A n i m a l W r i t
e s
© sm
The official
ANIMAL RIGHTS ONLINE newsletter
Publisher ~ EnglandGal@aol.com Issue # 04/19/00
Editor ~ JJswans@aol.com
Journalists ~ PrkStRangr@aol.com
~ MRivera008@aol.com
~ SavingLife@aol.com
THE ARTICLES IN THIS ISSUE ARE:
1
~ An Easter Story by MRivera008@aol.com
2
~ Is Dissection All It's Cut Out To Be by bekoffm@spot.Colorado.EDU
3
~ Top 10 Reasons Why It's Great To Be A Dog
4
~ Excuses For Horse Racing
5
~ Bunnies At Easter - A Sad Story
6
~ Petopia.com Joins Forces With the ASPCA
7
~ I Am An Activist
8
~ Easter Bunny (Poem)
9
~ Quote To Remember
*´`³¤³´`*:»§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»«:*´`*´`³¤³´`*:»«:*´³¤³´`*:»³¤³´`*:»§«:*´`´`*:»«:*³¤³´`³¤³´`³¤³´`*:»³¤³´`
An Easter Story
by
MRivera008 Michelle Rivera
My
editor, JJSwans, asked me to write a story on animals that are typically given
as pets for Easter. We discussed the giving
of bunnies, chicks and ducklings to small children on Easter morning, and I was
off and running with my assigned research.
But
then a co-worker mentioned to me that she saw Martha Stewart doing a
demonstration on how to decorate eggs for Easter. She said “I think I am going to make dozens of them and give them
away........I will probably end up throwing them all away, ha ha ha, but it
will be fun making them.” This got me
thinking about all the eggs that will be sold for coloring this year, only to
be thrown out like used Christmas tinsel.
So I decided to reeducate myself on the issue of the factory-farming of
eggs, and was, once again, horrified to be reminded of the facts about hens and
their eggs. For instance, in the wild,
hens will build themselves a nest and lay 6-7 eggs in as many days. They are fiercely protective of these eggs,
as much as a mother with a baby would be.
Hen’s ovaries are controlled by light, which on a battery farm is
regulated to simulate continuous summertime, which results in such a high
output of eggs. We all know about the
conditions on a battery farm. Five
birds, with wingspans of 32 inches, are kept in cages only about 20 inches
wide. Their feet are deformed, their
beaks removed, and they can never perch, dust bathe or nest. And so-called “free range” eggs aren’t more
humane. The farmers have no use for the
males, and so they are killed by the millions by gassing, crushing, suffocating,
decompression or drowning.
And
then I thought about the millions of sweet-faced little pigs and piglets who
will be slaughtered for “our Easter ham”; the millions of turkeys, geese and
ducks that will be roasted in ovens across America; the pink and yellow
marshmallow* bunnies and milk chocolate rabbits! So many issues! So many
ways to exploit animals in the name of religion, tradition, ceremony and family
gatherings!
*(marshmallows
contain gelatin, which is a by-produce of the slaughter of cows)
But,
like I said, my editor, JJ, has assigned to me a story on animals that are given
as pets for Easter. So it is to this
issue that I must restrain my article.
But, gotcha thinking, right?
There
is a company in West Palm Beach that offers special springtime events. During
these events, they offered free baby bunnies at Eastertime. Several years ago, the Animal Rights
Foundation of Florida (ARFF) launched a letter-writing campaign to stop this
practice and was successful.
Why
did activists in South Florida take stand against the giving of baby
bunnies? Because shelter-workers everywhere
will attest to the fact that bunnies end up in their facilities several months
following the Easter holiday. And those
are the lucky ones. Most bunnies are
just “released” into the neighborhoods, woods, and other rural areas. These rabbits become easy prey for dogs,
cats, cruelty, cars, snakes and territorial foraging animals. Raccoons,
opossums and skunks don’t readily accept strange animals into their territory.
Released pet-store bunnies don’t stand much of a chance against animals that
have been wild all their lives.
