Let Obama Know All Downers Deserve Better
Every day in the U.S., pigs and other farm animals too sick, injured or weak to stand or walk on their own are being dragged, beaten, pushed with forklifts, or shocked with electric prods – anything, no matter how cruel – to get them onto slaughterhouse kill floors. Others are simply being cast aside and left to suffer for hours or days without food, water or veterinary care, and many will die from this neglect.

Called “downers,” these animals – many of whom are the unwitting victims of factory farm stresses and irresponsible transportation methods – endure horrors that are scarcely imaginable. It doesn’t have to be this way. Take Action

 

Help Give Animals A Voice In The White House
Protecting dogs from abuse at large-scale puppy mills. Enforcing the federal laws against animal fighting and inhumane slaughter. Defending the international ban on commercial whaling.

These are just some of the critical animal protection issues that depend on the active involvement of federal agencies -- in fact, there are 18 different agencies that oversee animal welfare! That’s why The Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society Legislative Fund are asking the Obama Administration to appoint an Animal Protection Liaison in the White House. 

HSUS needs your help to urge the White House to appoint a person in the Administration who would work with the executive agencies and Congress to advance animal protection policies. Please sign the petition to urge President Obama to appoint an Animal Protection Liaison.

HSUS has developed a change agenda for animals, which outlines 100 immediate steps the Obama Administration can take to help animals -- including millions of pets, farm animals, laboratory animals, and wildlife. With your help, they can ensure the Administration is addressing these critical animal protection issues in an ongoing and sustained way.

 

Ask Local Restaurant To Stop Lobster Cruelty Today!
Barney's Boathouse Bar & Grill in Tempe has a "Lobster Claw" machine.  These are similar to the game where you pay and use a crane to try to get a stuffed animal, however for this game, patrons are fishing for a live lobster.  Please write today and ask that they remove this machine immediately and replace it with one of the hundreds of non-cruelty games on the market.  More info in this article- http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/valleyfever/2009/07/lobster_claws_help_valley_bars.php

Barney’s Boathouse Bar & Grill
216 E. University Dr.
Tempe, AZ
480-967-7744

Macayo's Mexican Kitchen and Boston's Gourmet Pizza also had the cruel devices, but have since removed them (yeay!).

Announcing a new Meetup for The Humane Society of the United States in AZ!
Whether you are attending Humane Lobby Day on February 25th or not, you won't want to miss this great opportunity to get more involved for the animals!

You don't have to be a professional lobbyist to be a part of the legislative process. If you have the desire to help animals and a little time to learn the basics, you can be an effective voice for animals at the state capitol and on Capitol Hill.

We will walk you through the details of how bills become laws and how you can work with legislators to be an effective citizen lobbyist.

What: Lobby 101 - Chandler
When: Saturday, February 20, 2010 10:30 AM
Where:
Chandler Sunset Library
4930 W Ray Rd
Chandler, AZ 85226
480-782-2828

Learn more here:
http://www.meetup.com/hsus-az/calendar/12553008/

 

Please ask your State Senator to oppose these two dangerous bills in the Arizona Senate:

The “Covance” Bill

A bill was recently introduced in the Arizona Legislature on behalf of Covance Laboratories, Inc., a controversial contract research laboratory that built an animal testing facility in Chandler.  SB 1159 federally regulated research facility; animals(S. Pierce, S. Allen, Leff), would exempt animal research facilities from the state animal cruelty law.

As opposed to Arizona’s medical research facilities, Covance is a private lab that does animal testing for its clients. As the largest breeder of dogs and largest importer of primates for research in the United States, Covance’s clients include manufacturers of tobacco, toxic, hazardous and corrosive household products, and pesticides.  Covance and its predecessors have a poor record on animal welfare and other issues (including bringing Ebola into the US three times). In 2006 the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), which oversees animal research labs, cited Covance for serious violations of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) including physical abuse of monkeys. Covance entered into a settlement agreement and paid a fine for its citations. USDA rarely issues citations to research labs unless there are repeated, uncorrected or serious violations. Read the settlement agreement here.  Click here for the ADLA newsletter on Covance's Chandler facility. 

Now that Covance has moved into Arizona, it is attempting to use the legislative process to exempt itself from our state animal cruelty law.  We wonder why newcomer Covance is so concerned about animal cruelty violations that it is attempting to exempt itself from state law.   And why would the Arizona Legislature give up its right to enforce animal cruelty in order to benefit one facility, especially one that is unique in its clientele, history of violations, and large numbers of animals used?  Click here to view the Fox 10 News broadcast on this bill.

