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Going Vegan in Stages?
Aug 30, 2009
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Posted: Aug 30, 2009 11:07pm
Vegetarianism as a
Aug 9, 2009
Vegetarianism as a “Gateway” to Veganism?

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Posted: Aug 9, 2009 11:14am
Vegetarianism as a
Aug 9, 2009
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Posted: Aug 9, 2009 11:13am
"MIXIE" Needs Forever or Foster FAST !
May 13, 2009

UPDATE: As of Friday morning, May 15, 2009,

Ellen Jefferson reports "MIXIE has an adopter. And there are backups. So [hopefully], Mixie is safe." She also says thank you for the support and networking that saved her.

May all keep in mind the tremendous urgency involved in the lives of homeless companion animals... and stop dealing with breeders and "pet stores" to end the cycle of needless suffering.


Mixie, a 5 year old Pit Bull, had a great life. She had a young active owner who took her everywhere. He took her to work everyday and trained her to know every command you can think of. She knows hand signals and her vet said she was the best-trained dog he had met.

BUT on about May 3rd, 2009, her owner died. She got sent to the pound. Imagine how her life has been completely turned upside down - losing the person she loved and her home.

Please help Ellen Jefferson, President of Austin Pets Alive (APA) (512) 663-8643 to not let her die there. That is a double whammy of sadness. The young owner’s mother has a yorkie and she just can’t risk a fight (the yorkie would lose).

Mixie loves people and children and is good on walks and of course going to work. She sometimes growls at other dogs but has never gotten into a fight. The owner’s mother does not think she would do well with cats but did great with her four young boys.
Austin Pets Alive! is trying to save her but we cannot rescue her because of her growling at other dogs. All of their dogs have to be together.  Their Rescue Coordinator thinks that she is a tub of wags/wiggles and reminds her of a little piggy because she squirms and snuffles when she’s happy.

Do you know anyone who is looking to save a life or find a great dog? What about someone willing to foster until she finds a forever home?

She has less than 48 hours.

Please email info@austinpetsalive.org or call APA's number above for more info.  If you would like to meet Mixie, go to Town Lake Animal Center in Austin, Texas and ask to see the dog in pen # 230.  They know about her case.  APA are recommending that she go to a single dog household or to a very experienced pit owner if there are multiple dogs.

Please forward to anyone you think may be able to help

Thank you
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Posted: May 13, 2009 1:05am
The Path to Abolition
Apr 7, 2009

I'm not sure if you've followed my blog much, nor how much you've seen of my commentary, nor how much you've researched the subject of animal cruelty or exploitation, especially from the aspect of "societal norms". Suffice it to say, there are enormous differences between "animal welfare" and "animal rights". I was a staunch supporter of all that encompasses Welfarist philosophy when I first joined the "movement" almost 20 years ago. But my convictions have now evolved to firmly embrace Abolitionist philosophy. Generally Welfarism, which is what most societies' compassionate sector subscribes to, basically seeks to "lessen" pain and suffering and cruel practices inherent in virtually ALL human uses of animals. Ultimately though, Welfarism fails as it does NOT seek to end the use of animals by humans. Some Welfarist org's, like WWF, openly support continued animal exploitation like hunting and fishing. They speak of "cultural and economic survival" and "sustainability of resources", they respect "quotas" and pledge to "harvest humanely" as if these billions of living creatures were nothing more than a crop of wheat! Others, like HSUS and PETA, not-so-openly actually encourage continued exploitation of "farm" animals albeit by "kinder, gentler" production methods.

The fallacy though is that the gradual changes or reforms Welfarism is fighting for are actually helping to eliminate suffering and exploitation. The fact is, they are NOT helping. Statistics abound that show animals are being consumed and used by many means, be it for food, clothing, entertainment, research, products and product testing, etcetera in ever greater numbers and despite humane regulations! And consumers, those that at least say they "care" about animal welfare have shown they are not only absolutely willing but even MORE willing to consume or partake of animals that have been raised or used "humanely", "organically", "compassionately", or any other industry or marketing bafflegab. The sad reality is these animals are STILL being used! These animals are still being treated to lives of deprivation, emotional AND physical trauma and suffering, and above all, a completely UNnatural existence.

