If you thought that by quitting meat or at least going weekday
vegetarian you were doing your part to avoid the
horrors of factory
farming, think again.
Even though animal products might not be in as many places as
some claim (most tennis rackets are made with
synthetic materials now), they spread far beyond just
those hidden in food: everywhere from your car to
the bathroom and the sky in the 4th of July.
As the Ontario
Farm Animal Council clearly puts it, 'on average,
98 percent of an animal is used. From that 98 percent, about
55 percent (on average) of the animal is used for edible
products and the remaining 45 percent for inedible
by-products.'
1. Plastic Bags
Many plastics, including shopping
bags, contain 'slip agents', which reduce the
friction in the material. What are those made of? Animal
fat.
In a more technical explanation from Genetic
Engineering and Biotechnology News: 'Although
polymers are manufactured from petroleum feedstock, plastics
manufacturers often use additives of animal origin to
improve material properties and/or to aid in processing of
raw polymers' -- which blogger Beth Terry proved
first-hand.
Also, watch out for new plastics coming out: Companies like
Tyson Foods are experimenting with keratin protein found in
chicken feathers to produce plastics, adhesives and
non-woven materials.
'Someday disposable diapers or hospital gowns could be made
from the materials,' said Jeff Webster, the group vice
president of the renewable products division to USA
Today.
2. Car And Bike Tires
Even when food can have hidden animal ingredients, you can
still take the time to look at the label to see it. With
your car or bike tires, it's a little more difficult. But
here's the trick: check with the manufacturer if they use
animal-based stearic acid, which helps the rubber in tires
hold shape under steady surface friction.
The guys at Vegan
Fitness forums took the time to call some brands
and made a
handy list of companies that use plant-based
alternatives of the component.
3. Glue in Wood Work and Musical Instruments
Animal glue (made from boiling animal connective tissue and
bones) is apparently the best adhesive for fixing musical
instruments made from wood such
as violins and pianos. Even though other
synthetic glues are used too, hide glue is also readily
available and widely used for furniture fixes and wood work:
You can even catch a
guide on how to use it online. If you're OK with
animal slaughter that is.
Related ... Animal Testing Breaks Hearts
4. Biofuels
Sugar cane and corn are what come to mind at first when we think
about biofuels,
but over the past years the use of animal fats to produce these has
extended.
There's actually beef
biodiesel (which Matthew called a 'bone-headed idea' last
year) and chicken
biodiesel to choose from.
5. Fireworks
It's no news that fireworks suck real badly in
terms of pollution, but bits of animals in them?
Apparently so.
The same component used in the tire industry, stearic acid, is
present in the production of fireworks. The book The
Chemistry of Fireworks lists this as an ingredient
and an article in Wikipedia
explains that 'in fireworks, stearic acid is often used to coat
metal powders such as aluminum and iron. This prevents oxidation,
allowing compositions to be stored for a longer period of time.'
Even though it can be plant-sourced, you never know. Another reason
to ditch
the bastards.
6. Fabric Softener
It was big news on
TreeHugger some time ago: Downy fabric softener contains
Dihydrogenated tallow dimethyl ammonium chloride, which comes from
the cattle, sheep and horse industry. They sure won't put that in
the usual 'all-so-soft' advertising.
7. Shampoo & Conditioner
Annie Leonard warned us about the hazardous
chemicals in the cosmetics industry, but didn't
necessarily emphasize the animal ingredients.
According to PETA, there are more than 20 components from
animals that could be in your shampoo and conditioner. The tricky
part is when you read 'Panthenol', 'Amino acids', or 'Vitamin B' in
a bottle (just to name a few), it can be either from animal or plant
source -- making it hard to tell. Companies have even removed the
word 'animal' from some ingredients to avoid putting off consumers.
Best way to be sure? Look for vegan brands. (Or make
your own.)
Please click on and sign/send the following two automatic
messages and send letter, thank you:
1.
Please Use ToxCast to Test Chemicals
2. Please stop all elephant shows and rides 3. Send Sample Letter (please modify) to same zoo
1. BACKGROUND | Fr0m
PETA
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has just released a list
of 134 chemicals that will be tested for their potential to act as
endocrine disruptors (ED). EDs are chemicals that interact with hormone
systems and possibly affect the growth or reproduction of animals.
The
EPA's program for screening these particular
chemicals will take years and will kill approximately 80,000 animals.
Since this program relies heavily on animal testing, it will provide
information that is hard to interpret and is unlikely to help the EPA
protect either humans or the environment from harmful chemicals.
The EPA has spent millions of dollars to create a large-scale non-animal
testing program called ToxCast
and has already used the program to profile the endocrine activity of
more than 300
chemicals in the first phase of this program.
In addition, the EPA used ToxCast to study the health effects of the oil
dispersants used in last summer's Gulf
Coast oil spill, yet the review panel overseeing the EPA's
endocrine program has so far refused
to accept information from ToxCast. This is perplexing in
light of the EPA's own confidence in the usefulness of the program.
Rather than killing tens of thousands of animals, the EPA should take
its own advice and use ToxCast to test the potential endocrine activity
of these chemicals.
Please take a moment to
write to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson to politely insist
that the EPA use the non-animal ToxCast program to test the new list of
chemicals for their potential to cause endocrine disruption.
Putting your subject line and letter into your own words will help draw
attention to your e-mail.
Related, they grieve, interact as we, perhaps more so, their emotions are not disingenuous or applied ...
