The photos are cute: bright-eyed, smiling children embracing doe-eyed, happy animals. Some of the animals even have digitally added gift tags around their necks for that extra special holiday cheer! For $45-500 US dollars, you can put money into a general fund of an organization who may or may not take a perfectly intelligent, emotional animal, ship them thousands of miles by boat to a poor family in a far off land who will raise and slaughter them. Charming.
Here's why not to support animal donation programs like OxFam's, Heifer International's, or MercyCorps'. This is not a complete list, of course.
If you are an animal lover: Farm animals are smart. They are emotional. All can suffer, experience pain and know joy. Why take a nice, happy-go-lucky goat, stick her on a boat for a thousand mile treacherous trip to where she may not be fed properly and will definitely have her throat slit? Besides, it should just really offend your sensibilities when these animals are referred to as "products" and then portrayed as cheerful participants in their own subjugation and death. It should at least creep you out.
If you care about people: Asia and Africa have the highest levels of lactose intolerance, with upwards of 90% being unable to properly digest milk. In Zambia, nearly 100% of the population is lactose intolerant. Yet Heifer International has several dairy cattle projects in Zambia. Sending dairy cows to areas with a mostly lactose intolerant population is mind-boggling, really.
If you like the environment: Farm animals are resource freaks. They drink a lot (one of our pigs will drink 5 gallons a day, one of our cows around 25 gallons). They eat a lot (our two cows could probably munch through a bale of hay a day). Goats especially are known destroyers of land and creators of deserts. Some of these people have enough problems with deserts, they don't need more. Since these recipients are already living on such limited resources, why add another resource-guzzling burden in the form of livestock?
If you like fine print: Read the fine print of these organizations. Your money isn't going to buy an animal. It's going to go in a general fund. While this may be common practice to avoid litigation, it is definitely misleading. If you care about that sort of thing, anyways.
Fine Print: OxFam, Heifer International has two fine print answers (Yes, your money goes into a specific fund, and No, it doesn't -scroll down to the tiny print), MercyCorps (at the bottom in barely readable font color)
Instead of donating an animal to an impoverished family in another country, why not check out these alternatives? These organizations are working to reduce human suffering through programs that are sustainable and animal friendly.
Sustainable Harvest International
Food for Life
Trees for Life
The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation
Women's Bean Project
Change the world
Change.org is a social networking tool aimed at creating change in the world. Every action moving toward the goal of reducing suffering is a positive one.
Support us in working to reduce the pain and misery the billions of farmed animals and all other animals endure at the hands of humans. We are their only hope.
Support us in working to reduce the pain and misery the billions of farmed animals and all other animals endure at the hands of humans. We are their only hope.
This text is replaced by the Flash movie.
Piglet Makeover
Once upon a time there was a freshly groomed piglet named Hazel.
And then she was not (freshly groomed, that is).
Ah, the joys of mud baths (according to Hazel, they are real joyful).
Hazel can now enjoy the simple things, like rooting in the grass and belly rubs. This wasn't always so. A few months ago, she was confiscated as part of a cruelty case because she wasn't being fed. You could see her ribs and hip bones. She had an inner ear infection and mange. She was a mess. We're grateful to have her with us - she brightens our days with her playful antics!
And then she was not (freshly groomed, that is).
Ah, the joys of mud baths (according to Hazel, they are real joyful).
Hazel can now enjoy the simple things, like rooting in the grass and belly rubs. This wasn't always so. A few months ago, she was confiscated as part of a cruelty case because she wasn't being fed. You could see her ribs and hip bones. She had an inner ear infection and mange. She was a mess. We're grateful to have her with us - she brightens our days with her playful antics!
Calendar Contest Winners
Contests are fun, but we always like it when everyone wins. Nearly 40 submissions were entered into our first annual Barnyard Pals calendar contest. We selected three winners and made all other entries available for purchase with no mark-up at our cafepress store.
Here are the first, second and third place winners! Congrats and thanks to everyone who participated.
First Place: Peaches, the handsome sheep.
Second Place: Jena, the adorable bunny
Third Place: Rusty, the pretty hen
Here are the first, second and third place winners! Congrats and thanks to everyone who participated.
First Place: Peaches, the handsome sheep.
