IDA eNews: 10/03/07

IDA ACTION ALERTS
1. Ask Congress to Permanently Protect Chimpanzees Retired From Experimentation
2. Alaska's Aerial Wolf Hunting Under Fire in Congress
3. Drunk Man Decapitates Tame Duck in Hotel Lobby

CAMPAIGN NEWS & UPDATES
1. IDA's Guardian of the Month for October - Mary Lee Withers
2. Victory: Domestic Horse Slaughter Abolished
3. Cook Up a Storm on World GO VEGAN Days: Oct. 26-28


IDA ACTION ALERTS

1. Ask Congress to Permanently Protect Chimpanzees Retired From Experimentation
Close loophole in CHIMP Act so that they won't be recalled into research

In 2000, the Chimpanzee Health Improvement, Maintenance, and Protection Act (CHIMP Act) was signed into law, creating a system for the retirement of government-owned chimpanzees no longer wanted for experimentation. So far, Chimp Haven, located in Louisiana, is the only facility awarded a contract under the Act. To be eligible for government funding, current conditions include the possibility of returning chimpanzees to the labs if deemed necessary by the Department of Health and Human Services.

Given the emotional and physical condition of the animals and their abbreviated life expectancy caused by lifelong experimentation and confinement, it's unthinkable that they could be returned to the laboratory. This is the loophole that the Chimp Haven is Home Act, sponsored by Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) ( http://burr.senate.gov/ ) and Rep. Jim McCrery (R-LA) ( http://mccrery.house.gov/ ), intends to close, and that would guarantee their protection from further experimentation.

When the Burr amendment was introduced last year, it passed the House, but not the Senate. The bill is now before the Senate (S.1916) Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, and the House (H.R. 3295) Committee on Energy and Commerce.

What You Can Do:

Please ask the Chairs of the House and Senate committees to pass the Chimp Haven is Home Act. This will prevent the National Institutes of Health from recalling retired chimpanzees back into research from facilities like Chimp Haven that receive government funding, and guarantee permanent protection for chimpanzees retired from experimentation!

Please refer to the sample letter below, and call or write:

Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman
Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions
317 Russell Senate Building
Washington D.C. 20510
Tel: (202) 224-4543
Webmail ( http://kennedy.senate.gov/senator/contact.cfm )

The Honorable John D. Dingell, Chairman
House Committee on Energy and Commerce
2328 Rayburn House
Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Tel: (202) 225-4071
Webmail (http://www.house.gov/dingell/contact.htm)

Sample Letter:

Please support the Chimp Haven is Home Act (H.R. 3295 and S.1916), an amendment to the CHIMP Act (Chimpanzee Health Improvement, Maintenance and Protection) Act of 2000. This amendment would guarantee the permanent protection of federally-owned chimpanzees retired to such facilities as Chimp Haven in Louisiana, a sanctuary partially funded by the government. The chimps, who have endured lives of experimentation and confinement in research laboratories, currently allows for the possible recall of these chimpanzees back into research laboratories. I am writing to respectfully ask that this egregious loophole be closed, and that chimpanzees previously used in experiments be guaranteed safe haven in their final years.


2. Alaska's Aerial Wolf Hunting Under Fire in Congress
Take Action to support bill to ban shooting of animals from planes

Over the past four years, "deputized" hunters have killed nearly 700 wolves by aerial gunning in Alaska ( http://www.idausa.org/campaigns/wildlife/alaskan_wolf.html ). The animals are pursued and harassed from airplanes and then shot when they become too exhausted to run anymore. Yet a recently-introduced bill in the House of Representatives could finally end this inhumane butchery by closing a loophole in U.S. law that the state of Alaska has long exploited.

The federal Airborne Hunting Act strictly prohibits hunters from shooting animals from airplanes. Still, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game has handed out permits to hunters allowing them to engage in aerial gunning supposedly for "wildlife management" purposes. The Protect America's Wildlife Act (or PAW Act), introduced by Representative George Miller (D-CA) ( http://www.house.gov/georgemiller/ ), would hold Alaska to this 35-year-old law by requiring that wildlife officials provide scientific evidence that "legitimate biological and other emergencies" necessitate aerial gunning.

