We moved back home!

Please bookmark our action alert center and make your voice heard for animals: http://www.kinshipcircle.org/letter_library

For breaking news and action, please join our email list:
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/email

6/21/10 WE ARE SEARCHING FOR A BOAT…
For Our All Eyes On The Gulf Expedition In Oil Spill States

The truth about the BP oil spill lies in Gulf waters. We are grateful to locals who ferry Kinship Circle/WA2S.org teams in their boats from Florida to Louisiana. But, to follow oiled wildlife leads, we NEED OUR OWN BOAT:

DO YOU HAVE (OR KNOW SOMEONE WHO HAS):

• A boat at least 30 feet long
• A boat with a cabin to sleep 4-6 people

ANYONE WITH A BOAT, OR LEADS TO A BOAT, CONTACT:
Michelle Way, michelle.way@wa2s.org
World Animal Awareness Society, http://www.WA2S.org

OR DONATE NOW:
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/donation
SELECT: BP Gulf Oil Spill

Oiled birds like this pelican, transform from reddish brown to their natural white and tan shades via a series of gentle cleanings. As part of our training, AEOTG team members visit Fort Jackson Rescue Center where the IBRRC Bird Cleaning Operation is underway.

957 Dead Birds…And Counting
6/21/10: USFWS STATS FOR BP OIL-AFFECTED ANIMALS

• DEAD BIRDS: 957 * oiled but alive: 724 * cleaned/released: 97
• DEAD MAMMALS: 47 * oiled but alive: 4 * cleaned/released: 1
• DEAD SEA TURTLES: 387 * oiled but alive: 117 * cleaned/released: 3

BP’s Deepwater Horizon oil rig now spews an estimated 100,000 barrels, or 4.2 million gallons daily, into Gulf waters. Kinship Circle — in partnership with World Animal Awareness Society for the All Eyes On The Gulf (AEOTG) expedition — is armed with camera lenses and notepads in oil-affected states. Our disaster responders act as “spotters” to alert Unified Command to suffering animals and facilitate their capture and care.

As we watch the tragedy unfold…in LA, AL, FL, MS…we realize how much YOU, the public, are not being told. For birds, turtles, dolphins, whales, fishes and other mammals — the disaster has barely begun.

LT: Birds are frightened and disoriented when they arrive at Fort Jackson Rescue Center. RT: 6/13/10, Long Beach, Mississippi: Kinship Circle Team #1 photographs dead fish floating in oily waters.

LT: Kinship Circle’s Rachel Laskowski undergoes documentary film training in Louisiana with Tom McPhee, executive director of World Animal Awareness Society. RT: Kinship Circle’s Rachel and Sister Michael Marie phone in from the water while recording oil affected wildlife.

SEE OUR GOOGLE MAP WITH VIDEOS. CLICK ON “EVENTS” BUTTON:
http://www.wa2s.org

DONATE NOW:
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/donation
SELECT: BP Gulf Oil Spill
OR MAIL A CHECK TO:
Kinship Circle
7380 Kingsbury Blvd / St. Louis, MO 63130
ATN: BP Gulf Oil Spill

FUNDING IS NEEDED FOR:

• RV/motor home for mobile command center
• 30-ft boat with cabin for daily water excursions
• Vehicle rental + gas for volunteer squads covering 5 states
• Hazmat/Tyvek suits, respirators, rubber boots
• Deployment of volunteer teams through August (or longer)
• Public messaging and media outreach
• Computers/communications overhead and equipment
• AND MORE…

JOIN KINSHIP CIRCLE: subscribe@kinshipcircle.org
* Action campaigns on animal cruelty issues worldwide
* Animal rescue coordination/news in disasters

6/12/10 – KINSHIP CIRCLE ANIMAL DISASTER AID
With All Eyes On The Gulf Oil Spill – Kinship Circle Is There

KINSHIP CIRCLE DEPLOYS TO THE GULF OIL SPILL
June 12, 2010 — Venice, Louisiana: Kinship Circle has gone where few other animal organizations have been: Into the trenches of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf. We are there right now, in an investigative capacity to document oil-affected animals and alert Unified Command where they are. Animal rescue groups — other than specialized organizations authorized under Unified Command — currently do not have access into restricted zones. But select press and documentarians do.

KINSHIP CIRCLE AND AEOTG GULF TEAM #1, from lt to rt:
(back row) Documentary filmmaker Tom McPhee and his son Kevin; (front row) Kinship Circle IC Bonnie Morrison, Tania Velasco and Rachel Laskowski; Plaquemines Parish coastal director P.J. Hahn; Kinship Circle’s Cheri Deatsch and Sister Michael Marie; AEOTG’s Jon Shurtz
All photos © WA2S.org / Kinship Circle, Gulf Coast 2010

Kinship Circle was asked to “embed” with acclaimed documentary filmmaker Tom McPhee for his All Eyes On The Gulf (AEOTG) expedition. Our disaster responders are on the ground to focus camera lenses and notepads on contaminated parts of Louisiana, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and Texas. AEOTG is a scientific tour to collect visual records. It’s also a window to the truth. As part of AEOTG’s crew of filmmakers and photojournalists, Kinship Circle may deploy teams through August, as funds permit.

Tom McPhee’s organization, World Animal Awareness Society, is approved under Unified Command (BP, Coast Guard, fed/state officials) to access affected areas. All team members wear photo ID badges.

Brown Pelicans await cleaning in a holding pen at IBRRC (International Bird Rescue and Rehabilitation Center), where Kinship Circle and WA2S team members trained. Photo © WA2S.org / Kinship Circle

WHERE ARE THE ANIMALS?
On 6/10/10 U.S. Fish and Wildlife reported that more than 400 oiled birds were taken to Fort Jackson Oiled Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Buras, Louisiana in a span of several days — over five times as many than in the last six weeks combined. Where are the photos and clips? According to CNN, BP is attempting to block reporters from photographing animals altogether.

Plaquemines Parish coastal zone director P.J. Hahn lifts an oil-covered pelican at Queen Bess Island in Barataria Bay 6/5/10. AP/Gerald Herbert

A FILMMAKER’S VISION
Tom McPhee’s All Eyes On The Gulf is a portal to the “human/animal intersection” in this disaster. Team members undergo two-day training before they journey to oil damaged regions across five states. Volunteers gather visual evidence from ground, water and air levels. They act as “spotters” to give Unified Area Command location coordinates for suffering animals and facilitate their capture and care. Detailed data collection procedures are used and volunteers are prepped for encounters with oil distressed animals.

A rescued and rehabilitated Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle is released off the Bolivar Peninsula in Texas. The species is threatened by the oil slick because it only nests in the western Gulf of Mexico. msnbc.msn.com

Help Save Lives By Supporting All Eyes On The Gulf
As evidenced by Kinship Circle’s aid in Chile’s 8.8 quake and tsunami — disaster response is expensive. We’re rarely involved in two catastrophic missions at the same time. But as animals are treated for wounds and disease in Chile…victims of BP’s oil spill await aid in the U.S.

Photo © WA2S.org / Kinship Circle

OIL SPILL RESPONSE FUNDING IS NEEDED FOR:

• RV/motor home for an All Eyes On The Gulf mobile command center
• Hazmat/Tyvek suits, respirators, rubber boots
• Deployment of volunteer teams through August (or longer)
• Public messaging and media outreach
• Computers/communications overhead and equipment
• Fuel, food, lodging, tents
• AND MORE…

DONATE NOW:
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/donation
SELECT: BP Gulf Oil Spill
OR MAIL A CHECK TO:
Kinship Circle
7380 Kingsbury Blvd / St. Louis, MO 63130
ATN: BP Gulf Oil Spill

Kinship Circle Animal Disaster Aid
Kinship Circle Animal Disaster Aid is a nonprofit that mobilizes volunteers, supplies and resources for animal victims through its network of trained responders in the U.S. and Canada. Kinship Circle works in agreement with government agencies or other NGOs to deploy teams of trained and credentialed animal responders for assessment, search and rescue, and emergency sheltering aid. We also report disaster news to inform the public about ways they can support animal aid efforts.

LEARN MORE ABOUT KINSHIP CIRCLE
KINSHIP CIRCLE: http://www.KinshipCircle.org
ANIMAL DISASTER VICTIMS: http://www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters
ACTION ALERT CENTER: http://www.kinshipcircle.org/letter_library
CHILE DISASTER AID: http://www.kinshipcircle.org/chile

World Animal Awareness Society
Core mission: To focus a lens on human-animal interactions and to share this information with the world. World Animal Awareness Society is documenting the Gulf oil spill for historical, educational and research purposes. Visual data will be archived indefinitely and distributed via WA2S.org.

LEARN MORE ABOUT ALL EYES ON THE GULF
WORLD ANIMAL AWARENESS SOCIETY: http://www.wa2s.iorg
SEE GOOGLE MAP WITH VIDEOS OF WHERE WE ARE. CLICK ON “EVENTS” BUTTON

*   YOUTUBE / All Eyes on the Gulf Expedition Day 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGVxY9df0bU
*   YOUTUBE / WA2S Gulf Oil Spill Promo
link to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rmt4mYLrQbU

PRESS RELEASE: http://prlog.org/10732195
WA2S FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/pages/World-Animal-Awareness-Society-WA2SOrg/251128676541?ref=ts

——————————————————————–

JOIN KINSHIP CIRCLE: subscribe@kinshipcircle.org
* Action campaigns on animal cruelty issues worldwide
* Animal rescue coordination/news in disasters

KINSHIP CIRCLE
The Forgotten Disaster?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZE_sy17OaFY

Please watch our video and post/publicize it any way you can:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZE_sy17OaFY

U.S. donors have largely overlooked this disaster.  Chilean veterinarians and volunteers are “losing faith.”

Kinship Circle has poured money into deployments, but had no major grants or sustained funding to support months of work in Chile. Socorro Animal Chile (SACH) — the amazing coalition of Chilean animal groups/veterinarians we work with — don’t have the veterinary supplies to go on.

PLEASE WATCH AND POST THIS VIDEO:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZE_sy17OaFY

TO DONATE TO CHILE ANIMAL RELIEF:
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/donation

Kinship Circle Chile Animal Relief
7380 Kingsbury Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63130

**  CHILE PHOTO LOG: http://www.kinshipcircle.org/chile/2010-april-photolog.html
**  FIELD NOTES: http://www.kinshipcircle.org/chile/2010-mar-april-notes.html
**  CHILE HOME: http://www.kinshipcircle.org/chile
** THE FORGOTTEN DISASTER? (video):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZE_sy17OaFY

JOIN KINSHIP CIRCLE: subscribe@kinshipcircle.org
* Action campaigns on animal cruelty issues worldwide
* Animal rescue coordination/news in disasters

VICTORIES * SETBACKS * PROGRESS
Kinship Circle Updates: Jan-May 2010
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/updates/updates_jan-may_2010.html

1. WIN! No Horse Slaughter In Missouri, For Now
2. WIN! First Ever Statewide Ban On Devocalization
3. Abused Elephant Queenie Ends Up In San Antonio Zoo
4. Brindi’s Life Is Spared, But She Can’t Go Home Yet
5. Karley’s Killer Gets 90 Days Weekend Jail Time
6. BLM Roundups Leave At Least 91 Wild Horses Dead
7. Gun, Drug Charges Cut – Burning Of Phoenix Case
8. NASA Monkey Radiation Experiments Under Fire
9. Toxic Pet Food Company Owners Are Sentenced
10. Dogs Deserve Better Founder Is Charged Again
11. Kinship Circle In ANIMAL PEOPLE NEWS Cover Feature

================================================================

1. WIN! No Horse Slaughter In Missouri, For Now
SOURCE: Coalition to Protect and Rescue Pets, CPRPets@aol.com

5/14/10, SUMMARY: YOUR VOICE — along with support from rational Missouri legislators — proved stronger than the pro-slaughter extremists. Against a backdrop of strong public protest, the Missouri Congressional session closed with language to legalize horse slaughter rejected. Thanks to all who wrote, faxed, emailed, called and mailed on behalf of horses…

READ ENTIRE UPDATE ONLINE:
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/updates/updates_jan-may_2010.html#anchor1

================================================================

2. WIN! First Ever Statewide Ban On Devocalization
SOURCE: Coalition to Protect and Rescue Pets, CPRPets@aol.com

4/22/10, SUMMARY: “Dear Kinship Circle — On April 22, 2010 Gov. Deval Patrick signed Logan’s Law, making Massachusetts the first state in the nation with an effective law banning the cruel practice of canine and feline devocalization — cutting vocal cords to suppress the voice.

Coalition to Protect and Rescue Pets couldn’t have done it without Kinship Circle. The Coalition is an all-volunteer, unfunded advocacy network with statewide reach; but passing legislation against opposition from the AKC and state veterinary association required far greater numbers.
The powerhouse animal welfare organizations in Massachusetts refused to help. Luckily for animals, Kinship Circle stepped up. You rallied your Massachusetts members at every stage of the 15-month legislative process. Whenever you were asked to put the word out, you unhesitatingly did. Animal lovers in Massachusetts are very grateful to Kinship Circle for embracing this principle, and for working with the Coalition to put landmark humane legislation on the books. Thank you, Brenda and Kinship Circle.”

Sincerely, Sandra Finder, Coalition to Protect and Rescue Pets

READ ENTIRE UPDATE ONLINE:
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/updates/updates_jan-may_2010.html#anchor3

================================================================

3. Abused Elephant Queenie Ends Up In San Antonio Zoo
SOURCE: Queenie’s Placement at San Antonio Zoo Enrages Groups That Worked to Free Her
http://www.care2.com/causes/animal-welfare/blog/queenies-placement-at-san-an
tonio-zoo-enrages-groups-that-worked-to-free-her/

4/22/10, SUMMARY: Queenie is finally rescued from abusive owner Wilbur Davenport — but winds up dumped in the San Antonio Zoo? In summer 2009, USDA confiscated two of Davenpor’ts three elephants. Tina and Jewel went to the San Diego Zoo, while Queenie stayed behind, tied to tree. After pressure for Queenie’s release, USDA filed charges against Davenport in February. By April 2010, USDA and Davenport agreed to transfer Queenie to the Texas zoo — notorious for it outdated habitat, cramped and unnatural setting…

READ ENTIRE UPDATE ONLINE:
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/updates/updates_jan-may_2010.html#anchor4

================================================================

4. Brindi’s Life Is Spared, But She Can’t Go Home Yet
SOURCE: BRINDI IS SAFE: N.S. court spares life of Brindi the dog, but sets conditions
http://news.ca.msn.com/canada/cp-article.aspx?cp-documentid=24094165

4/20/10, SUMMARY: Francesca Rogier spent the last two years of her life saving her mutt Brindi from euthanasia at the hands of the Halifax pound that still has her dog. Justice Alanna Murphy spared Brindi’s life, but it’s not clear when Brindi and Rogier will be reunited… The city won’t appeal the verdict. Rogier had argued that her dog was not usually aggressive but attacked a neighborhood dog who had fought with Brindi previously…

READ ENTIRE UPDATE ONLINE:
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/updates/updates_jan-may_2010.html#anchor5

================================================================

5. Karley’s Killer Gets 90 Days Weekend Jail Time
SOURCE: Ex Firefighter Sentenced in Dog Beating Case
http://www.myfoxla.com/dpp/news/local/ex-firefighter-sentenced-in-dog-beating-case-20100402

4/2/10, SUMMARY: Glynn Demon Johnson, 55, a retired Los Angeles County assistant fire chief, beat Karley — a neighbor’s 6-month-old puppy — so badly that she had to be euthanized. He was sentenced to 90 days weekend jail time and 3 years probation. Johnson could have received a maximum 4 years in state prison for his conviction of felony animal cruelty… Neighbor Skaggs testified that Karley showed no signs of aggression. He said Johnson grabbed the top and bottom portions of the dog’s mouth and pulled, as if trying to snap Karley’s jaws. Skaggs said he tried to intervene, but Johnson ignored him, slamming a rock into Karley’s head 10 to 15 times…

READ ENTIRE UPDATE ONLINE:
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/updates/updates_jan-may_2010.html#anchor6

================================================================

6. BLM Roundups Leave At Least 91 Wild Horses Dead
SOURCE: The numbers just don’t add up for the captive Calico mustangs
http://www.examiner.com/x-37163-Equine-Advocacy-Examiner~y2010m4d8-The-numbe
rs-just-dont-add-up-for-the-captive-Calico-mustangs?cid=examiner-email

APRIL 2010, SUMMARY: It appears that BLM rounded up more than 1922 mustangs from late December until early February this year. The Gather Daily Updates list total deaths as 76. That’s wrong. At least 91 horses have died, including a newborn foal who perished shortly after birth on 1/18/10. He wasn’t “gathered” as an individual, but was carried into the Fallon feedlot in utero… Using the BLM’s own daily reports, I can count 90 live wild horses who have died since the roundup began…

READ ENTIRE UPDATE ONLINE:
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/updates/updates_jan-may_2010.html#anchor7

================================================================

7. Gun, Drug Charges Cut – Burning Of Phoenix Case
SOURCE: Gun, drug charges dropped but teens still face charges in burning of dog
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/bal-md.johnson25mar25,0,6528508.story

3/25/10, SUMMARY: Baltimore prosecutors dropped gun and drug charges against teen twins Tremayne and Travers Johnson, 18… They still face animal cruelty and mutilation charges in a separate case accusing them of setting fire to a pit bull puppy, who rescue workers later named Phoenix. The puppy, who was doused in gasoline and set aflame, had to be euthanized… Upcoming Court Dates: Wednesday, Jun 30, 2010 – Trial

READ ENTIRE UPDATE ONLINE:
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/updates/updates_jan-may_2010.html#anchor2

================================================================
8. NASA Monkey Radiation Experiments Under Fire
SOURCE: NASA monkey radiation experiment facing animal-cruelty accusations
http://thehill.com/blogs/hillicon-valley/technology/85421-nasa-moneky-experiment-facing-animal-cruelty-charges

3/8/10, SUMMARY: NASA’s Brookhaven National Laboratory comes under intense scrutiny following complaints that its forthcoming $1.75 million radiation experiment on monkeys violates a score of animal-rights laws. Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) filed an official complaint against NASA, which approved a grant last year to understand the effects of long-term radiation exposure on the human body in space… In February 2010, Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.) and seven other House members called on NASA to cancel the grant because deep-space travel is still years away…

READ ENTIRE UPDATE ONLINE:
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/updates/updates_jan-may_2010.html#anchor8

================================================================

9. Toxic Pet Food Company Owners Are Sentenced
SOURCE: Chemnutra Owners Sentenced for Melamine-Tainted Pet Food
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2010/02/chinese_formula22.html

2/6/10, SUMMARY: U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Maughmer sentenced Sally Qing Miller, 43, and her husband, Stephen S. Miller, 57, to three years probation for distributing a melamine-tainted ingredient that triggered a mass pet food recall in 2007 and caused the deaths and illnesses of thousands of dog and cats nationwide. They were also ordered to each pay a $5,000 fine. The Miller’s company, Chemnutra, Inc., must pay a $25,000 fine…

READ ENTIRE UPDATE ONLINE:
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/updates/updates_jan-may_2010.html#anchor9

================================================================

10. Dogs Deserve Better Founder Is Charged Again
SOURCE: Dog advocate charged after providing straw to dogs chained in
freezing temps, http://www.dogsdeservebetter.org/thaynetrespassing.html

2/6/10, SUMMARY: Altoona, PA — Dog advocate Tamira Ci Thayne, founder and
CEO of Dogs Deserve Better, a nonprofit working solely on behalf of chained and penned dogs, was charged with Summary Defiant Trespass. Under Pennsylvania law, a person commits defiant trespass if he/she stays on property AFTER being told to leave. Thayne’s first-day volunteer will testify in court that: 1. Although Thayne made a good-faith attempt to speak to the caretaker before taking action on behalf of the dogs, no one answered the door, and 2. No one EVER asked them to leave the property on 1/3/10…

READ ENTIRE UPDATE ONLINE:
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/updates/updates_jan-may_2010.html#anchor10

================================================================
11. Quake, Tsunami, Fires – Overlooked By U.S. Donors?
EXCERPTS FROM ANIMAL PEOPLE, May 2010:
Kinship Circle & Chilean coalition help in earthquake aftermath
http://www.animalpeoplenews.org

By Merritt Clifton — While U.S. animal rescuers watched and waited for the Deepwater Horizon oil slicks to drift ashore and wreak havoc, Kinship Circle founder Brenda Shoss tried to alert the world to a little noticed humane crisis in Chile — including a growing risk that dogs might be massacred in the tent cities housing much of the displaced population of Talquahano.

Aftershocks from the February 27, 2010 Chilean earthquake and tsunami continued into May. The initial earthquake measured 8.8 on the Richter scale, among the strongest ever recorded. The entire capital city of Santiago was moved 11 inches to the west…

The earthquake, aftershocks, and tsunami caused ongoing fires and oil spills. Half a million houses were damaged or destroyed, displacing about two million people. Tens of thousands remain displaced, with their animals, nearly three months later… But Kinship Circle’s work in Chile has barely been noticed by U.S donors.

“We’ve had a lot of publicity on the Chilean side,” Shoss told ANIMAL PEOPLE, “but have struggled tremendously to raise funds in the U.S. because Chile is sandwiched between Haiti, the oil spill, and recent floods. We’ve been traveling with Socorro Animal Chile (SACH) staff and veterinarians to 30 tent camps since the quake and tsunami. We need money for continued food and veterinary supplies and will be deploying through at June or longer.”

SACH vets and Kinship Circle personnel — including veterinarians Dr. Dan Meakin and Dr. Madi Graham, Incident Command Officer Traci Dawson and Translator/Animal Aid Maureen Valentine — averted a dog massacre near Talquahano on May 7. But, they expected that the risk would recur.

Earlier reports from Kinship Circle team members Cheri Deatsch and Sister Michael Marie described treating between 100 or more injured animals per day, struggling with a lack of resources. Field clinics often consisted of just “a door-sized board laid atop two sawhorses” to improvise an examination table, Deatsch wrote. Dogs and cats arrived in wheelbarrows, bird cages, and sugar sacks…

TO DONATE TO CHILE ANIMAL RELIEF:
Kinship Circle Animal Disaster Aid Fund
7380 Kingsbury Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63130

http://www.kinshipcircle.org/donation


FOR BREAKING NEWS & ACTION: subscribe@kinshipcircle.org
* Action campaigns on animal cruelty issues worldwide
* Animal rescue coordination/news in disasters

5/15/10 – KINSHIP CIRCLE UPDATES
WIN! No Horse Slaughter Plants In Missouri, For Now

Missouri Rep. Jim Viebrock wanted to kill horses. So he proposed House Bill 1747 to sidestep a federal ban on U.S. horse slaughter. Kinship Circle issued a 3/21/10 letter campaign urging MO House Reps to reject legislation to legalize horse processing plants in Missouri. From there, it got weird.

Some MO Reps harassed Kinship Circle to the extent a police report was filed. And the House seemingly passed its bill as revenge against animal advocates. Then, Rep Viebrock covertly attached horse slaughter provisions to unrelated Senate Bill 795. He thought no one would notice?

But in the end YOUR VOICE — along with support from rational Missouri legislators — proved stronger than the pro-slaughter extremists.

Against a backdrop of strong public protest from around the world, the Missouri Congressional session closed yesterday with language to legalize horse slaughter rejected. Thanks to all who wrote, faxed, emailed, called and mailed on behalf of horses. Brenda Shoss, Kinship Circle

MISSOURIANS: Thank State Senators And Reps In Your District
http://www.senate.mo.gov/llookup/leg_lookup.aspx
* Express your gratitude that provisions to legalize horse slaughter in Missouri were rejected.
* Tell them that their stance on animal protection issues will effect your future voting decisions.

Weird Odyssey: How Missouri Tried & Failed to Revive U.S. Horse Slaughter

5/15/10 – MISSOURI SESSION ENDS WITH HORSE SLAUGHTER A DEAD ISSUE
2010 MO Legislature / PASSED – SB795 AGRICULTURE: Increases some regulations
relating to agriculture, including rules concerning large carnivores, but does not create mechanism to allow horse slaughter plants in Missouri.

5/11/10 – S.B. 795 STUCK IN COMMITTEE
S.B. 795 is in conference committee because Missouri’s Senate cannot agree on the House Committee Substitute that passed the House with amendments — including: pro-horse slaughter provisions.

5/7/10 – HORSE SLAUGHTER PROVISIONS STILL HIDDEN IN S.B. 795
Original horse kill bill 1747 — that was covertly attached to S.B. 795 (an unrelated bill) — is NOT REMOVED from S.B. 795, as formerly believed.

5/2/10 – SOME REPS RENEW HARASSMENT OF KINSHIP CIRCLE
MO House Reps debate the House Committee Substitute version of S.B. 795. Animal Law Coalition and R.A.G.E. ask their members to send comments opposing inclusion of horse slaughter language in S.B. 795. Although Kinship Circle itself has issued no alert on horse slaughter since 3/21/10, some Reps bounce hundreds of unread emails (from members of these other groups) to Kinship Circle’s computer — from May 1 to the present!

4/30/10 – IT DOESN’T GET MUCH SLEAZIER THAN THIS
Chair of the Missouri Senate Agriculture, Food Production and Outdoor Resources Committee, Sen. Dan Clemens, states “there will be no further legislative progress on H.B. 1747.” But Rep James Viebrock has already attached provisions to legalize horse slaughter to an unrelated bill. S.B. 795, with horse slaughter attached, passes the House Agriculture Committee.

4/6/10: HARASSMENT OF KINSHIP CIRCLE MAKES FRONT-PAGE NEWS
St. Louis Post Dispatch runs a front page story about Missouri House Representatives tampering with public information and harassing Kinship Circle: State Legislators Target Activist. Post also runs an editorial against killing horses and hounding activists, Squirrelly about animals in the Frog Kingdom. An Associated Press version runs in Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, CBS News, Yahoo News, and more papers nationwide.

In an attempt to silence our opposition to horse slaughter…
— Some Reps forward 2,000+ unread emails to Kinship Circle’s server.

— Rep. Casey Guernsey, R-Bethany memorably tells our members: “It’s so fun to piss you wackos off. You’re lucky I even acknowledge your existence. It’s so much fun to taunt people like you — ha! Tell me, is it truly liberating to be so incredibly clueless?”

— In a call to Kinship Circle’s line, from CALLER ID: Missouri State 573-522-0000, a male voice screams a tribal war chant…and hangs up.

— In another call a man sings “A Horse Is A Horse,” from the movie Mr. Ed.

— In a 10:00pm call, a creepy male voice drones “Brenda, Brenda, Brenda…neigh… Brenda…neigh…” in reference to Kinship Circle’s Brenda Shoss. This call leads her to file a police report.

— Other calls from unidentified Reps begin with a menacing “Hey Brenda…” In one call: “There aren’t but three people here [the MO House] who care for you or your organization… Your group has guaranteed passage of this bill…[because of] frickin’ emails from everyone in the world!”

CONTRIBUTING SOURCE FOR TIMELINE:
Animal Law Coalition, Laura Allen
http://www.animallawcoalition.com/horse-slaughter

Chile’s Earthquake And Tsunami: The Forgotten Disaster

An evacuee camp in Talquahano, Chile wants to kill all its companion animals. People who lost everything in an 8.8 earthquake and tsunami can’t even feed themselves. They don’t want to watch their animals starve to death. Kinship Circle and SACH intervened with food and veterinary aid. But without more funding, we can’t possibly meet the needs of 30 tent camps along Chile’s coast…  Brenda Shoss, Kinship Circle

We need funding to treat animals and distribute food.
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/donation

**  CHILE PHOTO LOG: http://www.kinshipcircle.org/chile/2010-april-photolog.html
**  FIELD NOTES: http://www.kinshipcircle.org/chile/2010-mar-april-notes.html
**  CHILE HOME: http://www.kinshipcircle.org/chile


http://www.KinshipCircle.org * http://www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters

FOR BREAKING NEWS & ACTION: subscribe@kinshipcircle.org
* Action campaigns on animal cruelty issues worldwide
* Animal rescue coordination/news in disasters

5/13/10 – KINSHIP CIRCLE
ACO Kills Bella, As The Scared Dog Runs From Him

SEND YOUR COMMENTS EITHER WAY:

1. AUTO LETTER: http://www.kinshipcircle.org/letter_library/letter_new2.asp?LetterID=1897&seriesfirst=true
2. — OR — Copy/paste emails/sample letter below into your own email

When Bella (black pit) and Jaxson broke through their fenced backyard, the ACO brought in to catch them shot Bella dead. Witnesses say Bella showed no aggression at all, only fear. No charges have been filed. On footage taken by Bella’s guardian Jeff Daniels via his cell phone, Deputy ACO Austin says he never saw Bella act aggressive, and that he shot her because she wasn’t worth his time: http://www.youtube.com/user/tjdaniels24#p/a/f/0/uWXzyZqIT7g

=============================================================
SAMPLE LETTER – CONTACT INFO AFTER SAMPLE LETTER
=============================================================

Dear Officials Of Cabarrus County, NC and the City of Concord, NC:

On 4/29/10, Sheriff’s Deputy Animal Control Officer Sean Austin shot Bella, one of two pit bulls who escaped from a fenced yard. Something is wrong when an ACO guns down a family dog as she flees between two homes. The scenario grows more problematic if that officer says the dog displayed no aggression.

When Bella and Jaxson got loose, witnesses claim the dogs ran into the yard of a neighbor who called Concord Police. Officers at the scene caught Jaxson, but Bella proved skittish.

All witnesses agree — in written and oral testimony — that Bella’s behavior indicated fear, not aggression. Jeff Daniels later asked Deputy Austin why he killed Bella and videotaped Austin’s response on his phone: “I’m not sitting here for three hours when I got calls in.”

Bella inconvenienced Deputy Austin, so he shot her?

I trust that an internal investigation is well underway. I urge swift punitive action, including suspension from the department. Deputy Austin violated the North Carolina General Statues, Cabarrus County Animal Control Ordinance, and City of Concord Code of Ordinances. Animals are still legally defined as property. When Deputy Austin shot his firearm in the city, he took away the Daniels’ “property” without due process of law. When he killed Bella rather than seize her, he denied their right to “redeem the animal.”

Deputy Austin’s behavior warrants charges and penalties. At the very least, the unprovoked killing denotes misconduct within the sheriff’s department.

Bella never endangered adults or children. But even if she had, why were no warning shots, batons, or other deterrents tried first? Please equip law enforcers with the knowledge to neutralize animals perceived as aggressive — without resorting to lethal force.

I encourage the sheriff’s office to learn skills to distinguish anxiety, fear, and protective canine behaviors (i.e., barking, growling) from genuinely hostile behavior. Ordinarily an experienced animal control officer can make this distinction, but Deputy Austin failed on all counts.

Deputy Austin discharged a firearm in close proximity of children. He killed a family pet with no history of aggression. His lack of judgment demands your utmost attention. Please inform me of progress in this disturbing case.

Sincerely,

>>>YOUR FULL NAME
>>>ADDRESS, CITY, STATE
>>>COUNTRY

=============================================================
CONTACT INFORMATION / Cabarrus County, NC Officials
=============================================================

EMAIL ADDRESSES ONLY
dbriley@cabarruscounty.us, pjpatterson@co.cabarrus.nc.us,
dwtaylor@cabarruscounty.us, pdhunt@cabarruscounty.us, info@roxann4da.com,
rwcarruth@cabarruscounty.us, gmynatt@cabarruscounty.us,
efpoole@cabarruscounty.us, coyprivette@windstream.net,
jwhite@cabarruscounty.us

COMPLETE CONTACT INFORMATION
Sheriff’s Office of Cabarrus County
Sheriff D. Brad Riley
30 Corban Avenue SE / Concord NC, 28025
704-920-3000; dbriley@cabarruscounty.us, pjpatterson@co.cabarrus.nc.us

Sheriff’s Department Animal Control Division, Lt. David Taylor
704-920-3288; dwtaylor@cabarruscounty.us
Chief Deputy Hunt
704-920-3002; pdhunt@cabarruscounty.us

Roxann Vaneekhoven, District Attorney
District Attorney’s Prosecutorial District #19A
Cabarrus County Courthouse
PO Box 70 / Concord, NC 28026
ph: 704-786-6171; fax: 704-795-2359
info@roxann4da.com (this may not be her current address)

CABARRUS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS:
Robert W. (Bob) Carruth (R)
186 Scenic Drive / Concord, N.C. 28025
704-706-9638; rwcarruth@cabarruscounty.us

Grace Mynatt (R)
1980 NC Hwy 73 E / Concord, NC 28025
704-788-1252; gmynatt@cabarruscounty.us

Elizabeth (Liz) Poole (R), Vice-Chairman
PO Box 1363 / Concord, NC 28026
704-782-4723; efpoole@cabarruscounty.us

Coy C. Privette (R)
557 Coopers Ridge Drive / Kannapolis, N.C. 28083
704-920-0180; coyprivette@windstream.net

H. Jay White Sr. (R)
5601 Meadow Bluff Ct NW / Concord, N.C. 28027
jwhite@cabarruscounty.us

Chile’s Earthquake And Tsunami: The Forgotten Disaster


LT PHOTO: This kitten, rescued from a quake-torn part of Chile, undergoes exam with SACH and Kinship Circle. RT: Kinship Circle IC, Traci Dawson (Team 3), stabilizes this dog as Chilean vet Chiry performs a procedure.

An evacuee camp in Talquahano, Chile wants to kill all its companion animals. People who lost everything in an 8.8 earthquake and tsunami can’t even feed themselves. They don’t want to watch their animals starve to death. Kinship Circle and SACH intervened with food and veterinary aid. But without more funding, we can’t possibly meet the needs of 30 tent camps along Chile’s coast…  Brenda Shoss, Kinship Circle

We need funding to treat animals and distribute food.
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/donation

**  CHILE PHOTO LOG: http://www.kinshipcircle.org/chile/2010-april-photolog.html
**  FIELD NOTES: http://www.kinshipcircle.org/chile/2010-mar-april-notes.html
**  CHILE HOME: http://www.kinshipcircle.org/chile


http://www.KinshipCircle.org * http://www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters

FOR BREAKING NEWS & ACTION: subscribe@kinshipcircle.org
* Action campaigns on animal cruelty issues worldwide
* Animal rescue coordination/news in disasters

UNSUBSCRIBE
* Select a Kinship Circle ALERT received in your mailbox
* Hit “FORWARD”  +  Send to: info@kinshipcircle.org
* Type UNSUBSCRIBE in your subject line and hit send

=============================================================
SOURCE OF INFORMATION / REFERENCE LINKS FOR THIS ALERT
=============================================================

Scott Taylor, scott@sterling-gaming.com
A friend of Jeff Daniels — whose beloved Bella was killed by Deputy ACO Sean C. Austin in Concord, NC — who contacted Kinship Circle about this case.

VIDEO: Officer Shoots, Kills Dog
http://www.foxcharlotte.com/news/local/92833669.html

VIDEO: Bella And Jaxson “Kill” Two Kids With Kindness
http://www.youtube.com/user/tjdaniels24#p/a/u/0/gVSAeXNfZsg

VIDEO: Dog on the loose shot and killed by animal control
http://www.wcnc.com/news/Pit-Bull-killed-in-Cabarrus-County-Neighborhood-92832959.html

Pit bull shot and killed outside owner’s home
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/04/30/1407884/pit-bull-shot-and-killed-outside.html

Animal Control Officer Unlawfully Executes Family Pet in Neighborhood
http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=186448

DISCLAIMER: The information in these alerts is verified with the original source. Kinship Circle does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of the information or for the consequences of its use. Nothing in this email is intended to encourage illegal action in whatever country you are reading it in. Kinship Circle does not engage in, nor support, any form of harassment or unlawful activity. Nothing in this alert serves to promote such conduct.

KINSHIP CIRCLE ANIMAL DISASTER AID NETWORK
5/5/10: Kill Baby Kill – BP Oil Spill Closes In On Gulf Coast


Members of Tri-State Bird Rescue and Research and International Bird Research Center hydrate a Northern Gannet bird, who was covered in oil.

IN THIS ALERT:

1. Kill Baby Kill: Some BP Bullet Points
2. Present Animal Response In Gulf Oil Spill
3. Tubul’s Story: Help Us Save More Like Him

===================================================================
1. Kill Baby Kill: Some BP Bullet Points


A dead fish is seen on the beach in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. Getty Image

BP OIL SPILL IN GULF / DISASTER OVERVIEW
—  5/5/10: Unified command activated for West Coast of Florida: Reps from  BP, U.S. Coast Guard and Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) are meeting to plan multi-agency response. They’ve also met with over 30 NGO environmental groups: Tampa  Bay Watch, Save our Seabirds, Sarasota Bay Estuary Program, Sierra Club, etc. — in preparation for the worst case.

—  5/4/10: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) says the oil slick seems to move toward Alabama and Florida coasts, as well as the Chandeleur Islands off Louisiana’s southern tip. http://www.noaawatch.gov

—  5/4/10: U.S. Air Force prepares C-130s for spill response. Members of the 910th Airlift Wing are in Mississippi to help with oil spill clean up.

—  5/4/10: BP spokesperson Bill Salvin reports that three four-story, 70-ton “containment domes” will be lowered over leaks — to trap oil and help pump it to the surface. Other attempts such as a shutoff valve and floating booms have mostly failed — in part due to rough winds and seas.

—  5/3/10: Oil spews at a rate of roughly 5000 barrels (210,000 gallons) per day from three sections of piping. Birds and other animals are vulnerable because they are in reproducing cycles. Young animals may become oiled and parents may plunge into dark waters in search of food. There could be lasting repercussions for fragile wetlands along the Mississippi River.

—  4/22/10: BP’s oil rig collapses into the gulf, after an explosion on 4/20/10. Oil seeps out and BP, while aligned with government agencies and private contractors, cannot stop the flow of crude from the well.

—  4/20/10: A BP (British Petroleum) oil rig explodes. BP, operator of Deepwater Horizon oil rig situated 5,000 feet below the surface in Gulf waters, accepts responsibility for the disaster.

===================================================================
2. Present Animal Response In Gulf Oil Spill


LT: A dead sea turtle on a Pass Christian, MS beach. At least 20 sea turtles were found dead along a 30-mile stretch from Biloxi to Bay St. Louis. RT: Many endangered turtles dying on Texas Gulf Coast. Salt Lake Tribune

Kinship Circle
We are watching the animal response to the BP oil spill. Presently, U.S. government, oil companies, and specialized oil decontamination/wildlife agencies are deployed. Some NGOs have volunteers on standby, but no one should self deploy to this high-security zone without invitation from the unified command (governing agency). KINSHIP CIRCLE IS NOT RECRUITING VOLUNTEERS AT THIS TIME.

LT: A least tern checks her eggs on a Gulfport, Mississippi beach. Environmentalists fear that the oil slick will destroy this generation of birds that nest along the Gulf coast beaches during migration. AP

RT: A dead pelican is seen on Chandeleur Island, Louisiana (5/3).  Louisiana’s state bird, the brown pelican, could come to symbolize the affects of the damage done by the oil spill. Their nesting season, which has
just begun, lies in the direct path of the spill. Getty Image

Coalition To Restore Coastal Louisiana
http://www.crcl.org/coalitionprograms/oilspillrecovery.html

REGISTER TO VOLUNTEER:
https://www.thedatabank.com/dpg/316/personalopt1.asp?formid=oilspill
CRCL is joining with our partners at the local, state and federal level to begin registering volunteers to assist with spill recovery efforts.

QUESTIONS? CONTACT:
Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana
6160 Perkins Road, Suite# 225 / Baton Rouge, La 70808
office: 225-767-4181; toll-free: 888-522-6278; fax: 225-768-8193
email: coalition@crcl.org

If you encounter oiled wildlife, call: 1-800-557-1401
Do not touch or disturb oiled wildlife, for your safety and theirs.

We do not know the extent of impact to birds, wildlife, and habitat at this time. National Wildlife Federation, National Audubon Society, Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program and the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana are building a standby volunteer list.

Volunteer Louisiana (Statewide Hub)
http://www.louisianaserve.org/1800Vol/Homepage/viewEventDetails.do?eventId=30619

VOLUNTEER STATUS:
Volunteers not yet needed. Sign up to be updated as needs arise:
http://www.1-800-volunteer.org:80/1800Vol/Homepage/viewEventDetails.do?eventId=30619

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Volunteer Louisiana (Statewide Hub)
jpace@crt.state.la.us
Louisiana Serve Commission
263 Third Street, Ste. 610 / Baton Rouge, LA  70801
225-342-2038 * http://www.crt.state.la.us/laserve


The Independent: Wildlife rescue teams ready for US oil spill victims.
photo: Creative Commons

International Bird Rescue Research Center (BRRC)
http://www.ibrrc.org/gulf-spill-2010.html#volunteer

VOLUNTEER STATUS:
No call for volunteers.