Second Place: Jena, the adorable bunny
Third Place: Rusty, the pretty hen
A will to live
Caring for farmed animals has its ups and downs. One of our pigs, Isabelle, is a shining example of both! Isabelle is a "production" pig, bred to gain weight in a short amount of time for slaughter at six months.
Because of their size, when they fall down or injure their back or hips, euthanasia is often the only option. Unlike dogs and cats or smaller farmed animals, we can't just pick up a 700-lb pig and carry her to the vet. When they go down, it's often for good.
Several weeks ago, Isabelle slipped in the mud and injured the muscles and nerves in her lower back. We put up a shelter around her and called the vet. The initial prognosis was not good, the vet suggested we consider euthanasia if she didn't show signs of improvement after a few days.
Sometimes, you just know when an animal is ready. A look, their behavior, or such clear distress the answer is simple. With Isabelle, this wasn't the case - she was alert, eating, drinking, talking to us and the other pigs...she looked like she wanted to live. We called another vet, desperate for another answer.
The vet came out and suggested electro-acupuncture. It was a last resort and if it didn't work, nothing would. We thought, why not? Euthanasia is always a final option. Since Isabelle wasn't suffering, wasn't in pain, and was acting like Isabelle, we gave it a go.
Not much changed after the first treatment. Our hopes were dimming. Isabelle wasn't giving up, though, so we agreed to do one last treatment as a last ditch effort. The vet was kind enough to provide the service for free, knowing it was an unlikely victory.
Two days after the second treatment, Isabelle boosted our hopes by getting up and walking! She walked a good hundred feet to our center pasture full of fresh grass. After a few nibbles, she collapsed from the effort. We again moved shelter to her and arranged for another treatment. By this point, Isabelle was showing signs that she could feel the acupuncture...and get grumpy about it! That she was showing signs of discomfort was good, it meant she had regained some feeling!
Finally, Isabelle was able to walk all the way up to a stall in the barn and there she's remained. She's showing gradual signs of improvement and is tentatively walking around. We don't know if she will fully recover, and we know the final option may still be inevitable. But we aren't giving up hope, because Isabelle has shown us that she has a powerful will to live.
We'll keep you updated.
-Marji Beach, Program Coordinator
Because of their size, when they fall down or injure their back or hips, euthanasia is often the only option. Unlike dogs and cats or smaller farmed animals, we can't just pick up a 700-lb pig and carry her to the vet. When they go down, it's often for good.
Several weeks ago, Isabelle slipped in the mud and injured the muscles and nerves in her lower back. We put up a shelter around her and called the vet. The initial prognosis was not good, the vet suggested we consider euthanasia if she didn't show signs of improvement after a few days.
Sometimes, you just know when an animal is ready. A look, their behavior, or such clear distress the answer is simple. With Isabelle, this wasn't the case - she was alert, eating, drinking, talking to us and the other pigs...she looked like she wanted to live. We called another vet, desperate for another answer.
The vet came out and suggested electro-acupuncture. It was a last resort and if it didn't work, nothing would. We thought, why not? Euthanasia is always a final option. Since Isabelle wasn't suffering, wasn't in pain, and was acting like Isabelle, we gave it a go.
Not much changed after the first treatment. Our hopes were dimming. Isabelle wasn't giving up, though, so we agreed to do one last treatment as a last ditch effort. The vet was kind enough to provide the service for free, knowing it was an unlikely victory.
Two days after the second treatment, Isabelle boosted our hopes by getting up and walking! She walked a good hundred feet to our center pasture full of fresh grass. After a few nibbles, she collapsed from the effort. We again moved shelter to her and arranged for another treatment. By this point, Isabelle was showing signs that she could feel the acupuncture...and get grumpy about it! That she was showing signs of discomfort was good, it meant she had regained some feeling!
Finally, Isabelle was able to walk all the way up to a stall in the barn and there she's remained. She's showing gradual signs of improvement and is tentatively walking around. We don't know if she will fully recover, and we know the final option may still be inevitable. But we aren't giving up hope, because Isabelle has shown us that she has a powerful will to live.
We'll keep you updated.
