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Act Now! to Help Animals
UVM Medical School Tortures Pigs: Please help the pigs!
UVM’s medical school is putting on an inhumane and unnecessary course, called ATOM (Advanced Trauma Operative Management), on May 15th.
In this class, participants manage 14 different traumatic injuries that are intentionally inflicted in live adult pigs. The animals must suffer through penetrating injuries such as stab wounds to numerous organs in the abdomen and chest, including the kidney, stomach, spleen and heart. Those pigs who survive the traumas and surgeries are killed at the end of the exercises.
This class is completely voluntary, and no medical professional is required to complete this lab. In fact, more than 95 percent of American medical schools have eliminated the use of animals to teach surgery skills, according to the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine.
UVM needs to hear that members of the community do not approve of this cruelty!
Please contact UVM’s medical school (main ATOM contact person), Charlie Martin at (802) 847-0819 or Charles.H.Martin@uvm.edu and let him know that you think this practice is wrong, and that you want UVM to join the impressive list of universities who do not use live animal labs to train their students. Please also contact the following people:
Fred Rogers, M.D.
Professor of Surgery
Chief, Division of Trauma, Burns and Critical Care
Frederick.Rogers@uvm.edu
Frederick C. Morin III, M.D.
Dean, UVM College of Medicine
frederick.morin@uvm.edu
President Daniel Mark Fogel
President of UVM
Daniel.Fogel@uvm.edu
If you would like to help even more, Students for True Animal Rights is planning to put on a demonstration at UVM in opposition to the pig lab on May 15th. If you would like to help plan or participate in this action, please email tanimrts@uvm.edu.
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Tag Sale Items NEEDED NOW
Spring cleaning? Getting ready for a move? Please hurry and donate any unwanted household items in good, sellable condition to GMAD for our garage sale on May 17! If you have questions or items to donate, please contact Lindsey or Julie right away as we hope to collect items BEFORE actual day of the sale. Sorry, we can't accept large furniture, appliances, or electronics.
Details:
What: A garage sale to benefit Green Mountain Animal Defenders
When: Saturday, May 17, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: 118 Baycrest Dr., South Burlington
Volunteers may also needed to help with the sale, which will be in South Burlington on May 17 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., so please contact Lindsey if you can help on the day of the sale.
We hope to see you there. Please tell your friends and family
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Rodeo Cruelty Coming to Vermont: Letters Needed!
Animal Cruelty is not entertainment! Unfortunately, the rodeo is coming to Highgate, Vermont on Saturday, May 31st. As you may know, the rodeo is very cruel, and at times even deadly to the animals involved.
GMAD is calling for letters to the editors in opposition to the rodeo. Writing letters to the editor is a very important way to raise awareness about the cruelty that is behind the rodeo, and to get people to think about whether or not to support rodeos.
The rodeo tries to portray itself as a family-friendly sport and a form of entertainment, but in reality, the animals may face painful electric shocks and bucking straps, tail twisting, pulling, and raking, among other abuses. Bulls are frequently injured at the rodeo, and even the human participants are at risk of injury.
The rodeo coming to Highgate will include the following events: steer wrestling, tie-down roping, team roping, barrel and breakaway racing, bronc horse riding and bull riding.
Please write a letter against this rodeo!
More Info: http://www.RodeoCruelty.com.
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Vermont Companion Animal Neutering (VT-CAN!)
VT-CAN! is a sttationary low cost, high quality, high volume dog & cat spay/neuter clinic located in Middlesex, Vermont and is run by GMAD member & friend Pamela K.
The clinic is scheduled to open in early-mid August and they are in need of donations of these supplies:
Smaller items
Paper towels
Office supplies- copy paper, paper clips, file folders, staplees, pens etc.
