IDA e-news - 10/19/05

1. Stray Rescue of St. Louis and IDA's Project Hope: A Life-Saving Partnership
2. Speak Out for Animal Fashion Victims This Fur Free Friday
3. Help Spread Compassion for Farmed Animals During IDA's World GO VEGAN Days
4. New Alliances Forged at National Feral Cat Summit
5. IDA's Undercover TV Now Airing in 66 Cities


1. Stray Rescue of St. Louis and IDA's Project Hope: A Life-Saving Partnership
IDA's Gives Thanks for the Efforts of Randy Grim's Remarkable Team

IDA and the Project Hope animal rescue team are indebted to Stray Rescue of St. Louis and Director Randy Grim for consistently going above the call of duty to care for animals stranded after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Project Hope's Doll Stanley is ecstatic over the recent partnership that has developed between the groups. "I had the pleasure of meeting Randy Grim at IDA's Guardian Awards last Halloween, and marveled at the work that Randy and his team had undertaken," she beams. "Little did I know that Stray Rescue would come to Project Hope's rescue less than a year later."

One of the most important collaborations has been accomplished through transferring animals considered "unadoptable" by most potential guardians from the Project Hope sanctuary to Stray Rescue's shelter in St. Louis, Mo. After the hurricanes hit, Stray Rescue's team delivered essential supplies for Project Hope's rescue and relief efforts, then stayed to provide hands-on help. Randy Grim and other members of Stray Rescue even went on many intense search and rescue missions to save animals trapped in abandoned homes. Their skills and dedication made it possible for the team to save many more animals' lives.

The Stray Rescue team left with a promise that they would take 50 dogs from Project Hope's sanctuary, sight unseen. This made it possible to give newly rescued dogs somewhere to rest until they could be reunited with their guardians or placed in new homes. Stray Rescue was the only group that took each and every dog that needed help, even those who most others would consider "trouble." Yet even after taking the first 50 dogs, Stray Rescue kept coming back to the disaster zone with crucial supplies for the relief effort and Project Hope's sanctuary. They would leave a few hard-worked days later, their caravan filled with animals bound for the promise of safety and security. As of this writing, they have taken about 120 dogs into their shelter. Stray Rescue gave many of these dogs the surname "Doll" as their special way of recognizing Doll Stanley for her devotion to animals.

The Project Hope team has many people and organizations to thank for their ability to perform wonders, both at the sanctuary and in the hurricane-wracked South, but a special thanks is due to the compassionate and generous folks who make Stray Rescue of St. Louis the wonderful organization that it is.

What You Can Do:

In addition to IDA's Project Hope team, Stray Rescue works with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Red Cross, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and Noah's Wish to provide housing, medical care and love to the animals that have been rescued after the hurricanes. You can support their important work.

- Be a foster guardian to a displaced animal or be a volunteer on stand-by when assistance is needed. Visit http://www.strayrescue.org/dogsadopt1.html to see some of the dogs who need homes (Stray Rescue also has cats). Click http://www.strayrescue.org/fostervolform.html to submit an online application, and write "Hurricane Relief" in the final box.

- Visit http://www.strayrescue.org to learn more about Stray Rescue and their hurricane relief work for animals. You can also help by making a donation at http://www.strayrescue.org/donate.html . All contributions go to organizations providing food, shelter, medical care, and other necessities to animal victims of the disaster.

- The governor of Florida declared a state of emergency today in anticipation of Hurricane Wilma, which could strike Florida's southwest coast as soon as Sunday. According to the National Hurricane Center, the massive storm is getting larger and may have a wide area of impact. If you live in Florida and must evacuate your home, please bring your animals with you. Not only will your animals be terrified during the storm if left alone, they can get lost, injured or killed, and there is no telling how long it will be before you can go back to get them. Please ensure the safety of your loved ones, including your animal companions.

- Contact katrinahurricanerelief [at] idausa.org for more information on how you can help Project Hope's animal relief efforts.


2. Speak Out for Animal Fashion Victims This Fur Free Friday
Join Others Around the World the Day After Thanksgiving in Activities Planned for Annual Campaign

For two decades on the day after Thanksgiving - the busiest shopping day of the year - thousands of activists around the nation have held demonstrations, marches, vigils and other activities for Fur Free Friday to protest a global multi-billion dollar industry that heartlessly kills over 40 million animals a year.

Fur is a deadly luxury that animals can't afford. They are killed not out of necessity (for example to keep people warm: synthetic materials are warmer and cheaper), but for money and fashion - to make $10,000 mink coats, fur collars and frivolous fashion accessories. Most fur-bearing animals are raised in fur mills, kept in wire cages with as many as 100,000 "livestock" in a single facility. Trapped in cages, wild fur-bearing animals are denied their most basic natural behaviors. After a life of confinement, farmers commonly break their necks or insert an electrified rod in their anus or vagina, literally frying them from the inside out.

