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.
TAKE ACTION with NEAVS
Wikimedia Commons
Did you know that helping animals in labs also helps the environment? In addition to the suffering and bad science resulting from animal use, NEAVS asks you give thought to the tons of dead bodies disposed every year by biomedical and pharmaceutical industries. Labeled “biological waste,” let’s never forget they were all once living, thinking, and feeling animals whose short lives were cruelly sacrificed to ineffective science and indefensible ethics. To help the Earth, her animals, and humans, here are three things you can do.
- Support alternatives to animal testing: Toxicity and product testing uses living animals to test hazardous substances. Tests such as those for acute toxicity slowly poisons them with more and more doses of a substance – all without any relief for their pain and suffering. Those who do not die are killed at the end. Millions of bodies, many of which are considered pathogenic or hazardous waste, must be disposed – ending up in our water, soil, and air. Call 1-888-INFO-FDA (1-888-463-6332) or email the U.S. Federal Drug Administration and ask them to require alternatives and stop permitting archaic animal-based testing.
SAMPLE LETTER
To Whom It Concerns,
I am shocked to learn that companies continue to support animal experimentation. Considered archaic and fundamentally flawed, product testing on animals lacks corporate legitimacy and social validation. Indeed, despite using deceptive statements and misleading assertions fabricated by clever marketing and publicity departments, companies that subject animals to product testing are NOT legally mandated to do so, and knowledgeable consumers are demanding discontinuation of such unnecessary and vicious tests. Furthermore, it is imperative to recognize the existence of ingredients that already have an established, proven safety record for human use. These products, such as those found on the FDA GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) list, can be utilized and manufactured in the absence of deliberately cruel and unwarranted animal experimentation. The blatant disregard for animals and decisions to not use GRAS ingredients exclusively is irresponsible and negligent. Please use your authority to demand that companies discontinue using animals.
Furthermore, an attempt to foster an idea that consumers continually support animal experimentation due to some inaccurate notion that it will prevent them from being harmed is unprincipled. Product misuse and abuse can lead to harm regardless of how many animals are wrongfully killed during the product testing phase. In fact, corporate manipulation and exploitation of consumer fear by using deceptive advertising is not only unethical but it is also illegal. As such, as long as certain companies continue to unnecessarily and selfishly capitalize on the mutilation, torture, and death of animals, I will not financially support them; furthermore, I will share this information with family, friends, colleagues, and members of online communities as well.
Please make both the ethical and financially-responsible decision to demand a discontinuation of animal experimentation immediately and requiring ethical alternatives instead: join an increasing body of corporations, companies, and entities that are listening to a concerned and attentive consumer population who refuse to be complicit in the inherently malicious industry of animal experimentation.
Thank you for your attention to this urgent appeal.
NAME
- Go cruelty-free product shopping: Cruelty-free products – as well as the processes by which they are produced – are more environmentally friendly than those tested on animals, less likely to contain harmful chemicals, more likely to use natural substances, and safer for you, the Earth, and the animals. Email or visit NEAVS for free Leaping Bunny cruelty-free shopping guides and apps.
- Support alternatives in education: Many animals are taken from natural habitats and used for dissection, contributing to the depletion of species diversity and ecosystem imbalance. Preserving and discarding specimens carries environmental risks. Toxic chemicals such as formaldehyde, identified as a carcinogen and designated a hazardous air and water pollutant, are used to preserve. The toxic waste generated by specimen dissection is dangerous for students, teachers, the public, and the Earth (read more). Call your schools to make certain students can choose cruelty-free alternatives to specimen dissection.
ALF Destroys 200 Fur Traps in Ontario
Source Earth First! Newswire
Cross Posted from Bite Back
Received anonymously:
“As of March 2013 we have removed and destroyed approximately 200 fur traps in Ontario. The traps were snares and Conibears intended to murder beaver, rabbits and other innocents. Tragically we were too late for two rabbits and one raccoon, whose bodies and internal organs had already been eaten into by snares. We will be forever haunted by our memories of their bodies, we will forever continue removing traps and we encourage others to get in the bush and help smash the fur industry. Look for tell tale signs of traps and trap lines; flagging tape tied to branches, repeated tracks entering the bush, and poles or sticks protruding from bodies of water especially near beaver lodges, where trapping is frequent. Join the burgeoning ranks of trap saboteurs!
ALF”
Images and video released anonymously by ALF hunt saboteurs:
ALF, Bite Back
Please click HERE to sign and send letter
Background
Every year, tens of thousands of American horses are crammed into livestock trailers and trucked to slaughterhouses in Canada and Mexico—and we may soon see slaughterhouses opening in states like New Mexico and Oklahoma. After a long and frightening journey, these horses are shot with a rifle or a captive-bolt gun, are hoisted by one leg into the air, and have their throats slit so that their flesh can be sold to other countries for human consumption. Many of these horses are former companion animals or were used for sport and have been treated with drugs that are not safe for human consumption.