2. BACKGROUND | From
IDA
The unexpected death of the elephant Dondi at the Southwick's Zoo in
Mendon, Massachusetts in July immediately raised a red flag. At age 36,
Dondi should have been in the prime of her life. So IDA took action and
filed a complaint
with the USDA, urging an investigation into her death. We
also demanded that Southwick's
Zoo President Justine Brewer publicly release Dondi's medical
records as a matter of public safety, as Dondi was in direct contact
with the public while giving rides. Elephants can harbor diseases
transmissible to humans, including tuberculosis (TB).
IDA's concerns were well-founded. The Orlando Sentinel just revealed
that an animal autopsy report showed Dondi suffered 'severe lung damage
from chronic fibrosis and pneumonia, likely caused by tuberculosis.' TB
in elephants presents a serious public health concern because it is very
difficult to detect, and the animals can transmit the disease to humans
as well as other elephants.
Dondi had been in direct contact with the public for years, putting both
children and adults at risk. During the summer she gave rides at the
Southwick's Zoo; she was the second elephant used by the zoo who was
found to have TB. Dondi performed circus tricks and gave rides at Flea
World in Florida during the winter months. U.S. Department of
Agriculture guidelines for the control of TB in elephants state: 'Direct
contact transmission may occur during activities such as touching or
riding an elephant, being touched by an elephant, examining, medicating,
bathing, and handling animals.'
IDA is renewing our call to the Southwick's Zoo and Flea World to end
the practice of using elephants for shows and rides because it is
inhumane for the elephants and unsafe for the public.
Submit the form to send a message to Southwick's Zoo and to Flea World,
urging these businesses to stop using elephant acts.
3. BACKGROUND | From
All Creatures
End Elephant Rides for the Safety of Elephants AND Humans
Tell the Southwick's Zoo and Flea World to end the practice of using
elephants for shows and rides because it is inhumane for the elephants
and unsafe for the public.
WHERE TO SEND YOUR LETTERS:
Justine Brewer, President Sydney and Marianne Levy, Owners
SAMPLE LETTER (please modify, shorten):
Dear Ms. Brewer and Mr. and Ms. Levy, I have recently learned of Dondi's tragic death at Southwick Zoo as precipitated by tuberculosis, a highly contagious and dangerous illness affecting both animals and humans; I am therefore writing today to request you discontinue exploiting animals as entertainment. Please allow me to briefly illustrate personal observations: elephants are marvelously intelligent and loving creatures, forming enduring bonds and relationships; elephants also experience profound depression in insufferable conditions, separated from others and necessary companionship. It is grossly unjust that our society finds animal abuse tolerable in cases such as Dondi's. While we as a collective understandably react shockingly at the cruelty inflicted upon our companion animal friends, many embrace apathy regarding animals imprisoned for entertainment purposes. Circuses, zoos, roadside attractions, and animal exhibits are all defined as socially acceptable forms of entertainment but that are all realistically a brutal indication of animal exploitation and imprisonment. Animals are objectified, cruelly treated, forced to behave in unnatural manners, exposed to pain and inadequate care and environments, and made to parade in front on humans for the sole purpose of human greed. There is no enchantment or magic for animals, and even zoos that perpetrate and foster an ideal of preservation are too often engaged in the savage acquisition of stolen animals, a brutal, bloody industry that hides under the chaotic surface of zoo entrepreneurship. Financial greed at the cost of compassion is inexcusable, and the implications about humans who enable animal abuse are disturbing: we cannot allow our children to inherit a cruel and indifferent society where animals are unrestrictedly objectified. Indeed, if we do nothing, we are teaching our children troubling lessons and encouraging intolerance. Please discontinue exploiting animals and instead observe your moral obligation to extend equity and respect towards them. I know your time is limited, and I thank you for your attention and consideration.
Immediate, please click on and sign the following two
petitions:
1. Defenders of Wildlife's Reject Secretary Salazar's Backroom Deal to Eliminate Protections for Wolves 2. EarthJustice's Stop Congress from Removing Endangered Species Protections for the Gray Wolf
BACKGROUND
Recent reports suggest that President Obama's Interior Secretary, Ken
Salazar, is prepared to agree to, and is actively promoting, legislative
language that would eliminate Endangered Species Act (ESA) protections
for all gray wolves in the Northern Rockies, including those in Montana,
Idaho, Wyoming and portions of Washington, Oregon and Utah.
Not only would wolves lose protections, they would also be put beyond
the reach of the ESA forever unless the Secretary, at his sole
discretion, chooses to restore them to the list of threatened or
endangered species. Even worse, under the language, there would be no
ability for the American public to petition for these protections in the
future... regardless of how egregious state wolf management plans
become.
The proposal is arbitrary and strikes a blow at the very foundation of
the Endangered Species Act. Hundreds of wolves -- maybe more than a
thousand -- could be killed. And you and I could lose America's most
effective tool for protecting imperiled wildlife.
We don't have much time to stop Secretary Salazar's plan. Please urge
your senators to reject Interior Secretary Salazar's backroom deal to
remove protections for wolves and harm the ESA.