-Marji Beach, Program Coordinator
Signature gathering in California
We are part of a growing group of Californians who want to see changes made in the way farm animals are confined. Californians for Humane Farms is collecting 650,000 signatures to get on next November's ballot. The initiative would require veal calves, breeding sows and egg-laying hens have enough room to stretch their limbs and turn around. It's as simple as it gets.
If you are in California, please join us in this historic effort!
Volunteer - if you can gather signatures or help with data entry, fill out the form!
Endorse - if you know a vet, farm, business or animal protection group who would endorse this campaign, have them fill out a form.
If you are in California, please join us in this historic effort!
Volunteer - if you can gather signatures or help with data entry, fill out the form!
Endorse - if you know a vet, farm, business or animal protection group who would endorse this campaign, have them fill out a form.
Help farmed animals in California!
HELP PREVENT FARM ANIMAL CRUELTY IN CALIFORNIA! CAMPAIGN KICK OFF & SIGNATURE GATHERING RALLY
We need your immediate help to put a measure on the 2008 ballot that would outlaw the cruel confinement of veal calves, egg-laying hens, and breeding pigs. This important measure will phase out the use of the gestation crate for pigs, the battery cage for egg-laying hens and prevent the use of the "veal crate" for male calves.
WE NEED YOUR HELP to collect 650,000 signatures in five short months to qualify this initiative for the November 2008 ballot! Become a crucial member of the team of volunteers that will put this precedent-setting measure on the ballot! Come hear about the campaign and how YOU can get involved in this amazing effort for farm animals!
**Special Guests**Wayne Pacelle, CEO/President, The Humane Society of the U.S.Gene Baur, Founder/President, Farm SanctuaryPlease Attend a Kick-off Rally Near You!
-----------------------------
SACRAMENTO
Monday, October 1st
Sacramento SPCA
6201 Florin Perkins Rd
Sacramento, CA 95828
7:00pm - 10:00pm
SAN FRANCISCO
Tuesday, October 2nd
San Francisco SPCA
2500 16th St
San Francisco, CA 94103
7:00pm - 10:00pm
SANTA BARBARA/MONTECITO
Wednesday, October 3rd
Montecito Fire Station
595 San Ysidro Rd
Santa Barbara, CA 93108
6:00 - 9:00pm
LOS ANGELES
Thursday, October 4th
LA Animal Services - East Valley Shelter
14409 Vanowen Street
Van Nuys, CA 91405
7:00pm - 10:00pm
SAN DIEGO
Friday, October 5th
Health Services Complex - Rosencrans
3851 Rosecrans Street
San Diego, CA 92110
7:00pm - 10:00pm
For more information, please contact Director@humanecalifornia.orgWE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU THERE!THANK YOU FOR HELPING FARM ANIMALS IN CALIFORNIA!
We need your immediate help to put a measure on the 2008 ballot that would outlaw the cruel confinement of veal calves, egg-laying hens, and breeding pigs. This important measure will phase out the use of the gestation crate for pigs, the battery cage for egg-laying hens and prevent the use of the "veal crate" for male calves.
WE NEED YOUR HELP to collect 650,000 signatures in five short months to qualify this initiative for the November 2008 ballot! Become a crucial member of the team of volunteers that will put this precedent-setting measure on the ballot! Come hear about the campaign and how YOU can get involved in this amazing effort for farm animals!
**Special Guests**Wayne Pacelle, CEO/President, The Humane Society of the U.S.Gene Baur, Founder/President, Farm SanctuaryPlease Attend a Kick-off Rally Near You!
-----------------------------
SACRAMENTO
Monday, October 1st
Sacramento SPCA
6201 Florin Perkins Rd
Sacramento, CA 95828
7:00pm - 10:00pm
SAN FRANCISCO
Tuesday, October 2nd
San Francisco SPCA
2500 16th St
San Francisco, CA 94103
7:00pm - 10:00pm
SANTA BARBARA/MONTECITO
Wednesday, October 3rd
Montecito Fire Station
595 San Ysidro Rd
Santa Barbara, CA 93108
6:00 - 9:00pm
LOS ANGELES
Thursday, October 4th
LA Animal Services - East Valley Shelter
14409 Vanowen Street
Van Nuys, CA 91405
7:00pm - 10:00pm
SAN DIEGO
Friday, October 5th
Health Services Complex - Rosencrans
3851 Rosecrans Street
San Diego, CA 92110
7:00pm - 10:00pm
For more information, please contact Director@humanecalifornia.orgWE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU THERE!THANK YOU FOR HELPING FARM ANIMALS IN CALIFORNIA!