PETA investigators found Royale With Speed—the grandson of Triple Crown winner Secretariat—in a crowded “kill pen” at a livestock auction in Iowa. Royale With Speed, who had contracted a contagious disease known as strangles and was severely dehydrated and feverish, was sold to a meat buyer for just $350. PETA investigators followed one transporter from the meat buyer’s property in Iowa to a slaughterhouse in Québec and witnessed how the 33 horses aboard the trailer endured this 36-hour ordeal in subfreezing conditions and were never given food, water, or a chance to unload. Undercover footage taken inside the Québec facility revealed that at least 40 percent of the horses were still conscious after receiving a captive-bolt shot to the head. One horse suffered through an agonizing 11 shots before finally collapsing. PETA was able to save Royale With Speed, who has regained his health at his forever home, but tens of thousands of other horses continue to be sent to slaughter.
Passing a complete ban on horse slaughter has never been more important. Please use the form to urge your senators and representative to co-sponsor the Safeguard American Food Exports Act of 2013 (S. 541/H.R. 1094), which would ban horse slaughter in the U.S, end the transport of American horses to foreign countries for slaughter, and prevent the public from consuming horse flesh that is laden with dangerous drug residues. If passed, it would effectively end the slaughter of American horses for food—both here and abroad.
Buried deep in President Obama’s 244-page budget proposal is a request to remove all funding of U.S. Department of Agriculture inspectors at horse slaughter plants. This is great news because if the budget passes, it means that horse slaughter will once again be illegal in the U.S.
This measure is fantastic news, but we also need to make sure that no American horses are being sent out of the country to be killed. Please urge Congress to pass the bill that will ban horse slaughter in the U.S. and forbid the transport of horses to Mexico and Canada for slaughter: the Safeguard American Food Exports (SAFE) Act.
Until Congress acts, American horses will continue to die.
Please click HERE to sign petition
Background | Source Causes
We respectfully ask that you do NOT consider Japan’s Tokyo 2020 Olympic bid, until the Japanese Government agrees to end the brutal Taiji Dolphin Drive Hunt, by making it illegal to hunt Dolphins in Japan. If Tokyo wants the honour of being an Olympic Host City, Japan must be held accountable for allowing fishermen in Taiji to continue this unnecessary annual dolphin hunt in the name of tradition. Since 2009 there has been a worldwide outcry condemning this barbaric and outdated hunt. Still, in 2013, Japan refuses to address and discontinue this annual slaughter. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) cannot ignore this.
This is Japan’s 5th Olympic bid, since their 1964 Olympics. They are very eager to be selected as Host City again to boost their economy after the devastating tsunami & Fukushima nuclear disaster. By challenging Tokyo’s 2020 Olympic bid, it’s a demonstration that the world is condemning the actions of this hunt and offers support to people within Japan who also strive to end this practice once and for all.
Japanese Government grant permits to the Taiji Fishermen’s Union to hunt 2,800 dolphins from September to April for slaughter & to supply the captivity trade. While this is not illegal in Japan, the hunt has been condemned internationally as barbaric. Despite claims that the killing is swift & humane there is extensive evidence to prove otherwise. In this daily hunt, babies are torn from their mothers, many dolphins witness the slaughter of their entire families before either being taken captive or killed. The manner in which they are killed (a spear to the spinal cord which takes up to 7 minutes to die in agony) is unspeakable and inhumane. The hunt continues, hidden under tarpaulins in an attempt to conceal the slaughter, they clearly know what they are doing is wrong. Many Japanese people are becoming aware & condemning it, but most are afraid to speak out. All pleas to stop the killings are ignored by the people who have the power to stop it.
The dolphin hunt is a lucrative business for the Taiji fishermen, the big money is in the captive trade supplying marine shows, with prime specimens selling for ¥800,000 in Japan, but much more abroad. Captives are initially held in cove sea pens, while buyers are found, starved & traumatised, many die waiting. Those not selected for captivity are slaughtered for human consumption, despite health warnings regarding the excessively high mercury content. This meat sells for around $22 per kilo. Many alternatives have been put forth including turning the otherwise beautiful town of Taiji into a tourist attraction for whale and dolphin watching that allows the fishermen to continue to be employed, but they are repeatedly rejected in the name of “tradition”.
If the IOC Evaluation Commission does not challenge this atrocity under their Mandate for Environmental responsibility during their visit to Tokyo on the 4th of March 2013 & the selection process continues, it will be perceived that by ignoring this, the IOC are actually endorsing the hunt. If Tokyo’s bid is announced as the winning bid on the 7th of September 2013. Japan will continue to hunt these very social, amazingly intelligent animals, with large brains, closest in structure to the human brain, capable of higher brain functions & emotions like humans, will eventually be driven to extinction.
The International Olympic Committee have the opportunity to make real changes in Taiji Japan, we MUST ensure that they listen to the concerned masses, NOT the people who profit from this shameful tradition. To clarify, at no point do I condone boycotting Japan, nor do I incite hatred, violence or negativity towards Japanese citizens.
Please join one of our GLOBAL events on 29.06.13:
US friends, protect horses from horrifying abuse
Warning: Graphic Footage
Click HERE to input address information and then sign and send message
It’s not legal, but on today’s Tennessee Walking Horse show circuit, trainers still engage in the cruel practice of “soring”—using chemicals and devices to cause extreme pain to horses’ legs and hooves to exaggerate their special gait. Trainers may also file down horses’ hooves to expose the nerves, then insert sharp objects into hooves to cause further suffering.
Please email and call your U.S. representative and ask him or her to cosponsor H.R. 1518 to better protect horses from the cruelty of soring.
Majestic Tennessee Walking Horses have long been cherished, both for their unique four-step gait and their gentle dispositions. Unfortunately, these same traits make these horses vulnerable to extreme exploitation and abuse at the hands of unscrupulous trainers.