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Northern California (Main office)
San  Francisco Oiled Wildlife Care & Education Center (SFBOCEC)
4369 Cordelia Road / Fairfield, CA 94534
707-207-0380; no_cal_center@ibrrc.org

Bird rescue specialists from International Bird Rescue Research Center (IBRRC) are on site in Louisiana and Alabama preparing rescue centers to clean seabirds caught in the Gulf coast oil spill. IBBRC is working in partnership with Tri-state Bird Rescue & Research to prep rehab facilities in Fort Jackson, Louisiana and Theodore, Alabama.

Tri-State Bird Rescue And Research
http://www.tristatebird.org/

VOLUNTEER STATUS:
Tri-State has been asked to oversee wildlife rehabilitation response along the gulf coast and is working closely with many collaborating organizations. All response efforts are coordinated by the Unified Command on-site.

CONTACT INFORMATION:
110 Possum Hollow Road / Newark, Delaware, 19711
302-737-9543; web form: http://www.tristatebird.org/contact


A dolphin swims through polluted waters of Drum Bay, Louisiana. There are as many as 5,000 dolphins between Mississippi and Louisiana coasts and the oil rig, many of whom are in their reproductive season. Getty Images http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/04/30/birds-oil-coated-gulf-spill_n_558665.html

Deepwater Horizon Incident Joint Information Center
http://www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com

VOLUNTEER STATUS:
Report oiled shoreline or request volunteer information: 866-448-5816

CONTACT INFORMATION:
985-902-5231; deepwaterhorizonresponse@hotmail.com
Submit alternative response technology, services or products: 281-366-5511
Submit your vessel as a vessel of opportunity skimming system: 281-366-5511
Report oiled wildlife: 866-557-1401

Nine staging areas have been set up to protect vital shoreline in all potentially affected Gulf Coast states (Biloxi, MS, Pensacola, FL, Pascagoula, MS, Dauphin Island, AL, Port Sulphur, LA, Shell Beach, LA, Slidell, LA, Port Fourchon, LA, Venice, LA).

===================================================================
3. Tubul Came Into This World On A Crash And A Wave…


The floppy-eared puppy was born just days before an 8.8 earthquake and tsunami swept over Chile’s coastal towns. We don’t know how he escaped waters that made 5 to 6 feet rings around buildings. We don’t know where he hid as structures collapsed. We do know the pup dubbed Francisco de Tubul did it alone. Somehow this tiny dog — crippled, starving — stayed alive…

TUBUL’S STORY: http://www.kinshipcircle.org/chile/2010-mar-april-notes.html

Your support gives animals like Tubul a second chance:
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/donation

Please help. We need funds to buy vet supplies in Chile.
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/donation

**  CHILE PHOTO LOG: http://www.kinshipcircle.org/chile/2010-april-photolog.html
**  FIELD NOTES: http://www.kinshipcircle.org/chile/2010-mar-april-notes.html
**  CHILE HOME: http://www.kinshipcircle.org/chile

ACTION CAMPAIGNS * EDUCATION * ANIMAL DISASTER AID
http://www.KinshipCircle.org * http://www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters

FOR BREAKING NEWS & ACTION: subscribe@kinshipcircle.org
* Action campaigns on animal cruelty issues worldwide
* Animal rescue coordination/news in disasters

5/3/10 – KINSHIP CIRCLE
Crush Videos Are Illegal Cruelty – Not Protected Free Speech

SEND YOUR COMMENTS EITHER WAY:

1. BY AUTO LETTER: http://www.kinshipcircle.org/letter_library/letter_new2.asp?LetterID=1896&seriesfirst=true
2. — OR — Copy/paste emails/sample letter below into your own email

Crush fetish videos use rabbits and other small animals such as kittens, puppies, mice, hamsters… Videos/photos show women in heels piercing and crushing animals to death. A new bill enforces a law against crush videos.

H.R.5092: To amend section 48 (relating to depiction of animal cruelty) of title 18, United States Code, and for other purposes. Latest Major Action: 4/21/10 Referred to House Committee on the Judiciary.

=============================================================
SAMPLE LETTER – CONTACT INFO AFTER SAMPLE LETTER
=============================================================

Dear Representatives, Senators, and House Judiciary Committee Members:

A 4/20/10 U.S. Supreme Court ruling facilitates animal torture in “Crush” fetish videos. In light of this U.S. vs. Stevens ruling, it is imperative that legislators back the Crush Act Amendment, H.R. 5092. The 1999 Crush Act
had prohibited creation, sale and possession of supplies depicting acts of animal cruelty. However, the new edict focuses on “depiction” rather than actual abuse. It deems the 1999 rule unconstitutional and vague.

A Missouri man was already acquitted under this U.S. vs. Stevens ruling. He’d posted videos of himself mutilating deer by driving over them repeatedly. But his depiction of this savage act was protected as free speech. Please help enforce a ban on portrayals of animal cruelty — a ban that recognizes the physical cruelty required to produce such images. Without clear legal language, crush videos, animal fighting films and more ghastly exposes will flourish.

Nearly 100 legislators support Rep. Elton Gallegly’s (R-CA) Crush Act Amendment. If you are a cosponsor, I thank you. If not, I urge you to get behind H.R. 5092. I encourage House Judiciary members to move H.R. 5092 from committee to the floor for a vote. I also ask the Senate to follow with prompt authorship and sponsorship of a bill like H.R. 5092.

Crush fetish videos show a woman’s high-heeled feet stomping small animals such as rodents, puppies and kittens. This is nothing short of an “animal snuff film.” Defenseless creatures are killed for entertainment. They suffer unbearably while crushed and dismembered.

H.R. 5092 would bypass the Court’s decision to invalidate the Crush Act. It would still ban the sale/circulation of animals shown crushed, drowned, stabbed or burned (where these activities are Illegal).

I am counting on our elected officials to take a no-tolerance stance on violent cruelty. Please prevent a rebirth of the crush video industry with swift passage of the Crush Act Amendment H.R. 5092.

Sincerely,

>>>YOUR FULL NAME
>>>ADRESS, CITY, STATE
>>>COUNTRY

=============================================================
CONTACT INFORMATION
=============================================================

1) ABOUT EMAILS
U.S. Congress members no longer post their emails. All use web forms. Most prefer not to fill out many web forms, so we researched past documents for 2009/2010 emails of House Judiciary Members, where the Crush Act Amendment currently is. The emails below did NOT bounce when tested. However, we have no control over emails that may not work.

2) AMERICANS, EMAIL-CALL-FAX YOUR OWN REP + SENATORS
To identify your federal legislators and find contact info, try:
http://www.Congress.org
http://www.senate.gov
http://www.house.gov

3) EVERYONE, SEND COMMENTS TO HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE:
John.Conyers@mail.house.gov, cynthia.martin@mail.house.gov, rinia.shelby@mail.house.gov, Howard.Berman@mail.house.gov, ca28ima.pub@mail.house.gov, julia.massimino@mail.house.gov, deanne.samuels@mail.house.gov, Rick.Boucher@mail.house.gov, laura.vaught@mail.house.gov, elizabeth.hogan@mail.house.gov, Jerrold.Nadler@mail.house.gov, amy.rutkin@mail.house.gov, siegel@mail.house.gov, joni.ivey@mail.house.gov, randi.petty@mail.house.gov, Danielle.Owen@mail.house.gov, Keith.Kelly@mail.house.gov, erin.dominguez@mail.house.gov, angela.master@mail.house.gov, william.delahunt@mail.house.gov, mark.forest@mail.house.gov, Katie.washburn@mail.house.gov, Steve.Cohen@mail.house.gov, marilyn.dillihay@mail.house.gov, craig.dulniak@mail.house.gov, ebony.simpson@mail.house.gov, eduardo.hilera@mail.house.gov, Mike.Quigley@mail.house.gov, sean.obrien@mail.house.gov, monica.foskett@mail.house.gov, Judy.Chu@mail.house.gov, Amelia.Wang@mail.house.gov, lisa.strumwasser@mail.house.gov, Rebecca.Dreilinger@mail.house.gov, jennice.fuentes@mail.house.gov, ana.rasmussen@mail.house.gov, bill.murat@mail.house.gov, leo.munoz@mail.house.gov, jayneann.wolsey@mail.house.gov, Anthony.Weiner@mail.house.gov, weiner@mail.house.gov, marie.ternes@mail.house.gov, Beth.Chrusciel@mail.house.gov

timothy.bergreen@mail.house.gov, hampden.macbeth@mail.house.gov, adrienne.elrod@mail.house.gov, meghan.johnson@mail.house.gov, tracie.pough@mail.house.gov, kate.houghton@mail.house.gov, jill.allenmurray@mail.house.gov, kaii.torrence@mail.house.gov, Andrea.Loving@mail.house.gov, Tom.Schreibel@mail.house.gov, todd.washam@mail.house.gov, Michael.Lenn@mail.house.gov, John.Mautz@mail.house.gov, Marianne.Balch@mail.house.gov, Kenneth.steinhardt@mail.house.gov, Bob.Goodlatte@mail.house.gov, Shelley.Husband@mail.house.gov, Jessica.Orsulak@mail.house.gov, Branden.Ritchie@mail.house.gov, Marilyn.Erbes@mail.house.gov, Sandra.wiseman@mail.house.gov, darrell@mail.house.gov, Mary.Pritschau@mail.house.gov, Jason.Scism@mail.house.gov, Randy.Forbes@mail.house.gov, Dee.Gilmore@mail.house.gov, Steve.King@mail.house.gov, imaia05h@mail.house.gov, Lisa.Teschler@mail.house.gov, Jacki.Pick@mail.house.gov,  Louie.Gohmert@mail.house.gov, Michael.Tomberlin@mail.house.gov, patricia.slezak@mail.house.gov, scott.lively@mail.house.gov, Evans@mail.house.gov, heather.ramsey@mail.house.gov, UT03JCIMA@mail.house.gov, Karilyn.Henshaw@mail.house.gov, nicole.dinis@mail.house.gov, juan.barnett@mail.house.gov. Michael.Cravens@mail.house.gov

4) FULL ADDRESSES + WEB FORMS: HOUSE JUDICIARY MEMBERS
–   For name/title, address, phone/fax, web forms, go to:
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/letter_library/letter_new2.asp?LetterID=1896&seriesfirst=true

–   OR, Request full contact information of House Judiciary Committee from:
info@kinshipcircle.org

He came into this world on a crash and a wave…

The floppy-eared puppy was born just days before an 8.8 earthquake and tsunami swept over Chile’s coastal towns. We don’t know how he escaped waters that made 5 to 6 feet rings around buildings. We don’t know where he hid as structures collapsed. We do know the pup dubbed Francisco de Tubul did it alone. Somehow this tiny dog — crippled, starving — stayed alive…

TUBUL’S STORY: http://www.kinshipcircle.org/chile/2010-mar-april-notes.html

Please help. We need funds to buy vet supplies in Chile…
Your support gives animals like Tubul a second change.

http://www.kinshipcircle.org/donation

**  CHILE PHOTO LOG: http://www.kinshipcircle.org/chile/2010-april-photolog.html
**  FIELD NOTES: http://www.kinshipcircle.org/chile/2010-mar-april-notes.html
••  CHILE HOME: http://www.kinshipcircle.org/chile

ACTION CAMPAIGNS * EDUCATION * ANIMAL DISASTER AID
http://www.KinshipCircle.org * http://www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters

FOR BREAKING NEWS & ACTION: subscribe@kinshipcircle.org
* Action campaigns on animal cruelty issues worldwide
* Animal rescue coordination/news in disasters

=============================================================
SOURCE OF INFORMATION / REFERENCE LINKS FOR THIS ALERT
=============================================================

USA: Make Sale of Crush Videos Illegal Again!
http://www2.aspca.org/site/MessageViewer?em_id=69424.0
Videos of Animals Crushed by Women in High Heels Are Protected Free Speech?
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=103×531413
Crush Act Amendment
http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=111_cong_bills&docid=f:h5092ih.txt.pdf

DISCLAIMER: The information in these alerts is verified with the original source. Kinship Circle does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of the information or for the consequences of its use. Nothing in this email is intended to encourage illegal action in whatever country you are reading it in. Kinship Circle does not engage in, nor support, any form of harassment or unlawful activity. Nothing in this alert serves to promote such conduct.

4/26/10 – KINSHIP CIRCLE
Come On Canada – The Seal Slaughter Needs To Stop

SEND YOUR COMMENTS EITHER WAY:

1. BY AUTO LETTER: http://www.kinshipcircle.org/letter_library/letter_new2.asp?LetterID=1895&seriesfirst=true
2. — OR — Copy/paste emails & sample letter below into an email from your own address

With seal goods banned in every major market but China, Canada can no longer economically justify their annual seal hunt. So why does it still take place?

=============================================================
SAMPLE LETTER – CONTACT INFO FOLLOWS SAMPLE LETTER
=============================================================

Honorable Prime Minister Harper, Canadian Senators and Ambassadors:

Canada’s annual seal hunt faces so many setbacks, it doesn’t make economic sense to prolong it.

Seal fur prices continue to plummet since the European Union outlawed seal product trade across 27 nations. The U.S, Mexico, and Croatia ban seal items. Russia has further reduced the commercial market with a shutdown of
its own hunt last year. An ongoing global boycott of Canadian seafood only worsens chances for a “comeback” of this controversial industry.

This year, record amounts of thawing ice along Canada’s east coast weakened birthing grounds for harp seals — causing mothers to abort pups in water or fall through fragile ice. Seal pups dyed by the thousands, yet the Canadian government actually upped the 2010 kill quota by 50,000.

I urge Canadian officials to purchase sealing licenses and sponsor economic options for your citizens. Economists predict that a buyout would cost less than subsidizing the hunt itself. In one survey, half of responding sealers back a federal buyout. Stopping the hunt could save Canadians $6.9 million (or more) yearly, according to a Marine Policy journal report.

From an ethical standpoint, cancellation of the world’s largest marine mammal slaughter is long overdue. Some 72% of Canadians support a ban on killing pups and 81% do not care if the hunt ends altogether.

In fact, most of the world condemns Canada’s hunt, where 98% of seals butchered range from 2 weeks to 3 months in age. Well-publicized documentation shows seals shot, bludgeoned, kicked and thrashed with razor-sharp hakapiks. Photographic images from the 2010 hunt reveal a pup shot in the face and struggling to flee amid pools of his own blood. As the world bears witness to these horrible acts of cruelty, year after year, government claims about “humane slaughter” ring hollow.

Senator Mac Harb has reintroduced his bill to ban seal slaughter in Canadian waters. I ask officials to support Senator Harb’s legislation. It’s time to end a violent industry with little financial relevance. Please make a responsible decision to permanently stop the seal hunt.

Sincerely,

>>>YOUR FULL NAME
>>>ADRESS, CITY, STATE
>>>COUNTRY

=============================================================
CONTACT INFORMATION
=============================================================

IF AN EMAIL ADDRESS DOESN’T WORK, IT COULD BE BECAUSE:

• The website contains inaccurate, outdated information
• The recipient has disabled his/her email
• The recipient’s mailbox is full (try later)

EVERY SINGLE EMAIL IN THIS ALERT:
pm@pm.gc.ca, andrer@sen.parl.gc.ca, anguswd@sen.parl.gc.ca, bakerg@sen.parl.gc.ca, gautht@sen.parl.gc.ca, brazep@sen.parl.gc.ca, brownb@sen.parl.gc.ca, callbc@sen.parl.gc.ca, campbel@sen.parl.gc.ca, carigc@sen.parl.gc.ca, carsts@sen.parl.gc.ca, champa@sen.parl.gc.ca, chapum@sen.parl.gc.ca, cochre@sen.parl.gc.ca, comeag@sen.parl.gc.ca, coolsa@sen.parl.gc.ca, cordyj@sen.parl.gc.ca, cowanj@sen.parl.gc.ca, dallar@sen.parl.gc.ca, dawsod@sen.parl.gc.ca, dayja@sen.parl.gc.ca

debanp@sen.parl.gc.ca, tessil@sen.parl.gc.ca, dininc@sen.parl.gc.ca, pdowne@sen.parl.gc.ca, mikeduffy@sen.parl.gc.ca, dyckli@sen.parl.gc.ca, eatonn@sen.parl.gc.ca, egglea@sen.parl.gc.ca, fairbj@sen.parl.gc.ca, finled@sen.parl.gc.ca, fortis@sen.parl.gc.ca, foxf@sen.parl.gc.ca, frasej@sen.parl.gc.ca, fruml@sen.parl.gc.ca, fureyg@sen.parl.gc.ca, greens@sen.parl.gc.ca, harbm@sen.parl.gc.ca, hervic@sen.parl.gc.ca, lacomd@sen.parl.gc.ca, hublee@sen.parl.gc.ca, jaffem@sen.parl.gc.ca, johnsj@sen.parl.gc.ca,
joyals@sen.parl.gc.ca, kennyco@sen.parl.gc.ca, kinsen@sen.parl.gc.ca, langd@sen.parl.gc.ca, charrf@sen.parl.gc.ca

lavigr@sen.parl.gc.ca, lebrem@sen.parl.gc.ca, losier@sen.parl.gc.ca, smithc@sen.parl.gc.ca, mahovf@sen.parl.gc.ca, mannif@sen.parl.gc.ca, martin@sen.parl.gc.ca, massip@sen.parl.gc.ca, mccoye@sen.parl.gc.ca, meighen@sen.parl.gc.ca, mercet@sen.parl.gc.ca, merchp@sen.parl.gc.ca, mitchg@sen.parl.gc.ca, mocklp@sen.parl.gc.ca, moorew@sen.parl.gc.ca, munsoj@sen.parl.gc.ca, murral@sen.parl.gc.ca, mcgeed@sen.parl.gc.ca, neufer@sen.parl.gc.ca, nolinp@sen.parl.gc.ca, ogilvk@sen.parl.gc.ca, olived@sen.parl.gc.ca, patted@sen.parl.gc.ca, pepinl@sen.parl.gc.ca, russem@sen.parl.gc.ca

lachah@sen.parl.gc.ca, plettd@sen.parl.gc.ca, poulim@sen.parl.gc.ca, poyv@sen.parl.gc.ca, rainen@sen.parl.gc.ca, ringup@sen.parl.gc.ca, rivarm@sen.parl.gc.ca, jcrivest@sen.parl.gc.ca, rompkw@sen.parl.gc.ca, kfl@sen.parl.gc.ca, seidmj@sen.parl.gc.ca, sibnic@sen.parl.gc.ca, smithd@sen.parl.gc.ca, stgerg@sen.parl.gc.ca, stewac@sen.parl.gc.ca, stollp@sen.parl.gc.ca, stratt@sen.parl.gc.ca, tardic@sen.parl.gc.ca, tkachd@sen.parl.gc.ca, wallaj@sen.parl.gc.ca, wallinp@sen.parl.gc.ca, wattc@sen.parl.gc.ca, zimmer@sen.parl.gc.ca, webmaster@canadianembassy.org

FULL ADDRESSES:
Stephen Harper, Prime Minister Of Canada
Office of the Prime Minister
80 Wellington Street / Ottawa K1A 0A2
fax: 613-941-6900; email: pm@pm.gc.ca

The Senate of Canada
Parliament Buildings
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada K1A 0A4

CANADIANS ONLY – WRITE YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS IN PARLIAMENT
MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS
http://www2.parl.gc.ca/Parlinfo/Lists/Members.aspx
MEMBERS OF THE SENATE
http://www2.parl.gc.ca/Parlinfo/compilations/senate.aspx?Menu=Senate

CANADIAN EMBASSIES ABROAD
Embassy of Canada in Washington DC, USA
The Honourable Gary Doer, Canadian Ambassador, United States of America
501 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW / Washington, D.C. 20001
ph: 202-682-1740; fax: 202-682-7726
email: webmaster@canadianembassy.org

IF YOU ARE NOT A U.S. CITIZIN, FIND CANADIAN EMBASSY FOR YOUR COUNTRY:
http://www.international.gc.ca/ciw-cdm/embassies-ambassades.aspx?lang=eng

****KINSHIP CIRCLE CANNOT GUARANTEE ALL EMAILS WILL WORK****
During campaigns, recipients may change or disable their email addresses.
Emails from government, corporate, or institute websites may be incorrect.

And thousands more like him…

While Chile’s 8.8 magnitude quake, aftershocks and tsunamis may have fallen from news headlines — the road to rebuilding is long and animal victims desperately need aid. Kinship Circle teams are in Chile right now, working with Chilean veterinarians in stricken communities. But we can’t keep our responders there or secure vet equipment without more funding.

http://www.kinshipcircle.org/chile
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/donation

ACTION CAMPAIGNS * EDUCATION * ANIMAL DISASTER AID
http://www.KinshipCircle.org * http://www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters

FOR BREAKING NEWS & ACTION: subscribe@kinshipcircle.org
* Action campaigns on animal cruelty issues worldwide
* Animal rescue coordination/news in disasters

=============================================================
SOURCE OF INFORMATION / REFERENCE LINKS FOR THIS ALERT
=============================================================

Seriously Canada, Seals Are Dying And You Won’t Cancel The Hunt?
http://www.humanesociety.org/seriouslycanada/
Stop Canada’s Cruel Seal Hunt
http://action.humanesociety.org/site/MessageViewer?em_id=11281.0&dlv_id=13745
Melting Out from Under Them
http://www.hsicanada.ca/wildlife/seals/seal_hunt_2010/melting_ice_031010.html

DISCLAIMER: The information in these alerts is verified with the original source. Kinship Circle does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of the information or for the consequences of its use. Nothing in this email is
intended to encourage illegal action in whatever country you are reading it in. Kinship Circle does not engage in, nor support, any form of harassment or unlawful activity. Nothing in this alert serves to promote such conduct.

4/4/10: http://www.KinshipCircle.org/chile
500 animals in one area alone. An oil-drenched kitten. A dazed puppy in an intersection… At Chile’s ground zero, we see animals everywhere.

LT: A Chilean veterinarian, on mission with Kinship Circle’s team, holds a cat missing her paw. RT: Kinship Circle’s Traci Dawson, Byron Wilkes and Maureen Valentine head out to coastal areas hardest hit by an earthquake, aftershocks and tsunamis. Photos (c) Kinship Circle, Chile 2010

Kinship Circle works alongside Chilean veterinarians to save them — but can’t get animals off the streets without your help. Worse, Chile’s government has discussed a cull of 700,000 animals in hard hit communities.

As we travel the coast, Kinship Circle IC Traci Dawson likens it to Chile’s “Upper Ninth Ward,” in reference to a Katrina ravaged community in New Orleans. Pre-quake strays with mange, malnutrition, infection…blend with animals displaced by an 8.8 magnitude earthquake and tsunamis.

Still, that puppy in the middle of the road? She is safe and will be adopted. The animals near the oil spill? They are fed and clean.

WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT:
•   To send teams over several months, including airfare, van rental, field rescue gear, etc.
•   To position our project manager on site and maintain daily communications.
•   To (funds permitting) develop a temp clinic/shelter for injured, sick and homeless.

A TAX-DEDUCTIBLE DONATION CAN BE MADE AT EITHER LINK:
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/chile
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/donation/

KINSHIP CIRCLE CHILE PHOTO DIARY:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/49004747@N02/

A cat is treated at a vet clinic. Eye infections are common, some due to prolonged saltwater exposure following an earthquake prompted tsunami. Photos (c) Kinship Circle, Chile 2010

4/2/10: Villa Futura, north of Concepcion, Chile
OVERVIEW: Kinship Circle team members Traci Dawson, June Towler, Shawndra Michell, Maureen Valentine and Byron Wilkes work in a temp vet clinic, with three Chilean veterinarians, student vets, and six volunteers from a SACH (Socorro Animal Chile / Animal Relief Chile) member group, Animal Dignity. Outside the clinic, a line of people and animals stretch down the sidewalk…

ACTIVITIES: The turnout is staggering. There are virtually no neutered dogs… Vets examine animals, checking eyes, teeth, ears, glands, neck region, flea infestation, spines, organs, heart, etc. Skin disorders are prevalent, as are wounds and bites.

ISSUES: The clinic runs out of pest spray, latex gloves and paper towels. Though Kinship donates latex gloves, there still aren’t enough.

STATS: Today the clinic sees over 200 animals.

KC’s Byron Wilkes brings food to one of many dogs roaming in ruined Chilean towns. Animals are examined at makeshift vet clinics. Skin disorders are prevalent, as are wounds and bites. Photos (c) Kinship Circle, Chile 2010

4/1/10: Santa Clara Talchuano / 9:00 am
OVERVIEW: An earthquake and tsunami crashed into this “fishing town” near ground zero. Torn nets and debris cover beaches and streets. Numerous dogs rove amid rubble. Homes are rimmed with waterlines about 5 feet high. Buildings have Katrina-like mold, mud, water damage and collapsed walls.

ACTIVITIES: We spot a nursing dog. Fishermen lead us to the vicinity of her den. We search for her pups to evaluate their condition, but mom has tunneled so deep underground that we are unable to safely reach them.

Some evacuated locals left animals behind. An extremely large stray population wander streets and deserted buildings. All seem friendly, if skittish. We don’t encounter any aggressives.

ISSUES: Mange, wounds, starvation, lack of water. Food is distributed in measured amounts because many sell food rather than feed animals.

SIGHTING STATS: Roughly 100-150 dogs and unnumbered cats.

Please make a contribution for Chile’s animal quake victims:
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/chile
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/donation/

4/1/10: Calita Los Morros / 2:30 pm
OVERVIEW: Military tents and small shacks of wood and pallets serve as evacuee camps here. Many are with animals, but not all. Some conflict erupts between neighbors with and without animals…

ACTIVITIES: The team provides food and medical care to animals in the camp. Two cats with severe upper respiratory disease are treated on site.

During street rounds, we visit a family with multiple dogs — including a mom with a large litter and several cats. All animals are checked, treated and left with food. KC revisits a resident who told SACH she’d leave with her dogs. As suspected, she did not take them. The abandoned dogs are fed and we’ll attempt to find a home for them…

ISSUES: Mange, injuries, wounds, starvation, TVT, distemper. TVT, a canine venereal virus prevalent here, is transmitted via contact (sexual, touch/rub open wounds, nasal). Dogs get large red “cauliflower” tumors…

SIGHTING STATS: Approximately 200 dogs/cats.

Large animal populations roam streets and deserted buildings in earthquake stricken parts of Chile. Photos (c) Kinship Circle, Chile 2010

4/1/10: Calita il Fiernillo, Quake causes oil spills / 5:00 pm
OVERVIEW: The earthquake caused an oil spill at a refinery along this town’s shore. Dogs and cats wadethrough black-water puddles. One cat is found atop a roof drenched in oil… Animals are decontaminated, but with no temp shelter, we can only release them.

In a an area swarming with strays, we capture and treat a very skittish dog whose staked out his “spot” on a slab of cardboard. Down the road, we find an 8-week-old puppy dazed and ragged in the middle of an intersection. SACH takes the puppy to a clinic, where she’ll remain till healthy enough to adopt out. Kinship Circle team members contribute money toward the pup’s clinic fees, as SACH reveals they are now completely out of money.

SIGHTING STATS: Over the course of the day, we see an estimated 500 dogs. The stray population has ballooned with animals displaced by this disaster.

Kinship Circle Animal Disaster Aid is a nonprofit that mobilizes volunteers and resources for animal victims through its network of trained responders in the U.S. and Canada. http://www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters

ACTION CAMPAIGNS * EDUCATION * ANIMAL DISASTER AID
http://www.KinshipCircle.org * http://www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters

SIGN UP FOR BREAKING NEWS & ACTION: subscribe@kinshipcircle.org
* Action campaigns on animal cruelty issues worldwide
* Animal rescue coordination/news in disasters

4/1/10: KINSHIP CIRCLE
FRONT PAGE: State Legislators Target Activists…For Campaign To Stop MO Horse Slaughter Bill

READ ENTIRE STORY:
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/politics/story/FEB3E9E8D29BCE76862576F800080BC2?OpenDocument

The St. Louis Post Dispatch — the daily in St. Louis, Missouri and largest newspaper in the state — asked for an exclusive. They got it…and our story about Missouri House Representatives tampering with public information and harassing Kinship Circle made the FRONT PAGE today. A cliff-notes version has been picked up by the Associated Press as well.

Ironically, some House Reps are still bouncing unread emails back to our server — even from writers who support them. Those Reps who harassed Kinship Circle left songs, neighs and menacing chants on our voicemail. Threats were made to “retaliate” to citizen emails by passing the bill.

A FEW STORY HIGHLIGHTS:
— Brenda Shoss and members of her advocacy group, Kinship Circle, unleashed a deluge urging legislators to vote against a bill that would open the door for a horse slaughterhouse to come to the Show-Me State…

— Shoss received calls at her home from offices in the Capitol, taunting her and making “neighing” voices into the phone. One caller sang a version of the theme song from “Mr. Ed.” A number of the calls came late at night.

— Some legislators programmed their e-mail systems to forward any message containing the word “horse” to Shoss. And some told the activist that they would consider passing the bill out of spite.

— The response of elected officials has left the experienced activist dumbfounded. Even when her organization got involved in the high-profile animal abuse case of NFL quarterback Michael Vick, she had never seen such a vitriolic reaction.

— The late-night, anonymous phone calls led Shoss to file a harassment complaint with the University City Police Department. The calls stopped, she said, after the Post-Dispatch started asking lawmakers about them…

HORSE KILL BILL PASSED 91 TO 61 IN THE HOUSE. WHAT DO WE DO NOW?
MISSOURIANS ONLY: Email, call or write your state Senators. NO AUTO LETTERS.
Please take a few extra steps to write a personal email and hit send…or print out a note to fax or postal mail. SEE MISSOURI ALERT AT END OF THIS EMAIL. FORWARD IT TO MISSOURI LISTS, INDIVIDUALS.

SLEAZY, UNCONSTITUTIONAL LAWMAKING
Missouri Republican Rep. Jim Veibrock had a dream to revive the “ailing equine industry.” He didn’t want pesky opponents to keep his H.B. 1747 bill from passage. So when Veilbrock’s bill went to Missouri’s Agriculture Policy Committee, members gave it a Teflon-strength shield.

As reported in the St. Louis Post Dispatch, “The committee embellished [Veilbrock’s] legislation, adding a provision to block citizen initiatives that would ‘criminalize or regulate crops or the welfare of animals.’

“Even if citizens gathered signatures and placed such a restriction (tough new rules aimed at restricting puppy mills, for example) on the state ballot — even if it were supported by an overwhelming majority of Missouri voters — the committee’s amendment would prevent it from taking effect. The slap in voters’ faces probably is unconstitutional. It certainly is insulting.”

OUR STORY IS GAINING TRACTION & APPEARS IN…

• Washington Post
• KasasCity.com
• CBS NEWS
• Yahoo News

…And many more smaller papers nationwide. Just Google “Activist floods lawmakers’ inboxes; they retaliate”

MISSOURIANS: Stop The Horse Kill Bill In Your State
Not a Missourian? Forward this to a list or person who is.

The Missouri House has passed H.B. 1747 — the bill to permit horse processing for human consumption in MO.

Some Reps — in response to your emails — misused public information and harassed a benevolent, nonprofit organization. They bounced over 2000 (andcounting) unread emails from their servers back to Kinship Circle. Some left childish and menacing messages on Kinship Circle’s voicemail: singing “A Horse Is A Horse,” chanting “Brenda, Brenda, Brenda…neigh…” in reference to KC president Brenda Shoss. One just bleated some type of tribal war call.

Most alarming? Use of the word “retaliate” — as in, the House will pass this horse kill bill to get back at Kinship Circle members for sending comments. In fact, words such as “everyone here is against your organization and doesn’t like you…” or “you’ve guaranteed passage of this bill…” formed the basis for how some elected officials voted.

It is vital that MISSOURIANS now do two things:
1) CONTACT YOUR STATE REPS
Find your Reps’ email address & contact info: http://www.house.mo.gov/member.aspx
– Ask how they voted on H.B. 1747, the bill to legalize horse slaughter in MO.
-Tell them if they voted in favor of it, they just lost your vote at election polls.

2) CONTACT YOUR STATE SENATORS
Find your Senators’ email address & contact info: http://www.senate.mo.gov/
– Describe your disapproval of the House passage of  H.B. 1747, to legalize horse slaughter in MO.
– Explain why the Senate should NOT pass a similar bill, using some of the talking points below.
– Tell them that their YES or NO vote on legalized horse slaughter will effect your future voting decisions.

There is no auto-letter for this. A personal constituent approach is vital to keep this bill from passage in the Senate.

=============================================================
TALKING POINTS – MODIFY & PERSONALIZE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE!
Sign with name and full address; if not you’ll be ignored.
=============================================================

— I’m dismayed by the recent passage of Rep. Jim Viebrock’s bill to sidestep federal rules that bar horse slaughter for human consumption. As your constituent, I’d like to know how you voted (or plan to vote) on legalizing horse slaughter in Missouri. Your stance on H.B. 1747, or any Senate companion bill, will influence my vote at election polls.

— I ask my Senators to oppose any bill with language that mirrors H.B. 1747 and lets horse processors operate in Missouri.

— Eyes around the nation are focusing on Missouri — to see if it will revive horse slaughter on American soil. As you know, this is not a Missouri issue alone. No equine kill plants have legally operated in the U.S. since those in Texas and Illinois were shut down in 2007. The matter of killing American horses affects concerned citizens everywhere.

While supporters insist slaughter “saves” horses from neglect and starvation, their argument fails to recognize:

— “Americans oppose horse slaughter by an overwhelming margin,” says Glen Bolger, national pollster and founding partner of the nonpartisan Public Opinion Strategies (POS). In a 2007 poll, POS found that 71% want horses preserved as part of American cultural heritage. Nearly half are less likely to vote for a Congressperson who is against a horse slaughter ban.

— Equine plants are known polluters that congest sewers and contaminate land and water.

— Rather than advocate slaughter as an alternative to neglect, lawmakers should enforce criminal prosecution. In Missouri Anti-Cruelty Statues, animal abandonment is a crime punishable by fines and jail time.

— Slaughter is NOT humane euthanasia. Methods to stun and kill cows and pigs are excruciating when used on horses. Nonetheless, these excitable, long-necked animals are subject to captive bolt pistols that often don’t render them insensible. Some remain aware while killed.

— Focus should shift from slaughter to breeding oversight and responsible care. Overpopulation stems from industries such as Premarin and Prempro (HRT drugs made from mare urine); carriage horses; riding stables, etc. that over-breed horses. Moreover, there is no documented link between closure of domestic plants and a spike in horse abuse cases. In contrast, slaughter supplies a “dumping ground” for irresponsible breeders and caretakers.

— Missouri wants to impose a U.S. market for horsemeat on a nation that doesn’t want it. The Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act, H.R. 503/S.B. 727, currently before Congress, bans possession, shipment, transport, purchase, sale, delivery or receipt of any horse for the purpose of human ingestion.

— Please do not support legalized horse slaughter in Missouri.

>>>YOUR FULL NAME
>>>ADRESS, CITY, STATE
>>>COUNTRY

ACTION CAMPAIGNS * EDUCATION * ANIMAL DISASTER AID
http://www.KinshipCircle.org * http://www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters

FOR BREAKING NEWS & ACTION: subscribe@kinshipcircle.org
* Action campaigns on animal cruelty issues worldwide
* Animal rescue coordination/news in disasters

3/29/10 – KINSHIP CIRCLE ANIMAL DISASTER AID
Kinship Circle’s team is en route to Chile.  Why Chile? The answer lies in their eyes…


WHY CHILE?
Animals have no borders, so when Chileans asked Kinship Circle to send teams to help displaced animals, we got to work. We are now in Chile for rescue, first aid and the eventual construction of a temp tent clinic/shelter to house homeless animals, treat injuries, vaccinate, and spay/neuter.

WHY CHILE?
A stretch of coastal towns, about 500-600 miles from Santiago, Chile are ruined from an 8.8 earthquake, aftershocks, and two tsunamis. Still, cries of animals are heard from the rubble. Many are sick from drinking saltwater… It will take 4 to 5 days for a SACH/Kinship Circle convoy to log animal numbers, leave food/water and treat any injured or sick animals.

I wonder how we will find the money to finance all that needs to be done for thousands… Will people care enough about animals in Chile to contribute?

WHY CHILE?
Anyone who looks into their eyes would see the same sadness and confusion that I see. That look, a mix of hunger and hopelessness, was Katrina’s hallmark. For some rescuers, it is a look that can never be erased.

How do you turn away from a plea for help? From tears…and stories of animals left behind? YOU DON’T. Brenda Shoss, president, Kinship Circle

*  DONATE TO CHILE RELIEF FUND NOW:
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/donation

*   DONATE BY CHECK OR MONEY ORDER:
Kinship Circle / 7380 Kingsbury Blvd. / St. Louis, MO 63130

WE NEED TO RAISE AT LEAST $500,000 TO…
Fund Kinship Circle teams for 3 to 6 months — including veterinarians, first responders, and a Chile project manager — to purchase and oversee:
*   Search and Rescue / Trapping
*   In-Field First Aid / Wound Transport / Food-Water Program
*   Assessment and Tracking of Animal Populations
*   1-Year Clinic/Shelter (for homeless and temporarily surrendered animals)
*   Extended Care (vaccines, spay/neuter, and adoption programs)
*   Veterinary surgical/diagnostic equipment
*   Veterinary medicines, vaccines, tools
*   Containment & care: kennels, cages, food, hygiene, bowls, leashes, collars, litter…
*   Temp clinic/shelter: military tents, fencing, electrical lighting, air/heat…
*   Field work: stretchers, carriers, gas, first aid, catch poles, trap cages…

http://www.kinshipcircle.org/donation

ACTION CAMPAIGNS * EDUCATION * ANIMAL DISASTER AID NETWORK
http://www.KinshipCircle.org * http://www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters

Kinship Circle Animal Disaster Aid is a nonprofit that mobilizes volunteers and resources for animal victims through its network of trained responders in the U.S. and Canada. http://www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters

SIGN-UP FOR BREAKING NEWS & ACTION: subscribe@kinshipcircle.org
* Action campaigns on animal cruelty issues worldwide
* Animal rescue coordination/news in disasters

3/30/10: KINSHIP CIRCLE
Not a Missourian? Forward this to a list or person who is.

Dear Missourians,

We learned, just this morning, that the Missouri House passed H.B. 1747 — the bill to permit horse processing for human consumption in MO.

As you know, Kinship Circle circulated a polite sample-letter alert asking Missouri Reps to reject H.B. 1747. If Missouri’s bill passes in the Senate, this state will revive the horse kill trade in America.

Some Reps — in response to your emails — misused public information and harassed a benevolent, nonprofit organization. They bounced 1600 (at last count) unread emails from their servers back to Kinship Circle. Some left childish and menacing messages on Kinship Circle’s voicemail: singing “A Horse Is A Horse,” chanting “Brenda, Brenda, Brenda…neigh…” in reference to KC president Brenda Shoss. One just bleated some type of tribal war call.

Most alarming? Use of the word “retaliate” — as in, the House will pass this horse kill bill to get back at Kinship Circle members for sending comments. In fact, words such as “everyone here is against your organization and doesn’t like you…” or “you’ve guaranteed passage of this bill” because we are so mad at you…formed the basis for how some elected officials voted.

It is vital that MISSOURIANS now do two things:
1) CONTACT YOUR STATE REPS
Find your Reps’ email address & contact info: http://www.house.mo.gov/member.aspx
– Ask how they voted on H.B. 1747, the bill to legalize horse slaughter in MO.
– Tell them if they voted in favor of it, they just lost your vote at election polls.

2) CONTACT YOUR STATE SENATORS
Find your Senators’ email address & contact info: http://www.senate.mo.gov/
– Describe your disapproval of the House passage of  H.B. 1747, to legalize horse slaughter in MO.
– Explain why the Senate should NOT pass a similar bill, using the talking points below.
– Tell them that their YES or NO vote on legalized horse slaughter will effect your future voting decisions.

There is no auto-letter for this. A personal constituent approach is vital to keep this bill from passage in the Senate.

• Type or copy/paste your comments into an email to send to your Reps and Senators.
• Type your comments in a program like Word, print them, and fax or snail-mail to your Reps and Senators.
• Call your Reps and Senators.

=============================================================
TALKING POINTS – MODIFY & PERSONALIZE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE!
You DO NOT have to use every talking point. You DO have to sign with name and full address; if not you’ll be ignored.
=============================================================

— I’m dismayed by the recent passage of Rep. Jim Viebrock’s bill to sidestep federal rules that bar horse slaughter for human consumption. As your constituent, I’d like to know how you voted (or plan to vote) on legalizing horse slaughter in Missouri. Your stance on H.B. 1747, or any Senate companion bill, will influence my vote at election polls.

