IDA eNews: 12/06/06

IDA ACTION ALERTS
1. IDA's Billboard Campaign Advertises Compassion
2. New York City Could See Foie Gras Ban
3. Last Week to Comment on IDA's USDA Elephant Petition

NEWS & CAMPAIGN UPDATES
1. IDA's Guardian of the Month for December - Tony La Russa
2. Recent Bear Hunts Don't Fare Well
3. Get Your Tickets for IDA's Star Studded Benefit Concert


IDA ACTION ALERTS

1. IDA's Billboard Campaign Advertises Compassion
GO VEGAN ads feature bodybuilder and IDA Spokesperson Kenneth Williams

Drivers traveling west down the Forest Parkway in Atlanta, Ga. can now see a large billboard near North Parkway urging them to GO VEGAN. This billboard is one of a series that IDA has posted since Thanksgiving in major urban areas, including the California cities of Oakland, San Francisco and Los Angeles, as well as Philadelphia, Pa. They are a great way to get people thinking about how eating meat impacts their health, the environment and animals.

IDA's billboard design emphasizes the positive, life-affirming values that are synonymous with a plant-based diet, including better health, environmental stewardship and respect for all sentient life forms. The image of IDA Vegan Spokesperson Kenneth Williams gently cradling a newborn baby chick on his muscular arm embodies both physical vitality and moral strength: The strength of the protector, the defender, the rescuer, the nurturer, the courageous person who chooses kindness and rejects unnecessary killing.

We all embody this strength whenever we do something that helps animals, and those who choose veganism usually find that aligning their actions with their deepest principles gives them access to an amazing source of inner strength. IDA's GO VEGAN billboard campaign aims to give people a glimpse of an alternative perspective, one that will appeal to anyone who wants to make life better for themselves and others. Sometimes all it takes for a person to change is a single moment of clarity that carries through their awareness from that moment forward. Just seeing IDA's message on the freeway has vast potential to change people's minds and plant seeds of compassion that may someday blossom.

What You Can Do:

- Help IDA spread our compassionate message by donating to our billboard campaign ( https://secure.ga0.org/02/idadonations_in_honor ). Please indicate "Vegan Billboard" in the "in honor of" field of the donation form.

- If you live in Atlanta, Oakland, San Francisco, Los Angeles or Philadelphia, please send any pictures of IDA's billboards to lisa [at] idausa.org .

- Learn more about the benefits of a vegan lifestyle -- for your health, the animals, and the environment ( http://www.idausa.org/veganism_campaign.html ).


2. New York City Could See Foie Gras Ban
Councilman considers introducing compassionate proposal

New York City Councilman Alan Gerson is currently thinking about proposing a ban on foie gras in the Big Apple. This major metropolitan Mecca for gourmands is one of the country's biggest markets for foie gras. New York State is also where two of the three producers of fattened (and diseased) duck liver do their dirty business. The vested economic interests based in New York -- including restaurateurs, distributors and producers -- makes the possibility of a ban a highly charged political issue.

Councilman Gerson has been endorsed during two elections by the League of Humane Voters New York City ( http://www.humanenyc.org ) based on his record in office, and has a history of supporting other bills to help animals. Through meetings with the League of Humane Voters, he became informed about the foie gras production process and is "sympathetic" to the ethical problems it raises. Fully understanding the delicacy of the situation, he is currently reaching out to constituencies (such as the restaurant and food industries) that would be impacted by a ban while considering a proposal.

The foie gras industry is already actively lobbying to kill the ban before the City Council even gets an opportunity to consider the matter. They have reason to be scared, as New York could easily become the next Chicago, where two City Councilmen are challenging a foie gras ban that has been in effect since August 2006 (even though most people support it).

Meanwhile, the Natural Resources and Culture Committee of the San Diego City Council is scheduled to hold a hearing today, Wednesday December 5th, to discuss a possible ban on the sale of foie gras in that city. The Animal Protection and Rescue League (APRL) ( http://www.aprl.org ), a San Diego-based group that partnered with IDA on a successful campaign to ban the sale of foie gras in California (it will be illegal come 2012), is one of the driving forces behind the proposal. They are working with progressive Councilwoman Donna Frye, who is sponsoring the ordinance, and have flown in expert witness Holly Cheever, a Cornell/Harvard educated veterinarian, to explain the cruelty of foie gras production from a scientific perspective.