On today’s Tennessee Walking Horse show circuit, trainers still engage in the cruel practice of “soring” to force horses to exaggerate their gait. Despite laws against this cruelty, trainers use chemicals and devices that cause extreme pain to the horses’ legs and hooves. Trainers may also “pressure shoe” a horse by filing hooves to expose the nerve, and inserting sharp objects into the hooves to cause further suffering. Desperate to escape the constant, intense burning and sharp pain, the horses unnaturally fling their legs in the high-stepping “big lick” gait that ironically wins prizes at shows.
To evade detection, these trainers often condition horses to remain still during inspections by beating, torturing or burning them beforehand. This conditioning to extreme pain deadens the horses’ reaction to the soring-related pain in their feet. This brutal practice of “stewarding,” exposed in an ABC Nightline report, masks the fact that trainers are soring the animals.
The Prevent all Soring Tactics (PAST) Act, H.R. 1518, will address inadequacies in the current law by amending the Horse Protection Act and improving protections for horses. The bill, introduced by Representatives Ed Whitfield (R-KY) and Steve Cohen (D-TN), will require horse show organizers who engage inspectors to use only USDA-licensed inspectors; prohibit the use of action devices that intensify the pain caused by soring; and increase the penalties for violations.
Stop animal research at Imperial College London
Warning: Contains Graphic Footage
(Please note you may need to sign in to YouTube to confirm age to watch video.)
Please click and sign petition HERE
Background | Source BUAV
New BUAV investigation uncovers appalling animal suffering and wrongdoing at leading UK University
The BUAV has released harrowing footage following an investigation at Imperial College London that sheds new light on the reality of animal experiments in the UK. A BUAV investigator worked for seven months at Imperial College, ranked as one of the best universities in the world, and documented a catalogue of shortcomings and wrongdoing by staff and researchers that caused even more distress and suffering to the animals in its care than was allowed in the experiments. Findings included: breaches in and lack of knowledge of UK Home Office project licences; a failure to provide adequate anaesthesia and pain relief; incompetence and neglect and highly disturbing methods used to kill animals.
The findings from the investigation appeared in the UK Sunday Times on 14th April: http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/news/uk_news/Science/article1245301.ece
The UK Government and research industry repeatedly claim that the UK has some of the highest welfare standards in the world for animals in laboratories, yet huge secrecy and a lack of transparency surrounds animal research. This BUAV investigation, like many others before, has shown the true reality of animal welfare standards at Imperial with breaches of the regulatory regime and inappropriate licensing and enforcement by the Home Office.
Key concerns raised by the BUAV investigation include:
• Underestimation of the degree of suffering in project licences. Experimental protocols were given a ‘moderate’ limit even when it was foreseen that animals would die and the anticipated adverse effects clearly called for a ‘substantial’ classification of the research. One research project involved kidney transplantation, a major procedure by any standard. Some rats had both their kidneys removed via abdominal surgery and were left with just one (transplanted) kidney.
• Poor monitoring of animals resulting in suffering and breaches of humane endpoints (the point at which further suffering must not take place). In one case, where mice were found to be in a distressed state on a Monday morning, a senior technician stated: ‘I am so disgusted. Those poor mice’ and ‘If the Home Office was in we would have been screwed if they saw those mice.’
• Researchers lacking knowledge of the severity limits of their project licences, and the humane endpoints they were supposed to apply. When asked about the severity limits on their licences, many researchers did not know. One said: ‘So do I get to call a friend?’. Not knowing the severity levels and endpoints could result in animals being subjected to even more pain and suffering than permitted.
• Poor application of the methods used for killing animals, leading to unnecessary suffering, and the controversial use of a guillotine to carry out live decapitation.
• Poor surgical and other procedures resulting in animal deaths and suffering. One researcher, for example, raised concerns about the competence of a colleague: ‘I think you should keep an eye on XXX because he makes many mistakes.’
• Unsupervised researchers, with little experience, anaesthetising and carrying out surgery on animals. One researcher anaesthetising a rat to re-staple a surgery wound admitted: ‘I’ve never done this before.’ and ‘I only came down here for the first time yesterday so I haven’t even seen these rats before.’
• Failure to provide adequate anaesthesia and analgesics. There were several occasions when animals appeared to be inadequately anaesthetised, either as a consequence of inadequate monitoring, use of inappropriate anaesthesia, or deliberately – due to fears about losses of animals during surgery. One researcher who did not want to wait for hours for a rat to recover from anaesthesia on a Friday afternoon stated: ‘But I won’t give it a full dose. As long as there is enough for it to be not fully under but you know not feeling too much pain.’
Pop music was played at high levels throughout the facility, adding to animals’ distress. The music was even played during surgery itself, while animals were recovering, and during killing.
The BUAV is urging the UK Government to:
Revoke the Establishment Licence of Imperial College London;
Set up an inquiry, wholly independent of the Home Office, into the concerns we raise.
Michelle Thew, Chief Executive, BUAV stated: “Despite claims made by the Government and research industry that the UK has the best system of regulation in the world, this shocking BUAV investigation shows that the reality for animals is very different. Standards at this leading UK University were poor with breaches of the regulatory regime and inappropriate licensing and enforcement by the Home Office. This investigation raises significant and far reaching questions about animal research in the UK. A full independent inquiry must be carried out as a matter of urgency. The public will expect no less.”
