Turkey: Terrible Animal Attrocities Commited by the Kadir Topbaş Hasdal Shelter, Istanbul; a Shelter Funded Via the EU – EU You Need to Investigate Your Spending; We Dont Accept Our Money Being Spent on Causing Animal Suffering !!!

Posted on January 23, 2011 by Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)

 

CONGRATULATIONS EU…..You gave money to the administration of Istanbul to build a “standard” shelter….and LOOK AT THE HORROR INSIDE….

HOW ABOUT the EU investigating and requiring them to be held accountable for every EURO spent on this living hell hole for animals !

——————————————–

The following story is copied from:

http://blog.myletsadopt.com/2011/01/17/kadir-topbas-scandal-hasdal/

Please click on this link (above) and also watch the video footage.

With utmost respect and thanks from SAV to ‘Lets Adopt !’ for all their work in highlighting animal suffering in Turkey, and for saving lives !!

http://blog.myletsadopt.com/sahip-cikalim-hakkinda-about-lets-adopt/  

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It’s an early morning in Istanbul.

The Istanbul Municipality van drives through a lonely road in a village far away from Istanbul. In the back, shaken and terrified, 5 stray dogs violently hit the walls with each bump of the road. The barks and screams can be heard by every villager en route.

Upon arriving to an isolated location the Municipal drivers brutally unload the frightened animals onto the side of the road.

Two of the animals are in good condition but the other three barely have any strength to move. Mila is one of them. Too weak to move she lies on the grass, waiting to die.

We were there.

Mila – Dumped and Near Death on the Roadside

The entire event was caught on camera as part of an on-going investigation by Let’s Adopt! into the atrocities commited by Kadir Topbaş Hasdal shelter and the Municipality’s well documented practice of dumping dogs in the forests and deserted locations.

The events of that morning, together with undercover footage obtained by Let’s Adopt! proves, beyond any shade of doubt, the blatant disregard for the Law by Kadir Topbaş team and the constant and sustained lies of the Municipality to the Press and the general public.

It was barely weeks ago that the brutal killing of a cat made the entire turkish society get up in arms in rejection of animal cruelty.  The events and practices that have come to light show a different kind of cruelty, one no less brutal and affecting to a much larger number of animals, and cast serious doubts over the credibility and honesty of Kadir Topbas and his administration.

In recent months the European Union has granted the Istanbul Municipality large amounts of money in order to improve their sheltering practices, with a shelter currently being built in Istanbul with European Union funds.

European Union officials declare to be totally unaware and shocked by these practices. The scandal threatens to bring European Union funding to a halt.

Kadir Topbaş and the Istanbul Municipality deny any wrongdoing and claim the footage and the scandal to be fabrications. We let you be the judge of that.

Viktor

P.S. Mila died this morning after spending a week in intensive care.

———————————————————————

Sample letter Contact details

cevkom@tbmm.gov.tr; bulent.arinc@tbmm.gov.tr; agul@abdullahgul.gen.tr; kayhan.kavas@icisleri.gov.tr; bilgi@basbakanlik.gov.tr;

SAMPLE LETTER  SAMPLE LETTER  SAMPLE LETTER 

Dear Mayor,

It is without doubt that I assert that this e-mail is but one of many that your office has received in connection with the abject squalor that is Hasdal Rehabilitation Center. I am also certain that a number of these communications are coming your way from well beyond the reaches of Turkey.

The brotherhood and sisterhood of those who truly love animals and are steadfast in seeing conditions minimally suitable for them at the very least (if not exceeding this state) is an international one, and clearly, attention has been focused sharply on the blemish on the face of Istanbul that is Hasdal. Animals sleeping among others which are dead, injured, and / or very ill. Dogs with no alternative other than to wander among their own feces and vomit. These are the images that are emanating from the municipality over which you have been elected and given a degree of domain. It goes without saying that this does not reflect well at all on what is to be your legacy.

The video evidence clearly and unequivocally demonstrates flagrant violations of Animal Protection Law 5199 (June 24, 2004), In pertinent part: Part I, Chapter 1, Articles (a), (c), (d), (g), (h), and (j). I would respectfully suggest personal research into these matters.

Turkey prides itself on being a nation of animal lovers. It is truly my hope that the awareness currently being served upon you through various world locales prompts you to uphold the laws that are part and parcel to the government to which you were elected on the local level.

I submit this to you with the utmost respect and seriousness.

Yours,

Name:

Nationality:

———————————————————– 

Links:

Kadir Topbaş: Scandal at the Hasdal shelter « MyLetsAdopt !

HeraldNet.com – Life: Rick Steves’ top 3 European destinations for …

http://blog.myletsadopt.com/2011/01/17/kadir-topbas-scandal-hasdal/

Filed under: CAMPAIGNS - Global Animal Welfare Issues, GENERAL NEWS - International / National / Regional, LETTERS, PHOTOGRAPHS - **WARNING** (Animal Suffering), SHELTER - Information, VIDEOS | Leave a comment »

Romania: New Video About Stray Animals – Please Watch and Then Send A Copy to the Romanian Embassy in YOUR Own Country. Full Links Provided in Post.

Posted on January 22, 2011 by Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)

John Sakars has produced a Youtube video about the situation for strays in Romania.

There are so many similarities to Serbia – in every single way that he describes !

Please have a look at the video and then send a copy of it on to the Romanian Embassy in your own country. 

To find global Romanian embassies please go to: 

http://www.visasinfo.com/romania_embassy.html

or   http://embassy.goabroad.com/embassies-of/Romania

Johns video can been seen via the following:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wz3I55HKy_0

Stray animals are suffering the world over; please act for them – send a copy of the video link above to your Romanian embassy.

Thanks – SAV.

UPDATE 23/01/11.

Rosa has supplied the following letter (see ‘Sample Letter’ below) which can be copied and sent to embassies by e mail.

You may wish to include the following in your letter also – optional.