Wonder of the Wild- Irreplaceable Wildlife in a Warming World
MESSAGE TEXT
Reject Secretary Salazar's Backroom Deal to Eliminate Protections for Wolves Dear [Decision Maker], As a supporter of Defenders of Wildlife and someone who cares about wolves, I strongly urge you to reject any legislative proposal by the Secretary of the Interior to eliminate life-saving protections for wolves. Recent reports suggest that Secretary Salazar is prepared to agree to, and is actively promoting, legislative language that would eliminate Endangered Species Act protections for all gray wolves in the Northern Rockies, including those in Montana, Idaho, Wyoming and portions of Washington, Oregon and Utah. Not only would wolves be delisted, they would also be put beyond the reach of the ESA forever unless the Secretary, at his sole discretion, chooses to restore them to the list of threatened or endangered species. Even worse, under the language, there would be no ability for the American public to petition for these protections in the future... regardless of how egregious state wolf management plans become. This proposal is anti-science, anti-wolf and anti-democratic. I strongly urge you to do everything in your power to oppose it. Thank you for considering my comments.
If you have any information, please call (951) 358-7387
From
Los Angeles Times
By Lindsay Barnett
Animal Services officials in Riverside County are asking for the
public's help in finding the person or persons responsible for
binding a cat in duct tape and placing her in an apartment
building's communal clothes dryer.
A resident of the building, in the 3000 block of Watkins Drive near
UC Riverside, called police upon discovering the cat, whose face and
upper body had been wrapped in duct tape. Police contacted the
animal services department, which brought the cat to the Western
Riverside County/City animal shelter for care.
The cat, a gray tabby believed to be about four years old, survived
but suffered a broken tooth and internal bleeding in one of her
eyes. The eye injury is expected to heal. Because of the injuries,
animal services officials suspect the dryer was turned on by the
person who bound the cat and placed her inside it, although it
wasn't running at the time she was discovered.
...serial killers usually torture animals purely for their own enjoyment. Animal abuse is a recognized sign of a mental disorder. If a child hurts animals it should be a red flag and immediate action should be taken. While there are many factors that contribute to someone becoming a serial killer, the one constant they share is animal abuse. Associated Content
Worse still, it has been determined that she recently gave birth to
a litter of kittens, who haven't been located despite attempts by
animal services officers. They had planned to return to the
apartment building Friday afternoon or evening to try to access a
locked garage, where someone reported possibly hearing a kitten's
meow, when a tenant with access to the garage returned home for the
day.
"I can't imagine what this poor thing must have felt going through
that ordeal," Eileen Sanders, a veterinary technician with the
animal services department who cared for the cat, said Friday.
"Whoever did this is going to move up and harm other animals -- or
maybe people."
At present, the animal services department is considering the cat a
stray. If her owner doesn't attempt to claim her, she is expected to
be put up for adoption.
Anyone with information is asked to call the animal services department at (951) 358-7387.Related, please click on and sign Expose the Animal Abusers Petition
View this document on Scribd
 Alert from Facebook | Carin Z.
Bill 18-63: the 'Residential Tranquility Act of 2010'
"This would establish certain restrictions and requirements for
residential demonstrations, which would apply when there are
three or more demonstrators targeting a residence. Restrictions
include: prohibiting a residential demonstration between 10pm
and 7am; prohibiting the wearing of a mask during the
residential demonstration; and a requirement for demonstrators
to notify MPD at least two hours in advance of the
demonstration."
It is already forbidden in some states to wear face-covering
masks during demonstrations. Now, wearing a mask while
protesting outside a residence without telling D.C. police first
could get you arrested.
Read More ...
Mask-wearing protestors in D.C. can now be arrested
Why is this a problem ?
The ACLU has opposed the Residential Tranquility Act of 2010,
the letter is
HERE.
What you can do: protest! They haven't closed the postal system
or internet yet, so feel free to send the below message to the
associated addresses.
SAMPLE LETTER:
Re: Bill 18-63, the 'Residential Tranquility Amendment Act of 2010' Dear Sir/Madam, I am contacting you regarding Bill 18-63, the 'Residential Tranquility Amendment Act of 2010,' which would make it a crime for three or more persons to conduct a completely peaceful, quiet, non-threatening demonstration in front of someone's residence if the demonstration takes place at night, or if the demonstrators wear masks, or if they have not provided the police with advance notice of the demonstration. This legislation would restrict freedom of speech by creating an unnecessary new crime when all that is really needed is the enforcement of existing laws. Peaceful residential picketing is a quintessential First Amendment activity and is a valuable part of our expressive freedom. The District of Columbia has a long history of peaceful residential picketing that should not lightly be discarded. There are also entirely legitimate reasons why a person might want to wear a mask while engaged in targeted residential picketing. The right to engage in anonymous speech is generally protected under the First Amendment precisely because there are legitimate reasons for speaking anonymously. None of these peaceful, non-threatening, free speech activities ought to be a crime, or needs to be made a crime in order to protect residents against threatening conduct. I support ACLU's letter sent to the council and urge the Council to defeat this pointless and unnecessary anti-freespeech bill. Thank you for your attention. NAME
WHOM TO CONTACT:
http://www.dccouncil.washington.dc.us/contactuscouncil Council offices (copy/paste into your TO): dccouncil@dccouncil.us, vgray@dccouncil.us, dcatania@dccouncil.us, pmendelson@dccouncil.us, kbrown@dccouncil.us, mbrown@dccouncil.us, jgraham@dccouncil.us, jackevans@dccouncil.us, mcheh@dccouncil.us, mbowser@dccouncil.us, hthomas@dccouncil.us, twells@dccouncil.us, yalexander@dccouncil.us, mbarry@dccouncil.us,
Please send message (sample available below) protesting the sheep
industry, including the live export practice subjecting these animals to
vicious, illegal practices.
