IDA ACTION ALERTS
1. Help Protect the Heber Wild Horses
2. Urge Congress to Support Tax Deductions for Animal Companions
3. Prevent Poisoning of Prairie Dogs

NEWS & CAMPAIGN UPDATES
1. IDA Unveils New Animal Research Reallocation Initiative for WWAIL
2. IDA India Creates Compassion for Cows
3. Canadian Seal Killers Trapped in Ice

IDA ACTION ALERTS

1. Help Protect the Heber Wild Horses
Urge officials to ensure that the Forest Service creates a humane management plan

As we reported in our March 28th eNews ( http://www.idausa.org/news/currentnews/nr_070327a.html ), IDA and others took a significant step toward protecting wild horses in Arizona's Sitgreaves National Forest, reaching a historic stipulated agreement with the U.S. Forest Service that was signed as an order by the Federal Court. The agreement, signed in good faith by all parties, stipulated that the Forest Service would conduct a NEPA study on the horses and create a management program for horses in the Heber Wild Horse Territory and on surrounding lands in the Sitgreaves National Forest.

The agreement came after a lawsuit was filed by IDA and others in 2005 to make the U.S. Forest Service protect hundreds of wild horses in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests of Eastern Arizona and to prevent the horses from being sold at auction and most likely sent to slaughter in Mexico. This rare group of equines are descendents of horses whose roots can be traced back to the region as far back as 1699, and represent an important part of our national heritage that the courts have agreed should be preserved.

Yet, while the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests have already begun their NEPA evaluation, people who attended the first two public comment meetings regarding management of the horses have already voiced some serious concerns regarding the Forest Service's intentions. Please speak up for the horses to ensure that the Forest Service creates a plan to manage the Heber horses in a humane and benevolent manner.

What You Can Do:

"Take Action" to send an automatic email to the Black Mountain Ranger District of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests, as well as Arizona legislators and your own members of Congress ( %takeaction-heberhorses% ). Important talking points are included in the sample letter, but feel free to edit the letter to express your personal viewpoint for maximum effectiveness: just remember to be polite and respectful. Also submit public comments via postal mail, email, or phone to your legislators ( http://ga0.org/indefenseofanimals/leg-lookup/search.html ) and the following officials:

Kate Klein
Ranger Black Mesa Ranger Districts
P.O. Box 968
Overgaard, AZ 85933
Tel: (928) 535-4481
TTY: (928) 535-3213
Email: kklein [at] fs.fed.us

Elaine Zieroth
Forest Supervisor
P.O. Box 640
Springerville, AZ 85938
Tel: (928) 333-4301
TTY: (928) 333-6292
ezieroth [at] fs.fed.us


2. Urge Congress to Support Tax Deductions for Animal Companions
Amended tax law would help guardians provide better care for non-human dependents

This tax season, a citizen from Long Island, N.Y. is spearheading an effort to convince Congress that guardians should be able to claim dogs as a deduction on their income tax, just like children or any other dependent. IDA supports this proposal, as it promotes the recognition that animals are members of our family whose health and welfare we are responsible for, which is consistent with the concepts at the heart of our Guardian Campaign ( http://www.guardiancampaign.com ). Furthermore, we propose that, in addition to dogs, U.S. tax laws should allow guardians to claim tax deductions for cats and birds as well, as these are the three most popular animal companions in the nation.

Americans spend over $9 billion a year on veterinary care for their animal companions ( http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/13/business/13money.html?ex=1305172800&en=9c54a343a276130f&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss ). Additional expenditures such as food, shelter, and other necessities collectively cost billions of dollars more. People can claim children and other human dependents on their taxes and pay the government less money. Yet animal companions remain ineligible for deductions, despite the fact that they depend on their guardians no less than children depend on their parents.

The government has been taking more steps toward recognizing how important animal companions are in people's lives. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, in which hundreds of guardians refused to leave the disaster zone because rescue units would not allow them to take their animals to safety, legislators passed the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards (PETS) Act ( http://ga0.org/indefenseofanimals/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=4302104 ). The recent Menu Foods recall ( http://ga0.org/indefenseofanimals/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=8486035 ) that has killed nearly 4,000 cats and dogs may prompt new laws to protect animals from future foodborne diseases. Allowing tax deductions for animal companions would fall squarely in line with this growing trend.

What You Can Do:

Please "Take Action" ( %takeaction-taxdeduction ) to politely urge your federal legislators to propose a bill that would allow guardians to receive a tax deduction for animal companions. For maximum impact, please edit the sample letter so that it expresses your personal opinion. Also contact your elected officials by phone or postal mail ( http://ga0.org/indefenseofanimals/leg-lookup/search.html ).