Alaska's so-called "predator control program" is intended to increase moose and caribou populations for trophy hunters, many of who pay large sums for out-of-state hunting permits. Mass-murdering one of the region's key apex predators has nothing to do with maintaining ecological balance and everything to do with pandering to hunters for profit. The people of Alaska know this, and voted in favor of ballot initiatives in 1996 and 2000 to ban aerial hunting, yet their elected leaders continue to ignore the public's will along with state and federal laws.

The PAW Act would put an end to Alaska's flaunting of U.S. law and aerial slaughter of wolves. The bill has just been introduced in the House Committee on Natural Resources, and needs support from Rep. Miller's colleagues in order to succeed.

What You Can Do:

- Please Take Action to ask your Representative to co-sponsor the PAW Act (H.R.3663) ( %takeaction-pawact% ). Also follow up with a polite phone call, email, fax, or letter. Get contact info for your elected officials ( http://ga0.org/indefenseofanimals/leg-lookup/search.html ).

- Watch online videos to learn more, including a ten-minute video on YouTube called "The Truth About Aerial Hunting of Wolves in Alaska," ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Mu_rqmFpL8 ) and a KTUU-TV story on Alaska Governor Sarah Palin's response to the PAW Act ( http://tinyurl.com/ywstlz ).


3. Drunk Man Decapitates Tame Duck in Hotel Lobby
Take Action to hold killer accountable to the law and his government employer

On the morning of Saturday, September 22nd, 26-year-old Scott D. Clark, visiting from Denver, Colo. on government business, entered the lobby of the Embassy Suites Hotel in St. Paul, Minn. Unlike most hotel lobbies, this one is home to several tame ducks who swim in the atrium's pond and walk amongst the carefully cultivated indoor garden. According to witnesses, Clark followed and then grabbed one of the ducks, then tore the bird's head off with his bare hands.

In response to the shocked stares of onlookers, the visibly inebriated Clark said, "I'm hungry, I'm gonna eat it." He then proceeded with the beheaded duck's corpse to take the elevator up to the fifth floor, where hotel security held him until police arrived on the scene. Law enforcement officers found bloody feathers spread around the lobby, and the duck's head floating in the water near where Clark had torn it off.

An auditor working for the Office of the Inspector General in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Clark allegedly threatened police officers that "he would have (their) jobs" for trying to arrest him. Upon being told that he was in trouble, Clark stated, "Why, because I killed it out of season? …Big deal, it's just a…duck."

Clark faces felony animal cruelty charges, and could be sentenced to up to two years in jail and to pay a maximum $5,000 fine. He returned to Denver after being released from police custody on $10,000 bail, and is expected back in St. Paul's Ramsey County District Court for a hearing on October 16th. In the meantime, he is enjoying a paid administrative leave from his $56,378 a year job, courtesy of the American taxpayers who fund his salary.

What You Can Do:

1) Please Take Action to let Clark's bosses know that he needs to go ( %takeaction-clark1% )! The law requires the Office of the Inspector General to conduct an internal investigation of Clark's actions before removing him from administrative leave or terminating his employment. However, Clark's remorseless act of violence makes him a danger to both animals and people, so tell them that he should be terminated once the investigation is complete. Also feel free to edit the sample letter, and to follow up with a polite letter, phone call, or email.

Don White
Office of Inspector General
Cohen Building - 5th Floor
330 Independence Ave. SW
Washington, DC 20201
Tel: (202) 619-1343
Email: donald.white [at] oig.hhs.gov

2) Also Take Action to urge the Ramsey County Attorney's Office to prosecute Clark to the fullest extent of the law ( %takeaction-clark2% ). Also follow up with a polite letter, phone call, or email.

Ramsey County Attorney
50 W. Kellogg Blvd, Ste 315
St Paul, MN 55102
Tel: (651) 266-3222
Email: rca [at] co.ramsey.mn.us


CAMPAIGN NEWS & UPDATES

1. IDA's Guardian of the Month for October - Mary Lee Withers
Owner of P.C.'s Pantry for Dogs and Cats in Boulder puts animals first

Mary Lee Withers works seven days a week. Not because she has to, but because she loves her job. The owner and proprietor of P.C.'s Pantry for Cats and Dogs ( http://pcs-pantry.com ) opened the store in 1999, and, since then, has been changing the way animals are treated in Boulder, Colo.