The
reasons these animals face such harsh life sentences is because, simply stated,
bunnies don’t make the best pets, especially for little kids. And the pet stores exude lots and lots of
Eastertime hype, so it’s important to know the facts. Rabbits are very sensitive.
Toddlers are not. Small children
can be rambunctious and LOUD, and this environment is quite stressful for
nervous and sensitive rabbits. Children don’t typically value a rabbit's
delicate nature, they much prefer playful animals. And contrary to popular belief, rabbits are not passive and
cuddly. In fact, rabbits like to stay close to the ground. As prey animals, that is where they feel
most secure. They become frightened and
miserable when restrained (cuddled).
Little children like to hold bunnies and carry them around much like a
stuffed animal. But a stuffed animal
has a lifespan of forever, whereas a rabbit’s life expectancy is ten
years. How many small children can hold
their interest in a plaything for ten years?
How many moms and dads want to take on the responsibility of caring for
a rabbit for a decade?
Rabbits
are also high-maintenance animals. In fact, they require more work than does a
dog or cat! Rabbits kept in hutches
outdoors will almost certainly die within a year due to outdoor predators,
weather extremes, boredom, loneliness, depression and anorexia. Indoor, “house
rabbits” can live much longer, provided they don’t chew through live electrical
cords. They also are great chewers of
favorite books, and furniture. If left intact (not spayed or neutered), they
will mark your house with feces and urine.
According
to the House Rabbit Society “As rabbits have increased in popularity, they are
suffering the same fate as our other companion animals -- abandonment......It's
a sad fact that no matter where you live, you are within 10 miles of a rabbit
who needs a home”.
This
is a sobering fact and one that we cannot ignore.
Other
animals that are exploited at Easter are ducklings and chicks. So lets be realistic. How many of us can readily manage to raise a
duck or chicken in an urban environment?
Some of us may have farms or acreage with ponds where these animals can
thrive and grow. But even if we have the environmental necessities to house a
duckling or chicken, we would do well to look into our crystal balls and see
what a future would hold for us and for the baby ducks and chickens we bring
home just so we can enjoy the look of surprise and delight on a child’s face
that lasts a few moments. The misery
inflicted on a displaced baby animal can last a lifetime. Animals need to procreate and without a
partner they will become lonely and desperate.
Do we really need to start a spay/neuter program for pet ducks and
chicks now? Don’t we have enough
unwanted animals in the world who were bred for “pets” but now roam the street
or await death in a pound somewhere?
Ducks
and geese are routinely bought and sold by people wanting to use these animals
as “ornamentals” in their ponds or pools.
Luckily, there is not a big market for these animals, but a market does
exist. There are all sorts of resources
for people who wish to raise ducks and geese in an environment that is
conducive to the successful breeding and welfare of these animals. And while animal-rights advocates and the
people engaged in the business of raising “ornamental ducks and geese” are
light years away from agreeing about the philosophy of owning animals for this
purpose, there is one issue on which we can wholeheartedly agree: these animals are not suitable pets for
little children. Children can easily
crush tiny, fragile avian bones and kill a baby bird in a New York minute. Aside from the obvious cruelty to the baby
duck, chick or gosling, think of how the child will feel having killed his
pet. Out of necessity the parents will
have to soothe the child with lies about how the animal died painlessly, or how
we can “always get another one”; thus teaching their children that animal lives
are worthless.
One
can never have too many stuffed rabbits, chickens and ducks! Just ask the Ty Beanie Baby company, they’ll
tell you all about it! Colorfully
wrapped (vegan) chocolate eggs, plastic eggs filled with non-gelatin jelly
beans, and story books about the true meaning of Easter would make far better
gifts for small children this holiday.
