IDA's e-news: 7/20/05

Table of Contents:
1. Success! International Day of Action Helps Korean Dogs & Cats
2. TV Star Wendie Malick Honored with IDA's Distinguished Guardian Award at AR2005
3. Urge Legislators to Support the Pet Animal Welfare Statute
4. Free the CU 34 Protests at Board of Regents Meeting
5. Aerial Hunts in Hawaii Forest Reserves Continue
6. Investigation Probes Lincoln Park Zoo Elephant's Death


1. Success! International Day of Action Helps Korean Dogs & Cats

In an effort to shine a spotlight on the illegal trade in dog and cat meat in South Korea, IDA teamed with Animal Freedom Korea and successfully organized activists for an international day of protest July 15th, 2005. Activists from a dozen countries, including Argentina, Belgium, Canada, Columbia, Ireland, Mexico, Peru, Russia, South Korea, Spain and Tanzania exposed the cruelty of the dog meat trade. In the U.S., demonstrators converged on Korean consulates and embassies in New York City; Washington, DC; Atlanta, Ga.; San Francisco and Los Angeles, Calif.; and Portland, Ore. to speak against the illegal eating of cats and dogs in South Korea.

The international press covered the protests favorably in several newspapers and online news websites. In Seoul, South Korea, dozens of protestors rallied the public against dog and cat consumption with colorful signs, costumes and inventive tactics like locking themselves in small cages dressed as dogs. In San Francisco, 20 people came to IDA's protest at the Korean Consulate and a good number brought their companion dogs to be ambassadors for their exploited canine cousins in Korea. In the few short weeks leading up to the demonstration, activists collected over 5,000 petition signatures, which were presented to the Korean Consulate at the protest.

IDA extends our heartfelt thanks to all of the dedicated animal advocates around the world (people and dogs) who made International Day for Korea's Dogs and Cats so successful. We will continue to pressure the South Korean Government to enforce a ban on the consumption of dogs and cats and to drop their plans to legalize the practice through sanitary inspection of markets. To learn more about the campaign, please visit http://www.idausa.org/campaigns.html .


2. TV Star Wendie Malick Honored with IDA's Distinguished Guardian Award at AR2005

Emmy-nominated actress Wendie Malick has starred in such television hits as "Just Shoot Me" and "Jake in Progress," but her most important role is as a devoted animal advocate in real life. A vegetarian and self-described animal lover, Wendie has spoken out against the use of chimpanzees in Hollywood, written legislators to ban canned hunting, and appeared in anti-fur television commercials telling consumers that compassion is the new fashion. She also served as a presenter at IDA's 2nd Annual Guardian Awards in 2004, and most recently appeared in IDA's new star-studded Public Service Announcement (PSA) urging viewers to be "guardians," not "owners," and to adopt animals from shelters.

To honor Wendie for her devotion to animals, IDA President Elliot M. Katz, DVM presented her with a Distinguished Guardian Award at the Animal Rights 2005 Conference in Los Angeles. We are proud to add Wendie to the list of inspiring recipients of IDA's Distinguished Guardian Awards, which we bestow on individuals who embody the spirit of being a guardian.


3. Urge Legislators to Support the Pet Animal Welfare Statute

While the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is responsible for enforcing the federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA), they do not currently regulate breeders that sell directly to the public. This makes it easier for many breeders to ignore animal protection laws. With the pervasive use of the Internet to sell animals across state lines, it is impossible for people to determine where purchased animals came from or under what conditions they were raised. The reality is that many animals sold online come from puppy mills - the mass breeding facilities known for their inhumane, filthy conditions and the unhealthy dogs they produce.

Introduced in the Senate by Senators Rick Santorum and Richard Durbin as S. 1139 and in the House by Representatives Sam Farr and Jim Gerlach as H.R. 2669, the Pet Animal Welfare Statute (PAWS) addresses this serious animal welfare problem. PAWS would require breeders who raise seven or more litters of dogs or cats each year for direct sale to the public to obtain licensure from the USDA, effectively forcing them to meet the AWA's minimum standards of care. PAWS would also expand the USDA's authority to seek injunctions to shut down unlicensed animal dealers.

What You Can Do

Click http://ga0.org/campaign/PAWS to urge your Senators and Representatives to support PAWS and ensure that animal breeders meet fundamental standards of animal care.


4. Free the CU 34 Protests at Board of Regents Meeting

For 17 years, Mark Laudenslager conducted cruel maternal separation experiments on macaque monkeys at the University of Colorado (CU) using millions of dollars in taxpayers' money. These experiments continued despite the fact that almost identical research had already been performed decades earlier. Funding for Laudenslager's experiments was finally withdrawn in 2003 after years of public pressure, but since then, the 34 monkeys have been housed with the subjects of other heartless experiments in the basement of a crumbling building on the CU campus. The dilapidated building, the monkey's current barren home, does not meet minimum U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) housing standards.

For two years, IDA's Rita Anderson and other members of Free the CU 34 have fought to have these primates transferred to a sanctuary that has already agreed to provide for their care. However, CU officials are demanding an outrageous $10,000 to $15,000 for each of the 34 monkeys. The group showed up at a June 29th Board of Regents meeting to protest the continued imprisonment of the CU34, some wearing monkey suits and masks to draw attention to the animals' plight. Their silent protest was covered by the CU faculty newspaper.

What You Can Do

Click http://ga0.org/campaign/FreeTheCU34 to send an email message to the CU Regents asking them to send the CU 34 monkeys to a waiting sanctuary.