Distinguished officials from Romania and abroad

I am appalled by the daily news about about animal cruelty and crimes against animals which are committed in Romania. I am stunned to find out that in Slobozia, and in many other cities throughout Romania, the local authorities are UNWILLING to apply the Laws for the Protection of Animals from 2008 which BOTH prohibit the euthanasia of healthy animals and the International treaties and conventions which entered in force in your country after 2004….which also ban the killing of healthy animals…

Please read the following in Romanian :

“1. Conform art.7¹ din Legea 205/2004 privind protectia animalelor, cu modificarile si completarile ulterioare : „Este interzisă eutanasierea câinilor, a pisicilor şi a altor animale, cu excepţia animalelor cu boli incurabile, constatate de medicul veterinar”

Deci, nu se eutanasiază decat animalele cu boli incurabile, nu cele sanătoase, şi numai pe baza unor diagnostice precise (proba bolilor incurabile) şi incontestabile.

2. Conform :

Anexa 1

din OUG 155/2001 privind programul de gestionare a câinilor fără stăpân, cu modificările şi completările ulterioare, sunt prevăzute

a) „CONDIŢII MINIME pentru funcţionarea unui adăpost pentru câini”

b) „Spaţiile pentru adăpostire şi pentru intervenţii medicale”

c) „Controlul bolilor”

d) „Hrănirea câinilor şi curăţenia adăposturilor”

e) „Vehiculele”

Anexa 2 sunt prevăzute „NORME privind capturarea şi transportul câinilor”

3. Anexa 3 „EUTANASIEREA CAINILOR”

1. Se recomanda pentru a fi eutanasiati cainii care nu au fost revendicati sau care nu au putut fi adoptati.

(acest punct este inoperabil prin aparitia prevederileo art.7¹ din legea 205/2004 (modificata prin Legea 9/2008)

Eutanasia se recomanda, de asemenea, in cazul cainilor care prezinta boli cronice incurabile.

2. Eutanasierea cainilor se efectueaza de catre un medic veterinar.

3. Eutanasierea cainilor se realizeaza numai prin utilizarea barbituricelor, injectate intravenos numai dupa pierderea cunostintei cainelui indusa prin anestezie. Cainii vor fi asistati pana la constatarea decesului.. Barbituricele nu trebuie sa fie injectate pe cale intramusculara sau subcutanata. Pentru cainii nou-nascuti calea de administrare care se utilizeaza este cea peritoneala. Produsele narcotice pot fi administrate si pe cale orala.

4. Medicul veterinar este singura persoana care poate avea acces la barbiturice si care poate decide in privinta utilizarii medicamentelor periculoase

SAMPLE LETTER   SAMPLE LETTER   SAMPLE LETTER 

Sir / Madam,

It is in the best interest of your country to STOP THE KILLING OF STRAYS IN THE SHELTER of the city of SLOBOZIA IMMEDIATELY….please ask ANSVSA for advice…

The international public opinion is outraged and I will inform all international authorities, family and friends about the daily massacres of animals (mostly strays) and the cruelty against animals which most of the time is not even investigated by the police, let alone punished by a judge…Romania has become known as the Hell of the EU for the animals….and I will refrain from visiting and I will ask all my acquaintances to do the same.

Please take all the necessary measures to stop the killings and to SEVERELY PUNISH ALL THOSE WHO HAVE BROKEN THE LAW…regardless of their social status.

Thank you

Name:

Nationality:

EU Citizen: Yes / No 

PS. This letter has been sent to the Romanian Parliament, European Commission for Animal Welfare, many Romanian Embassies and International animal welfare organizations, so, the entire world will know …..

Filed under: CAMPAIGNS - Global Animal Welfare Issues, GENERAL NEWS - International / National / Regional, VIDEOS | Leave a comment »

Germany: Mass Slaughter of ‘Fox Week’ To Start By February – INTERNATIONAL Appeal for AW Groups to Join the German Protest and Say ‘No’ – Details Below.

Posted on January 20, 2011 by Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)

Regarding our recent post, the Fox Week’ in Germany at the beginning of February:

https://serbiananimalsvoice.wordpress.com/2011/01/04/germany-international-animal-welfare-organisations-only-please-support-the-call-for-a-closed-season-on-fox-murder-currently-foxes-can-be-killed-all-year/

We now have been provided with an update on the campaign by a great animal friend in Germany:

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Dear Colleagues,

Lovis and Dag, the initiators of the Initiative „Schonzeit fuer Fuechse“, have asked me to keep you all updated on developments in English – as the mails going out here are only in German.

The initiative has now gained the support of 32 organisations in Germany and 13 from abroad. Several more will be added soon.

Two press releases have so far been sent out by Lovis – the latest for passing on to local media from January 20th – the subject being the myth of “(necessary) stock regulation”, which is an argument the hunters love to use when criticized for these massacres.

A letter is also being sent out to local (German) hunting societies warning them of legal action against them should they pursue the “fox weeks” – the paragraph being used against them is actually part of the German hunting law forbidding the disturbing/flushing/chasing game at times of need, like in harsh winters. The animals, it is argued, need their tight resources for survival, and every disturbance causes wasting of resources and energy that must be avoided.

Lovis says he has sent this out to several local hunting societies and the hunters react with uncertainty as to what they should do now/how they should react. Letters are passed around and to the governing hunting bodies of the resp. German counties – and it is obvious that they are worried about this full-frontal attack.

In all likelihood this will not prevent them from doing fox weeks this year again, but it definitely gives them something to ponder.

German media have taken up the issue, and many local papers print the press releases and a letter that Dag has written in defence of the demands of the initiative where hunters have come out with the own twisted version on fox hunts.

All in all it looks promising, although of course we cannot expect the hunters to relinquish what they perceive as their right without a fight. The backlash will come once they have organised themselves.

