Saturday October 31, 2009, 7:43 am


The most recent episode of ABC's Desperate Housewives, which aired on Sunday, October 25, featured a young chimpanzee "actor" wearing clothing and exhibiting a fear grimace. This expression, which looks like a human smile, is a sign of the abusive, fear-based training methods that Hollywood animal trainers use to force great apes to perform.

Undercover investigations of trainers have revealed that chimpanzees are kicked, punched, and beaten with sticks to break their spirits and show them "who's boss." These highly intelligent, social animals are forcibly removed from their mothers when only days old, resulting in lifelong emotional scars. Although they can live to be 60 years old, they are discarded at around 8 years of age when they become too strong to be safely handled. PETA has found former "celebrity" apes dumped at roadside zoos and living in squalor. Many animal exhibitors that supply great apes for the entertainment industry have a history of serious Animal Welfare Act violations.

Earlier this month, after learning about the abuse that "performing" great apes endure behind the scenes, Dancing With the Stars canceled the appearance of a chimpanzee on an episode of the show that was scheduled to air that very night. After meeting with PETA to discuss the ethical implications of using chimpanzees for entertainment, many top advertising agencies and companies have pledged not to use great apes in future productions.

The executive producer of Desperate Housewives needs to hear from compassionate viewers like you today. Please call or write to Marc Cherry and urge him to pledge not to feature great apes in any future episodes of the show:

Marc Cherry
Executive Producer
Desperate Housewives
ABC Studios
500 S. Buena Vista St.
Burbank, CA 91521
818-733-3773
818-733-2984 (fax)

Saturday October 31, 2009, 8:27 am
Action taken, thank-you Cher.

Saturday October 31, 2009, 11:41 am
Thanks Cher for this address...Will print out, this is just way to obscene to think about...where are the people that look out for these special creatures???

Will write letter and forward!!!

Saturday October 31, 2009, 11:43 am


Thnx Annie and Marilyn!!!!!

Saturday October 31, 2009, 1:01 pm
Guess they are desperate for ratings....I cannot stand this show...all it is about is cheating women and men....

Big gorilly Hugs

Saturday October 31, 2009, 1:38 pm
done

Saturday October 31, 2009, 8:40 pm
Thanks Cher

Sunday November 1, 2009, 11:51 am
Thanks for enlightening us... this is absolutely dreadful, I thought that most of this sort of abuse had stopped but obviously I was wrong, how I hate any form of capture for any wild animal. They should be allowed to live out their natural lives in their own habitats not conform to our viewer ratings. Disgusting behaviour. Why don't we do the same to these so called human beings. I am sorry they have to go that far to get their ratings. But at least you have pointed this out to us. Thanks so much Cher

Sunday November 1, 2009, 1:05 pm
Done deal.
I grimaced myself when I saw that little guy. I was very very disappointed in one of my favorite shows after seeing this. I'll boycott the show until I hear a response to the petition letters. (and NO I won't record any missed episodes! :) ) The welfare of the animal is far more important than my weekly Sunday night entertainment. I can read a book & learn something instead!

Sunday November 1, 2009, 3:04 pm
These are our fellow creatures not our property to be abused and disposed of. They deserve better from us.

Sunday November 1, 2009, 8:05 pm
It is a dreadful show and don't watch it! These lovely creatures should not be abused or neglected in anyway! Thanks for sharing Cher!

Sunday November 1, 2009, 9:34 pm
Thanks for the info Cher ! And thank you too, PETA :) The letter will be in the mail tomorrow !

Monday November 2, 2009, 2:21 am
Noted. Thanks Cher.

Monday November 2, 2009, 2:34 am
I don't watch nor care about the show, but now that they have used an innocent animal that does not belong to showbiz but in the wild, they tick me off. The animal did not deserve such fright and trauma. No animal deserves that. I don't care about the show or the actors or their wealth, but they should get the chimpanzee to an animal sanctuary. It does not belong in front of the cameras and its companions must not be humans who care only to make a profit. Chimps die from these stupid show ups on tv.
Thanks for the news.

Monday November 2, 2009, 4:19 am
I am dismayed that with all the knowledge that we have released regarding the situation of animal abuse that this occured. I am sure that the actors had no prior knowledge of what was planned. I cannot image that they are so ignorant as to allow this if they knew in advance. I have and will continue to sign all petitions against animal abuse, especially for so called entertainment.