Investigation film: http://bit.ly/11ae6Pa
(warning: the film contains footage of animal suffering that you may find upsetting)
Website: http://licensedtokill.buav.org
Please sign and share our petition calling on the Home Office: http://chn.ge/116rHpV
Please provide thanks for maximum penalty of puppy abuse
Karen Lyons Kalmenson
Update | Source Samantha Syoen, Communications Director, State Attorney’s Office
I get regular updates on them (the puppies). They are recovering well.
Kelly Worcester (prosecutor) filed a felony Cruelty to Animal charge against the defendant. That is the highest level charge he can receive in this case.
He is in court tomorrow, April 17, as his attorney is seeking a motion to reduce bond. That hearing is at 8:30 a.m. in courtroom 7B.
Background | Source Cape Coral Police Department
Cape Coral Police Arrest Man in Brutal Case of Animal Cruelty
(April 1, 2013)- Cape Coral Police arrested a man last night for his role in a brutal case of animal abuse. Pedro Moreta, 52 of 4322 Palm Tree Blvd was arrested on charges of Felony Animal Cruelty.
Officers received a call Sunday night at 10:50pm about a man dragging and kicking two dogs as he walked along the 1200 block of Cape Coral Parkway. The caller believed that one of the dogs may have been dead. Within minutes officers from the 3rd Platoon arrived and made contact with Moreta who indeed had two puppies on a single leash. The puppies, weighing about 5lbs each, were cowering under Moreta as he spoke with officers.
Moreta appeared intoxicated and had just purchased beer from the Citgo Station prior to officers stopping him. The two dogs were shaking and crying. Moreta stated the puppies were approximately 8 weeks old. The tan female puppy “Bella” was shaking and bleeding excessively from her paws and rear legs as she lay on the asphalt. The black puppy “Blaca” was shaking and had difficulty standing. When asked by officers what he was doing, Moreta replied that the dogs did not want to walk so he was dragging them along.
Lee County Animal Control responded to the scene to assist with the investigation. Animal Control Officers determined that the injuries sustained by the puppies were indeed abuse. Animal Control further determined that the injuries were severe enough to be considered life-threatening. In fact, it was the opinion of Animal Control that they puppies may have to be euthanized due to the likelihood of severe internal injuries.
The tan puppy, Bella, had most of her front paw pads torn off. Bella also had severe scrapes and possible chemical burns on her rear legs. Bella’s rear pads were torn apart along with the front of her rear legs which was caused when she was too exhausted to resist and collapsed as she was being dragged. Bella also sustained scraps and cuts to her stomach. Bella was bleeding from all four of her paws and was shaking uncontrollably during the investigation. Bella and Blaca, who are only 8 weeks old, would cower when Moreta would come near them. At one point Blaca walked over to Bella and laid on top of her to shield her from Moreta.
The investigation revealed that Moreta intentionally caused unnecessary and repeated pain to both the 8 week old puppies. As a result, Moreta was placed under arrest for animal cruelty and taken to the Lee County Jail. The dogs were taken by Lee County Animal Control.
During the arrest, Moreta continued to joke about the matter and asked the arresting officers “who gives a f**k about some G**damn dogs.”
Whom to contact
kworcester@sao.cjis20.org , ssyoen@sao.cjis20.org, ljustham@sao.cjis20.org
Sample letter
RE: Case # 13CF015420
To Whom It Concerns,
I have learned of extremely disturbing and malicious cases of animal cruelty allegedly committed by Pedro Moreta, 52, of 4322 Palm Tree Blvd., and I am writing to express my support of sentencing this defendant to the maximum penalty allowed under the law. It is my understanding that he has been charged with felony Cruelty to Animal, the highest level charge he can receive in this case, and I am writing to express my support and gratitude to you for this charge. Mr. Moreta has allegedly committed deliberate and methodical abuse and torture on two puppies on March 31 along the 1200 block of Cape Coral Parkway. It is essential to recognize that Mr. Moreta’s decision to harm these gentle, innocent non-human animals was premeditated as demonstrated by the chronicle of events. Mr. Moreta’s alleged crimes include dragging two puppies along the road causing such extensive injuries that euthanasia was considered. For a greater description of the injuries, please read from the Cape Coral Police Department at http://www.capecops.com/newsroom/2013/4/1/cape-coral-police-arrest-man-in-brutal-case-of-animal-cruelt.html.
When I try to imagine what possible motive animal abusers entertain for subjecting their animal victims to such malicious, heinous acts of brutality, I fail, but I am thankful for a lack of cognitive understanding and rationalization. To voluntarily engage in such malicious behaviour suggests sadistic tendencies, and Moreta’s actions, causing unmitigated pain and suffering, demonstrates his incontrovertible lack of morality regarding other living beings and a gross disrespect for the law. In fact, a person who shows such a remarkable lack of compassion towards non-human animals has the ability to show such indifference towards human animals. This link between animal and human abuse has been established, and if we excuse Mr. Moreta’s criminal behaviour, or agree to a lesser punishment, we only harm ourselves by unjustly nullifying cruelty as acceptable behaviour.