Pee Pads
Towels
Trash bags (all sizes)
Larger Items
Small reliable refrigerator-not a very small cube shaped one-but approx 3’ tall
Cages- not carriers, but the kind that are built into a wall of banks of 4 that can be rolled
Blue paper drapes, surgeons hand towels
Pet scale or baby scale
Storage units and file cabinets
Surgical Equipment- lights, tables, mayo stands
Please help if you can, as Pamela and the crew intend to minimize the devastating effects of companion animal over-population and suffering, one spay/neuter at a time!
More Info: http://www.vt-can.org
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Support Student Choice - Support VT S.34
Courtesy of HSUS:
Every year, approximately six million vertebrate animals are dissected in United States classrooms. However, many students have genuine objections to dissection and live animal exercises. Students' objections are often motivated by a deeply held belief in the value of life or by concern over inhumane husbandry or killing practices.
Many states have already recognized that using real animals is not necessary and allow for alternative methods that are equally instructive for students learning biology at the high school level. Our survey of participants at the 20th annual National Science Teachers Association convention revealed that the majority of high school teachers supported student choice in dissection.
TAKE ACTION
A bill (S. 34) to allow students an instructional alternative to dissection has already passed the Vermont Senate and is awaiting action in the House. It is critical that your state representatives hear from constituents who support this legislation! Click here to send an email to your state representatives in support of S. 34.
Also, please be sure to tell your friends and family in Vermont how they can help support student dissection choice.
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We Need Your Help To Stop Donkey Ball!
Animal Cruelty is Not Entertainment!
Donkey Ball fundraiser games are scheduled to come to the Twinfield School in Plainfield, VT in March and to Barre, VT in April.
Letters to the editors of area newspapers are needed and should be sent explaining the cruelty involved in this so-called "sport", and letters asking the event be canceled for humane reasons should be sent to the officials below.
Donkey Ball Cruelty Info:
What on earth is Donkey ball? Donkey ball is a cruel so-called "sport." For this "game" people attempt to ride donkeys and play basketball at the same time.
---Donkeys are often injured from falling on slippery gymnasium floors, and from the weight of the people riding them. They may also be hit by stray basketballs. This causes stress and discomfort for the donkeys, who have no choice in playing this ridiculous "game".
---People are also at risk in donkey ball. Riders often fall from the donkeys, and may face painful injuries, including broken bones.
---In addition to the problems that occur during the games, donkeys may be mistreated behind the scenes. Oftentimes, donkeys face stress from traveling to and from the games. This may lead to weakened immune systems, and the donkeys then become more susceptible to illnesses. Food and water may be withheld long before the games in order to reduce "accidents" on the court.
Please voice your objections, politely, to the following people and let them know that donkey ball is not an acceptable type of entertainment or way to raise money. There are many, many cruelty-free fundraising events which are appropriate and do not cause cruelty.
Times Argus Newspaper
540 North Main Street
Barre, VT 05641
letters@timesargus.com
Burlington Free Press
PO Box 10
Burlington, VT 05402
letters@bfp.burlingtonfreepress.com
Mayor Thomas Lauzon
6 No. Main St.
Barre, VT 05641
(802) 476-0260
John Craig
City Manager
6 No. Main St.
Barre, VT 05641
(802) 476-0260
manager@barrecity.org
Peter John
Fire Chief
15 Fourth St.
Barre, VT 05641
(802) 476-0254 (non-emergency #)
pjohn@barrecity.org
Timothy Bombardier
Chief of Police
15 Fourth St.
Barre, VT 05641
(802) 476-6613
tbombard@dps.state.vt.us
Vermont Firefighters Association
P.O. Box 321
Pittsford, VT 05673
Twinfield School
Rt. 2
Plainfield, VT 05667
With your help, we can prevent this abuse from returning to Vermont! PLEASE, Speak Up for the Animals!