Take P.C.'s for instance -- it's certainly not your average "pet store." Where else is a full-time baker on staff, making "barkday" cakes, cookies, and two-dozen flavors of dog biscuits? And where else can you get doggy pierogies made fresh and on display in a refrigerated deli case? And all made without refined sugars or salt and the same quality of ingredients used for people food?

Customers and friends know that Mary Lee is completely dedicated to the health of dogs and cats, often going beyond the call of duty of your typical neighborhood shopkeeper. While she often recommends specific foods or supplements for individual dogs and cats, serving up nutritious food is just the beginning. When an animal needs surgery that a guardian cannot afford, Mary Lee makes it her mission to find a way to pay. She holds raffles at the store to raise money for needy dogs and cats, giving $100 gift certificates to P.C.'s as prizes. She has also paid for surgeries -- from spaying and neutering to setting broken bones -- out of her own pocket.

Sometimes people abandon dogs at P.C.'s, tethering them to posts in the parking lot at night with anonymous notes of explanation and apology stuck to their collars. Mary Lee takes every one of these animals in and finds homes for them. Actually, she's adopted nine dogs and cats herself.

Through P.C.'s, Mary Lee has close connections with the feral cat community, and offers their caretakers discounts on food for their colonies. She has also adopted several ferals. The oldest of her seven cats is 22, rescued from homelessness on the streets of Denver. Lyle required several expensive surgeries, including ultrasounds, but Mary Lee didn't balk at the cost. "I consider the cost of Lyle's care tiny compared to not having him in my life," says Mary Lee, "because he is so priceless to me."

The youngest member of Mary Lee's furry family is two-year-old Annie, a rescued feral who lost her leg at only two months of age. Annie can often be found hanging around the store, and is so outgoing it's hard to imagine that not all that long ago she was homeless on the street. "Annie is sort of famous because P.C.'s manager, my friend Colleen Smith, taught her to high-five," notes Mary Lee. "If you can imagine a three-legged cat reaching up to high-five someone's palm, that's Annie, the Ninth Wonder of Boulder."

Of course, pretty much everyone in Boulder knows that the city's Eighth Wonder is Ralphie, the celebrated 150-pound St. Bernard mix who's often holding court at the store happily greeting admirers. No one really knows where Ralphie got so much charisma, but people actually come to P.C.'s just to meet him. Like many of Mary Lee's dogs and cats, Ralphie has special needs.

A year ago, Ralphie was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, which could have meant the loss of his leg. Determined to have the limb spared, Mary Lee paid to have a special customized brace made for so his leg wouldn't have to be amputated. "I would no more think of letting him succumb to a disease than if he were my own child," she says. "I would do for Ralphie anything that any parent would do for their child."

Mary Lee is proud of the city she calls home and says it's a great place to raise cats and dogs. "I think we live in a Utopia in Boulder," she says. "It's a unique place because we have an ideal situation for animals. When it comes to animal companions, most people here really seem to get it." Mary Lee credits some of this awareness to IDA's Rita Anderson, who led the successful campaign to make Boulder the world's first Guardian City in 2000.

"Around here, guardian language is everyday speech," Mary Lee says. "Most people in Boulder do say 'guardian' instead of 'owner,' and they usually refer to their 'cats and dogs' rather than their pets. My skin almost crawls when people say I'm my dog or cat's owner: it's just not right."

Mary Lee uses these interactions to educate customers by explaining what being a guardian is really about. "Because Boulder is a guardian city, we can use guardian language more naturally as an educational tool about our relationship with animal companions," says Mary Lee. "We can talk about it directly because most people have already heard at least something about it. It gives me an opening to explain what dogs and cats need from us, their guardians."

Mary Lee believes in the power of using humane language to win proper respect for animal companions. "People who 'own' their 'pet,' as though these unique individuals are replaceable possessions, won't do what's necessary to ensure that animal's quality of life for his or her entire life," she says. "Being a guardian is being there for your dog or cat when he or she needs you, not only in emergencies but each and every day."