I am thanking you for taking an unyielding position against animal cruelty and holding Mr. Moreta accountable by sentencing him in accordance with the maximum penalty allowed. We need to demonstrate in both word and action that the human essence of empathy does not exist to excuse maliciousness, it exists to provide compassion and justice to the brutalized and punishment to those who willingly deviate from this capacity. If we do not do our duty to provide this, we harm animals and invite injustice into our society.
I know your time is limited and I want to thank you for your attention and consideration to this message.
NAME
Canadian Wild Horse Foundation
Karen Lyons Kalmenson
Please click HERE to sign petition, please see below for other petitions
Background | Source Canadian Wild Horse Foundation (CWH)
Please note to petition our federal (Canada) government we must follow their petitioning regulations (there is literally a book on the rules to follow). Unfortunately, they will only accept paper petitions and even those must first be approved through the legislature’s legal department; both our French and English petitions have been approved prior to release.
Please click HERE for downloadable petition in English
Please click HERE for downloadable petition in French
For Immediate Release:
CWH launches Federal Petition: Alberta Wild Horses. “Heritage Animal”
Canadian Wild Horse Foundation (CWH) has launched a federal petition, which will be submitted to the Canadian House of Commons August 2013. The petition urges the Government of Canada to protect the wild horses of Alberta by designating them a “Heritage Animal” and will be represented in the House by Blake Richards – Member of Parliament, Wild Rose Party Alberta. The campaign to save Alberta’s wild horses is actively supported by both local and international equine enthusiasts and celebrity.
Today, the wild horses of Alberta fall under the “Stray Animals Act” which classifies them as feral and leaves them severely unprotected under the Law. They are at serious risk of having their herd(s) population fall below the required numbers needed to sustain the natural balance of a healthy gene pool. These horses have an abundance of natural predators and harsh living conditions to contend with and are now forced to survive government licensed trapping that not only send these magnificent animals into the slaughterhouses for human consumption but also seriously risk the future of Alberta’s wild horse herds. According to ESRD (Alberta Environment & Sustainable Resource Development) between December 2011 and February 2012 there were 216 wild horses captured through a possible 237 permit licenses distributed by the ESRD. This was a record high cull.
Wild horses have roamed Alberta’s Crown land for hundreds of years. They are born, live and die in the wild; they are not a stray-animal. They have contributed to the natural eco-system for centuries and are an integral part of it. It is time we let them live wild and free, so that future generations will be able to appreciate not only their contribution to our Countries history but also their beauty in a natural environment.
Many Canadian’s are unaware of the wild horse’ existence and their immense contribution to the history of Canada. CWH is working to change this. CWH believes it is of the utmost importance to protect the iconic wild horse herds of Alberta before it is to late. The federal petition is in response to concerned citizens who have initiated letters, emails and phone calls to political bodies that have fallen on deaf ears.
CWH is urging all Canadians to support the cause to save our wild horses by signing the federal petition available for download on CWH Facebook, Google+ and You Tube Profiles.
About:
Canadian Wild Horse Foundation (CWH) is a group of determined citizens dedicated to the preservation and well being of Canada’s wild horse population. CWH is securing not-for-profit status in Canada.
Mission:
CWH is committed to educating the public about Canada’s wild horses and participating in the preservation of wild horse populations by utilizing strategic awareness campaigns and supporting other like-minded equine groups and concerned citizens.
For media inquiries of further information:
E: canadianwildhorses@gmail.com
Adrienne Calvert – Executive Director
Catherine Betts – Founder. CEO
Please click HERE for Facebook site
Read more…
Voiceless Friends
Our Compass distinguishes no difference amongst cats, dogs, pigs, cows, or fish. All animals are deserving of compassion and respect. The purpose of this alert, therefore, is to inform those who do distinguish, in an effort to share that no animal is deserving of such fate, regardless of species.
Click HERE to sign petition
Warning: Graphic Images, Viewer Discretion is Advised
Background | Source Animal Equality
My name is Thomas and I am one of the Animal Equality investigators. I have 49,315 reasons to be sending this email to you today. This is the number of dogs who die daily. The forgotten victims of the dog meat industry in China and other countries.
I’ve been inside two dog slaughterhouses in Guangdong, China. To film and show the horrors that take place inside these grim places. Honestly, what I’ve seen will haunt me forever: Dozens of terrified dogs violently being beaten and knocked unconscious with wooden clubs, and later have their throats slit open. Many dogs I saw regained consciousness whilst bleeding to death.
Studies show that each year more than 18 million dogs are killed worldwide for the dog meat trade. Ten million of these animals are killed in China alone. Dog meat is not only consumed in China, but also in other countries such as Vietnam, Korea, Thailand, India, Indonesia and the Philippines. Some of you will be shocked to learn that this grisly trade occurs in European countries also, such as Switzerland.
Help dogs today!
Today, Animal Equality launches an international campaign to raise awareness on the horrors of the dog meat trade. Please, support our campaign by signing the petition and sharing our website.
Help us end the cruel dog meat trade today!
Read more…
UPDATE: Deer Being Gunned Down at Rock Creek Park
Karen Lyons Kalmenson
BACKGROUND
While civilization continues to encroach on deer habitats, Rock Creek Park in Washington, D.C., has been a safe haven for these easily frightened prey animals. Despite stark opposition from the public, the National Park Service (NPS) has hired sharpshooters to massacre deer on this land. Many other deer will be cruelly netted, then finished off with a captive-bolt gun. Although research shows that deer numbers have been stable for 10 years, the NPS reportedly plans to have 150 deer killed. But the slaughtered animals won’t be the only victims as newborn fawns may be left to starve! Your voice is desperately needed.
