 2006 it is clear that none of Lennox’s welfare needs are being met at this undisclosed Council contracted kennel.
Local leading MP’s joined in support of Lennox stating in the Belfast Telegraph and other media they were “Appalled” by the seizure and treatment of Lennox and his family. A global campaign which boasts hundreds of thousands of supporters and petition signatures has begun in support of Lennox’s freedom. The ADBA Inc, various Animal Rights groups, Animal Welfare organisations, Veterinarians, Dog Breed and Behaviourist Experts have all gave their support for Lennox’s freedom and many supporters who are regular tourists to Northern Ireland have went further to state they will not return to Northern Ireland until Lennox is returned to his home. The most heartfelt plea of all was heard from Brooke, the owners eleven year old Daughter who is registered disabled. Lennox grew up around Brooke and the two became inseparable. Due to Brooke’s illness she is unable to play each day with other children and so found Lennox to always be there as a playmate and someone to be of comfort to her. Since her best friend was taken Brooke has missed much School due to suffering health and unneeded stress caused by missing her dog. Brooke’s specialist Doctor at Belfast Royal Hospital for Sick Children has also expressed growing concern for the child’s separation from her pet.
We ask for your help to Save Lennox, stop his incarceration and stop him from being put to death by Belfast City Council who wrongfully took him. If you have any compassion you will clearly see that far too many wrongs and errors have been made by the Council in the seizure of this much loved family pet and you will help correct a wrong. Please help this little girl become reunited with her best friend.
Do you want to have your say on Lennox? Let your voice be heard by emailing the Belfast City Council, Belfast City Council Dog Wardens, Belfast City Council Dog Control Manager Yolanda Elwood and her superiors.
Whom To Contact
Email block
complaints@belfastcity.gov.uk
mcnaneyp@belfastcity.gov.uk
wylies@belfastcity.gov.uk
dogwardens@belfastcity.gov.uk
elwoody@belfastcity.gov.uk
lightfoots@belfastcity.gov.uk
franceyw@belfastcity.gov.uk
animal.welfare@dardni.gov.uk
private.office@dardni.gov.uk
info.office@niassembly.gov.uk
ps.ministers@ofmdfmni.gov.uk
ndodds@dup-belfast.co.uk
nmccausland@dup-belfast.co.uk
uup@uup.org
sfadmin@eircom.net
a.maginness@sdlp.ie
Individual
Belfast City Council Complaints:
complaints@belfastcity.gov.uk
Belfast City Council Chief Executive:
mcnaneyp@belfastcity.gov.uk
Belfast City Council Health & Enviromental Manager:
wylies@belfastcity.gov.uk
Belfast City Council Dog Warden Department:
dogwardens@belfastcity.gov.uk
Belfast City Council Dog Warden Manager:
elwoody@belfastcity.gov.uk
Belfast City Council Dog Warden:
lightfoots@belfastcity.gov.uk
Belfast City Council Dog Warden:
franceyw@belfastcity.gov.uk
– Department Of Agriculture & Rural Development –
Department Of Agriculture & Rural Development (DARD)
animal.welfare@dardni.gov.uk
Michelle Gildernew (Minister For DARD)
private.office@dardni.gov.uk
– Number 10 Downing Street –
Prime Ministers Office
primeministersoffice
– Northern Ireland Assembly –
Northern Ireland Assembly
info.office@niassembly.gov.uk
– Northern Ireland First & Deputy First Minister –
First & Deputy First Ministers Office
ps.ministers@ofmdfmni.gov.uk
– Local MP’s For North Belfast –
Nigel Dodds DUP MP North
ndodds@dup-belfast.co.uk
Nelson McCausland DUP MLA North
nmccausland@dup-belfast.co.uk
Fred Cobain UUP MLA North
uup@uup.org
Gerry Kelly Sinn Fein MLA North
sfadmin@eircom.net
Alban Maginness SDLP MLA North
a.maginness@sdlp.ie
Sample Letter (courtesy Save Lennox)
To Whom It Concerns,
I am absolutely disgusted by the way Lennox and his family have been treated. Lennox, an American Bull dog cross was seized by Sandie of your BCC dog wardens department on the 19th May 2010 from his owner Ms Caroline Barnes at her home in Belfast BT13. You have refused to acknowledge any of her telephone calls regarding her beloved family pet or update her on Lennox’s condition and whereabouts. This poor dog has a loving family and a home, he has done nothing wrong yet you have forcibly removed him and continue to have him locked up in poor conditions.
