Animal Freedom Day – Sign Up

Jun 292010
 
Dear Animal Lover;
My name is Nadia Masoudi and I am 18 years old.
I am an animal rights activist and filmmaker of the documentary ‘Don’t Eat Me’. I am currently organizing a worldwide event called Animal Freedom Day, which takes place on July 24th 2010.
Thus far the film has received support and participation from individuals such as Pamela Anderson, Woody Harrelson, Weird Al, Moby, K-OS, Corey Feldman, Nigel Barker, award-winning authors and many others from around the world.
There are also many organizations involved with the film, including; Humane Society of the United States, PETA, Compassion in World Farming, Viva! UK, The Vegetarian Society, Compassion Over Killing, etc. In addition, many international musicians are taking part.
Animal Freedom Day is an event that takes place which aims to creatively tackle the ongoing topic of animal rights. It is a day in which people from all walks of life cease to consume animals or animal by-products. Our goal is to create awareness and put an end to the slaughtering of animals, animal abuse and create an alternative food source.
Animal Freedom Day is a multi-venue music festival that will be streamed live online for the world to see. It will feature many performances from independent music artists to legendary music icons. Many high profile celebrities, environmentalists, politicians and several others from around the world will take part and have their voice heard to free the animals.
(<<http://www.animalfreedomday.com>>)
Animal Freedom Day was initiated due to ‘Don’t Eat Me’ (<<http://www.donteatme.ca>>). The concept behind Animal Freedom Day is to bring the world together to free the animals from the abuse they are currently being subjected to on a daily basis. Such an event would also allow the film to capture a truly epic and climatic moment, as the world unites to free the animals once and for all.
Although this event is international, the headquarters for Animal Freedom Day will be held in Burlington, Ontario, Canada at the Burlington Jazz & Blues Festival (a vegetarian music festival). We also encourage you to use our event registration to host your own online event. By doing so this would help to spread the word about your belief, cause and contribution for the animals.
I would be so thrilled and grateful for your support and/or sponsorship of Animal Freedom Day by signing up online and taking the Veg Pledge. Please let all of your friends, family, co-workers and social networks know about this day and our cause.
I believe that together we can unite and help spread awareness for animal rights.
On July 24th please refrain from eating or using any animal products or animal bi-products. Watch us online and join in. Take the Veg Pledge, sign up and spread the word.
For more information on Animal Freedom Day please visit <<http://www.animalfreedomday.com>>
Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you.
Best,
Nadia Masoudi
Filmmaker/Activist
(905) 540-3804 ext: 470
Direct E-mail: nadia@animalfreedomday.com
www.donteatme.ca
www.animalfreedomday.com

Dear Animal Lover;

My name is Nadia Masoudi and I am 18 years old.

I am an animal rights activist and filmmaker of the documentary ‘Don’t Eat Me’. I am currently organizing a worldwide event called Animal Freedom Day, which takes place on July 24th 2010.

Thus far the film has received support and participation from individuals such as Pamela Anderson, Woody Harrelson, Weird Al, Moby, K-OS, Corey Feldman, Nigel Barker, award-winning authors and many others from around the world.

There are also many organizations involved with the film, including; Humane Society of the United States, PETA, Compassion in World Farming, Viva! UK, The Vegetarian Society, Compassion Over Killing, etc. In addition, many international musicians are taking part.

Animal Freedom Day is an event that takes place which aims to creatively tackle the ongoing topic of animal rights. It is a day in which people from all walks of life cease to consume animals or animal by-products. Our goal is to create awareness and put an end to the slaughtering of animals, animal abuse and create an alternative food source.

Animal Freedom Day is a multi-venue music festival that will be streamed live online for the world to see. It will feature many performances from independent music artists to legendary music icons. Many high profile celebrities, environmentalists, politicians and several others from around the world will take part and have their voice heard to free the animals.

Animal Freedom Day

Animal Freedom Day was initiated due to ‘Don’t Eat Me’. (Don’t Eat me website) The concept behind Animal Freedom Day is to bring the world together to free the animals from the abuse they are currently being subjected to on a daily basis. Such an event would also allow the film to capture a truly epic and climatic moment, as the world unites to free the animals once and for all.

