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The Animal Welfare Cause
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Loading...U.S. Olympian Bashes The Canadian Seal Slaughter
The winter Olympics usually captivate and unite the world, at least for a brief time when people around the globe marvel at the athletes’ skill, courage, and determination. But for many caring individuals, myself included, the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver are marred because of the bloody Canadian seal slaughter. I wasn’t even planning to watch the Olympics because, in my eyes, the breathtaking sights are tarnished by images of heartbreaking cruelty.
So you can imagine how much my spirits lifted when I found out that U.S. Olympic snowboarder Hannah Teter, who won a gold medal in 2006, agreed to appear in PETA’s “Save the Seals” celebrity ad series in order to call attention to the cold-blooded killings. Now, I’ll be glued to my television during the snowboarding events to cheer Teter on. As far as I’m concerned, she’s a winner whether she stands on the podium or finishes in last place.
Teter, who eats an organic vegetarian diet, according to an Ecorazzi report, was eager to participate in PETA’s campaign to stop the seal massacre. And she’s a perfect fit for the campaign since she’s not only an Olympian; she sells Vermont-made maple syrup and other items through her charity, Hannah’s Gold. (The proceeds help provide clean drinking water and plots of land for homeless AIDS victims in Kenya.)
Last year, during demonstrations against the seal slaughter, PETA members smashed giant “blood-filled bottles” of Canadian maple syrup in order to encourage people to boycott Canadian products. The stunt may seem silly, but it gets attention and shows people that there are simple actions they can take to express their opposition to Canada’s cruel killings.
Most people are outraged that hunters are bludgeoning defenseless animals, impaling them on boat hooks, dragging them across the ice, and ripping off their skin—all for something as frivolous as a fur coat—but they’re not sure how they can help stop the shameful spectacle.
Not buying sealskins or related products is a good place to start, of course, but boycotting Canadian goods—and letting the companies know why—also helps show Canadian officials that the seal massacre is ruining Canada’s reputation. You can also help the seals by signing the petition in support of Senator Harb’s bill calling for an end to the seal slaughter and by clicking here each day to generate donations to save the seals from Care2 sponsors.
And if you watch the Olympics, please send good vibes to Hannah Teter. She’s a true champion for animals!
Read more: animal welfare, canada, hannah teter, olympics, seal slaughter
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Adam is extremely talented. One of the best voices I've heard in years. He totally deserves to be on…
Is that called kidnapping? May be extortion as well.
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Kudos to Hannah.
The seal slaughter has to be banned. I refuse to visit Canada until this abhorrent practice is abolished.
Seal slaughter is BARBARIC... these people are Sadistic...
KUDO'S TO HANNAH & CONGRATULATIONS TOO!
Protect the Seals!
(cont'd)
To write letters:
The Honourable Gail Shea
House of Commons
Minister of Fisheries and Oceans
Parliament Buildings, Wellington Street
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada K1A 0A6
Min@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
News updates on the seal hunting situation here in Canada. Hope someone blogs about this, too, cuz the fight is still ON!:
The GOOD news:
http://www.capebretonpost.com/index.cfm?sid=329896&sc=145
The not good news:
(fr. Animal Alliance's newsletter)
"The quota this year was set for over 2,000 pups. For the past few years, this hunt has gone largely undetected, overshadowed by the larger commercial hunt on the Gulf of St. Lawrence and then at "the Front", the east side of Newfoundland. [In spite of there being little ice this year for the seals to whelp (meaning a high mortality rate for pups), hunts in the Gulf and on the Front are set to go ahead.]
The EU ban on seal product imports will have a tremendous impact on this year's hunt. But our work is not yet finished. The Canadian government has yet to act in a progressive and humane way to resolve the complex issue of the hunt, for the seals and for the citizens of the east coast who eek out a living by risking their lives for a few dollars. We must continue to speak out on behalf of the seals.
Every year for the past three years, the quota for animals killed has increased. The quota for 2010 is set to be announced mid-March.
Please let the Minister know that it's time to end Canada's shameful commercial seal hunt. For more information, visit http://www.hsicanada.ca/wildlife/seals/seal_hunt_2010/ "
(cont'd)
I will not watch anything in Canada until the Seal slaughter stops!!!
Freya, I commented the same thing, that Canada's bad luck during these Olympics are justice for their actions of slaughtering baby seals, selling polar bear parts, and bear baiting for Queen Elizabeth's guardsmen's hats. There never seems to be an end for Canada's blatant attack on wildlife.
Great , lets keep on signing and protesting !
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