There are many stray dogs across the UK in kennels hoping to be homed and yet you remove a dog for no reason that actually has a loving, caring home. How can you call yourself fair, caring or civilised to do such a thing? To take away this dog with the aim of destroying it for no more than the fact its muzzle and legs are a certain amount of inches long! You cannot judge a dog by its breed or how it looks no more than you can judge a person by their nationality. Do the only correct and humane thing by returning this dog alive and in the same physical condition as when he was wrongfully seized. Prove you are not the uncaring people that the world is now reading about. I would also be grateful if you do not insult me by sending the standardised email reply that you continually send to everyone as below. I request a non-standard reply.
NAME
Urgent: Save Fukushima Animals
Please click on and sign Care2 Petition: Save Fukushima Animals
- Target: The Right Honourable Prime Minister of Japan, Yoshihiko Noda; Governor of Fukushima, Yuhei Sato; President of TEPCO, Toshio Nishizawa
- Sponsored by: SaveFukushimaAnimals.com
As animal loving people, our hearts are deeply saddened by the situation that has resulted because of the Fukushima nuclear accident. We find it deplorable that animals are being sacrificed in the area of the accident, we also find it unacceptable that these same animals have no hope of being rescued and are being left to die with no hope or help.
Therefore we strongly disagree with how the government handles this situation. We are not political in our motives, but we strongly believe that as humans we have a moral and ethical responsibility to rescue these animals. In accordance with our moral beliefs we strongly, yet humbly request the following actions to be taken:
1. Please take action immediately to save those animals which are left in the evacuated areas.
2. Please allow animal rescue volunteers to enter and evacuate the stranded animals.
3. Please arrange for sheltering of animals that have not yet been claimed.
4. Please use the donated monies earmarked for animal rescue to rescue and build animal shelters. Foreign donors have donated this money believing that the people of Japan and the Government of Japan will use this money as stated, please be honourable with this money.
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5. Please have the sheltered animals returned to their original owners and where this is not possible, please shelter the remaining animals or find acceptable adoptive homes and if these homes cannot be found, then please provide shelter that brings dignity to the animals until their natural death.
6. Please use this terrible situation to change the laws of Japan to protect and save animals in times of disasters. We strongly request that the Government of Japan makes these legal changes immediately and not use excuses to justify the lack of action.
The above appeal comes from our deepest concern and sincerity.
Presently there are thousands of animals dying of hunger, so as the Government of Japan, the representation of the Japanese people and the honourable morals of Japan, we ask that you respect the dignity of humankind and rescue the animals.
Please remember to sign petition HERE.
Read more…
Please click on and sign:
Please Replace Animal Use in Combat Trauma Training Courses
Background | From PCRM
We are working with our military veterans to convince the U.S. Marines to replace animals (most likely pigs) in trauma training courses scheduled for this week in Hawaii. If the courses move forward as planned, pigs will be rendered unconscious, then instructors and students will cut into their legs and throats and insert plastic tubes and needles into their chests and abdomens.
The U.S. Marines in Okinawa has confirmed that it exclusively “relies on lifelike, robotic mannequins” and “does not use live animals” to conduct combat trauma training courses. Further, the U.S. Air Force’s Center for Sustainment of Trauma and Readiness Skills uses high-tech simulators and human cadavers instead of animals. With your help the U.S. Marines in Hawaii will follow suit.
Please take a minute to urge the commander of U.S. Marines Base Hawaii to immediately replace the use of animals in upcoming combat trauma training courses. We have provided text for you, but if you decide to write your own message, please be polite and encouraging. Here are some talking points:
- I am calling/writing to urge you to use human-based training methods instead of live animals in the upcoming combat trauma training courses scheduled for this week, and in all future courses.
- The use of animals in this type of training is inadequate, due to the numerous anatomical differences between the animals and humans.
- Human-based methods such as medical simulators are effective and are currently used exclusively by the U.S. Marines in Okinawa, Japan.
- Because alternative methods are available, there is no justification for this animal use.