From
Animals Australia
The (images below) are just some of the hundreds of images captured by
Animals Australia's investigative team on their recent investigation to
the Middle East in November 2010 for the three-day Festival of
Sacrifice. Close to one million animals were exported live from
Australia for this festival alone.
Photographs show Australian animals being bound with wire, shoved into
car boots, dragged and tied up, and suffering terribly before a brutal
slaughter � all of which is contrary to Islamic teachings.
Evidence of routine abuse clearly shows that the live export industry's
attempts to improve animal welfare in destination countries is not
working. Instead, Australia's willingness to continue supplying animals
to known abuses depicted in these photographs is re-enforcing the local
belief that this type of cruelty is acceptable.
Click on pictures to enlarge, these are graphic.
WARNING: this video contains footage of Animals Australia's
November 2010 Festival of Sacrifice investigation that was considered
too distressing for television.
WHERE TO SEND YOUR MESSAGES:
Postal: E-mail: PM Webform:
SAMPLE MESSAGE | Please edit/shorten but current length is
supported by webform:
To Whom It Concerns, I am gravely disturbed after watching footage, as offered by Animals Australia, of the live animal export industry from Australia to the Middle East and the barbaric and subsequent brutal treatment of animals victimized by such; I am therefore writing to explicitly request that this cease immediately. Please review the following if you are as of yet unaware of the conditions to which innocent animals are shamefully subjected: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0Vmx0n6QYg It is impossible to contemplate supporting any country, via tourism or commerce, that excuses such blatant animal cruelty; the global community will not defend this malicious and unnecessary industry and will collectively censure your country while this intentional abuse remains unanswered with no reform, namely nothing less than the discontinuation of the sheep industry in general. It is important to acknowledge that inaction or silence only sanctions such blatant cruelty, which inevitably leads to human crimes. Indeed, until people recognize and accept that their deliberately-cruel actions against innocent animals have both penal and moral repercussions, our societies will become accustomed to, and subsequently desensitized against, brutality inflicted on all species. I therefore 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. As such, please make the ethical and necessary decision to abolish this industry and modify protocols to mandate alternative, non-lethal responses to demand, such as veganism. Thank you for your attention to this urgent issue. NAME/COUNTRY
See more from
Animals Australia:
5 Investigations. 7 Countries. 1 Conclusion.
About this video:
In December 2007, Animals Australia conducted a fifth investigation in
the Middle East, exposing industry claims of 'improvements' and
'isolated incidents of animal cruelty' as just another desperate attempt
to defend a brutal trade in animal misery.
PREVIOUS STORY:
FROM:
ALDF
UPDATE:
On December 1, 2010, Kristian Dennard Jackson & Decarlos Lashawn
Young pled guilty to animal killing/torturing and arson of real
property. Both defendants were habitual 3rd offenders and they
pled to that as well. Young is to serve 17 months to 8 years,
and Jackson is to serve 13 months to 8 years in the Michigan
Department of Corrections.
They are currently scheduled to be formally sentenced on
December 16, 2010 at 9 a.m. Local residents who wish to
support the prosecution by attending should
contact the Court as dates and times are subject to change.
Wayne County Circuit Court, Criminal Division
Thank you to everyone who wrote letters, made phone calls and
attended the court proceedings! Attorneys in the case noted
the large amount of mail, email and phone calls received from
supporters around the world and also noted that a number of ALDF
supporters attended court proceedings.
Please send letters through ALDF's website or by mail
thanking Judge Cynthia Gray Hathaway for doing
an excellent job in evaluating the past histories of both
defendants.
BACKGROUND BRIEF
(Wayne County, MI) Kristian
Dennard Jackson & Decarlos Lashawn Young are facing criminal charges
related to the alleged gross abuse of a pit bull in August 2010.
They allegedly set the young dog on fire after a failed attempt at
hanging her to death. A bystander was reportedly able to videotape
this terrible incident with a cell phone camera. Investigators were
unable to recover the dog�s body, it is believed that her remains
were discarded in the trash and hauled away.
Such cruelty, and indeed the expanse of criminal activity that
accompanies dogfighting,
demands meaningful justice from the criminal courts, and local
citizens are encouraged to actively show their support for this
important prosecution.
Case #10-012065-01 - Kristian Dennard Jackson
Case #10-012065-02 - Decarlos Lashawn Young Related, please click on and sign Expose the Animal Abusers Petition
Please click on and sign: Help
Stop the "Sickening" Sable Island Seal Slaughter Plan
Sponsored by: IFAW
A recent report brought to light a proposal prepared for the
Government of Canada that would see 220,000 grey seals killed and
incinerated in their protected Sable Island nursery.
To reach the proposed number of 220,000 seals, the cull and disposal
program would run at birthing time each year for about five years
and cost Canadian taxpayers an estimated $35 million.
Please urge the Canadian government to categorically reject this
outrageous proposal.
Sign our
petition today to ensure that Sable Island's
grey seal population is spared this sickening slaughter, and that
the island remains a protected habitat for seals.
Related, Canada's Shame
BACKGROUND Sable Island Seal Report
Please don't forget to click on and sign:
Help Stop the "Sickening" Sable Island Seal Slaughter Plan
Please click on and sign:
Ask Your Congressperson to Help the Alamogordo Chimpanzees Please click on and sign: End Chimpanzee Experiments, Pass the Great Ape Protection Act
BACKGROUND
Please send the e-mail below that asks your U.S. representative
to urge National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Francis
Collins, M.D., Ph.D., to keep almost 200 chimpanzees at the
Alamogordo Primate Facility (APF) in New Mexico. Since 2001,
chimpanzees have been housed at APF, where they cannot be used
in experimentation. However, NIH plans to move the
chimpanzees--many of them ill and elderly--to the Southwest
National Primate Research Center in San Antonio, Texas, where
they can be used in painful, invasive experiments.