I
suggest we start a new tradition this Easter season. Let us tell our children the story of how the late, beautiful
Linda McCartney and her famous husband Paul where having lunch at home one sunny
afternoon. Their table overlooked a
hill. As Linda and Paul looked out
their window, they observed gentle lambs grazing on a hill. To their horror, they realized that on their
plates where lamb chops and a sobering connection was made. They shared an epiphany! They were revolted by what they perceived as
a terrible waste of resplendent, precious animal lives. It was that moment that this famous couple
began their crusade for vegetarianism, and later became PeTA’s most famous
spokepersons. Fox networks’ “The
Simpsons” made this story famous in one of their episodes, and the story has
been retold in Linda’s cook books and PeTA’s Animal Times magazine. It’s a beautiful story, one of rebirth,
redemption, forgiveness, sacrifice and courage.
Much
like the story of Jesus dying on the cross, the OTHER Easter story.
*´`³¤³´`*:»§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»«:*´`*´`³¤³´`*:»«:*´`³¤³´`*:»³¤³´`*:»§«:*´`´`*:»«:*³¤³´`³¤³´`
Is Dissection All It's Cut Out To Be?
by Marc Bekoff
- bekoffm@spot.Colorado.EDU
Opinions
vary on whether it's essential to dissect or experiment on animals to learn
about them. Many non-animal alternatives are readily available, but students
and teachers often don't know this.
A
valid alternative is one that harms no animals. Watching others work isn't
necessarily acceptable.
Supporters
of animal use often claim if students don't want "to get their hands
wet" they shouldn't study biology.
Recently,
without supporting data, the Human Anatomy and Physiology Society asserted
"dissection and the manipulation of animal tissues and organs are
essential elements in scientific investigation and introduce students to the
excitement and challenge of future careers."
While
there's no doubt animal use has played a major role in education, it's not
clear it's essential. We certainly expect more from students than simple
appeals to history to defend ideas.
Many
biology departments, including mine (and those at local high schools), provide
alternatives (computer simulations, models, videos) for students opposed to
animal use. Sue Rodriguez-Pastor, a graduate student, now offers a
non-dissection laboratory in general biology. We also offer courses that
satisfy our animal science requirement that don't require animal use; students
know in advance what's expected.
It's
essential to have clearly stated policies informing students what options are
available so responsible choices can be made.
So
is dissection a cut above non-animal alternatives? No. There's no evidence
"hands on" experience is essential. Almost 20 studies comparing the
educational effectiveness of non-animal alternatives show they're often at
least as good, if not better and usually less costly, for achieving intended
goals (http://www.hsus.org/programs/research/compare.html). Equal knowledge or equivalent surgical
skills are acquired using alternatives.
Of
2,913 first-year biology undergraduates, exam results of 308 students who
studied model rats were the same as those of 2,605 students who dissected
rats. When the surgical skills of 36 third-year
veterinary students who trained on soft-tissue organ models were compared to
those of students who trained on dogs and cats, each group performed the same.
And, in a study of 110 medical students, computer demonstrations were rated
higher for learning about cardiovascular physiology than experiments using
dogs.
There
are numerous alternatives to cutting up live animals or using prepared
specimens. Two excellent sources are NORINA (Norwegian Inventory of
Audio-visuals; http://oslovet.veths.no/NORINA) and Johns Hopkins University's
Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing Web site (http://altweb.jhsph.edu).
Others
include my "Encyclopedia of Animal Rights and Animal Welfare"
(Greenwood , 1998) and "From Guinea Pig to Computer Mouse: Alternative Methods
for a Humane Education" (European Network of Individuals and Campaigns for
Humane Education, 1997; see also http://www.aavs.org.)
Questioning
how biology is taught isn't to be against science or "radical." Open,
frank discussions will produce more responsible science. Decisions against
using animals don't compromise sound education. Indeed, many students are
making this choice (http://www.hsus.org/programs/research/annotate.html) and
Johns Hopkins University's Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing Web site
(http://altweb.jhsph.edu).
Marc
Bekoff (marc.bekoff@colorado.edu) teaches in the Environmental , Population and
Organismic Biology Department at the University of Colorado.
