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Two months ago an acquaintance
forwarded me an e-mail from PETA asking me to sign an online petition
stopping NIKE from selling accused dog-fighting promoter, Michael
Vic's, product line. I did it gladly and much to my surprise
doing so only took about 1 minute of my time. About a week
later I got a second e-mail from PETA confirming that NIKE did comply, they
suspended his contract as did Reebok who stated the allegations "too
disturbing to ignore". I felt the outcome to be an extremely
rewarding one and
looked into what else I could do to help. I have been on their e-mailing
list ever since.
After learning a little more, I
felt an unrelenting urge to help on a mass level but didn't know how... two
weeks ago I had an epiphany for an animal abuse
hotline. There are some out there but I didn't know about them, and
wasn't sure the average adult or child knew either. My vision
led me to secure 877-fuzz-aid- a number that can be easily remembered by
all. It is not yet active but it is in the works.
Then last week I attended a
meeting on Globalization, Animal Rights and the Environment. I
learned about free trade agreements, the negative impact on animals and the
difficulty in changing and enforcing humane conditions for them. I
also learned that I could help simply by sending a letter... This is the
point I want to make, activism can mean many things to varying
degrees. A month ago I didn't realize that little things I did could
have a huge impact and feel if others, like you, knew more you would do
more too. My goal is to direct you to sites that enlightened me and truly
changed the way I view the world and live my life.
I now think about the kind of eggs
I'm buying, the leather shoes in my closet, the excess to which I never
thought mattered...it does. Although I am now a vegetarian convert, I'm not saying don't ever eat meat, I know that would be
unreasonable for most of you. All I'm trying to convey is to consider cutting down,
if the demand lessened so would the supply. Additionally
before you run out and buy another pair of leather shoes or suede handbag
or fur-trimmed jacket just stop for a moment... "Do you really need
that?".
Simply put, please, "THINK BEFORE YOU BUY!"
The key is to cut down to make the industry more
manageable and to be able to demand and enforce humane conditions for
these animals who are bred strictly for our use and consumption, it's the least we
could do. And while I do promote and believe in moderation in
general, I am profusely adamant about NOT
BUYING FUR, there is absolutely NO
REGULATION in the FUR TRADE INDUSTRY
resulting in intolerable suffering
where animals are electrocuted and skinned
alive.
It doesn't have to be this way...
As I said, I'm working on
establishing an animal abuse hotline for all types of animals from pets
and livestock to marine and wildlife. They all need our help so in
the meantime please call your local police precinct and/or aspca to report
any animal wrongdoing.
Here are some ways you can help. |