IDA e-news: 12/07/05

1. IDA's December Guardian of the Month - Mariana Tosca
2. New Jersey Hunters Begin Bear Slaughter
3. The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill Need Your Help
4. Monroe County Justice Court Grants IDA Custody of Abused Dogs
5. IDA Joins SHARK in the Battle Against Rodeo Cruelty
6. IDA's Project Hope Hurricane Relief Team Ventures Into Neglected Gulf Coast Areas


1. IDA's December Guardian of the Month - Mariana Tosca
"Christmas in the Clouds" Star Combines Acting with Activism

In "Christmas in the Clouds" ( http://www.christmasintheclouds.com ), a new movie that opened nationwide last weekend, California native Mariana Tosca plays a vegetarian. While this might be a stretch for most actresses, it was in a sense the "role of a lifetime" for Mariana because she's been a real-life vegetarian for over 15 years. She was especially drawn to the project because the script had such a positive message that resonates with her strong feelings about animals. For instance, a chef in the movie (played by veteran actor Graham Greene) hates to cook meat and tells carnivorous diners personal stories about the animals they're consuming as he serves up their flesh. While this might sound morbid, "Christmas in the Clouds" is actually a romantic comedy for the holiday season, and these scenes effectively raise both laughter and awareness while poking fun at meat eater's usually disguised discomfort with the truth about where their dinner comes from. Perhaps because of this running joke, Mariana was able to convince the makers of "Christmas in the Clouds" to feature vegetarian catering on the set for the second half of the shoot.

A lifelong animal lover and IDA member for over 15 years, Mariana got one of her first lucky breaks in acting through advocating for animals. As a result of participating in one IDA Fur Free Friday event years ago, she appeared on a newscast in San Francisco's Union Square shouting "Meat Is Murder!" into a bullhorn. A theatrical agent saw the story on TV that evening and offered to represent her. That was back when Mariana, a Mensa International ( http://www.mensa.org/index0.php?page=10 ) member with a 168 IQ, had just finished studying drama at San Francisco State University and was about to enroll in the Master of Fine Arts program at the American Conservatory Theatre (ACT). She now studies with Larry Moss and Gordon Hunt, two of Hollywood's most respected acting coaches, and sits on the Board of Directors of several award-winning theatre companies.

Throughout her life, Mariana has always had animals around to keep her company, and she expresses a special affinity for dogs and rats. She believes that rats are among the most intelligent species, and often fosters them for various shelters. She is currently the guardian of two dogs, Bleu (a Dalmatian) and Jasper (a black lab/Italian greyhound mix). Sadly, her beloved 14-year-old Shepherd/Saluki/Collie mix Galahad passed away only last month.

As a volunteer, Mariana devotes her time to companion animal organizations like the Glendale Humane Society ( http://www.glendalehumane.org ), the Burbank Animal Shelter and Actors and Others for Animals. She enjoys being able to use her growing celebrity to increase companion animals' visibility at mobile adoption events around Los Angeles. Mariana also founded Canine Cinema ( http://www.mtosca.com/CanineCinema.html ), a company that produces short films of companion animals for guardians to enjoy, and donates half of the proceeds from this enterprise to a variety of animal welfare groups. She often contributes Canine Cinema films as auction items for animal shelter fundraisers, each one bringing in between $2,500 and $4,000 for the animals. From Canine Cinema, Mariana also got the idea to make 30-second promotional films for adoptable dogs at the Glendale Humane Society highlighting each animal’s unique personality. After posting the films on their website, the shelter reported a 200% increase in adoptions.

IDA is proud to name Mariana Tosca our Guardian of the Month for December. As for Mariana, she says, "I've been a proud IDA member for many years, and it is an honor to be associated with this intrepid organization, so tireless in its pursuit of giving voice to those who cannot speak for themselves." IDA wishes Mariana continued success in her endeavors as an actress and animal advocate, and we look forward to working with her in the future.

Visit http://www.mtosca.com/index.html to learn more about Mariana.


2. New Jersey Hunters Begin Bear Slaughter
More than 50 Black Bears Killed on First Day of New Jersey's Barbaric Hunt

Just before dawn on Monday, December 5th, 4,400 hunters set out into the New Jersey woods, each one hoping to bring home the coveted prize of a black bear carcass. According to New Jersey State officials, 54 bears were killed by 2:30 p.m. on the first day of the six-day hunt. At this rate, hunters will easily surpass the body count from the 2003 hunt, which was New Jersey's first bear hunt in 33 years. More than half of the 328 bears killed in 2003 were females and cubs, some less than a year old, and many uncounted cubs died alone in the forest after being orphaned.

