IDA ACTION ALERTS
1. Start Your Holiday Shopping Now with Animal-Friendly Gifts
2. Spread Compassion this Holiday Season with Good Food & Cheer
3. Rep. Dennis Kucinich: Congress' Lone Voice against the AETA

CAMPAIGN NEWS & UPDATES
1. Victory: Successful Outreach Prompts Schumacher Furs to Move from Downtown Portland
2. Ohio Kitten Killer Gets Maximum Sentence
3. Reward Money Leads to Arrest of Suspect in Dog Dumping Case


IDA ACTION ALERTS

1. Start Your Holiday Shopping Now with Animal-Friendly Gifts
IDA's offers great ideas for all the guardians and animal friends on your list

With the holiday shopping season in full swing, IDA is pleased to present our members with some ideas for gifts from companies that provide wonderful products and services for animal companions and those who love them. All of these businesses generously sponsor IDA's important work through advertising in our Guardians magazine, so supporting them helps animals.

If there are people on your list who would enjoy gifts of stylish vegan clothing, gourmet vegan specialties, cruelty-free body products or a five-star weekend getaway, then we have the shopping guide for you. You'll also find some fantastic presents to please your non-human friends and family members as well, and most are conveniently available for purchase online, so you can avoid those long lines at stores.

See all of IDA's special gift recommendations for guardians and four-legged family members. ( http://ga0.org/indefenseofanimals/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=4868493 )


2. Spread Compassion this Holiday Season with Good Food & Cheer
A primer for vegetarians and vegans on having a happy and healthy holiday

Holiday meals can be stressful for vegetarians because they are murder on animals killed for food. While family members and friends gush about how great the "traditional" turkey centerpiece or Christmas ham tastes, the vegetarian may be wondering how people can be so oblivious to the lives and deaths of millions of innocent birds, pigs and other animals needlessly slaughtered for such meals. This can be especially troubling during the holidays, a time when people gather to celebrate life - ironically, by consuming exceptional quantities of animal flesh.

On the other hand, holidays also offer vegetarians excellent opportunities to help loved ones understand why we choose not to eat animals. Whether you are concerned about animal abuse on factory farms, eating healthy, protecting the planet from pollution, or all of these important issues, the reasons that people become vegetarians are profound. That makes each vegetarian who can clearly convey these reasons a potentially powerful convincer for others who haven't yet connected their diets with larger concerns.

Being able to express one's most deeply-held principles and be heard by others is often a great relief for vegetarians who may feel misunderstood by and disconnected from meat-eating family and friends. To help vegetarians and vegans have an enjoyable holiday where they can both relax and express their values, we offer some communication and coping strategies.

Lead by example

In social situations, a gentle, even indirect approach is often the most effective way to reach people. This is especially true with regard to family members, particularly during the holidays, when people's main objective is to relax and have a nice time with one another.

On this interpersonal level, people are more likely think about adopting an animal-friendly lifestyle if they see vegetarians as happy, healthy and reasonable people. In contrast, an angry vegetarian who accuses family and friends of murdering animals is likely to make everyone uncomfortable, defensive, and increasingly resistant to thinking about their actions in a new light - the opposite of what the animals need. Therefore, exercising patience and a non-judgmental attitude will serve you personally along with your cause.

Enjoy and share delicious food

The fact that meat is so hardwired into most people's minds as an essential part of the holidays is evident in the amount of animal products people consume at seasonal celebrations. Similarly, you may have noticed the many how-to articles appearing around this time of year about losing the extra pounds gained from holiday indulgence. Meanwhile, meat-eaters often suffer from bloating, indigestion and other gastrointestinal side effects immediately following their heavy meal.

By bringing delicious dishes made without animal products to holiday meals, vegetarians show people they don't need to eat meat to enjoy the holidays. Make sure you bring extra food to share, as the holiday meal is a great time to introduce people to new foods. Feel free to mention that with healthier and lower fat vegetarian options, they can enjoy their food with less worry about gaining unwanted weight or feeling uncomfortably stuffed afterwards.

Try Compassionate Cooks' ( http://www.compassionatecooks.com ) special recipes ( http://www.idausa.org/campaigns/vegan/feature_061213.html ) for such delicious holiday fare as Mushroom Walnut Pate, Chocolate Chip Mint Cookies and Kalamata Olive Tapenade. Include a Tofurky ( http://www.tofurky.com ) or new Garden Protein vegan turkey ( http://peta.org/feat-newveganturkey.asp ) from the deli case at Whole Foods Market ( http://www.wholefoods.com ), and even your meat-eating guests will be astounded.