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:
Gov. Bill Richardson Petitions USDA to Halt Transfer of New Mexico Chimpanzees Oppose Experiments on New Mexico Chimpanzees
MESSAGE TEXT
I am writing to ask that you take action on an urgent situation in New Mexico that affects how our nation funds research. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) plans to move approximately 200 chimpanzees currently housed at the Alamogordo Primate Facility (APF) in New Mexico to the Southwest National Primate Research Center in San Antonio, Texas, for future use in invasive experimentation. While at APF since 2001, the chimpanzees--many aging and infected with diseases like HIV and hepatitis--have not been part of any active research protocols. Previously, many of these animals were used for decades in research and testing by a company that was responsible for the deaths of 35 animals in an eight-year period. Chimpanzee experimentation has declined significantly in recent years because scientists have recognized the inapplicability of chimpanzee-based research to human diseases like HIV/AIDS and using these animals is often cost-prohibitive. Permanent retirement for the APF chimpanzees, who have already had to sacrifice so much of their lives, would mean better lives for them, better scientific research, and a far better legacy for the nation. NIH should retire these animals--including 14 chimpanzees who were moved to Southwest this summer--to a permanent sanctuary in Alamogordo. The costs of sanctuary care are significantly lower and under the Chimpanzee Health Improvement, Maintenance and Protection (CHIMP) Act of 2000 these costs are shared with a non-profit entity. Please ask NIH Director Francis Collins, M.D., Ph.D., to permanently retire the Alamogordo chimpanzees. Keeping the chimpanzees in New Mexico makes economic, scientific, and ethical sense.
 "Millions of animals are needlessly poisoned, maimed and killed in UK laboratories every year. The multimillion-pound company behind PG tips, Lyons and Lipton teas has abused and killed rabbits, piglets, mice and rats in tests so that the company can make health claims about tea." 1. Please click on and sign Lipton Tea- STOP Animal Experiments! 2. Send a message (sample below) via webform HERE
BACKGROUND | From
PETA
Millions of animals are needlessly poisoned, maimed and killed in UK
laboratories every year.
The multimillion-pound company behind PG tips, Lyons and Lipton teas has
abused and killed rabbits, piglets, mice and rats in tests so that the
company can make health claims about tea.
PETA has uncovered numerous cruel tests that the maker of PG Tips, Lyons and Lipton has conducted or supported on animals to evaluate the effects of tea. The following are just a few examples:
Related: Testing One, Two, Three
None of these tests were conducted to meet legal requirements.
Every day, animals in laboratories are poisoned, starved, brain-damaged,
paralyzed, mutilated, irradiated, burned, gassed and electrocuted in
cruel and deadly experiments. They live and die in pain, fear and
loneliness. They need our help:
Please click on and sign
Lipton Tea- STOP Animal Experiments! and send the
message below, thank you.
Click HERE for Unilever UK contact webform
SAMPLE MESSAGE (please modify/shorten):
To Whom It Concerns, I am shocked to learn that Unilever, the producer of PG tips, Lyons and Lipton teas, continues to support animal experimentation as established by PETA UK. 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. Unilever's blatant disregard for animals and its decision to not use these ingredients exclusively is irresponsible and negligent. Furthermore, your company's attempt to foster an idea that consumers continually support animal experimentation due to some inaccurate notion that doing so 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 Unilever continues to unnecessarily and selfishly capitalize on the mutilation, torture, and death of animals, I will not financially support you or purchase your products. Please make both the ethical and financially-responsible decision to discontinue animal experimentation immediately: join an increasing body of corporations who 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 taking the time to read this urgent message. Sincerely,
Please click on and sign Protect the EU's Ban on Animal-Tested Cosmetics From PETA BACKGROUND
The European Union was on track to ban all animal-tested cosmetics � now
they might be changing their minds. Please contact the European
Commission and let them know: no delay, no compromise and no cosmetics
tests on animals.
In a major victory for animals, the European Union agreed in 2003 to a
ban on all animal tests for cosmetics and a complete ban on the sale of
cosmetics products containing ingredients tested on animals. In 2009,
the sales ban came into force, with exemptions for certain tests that
were still permitted. The final deadline to ban the marketing of every
cosmetics containing ingredients tested on animals is 11 March 2013,
after which the shelves of every shop and internet supplier in Europe
will be free of animal-tested cosmetics.
The sales ban means that not only are no cosmetics tests using animals
now performed in Europe but also that non-EU companies hoping to export
their products have to change their animal-testing ways too. That
commercial pressure has driven the development of effective and humane
non-animal test methods which can also be used for some drugs and other
chemicals, stopping even more tests. Most importantly, the ban puts
animals' lives and well-being before vanity.
Related, Cruelty-Free Resources: LeapingBunny.Org ***
But now the EU is considering delaying that 2013 deadline for years,
perhaps even indefinitely. The European Commission recently held a
"consultation" on technical aspects of the ban as a preliminary step to
introducing a delay on the basis of claims that alternative methods
haven't been perfected. Scandalously, that consultation sought only
scientific information from experts on alternatives to animal tests,
effectively excluding the millions of people who object to cosmetics
testing on animals on compassionate and ethical grounds and who would
rather not have yet another shampoo if it means animals will die.
