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Act Now! to Help Animals
ReportAnimalCruelty.com
Vermont’s Animal Cruelty Reporting System has a new website! This website, www.reportanimalcruelty.com is designed to help in preventing cruelty and responding to acts of neglect and cruelty against animals in Vermont. It is a useful and wonderful resource for all Vermonters who care about animals.
At ReportAnimalCruelty.com, you can report a case of animal cruelty or neglect on-line & anonymously, find a listing of phone numbers for reporting animal cruelty in each VT county, and also learn about Vermont’s animal cruelty laws.
Reporting cases of animal cruelty is extremely important in protecting animals in Vermont. Please forward this resource to all of your contacts
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Vermont Companion Animal Neutering (VT-CAN!)
VT-CAN! is a stationary 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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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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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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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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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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