More Info: http://www.animalsvoice.com/PAGES/writes/editorial/news/comment/donkeys_basketball
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Ask Rep. Welch to Protect America's Wildlife
The Protect America's Wildlife (PAW) Act is a very important bill now pending in the U.S. House of Representatives. This humane legislation would ban aerial shooting of wolves in the U.S. So far, this atrocious type of killing has only been allowed in Alaska, but officials in Idaho and Wyoming are now considering programs that target wolves in the Yellowstone Region for aerial killing.
This bill is very important in protecting wolves in all states from this cruelty.
Vermont's US Representative Peter Welch is NOT yet a co-sponsor of this important legislation.
Please contact Representative Welch and ask him to co-sponsor this bill and to push for the house to vote on it!
To contact Peter Welch by phone, please call:
(888) 605-7270 (toll free in Vermont)
(802) 652-2450
or (202) 225-4115 for his Washington DC office.
Please refer to this sample script for some tips on what to say when you call and leave your message:
"My name is ________ and I'm calling from _______, Vermont. I'm calling to ask Rep. Welch to co-sponsor the H.R. 3663, the Protect America's Wildlife Act.
This bill would ban the cruel and unnecessary aerial hunting of wolves. Hundreds of wolves have already been killed this way in Alaska. I think that we should be banning this practice, not expanding programs to hunt down more wolves using aircrafts. Please co-sponsor the PAW Act."
Your call will make a difference!
The more constituents that Rep. Welch hears from on this issue, the more likely he will be to support this legislation!
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Support the Federal Dog Protection Act
Did you know that for the sake of human profit, dogs are trained for dog fighting by being beaten, chained and fed gunpowder, illegal drugs and even live animals -- and sometimes they are not fed at all for long periods of time? In the end, dogs that do not win are either killed or left to die horrific and painful deaths.
Please help these dogs! Sign this petition from the American Humane Association to end this horrific practice by urging the U.S. Congress to support the Federal Dog Protection Act.
Both the petition and more information can be found here: http://go.care2.com/helpdogs
Your US Representative will be notified that you believe every animal deserves the right to live a cruelty-free life!
More Info: http://go.care2.com/helpdogs
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Have A Gentle Thanksgiving
Millions of vegetarian and other caring folks across the U.S. are celebrating this Thanksgiving with a rich selection of delicious vegetables, fruits, baked goods, and mock meats replacing the carcass on their dinner table. The vegetarian bill of fare may include a 'tofurky,' lentil or nut roast, stuffed squash, corn chowder or chestnut soup, candied yams, cranberry sauce, pumpkin or pecan pie, and carrot cake.
This site is a great resource for those interesting in a cruelty-free Thanksgiving.
More Info: http://www.gentlethanksgiving.org/
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Wendy's Frosty Attitude
From HSUS:
Wendy's attitude toward animal welfare is, well...frosty. After months of discussions with The HSUS, the company still lags behind its competitor, Burger King, when it comes to reducing cruelty to egg-laying hens. The freeze extends to concerned consumers, too -- now Wendy's refuses even to accept email on this issue!
In March, Burger King began phasing in the use of cage-free eggs. Yet all of the eggs that Wendy's uses come from birds crammed in cages so tiny they can barely move.
Since Wendy's is as chilly towards emails from customers as it is towards animal welfare, it's critical that you call Wendy's right now at 1-800-443-7266, ext. 2032.
It's easy; just say, "My name is (your name) and I'm calling to ask Wendy's to start switching to cage-free eggs to reduce cruelty to animals."
More Info: http://www.hsus.org/farm/news/ournews/cracking_wendys_egg_claims.html
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Protest Highgate Rodeo
Protest the Rodeo: Saturday, October 13th
RODEO CRUELTY- COMING TO VERMONT
Rodeos are extremely cruel and can even be deadly to animals! Unfortunately for the animals, the Rodeo is coming to Highgate, Vermont on Saturday, October 13th.