On 20th of January we expect the decision on “forced hunting” (where hunters have the right to hunt animals on private ground) from the European Court of Justice. If that comes out in favour of our cause – which we hope – then that will be another coffin nail for the hunters and also work as a boost to our campaign.

Best wishes to you all,

——————–

The original German link for this campaign on ‘Pro-Lure-Animalis’ can be viewed by accessing the following;

http://www.schonzeit-fuer-fuechse.de/

The current list of supporters can be found by accessing the following link:

http://www.schonzeit-fuer-fuechse.de/unterstuetzer.html

 

IMPORTANT **** We ask that as many INTERNATIONAL animal welfare organizations support this campaign as possible. ****

Only organisations which have a website or blog should apply, NOT individuals; but this application is not only open to fox and wildlife organizations – ANY animal welfare organisation from anywhere in the world can mail and ask to be added to the campaign supporters list.

To sign up your animal welfare organisation it is very simple.

Please send an e-mail of support to the following address and providing the name of the support organisation, the country in which the support organisation is based, and finally the link to your support organisations website:

info@schonzeit-fuer-fuechse.de

Please crosspost to any AW organisations that you consider will support this campaign.

Thanks.

NEWS JUST IN – 19/01/11.

The expected ruling on so called “forced hunting“ (on private ground, against the will of the proprietor) of the European Court for Human Rights today has, sadly, come out the wrong way. We lost.   The practice is to continue indefinitely.

All the more reason to add support to the above campaign !! – SAV.

 

Filed under: CAMPAIGNS - Global Animal Welfare Issues, GENERAL NEWS - International / National / Regional, GLOBAL PETITIONS - Anything Animal, Anywhere !, PHOTOGRAPHS - **WARNING** (Animal Suffering) | Leave a comment »

EU: Eurogroup for Animals Calls for Better Animal Transport.

Posted on January 19, 2011 by Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)

http://www.meatinfo.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/12198/Welfare_group_calls_for_better_animal_transport.html

News & Features » Breaking News 

Welfare group calls for better animal transport

 – Published:  18 January, 2011

A leading animal welfare group has called on the European Commission to enforce current legislation in the transport of animals.

The Eurogroup for Animals was commenting following the release of a new scientific report that suggested new techniques to alleviate animal suffering.

The European Food Safety  Authority (EFSA) has recommended that semen and embryos are transported rather than the animals, as well as calling for more carcase transport and for more animals to be slaughtered nearer production.

The EFSA published its recommendations in its Scientific Opinion – and it comes ahead of a report by the Commission into existing transport rules later this year.

Sonja Van Tichelen, director of Eurogroup for Animals, which represents animal welfare groups from all 25 member states, said: ““This opinion offers a number of improvements, including developing strategies to reduce the volume of animals transported and for reducing journey times, as well as the importance of correct vehicle temperature during transit, correct preparation of animals for transport, and monitoring and allowing sufficient space for each animal.

“With all the available science and with the evidence that the existing law is not strict enough to protect the welfare of animals, it is now time for the Commission to recognise these recommendations and to take action.”

Van Tichelen said she thought the Commission had not been strict enough in enforcing the current legislation, which requires member states to “carry out non-discriminatory
inspections of animals, means of transport and accompanying documents.”

She added: “The indifference to animal suffering during transport and the unwillingness to take responsibility by both Member States and the European Commission is unacceptable, and we call on the Commission to review the animal transportation regulation and to come forward with a clear action plan to improve enforcement.”

>> Concern over EU transport proposals
>> Newark Transport fined £1,000 after blood spillage

 

Photos: M. Johnson / PMAF.

Eurogroup for Animals website:   http://www.eurogroupforanimals.org/

Filed under: CAMPAIGNS - Global Animal Welfare Issues, GENERAL NEWS - International / National / Regional, PHOTOGRAPHS - **WARNING** (Animal Suffering) | Leave a comment »

Bulgaria / Germany: Justice for Mima – Please Add Your Support.

Posted on January 18, 2011 by Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)

 

 

Petition can be signed at:  http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/leave-mima-alone/

Past SAV Links:

https://serbiananimalsvoice.wordpress.com/2010/03/29/bulgaria-dog-has-all-four-legs-cut-off-with-an-axe/

https://serbiananimalsvoice.wordpress.com/2010/05/12/germany-120510-new-video-footage-and-photographs-of-mima/

Please sign !!!

Target: Violeta Dobreva, Care & Shelter for Everyone and the Honorable Judge of the Civil Court of Dobrich, Bulgaria

Sponsored by:The Official Facebook Group, Justice for Mima

*URGENT: Pls Sign/Forward, Court Date 1/31/11*

It was recently announced that Violeta Dobreva (who fostered Mima for only 2 weeks) has been given the green light by a court in Bulgaria to hear her suit against the German-Bulgarian Street Animal Emergency Help NGO for custody of Mima, and have her be returned to Bulgaria after Mima has been living in Germany with her new family for the past 9 months.We have closely followed Mima’s case from the beginning, since March, 2010 when Mima was found tortured in a village in Bulgaria. All of Mima’s 4 legs were brutally chopped off over an old conflict between neighbors. Hers is one of the most heinous acts of cruelty we have come across. It brought thousands of us together to help Mima and bring change in a country where animal cruelty is still not a crime. After all she has been through, she deserves all the love and happiness life has to offer and in our opinion that is with her family in Germany where she has flourished these past 9 months.

We, animal advocates and the officers and members of the Facebook group, “Justice for Mima” with over 35,000 members from around the world including Bulgaria ask for Mima to be left alone. 

Despite her physical and psychological handicap, Mima has been living happily in a private mansion in Germany with her new brothers and sisters (6 handicap dogs and cats from Bulgaria). She has learned to trust humans again with the love and dedication of her adoptive parent, Mrs. Eva Linkogel, a lifelong animal activist and rescuer who has been caring for Mima 24/7. She has also developed a special bond with her best friend Daria, a disabled dog who is always by Mima’s side. For the first time in her life, Mima has learned to be loved and be part of a family. She cannot be placed in a more perfect home. To take this all away would be so cruel and truly devastating for Mima!

