Living Without Meat

Humane Society (HSUS) President and CEO Wayne Pacelle will be a guest on The Ellen Degeneres Show today, Friday, September 26 to talk about Proposition 2 “and how it will help millions of farm animals in California and across the country.”

Proposition 2 is ballot proposition for the state of California that will appear for vote on the general election ballot on November 4, 2008. Animal organizations nationwide are trying to spread the word about how beneficial a “yes” vote on Prop 2 will be for farm animals. Big agriculture, on the other hand, is putting millions of dollars into fighting Prop 2.

The matter being proposed is a Standards for Confining Farm Animals initiative statute which would add a chapter to California’s Health and Safety Code to “prohibit the confinement of certain farm animals in a manner that does not allow them to tum around freely, lie down, stand up, and fully extend their limbs.” In essence: no more battery cages for chickens, veal crates for newborn calves, or gestation crates for pregnant pigs.

So if you live in California, by voting “yes” to proposition 2, you will be saying “no” to inhumane confinement of animals. Regardless of what state you live in, tune in the Ellen today to learn more and see Wayne bust out some phat moves - he promised to wear his dancing shoes!

Can’t wait to learn more? Check out the Proposition 2 campaign page to watch a musical, animated, informative video; watch a live action video that gives the hard truth; learn who supports and who opposes Prop 2; and join the campaigning efforts. Wikipedia’s Proposition 2 page also offers a lot of good, detailed information, including similar legislation previously attempted.

Usually, I begin to cringe the second I see the word “vegan” or “vegetarian” come up in a New York Times article. On occasion they write a great piece, highlighting the veg lifestyle in a truthful, non-biased light. But more often than not, the reference appears in the restaurant section, and, well, foodies don’t think too highly of people who put their ethical standards above their stomachs.

Today I stumbled across “In-Flight Plight of a Famished Vegan,” an article in the “Frequent Flier” column of the Business section of the September 9 New York Times. I was excited - the business section! The article was good: I was ready to bookmark the writer as a favorite. Unfortunately, the frequent flier writer had not written the article, but rather Wayne Pacelle, president of the Humane Society of the U.S., was responsible for the good PR.

It’s still a good piece, and Wayne is always a great writer, it’s just a shame that a NY Times staff writer wasn’t the one to write positively about veganism because biases swing both ways.

To read more from Wayne Pacelle, shown here, check out his HSUS blog.

I have been doing unusually well in the money department lately. I don’t make much (we’ll just say under $25,000), and I am not usually good at saving, but I have made an effort to be a conscious consumer. I have not been buying things unless they are something that I have thought long and hard about.

I am not buying new clothes - in fact, I got rid of a garbage bag full. I am not buying any more yarn until I attack some of the mass quantities already hoarded in my apartment. I contemplated buying a bread machine, but my mom had one in good shape in her closet! I received my stimulus check and deposited directly into my savings - not checking - account.

In my time wealth, I have made a point of sharing. I had not made a donation to Farm Sanctuary in awhile, so I sent them a small amount to help with the post-flood pig rescue. I gave an extra bit to Children International this month, as it is Mabelyn’s, my sponsor child, birthday. And I sent a check to the Humane Society (HSUS) for the first time because I love their envelopes!

When the HSUS sends a request for donation, they include with it an envelope for you to return your check in. On the outside of the blue envelope, is a blurb called “5 Ways to Help Farm Animals.” Being rich for the moment, I sent it back, check included, with hopes that a mailperson or two will read it.

Here’s what a HSUS return envelope says:

5 WAYS TO HELP ANIMALS

The Humane Society of the United States, in its constant battle to help farm animals, encourages all its members to take the following actions to help reduce their suffering.

1. Reducing our consumption of animal products makes a significant difference. If every American were to cut back on animal consumption by only 50%, approximately five billion animals each year would be spared a lifetime of suffering.

2. Refining our diets by choosing organic or cage- and crate-free animal products — instead of the conventional factory farm products that fill most supermarket shelves — will help animals and send a clear message that the most horrific cruelties are too tough for any compassionate consumer to swallow.

3. Replacing animal products with readily available vegetarian alternatives is a delicious and caring way to help animals.

4. Learning more about the meat, egg, and dairy industries and how our dietary choices can impact animals gives us the power to truly vote for compassion with our forks. Visit www.HumaneEating.org for more information.

5. Get involved with our many campaigns to help farm animals! Visit www.hsus.org/farm to find out how.

In an effort to spread the compassion, and in light of recent dog fighting events (Michael Vick ring a bell?), the Humane Society of the U.S. has started up a new anti-dog fighting campaign.

The posters, stickers, and such (available free from HSUS by emailing officeservices@humanesociety.org) loudly offer $5,000 rewards for anyone who turns in people involved in the inhumane, animal death matches.