Although this event is international, the headquarters for Animal Freedom Day will be held in Burlington, Ontario, Canada at the Burlington Jazz & Blues Festival (a vegetarian music festival). We also encourage you to use our event registration to host your own online event. By doing so this would help to spread the word about your belief, cause and contribution for the animals.

I would be so thrilled and grateful for your support and/or sponsorship of Animal Freedom Day by signing up online and taking the Veg Pledge. Please let all of your friends, family, co-workers and social networks know about this day and our cause.

I believe that together we can unite and help spread awareness for animal rights.

On July 24th please refrain from eating or using any animal products or animal bi-products. Watch us online and join in. Take the Veg Pledge, sign up and spread the word.

For more information on Animal Freedom Day please visit the Animal Freedom Day website

Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you.

Best,

Nadia Masoudi

Filmmaker/Activist

(905) 540-3804 ext: 470

Direct E-mail: nadia@animalfreedomday.com

www.donteatme.ca

www.animalfreedomday.com

Documents Reveal NZ Pork Defiant

Jun 212010
 

20 June 2010

The pork industry has again come under scrutiny after documents released under the Official Information Act reveal the industry will not accept a ban on pig crates and wants to confine pregnant sows in crates for half their lives.

National animal advocacy organisation SAFE says the New Zealand Pork Industry Board (NZ Pork) just won’t compromise, despite overwhelming public opposition to sow crates. SAFE is also highly critical of NZ Pork’s new consumer labelling campaign that is likely to deceive the New Zealand public.

“SAFE is appalled that NZ Pork continues to oppose a ban on cruel confinement systems. NZ Pork continues to lobby to be permitted to keep sows in crates for eleven consecutive weeks during each pregnancy cycle. If the government accepts this position, nearly half a sow’s life will be spent inside a cruel crate. This is totally unacceptable and in breach of the Animal Welfare Act,” says Hans Kriek, campaign director of SAFE.

In recent developments in Australia Rivalea, the country’s largest pork producer, has stated it will cease using sow stalls for all of its 45,000 sows (more than all the sows in New Zealand) by 2017. Last week Tasmania announced a ban on sow stalls, also by 2017. This was followed by the Australian Pork industry initiating industry-wide consultation about a nationwide voluntary ban on sow stalls.

“Instead of banning sow crates to significantly improve pig welfare, NZ Pork is about to release what can only be described as a dubious marketing gimmick in an attempt to convince consumers the pig industry is ‘welfare-friendly’,” says Mr Kriek.

SAFE says NZ Pork will soon announce a new scheme that will label pig products as ‘100% New Zealand Welfare Approved’.

“This labelling scheme does not guarantee pig welfare at all, as farms with sow and farrowing crates will qualify to use the label. This misleading label will continue to keep consumers in the dark as to what production methods have been used and is nothing but a deceitful ploy to increase sales,” says Mr Kriek.

SAFE calls on consumers to continue to boycott factory-farmed pork as the industry is demonstrating it cannot be trusted.

For more information contact Hans Kriek: 027 446 2711.

Newly obtained undercover video footage, supplied to SAFE by Open Rescue, reveals that no improvements have been made on pig farms. The footage shows depressed pigs, severely undernourished sows, excessive bar biting and dead or dying piglets. Footage is available on request.

Urgent Homes needed for Dogs – Can you help?

Jun 212010
 

Linda from Animal Re-homing does wonderful work with animals. As well as these dogs, there are cats (including a Russian Blue), a rooster and a mini-lop eared rabbit called Cosmo who all need new homes. Can you help?