We believe Violeta Dobreva’s letter of April 21, 2010 to be forthright when she first relinquished Mima early in the case. Mrs. Dobreva should be a person of honor and keep her word instead of pursuing this fight for custody. Real love means selflessness– set Mima free and let her be happy.

We as a group have never officially taken a side on the custody battle until the news of the court case. Even after Mrs. Dobreva deceived us out of our $8,000USD group ChipIn donation meant for Mima, we still kept the custody separate so as not to hurt the cause. (Incidentally, we still demand that our $8,000USD group donation, be transferred to our 2 chosen NGOs to help the animals in Bulgaria as outlined by Nadia Donato in her many messages. Mrs. Dobreva has no right to keep our donations meant for Mima since she stopped paying for Mima’s bills since August 2010). In light of the recent news about the court hearing, we can no longer remain neutral on this issue. We cannot sit idly by and let another tragedy happen to Mima without a fight. This is not about Bulgaria vs. Germany, nor is it about the fight for animal rights. We strongly believe this is a fight for one’s own personal agenda. Our allegiance is to Mima, not to any country or person involved in this dispute. Mima has touched our hearts; her life means so much to so many of us.

We urge Mrs. Dobreva to drop the lawsuit, end this fight once and for all, and be happy for Mima that she has found the best loving home. 

If Mrs. Dobreva still chooses to pursue custody, we are hopeful that the honorable judge will be fair and wise in his ruling and that the outcome will be on Mima’s best interest.

RELATED LINKS:

Violeta Dobreva’s Letter Dated April 21, 2010 Relinquishing Mima

The World Wants Mima’s Money Back!

Violeta Dobreva, Mima’s Money is NOT Yours To Keep. (Demand to Transfer Our $8,000 USD Donation to 2 NGOs to Help Urgent Animals in Bulgaria)

Mima’s Diary

Mima’s Photo Album with her Family in Germany (Road to Recovery)

Petition: Make Animal Cruelty a Crime in Bulgaria!

Justice for Mima Official Facebook Group

Filed under: CAMPAIGNS - Global Animal Welfare Issues, GENERAL NEWS - International / National / Regional, GLOBAL PETITIONS - Anything Animal, Anywhere ! | Leave a comment »

USA: Iditarod – What is it; and Actions to Take.

Posted on January 17, 2011 by Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)

Save Iditarod dogs from monstrous cruelty – Please WRITE

 

Please send protest emails and forward this alert widely.

From the Sled Dog Action Coalition,   http://www.helpsleddogs.org

Contact information, groups of email addresses and sample letter are below.

Please help end the horrific treatment of dogs by sending protest emails to organizations that support the Iditarod. Imagine the suffering dogs endure while racing 1,000 miles in the Iditarod with wind-chill factors as low as minus 50 °F, battered by hurricane force winds, over slippery ice, down steep gorges with drops of hundreds of feet, and through icy water with little or no rest. At least 142 dogs have died in the Iditarod, including two dogs on a doctor’s team who froze to death in the brutally cold winds. What happens to dogs during the race includes death, paralysis, frostbite (where it hurts the most!), bleeding ulcers, bloody diarrhea, lung damage, pneumonia, ruptured discs, viral diseases, broken bones, torn muscles and tendons and sprains. 

According to the Jan-Feb 2010 Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, dogs running in the Iditarod have substantially decreased numbers of antibodies in their systems. Without an adequate number of antibodies, a dog can’t fight off infections.

The dogs are even at terrible risk while resting on straw that’s been provided by the Iditarod. An Iditarod musher reported that foxtails are sometimes found in the straw. When foxtail grass drys out and becomes straw, the seed detaches easily and sticks to a dog’s fur. Foxtail seeds enter a dog’s body through the skin, nose, ears, paws, and eyes.  And once they enter, they’re like a barbed fishhook. A foxtail can go anywhere inside a dog. They have been found inside the brain, anal glands, eyes, ears, jowls, feet, spinal cord and lungs. Foxtail seeds can be life-threatening to dogs.

Dog beatings and whippings are common. During the 2007 Iditarod, eyewitnesses reported that musher Ramy Brooks kicked, punched and beat his dogs with a ski pole and a chain. Jon Saraceno wrote in his column in USA Today, “He [Colonel Tom Classen] confirmed dog beatings and far worse. Like starving dogs to maintain their most advantageous racing weight. Skinning them to make mittens. Or dragging them to their death.”

Most Internet service providers allow people to send up to 40 email addresses at a time. For your convenience, the addresses have been divided into groups of 40. Please email the first group first. Individual email addresses are given under the sample letter. The groups contain addresses for the 2011 Iditarod sponsors, promoters, and musher sponsors. Email groups with semicolons and commas are on http://www.helpsleddogs.org/sponsors.htm. People and organizations who support the  lditarod may deny it or give misleading statements about their involvement. The Sled Dog Action Coalition has documentation to prove what it says and will provide it upon request.

