July 14

It's great news, in fact. Section 123 of the pending Farm Bill has been dropped. If passed this section would have been disastrous for both animals and the safety of food. What was not as well known to us animal folks was a proposed $12 million subsidy to the veal industry. Fortunately, that insane provision was also removed. To read the details see the HSUS website.

There is still a chance to inject some good into this bill before it goes through. HR 2720 (also known as FARM 21) would help support farmers who produce healthier foods and would also decrease funding for "junk foods" that go to the poor. PCRM has details on its website. (They give an example of just how bad present subsidies are: In 2005, the USDA spent less than $10 million on fresh fruits and vegetables but spent $386 million on beef, cheese, and butter for food assistance programs.

B) The Realities of Foie Gras

I think most of us are familiar with the production of foie gras, that disgusting "delicacy" which involves force-feeding geese and/or ducks until their livers rot. Force-feeding is actually a nice way of describing what happens to these animals. They have metal tubes attached to pressurized pumps shoved down their throats multiple times a day. These pumps force incredible amounts of food down their throats, and it happens so quickly and so often that some birds choke to death, many have food spilling from their nostrils, and most suffer lesions and ulcers of the esophagus. What people are really eating is a diseased organ. They may as well be eating tumors or polyps while they're at it.

As if the everyday production of this junk weren't bad enough, add some sadistic abuse to it and you have Elevages Perigord, Canada’s largest foie gras company. Global Action Network (GAN), a Montreal-based animal rights group, infiltrated this hideous company and filmed the abuse. There are numerous newsletter articles about the investigation on the GAN website. They appear in the right-hand column under Animal News. You can also see the video footage from this site.

C) Animal-Related News & Alerts

~Federal Court Upholds Illinois Horse Slaughter Ban

~Tell Denny's to Stop Sponsoring Ringling Bros.

~Sue sent this one, which she dubbed a "two for one special" (Read it and you'll see why!) You might want to send a letter to the editor educating them about what happens to these bulls before and during bullfights. Men seem to think "running with the bulls" and being a bullfighter make them extra masculine. As far as bullfighting is concerned, the only matadors who get hurt are the stupid ones. The bulls are drugged, dehydrated, speared and pummeled by the crowd, and frightened beyond comprehension. They are then put into a ring with not one but multiple fighters, who have hidey holes built into the sides of the arena so they can run and hide when the bull chases them! A child could do this. And, let's not forget those sequined skin-tight costumes these testosterone-deficient narcissists prance around in. Talk about embarrassing.

~Sue also sent this news: Yesterday the Board of Aldermen in St. Louis City passed a bill allowing dogs in the outdoor dining areas of restaurants. It pertains only to wards that did not "opt out," and covers areas of the city where most outside seating is anyway. But, this is a step in the right direction. Mayor Slay will be at the Boat House in Forest Park tomorrow (Sunday) for a mock signing of the bill. Drop the mayor a line thanking him for signing this bill -- mayorslay@mayorslay.com

~An Ambivalent Vegetarian An honest back-and-forth omnivore/veg shares her mental struggles.

D) Pet-Friendly License Plates Finally Here!

It seems like decades ago that we convinced legislators to allow Missouri to have a spay/neuter license plate. Things got stalled after the approval because a design had to be decided on, and copyrights had to be honored, and all sorts of difficulties. (I didn't think it was ever going to happen.) A design has been chosen and everything is in place to get the ball rolling. You can go to the website MoSHA for details. I contacted the Alliance (MAAL) to make sure this was on the up-and-up, since they were instrumental in getting the license plate pushed through. Amy Cox assured me it is legitimate and MAAL is busy preparing an announcement.

E) Non-Profit Class

One more non-profit class is coming up. It will be held in the Central Library Meeting Room 1, at the St. Louis Public Library, 1301 Olive. Meeting Your Responsibilities as a Non-Profit Board Member is on Tuesday, July 24, from 3:00 to 5:00 pm. The class is free, but pre-registration is required to reserve your seat. You can call 314-539-0357, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm on weekdays, or 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on Saturdays. You can also e-mail kparks@slpl.org.

F) Crazy Bowl for Dogs

Gateway Pet Guardians and Pound Pals Nooterville are sponsoring a fundraiser on Saturday, July 28, from 8:00 to 11:00 pm, at Show Me Lanes in South County. For $150, a team of six can play three hours of crazy bowl. Shoes and three pitchers of beer are included. Doors open at 7:00 pm, and play begins at 8:00 pm. They will also have a 50/50 raffles, cash prizes, and a silent auction. Call Arlene at 314-623-0412 to reserve a lane. (Last week's e-mail message had another phone number also, but it is not in operation.)

G) Bird Care Seminar

Nationally recognized animal behaviorist, Barbara Heidenreich, will be speaking at the Humane Society of MO, 1201 Macklind Avenue, on Saturday, July 29, at 6:00 pm. The topic will be "An Introduction to Training with Positive Reinforcement." The cost is $20 per person, and you can reserve a seat by calling Janet at 314-432-3019.

H) Basic Parrot Care Seminars

Whether you now have a parrot and need some help with behavior or diet, or if you would like to foster or adopt a parrot sometime in the future, this Basic Parrot Care class might be what you need. Taught by Perfectly Precious Rescue & Adoption, this two-hour class is being held at three different times, so one should fit your schedule:

Sat., July 21, Noon to 2:00 pm;

Sat., Sept. 15, Noon to 2:00 pm;

Sat., Nov. 10, Noon to 2:00 pm.

You can reserve a seat by calling Janet at 314-432-3019. The cost is $10 per person, and the classes will be held at the Humane Society of MO, 1201 Macklind Avenue.