If the Commission proposes postponing the 2013 deadline, it will wipe
out the motivation for cosmetics companies to develop alternatives and
will essentially put cosmetics before the lives of animals. That
proposal would then have to be considered by MEPs in the European
Parliament and the governments of all 27 EU member states. While they
will have the power to reject it, there is no guarantee they will do so.
Please take action today and contact the European Commissioner
responsible, John Dalli, to let him know that the people of Europe want
no delay, no compromise and no cosmetics tests on animals.
MESSAGE TEXT
Dear Mr Dalli: Like the vast majority of Europeans, I am a strong opponent of cosmetics testing on animals and was overjoyed when the EU passed the 7th Amendment to the Cosmetics Directive in 2003, banning animal testing and introducing the marketing ban on animal-tested cosmetics. I have looked forward to that ban becoming complete in 2013. I am writing to you today to insist that any delay in fully implementing the marketing ban would be completely unacceptable to me and to the vast majority of Europeans. As you know, the ban has driven the development of non-animal test methods which can not only replace animal use in cosmetics testing but also be used in many other forms of safety testing that use animals. Replacement of existing animal tests has already saved hundreds of thousands of animals and many more can be saved as new techniques are developed and validated. It is vital that this critical incentive to companies to invest in alternatives not be removed. More importantly, the ban embodies the principle that animals should never face suffering and death in tests for vanity products. The Commission must not overturn that principle. The safety of cosmetics ingredients can be assured by non-animal methods, but regardless of any conclusions reached on technical questions, Europe must maintain its principled and compassionate position: say "No" to animal tests for cosmetics and "No" to cosmetics that have been tested on animals. 2. Obama: Designate the Arctic Refuge as a National Monument
1. Background | From
Earth Justice
For too long, mining companies have been blowing up and destroying
entire mountaintops in Appalachia for coal, dumping their harmful
mining waste in natural streams--and so far this industry has already
buried and destroyed more than 2,000 miles of precious waterways.
The practice of mountaintop removal mining is obliterating an
ancient mountain range, destroying vital waters and contaminating
water supplies, and threatening the health and well-being of the
people who live in Appalachia.
So how has it gone on for so long?
During the Bush administration, the mining companies were given some
handy loopholes and exemptions that made way for them to easily blow
up the mountains and dump the mining waste in the waters of the
region, regardless of the impacts on the people of the region. When
President Obama took office, he vowed to restore the role of science
and restore the rule of the law in protecting Americans from harmful
pollution.
On April 1, 2010, the Environmental Protection Agency announced in
staff guidance that it would scrutinize permit applications to
ensure compliance with longstanding Clean Water Act protections,
using sound science, because of the need to correct legal violations
found in the permitting process and finally address the serious harm
to water quality caused by pollution from mountaintop removal
mining.
In the months since the EPA's announcement, the coal mining industry has
waged an all-out war against this guidance, because it makes clear that
the mining companies have gotten away with permitting violations in the
past, which have never been acceptable under the Clean Water Act and
will no longer be tolerated.
We must not let polluters put our fellow Americans� vital waters in
harm's way. We cannot let these corporations decimate some of the most
precious and most biodiverse lands in America. This guidance will not
stop mountaintop removal mining once and for all, but it is a critical
step to finally take a hard look at the clear science and start
enforcing compliance with the Clean Water Act.
It is urgent for the Obama administration and the EPA to hear public
support for this scientific guidance on mountaintop removal mining and
water quality. If we're to see any progress, EPA Administrator Lisa
Jackson needs to hear that America stands behind her effort to follow
the indisputable science and enforce compliance with longstanding legal
protections that our waters, our mountains and the people of Appalachia
so desperately need.
Please email EPA Administrator
Lisa Jackson now and tell her not to succumb to industry and mining
companies' requests to evade the law or weaken the water quality
guidance. Please help end this tragic practice and the damage it is
causing.
Please visit and sign
HERE
(scroll down, automatic letter is towards bottom)
2. Background | From Alaska
Wilderness League
With the 50th anniversary of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge only
weeks away, President Obama has the opportunity to make a real
statement: America will not submit to the follies of the past or the
whims of the present when it comes to protecting one of our country's
great wild places.
A National Monument designation is a fitting celebration of the
past, present and future of this iconic American wilderness -- and will
help protect it from Big Oil's attacks.
President Obama has a chance to create a legacy for our country and for
future generations. Over 60% of Americans support the idea of placing
the Refuge on par with other pristine areas such as the Grand Canyon and
Yosemite.
From
GOZO News
A large number of NGOs and animal rights organizations have joined
forces through a Circus Animal Rights Coalition, to express their
deep disappointment and concern that JS Productions intends to bring
over 'Circo Fantasy' to Malta & Gozo to perform during the coming
festive season. The coalition is highly dismayed by the fact that
notwithstanding the public's opposition to the exploitation of
animals in circuses, this same company persists year over year to
make profit from this form of animal cruelty.
The Circus Animal Rights Coalition would like to raise awareness of
the fact that behind the glitz of the circus lies a cruel world of
untold animal suffering. Animals used in circuses are unwilling
participants in a show that jeopardizes their health and
psychological well-being. Circuses force animals often through
painful and punitive methods to perform tricks that are
contradictory to their innate instincts and behavior, which factor
results in substantial injuries during performance and training.