Amidst the debate and controversy over foie gras, the undeniable fact is that ducks suffer and die during its production. By force-feeding ducks -- literally shoving food down their throats -- self-styled foie gras "artisans" make huge profits for themselves but cause animals an immense amount of absolutely unnecessary suffering. The ducks' livers become diseased, and swell up to 10 times their normal size. Some of them explode from the deliberate overfeeding. From the ducks' point of view, just the horror of what they go through is enough to justify a foie gras ban.

What You Can Do:

- New York City residents: please ask your City Council Member to support the proposed foie gras ban in New York City. To find out who your Council Member is and how to reach him or her, visit http://www.humanenyc.org or call (212) 889-0303.

Also contact Council Speaker Christine Quinn:
Tel: (212) 788-5615
Email: quinn [at] council.nyc.ny.us
Fax: (212) 788-7207

- Chicago residents: Tell your Chicago City Councilmember ( http://tinyurl.com/4cuyr ) that you support the ban on foie gras. Let them know that the majority of Chicago residents are proud to live in the first U.S. city to take a stand against the abuse of ducks and geese for a frivolous and overpriced "delicacy."

- Learn more about foie gras ( http://www.stopforcefeeding.com ), including how you can help ban it in your area.


3. Last Week to Comment on IDA's USDA Elephant Petition
Speak out to improve living conditions for elephants in zoos

Several months ago, IDA submitted a petition to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) seeking enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act's adequate space provision at zoos and circuses ( http://www.idausa.org/news/currentnews/zoo_petition.html ). The deadline for public comment on this important matter is this Monday, December 11th. However, the USDA website will be inaccessible due to a scheduled maintenance outage on both Saturday, December 9th and Sunday, December, 10th, so comments should be submitted before then to be sure they are received.

Specifically, the USDA is seeking comments on all aspects of elephant care, including lack of space, unnatural substrates, unnatural social groupings, and use of bullhooks, chains, electric hotshots and other instruments of force commonly used to control elephants.

Despite the poor condition of elephants, zoos are mobilizing their members to defend the status quo.

NOW IS THE TIME FOR EVERYONE WHO CARES ABOUT IMPROVING THE PLIGHT OF THESE MAGNIFICENT ANIMALS TO WRITE FORCEFULLY IN SUPPORT OF DRAMATICALLY IMPROVING CONDITIONS FOR CAPTIVE ELEPHANTS.

Please submit your comments to USDA by December 11.

What You Should Say

Please tell the USDA that you support all efforts to dramatically improve conditions for captive elephants in this country, including enforcing existing adequate space requirements under the Animal Welfare Act (as requested in the IDA Citizens Petition) and creating tough new standards that:

- Require exhibitors of elephants to provide large, naturalistic, climate-appropriate environments similar to those at The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee and the PAWS sanctuary in California. These two refuges provide hundreds to thousands of acres over which elephants can roam, socialize and maintain their health.

- Prohibit the use of bullhooks, chains, electric shock devices and other instruments of force against elephants.

Why Change is Needed

The reasons why the USDA must take action include:

1. Zoos and circuses are not giving elephants the conditions they require for their health and well-being.

2. The Animal Welfare Act requires that zoos and circuses provide elephants with adequate space. Zoos are not meeting this requirement.

3. Elephants are big animals who need big spaces. But in too many zoos and circuses they suffer from lack of space, unnatural conditions and social deprivation that eventually cause a range of preventable ailments -- from painful arthritis and foot disease to reproductive and digestive disorders to neurotic behaviors like swaying and head bobbing.

4. Many zoos lock their elephants in barn stalls for at least 12 hours a day when the zoo is closed. And, in northern zoos, elephants are confined indoors for extended periods during the cold winter months.

5. Additionally, circuses and many zoos control their elephants through force, domination and aggressive use of the bull hook and prolonged chaining. These methods cause constant stress as well as physical and psychological injury to elephants.

6. Because of their intelligence, complexity and unique social and physical needs, elephants suffer in small, unchallenging zoo environments. Because of these unique qualities and complex needs, elephants deserve much, much higher standards than the ones that currently exist.

It is critical that the letters are personalized and in the writer's own words. Please feel free to talk about your personal experience seeing elephants in zoos and/or circuses, your profession, whether you are a parent who wants his or her children to be properly educated, etc. A personalized letter will have much more impact than a form letter.

How to Submit Your Comments

Via Internet:

Visit the Federal eRulemaking portal ( http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main )

In the "Search Regulations and Federal Actions" box, select "Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service" from the agency drop-down menu

Click on "Submit"

In the Docket ID column, go to APHIS-2006-0044 "ANIMAL WELFARE; ELEPHANTS." Click on column at far right - "ADD COMMENTS" - scroll down to add your name, address and your comments.