— I ask my Senators to oppose any bill with language that mirrors H.B. 1747 and lets horse processors operate in Missouri.

— Eyes around the nation are focusing on Missouri — to see if it will revive horse slaughter on American soil. As you know, this is not a Missouri issue alone. No equine kill plants have legally operated in the U.S. since those in Texas and Illinois were shut down in 2007. The matter of killing American horses affects concerned citizens everywhere.

While supporters insist slaughter “saves” horses from neglect and starvation, their argument fails to recognize:

— “Americans oppose horse slaughter by an overwhelming margin,” says Glen Bolger, national pollster and founding partner of the nonpartisan Public Opinion Strategies (POS). In a 2007 poll, POS found that 71% want horses preserved as part of American cultural heritage. Nearly half are less likely to vote for a Congressperson who is against a horse slaughter ban.

— Equine plants are known polluters that congest sewers and contaminate land and water.

— Rather than advocate slaughter as an alternative to neglect, lawmakers
should enforce criminal prosecution. In Missouri Anti-Cruelty Statues, animal abandonment is a crime punishable by fines and jail time.

— Slaughter is NOT humane euthanasia. Methods to stun and kill cows and pigs are excruciating when used on horses. Nonetheless, these excitable, long-necked animals are subject to captive bolt pistols that often don’t render them insensible. Some remain aware while killed.

— Focus should shift from slaughter to breeding oversight and responsible care. Overpopulation stems from industries such as Premarin and Prempro (HRT drugs made from mare urine); carriage horses; riding stables, etc. that over-breed horses. Moreover, there is no documented link between closure of domestic plants and a spike in horse abuse cases. In contrast, slaughter supplies a “dumping ground” for irresponsible breeders and caretakers.

— Missouri wants to impose a U.S. market for horsemeat on a nation that doesn’t want it. The Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act, H.R. 503/S.B. 727, currently before Congress, bans possession, shipment, transport, purchase, sale, delivery or receipt of any horse for the purpose of human ingestion.

— Please do not support any legislation to legalize horse slaughter in Missouri.

Sincerely,

>>>YOUR FULL NAME
>>>ADRESS, CITY, STATE
>>>COUNTRY

ACTION CAMPAIGNS * EDUCATION * ANIMAL DISASTER AID
http://www.KinshipCircle.org * http://www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters

FOR BREAKING NEWS & ACTION: subscribe@kinshipcircle.org
* Action campaigns on animal cruelty issues worldwide
* Animal rescue coordination/news in disasters

3/25/10: KINSHIP CIRCLE

MISSOURI HOUSE REPS ARE FORWARDING YOUR LETTERS BACK TO KINSHIP CIRCLE, UNREAD. We are receiving roughly 700-800 of your unread letters per day, and struggling to keep our system from freezing.

SINCE 3/21/10, SOME MISSOURI HOUSE REPS HAVE ALSO:
—  Left indecent voicemails on Kinship Circle’s line. One sang a vulgar version of “A Horse Is A Horse.” (CALLER ID: Missouri State, 573-522-0000)

—  Called our line late at night. At 10:00pm, one unidentified legislator chanted Kinship Circle president Brenda Shoss’ name in a creepy voice, then neighed. (CALLER ID: Missouri State, 573-522-0000)

—  Called and reached us — to cuss, yell and slam down the phone.

—  Called our business line to leave messages that begin “Hey Brenda…” in a menacing voice. Never: “Ms. Shoss” or “Kinship Circle.”

—  Called to say they are so inconvenienced by your “fricking emails,” they’ll vote YES on H.B. 1747. And: “The entire Missouri House is against your organization.” Revenge is the basis for enacting a law in Missouri?

THEIR DEFENSE? WE ONLY WANT TO HEAR FROM MISSOURI CONSTITUENTS
We all know this is not a Missouri issue. No equine plants have legally operated in the U.S. since those in Texas and Illinois were shut down in 2007. Killing U.S. horses affects all concerned citizens. But Missouri’s elected officials prefer to make teenage-style phonies to a 501c3 nonprofit.

Thanks to their immature harassment, the issue has broadened to one about free speech, legislator conduct, and horses. If you care about all three, write or call Missouri’s governor to report these abuses:

Office of Governor Jay Nixon
P.O. Box 720
Jefferson City, MO 65102
* 573-751-3222 (calling is best way to be heard)
http://governor.mo.gov/contact/

THIS UPDATE IS IN REFERENCE TO ALERT:
3/12/10: Show Me Missouri – Show Me Horse Slaughter?
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/letter_library/letter_new2.asp?LetterID=1894&seriesfirst=true

CHILE UPDATE: Thousands await refuge from injury, hunger, thirst, fear.
Kinship Circle’s team arrives 3/30/10 to work in hard hit coast towns.

WE NEED TO RAISE AT LEAST $500,00 TO:
—  Finance our initial five-person team, in Chile to assess the emergency for animals. This deployment will help form our extended plan for the rescue/recovery of earthquake affected animals.

—  Fund Kinship Circle teams over 3 to 6 months — including veterinarians, vet techs, first responders, and a Chile project manager — to conduct:
*   Search and Rescue / Trapping
*   In-Field First Aid / Wound Transport
*   In-Field Sustenance (food/water program)
*   Assessment and Tracking of Animal Populations
*   1-Year Clinic/Shelter (for homeless and temporarily surrendered animals)
*   Extended Care (vaccines, spay/neuter, and adoption programs)

*  DONATE TO CHILE RELIEF FUND NOW:
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/donation

*   DONATE BY CHECK OR MONEY ORDER:
Kinship Circle / 7380 Kingsbury Blvd. / St. Louis, MO 63130

KINSHIP CIRCLE IS AUTHORIZED BY CHILI’S GOVERNMENT. DONATIONS HELP FUND:
1)  A temporary shelter/clinic to care for animals left homeless by the earthquake as well as provide extended care for those animals without caretakers or who require more medical aid.

2)  A spay/neuter campaign with the goal to sterilize 5,000 to 6,000 animals. With enough funding, a spay/neuter program can change both the post-quake and long-term landscape for Chile’s animals.

3)  Transport and adoption campaigns, particularly in the U.S. In addition to a large pre-quake stray population, thousands more animals are left homeless by overwhelmed quake survivors.

ACTION CAMPAIGNS * EDUCATION * ANIMAL DISASTER AID NETWORK
http://www.KinshipCircle.org * http://www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters

Kinship Circle Animal Disaster Aid is a nonprofit that mobilizes volunteers and resources for animal victims through its network of trained responders in the U.S. and Canada. http://www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters

SIGN-UP FOR BREAKING NEWS & ACTION: subscribe@kinshipcircle.org
* Action campaigns on animal cruelty issues worldwide
* Animal rescue coordination/news in disasters

UPDATE: Missouri lawmakers don’t care what you think about H.B. 1747, a bill that could reinstate U.S. horse slaughter for human consumption. In fact, House Reps are forwarding your letters back to Kinship Circle, UNREAD.

Some Reps leave indecent voicemails on Kinship Circle’s line. One sang a vulgar version of “A Horse Is A Horse.” Another, at 10:00pm, chanted Kinship Circle president Brenda Shoss’ name in a creepy voice, then neighed. They’ve cussed, hung up, and yelled.

They are so inconvenienced by your “fricking” emails, they will vote to kill horses. Revenge is the basis for enacting a law in Missouri?

We all know this is not a Missouri issue. No equine plants have legally operated in the U.S. since those in Texas and Illinois were shut down in 2007. Killing American horses affects concerned citizens everywhere. But Missouri’s elected officials prefer to make teenage-style phonies to a 501c3 nonprofit charity.

Thanks to their immature harassment, the issue has broadened to one about free speech, legislator conduct, and horses. If you care about all three, write or call Missouri’s governor to report these abuses:

Office of Governor Jay Nixon
P.O. Box 720
Jefferson City, MO 65102
573-751-3222

3/21/10 – KINSHIP CIRCLE
Show Me Horse Slaughter In Show-Me Missouri?

SEND YOUR COMMENTS EITHER WAY:
1) Skip this blog entry. Go to this link to send an automated letter:
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/letter_library/letter_new2.asp?LetterID=1894&seriesfirst=true

2) OR — Copy/paste emails & sample letter below into your own email.


Photo: Horses sold for transport to a Canadian slaughterhouse.
http://www.humanefood.ca/otherissues.html

Missouri, the “Show Me State,” is already the nation’s puppy mill capital. Now the enterprising state aims to reinstate horse slaughter. Rep. Jim Viebrock, R-Republic, has introduced H.B. 1747 to sidestep federal regulations that bar horse slaughter for human consumption. According to Viebrock, his bill would jump-start the “ailing equine industry.”

WHEREVER YOU LIVE: THIS BILL AFFECTS YOU. The last three U.S. kill plants were shut down in 2007. Don’t let Missouri revive a despicable industry.

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SAMPLE LETTER – CONTACT INFO FOLLOWS SAMPLE LETTER
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Missouri House of Representatives:

Please reject Rep. Jim Viebrock’s bill to sidestep federal rules that bar horse slaughter for human consumption. If passed, H.B. 1747 lets horse processors operate in Missouri — even though no equine plants legally function in the U.S. right now. While supporters insist slaughter “saves” horses from neglect and starvation, their argument fails to recognize:

— “Americans oppose horse slaughter by an overwhelming margin,” says Glen Bolger, national pollster and founding partner of the nonpartisan Public Opinion Strategies (POS). In a 2007 poll, POS found that 71% want horses preserved as part of American cultural heritage. Nearly half are less likely to vote for a Congressperson who is against a horse slaughter ban.

— Equine plants are known polluters that congest sewers and contaminate land and water.

— Under Missouri Anti-Cruelty Statues Chapter 578, animal abandonment is a crime punishable by fines and jail time. Rather than advocate slaughter as an alternative to neglect, lawmakers ought to enforce criminal prosecution.

— Slaughter is NOT humane euthanasia. Methods to stun and kill cows and
pigs are excruciating when used on horses. Nonetheless, these excitable,
long-necked animals are subjected to captive bolt pistols that often don’t
render them insensible. Some remain aware while killed.

— Overpopulation stems from industries such as Premarin and Prempro (HRT drugs made from mare urine); carriage horses; riding stables, etc. that over-breed horses. Focus should shift to breeding oversight and responsible care. Moreover, there is no documented connection between closure of domestic plants and a spike in horse abuse cases. In contrast, slaughter supplies a “dumping ground” for irresponsible breeders and caretakers.

H.B. 1747 wants to impose a U.S. market for horsemeat on a nation that doesn’t want it. The Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act, H.R. 503/S.B. 727, currently before Congress, bans possession, shipment, transport, purchase, sale, delivery or receipt of any horse for the purpose of human ingestion. In 2006 Congress cut off funding for mandatory ante-mortem inspection of horses. This de-funding was reinstated in the 2010 Appropriations Act. It is illegal to kill uninspected horses under the Federal Meat Inspection Act.

In 2007 the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals proclaimed horse slaughter illegal in Texas, home to two foreign-owned equine plants. Later that year, U.S. District Court Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly froze America’s last kill plant in DeKalb, Illinois for its failure to assess environmental impacts of horse slaughter, in violation of the National Environmental Policy Act.

Missouri’s proposed “rebirth” of a doomed industry is economically and ethically shortsighted. Horse slaughter is a no-win for horses and people. Please do not support H.B. 1747.

Sincerely,

>>>YOUR FULL NAME
>>>ADRESS, CITY, STATE
>>>COUNTRY

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CONTACT INFORMATION
=============================================================

MISSOURI RESIDENTS, CONTACT YOUR STATE REPRESENTATIVES:
Find your reps’ contact info: http://www.house.mo.gov/member.aspx

EVERYONE, CONTACT MISSOURI LAWMAKERS:
Emails below are from the Missouri House of Representatives website:
http://www.house.mo.gov/member.aspx — If any don’t work, it is because:

• The website contains inaccurate, outdated information
• The recipient has disabled his/her email
• The recipient’s mailbox is full (try later)
• At the time emails below were cross-researched and checked, they worked.

AGRICULTURE POLICY COMMITTEE + ENTIRE MISSOURI HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
Sue.Allen@house.mo.gov, Bert.Atkins@house.mo.gov, Joe.Aull@house.mo.gov, NitaJane.Ayres@house.mo.gov, Kenny.Biermann@house.mo.gov, Walt.Bivins@house.mo.gov, Ellen.Brandom@house.mo.gov, Rachel.Bringer@house.mo.gov, Dan.Brown@house.mo.gov, Jason.Brown@house.mo.gov, Michael.Brown@house.mo.gov, Mark.Bruns@house.mo.gov, Eric.Burlison@house.mo.gov, John.Burnett@house.mo.gov, Don.Calloway@house.mo.gov, Chris.Carter@house.mo.gov, Ron.Casey@house.mo.gov, Maria.ChappelleNadal@house.mo.gov, Mike.Colona@house.mo.gov, Pat.Conway@house.mo.gov, Wayne.Cooper@house.mo.gov, Michael.Corcoran@house.mo.gov, Stanley.Cox@house.mo.gov, Mike.Cunningham@house.mo.gov, Shalonn.Curls@house.mo.gov, Cynthia.Davis@house.mo.gov, David.Day@house.mo.gov, Bill.Deeken@house.mo.gov, Charlie.Denison@house.mo.gov, Mike.Dethrow@house.mo.gov, Scott.Dieckhaus@house.mo.gov, John.Diehl@house.mo.gov, Bob.Dixon@house.mo.gov,
Curt.Dougherty@house.mo.gov, Tony.Dugger@house.mo.gov, Gary.Dusenberg@house.mo.gov, Ed.Emery@house.mo.gov, Vicki.Englund@house.mo.gov

Doug.Ervin@house.mo.gov, Sally.Faith@house.mo.gov, Joe.FallertJr@house.mo.gov, Linda.Fischer@house.mo.gov, Barney.Fisher@house.mo.gov, Thomas.Flanigan@house.mo.gov, Tim.Flook@house.mo.gov, Michael.Frame@house.mo.gov, Ward.Franz@house.mo.gov, Doug.Funderburk@house.mo.gov, Chuck.Gatschenberger@house.mo.gov, Jason.Grill@house.mo.gov, Jeff.Grisamore@house.mo.gov, Casey.Guernsey@house.mo.gov, Jim.Guest@house.mo.gov, Belinda.Harris@house.mo.gov, Steve.Hobbs@house.mo.gov, Steve.Hodges@house.mo.gov, Jason.Holsman@house.mo.gov, Denny.Hoskins@house.mo.gov, leonard.hughes@house.mo.gov, Jake.Hummel@house.mo.gov, Allen.Icet@house.mo.gov, Kenny.Jones@house.mo.gov, Tim.Jones@house.mo.gov, Tishaura.Jones@house.mo.gov, Jason.Kander@house.mo.gov, Shelley.Keeney@house.mo.gov, Chris.Kelly@house.mo.gov, Gayle.Kingery@house.mo.gov, Jeanne.Kirkton@house.mo.gov, Andrew.Koenig@house.mo.gov, Sam.Komo@house.mo.gov, Michele.Kratky@house.mo.gov, Will.Kraus@house.mo.gov, JC.Kuessner@house.mo.gov, Mike.Lair@house.mo.gov, Sara.Lampe@house.mo.gov, Scott.Largent@house.mo.gov

Mike.Leara@house.mo.gov, Roman.LeBlanc@house.mo.gov, Paul.Levota@house.mo.gov, Albert.Liese@house.mo.gov, Scott.Lipke@house.mo.gov, Tom.Loehner@house.mo.gov, Beth.Low@house.mo.gov, Rebecca.McClanahan@house.mo.gov, Tom.McDonald@house.mo.gov, Mike.McGhee@house.mo.gov, Cole.McNary@house.mo.gov, Margo.McNeil@house.mo.gov, Tim.Meadows@house.mo.gov, Kate.Meiners@house.mo.gov, Chris.Molendorp@house.mo.gov, James.Morris@house.mo.gov, Brian.Munzlinger@house.mo.gov, Bob.Nance@house.mo.gov, Jamilah.Nasheed@house.mo.gov, Stacey.Newman@house.mo.gov, Brian.Nieves@house.mo.gov, Jerry.Nolte@house.mo.gov, Charlie.Norr@house.mo.gov, Jeanette.Oxford@house.mo.gov, Sharon.Pace@house.mo.gov, Mark.Parkinson@house.mo.gov, Mike.Parson@house.mo.gov, Darrell.Pollock@house.mo.gov, Bryan.Pratt@house.mo.gov, Paul.Quinn@house.mo.gov, Ronald.Richard@house.mo.gov, Jeanie.Riddle@house.mo.gov, Jeff.Roorda@house.mo.gov, Martin.Rucker@house.mo.gov, Marilyn.Ruestman@house.mo.gov, Don.Ruzicka@house.mo.gov, Ray.Salva@house.mo.gov, Therese.Sander@house.mo.gov, David.Sater@house.mo.gov, Luke.Scavuzzo@house.mo.gov, Rob.Schaaf@house.mo.gov, Rodney.Schad@house.mo.gov, Dwight.Scharnhorst@house.mo.gov, Ed.Schieffer@house.mo.gov

Charlie.Schlottach@house.mo.gov, Shane.Schoeller@house.mo.gov, Sue.Schoemehl@house.mo.gov, Jill.Schupp@house.mo.gov, Tom.Self@house.mo.gov, Tom.Shively@house.mo.gov, Ryan.Silvey@house.mo.gov, Trent.Skaggs@house.mo.gov, Jason.Smith@house.mo.gov, Joe.Smith@house.mo.gov, Michael.Spreng@house.mo.gov, Bryan.Stevenson@house.mo.gov, Mary.Still@house.mo.gov, Rachel.Storch@house.mo.gov, Rick.Stream@house.mo.gov, Mike.Sutherland@house.mo.gov, Terry.Swinger@house.mo.gov, Mike.Talboy@house.mo.gov, Mike.Thomson@house.mo.gov, Steven.Tilley@house.mo.gov, Tom.Todd@house.mo.gov, Clint.Tracy@house.mo.gov, Jim.Viebrock@house.mo.gov, Michael.Vogt@house.mo.gov, Maynard.Wallace@house.mo.gov, Gina.Walsh@house.mo.gov, Rochelle.Gray@house.mo.gov, Jay.Wasson@house.mo.gov, Steve.Webb@house.mo.gov, Don.Wells@house.mo.gov, Raymond.Weter@house.mo.gov, Hope.Whitehead@house.mo.gov, Kevin.Wilson@house.mo.gov, Terry.Witte@house.mo.gov, Billy.Wright@house.mo.gov, Patricia.Yaeger@house.mo.gov, Anne.Zerr@house.mo.gov, Jake.Zimmerman@house.mo.gov

****KINSHIP CIRCLE CANNOT GUARANTEE ALL EMAILS WILL WORK****
During campaigns, recipients may change or disable their email addresses. Emails from government, corporate, or institute websites may be incorrect.

Kinship Circle believes an animal-free diet is the ultimate way to end cruelty and the devastating impacts of animal agriculture. We believe confinement, deprivation, drugging, brutalization, slaughter, dismemberment and consumption are bad for horses, dogs, cats, pigs, cows, chickens, goats and all who live. We advocate for an end to the suffering of all.

Give To Kinship Circle’s Disaster Aid Fund…So We Are Always Ready!
Hurricane Katrina, Rita, Missouri Flood, Iowa Floods, Gustav, Ike, Kentucky Flood, California Wildfires, Haiti, Chile… You helped us be there for animals.

*   DONATE TO KINSHIP CIRCLE DISASTER AID FUND: http://www.kinshipcircle.org/donation

*   DONATE BY CHECK OR MONEY ORDER:
Kinship Circle / 7380 Kingsbury Blvd. / St. Louis, MO 63130

ACTION CAMPAIGNS * EDUCATION * ANIMAL DISASTER AID
http://www.KinshipCircle.org * http://www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters

FOR BREAKING NEWS & ACTION: subscribe@kinshipcircle.org
* Action campaigns on animal cruelty issues worldwide
* Animal rescue coordination/news in disasters
=============================================================
SOURCE OF INFORMATION / REFERENCE LINKS FOR THIS ALERT
=============================================================

Slaughter of horses in U.S. could resume, in Missouri
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/stlouiscitycounty/story/3335E5FAA88015DC862576E2000F6ECE?OpenDocument
Show MO Legislators Why They Should Oppose H.B. 1747
http://www.animallawcoalition.com/horse-slaughter/article/1160

DISCLAIMER: The information in these alerts is verified with the original source. Kinship Circle does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of the information or for the consequences of its use. Nothing in this email is intended to encourage illegal action in whatever country you are reading it in. Kinship Circle does not engage in, nor support, any form of harassment or unlawful activity. Nothing in this alert serves to promote such conduct.

3/15/10: KINSHIP CIRCLE ANIMAL DISASTER AID
Chile’s Animals – Worse Than We Thought. Help Us Be There.

Animals with broken bones. Eyes cloudy with saltwater.
A kitten cut. Puppies under rubble. There are thousands more, each one a bark and purr unheard… THIS IS CHILE, post-quake.

Dear Supporters,
I just got off the phone with Kinship Circle’s Chile contact. She described the forgotten victims of Chile’s 8.8-magnitude earthquake on 2/27/10 — followed by 20+ aftershocks, some as high as 7.2 and 6.9, and two tsunamis.

Socorro Animal Chile, SACH (Animal Relief Chile) is a coalition of Chilean animal protection groups united for the relief of an estimated 700,000 (or more) animals scattered across Dichato, Constitucion and Pichilemu, Chile. SACH sends three veterinarian-led teams into the field daily. They’ve formally requested assistance from Kinship Circle’s disaster response team.

SACH has also asked us to raise funds on their behalf, with three main goals to:

1. Erect a temporary tent shelter/clinic to care for animals abandoned in the earthquake.
2. Carry out a spay/neuter campaign.
3. Focus on transport and adoption campaigns, particularly in the U.S.

SACH needs Kinship Circle Animal Disaster Aid in Chile to assist with:
— Search and Rescue / Trapping
— In-Field First Aid
— Wound Transport to Veterinary Clinics
— In-Field Sustenance (food/water program)
— Assessment and Tracking of Animal Populations
— Emergency Sheltering (once a temporary staging area/clinic is established)

WE NEED TO RAISE $500,000.
http://kinshipcircle.org/donation/
I know you have DONATION FATIGUE! We wouldn’t ask, with Haiti animal aid still underway, if it weren’t critical.  I ask for you to reach deep, to helpwith funding needs outlined below. We can’t keep our promise to Chile’s animals without funding, as most of our resources went to Haiti work.
With deep gratitude, Brenda Shoss, president, Kinship Circle

Please donate to Kinship Circle / Animal Relief Chile now:
BY MAIL:
Kinship Circle
Animal Relief Chile
7380 Kingsbury Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63130

ONLINE:
http://kinshipcircle.org/donation/

Your donation helps pay for:
**This is to show why we’re fundraising. DO NOT SHIP ITEMS TO US.**
STAGING AREA/TEMP SHELTER IN CHILE:
— Large vehicles: 3 SUVs
— Gas fueled generators
— Basic veterinary surgical equipment and examining table
— Basic veterinary clinic equipment, including vaccines, medicines, etc.
— Subcutaneous fluid bags, lines, needles
— Portable X-ray machine and light table
— Fans and portable air conditioners for surgical tents
— Kennels, run, carriers, cages…for rescued animals
— Sturdy large tent shelters for clinic, animal sheltering, volunteers
— Electrical lighting for staging area/volunteer camp at night
— Fencing
— Leashes, collars
— Bowls
— Litter-boxes & Litter
— Cat and dog food
— Water
— Blankets; Newspaper
— Trap cages
— Catch poles
— Hygiene
— Refrigerator cold storage of medication
VOLUNTEER DEPLOYMENT & GROUND ACTIVITIES:
— Airfare reimbursement for volunteer deployments
— Lodging for volunteers, whether in hotel, rented property, or camp
— Sustenance (food, water) for volunteers + some equipment, such as catchpoles, etc.
— Administrative costs for web construction, public messaging, long distance communications…

A Plea From Earthquake-Stricken Chile
Dear Ms. Shoss and Kinship Circle,
The earthquake and following tsunami that Chile suffered on the early morning of the 27th of February devastated several small towns close to the coast. Thousands of animals are silent victims of this catastrophe. Hundreds of dogs live with their owners in shelters and thousands roam the ruins of towns and cities. The dogs’ guardians have lost everything and do not have the resources to feed their animals. Some opted to abandon them.

Chilean animal welfare groups and veterinarians decided to work together to help animals and created Socorro Animal Chile (Animal Relief Chile).

Socorro Animal Chile (Animal Relief Chile) formally requests assistance from Kinship Circle for our animal aid operation in Dichato, Constitucion and Pichilemu, Chile. We need trained animal disaster responders and rescue and veterinary specialists. On behalf of the animal organizations in SACH/Animal Relief Chile, we ask that Kinship Circle deploy its team to Chile to work within our animal disaster plan, in response to Chile’s earthquake.

We also ask Kinship Circle to temporarily receive donations in the United States on behalf of Socorro Animal Chile. We urgently need funding to sustain our work for animals. Difficult bureaucratic steps necessary to
opening a Paypal account ourselves, in Chile, have prompted SACH to request financial aid from other countries, especially the United States. That is the reason we ask Kinship Circle to accept funds on our behalf.

For all your help I am grateful,
Alejandra Cassino, Chief Coordinator
Adriana De La Garza, International Affairs
Socorro Animal Chile / Animal Relief Chile

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ANIMAL RELIEF CHILE
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=329459149031&ref=ts
http://www.sach.bligoo.cl/

Kinship Circle Animal Disaster Aid is a nonprofit that mobilizes volunteers and resources for animal victims through its network of trained responders in the U.S. and Canada. http://www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters

*   DONATE TO CHILE OR HAITI ANIMAL RELIEF FUNDS:
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/donation

*   DONATE BY CHECK OR MONEY ORDER:
Kinship Circle / 7380 Kingsbury Blvd. / St. Louis, MO 63130

ACTION CAMPAIGNS * EDUCATION * ANIMAL DISASTER AID NETWORK
http://www.KinshipCircle.org * http://www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters

SIGN-UP FOR BREAKING NEWS & ACTION: subscribe@kinshipcircle.org
* Action campaigns on animal cruelty issues worldwide
* Animal rescue coordination/news in disasters

UNSUBSCRIBE
* Select a Kinship Circle ALERT received in your mailbox
* Hit “FORWARD”  +  Send to: info@kinshipcircle.org
* Type UNSUBSCRIBE in your subject line and hit send

3/9/10 – KINSHIP CIRCLE ANIMAL DISASTER AID
Hope Has Wheels! $1.1M Pledged For Lasting Animal Aid In Haiti

WHY AM I HERE? We highly recommend you view our friend Tom McPhee’s extraordinary short, “Why Am I Here?” Tom, Executive Director of World Animal Awareness Society — and creator of the Katrina animal rescue film, American Opera — explains why he traveled to earthquake-stricken Haiti to film animal rescue operations with SODOPRECA. The film’s rich texture and breathtaking scenes will make you feel as if you went with him:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gg6Ng9jeGTk

Port-au-Prince, Haiti: Hope arrived on four wheels……Underneath a fully equipped veterinary mobile clinic! As of March 4, 2010, ARCH has treated over 4000 animals, including many dogs, goats, sheep, cats, pigs, cows, horses, donkeys and domestic fowl. In the photo above, Kenny, 10, said his dog Vito had “been sick for a long time, but I don’t know any vets and don’t have money.” ARCH gave Vito antibiotics and vitamins and will check the dog’s progress… Photos: IFAW/WSPA for ARCH

Animal groups pledge $1.1M dollars for long-term animal aid in Haiti
3/4/10 — Animal Relief Coalition Of Haiti (ARCH) announced a $1.1 million agreement with the Haitian government to improve and repair animal welfare conditions in the aftermath of January’s ruinous earthquake. Over 20 animal protection groups worldwide, including Kinship Circle, formed ARCH under joint leadership of World Society For Protection of Animals and International Fund For Animal Welfare. The ambitious long-term plan covers:

*   DISEASE PREVENTION NETWORK: To protect people and animals from disease outbreaks, a laboratory and staff will carry out targeted vaccination campaigns for Rabies, Anthrax and other diseases.

*   VETERINARY TRAINING: Our goal is to train at least 200 Haitian veterinarians and vet technicians for current/future animal welfare issues.

*   VACCINATION COLD STORAGE: A “cold chain” is crucial to keep vaccinations fresh and stable through delivery.

*   ANIMAL POPULATION STUDIES: Haiti’s animal demographics have changed dramatically due to recent disasters. Updated data is vital to reach animals.

ARCH’s mobile vet clinic makes rounds to underserved areas such as Pelerin where Haitians line-up to have animals vaccinated. According to the Haitian Ministry of Agriculture, there are some 5 million farmed animals in Haiti (not including domestic fowl), and about 500,000 dogs in Port-au-Prince.

Why Haiti’s animals, when animals everywhere need help? Kinship Circle Animal Disaster Aid made a promise to help Haiti’s animals after one of the most devastating earthquakes in modern times. ARCH’s enduring plan to coordinate veterinarians, clinics, vaccines…gives these animals a chance in future disasters and daily survival.

All Haiti photos: T. Stargardter (c) WSPA/IFAW for ARCH

PLEASE GIVE TO HAITI ANIMAL RELIEF:
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/haiti

ACTION CAMPAIGNS * EDUCATION * ANIMAL DISASTER AID
http://www.KinshipCircle.org * http://www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters

FOR BREAKING NEWS & ACTION: subscribe@kinshipcircle.org
* Action campaigns on animal cruelty issues worldwide
* Animal rescue coordination/news in disasters

KINSHIP CIRCLE ANIMAL DISASTER AID NETWORK
3/5/10: Chile Quake – Some 700,000 Animals May Be Affected


Kittens amid rubble. An 8.8. earthquake struck Chile’s central region,
namely Constitucion, Chile, on 2/27/10. photo source:
http://21paradigm.wordpress.com/

IN THIS ALERT:

1. Strongest Earthquake To Hit Chile In 50 Years
2. Some 700,000 Animals Affected, Animal Relief Chile Says
3. International NGOs On Alert For Chile’s Animals

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1. Strongest Earthquake To Hit Chile In 50 Years

CHILE EARTHQUAKE / DISASTER OVERVIEW
–   2/27/10: Magnitude 8.8 – OFFSHORE MAULE, CHILE
–   MAIN AFFECTED REGIONS:
60 miles NNW of Chillan, Chile
65 miles WSW of Talca, Chile
70 miles NNE of Concepcion, Chile
200 miles SW of Santiago, Chile
SOURCE: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/Quakes/us2010tfan.php

–   (AP) 3/4/10: The magnitude-8.8 quake and tsunami that followed ravaged a 700-kilometer (435-mile) stretch of Chile’s Pacific coast and killed at least 802 people. People missing, unknown. People affected, 2 million.

–   Chile has asked other countries and the UN for temporary bridges, field hospitals, satellite phones, electric generators, water purification systems, field kitchens and dialysis centers.

–   (guardian.co.uk) 2/27/10: The 22-mile deep earthquake caused buildings to collapse, fires to erupt, and unleashed a tsunami across the Pacific. It devastated the city of Concepcion, 70 miles from the epicentre.

–   “This quake was around 500 times the magnitude of the one that devastated Haiti in Jan.,” but it was deeper and Chile’s buildings are sturdier, so there were less casualties.

–   Powerful aftershocks: There were 29 of magnitude 5 or greater, and one reaching 6.9, the US Geological Survey reported.

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2. Some 700,000 Animals Affected, Animal Relief Chile Says

EFE, Chile. http://www.sach.bligoo.cl/

ANIMAL RELIEF CHILE
http://www.cefu.cl/ * http://www.sach.bligoo.cl/
CEFU executive director Alejandra Cassino estimates more than 700,000 companion animals may be affected by the 8.8-magnitude earthquake that hit Chile’s central region on 2/27/10. Coalition for the Ethical Control of Urban Animals (CEFU) has called upon other Chilean animal organizations to unite for these victims. Under the banner ANIMAL RELIEF CHILE, the coalition provides a national support network to cover veterinary care, resource management, communications, volunteers, etc.

ANIMAL RELIEF CHILE MEMBER GROUPS, SO FAR:
– Animanaturalis
– Animal Consciousness
– Rima
– ADAR
– ASPS Talca
– independent animal Enraizarte
– Students from the Universidad Diego Portales, Universidad Mayor,
Iberoamericana and Universidad de Chile

MONETARY DONATIONS TO ANIMAL RELIEF CHILE:
DIRECT DESPOSIT (the only option at this time)
Animal Relief Chile — also called Socorro Animal Chile (SACH) — asks the Chilean animal community and the rest of the world to join this campaign to help the animal victims of the earthquake, and their caretakers.

WIRE OR WESTERN UNION DONATIONS FROM YOUR BANK TO:
The account of the Organization OPRA
Account: 01-16460-0, Development Bank
Ruth: 65640920-0
CODE FOREIGN DEPOSITS: BKSACLRM
Send a confirmation email to: aporteanimal@gmail.com

SUPPLY NEEDS (translated from Spanish):
For donations of perishables (dog/cat food…) and medical supplies, communicate directly with those responsible for receiving/coordinating aid:

** Animal Relief Chile: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=329459149031&ref=ts
Alejandra Cassino Marcel, 09-235-1982, socorroanimalchile@gmail.com

SOURCE OF THIS INFORMATION, TRANSLATED FROM SPANISH
Socorro Animal Chile (SACH)
socorroanimalchile@gmail.com, sosanimalchile@gmail.com
website: http://www.sach.bligoo.cl/

Coalition for the Ethical Control of
Urban Animals (CEFU)
coalicion@cefu.cl, denuncia@cefu.cl, prensa@cefu.cl
website: http://www.sach.bligoo.cl/

===================================================================
3. International NGOs On Alert For Chile’s Animals

Rescue worker Cristian Velasquez found and comforted this puppy found alive inside a collapsed house in Constitucion, March 1, 2010. Velasquez gave him bits of food and water after rescuing him from (AP Photo/Roberto Candia)

WORLD SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF ANIMALS (WSPA)
http://animalsindisasters.typepad.com/

EDITED FOR LENGTH
The impact on animals is becoming clearer, as we now have information from several of our member societies in affected regions… A center run by our member society, Centro de Rehabilitacion y Rescate de Primates (CRRP) that provides shelter for 165 mistreated primates has been damaged too. CRRP staff said that one of the monkeys has died and others are much stressed… Some animal shelters run by non-member societies are also reportedly seriously damaged. Many dogs have been left homeless, and there are reports of animals roaming around towns…. Flights into Chile are very limited. We now have confirmed tickets, to fly directly to Santiago, on Sunday night…

INTERNATIONAL FUND FOR ANIMAL WELFARE (IFAW)
http://www.ifaw.org/ifaw_international/

IFAW Emergency Team on Alert — A magnitude 8.8 earthquake struck near the city of Concepcion, Chile… More than 2 million people are displaced, wounded or otherwise affected… Shortly after the earthquake, IFAW reached out to our friends at animal protection groups in Chile to assess the needs of animal victims. We are standing ready to provide emergency grants or whatever else is appropriate during these difficult times.

Animales terremoto en Chile
http://www.flickr.com/photos/prensanimalista/sets/72157623551563382/

Please Give To Kinship Circle’s Disaster Aid Fund…So We Are Always Ready!
Hurricane Katrina, Rita, Missouri Flood, Iowa Floods, Gustav, Ike, Kentucky
Flood, California Wildfires, Haiti… You helped us be there for animals.

*   DONATE TO KINSHIP CIRCLE DISASTER AID FUND: http://www.kinshipcircle.org/donation

*   DONATE TO HAITI ANIMAL RELIEF: http://www.KinshipCircle.org/haiti

*   DONATE BY CHECK OR MONEY ORDER:
Kinship Circle / 7380 Kingsbury Blvd. / St. Louis, MO 63130

ACTION CAMPAIGNS * EDUCATION * ANIMAL DISASTER AID NETWORK
http://www.KinshipCircle.org * http://www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters

FOR BREAKING NEWS & ACTION: subscribe@kinshipcircle.org
* Action campaigns on animal cruelty issues worldwide
* Animal rescue coordination/news in disasters

End Live Bait Dog Training In Indiana (3/2/10)
***LETTERS SHOULD BE RECEIVED BEFORE MARCH 16, 2010***

Running pen operations pit a pack of dogs against a single wild-caught coyote or fox as a form of hunt training for the dogs. The coyote or fox has nowhere to run and is mauled. With hunter’s comprising less than 5% of Indiana’s population, we can be louder. Take action to stop this profoundly cruel blood sport now. PHOTOS: http://www.coyoteinfo.typepad.com

SENDING OPTIONS:
1) SEND AN AUTOMATED LETTER:
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/letter_library/letter_new2.asp?LetterID=1891&seriesfirst=true

2) OR — COPY/PASTE EMAILS & SAMPLE LETTER BELOW.

=============================================================
CONTACT INFORMATION
=============================================================

EVERYONE, CONTACT:
Indiana Natural Resources Commission
Indiana Government Center North
100 N. Senate Avenue, Room N501 / Indianapolis, IN 46204-2200
fax: 317-233-2977
Jennifer Kane: 317-232-4699, jkane@nrc.in.gov
Sandra Jensen: 317-232-4229, sjensen@nrc.in.gov
contact form: http://www.in.gov/nrc/2351.htm

Office of Governor Mitch Daniels
200 W Washington St # 206 / Indianapolis, IN 46204-2731
ph: 317-232-4567; email: mdaniels@gov.in.gov
contact form: http://www.in.gov/gov/2631.htm

INDIANA RESIDENTS ONLY:
Attend and testify at the INRC hearing on 3/16/10 in Indianapolis where Commissioners may opt to move forward with Citizen petitions and take action via formal rulemaking procedures. We need a good showing at this hearing!

• Hearing Time: March 16, 2010 / 9:00am
• Place: Fort Harrison State Park Inn, Roosevelt Room / Indianapolis, IN
• More Info: http://www.in.gov./nrc/2354.htm

*****EMAIL ADDRESSES FROM ABOVE*****
jkane@nrc.in.gov, sjensen@nrc.in.gov, mdaniels@gov.in.gov

****KINSHIP CIRCLE CANNOT GUARANTEE ALL EMAILS WILL WORK****
During campaigns, recipients may change or disable their email addresses. Emails from government, corporate, or institute websites may be incorrect.

=============================================================
SAMPLE LETTER – Type your address, city, state, country for your comments
to be officially considered.
=============================================================

Dear Indiana Natural Resources Commission and Governor Mitch Daniels:

My comments pertain to citizen petitions that seek to ban use of coyotes and red foxes in “penning” and as bait. I urge INRC to advance the rulemaking procedure that would disallow entrapment, harassment and slaughter of coyotes and foxes at running pen operations. I also hope Governor Daniels asserts his authority to put a stop to this inhumane activity.

As you know, “penning” entails the trapping, sale or barter of coyotes and foxes to hound hunting facilities. Wild-caught canids are penned separately, so that multiple dogs can literally rip apart a single coyote or fox. It is hard to believe that a blood sport similar to illegal dog or cockfighting is still legal in Indiana.

To deliberately torture a wild animal under the guise of “sport” is not only grotesque — but also ecologically irresponsible. Furthermore, the transport of wild animals slated for penning has been linked with transmission of rabies and other diseases.

On March 16, 2010, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources conveys results from its assessment of hunting/trapping regulations related to coyotes and foxes. This report covers penning.

Wildlife enthusiasts far outnumber hunters, who comprise less than 5% of Indiana’s population. I encourage INRC and Governor Daniels to weigh these petitions, from your citizens, and advocate an end to the capture of foxes and coyotes to use as training bait for dogs.

Thank you,
>>>YOUR FULL NAME
>>>ADRESS, CITY, STATE
>>>COUNTRY

==============================================================
HOPE HAS WHEELS — FOR HAITI QUAKE SURVIVORS
==============================================================

Please keep us moving: http://www.kinshipcircle.org/haiti

ARCH’s mobile veterinary clinic makes rounds to underserved areas such as Pelerin where Haitians line-up to have animals vaccinated. In top photo, Kenny, 10, brought his dog Vito. “[Vito] has been sick for a long time, but I don’t know any vets and don’t have money,” he said. ARCH gave Vito antibiotics and vitamins and will check the dog’s progress…

As of end Feb. 2010, ARCH teams had administered aid to: dogs, cats, goats,
sheep, pigs, cows, horses, chickens, donkeys…nearly 3500 animals so far.

