Fourteenth Annual International Compassionate Living Festival 1999
Friday, Saturday and Sunday, October 1 - 3 Four Points Hotel Raleigh Crabtree 4501 Creedmoor Road (70 West) Raleigh, North Carolina 27612 Coordinated by The Culture and Animals Foundation Phone: 919-782-3739. Fax: 919-782-6464.
Final Call For Registration Help Save over 50 Billion Farmed Animals Annually! World Farm Animals Day 1999 Call 1-888-FARMUSA (1-888-327-6872) or visit our campaign website www.farmusa.org/wfad-index.html Dear Fellow Animal Activist: We are getting a great response to this year's World Farm Animals Day campaign from around the globe. We need you to register your planned events/activities so that we can broadcast to the international media and world governments our collective protest to plans by the big meat conglomerates to double the number of animals (to 100 Billion/year) that are bred, manhandled, and finally killed to satisfy an unwar- rented expansion of their businesses into developing nations. Already several events are scheduled around the world from life festivals in several major North American cities to media campaigns and information tables and food events in several Asian, European, and South American countries. Not to mention the 30,000 person International March for Animals in Rome. The focus of the 17th annual World Farm Animals Day campaign is to expose and prevent this tragic and dangerous expansion of factory farming throughout the world. Find out more and how you can play a crucial role in helping to stop this tragic expansion - call 1-888-FARMUSA or visit www.farmusa.org/wfad-index.html I thank you for billions of senescent and innocent creatures who cannot save themselves.
David V. Pryor WFAD Director
September 3, 1999
Animal Liberation Front Liberate 46 Dogs From California Research Lab Animal Supplier
Orange County, CA - On August 29, 1999 the Animal Liberation Front entered a building which houses and vivisects dogs. Inside they located fourty-six (46) dogs in various states of health, and liberated all of them. The lab animal supplier and research lab, Bio-Devices Inc., is situated at the corner of Collins and Eckhoff streets in Orange, California. In a Communique received by the Press Office this morning, the A.L.F. also claim to have damaged the building, where spray-painted slogans were left on the walls with messages that included "Animal Liberation" and "Vivisection is Fraud". The A.L.F. state that some of the dogs were injured from surgeries, but that all have been checked out by a qualified veterinarian and are now placed in good homes. "This is truly a remarkable animal raid." comments David Barbarash, A.L.F. spokesperson, "We have not only witnessed a large amount of dogs being taken, perhaps even a first in the history of animal liberation actions in North America, but that we are seeing an incredible increase of animal liberations in 1999." This is the third liberation of animals this year, following closely on the heels of the release of Annie, a stump-tailed macaque primate from a Long Island, NY pet store two days previous to this raid on Aug. 27, and the release of hundreds of animals from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis in April. The text of the A.L.F. communique follows: Because vivisection is nothing more than economically-induced scientific fraud the Animal Liberation Front targeted a supplier of dogs to research laboratories, many of whom were stolen or falsely acquired from homes like your own from USDA liscensed B-dealers. In the early morning hours of August 29, 46 dogs (many injured from surgeries) were liberated. Not one was left behind! They have now been examined by a doctor of veterinary medicine and placed in good loving homes where they can live out the rest of their lives free from torture. The building, located at Collins and Eckhoff in Orange County, California was damaged and many messages were left, such as "Animal Liberation" and "Vivisection is Fraud". This rescue mission proves that animal liberations can still occur if people are willing and determined to empower themselves and take the steps necessary to free the animals. This liberation is dedicated to Alex Slack, a true animal liberationist victimized by the federal government, who chose to take his own life rather than betray his friends and the animals. As long as animals are exploited, tortured, and killed for profit there will be an ALF. Making animal liberation a reality, A.L.F.