GROUP ONE OF FIVE:
cathy.mann@halliburton.com, investors@halliburton.com, info@donlincreek.com, dnicoski@barrick.com, rjimenez@barrick.com, s.muir@barrick.com, aschwalm@barrick.com, info@novagold.net,  rose.t.8@pg.com,  Shareholders.IM@pg.com, join-investors@ryanairmail.com, Antje.Witte@ucb.com,  Mark.McDade@ucb.com, john.g.stumpf@wellsfargo.com, Jim.Rowe@wellsfargo.com, chris.berry@alaskaair.com, Gregg.Steinhafel@target.com, aschwalm@barrick.com, alloyd@barrick.com, pdougherty@adn.com, gpruitt@mcclatchy.com, Kirsten.Brogan@providence.org,  capital.markets@exxonmobil.com, vbillet@berwind.com, steve@sprocketheads.com,  lsierracaro@rccl.com, Ross.Greenburg@hbo.com, espnpr@espn.com,  viewermail@figure8films.tv, Martha.LaGuardia@uscg.mil, info@margaritavillelifestyle.com,  ir-usa@shell.com, jodom@odomcorp.com, jcoffey@gpworldwide.com,  car8@chrysler.com, Investor.Relations@ab-inbev.com, RicMedlang@kldistributor.com,  drobbins@electrochemsolutions.com, investor.relations@iridium.com, ctuggle@na.ko.com

GROUP TWO OF FIVE:

investor.relations@blockbuster.com, elizabeth.minelli@rotary.org, plannedgiving@rotary.org, info@trapperscreek.com, info@st-eliashospital.com, info@flexenergy.com, albab@briceinc.com, info@firstlite.com, windycity@cox-internet.com, Scott@travelguidebook.com, info@rosenacker.com, sales@gerbing.com, phil@cacalaska.com, genmgr@ahv.lynden.com, info@yukonhelicopters.net, shop@alaskamint.com, info@orthofairbanks.com, bestellung@lupine.de, info@flydenali.net, george@matsuenergy.com, alpine@polarcom.com, enquiries@charitysupportservices.co.uk, info@bnjsg.com, cabins@denalihwy.com, info@gwaltneyassoc.com, info@neaalaska.org, smokeyn@harborent.com, info@selwynresources.com, spikealaska@earthlink.net, jscanlon@wcasd.net, alpinecreeklodgealaska@gci.net, laura.cameron@scouting.org, MediaCenter@scouting.org, j.ranf@wallaceinsurancegroup.com, anne_b@akexec.com, info@coastalhelicopters.com, info@buffalopeak.net, yum.investor@yum.com, info@teckcominco.com, info@packard-1.com

GROUP THREE OF FIVE:

TGallagher@carnival.com, jbenson@princesscruises.com, kgood@scholastic.com, kaye@ucar.edu, GElkin@educationworld.com, HR_Service_Center@nea.org, newsmedia@roadscholar.org, mghcancercenter@partners.org, doug.thompson@orlions.org, scsoffice@st-cecelia.org, cpc@centralonthesquare.org, jnesbit@nsf.gov, goverstreet@abercrombiekent.com, melissa@thegiftfoundationofhawaii.org, natasha.geldern@travelbite.co.uk, circulation@ci.arcadia.ca.us, HaalanA@inhs.org, todd@adventuresmithexplorations.com, cward@tehamaed.org, Allen.Patterson@hamiltoncounty.in.gov, nielsen@kent.edu, Daniel.McCann@HENHUDSCHOOLS.ORG, david.curtis-brignell@mill-cop.com, kroger.investors@kroger.com, info@penair.com, jblakley@alaskanbeer.com, mayor@muni.org, manager@ci.nome.ak.us, gwells@simon.com, investor.relations@horizonlines.com, vrupright@ci.wasilla.ak.us,  admin_mgmt_external@gci.com, resumes@crowley.com, AskMLP@muni.org, alcansigns@alaska.net, dpowers@akserigraphics.com, drobbins@electrochemsolutions.com, dwspencer@microlinetc.com, enisson@nacargo.com, Luke.Welles@lifemedalaska.com, info@worksafeinc.com, pr@hollandamerica.com

GROUP FOUR OF FIVE:servicesales@jjkeller.com, contact@redpawfeed.com, info@trabitsgroup.com, info@trapperscreek.com, eldorado@yknet.ca, help@mtaonline.net, info@usibelli.com, info@visitjamaica-usa.com, hotelrep@fdifairbanks.com, info@chukkacaribbean.com, investor_relations@westjet.com, info@annamaet.com, oberlander@topnotchresort.com, steve@pacifictugboats.com, info@brcomm.com, enquiries@freshcatch.com, owner@adventuresakrv.com, dax@polarcom.com, ken@zolfeeast.com, anchorage@alaskapain.net, info@mywirelessinc.com, undiscoveredwriter@gmail.com, info@leuchtie.de, jimb@harborent.com, jpruitt@seward.net, rene.reichenbach@t-online.de, info@moewe.ch, info@mitchelltax.com, info@ndindustries.com, gifts@reddogsaloon.com, dha@anderesoil.com, fishingketchikan@kpunet.net, maggie@ketchikanbooks.com, diane@explorationgallery.com, info@landinghotel.com, info@intuitionliners.com, personnelseward@icicleseafoods.com

GROUP FIVE OF FIVE:Chris@InfluenceLeadership.com, hotlist@arcticcircleenterprises.com, frobb@bepc.com, paulf@capitalelec.com, lodging@mtaonline.net, info@talkeetnalodge.com, mahays@mtaonline.net, info@terusconstruction.ca, custservelaurao@enjoycitrus.com, lynda@lion.sporthill.com, info@cedarslodge.com, bill@gretnabikes.com, customerservice@northernoutfitters.com, info@crosbysmiles.com, groceries@naturalchoicemarket.com, careers@yukonzinc.com, mhurvitt@schoolunion93.org, GinaF@Silversea.com, JFinizio@GoRSPA.org, information@RSSC.com, mhurvitt@schoolunion93.org, laughlin@mcpl.info, mfowerbaugh@fcs.k12.in.us, hwilson@fremont.lib.in.us, ua.president@alaska.edu

SAMPLE LETTER (Please personalize)

Dear Iditarod Supporter:

For the dogs, the Iditarod dog sled race is a bottomless pit of suffering. Please end your organization’s support of this event. Imagine the suffering dogs endure while racing 1,000 miles in the Iditarod with wind-chill factors as low as minus 50 °F, battered by hurricane force winds, over slippery ice, down steep gorges with drops of hundreds of feet, and through icy water with little or no rest. At least 142 dogs have died in the Iditarod, including two dogs on a doctor’s team who froze to death in the brutally cold winds. What happens to dogs during the race includes death, paralysis, frostbite (where it hurts the most!), bleeding ulcers, bloody diarrhea, lung damage, pneumonia, ruptured discs, viral diseases, broken bones, torn muscles and tendons and sprains. For more facts, visit the Sled Dog Action Coalition website, http://www.helpsleddogs.org .