Please politely remind NPS officials that Rock Creek Park’s deer numbers are stable. Urge them to halt the use of lethal control and to leave these animals alone. Then please forward this alert widely!
WHOM TO CONTACT
Tara Morrison, Park Superintendent
Rock Creek Park
National Park Service
tara_morrison@nps.gov
202-895-6004
Chief Ranger Nick Bartolomeo
Rock Creek Park
National Park Service
nick_bartolomeo@nps.gov
202-895-6010
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear Park Superintendent Morrison and Chief Ranger Bartolomeo,
National Park Service (NPS) has hired sharpshooters to massacre hundreds of deer at Rock Creek Park in Washington D.C. in a misguided attempt to reduce deer numbers in populated areas even though numbers remain stable. Although this hunt is inherently cruel based on the premise alone, it is important to recognize it is based on erroneous information.
Please allow me to illustrate a few 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 deer for human encroachment is both irresponsible and unjustified.
Second, killing deer artificially increases food supplies to the remaining deer, the consequence of which is increased reproduction and an ensuing greater deer population. In fact, studies have demonstrated that the continual cycle of seasonal hunting is responsible for a rebound, or larger herd populations, in subsequent years.
Third, this type of mass killing using such a brutal type of slaughter in such a central and visible location would certainly adversely affect both visitation and tourism; it would be financially detrimental to continue with such a cruel and unnecessary killing, and although I do not currently reside in Washington D.C., I would be unwilling to consider it, or nearby, as a potential vacation destination if this deer cull continues.
Fourth, although research shows that deer numbers have been stable for 10 years, the NPS reportedly plans to have 150 deer killed. But the slaughtered animals won’t be the only victims as newborn fawns may be left to starve!
Please instead examine alternative, non-lethal options such as fencing, fertility control, and relocation according to established protocols when using these methods, which have all proven successful in curtailing deer populations.
I know your time is limited and I want to thank you for your attention to this urgent matter; I look forward to a positive resolution to this situation.
NAME
Read more…
Pequannock approves waterfowl hunt at PV Park
Wikimedia Commons
BACKGROUND | SOURCE ANIMAL TALK
Pequannock Valley (PV) Park, in northern NJ, has decided to hunt 30 ducks living on a lake in a residential area of NJ. They claim their
droppings are contaminating the water and the best solution is to send someone out to shoot them in the coming weeks (most likely right after ducklings hatch).
The township council and the mayor has approved the hunt, claiming these 30 ducks are the cause of high fecal coliform counts and are a danger to human health. What they have failed to mention is that people dump waste items in the water and there are multiple possible causes for high fecal coliform counts, including direct discharge of waste from mammals and birds, agricultural and storm runoff, and human sewage. These high counts may also be the result of plant material, and pulp or paper mill effluent.
It is extremely unlikely the contamination is caused by 30 little ducks living in a 27 acre park.
Please call/e-mail the mayor and town council members and tell them you are against this hunt and do not believe these ducks are causing a health hazard. Tell them it is cruel to kill these ducks, particularly while they are caring for their newly hatched ducklings. Local NJ residents, please make sure to leave your name and address and ask them to contact you to let you know they are calling off the hunt.
WHOM TO CONTACT
Email Block:
rphelan@peqtwp.org ; mlynch@peqtwp.org ; dkohle@peqtwp.org ; JVcouncil@gmail.com ; Cwinterfield@peqtwp.org
Individual:
Richard Phelan
Mayor
Pequannock Township
530 Newark Pompton Turnpike
Pompton Plains NJ 07444
973.835.5700 Ext 121
973.809.6318 Cell
Mayor Phelan – rphelan@peqtwp.org
Deputy Mayor Florance Lynch – mlynch@peqtwp.org
Councilman Kohle – dkohle@peqtwp.org
Councilman Vanderhoff – JVcouncil@gmail.com
Councilwoman Winterfield – Cwinterfield@peqtwp.org
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear Mayor Phelan, Deputy Mayor Lynch, Councilmen Vanderhoff and Kohle, and Councilwoman Winterfield:
I am extremely alarmed to learn of Pequannock Valley Park’s decision to hunt 30 ducks living on a lake in a residential area of New Jersey. I respectfully request suspension of this violent strategy.
Please allow me to elaborate. First, killing ducks does nothing to modify landscapes and waterways that attract them in the first place. I encourage officials to work with avian experts on population stabilization and site aversion.
Second, you claim that coliform counts are high and dangerous, but what is not mentioned is that people dump waste items in the water; there are futhermore multiple other possible causes for high fecal coliform counts, including direct discharge of waste from mammals and birds, agricultural and storm runoff, and human sewage. These high counts may also be the result of plant material, and pulp or paper mill effluent.
Third, sweeping eradication does not reduce long-term growth. Killing ducks artificially increases food supplies to the remaining ones, the consequence of which is increased reproduction and an ensuing greater population. In fact, studies have demonstrated that the continual cycle of seasonal eradication is responsible for a rebound, or larger populations, in subsequent years.
Fourth, using such barbaric strategies in such a visible location will most certainly affect visitation: sending someone out to shoot them in the coming weeks (most likely right after ducklings hatch) is highly visible and greatly cruel. In fact, although I do not currently reside there, I would be unwilling to consider it, or a nearby location, for tourist purposes if this cull ensues.