WE CAN’T MOVE FORWARD WTHOUT YOU…
Some ask, “Why Haiti’s animals, when animals everywhere need help?” We applaud your generosity for all animals. Kinship Circle Animal Disaster Aid made a commitment to help animals in the aftermath of the earthquake. What ARCH members uncovered is that Haiti has virtually no veterinary capacity.
The long-term coordination of veterinarians, clinics, vaccines…and public education…gives these animals a chance in future disasters and daily survival.  With $1.1M dollars pledged for enduring animal relief efforts in
Haiti — ARCH can only finish this job with your support!

Kinship Circle needs contributions to:

• Help pay for long-term projects that will make life better for Haiti’s animals.
• Fund travel for our responders on standby to deploy to Haiti.

PLEASE GIVE TO HAITI ANIMAL RELIEF:
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/haiti

All Haiti photos: T. Stargardter (c) WSPA/IFAW for ARCH

After Haiti’s 7.0 earthquake devastated Port-au-Prince and nearby areas, Kinship Circle joined animal protection groups worldwide to form Animal Relief Coalition of Haiti (ARCH), led by International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA).

ACTION CAMPAIGNS * EDUCATION * ANIMAL DISASTER AID
http://www.KinshipCircle.org * http://www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters

FOR BREAKING NEWS & ACTION: subscribe@kinshipcircle.org
* Action campaigns on animal cruelty issues worldwide
* Animal rescue coordination/news in disasters

=============================================================
SOURCE OF INFORMATION / REFERENCE LINKS FOR THIS ALERT
=============================================================

Project Coyote, info@projectcoyote.org
http://www.ProjectCoyote.org
Friends of Animals Tells Indiana to Stop Live Bait Dog Training
http://www.friendsofanimals.org/news/2009/december/friends-of-animals-t.html

2/11/10: The Iditarod Dog Sled Race Hurts And Kills Dogs
ALERT WRITER: Margery Glickman, SledDogAC@aol.com Sled Dog Action Coalition, http://www.helpsleddogs.org

AN AUTOMATED LETTER IS READY FOR YOU TO SEND:
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/letter_library/letter_new2.asp?LetterID=1887&seriesfirst=true

OR — COPY/PASTE EMAILS & SAMPLE LETTER BELOW, TO SEND NOW

SAMPLE LETTER
BY: Margery Glickman, SledDogAC@aol.com
(Kinship Circle edited, but did not write this sample letter.)

Dear Iditarod Supporter:

Please end your organization’s support of the Iditarod dog sled race. In 2009, six dogs died. Among them, two dogs on Dr. Lou Packer’s team froze to death in brutally cold winds. A romanticized version of the Iditarod fails
to reveal dogs who endure death, paralysis, frostbite, bleeding ulcers, bloody diarrhea, lung damage, pneumonia, ruptured discs, viral disease, broken bones, torn muscles, tendons and sprains. For more facts, see the Sled Dog Action Coalition’s website: http://www.helpsleddogs.org

Even training runs can be fatal, when dogs encounter moose, snow machines, semi-tractors, ATVs or other vehicles. Dogs drown, strangle in harnesses and suffer heart attacks. They are gashed, quilled by porcupines, bitten in dogfights, and more. Training injuries or fatalities are rarely reported.

Mushers beat dogs as a form of intimidation style training. Eyewitnesses at the 2007 Iditarod said musher Ramy Brooks kicked, punched and hit dogs with a ski pole and chain. “A training device such as a whip is not cruel at all but is effective,” writes Jim Welch in his Speed Mushing Manual. “It is a common training device among dog mushers.”

At Iditarod puppy mills, mushers over-breed dogs and routinely kill unwanted ones, including puppies. Dogs who are disabled, old, or otherwise undesirable are shot in the head, dragged, drowned or clubbed to death.

“Dogs are clubbed with baseball bats and if they don’t pull are dragged to death in harnesses,” wrote former Iditarod dog handler Mike Cranford for Alaska’s Bush Blade Newspaper. Jon Saraceno claimed in USA Today that “He [Colonel Tom Classen] confirmed dog beatings and far worse. Like starving dogs to maintain racing weight. Skinning them to make mittens…”

During the race itself, mushers speed past checkpoints. At best, veterinarians give dogs brief visual checks. Rather than pull sick dogs, veterinarians often dose them with antibiotics to stay in the race.

I urge your organization to cut ties with the cruel Iditarod dog sled race.

Sincerely,

LEFT: Dogs on short tethers, prior to a race. RIGHT: At sled dog mills, dogs live outdoors with rickety enclosures and are jerked back when they run to the end of their chains. PHOTOS: http://www.helpsleddogs.org

TAKE EMAIL ACTION:
Most email providers allow people to send up to 40 email addresses at a time. For your convenience, addresses below are divided into groups of 40.

• Please email your comments, one group at a time.
• Groups contain addresses for the 2010 Iditarod sponsors, promoters, and musher sponsors.
• Email blocks with semicolons and commas: http://www.helpsleddogsorg/sponsors.htm

IF EMAILS DON’T WORK OR OTHER PROBLEMS ARISE,
CONTACT ALERT WRITER — NOT KINSHIP CIRCLE:
Margery Glickman, SledDogAC@aol.com

BLOCK ONE OF FIVE:
Martha.LaGuardia@uscg.mil, Christopher.Gay@cabelas.com, joe.arterburn@cabelas.com, car8@chrysler.com, rick.deneau@chrysler.com, richard.d.levy@wellsfargo.com, Dana.L.Rogers@wellsfargo.com, investorrelations@wellsfargo.com, capital.markets@exxonmobil.com, craig.a.haymes@exxonmobil.com, elizabeth_hillman@discovery.com, investor_relations@discovery.com, investorrelations@target.com, susan.kahn@target.com, newsroom@alaskaair.com, Susan.Bramstedt@alaskaair.com, jodom@odomcorp.com, sustainability@na.ko.com, Investor.Relations@ab-inbev.com, DaveScott@KLDistributor.com, billing@roadpost.com, investor.relations@iridium.com, info@vitecgroup.com, Marketing@ElectrochemSolutions.com, info@margaritaville.com, keywest@margaritaville.com, info@westernplows.com, glparsky@auroracap.com, info@visitjamaica.com, investor_relations@westjet.com, jeanne.jackson@nike.com, asilverman@npr.org, David.Bittler@nick.com, jobs@wellpet.com, skenyon@mill-usa.com, david.curtis-brignell@mill-cop.com, PDoyle@adn.com, ptira@mcclatchy.com, jstorey@horizonlines.com, investor_relations@trimble.com, corpcsf@wellsfargo.com

BLOCK TWO OF FIVE:
espence@nea.org, danya.proud@us.mcd.com, info@mychukka.com, dmorris@gci.com, resumes@crowley.com,  cburchfield@alaskanbeer.com, dwspencer@microlinetc.com, enisson@nacargo.com, jo.norton@providence.org, kroger.investors@kroger.com, Alyson.Johnson@wyndhamworldwide.com, sparmelee@outsidemag.com, dhibbler@depaul.edu, desa@diabetes-exercise.org, investor.relations@blockbuster.com, lailani@kotowski4senate.com, publicrelations@arizona.aaa.com, info0808@striker.com, david_peikin@choicehotels.com, investor_relations@choicehotels.com, irnewyork@shell.com, mjordan@invictalaw.com, rcotton@hawkpointegolf.com, hbspcs@harcourt.com, TGallagher@carnival.com, greg.lee@livestrong.org, jgooding@tiff.net, info@chempetitive.com, oberlander@topnotchresort.com, frank.hazevoets@tigenix.com, rene.reichenbach@t-online.de, board@rei.com, information@RSSC.com, kgood@scholastic.com, csinger@fpdwc.org

BLOCK THREE OF FIVE:
hotelrep@fdifairbanks.com, tmarkley@catawba.k12.nc.us, admin@krokodil.be, marketing@baffin.com, abement@nsf.gov, ted@pacifictugboats.com, neos@overshoe.com, enquiries@freshcatch.com, chris.deets@activeion.com, loki@lokiusa.com, unicorn@mcphee.com, info@doubleupfarms.com, jrotepel@tahsinusa.com, info@oceanbeauty.com, info@freedscoffeetea.com,  Richard.Salmons@lssi.com, chairman@arts.gov, bcumming@cmnh.org, Investor_Help@edmin.com, jh@desplainesparks.org, webmaster@equinedirect.net, info@foresightmultimedia.com, bob.klein@harley-davidson.com, ablank@gpworldwide.com, ian@brander.co.uk, circles@pandora.be, catchg.glassandstone@runbox.com, kco@verdepr.com, brian@wildthingsgear.com, stay@diamondmranch.com, ken@zolfeeast.com, buschk@billings.k12.mt.us, joni@doxafestival.ca, rabbikahn@torahacademy.org, pastor@calvaryws.com, JJohnston@udelhoven.com, info@greatriverjourney.com, reach@plaidfish.com, sales@tunnock.co.uk, info@inlettower.com

BLOCK FOUR OF FIVE:
lynne@boulderdigitalarts.com, swmoore@cbs.com, jfipp@ncs-nj.org, mccabel@kaukauna.k12.wi.us, cs@darntough.ca, garthdeesports@btconnect.com, owner@adventuresakrv.com, secretariat@41clubs.be, admin@k9hydrocentre.com,
plampi@alaskazoo.org, info@annamaet.com, rambler@cariboucreekgold.com, ma@goathleticapparel.com, tlange@tcinc.us, fsb@1stsecuritydl.com, info@brcomm.com, robert@100sportingevents.com, Mary-Michael@RiverviewCC.com, info@schadevineyard.com, joel_dvorak@natronaschools.org, pmroden@hsco.org, info@penair.com, mayor@muni.org, manager@ci.nome.ak.us, gwells@simon.com, vrupright@ci.wasilla.ak.us, AskMLP@muni.org, alcansigns@alaska.net, dpowers@akserigraphics.com, Luke.Welles@lifemedalaska.com, info@worksafeinc.com, rentme@valleycarrental.com, anchorage@alaskapain.net, bgabriel@biggelectric.com, jimb@harborent.com, info@10squaredracing.com, yum.investor@yum.com, info@trapperscreek.com, info@trabitsgroup.com, info@canada-goose.com

BLOCK FIVE OF FIVE:
sdean@jjkeller.com, customersupport@batteriesplus.com, larry@altitudetraining.com, information@lynden.com, contact@redpawfeed.com, orders@motosolutions.com, Macgellan@mac.com, orders@motosolutions.com, info@lake-rescue.org,  info@alaskadirectbusline.com, pressroom@atk.com, dax@polarcom.com, info@yukonzinc.com, prints@alaskastock.com, ewaite@sbsalaska.com, ruediger.henke@queo-media.com,  kbernier@mta-telco.com, sean.karin@alaska.net, amanda.fowler@warmers.com,  wiggys@wiggys.com, eldorado@yknet.ca, info@janssenfuneralhomes.com, qiviut@gci.net, info@usibelli.com, ccampbell@wmcnet.org, bwalker@mcmurry.net, info@sylmardogwear.com, tours@atlastravelweb.com, newsmedia@Exploritas.org, jmcfarland@fpdwc.org, balch@wvwc.edu, lance@cebridge.net, duane.dunn@sccc.edu, director@lmlibrary.org, jwomack@rcs.k12.va.us

ACTION CAMPAIGNS * EDUCATION * ANIMAL DISASTER AID
http://www.KinshipCircle.org * http://www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters

FOR BREAKING NEWS & ACTION: subscribe@kinshipcircle.org
* Action campaigns on animal cruelty issues worldwide
* Animal rescue coordination/news in disasters

***Kinship Circle believes an animal-free diet is the ultimate way to end cruelty and the devastating impacts of animal agriculture. We believe confinement, deprivation, drugging, brutalization, slaughter, dismemberment and consumption are bad for dogs, cats, pigs, cows, chickens, goats and all who live. We advocate for an end to the suffering of all.

It’s inserted just above the sample letter in the alert below…
Thanks! Brenda

#############################################################

2/22/10 – KINSHIP CIRCLE – NOW ONE LIST…ONE VOICE FOR ANIMALS
South Korea: No Free Trade Deal For Nation That Eats Dogs And Cats

South Korea’s cat/dog consumption industry won’t end for ethical reasons. But a blow to South Korean financial interests may finally make them take notice. Urge the Obama Admin and U.S. Congress to not approve a United States – South Korean Free Trade Agreement. Send comments now.

SENDING OPTIONS:
1) SEND AN AUTOMATED LETTER:
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/letter_library/letter_new2.asp?LetterID=1889&seriesfirst=true

2) OR — COPY/PASTE EMAILS & SAMPLE LETTER BELOW.

=============================================================
EMAIL BLOCK & WEB CONTACT FORMS
=============================================================

1) U.S CITIZENS ONLY — SEND COMMENTS TO —
YOUR REPRESENTATIVE AND 2 SENATORS IN U.S. CONGRESS:
To identify your federal legislators and find contact info, try:
http://www.Congress.org
http://www.senate.gov
http://www.house.gov

2) EVERYONE — SEND COMMENTS TO —
U.S. WAYS AND MEANS TRADE SUBCOMMITTEE MEMBERS, PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA & HOUSE SPEAKER NANCY PELOSI:

*****ABOUT EMAIL ADDRESSES BELOW*****
Most Congresspersons use constituent-only web contact forms now. However, we searched documents from various Congressional committees, meetings, and initiatives to find some personal emails. WE CANNOT GUARANTEE THAT ALL THE EMAIL ADDRESSES BELOW ARE STILL VALID.

george.dalley@mail.house.gov, Emile.milne@mail.house.gov, janice.mays@mail.house.gov, charles.rangel@mail.house.gov, rangel@mail.house.gov, waysandmeans@mail.house.gov, slevin@mail.house.gov, vickie.walling@mail.house.gov,  john.tanner@mail.house.gov, christopher.vanhollen@mail.house.gov, Jacqueline.Gosnell@mail.house.gov, jim.mcdermott@mail.house.gov, james.mcdermott@mail.house.gov, richard.neal@mail.house.gov, lloyd.doggett@mail.house.gov, bob.siggins@mail.house.gov, rep.earl.pomeroy@mail.house.gov, bob.etheridge@mail.house.gov, jose.delgado@mail.house.gov, linda.sanchez@mail.house.gov, rep.brady@mail.house.gov, geoff.davis@mail.house.gov, dave.reichert@mail.house.gov,rachel.cariker@mail.house.gov, Derek.harley@mail.house.gov, wally.herger@mail.house.gov, kendra.fowler@mail.house.gov, damon.nelson@mail.house.gov, devin.hunes@mail.house.gov, AmericanVoices@mail.house.gov, sf.nancy@mail.house.gov,
nancy@mail.house.gov, terri.mccullough@mail.house.gov, john.lawrence@mail.house.gov, george.kundanis@mail.house.gov, d.leadership@mail.house.gov

President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-CA:

http://www.house.gov/pelosi/contact/contact.html

*****IF A CONGRESSPERSON BELOW IS YOUR REP, USE THEIR CONTACT FORM*****

Charles B. Rangel, D-NY, Ways and Means Chairman: http://waysandmeans.house.gov/singlepages.aspx?NewsID=10470
Sander M. Levin, D-MI, Trade Subcommittee Chairman: http://www.house.gov/levin/levin_contact.shtml
John S. Tanner, D-TN, Trade Subcommittee: http://www.house.gov/tanner/contact.htm
Chris Van Hollen, D-MD, Trade Subcommittee: http://vanhollen.house.gov/Contact/
Jim McDermott, D-WA, Trade Subcommittee: http://www.house.gov/mcdermott/contact.shtml
Richard E. Neal, D-MA, Trade Subcommittee: http://www.house.gov/neal/write_neal.html
Lloyd Doggett, D-TX, Trade Subcommittee: http://doggett.house.gov/
Earl Pomeroy, D-ND, Trade Subcommittee: http://www.house.gov/formpomeroy/zipauth.htm
Bob Etheridge, D-NC, Trade Subcommittee: http://etheridge.house.gov/Contact/
Linda T. Sanchez, D-CA, Trade Subcommittee: http://lindasanchez.house.gov/index.cfm?section=contact
Kevin Brady, R-TX, Trade Subcommittee: http://www.house.gov/brady/contact_page.html
Geoff Davis, R-KY, Trade Subcommittee: http://geoffdavis.house.gov/Contact/
Dave G. Reichert, R-WA, Trade Subcommittee: http://reichert.house.gov/Contact/ZipAuth.htm
Wally Herger, R-CA, Trade Subcommittee: https://forms.house.gov/herger/webforms/landing.html
Devin Nunes, R-CA, Trade Subcommitte: https://nunes.house.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactUs.ContactForm

***Kinship Circle believes an animal-free diet is the ultimate way to end cruelty and the devastating impacts of animal agriculture. We believe confinement, deprivation, drugging, brutalization, slaughter, dismemberment and consumption are bad for dogs, cats, pigs, cows, chickens, goats and all who live. We advocate for an end to the suffering of all.

=============================================================
SAMPLE LETTER
=============================================================

RE: Please do not approve the U.S. Korea Free Trade Agreement (FTA)

Dear President Obama and Members of the U.S. Congress:

I respectfully ask the Obama Administration to NOT ratify the U.S.-South Korea Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Labor unions and automakers oppose the accord as written, as do many Democrats who want South Korea to eliminate blockades to U.S. auto exports.

Furthermore, South Korea selectively complies with its own laws and misleads the global community. Government corruption is particularly evident in its application of animal welfare policy. For example, South Korea is the only nation to openly slaughter cats and dogs for human ingestion. It fails to uphold its own Food Sanitation Law of 1984, which bans dog broths (Boshintang) as “disgusting foods.” Some two million dogs are butchered for their meat every year.

Amendments to Korea’s Animal Protection Act of 1991 stiffen penalties for animal abuse, but ignore dog meat markets — the chief source of cruelty. The law calls extraction of bodily fluids from a living animal unlawful cruelty, yet doesn’t ban the “liquefaction” of cats in pressure cookers to make elixirs presumed to heal arthritis, neuralgia, and other human conditions.

How can a country unable to enforce its own laws abide by the terms of any Free Trade Agreement?

Gentle animals, historically bred as loyal companions to people, are systematically tortured to “tenderize” their tissue and expel the adrenaline believed to act as a sexual aphrodisiac when eaten. Their bones are slowly broken with pipes and hammers. They suffer bloodletting, live dismemberment, hangings, boiling and more brutalities.

Documentation of wet markets reveals dogs (some still with ID collars) squashed inside fly-infested crates in the hot sun. For decades, South Korea has flouted international censure of this trade. They have manipulated every effort to end the agony of stolen or factory-farmed dogs and cats.

While animal protection may seem to be a marginal issue at first glance, I ask you to consider that in America, roughly 77.5 million dogs and 93.6 million cats live as companions with people (American Pet Products Manufacturers Association 2009-2010 National Pet Owners Survey).

U.S. voters, your constituents, oppose favored status for a nation that not only consumes cats and dogs — but deliberately torments them as well. Please do not confirm the U.S.-South Korea Free Trade Agreement.

Thank you,

=============================================================
COMPLETE CONTACT INFORMATION
=============================================================

Get all names/titles, mail addresses, phone/fax and emails:
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/letter_library/letter_new2.asp?LetterID=1889&seriesfirst=true

When we care about the least of them, we care for them all…
PLEASE GIVE TO HAITI ANIMAL RELIEF:
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/haiti

Banner photos, (c) WSPA/IFAW

After Haiti’s 7.0 earthquake devastated Port-au-Prince and nearby areas, Kinship Circle joined animal protection groups worldwide to form Animal Relief Coalition of Haiti (ARCH), led by International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA).

ACTION CAMPAIGNS * EDUCATION * ANIMAL DISASTER AID
http://www.KinshipCircle.org * http://www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters

FOR BREAKING NEWS & ACTION: subscribe@kinshipcircle.org
* Action campaigns on animal cruelty issues worldwide
* Animal rescue coordination/news in disasters

UNSUBSCRIBE
* Select a Kinship Circle ALERT received in your mailbox
* Hit “FORWARD”  +  Send to: info@kinshipcircle.org
* Type UNSUBSCRIBE in your subject line and hit send

=============================================================
SOURCE OF INFORMATION / REFERENCE LINKS FOR THIS ALERT
=============================================================

Companion Animal Network
info@companionanimalnetworktv.org
President Obama wants approval for South Korean trade deal
http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/68403-obama-wants-south-korean-trade-agreement-next-year#

DISCLAIMER: The information in these alerts is verified with the original source. Kinship Circle does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of the information or for the consequences of its use. Nothing in this email is intended to encourage illegal action in whatever country you are reading it in. Kinship Circle does not engage in, nor support, any form of harassment or unlawful activity. Nothing in this alert serves to promote such conduct.

2/9/10: LANDMARK MA BILL WILL STOP  SURGICAL SILENCING OF ANIMALS
ALERT WRITER: Coalition to Protect and Rescue Pets, CPRPets@aol.com

BACKGROUND: Dog breeders and the Mass. Veterinary Medical Assn. (MVMA) are
successfully fighting legislation to stop devocalization — cutting a dog or cat’s vocal cords to stifle or remove their voice. An Act Prohibiting Devocalization, House Bill 344, has been stalled in committee for more than three months. Without immediate action, this humane bill will die.

Stella’s scars show the truth about devocalization surgery on dogs and cats.

STEP 1: CONTACT SPEAKER ROBERT DELEO TODAY!
MASSACHUSETTS RESIDENTS ONLY:

USE THE PHONE. Ask to speak to Speaker DeLeo’s aide and state your comments. Or, leave a voicemail.

NON-MASSACHUSETTS RESIDENTS:
WRITE OR FAX. Do not call! We’ve been told non-MA calls can hurt the bill.

EVERYONE: PERSONALIZE THE SAMPLE COMMENTS BELOW
State why this bill matters to you…and why it should be passed as written, without amendments by special interests that profit from devocalization.

**Legislators state that there is no guarantee emails will be read. We are told aides often delete emails without counting them.**

Massachusetts Speaker of the House Robert DeLeo
PHONE:  617-722-2500
ADDRESS:  State House, Room 356 / Boston, MA 02133
FAX:  617-722-2008
EMAIL:  Robert.DeLeo@state.ma.us

RE: Please support House Bill 344 and ensure its passage.

Dear Speaker DeLeo:

Please ensure that House Bill 344, An Act Prohibiting Devocalization, passes this session. Special interests that profit from devocalization of dogs and cats want to dilute this humane legislation. I am counting on you to advocate for H.B. 344 — minus any amendments that permit the surgical removal of an animal’s voice.

Devocalization does not benefit animals, but it does pose grave risks for them. One little Pom choked to death after a prominent MVMA veterinarian devocalized her. Others suffer infection, aspiration pneumonia, or breathing difficulties. Some gag on food and water the rest of their lives.

House Bill 344 — as written — stops this unnecessary cruelty. It limits vocal cord surgery to three exclusively ethical situations: To treat disease, injury or congenital abnormality.

Shelter executives testify that devocalized dogs and cats are abandoned just like any others. Tissue regrowth is common, subjecting animals to stress, pain and repeat surgeries. Caretakers unable to pay ongoing costs further
jeopardize animals with surrender or euthanasia.

Surgically silencing an animal for convenience or profit is an act of cruelty. Massachusetts can open the door for other states to introduce equally humane and responsible legislation. Please support this landmark bill to prohibit devocalization.

Thank you,
YOUR FULL NAME
YOUR FULL ADDRESS
**Without your name/address your comments will be thrown away.**

STEP 2: MA RESIDENTS, CALL YOUR STATE REP (BEACON HILL)
TO FIND YOUR MASSACHUSETTS STATE REPRESENTATIVE:
1-800-462-8683 or http://www.wheredoivotema.com
(enter your address, then look for your Rep in General Court)

– Say H.B. 344, An Act Prohibiting Devocalization is a front-burner issue for you!
– Call again every 2 weeks for status of this bill and restate your support.
– Use talking points from sample letter above

LEARN MORE ABOUT DEVOCALIZATION:
Faces Of Devocalization: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZPoyuMw870
The Unkindest Cut: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4ADbMoX4aw
Barks Save Lives: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7LFHG1RoPM

Coalition to Protect and Rescue Pets, is an unfunded, all-volunteer network
in Massachusetts, CPRPets@aol.com

ACTION CAMPAIGNS * EDUCATION * ANIMAL DISASTER AID
http://www.KinshipCircle.org * http://www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters

FOR BREAKING NEWS & ACTION: subscribe@kinshipcircle.org
* Action campaigns on animal cruelty issues worldwide
* Animal rescue coordination/news in disasters

Kinship Circle needs your support to:

1. Help pay for long-term projects that will make life better for Haiti’s animals.
2. Fund travel for our responders on standby to deploy to Haiti under ARCH.
   

PLEASE GIVE TO HAITI ANIMAL RELIEF:

 http://www.kinshipcircle.org/haiti

As of 2/8/10, ARCH (Animal Relief Coalition of Haiti) had treated nearly 750 animals. As the full earthquake damage to animals unfolds, focus also turns to their lasting welfare. ARCH is working with Haitian government officials to create animal facilities and services that did not exist pre-earthquake.

2/4/10: This puppy finds help in the hands of an ARCH team member in Haiti.  As of February 8, 2010, ARCH members had treated nearly 750 animals, mostly dogs. Other animals helped include cats, goats, sheep, pigs and cows. Photo courtesy of Best Friends / Delmas * Banner photos, (c) WSPA/IFAW

Long after ARCH leaves, its work will serve Haiti’s animals and people. Kinship Circle and other global animal protection groups in ARCH have
pledged time, money and/or volunteers to stay in Haiti to:

–   Setup a mobile veterinary clinic for Port au Prince and rural communities.
–   Support and implement training of veterinarians and animal health technicians.
–   Create a refrigeration system to keep a “cold chain” for storage/distribution of medicines.
–   Design public awareness/education campaigns in Haiti and Creole.
–   Vaccinate 3 million chickens for Newcastle disease and 2 million for Charcoal disease…
–   Activate a Vaccination Preventive Care Program for many more diseases and species.
–   Treat 3 million animals (anyone with a hoof!)…

Please help us give Haiti’s animals a better life:
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/haiti/#form

2/4/10: A surprised cat awaits a medical check, in line with other Haitians and cats. ARCH has sent a mobile veterinary unit to increase our capacity to help the people and animals of Haiti. Photo courtesy of Best Friends

Kinship Circle — a nonprofit network of animal disaster responders in the U.S. and Canada — has assembled a Haiti team on standby to deploy, including a veterinarian, vet tech, ACO, and adept first responders.

After Haiti’s 7.0 earthquake devastated Port-au-Prince and nearby areas, Kinship Circle joined animal protection groups worldwide to form Animal Relief Coalition of Haiti (ARCH), led by International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA).

At present, ARCH partners include:
International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW); World Society for Protection of Animals; American Humane Association; Best Friends Animal Society; RSPCA (UK); In Defence of Animals; American Veterinary Medical Association; American Veterinary Medical Foundation; Antigua & Barbuda Humane Society; ASPCA; United Animal Nations; Kinship Circle; One Voice; Swiss Animal Protection; Palo Alto Humane Society; People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA); Last Chance For Animals (LCA); Finnish Federation for Animal Welfare Associations; Animal Medical Care Foundation (AMCF)

ACTION CAMPAIGNS * EDUCATION * ANIMAL DISASTER AID
http://www.KinshipCircle.org * http://www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters

FOR BREAKING NEWS & ACTION: subscribe@kinshipcircle.org
* Action campaigns on animal cruelty issues worldwide
* Animal rescue coordination/news in disasters

UNSUBSCRIBE
* Select a Kinship Circle ALERT received in your mailbox
* Hit “FORWARD”  +  Send to: info@kinshipcircle.org
* Type UNSUBSCRIBE in your subject line and hit send

2/5/10 – KINSHIP CIRCLE – NOW ONE LIST…ONE VOICE FOR ANIMALS

Ask Vanderbilt To Go Animal-Free In All Trauma Training


Pigs, like dogs and cats, are commonly used in surgical training and other experiments. Babies like those above are bred to harvest their organs for human transplants. PHOTO: Richard Austin; SOURCE: Dailymail.co.uk

SENDING OPTIONS
1) GO TO THIS LINK TO SEND AN AUTOMATED LETTER:
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/letter_library/letter_new2.asp?LetterID=1882&seriesfirst=true

2) OR — COPY/PASTE EMAILS & SAMPLE LETTER BELOW, TO SEND NOW

=============================================================
COMPLETE CONTACT INFORMATION + EMAIL BLOCK
=============================================================

Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Office Of Research
Jeffrey R. Balser, M.D., Ph.D., Associate Vice Chancellor for Health
Affairs; Dean, School of Medicine
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
1211 Medical Center Drive / Nashville, TN 37232
ph: 615-936-3030; email: jeff.balser@vanderbilt.edu

Gordon R. Bernard, M.D., Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research:
gordon.bernard@vanderbilt.edu
Kenneth J. Holroyd, MD, MBA, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research:
kenneth.holroyd@vanderbilt.edu
Dan Roden, MD, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Personalized Medicine:
dan.roden@Vanderbilt.Edu
Jeanne Wallace, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research:
jeanne.wallace@vanderbilt.edu

ALL EMAILS FROM ABOVE:
jeff.balser@vanderbilt.edu, gordon.bernard@vanderbilt.edu,
kenneth.holroyd@vanderbilt.edu, dan.roden@Vanderbilt.Edu,
jeanne.wallace@vanderbilt.edu

***KINSHIP CIRCLE CANNOT GUARANTEE ALL EMAILS WILL WORK***
During campaigns, recipients may change or disable their email addresses. Emails from government, corporate, or institute websites may be incorrect.

=============================================================
SAMPLE LETTER
=============================================================

Dr. Jeffrey R. Balser, Dean, School of Medicine and Vanderbilt University Medical Center Office of Research:

Please permanently switch to validated non-animal systems for all Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) classes. I urge you to join over 90% of U.S. and Canadian facilities that exclusively use human-focused medical simulators to train students.

I understand one Vanderbilt ATLS program required trainees to slice the airways of live pigs to place tubes and needles in the animals’ hearts and chest cavities. Emergency medical training is better served by relevant and humane non-animal models.

TraumaMan’s anatomical body facilitates practice of lifesaving skills and reduces trainee dropout rates. The American College of Surgeons endorses TraumaMan System, SimMan, human cadavers and other synthetic models.

Overall, animal-free research cuts costs and improves proficiency. For example, a New England Journal of Medicine article highlights the “very detailed feedback and…more subtle measurement of trainee performance” gained from virtual reality simulators.

Dr. Emad Aboud — co-inventor of a system that pumps specially dyed water into a human cadaver’s vessels and arteries — says animal-free models are cheaper and more accurate. “This is the perfect alternative to the use of live animals in surgical training,” claims Aboud, a neurosurgeon fellow at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

If you haven’t done so already, I encourage Vanderbilt to update its
trauma-management training with methods more relevant to human anatomy and surgery. Killing animals is no longer viable, given the accessibility of capable non-animal technologies.

Thank you,

Each day differs, as ARCH members in Haiti encounter unrest in the streets
and other obstacles. Still — on a good day — they may treat some 44 dogs,
15 cats, goats and pigs…

As acute needs are met, focus also turns to the lasting welfare of Haiti’s animals. ARCH is working with the Haitian government to establish:  Mobile Clinic Relief / Vaccine Delivery / Temporary Vet Clinics Dog population and control study / Monitoring and Evaluation On-Site Project Management / and more…

As an ARCH member, Kinship Circle needs your help to:

1. Contribute to long-term initiatives to make life better for Haiti’s animals.
2. Fund travel costs for our responders on standby to deploy to Haiti.
   

PLEASE GIVE TO HAITI ANIMAL RELIEF:
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/haiti

Banner photos, (c) WSPA/IFAW

Kinship Circle — a nonprofit network of animal disaster responders in the U.S. and Canada — has assembled a Haiti team currently on standby, including a veterinarian, vet tech, ACO, and adept first responders.

After Haiti’s 7.0 earthquake devastated Port-au-Prince and nearby areas, Kinship Circle joined animal protection groups worldwide to form Animal Relief Coalition of Haiti (ARCH), led by International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA).

ACTION CAMPAIGNS * EDUCATION * ANIMAL DISASTER AID
http://www.KinshipCircle.org * http://www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters

FOR BREAKING NEWS & ACTION: subscribe@kinshipcircle.org
* Action campaigns on animal cruelty issues worldwide
* Animal rescue coordination/news in disasters

=============================================================
SOURCE OF INFORMATION / REFERENCE LINKS FOR THIS ALERT
=============================================================

Vanderbilt University Medical Center to perform medical procedures on live pig
http://support.pcrm.org/site/MessageViewer?em_id=33021.0&autologin=true
Help End Cruel Pig Lab at Vanderbilt University
http://pcrm.convio.net/site/MessageViewer?em_id=33021.0&dlv_id=38201

DISCLAIMER: The information in these alerts is verified with the original source. Kinship Circle does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of the information or for the consequences of its use. Nothing in this email is intended to encourage illegal action in whatever country you are reading it in. Kinship Circle does not engage in, nor support, any form of harassment or unlawful activity. Nothing in this alert serves to promote such conduct.

1/29/10 – KINSHIP CIRCLE – NOW ONE LIST…ONE VOICE FOR ANIMALS
Victory: Guilty! Karley’s Killer Faces 4-Year Jail Term

UPDATE, 1/26/10: Former L.A. County assistant fire chief Glynn Johnson Is guilty of felony animal cruelty for fatally battering 6-month-old German shepherd mix Karley with a 12-pound rock outside his Riverside, Calif. home on 11/3/08. Karley’s shattered jaw and other wounds led to her euthanasia.

YOU WERE HEARD: Karley’s brutal murder struck a chord with Kinship Circle followers, who wrote/called/emailed the Riverside County District Attorney’s office, police and fire departments with a unified demand: Terminate Johnson’s job. Book and prosecute him to the fullest extent allowed by law.

Your persistence helped turn a sluggish case into an arrest and charges.  Your diligence shed light on the long-term repercussions of animal violence.

WHAT DO WE DO NOW? Johnson is scheduled to stand before a judge for sentencing on March 8, 2010. A Kinship Circle member and lawyer states: “Communication sent to the judge in reference to a case is considered ‘ex parte communication’ and is prohibited… In fact, a judge may even be forced to recuse him/herself.” We’ll update you if comments become appropriate. In the meantime, please thank the Riverside County District Attorney’s office. Each cruelty case that seeks maximum felony penalties sets a precedent for the next one.

=============================================================
COMPLETE CONTACT INFORMATION + EMAIL BLOCK
=============================================================

Rod Pacheco, Riverside County District Attorney
4075 Main St.; Riverside, CA 92501-3707
ph: 951-955-5431, 951-955-1683
fax: 951-955-5682, 951-955-9480
email: rodpacheco@co.riverside.ca.us
Maria Driver, DA Secretary: mwdriver@rivcoda.org

William Ernest  Robinson
Riverside County Deputy District Attorney
4075 Main St.; Riverside, CA 92501-3707
ph: 951-304-5400; fax: 951-304-5405
email: wrobinson@co.riverside.ca.us

ALL EMAILS FROM ABOVE:
rodpacheco@co.riverside.ca.us, mwdriver@rivcoda.org,
wrobinson@co.riverside.ca.us

***KINSHIP CIRCLE CANNOT GUARANTEE ALL EMAILS WILL WORK***
During campaigns, recipients may change or disable their email addresses.
Emails from government, corporate, or institute websites may be incorrect.

=============================================================
SAMPLE LETTER
=============================================================

Dear Riverside County District Attorney’s Office:

Thank you for recognizing the gravity of former L.A. County assistant fire
chief Glynn Johnson’s illegal abuse of an animal. Johnson’s 1/26/10 guilty
verdict could not have happened without your diligent prosecution.

As you know, Johnson fatally battered a 6-month-old German shepherd mix,
Karley, with a 12-pound rock outside his Riverside, Calif. home on 11/3/08.
An unleashed Karley had sprinted across Johnson’s yard. As he tried to
contain her by her collar, she defensively injured Johnson’s thumb and
wrist. A witness saw Johnson beat Karley repeatedly, shatter her jaw, and
slam her with a rock until nearly dead.

Violence is violence, whether victims are human or nonhuman animals.
Offenders like Johnson, who blame their victims, are often “repeat
offenders, resistant to intervention,” notes ASPCA’s Randall Lockwood,
Ph.D., a consultant to investigators, law enforcers and court officials.

Your pursuit of maximum felony animal cruelty penalties not only brings
justice for Karley, but sets precedent for the next Karley. I sincerely hope
Glynn Johnson receives the full 4-year prison term at his sentencing on
3/8/10. Any updates your office can provide are appreciated.

Thank you,

Animals in Haiti need you — now and tomorrow.
Haiti’s Minister of Agriculture tells us that 100,000 dogs were vaccinated pre-quake, out of an estimated 500,000. Where are they? Animal aid groups on the ground continue to help some, as they search for more.

ONE THING IS CERTAIN: Groups united under IFAW and WSPA’s leadership as the Animal Coalition Of Haiti (ARCH) want to leave the animal infrastructure better than they found it. That means funding is still needed for:

Mobile Clinic Relief / Vaccine Delivery / Temporary Vet Clinics
Dog population and control study / Monitoring and Evaluation
On-Site Project Manager / and more…

WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE… in a country with acute and long-term needs. Rather than watch Haiti resort to the dog culls we’ve seen in China, here is our chance to educate, vaccinate and support Haiti’s young veterinarians.

Kinship Circle has pledged time, volunteers and dollars to Haiti animal aid. Please help us be there for them — now and tomorrow.

*   DONATE SECURELY ONLINE:

http://www.kinshipcircle.org/donation

*   DONATE BY CHECK OR MONEY ORDER:

Kinship Circle / 7380 Kingsbury Blvd. / St. Louis, MO 63130

Write HAITI ANIMAL AID, on your check’s memo line.

ACTION CAMPAIGNS * EDUCATION * ANIMAL DISASTER AID
http://www.KinshipCircle.org * http://www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters

SUBSCRIBE NOW – FOR BREAKING NEWS & ACTION
subscribe@kinshipcircle.org
* Action campaigns on animal cruelty issues worldwide
* Animal rescue coordination/news in disasters

DISCLAIMER: The information in these alerts is verified with the original
source. Kinship Circle does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of
the information or for the consequences of its use. Nothing in this email is
intended to encourage illegal action in whatever country you are reading it
in. Kinship Circle does not engage in, nor support, any form of harassment
or unlawful activity. Nothing in this alert serves to promote such conduct.

KINSHIP CIRCLE / NOW ONE LIST…ONE VOICE FOR ANIMALS
1/13/10: Permanently Halt Primates-For-Research
Farm In Puerto Rico


UPDATE SUMMARY: Thousands of monkeys will be spared from misery inside
research labs. Though primate experiments have failed to yield tangible data
for AIDS, Alzheimer’s, stroke, cancer, and other diseases — construction of
a huge monkey-breeding compound was planned for Guayama, Puerto Rico.
Bioculture, a primate supply firm, had intended to seize monkeys from the
wild in Mauritius for shipment to Puerto Rico.

GOOD NEWS FOR MONKEYS? Kinship Circle members shared in the outcry against
this pointless breeding factory. A lawsuit filed by local citizens and PETA,
in conjunction with worldwide pressure, has culminated in a Superior Court
judge’s ruling to terminate all construction of the Bioculture facility.

MAKE IT STICK! Unfortunately, Bioculture execs are trying to overturn the
judge’s ruling. Let officials know that citizens worldwide support PERMANENT
termination of this and any future monkey-breeding compounds.

=============================================================
COMPLETE CONTACT INFORMATION + EMAIL BLOCK
=============================================================

Hon. Luis Fortuno, Governor of Puerto Rico
La Fortaleza, P.O. Box 9020082 / San Juan, PR 00902-0082
ph: 787-721-7000; fax: 787-721-5072
Tere Nolla, Aide to the Governor: TNolla@fortaleza.gobierno.pr
Evelyn Cruz, Personal Executive Admin Assistant: ECruz@fortaleza.gobierno.pr

Hon. Glorimari Jaime, Mayor of Guayama
Municipio Autonomo de Guayama
Oficina de Plan de Orden Territorial
P.O. Box 360 / Guayama, PR 00785-0360
email: municipiodeguayama@hotmail.com

Rep. Pedro Pierluisi, Representative (District 1)
1218 Longworth HOB / Washington, DC 20515
fax: 202-225-2154; email: PedroPierluisi@mail.house.gov
Laura Maristany, Public Affairs Liaison: laura.maristany@mail.house.gov
Rosemarie Vizcarrondo, District Office Director: rosemarie.vizcarrondo@mail.house.gov
Eduardo Hilera, Legislative Correspondent: eduardo.hilera@mail.house.gov

ALL EMAILS FROM ABOVE:
municipiodeguayama@hotmail.com, PedroPierluisi@mail.house.gov,
laura.maristany@mail.house.gov, rosemarie.vizcarrondo@mail.house.gov,
eduardo.hilera@mail.house.gov, TNolla@fortaleza.gobierno.pr,
ECruz@fortaleza.gobierno.pr

***KINSHIP CIRCLE CANNOT GUARANTEE ALL EMAILS WILL WORK***
During campaigns, recipients may change or disable their email addresses.
Emails from government, corporate, or institute websites may be incorrect.