By postal mail, send an original and three copies to:

Docket No. APHIS-2006-0044
Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS/USDA
Station 3A-03.8
4700 River Road, Unit 118
Riverdale, MD 20737-1238

For more information, call Suzanne Roy at 919-732-8983 or email her at suzanne.e.roy [at] earthlink.net .


NEWS & CAMPAIGN UPDATES

1. IDA's Guardian of the Month for December - Tony La Russa
2006 World Series-winning manager goes to bat for dogs and cats

Baseball legend Tony La Russa is considered one of the greatest managers in the history of Major League Baseball ( http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/index.jsp ). His team -- the St. Louis Cardinals -- won the World Series in October 2006, besting the Detroit Tigers four to one in the seven-game series. But when it comes to La Russa's other passion -- rescuing animals -- he's also in a league of his own.

In his long and storied career in sports, La Russa has set many records. For instance, he is ranked third for all-time career wins as a manager, and has been named Manager of the Year five times. Yet La Russa is also setting records with his Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) ( http://www.arf.net ), the organization he co-founded with his wife Elaine in 1991 to help dogs and cats find permanent homes and strengthen the bond between people and companion animals.

The 62-year-old La Russa is also a family man. He and Elaine have two daughters, Bianca and Devon, as well as four dogs and thirteen cats. Although La Russa always loved animals, he didn't have any growing up, so his first experience as a guardian was with Elaine's cat when the couple married over 30 years ago. It was another cat who ran onto the field during a 1990 game when La Russa managed the Oakland A's that inspired the creation of ARF. La Russa coaxed the terrified cat into the dugout and later tried to place her in area shelters, but was told she would be euthanized. Unwilling to see her destroyed, the La Russas found a home for Evie themselves, and soon after started a new organization to help others like her.

That would be ARF, a state-of-the-art no-kill animal shelter in the San Francisco East Bay city of Walnut Creek. They mostly acquire cats and dogs from local shelters just before they are going to be euthanized, and can hold over 200 animals in their 37,000 square foot facility. Last year, ARF adopted out over 1,500 dogs and cats to caring families. They also spayed/neutered more than 1,700 animals at their clinic, helping to stem the tide of unwanted dogs and cats in Contra Costa County.

Spacious condos and apartments are the norm for the pampered pooches and kitties up for adoption at ARF. Cats who like solitude live in lofts, but larger "apartments" are available for those who prefer the company of feline friends. In this nurturing element, animals are more able to thrive and show potential guardians their true personalities. Plus, people really enjoy it. Maybe that's why there are 550 active ARF volunteers and over 140 foster families.

ARF also provides many unique forms of community outreach that benefit both animals and people. La Russa realized the importance of this connection when he read research about the physiological and emotional benefits people get from being around animals. ARF is therefore not only a place to adopt a new family member, but also where "animals rescue people." For example, ARF's innovative People Connect programs ( http://www.arf.net/Programs/index.html ) facilitate humans and animals helping one another. Here are a few examples:

- Teaching Loving Care (TLC) ( http://www.arf.net/Programs/TLC.html ) is a collaborative project between ARF and the Contra Costa County Probation and Mental Health Departments in which at-risk female teens foster abused and neglected animals as part of their treatment program.

- The Visiting Animal Program (VAP) ( http://www.arf.net/Programs/vap.html ) supports seniors and other patients in acute care facilities by bringing temperament-qualified cats and dogs for visits.

- Camp ARF ( http://www.arf.net/Programs/camp.html ) is a perfect summer experience for youth grades 1 through 12 who love animals. Camp ARF includes humane education, animal-themed games and crafts, and plenty of play time with cats and dogs.

Even though he is on the road during the baseball season, La Russa still manages to do fundraising and make appearances to benefit ARF. His many famous friends -- which include some of the biggest names in sports, entertainment and politics -- are always willing to lend the animals a hand.

La Russa is also a vegetarian on ethical grounds. "I don't eat anything that had a mother," he has said, and supports efforts to bring more meat-free options to Busch Stadium. He is also against dog fighting, cockfighting, bull fighting, rodeos, circuses and sport hunting. Colleagues respect La Russa's tendency to speak his mind, even on the subject of animals, and he respects them by being non-judgmental. "There's a lot of good-natured kidding back and forth about how I hug trees and Bambi," La Russa once told the Chicago Tribune ( http://www.tlr-arf.org/About_ARF/Events/Press/Metromix.com_%20Sentimental%20tails.pdf ). "Guys will have their hunting magazines in the clubhouse and I'll walk by, tear 'em up and throw 'em in the trash. Guys will hide them from me. We have some fun with it."