- Please switch to human-based training methods before this week’s courses.
You can also take a minute to call his office using the talking points above. It is crucial that you are friendly and encouraging on these calls in order to ensure that Col. Woods moves in the right direction. (Also, keep in mind that the Hawaiian Time Zone is six hours behind the Eastern Time Zone, so if it is 4 p.m. in New York, it is 1 p.m. in Los Angeles and 10 a.m. in Hawaii.)
Contact information:
Col. Jeffrey R. Woods
Commanding Officer
U.S. Marines Base Hawaii
Phone: 808-257-8877
Related, This Is Animal Research
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Companies that DO NOT TEST on animals
Image | Facebook, Adam Weismann
Please click on and sign Stop the Pending FTAs
Congress is poised to vote on three NAFTA-style trade deals — the Korea, Panama and Colombia Free Trade Agreements. It’s not too late to stop these harmful pacts, but your elected officials need to hear from you soon.
Message Text
The pending Free Trade Agreements with South Korea, Colombia and Panama represent a continuation of a failed trade model that is harmful to working people in the United States and abroad.
These NAFTA-style pacts threaten to destroy jobs at a time when our country can least afford it. They also include excessive foreign investor privileges; outrageous restrictions on financial service regulations; unnecessary limits on procurement policies that keep tax dollars circulating in local economies; and agricultural provisions that will force farmers off their land, worsening the ongoing human rights catastrophe in Colombia in particular.
Please stand up for your constituents against the offshorers, tax evaders and human rights violators by opposing each of these three trade deals. I look forward to hearing your final position on each of them.
Call-in Day vs. the Panama, Colombia, and S. Korea Free Trade Agreements
From Facebook
October 4: Call in Day To Stop the Panama, Colombia, and South Korea Free Trade Agreements!
On Tuesday, Oct. 4, join the national call-in day to tell your U.S. Representative, Senators, and President Obama to STOP unfair NAFTA-Style free trade deals with Panama, Colombia, and South Korea! Turn up the pressure and make sure Congress knows you won’t stand for more anti-environment, anti-worker, anti-consumer NAFTA clones! With more than 25 million Americans desperately searching for full-time jobs, the last thing our leaders should focus on is trade deals that are unlikely to create jobs or help working families. The Obama administration can submit the trade agreements to Congress to be voted on at any moment. You can help stop Congress from ratifying these agreements by taking action!
TELL CONGRESS: STOP THESE TRADE DEALS! CREATE JOBS FOR THE UNITED STATES!
EMAIL your members of Congress the message that if they don’t stop the job-killing Korea trade deal, we’ll hold them responsible for the next unfair trade deals as well. Use this easy to use, pre-written letter: http://tradejustice.net/sendletters. Let us know if you get a reply by calling Adam at (718) 218-4523 or emailing adam@tradejustice.net
CALL your Congressional Reps! Find your Representative and Senators’ names and contact info by entering your address at http://contactingthecongress.org/. Call your Rep, both of your Senators, and the White House (if you only have time for one, your Representative is the top priority). Urge them to speak out against these trade agreements publicly, to encourage President Obama to not send them to Congress to be voted on, and to pledge to vote against them if the President does send them to be voted on. Tell your representatives in Congress to get to work for working families — don’t reward job exporters, governments that fail to protect workers, and tax dodgers. Cite some of the facts listed below. Let us know what they tell you when you call or if you get a reply in writing by calling Adam at (718) 218-4523 or emailing adam@tradejustice.net
Also call the White House Comment Line at (202) 456-1111 and urge President Obama not to send these job killing trade agreements to Congress to be voted on. If he doesn’t send them, Congress can’t vote on them and they can’t be ratified!
When you call mention some of these points:
The Korea FTA is the biggest trade deal since NAFTA. It would displace an estimated 159,000 net U.S. jobs, mostly in manufacturing.
How can we reward Colombia, the most dangerous place in the world for trade unionists, with a free trade agreement? In 2010, 51 trade unionists were assassinated in Colombia — more than in the rest of the world combined. So far in 2011, another 22 have been killed, despite Colombia’s heralded “Labor Action Plan.”
Panama, with a history of failing to protect the environment and the rights of workers and indigenous peoples, is known as a tax haven for money launderers and tax dodgers.
Our Compass 