Visit http://www.freethecu34.org to learn more about this campaign and how you can help.


5. Aerial Hunts in Hawaii Forest Reserves Continue

Hawaii's Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) says that feral cattle and goats pose a threat to native flora and forest habitats on the island of Maui. This is the justification they offer for an eradication program being carried out by the Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW). Because cattle and goats often go to remote areas of the forest that are generally inaccessible to most hunters, the DOFAW is using aerial gunning to exterminate the animals. Hunters on the ground use trained hunting dogs to chase down animals who escape helicopter gunfire, then kill them by restraining their hind legs and slicing them open or beating them to death.

If the DLNR wishes to control the population of feral cattle and goats on Maui, they should do it in a way that is sensitive to the lives of the animals. Some of the viable alternatives to eradication include contraception, sterilization and relocation to another area.

What You Can Do

DOFAW has set aside six days in July, August and September to carry out their slaughter of feral goats and cattle. The next scheduled hunt date is Friday, July 22. There is still time to call or write the DLNR and urge them to order a halt to the aerial gunning of feral animals on Maui and to implement a more humane solution.

State of Hawaii, Department of Land and Natural Resources
Kalanimoku Bldg., 1151 Punchbowl St.
Honolulu, HI 96813
Tel: (808) 587-0400
Fax: (808) 587-0390


6. Investigation Probes Lincoln Park Zoo Elephant's Death

An article appeared in the July 15 issue of the Chicago Tribune newspaper about an investigation into the untimely death of Wankie, the last elephant at the Lincoln Park Zoo, and other animals who died prematurely in captivity. Wankie was captured in the wilds of Zimbabwe as an infant, separated from her family and brought to the San Diego Wild Animal Park (SDWAP) in 1971 at the age of two. She lived there with two other elephants until they were all transferred in 2003 to the cold climes of Chicago. Soon after the move, their health declined, and one by one the elephants succumbed to an early death until only Wankie remained. At the age of 36 (about half an elephant's natural lifespan), zoo officials continued to reject pleas from IDA, elected officials and local activists for Wankie's transfer to a sanctuary where she could enjoy hundreds of acres of rolling hills, soft ground and mud baths.

The investigation's official report focuses on Wankie's final hours, and details the poor decisions made during her rushed trip to yet another zoo in Hogle, Utah instead of the sanctuary home she deserved. Tragically, officials anxious to avoid a public hearing on her fate rushed her move. Halfway through the trip, Wankie collapsed in her unheated crate. Despite knowing that her survival would require her to be hoisted upright, zoo personnel traveling with her negligently chose to leave her down, languishing under the weight of her body for an additional 13 hours. The decision is even more appalling when hearing that a crane and slings was available to upright her. Upon her arrival in Utah, she had to be euthanized because her back legs were paralyzed and her breathing labored after being essentially crushed by her own body weight. Her death intensified the national debate over whether zoos can meet the physical and psychological needs of elephants.

Visit http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-0507150312jul15,1,391886.story to read the spin on "Wankie's final journey" on the Chicago Tribune's website. You will have to register with the Chicago Tribune, but registration is free.

This elephant didn't have to die. Please join IDA's Elephant Task Force to help elephants in your area.

If you live in Chicago, please contact RaeLeann [at] IDAUSA.org to find out how you can help with efforts to ensure Wankie is that last elephant to suffer in the city.


Development Director's Message

As you have read in this issue of IDA's e-newsletter, you are helping us realize our mission to "protect the rights, welfare and habitats of animals."

To help us conduct our vitally important work on behalf of animals, we offer our supporters a range of convenient methods to provide financial support for our efforts. There are several different methods that you can choose from to make a gift to IDA in the best and easiest way for you.

In addition to sending a gift in response to the mailings that we send throughout the year encouraging our members to support a critically important campaign or to share the stories and vital needs of our Project Hope sanctuary in rural Mississippi and our chimpanzee rescue center in Cameroon, Africa, there are a variety of ways that you can help provide the funds vital to our efforts in defense of animals.

You can find many simple and easy ways to help on our website at http://www.idausa.org/supportf.html . For example:

You can make a difference each and every month by joining the compassionate and committed supporters in our President's Circle Monthly Giving program. It's an easy way to give and it saves you time and IDA resources.

Did you know that you car can save a life? Our car donation program is a simple way to turn your unwanted vehicle into funds that can help us help animals.

You can also make a gift in honor of or in memory of a beloved friend, family member or animal companion with a Loving Tribute by completing the information on our on-line secure donation form.

Or consider giving the gift of a lifetime by remembering IDA in your will and estate plans. You can explore the various planned giving options available to you by visiting our website at http://www.idausa.org/support/planned/plannedgiving.html or by contacting our very knowledgeable Planned Giving Coordinator, Nicole Otoupalik at (714) 389-2823 or via e-mail at Nicole [at] idausa.org .

We honor the trust that you place in IDA when sharing your hard-earned money with us by using your contributions wisely and efficiently to fulfill our promise to help animals in need. Charity Navigator ( http://www.charitynavitgator.org ), the well-regarded independent charity ratings bureau, has bestowed their highest rating upon IDA for three years in a row. To quote their Executive Director, Trent Stamp; "In earning our highest rating, IDA has demonstrated exceptional financial management, outperforming most of its peers in their efforts to allocate and grow their finances in the most responsible way possible."

Together we are making a real difference for the animals. On behalf of IDA and the animals you help with your support, I thank you most sincerely.

Kevin Connelly
IDA Development Director
Kevin [at] idausa.org


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