INDY METRO® » ANIMAL RIGHTS

PETA to deliver thousands of kids ‘FREE MALI’ cards to President Aquino

editor — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 18:06:28 +0000

Manila — Thousands of students of all ages from schools in Metro Manila have made cards and written letters in support of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Asia’s campaign calling for Mali the elephant to be transferred from the Manila Zoo to a sanctuary. The drawings and handwritten appeals will be delivered to President Benigno Aquino III, who has issued a directive to consider Mali’s relocation.

“There’s one thing that children, politicians, celebrities, animal welfare groups, and elephant experts have all agreed on: Mali needs—and deserves—to be transferred to a proper sanctuary,” says PETA Asia Campaigns Manager Rochelle Regodon. “PETA hopes President Aquino will take immediate action to ensure that Mali is freed from the isolation and neglect that she has endured for 36 years.”

“For long years, Mali made us happy, so please let’s us make Mali happy too,” says one card. “Kindly respect him and love him while he’s still alive. I really wanted him to be returned where he belonged. … My heart cried and deeply hurt about his situation,” said another.

At a sanctuary, Mali would have hectares of land on which to roam, rivers and ponds to bathe in, the crucial company of other elephants, and veterinary care for the potentially fatal foot problems caused by her decades-long captivity. Among the prestigious individuals and organizations that have joined PETA in calling for Mali’s release are world-renowned veterinarian Dr. Henry Richardson, wildlife conservationist Dr. Jane Goodall, a dozen other elephant experts, more than 50 international animal protection groups, and 20 local nongovernmental organizations.

‘Person of Interest’ Star Says Dogs Belong Indoors With Their Families, Not Chained Outside

editor — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 12:23:27 +0000

New York — As winter’s cold temperatures continue across the U.S., award-winning actor Taraji P. Henson is heating things up with a steamy new PETA campaign, in which she appears dressed in a short gossamer gown and a pair of synthetic, cruelty-free wings next to the words “Be an Angel for Animals.” The ad, which was shot by top celebrity photographer Don Flood, goes on to stress that “chained dogs suffer day in and day out. They are cold, hungry, thirsty, vulnerable, and lonely. Keep them inside, where it’s safe and warm.” A high-resolution version is available here.

As part of the winter campaign, Henson also appeared in a videothat encourages people to sponsor PETA doghouses for dogs in southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina—where some dogs have no shelter at all—and sat down for an exclusive interview, in which she opened up about her costar in the campaign, her beloved dog, Uncle Willie. “I never thought that I could be so in love with an animal until I had Willie,” she says. “He’s our family. … He’s just the best companion. Dogs to me are like children … they’re the closest thing to God. They’re so pure in their love, and all they do is aim to please.” Henson also discusses her rewarding experiences volunteering at animal shelters with her son.

Dogs who spend their lives at the end of a chain ache for companionship and have to endure all weather extremes, including frightening thunderstorms, bitter cold, and blistering summer heat. They are also often deprived of basic veterinary care. Chaining dogs poses a safety risk as well: Chained dogs become aggressively protective of their tiny territories, and hundreds of people—mostly children—have been mauled and even killed after wandering within reach of chained dogs or encountering dogs who had broken free from chains.

This is Henson’s second campaign with PETA. She first posed nude in the organization’s famed “Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur” campaign to protest the cruel fur trade.

For more information or to view the ad, please visit PETA.org.

Shocking cruelty exposed at Caracierzos foie gras farm

editor — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 17:30:28 +0000

A new Animal Equality investigation exposes cruel scenes of animal suffering at Caracierzos farm, which is the second largest producer and distributor of foie gras in Spain. Caracierzos SL supplies Collverd and Martiko: Collverd commercialises foie gras on a national scale in shops and restaurants. The company also exports to France, Holland, Luxembourg, Belgium, Mexico, Peru, Colombia and China. The Director of Collverd is Jordi Terol, who is also Vice-President of Eurofoiegras (the European Committee for the foie gras industry).

Tigers starved to make wine from their bones

editor — Sat, 15 Sep 2012 12:43:07 +0000

Tigers starved to make wine from their bones

Cat Loves Her Snakes !!!

editor — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 20:12:11 +0000

Deffer a 12 year old deaf Siamese/Tiger cat and Ball Python adults are best of friends so to speak. They curl up and sleep together on my bed. I really love admiring how they have taken a mutual interest in each other over the past eight years with no negative behavior toward each other. It sure would be nice if humanity could learn from snakes how to co-exist with all living creatures. There is SO much we can learn from animals if people would only take the time to notice.

False and Misleading Claims Relating to Animal Testing

editor — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 18:01:58 +0000

Eagan Avenatti, LLP Announces $100 Million Fraud Lawsuit against Cosmetic Companies Estee Lauder, Avon and Mary Kay over False and Misleading Claims Relating to Animal Testing

LOS ANGELES–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Eagan Avenatti, LLP announced today the filing of a class action lawsuit against cosmetic companies Estee Lauder, Avon Products, and Mary Kay on behalf of American consumers deceived by the companies’ false and misleading representations relating to animal testing of their products. Beltran et al. v. Estee Lauder, et al., United States District Court – Central District of California, Case No. SA12-CV312 CJC (ANX).

“If you advertise that you are not conducting animal testing, then you shouldn’t be conducting animal testing – it’s that simple.”