Millions of coyote, raccoon, bobcats and other species are caught in the wild using spring traps with metal teeth that smash bone and crush muscle. Animals can linger in excruciating pain for days without food or water before a trapper kills them. About one quarter of trapped animals escape by chewing their own limbs off.

An estimated two million cats and dogs are also killed for fur every year. Recent investigations into the Chinese fur industry document cats and dogs being skinned alive, their eyes still blinking and heartbeats visible beneath exposed ribcages. Consumers have no way of knowing whether they are buying dog or cat fur because these products - jacket collars, gloves, hats and toys - are almost always deliberately unlabled or mislabled.

What You Can Do:

Often, those who buy fur don't know about the cruelty behind its production, so this Fur Free Friday, please help people understand that cruelty is never in fashion. As always, activists from IDA and hundreds of other animal protection organizations will be out in full force in front of fur retailers such as Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Macy's and Bloomingdale's. Visit http://www.FurKills.org to learn more about Fur Free Friday activities and email antifur [at] idausa.org for help organizing an outreach event in your community and to get free IDA anti-fur leaflets and materials.


3. Help Spread Compassion for Farmed Animals During IDA's World GO VEGAN Days
Get IDA's Public Service Announcement featuring Vegan Bodybuilder Kenneth Williams Aired in Your Community

IDA's World GO VEGAN Days, October 30th - November 1st, is a time for people to learn about why veganism is a good choice for animals, people and the planet. Everyone can take part, whether you are a long-time vegan or currently eating meat, by enjoying discounted vegan meals at veg-friendly restaurants with your friends or cooking some of Compassionate Cooks' delicious recipes (visit http://www.WorldGoVeganDays.com for more information).

We also encourage animal advocates to use World GO VEGAN Days as an opportunity to reach out to the general public. IDA's powerful pro-vegan Public Service Announcement (PSA) featuring vegan bodybuilder Kenneth Williams is a great tool for educating people on a large scale in your community about the horrors animals endure on factory farms. In the 30-second spot, Kenneth praises the health benefits of veganism while showing the inhumane treatment that animals raised for meat, milk and eggs experience every day. Click http://www.idausa.org/worldgovegandays.html to view the PSA on your computer.

What You Can Do:

- Air IDA's PSA, "The Power of Compassion," on your local television station. Visit http://www.idausa.org/vegandays/outreach.html to learn how, and contact ida [at] idausa.org if you need assistance.

- Read IDA's new Vegan FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) on our World GO VEGAN Days website ( http://www.idausa.org/vegandays/faq.html ).


4. New Alliances Forged at National Feral Cat Summit
250 Animal Welfare Experts and Feral Cat Caretakers Meet in Philadelphia

The National Feral Cat Summit, which took place last Saturday, October 15th in Philadelphia, was an amazing success, bringing together Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) leaders and cat colony caretakers from around North America. Though only the 2nd annual summit, attendance was double that of last year, with 250 people at the one-day conference. IDA is proud to co-sponsor this special event, which brought together a wide array of groups working for feral cat welfare.

Advocates from 22 states and several Canadian provinces showed up to hear such luminaries as spay and neuter pioneer Esther Mechler (SPAY USA), Texas A&M University professor Dr. Margaret Slater, Bryan Kortis of Neighborhood Cats and Jane Hoffman from the Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals. Attendees represented a rich mix of TNR professionals and caretakers, and included many veterinarians, public health officials, and directors of humane societies and animal shelters. According to Bryan Kortis, "The broad array of sponsors and supporters that made this event possible represents a historic joining together of the animal welfare community over the issue of feral cat management. The cooperation of many groups is needed to enact TNR across North America, and the National Feral Cat Summit has made that a reality."

The evening before the summit, the Alliance for Philadelphia's Animals hosted an elegant welcome dinner for attendees at the Academy of Natural Sciences. On Saturday morning, IDA's Valerie Sicignano introduced the conference as the very first speaker. Later, she taught a workshop on fundraising and held a combination auction/raffle. She also made sure the menu for the incredible vegan lunch, courtesy of PETsMART, appeared on the printed program for people to admire (before enjoying the actual food). Even meat-eating attendees were pleased by the tasty animal-free delights, which included vegetarian chili, grilled Portobello mushrooms in sun-dried tomato broth, and chocolate cake for dessert.

Significantly, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) announced their collaboration with Neighborhood Cats in "developing new programs designed to help communities across the country manage feral cat colonies" at the summit. HSUS's move is a great step forward for the TNR movement, and the large crowd of advocates enthusiastically greeted the exciting news.

For more information on the summit, visit http://www.neighborhoodcats.org .