According to the Jan-Feb 2010 Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, dogs running in the Iditarod have substantially decreased numbers of antibodies in their systems. Without an adequate number of antibodies, a dog can’t fight off infections.

The dogs are even at terrible risk while resting on straw that’s been provided by the Iditarod. An Iditarod musher reported that foxtails are sometimes found in the straw. When foxtail grass drys out and becomes straw, the seed detaches easily and sticks to a dog’s fur. Foxtail seeds enter a dog’s body through the skin, nose, ears, paws, and eyes.  And once they enter, they’re like a barbed fishhook. A foxtail can go anywhere inside a dog. They have been found inside the brain, anal glands, eyes, ears, jowls, feet, spinal cord and lungs. Foxtail seeds can be life-threatening to dogs.

Dog beatings and whippings are common. During the 2007 Iditarod, eyewitnesses reported that musher Ramy Brooks kicked, punched and beat his dogs with a ski pole and a chain. Jon Saraceno wrote in his column in USA Today, “He [Colonel Tom Classen] confirmed dog beatings and far worse. Like starving dogs to maintain their most advantageous racing weight. Skinning them to make mittens. Or dragging them to their death.”

During the race, veterinarians do not give the dogs physical exams at every checkpoint. Mushers speed through many checkpoints, so the dogs get the briefest visual checks, if that. Instead of pulling sick dogs from the race, veterinarians frequently give them massive doses of antibiotics to keep them running. The Iditarod’s chief veterinarian, Stu Nelson, is an employee of the Iditarod Trail Committee. They are the ones who sign his paycheck. So, do you expect that he’s going to say anything negative about the Iditarod?

During training runs, Iditarod dogs have been killed by moose, snowmachines, and various motor vehicles, including a semi tractor and an ATV. They have died from drowning, heart attacks and being strangled in harnesses. Dogs have also been injured while training. They have been gashed, quilled by porcupines, bitten in dog fights, and had broken bones, and torn muscles and tendons. Most dog deaths and injuries during training aren’t even reported.

Please end your organization’s association with this horrific race.

Sincerely,

IDITAROD RACE SPONSORS:

Donlin Creek LLC (Barrick/Novagold Resources Company)
Email: info@donlincreek.com, dnicoski@barrick.com, s.muir@barrick.com, aschwalm@barrick.com, rjimenez@barrick.com, alloyd@barrick.com, info@novagold.net

Eagle Pack/WellPet (Berwind-White Coal Mining Company)
Email: information@berwind.com, vbillet@berwind.com, info@wellnesspetfood.com

K & L Distributors, Inc. (AB-Inbev distributor)
Email: Investor.Relations@ab-inbev.com
Email: DLevine@kldistributor.com
Email: RicMedlang@kldistributor.com
Email: DGrasse@kldistributor.com

Chrysler Group LLC
Email: car8@chrysler.com, rick.deneau@chrysler.com, kristin.starnes@chrysler.com

Coca-Cola – Odom Corporation
Email: ctuggle@na.ko.com, jodom@odomcorp.com

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels
Email: david.curtis-brignell@mill-cop.com

Wells Fargo & Company
Email: john.g.stumpf@wellsfargo.com, Jim.Rowe@wellsfargo.com

Kroger Company (Fred Meyer Stores)
Email: kroger.investors@kroger.com

Exxon Mobil Corporation
Email: capital.markets@exxonmobil.com
Email: craig.a.haymes@exxonmobil.com

Anchorage Daily News (Mc Clatchy Company)
Email: pdougherty@adn.com, gpruitt@mcclatchy.com

Providence Health System
Email: Kirsten.Brogan@providence.org

Alaska Airlines (Alaska Air Group)
Email: chris.berry@alaskaair.com, newsroom@alaskaair.com

Peninsula Airways, Inc.
Email: info@penair.com

Alaska Brewing Company
Email: cburchfield@alaskanbeer.com, jblakley@alaskanbeer.com

The City of Anchorage
Email: mayor@muni.org

The City of Nome 
Email: manager@ci.nome.ak.us

5th Avenue Mall (Simon Property Group)
Email: gwells@simon.com

Horizon Lines
Email: investor.relations@horizonlines.com

City of Wasilla
Email: vrupright@ci.wasilla.ak.us

General Communication, Inc. (GCI)
Email: dmorris@gci.com, admin_mgmt_external@gci.com

Crowley Maritime Corporation
Email: resumes@crowley.com

Anchorage Municipal Light and Power
Email: AskMLP@muni.org

Alcan Signs
Email:alcansigns@alaska.net

Alaska Serigraphics 
Email: dpowers@akserigraphics.com

Electrochem Commercial Power (Greatbatch, Ltd.)
Email: Marketing@ElectrochemSolutions.com, drobbins@electrochemsolutions.com

IonEarth
Email: dwspencer@microlinetc.com

Iridium
Email: investor.relations@iridium.com

Northern Air Cargo
Email: enisson@nacargo.com

LifeMed Alaska 
Email: Luke.Welles@lifemedalaska.com

WorkSafe, Inc.
Email: info@worksafeinc.com

IDITAROD RACE PROMOTERS:

Target Corporation Target Corporation
Email: Gregg.Steinhafel@target.com, investorrelations@target.com

Carnival Corporation
Email: TGallagher@carnival.com, jbenson@princesscruises.com

Discovery Communications
Email: investor_relations@discovery.com

Scholastic Corporation
Email: kgood@scholastic.com

National Science Foundation Digital Library
Email: jnesbit@nsf.gov, kaye@ucar.edu