=============================================================
SAMPLE LETTER
=============================================================

Honorable Puerto Rican Officials:

I am relieved to learn a Superior Court Judge ruled to halt construction of
a huge monkey-breeding compound planned for Guayama, Puerto Rico.
Bioculture, a primate supply firm, had intended to seize long-tailed
macaques from the wild in Mauritius for shipment to Puerto Rico.

Given the findings of Guayama’s Superior Court and Puerto Rico’s Senate, I
urge officials to back permanent termination of Bioculture’s project. In
addition, please consider strong public opposition to the breeding of
monkeys for use in experimentation.

Though primate research has failed to yield tangible data for AIDS,
Alzheimer’s, stroke, cancer, and other diseases — companies such as
Bioculture persevere for profit. If completed, monkeys inside the Guayama
facility would have been separated from mothers and sold into a barren world
of concrete and metal. In labs, primates endure implanted brain electrodes,
induced seizures, poisoning, and more.

Ultimately, it does not serve human health to facilitate old-fashioned
animal research. As a case in point, researchers recognize primates do not
contract the human strain of AIDS or develop its clinical symptoms. Of 85
HIV/AIDS vaccines tested in animals, each one failed in 197 human trials.

U.S. deaths or injuries linked to drug therapies more than doubled from 1998
to 2005, according to findings in the Archives of Internal Medicine. Each
recalled drug had proven “safe” in animal tests.

In-vitro cell technology, 3D cellular systems, computer automation and other
innovations will eventually render animal research obsolete. I encourage
Puerto Rico’s leadership to keep pace with evolving standards. Please do not
let Bioculture or any similar firm pointlessly “breed” animal suffering.

Thank you,

=============================================================
SOURCE OF INFORMATION / REFERENCE LINKS
=============================================================

PUERTO RICAN PRIMATE FACILITY – ACTION ALERT JANUARY 2010
http://www.buav.org/takeactionnow/puertoricanprimatefacility
VICTORY! Construction of Bioculture’s Monkey Factory Halted
http://blog.peta.org/archives/2009/12/victory_bioculture.php

Your $20, $30, or $50…can help us hire an investigative researcher,
develop our education outreach, fully automate our website…and more!

Kinship Circle’s COMPASSION CAMPAIGN lasts through January due to a last
minute matching pool donation. Any amount gift will be be MATCHED. Please,
if you use our alerts, literature, website…send what you can today.

GIVE SECURELY ONLINE & IT WILL BE MATCHED:
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/donation/

OR MAIL YOUR TAX-DEDUCTIBLE DONATION TO:
Kinship Circle / Compassion Campaign
7380 Kingsbury Blvd.
Saint Louis, MO 63130

ACTION CAMPAIGNS * EDUCATION * ANIMAL DISASTER AID
http://www.KinshipCircle.org * http://www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters

DONATIONS TO KINSHIP CIRCLE HELP PAY FOR:
*   Animal disaster aid network and response
*   Investigative research/campaigns (with goal to hire an investigative aide!)
*   Educational literature and outreach (research, design, printing, distribution)
*   Website with activist tools (site development, educational materials, automation…)
*   Daily operating costs: Hardware/software, web design, phone/internet,
printing… All the boring stuff that lets us work full-time for animals!

SUBSCRIBE NOW – FOR BREAKING NEWS & ACTION
KINSHIP CIRCLE: subscribe@kinshipcircle.org
Action campaigns on animal cruelty issues worldwide
Animal rescue coordination/news in disasters

DISCLAIMER: The information in these alerts is verified with the original
source. Kinship Circle does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of
the information or for the consequences of its use. Nothing in this email is
intended to encourage illegal action in whatever country you are reading it
in. Kinship Circle does not engage in, nor support, any form of harassment
or unlawful activity. Nothing in this alert serves to promote such conduct.

KINSHIP CIRCLE / NOW ONE LIST…ONE VOICE FOR ANIMALS
1/12/10: Ask Vanderbilt To Go Animal-Free In All Trauma Training


Pigs, like dogs and cats, are commonly used in surgical training…as well
as other experiments. Babies such as those above are bred to harvest
their organs for human transplants. PHOTO: Richard Austin; SOURCE:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1053633/Lord-Winstons-fury-re
d-tape-drives-British-GM-pig-transplant-experiments-U-S.html

=============================================================
COMPLETE CONTACT INFORMATION + EMAIL BLOCK
=============================================================

Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Office Of Research
Jeffrey R. Balser, M.D., Ph.D., Associate Vice Chancellor for Health
Affairs; Dean, School of Medicine
D-3300 MCN 2104
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
1211 Medical Center Drive / Nashville, TN 37232
ph: 615-936-3030; email: jeff.balser@vanderbilt.edu

Gordon R. Bernard, M.D., Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research:
gordon.bernard@vanderbilt.edu
Kenneth J. Holroyd, MD, MBA, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research:
kenneth.holroyd@vanderbilt.edu
Dan Roden, MD, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Personalized Medicine:
dan.roden@Vanderbilt.Edu
Jeanne Wallace, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research:
jeanne.wallace@vanderbilt.edu

ALL EMAILS FROM ABOVE:
jeff.balser@vanderbilt.edu, gordon.bernard@vanderbilt.edu,
kenneth.holroyd@vanderbilt.edu, dan.roden@Vanderbilt.Edu,
jeanne.wallace@vanderbilt.edu

***KINSHIP CIRCLE CANNOT GUARANTEE ALL EMAILS WILL WORK***
During campaigns, recipients may change or disable their email addresses.
Emails from government, corporate, or institute websites may be incorrect.

=============================================================
SAMPLE LETTER
=============================================================

Dr. Jeffrey R. Balser, Dean, School of Medicine and Vanderbilt University
Medical Center Office of Research:

Please permanently switch to validated non-animal systems for all Vanderbilt
University School of Medicine Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) classes. I
urge you to join over 90% of U.S. and Canadian facilities that exclusively
use human-focused medical simulators to train students.

I understand one Vanderbilt ATLS program required trainees to slice the
airways of live pigs to place tubes and needles in the animals’ hearts and
chest cavities. Emergency medical training is better served by relevant and
humane non-animal modes.

TraumaMan’s anatomical body facilitates practice of lifesaving skills and
reduces trainee dropout rates. The American College of Surgeons endorses
TraumaMan System, SimMan, human cadavers and other synthetic models.

Overall, animal-free research cuts costs and improves proficiency. For
example, a New England Journal of Medicine article highlights the “very
detailed feedback and…more subtle measurement of trainee performance”
gained from virtual reality simulators.

Dr. Emad Aboud — co-inventor of a system that pumps specially dyed water
into a human cadaver’s vessels and arteries — says animal-free models are
cheaper and more accurate. “This is the perfect alternative to the use of
live animals in surgical training,” claims Aboud, a neurosurgeon fellow at
the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

If you haven’t done so already, I encourage Vanderbilt to update its
trauma-management training with methods more relevant to human anatomy and
surgery. Killing animals is no longer viable, given the accessibility of
capable non-animal technologies.

Thank you,

=============================================================
SOURCE OF INFORMATION / REFERENCE LINKS
=============================================================

Vanderbilt University Medical Center to perform medical procedures on live pig
http://support.pcrm.org/site/MessageViewer?em_id=33021.0&autologin=true
Help End Cruel Pig Lab at Vanderbilt University
http://pcrm.convio.net/site/MessageViewer?em_id=33021.0&dlv_id=38201

Your $20, $30, or $50…can help us hire an investigative researcher,
develop our education outreach, fully automate our website…and more!

Kinship Circle’s COMPASSION CAMPAIGN lasts through January due to a last
minute matching pool donation. Any amount gift will be be MATCHED. Please,
if you use our alerts, literature, website…send what you can today.

GIVE SECURELY ONLINE & IT WILL BE MATCHED:
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/donation/

OR MAIL YOUR TAX-DEDUCTIBLE DONATION TO:
Kinship Circle / Compassion Campaign
7380 Kingsbury Blvd.
Saint Louis, MO 63130

ACTION CAMPAIGNS * EDUCATION * ANIMAL DISASTER AID
http://www.KinshipCircle.org * http://www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters

DONATIONS TO KINSHIP CIRCLE HELP PAY FOR:
*   Animal disaster aid network and response
*   Investigative research/campaigns (with goal to hire an investigative aide!)
*   Educational literature and outreach (research, design, printing, distribution)
*   Website with activist tools (site development, educational materials, automation…)
*   Daily operating costs: Hardware/software, web design, phone/internet,
printing… All the boring stuff that lets us work full-time for animals!

SUBSCRIBE NOW – FOR BREAKING NEWS & ACTION
KINSHIP CIRCLE: subscribe@kinshipcircle.org
Action campaigns on animal cruelty issues worldwide
Animal rescue coordination/news in disasters

UNSUBSCRIBE
* Select a Kinship Circle ALERT received in your mailbox
* Hit “FORWARD”  +  Send to: info@kinshipcircle.org
* Type UNSUBSCRIBE in your subject line and hit send

DISCLAIMER: The information in these alerts is verified with the original
source. Kinship Circle does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of
the information or for the consequences of its use. Nothing in this email is
intended to encourage illegal action in whatever country you are reading it
in. Kinship Circle does not engage in, nor support, any form of harassment
or unlawful activity. Nothing in this alert serves to promote such conduct.

1/4/10: Horses Flee BLM Helicopters In Subzero Temperatures


UPDATE: 1/4/10: This week’s “gather” of some 2,500 wild horses from Nevada’s
Calico Mountains marked the Bureau of Land Management‘s latest bungle to
“balance natural resources.” If you look into the eyes of the horses —
corralled in a subzero chill and bathed in sweat that freezes to their hide
— you see terror. With eyes bulging, they blow steam from their noses that
hangs in the frigid air. These are traumatized animals who do not quickly
settle, as BLM misleadingly tells the public. PHOTO by Kurt Golgart/Bureau
of Land Management as published in NY Times.

GO TO THIS LINK TO SEND AN AUTO LETTER NOW:
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/letter_library/letter_new2.asp?LetterID=1876&seriesfirst=true

=============================================================
FULL CONTACT INFORMATION. Email block and sample letter follow.
=============================================================

EVERYONE, SEND COMMENTS TO:
John Cruden, Acting Assistant Attorney General
U.S. Department of Justice, Room 2141
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW / Washington, D.C. 20530-0001
email: john.cruden@usdoj.gov

President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden
The White House / 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW / Washington, DC 20500
comments: 202-456-1111 or 202-456-9000
switchboard: 202-456-1414; fax: 202-456-2461
contact forms: http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/,
http://www.whitehouse.gov/ContactUs/

Ken Salazar, Secretary of the Interior
U.S. Department of the Interior / 1849 C Street, N.W. / Washington DC 20240
ph: 202-208-3100; email: feedback@ios.doi.gov

U.S. Bureau of Land Management
1849 C Street NW, Rm. 5665 / Washington DC 20240
Director Bob Abbey: Director@blm.gov, Robert_Abbey@blm.gov
ph: 202-208-3801, 866-468-7826; fax: 202-208-5242
Acting Deputy Director Mike Pool: Mike_Pool@blm.gov
Chief of Staff Janet Lin: janet_lin@blm.gov

U.S CITIZENS ONLY, ALSO SEND COMMENTS TO:
The Honorable Representative [YOUR REP’S NAME HERE]
U.S. House of Representatives / Washington, D.C. 20510

The Honorable Senators [YOUR SENATORS’ NAMES HERE]
The U.S. Senate, U.S. Capitol Building / Washington, D.C. 20510

To identify your federal legislators and find contact info, try:
Congress.org – http://www.Congress.org
USA Senate – http://www.senate.gov
USA House of Representatives – http://www.house.gov

=============================================================
EMAIL BLOCK: Sample letter is directly below this.
=============================================================

EVERYONE – SEND COMMENTS TO:
john.cruden@usdoj.gov, feedback@ios.doi.gov, Robert_Abbey@blm.gov,
Mike_Pool@blm.gov, janet_lin@blm.gov

RECIPIENTS WITH WEB CONTACT FORMS ONLY:
President Barack Obama: http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/
Vice President Joe Biden: http://www.whitehouse.gov/ContactUs

***KINSHIP CIRCLE CANNOT GUARANTEE ALL EMAILS WILL WORK***
During campaigns, recipients may change or disable their email addresses.
Emails from government, corporate, or institute websites may be incorrect.

=============================================================
OPTIONS FOR SENDING THIS LETTER:
1 GO TO THIS LINK TO SEND AN AUTO LETTER:
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/letter_library/letter_new2.asp?LetterID=1876&seriesfirst=true
2 ASK FOR A FORMATTED LETTER TO SEND (DOC): info@kinshipcircle.org
3 COPY/PASTE EMAIL BLOCK + LETTER BELOW INTO YOUR OWN EMAIL
=============================================================

President Obama, Vice President Biden, Acting Assistant Attorney General
Cruden, Secretary Salazar, Bureau of Land Management, Members of Congress:

The Bureau of Land Management continues to misuse the U.S. Wild Horse and
Burro Program. I implore elected officials to intervene — and stop — the
seizure of our nation’s last wild herds.

In early January 2010, BLM “managed” thousands of horses in Nevada’s Calico
Mountains by corralling them in subzero temperatures. With low-flying
helicopters overhead, horses ran until drenched in sweat. Once subdued,
sweat can freeze on their bodies and lead to respiratory illness or death.

Photographer Kurt Golgart unwittingly conveyed the horses’ fear in his image
published in NY Times. With bulging eyes, the horses blow steam from their
noses that hangs in the frigid air like fog.

BLM’s 2010 Round-Up Schedule calls for the capture of 12,000 wild horses and
burros. Most taxpayers do not want to foot BLM’s $32 million bill.

The Calico Complex removal exemplifies core problems with the agency. After
the same herd was corralled in 2005, all mares among an estimated 575 horses
left on the range received contraceptive vaccines. Today, BLM argues that
3,000 horses roam the area. It is outlandish to assert that a small herd
controlled with contraception quintupled in size in less than five years. In
fact, residents accustomed to the herd claim numbers are far lower.

For years, BLM has crowded American horses and burros in federal holding.
The agency impounds more animals than it can adopt out. Consequently, some
wind up on the auction block, sold to “killer-buyers,” and trucked to
foreign kill floors. This is neither fiscally nor ethically responsible. I
hope the Justice Department intensifies its investigation of BLM and the
current administration stops this agency’s disgraceful tactics.

Moreover, I urge the White House and Congress to advocate passage of the
Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burro Act (ROAM) which renews protections
originally granted in 1971. Passage of this bill would keep these
magnificent creatures where they belong — on public, Western rangelands.

Sincerely,

=============================================================
SOURCE OF INFORMATION / REFERENCE LINKS
=============================================================
Calico Complex Roundup, Dec. 28 thru Feb 2010
http://humanitythrougheducation.com/
Official photo released by BLM brings controversy to photographer Kurt Golgart
http://www.examiner.com/x-25445-West-Palm-Beach-Horse-Rescue-Examiner~y2010m
1d2-Official-photo-released-by-BLM-brings-controversy-to-photographer-Kurt-Golgart

Your $20, $30, or $50…can open a mind, change a law, save an animal.

Please help Kinship Circle hire an investigative research aid, develop our
humane education outreach..and better serve YOU, the animals’ voice.

Our COMPASSION CAMPAIGN extends into January due to a last minute donation
for the matching pool. Any amount you give will be still be MATCHED. Please,
if you use our alerts, literature, website…send what you can today.

GIVE SECURELY ONLINE & IT WILL BE MATCHED:
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/donation/

OR MAIL YOUR TAX-DEDUCTIBLE DONATION TO:
Kinship Circle / Compassion Campaign
7380 Kingsbury Blvd.
Saint Louis, MO 63130

Kinship Circle is an all-volunteer 501c3 nonprofit charity with no paid
staff. Kinship Circle receives no government funding. Kinship Circle funding
is derived primarily from individual donors and some grant/giving programs.

ACTION CAMPAIGNS * EDUCATION * ANIMAL DISASTER AID
http://www.KinshipCircle.org * http://www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters

DONATIONS TO KINSHIP CIRCLE HELP PAY FOR:
*   Animal disaster aid network and response
*   Investigative research/campaigns (with goal to hire an investigative aide!)
*   Educational literature and outreach (research, design, printing, distribution)
*   Website with activist tools (educational materials, ad designs, letter library…)
*   Daily operating costs: Office supplies, hardware/software, web design,
phone/internet, printing, disaster-related supplies/travel… All the boring
stuff that lets us work full-time for animals!

SUBSCRIBE NOW – FOR BREAKING NEWS & ACTION
KINSHIP CIRCLE: subscribe@kinshipcircle.org
Action campaigns on animal cruelty issues worldwide
Animal rescue coordination/news in disasters

DISCLAIMER: The information in these alerts is verified with the original
source. Kinship Circle does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of
the information or for the consequences of its use. Nothing in this email is
intended to encourage illegal action in whatever country you are reading it
in. Kinship Circle does not engage in, nor support, any form of harassment
or unlawful activity. Nothing in this alert serves to promote such conduct.

KINSHIP CIRCLE PRIMARY / PERMISSION TO CROSSPOST

12/31/09: 2009 Ends With 2 More Important Wins For Animals!
1. Torture At Texas Tech Ends For Cats!
2. Primate Breeding Compound Canceled In Puerto Rico (but action still needed)

================================================================

1. Torture At Texas Tech Ends For Cats!
SOURCE: Victory! Texas Tech Drops Cruel Cat Lab
http://blog.peta.org/archives/2009/12/victory_texas_tech.php

12/29/09, SUMMARY: Kinship Circle supporters joined PETA and activists
everywhere to urge Texas Tech University Health Service Center (TTUHSC) to
use simulated models for medical training courses. For more than two
decades, TTUHSC students drove plastic tubes down cats’ windpipes, causing
them to bleed or swell. Trainees also pumped air into the cats’ chest
cavities and extracted surplus air via an inserted needle.

Though TTUHSC earlier agreed to stop purchasing cats from Odessa, Texas
Animal Control, it was unclear whether they’d permanently replace the cruel
labs with synthetic models like simulators and manikins. Now it’s official.
PETA says university reports confirm: “TTUHSC will no longer use cats for
this training!” We’re certain that the thousands of Kinship Circle followers
who sent comments in one of our highest participation campaigns ever
contributed to this big win for animals.

IF YOU HAVE NOT YET DONE SO, TAKE ACTION HERE:
NASA Nukes Monkeys. Stop Them.
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/letter_library/letter_new2.asp?LetterID=1877&seriesfirst=true

Target – HLS Top Customers AstraZeneca & GlaxoSmithKline
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/letter_library/letter_new2.asp?LetterID=1850&seriesfirst=true

The Military’s War On Innocents
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/letter_library/letter_new2.asp?LetterID=1821&seriesfirst=true

KINSHIP CIRCLE REFERENCES:
11/17/09: Ask Texas Tech To End Cat Labs For Good
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/letter_library/letter_new.asp?LetterID=1871&seriesfirst=true

================================================================

2. Primate Breeding Compound Canceled In Puerto Rico
SOURCE: VICTORY! Construction of Bioculture’s Monkey Factory Halted
http://blog.peta.org/archives/2009/12/victory_bioculture.php

12/30/09, SUMMARY: Thousands of monkeys will be spared from misery. Though
primate experiments have failed to yield tangible data for AIDS,
Alzheimer’s, stroke, cancer, and other diseases — construction of a huge
monkey-breeding compound was planned for Guayama, Puerto Rico. Bioculture, a
primate supply firm, had intended to seize monkeys from the wild in
Mauritius for shipment to Puerto Rico. From there, babies would have been
separated from mothers and sold into a barren world of concrete and metal.

Kinship Circle members shared in the global outcry against this pointless
primate breeding factory. A lawsuit filed by local citizens and PETA, in
conjunction with worldwide pressure, has culminated in a Superior Court
judge’s ruling to terminate all construction of the Bioculture facility.

Unfortunately, Bioculture execs are hard at work trying to overturn the
judge’s ruling. Let officials know that citizens worldwide support PERMANENT
termination of this and any future monkey-breeding compounds:

Halt Primate Compounds In Puerto Rico For Good
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/letter_library/letter_new.asp?LetterID=1848&seriesfirst=true

Final countdown… Your $20, $30, or $50 can help
open a mind, change a law, save an animal.

As part of our COMPASSION CAMPAIGN any amount you donate will be MATCHED.
If you use our alerts, literature, website…please send what you can today.

GIVE SECURELY ONLINE & IT WILL BE MATCHED:
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/donation/

OR MAIL YOUR TAX-DEDUCTIBLE DONATION TO:
Kinship Circle / Compassion Campaign
7380 Kingsbury Blvd.
Saint Louis, MO 63130

ACTION CAMPAIGNS * EDUCATION * ANIMAL DISASTER AID
http://www.KinshipCircle.org * http://www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters

SUBSCRIBE NOW – FOR BREAKING NEWS & ACTION
Kinship Circle Primary: subscribe@kinshipcircle.org
Action campaigns on animal cruelty issues worldwide
Kinship Circle Animal Disaster Aid Network: disasteraid@kinshipcircle.org
Animal rescue coordination/news in disasters + companion animal alerts

DISCLAIMER: The information in these alerts is verified with the original
source. Kinship Circle does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of
the information or for the consequences of its use. Nothing in this email is
intended to encourage illegal action in whatever country you are reading it
in. Kinship Circle does not engage in, nor support, any form of harassment
or unlawful activity. Nothing in this alert serves to promote such conduct.

Kingship Circle / 7380 Kingsbury Blvd. / Saint Louis, MO 63130
–   Nonprofit Certificate of Incorporation, Missouri – Charter: N00071626 / Certification: 7789294
–   Federal 501(c)(3) registered with the IRS – Public Charity Status: 170(b)(1)(A)(vi)
–   Sales Tax Exempt Status (from sales and use tax on purchases and sales – charitable)

KINSHIP CIRCLE’S WEBSITE NOW OFFERS AUTOMATED LETTERS!
– Bookmark TOP 10 ALERTS: http://www.kinshipcircle.org/top10/
– Check all recent 2009 alerts in our ACTION ALERT CENTER:
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/letter_library/

12/24/09: Get Cruelty Off The Shelves
No Fur Campaign 2009/2010


=============================================================
EMAIL BLOCK (Complete Contact Information Follows Sample Letter)
=============================================================

bruce.nordstrom@nordstrom.com, contactcustomersrvc@nordstrom.com,
MMashouf@bebe.com, askus@bebe.com, salvarenga@bebe.com,
anne.keating@bloomingdales.com, talk@expressfashion.com,
jim.sluzewski@macys.com, karen_katz@neimanmarcus.com,
offices@neimanmarcus.com, ecare@ecare.neimanmarcus.com,
Ginger_Reeder@neimanmarcus.com, Gabrielle_DePapp@neimanmarcus.com,
Mackay_Boynton@neimanmarcus.com, Janine_Bolin@saksinc.com,
Julia_Bentley@saksinc.com, Caroline_Dougherty@s5a.com, Alan.Lacy@sears.com,
sarms15@searshc.com

WEB CONTACT FORMS:
Bloomingdale’s:
https://www.bloomingdales.com/service/contact/index.ognc
Brooks Brothers:
http://www.brooksbrothers.com/aboutus/contact.tem
Chadwick’s:
https://www.chadwicks.com/ContactUs/ContactUs.aspx
Macy’s East:
http://www.macysinc.com/contact/general.aspx
Saks Fifth Avenue:
http://www.saksincorporated.com/contacts/contactus.asp
Sears Roebuck and Company:
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/nb_10153_12608_NB_CSeMail?adCell=W3
Victoria’s Secret:
http://www2.victoriassecret.com/html/custsrvc/contact/product/
Burlington Coat Factory:
http://corporate.burlingtoncoatfactory.com/contact/epiphany7c.shtml

***KINSHIP CIRCLE CANNOT GUARANTEE ALL EMAILS WILL WORK***
During campaigns, recipients may change or disable their email addresses.
Emails from government, corporate, or institute websites may be incorrect.

=============================================================
ASK FOR A FORMATTED LETTER (WORD DOC): info@kinshipcircle.org
=============================================================

Dear Sir/Madam,

Thank you for any past efforts to close fur salons and/or end the sale of
fur merchandise at your stores. This shows sensitivity to not only your
customers, but also the unquestionable cruelty behind fur.

I appreciate that fur and fur-trimmed items present challenging questions
for upscale retailers in terms of customer satisfaction. But the minority
who still request real fur shouldn’t overshadow sound ethical policy.

The fact is, even a “little fur trim” is a lot of suffering and death.
Please expand your cruelty-free policy to include the termination of
fur-trimmed merchandise. Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, Kenneth Cole, Stella
McCartney, Todd Oldham and more popular designers offer sophisticated
collections without real fur.

There is virtually no regulatory oversight of fur farms. Caged animals are
typically stacked in open sheds where they pace in feces and urine. Some
perish from dehydration, starvation or self-mutilation. They resort to head
bobbing, infanticide, cannibalism, and other “coping tools.”

Pelts are often derived from genital electrocution. The killer delivers a
240-volt blast of electricity into an animal’s rectum. The conscious,
convulsing animal endures a heart attack for two or more minutes. Some die
by cervical dislocation (neck popping). Others are injected with lethal junk
chemicals. Animals are also asphyxiated with unfiltered carbon monoxide.

Creatures trapped in the wild suffer no less. Those caught in leghold traps
or snares may gnaw their teeth to the jawbone or chew off their feet to
escape. Others languish on trap lines for days before trappers return to
fatally club, stomp or drown them.

No matter how you market it, fur is synonymous with violence and death. I
respectfully ask you to offer cruelty-free couture at all your locations.

Thank you,

=============================================================
COMPLETE CONTACT INFORMATION
=============================================================

Nordstrom, Inc.
Mr. Bruce A. Nordstrom, Chairman
1617 Sixth Avenue / Seattle, WA 98101-1742
ph: 206-628-2111; fax: 206-628-1795
email: bruce.nordstrom@nordstrom.com,
contactcustomersrvc@nordstrom.com

bebe stores, inc.
Manny Mashouf, President and CEO
400 Valley Drive / Brisbane, CA 94005
ph: 877-423-2303, 415-715-2715; fax: 415-715-3939
email: MMashouf@bebe.com, askus@bebe.com
Sandra Alvarenga: salvarenga@bebe.com

Bloomingdale’s, Inc.
Michael Gould, Chairman
1000 3rd Ave. / New York, NY 10022
ph: 212-705-2000; fax: 212-705-2805
Anne Keating, Senior Vice President, Public Relations:
anne.keating@bloomingdales.com
web contact form: https://www.bloomingdales.com/service/contact/index.ognc

Brooks Brothers
Claudio Del Vecchio, CEO
346 Madison Avenue / New York, NY 10017
ph: 800-274-1815, 212-682-8800; fax: 800-274-1010
web contact form: http://www.brooksbrothers.com/aboutus/contact.tem

Burlington Coat Factory
Monroe G. Milstein, Chairman
1830 Route 130 North / Burlington, NJ 08016
ph: 609-387-7800; fax: 609-387-7071
web contact form: http://corporate.burlingtoncoatfactory.com/contact/epiphany21.shtml

Chadwick’s of Boston
Eric Faintreny, CEO
35 United Drive / West Bridgewater, MA 02379
ph: 800-544-3795, 508-895-3000; fax: 508-588-7994
web contact form: https://www.chadwicks.com/ContactUs/ContactUs.aspx

Express, LLC
Michael Weiss, President and CEO
One Limited Pkwy. / Columbus, OH 43230
ph: 614-415-4000, 888-397-1980; fax: 614-415-4200, 614-415-7440
email: talk@expressfashion.com

Macy’s East
Ronald Klein, Chairman and CEO
151 West 34th Street / New York, NY 10001
ph: 212-695-4400; fax: 212-494-1057
Jim Sluzewski, Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications & External
Affairs, Macy’s Inc.: jim.sluzewski@macys.com
web contact form: http://www.macysinc.com/contact/general.aspx

Neiman Marcus
Burton M. Tansky President and CEO, Neiman Marcus Group, Inc.
Karen W. Katz, President and CEO, Neiman Marcus Stores
1 Marcus Square / 1618 Main Street / Dallas, TX 75201
ph: 214-743-7600, 214-741-6911; fax: 214-742-4904
email: karen_katz@neimanmarcus.com, offices@neimanmarcus.com,
ecare@ecare.neimanmarcus.com
Corporate Communications: Ginger_Reeder@neimanmarcus.com
Public Relations: Gabrielle_DePapp@neimanmarcus.com,
Mackay_Boynton@neimanmarcus.com

Saks Fifth Avenue
Stephen I. Sadove, Chairman and CEO
12 E. 49th St. / New York, NY 10017
ph: 212-753-4000, 212-940-4048; fax: 212-940-4299
Customer Relations Liaison: Janine_Bolin@saksinc.com
Public Relations: Julia_Bentley@saksinc.com, Caroline_Dougherty@s5a.com
web contact form: http://www.saksincorporated.com/contacts/contactus.asp

Sears, Roebuck and Company
Mr. Alan Lacy, Chairman and CEO
3333 Beverly Road, BC-118A / Hoffman Estates, IL 60179
ph: 847-286-8316; fax: 847-286-7829
email: Alan.Lacy@sears.com
Shannelle Armstrong Director, Public Relations Sears Holdings: sarms15@searshc.com
web contact form: http://www.sears.com/shc/s/nb_10153_12608_NB_CSeMail?adCell=W3

Victoria’s Secret
Grace A. Nichols, President and CEO
4 Limited Pkwy. East / Reynoldsburg, OH 43608
ph: 614-577-7000; fax: 614-577-7047
web contact form: http://www2.victoriassecret.com/html/custsrvc/contact/product/

=============================================================
SOURCE OF INFORMATION / REFERENCE LINKS
=============================================================

Retailers that continue to profit from the bloody fur trade
http://www.furkills.org/wycd.html
Nordstrom Must Permanently Remove Fur From All Their Stores/ Northwest
Animal Rights Network (NARN), http://www.narn.org

Last few days to make your $20, $30, or $50…
open a mind, change a law, save an animal.

As part of our COMPASSION CAMPAIGN any amount you donate from now until
December 31 will be MATCHED. Please, if you use our alerts, literature,
website and information…send what you can today.

GIVE SECURELY ONLINE & IT WILL BE MATCHED:
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/donation/

OR MAIL YOUR TAX-DEDUCTIBLE DONATION TO:
Kinship Circle / Compassion Campaign
7380 Kingsbury Blvd.
Saint Louis, MO 63130

ACTION CAMPAIGNS * EDUCATION * ANIMAL DISASTER AID
http://www.KinshipCircle.org * http://www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters

SUBSCRIBE NOW – FOR BREAKING NEWS & ACTION
Kinship Circle Primary: subscribe@kinshipcircle.org
Action campaigns on animal cruelty issues worldwide
Kinship Circle Animal Disaster Aid Network: disasteraid@kinshipcircle.org
Animal rescue coordination/news in disasters + companion animal alerts

DISCLAIMER: The information in these alerts is verified with the original
source. Kinship Circle does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of
the information or for the consequences of its use. Nothing in this email is
intended to encourage illegal action in whatever country you are reading it
in. Kinship Circle does not engage in, nor support, any form of harassment
or unlawful activity. Nothing in this alert serves to promote such conduct.

12/13/09: NASA Nukes Monkeys. Stop Them.

For the first time in decades (since chimps in space) NASA is conducting
radiation tests on squirrel monkeys like those in color photos above.

=============================================================
FULL CONTACT INFORMATION + EMAIL BLOCK. Sample letter follows.
=============================================================

NASA Headquarters
Washington, DC 20546-0001
NASA Administrator Charles F. Bolden, Jr.: 202-358-0000

HQ Information Center: info-center@hq.nasa.gov <http://info-center@hq.nasa.gov>
Francis Lindsay, NASA Headquarters: francis.lindsay-1@nasa.gov <http://francis.lindsay-1@nasa.gov>
Andrew Schain, NASA Headquarters: andrew.schain@nasa.gov <http://andrew.schain@nasa.gov>

NASA HQ comment form: http://www.nasa.gov/centers/hq/about/contact_us.html

NASA Public Communications Office
NASA Headquarters, Suite 5K39 / Washington, DC 20546-0001
ph: 202-358-0001; fax: 202-358-4338

email: public-inquiries@hq.nasa.gov <http://public-inquiries@hq.nasa.gov>

NASA PUBLIC RELATIONS / SOCIAL MEDIA

Stephanie Schierholz: stephanie.schierholz@nasa.gov <http://stephanie.schierholz@nasa.gov>
Grey Hautaluoma: grey.hautaluoma-1@nasa.gov <http://grey.hautaluoma-1@nasa.gov>
Doc Mirelson: doc.mirelson@nasa.gov <http://doc.mirelson@nasa.gov>
Beth Dickey: beth.dickey-1@nasa.gov <http://beth.dickey-1@nasa.gov>
Jennifer Knotts: norma.j.knotts@nasa.gov <http://norma.j.knotts@nasa.gov>
Keith Koehler: keith.a.koehler@nasa.gov <http://keith.a.koehler@nasa.gov>
Bob Jacobs: bob.jacobs@nasa.gov <http://bob.jacobs@nasa.gov>

NASA Office of Inspector General
P.O. Box 23089 / L’Enfant Plaza Station / Washington, D.C. 20026

ph: 1-800-424-9183; Curator, Michael Campbell: michael.campbell@nasa.gov <http://michael.campbell@nasa.gov>
NASA Official, Steven Clevenger: Steven.M.Clevenger@nasa.gov <http://Steven.M.Clevenger@nasa.gov>

EMAIL BLOCK (ALL EMAILS FROM ABOVE)

info-center@hq.nasa.gov <http://info-center@hq.nasa.gov> , francis.lindsay-1@nasa.gov <http://francis.lindsay-1@nasa.gov> , andrew.schain@nasa.gov <http://andrew.schain@nasa.gov> ,
public-inquiries@hq.nasa.gov <http://public-inquiries@hq.nasa.gov> , stephanie.schierholz@nasa.gov <http://stephanie.schierholz@nasa.gov> ,
grey.hautaluoma-1@nasa.gov <http://grey.hautaluoma-1@nasa.gov> , doc.mirelson@nasa.gov <http://doc.mirelson@nasa.gov> , beth.dickey-1@nasa.gov <http://beth.dickey-1@nasa.gov> ,
norma.j.knotts@nasa.gov <http://norma.j.knotts@nasa.gov> , keith.a.koehler@nasa.gov <http://keith.a.koehler@nasa.gov> , bob.jacobs@nasa.gov <http://bob.jacobs@nasa.gov> ,
michael.campbell@nasa.gov <http://michael.campbell@nasa.gov> , Steven.M.Clevenger@nasa.gov <http://Steven.M.Clevenger@nasa.gov>

***KINSHIP CIRCLE CANNOT GUARANTEE ALL EMAILS WILL WORK***
During campaigns, recipients may change or disable their email addresses.
Emails from government, corporate, or institute websites may be incorrect.

=============================================================
ASK FOR A FORMATTED LETTER (WORD DOC): info@kinshipcircle.org <http://info@kinshipcircle.org>
=============================================================

– Show quoted text –

Dear Administrator Bolden, NASA Headquarters, Public Communications, Public
Relations, and NASA Office of Inspector General:

I stand behind NASA’s mission. However, the use of live animals in space
radiation tests is a major leap backward for humankind. Please do not
subject squirrel monkeys to high-energy gamma-ray radiation to assess human
response to long-term space voyages.

I agree that space radiation may endanger astronauts traveling far
distances, such as a trip to Mars. But animal experiments generate
misleading results. Physiological, anatomical, and psychological variations
between species make accurate extrapolation to humans unlikely. And while
primates and humans share genetic likeness, their disease process and
treatment differ tremendously. It is precarious to base “neurobehavioral
effects of radiation on humans” upon non-predictive monkey tests.

I encourage NASA to continue utilizing animal-free technology, such as in
vitro methods with cellular components of human derivation. As you know,
modern bioengineers have devised models with blood vessels and organ
characteristics that better imitate human tissue function and design. A
March 2009 Biotechnology and Bioengineering report details these 3D cellular
systems derived from “building blocks” of active human cells.

Irradiating monkeys calls for experimenters to repeatedly blast restrained
animals with gamma rays comparable to three years in space. Once tests
conclude at Brookhaven National Laboratory in New York, the monkeys spend
their lives as test subjects in a Harvard Medical School project.

Renowned primatologist Dr. Jane Goodall has shown that primates form social
unions and experience complex emotions. Certainly, these sentient creatures
experience pain and loneliness. I respectfully ask Administrator Bolden and
his NASA colleagues to end this pointless cruelty.

Thank you,

=============================================================
SOURCE OF INFORMATION / REFERENCE LINKS
=============================================================

Giant Leap Backward: Ask NASA to End Cruel Radiation Testing on Monkeys
http://www.pcrm.org/resch/anexp/nasa.html
NASA to Subject Monkeys to Radiation
http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/091112-nasa-space-monkeys-radiation.html
Monkey business has activists fuming: Harvard experiment protest planned
http://www.allbusiness.com/science-technology/astronomy-space-space-exploration/13470643-1.html

PHOTO SOURCES, LT TO RT:
spacetoday.org_RhesusMonkeySpacesuitNASA.jpg
regmedia.co.uk_2009_05_28_spacemonkey2.jpg
Physicians Committee For Responsible Medicine (PCRM)
Wikipedia

– Show quoted text –

Your $20, $30, or $50…can open a mind, change a law, save an animal.

Please help Kinship Circle hire an investigative research aid, publish our
educational literature…and better serve YOU, the animals’ eyes and voice.

– Show quoted text –

As part of our COMPASSION CAMPAIGN <http://www.KinshipCircle.org> any amount
you donate from now until December 31 will be MATCHED. Please, if you use
our alerts, literature, website and information…send what you can today.

GIVE SECURELY ONLINE & IT WILL BE MATCHED:
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/donation/

OR MAIL YOUR TAX-DEDUCTIBLE DONATION TO:
Kinship Circle / Compassion Campaign
7380 Kingsbury Blvd.
Saint Louis, MO 63130

KINSHIP CIRCLE: A 501(c)(3) nonprofit animal advocacy organization with no
paid staff, that relies upon tax-deductible contributions to operate.

ACTION CAMPAIGNS * EDUCATION * ANIMAL DISASTER AID
http://www.KinshipCircle.org * http://www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters

DONATIONS TO KINSHIP CIRCLE HELP PAY FOR:
*   Animal disaster aid network and response
*   Investigative research/campaigns (with goal to hire an investigative aide!)
*   Educational literature and outreach (research, design, printing, distribution)
*   Website with activist tools (educational materials, ad designs, letter library…)
*   Daily operating costs: Office supplies, hardware/software, web design,
phone/internet, printing, disaster-related supplies/travel… All the boring
stuff that lets us work full-time for animals!

SUBSCRIBE NOW – FOR BREAKING NEWS & ACTION

Kinship Circle Primary: subscribe@kinshipcircle.org <http://subscribe@kinshipcircle.org>

Action campaigns on animal cruelty issues worldwide

Kinship Circle Animal Disaster Aid Network: disasteraid@kinshipcircle.org <http://disasteraid@kinshipcircle.org>

Animal rescue coordination/news in disasters + companion animal alerts

DISCLAIMER: The information in these alerts is verified with the original
source. Kinship Circle does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of
the information or for the consequences of its use. Nothing in this email is
intended to encourage illegal action in whatever country you are reading it
in. Kinship Circle does not engage in, nor support, any form of harassment
or unlawful activity. Nothing in this alert serves to promote such conduct.

SEND KINSHIP CIRCLE LETTERS IN ONE CLICK!
BOOKMARK THIS: http://www.change.org/kinship_circle/actions
Kinship Circle alerts are now archived as automated letters — to send with
one easy click. Visit the link above regularly. The letter below will be in
auto-letter format within the next week or sooner.