Free Baby Mendes
Dairy calves are removed from their mothers after birth. In California, thousands end up at Mendes Calf Ranch. On any given day, 12,000 calves are housed in crates so tiny they can barely turn around. The Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) has filed a complaint in Tulare County's Superior Court that the treatment of these calves is in violation of state anti-cruelty laws, which requires all animals be provided adequate exercise space.
Click on the banner to see how you can help.
Tell Lollypop Farm to stop serving meat!
Humane societies are in a unique position - they have a chance to be leaders in compassion. But some shelters are still serving meat at fundraising events. How can humane societies promote a vision of "preventing cruelty" to animals when they serve the flesh of those they shelter?
In this alert, we focus on one shelter - Lollypop Farm in New York. They strive to place all animals, from cattle to dogs into loving, permanent homes. Their programs include pet-assisted therapy, senior citizen pet assistance, spay and neuter incentives, and tours.
Unfortunately, while Lollypop adopts out cattle, goats, sheep, turkeys, and chickens, they also serve them at their fundraising events, including their upcoming fundraiser, the Barktober Fest on October 6.
The policy of serving meat is not in alignment with Lollypop's vision statement, which includes treating "all fellow beings with care, compassion and respect." This vision will not be achieved while meat is still served at events.
We need your help letting Lollypop Farm know that the only humane menu policy of an animal shelter is a vegetarian one.
Write a letter to the editor
The Democrat & Chronicle: dceditpage@DemocratandChronicle.com
Please keep your letter under 175 words. Include your full name, address and phone number for verification purposes.
Write a letter to Lollypop Farm
Ask the shelter to take meat off their October 6, Barktober Fest menu and to implement a vegetarian menu policy at their fundraising events. Thank them for their commitment to helping animals, and that all animals would be better served by NOT being served for dinner.
Write to:
Alice Calabrese, executive director
Lollypop Farm
99 Victor Road
Fairport, New York 14450
info@Lollypop.org
Talking Points for your letters:
1) Serving meat at fundraising events contradicts the mission of Lollypop Farm, which includes preventing cruelty to animals.
2) A vegetarian menu policy is not extreme; it aligns Lollypop's behavior with its vision (treating fellow beings with compassion). With so many animal friendly options available, it is senseless to continue serving meat at events.
3) With a policy of adopting farmed animals out to people who will not kill, breed or eat them, Lollypop is being disingenuous by permitting the flesh of farmed animals at fundraising events.
4) Humane societies should not serve who they shelter. Several of Lollypop's rescued farmed animals were to be killed and eaten, how can one group of animals be given protection while another be served at Lollypop's fundraising events?
5) Humane shelters have the opportunity to be leaders in compassion. They exist not to bend to what is accepted, but strive to do what is right.
6) Personal dietary choices should not be confused with organizational menu policies. No one is being asked to modify their own dietary preference, but an animal organization should not serve meat at their shelter-sponsored events.
While requesting that Lollypop Farms not serve meat at their events, please also thank them for the work they are doing to lessen the suffering of animals.
To learn more about Animal Place's effort to encourage shelters to adopt a vegetarian policy, request a copy of our Food for Thought pamphlet or download from our website at: http://www.animalplace.org/food.html
In this alert, we focus on one shelter - Lollypop Farm in New York. They strive to place all animals, from cattle to dogs into loving, permanent homes. Their programs include pet-assisted therapy, senior citizen pet assistance, spay and neuter incentives, and tours.
Unfortunately, while Lollypop adopts out cattle, goats, sheep, turkeys, and chickens, they also serve them at their fundraising events, including their upcoming fundraiser, the Barktober Fest on October 6.
The policy of serving meat is not in alignment with Lollypop's vision statement, which includes treating "all fellow beings with care, compassion and respect." This vision will not be achieved while meat is still served at events.
We need your help letting Lollypop Farm know that the only humane menu policy of an animal shelter is a vegetarian one.