Trophy hunters have aggressively pursued their "right" to kill New Jersey's black bears under the guise of wildlife management and public safety. However, such claims are specious to say the least, especially considering that black bears have killed only two humans in the Eastern U.S. over the last century, and children as young as ten years old will be participating in the hunt. Wildlife experts say that if the black bear population does need to be managed to maintain an ecological balance in the area, their numbers can be controlled humanely through a wildlife contraception program. In addition, public safety can be ensured through education: people can dramatically reduce the number of encounters with black bears by keeping food safely stored and avoid harm to themselves and these wild animals when contact does occur by responding appropriately.

What You Can Do:

1) Even though animal advocates were unable to prevent the hunt from taking place, it remains crucial for us to keep making phone calls and make our voices heard. Please contact Acting Governor Richard Codey and urge him to put a stop to the hunt: he can do so right now even though the killing has already begun. Also contact Governor-Elect Jon Corzine and tell him you are disappointed that he did nothing to stop the hunt.

Governor-Elect Jon Corzine
Tel: (973) 645-3030

Acting Governor Richard Codey
Tel: (609) 292-6000
Fax: (609) 292-3454

2) If you live in or around New Jersey, join The Bear Education and Resource Group in a protest against the proposed bear hunt. Please bring signs and speak out on the bears' behalf!

What: Bear Hunt Protest
When: Saturday, December 10th, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Where: Waywayanda State Park, 885 Warwick Turnpike, Hewitt, NJ (click http://www.savenjbears.com for directions)

Visit http://www.savenjbears.com to learn more about the fight to save New Jersey's black bears. For more information about the protest, contact savenjbears [at] hotmail.com or (973) 853-BEAR.


3. The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill Need Your Help
San Francisco's Flock of 200 Brightly-Colored Birds Will Lose Connection with Caretaker if Trees are Cut Down

http://ga0.org/campaign/WildParrots



4. Monroe County Justice Court Grants IDA Custody of Abused Dogs
Judge Bars "Owner" who Trained Pit Bulls for Dog Fighting from Possessing Animals

On October 29th, 2005, while executing a search warrant, the Monroe County Sheriff's Department (MCSO) and Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics (MBN) discovered 33 pit bulls and evidence that they were used for dog fighting on the property. Two days later, after being contacted by the MBN for assistance, IDA aided the agencies in the dogs' seizure, and was awarded temporary custody of the pit bulls. On Tuesday, November 29th, Monroe County Justice Court Judge Robert Fowlkes granted guardianship of 21 dogs to IDA's Project Hope animal sanctuary.

IDA and Project Hope were not surprised when the court granted them custody of the dogs. However, the judge's decision to order Mr. Theron Hampton to "never own an animal again," nearly evoked a chorus of cheers at the bench. "This was the ultimate ruling possible," said Project Hope Director Doll Stanley. "Putting flesh back on the bones of these dogs, and documenting the scarring that blankets most of them cemented our will to see them free from such blatant suffering. When the court granted us their guardianship the knot left my stomach. The $2,000 bond Hampton forfeited will only cover a portion of our expenses; but hearing the judge say that by the power of the court Hampton may not again possess animals was totally exhilarating."

Melissa Christian of "Bull Breed Rescue" assisted IDA with the transport and care of a mother and 10 puppies of the 21 dogs still on the property. Hampton is expected to appeal to regain custody of the 10 puppies. These dogs will not be placed until a decision has been reached. One of the adult dogs was placed with a carefully selected guardian within hours after the court decision. The fate of eight of the adult dogs remains uncertain, but we hope to find new homes for them, even though they are now prone to aggression because of their training as fighting dogs.

What You Can Do:

Project Hope is in critical need of funds to act on cruelty complaints. Please send donations to IDA, Project Hope, Route 1, Box 128, Grenada, MS 38901. To donate online using your credit card, click https://secure.ga3.org/02/idadonations and enter "Project Hope" in the "in honor of" field.