It was only through exposure to Abolitionist thought that I came to the crystal clear realization I did not want to participate in this ruse anymore. I dedicate my efforts to exposing this reality and educating others of the need to shift the way we think of animals - not as our property but as independent sentient beings! In coming to the realization that we do not "need" to use animals for ANY purpose, indeed that ALL animals have an innate right to their own families, communities, relationships, habitats... to their own unfettered lives, we can and should stop ALL exploitation instantly. And hence, the "abolition" of animal exploitation... the end of slavery.

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Posted: Apr 7, 2009 10:05pm
The Path to Abolition
Apr 7, 2009
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Posted: Apr 7, 2009 10:05pm
World Wildlife Fund Supports Canada's Seal Slaughter
Mar 8, 2009
If there was ever any doubt in your mind about Welfarist organizations like the WORLD WILDLIFE FUND supporting animal exploitation, including associated suffering and cruelty, then read about it in their own words! I've printed their "Position Statement" on the Canadian Seal Slaughter below. Please note their unabashed Welfarist mindset that condones of the "use" of natural resources, i.e. animals, as an "important part of (our) economy, culture, and heritage." Please note their unabashed Welfarist mindset that refers to the killing of innocent living creatures (young offspring in this case) as a "harvest" to be "managed"!

Just as distressing, I recently wrote to all Canadian Senators appealing to them to support Senator Harb's Seal Bill S-229 to end the commercial seal hunt. I've also printed the reply I received from Liberal Senator Percy Downe of Charlottetown, P.E.I. below. You will see a virtual parroting of the same Welfarist sentiment. And in a press release issued by the Liberal Party of Canada on March 3, 2009, Liberal MP, Hon. Gerry Byrne alleges that the World Wildlife Fund supports the commercial seal hunt and uses their alleged support as justification for the Liberal Party supporting the hunt.

It seems obvious to me by now that successive Liberal and Conservative governments are absolutely confirmed in their support for this example of abhorrent animal slaughter in their exploitation of Nature... and Welfarist organizations, who aggressively vie for your donation dollars in the name fighting animal cruelty, are among their biggest and wealthiest champions!

Please let the WWF know you don't support their advocacy of cruelty and let the Liberals and Conservatives (all linked or listed on this post) know you hold them electorally responsible for the continuing massacre of innocent animals and you will not stand for it next election. And while you're at it, let the Green's, NDP, and Bloc know as well. They all have Welfarism in their platforms!

The time is long overdue for society to recognize the abolition of ALL animal exploitation as integral to our survival and this planet's survival.

***********************************

WWF Position Statement:

Harp Seal Hunt in the Northwest Atlantic Ecoregion

March 2009

"WWF’s mission is to stop the degradation of the planet’s natural environment and to build a future in which people live in harmony with nature. To achieve this mission and to ensure lasting success, conservation efforts must take into account cultural diversity as well as historical and economic realities. WWF recognizes that local communities play a significant role in, and benefit economically from, the sustainable use of natural resources.

For over 40 years the Canadian harp seal (Phoca groenlandica) hunt has been controversial. Many people have strong objections to the commercial harvesting of wildlife, and of marine mammals in particular. Animal welfare organizations both inside and outside Canada continue to press for improvement of humane hunting methods and tighter monitoring, while some oppose the seal hunt altogether. In the past, largely due to considerable international pressure, several measures were taken that affected the Canadian seal hunt. In 1972, the United States prohibited the import of seal products under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. In 1987, the Canadian government prohibited the hunting of the harp seal pups, at the “whitecoat” stage. More recently, there has been a movement to impose a trading ban of seal products altogether particularly at the European Union.

The long history of controversy reflects both the diversity of individual values and the diversity of cultural and national experiences with wildlife and wildlife harvesting. WWF respects this range of diversity. As well, WWF recognizes that hunting seals is an important part of the local economy, culture and heritage of many coastal communities in Atlantic Canada, the Arctic, many other maritime nations.

Most importantly, from the perspective of a conservation organization such as ours, the harp seal population is at a near record high with more than 5 million individuals and current harvest practices pose no apparent threat to the long-term health of the species.