March
14, 1999
<>
<> <> <> <>
Copyright
1999 The Daily Camera. All rights reserved. Any copying, redistribution, or
retransmission of any of the contents of this service without the express
written consent of The Daily Camera is expressly prohibited. Users of this site
are subject to our User Agreement. You may also read our Privacy Policy
*´`³¤³´`*:»§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»«:*´`*´`³¤³´`*:»«:*´`³¤³´`*:»³¤³´`*:»§«:*´`´`*:»«:*³¤³´`³¤³´`
Top 10 Reasons Why It's Great To Be a Dog
1. If it itches, you can reach it. And no
matter where it itches, no one will be offended if you scratch it in public.
2.
No one notices if you have hair growing in weird places as you get older.
3.
Personal hygiene is a blast: No one expects you to take a bath every day, and
you don't even have to comb your own hair.
4.
Having a wet nose is considered a sign of good health.
5.
No one thinks less of you for passing gas. Some people might actually think
you're cute.
6.
Who needs a big home entertainment system? A bone or an old shoe can entertain
you for hours.
7.
You can spend hours just smelling stuff.
8.
No one ever expects you to pay for lunch or dinner. You never have to worry
about table manners, and if you gain weight, it's someone else's fault.
9.
It doesn't take much to make you happy. You're always excited to see the same
old people. All they have to do is leave the room for five minutes and come
back.
10.
Every garbage can looks like a cold buffet to you.
Contributed by
Taurus91@webtv.net (Nancy Smith)
*´`³¤³´`*:»§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»«:*´`*´`³¤³´`*:»«:*´`³¤³´`*:»³¤³´`*:»§«:*´`´`*:»«:*³¤³´`³¤³´`
Excuses For Horse Racing
*
Horses love to race
Horses
do love to race within reason but the fact remains that many of them,
particularly in steeplechasing and three day eventing, are injured or even
killed. By domesticating the horse we
have made it largely dependent on us.
We therefore have a responsibility to look after it and that includes
not entering it in activities likely to cause it harm. It's rather like not letting children play
with matches.
*
Racing doesn't harm the horses
Racehorses
are prone to a disease called exercise induced pulmonary haemorrhage
(EIPH). It is characterized by the
presence of blood in the lungs and windpipe of the horse following excessive
exercise. An Australian study found 42%
of 1,180 horses to be suffering from EIPH.
A
large percentage of racehorses suffer from lameness. Fractures of the knee are common, so are ligament sprain, joint
sprain, shin soreness and capritis.
Steeple
chasing is designed to make the horses fall which sometimes results in the
death of the horse either though a broken neck or an 'incurable' injury for
which the horse is killed by a vet.
*´`³¤³´`*:»§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»«:*´`*´`³¤³´`*:»«:*´`³¤³´`*:»³¤³´`*:»§«:*´`´`*:»«:*³¤³´`³¤³´`
Bunnies at Easter: A
Sad Story
Those
cute baby Easter bunnies soon grow large and reach adolescence. If left unspayed/unneutered they are likely
to chew, spray or exhibit other generally unappreciated behaviors. Many end up neglected or abandoned. The result?
Humane organizations such as House Rabbit Society see a huge increase in
the number of abandoned rabbits that continues through the end of summer. Help us stop this yearly cycle! Know the facts about rabbits as pets, and
what you can do to educate those who have purchased or are thinking of purchasing
a rabbit as a pet.
Know
the Facts.
-
Rabbits are NOT "low-maintenance" pets, and are a poor choice as a
pet for children.
-
They have a lifespan of 10 years and require as much work as a dog or cat.
-
Your home MUST be bunny-proofed, or Thumper will chew electrical cords and
furniture.
-
Rabbits MUST be spayed or neutered or they will mark your house with feces and
urine.
-
They should live INDOORS, as members of the family. To consign these sensitive,
intelligent, social animals to life in a hutch is to miss the joy of sharing
your life with a rabbit.
Clearly,
rabbits aren't for everyone. Are you a
gentle adult living in a quiet household?
If you think you're one of those rare individuals who would enjoy
sharing life with a rabbit, please visit your local rabbit-rescue group.
Help
Us Spread the Word!