5. IDA Joins SHARK in the Battle Against Rodeo Cruelty
IDA Founder and President Dr. Elliot Katz Highlights PRCA Humane Violations at Press Conference

On Monday, December 5th, 2005, IDA and national animal protection organization Showing Animals Respect and Kindness (SHARK) held a press conference in Las Vegas to expose rodeo's egregious animal welfare violations and call on the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) to enforce their own regulations. Video footage captured by SHARK of PRCA-sanctioned events as recent as the National Steer Roping Finals held in Amarillo, Texas last month documents numerous violations of the PRCA's own animal welfare rules. Furthermore, the video shows that these violations took place in plain sight of many rodeo contestants and judges, as well as PRCA Administrator Jim Nichols and Commissioner Troy Ellerman. SHARK and IDA join Commissioner Ellerman in calling on Judge James Roeder (Ret.), Head of PRCA Grievance Oversight, to "return some integrity to the system, and clean up the good-old-boy network," by ensuring that violations are taken seriously.

Rodeos are inherently violent events. In the notorious calf-roping event, animals burst from the gate at speeds approaching thirty miles per hour to escape handlers who twist and yank their tails. When the three-to-four-month-old calves are lassoed around the neck, their heads often snap back as they come to an abrupt stop. Sometimes they are jerked over backwards in what rodeo people call a "jerkdown." Competitors then slam the calves to the ground and tie their legs together. While jerkdowns are officially prohibited under PRCA regulations, they occur regularly and are not called by rodeo judges. According to PRCA rules, a jerkdown could disqualify the offender from the event and carry a $250 fine for the first violation. However, as SHARK President Steve Hindi points out, "The penalties are a slap on the wrist and pennies compared to the $5.2 million purse at stake. Besides that, the PRCA does not make humane infractions or penalties public, and we are unaware of any fines ever handed out for cruelty, even though we regularly document extreme abuse."

What You Can Do:

- Starbucks Coffee has been sponsoring rodeos around the country and then denying their involvement to SHARK, even though the company's ads clearly show their support for this violent "sport" in which animals are commonly injured and killed. Please click http://www.sharkonline.org/index.php?&page=0000000347 to learn more about Starbucks' involvement in rodeos, then scroll down the page to contact the company via phone, fax, email and postal mail. Let Starbucks know that you are disappointed that they would try to cover up their involvement in rodeo cruelty, and that you won't buy their coffee until they come clean and stop subsidizing violence against animals. You can also sign SHARK's petition to Starbucks CEO Jim Donald, and print out SHARK's "Buck Starbucks" flyer, which is great for handing out in front of your local Starbucks and for politely educating the store's management.

- Visit http://www.rodeocruelty.com to learn more about SHARK's efforts to expose the cruelty behind rodeos.


6. IDA's Project Hope Hurricane Relief Team Ventures Into Neglected Gulf Coast Areas
Animals Transported North to Make Room for New Rescues, Truckload of Food Delivered to Gulfport, Miss.

In response to desperate pleas, IDA's rescue efforts in Biloxi, Miss. continue. While the nation's attention was focused largely on the tragedy in New Orleans, many other areas along the Gulf Coast were devastated after experiencing the brunt of Hurricane Katrina. In Biloxi, where barge casinos once lined the Gulf Coast, the giant boats now sit blocks back from the shore among the ruins of the city, and animals scavenge through the rubble in vacant lots in search of something to eat. IDA representatives Eric Phelps and Lisa Martin spent the week trapping animals here who were once friendly, loving companions, but who had quickly adjusted to life on the streets, shying from human contact.

The week culminated in a massive transport of animals to points north to free up space at the overburdened shelters. Working with the Humane Society of South Mississippi ( http://www.hssm.org ), IDA transported more than forty dogs and cats to Richmond, Va. and Baltimore, Md. Some of the animals continued on to Stratham, N.H. with volunteers from New Hampshire SPCA ( http://www.nhspca.org ) while others remained in Baltimore at the Maryland SPCA ( http://www.mdspca.org ).

We offer our deepest thanks to IDA member and e-news subscriber Rauni Armbruster, who responded to last week's e-news request for help with transportation of a truckload of food from Colorado to Mississippi. Rauni, a transportation broker, informed Christina Davis, owner of Airstone Enterprises, that a truckload of food was available, but there was no one able to transport it to the shelter. Christina stepped up to the plate, donating a truck, gas and a driver who made the 1,500-mile journey from Colorado to Mississippi. We are ecstatic that the tractor-trailer departed Englewood, Colo. yesterday with 22 pallets of food (graciously donated by the Colorado Humane Society) bound for Gulfport, Miss. Many thanks to Christina and Rauni, who also pitched in for fuel expenses. With the help of our members, we can make a difference!