Please stand up for the animals! Sending letters to the Editor of area newspapers will be our most effective way to educate the public about the cruelties inherent to rodeos. If you write a letter, please do so very soon so it may be published before the rodeo happens! Please also e-mail it to Sharon at smatgmad@aol.com so we can keep track of how many are sent. Also, Sharon can provide a list of e-mail addresses for the newspapers.
The rodeo coming to Highgate is a professional "real life" rodeo. It is a 7-event rodeo with calf roping, steer wrestling, bull riding, bronc horse riding, barrel racing. It is so big that every event will be done twice at different times during the evening so people can choose to stay and see it all twice or watch every event once.
Although the rodeo tries to cover up the injuries and deaths that it causes, in reality, bulls face painful electric shocks, tail twisting, pulling, and raking, among other abuses. A real sport is one in which all participants are willing, and that surely is not the case with the rodeo.
For more information about the cruelty behind rodeos, please visit www.rodeocruelty.com
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Frequent Flyer Miles Urgently Needed
Farm Sanctuary is greatly in need of donated frequent flyer miles, value to equal the purchase of one airline ticket, for our upcoming Farm Sanctuary Gala for Farm Animals. By donating miles, you can help us send key staff and speakers to the upcoming Gala, which helps us to raise thousands of dollars for farm animals in need. Please contact us at 607-583-2225 ext. 237 or email to make a donation today!
More Info: http://farmsanctuary.org/gala/2007/
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Free Food for Homeless Pets
Just one free click on the link below will help to feed and provide care for a homeless animal in a shelter or sanctuary. Click every day!
More Info: http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/
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Sign The Fur Free Pledge
Do we even need to tell you about the cruelty and torture associated with wearing furs and fur trimmed clothing? I don't think so, but everyone should sign this fur free pledge.
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Write Write Write!
Write! Write! Write!
Letters to the editor are the second most read section of the newspaper. They are a very effective vehicle for bringing our message to many people not reached in other ways. If you are interested in writing a letter and want suggestions for possible topics, would like a list of some things to keep in mind when submitting a letter, or need an e-mail list of Vermont
newspapers, please contact Sharon.
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Horse Slaughter Prevention Act - contact your Senators!
From HSUS: The U.S. House of Representatives passed the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (H.R. 503) by a vote of 263-146. Our opposition tried to introduce two "poison pill" amendments that, if passed, would have killed the bill. But thanks to your calls and emails, these amendments were soundly defeated, and the House passed the legislation.
I can't stress enough how crucial the support of dedicated advocates like you has been in this long fight to close down the brutal and foreign-owned horse slaughter industry. Each time you made a phone call, met with your legislators, sent an email, and told your friends and family about this issue, you helped the horses win. All of these efforts have led us to this historic win in the House.
Your actions have also paved the way for a victory in the Senate. To ensure final passage of this vital legislation, please contact your U.S. Senators and urge them to immediately pass the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (S. 1915).
VERMONT REPRESENTATIVES
Senator James Jeffords
Washington, DC: 202-224-5141
Burlington: 802-658-6001
Montpelier: 802-223-5273
Rutland: 802-773-3875
Toll free in Vermont only: 800-835-5500
EMAIL BY WEBFORM
Senator Patrick Leahy
Washington, DC: 202-224-4242
Burlington: 802-863-2525
Montpelier: 802-225-0569
Toll free in Vermont only: 800-642-3193
Email
We are closer than ever to protecting nearly 100,000 horses a year from a grim and painful end, just so they can be turned into foreign delicacies. Please stay with us in this fight as we reach toward final victory for the horses.
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Hurricane Katrina - Animal Rescue Donations
GMAD's Sept. 10 fund raiser at the I-89 Williston Rest Area raised $500 that will be going to support animal rescue in the affected areas - thank you all for your hard work and donations.
Many people have contacted us regarding donations to help with the animal rescue efforts.
For those of you who would like to donate directly to the effort, you can do so in a number of ways. GMAD member and wildlife rehabilitator Ellen Jareckie is heading down to help in the rescue/relief efforts as part of one of the rescue organizations involved in assisting the animal survivors of Hurricane Katrina.