12/8/09: Roundup Plan 2010 – Seize 12,000 More Horses, Burros


PHOTO SOURCE: http://www.wildhorsepreservation.com

UPDATE: On November 25, 2009 a lawsuit was filed to halt the Bureau of Land
Management’s huge Calico Complex (Nevada) horse roundup. The lawsuit
suspended the original December 7 capture date until December 28. During
the three-week postponement, motions seeking a preliminary and permanent
injunction against wild horse and burro roundups will have more time to
proceed…  http://www.wildhorsepreservation.com/pdf/SDOC0573.pdf

=============================================================
FULL CONTACT INFORMATION. Email block and sample letter follow.
=============================================================

EVERYONE, SEND COMMENTS TO:
John Cruden, Acting Assistant Attorney General
U.S. Department of Justice, Room 2141
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW / Washington, D.C. 20530-0001
email: john.cruden@usdoj.gov

President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden
The White House / 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW / Washington, DC 20500
comments: 202-456-1111 or 202-456-9000
switchboard: 202-456-1414; fax: 202-456-2461
contact forms: http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/,
http://www.whitehouse.gov/ContactUs/

Ken Salazar, Secretary of the Interior
U.S. Department of the Interior / 1849 C Street, N.W. / Washington DC 20240
ph: 202-208-3100; email: feedback@ios.doi.gov,
Secretary_of_the_Interior@ios.doi.gov

U.S. Bureau of Land Management
1849 C Street NW, Rm. 5665 / Washington DC 20240
Director Bob Abbey: Director@blm.gov, Robert_Abbey@blm.gov
ph: 202-208-3801, 866-468-7826; fax: 202-208-5242
Acting Deputy Director Mike Pool: Mike_Pool@blm.gov
Chief of Staff Janet Lin: janet_lin@blm.gov

U.S CITIZENS ONLY, ALSO SEND COMMENTS TO:
The Honorable Representative [YOUR REP’S NAME HERE]
U.S. House of Representatives / Washington, D.C. 20510

The Honorable Senators [YOUR SENATORS’ NAMES HERE]
The U.S. Senate, U.S. Capitol Building / Washington, D.C. 20510

To identify your federal legislators and find contact info, try:
Congress.org – http://www.Congress.org
Project VoteSmart – http://www.vote-smart.org/
USA Senate – http://www.senate.gov
USA House of Representatives – http://www.house.gov

=============================================================
EMAIL BLOCK: Sample letter is directly below this.
=============================================================

EVERYONE – SEND COMMENTS TO:
john.cruden@usdoj.gov, feedback@ios.doi.gov,
Secretary_of_the_Interior@ios.doi.gov, Robert_Abbey@blm.gov,
Mike_Pool@blm.gov, janet_lin@blm.gov

RECIPIENTS WITH WEB CONTACT FORMS ONLY:
President Barack Obama: http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/
Vice President Joe Biden: http://www.whitehouse.gov/ContactUs

***KINSHIP CIRCLE CANNOT GUARANTEE ALL EMAILS WILL WORK***
During campaigns, recipients may change or disable their email addresses.
Emails from government, corporate, or institute websites may be incorrect.

=============================================================
ASK FOR A FORMATTED LETTER (WORD DOC): info@kinshipcircle.org
=============================================================

President Obama, Vice President Biden, Acting Assistant Attorney General Cruden,
Secretary Salazar, Bureau of Land Management, and Members of Congress:

The Bureau of Land Management has mishandled the Wild Horse and Burro
Program for years — governing for extinction rather than preservation.

Despite vast public opposition, the agency’s 2010 Round-Up Schedule calls
for the seizure of another 12,000 wild horses and burros, with taxpayers
footing a $32 million bill. By catering to special interests such as big
game hunting, mining, oil drilling, development, and ranching, BLM impounds
more horses than it can adopt out. To deal with “surplus” American horses
and burros in federal holding, the animals commonly wind up on the auction
block, sold to “killer-buyers,” and trucked to foreign kill floors.

I understand a lawsuit has been filed to stop the removal of more than 2,500
horses in Nevada’s Calico Complex. Originally slated for December 9, 2009,
the mass roundup is now delayed until December 28. I sincerely hope the
delay results in a permanent injunction against the roundup, and also
prompts the Justice Department to intensify its investigation of BLM.

The Calico Complex removal exemplifies some core problems with BLM. After
the same herd was corralled in 2005, all mares among an estimated 575 horses
left on the range received contraceptive vaccines. Today, BLM argues that
3,000 horses roam the area. It is outlandish to assert that a small herd
controlled with contraception quintupled in size in less than five years. In
fact, residents accustomed to the herd claim numbers are far lower.

Ultimately, the government must place a moratorium on roundups until
impartial analysts count how many wild horses and burros literally inhabit
public lands. Moreover, I urge the White House and Congress to advocate
reinstatement of wild horses and burros in their native Western range, where
they can live naturally as American symbols of majesty and freedom.

The Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burro Act of 1971 (ROAM) will renew
protections originally granted in 1971. Passage of this bill would keep
these magnificent creatures where they belong — on public, Western
rangelands. I am counting on your support and look forward to your reply.

Sincerely,

=============================================================
SOURCE OF INFORMATION / REFERENCE LINKS
=============================================================

The AWHPC Team / American Wild Horse Preservation Campaign
http://www.wildhorsepreservation.org
November 25, 2009 – Lawsuit filed to stop massive Calico Complex roundup
http://www.wildhorsepreservation.com/pdf/SDOC0573.pdf>
Secretary Salazar’s New Plan
http://www.wildhorsepreservation.com/news_alerts.html#salazar

Your $20, $30, or $50…can open a mind, change a law, save an animal.

Please help Kinship Circle hire an investigative research aid, publish our
educational literature…and better serve YOU, the animals’ eyes and voice.

As part of our COMPASSION CAMPAIGN <http://www.KinshipCircle.org> any amount
you donate from now until December 31 will be MATCHED. Please, if you use
our alerts, literature, website and information…send what you can today.

GIVE SECURELY ONLINE & IT WILL BE MATCHED:
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/donation/

OR MAIL YOUR TAX-DEDUCTIBLE DONATION TO:
Kinship Circle / Compassion Campaign
7380 Kingsbury Blvd.
Saint Louis, MO 63130

Kinship Circle is an all-volunteer 501c3 nonprofit charity with no paid
staff. Kinship Circle receives no government funding. Kinship Circle funding
is derived primarily from individual donors and some grant/giving programs.

ACTION CAMPAIGNS * EDUCATION * ANIMAL DISASTER AID
http://www.KinshipCircle.org * http://www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters

DONATIONS TO KINSHIP CIRCLE HELP PAY FOR:
*   Animal disaster aid network and response
*   Investigative research/campaigns (with goal to hire an investigative aide!)
*   Educational literature and outreach (research, design, printing, distribution)
*   Website with activist tools (educational materials, ad designs, letter library…)
*   Daily operating costs: Office supplies, hardware/software, web design,
phone/internet, printing, disaster-related supplies/travel… All the boring
stuff that lets us work full-time for animals!

SUBSCRIBE NOW – FOR BREAKING NEWS & ACTION
Kinship Circle Primary: subscribe@kinshipcircle.org
Action campaigns on animal cruelty issues worldwide
Kinship Circle Animal Disaster Aid Network: disasteraid@kinshipcircle.org
Animal rescue coordination/news in disasters + companion animal alerts

DISCLAIMER: The information in these alerts is verified with the original
source. Kinship Circle does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of
the information or for the consequences of its use. Nothing in this email is
intended to encourage illegal action in whatever country you are reading it
in. Kinship Circle does not engage in, nor support, any form of harassment
or unlawful activity. Nothing in this alert serves to promote such conduct.

KINSHIP CIRCLE / PERMISSION TO CROSS-POST THIS COLUMN

It’s that time of year when “pets become presents.”
So Kinship Circle is posting our “Live Gifts” column. Please share with
anyone who thinks animals make awesome gifts. They do not.

DOWNLOAD A PRINTABLE “LIVE GIFTS” WITH PHOTOS HERE:
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/fact_sheets/LiveGifts.pdf

LINK TO OUR “LIVE GIFTS” COLUMN, FROM YOUR WEBSITE:
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/columns_articles/live_gifts.html

SEND KINSHIP CIRCLE LETTERS IN ONE CLICK!
BOOKMARK THIS: http://www.change.org/kinship_circle/actions
Kinship Circle alerts are now archived as automated letters — to send with
one easy click. Visit the link above regularly.

Live Gifts — Instructions Not Included
KINSHIP CIRCLE COLUMN


Coauthored by: Brenda Shoss, president, Kinship Circle
Terri Kelley, investigative research aide, Kinship Circle

Nothing stirs the warm fuzzies more than a furry addition to the family. At
holiday time, shoppers are urged to wrap Fluffy or Fido in red ribbons.

But when the bows come off, an animal stumbles into an unfamiliar world.
Fido and Fluffy don’t come with instruction manuals stamped: “A Lifetime Of
Responsibility.” In fact, the average life span of a dog is 12 to 14 years.
Cats may live from 15 to 17 years. Even goldfish are around for 7 years. The
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) calculates
expenses for a single animal’s food, supplies, medical care and training to
be $700 to $875 annually. Costs creep into the thousands when health
complications, high quality food, and pet sitters are added to the equation.

Animals make bad surprise gifts. They soil furniture, chew rugs, slobber and
scratch. Unprepared recipients of puppies or kittens may grow frustrated
with unanticipated growth spurts, behavioral challenges, or grooming needs.

Once the cute factor fades, live gifts often wind up at the animal shelter.
According to ASPCA documentation, 60% of dogs and 70% of cats who enter
shelters are destroyed due to lack of space, illness, or un-adoptability.

“My kids will be thrilled to find Fido wrapped in bows. Why is this bad?”
On a physical level, it is never safe to tie animals in ribbons, enclose
them in boxes, or leave them unattended. Young animals chew and digest
anything in their path. Waxy-coated papers or bows can obstruct a tiny
kitten’s stomach and require emergency extraction.

Moreover, “live merchandise” teaches kids (and adults) that animals are
disposable. For holidays, birthdays, graduations or bar mitzvahs, we give
toys, electronics, apparel and jewelry. These inanimate objects fall within
a category of nouns considered to be without life. Animals, on the other
hand, are separated from plants and things by independent movement and
reactive sense organs. When people view animals as property, they fail to
see an individual with complex interests and needs.

Adults who adopt for children need to initiate a serious discussion about
what the child’s relationship with the animal will entail. Rescue
organizations and pet supply outlets carry books, videos and learning
materials about guardianship and training. More alternate gift ideas are
toys, beds, leashes, bowls and other gear. Sharing “pre-pet” time with a
child can be a fun and rewarding experience.

Impulse adoptions exacerbate the pet overpopulation crisis.
Shelters nationwide see a surge in surrenders after Christmas, Valentine’s
Day and Easter. “The holidays, and weeks just after, promise to fill more
cages and quarantine rooms…in animal shelters across the [New Jersey and
New York] region,” writes Tim Norris, of NorthJersey.com, about the overflow
at Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge in Oakland, NJ. “A fair number of arrivals
will come from well-meaning adopters who misjudged the commitment.”

Conversely, informed adopters are less likely to relinquish animals. The
Humane Society of the U.S. (HSUS) estimates 3 to 4 million healthy animals
are euthanized every year. Other guesstimates range from 6 to 8 million.

“Uncle Harold is dead set on surprising the kids with a dog.”
But no-one wants a present who comes with steep veterinary bills.

Common ailments have an incubation period. Within weeks of adoption, a
seemingly healthy puppy may harbor parasites, worms, respiratory infections,
coccidia, giardia, and deadly parvovirus or distemper. Fragile kittens may
harbor zoonotic diseases such as bacterial, parasitic, viral or fungal
infections. Cats must be screened for Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP),
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), and Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV).

Many veterinary hospitals offer puppy or kitten “packages” that include
vaccinations, spay/neuter procedures, and microchip implantation. Most
animals have a bit of wanderlust in them. Microchip identification is the
best defense against permanent loss.

An animal’s temperament is more difficult to prearrange. Still, adopters can
research which species, breeds or mixes are best suited to a particular
human environment. For example, are toddlers and nipping puppies a good
match? Can two working parents handle a robust dog who needs regular
exercise? Should longhair shedders inhabit a neatnik home?

“Where should we look for a new animal — breeder or shelter?”
Adopters can visit animal shelters, rescue/foster groups, and online
networks such as Petfinder.com to find furry soul mates. Many think that
shelters have no purebreds. In fact, puppy mill and breed-specific rescue
groups cater to pedigree darlings. The National Council on Pet Population
Study and Policy (NCPPSP) found 25% of dogs at shelters are purebred.

There are myriad reasons to adopt animals, rather than purchase from
breeders or pet shops. Reason #1: Thousands of puppies and kittens born
daily cannot squeeze into the nation’s 6,000 to 8,000 shelters. Just 3-4
million are re-homed. The rest are killed. Even when backyard breeders find
homes for every litter, they unintentionally put pound pets on death row.

Stray animals propel overpopulation with countless offspring. One female dog
and her young can produce 67,000 puppies in 6 years. A cat and her litter
can create 420,000 kittens in 7 years. Without enough loving homes, shelter
adoptions and extensive spay/neuter programs are the only viable solutions.

Furthermore, the wide-eyed pooch in the pet shop likely began her life at a
commercial enterprise where puppies are mass-produced. Profit-driven “puppy
mills” typically fail to provide adequate veterinary care, diet, exercise or
shelter. Large sites house up to 1,000 dogs in rusted chicken wire cages
heaped three or four tiers high. Urine and feces seep into lower cages. Dogs
at the top swelter in the summer and freeze in the winter.

Mass breeders look for low overhead and high return. Shoddy breeding methods
predispose dogs to chronic infirmities such as hip dysplasia, dislocating
kneecaps, seizures, eye lesions, liver and heart disease, and autoimmune
disorders. In California, a state financed study revealed almost half of pet
store pups were sick or carrying diseases.

“We’re all animal lovers. Is there something I can give in place of a live gift?”
Animals tend to awaken a child’s first sense of empathy. Animal-themed books
make wonderful gifts for youngsters, teens, and adults. Farm Sanctuary,
HSUS, United Poultry Concerns, PETA and other animal advocacy organizations
sell books from their websites. A simple Internet search using terms like
“Animal Books” produces lists with titles, authors and publishers.

Along with books, animal groups commonly offer educational materials, games,
magazine subscriptions, clothing and toys with a humane theme.

Sponsorship, membership or volunteering with a life-saving organization is a
meaningful gift for people of all ages. Shelters rely upon volunteers — to
clean cages, sweep hay, fill food bowls, walk dogs and socialize animals.
Most won’t let young children volunteer, but teens are usually welcome.

Parents can arrange educational tours for the entire family, a school
classroom, or even a birthday party. At Farm Sanctuary (Watkins Glen, NY),
Animal Acres (Los Angeles), or Longmeadow Rescue Ranch (Union, MO), kids can
meet rescued farm critters and “adopt” one. They’re able to follow the life
of their pig, cow, horse or hen through photos and stories.

Few gifts are as precious as an animal’s bottomless love. In return, we
promise a warm lap, a full bowl, and guardianship for life. No one can make
these promises for another. The decision to adopt comes from within.

Your $20, $30, or $50…can open a mind, change a law, save an animal.

Please help Kinship Circle hire an investigative research aid, publish our
educational literature…and better serve YOU, the animals’ eyes and voice.

As part of our COMPASSION CAMPAIGN <http://www.KinshipCircle.org> any amount
you donate from now until December 31 will be MATCHED. Please, if you use
our alerts, literature, website and information…send what you can today.

GIVE SECURELY ONLINE & IT WILL BE MATCHED:
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/donation/

OR MAIL YOUR TAX-DEDUCTIBLE DONATION TO:
Kinship Circle / Compassion Campaign
7380 Kingsbury Blvd.
Saint Louis, MO 63130

KINSHIP CIRCLE: A 501(c)(3) nonprofit animal advocacy organization with no
paid staff, that relies upon tax-deductible contributions to operate.

ACTION CAMPAIGNS * EDUCATION * ANIMAL DISASTER AID
http://www.KinshipCircle.org * http://www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters

DONATIONS TO KINSHIP CIRCLE HELP PAY FOR:
*   Animal disaster aid network and response
*   Investigative research/campaigns (with goal to hire an investigative aide!)
*   Educational literature and outreach (research, design, printing, distribution)
*   Website with activist tools (educational materials, ad designs, letter library…)
*   Daily operating costs: Office supplies, hardware/software, web design,
phone/internet, printing, disaster-related supplies/travel… All the boring
stuff that lets us work full-time for animals!

SUBSCRIBE NOW – FOR BREAKING NEWS & ACTION
Kinship Circle Primary: subscribe@kinshipcircle.org
Action campaigns on animal cruelty issues worldwide
Kinship Circle Animal Disaster Aid Network: disasteraid@kinshipcircle.org
Animal rescue coordination/news in disasters + companion animal alerts.

11/30/09: How Could They?
250,000 Animals Butchered Alive In Nepal Sacrifice


FROM KINSHIP CIRCLE: Nepal’s government upheld this year’s Gadhimai Jatra
mass animal sacrifice, despite strong global protest. On Nov. 24-25, some
250,000 animals were mutilated and beheaded in what may be the world’s
largest religious slaughter. We’ve modified our pre-festival sample letter
and urge everyone to send comments. This grotesque butchery must end.

SNAPSHOTS FROM OBSERVERS
Tue, 24 Nov 2009 / Manoj Gautam, Representative of Roots and Shoots Nepal:
“Thousands of buffaloes were standing in an enclosure when butchers holding
swords started hacking randomly at the animals. Baby buffaloes were bleating
and searching for their mothers. They were hunted down by the men. Needless
to say, not a single animal survived the blood bath…”

Krishna Singh, Programme Manager Animal Nepal: “I visited Gadhimai before
the killing… A baby goat died from a lack of food and water… The baby
buffaloes wanted to be petted. They were scared and needed some comfort.”

Bibi Funyal, photographer: “I was assigned to film the festival… In the
beginning butchers were able to cut the heads of buffaloes in one stroke.
Later it took them a long time to severe heads. Buffaloes were mooing — it
was a terrible sound… I had to step over thousands of bodies and heads and
wade through animal blood. It was something I will never do again…”

Lucia de Vries, Director Animal Nepal, international campaigner: “I am
convinced that these killings are among the worst forms of animal cruelty in
the world. I pray that when the images come out the international community
will agree that we have to stop this.” READ MORE:
http://serbiananimalsvoice.wordpress.com/2009/11/25/nepal-now-the-nepalese-g
overnment-climbs-above-the-chinese-as-the-worlds-no-1-animal-abusing-nation/

PHOTO SOURCE + VIEW MORE:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/gallery/2009/nov/24/nepal-hinduism?picture=355997372

=============================================================
FULL CONTACT INFORMATION + EMAIL BLOCK. Sample letter follows.
=============================================================

**SOME EMAILS MAY NOT WORK. We have cross-researched at Nepal government
websites, but are not accountable for disabled or outdated emails.

Rt. Hon’ble Prime Minister Mr. Madhav Kumar
Nepal Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers
Singh Durbar / P.O. Box: 23312 / Kathmandu, Nepal
email: info@opmcm.gov.np

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Administrative Section: adm@mofa.gov.np
All Divisions: Everyone@mofa.gov.np
Europe America Division: euroam@mofa.gov.np, ea@mofa.gov.np
Foreign Minister Secretariat: fmo@mofa.gov.np

Mr. Sharat Singh Bhandari, Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation
Singha Durbar, Kathmandu, Nepal
email: info@tourism.gov.np, tourismnp@gmail.com

Permanent Mission of Nepal to the United Nations
820 Second Avenue, Suite 17B / New York, NY 10017
ph: 212-370-3988/3989; fax: 212-953-2038; email: nepal@un.int

Embassy of the Kingdom of Nepal In USA
2131 Leroy Place, N.W. / Washington D.C., 20008
ph: 1-202-667-4550; fax: 1-202-667-5534
email: nepali@erols.com, lumbini@erols.com

TO LOOK UP NEPAL EMBASSIES & CONSULATES IN OTHER COUNTRIES, TRY:
http://www.kotan.org/tibet/embassies_nepal.html
http://www.immi.gov.np/location.php

ADDITIONAL NEPAL GOVERNMENT EMAILS:
House of Representative: nparl@ntc.net.np
Ministry of Agriculture & Cooperatives: moac@most.gov.np, agroinfo@wlink.com.np
Ministry of Information & Communication: moichmg@ntc.net.np, moichmg@ntc.net.np
Ministry of Law, Justice & Parliamentary Affairs: mlg@most.gov.np, molaw@wlink.com.np
Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation: motca@ntc.net.np

EMAIL BLOCK (ALL EMAILS FROM ABOVE):
info@opmcm.gov.np, adm@mofa.gov.np, Everyone@mofa.gov.np,
euroam@mofa.gov.np, ea@mofa.gov.np, fmo@mofa.gov.np, info@tourism.gov.np,
tourismnp@gmail.com, nepal@un.int, nepali@erols.com, lumbini@erols.com,
nparl@ntc.net.np, moac@most.gov.np, agroinfo@wlink.com.np,
moichmg@ntc.net.np, moichmg@ntc.net.np, mlg@most.gov.np, molaw@wlink.com.np,
motca@ntc.net.np

***KINSHIP CIRCLE CANNOT GUARANTEE ALL EMAILS WILL WORK***
During campaigns, recipients may change or disable their email addresses.
Emails from government, corporate, or institute websites may be incorrect.

=============================================================
ASK FOR A FORMATTED LETTER (WORD DOC): info@kinshipcircle.org
=============================================================

Honorable Prime Minister and Officials of Nepal:

I am stunned by the magnitude of cruelty in the semi-annual Gadhimai Jatra
festival in Bara, Nepal. Fields fill with blood as sword-bearing butchers
casually hack apart baby buffalo and their elders. How can Nepal justify the
mutilation of hundreds of thousands of goats, buffalo, pigs, chickens, rats
and pigeons as “sacrifice” to the Hindu goddess of power, Gadhimai?

The Gadhimai alienates potential tourists, like myself, who object to the
senseless brutalization of animals. Furthermore, it desensitizes your own
children, teaching them to ignore suffering and celebrate violence.

Please ban all blood festivals. I urge the Nepalese government to enforce
stronger animal protection laws that shield animals from all forms of abuse,
including grotesque rituals such as the Gadhimai Fair.

The November 24-25, 2009 festival didn’t fail to repulse any human with a
conscience. One filmmaker noted that the butchers killed in a frenzy, unable
to sever heads quickly. “Baby buffalo searched for mothers. One touched my
tripod. That was when I felt I’d pass out if I continued filming. When I
left, I had to step over bodies and heads and wade through animal blood…”

As you know, the two-day contest involves men armed with knives who vie to
slaughter the most animals. Contestants are awarded a fee for each kill.
Death does not come quickly. Based on the “panchhbali” (five offerings),
competitors slit the throats of five different species. Buffalo take so long
to die that men cut them apart, starting with their back legs.

I am shocked that Nepalese officials not only allow this festival, but also
pay to confine animals before it begins. Religious leaders themselves have
proposed fruits and vegetables in place of animal sacrifice. I respectfully
ask you to embrace this nonviolent option and/or do everything within your
power to permanently cancel the Gadhimai festival.

Different cultures may not understand each other’s customs, but all humans
comprehend cruelty. The world recognizes the Gadhimai Jatra as outright
animal torture. It’s time that Nepal’s government does too.

Sincerely,

=============================================================
SOURCE OF INFORMATION / REFERENCE LINKS
=============================================================
Hindu sacrifice of 250,000 animals begins
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/nov/24/hindu-sacrifice-gadhimai-festival-nepal
Stop world’s largest animal killing fair in Nepal
http://www.sindhtoday.net/news/1/66745.htm

PLEASE, if you believe in Kinship Circle’s mission and use our alerts,
literature, website and information…send what you can today.

$20, $30, $50…

That’s all it takes to become $40, $60 or $100 — to help Kinship Circle
hire an investigative research aid, publish our educational literature…and
better serve YOU, the animals’ eyes and voice.

As part of our COMPASSION CAMPAIGN <http://www.KinshipCircle.org> any amount
you contribute from now until December 31 will be MATCHED, due to generous
supporters who have pledged funds for a “matching donor pool.”

GIVE SECURELY ONLINE & IT WILL BE MATCHED:
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/donation/

OR MAIL YOUR TAX-DEDUCTIBLE DONATION TO:
Kinship Circle / Compassion Campaign
7380 Kingsbury Blvd.
Saint Louis, MO 63130

KINSHIP CIRCLE: A 501(c)(3) nonprofit animal advocacy organization with no
paid staff, that relies upon tax-deductible contributions to operate.

ACTION CAMPAIGNS * EDUCATION * ANIMAL DISASTER AID
http://www.KinshipCircle.org * http://www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters

DONATIONS TO KINSHIP CIRCLE HELP PAY FOR:
*   Animal disaster aid network and response
*   Investigative research/campaigns (with goal to hire an investigative aide!)
*   Educational literature and outreach (research, design, printing, distribution)
*   Website with activist tools (educational materials, ad designs, letter library…)
*   Daily operating costs: Office supplies, hardware/software, web design,
phone/internet, printing, disaster-related supplies/travel… All the boring
stuff that lets us work full-time for animals!

SUBSCRIBE NOW – FOR BREAKING NEWS & ACTION
Kinship Circle Primary: subscribe@kinshipcircle.org
Action campaigns on animal cruelty issues worldwide
Kinship Circle Animal Disaster Aid Network: disasteraid@kinshipcircle.org
Animal rescue coordination/news in disasters + companion animal alerts

DISCLAIMER: The information in these alerts is verified with the original
source. Kinship Circle does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of
the information or for the consequences of its use. Nothing in this email is
intended to encourage illegal action in whatever country you are reading it
in. Kinship Circle does not engage in, nor support, any form of harassment
or unlawful activity. Nothing in this alert serves to promote such conduct.

11/28/09: Killing Phoenix Update
Twins Indicted, Arraignment 12/9/09
ARRAIGNMENT SCHEDULED:
December 9, 2009 before the Honorable David W. Young


UPDATE: Remember Phoenix, the one-year-old pit bull terrier soaked in
gasoline and set afire? Police officer Syreeta Teel spotted her flailing in
the streets and heroically pounded out the flames with her sweatshirt.
Phoenix “rose from the ashes” long enough to be loved by her rescuers, but
was ultimately euthanized when extensive burns caused her kidneys to fail.

Now, her killers, twin brothers Tremayne and Travers Johnson, 17, have been
indicted and face arraignment DEC. 9, 2009. Indictment is not a guilty
verdict. They are still “innocent” until proven guilty. PHOTO: Baltimore Sun

=============================================================
FULL CONTACT INFORMATION + EMAIL BLOCK. Sample letter follows.
=============================================================

Honorable David W. Young
227 Courthouse East
111 N. Calvert Street / Baltimore, MD 21202
ph: 410-396-5076, 410-396-5077; fax 410-545-7316
**NO PUBLIC EMAIL ADDRESS FOUND**

Honorable Patricia C. Jessamy, Baltimore City State’s Attorney
208 Clarence Mitchell Jr. Courthouse
110 North Calvert Street / Baltimore, Maryland 21202
ph: 410-396-4987; fax: 410-539-5215
email: mail@stattorney.org, info@stattorney.org
Kimberly B. Morton, Esq., Deputy State’s Attorney:
kmorton@stattorney.org
Communications, Margaret Burns, Chief:
mburns@stattorney.org
Investigations, Cynthia H. Jones, Esq., Deputy State’s Attorney:
cjones@stattorney.org

Mayor Sheila Dixon
City Hall, Room 250 100 N. Holliday St. / Baltimore, MD 21202
ph: 410-396-3835; fax 410-576-9425
email: mayor@baltimorecity.gov

Baltimore City Council, Office of the President
City Hall, 100 N. Holliday St., Suite 400 / Baltimore, MD 21202
President, Stephanie Rawlings-Blake:
410-396-4804; fax: 410-539-0647
email: CouncilPresident@baltimorecity.gov

District 1, James B. Kraft:
410-396-4821; fax: 410-347-0547; James.Kraft@baltimorecity.gov
District 2, Nicholas D’Adamo, Jr:
410-396-4808; fax: 410-396-4414; Nicholas.D’Adamo@baltimorecity.gov
District 3, Robert Curran:
410-396-4812; fax: 410-396-8621; Robert.Curran@baltimorecity.gov
District 4, Bill Henry:
410-396-4830; fax: 410-659-1792; Bill.Henry@baltimorecity.gov
District 5, Rochelle “Rikki” Spector:
410-396-4819; fax: 410-396-6800; Rochelle.Spector@baltimorecity.gov
District 6, Sharon Green Middleton:
410-396-4832; fax: 410-244-5343; Sharon.Middleton@baltimorecity.gov
District 7, Belinda Conaway:
410-396-4810; fax: 410-347-0537; Belinda.Conaway@baltimorecity.gov
District 8, Helen Holton:
410-396-4818; fax: 410-396-4828; Helen.Holton@baltimorecity.gov
District 9, Agnes Welch:
410-396-4815; fax: 410-545-3857; Agnes.Welch@baltimorecity.gov
District 10, Edward Reisinger Council Vice-President:
410-396-4822; fax: 410-545-7353; Edward.Reisinger@baltimorecity.gov
District 11, William H. Cole IV:
410-396-4816; fax: 410-545-7464; William.Cole@baltimorecity.gov
District 12, Bernard “Jack” Young:
410-396-4811; fax: 410-396-1594; Bernard.Young@baltimorecity.gov
District 13, Warren Branch:
410-396-4829; fax: 410-347-0534; Warren.Branch@baltimorecity.gov
District 14, Mary Pat Clarke:
410-396-4814; fax: 410-545-7585; MaryPat.Clarke@baltimorecity.gov

EMAIL BLOCK (ALL EMAILS FROM ABOVE)
mail@stattorney.org, info@stattorney.org, kmorton@stattorney.org,
mburns@stattorney.org, cjones@stattorney.org, mayor@baltimorecity.gov,
CouncilPresident@baltimorecity.gov, James.Kraft@baltimorecity.gov,
Nicholas.D’Adamo@baltimorecity.gov, Robert.Curran@baltimorecity.gov,
Bill.Henry@baltimorecity.gov, Rochelle.Spector@baltimorecity.gov,
Sharon.Middleton@baltimorecity.gov, Belinda.Conaway@baltimorecity.gov,
Helen.Holton@baltimorecity.gov, Agnes.Welch@baltimorecity.gov,
Edward.Reisinger@baltimorecity.gov, William.Cole@baltimorecity.gov,
Bernard.Young@baltimorecity.gov, Warren.Branch@baltimorecity.gov,
MaryPat.Clarke@baltimorecity.gov

***KINSHIP CIRCLE CANNOT GUARANTEE ALL EMAILS WILL WORK***
During campaigns, recipients may change or disable their email addresses.
Emails from government, corporate, or institute websites may be incorrect.

=============================================================
ASK FOR A FORMATTED LETTER (WORD DOC): info@kinshipcircle.org
=============================================================

Honorable David W. Young, Baltimore City State’s Attorney Office, Mayor
Sheila Dixon and City Council:

I have followed the case of Phoenix, a one-year-old pit bull terrier soaked
in gasoline and set afire on May 27, 2009. I understand the Baltimore City
Grand Jury indicted twin brothers Tremayne and Travers Johnson, 17, on five
counts of animal abuse and cruelty.

I thank the state’s attorney office and court for its serious deliberation
in this heinous crime. Phoenix was euthanized in caring hands after her
kidneys failed. Swollen and charred, her immune system simply couldn’t
handle burns covering 95% of her body.

But this case is as much about the twins as it is about Phoenix. These
youths are so desensitized to suffering, they ignored the cries of a living
creature enveloped in flames.

I urge you to levy felony animal cruelty penalties that include up to three
years in prison, a $5,000 fine, and mandatory counseling. If the Johnsons
are involved in dogfighting, as suggested by puncture wounds seen on
Phoenix, please punish them under animal fighting laws too. I hope you will
ensure these teens are barred from contact with animals.

Juvenile violence is often connected with musings on death and Goth anarchy.
Along with these dark images comes a fascination with victimizing animals.
Indeed, Columbine’s Eric Harris, D.C. serial killer Lee Boyd Malvo, murderer
Kip Kinkle and others “practiced” on animals before graduating to people.

Andrew Golden, 11, and Mitchell Johnson, 13, killed dogs in Jonesboro,
Arkansas prior to gunning down four students and one teacher. Mississippi
16-year-old Luke Woodham mortally stabbed his mother, killed three
classmates and shot seven more. Later in court, he confessed to bludgeoning
his dog with baseball bats and setting her on fire.

One U.S. study revealed that five of 11 killers involved in nine separate
school rampages had formerly abused animals. In another study, “Childhood
Cruelty Toward Animals Among Criminals and Noncriminals,” 25% of aggressive
criminals confessed to five or more acts of torturing animals.

Clearly, the animal-to-human violence link demands your utmost attention. I
reiterate my request that Mayor Dixon and the City Council address violence
at its roots by creating an animal abuse task force with citizen
representation. Please also empower animal control officers under the police
department and advocate prosecution in all animal abuse and fighting cases.

Thank you, in advance, for punishing Phoenix’ killers to the fullest degree
allowed by law.

Sincerely,

=============================================================
SOURCE OF INFORMATION / REFERENCE LINKS
=============================================================

Twins indicted in Phoenix burning case
http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/features/mutts/blog/2009/11/twins_indicted_in_phoenix_burn.html
Dog doused in gasoline, set on fire, Baltimore, MD (US)
http://www.pet-abuse.com/cases/15502/MD/US/

$20, $30, $50…

That’s all it takes to become $40, $60 or $100 — to help Kinship Circle
hire an investigative research aid, publish our educational literature…and
better serve YOU, the animals’ eyes and voice.

As part of our COMPASSION CAMPAIGN <http://www.KinshipCircle.org> any amount
you contribute from now until December 31 will be MATCHED, due to generous
supporters who have pledged funds for a “matching donor pool.” PLEASE, if
you believe in our mission and use our alerts, literature, website and
information…send what you can today.

GIVE SECURELY ONLINE & IT WILL BE MATCHED:
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/donation/

OR MAIL YOUR TAX-DEDUCTIBLE DONATION TO:
Kinship Circle
Compassion Campaign
7380 Kingsbury Blvd.
Saint Louis, MO 63130

Thank you for believing in our work for animals!

KINSHIP CIRCLE: A 501(c)(3) nonprofit animal advocacy organization with no
paid staff, that relies upon tax-deductible contributions to operate.

ACTION CAMPAIGNS * EDUCATION * ANIMAL DISASTER AID
http://www.KinshipCircle.org * http://www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters

SUBSCRIBE NOW – FOR BREAKING NEWS & ACTION
Kinship Circle Primary: subscribe@kinshipcircle.org
Action campaigns on animal cruelty issues worldwide
Kinship Circle Animal Disaster Aid Network: disasteraid@kinshipcircle.org
Animal rescue coordination/news in disasters + companion animal alerts

DISCLAIMER: The information in these alerts is verified with the original
source. Kinship Circle does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of
the information or for the consequences of its use. Nothing in this email is
intended to encourage illegal action in whatever country you are reading it
in. Kinship Circle does not engage in, nor support, any form of harassment
or unlawful activity. Nothing in this alert serves to promote such conduct.

11/17/09: Ask Texas Tech To End Cat Labs For Good

=============================================================
FULL CONTACT INFORMATION + EMAIL BLOCK. Sample letter follows.
=============================================================

Mary Croyle, Managing Director, Communications and Marketing
3601 4th Street Stop 6235 / Lubbock, TX 79430-0002
ph: 806-743-2143 ext. 227 * email: mary.croyle@ttuhsc.edu

Danette Baker, Associate Director, Communications and Marketing
3601 4th Street Stop 6235 / Lubbock, TX 79430
ph: 806-743-2143 * email: danette.baker@ttuhsc.edu

John Charles Baldwin, M.D.
PRESIDENT’S OFFICE — HSC
3601 4th Street Stop 6258 / Lubbock, TX 79430
ph: 806-743-2900, 806-743-2370 * email: john.baldwin@ttuhsc.edu

Steven Lee Berk, Academic Dean
Texas Tech University / 3601 4th Street, Stop 6207 / Lubbock, TX 79430
ph: 806-743-3000 ext. 4106 * email: steven.berk@ttuhsc.edu

Kent Hance, Chancellor
Texas Tech University / Lubbock, TX 79409
ph: 806-742-0012 * email: kent.hance@ttu.edu

Professor James E. Heavner
Anesthesiology Department LBK GENL
3601 4th Street Stop 8182 / Lubbock, TX 79430
ph: 806-743-2916 ext. 258 * email: james.heavner@ttuhsc.edu

Professor Rial Dewitt Rolfe
Vice President, Academic Services LBK
3601 4th Street Stop 6298 / Lubbock, TX 79430
ph: 806-743-2905 * email: rial.rolfe@ttuhsc.edu

Texas Tech University, Animal Care Services
Box 43132 / Lubbock, TX 79409
ph: 806-742-3722 ext. 286 * IACUC coordinator: iacuc@ttu.edu

EMAIL BLOCK (ALL EMAILS FOUND FOR THIS ALERT)
Copy/paste in TO or BCC line of your email:
mary.croyle@ttuhsc.edu, danette.baker@ttuhsc.edu, john.baldwin@ttuhsc.edu,
steven.berk@ttuhsc.edu, ent.hance@ttu.edu, james.heavner@ttuhsc.edu,
rial.rolfe@ttuhsc.edu, iacuc@ttu.edu

***KINSHIP CIRCLE CANNOT GUARANTEE ALL EMAILS WILL WORK***
During campaigns, recipients may change or disable their email addresses.
Emails from government, corporate, or institute websites may be incorrect.

=============================================================
ASK FOR A FORMATTED LETTER (WORD DOC): info@kinshipcircle.org
=============================================================

Dear Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center:

I understand that after two decades, Tech University Health Science Center
(TTUHSC) has not purchased cats for research from Odessa, Texas Animal
Control this year. I hope TTUHSC has joined over 90% of U.S. and Canadian
facilities that use simulated models for medical training courses.

I am surprised that TTUHSC relies upon old-fashioned animal experiments in
the first place. Please permanently replace animal labs with synthetic
models like simulators and manikins.

Though human-focused tools yield data more relevant to people, TTUHSC
courses have featured a drill in which students drive plastic tubes down
cats’ windpipes, causing them to bleed or swell. Constant intubation can
scar throat tissue and lead to collapsed lungs or death.

Cats have also undergone a procedure that pumps air into their chest
cavities. Trainees try to extract the surplus air via an inserted needle.

Animal-free learning methods cut overhead to confine, feed and destroy cats.
A timely New England Journal of Medicine article highlights the “very
detailed feedback and…more subtle measurement of trainee performance”
gained from virtual reality simulators. The article concludes: Inanimate
models are “safe, reproducible, readily available, and cost-effective.”

Moreover, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Heart
Association — the agencies that sponsor most pediatric life-support courses
nationwide — don’t promote animal use. They advocate synthetic models that
give students an accurate depiction of human, not feline, anatomy.

Please let me know if TTUHSC has, in fact, replaced live cat use in medical
training with superior and humane non-animal technologies.

Thank you,

=============================================================
SOURCE OF INFORMATION / REFERENCE LINKS
=============================================================

Has Texas Tech Quietly Stopped Killing Cats?
https://secure.peta.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=2695
Live Cats Used in Cruel Training Courses at Texas Tech
https://secure.peta.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=2081
Public records show Texas Tech uses live cats in medical training
http://www.texaswatchdog.org/2009/05/public-records-show-texas-tech-uses-live-cats-in-medical-training/

KINSHIP CIRCLE KICKS OFF ITS COMPASSION CAMPAIGN…

With A Year-End Matching Gift Drive To Build Our Base!
Generous supporters have set-up a Gift Fund. Your donation — postmarked by
Dec. 31, 2009 — will be matched from this fund!

Give securely online — and it will be matched:
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/donation/

Or mail your tax-deductible donation to:
Kinship Circle / Compassion Campaign
7380 Kingsbury Blvd.
Saint Louis, MO 63130

YOUR YEAR-END TAX DEDUCTIBE DONATION WILL HELP US:
*    Hire staff to research animal cruelty cases.
*    Develop and distribute our powerful educational literature.
*    Employ coordinators, who are crucial to our animal disaster aid work.

A small “swat team” of volunteers have run Kinship Circle for 10 years on a
nearly nonexistent budget. We’re now at a pivotal point of growth and
influence. We do not want to let animals down, because we lack the resources
to respond. Thank you for believing in Kinship Circle’s work for animals!

ACTION * EDUCATION * ANIMAL DISASTER AID NETWORK
http://www.KinshipCircle.org * http://www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters

SUBSCRIBE NOW – FOR BREAKING NEWS & ACTION
Kinship Circle Primary: subscribe@kinshipcircle.org
Action campaigns on animal cruelty issues worldwide
Kinship Circle Animal Disaster Aid Network: disasteraid@kinshipcircle.org
Animal rescue coordination/news in disasters + companion animal alerts

DISCLAIMER: The information in these alerts is verified with the original
source. Kinship Circle does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of
the information or for the consequences of its use. Nothing in this email is
intended to encourage illegal action in whatever country you are reading it
in. Kinship Circle does not engage in, nor support, any form of harassment
or unlawful activity. Nothing in this alert serves to promote such conduct.