Save advocacy for after the meal

Bringing vegetarian food to the table may provoke some people to ask questions about why you are vegetarian, but it is best not to discuss your reasons during dinner. For most people, the very presence of meat at the meal legitimizes the act of killing for food, making it seem normal and natural. If the topic comes up during the dinner conversation, just politely explain that you don't want to ruin anyone's appetite, but that you will be glad to talk about it later with anyone who is interested. Bring literature (such as our Vegan Starter Guides - http://www.idausa.org/vegandays/vegan_kit_order.htm ) with you that you can give to people so they can have something to take home. This will provide them with essential information about vegetarianism and let them absorb it when they feel receptive.

For more in-depth advice about interpersonal advocacy during the holidays and throughout the year, get a copy of Carol Adams' book Living Among Meat Eaters: The Vegetarian's Survival Handbook ( http://www.amazon.com/Living-Among-Meat-Eaters-Vegetarians/dp/0609807439/sr=8-2/qid=1165889321/ref=pd_bbs_2/002-8558083-7495205?ie=UTF8&s=books ).

From all of us at IDA, have a happy, healthy and compassionate holiday.


3. Rep. Dennis Kucinich: Congress' Lone Voice against the AETA
Vegan Congressman releases statement opposing unconstitutional bill

Out of the 100 Senators and 435 Representatives that comprise the United States Congress, Representative Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) is the only one to have voted against the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act (AETA) ( http://ga0.org/indefenseofanimals/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=4460237 ), a recently-approved bill that threatens Americans' basic civil liberties. As one of the more than 160 members of the Equal Justice Alliance ( http://www.noaeta.org ), a national coalition of social advocacy organizations preserving free speech and equal treatment under the law, IDA strongly supports Congressman Kucinich's efforts to safeguard the right to speak and act lawfully against cruelty to animals. We are therefore proud to present Congressman Kucinich's official position on the AETA in his own words:

Statement of Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH) on the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act:

I stand with every Member of the House in defense of the rights of individuals to be free of bodily harm or injury under all and any circumstances. But, the fact of the matter is, existing Federal law already includes any place which does Federal research.

So the question is, why create a new and specific classification here?

We, of course, need to protect peoples' right to conduct their work without fear of assault. But, a larger question remains yet unanswered by this Congress: How should animals be treated humanely?

There are some specific principles with respect to humane treatment of animals but, these do not go far enough. My concern about this bill is that it does nothing to address the real issue of animal protection but, instead targets those advocating animal rights. This legislation will have a real and chilling effect on people's Constitutionally protected First Amendment rights.

I am not talking about people who would threaten anyone with death because they don't agree with them, but there are individuals who love animals, who don't want to see animals hurt, who have a point and a right to speak out. I think for that reason, this bill has not yet reached its maturity.

I understand what the sponsors of this bill are trying to do, but I don't think that they will reach the end they are hoping to achieve unless this Congress makes a clear statement about ethical principles with respect to animals and how we treat animals in research and other enterprise.

These are very serious questions that millions of Americans care about. I understand the intent here, but I think that you must be very careful about painting everyone with the broad brush of terrorism who might have a legitimate objection to research with or treatment of animals that is inhumane.

Bringing up a bill like this under procedures that only allow limited debate, and no amendments, no matter how well intentioned, is problematic.

I am not and never have been in favor of anyone using a cloak of free speech to commit violence. The Supreme Court Justice said, your right to swing your fist ends at the tip of my nose. No one has the right to yell ''fire'' in a crowded theater. We have heard those kinds of admonitions.

I am not for anyone abusing their rights by damaging another person's property or person, but I am for protecting the First Amendment and not creating a special class of violations for a specific type of protest.

Balancing Constitutional concerns against the protection of people and property is never easy. Unfortunately, the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act goes too far in the wrong direction.

What You Can Do:

- Thank Congressman Kucinich for taking a stand for freedom of speech and against animal cruelty ( http://www.kucinich.us/contact ).

- Congressman Kucinich is currently leading a serious effort to push for stronger federal legislation on farm animal welfare. He is compiling a list of all American citizens who want tougher farm animal protection laws which he will present to his colleagues in Congress. Please join his efforts to support humane treatment of farm animals ( http://www.kucinich.us/archive/home/display.php?src=k_20061130_cvt_nohfr.cuc ).

- Congressman Kucinich recently declared his candidacy for the President of the United States. Watch the video of his announcement speech ( http://kucinich.us/node/728 ).

- Contact your two Senators and Representative ( http://ga0.org/indefenseofanimals/leg-lookup/search.tcl ) to explain why the AETA should be repealed ( http://noaeta.org/whyoppose.htm ).