IDA is honored to name Tony La Russa as our Guardian of the Month for December. His life and work serve as an excellent example that everyone -- especially sports fans and professional athletes -- can learn from. Just as he has led the Cardinals to victory time and time again, he will continue working to make sure animals get the respect they deserve. Tony La Russa is, without a doubt, a real MVP for the animals.


2. Recent Bear Hunts Don't Fare Well
Virginia hunt ends with no kills; New Jersey court upholds hunt ban

Good news for bears: a couple of bear hunts didn't go as planned last week.

After losing a hard-fought court battle, the first ever black bear hunt in the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge in Suffolk, Virginia went ahead. But fortunately for the bears, the two-day hunt ended without a single bear being killed. A few hunters reported seeing bears, but were not close enough to shoot them. High water in the swamp and muddy conditions slowed hunters down and made bears more difficult to track.

While the efforts of IDA, the Animal Welfare Institute, and the American Environment Foundation did not stop the hunt ( http://ga0.org/indefenseofanimals/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=4912552 ), we are glad that no bears were hurt. At the very least, the controversy drew unprecedented attention to the issue, so more people are aware now that unnecessary bear hunts are taking place in the Refuge in the name of "recreation." When people learn that such hunts are conducted not to protect the public or "manage" bear populations but to give hunters more trophy animals to shoot, they reject them.

In New Jersey one week ago, the State Supreme Court ruled in favor of Lisa Jackson, the Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner who decided to cancel the bear hunt originally planned for December 4th - 9th. Hunting groups had tried to sue the state in an attempt to get them to reinstate the hunt, challenging Commissioner Jackson's authority to call it off. The court decided that because she is responsible for the state's environmental policies, she was authorized to review and amend policies established by previous administrations.

Whereas her predecessor, Commissioner Bradley Campbell, approved the hunt when he was in office (nearly 300 bears were killed last year alone), Commissioner Jackson is focused on creating a positive bear management policy that favors non-lethal methods. She sides with Governor Jon Corzine and wildlife advocates throughout the state in opposing the bear hunt.

Learn more about IDA's efforts to help black bears ( http://www.idausa.org/campaigns/wildlife/black_bear.html )


3. Get Your Tickets for IDA's Star Studded Benefit Concert
Now available at special discounted rate through January 1st

Celebrating the Courage & Dedication of the Katrina Disaster Relief Volunteers

Hosted by
Paula Abdul

Saturday, February 17th, 2007

Historic Paramount Studios
Paramount Theater
5555 Melrose Ave.
Hollywood, California

Join IDA and our host, Paula Abdul, on February 17th for an extraordinary evening of music and entertainment at IDA's first-ever star-studded benefit concert. This special event will help the animals in New Orleans and Mississippi and launch IDA's Disaster Relief Fund and Task Force to help animals in times of future disasters.

Now through January first, you can purchase tickets for this exciting event at a special discounted rate. With the holidays coming up, tickets make a great gift. Buy tickets for your friends and family and the entire ticket price is tax deductible to you!

Learn more about IDA's Benefit Concert and purchase tickets ( http://www.idausa.org/katrina ).


Support Project Hope

For over ten years, Doll Stanley and the staff and volunteers of IDA's Project Hope sanctuary ( http://www.project-hope.net/ ) in rural Mississippi have been saving animals by the thousands from the worst kind of abuse and neglect. In addition to providing shelter and placing animals in new homes, Project Hope courageously investigates and exposes animal cruelty and takes abusers to court to hold them accountable for the suffering they cause. Driven by a commitment to justice for animals, Project Hope goes after the biggest offenders, including puppy mills and unscrupulous animal dealers, valuing animals as the individuals they undoubtedly are while trying to change the way people relate to the non-human species with whom we share our lives.

In order to continue their work, Project Hope always needs funds to run the sanctuary, rescue animals and conduct investigations. Please consider a donation to help Project Hope save even more animals' lives.

- Donate online ( https://secure.ga0.org/02/idadonations_in_honor ). Be sure to enter "Project Hope" in the first name field of the "in honor of" section.

- To make a donation by mail, please send a check (with "Project Hope" written in the Note section) payable to:

In Defense of Animals
3010 Kerner Blvd.
San Rafael, CA 94901.

- Please call (415) 388-9641 to make a donation by telephone.

Your generosity is greatly appreciated.


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