To Animals, It's Not Entertainment
Furthermore, animals in circuses have to sustain long distance traveling to arrive to the performance destination, during which they are often kept in unsuitable and precarious conditions. The climate of the locality area may furthermore be unsuitable for their natural temperament in such a way that they sustain undue suffering. These factors continue to exacerbate the already stressful conditions caused by confinement and transportation.
Even if conditions were improved and humane methods of training were
used, the fact is that keeping wild animals in captivity deprives
animals of much of what they value in life. The animals have to live in
an environment drastically different from their natural habitat, and
their spirits are broken from harsh training and from not being able to
fulfill some of their most basic needs and instincts.
In a blatantly misogynistic and barbaric act, a 72-year-old
grandmother in Ghana was burned to death earlier this month on
suspicion of being a witch.
Forced To Confess, Then Set Alight
Ama Hemmeh was allegedly tortured into confessing that she was a
witch, doused with kerosene and set alight. A student nurse came to
Hemmeh's rescue and sent her to Tema General Hospital, but she died
within 24 hours from severe burns.
One Of The Attackers: An Evangelical Pastor
From The
Guardian:
Three women and two men have been arrested. They are Nancy Nana Ama Akrofie, 46, photographer Samuel Gunney, 50, Emelia Opoku, 37, Mary Sagoe, 52, and pastor Samuel Fletcher Sagoe, 55. The suspects say the death was an accident and deny committing any crime. They claim they were trying to exorcise an evil spirit from the woman by rubbing anointing oil on her but it accidentally caught fire. Augustine Gyening, assistant police commissioner, told the Daily Graphic that Sagoe saw Hemmeh sitting in his sister's bedroom on 20 November and raised an alarm, attracting the attention of people in the neighborhood. Gyening added that the suspects claimed Hemmeh was a known witch and subjected her to severe torture, compelling her to confess. He said Ghunney then asked Opoku for a gallon of kerosene and with the help of his accomplices poured it over the victim and set her ablaze.
Widespread Condemnation
The incident has been widely condemned by human rights and women's
rights activists. They have also expressed outrage and disbelief that a
pastor, whose responsibility it is to save lives, would actually take
part in this grisly execution, supposedly in the name of God.
Belief in "black" witchcraft is still common in Ghana, and there are
over 1,000 women who have been condemned as witches and are now living
in camps. Who are these women? I learned from watching Ghana:
The witches of Gambaga (below as well) that one
woman got in a fight with her brother, struck him, and that night he
died. The whole family condemned her as a witch and drove her out of
town.
The Guardian | Ghana: The witches of Gambaga
Reminiscent Of Witch Executions 400 Years Ago
The same treatment was meted out to another woman, whose neighbor died
in childbirth. Watching this powerful video about their situation, and
how they came to be called "witches," brought to mind the situation of
the so-called witches of England and Scotland in the 16th and 17th
centuries.
Fabulous, yet more speciesist associations of kindness and killing.
Why depend on a business whose very goal is speed, efficiency, and
delivery in a profit-motivated industry to breed and kill animals
"humanely"? Seriously? It is impossible, the validation of cruelty
in the exchange of dollars for death. Exploitation is fundamentally
cruel and unethical, the humane moniker benefiting only those who
can spell it. A principled proaction is veganism, a moral obligation
to extend consideration in ways we demand upon ourselves. Indeed, if
you consider yourself a slave or hostage, what would be the
threshold of "humane handling" and "humane slaughter" for you?
In the below hideous demonstration of commodification, how many
animal victims do you honestly believe were considered with anything
other than indifference and inconvenience, a barometer of financial
means? Zero. Please reject human-manufactured definitions of
kindness towards human-manufactured victims of such. In fact,
here's a suggestion: go vegan and be certain.
And if you'll excuse me now, I am going to buy some clothing from
humanely-treated child laborers (I've been told they are offered
five minutes of recess time per day). sr
Glass Walls
From
Delmarva Media Group
By Greg Latshaw
A new class action lawsuit accuses Perdue Farms Inc. of practicing false
advertising by labeling some products as "humanely raised" -- a
description that, according to the plaintiff, contradicts the manner in
which the company's birds are raised and slaughtered.
The lawsuit was filed Monday in the Superior Court of Monmouth County,
N.J., by a member of the Humane Society of the United States. The animal
rights group is not bringing the lawsuit but has joined with two law
firms to represent the plaintiff in the case.
The 27-page complaint alleges that Perdue raises its chickens under the
same industry standards at other companies but tries to sell some
products under the humane label for a higher price. The labels appear on
products bearing the Perdue and Harvestland brand names, according to
the complaint.
The complaint alleges that Perdue's labeling is "false, deceptive and
misleading" because no reasonable consumer would think that the
industry standard for the treatment of broilers is humane.
Luis Luna, a Perdue spokesman, responded to the lawsuit Monday by saying
the Humane Society was defining poultry welfare by its own "narrow"
standards. He said the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Process Verified
Program, which entails audits by the USDA, verifies that Perdue exceeds
the industry standard.
The complaint, in contrast, paints a grim picture of alleged industry
standards. According to the complaint, animal welfare standards
developed by the National Chicken Council allow for "mechanized
brutality and routine infliction of intense duress and pain."
See the rest ...