CAMPAIGN NEWS & UPDATES

1. Victory: Successful Outreach Prompts Schumacher Furs to Move from Downtown Portland
IDA to continue outreach and education efforts with community leaders and public

In a dramatic move, and after 111 years in downtown Portland, Schumacher Fur and Outerwear - a fourth-generation fur salon - is leaving town. This announcement comes just four days after 200 activists took over the Portland streets in their annual, police-escorted Fur Free Friday march. The spirited event to raise awareness about the brutality of the fur industry was also a one-year anniversary party of a hugely successful education outreach campaign, complete with vegan cake, celebrating the weekly demonstrations on the sidewalk outside Schumachers.

IDA has encouraged activists to peacefully participate with other advocates in this grassroots effort to educate Portlanders about fur, and the fur has been flying. The media can't get enough of the drama that has been created by Gregg and Linda Schumacher, the store's proprietors, including gross exaggerations of the protesters' behavior. IDA has been there every step of the way to remind the public that it is fur-bearing animals, not the Schumachers, who are the real victims.

Schumacher has threatened a lawsuit against the city, claiming that animal advocates were breaking city ordinances - blocking sidewalks, harassing customers, and trespassing - while outside their store. The accusations became so contentious that the city had to station a police officer on the sidewalk across the street during the entire demonstration to prove that no laws were being broken, and to protect everyone's interests, including the activists' right to free speech.

Now that this outreach campaign has built amazing momentum, and the Schumacher's storefront will no longer be our platform, the media outlets are all echoing the same question to the animal community: "What's next?" For IDA, we will be talking with community leaders, sharing the encouraging results of a survey we are conducting that proves Portlanders overwhelmingly want to shun fur. Where this conversation will go we don't yet know, but we will continue to promote a plan to put a consumer warning tag on all fur sold in Portland that tells how the animals live and die, or perhaps even propose a city-wide ban of fur sales.

And what is to come of Schumacher Furs? To date they have refused to disclose any specifics about an alleged new mall location outside the city where protesting would not be allowed. Perhaps the Schumachers are having trouble finding a real estate investor willing to stomach the suffering their business represents? As recently reported in a local weekly newspaper, Willamette Week, "Any rumor about a move to Bridgeport Village in Washington County was quelled by a call to Fred Bruning, president of CenterCal, which owns the upscale shopping center. 'That's not a tenant we'd want to have on our property because I'd be one of the protesters, probably,' said Bruning."

And the real victory need not be measured in moving sales, because this year-long outreach and the media story it sustained has been worth every one of the hundreds of hours dedicated activists have spent teaching the public about the importance of compassion.

Learn more about the cruelty of fur ( http://www.furkills.org ) and check out the recent flurry of furry news stories, editorials and letters to the editor grabbing headlines in the Portland press just in the past couple of weeks.

Portland Mercury - Anti-Fur Protesters Still Rallying, One Year Later
http://www.portlandmercury.com/portland/Content?oid=85575&category=22101

The Oregonian - Fur store says its had enough
http://www.oregonlive.com/search/index.ssf?/base/news/116478159947400.xml?oregonian?lctop&coll=7

Willamette Week - Fur Flies: With Schumacher's leaving downtown, what's next for animal rights activists? http://www.wweek.com/editorial/3304/8309/

KGW Channel 8 - Fur Store Owner: Terror Charges for Activists
http://www.kgw.com/news-local/stories/kgw_112806_news_schumacher_terrorists.33a8771c.html

Portland Tribune - Furriers exit leaves sore spot
http://www.portlandtribune.com/opinion/story.php?story_id=116527960703902000

Portland Mercury Blog Town PDX - Schumacher allegedly EVICTED - not "leaving"
http://www.portlandmercury.com/blogtown/2006/11/schumacher_evictednot_leaving.php

The Oregonian - Activist looks beyond fur shop's move
http://www.oregonlive.com/search/index.ssf?/base/portland_news/1164995712314880.xml?oregonian?pn&coll=7

The Oregonian - A missed opportunity
http://www.oregonlive.com/search/index.ssf?/base/editorial/1165442116298780.xml?oregonian?edl&coll=7

The Oregonian - Downtown prospects called bright (Fur store reaction – Businesses and property owners say their top worry is surviving intense construction
http://www.oregonlive.com/search/index.ssf?/base/news/1165191931162150.xml?oregonian?lcfp&coll=7

The Oregonian - Fur fight: Store's exit bares larger issues
http://www.oregonlive.com/search/index.ssf?/base/editorial/1164849929159780.xml?oregonian?edl&coll=7

The Oregonian - So much for the fur flying downtown
http://www.oregonlive.com/search/index.ssf?/base/news/1164853524249680.xml?oregonian?ylccsd&coll=7


2. Ohio Kitten Killer Gets Maximum Sentence
IDA Action Alert helps bring animal abuser to justice

Warning: The following story contains graphic descriptions of animal cruelty.