Please practice compassion and integrity: let the ducks live and institute responsible policies that promote respect and tolerance of wildlife.
Thank you for taking the time to consider this urgent appeal.
NAME
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There Are No Factory Farms Or Slaughterhouses In Heaven As It Should Be On Earth!!
God Wants Pope Francis To Be The First Vegan Pope And A Powerful Voice For The Voiceless!
By Arthur Poletti
His Holiness, Pope Francis PP
00120 Via del Pellegrino
Citta de Vaticano
Dear Most Holy Father,
Being the Pope will not be easy. Hopefully, with God’s guidance you will be inspired and motivated, like no other Pope before you, to go against the status quo, and take a firm stand against all odds, criticisms, and adversaries. Especially when you are certain that God and you are right about a controversial subject.
Your Holiness, surely you will agree that God is the supreme symbol of compassion, kindness, life, and love for all creatures with a soul, and the best reason why none of God’s precious animals should ever have to suffer and die so people can eat them, and or their dairy products.
Therefore, since there are no factory farms or slaughterhouses in Heaven, as it should be on Earth, now would be a great time for hundreds of millions of people to begin changing their eating habits.
Your Holiness, for these obvious reasons please seriously consider the significance of personally supporting and promoting God’s will.
Your timely announcement revealing that you have stopped eating meat and dairy products will promote — VEGANISM — like never before, and it will convince millions of people that you are personally supporting your love and God’s love for all animals, setting the example and the precedent for religious leaders, government officials,and hundreds of millions of people throughout the world to appreciate and emulate.
Holy Father, your brave and bold historic action of becoming the FIRST VEGAN POPE would send a powerful message throughout the world, like a “lightning bolt from heaven,” that God and “Your Holiness” want to stop the hideous, completely unnecessary, seemingly never ending holocaust of God’s precious animals.
Soon after your historic and courageous announcement happens, many urgently-needed benefits for animals, humans, the earth, and the earth’s atmosphere will begin to certainly occur, with the excellent prospects of a multitude of endless residual benefits.
Holy Father, following are three outstanding free videos. There are many excellent videos promoting animal welfare but none are better than these. The first two have helped to convince many people to become vegans in the United States and many other countries.
The last video is Vegan Father Richard Mann explaining his journey to embracing A VEGAN Vision Of Christianity.This is heart wrenching and captivating!! Please take the time to watch each video so there is no mistake about what happens to millions of God’s precious animals every hour of the day throughout the world, and why this must stop.
(1) EARTHLINGS is now a free feature length documentary about humanity’s absolute dependence on animals (for pets, food, clothing, entertainment, and scientific research) but also illustrates our complete disrespect for these so-called “non-human providers.” The film is narrated by Academy Award nominee Joaquin Phoenix (GLADIATOR) and features music by the critically acclaimed platinum artist Moby.
Powerful, informative and thought-provoking, Earthlings is by far the most comprehensive documentary ever produced revealing the correlation between nature, animals, and human economic interests. There are many worthy animal rights films available, but none are better than this masterpiece. Earthlings cries to be seen. Highly recommended!
Watch Earthlings
(2) *Best Speech You Will Ever Hear* by vegan Gary Yourofsky is also, one of the most important speeches anyone will ever hear, for the urgently and desperately needed benefits of animals, humans, and the earth. This magnificent, undeniably compelling, fascinating, and very convincing free 70 minute youtube video is now also posted with subtitles in many languages in over 31 countries. After 2,388 lectures to more than 60,000 people at 178 schools in 30 states and 5 Israeli cities, there is no doubt that Gary’s presentation is one of the most informative, passionate, and terrifically rewarding speeches ever conducted about ethical veganism!
Gary Yourofsky’s amazing accomplishments have already proven, in a big way, that one person can really make a huge difference for the benefit of animals, against all odds, criticisms, and adversaries.
Watch The Best Speech You Will Ever Hear
Please visit Gary’s web site which is filled with a large amount of information about many of the countless benefits of veganism, and how easy it is to locate and eat many selections of delicious earth grown food: http://www.adaptt.org
(3) VEGAN Father Frank Mann
Holy Father, please listen To VEGAN Father Frank Mann explain his journey to embracing a vegan vision of Christianity which he hopes will help to alleviate the needless horrific pain, suffering, and premature death of millions of God’s precious animals, every hour of the day.
Father Mann’s bold and emotional explanation of why he became a vegan is sincere, convincing, and inspiring. Father Mann speaks from his heart and his soul, and may have set an example and a precedent for many religious leaders throughout the world to seriously consider and hopefully emulate.
Watch Father Mann’s Journey to Embracing a Vegan Vision of Christianity
Holy Father, I am writing to you, only as a messenger, on behalf of millions of vegans throughout the world who continue to pray for kindness and a full safe life for every one of God’s precious creatures, that are currently in harms way, waiting for someone to rescue them.
Sooner or later someone will be the first Vegan Pope!
Millions of vegans throughout the world will be hoping and praying that, by the grace of God, that someone is you!!
In the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace for all animals.
Respectfully,
Yours in Christ
Arthur Poletti
Writer
Author
Vegan
USA
aapolet@aol.com
To My Mind, The Life Of A Lamb Is No Less Precious Than That Of A Human Being.