The Class Action complaint alleges that Estee Lauder, Avon and Mary Kay purposely defrauded consumers by falsely claiming that their products were not tested on animals when, in reality, the companies knew full well that they had begun testing various cosmetic products on animals. The complaint further alleges that the companies deliberately misled the American public by claiming their products were “cruelty free” at the same time the companies undertook animal testing in order to sell their products in China and reap hundreds of millions of dollars in Chinese sales. The complaint seeks to certify a class of over 1,000,000 consumers and requests over $100,000,000 in punitive and compensatory damages.

On February 16, 2012, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) announced that Estee Lauder, Avon and Mary Kay had been removed from the organization’s “cruelty free” list of companies that do not test on animals after it was discovered that the companies were performing animal testing. PETA subsequently downgraded the companies and listed them on PETA’s list of companies that do conduct animal testing.

“While it may make economic sense for a company to pursue sales in China, those sales should not occur at the expense of fundamental principles,” stated co-counsel for the Plaintiffs Michael Avenatti of Eagan Avenatti, LLP. “Estee Lauder, Avon and Mary Kay should have been open and honest with the American public and told the truth – that sales and profits were more important to them than refusing to conduct animal testing.”

“This case is about being open and honest with consumers,” added co-counsel Filippo Marchino of The X-Law Group, P.C. “If you advertise that you are not conducting animal testing, then you shouldn’t be conducting animal testing – it’s that simple.”

Just Released: 20th Anniversary Edition of PETA President’s Engaging True Story of the Daring Adventures of America’s Animal Rights Revolution

editor — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 22:07:05 +0000

Free the Animals is the riveting, true account of how a group of quite “ordinary” people in America started doing some rather extraordinary things, namely, breaking the law to get chimpanzees and dogs out of laboratories and to rescue pigs from factory farms. Since it was first published in 1992, this electrifying book about the often hair-raising raids carried out by everyday members of the Animal Liberation Underground has inspired tens of thousands of people to see animals in a different light and to take action to help them—from shunning cosmetics that are tested on animals to picketing fur stores to going vegan. The identities of the real-life characters—many of whom are still wanted by law-enforcement authorities—have been changed to protect them from prosecution, but their willingness to defy convention is real and makes compelling reading, the kind of inspirational message that has helped launch a movement of animal lovers into a powerful force. Packed with action and suspense, the new edition, out this month, has been praised by filmmaker Oliver Stone as a “moving story about extreme cruelty and extreme courage and an inspirational and practical guide for anyone bent on challenging the system.” The book includes an introduction by The Pretenders’Chrissie Hynde, who has herself been arrested for her activism for animals. I thought you might be interested in sharing the details with your readers.

Free the Animals tells the story of Valerie, a 23-year-old Maryland police officer whose department was involved in the seizure of the Silver Spring monkeys, an event that was featured on the front pages of The Washington Post and resulted in a case that went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, pulling back a curtain on how animals are treated in laboratories, changing the law, and even changing the National Institutes of Health’s policies along the way. Seeing the plight of the seized monkeys, who are slated to be returned to their abuser, Valerie is moved to take direct action and soon finds herself on the other side of the law, leading daring animal rescues across the country.

Free the Animals is available at PETACatalog.com.

SPCA International Says Emergency Animal Relief Effort is Making a Difference in Hardest Hit Areas in Thailand Disaster

editor — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 21:13:41 +0000

SPCA International Says Emergency Animal Relief Effort is Making a Difference in Hardest Hit Areas in Thailand Disaster

Animal Rescue Workers Say More Aid is Needed in Flood Aftermath

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–SPCA International, a non-profit organization dedicated to reducing animal suffering and abuse internationally, announces that the devastating impact of historic floods and deadly aftermath continues to effect the animal population in Thailand. SPCA International’s recently released video, filmed by their Emergency Rescue Team on the ground in Thailand, shows just how devastating local conditions are for countless animals who are living in deplorable conditions. SPCA International’s work with local partner, Soi Dog Foundation, is making a real difference according to rescue workers on the ground. Thus far, the SPCA International relief efforts are providing: thousands of dollars in medical supplies, repairs to critical fencing at shelters damaged by the floods, spay and neuter efforts to prevent more unnecessary suffering, and continued support for Soi Dog Foundation’s vital rescue work. Additionally, SPCA International is pulling together local partners to work on improving living conditions at what is known as the “Dog Condo”.

“We at SPCA International know this is just the beginning of long and hard work helping these countless innocent animals still impacted by the aftermath of the historic flooding in Thailand”

“We at SPCA International know this is just the beginning of long and hard work helping these countless innocent animals still impacted by the aftermath of the historic flooding in Thailand,” said Stephanie Scott of SPCA International. “We are grateful to our Emergency Animal Rescue team that traveled to Thailand and we are asking our supporters to continue helping as we work to reduce suffering in Thailand.”

SPCA International dispatched emergency staff to Thailand in February to asses and respond to the crisis animals are now facing post-flood. Countless animals were killed by the floods, while thousands of others were rescued by animal organizations and good Samaritans. Now their plight continues as shelters work to rebuild. However, some cannot due to lack of funding or will.

SPCA International specializes in assisting animals in areas of conflict and disaster. During times of natural disaster, political turmoil, war and man-made disaster, SPCA International is ready to take action for the protection of animals. Along with partner organizations around the world, they focus on helping in crisis situations where animals are at risk or in danger. Video and news about SPCA International’s work is available on the group’s Web site, www.spcai.org.

Elisabetta Canalis: I’d Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur

editor — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 15:15:22 +0000

Elisabetta Canalis: I’d Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur

Sexy star Elisabetta Canalis bares her skin to save animals’ skins in a hot ad for PETA as part of the ‘I’d Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur’ campaign.

Actor Justin Theroux Speaks Out for Chained Dogs

editor — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 15:32:26 +0000