While there are no conservation grounds on which to end the seal hunt at this time, vigilant monitoring of the impacts of harvesting and environmental conditions will be important. Climate change may affect the availability of sea ice, which plays an essential role in the birth and weaning process of harp seal pups. WWF will continue to work on an ecosystem-based management approach in the Northwest Atlantic Ecoregion that will take into account the overall health of the marine environment and the role of all species, including harp seals. Furthermore, WWF has launched a global campaign to reduce the effects of climate change which poses a major threat to all Arctic species.

An important component of WWF’s work in the region includes reducing the ecological footprint of nations fishing on the Grand Banks. This means reducing bycatch and habitat impacts of all fisheries and ensuring all quotas are sustainable, including those in high seas areas adjacent to Canadian waters. These are critically important changes in order to secure the recovery of this overexploited ecosystem. It is also key to securing the long-term sustainability of coastal communities in Newfoundland and Labrador."

World Wildlife Fund Canada
245 Eglinton Ave. East, Suite 410
Toronto, ON M4P 3J1
Tel: 1 - 800 - 26 - PANDA
(In Toronto) 416 - 489 - 8800
Fax: 416 - 489 - 3611

***********************************

Senator Percy E. Downe:

March 5, 2009

"I am writing in response to your recent correspondence regarding Canada's seal hunt.

The seal hunt is regulated and closely monitored to ensure that it is conducted in a humane manner. Fisheries and Oceans Canada has assigned Officers to conduct surveillance by aerial patrol, and further, do inspections at buying and processing locations to ensure that the Marine Mammal Regulations are respected.

In 2008, Fisheries and Oceans Canada implemented several new management measures for the seal hunt including the implementation of a three-step process, as a condition of licence, to hunt seals. One of the other many monitoring measures taken was the appointment of an independent reviewer to assess regional shares of the harp seal total allowance catch in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, therefore maintaining a balanced and sustainable approach to the seal hunt.

The abundant seal population is a valuable natural resource. The harp seal herd, estimated to be in excess of five million animals, has nearly tripled in population since the 1970's. The seal hunt is also an economic mainstay for numerous rural communities in Atlantic Canada, Quebec and the North supporting many coastal families who can derive much needed income from the commercial seal hunt.

I believe that the Canadian seal hunt is being conducted in a safe and humane manner, and therefore, my support remains unwavering.

Thank you for taking the time to write."

^^^^^^^


^^^^^^^

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Posted: Mar 8, 2009 10:56pm
World Wildlife Fund Supports Canada’s Seal Slaughter
Mar 8, 2009
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Posted: Mar 8, 2009 10:56pm
Letter to CBS-TV and 60 Minutes
Feb 6, 2009

Re 'Fountain of Youth' - air date January 25, 2009

"I am appalled at the glaringly obvious disregard your recent piece had for monkeys and the living hell these creatures are routinely subjected to for the duration of their pathetic lives. Why would you not even ask about the potential of compromised results due to a LIFETIME OF DEPRIVATION? With no regard for their intelligence, natural behaviors, or social needs you affirm in viewer's minds the heartless notion that sentient beings of varied non-human species are not entitled to an interest in spending their lives free of human subjugation or any other exploitation! How is it possible in the 21st century, for God's sakes, that our "highly evolved civilization" continues to hold on to such barbarism? Why would you not even mention this in your piece? To be sure, testing the effects of caloric restriction on longevity and the prevention of age-related diseases through food deprivation could have easily attracted human volunteers. But the use of non-human animals held captive in research laboratories around the world, enduring pain, misery, and myriad unimaginable horror, has skyrocketed even as new non-animal technologies have already been developed that enable scientists to carry out relevant and reliable human research without harming animals.

Lest we think you, and the entire CBS establishment, went into this piece with your ethical, emotional, and indeed even your scientific eyes completely shut, don't you think it would be appropriate to say the least to introduce viewers to the question of using animals in research when burgeoning and equally reliable alternative methods already exist? It's about bloody time you made viewers think about the ethical questions raised by the unnecessary and outmoded use of non-human animals in research!"

Jeffrey...


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Posted: Feb 6, 2009 9:56pm
Letter to CBS-TV and 60 Minutes
Feb 6, 2009
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Posted: Feb 6, 2009 9:56pm

 
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Jeffrey A.
male, age 58, single
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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