|
January 2010
Pigs in a Bag Paws Down! To GBK Productions for filling gift bags with certificates for free micro-pigs. Stars attending the Golden Globe Awards ceremony found more than the usual swag in their gift bags, they found a gift certificate for a free micro-pig, also known as a teacup pig. According to news sources “[GBK Productions]…gave vouchers to each star that could be redeemed for a free baby pig. They even had a real teacup pig at the gift lounge so celebrities could get a firsthand experience playing with the cute little animal.” Those who cash in their certificates will eventually find their teacup pig weighing in at 150 to 300 pounds. As with any celebrity animal craze, the pigs will suffer. Once the fad has passed its peak, the pigs will be forgotten as the stars go on to the next “in” animal. Chihuahuas, once all the rage, are now being flown out of California to find homes because so many have been dumped at animal shelters in that state. Take Action: Please write a polite letter to the president of GBK Productions recommending he immediately take back all the certificates for free micro-pigs and substitute something more humane, such as a free subscription to a vegetarian magazine. Gavin B. Keilly, President
GBK Productions
Official Celebrity Gift Bags LLC
7815 Beverly Blvd, 3rd Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Telephone: 323-933-9989 Fax: 323-933-9989 Sources: www.care2.com/causes/animal-welfare/blog/live-animals-part-of-golden-globe-awards-gift-bags/ current.com/items/91927160_golden-globe-awards-tiny-pigs-part-of-2010-gift-bag.htm # Victory for Cats Paws Up! To the prosecutor and judge in the case against Lin Marie, a cat hoarder in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. Judge Jill A. Rangos ordered Lin Marie, owner of Tiger Ranch, to serve 2 years house arrest and 27 years probation during which time she can have no contact with animals. Judge Rangos also sentenced Marie to undergo a mental health evaluation and counseling and to make $200,000 in restitution to cover costs associated with the care of the live animals taken from Tiger Ranch. Judge Rangos noted that by not sending Marie to jail, she can continue to work to make restitution rather than be a drain on tax dollars if she were to sit in jail. However, if Marie violates the terms of her sentence, Judge Rangos said she will not hesitate to send her to jail. According to news sources, “Assistant District Attorney Deborah Jugan laid out…in very minute detail, the number of cats—both alive and dead—found on the [Tiger Ranch] property and their medical conditions. “According to Ms. Marie's own records, the prosecutor said, there should have been 7,819 cats on the property that she had taken in. Instead, they recovered 391 live cats and 106 that were dead and stored in freezers. Of the live cats, 300 of them were malnourished, and 294 had some form of upper respiratory infection.” “You couldn't walk on Tiger Ranch without stepping on cat bones," Jugan said. Animal hoarding is often a symptom of serious mental illness. Unless animal hoarders seek mental health intervention, they will return to hoarding. Animals of hoarders suffer for long periods of time before they die or are rescued. Some hoarders acquire animals from the unsuspecting public. If you need to rehome your companion animal, avoid advertising “free to good home” as anyone who answers such an ad might not be the most suitable candidate for your companion. Take Action: Pennsylvania residents, please send notes to Assistant District Attorney Jugan and Judge Rangos expressing your gratitude for their services in putting one animal hoarder out of business. Residents in other states, please take the time to contact your legislators to push for laws that protect animals and to create harsh penalties for those who violate them. The Honorable Jill A. Rangos Room 533 Courthouse 436 Grant Street Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Telephone: 412-350-4346 Assistant District Attorney Deborah Jugan 4th Floor Courthouse 436 Grant Street Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Telephone: 412-350-4400 Email: feedback@alleghenycourts.us Source: http://pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/pittsburgh/s_661432.html
www.philly.com/philly/blogs/pets/Tiger_Ranch_operator_ sentenced_to_27_years_probation_for_cruelty.html # Saving Lives Paws Up! To Overstock.com, Inc. for no longer selling products made from the skins of exotic animals. According to news sources, “The Salt Lake City-based Internet retailer announced…that it pulled listings involving items with alligator, lizard, ostrich, stingray, eel, shark and kangaroo skin from its Web site.” The news article went on to say, “The move follows Overstock's boycott of fur and ivory goods.” Wild and exotic animals are often hunted to near extinction for their fur, skin, and other body parts. The trade in exotic animals is a multi-billion dollar business that operates without a thought for the living, breathing, sentient beings who are robbed of their natural lives. Take Action: Please write a letter thanking this online retailer for saving the lives of thousands of animals by making this decision. Patrick Byrne, CEO Overstock.com, Inc. 6350 South 3000 East
Salt Lake City, UT 84121
Telephone: 801-947-3100 Source: www.animalconcerns.org/external.html?www=http%3A//www.wtop.com/%3Fnid%3D111%26sid%3D1855363&itemid=201001050031200.775257 www.techrockies.com/story/0026001.html # |