Mary Lee is a guardian who not only makes a real difference for the cats and dogs in her life and other people's lives: she also provides crucial support for Boulder's guardians. Between helping animals and helping people, she works long, hard hours, but knows that it's all worthwhile. "When I come home tired after a long day at the store, my husband reminds me why we do everything we do," Mary Lee says. "It's all for the good of the animals. Of course, he's absolutely right."

IDA is proud to honor Mary Lee Withers as our Guardian of the Month for October 2007. If you live in Boulder or are there on a visit, be sure to pop into P.C.'s to pick up some treats for your canine and feline friends, and say hi to Mary Lee and the rest of the gang.


2. Victory: Domestic Horse Slaughter Abolished
Urge your federal legislators to ban export of live horses for slaughter

Great news for horses: a final court decision regarding enforcement of a new Illinois state law has at last shut down the last remaining horse slaughterhouse operating in the U.S. That means no more horses will be slaughtered for the commercial meat trade in this country. Dedicated equine advocates worked with state lawmakers to pass this legislation, following a process similar to the closure of Texas' last two horse slaughterhouses earlier this year.

More than 40,000 horses a year were killed at Cavel International's slaughter facility in DeKalb, Ill. Its victims included former thoroughbred racehorses and unwanted equine companions typically purchased at auctions, as well as wild horses rounded up from the open range. All died horribly, in assembly-line fashion, their last moments a nightmare of pain and terror. But no more horses will ever have to enter this hell on Earth again, for its doors are finally shut: forever.

This news is certainly a cause for celebration, but we must not forget that horses still need our help. While American horses will not be killed for meat on U.S. soil, there is still no law against exporting live horses to slaughter plants in other countries. Horses are one of the few farmed animals that most Americans don't eat, so the meat from horses killed in Texas and Illinois was already being shipped and consumed overseas ( http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/mexico/stories/MYSA093007.01A.horseslaughter.3496288.html ). Following this pattern, the industry will now simply continue to round up as many horses as they can and have them slaughtered over the border.

What You Can Do:

Help end the export of live horses bound for slaughter and also help save the wild horses at the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge!

1) The American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (AHSPA) is a federal bill that would outlaw the export of live horses for slaughter in other countries. Check to see whether your Representative ( http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:HR00503:@@@P ) and Senators ( http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:SN00311:@@@P ) are co-sponsors of the AHSPA. If so, please call and thank them, and if not, please politely ask them to do so. Get contact info for your elected officials ( http://ga0.org/indefenseofanimals/leg-lookup/search.html ).

2) Sheldon Wild Horses: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has submitted a revised plan ( http://www.fws.gov/sheldonhartmtn/sheldon/Sheldon_Horse_EA_draft_revised.pdf ) that advocates more roundups. These gravely endanger the horses' safety and lives, especially since some captured wild horses could be sent to foreign slaughterhouses. Again because of IDA's protests and your support, FWS has extended the public comment period until October 10th, so please write to them today politely urging them to choose "Alternative A- (no action)" of the Draft Environmental Assessment ( http://ga0.org/indefenseofanimals/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=10714040 ).


3. Cook Up a Storm on World GO VEGAN Days: Oct. 26-28
Impress your family, friends, and co-workers with sweet vegan treats

IDA's 3rd annual World GO VEGAN Days celebration takes place October 26th to 28th. This year’s World GO VEGAN Days is co-presented by Farm Animal Reform Movement (FARM) ( http://www.farmusa.org ), VegNews ( http://vegnews.com/ ), and Compassion Over Killing ( http://www.cok.net ). The purpose of these three days of action is to promote the many benefits of a compassionate diet for the planet and its inhabitants -- human and non-human alike. More and more people are recognizing that going vegan is the best thing one can do for human health, animals who suffer terribly on factory farms, and the environment.