RELATED
Happy Cows: Behind the Myth
From Mariana:
I am currently fighting a war to get justice for three dogs who were
murdered by a bus driver in Croatia. I have made a petition which asks
for a punishment for him according to the Animal Protection Law. The
petition is here in Croatian Language: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/traimo-otkaz-i-kaznu-propisanu-zakonom-za-vozaa-liburnije-koji-je-usmrtio-tri-psa/
On Monday, November 22nd, a bus driver of Liburnija d.o.o. driving on
the road of Diklo near Zadar, purposely murdered three dogs that were on
the road. Because of the work being conducted at that location, the
speed limit is 30 km / h. The driver ran over the dogs at high speed,
only 10 meters from the passenger station where he was supposed to stop.
According to the testimonies of eyewitnesses, the driver did not even
try to stop, but he stepped on the gas even more when he saw the dogs on
the road. After the event, he continued driving, without stopping at the
station and without checking back on the dead dogs who were left
behind. The bus company Liburnija d.o.o, said they are not planning any
penalties for the driver, and explained this decision saying that, "the
driver could not hit the brakes because some people in the bus were
standing." The police and veterinary inspectors say that the driver is
not guilty and that he will not bear any penalties. The only penalties
are for the dog's guardians who will be charged for not keeping their
pets on a leash.
This whole case is so absurd and brings into question the safety of all
citizens because the driver could have easily killed humans and small
children on the road, because by the logic of Liburnija d.o.o., he does
not stop the bus if people in it are standing.
One of the dog's guardian said that his dog (named 'Medo' - 'Teddy
bear'), was like a son to him, he also believes that the driver did this
intentionally.
In short; the driver saw the dogs on time, didn't even try to hit the
brakes but hit the gas even harder, killed three dogs and continued
driving like a maniac and like nothing happened.
Here is a video of the case:
The police in Croatia is of no use although we have an Animal Protection
Law, which clearly says:
Article 66 (1) A legal person shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine from HRK 50.000,00 to HRK 100.000,00 for: 1. killing animals, subjecting them to pain, suffering and injury, and intentionally exposing them to fear (Article 4, paragraph 1).
I am hoping that if this story gets into a lot of media, Croatian and
foreign, maybe then our police and Liburnija d.o.o. will make a move and
punish the bus driver.
This is more than just another case of animal cruelty, this kind of
cruelty is happening in Croatia everyday, and everytime the police fails
to do anything about it. It is time that we, as citizens, do something
about it to show future maniacs that they WILL be punished according to
the existing Animal Protection Law.
From
Facebook, Loredana
Dear friends, I received this alert from Portugal (thank you
Filomena). Grupo Index (owner of Zara, Bershka, Massimo Dutti e
Stradivarius) and Mango announced in November 2004 that beginning
January 2005 they would stop selling furs in all their stores
worldwide. Guess what? Right, they didn't keep the promise. In
Italy it happened the same, we have a similar action ongoing. Can
you please send a letter? I am sharing theirs, naturally you can
modify it.
GRUPO INDITEX
Dear Madams and Sirs, As consumer who frequently patronizes your various stores, I am appalled to learn that you and your affiliates are selling real fur, namely rabbits, once again. This comes following your commitment made to several European animal rights groups in 2004 to cease selling fur. As you no doubt are aware, millions of fur-bearing animals - including foxes, raccoons, minks, coyotes, bobcats, lynxes, opossums, nutria, beavers, muskrats, otters, and others ' are killed each year on fur farms by anal and vaginal electrocution, concussion, skinning, and gassing; and in the wild they are butchered by drowning, trapping, or beating. Please watch the following footage and understand why supporting the fur industry is both unacceptable and vicious, and know that it is perfectly possible to sell only synthetic materials - namely faux fur - and, by this, to provide the market with comfortable, elegant, and fashionable cruelty-free clothing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTZQnQeAPJc Please renew your pledge to discontinue selling real fur, and join the compassionate group of /fur free retailers/ who have made the commitment to discontinue their contribution to the savage fur industry. In the meantime, and due to my ethical principles, I will stop buying in your stores and will encourage friends, family, and online community members to do the same. I am aware that Inditex has relevant concerns towards environmental sustainability issues, and that is also why I trust you will give the best attention to this plea of mine. Sincerely,
MANGO
http://www.mango.com/formulari/form_in.asp
Dear Madams and Sirs, As consumer who frequently patronizes your various stores, I am appalled to learn that you and your affiliates are selling real fur, namely rabbits, once again. This comes following your commitment made to several European animal rights groups in 2004 to cease selling fur. As you no doubt are aware, millions of fur-bearing animals - including foxes, raccoons, minks, coyotes, bobcats, lynxes, opossums, nutria, beavers, muskrats, otters, and others - are killed each year on fur farms by anal and vaginal electrocution, concussion, skinning, and gassing; and in the wild they are butchered by drowning, trapping, or beating. Please watch the following footage and understand why supporting the fur industry is both unacceptable and vicious, and know that it is perfectly possible to sell only synthetic materials - namely faux fur - and, by this, to provide the market with comfortable, elegant, and fashionable cruelty-free clothing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTZQnQeAPJc Please renew your pledge to discontinue selling real fur, and join the compassionate group of 'fur free retailers' who have made the commitment to discontinue their contribution to the savage fur industry. In the meantime, and due to my ethical principles, I will stop buying in your stores and will encourage friends, family, and online community members to do the same. I am aware that Mango has relevant concerns towards environmental sustainability issues, and that is also why I trust you will give the best attention to this plea of mine. Sincerely,
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