And it’s legit! The details are simple: see or hear about any event related to a fight; contact authorities (see below for specifics), and, so long as your information leads to arrest and conviction, the Humane Society will thank you for standing up for dogs with a reward of up to $5,000.

Here’s how to let someone know about an illegal dog fighting operation (from HSUS.org):

* Call your local police department or animal control agency, giving them as many details as you can. You are not legally required to give your name, however. Tell them about the Humane Society’s campaign.

* If the suspected animal fighter is convicted, ask the law enforcement agency involved in the case to write a letter on your behalf, stating that your tip helped lead to the arrest and prosecution of the convicted animal fighter. Mail or fax the letter to:

Animal Fighting Reward Program
c/o Ann Chynoweth
The Humane Society of the United States
2100 L St. NW
Washington, DC 20037
FAX: 301-721-6414

Still have questions? Click on the flier shown here to visit the rewards program Web page, or call the HSUS for more information about this reward program at 202-452-1100. Also, be sure to check out HSUS President Wayne Pacelle’s blog entry regarding the Society’s long and successful track record against animal fights.

The onset of summer seems to invoke in people a need to think about their pets’ needs more so than other times. Whether it’s the heat or vacations, I don’t know. But here are some odd and interesting pet-related stories, news, and products.

* Veterinarians have agreed: a pet’s biggest health threat is human error. With the launch of a new site - Remind My Pet - owners can now receive e-mail updates reminding them how and when to give their loved creature medicine. Register for free and ensure that you are providing healthy and safe care.

* Animal Keepsake Memorials has a new product to help you remember your four-legged family member forever: the Fur-Ever-Friends pet urn. For $65 you can get a triangular box. For an additional $125, you can order a personalized, engraved plaque with a photo on it. For about $20, you can buy a picture frame and make your own photo memorial.

* When Leona Hemsley passed away in March, she left $12 million to her dog Trouble. And almost nothing to her grandchildren. Now, a judge reversed Hemsley’s will on the grounds that she was not in sound mind when she created it. The ruling gave each of two grandkids $3 million, $4 million to charity, and the remaining $2 million to Trouble (and his caretaker who gets $60,000 a year).

* PetMD.org published a list of ten ways to keep your pets healthy during hot summer days. In short: provide lots of water; don’t leave them in a car; know that age and weight effect heat tolerance; don’t leave food out - it can grow bacteria; learn what’s toxic; put an ID tag on them; check for bugs; groom them; provide shade, especially for fish tanks; take walks in early morning or late evening.

* The Humane Society created a top ten list for best things to do outside with your dog. But it seems they forgot the best one … having your dog help you score a date.

* Pet Sitters International has declared Friday, June 20, to be Take Your Dog to Work Day. Supposedly it’s to celebrate canine companions and encourage others to adopt a dog, but I say it’s to give pet sitters the day off.

* The ASPCA is hosting the Adopt-a-Bull contest where humans can show off their recent pit bull adoptees. In celebration of Adopt-a-Shelter Cat Month, there is also a cat photo contest.

Downers - cows and other animals that are too weak, sick, or injured to stand on their own - made headlines not long ago when the Humane Society released video footage of an undercover investigation into the treatment of these animals. Workers seem to think that a few, constant swift kicks will help a downer get motivated to walk. If an animal still won’t (can’t!) get up, perhaps a tow truck, front-end loader (a “digger” in 3-year-old boy speak), chains, ropes, or other will help. It’s also consider acceptable to use the meat of these sick and dying creatures for human consumption.

The public was shocked to learn about this standard practice when the HSUS video gained coverage even in public media outlets including television news.

The HSUS never gave up; their power has only been strengthened by the public outcry. Yesterday, they announced a breakthrough: “…the USDA announced that it will implement a complete ban on slaughter for human consumption of cattle unable to stand and walk unassisted.”

A Clueless quote is what comes to mind regarding this change: “Not a total Betty, but a vast improvement.” In other words, there is still plenty of work to be done, but this is still a great step towards preventing the abuse and misuse of downed animals. I can guarantee that the HSUS will not stop here.

The picture here is a screen shot from one of the HSUS’s downed cow videos. Click on it, and you can view this and all of their undercover footage.

If Ryan Gosling has time to write a letter expressing his concern for animals, even while working abnormally long days on movie sets, then we should be able to find a few minutes to do the same.

Here’s a copy of the letter (click on it to see a readable size) and an excerpt of what the star from Lars and the Real Girl, Half Nelson, and *sigh* The Notebook had to say to John Bitove, Canada’s Kentucky Fried Chicken top dog.