3. Prevent Poisoning of Prairie Dogs
Tell National Forest Service to promote native wildlife, not welfare ranching

The Thunder Basin National Grassland ( http://www.trailsandgrasslands.org/basin.html ) in northeastern Wyoming sits between the Big Horn Mountains and the Black Hills, and is home to a plethora of native wildlife. Among the animals that have been there long before humankind is the prairie dog, a key species that is essential to the ecological balance of the fragile grassland habitat. That is one reason why the National Forest Service's proposal to expand poisoning of prairie dogs throughout Thunder Basin in deference to the wishes of ranchers is such a terrible idea.

Throughout the western U.S., ranchers graze their cattle and sheep on hundreds of millions of acres of federal, state, and county land, using permits that entitle them to pay only a tiny fraction of the amount it would cost them to lease private land. Yet feeding their livestock on public land at a net loss to the government is still not enough for America's wealthy welfare ranchers ( http://www.publiclandsranching.org/book.htm ). They also demand that the agencies managing the land eradicate any animals that threaten their profit margins, with prairie dogs being one of their favorite targets.

Eradication efforts since the mid-19th century have killed off about 95% of the prairie dog population, reducing them to only about 2% of their original range. This has impacted numerous other species that use prairie dog burrows for shelter (e.g., rabbits, salamanders, snakes) and that feed on prairie dogs (such as hawks, burrow owls, and foxes). Prairie dogs are the main source of food for the black-footed ferret, which is the most endangered land mammal in the Western Hemisphere. This species could disappear from the grasslands, along with many others, if the prairie dog poisoning plan is approved.

In addition to being ecologically devastating, poisoning prairie dogs is cruel and inhumane. The toxic chemical that would be used causes internal bleeding, and animals can live in excruciating pain for up to three days before finally succumbing to death. Environmental scientists even cite strong evidence that prairie dogs benefit all animals that feed on grassland -- including livestock -- by fertilizing rangeland grasses, which increases protein content and digestibility. This means that the National Forest Service has no justification at all for deferring to the demands of welfare ranchers whose livelihood is destroying our nation's wild places and wildlife.

What You Can Do:

Please "Take Action" before April 30, 2007 ( %takeaction-prairiedogs% ) to urge the National Forest Service to reject the proposed amendment to the Thunder Basin National Grassland Prairie Dog Management Strategy, and to discontinue poisoning as a means of managing prairie dog populations. Also politely contact the Forest Service via postal mail, fax, or email.

Mary H. Peterson, Forest Supervisor (Attn: Marilee Houtler)
Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests
Thunder Basin National Grassland
Douglas Ranger District
2250 East Richards Street
Douglas, WY 82633

Fax: (307) 358-3072
Email: comments-rocky-mountain-medicine-bow-routt-douglas-thunder-basin [at] fs.fed.us


NEWS & CAMPAIGN UPDATES

1. IDA Unveils New Animal Research Reallocation Initiative for WWAIL
Participate in exciting events taking place this week in cities around the world!

World Week for Animals in Laboratories (WWAIL) is in full swing, with events taking place in dozens of cities around the globe now through April 28th. In commemoration of this annual week of action to raise awareness about the cruelty done to non-human species used in research, IDA has introduced our newest campaign to help animals: our Reallocation Initiative ( http://www.reallocation.org ). Through this program, we are advocating for the reapportioning of resources currently used for animal experimentation toward the increased use and development of humane non-animal research alternatives.

Recognizing that the numbers of animals used in testing and experimentation continue to rise each year despite expanding new technologies enabling research without the use of animals, IDA has identified an urgent need to address the obstacles and inertia that contribute to the perpetuation of animal research. To drastically reduce the numbers of animals used for experimentation, we propose that all institutions which sustain and promote scientific research implement a dedicated plan for rededicating at least five percent of their annual funding and resources away from projects involving animals and apply them to non-animal methods. For a full listing of ways in which institutions can implement the Reallocation Initiative, visit http://www.Reallocation.org .

Of the Initiative, IDA President Elliot Katz, DVM states, "By making a concerted effort to reallocate a fraction of the resources currently devoted to animal experiments, we can begin to address the practical and ethical problems inherent to animal research while encouraging the growth of innovative, humane technologies."

Dr. Katz continues, "The Reallocation Initiative calls upon institutions to implement measures as simple as hiring researchers who don't use animals when faculty leave or retire. It offers a reasonable and prudent way to depart from over-reliance on animal experiments without hindering current research in the slightest -- in fact, doing so will increase the reliability of results and their applicability to human health concerns. No one should find this difficult or impossible to do."