Donations can be made through our website, and we will give it directly to Ellen who will use it in the best way she finds when there; keep records of what your donation was used for, and report back to you. Please make sure to note that you would like your donation to be used for Hurricane Katrina Animal Rescue. Click here to donate and have Ellen use the funds directly in the relief effort.
If you would like to contribute to other involved organizations: At the most recent GMAD board meeting, it was determined that perhaps the organizations who have the greatest needs (and who may be able to do more with every dollar) are:
Noah's Wish
Emergency Animal Rescue Service (EARS)
Louisiana SPCA
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Hurricane Katrina Urgent Action Alert: Tell Your Federal Representatives that Animals Also Deserve Safe Evacuation
People who have lost everything in Hurricane Katrina are now being told they must leave their beloved animals behind by rescuers. Forcing people to leave their animals behind is not only cruel and unnecessary, it is illegal. For many of these people, their animals ARE their only family. The lives of the evacuees are already unalterably scarred by disaster; there is no reason to make their circumstances more tragic by forcing them to leave their animals to starve. These animals left behind will suffer immeasurably.
Please contact your Vermont Senators and Congressperson by phone or email and let them know that you expect that the federal evacuators abide by the law and stop forcing people to leave their animals behind.
VERMONT REPRESENTATIVES
Senator James Jeffords
Washington, DC: 202-224-5141
Burlington: 802-658-6001
Montpelier: 802-223-5273
Rutland: 802-773-3875
Toll free in Vermont only: 800-835-5500
EMAIL BY WEBFORM
Senator Patrick Leahy
Washington, DC: 202-224-4242
Burlington: 802-863-2525
Montpelier: 802-225-0569
Toll free in Vermont only: 800-642-3193
Email
Congressman Bernie Sanders
Washington, DC: 202-225-4115
Burlington: 802-862-0697
Brattleboro: 802-254-8732
Toll free in Vermont only: 800-339-6370
BY EMAIL (WEBFORM)
Outside of Vermont, you may find your Congressperson and Senators by following these links:
Congressperson
Senators
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Stopped Canned Hunts
The Sportsmanship in Hunting Act of 2005 was introduced by Senator Frank Lautenberd (D-NJ). This bill calls for halting the interstate traffic of exotic animals for the purposes of hunting and trophy collected. There are presently over 1000 canned hunting operations active in 25 states, in which both imported exotic and native species have been confined in enclosed areas from which they cannot escape, for the purposes of "hunting" them. By clicking the link below, you can send an email to your senators urging them to support this bill and stop this inhumane practice!
More Info: http://hsus.ga4.org/campaign/stopcannedhunts
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Support Pet Safe Program
Many residents in Florida were forced to abandon their beloved pets because Red Cross shelters do not take pets. So, if one were unable to find a hotel that took pets, you either stayed in your home, at great personal risk, or left your pet to fend for itself.
Unbelievably, there were people in West Palm Beach who actually left their dogs tied to trees! They were rescued by authorities. This petition is to enact a PET SAFE PROGRAM, so that some Red Cross shelters will take pets.
There is an online petition to gain signatures and gain support to approach the President of the American Red Cross in Washington, D.C. and ask that the Pet Safe Program be adopted by chapters across the country.
More Info: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/750226838
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Sign the Petition for Poultry
The HSUS has launched an online petition drive, the Petition for Poultry, designed to collect signatures in support of amending the federal Humane Methods of Slaughter Act to include poultry.
The petition drive has two related goals: First, to let Congress, USDA, and industry (producers and retailers) know there's overwhelming public support for fixing this law. Second, to build a list of advocates who can take action on this issue in the future when the need is urgent.
We encourage you to sign the petition yourself and forward it along to your friends and family. Our initial goal is 25,000 signatures by Thanksgiving Day.