The time is ripe to do the right thing. By adopting the basic recommendations made by PETA and scientific experts (including raising birds in a more natural manner and employing less cruel slaughter methods), you could dramatically improve the lives and deaths of chickens raised and killed for KFC Canada.

The letter was written by Ryan on behalf of PETA, which is why it is on PETA letterhead. The actor is originally from Canada, and wrote his country’s KFC executive to urge him to stop KFC suppliers’ worst abuses of chickens.

One of Ryan’s longtime passions has been educating the public on the issues of Darfur. He also has a rescued dog named “George.”

Sigh. As if I needed any more reasons to be smitten with Noah, er, I mean Ryan.

To find a letter-writing campaign that fits your passion check out PETA’s Get Active Center, the Humane Society’s campaigns, or any favorite organization’s Web site. Many will also send you local contacts and concerns - such as proposed legislations - if you sign up for their e-mail alerts. Like Horton the elephant says: every voice counts!

Death by electrocution … it’s how many animals in the fur industry end their short, pitiful lives. And not just your average electrocution means, but disgusting, up-the-rear prodding and shocking.

In New York, however, fur traders and farmers will no longer be allowed to use anal electrocution as a means for offing animals, whilst preserving as much fur as possible. If they do so, they will face up to one year in prison.

That’s right: the home state of a great fashion capital has placed a legal ban on killing chinchillas, rabbits, mink, foxes, by anal (and genital) electrocution.

New York was the first state in the U.S. to make such legislation, and although no others have such a law in any state of the process, it is hopeful and likely that more will soon follow.

Something notable about a senator behind this animal rights law? He’s republican!

Said Republican Sen. Frank Padavan in the Associated Press article about this new legislation: “I draw a very strong correlation between how we treat domestic animals and all animals and how we treat each other.”

Well, there you go. Republicans can be bleeding hearts too.

Whoops! According to the AP, the law was actually signed into act back in March, but was headed by Gov. Eliot Spitzer, the man who has since retired after being implicated in a prostitution ring. He’s a Democrat. Conversely, the Humane Society featured a press release on the law being enacted back in August, 2007.

So the facts and dates are somewhat iffy, but there is no denying the fact that it is now illegal and prosecutable by law to ram a rod up a furry creature’s bum and shock him to death in the state of New York.

Mother’s Day is less than two weeks away, and despite many people’s false belief that it is a Hallmark-devised holiday, you’d be a fool not to take the time to tell the moms, grandmoms, aunts, etc. in your life that you appreciate them. Moms of pets count, too!

This year, you can get momma a gorgeous bouquet or some delectable yummies, while supporting organic farmers and the Humane Society.

Organic Bouquet is teaming up with the Humane Society of the United States to educate the public on the importance of buying organic, including: harvesting practices that “improve the quality of farm working conditions, minimizing damage to ecosystems, conserving biodiversity, and enhancing environmental quality for future generations.”

Plus, because they love and appreciate what the HSUS does for animals and people, 5 to 10 percent of your purchase at Organic Bouquet will be donated to the HSUS. In addition to bouquets, the online store features chocolates, other plants, wreaths, flowering teas, and gourmet baskets such as the wine lover’s collection.

Now, back to that myth about Hallmark conspiring Mother’s Day …

The tradition of reserving an entire day, once a year to worship mothers dates back to ancient Greece when an annual festival was held for Cybele, the mother of Greek deities.

Today’s American holiday for mommies comes from Britain, by means of social activist Julia Ward Howe, post-Civil War. She started a call for peace, writing the Mother’s Day Proclamation.

The Jarvis women (Ann, and daughter Anna) were also crusaders of Mother’s Day with their attempts to institute a Mother’s Work Day (Ann) and a Memorial Day for Mothers (Anna) who lost children in the war.

Today, Mother’s Day is the number one day for people to dine out, according to the National Restaurant Association. So, in addition to sending mom some organic flowers and goodies, take her out for a delicious vegan meal!

Check out Wikipedia’s Mother’s Day entry for more on the history of the holiday, including when and why it is held in countries worldwide.

Lauren “LC” Conrad of fake-fame from MTV’s Laguna Beach and now The Hills wants everyone to know that she is so passionate about animals that she is willing to go as far as holding a sweatshirt up in front of her.

The TV personality,who is studying fashion and attempting to create and sell her own line, would probably never be caught in something so bland and shapeless. Us normal people, however, enjoy comfort from time to time and can purchase our own black “Club Sandwiches Not Seals” hoodie from the Humane Society.

I’ve never seen either of her reality shows, but she seems like a sweet girl and I do - despite my sarcasm - thank her for connecting her name and fame to a worthwhile cause for animals.

If you have ever watched an episode of the Oprah Winfrey Show, then you probably know that she has several dogs whom she absolutely adores. Oprah has been emotionally touched by her loss of one of her babies, Gracie, last May in a freak choking accident, and then another, Sophie, to a long battle with illness last week.