5. IDA's Undercover TV Now Airing in 66 Cities
Read the article "Undercover TV: Animal Rights Reality Television" in Satya Magazine

The popularity of Undercover TV (UTV) continues to grow as it acquires more time slots in new communities. UTV is IDA's half-hour television show that exposes animal abuse in factory farms, fur mills, vivisection laboratories, circuses and other cruel industries. Millions of residents in 66 cities across the U.S. can now watch UTV on their community public access stations, opening up new possibilities for reaching the masses with a powerful anti-cruelty message. In the last month alone, eight new cities joined UTV's growing network of communities, including Napa, Calif; Bridgeport, Conn.; Boston, Mass.; St. Louis, Mo.; Fargo, N.D.; Rhode Island (Statewide); Burlington, Vt.; and Brooklyn, N.Y.

The images shown on UTV speak volumes and change lives. A viewer from Sacramento, Calif. writes: "Last night my friend and I watched your program. It was so moving, it inspired me, already a vegetarian, to go vegan and my friend, who previously ate meat to do so also. Seeing your documentary was such a touching experience, we kept saying, 'everyone needs to see this.'" Other viewers agree, writing that UTV moved them toward compassion for animals and that almost anyone who saw the show would feel the same.

What You Can Do:

- Visit http://www.satyamag.com/oct05/thomas.html to read an article about UTV in the October issue of Satya magazine, a monthly publication focusing on vegetarianism, environmentalism, animal advocacy and social justice. Fittingly, the theme of this month's edition is threats to our civil liberties. UTV speaks out on behalf of animals used for food, clothing, experimentation and entertainment because they have no rights at all in today's world and people need to know the truth. Alongside others exercising freedom of speech on the vital matters of the day, UTV is breaking the silence on animal abuse in our culture by airing undercover video investigations of animal abuse that animal-exploiting mega-corporations don't want you to see.

- Watch UTV on your community public access station. Click http://www.idausa.org/undercovertv/tvschedule.html to see where and when it airs.

- If your city is not listed, volunteer for the UTV distribution network. As a resident of any city, you can submit episodes of UTV to your community public access station simply by dropping off a box of tapes every few weeks. Contact undercover [at] idausa.org for more information.

- UTV is seeking undercover and investigative video footage to show on the air. If you have video footage that exposes violence against animals, please email undercover [at] idausa.org or send a copy to our main office (131 Camino Alto, Mill Valley, CA 94941). Please specify if you would like to remain anonymous.


Bid to Give IDA Online Auction

IDA is proud to announce an exciting new online auction to benefit our work on behalf of animals. We have partnered with Charity Folks, a leading online auction venue to offer an amazing array of TV, film and sports celebrity memorabilia and other tantalizing auction items.

The Charity Folks' Bid to Give/IDA Auction will be conducted from October 26th through November 4th via the Charity Folks website at http://www.charityfolks.com .

We are accepting donations of items for our auction through October 20th. 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.

If you have an item that you would like to donate or if you would like more information about the event or IDA in general, please contact Nicole Otoupalik at (800) 338-4451 or via e-mail at Nicole [at] idausa.org . All donations are tax deductible.

We will be sharing more details on the auction and the fantastic items to be offered in upcoming e-newsletters and on our website as we get closer to the Oct. 26th launch date.

P.S. Please help us spread the word about our special Auction for the Animals by sharing this information with your network of family and friends.


Help Someone Kick the Meat Habit with FARM's Meatout Monday Newsletter

If you know someone who says they'd like to cut meat out of their diet but thinks it's too hard, then tell them about Meatout Mondays, a free weekly e-newsletter designed to help those who don't want to quit "cold turkey" kick the meat habit one day at a time - starting with Mondays! Easy and fun to read, Meatout Mondays encourages individuals to make changes at a pace that is comfortable for them, and is an excellent tool for introducing vegetarianism to anyone.

Every week, Meatout Mondays includes tasty vegan recipes, new product and book reviews, important health information, and inspirational stories of people who have changed their lives for the better by cutting animal products from their diets. This week's newsletter focuses on the deliciously healthy pomegranate. Click http://www.meatoutmondays.org/05-10-17.htm to read the latest issue.

Please visit http://www.meatoutmondays.org to review past issues and to subscribe your friends and family members. Meatout Mondays is a free e-newsletter, and individuals can easily unsubscribe at any time.


The Cat Therapist Shares Her Wisdom

Every 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://www.idausa.org/cat_therapist/index.html to read the latest edition of Cats on the Couch. Men: the deadline to enter Carole's "Men and their Cats" contest has been extended to November, so there's still time to enter. Also visit Carole's Cat Store at http://thecattherapist.com/cat_store.htm to purchase a copy of her classic book, "Cat Talk: What Your Cat is Trying to Tell You."