In September, IDA sent our members in Ohio an alert ( http://ga0.org/indefenseofanimals/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=4293081 ) asking them to urge a Lake County prosecuting attorney to prosecute a vicious kitten killer, William Whitlow of Concord, to the fullest extent of the law. We are pleased to report that a court recently found Whitlow guilty and sentenced him to a total of five years in prison (four years for burglary and one year - the maximum sentence - for killing two kittens). Once released, he will not be allowed to have any animals of his own.

Whitlow faced felony charges stemming from a May 30 incident in which he broke into a home and killed two kittens by soaking one in water and placing her in a freezer and crushing the other before cutting her in half with a knife. Whitlow also reportedly threw three other kittens against a wall, sprayed mace into the face of the kittens' mother, and set a dog's tail on fire.

The trauma associated with the incident will long be felt by Whitlow's human victims, the Couch family. "There was a tail and leg in my daughter's bed," Miriam Couch, the animals' guardian, told reporters. Couch's eight-year-old daughter was reportedly the first to discover the bloody scenario, and still suffers from nightmares, often waking up screaming in the middle of the night. Expressing grief for the murdered kittens, 15-year-old daughter Taylor Couch said, "Those were not just pets, they were family."

Thank you to all those Ohioans who wrote and called Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Brian Stano in September: your voices helped bring Whitlow to justice. Punishing animal killers sends a clear message that the law takes these crimes seriously, and can save lives by deterring others from committing acts of cruelty. IDA will continue to let our members know about other cases in which their voices can make a difference.


3. Reward Money Leads to Arrest of Suspect in Dog Dumping Case
$3600 incentive offered by IDA and others brings witnesses forward

On a cold October night, an unassuming citizen discovered a live one-year-old pit bull - stabbed multiple times and stuffed into a garbage dumpster left to die - behind a bar in Allentown, Pa.

Immediately upon hearing the news, IDA offered a $2500 reward for information which would result in the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the heinous act. In the following weeks, the reward grew to $3600.

Surveillance cameras had captured a man dragging the dog down the street that night, in the direction of the dumpster, but no arrests had been made until two witnesses, who were relatives of the suspect, came forward. Their testimony led to the arrest of Reginald "Miami" Coleman, age 18, of Miami, Fla. A preliminary hearing was held on Tuesday, December 6 and Coleman signed a full confession. The man claims he stabbed the dog because he was mad at him. He's now in a Pittsburgh jail with a $5000 bond. A trial date has not yet been set.

The dog, now named Chance, survived - after recuperating from severe puncture wounds to his neck at the Animal Rescue League ( http://www.animalrescue.org ) shelter - and was recently adopted by a police officer.

"Cruelty to animals is a precursor to violence against humans," says Elliot M. Katz, DVM, IDA's President and Founder. "When people report animal cruelty, they help the police - and the local humane society - protect animals AND people from intensified violence."

See statistics on the direct link between violence against people and cruelty to animals ( http://www.guardiancampaign.com/Violencestats.htm ).


Coming Soon: IDA's eBay Auction for the Animals

IDA is proud to announce an exciting new eBay auction to benefit our work on behalf of animals. The auction will start in late February, and feature an amazing array of TV, film and sports celebrity memorabilia, exciting vacation packages and other tantalizing auction items.

We will share more details on our upcoming auction and the fantastic items to be offered as we get closer to the launch date. Meanwhile, we are still accepting donations of items for the auction. Some good auction item ideas include timeshares, airline miles, celebrity memorabilia, tickets to shows or events, jewelry, gift baskets and gift certificates to restaurants or stores.

To donate items or for more information about the auction, please contact Nicole Otoupalik at (800) 338-4451 or via e-mail at Nicole [at] idausa.org . All donations are tax deductible.


Beyond Body, Mind, and Spirit

Jan Allegretti is a teacher, consultant and writer in the field of holistic health care for animals. Her books include "Listen to the Silence: Lessons from Trees and Other Masters," and "The Complete Holistic Dog Book: Home Health Care for Our Canine Companions." In every other IDA eNewsletter, Jan explores how we live with, love and care for the animals who share our homes and how we relate to our nonhuman friends as individual guardians and as a society.

Click http://www.idausa.org/askjan/askjan_061213.html to read Jan's latest column, A Season of Joy for Everyone in the Family.


The Cat Therapist

Once a month, Carole Wilbourn, the Cat Therapist, answers questions and offers advice on how guardians can enrich their relationships with their beloved feline companions. Click http://idausa.org/cat_therapist/index.html to read the latest Cats on the Couch column. Also visit Carole's Cat Store ( http://www.thecattherapist.com/cat_store.htm ) to purchase a copy of her classic book, "Cat Talk: What Your Cat is Trying to Tell You."


Subscribe to IDA's Weekly eNews

Subscribe to IDA's eNewsletter to get the latest information on campaign developments and animal protection news from around the world. Visit http://ga0.org/indefenseofanimals/join.tcl to sign up.