Education World
Email: rdatz@educationworld.com

Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Email: information@RSSC.com

National Education Association
Email: HR_Service_Center@nea.org, espence@nea.org

Roads Scholar (Elderhostel)
Email: newsmedia@roadscholar.org

Abercrombie & Kent
Email: goverstreet@abercrombiekent.com

Royal Caribbean Cruises
Email: investorrelations@rccl.com, lsierracaro@rccl.com

Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel (HBO)
Email: Ross.Greenburg@hbo.com

ESPN
Email: espnpr@espn.com

Figure 8 Films 
Email: viewermail@figure8films.tv

Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center
Email: mghcancercenter@partners.org

Retail Solutions Providers Association
Email: JFinizio@GoRSPA.org

Oregon Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation
Email: doug.thompson@orlions.org

Silversea Cruises
Email: GinaF@Silversea.com

Saint Cecelia Interparochial Catholic School
Email: scsoffice@st-cecelia.org

Central Presbyterian Church
Email: cpc@centralonthesquare.org

The Gift Foundation of Hawaii
Email: melissa@thegiftfoundationofhawaii.org

Travelbite.co.uk
Email: natasha.geldern@travelbite.co.uk

Inland Northwest Health Services
Email: HaalanA@inhs.org

AdventureSmith Explorations
Email: todd@adventuresmithexplorations.com

Hamilton County Parks
Email: Allen.Patterson@hamiltoncounty.in.gov

Kent State University Women’s Basketball
Email: nielsen@kent.edu

Hendrick Hudson School District
Email: Daniel.McCann@HENHUDSCHOOLS.ORG

Los Molinos Unified School District
Email: cward@tehamaed.org

Arcadia Public Library
Email: circulation@ci.arcadia.ca.us

Brooksville Elementary School
Email: mhurvitt@schoolunion93.org

Fremont Middle School
Email: mfowerbaugh@fcs.k12.in.us

Fremont Public Library
Email: hwilson@fremont.lib.in.us

University of Alaska
Email: ua.president@alaska.edu

IDITAROD MUSHER SPONSORS:

Halliburton
Email: cathy.mann@halliburton.com, investors@halliburton.com

Eukanuba (Procter & Gamble Company)
Email: rose.t.8@pg.com, chelune.jj@pg.com, Shareholders.IM@pg.com

RyanAir
Email: join-investors@ryanairmail.com

UCB Pharma S.A.
Email: Antje.Witte@ucb.com, Mark.McDade@ucb.com, ann.connolly@ucb.com

United States Coast Guard
Email: Martha.LaGuardia@uscg.mil

Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville
Email: info@margaritavillelifestyle.com, customerservice@margaritavilleorlando.com,  info@margaritavillecaribbean.com

Harley-Davidson, Inc.
Email: bob.klein@harley-davidson.com

Jiffy Lube International, Inc. and Shell Oil Company
Email: ir-usa@shell.com

Blockbuster Video
Email: investor.relations@blockbuster.com, corporate.communications@blockbuster.com

Taco Bell
Email: yum.investor@yum.com

Oomingmak (Musk Ox Producers’ Co-operative)
Email: qiviut@gci.net

Inlet Tower Hotel & Suites (The Packard Companies)
Email: info@packard-1.com

J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc.
Email: servicesales@jjkeller.com

Redpaw Feed
Email: contact@redpawfeed.com

General Physics Corp. (GP General Strategies Corp.)
Email: jcoffey@gpworldwide.com

Trabits Group, LLC
Email: info@trabitsgroup.com

Trapper Creek Smoking Company
Email: info@trapperscreek.com

Canada Goose
Email: mel@canada-goose.com

The Eldorado Hotel
Email: eldorado@yknet.ca

MTA
Email: help@mtaonline.net

Usibelli Coal Mine
Email: info@usibelli.com

Jamaica Tourist Bureau
Email: info@visitjamaica.com, info@visitjamaica-usa.com

Wedgewood Resort
Email: hotelrep@fdifairbanks.com

Chukka Caribbean Adventures
Email: info@mychukka.com, info@chukkacaribbean.com

West Jet Vacations
Email: investor_relations@westjet.com

Annamaet Pet Food
Email: info@annamaet.com

Topnotch Resort & Spa
Email: oberlander@topnotchresort.com

Pacific Tugboat Service
Email: steve@pacifictugboats.com

Bradley Reid & Associates
Email: info@brcomm.com

Fresh Catch Ltd
Email: enquiries@freshcatch.com

Adventures in Alaska RV Rentals
Email: owner@adventuresakrv.com

Yukon Zinc Corp.
Email: careers@yukonzinc.com

Eldorado Logwork & Construction
email: dax@polarcom.com

SprocketHeads
Email: steve@sprocketheads.com

Alaska Pain Center
Email: anchorage@alaskapain.net

MyWireless Inc.
Email: info@mywirelessinc.com

Undiscovered Earth
Email: undiscoveredwriter@gmail.com

Cottey College
Email: tfallin@cottey.edu, jrogers@cottey.edu

Marmot Mountain LLC
Email: hr@marmot.com

W.W. Grainger, Inc.
Email: laura.brown@grainger.com, william.chapman@grainger.com

