Responsabilidade Animal

Project Hope Rescues Nearly 100 Dogs From "Rescuer"

IDA's sanctuary in Mississippi continues to be an oasis of hope in the deep south. Last week we teamed with the Mississippi Animal Rescue League (MARL) to help almost 100 dogs rescued from a "rescuer."

The woman involved in this case is known in Mississippi as a rescuer. One town pays her to take unwanted dogs. In reality, she was not set up to care for large numbers of dogs. Most of them suffer from advanced mange and malnutrition. We expect most will test positive for heartworms.

The dogs were removed from the property on March 17, 2010. Some are recovering at IDA's Project Hope sanctuary, others with MARL. When the dogs heal, IDA will be coordinating adoption efforts.

This is the third so-called "sanctuary" or "rescue" to be closed in Mississippi in recent weeks. The lesson of the story is to carefully check out "rescuers" and their properties before relinquishing animals. Sometimes, these places don't merit the noble term "sanctuary" or "rescue." There are indeed many great rescuers performing life-saving work. Unfortunately, there are also many who are ill-equipped to handle the responsibilites. And it is our responsibility, as guardians, to know the difference before we relinquish animals in our care. Click here to see photos of the dogs, and to help Project Hope care for them, and find them good homes.

World Week For Animals In Laboratories Starts April 17

Historic legislation is being considered in the U.S. Congress. The Great Ape Protection Act, H.R. 1326, would ban all invasive research on great apes and would grant all great apes "owned" by the government permanent retirement to sanctuaries. This bill would dramatically improve the lives of about 1,200 chimpanzees currently housed in U.S. laboratories and would ensure that about 600 of these chimpanzees live out the rest of their natural lives in sanctuaries.

Help make this year’s World Week for Animals in Laboratories (WWAIL), April 17 - 24, the most effective yet by speaking out against the use of animals in testing and research.

The U.S. is the last known country to conduct invasive experimentation on chimpanzees. H.R. 1326, if passed, would effectively end all known chimpanzee experimentation, not only in the U.S., but in the entire world. Click here to read more, to send President Obama and your representatives a fax supporting this legislation, and to see how you can get involved with WWAIL.

Cesar Chavez Legacy Inspires IDA To Produce Spanish "Reason For Vegan" Brochure

In honor of Cesar Chavez’s birthday on March 31, our popular Reason for Vegan brochure is now available in Spanish! Help create a more just and sustainable world as Chavez, a vegetarian for 25 years, envisioned, by recognizing the power of our food choices. Order some brochures for friends and family who speak Spanish, or leave a few at libraries, markets, or other businesses. 

Chavez said, "We need, in a special way, to work twice as hard to help people understand that the animals are fellow creatures, that we must protect them and love them as we love ourselves ... We know we cannot be kind to animals until we stop exploiting them – exploiting animals in the name of science, exploiting animals in the name of sport, exploiting animals in the name of fashion, and yes, exploiting animals in the name of food."

Unfamiliar with Cesar Chavez? Click here to read about his legendary work for peace and justice, for all of the earth's inhabitants. 

You Can Be An Ambassador For IDA's Guardian Campaign

IDA's Guardian Campaign is an international effort to instill greater respect, responsibility, and compassion toward the animals who share our lives. As people think and act as guardians, rather than owners, they will be less likely to abuse or abandon their animal companions.

We want YOU to be a voice for our animal friends and reach out with the guardian message. We have a sample letter that you can send to celebrities, authors, journalists, film makers, anyone who you can introduce to the Guardian Campaign and the guardian language. Just print it out and send or copy and paste into an e-mail. Click here to learn more.

Canada Seal Hunt Begins Sunday - Act Today!

On March 15, animal protection advocates across the U.S. held outreach events at Canadian Consulates, the Canadian Embassy, and elsewhere to urge the public to help end Canada's commercial seal hunt. Thousands of flyers were distributed encouraging comments to Canadian Ambassador Greg Doer and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper to cancel this years' hunt, scheduled to begin this coming Sunday, and to end Canada's commercial seal hunt permanently. Click here to see pictures from the events, and click here to send a quick e-mail urging an end to the slaughter.

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