Between losing two dogs in one year, and hearing news stories like the recent case where 800 dogs were found living in below poor conditions under the “care” of a breeder, Oprah has decided to do a show on the truth behind puppy mills - and it airs today!

Here is the desciption for today’s Oprah Winfrey Show:

Today’s Show: Lisa Ling Investigates the Hidden World of Puppy Mills

Animal lovers—it’s time to unite. With hidden cameras, Lisa Ling exposes the sickening world of puppy mills. Once you see this for yourself, you will be changed forever.

Don’t miss it! Tape it, TIVO it, listen to it on the radio … do whatever you have to do support Oprah as she supports the animal rights movement today!

Thanks, Oprah: you rock!

UPDATE: I just read on his blog that Humane Society President Wayne Pacelle will be a featured guest on the show!

800: It’s a rather large number to comprehend. Let’s break it down for a minute.

It is…

* 266 2/3 times the number of pets I have in my apartment (400 times if you don’t count my roommate).

* More than double the paycheck that just got handed to me.

* Six times my body weight.

* Just a few short of being Noah’s age.

* The number of dogs seized from a Tucson, Arizona triple-wide trailer this afternoon.

About 800 dogs. Chihuahuas, terriers, and Pomeranians.

Don’t forget the birds. There were 82 parrots residing with the elderly couple and their 800 small dogs.

Where did they all fit? Here’s a few of the couple’s solutions to the space dilemma:

1. Pile pups one dozen high into small crates.

2. Allow doggies to gnaw off one another’s paws, thus making more room.

3. Some may die. Even though this is money lost, it is also new space. Just push them to the side.

4. Keep going with the flow: breed and sell, breed and sell. Remember more dogs = more money!

5. A clean home is a happy home. In a happy home, a happy dog runs around a lot. Therefore, a filthy home will cause those mutts to stay inactive. Just say no to cleaning up after them!

6. Sick dogs also move slower. Let them get kennel cough, and do not take them to the vet.

People never cease to disgust me.

What a beautiful month March is - flowers can begin to stretch to their roots, heavy winter wear begins to change into lighter spring fashions, and Canadian fur hunters head out to beat to death hundreds of thousands of baby harp seals.

These adorable creatures are ran at full speed, while they barely move, and brutally clubbed and spiked in the head because some people think their fur looks fashionable.

More people in the fashion business, however, are beginning to stand out and say that it’s not worth the blood shed. The latest is America’s Next Top Model judge and famed photographer Nigel Barker.

Barker went to Canada to photograph these scared baby seals with the Humane Society recently in hopes of enlightening the public - especially the fashion industry - about the cruel nature of this culture.

HSUS has a page dedicated to Protect Seals where you can watch video footage, see more of Nigel (shown on location with the HSUS in the photo here), read news articles about the Canadian fur trade, and learn about how you can make a difference.

Through PETA, Pamela Anderson is also adding the seals to her long list of animal rights issues with a petition asking the Canadian government to step in and help, that she is asking you to sign.

Here are a few brief headlining articles that work their magic as PR for animals, vegetarianism, and healthy goodness in general.

Enjoy! (Links are in the bold text)

* CNN Living provides a great look at both sides of the declawing debate, speaking to PETA, Humane Society, and a pet owner who recently declawed her cats.

* CNN Money was in on the game, too, with an announcement of a new soy milk product put out by Canada’s best-selling soy brand, So Good.

* Michigan , Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio faces a 2,000+-pound chicken recall, reports All Headline News. Meijer Inc. recalled their Discovery Cuisine Red Curry Chicken and Jasmine Rice after the U.S.D.A. reported suspecting listeria (a harmful bacteria) in the product.

* redOrbit takes from a BBC News report and studies at University of Minnesota to conclude that eating breakfast every day gives you a slimming edge over your peers. But my mom already knew this.

* Yahoo! News covers medical studies about, and one mother’s direct experience with, the ability for diet to impact - both positively and negatively - hyperactivity and ADHD.

I love Patrick McDonnell’s comic strip Mutts. I have a sleep shirt featuring the lovable cat and dog that says “Go organic!” My mom mails me the best ones cut out from the newspaper. I even have two of the cartoons hanging above my desk at work.

So it is with a great big smile on my face that I present to you yesterday’s and today’s Mutts comic strips:

What the heck is Spay Day, you say? It’s a collaboration between the Humane Society and the Doris Day Animal League to promote getting your pets spayed and neuter, and to prevent the need for euthanasia in shelters across America.

It’s not just a day long celebration - check out how you can participate in Spay Day and all of the activities, events, and educational outreach options to promote pet spaying and neutering in your community.