Animal Rehoming Adoption

URGENT: HALFPINT & RASTA NEED A LOVING HOME…TOGETHER OR SEPARATELY

When his father was on his deathbed his son, Wil, promised him that he would take care of his three dogs for him after his passing. Wil has been managing this lovely trio in his suburban flat, but the landlord told him from the outset that they all have to go. In desperation Wil contacted me and has been searching for alternate accommodation. He is moving into a new flat next week where the landlord is allowing him to keep one dog only. That leaves senior dogs, Rasta and Halfpint, facing an untimely lethal injection and Wil distraught at the thought…

Both dogs are toilet trained and have been accustomed to an optional indoor & outdoor lifestyle, where they sleep in the house at night; and this must be allowed to continue in their new home(s). They are both deserving of a loving caregiver’s time and affection and a happy retirement. If you have a securely fenced and gated property and can open your heart to one or both of these dogs for the rest of their lives, I very much look forward to hearing from you.

Thank you.

Linda (Animal Rehoming)

HALFPINT

HALFPINT is a 27kg, ex-SPCA, 9-year-old Boxer X Rottweiler – although neither breed is particularly obvious in his appearance. Wil describes him as a red sable boy with big Scooby-doo type features. Halfpint is alert and athletic, and is neutered, registered, vaccinated and worm & flea treated. He has always kept excellent health and has been recently vet checked. He is an exceptionally friendly dog who gets along with other canines and all humans.

To quote Wil, “You just have to look at his picture…what you see is what he’s like…a big lovable goof, who’s so much fun and loves to chew on a treat”.

RASTA

RASTA is an 18kg, ex-SPCA, 11-year-old Labrador X Whippet with a coat of almost white hair. Lumps & bumps and a slight limp aside, he is in good physical shape. He is the alpha dog in the trio and will not put up with his buddies stealing food from his bowl – otherwise he enjoys the company of other canines. Due to his age it would be best if he is not able to be harassed by small children. He is also neutered, etc.

Wil says, “Don’t let the age scare you away…he’s an extremely obedient and loyal dog who just needs boundaries and time to garner a relationship…he is very happy and active and still runs around the back yard and handles a long walk, although not as fast as he once was…he loves attention and actually smiles and wags his tail ridiculously…”.

XANDER WOULD PREFER COMPANY MOST OF THE DAY PLEASE

When I visited little Xander and Carolyn at their West Auckland home, the love between them was undeniable. Before she was confined to a wheelchair, Carolyn rescued him as a pup from death row at a dog pound. That was 8 years ago and he has been her beloved companion ever since. Because she lives alone, Carolyn is finding it increasingly difficult to care for Xander, to stop him from running off when she needs to treat his skin and she feels sad that he isn’t having the walks he so enjoys. With a heavy heart she has asked me to find him a home where he will be absolutely cherished, walked and played with every day and where the new caregiver will be dedicated to helping him with his skin allergies.

Weighing in at just 10kg, this Fox Terrier X needs a home where he will again have company most of the time. Standing at about knee height, Xander is a lively and interested little fellow who likes to play and endearingly stand on his hind legs to beg for treats. He is predominantly black with a white flash down his chest and over his paws. As he approaches his senior years, the grey hair is cutely appearing around his muzzle and eyebrows. Xander is neutered, registered, vaccinated, micro-chipped, worm and flea treated. He was once bitten by a dog and has a pin in his back right leg. When I took him for a walk, there was no sign of any discomfort and when I broke into a run, Xander was very happy to playfully increase the pace. He walks well on a leash and, in my opinion, is just a dear little fellow. Xander has lived with two cats and is very sociable with other dogs.

In Carolyn’s words, Xander is
“…very intelligent with a gentle, affectionate nature. He will jump up on to a lap for cuddles and enjoys exercise. He needs someone who is either at home a lot or able to take him to work. Also someone who is physically fit and able to exercise him regularly or has someone who can. His new caregivers must be happy to let him come inside and sleep indoors at night. He would be good with gentle children or another dog. Basically, he is a sociable dog who would enjoy the company of anyone who loves animals..”.

If you have a fenced and gated property which is at least 2 metres high, if you are home most of the time and if you are able walk Xander and make him the centre of your universe, then I very much look forward to your application. Thank you.

Pork Labelling Deceptive

Jun 082010
 

New Zealand Pork’s new initiative to introduce a ‘100% New Zealand Welfare Approved Pork’ label is designed to increase sales, not animal welfare, says SAFE campaign director Hans Kriek.

trollyAfter last year’s Mike King expose of cruel factory pig farming, NZ Pork, with its back against the wall, promised to label its products according to production methods and carry out compulsory animal welfare audits of its farms.