Joanne Bourbeau
New England Regional Director
The Humane Society of the United States
PO Box 619
Jacksonville, VT 05342
802-368-2790 (phone)
802-368-2756 (fax)
More Info: http://www.petitionforpoultry.com
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Remove Inhumane Vet from Animal Welfare Committee
Dr. Gregg Cutler authorized the use of a wood chipper to "depopulate" (read murder) the spent hens on egg ranches. Please urge the American Veterinary Medical Association to remove Gregg Cutler, DVM, from the Animal Welfare Committee. While the AVMA continues to support forced molting, despite overwhelming scientific evidence that forced molting is a severe animal welfare abuse and a major cause of Salmonella enteritidis in hens and their eggs, the AVMA does not support the use of wood chippers or tree shredders in its 2000 Report of the AVMA Panel on Euthanasia. Please visit the web site page below and read the full story.
More Info: http://upc-online.org/winter2003/emperor.htm
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Does Your Clothing Store Sell Items With Fur?
GMAD is planning to put together a Vermont consumer guide listing which stores in the area sell fur garments or fur-trimmed garments. We would appreciate if, when you are shopping, you would keep an eye out for fur products and inform us accordingly.
For example, one member informed us of rabbit fur sales at T. J. Maxx (feel free to contact them at 800-2TJ-MAXX and express your concern). Please contact Sharon with the names & contact info of these stores so that we can create a comprehensive list for our membership and fight against the cruelty & suffering that fur sales bring.
Contact Sharon at smatgmad@aol.com
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Canadian Mounties May Say No To Fur - Please Write
Bucking a 70-year tradition, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is reportedly trying out synthetic materials in place of their usual muskrat fur hats--much to the chagrin of the Fur Institute of Canada, which claims that muskrat are not endangered and should be killed for their fur.
Let's show our support for RCMP's big humane step toward compassion for all beings. Please write a note to RCMP Headquarters, 1200 Vanier Parkway, Ottawa, ON K1A OR2, thanking them for their impending switchover from real fur to faux. You can also post your comments online by visiting the web site...
More Info: http://www.rcmp.ca/contact/index_e.htm
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Chickens Need Your Help
Inside the Chicken Industry
In the Spring issue of PoultryPress (www.upc-online.org) we ran Virgil Butler’s testimony describing his employment at a Tyson chicken slaughterhouse from 1997 to 2002. Mr. Butler wrote the following letter to the San Francisco Chronicle in response to Karen Davis’s commentary on the McDonald’s antibiotics policy.
Will the McDonald’s policy cure cruelty to chickens?
By Virgil Butler
I don’t believe so. I worked at a Tyson chicken slaughter plant in Grannis, AR (a supplier for McDonald’s, KFC, etc.) for a number of years and a few other plants as well. I caught chickens from the houses as a teenager before that. I am intimately familiar with the poultry business and the living conditions of the chickens.
I have seen the filth, death, and disease that breed from these conditions as well as the outright abuse the chickens endure from the workers. What I have seen is bad enough that my wife and I no longer eat chicken.
I have seen the chickens blinded by the ammonia fumes that build up in the houses. I have had the ammonia burns on my arms from handling the chickens that were coated with ammonia. My exposure lasted only for a night’s work before I could wash it off. The chickens had to live that way.
I’ve seen chickens starve in the houses because their feet were stuck in the muck. I’ve seen the catchers stomp, kick, and slam chickens on the ground. I ’ve seen them “cull the runts” by pulling their heads off. I’ve seen all the roosters of a breeder house be killed by having their heads bashed by a metal pipe, since they were too big for our plant to hang, unlike the spent hens. These spent breeder chickens don’t go to McDonald’s directly, but they are a by-product of the industry. These chickens are fed to other chickens as well as to your pet dog.