Mahatma Gandhi
The Short Life Of Lambs, An Undercover Investigation In Italy
http://www.all-creatures.org/articles/ar-lamb-slaughter-undercover.html
Baby Lambs Taken From Their Mother On Their Way To Be Slaughtered
“It Is Contrary To Human Dignity To Cause Animals To Suffer And Die Needlessly”
Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 2418
URGENT: Birds Reportedly Trapped, Dying at New Jersey Mall
Karen Lyons Kalmenson
BACKGROUND | SOURCE PETA
Birds are getting trapped behind bird-deterrent netting at Deptford Crossing Shopping Center and are then suffering and dying from starvation. According to our callers, birds enter the net through holes or gaps but are unable to find their way out! We understand that live birds are currently trapped. Furthermore, we’re told that bird nests, possibly containing babies, have also been sealed behind the netting. Graphic photos reportedly taken at this location appear to corroborate these reports. PETA contacted the Malachite Group, which owns Deptford Crossing, but was given no assurances that the matter would be speedily corrected. Your voice is needed!
We ask you to politely urge the Malachite Group either to remove the netting altogether or to free the birds and then properly reinstall the netting. Remind the company that most birds are federally protected and that harming them (even unintentionally) can result in a $15,000 fine!
WHOM TO CONTACT
Manny Malekan
CEO
Malachite Group Ltd.
melody@malachitegroup.com
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear CEO Malekan,
Birds are getting trapped behind bird-deterrent netting at the Deptford Crossing Shopping Center and are then suffering and dying from starvation. According to observations, birds enter the net through holes or gaps but are unable to find their way out. I understand that live birds are currently trapped. Furthermore, it is my understanding that bird nests, possibly containing babies, have also been sealed behind the netting.
I respectfully urge the Malachite Group either to remove the netting altogether or to free the birds and then properly reinstall the netting. Please remember that most birds are federally protected and that harming them (even unintentionally) can result in a $15,000 fine.
Thank you for taking the time to consider this urgent appeal.
NAME
Here’s the Poop: Warning Labels on Chicken
PCRM
Source PCRM
Chicken products may soon carry fecal contamination warning labels if the U.S. Department of Agriculture complies with a legal petition the Physicians Committee filed March 14. The petition calls on the USDA to declare feces an adulterant in poultry products and label products to warn consumers about likely contamination.
“USDA should make consumers aware that chicken often contains feces,” says Mark Kennedy, director of legal affairs with the Physicians Committee. “Contaminated chicken often passes right through inspection, is marketed as ‘wholesome,’ and lands on unsuspecting consumers’ dinner plates, feces and all.”
Kennedy also wrote to the co-chairs of the newly reorganized Congressional Chicken Caucus, Reps. Rick Crawford and Sanford Bishop, urging an immediate industry-wide shift to the petition’s proposed guidelines and labels.
Although USDA holds a zero-tolerance policy for fecal contamination, it applies to visible feces only. Consumers assume that this policy guarantees that the products they eat are not tainted with fecal matter. In practice, however, enforcement standards are lax, allowing fecal contamination as long as the feces are not touching chicken skin or visible to the naked eye. As a result, contaminated meat and poultry products pass inspection.
A federal inspector said, “We often see birds going down the line with intestines still attached, which are full of fecal contamination. If there is no fecal contamination on the bird’s skin, however, we can do nothing to stop that bird from going down that line. It is more than reasonable to assume that once the bird gets into the chill tank, that contamination will enter the water and contaminate all of the other carcasses in the chiller. That’s why it is sometimes called ‘fecal soup.’”
Nearly half the chicken products sold in supermarkets are contaminated with feces, according to independent laboratory testing commissioned by the Physicians Committee in 2012. The study analyzed chicken samples from 15 grocery store chains in 10 major U.S. cities. The Physicians Committee’s petition explains that even thorough cooking does not remove feces from meat.
“Feces may contain round worms, hair worms, tape worms, and leftover bits of whatever the animal excreting the feces may have eaten, not to mention the usual fecal components of digestive juices and various chemicals that the animal was in the process of excreting,” the petition states.
“The presence of feces can shut down a neighborhood pool for days,” says Joseph Gonzales, R.D., staff dietitian with the Physicians Committee. “No one wants to swim in feces, much less eat it. Consumers deserve to know that the chicken breasts or ground beef they’re purchasing is likely contaminated with feces.”
Why Vegan – Boycott Cruelty!
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Stop burning sea lions
PETA2
Please click and sign HERE
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) is reportedly branding sea lions so that individual animals caught eating protected salmon can be identified and gunned down.
Astoria-area residents have reportedly observed men herding these gentle animals into traps only to burn their flesh repeatedly with a blazing-hot iron. Billows of smoke have allegedly been seen rising into the air during these assaults, and victims have been described as “[lying] on the docks trembling”—an indication of extreme stress or pain.
Disturbing photos given to PETA, which appear to corroborate these reported brandings, can be viewed here. Your voice is needed!
Using the form HERE, please politely urge ODFW officials to immediately stop the branding and killing of sea lions. Remind officials that these animals are just trying to survive and feed their families, so they should be left alone. If ODFW wants to protect salmon stocks, then banning fishing in its waters would be a good start. If sea lions must be controlled, they can be humanely and effectively deterred using physical and visual barriers.
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Our Compass 