Cutting-edge technology has forged exciting new frontiers in science, prompting a revolution in biomedical research and rendering reliance on animals outdated. Scientists have only just begun to tap the potential of these new technologies. Their full capabilities cannot be realized while dependence on animal experiments persists. IDA's Reallocation Initiative has the potential to reduce suffering for millions of animals while promoting greater progress for human medicine.

What You Can Do:

1) Learn more about IDA's new Reallocation Initiative ( http://www.reallocation.org ).

2) Participate in or organize an event for WWAIL between now and April 28th. This is a great opportunity for activists to join together and speak out for animals used in experiments. Find out what events are being held in your community ( http://wwail.org/list_event.html ).

3) Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper about the suffering animals endure in laboratories. Check out a sample letter ( http://wwail.org/editor_letter.html ) about IDA's Reallocation Campaign for ideas, or compose your own letter.

For a list of newspapers in your area, click here ( http://capwiz.com/aarp/dbq/media ) and enter your zip code. Then find the contact information on the Opinion/Editorial page of the newspaper or by calling the Editorial Department. In writing your letter, note that most newspapers have word limits (typically 200 words or less) and require your name, address and phone number for verification (though they will not print your address and phone number). Check to make sure you comply with the newspaper's guidelines before submitting your letter.


2. IDA India Creates Compassion for Cows
Advocates urge temple visitors to be kinder to bovines

India has a long cultural heritage of caring for animals that stretches back thousands of years to the beginning of this ancient civilization. For example, many of the country's greatest spiritual leaders -- from the Buddha to Mahatma Gandhi -- actively advocated kindness to animals. IDA India ( http://www.idaindia.org ), has been carrying on this great tradition since 1997, and continually seeks new ways to alleviate the suffering of other species.

Their most recent effort involves a project to help cows. In India, both the Hindu and Jain religions consider cows to be sacred animals. The cow symbolizes the Divine Mother that sustains all life because she is so dedicated to nurturing and protecting her children, much as the Earth provides for the needs of human beings and other creatures.

Some people play on these sentiments by tethering their cows outside of temples and charging visitors money to feed them green grass. On the face of it, there is no cruelty in this practice, but the fact is that the cows are made to stand for three to four hours in the scorching sun with no water or rest. They are tied with short lengths of rope so that they can hardly move, and if they manage to sit down, they are forced to wallow in their own dung and urine.

Their manure also attracts flies which bite their skin, and sometimes the cows have wounds on their backs and their legs are swollen as a result of standing for such long periods. In addition, these cows are often made to stand near roadside curbs, putting them in great danger of being hit by passing vehicles.

While this practice takes place in cities throughout India, it is particularly prevalent in Girgaum, where there are temples on almost every street. Recognizing the problem, IDA India decided to respond by sending a team to Girgaum to assess the situation. They visited several temples and counseled the women displaying their cows outside to take better care of the animals. They also explained how the cows were treated to temple visitors, and most everyone admitted that they had not realized before that the cows were suffering, and agreed that they should be treated better.

Based on the success of this initial outing, IDA India is printing fliers to make people more aware of how the cows brought to stand outside of temples are made to suffer. Plans are now underway to print 5,000 copies, which IDA India will distribute door-to-door in the main areas of Girgaum.


3. Canadian Seal Killers Trapped in Ice
At least 100 boats caught in between frozen Newfoundland floes

After killing about two-thirds of their 270,000-seal quota (down from last year's limit of 325,000 due to deteriorating ice conditions), Canadian sealers embarking on the third and most murderous leg of their annual hunt have hit a serious snag. At least 100 small boats are trapped in the ice floes off of the Newfoundland coastline, many facing breached hulls with their ships in danger of sinking into the frigid depths.

Quickly running out of fuel and food, many hunters have already abandoned ship and been rescued by helicopter. Canadian Coast Guard icebreakers have been sent in to shatter the massive ice sheets, but the boats remain trapped. A powerful northeasterly wind from onshore continues to push the ice floes toward one another, with the ships floating helplessly right in between.

The sealers had ventured onto the ice for the sole purpose of bludgeoning baby harp seals to death in order to sell their skinned pelts to furriers in Norway, Russia, and China. The financial losses incurred from losing their ships will compound those that will result from falling prices for sealskin products and moves by European countries toward banning them.

Lower profit margins will hopefully leave hunters with less money to fund next year's hunt. As the hunt becomes less commercially viable, it will become more vulnerable to the efforts of IDA and other organizations and individuals throughout the world who are dedicated to stopping the slaughter once and for all.


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