If
you know of someone who is thinking of purchasing a rabbit at Easter, let them
know it's a bad idea. Print out
"Bunnies at Easter" and give them a copy.
http://www.rabbit.org/easter/index.html
HOUSE
RABBIT SOCIETY
http://www.rabbit.org/
Source:
bevegantoo@yahoo.com
*´`³¤³´`*:»§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»«:*´`*´`³¤³´`*:»«:*´`³¤³´`*:»³¤³´`*:»§«:*´`´`*:»«:*³¤³´`³¤³´`
Petopia.com Joins Forces with the ASPCA
Web
based pet supplies retailer Petopia.com and the American Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals have teamed up with PetFinder, a searchable
online database of homeless pets, to work together on pet adoption.
"This
agreement delivers on Petopia.com's promise to always put the need of pets
first," said Andrea Reisman, Petopia.com CEO. "We are thrilled to be
working with the ASPCA and PetFinder and liken their endorsement to having
received the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval for pets."
The
company also announced the "Million Pet Mission," a nationwide
partnership to increase the number of pet adoptions. Together with the ASPCA,
PetFinder and Dr. Marty Becker, D.V.M., co-authour of "Chicken Soup for
the Cat & Dog Lover's Soul," the "Million Pet Mission" uses
the power of the Internet to bring awareness and solutions to pet
overpopulation.
Also
partnering with Petopia.com are: PETCO, the 470-plus superstore pet supplies
chain based in San Diego, CA, that will support the initiative through in-store
adoptions; The Amanda Foundation, a nonprofit organization which rescues pets
from euthanization at the pound; The Doris Day Animal Foundation; veterinarian
and behavior expert Dr. Rolan Tripp; and National PetCare Centres Inc., a group
of more than 70 veterinary practices located throughout the U.S. with a focus
on providing pets with the highest-quality veterinary medical and ancillary
care.
"Success
for Petopia.com isn't just the number of hits and products sold," Reismer
said. "Its the number of lives saved."
Source: Pet Product
News
*´`³¤³´`*:»§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»«:*´`*´`³¤³´`*:»«:*´`³¤³´`*:»³¤³´`*:»§«:*´`´`*:»«:*³¤³´`³¤³´`
I Am An Activist!
I
am an activist. Am I an animal defense activist? Yes. Am I an environmental
activist? Definitely. Am I a human rights activist? Most assuredly. Am I a
peace activist? Indeed. I am in complete opposition to all social injustice; I
abhor all suffering. I disdain the anti-ethic that has created a society that
lives upon the daily exploitation and slaughter of our animal brethren; a
society that is rapidly choking off the only life support system we have;
destroying our habitat, the earth; a society that embraces a philosophy of
"might makes right" and chooses to ignore the plight of our
"weaker" brothers and sisters--the homeless, the hungry, the elderly,
the children; a society whose economy and "strength" rely on the
production and dissemination of tools of destruction. I am an activist. My actions are directed at eradicating the root
causes of ALL injustice: humankind's
disregard for our connection with our earth, and our loss of respect for life.
Listen!
I am the voice we heard so clearly as children until the din of society's
indoctrination deafened our ears. I am the clutching the throat and intense
sorrow of all those who visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. I am the pain and
sadness within each one of us who holds the threadlike bodies and swollen
stomachs of Africa's starving children.
I
am the peace and serenity that befalls us when our eyes, for a fleeting moment,
meet those of a grazing deer. And I am the sentiment that makes us mouth the
words, "Set them free," whenever we encounter animals imprisoned in
cages.
I
am these and more, and I am omnipresent within each one of us. I draw no
political lines; I erect no artificial barriers between races, sexes, or
species; I do not recognize boundaries between issues of injustice. I am above
politics, devoid of our societal bigotries, and I embody all matters of
justice. I am THE answer. I am our
physical and spiritual connection to our earth and all life.