Write a letter to the editor
The Democrat & Chronicle: dceditpage@DemocratandChronicle.com
Please keep your letter under 175 words. Include your full name, address and phone number for verification purposes.
Write a letter to Lollypop Farm
Ask the shelter to take meat off their October 6, Barktober Fest menu and to implement a vegetarian menu policy at their fundraising events. Thank them for their commitment to helping animals, and that all animals would be better served by NOT being served for dinner.
Write to:
Alice Calabrese, executive director
Lollypop Farm
99 Victor Road
Fairport, New York 14450
info@Lollypop.org
Talking Points for your letters:
1) Serving meat at fundraising events contradicts the mission of Lollypop Farm, which includes preventing cruelty to animals.
2) A vegetarian menu policy is not extreme; it aligns Lollypop's behavior with its vision (treating fellow beings with compassion). With so many animal friendly options available, it is senseless to continue serving meat at events.
3) With a policy of adopting farmed animals out to people who will not kill, breed or eat them, Lollypop is being disingenuous by permitting the flesh of farmed animals at fundraising events.
4) Humane societies should not serve who they shelter. Several of Lollypop's rescued farmed animals were to be killed and eaten, how can one group of animals be given protection while another be served at Lollypop's fundraising events?
5) Humane shelters have the opportunity to be leaders in compassion. They exist not to bend to what is accepted, but strive to do what is right.
6) Personal dietary choices should not be confused with organizational menu policies. No one is being asked to modify their own dietary preference, but an animal organization should not serve meat at their shelter-sponsored events.
While requesting that Lollypop Farms not serve meat at their events, please also thank them for the work they are doing to lessen the suffering of animals.
To learn more about Animal Place's effort to encourage shelters to adopt a vegetarian policy, request a copy of our Food for Thought pamphlet or download from our website at: http://www.animalplace.org/food.html
2008 Calendar Contest!
Grunt! Moooo! Baaaa! Join us for our first ever Animal Place Calendar Contest!!
For the first time, Animal Place is holding a farmed animal calendar contest! If you share your life with a companion farmed animal, we invite you to submit photos.
During the month of October, Animal Place will review the entries and select the photos that will appear in the calendar. Winners will be notified via e-mail and calendars will go on sale in our Cafepress store. A portion of sales will help the animals at our sanctuary.
Prohibited: We will not accept photos of animals at fairs (including 4-H & FFA events), petting zoos or animals who have been or will be slaughtered. Only pictures of companion or rescued farmed animals are acceptable.
For the first time, Animal Place is holding a farmed animal calendar contest! If you share your life with a companion farmed animal, we invite you to submit photos.During the month of October, Animal Place will review the entries and select the photos that will appear in the calendar. Winners will be notified via e-mail and calendars will go on sale in our Cafepress store. A portion of sales will help the animals at our sanctuary.
Photo subject rules:
Species: Cattle, pigs, chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, goats, rabbits and sheep. At this time, we are not accepting photos of equines – not because we don’t love them (we do!) but we want to focus on traditionally farmed animals. Other species will be considered on a case-by-base basis (e.g. llamas, ostriches, etc).
Species: Cattle, pigs, chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, goats, rabbits and sheep. At this time, we are not accepting photos of equines – not because we don’t love them (we do!) but we want to focus on traditionally farmed animals. Other species will be considered on a case-by-base basis (e.g. llamas, ostriches, etc).
Prohibited: We will not accept photos of animals at fairs (including 4-H & FFA events), petting zoos or animals who have been or will be slaughtered. Only pictures of companion or rescued farmed animals are acceptable.
Submission Rules
Deadline: October 4, 2007
Please submit a maximum of THREE (3) entries.
All entries must be in color.All entries must be submitted via email or CD (no printed photos, please)
Photos must be high resolution – at least 200-300 dpi. Photos at 72 dpi are not acceptable.
Pictures should only have animals present – no humans, please!
Required information
In your email or with your CD, include the following:
Your name
Street address, city & state
Contact Phone Number
Email (preferred)
Name of animal
Optional Information
Age, breed and species of animal
Story of animal
Submit via email: info@animalplace.org
CD Mailing Address
Animal Place
Animal Place
Calendar Contest
P.O. Box 5910
Vacaville, CA 95696
P.O. Box 5910
Vacaville, CA 95696