11/21/09: Nepal’s Killing Fields

Stop Mass Animal Sacrifice 11/24-25
The Gadhimai occurs NOVEMBER 24-25, 2009. If you can’t write by then, STILL
SEND COMMENTS. This event recurs every 5 years and should be outlawed.

As many as half a million animals like this Nepalese rooster, buffalo and
goat are knifed to death for the Gadhimai Jatra — a festival to commemorate
the Hindu goddess of power in Bara, Nepal.

=============================================================
FULL CONTACT INFORMATION + EMAIL BLOCK. Sample letter follows.
=============================================================

Rt. Hon’ble Prime Minister Mr. Madhav Kumar Nepal
Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers
Singh Durbar / P.O. Box: 23312 / Kathmandu, Nepal
ph: 977-1-4211000; email: info@opmcm.gov.np

Mr. Sharat Singh Bhandari, Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation
Ministry of  Tourism  & Civil Aviation
Singha Durbar, Kathmandu, Nepal
fax: 977 1 4211758; email: info@tourism.gov.np, tourismnp@gmail.com

Permanent Mission of Nepal to the United Nations
820 Second Avenue, Suite 17B / New York, NY 10017
ph: 212-370-3988/3989; fax: 212-953-2038
email: nepal@un.int

Embassy of the Kingdom of Nepal In USA
2131 Leroy Place, N.W. / Washington D.C., 20008
ph: 1-202-667 4550; fax: 1-202-667 5534
email: nepali@erols.com, lumbini@erols.com

TO LOOK UP NEPAL EMBASSIES & CONSULATES IN OTHER COUNTRIES, TRY:
http://www.kotan.org/tibet/embassies_nepal.html
http://www.immi.gov.np/location.php

EMAIL BLOCK (ALL EMAILS FROM ABOVE)
info@opmcm.gov.np, info@tourism.gov.np, tourismnp@gmail.com, nepal@un.int,
nepali@erols.com, lumbini@erols.com

***KINSHIP CIRCLE CANNOT GUARANTEE ALL EMAILS WILL WORK***
During campaigns, recipients may change or disable their email addresses.
Emails from government, corporate, or institute websites may be incorrect.

=============================================================
ASK FOR A FORMATTED LETTER (WORD DOC): info@kinshipcircle.org
=============================================================

Honorable Prime Minister and Officials of Nepal:

Animal cruelty cannot hide behind religion or tradition in the 21st Century.
Yet on November 24-25, 2009 the Gadhimai Jatra festival in Bara, Nepal
justifies the massacre of hundreds of thousands of pigs, chickens, rats,
goats, and pigeons as “sacrifice” to the Hindu goddess of power, Gadhimai.

This semi-annual bloodbath alienates potential tourists, like myself, who
object to a society that condones the senseless brutalization of animals.
Furthermore, it desensitizes your own children, teaching them to ignore
suffering and celebrate violence.

Please ban blood festivals. I urge the Nepalese government to enforce
stronger animal protection laws that shield animals from all forms of abuse,
including grotesque rituals such as the Gadhimai Fair.

As you know, the two-day contest involves men armed with knives who vie to
slaughter the most animals. Contestants are awarded a fee for each kill.
Death does not come quickly. Based on the “panchhbali” (five offerings),
competitors slit the throats of five different species. Buffalo take so long
to die that sword-bearing men cut them apart, starting with their back legs.

I’m shocked that Nepalese officials not only allow this festival, but also
pay to confine thousands of buffalo before it begins. Religious leaders have
proposed fruits and vegetables in place of animal sacrifice. I respectfully
ask you to embrace this nonviolent alternative and/or do everything within
your power to permanently cancel the Gadhimai festival.

Different cultures may not understand each other’s customs, but all rational
humans comprehend cruelty. The world recognizes the Gadhimai Jatra as
outright animal torture. It’s time that Nepal’s government does too.

Sincerely,

=============================================================
SOURCE OF INFORMATION / REFERENCE LINKS
=============================================================

Ask Nepal to prevent animal cruelty during the Gadhimai Jatra festival
http://www.hsus.org/hsi/confronting_cruelty/animal_cruelty_around_the_world/gadhimai_festival_112009.html
‘The mass sacrifice of animals is barbaric’
http://www.guardianweekly.co.uk/?page=editorial&id=1352&catID=9
Stop world’s largest animal killing fair in Nepal
http://www.sindhtoday.net/news/1/66745.htm
Campaign to stop animal sacrifice in Nepal
http://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/wilderness-resources/stories/campaign-to-stop-animal-sacrifice-in-nepal
PHOTO SOURCES: Rooster – Judith Picciotto/Citizen Image; Buffalo – (c) ogimogi/flickr
http://tanfouk.livejournal.com; Goat – http://www.animalrightsnepal.org

IF YOU CAN SPARE EVEN $20 (OR MORE)…


PLEASE HELP LAUNCH OUR MATCHING GIFT DRIVE!
We haven’t heard from many of you, but hope we will. Generous supporters
have set-up a Gift Fund. Your donation — postmarked by Dec. 31, 2009 —
will be matched from this fund!

GIVE SECURELY ONLINE & IT WILL BE MATCHED:
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/donation/

OR MAIL YOUR TAX-DEDUCTIBLE DONATION TO:
Kinship Circle
Compassion Campaign
7380 Kingsbury Blvd.
Saint Louis, MO 63130

YOUR YEAR-END DONATION WILL HELP US:
*    Hire staff to research animal cruelty cases.
*    Develop and print our powerful educational literature.
*    Employ coordinators, who are vital to our animal disaster aid work.

Thank you for believing in Kinship Circle’s work for animals!

KINSHIP CIRCLE: A 501(c)(3) nonprofit animal advocacy organization with no
paid staff, that relies upon tax-deductible contributions to operate.

PRIMARY FOCUS: ACTION CAMPAIGNS * EDUCATION * ANIMAL DISASTER AID
http://www.KinshipCircle.org * http://www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters

DONATIONS TO KINSHIP CIRCLE HELP PAY FOR:
*   Animal disaster aid network and response
*   Investigative research/campaigns (with goal to hire an investigative aide!)
*   Educational literature and outreach (research, design, printing, distribution)
*   Website with activist tools (educational materials, ad designs, letter library…)
*   Daily operating costs: Office supplies, hardware/software, web design,
phone/internet, printing, disaster-related supplies/travel… All the boring
stuff that lets us work full-time for animals!

Kingship Circle / 7380 Kingsbury Blvd. / Saint Louis, MO 63130
–   Nonprofit Certificate of Incorporation, Missouri – Charter: N00071626 / Certification: 7789294
–   Federal 501(c)(3) registered with the IRS – Public Charity Status: 170(b)(1)(A)(vi)
–   Sales Tax Exempt Status (from sales and use tax on purchases and sales – charitable)

SUBSCRIBE NOW – FOR BREAKING NEWS & ACTION
Kinship Circle Primary: subscribe@kinshipcircle.org
Action campaigns on animal cruelty issues worldwide
Kinship Circle Animal Disaster Aid Network: disasteraid@kinshipcircle.org
Animal rescue coordination/news in disasters + companion animal alerts

DISCLAIMER: The information in these alerts is verified with the original
source. Kinship Circle does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of
the information or for the consequences of its use. Nothing in this email is
intended to encourage illegal action in whatever country you are reading it
in. Kinship Circle does not engage in, nor support, any form of harassment
or unlawful activity. Nothing in this alert serves to promote such conduct.

November 2009: Kinship Circle Digest

HERE ARE YOU TOP 10 ALERTS. READY, SET, ACT!

1. Go to any link below and click EMAIL THIS LETTER, beneath the sample letter.
2. A ready-to-send message opens in the email software on your computer.
3. Sign (personalize letter if you have time) and hit send.
   

1. MAKE SURE TEXAS TECH ENDS LIVE CAT LABS FOR GOOD
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/letter_library/letter_new.asp?LetterID=1871&seriesfirst=true
For two decades, Tech University Health Science Center (TTUHSC) trainees
have driven plastic tubes down cats’ windpipes, causing them to bleed or
swell. Constant intubation can lead to collapsed lungs or death…

2. TIME SENSITIVE! NEW TRIAL: 11/24/09
NO JUSTICE FOR 7 DOGS WHO DIED INSIDE HOT VAN?
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/letter_library/letter_new.asp?LetterID=1844&seriesfirst=true

AN ANONYMOUS SOURCE SENT THIS UPDATE TO US:
From: note@note2email.com / Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009
Nov. 24 is new trial date for Mary Wild, charged with killing 7 dogs in an
overheated van. This trial has been postponed several times and has dropped
off the press radar. Several sources recently confirmed that Mary Wild [the
dog handler who left 8 dogs overnight in a scorching van; all died but one]
will attend the Kankankee, IL dog shows Nov 28-29. This is AFTER her trial,
so does she expect to be let off free? Or does she know the trial will be
postponed again? I hope this case does not disappear into oblivion… Many
people are appalled at what happened but are afraid too speak out for fear
of retribution from the Wild family. Signed: A concerned dog lover

3. RELEASE CANCUN TIGERS FROM MISERY
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/letter_library/letter_new.asp?LetterID=1861&seriesfirst=true
In 2004, Hurricane Wilma ravaged Cancun, Mexico shops, including Pepe’s
Restaurant. When owner Gil Jose Juarez (Pepe) fled, he left his exotic wild
cats trapped in the rubble…later to live with feces, filth, rotten food…

4. MUTILATED SHARKS ARE THE MAIN INGREDIENT IN FIN SOUP
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/letter_library/letter_new.asp?LetterID=1856&seriesfirst=true
Until fishermen stop severing fins and dumping mutilated sharks at sea, many
species remain vulnerable to extinction. An estimated 73 million sharks are
killed annually — most sold for shark fin soup, an Asian delicacy…

5. SAVE GRAY WOLVES SO WE CAN SLAUGHTER THEM?
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/letter_library/letter_new.asp?LetterID=1854&seriesfirst=true
Montana opened fire on 9/15/09. Idaho’s race to kill its wolves began
9/1/09. Where is the intelligent strategy to sustain the very wolves that
Americans salvaged from near extinction?

6. ASK ASTRA ZENECA & GLAXOSMITHKLINE TO DROP HLS
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/letter_library/letter_new.asp?LetterID=1850&seriesfirst=true
Seven undercover investigations have exposed horrific HLS abuse: Technicians
push naso-gastric tubes into dogs’ lungs, drowning them. Animals dangling
from slings or cowering in cages are left to seize, vomit and collapse…

7. SHOT IN THE DARK – AUSTRALIA’S KANGAROO MASSACRE
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/letter_library/letter_new.asp?LetterID=1828&seriesfirst=true
Australia’s wildlife culls are permitted to take up to 10,000 kangaroos per
night. Babies found in a slain mother’s pouch may be decapitated with a
sharp blade. Older joeys are bludgeoned or shot at point blank range…

8. STOP THE MILITARY’S WAR ON INNOCENTS
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/letter_library/letter_new.asp?LetterID=1821&seriesfirst=true
Every year the U.S. Department of Defense wounds and kills hundreds of
thousands of animals — exhausting taxpayer dollars to amputate goats’ legs,
bomb pigs, and inject monkeys with toxins to mimic nerve gas strikes…

9. TWO DOGS SHOT AT POINT BLANK RANGE IN NEW YORK
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/letter_library/letter_new.asp?LetterID=1867&seriesfirst=true
Robert Bushnell confessed to police on 9/30/09 that he killed Amy Tubbs’ two
dogs. He fired two bullets into Rocky, a 5-year-old Alaskan malamute, and a
single bullet into Mocha, a 7-year-old chocolate Labrador retriever…

10. GET SERIAL CAT KILLER OFF NEW YORK STREETS
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/letter_library/letter_new.asp?LetterID=1865&seriesfirst=true
Sean Lynde killed girlfriend Rachael Strate’s four cats. In October 2008, he
allegedly poisoned Cleo, whose body was found with a mouthful of detergent
behind a dryer. He bludgeoned Zoe so severely, a vet euthanized her…

HELP MAKE OUR VOICE STRONGER…

WITH A YEAR-END MATCHING GIFT!
Generous supporters have set-up a Gift Fund. Your donation — postmarked by
Dec. 31, 2009 — will be matched from this fund!

GIVE SECURELY ONLINE & IT WILL BE MATCHED:
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/donation/

OR MAIL YOUR TAX-DEDUCTIBLE DONATION TO:
Kinship Circle
Compassion Campaign
7380 Kingsbury Blvd.
Saint Louis, MO 63130

YOUR YEAR-END DONATION WILL HELP US:
*    Hire staff to research animal cruelty cases.
*    Develop and print our powerful educational literature.
*    Employ coordinators, who are vital to our animal disaster aid work.

Thank you for believing in Kinship Circle’s work for animals!

KINSHIP CIRCLE: A 501(c)(3) nonprofit animal advocacy organization with no
paid staff, that relies upon tax-deductible contributions to operate.

PRIMARY FOCUS: ACTION CAMPAIGNS * EDUCATION * ANIMAL DISASTER AID
http://www.KinshipCircle.org * http://www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters

Kingship Circle / 7380 Kingsbury Blvd. / Saint Louis, MO 63130
–   Nonprofit Certificate of Incorporation, Missouri – Charter: N00071626 / Certification: 7789294
–   Federal 501(c)(3) registered with the IRS – Public Charity Status: 170(b)(1)(A)(vi)
–   Sales Tax Exempt Status (from sales and use tax on purchases and sales – charitable)

DONATIONS TO KINSHIP CIRCLE HELP PAY FOR:
*   Animal disaster aid network and response
*   Investigative research/campaigns (with goal to hire an investigative aide!)
*   Educational literature and outreach (research, design, printing, distribution)
*   Website with activist tools (educational materials, ad designs, letter library…)
*   Daily operating costs: Office supplies, hardware/software, web design,
phone/internet, printing, disaster-related supplies/travel… All the boring
stuff that lets us work full-time for animals!

SUBSCRIBE NOW – FOR BREAKING NEWS & ACTION
Kinship Circle Primary: subscribe@kinshipcircle.org
Action campaigns on animal cruelty issues worldwide
Kinship Circle Animal Disaster Aid Network: disasteraid@kinshipcircle.org
Animal rescue coordination/news in disasters + companion animal alerts

*DISCLAIMER: The information in these alerts is verified with the original
source. Kinship Circle does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of
the information or for the consequences of its use. Nothing in this email is
intended to encourage illegal action in whatever country you are reading it
in. Kinship Circle does not engage in, nor support, any form of harassment
or unlawful activity. Nothing in this alert serves to promote such conduct.

**KINSHIP CIRCLE DOES NOT SEND LETTERS FOR YOU…
Studies show web petitions and automated letters (that aren’t sent from your
personal email) are largely ignored — especially by government officials.

10/22/09: Don’t Let EPA Kill More Prairie Dogs
Comments must be received on or before October 23, 2009


US Fish & Wildlife photo in Defenders of Wildlife alert, http://www.defenders.org

=============================================================
INSTRUCTIONS TO SUBMIT PUBLIC COMMENTS, FROM THE EPA
=============================================================

COMMENTS MUST BE RECEIVED ON OR BEFORE 10/23/09
Submit your comments, identified by docket identification
(ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2009-0625, by one of the following methods:

1) ONLINE
Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov
Follow the online instructions for submitting comments.
**If you submit an electronic comment, EPA recommends that you include your
name and other contact information in the body of your comment.

2) MAIL
Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) Regulatory Public
Docket (7502P)
Environmental Protection Agency
1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW. / Washington, DC 20460-0001

3) DELIVERY
OPP Regulatory Public Docket (7502P)
Environmental Protection Agency, Rm. S-4400
One Potomac Yard (South Bldg.), 2777 S. Crystal Dr. / Arlington, VA
Deliveries accepted during hours of operation: 8:30 a.m. – 4p.m., Mon to Fri.
Docket Facility telephone: 703-305-5805

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dan Peacock, Registration Division (7505P)
Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency
1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW. / Washington, DC 20460-0001
ph: 703-305-5407; email: peacock.dan@epa.gov

***KINSHIP CIRCLE CANNOT GUARANTEE ALL EMAILS WILL WORK***
During campaigns, recipients may change or disable their email addresses.
Emails from government, corporate, or institute websites may be incorrect.

=============================================================
SAMPLE LETTER
=============================================================

Docket ID EPA-HQ-OPP-2009-0625

I am strongly against the Environmental Protection Agency’s attempt to
register Kaput-D as a means to poison prairie dogs in Great Plains states.

The mass extermination of prairie dogs across 10 states is not only
inhumane, but also imperils other at-risk species in violation of the
Endangered Species Act, the Migratory Bird Act and various federal laws.

Black-tailed prairie dogs themselves are contenders for federal protection.
Their eradication in western grasslands exemplifies government duplicity at
the taxpayer’s expense. We pay to bring a species back — and then either
wipe out the species itself, or other animals key to its recovery.

Please end the government’s war on wildlife with your disapproval of
Kaput-D. In addition, promptly repeal the May 2009 approval of Rozcol, a
similar poison to destroy prairie dogs.

EPA is poised to permit decimation of a species that has declined by over
95% from habitat damage, poisoning, shooting and non-native disease. Prairie
dogs are vital to restoration in an area where bison, bighorn sheep, swift
fox and black-footed ferrets form a nearly inclusive Great Plains ecosystem.

In fact, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has invested 26 years and over $25
million taxpayer dollars to renew the black-footed ferret, among the most
endangered mammals in North America. Continued poisoning of prairie dogs —
90% of the ferret’s diet — sabotages all ferret reintroduction plans.

I am shocked that the EPA is even evaluating whether it should authorize two
new poisons to accelerate the deterioration of a threatened species.

Rozol and Kaput-D assure a painful death, with internal bleeding that may
last for several days. Poison also affects such non-target species as
black-footed ferrets, swift foxes, badgers, golden and bald eagles,
burrowing owls and ferruginous hawks.

What happened to the “Protection” in Environmental Protection Agency? Please
withdraw approval for Rozol and deny use of Kaput-D.

Thank you,

=============================================================
SOURCE OF INFORMATION / REFERENCE LINKS
=============================================================

Tell the EPA to Protect Imperiled Wildlife from Poisons!
https://secure.defenders.org/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=1589&autologin=true&JServSessionIdr003=fxkmp5qr12.app217a
Federal Register Environmental Documents
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2009/September/Day-23/p22810.htm
Notice of Receipt for New Use of Diphacinone on Prairie Dogs
http://www.regulations.gov/search/Regs/home.html#docketDetail?R=EPA-HQ-OPP-2009-0625

Help Kinship Circle win $50,000!
Thank you for caring…

PLEASE DONATE TODAY (try either link):
https://www.causes.com/fb/donations/new?cause_id=226645
https://www.causes.com/fb/donations/new?ts=1256064299&cause_id=226645

HERE IS HOW KINSHIP CIRCLE CAN WIN AMERICA’S GIVING CHALLENGE:
*   From now till Nov. 7, 2009, we have to get the most donations to our cause
(each person can donate once daily and it counts as a unique donation).
*   We can also win daily awards of $1,000 and $500 if we can get the most
people to donate in any 24-hour period.

The great thing about this Challenge is that even the minimum donation of
$10 makes a difference. The contest is based on HOW MANY PEOPLE give.

YOU CAN DONATE RIGHT NOW (try either link):
https://www.causes.com/fb/donations/new?cause_id=226645
https://www.causes.com/fb/donations/new?ts=1256064299&cause_id=226645

PLEASE KEEP KINSHIP CIRCLE IN MIND FOR YOUR YEAR-END GIVING.
If you prefer to bypass this contest, you may make a tax-deductible
contribution to Kinship Circle here: http://www.kinshipcircle.org/donation/

Thank you for supporting Kinship Circle’s work for animals,
Beverly Nation, Kinship Circle
Social Media Director

ACTION CAMPAIGNS * EDUCATION * ANIMAL DISASTER AID NETWORK
http://www.KinshipCircle.org * http://www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters

TO DONATE DIRECTLY TO KINSHIP CIRCLE:
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/donation/

SUBSCRIBE NOW – FOR BREAKING NEWS & ACTION:
Kinship Circle Primary: subscribe@kinshipcircle.org
Action campaigns on animal cruelty issues worldwide
Kinship Circle Animal Disaster Aid Network: disasteraid@kinshipcircle.org
Animal rescue coordination/news in disasters + companion animal alerts

DISCLAIMER: The information in these alerts is verified with the original
source. Kinship Circle does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of
the information or for the consequences of its use. Nothing in this email is
intended to encourage illegal action in whatever country you are reading it
in. Kinship Circle does not engage in, nor support, any form of harassment
or unlawful activity. Nothing in this alert serves to promote such conduct.

10/20/09: Two Dogs Shot At Point Blank Range In New York


LT: Robert Bushnell, 50 of Berne, was charged with torturing an animal and
dog theft, misdemeanors under state Agriculture and Markets Law, for
shooting two of his neighbor’s dogs. (Skip Dickstein / Times Union) RT:
Mocha, a chocolate Labrador, and Rocky, an Alaskan Malamute, were found shot
to death in the woods in Berne. (Photo provided by Amy Tubbs)

=============================================================
FULL CONTACT INFORMATION + EMAIL BLOCK. Sample letter follows.
=============================================================

Hon. P. David Soares, District Attorney
Office of the Albany County District Attorney
Albany County Judicial Center
6 Lodge Street / Albany, NY 12207
ph: 518-487-5460; fax: 518-487-5093
email: dsoares@albanycounty.com
Heather Streeter Orth: Heather.Orth@albanycounty.com

Berne Town Court
Hon. Kenneth R. Bunzey & Hon. Richard M. Guilz
PO Box 57 / Berne, NY 12023
ph: 518-872-1448
Questions about Berne: info@BerneNY.org
Patricia M. Favreau, Town Clerk: townclerk@BerneNY.org

James L. Campbell, Sheriff
Craig D. Apple, Undersheriff
Albany County Sheriff’s Department
County Court House / Albany, NY 12207
ph: 518-487-5440, 518-487-5440; fax: 518-487-5037
web contact form:
http://www.albanycountysheriff.com/index.php?option=com_contact&view=contact&id=1&Itemid=49

EMAIL BLOCK (ALL EMAILS FOUND FOR THIS ALERT):
dsoares@albanycounty.com, Heather.Orth@albanycounty.com, info@BerneNY.org,
townclerk@BerneNY.org

***KINSHIP CIRCLE CANNOT GUARANTEE ALL EMAILS WILL WORK***
During campaigns, recipients may change or disable their email addresses.
Emails from government, corporate, or institute websites may be incorrect.

=============================================================
ASK FOR A FORMATTED LETTER (WORD DOC): info@kinshipcircle.org
=============================================================

Hon. District Attorney P. David Soares, Hon. Kenneth R. Bunzey & Hon.
Richard M. Guilz, and Sheriff James L. Campbell:

Please accept my comments about Robert Bushnell, 50, of Woodstock Road, who
confessed to police on 9/30/09 that he killed neighbor Amy Tubbs’ two dogs.

Sheriff James Campbell said Bushnell transported Mocha, a 7-year-old
chocolate Labrador retriever, and Rocky, a 5-year-old Alaskan malamute, to
state property where he shot them. He fired two bullets into Rocky and a
single bullet into Mocha. Bushnell claims the dogs had attacked his
chickens, chased livestock, and posed a risk to his children.

I urge you to upgrade Bushnell’s misdemeanor charges for animal torture and
stealing to felony offenses. Under Buster’s Law S 353-a., a person is guilty
of aggravated cruelty to animals if…he or she intentionally kills…a
companion animal…(ii) in an especially depraved or sadistic manner. While
Buster’s Law exempts “animals posing a threat to human safety or other
animals,” it calls for an act of killing to be “legally authorized.”

Shooting two companion dogs at point blank range is “especially depraved.”
Furthermore, Bushnell took the law into his own hands when he killed Rocky
and Mocha without legal consent. In fact, Amy Tubbs had tried to find out
whose chickens her dogs had killed — but Bushnell never gave her the chance
to make amends or better confine her dogs.

I hope you will recognize the gravity of Bushnell’s crime and seek felony
penalties of up to two years in prison. Bushnell ought to be barred from
possessing or living with animals as well.

Officials should be concerned that Bushnell resorted to illegal violence to
solve a problem. Violence against animals is a well-documented precursor to
violence against humans — particularly vulnerable victims such as children,
women or the elderly. Animal cruelty investigations often uncover domestic
violence or other signs of a troubled family, P. Arkow notes in “Breaking
the cycles of violence: A guide to multi-disciplinary interventions.”

The deliberate slaughter of two companion animals qualifies as aggravated
cruelty. Thank you for holding animal abusers accountable for their crimes.

Sincerely,

=============================================================
SOURCE OF INFORMATION / REFERENCE LINKS
=============================================================

Kinship Circle Member, Ethel Silverberg
eth27@verizon.net
Arrest made in Berne dog shooting case
http://www.timesunion.com/ASPStories/Story.asp?StoryID=848185
LAWS OF NEW YORK, 1999 / CHAPTER 118 / Buster’s Law
http://criminaljustice.state.ny.us/legalservices/ch118_busters_law.htm

Kinship Circle Is In America’s Giving Challenge
Every donation brings us closer to winning $50,000.
Thank you for caring…

PLEASE DONATE TODAY (try either link):
https://www.causes.com/fb/donations/new?cause_id=226645
https://www.causes.com/fb/donations/new?ts=1256064299&cause_id=226645

HERE IS HOW KINSHIP CIRCLE CAN WIN:
*   From now till Nov. 7, 2009, we have to get the most donations to our cause
(each person can donate once daily and it counts as a unique donation).
*   We can also win daily awards of $1,000 and $500 if we can get the most
people to donate in any 24-hour period.

The great thing about this Challenge is that even the minimum donation of
$10 makes a difference. The contest is based on HOW MANY PEOPLE give.

YOU CAN DONATE RIGHT NOW (try either link):
https://www.causes.com/fb/donations/new?cause_id=226645
https://www.causes.com/fb/donations/new?ts=1256064299&cause_id=226645

PLEASE KEEP KINSHIP CIRCLE IN MIND FOR YOUR YEAR-END GIVING.
If you prefer to bypass this contest, you may make a tax-deductible
contribution to Kinship Circle here: http://www.kinshipcircle.org/donation/

Thank you for supporting Kinship Circle’s work for animals,
Beverly Nation, Kinship Circle
Social Media Director

ACTION CAMPAIGNS * EDUCATION * ANIMAL DISASTER AID NETWORK
http://www.KinshipCircle.org * http://www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters

TO DONATE DIRECTLY TO KINSHIP CIRCLE:
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/donation/

SUBSCRIBE NOW – FOR BREAKING NEWS & ACTION:
Kinship Circle Primary: subscribe@kinshipcircle.org
Action campaigns on animal cruelty issues worldwide
Kinship Circle Animal Disaster Aid Network: disasteraid@kinshipcircle.org
Animal rescue coordination/news in disasters + companion animal alerts

DISCLAIMER: The information in these alerts is verified with the original
source. Kinship Circle does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of
the information or for the consequences of its use. Nothing in this email is
intended to encourage illegal action in whatever country you are reading it
in. Kinship Circle does not engage in, nor support, any form of harassment
or unlawful activity. Nothing in this alert serves to promote such conduct.

10/13/09: Get Serial Cat Killer Off New York Streets


Kittens Bonifide and Elmo…with their killer, Sean Lynde in custody of
ASPCA Special Agents. Bonifide and Emo were two of alleged cat killer
Lynde’s victims. Bonafide was found dead with a broken neck in January,
while Emo went missing and was presumed dead last year. Hermann for News

Lynde returns for a hearing on 11/19/09 to either enter a guilty plea or to
set a trial date… http://forums.manhattanbirdclub.com/post?id=3631405

=============================================================
EMAIL BLOCKS: Sample letter follows. Full contact info at end of alert.
=============================================================

KINSHIP CIRCLE DOES NOT KNOW IF THESE ARE VALID EMAILS.
They’re constructed exactly as the New York City Courts website instructs to
do so. If you feel strongly about this case, we highly recommend you request
a formatted letter (WORD DOC) to print out — and send by mail for fax.
ASK FOR A NYC SERIAL CAT KILLER LETTER TO PRINT: info@kinshipcircle.org

NEW YORK CITY COURTS:
mobus@courts.state.ny.us, drosen@courts.state.ny.us,
mparisie@courts.state.ny.us, mcassidy@courts.state.ny.us

THERE IS NO PUBLIC EMAIL FOR MANHATTAN DA’S OFFICE.

***KINSHIP CIRCLE CANNOT GUARANTEE ALL EMAILS WILL WORK***
During campaigns, recipients may change or disable their email addresses.
Emails from government, corporate, or institute websites may be incorrect.

=============================================================
ASK FOR A FORMATTED LETTER (WORD DOC): info@kinshipcircle.org
=============================================================

Honorable Michael J. Obus of the New York Supreme Court and the Manhattan
District Attorney’s Office:

I am deeply concerned about the case of Sean Lynde, a Manhattan man who
methodically killed girlfriend Rachael Strate’s four cats. Animal torture
and murder are serious crimes that demand your utmost deliberation.

In October 2008, Lynde allegedly poisoned Cleo, whose body was found with a
mouthful of detergent behind a dryer. He bludgeoned Zoe so severely, a
veterinarian euthanized her. Strate next adopted kittens Willie and Betty.
Within a month, Willie was fatally crippled and Lynde claims Betty “fell off
a countertop” to her death. After Strate brought home two more kittens, one
named Emo vanished and Bonafide turned up with a broken neck.

Lynde seemingly derives pleasure from prolonged suffering — as further
evidenced by past charges for crippling a kitten and instigating a sixth
cat’s disappearance.

I urge officials to levy the maximum felony penalty of four years in prison
for six counts of aggravated animal cruelty and to seek the full misdemeanor
sentence for harassment and stalking charges related to ex-girlfriend
Strate. Please ensure Lynde undergoes extensive psychological evaluation and
is barred from possessing or living with animals.

Violence against animals is a recognized precursor to violence against
humans. Indeed, Lynde already vented rage on Strate in March when he
reportedly struck her computer so hard it cost $800 to repair.

Repeat animal attacks suggest a predatory style that is a sign of “organized
and premeditated violence against others,” says Dr. Randall Lockwood, an
animal behaviorist with ASPCA Anti-Cruelty Initiatives who consults with
cruelty investigators, law enforcers and mental health professionals.

Prolific murderers such as the Boston Strangler, Son of Sam, Jeffrey Dahmer
and Ted Bundy practiced on animals before graduating to humans. Dennis
Rader, notorious for the Bind-Torture-Kill murders in Wichita, Kansas,
confessed to strangling cats and dogs before his sadistic spree. Men
prosecuted for animal cruelty are five times as likely to be arrested for
other violent crimes, claims Utah State University professor Frank Ascione.

I implore New York courts to recognize the gravity of animal cruelty crimes.
Sean Lynde needs rehabilitation and incarceration. Please do not release a
sociopath back into our society.

Thank you,

=============================================================
FULL CONTACT INFORMATION
=============================================================

Honorable Michael J. Obus
New York State Supreme Court
Criminal Term, Part 51
100 Centre Street, Room 1324, 13th Floor / New York, NY 10013
ph: 646-386-4051; fax: 212-401-9264
Associate Court Clerk Mary Cassidy: 646-386-4051, mcassidy@courts.state.ny.us
Court Attorney Daniel Rosen, Esq: drosen@courts.state.ny.us
Court Attorney Michelle Parisien, Esq: mparisie@courts.state.ny.us
Judge Michael J. Obus: mobus@courts.state.ny.us
**EMAIL ADDRESSES MAY NOT BE VALID

NOTE ABOUT EMAIL ADDRESSES: Over 250 Supreme Court employees have email
access. The email address is the first initial of the first name of the
employee followed by the first seven letters of the last name of the
employee followed by @courts.state.ny.us (for example, Chief Clerk Barry
Clarke’s email address: bclarke@courts.state.ny.us)

Assistant District Attorney Daniele Gallo
One Hogan Place / New York, NY 10013-4311
212-335-9000
Robert Morgenthau, District Attorney: 212-335-9813

=============================================================
SOURCE OF INFORMATION / REFERENCE LINKS
=============================================================

Accused kitty killer Sean Lynde turns self in; suspected of murdering 4 of girlfriend’s adopted cats
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2009/08/21/2009-08-21_cops_bag_accused_cat_killer.html#ixzz0OtCnmPT0
Sean Lynde, Serial Cat Killer/Torturer (6 cats in all)
http://forums.manhattanbirdclub.com/post?id=3631405
Four cats brutally tortured, killed – New York, NY (US)
http://www.pet-abuse.com/cases/15734/NY/US/
Officials: NYC man killed 4 of girlfriend’s cats
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32518757/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/
Cat Serial Killer Sean Lynde Arrested in Manhattan
http://www.inquisitr.com/34276/cat-serial-killer-sean-lynde-arrested-in-manhattan/
Sean Lynde, NYC Man, Killed 4 Of Girlfriend’s Cats
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/08/21/sean-lynde-nyc-man-killed_n_265765.html

PLEASE HELP US FUND THE RESEARCH ARM OF KINSHIP CIRCLE.
Your tax-deductible donation to goes directly to work for animals.

DONATE SECURELY ONLINE:
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/donation

DONATE BY CHECK OR MONEY ORDER:
Kinship Circle / 7380 Kingsbury Blvd. / St. Louis, MO 63130

KINSHIP CIRCLE
ACTION CAMPAIGNS * EDUCATION * ANIMAL DISASTER AID NETWORK
http://www.KinshipCircle.org * http://www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters

SUBSCRIBE NOW – FOR BREAKING NEWS & ACTION:
Kinship Circle Primary: subscribe@kinshipcircle.org
Action campaigns on animal cruelty issues worldwide
Kinship Circle Animal Disaster Aid Network: disasteraid@kinshipcircle.org
Animal rescue coordination/news in disasters + companion animal alerts

*DISCLAIMER: The information in these alerts is verified with the original
source. Kinship Circle does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of
the information or for the consequences of its use. Nothing in this email is
intended to encourage illegal action in whatever country you are reading it
in. Kinship Circle does not engage in, nor support, any form of harassment
or unlawful activity. Nothing in this alert serves to promote such conduct.

KINSHIP CIRCLE PRIMARY / PERMISSION TO CROSSPOST
10/10/09: Cop Shoots Deaf, 19-Year-Old Family Cat


Tobey the cat who was shot and killed by Raymore, MO police.
http://www.nbcactionnews.com/news/local/story/Family-Upset-that-Police-Shoot
-Kill-Family-Pet/TsLp8dZtzkKY0AaT8YXgWg.cspx

=============================================================
EMAIL BLOCKS: Sample letter follows. Full contact info at end of alert.
=============================================================
*   TO SEND: COPY/PASTE EMAIL BLOCKS INTO BCC: LINE OF YOUR EMAIL
*   TYPE YOUR OWN EMAIL ADDRESS IN THE TO: LINE
*   COPY/PASTE SAMPLE LETTER INTO SAME EMAIL.
*   Change some words, sign with your name/full address and send!

RAYMORE & CASS COUNTY, MISSOURI OFFICIALS:
info@hsmo.org, rmayberry@raymore.com, eberlin@raymore.com,
jfeuerborn@raymore.com, jalonzo@raymore.com, john.seimears@yahoo.com,
kkellogg@raymore.com, jeffreycox1@comcast.net, mmedsker@hotmail.com,
councilmanadams@yahoo.com, mlewis250@comcast.net, chhubach77@comcast.net,
pkerckhoff@raymore.com, thensley@casscounty.com, hensley@casscounty.com

EMAIL HUMANE SOCIETY OF MISSOURI, THE INVESTIGATIVE AGENCY IN THIS CASE:
http://hsmo.convio.net/site/Survey?ACTION_REQUIRED=URI_ACTION_USER_REQUESTS&
SURVEY_ID=1403&JServSessionIda012=pqwxgz88w1.app11d

***KINSHIP CIRCLE CANNOT GUARANTEE ALL EMAILS WILL WORK***
During campaigns, recipients may change or disable their email addresses.
Emails from government, corporate, or institute websites may be incorrect.

=============================================================
ASK FOR A FORMATTED LETTER (WORD DOC): info@kinshipcircle.org
=============================================================

Dear Humane Society Of Missouri, Cass County and Raymore, Missouri Officials:

I am shocked by the Labor Day 2009 shooting death of the Wesner family’s
19-year-old cat Tobey in Raymore, Missouri I understand a Raymore police
officer fired two bullets into the elderly cat’s head, wrapped the body
inside a plastic bag and tossed Tobey into a city dumpster.

As you know, Tobey had slipped out of his house and roamed into a nearby
garage where a neighbor forced him out with hose spray. Raymore police were
summoned to apprehend a “large, vicious, feral cat.” Though Kelly Wesner
describes her six-pound cat as declawed, deaf, and on prescription meds — a
supervisor directed an officer to “put [the cat] down” in a remote area.
Unbelievably, no one involved with the cat’s slaying has been penalized.

I trust that an unbiased internal investigation is underway. If inquiries by
the police department and/or Humane Society of Missouri warrant animal
cruelty charges, these officers should be prosecuted under Missouri Revised
Statues, Chapter 578. Punitive action is reasonable, whether Tobey’s killing
stems from malicious intent or stupidity. At the very least, the unprovoked
killing of a family’s companion animal denotes police misconduct.

When officers encounter any animal perceived as sick, aggressive, or feral
— they should know how to neutralize the animal without resorting to lethal
force. I commend Captain Roger Mayberry for arranging such training after
Tobey’s death. Officers ought to be able to distinguish anxiety, fear and
protective behaviors from genuinely hostile or diseased behavior. If they
can’t, an experienced animal control officer needs to make that decision.

Circumstances in the case do not make sense. If police believe Tobey had
rabies, why did they destroy his head and discard his remains? Certainly
they know that the brain of any potentially rabid animal is preserved for
analysis. Moreover, this was not their decision to make. Strays, even those
deemed dangerous, are taken to shelters rather than gunned down in fields.

Armed law officers displayed an utter lack of judgment. Their response was
inappropriate and demands your utmost attention. Please inform me of any
progress in this disturbing case.

Thank you,

=============================================================
FULL CONTACT INFORMATION
=============================================================

Humane Society of Missouri
1201 Macklind Ave. / St. Louis, MO 63110
HSOM Rescues And Investigations Department: 314-647-4400
fax: 314-647-4317; email: info@hsmo.org
web contact form:
http://hsmo.convio.net/site/Survey?ACTION_REQUIRED=URI_ACTION_USER_REQUESTS&
SURVEY_ID=1403&JServSessionIda012=pqwxgz88w1.app11d

Captain Roger Mayberry, Acting Chief of Police
100 Municipal Circle / Raymore, Missouri 64083
ph: 816-331-0530; fax: 816-331-0564
email: rmayberry@raymore.com

Eric Berlin, Raymore City Manager
100 Municipal Circle / Raymore, MO  64083
ph: 816-892-3002; fax: 816-892-3056
email: eberlin@raymore.com

Jim Feuerborn, Assistant City Manager
ph: 816-892-3026; fax: 816-892-3056
email: jfeuerborn@raymore.com

Juan I. Alonzo, Mayor
109 N. Darrowby / Raymore, MO 64083
ph: 816-331-4504; email: jalonzo@raymore.com

Raymore City Council
100 Municipal Circle / Raymore, MO 64083
John Seimears, Ward 1 Council Member: john.seimears@yahoo.com
Kevin Kellogg, Ward 1 Council Member: kkellogg@raymore.com
Jeff Cox, Ward 2 Council Member: jeffreycox1@comcast.net
Mike Medsker, Ward 2 Council Member: mmedsker@hotmail.com
Jeffrey Adams, Ward 3 Council Member: councilmanadams@yahoo.com
Monique Lewis, Ward 3 Council Member: mlewis250@comcast.net
Charlene Hubach, Ward 4 Council Member: chhubach77@comcast.net
Peter Kerckhoff, Ward 4 Council Member: pkerckhoff@raymore.com

Teresa Hensley, Cass County Prosecuting  Attorney
Cass County Justice Center
2501 W. Wall Street, 2nd Floor / Harrisonville, MO 64701
ph: 816-380-8250; fax: 816-380-8252
email: thensley@casscounty.com, hensley@casscounty.com

=============================================================
SOURCE OF INFORMATION / REFERENCE LINKS
=============================================================

Kinship Circle member Carol McCormick
EndCruelty@aol.com
Raymore, Mo., police shooting of cat investigated
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/lifestyle/stories.nsf/pets/story/F3FC4DE15FD1E0738625762F008251C3?OpenDocument
Raymore police mistakenly kill family cat
http://www.kansascity.com/115/story/1437680.html?mi_pluck_action=comment_sub
Additional information from Kinship Circle Investigative Researcher


WEAR IT – http://www.kinshipcircle.org/store/

KINSHIP CIRCLE
ACTION CAMPAIGNS * EDUCATION * ANIMAL DISASTER AID NETWORK
http://www.KinshipCircle.org * http://www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters

SUBSCRIBE NOW – FOR BREAKING NEWS & ACTION:
Kinship Circle Primary: subscribe@kinshipcircle.org
Action campaigns on animal cruelty issues worldwide
Kinship Circle Animal Disaster Aid Network: disasteraid@kinshipcircle.org
Animal rescue coordination/news in disasters + companion animal alerts

*DISCLAIMER: The information in these alerts is verified with the original
source. Kinship Circle does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of
the information or for the consequences of its use. Nothing in this email is
intended to encourage illegal action in whatever country you are reading it
in. Kinship Circle does not engage in, nor support, any form of harassment
or unlawful activity. Nothing in this alert serves to promote such conduct.