I
cry out for each one of us to recognize the inseparable biological and
ecological bonds that link all life together as earth's family. I implore us to
acknowledge that human and nonhuman needs are complementary, not competitive,
as all living beings are indispensable threads of a living tapestry,
interconnected to each other and all of the earth's natural processes that
sustain life. And I demand action. I demand that individuals act in accordance
with the reverence they so richly deserve. I am the answer. I am the voice
within your soul.
We
must act. And we must ensure that our actions are guided by our inner voice
that affirms our connection with the earth and all of her inhabitants. We
cannot continue to alleviate the injustices imposed on an individual or segment
of our society through an injustice to another. We cannot attain a true peace
through the domination or killing of those who are perceived to be lesser or
evil. We cannot "enrich" the lives of the poor people of Central
America by boosting their economy through the destruction of their rain forests
to raise and slaughter animals for a cheaper hamburger. We must strive to
consider all life as brethren and act in accordance with our connection to the
earth we share -- to do otherwise is to betray not only our fellow beings but
ourselves as well.
I
want your thoughts in affirmation of our connection to the earth. I want your
decisions to be made with an ethic of reverence for life as your guide. And, I
need your actions to create a world of wonder, a world of justice, a world of
peace bounded only by the limits of life. I am part of a living, caring world.
I embrace a boundless ethic.
It
is a life-affirming ethic in which I share a journey with the flowers of the
field, the children of the streets, and the deer of the forest, in search of
our home -- a world of peace. I am your soul.
I
am an activist.
--
Anonymous
*´`³¤³´`*:»§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»«:*´`*´`³¤³´`*:»«:*´`³¤³´`*:»³¤³´`*:»§«:*´`´`*:»«:*³¤³´`³¤³´`
Easter Bunny
by Mary
Brandolino (House Rabbit Society Volunteer)
In memory of
all the bunnies we couldn't save.
I remember
Easter Sunday
It was
colorful and fun
The new life
that I'd begun
In my new
cage.
I was just a
little thing
When they
brought me from the store
And they put
me on the floor
In my cage.
They would
take me out to play
Love and pet
me all the time
Then at day's
end I would climb
In my cage.
But as days
and weeks went by
I saw less of
them it seemed
Of their
loving touch I dreamed
In my cage.
In the night
outside their house
I felt sad and
so neglected
Often scared
and unprotected
In my cage.
In the dry or
rainy weather
Sometimes
hotter sometimes colder
I just sat
there growing older
In my cage.
The cat and
dog raced by me
Playing with
each other only
While I sat
there feeling lonely
In my cage.
Upon the fresh
green grass
Children
skipped and laughed all day
I could only
watch them play
From my cage.
They used to
take me out
And let me
scamper in the sun
I no longer
get to run
In my cage.
Once a cute
and cuddly bunny
Like a little
ball of cotton
Now I'm grown
up and forgotten
In my cage.
I don't know
what went wrong
At the home I
did inhabit
I just grew to
be a rabbit
In my cage.
But they've
brought me to the pound
I was once
loved and enjoyed
Now I wait to
be destroyed
In my cage.
Source:
bevegantoo@yahoo.com
*´`³¤³´`*:»§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»«:*´`*´`³¤³´`*:»«:*´`³¤³´`*:»³¤³´`*:»§«:*´`´`*:»«:*³¤³´`³¤³´`
Quote To Remember
"He who is cruel to animals becomes
hard also in his dealings with men.
We can judge the heart of a man by
his treatment of animals."
Immanuel Kant
«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»
Susan Roghair
- EnglandGal@aol.com
Animal Rights
Online
P O Box 7053
Tampa, Fl
33673-7053
http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/1395/
-=Animal
Rights Online=-
Message
boards:
http://www.envirolink.org/express/
Animal Rights
Resource Site
«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»
(Permission
Granted To Quote/Forward/Reprint/Repost This Newsletter In
Whole Or In
Part with credit given to EnglandGal@aol.com)
* Please forward this to a friend who you
think
might be
interested in subscribing to our newsletter.
* ARO gratefully accepts and considers
articles for publication
from
subscribers on veg*anism and animal issues.
Send
submissions to JJswans@aol.com