While so much of what we read about and hear about in the news -- particularly about animals -- is sadness and devastation, people who care about animals can rejoice that veganism is finally having its heyday. Take for example that Skinny Bitch ( http://www.skinnybitch.net/ ), a "no-nonsense, tough love guide for savvy girls who want to stop eating crap and start looking fabulous," written by two vegan activists about veganism, reached #1 on the New York Times Bestseller List. Parade magazine recently featured a recipe ( http://www.parade.com/articles/web_exclusives/2007/03-04-2007/chocolate-cake.html ) from the author of a popular cookbooks including Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World: 75 Dairy-Free Recipes for Cupcakes That Rule ( http://www.alibris.com/search/detail.cfm?chunk=25&mtype=&wtit=Vegan%20Cupcakes%20take%20over%20the%20world&qwork=9847032&S=R&bid=9246437990&pbest=11%2E56&pqtynew=13&pbestnew=11%2E56&page=1&matches=14&qsort=r) .

So why is the concept of veganism selling like hotcakes? Because not only is it good for your health, the animals, and the earth, but it also opens up a whole new world of flavor. Sadly, a lot of people still have never tried what they would call "good" vegan food, so they don't know how fabulous vegan fare can be.

That's why it's important to show people that giving up eating animals doesn't mean sacrificing taste. So this year, why not celebrate WGVD by sharing delicious vegan food with others?

There's a certain satisfaction that comes from eating and serving food you've lovingly prepared yourself, especially when it's made from all animal-free ingredients. Maybe you're already an artist in the kitchen, a culinary sculptor pulling sensational creations from the oven. If not, no problem: There are plenty of great vegan cookbooks available that make cooking delicious vegan fare as easy as pie.

Hot off the press is The Joy of Vegan Baking: Compassionate Cooks' Traditional Treats & Sinful Sweets ( http://www.joyofveganbaking.com/ ). Written by celebrated vegan chef Colleen Patrick-Goudreau ( http://www.joyofveganbaking.com/about_the_author ), this cooking compendium is packed with recipes for 150 familiar and favorite foods -- from cakes, cookies, and crêpes to pies, puddings, and pastries. Visit compassionatecooks.com ( http://www.compassionatecooks.com ) to order and get online recipes.

WGVD is a time to wow people, and have fun doing it. Make a tofu ricotta lasagna for your family, have friends over and fire up the barbeque with veggie burgers and kabobs, bake some chocolate cupcakes and bring them to the office (use this recipe provided by Compassionate Cooks) ( http://www.idausa.org/worldgovegandays.html ), or cook up whatever dish you like best and share it with the people you care about.

Don't like the kitchen? You can have your cake and eat it too by relaxing and enjoying yourself at a veg restaurant. With hundreds of vegetarian and vegan restaurants in the U.S., you're sure to find something to please your palate. Visit worldgovegandays.com ( http://www.worldgovegandays.com ) for links to vegan restaurants (http://www.happycow.net/), some that offer specials for WGVD, to order your free IDA vegan starter kit ( http://www.idausa.org/vegandays/vegan_kit_order.htm ), and for a list of other ways to get involved. If you run an organization, please consider co-presenting World GO VEGAN Days. Contact Melissa Gonzalez at (415) 388-9641, ext. 228 or Melissa [at] idausa.org for more information.


Support Project Hope

For over ten years, Doll Stanley and the staff and volunteers of IDA's Project Hope sanctuary ( http://www.idausa.org/alertnew.html ) in rural Mississippi have been saving animals by the thousands from the worst kind of abuse and neglect. In addition to providing shelter and placing animals in new homes, Project Hope courageously investigates and exposes animal cruelty and takes abusers to court to hold them accountable for the suffering they cause. Driven by a commitment to justice for animals, Project Hope goes after the biggest offenders, including puppy mills and unscrupulous animal dealers, valuing animals as the individuals they undoubtedly are while trying to change the way people relate to the non-human species with whom we share our lives.

In order to continue their work, Project Hope always needs funds to run the sanctuary, rescue animals and conduct investigations. Please consider a donation to help Project Hope save even more animals' lives.

- Donate online ( https://secure.ga0.org/02/idadonations_project ). Be sure to enter "Project Hope" in the first name field of the "in honor of" section.

- To make a donation by mail, please send a check (with "Project Hope" written in the Note section) payable to: In Defense of Animals, 3010 Kerner Blvd., San Rafael, CA 94901.

- Please call (415) 388-9641 to make a donation by telephone.

Your generosity is greatly appreciated.