The Anti-Initiative Bill

A bill aimed at our public voting process is in the Arizona Senate. SCR 1033 repeal 1998 proposition 105 (R. Pearce) would repeal the Voters Protection Act which prevents the legislature from weakening or revoking citizens’ initiatives. If passed this bill would be referred to the 2010 ballot. 

Arizona’s public initiative process is the best tool we have for protecting animals and their habitat. Arizona’s animal protection community has a long history of successful grassroots citizen’s initiatives, including the 1994 ban on trapping and poisons on public lands, the 1998 ban on cockfighting, and the 2006 initiative which outlawed the cruel confinement of pigs and calves in industrialized livestock operations.  In 1998, not only did voters ban cockfighting but they passed Prop 105, a Constitutional amendment which forbids the Legislature from repealing initiatives passed by voters.

ADLA is a member group of The Voters of Arizona Coalition, which defeated a measure in 2008 that would have destroyed citizens’ ability to pass initiatives. That didn’t stop the Legislature’s continual attacks on citizens’ voting rights.  We like Sierra Club Chapter Director Sandy Bahr’s statement: "Despite the Legislature's assertions, the Voter Protection Act is not the problem with the budget, nor is it the solution to the budget."   

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Contact your Arizona State Senator and ask her/him to oppose SB 1159 (federally regulated research facility; animals), and SCR 1033 (repeal 1998 proposition 105). Be sure to mention that you are a constituent. 

To email your senators or find their direct phone numbers, click here. If you're outside the Phoenix area, you can call your legislators’ offices toll free at 1-800-352-8404.  In the Phoenix area call (602) 926-3559 and ask them to connect you with your senator.  If you’re not sure who your state senator is click here.

Please forward this alert to your contacts in Arizona, and let us know if you receive a response from your legislators on these bills. Email adla@adlaz.org

Pet Food Bank Almost Empty- Donate Today!
Animal Guardian Network's food bank has hit a critical low and demand is at an all time high. AGN's Feed in Need program provides approximately 2,500lbs of dry pet food and 660 cans of cat food each and every month.

Here is how you can help:
-Have a food drive a your office
-Donate a gift card to Costco
-Donate a bag of dog or cat food
-Donate canned cat food
-Visit local pet food stores and ask for their broken bags
-Forward this email to everyone you know

Please continue to support our efforts so that we may continue to provide for those in need who are counting on us.

Contact info and more information
Carrie Singer, President/Founder
ANIMAL GUARDIAN NETWORK
A 501(c)(3) organization providing a lifeline for animals in need and disadvantaged pet guardians.

 

Pita Jungle Adds Nutrition Menu-Includes Vegan Items
Check it out!

 

Dairy Cruelty Exposed on Dateline
Check out the recent undercover footage from inside the dairy industry.  Thanks to Mercy for Animals for the undercover investigation.  Be sure to send a quick thank you to ABC for airing this for all to see.

 

Sign Up Today For the 3rd Annual Humane Lobby Day At The Capital- Thursday, February 25th
More info and details-
http://action.humanesociety.org/site/Calendar/1325088624?view=Detail&id=101441

When: Thursday, February 25, 2010 9:00 AM

Where:
Arizona State Capitol
1700 W. Washington 2nd Floor conference room, Phoenix
Phoenix, AZ 85007

Don't miss this exciting opportunity!


 

Check Out The Recent Arizona Republic Article- Technology Aims To Replace Animal Testing
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2010/01/13/20100113animaltesting.html

 

Join Us For Vegan Voices- Saturday, 2/6
Join AZVegan at Green Vegetarian Restaurant on Saturday, 2/6 for our monthly Vegan Voices letter-writing. This month, Lori Girshick will be our guest host! This month will address veal and foie gras and we will be writing letters to local businesses and Letters to the Editor to inform them of the cruelty of veal and foie gras production and ask them to discontinue its use and encourage others to do the same.

Saturday, 2/6
11:30am-1pm
Green Vegetarian Restaurant
http://www.greenvegetarian.com/location.htm

Please RSVP so we can save you a seat! Watch for Lori at Green. She will have letter writing materials and pamphlets available.

 

Sprinkles In Scottsdale Carrying Vegan Cupcakes!
Their store by Scottsdale Fashion Square is carrying vegan cupcakes that are outstanding!  Check them out today at

Sprinkles Scottsdale
4501 North Scottsdale Road
Scottsdale, Arizona 85251
480) 970-4321

 

Take A Few Minutes To Provide A User Review Of Green Vegetarian Restaurant      
Do you love Green as much as we do?  Take a couple minutes to provide a review so others will check it out.

 

Vegan Cookies At Starbucks!
Enjoy yummy vegan cookies with your soy latte...check it out!   Be sure to thank your local Starbucks carrying vegan products...and encourage them to carry more!