What about all the chickens that don’t live long enough to make it to the slaughter plant because they have died of disease or been killed by cruelty? Technically McDonald’s would be able to say that their chickens didn’t suffer the cruelty that killed these chickens. They are wrong. Their chickens suffered the same conditions and risks, but were unfortunate enough to survive long enough (a couple of months) to have to suffer the final cruelty of all, the slaughter.
At the slaughter plant I’ve seen birds scalded alive, pulled apart, and blown up with dry ice bombs for laughs. I’ve seen them run over by forklifts. These issues have nothing to do with antibiotics.
These points don’t list anywhere near the routine cruelty I have seen through the years, but they would not be addressed by McDonald’s in this new policy. This new policy might ban antibiotics used as growth-enhancers, but as long as farmers raise the birds in the conditions they do, they will have to give the birds antibiotics just to keep them alive.
Virgil Butler
What Can You Do?
Eat vegan AND urge the chicken industry to set specific welfare standards
eliminating the crowding, poor hygiene, forced rapid growth, and worker
abuse of chickens. Request a written reply.
George Watts, President
National Chicken Council
1015 15th Street, NW, Suite 930
Washington DC 20005-2605
Ph: 202-296-2622
Fax: 202-293-4005
Email: Gwatts@ChickenUSA.org
More Info: http://www.UPC-online.org
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Iams Hidden Animal Testing
You or someone you know probably purchases Iams dog or cat food for their companion animals. GMAD has recently been contacted by In Defense of Animals with a startling report about tests that Iams has conducted. Given the unnecessary suffering that is being caused to these innocent animals, we hope you will consider switching to a brand of food that does not engage in animal testing.
Information courtesy of In Defense of Animals:
Unbelievable as it sounds, the Iams Co., manufacturer of the Iams/Eukanuba line of quality dog and cat foods, has been harming and even killing dogs and cats, claiming to make a better brand of pet food. In dozens of painful and invasive experiments, hundreds of dog and cats just like your animal companion, were made to suffer and sometimes die in the name of "nutrition research." These experiments were not designed to help the animals involved. These innocent victims were all healthy animals who were used simply as disposable objects.
One cruel experiment to study the effect of extreme weight fluctuations on the liver forced 24 cats to become obese by feeding them a high-calorie diet immediately after being spayed. Once obese, these cats were then starved for 7 to 8 weeks on a diet containing only 25% of the calories needed for maintenance, in order to induce drastic weight loss. The rapid, extreme weight loss forced 3 of the cats to develop hepatic lipidosis, a devastating disease that is difficult to treat and often fatal. No mention is made about the ultimate fate of the surviving cats.
A 1998 experiment sponsored by Iams killed 18 young Great Danes to study the effect of diet on bone density. The dogs had been placed on diets with varying amounts of calcium and phosphorus and were later killed so that their bones could be removed and analyzed.
To study fiber in the diet, cats were subjected to surgeries that opened their abdominal cavities and flushed out the contents of the intestines. At the end of the experiment, all 28 cats used in the study had the entire large intestine removed. The study does not state the final fate of these cats.
What can you do? Boycott Iams as well as their parent company - Proctor & Gamble!
Join IDA in demanding that Iams/Eukanuba cease this sort of harmful research. Do not purchase any products made by Iams/Eukanuba, and encourage your friends and family to do the same, until the company takes steps to eliminate its sponsorship of highly invasive and unethical research on animals.
Contact the company and demand that they immediately:
Cease all invasive and harmful studies performed on healthy animals.
Stop purchasing animals from companies that breed animals for sale to laboratories.
Engage only in clinical research that utilizes non- invasive procedures on dogs and cats who are enrolled in the study by their guardians and who suffer from naturally occurring conditions that stand to benefit from the experiment.
IAMS Headquarters:
The Iams Company
7250 Poe Avenue
Dayton, OH 45414
(937) 898-7387
IAMS invites people with questions about their research on animals to call toll-free in the US at (800) 525-4267. Call frequently.
More Info: http://www.pg.com/products/pg_products.jhtml
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