What You Can Do:
- Project Hope still desperately needs more shelters and rescue organizations outside of the disaster zone to take homeless animals rescued from the Gulf Area. Please contact hurricanekatrinainquiries [at] idausa.org if you or your local shelter can provide space for needy animals.
-Volunteers are needed in Biloxi. People with their own vehicles such as vans that can transport animals to other facilities are especially needed. However, anyone can help with the feeding and trapping operation. Please contact hurricanekatrinainquiries [at] idausa.org if you area interested in volunteering.
- We need funds to continue our relief work. As an illustration of the financial resources needed to rescue animals, rental of a vehicle and gas for one week costs upwards of $1000. Please contribute to IDA's hurricane relief fund when making your end of the year donations. To donate, send checks made payable to IDA with a note reading "for hurricane relief" to In Defense of Animals, 131 Camino Alto, Mill Valley, CA 94941. Click https://secure.ga0.org/02/varescue and scroll down to donate online using your credit card.


Let Us "Be a Part of the Solution!" by IDA Volunteer Chin Chi

It was a breath of fresh air: the scent of grass and the ocean mingled on a crisp January morning. Most refreshing to me, however, was the knowledge that now at last I was doing something concrete for the animals, and not wasting time listening to people talk endlessly about it.

It has been almost a year since I started participating in the "Save the Gophers" campaign, a joint project of IDA and the San Francisco Department of Recreation and Parks. I celebrated my 70th birthday working with the wonderful volunteers of this project and I plan to continue as long as I can walk, bend and dig. Several years ago some SF joggers had threatened to sue the city because one had hurt himself/herself, tripping over a gopher hole. The Department's usual solution would have been to put poison or traps in those areas, but IDA proposed to work with Department gardeners to plant habitat for gophers in areas where people did not go, and cultivate plants in areas used by people that are not so inviting to gophers. Everything planted is indigenous to the area. We dig, weed and plant. It is a slow and arduous but also steady process. Like the rescuers of homeless dogs and cats, we feel even "saving one gopher at a time" is worth it.

The significance of this project, however, far exceeds the saving of animal lives. To me it is living proof that what is good for animals is also good for people and the environment. For example, poisons and traps can never wipe out all the gophers, but they can poison the surrounding land and waterways and eventually any animal, bird or fish and some humans, especially children, that come into contact with them. Lethal traps have also been known to maim and kill endangered species, companion animals and children.

Thus it was such a joy to me when I heard the reasons my fellow volunteers joined the project. Whether they had lived in San Francisco for over 20 years and loved the city or had come from other cities in the Bay Area, we all shared basic feelings in common. In conclusion, I would like to quote some of their statements as an inspiration for all who read this.

Ray, the gardener leader from the Department of Recreation and Parks: "I believe in the intent (of the project). I want to work with nature rather than against it, rather than killing. It's a learning experience."

Edda: "I'm for the gophers. I saw dead gophers in the park sometimes. There should be room for them. Killing doesn't solve the problem. I enjoy gardening and have learned more from Ray".

Bob: "I'm helping the environment and the animals at the same time."

Coco (lives in a neighborhood across from the project): "The city is understaffed. I decided to be part of the solution instead of complaining about problems."

Jill (lives in a neighborhood across from the project): "Here I'm doing something instead of being passive."

For those wishing to participate, the volunteers work the first Saturday of every month from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. For more information, please contact Bob at (415) 587-9516. Do come and join us!


IDA's Vehicle Donation Program

Did you know that your car, truck, boat, RV or motorcycle could save a life?

If you have an old vehicle that's taking up space in your driveway or garage, you could donate it to IDA through our Car Program to help us save the lives of animals!

It's simple to do. Just visit our web site at http://www.idausa.org/supportf.html and follow the link under the heading "Donate Your Used Vehicle" which will direct you to a form that you can fill out and submit to us electronically. Or give us a call at (415) 388-9641, ext. 218, and Sage, our Member Services Assistant, will help you.

Help us stop animal cruelty by donating your unwanted vehicle to IDA today, and make a difference in the lives of animals.