9/29/09: Release Cancun Tigers From Misery


PHOTO SOURCE: http://www.lcanimal.org/alert/alert_284.htm
LT: Bengal Tiger with dislocated leg, sitting in feces and rotten food.
RT: Affectionate tigers relaxing on TWAS‘ 320 acres of grassland.

=============================================================
EMAIL BLOCKS: Sample letter follows. Full contact info at end of alert.
=============================================================

MEXICAN GOVERNMENT:
c.secretario@semarnat.gob.mx, hernando.guerrero@semarnat.gob.mx,
martin.vargas@semarnat.gob.mx, ppatron@profepa.gob.mx,
acerecedo@profepa.gob.mx

MORE MEXICAN WILDLIFE AGENCY PROFEPA CONTACTS:
rcarmona@profepa.gob.mx, murbina@profepa.gob.mx, emondragon@profepa.gob.mx,
ljaguilar@profepa.gob.mx, dsanchez@correo.profepa.gob.mx,
hcastro@profepa.gob.mx, vvalle@profepa.gob.mx, kluna@profepa.gob.mx,
fzapata@profepa.gob.mx, ggonzalezg@profepa.gob.mx, gmier@profepa.gob.mx,
rtornel@profepa.gob.mx, jgalvan@profepa.gob.mx, jayala@profepa.gob.mx,
mmorales@profepa.gob.mx, isandoval@profepa.gob.mx, hmejia@profepa.gob.mx,
gherrera@profepa.gob.mx, sgalindo@profepa.gob.mx, lperezc@profepa.gob.mx,
asalinash@profepa.gob.mx, jgarcia@profepa.gob.mx, sphilippe@profepa.gob.mx,
csanchez@profepa.gob.mx, lcvelazquez@profepa.gob.mx,
eesanchez@profepa.gob.mx, vzarate@profepa.gob.mx, favila@profepa.gob.mx,
rcalvo@profepa.gob.mx, jcoca@profepa.gob.mx, nbarajas@profepa.gob.mx,
averaza@profepa.gob.mx, aarrocha@profepa.gob.mx, aibarra@profepa.gob.mx

jmartinezc@correo.profepa.gob.mx, mlopezp@profepa.gob.mx,
lchang@profepa.gob.mx, gperez@profepa.gob.mx, jalvarez@profepa.gob.mx,
aperezz@profepa.gob.mx, avazquez@profepa.gob.mx, ccontreras@profepa.gob.mx,
gugonzalez@profepa.gob.mx, aromero@profepa.gob.mx, ojlara@profepa.gob.mx,
jmorales@profepa.gob.mx, jcalvillo@profepa.gob.mx, fnava@profepa.gob.mx,
rzamora@profepa.gob.mx, ljimenez@profepa.gob.mx, scruz@profepa.gob.mx,
talquicira@profepa.gob.mx, cperezz@correo.profepa.gob.mx,
plugo@profepa.gob.mx, jcardenas@profepa.gob.mx, mbarrera@profepa.gob.mx,
lperezp@profepa.gob.mx, vprocell@profepa.gob.mx, cfonseca@profepa.gob.mx,
bmestas@profepa.gob.mx

CONTACT WITH WEBSITE FORMS ONLY:
Embassy of Mexico in the United States
http://portal.sre.gob.mx/usa/index.php?option=contact&Itemid=6

FIND MEXICAN EMBASSIES IN OTHER NATIONS:
http://www.embassyworld.com/embassy/mexico.htm

***KINSHIP CIRCLE CANNOT GUARANTEE ALL EMAILS WILL WORK***
During campaigns, recipients may change or disable their email addresses.
Emails from government, corporate, or institute websites may be incorrect.

=============================================================
ASK FOR A FORMATTED LETTER (WORD DOC): info@kinshipcircle.org
Easily modify letter. Copy/paste it into an email or print letter to fax or mail.
=============================================================

Honorable Officials of Mexico:

In 2004, Hurricane Wilma ravaged Cancun, Mexico hotels and shops, including
Pepe’s Restaurant. When restaurant owner Gil Jose Juarez (Pepe) fled, he
left his exotic wild cats trapped in the rubble.

Pepe lacked resources to rebuild and tend to the animals he’d once showcased
for diners. But rather than secure humane sanctuary for them, he let the
animals escape, die or rot in concrete and steel enclosures.

I respectfully ask you to release Pepe’s remaining tigers to The Wild Animal
Sanctuary (TWAS) — a longstanding refuge for captive lions, tigers, bears,
and wolves that rehabilitates wild animals so they may live naturally on 320
acres of Colorado grasslands.

I understand TWAS, in partnership with Mexican animal welfare group Gente
Por La Defensa Animal and California-based Last Chance For Animals, had
initiated a relocation plan after Mexican wildlife agency PROFEPA rescinded
Juarez’s wildlife permits.

But the rescue mission never happened. Instead, PROFEPA wants to truck the
tigers cross-country to temporary holding facilities near Mexico City until
any legal actions are resolved. These already abused tigers do not need a
road trip that could lead to more ill health or trauma. Moreover, they could
languish in cages for months, or even years, during legal dealings.

One female tiger reportedly cannot walk without lugging her limp rear legs.
The animals have subsisted on contaminated water and food scraps inside
12-foot cages layered in their own feces. They’ve been denied veterinary
treatment. Yet despite negotiations that began in 2008, Mexican authorities
still will not okay their transfer to TWAS.

Don’t let animal suffering mar the image of Cancun as a famously beautiful
resort destination. I hope you’ll make the compassionate and reasonable
decision to let these tigers live in natural habitats, with proper nutrition
and veterinary care, at The Wild Animal Sanctuary.

Thank you,

===================================================================

SPANISH SAMPLE LETTER – Translation by Soni Cat Trimboli

===================================================================

Distinguidas Autoridades Mexicanas:

En 2004, el huracán Wilma arrasó varios hoteles y tiendas de Cancún, incluyendo el Restaurante de Pepe. Al huir Gil José Juarez (Pepe), propietario del mencionado restaurante, dejó sus éxoticos felinos salvajes atrapados en los escombros. Pepe no contaba con los recursos para poder acomodar y cuidar de los animales que el solía exhibir en las cenas. Pero en lugar de albergar los animales en un santuario adecuado, les dejó que escaparan, murieran o se pudrieran dentro de sus prisiones de hormigón y acero.

Respetuosamente solicito a ustedes transferir los tigres sobrevivients de Pepe al Santuario de Fauna Salvaje TWA (un antiguo refugio para leones, tigres, osos y lobos cautivos, que rehabilita animales salvajes dejándolos vivir en forma natural dentro de en un terreno de aprox. 8 hectáreas, en los pastizales del estado de Colorado

Entiendo que TWAS, en sociedad con el grupo mexicano de bienestar animal, Gente por la Defensa Animal y la organización californiana Last Chance for Animals, ha iniciado un plan de reubicación, luego que la agencia mexica PROFEPA rescindió los permisos de vida silvestre de Juárez.

Pero la misión de rescate jamás tuvo lugar. En vez de eso, PROFEPA pretende transportar los tigres por vía terrestre a instalaciones provisioneales cerca de Ciudad de México mientras se resuelven las respectivas acciones legales. Estos pobres y maltratados tigres lo último que necesitan es un viaje por carretera que podría deteriorar aún más su delicada salud, aparte de todo el estrés adicional. Además, podrían terminar languedeciendo dentro de jaulas durante meses o hasta años, mientras se ejecutan las acciones legales.

Nos informan que existe una tigresa que camina arrastrando sus extremidades posteriores. Los animales han estado subsistiendo de agua contaminada y restos de comida, dentro de jaulas de cuatro metros, sobre capas formadas por sus propias heces. Se les han negado cuidados veterinarios. Sin embargo, a pesar de las negociaciones que comenzaron en 2008, las autoridades mexicanas aún no autorizan su transferencia al centro TWAS.

Señores, no permitan que la bien ganada fama internacional de Cancún sea mancillada. Confío que ustedes tomarán la piadosa y acertada decisión de permitir que estos tigres vivan dentro del Wild Animal Sanctuary, en habitats naturales, provistos de nutrición adecuada y el debido cuidado veterinario.

Muchas gracias,

Your Name, Surname, City, Country

=============================================================
FULL CONTACT INFORMATION
=============================================================

MEXICAN GOVERNMENT:
Secretario Juan Rafael Elvira Quezada
Titular de la Secretaria de Medio
Ambiente y Recursos Naturales
Blvd. Adolfo Ruiz Cortinez 4209
Jardines en la Montana C.P. 14210 Tlalpan, D.F. Mexico
fax: (5255) 56-28-06-43; email: c.secretario@semarnat.gob.mx

Dr. Hernando Guerrero Cacerez, Coordinador de Asesores
Secretaria de Medio Ambiente
y Recursos Naturales
Blvd. Adolfo Ruiz Cortinez 4209
Jardines en la Montana C.P. 14210 Tlalpan, D.F. Mexico
fax: (5255) 56-28-06-43; email: hernando.guerrero@semarnat.gob.mx

Martin Vargas Prieto, Director General de Vida Silvestre
fax: (5155) 56-24-36-42; email: martin.vargas@semarnat.gob.mx

Patricio Patron Laviada, Procurador Federal de
Proteccion al Ambiente
Camino al Ajusco No. 200, Piso 8 Ala Sur
Col. Jardines en la Montana. deleg.
Tlalpan, Mexico D.F., C.P. 14210 MEXICO
ph: 26-15-20-95 54-49-63-00; email: ppatron@profepa.gob.mx

Lic. Adriana Rivera Cerecedo, Coordinadora de asesores
Camino al Ajusco No. 200, Piso 8 Ala Sur
Col. Jardines en la Montana. deleg. Tlalpan, Mexico D.F.
C.P. 14210 MEXICO
ph: (5255) 5449 6300 Ext 16118 and 16361
email: acerecedo@profepa.gob.mx

President of Mexico, Felipe Calderon Hinojosa
Presidente Constitucional de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos
Residencia Oficial de los Pinos Casa Miguel Aleman
Col. San Miguel Chapultepec, C.P. 11850, DISTRITO FEDERAL, Mexico
ph: (55) 50935300

MEXICAN EMBASSIES & CONSULATES:
Embassy of Mexico in the United States
Arturo Sharukan, Embajada de Mexico en Estados Unidos de America
1911 Pennsylvania AV, NW / Washington D.C. 20006
ph: 202-728-1600
contact form: http://portal.sre.gob.mx/usa/index.php?option=contact&Itemid=6

MORE MEXICAN CONSULATES IN US & CANADA:
http://www.mexonline.com/consulate.htm

FIND MEXICAN EMBASSIES IN OTHER NATIONS:
http://www.embassyworld.com/embassy/mexico.htm

=============================================================
SOURCE OF INFORMATION / REFERENCE LINKS
=============================================================

Save The Cancun Tigers / VIDEO
http://www.lcanimal.org/alert/alert_284.htm
Save The Cancun Tigers / Contacts
http://www.savethecancuntigers.com/index_files/contacts.htm
The Wild Animal Sanctuary (TWAS) in Keenesburg, Colorado
http://wildlife-conservation.com/

Styling Fur Kids. Get The Look Here:
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/store/

KINSHIP CIRCLE
ACTION CAMPAIGNS * EDUCATION * ANIMAL DISASTER AID NETWORK
http://www.KinshipCircle.org * http://www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters

SUBSCRIBE NOW – FOR BREAKING NEWS & ACTION:
Kinship Circle Primary: subscribe@kinshipcircle.org
Action campaigns on animal cruelty issues worldwide
Kinship Circle Animal Disaster Aid Network: disasteraid@kinshipcircle.org
Animal rescue coordination/news in disasters + companion animal alerts

*DISCLAIMER: The information in these alerts is verified with the original
source. Kinship Circle does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of
the information or for the consequences of its use. Nothing in this email is
intended to encourage illegal action in whatever country you are reading it
in. Kinship Circle does not engage in, nor support, any form of harassment
or unlawful activity. Nothing in this alert serves to promote such conduct.

9/27/09: San Francisco Area –
If you don’t speak for them, who will?


Animals for sale are wrenched from cages by their feet or wings. Cries of
distress are heard from holding trucks. Packed in tiny, stacked cages
without water, they bake in the sun for hours or days. PHOTO SOURCE:
http://www.lgbtcompassion.org/livemarkets/photos-cc.htm

If you live within 20 miles of San Francisco…
JOIN A POLITICAL ACTION LIST TO FIGHT LIVE MARKETS:
SIGN UP HERE: http://www.kinshipcircle.org/volunteer/

• CHECK THE SECTION LABELED “OTHER”
• TYPE IN BOX: SF LIVE MARKETS
  

Kinship Circle is recruiting people to work with Dr. Rich McLellan, Director
of California’s League of Humane Voters, toward banning live markets.

If you don’t take a stand for these doomed animals, who will?
We’ve learned that San Francisco’s live markets abuse not only domestic fowl
like chickens and ducks — but also frogs, turtles, rabbits, guinea pigs,
game birds, fish and lobster. Turtles suffer some of the worst conditions…

To date, no merchant has been prosecuted under California Penal Code 597(a),
597(b), 597a, and 597t, which outlaw cruelty to ALL animals. California’s
food/agriculture code is also ignored each time customers move live birds on
public transit and inside car trunks. Animals are ferried into restaurants,
buses, trains, and shared dwellings — often kept alive to be “fresh killed”
prior to meals — in violation of San Francisco’s Health Code 050.

SF authorities have not enforced animal welfare and human safety laws,
citing an exemption for “poultry” and domestic fowl. But California law 599b
identifies “animal” as “all dumb animals” and 597(b) specifies that “every
person who causes any animal…to be tortured, tormented, deprived of
sustenance, drink, or shelter…is guilty of a crime.”

Volunteer to fight San Francisco’s Live Markets
In the wake of California’s successful Prop. 2 (the 2008 ballot initiative
that bans gestation crates, veal crates, battery cages), Dr. McLellan of
California’s League of Humane Voters sees a chance to “out-vote” the
powerful Asian lobby. “But an opposing interest group needs to pressure them
politically, within San Francisco. It needs to be a well organized political
effort similar to the one HSUS coordinated for Prop 2,” he says.

SIGN UP TO FIGHT SAN FRANCISCO’S LIVE MARKETS:
SIGN UP HERE: http://www.kinshipcircle.org/volunteer/

• CHECK THE SECTION LABELED “OTHER”
• TYPE IN BOX: SF LIVE MARKETS
  

TO PARTICIPATE IN A POLITICAL CAMPAIGN AGAINST LIVE MARKETS:

• You are a San Francisco resident.
• Or, you live within a 20-mile radius of San Francisco.
• Non-residents: Forward this alert to anyone you know in the Bay Area!
  

California League of Humane Voters will contact you about a strategy session
when enough volunteers have signed on.

League of Humane Voters, California Chapter
Rich McLellan MD, Director
Michiko Vartanian, Communications
ph: 323-666-9075 / email: CA@lohv.org
Facebook: LOHVCA  / Twitter: LOHV-CA

NOT A BAY AREA RESIDENT? YOU CAN STILL TAKE ACTION HERE:
7/21/09: Cruelty For Sale At San Francisco Live Animal Market
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/letter_library/letter_new.asp?LetterID=1847&seriesfirst=true

ACTION CAMPAIGNS * EDUCATION * ANIMAL DISASTER AID NETWORK
http://www.KinshipCircle.org * http://www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters

SUBSCRIBE NOW – FOR BREAKING NEWS & ACTION:
Kinship Circle Primary: subscribe@kinshipcircle.org
Action campaigns on animal cruelty issues worldwide
Kinship Circle Animal Disaster Aid Network: disasteraid@kinshipcircle.org
Animal rescue coordination/news in disasters + companion animal alerts

*DISCLAIMER: The information in these alerts is verified with the original
source. Kinship Circle does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of
the information or for the consequences of its use. Nothing in this email is
intended to encourage illegal action in whatever country you are reading it
in. Kinship Circle does not engage in, nor support, any form of harassment
or unlawful activity. Nothing in this alert serves to promote such conduct.

9/15/09: Freedom Interrupted…
Cloud’s Herd Caught In BLM Roundup


Images of Cloud (the white, muscular horse) and his herd originated with:
*   Horses from Cloud’s Herd will be Slaughtered
http://www.animallawcoalition.com/horse-slaughter/article/1025
*   Alert from Jerry Finch, Habitat for Horses, http://www.habitatforhorses.org
*   The Cloud Foundation, http://www.thecloudfoundation.org

The auction for horses from Cloud’s Herd is planned for September 26, 2009.

=============================================================
EMAIL BLOCKS: Sample letter follows. Full contact info at end of alert.
=============================================================

EVERYONE, SEND COMMENTS TO:
feedback@ios.doi.gov, Secretary_of_the_Interior@ios.doi.gov,
Director@blm.gov, Robert_Abbey@blm.gov, Mike_Pool@blm.gov,
janet_lin@blm.gov, senator_bingaman@bingaman.senate.gov

RECIPIENTS WITH WEB CONTACT FORMS ONLY:
–   President Barack Obama: http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/
–   Vice President Joe Biden: http://www.whitehouse.gov/ContactUs/
–   Chariman Nick J. Rahall, House Committee on Natural Resources:
http://www.rahall.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=9&sectiontree=9
–   Doc Hastings, Ranking Republican Member:
http://hastings.house.gov/ContactForm.aspx
–   Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources:
http://energy.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Home
–   Senator Lisa Murkowski, Ranking Republican Member:
http://murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=EMailLisa

U.S, CITIZENS ONLY, ALSO SEND COMMENTS TO:
YOUR FEDERAL SENATORS & REP IN WASHINGTON DC:
http://www.Congress.org
http://www.vote-smart.org/
http://www.senate.gov
http://www.house.gov

***KINSHIP CIRCLE CANNOT GUARANTEE ALL EMAILS WILL WORK***
During campaigns, recipients may change or disable their email addresses.
Emails from government, corporate, or institute websites may be incorrect.

=============================================================
ASK FOR A FORMATTED LETTER (WORD DOC): info@kinshipcircle.org
Easily modify letter. Copy/paste it into an email or print letter to fax or mail.  
=============================================================

President Obama, Vice President Biden, Secretary Salazar, Bureau of Land
Management, Members of Congress:

On 9/1/09, the Bureau of Land Management activated a roundup of the Pryor
Mountain Wild Horses. Helicopters corralled the famous horse Cloud
(documented on PBS Nature series) and his band from their mountaintop home
through desert foothills to holding pens.

I’m relieved BLM ended the operation after just six days, but it never
should have occurred in the first place.

The raid on Cloud’s Herd epitomizes years of mismanagement. To appease
cattle ranchers and other private interests, BLM captures more animals than
it can adopt out. With 33,000 horses already in federal compounds, surplus
American horses commonly go from auction to kill floor.

A recent BLM press release claims to have freed “most of the 146 horses
gathered,” including Cloud and his herd. I respectfully demand freedom for
Conquistador, Grumpy and other horses older then 10 — who are not
adoptable. Let them live and die in their natural range.

I urge BLM to decrease horses slated for removal to just 20 adoptable horses
from ages one to two. Ultimately, BLM should pursue non-invasive control
methods — such as range expansion and intensified contraception programs. A
cap on permits to hunt mountain lions would let natural predation curb
mustang numbers. In addition, landowners who permit wild horses on their
property ought to receive tax incentives.

I ask the President, Vice President and Congress to advocate reinstatement
of these magnificent creatures on public rangelands. Your support of the
Restoring Our American Mustangs (ROAM) bill S.B. 1579 can help renew
protections Congress enacted in the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burro Act
of 1971. ROAM’s House version, H.R. 1018, has already passed. I hope the
Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee follows suit with swift
approval of S.B. 1579.

Please return Cloud’s entire herd to the wild, so that senior horses are
not sold to kill-buyers. Slaughter is excruciating for these excitable
animals. On Mexican kill floors, a “puntilla knife” is used to sever the
spinal cord — merely paralyzing the horse as workers slit his throat. The
captive bolt pistols used in Canada often don’t work on such long-necked
animals, and leave them thrashing in pain.

Please listen to public sentiment and let wild free-roaming horses and
burros live as testament to the “pioneer spirit of the West.”

Thank you,

=============================================================
FULL CONTACT INFORMATION
=============================================================

EVERYONE, SEND COMMENTS TO:
President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden
The White House / 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW / Washington, DC 20500
comments: 202-456-1111 or 202-456-9000
switchboard: 202-456-1414; fax: 202-456-2461
contact forms: http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/,
http://www.whitehouse.gov/ContactUs/

Ken Salazar, Secretary of the Interior
U.S. Department of the Interior
1849 C Street, N.W. / Washington DC 20240
ph: 202-208-3100
email: feedback@ios.doi.gov, Secretary_of_the_Interior@ios.doi.gov

U.S. Bureau of Land Management
1849 C Street NW, Rm. 5665 / Washington DC 20240
ph: 202-208-3801 / fax: 202-208-5242
Director Bob Abbey: Director@blm.gov, Robert_Abbey@blm.gov
ph: 202-208-3801, 866-468-7826; fax: 202-208-5242
Acting Deputy Director Mike Pool: Mike_Pool@blm.gov
Chief of Staff Janet Lin: janet_lin@blm.gov

House Committee on Natural Resources
1324 Longworth House Office Building / Washington, D.C. 20515
ph: 202-225-6065; fax: 202-225-1931
Nick J. Rahall, II, West Virginia, Chairman, contact form:
http://www.rahall.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=9&sectiontree=9
Doc Hastings, Washington, Ranking Republican Member, contact form:
http://hastings.house.gov/ContactForm.aspx

Senate Committee on Energy and Natural  Resources
304 Dirksen Senate Building / Washington, DC 20510
ph: 202-224-4971; fax: 202-224-6163; contact form:
http://energy.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Home
Chairman Jeff Bingaman: senator_bingaman@bingaman.senate.gov
Senator Lisa Murkowski, Alaska, Ranking Republican Member:
contact form: http://murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=EMailLisa

U.S CITIZENS ONLY, ALSO SEND COMMENTS TO:
The Honorable Representative [YOUR REP’S NAME HERE]
U.S. House of Representatives / Washington, D.C. 20510

The Honorable Senator [YOUR SENATORS’ NAMES HERE]
The U.S. Senate, U.S. Capitol Building / Washington, D.C. 20510

To identify your federal legislators and find contact info, try:
Congress.org – http://www.Congress.org
Project VoteSmart – http://www.vote-smart.org/
USA Senate – http://www.senate.gov
USA House of Representatives – http://www.house.gov

=============================================================
SOURCE OF INFORMATION / REFERENCE LINKS
=============================================================

Stop the Massive Removal of Cloud’s Wild Horse Herd
http://thecloudfoundation.org/index.php/action-alerts/113-sign-the-petition
Pryors Roundup Stopped Early
http://thecloudfoundation.org/index.php/news-events-a-media/news/wild-horse-issues/143-roundup-is-over
BLM to Sell Some Horses from Cloud’s Herd
http://www.animallawcoalition.com/horse-slaughter/article/1025
Read About The ROAM Act, S.B. 1579
http://www.animallawcoalition.com/horse-slaughter/article/693


Buy Compassion-Inspired Clothes
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/store/

KINSHIP CIRCLE
ACTION CAMPAIGNS * EDUCATION * ANIMAL DISASTER AID NETWORK
http://www.KinshipCircle.org * http://www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters

SUBSCRIBE NOW – FOR BREAKING NEWS & ACTION:
Kinship Circle Primary: subscribe@kinshipcircle.org
Action campaigns on animal cruelty issues worldwide
Kinship Circle Animal Disaster Aid Network: disasteraid@kinshipcircle.org
Animal rescue coordination/news in disasters + companion animal alerts

*DISCLAIMER: The information in these alerts is verified with the original
source. Kinship Circle does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of
the information or for the consequences of its use. Nothing in this email is
intended to encourage illegal action in whatever country you are reading it
in. Kinship Circle does not engage in, nor support, any form of harassment
or unlawful activity. Nothing in this alert serves to promote such conduct.

9/11/09: Mutilated Sharks – Fin Soup’s Main Ingredient


Finning is the process of cutting off the fins of a shark and discarding the
body at sea. Photo – “Shark Finning,” added by Chanica at
http://wdydwyd.ning.com/xn/detail/u_39n264op8kemu

=============================================================
FULL CONTACT INFORMATION. Sample letter follows.
=============================================================

EVERYONE MAY SEND COMMENTS TO:
U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation
Public Information Office, 508 Dirksen Senate Office Bldg
Washington, DC 20510-6125
Public Information Office: 202-224-5115
Full Committee Office: Majority: 202-224-0411 / Minority: 202-224-1251
Senator Jay Rockefeller, Chairman:
http://rockefeller.senate.gov/contact/email.cfm
Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, Ranking Member:
http://hutchison.senate.gov/contact.cfm

Dr. Jane Lubchenco, Under Secretary of NOAA
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
1401 Constitution Avenue, NW, Room 5128 / Washington, DC 20230
ph: 202-482-3436; email: jane.lubchenco@noaa.gov

U.S. CITIZENS ONLY, ALSO SEND COMMENTS TO:
The Honorable Representative [YOUR REP’S NAME HERE]
U.S. House of Representatives / Washington, D.C. 20510

The Honorable Senators [YOUR SENATORS’ NAMES HERE]
The U.S. Senate, U.S. Capitol Building / Washington, D.C. 20510

To identify your federal legislators and find contact info, try:
*    http://www.Congress.org
*    http://www.vote-smart.org/
*    http://www.house.gov
*    http://www.senate.gov
*    Congressional Switchboard: 202-224-3121

MEMBERS, Senate Committee On Commerce, Science & Transportation
If YOUR elected legislators sit on this committee, please write them:
http://commerce.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=About.Members

***KINSHIP CIRCLE CANNOT GUARANTEE ALL EMAILS WILL WORK***
During campaigns, recipients may change or disable their email addresses.
Emails from government, corporate, or institute websites may be incorrect.

=============================================================
ASK FOR A FORMATTED LETTER (WORD DOC): info@kinshipcircle.org
Easily modify letter. Copy/paste it into an email or print letter to fax or mail.
=============================================================

Honorable Senators, Representative, and Dr. Lubchenco:

I understand the Shark Conservation Act of 2009 (H.R. 81) has been referred
to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation after its
passage in the House on March 3, 2009. I hope this bill moves quickly so
that a ban on the amputation of shark fins is enforced.

Until fishermen stop severing fins and dumping mutilated sharks at sea, many
species — including hammerheads and makos — remain vulnerable to
extinction. Please support the Shark Conservation Act (H.R. 81), which
mandates that sharks be landed with their fins naturally intact.

H.R. 81 amends the High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium Protection Act and
the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to close a
loophole that let boats transfer illegally acquired fins as long as sharks
weren’t butchered aboard the same boat.

An estimated 73 million sharks are killed annually. In most cases, their
fins alone are sold for shark fin soup, an Asian delicacy. Though “finning”
was outlawed in all U.S. waters in 2000, negligent fishing practices
continue to hinder enforcement.

Finning is just plain cruel. Fishermen haul living sharks on to decks, slice
off their fins, and toss them back to bleed to death or become defenseless
prey at sea. It is time to end this crime against nature and promote
conservation worldwide. Please do everything possible to ensure that the
Shark Conservation Act passes into law.

Thank you,

=============================================================
SOURCE OF INFORMATION / REFERENCE LINKS
=============================================================


PHOTOS: http://www.sharktrust.org/content.asp?did=26881
Finned Silver Tip Shark: http://www.year-of-the-shark-2009.org/sharks.html

Shark Conservation Act of 2009 (Passed in House; Referred to Senate Committee)
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/D?c111:3:./temp/~c111LwBqb3::
Shark Conservation Act of 2009
http://www.hsus.org/legislation_laws/federal_legislation/wildlife/shark_conservation_act_of.html
Tell Congress: Ban Shark Finning
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/190900047?z00m=19382402
Stop Shark Finning
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/618227620?z00m=19788991

Buy Compassion-Inspired Clothes
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/store/

KINSHIP CIRCLE
ACTION CAMPAIGNS * EDUCATION * ANIMAL DISASTER AID NETWORK
http://www.KinshipCircle.org * http://www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters

SUBSCRIBE NOW – FOR BREAKING NEWS & ACTION:
Kinship Circle Primary: subscribe@kinshipcircle.org
Action campaigns on animal cruelty issues worldwide
Kinship Circle Animal Disaster Aid Network: disasteraid@kinshipcircle.org
Animal rescue coordination/news in disasters + companion animal alerts

*DISCLAIMER: The information in these alerts is verified with the original
source. Kinship Circle does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of
the information or for the consequences of its use. Nothing in this email is
intended to encourage illegal action in whatever country you are reading it
in. Kinship Circle does not engage in, nor support, any form of harassment
or unlawful activity. Nothing in this alert serves to promote such conduct.

9/5/09: Save Gray Wolves So We Can Slaughter Them?


The gray wolf, also called timber wolf, is the largest wild member of the
Canidae family and an ice age survivor originating during the Late
Pleistocene around 300,000 years ago…

Today their fate is uncertain, amid pressure to kill wolves at the behest of
cattle ranchers vying for autonomous grazing grounds. The removal of
Northern Rocky Mountain gray wolves from the list of endangered wildlife is
also a gift to logging, drilling and hunting industries.

Private industries have persuaded federal agencies like the Forest Service,
U.S. Fish & Wildlife, and Bureau of Land Management to poison prairie dogs,
haze buffalo, roundup wild horses…and delist wolves for open season.

Taxpayers spent millions to recover the very same wolves the Obama
administration is now letting Greater Yellowstone states kill. There is no
comprehensive federal wolf plan…just a bunch of guys in camouflage gunning
down wolves in Idaho and Montana.

=============================================================
EMAIL BLOCKS: Sample letter follows. Full contact info at end of alert.
=============================================================

EVERYONE, SEND COMMENTS TO:
feedback@ios.doi.gov, Secretary_of_the_Interior@ios.doi.gov,
contact@fws.gov, Director@fws.gov, Dan_Ashe@fws.gov, Rowan_Gould@fws.gov,
MountainPrairie@fws.gov, idfginfo@idfg.idaho.gov, fwpgen@mt.gov,
governor@gov.idaho.gov, jkreizenbeck@gov.idaho.gov, BrianSchweitzer@mt.gov,
governor@mt.gov

President Barack Obama: http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/
WEB CONTACT FORM ONLY, NO PUBLIC EMAIL ADDRESS

IDAHO & MONTANA RESIDENTS ONLY,  ALSO SEND COMMENTS TO:
STATE IDAHO LEGISLATORS:
http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/howtocontactlegislators.htm

STATE MONTANA LEGISLATORS:
http://leg.mt.gov/css/find%20a%20legislator.asp

NATIONAL IDAHO & MONTANA LEGISLAORS IN WASHINGTON DC:
http://www.Congress.org
http://www.vote-smart.org/
http://www.senate.gov
http://www.house.gov

***KINSHIP CIRCLE CANNOT GUARANTEE ALL EMAILS WILL WORK***
During campaigns, recipients may change or disable their email addresses.
Emails from government, corporate, or institute websites may be incorrect.

=============================================================
ASK FOR A FORMATTED LETTER (WORD DOC): info@kinshipcircle.org
Easily modify letter. Copy/paste it into an email or print letter to fax or mail.
=============================================================

Dear President Obama, Secretary Salazar, State and Federal Officials:

I am shocked that the Obama administration has activated a Bush-era rule to
remove gray wolves from the Endangered Species list. The delisting of
Greater Yellowstone wolves basically sanctions their slaughter.

Montana opens fire on 9/15/09 with a 75-wolf limit. Idaho’s race to kill up
to 25% of its wolves (during this season alone) began on 9/1/09. Idaho’s
Fish and Game Department hopes to sell 70,000 permits. That’s too many
trophy hunters to unleash on a wolf population that has not fully rebounded.

Idaho’s estimated 1,000 wolves cannot withstand an annual hunt. Yet this
year officials set a 330-wolf quota — with Idaho hunters allowed to take
220 wolves. The state’s Nez Perce tribe may kill another 35 wolves.

Where is the intelligent strategy to sustain the very wolves that Americans
salvaged from near extinction? Instead, we are asked to standby as Idaho and
Montana aim for possibly the largest wolf bloodbath since the 1930s.

It is not too late to halt the hunt and renew Endangered Species Act
safeguards for gray wolves in the Northern Rockies. I urge you to take
meaningful action to reinstate protections now.

At the very least, suspend this irresponsible wolf “management” plan until
it undergoes the type scientific scrutiny the Obama administration
advocates. Secretary Salazar’s original verdict to delist wolves didn’t
assess biological repercussions. It failed to consider Idaho’s policy for
the unsustainable killing of hundreds of wolves.

During the Bush administration, conservation groups convinced a federal
court to reject the same delisting rule. This time, 13 groups filed a
similar lawsuit to restore endangered species status for wolves.

Wolves are key to thriving ecosystems. But state plans seem more focused on
eradication than ecologically balanced wildlife populations. The federal
government needs to defend the wolves that U.S. citizens invested millions
in tax dollars to save.

Thank you,

=============================================================
FULL CONTACT INFORMATION
=============================================================

President Barack Obama
The White House / 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW / Washington, DC 20500
comments: 202-456-1111; switchboard: 202-456-1414; fax: 202-456-2461
web form: http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/

Honorable Ken Salazar, Secretary of the Interior
U.S. Department of the Interior
1849 C Street, N.W. / Washington DC 20240
email: feedback@ios.doi.gov, Secretary_of_the_Interior@ios.doi.gov

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
1849 C Street, NW, Room 3256
MailStop 3238 MIB / Washington, DC 20240-0001
ph: 1-800-344-9453; email: contact@fws.gov
Sam D. Hamilton, Director: Director@fws.gov
Dan Ashe, Deputy Director: Dan_Ashe@fws.gov
Dr. Rowan W. Gould, Deputy Director: Rowan_Gould@fws.gov
USFWS Mountain-Prairie Region: MountainPrairie@fws.gov

Idaho Department of Fish and Game
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 25 / Boise, ID 83707
Walk-in Address: 600 S. Walnut / Boise, ID 83712
ph: 208-334-3700; fax: 208-334-2148, 208-334-2114
email: idfginfo@idfg.idaho.gov
web form: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/inc/contact.cfm

Montana Department of Fish and Game
Joe Maurier, Director, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
1420 East Sixth Avenue / P.O. Box 200701 / Helena, MT 59620-0701
ph: 406-444-2535; fax: 406-444-4952; email: fwpgen@mt.gov

Governor C. L. “Butch” Otter
Office of the Governor, Idaho
P.O. Box 83720 / Boise, Idaho 83720
ph: 208 334-2100; fax: 208-334-3454
email: governor@gov.idaho.gov
Jason Kreizenbeck, Chief of Staff: jkreizenbeck@gov.idaho.gov
web form: http://gov.idaho.gov/WebRespond/contact_form.html

Governor Brian D. Schweitzer
Office of the Governor, Montana State Capitol Bldg.
P.O. Box 200801 / Helena MT 59620-0801
ph: 406-444-3111; fax: 406-444-5529
email: BrianSchweitzer@mt.gov, governor@mt.gov
web form: http://governor.mt.gov/contact/commentsform.asp

IDAHO & MONTANA RESIDENTS ONLY: Contact your federal and state legislators
STATE – IDAHO LEGISLATORS
IDAHO RESIDENTS – http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/howtocontactlegislators.htm
State of Idaho Legislature, ph: 208-334-2475
State Capitol / Boise, ID 83720-0001

STATE – MONTANA LEGISLATORS
MONTANA RESIDENTS – http://leg.mt.gov/css/find%20a%20legislator.asp
Montana State Senate, fax:406-444-4875
PO Box 200500 / Helena, MT 59620-0500

Montana State House of Representatives, fax: 406-444-4825
PO Box 200400 / Helena, MT 59620-0400

NATIONAL – LEGISLATORS IN WASHINGTON DC
Find your federal Idaho or Montana legislators + contact info:
Congress.org – http://www.Congress.org
Project VoteSmart – http://www.vote-smart.org/
USA Senate – http://www.senate.gov
USA House of Representatives – http://www.house.gov

=============================================================
SOURCE OF INFORMATION / REFERENCE LINKS
=============================================================

Two Idaho hunters kill wolves on opening day
http://www.idahostatesman.com/235/story/884635.html
Wolf hunting now legal but still controversial
http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/09/03/wolf.hunt/index.html
Reinstate Federal Protections for Northern Rockies Wolves
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/165659664?z00m=19787956
Idaho Wolf Tags Went On Sale August 24, 2009
http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/apps/releases/view.cfm?NewsID=5055
U.S. Fish & Wildlife / Gray Wolves in the Northern Rocky Mountains
http://www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/species/mammals/wolf/

PHOTO COLLAGE CREDITS: Idaho hunters kill wolves on opening day:
http://www.idahostatesman.com/235/story/884635.html
National Geographic, Joel Sartore; bricabrackorner.com/Wolf3W.jpg;
2008 PiedType.com.jpg; West Yellowstone, Montana 2/9/08:
http://jugalbandi.info/2008/03/gray-wolves/

ACTION CAMPAIGNS * EDUCATION * ANIMAL DISASTER AID NETWORK
http://www.KinshipCircle.org * http://www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters

SUBSCRIBE NOW – FOR BREAKING NEWS & ACTION:
Kinship Circle Primary: subscribe@kinshipcircle.org
Action campaigns on animal cruelty issues worldwide
Kinship Circle Animal Disaster Aid Network: disasteraid@kinshipcircle.org
Animal rescue coordination/news in disasters + companion animal alerts

*DISCLAIMER: The information in these alerts is verified with the original
source. Kinship Circle does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of
the information or for the consequences of its use. Nothing in this email is
intended to encourage illegal action in whatever country you are reading it
in. Kinship Circle does not engage in, nor support, any form of harassment
or unlawful activity. Nothing in this alert serves to promote such conduct.

August 29, 2005 – August 29, 2009
In memory of Hurricane Katrina’s
animal victims and human rescuers

THIS IS FOR YOU… By Brenda Shoss

August 29, 2005 marks the day Hurricane Katrina cast
people and animals adrift in a sea of loss and despair.
When the levees broke, a singular scream grew from
dark waters, drowning out reason. Erasing hope.

Who would hear their cries, faint as ashes
lost in fragments? Who would see their
desperation — locked behind doors, bound to
fence posts, stranded on rooftops?

Thousands searched for familiar faces.
But eyes turned cloudy when no one came.
Huddled in bathtubs. Hidden behind walls.
A tail wagged…and a soft purr rose
from the rubble to merge with the wind.

Who would hear them?
Our government did not.
Who would see them?
Our law enforcers did not.
Who would return for them?

You did.

Who has no money, but jumped on a plane.
Drove cross-country, packed to the roof…
Because you were the one a dog needed
You were the hands a cat waited for
You were their food, their water, their love.

This is for you
Who read every word
Networked and planned
To salvage small hearts
Left in the storm.

This is for you
For every mile traveled
For every life saved.

KINSHIP CIRCLE
ACTION CAMPAIGNS * EDUCATION * ANIMAL DISASTER AID NETWORK
http://www.KinshipCircle.org * http://www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters

SUBSCRIBE NOW – FOR BREAKING NEWS & ACTION:
Kinship Circle Primary: subscribe@kinshipcircle.org
Action campaigns on animal cruelty issues worldwide
Kinship Circle Animal Disaster Aid Network: disasteraid@kinshipcircle.org
Animal rescue coordination/news in disasters + companion animal alerts