“Both promises turn out to be complete rubbish,” says Hans. “The so called ‘animal welfare’ audits are simply a ploy to allow farmers to use the ‘100% Welfare Approved Pork’ label. Farms will be audited against the current pig welfare code – the very code that allows the cruel use of sow crates and fattening pens. This means that all farms that abide by this code will pass the audit and will be allowed to call their products 100% welfare approved! Needless to say that the industry has broken its promise to label according to production method, so consumers will still be kept in the dark as to whether sow stall, farrowing crates or fattening pens were used or not.”

Sadly the SPCA has provided input in the development of this nonsensical audit. SPCA chief executive Robyn Kippenberger said the agency opposed the use of stalls and crates.

“By sitting at the table, we may not get the sows out of stalls faster, but at least they will be better looked after while they are there,” Kippenberger said.

However SAFE feel this position is disappointing and will result in consumers being mislead over deceptive labelling.

“I believe the SPCA’s involvement is disappointing and alarming. There is no doubt that NZ Pork will use the good name of the SPCA to promote its label, and this may see many people unwittingly buying factory farmed pork believing that it is SPCA approved,” says Hans.

The true colours of NZ Pork were revealed when SAFE obtained a copy of their submission to the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee under the Official Information Act. In their submission, NZ Pork calls on NAWAC to allow the ongoing use of sow stalls for five weeks, and farrowing crates for six weeks per pregnancy cycle.

“This means that sows would be confined to a crate for at least half their lives – a clear breach of the Animal Welfare Act,” says Hans.

The stubborn insistence of NZ Pork to keep its cruel sow stalls is in strong contrast to developments taking place in the Australian pig industry. Rivalea, Australia’s largest pork producer, is phasing out the use of sow stalls for its 45,000 sows (as many sows as the whole New Zealand industry combined) by 2017.

Rivalea managing director, Paul Pattison, said the expensive move was based on commercial reasoning. “There is no point trying to defend a production system which, in the eyes of the consumer, is indefensible.”

“Rivalea makes a mockery of NZ Pork’s claims that New Zealand pigs enjoy better welfare than their Australian counterparts,” says Hans. “By refusing to move with the times, the New Zealand pig industry will be the maker if its own demise.”

Read more here

Catcha Cray Prevails!

Jun 082010
 

Just when you thought good sense had prevailed, the controversial Catcha Cray arcade style game with live crayfish is back – but modified! SAFE was delighted to announce in February that the arcade-style machine called Catcha Cray, that treated live animals like stuffed toys, had been banned following an intense SAFE campaign.

catcha cray protest

“The machines used a metal claw to subject the crayfish to undue stress, torment and injury, with the catching and handling process sometimes resulting in limbs being torn off or damaged. Most New Zealander’s were disgusted that such a thing was allowed,” says SAFE campaign officer Mandy Carter.

A SAFE demonstration, which attracted huge media exposure and an intervention by the SPCA deeming the machines illegal under the Animal Welfare Act, resulted in bars with Catcha Cray machines being ordered to discontinue using them.

Game modified and sadly back!
However, the game has since been modified by dividing the tank in half with perspex. One side contains live crayfish, while the other side contains plastic ones. Punters will attempt to ‘catch’ from the side with plastic crayfish, and be rewarded with a live crayfish if they succeed.

“We are disappointed to learn that Catcha Cray machines will be appearing in bars again. Although the crayfish will no longer be cruelly tormented with a metal claw, SAFE still has concerns, as the cramped conditions and noisy bars are not appropriate places for animals. A caught crayfish amongst a crowd of drunken revellers is also of serious concern as they are at great risk of abuse. There is also the issue of how the crays are being killed once they have been taken home,” says Mandy.

SAFE would advise any bars approached to house a Catcha Cray machine, to consider carefully whether they wish to be associated with these machines. SAFE also encourages people who see one at a bar to not to use them, and to register a complaint with bar staff.

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