Jindex Pty Ltd
Email: Stephen@Jindex.com.au

Rovema Industriestrasse
Email: info@rovema.de, twarren@rovema.com

HTU Consulting Group
Email: kontakt@htu-cg.de

Leuchtie
Email: info@leuchtie.de

Reichenback Spezialmaschinenbau
Email: rene.reichenbach@t-online.de

Moser Web Publishing
Email: info@moewe.ch

A.L. Mitchell & Associates
Email: info@mitchelltax.com

ND Industries
Email: info@ndindustries.com

Red Dog Saloon
Email: gifts@reddogsaloon.com

Anderes Oil, Inc.
Email: dha@anderesoil.com

Northern Lights Charters
Email: fishingketchikan@kpunet.net

Parnassus Books
Email: maggie@ketchikanbooks.com

Exploration Gallery
Email: diane@explorationgallery.com

Best Western Landing Hotel
Email: info@landinghotel.com

Intuition Boot Liners
Email: info@intuitionliners.com

Icicle Seafoods, Inc.
Email: sales@icicleseafoods.com

The Cedars Lodge
Email: info@cedarslodge.com

GretnaBikes.com/Lupine Lighting Systems
Email: bill@gretnabikes.com

Northern Outfitters
E-Mail: customerservice@northernoutfitters.com

Natural Choice Market
Email: groceries@naturalchoicemarket.com

Teck Cominco Limited
Email: info@teckcominco.com

Rotary International
Email: elizabeth.minelli@rotary.org, plannedgiving@rotary.org

Trapper’s Creek Smoking Company
Email: info@trapperscreek.com

St. Elias Hospital
Email: info@st-eliashospital.com

FlexEnergy
Email: info@flexenergy.com

Brice, Inc.
Email: albab@briceinc.com

First Lite
Email: info@firstlite.com

Windy City Arts, Inc.
Email: windycity@cox-internet.com

Richard Crosby, DDS
Email: info@crosbysmiles.com

Vacation Country Travel Guide
Email: Scott@travelguidebook.com

Rosenacher & Associates
Email: info@rosenacker.com

Gerbing’s Heated Clothing
Email: sales@gerbing.com

CAC Plastics
Email: phil@cacalaska.com

Alaska Hovercraft
Email: genmgr@ahv.lynden.com

Yukon Helicopters
Email: info@yukonhelicopters.net

Alaska Mint
Email: shop@alaskamint.com

Fairbanks Orthopaedic Center
Email: info@orthofairbanks.com

Lupine Headlamps
Email: bestellung@lupine.de

Fly Denali
Email: info@flydenali.net

Mat-Su Energy
Email: george@matsuenergy.com

Alpine Aviation (Yukon) Ltd
Email: alpine@polarcom.com

Charity Support Services
Email: enquiries@charitysupportservices.co.uk

B & J Sporting Goods
Email: info@bnjsg.com

Gwaltney & Associates, Inc.
Email: info@gwaltneyassoc.com

NEA Alaska
Email: info@neaalaska.org

North 60 Petro (Petro Marine)
Email: smokeyn@harborent.com

Selwyn Resources, Ltd.
Email: info@selwynresources.com

Alaska Discovery RV Tours
Email: spikealaska@earthlink.net

East Bradford Elementary
Email: jscanlon@wcasd.net

Alpine Creek Lodge
Email: alpinecreeklodgealaska@gci.net

Boy Scouts of America Great Alaska Council
Email: laura.cameron@scouting.org, MediaCenter@scouting.org

Wallace Insurance Group
Email: j.ranf@wallaceinsurancegroup.com

Alaska Executive Search
Email: anne_b@akexec.com

Denali Highway Cabins
Email: cabins@denalihwy.com

Coastal Helicopters
Email: info@coastalhelicopters.com

Petro Marine Services
Email: jimb@harborent.com

Seward Fisheries
Email: personnelseward@icicleseafoods.com

Seward Ship’s Drydock
Email: jpruitt@seward.net

Buffalo Peak Outfitters
Email: info@buffalopeak.net

Arctic Circle Enterprises
Email: hotlist@arcticcircleenterprises.com

Basin Electric Power Cooperative
Email: frobb@bepc.com

Capitol Electric Cooperative
Email: paulf@capitalelec.com

Susitna River Lodging
Email: lodging@mtaonline.net

Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge
Emali: info@talkeetnalodge.com

Mahay’s Riverboat Service
Email: mahays@mtaonline.net

Sky Trekking Alaska
Email: info@SkyTrekkingAlaska.com

Skookum Asphalt Ltd. (Terus Construction Ltd.)
Email: info@terusconstruction.ca

Al’s Family Farms
Email: custservelaurao@enjoycitrus.com

SportHill
Email: lynda@lion.sporthill.com

Filed under: CAMPAIGNS - Global Animal Welfare Issues, GENERAL NEWS - International / National / Regional | Leave a comment »

Please Sign the Pledge to STOP SHARK FINNING Today !

Posted on January 17, 2011 by Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)

17 January 2011

Tens of millions of sharks are killed each year, many of them to meet the demand for shark fin soup, a Chinese delicacy.

Shark finning is a cruel and wasteful practice that involves slicing off a shark’s fins and throwing the body — often while the shark is still alive — back into the water. Shark populations cannot sustain the current slaughter rates.

Progress is being made — please help — sign our No Shark Fin pledge today! 

The only way to enforce shark finning legislation and ensure that no finning has taken place is to require that sharks be landed with their fins still naturally attached.

I am pleased to report that the European Parliament recently adopted a Parliamentary Resolution calling for the European Commission to deliver a legislative proposal to end the removal of shark fins on-board vessels — without exception.

The Resolution came about after 423 MEPs, more than 50 percent of the Parliament’s Members, signed a Written Declaration showing their support for a fins-attached policy.

You can help stop the trade in shark fins too: Never consume or serve any products containing shark fin — and sign our pledge today! 

In the United States, President Barack Obama recently signed the Shark Conservation Act into law. It brings Pacific fisheries into line with Atlantic fisheries by requiring that all sharks be landed with their fins still naturally attached (and will strengthen the Shark Finning Prohibition Act of 2000).

Please help us end this cruel and wasteful practice, support our campaign and say no to shark fin products. Signal your support for sharks — sign our pledge! 

Thank you for all that you do to help animals.

Sincerely,

Andrew Rowan
President & CEO
Humane Society International

Filed under: CAMPAIGNS - Global Animal Welfare Issues, GENERAL NEWS - International / National / Regional, GLOBAL PETITIONS - Anything Animal, Anywhere ! | Leave a comment »

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