Burlington Coat Factory Day of Action
August 21 and 22
The next Burlington Coat Factory (BCF) day of action will be the weekend of August 21 and 22. The purpose of the on-going effort is to encourage Burlington to drop fur trim from its coats. With 250 stores in 42 states selling inexpensive coats at high-volume, Burlington is a major contributor to fur animal suffering. Also, though full fur coat sales are on the decline, fur trim is not. Burlington represents the first national target expressly to address the fur trim trade. The CAFT/LCA alliance launched the anti-BCF campaign on May 30 after the corporation elected to ignore our requests for civil discussion. May 30 saw three dozen protests at BCF stores around the U.S. The campaign website, http://www.SkinnedPuppy.com (please visit for campaign background), was launched on that day to educate consumers about Burlington's hypocrisy in decrying the sale of dog fur but condoning the sale of coyote and fox fur. Additionally on that day, a newspaper display advertisement in Burlington, NJ (company headquarters) promoted the new website and encouraged BCF to drop fur from its racks. The second national protest day was Father's Day. The CAFT/LCA alliance has targeted major BCF sales events as being ideal for protest days to exert as much pressure as possible on BCF. August 21-22 weekend is a primary Back-To-School sales weekend for clothing retailers. To find a Burlington store near you, go to http://www.coat.com/locator/master_list.html Also, at the very least please immediately email BCF Vice-President Andrew Milstein (mailto:andrew.milstein@coat.com) and politely yet firmly encourage Burlington to drop fur in addition to letting him know about your intent to protest on August 21-22. For more information about this campaign, please email CAFT Director JP Goodwin at "caft13@aol.com"
August1, 1999
Sorry, Charlie, StarKist Is At It Again!
After almost 10 years in retirement, StarKist Foods has hauled out Charlie
the
Tuna, to mislead kids with the ludicrous message that tuna want to be
killed
and eaten.
Most tuna are caught using the gruesome long-line technique. Long lines up
to
40-80 miles in length are let out with hooks placed periodically along the
lines.
As the lines are only pulled 1-2 times a day, a fish can suffer there for
hours
before the long and terrible ordeal of being hauled in and killed onboard
the ship.
Other animals may also become entangled in the lines.
Please let StarKist know that tuna fish are magnificent animals capable of
fear
and suffering and that these beautiful fish would far prefer NOT to become
StarKist tuna. Also write a letter to your local paper about this topic.
Let everyone know that Charlie the Tuna makes a mockery of animal suffering
and should be retired for good. Tell them they can learn more on PETA's
anti-fishing Web site, www.NoFishing.Net.
In addition to your local paper, write to:
Mr. Edgar Johnson, President, StarKist Foods, Inc., Newport, KY 41071
You can also call StarKist Consumer Relations at 1-800-252-1587
e-mail: info@starkist.com
* The number of Californians who hunt has dropped sharply -- close to 31% - over the past decade, according to the state Department of Fish and Game. "It's become politically incorrect to be a fisherman or a hunter," lamented one Southern California hunter. Nationally, hunting has declined 29% over the past ten years. San Jose Mercury News * This year's Spay Day, USA, coordinated nationally by the Doris Day Animal League (DDAL), resulted in a record-breaking number of animals altered. The group released the 1998 tally in June, showing that more than 108,000 cats and dogs were spayed or neutered as part of the annual February event -- a 40% increase over last year. Shelters, vets, animal protection groups, and others around the country take part in Spay Day. Since DDAL began sponsoring the spay/neuter-a-thon 4 years ago, more than 250,000 animals have been sterilized. DDAL * Vegan cappaccino connoisseurs can rejoice now that Starbucks has begun offering soy milk at several of its locations around the country. To thank the company and encourage it to offer a cruelty-free alternative to dairy in all its outlets, call (800) 447-1575. * When carriage horse operators wanted to overturn a Panama City, Florida ban on such operations, equine advocates led the charge to maintain the status quo. Local activists with the support of In Defense of Animals, the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida, and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals were able to convince the city council (which was initially ready to lift the ban) of the dangers of horse-drawn buggies and the negative image they would bring to the town. IDA, The News Herald * Activists in Australia successfully pushed for the release of a large fish imprisoned in a tiny tank for 11 years in the visitor center of the Snobs Creek Hatchery. The Murray Cod, named Mulloka, barely had room to turn around. Eventually government officials were persuaded to relocate Mulloka "into a large waterbody." Action Magazine * People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals reported that the Polish parliament has outlawed the breeding and fattening of ducks and geese for *foie gras*. The law takes effect in 1999. PeTA's Animal Times * Donkeys were the winners when a California school district voted to ban donkey basketball games. Sonoma People for Animal Rights led the offense to stop the inhumane "game" at Analy High School, where it had been a 28-year tradition. Once the issue came before the school board in June, it agreed 4-1 that attempting to play basketball while riding a donkey was a "misuse of animals." The Press Democrat * The Animal Rights Foundation of Florida (ARFF) convinced the Broward County Parks and Recreation Division to create a policy prohibiting live animals from being given away at events held in the county's parks. Local officials were quick to agree with ARFF after the animal group expressed concern about a festival that had offered rabbits and fish as prizes. ARFF News * A lobster living in a tank in the seafood section of a Maryland supermarket got lucky when store employees chipped in to buy the 6-1/2-pound crustacean, saving him from the pot. A sympathetic customer put the lobster liberators at Giant Foods in touch with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, who then arranged for the animal to be shipped to Maine and released. The lobster, named Larry, was estimated to be more than 50 years old. PeTA * Colorado State University's (CSU) veterinary school says it will stop using former racing dogs for surgical training (except for spay/neuter surgeries) nor will any be euthanized by the school. CSU's announcement came shortly after it was publicly revealed that the dog racing industry had donated 2,652 greyhounds to the vet school in the past 3 years for teaching purposes. In some cases, a trainer or kennel disposed of dogs without permission from the legal "owner." CSU will continue to take greyhounds only for spaying and neutering, and those dogs will be adopted out. Denver Post, Scripps Howard * Taiwan announced plans for dealing with its homeless dog problem in a more humane manner. The Council for Agriculture will create a task force to help local governments improve their treatment of stray dogs, and will also subsidize those efforts. The Council is also awaiting passage of a recently drafted animal protection bill and said it would begin implementing an effective sterilization program. The announcement came the day after animal groups orchestrated protests at Taipei economic and cultural centers worldwide to draw international attention to the republic's barbaric treatment of strays. China News, CNA * Frogs in Rajasthan can croak a little easier now that they will no longer be cut up in schools and colleges in this western state of India. This action has saved approximately 100 million frogs who were otherwise destined for dissection in biology classes. State Education Minister Gulabchand Kataria ordered the ban following talks with the nonviolence group Mahajanam, which aims to foster a nationwide prohibition. South China Morning Post * Kids wanting to be an Oscar Mayer wiener were out of luck in Detroit after a group of Michigan activists succeeded in getting several public appearances by the Wienermobile canceled. Animal advocates convinced various businesses and venues not to sponsor the hot dog-shaped promotional vehicle, which is used along with a children's singing contest to promote the company's meat products. Animal Rights Internet List * A Southern California amusement park is closing its dolphin show following seven years of protests by Orange County People for Animals and others. Knott's Berry Farm, now under new management, will not renew its contract with the dolphin show once it expires in September. The park's general manager acknowledged that the protests affected his decision. OCPA, The Orange County Register * The fur flew right out of Cracker Barrel Old Country Stores once animal advocates learned that the 354-restaurant/retail chain was selling Indian headdresses fashioned with two raccoon tails for children. A week after the Coalition to Abolish the Fur Trade (CAFT) alerted activists to e-mail the company in protest, a Cracker Barrel spokesperson told CAFT that after "reevaluating our product line, items made with real animal skins are no longer being purchased. CAFT * Burros in California's Death Valley National Park have been saved from a lethal reduction plan, thanks to Wild Burro Rescue (WBR). Earlier this year WBR organized its annual rescue operation to remove 26 burros from the park, thus ensuring that the National Park Service (NPS) will not shoot the animals to reduce their population. Since 1995, WBR has humanely relocated more than 120 burros from the 3.4 million-acre park to keep NPS from killing them. Ultimately, groups of burros are placed together in safe homes or else go to WBR's Washington sanctuary. WBR * The merger of two major retail chains this summer bodes well for fur- bearers. Dillard's Inc., which owns about 250 stores in 27 states and is currently fur-free, is merging with Mercantile Stores, which has about 100 stores in 17 states (including Joslins, Jones, and others). Dillard's has already assured the Coalition to Abolish the Fur Trade that it intends to remain an entirely fur-free chain, and that Mercantile's fur departments will be closed once the merger is finalized. CAFT * In a precedent-setting win for animals in Australia, a court dropped charges against Patty Mark of the Action Animal Rescue Team for entering Happy Hens Egg World to rescue caged battery hens. The court also ordered the police to pay Mark's legal bills. According to the Melbourne Age, "In the first case to test new trespassing laws, a long-time campaigner against poultry farms that use battery hens....has opened the way for animal activists to trespass if protecting sick or dying animals. AART * In what could possibly be the largest "farm" animal rescue ever, 600 emus found starving on a factory farm in California have now found sanctuary at Humane Farming Association's refuge. In June, animal control officers alerted the group after discovering the large flightless birds living in deplorable conditions. Several were already dead, apparently from neglect. After two days of rounding up the emus, they were taken to their new home and a new life.