From the VA Rescue Law list on Yahoo! Groups .
This proves beyond the shadow of a doubt that the HSUS and the
radical AR group PETA are in league and want to ban pet ownership .
Kevin
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR EVERYONE WHO OWNS OR KEEPS BIRDS & WANTS
TO
CONTINUE TO BE ABLE TO DO SO
Permission given to cross post
--------------------------
I have been challenged by several Animal Rights activists in bird
rescue to
"prove" that any Animal Rights organizations want to make it illegal
to own or
keep birds. Here's this summer's "smoking gun" on the issue.
These are excerpts from this summer's "HSUS / PETA Private Action
Alert
Newsletter Issue 22 Summer 2003" (the newsletter is printed below
the quotes).
This is information every bird owner, breeder, and rescuer needs to
read and
understand. This information is especially important for those in
the bird
world who still believe Animal Rights groups have our birds' best
interests at
heart, and who still believe Animal Rights groups have no plans to
outlaw the
keeping of birds as pets.
Animal Rights groups believe your birds should be outlawed because
they are
"wild animals". They are actively seeking legislation to outlaw the
ownership and possession of exotics, including parrots and other
birds, by
individuals. This would mean that all pet owners, most breeders, and
rescues
and
sanctuaries would not be able to keep exotic birds. No one is exempt
from the
agenda.
Of particular note to those involved with animal welfare - This
newsletter
praises the efforts of HSUS and PETA members during the Exotic
Newcastles
Disease (END) outbreak in the Western U.S., which resulted in
the "termination
of
over 105,000 exotic pet birds to date." Note that "termination"
means
killing. Keep in mind that existing federal and state laws allowed
government
agents to kill more than 3 million birds in the past year, most of
which were
never tested for END or showed any symptoms of the disease. In the
overwhelming number of cases, the birds (including those more
than "105,000
exotic pet
birds" that HSUS/PETA is pleased to see were killed), were simply
killed for
being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
If the ownership of birds is outlawed, as HSUS / PETA clearly state
is their
goal, does anyone think your birds will not be subject to the same
fate?
California prohibits the ownership of Quaker parrots, and if they are
discovered
by fish and game or animal control they are regularly killed. Do you
think
your birds will be treated any differently?
I welcome any comments anyone has to this post.
Genny Wall
__________________________
EXCERPTS:
"As a principle, The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS)
strongly
opposes the keeping of exotic and nondomestic animals (wild animals)
as pets.
This
includes the many parrots and other exotic birds, ferrets, reptiles,
rabbits,
mice, rats, squirrels, raccoons, and wildcats."
"Wild animals are not domesticated simply by being captive-born or
hand-raised by a human mother."
"Wild animals range from the parakeets found in numerous petshops to
performing elephants in circuses. The most popular forms of wild
animals
enslaved into
the pet industry are various parrots, cockatoos, ferrets, raccoons
and big
cats."
"Why are public health and safety a concern?
Every year, privately owned wild animals seriously injure or kill
humans
...... parrots have bitten off fingers and ears, especially children"
"Wild animals should only be kept in captivity by professional
zoological
facilities. The only individuals who should be allowed to have wild
animals are
licensed wildlife rehabilitators and certain breeders"
"Are there any bans being presented to the government to prohibit
the
possession of all wild animals?
Yes, a large number of animal rights groups have joined with us to
appeal to
the legislation to eliminate the possession of all exotic animals
currently in
the US and Canada ......... to make illegal the possession; private
ownership; husbandry; transporting; sales; confinement; and capture
of all
exotic
wild animals that are in the exotic wild animal pet trade"
"Who would be adversely affected by a ban on possession of wild
animals?
Most legislation would only affect those persons, businesses, or
groups who
want to sell or keep wild animals and those who wish to exploit
animals for
"entertainment"" purposes; The legislation would not attempt to
regulate
laboratory activities or government-sponsored field studies"
"Doesn't the federal Animal Welfare Act protect wild animals owned
as pets?
this law provides no protection for wild animals kept strictly as
pets."
"How did we fare in the END [Exotic Newcastle''s Disease]
elimination
process?
Thanks to the help of the USDA and our many animal rights groups and
subscribing supporters like you, we were successful in seeing the
termination
of over
105,000 exotic pet birds to date."
"Refuse to support the bird trade, as birds are wild animals and
even if some
bond with their human companions, they are never tame and should
never be
kept in captivity"
"It is the belief of many here at PETA that birds should be
euthanized -
which will end their suffering - as the alternative to being
confined to cages
and
forced to be companions to humans that just aren''t satisfied with
having a
cat or dog"
"We as human beings should be contented with merely watching them
interact
among their own kind in the wild. The sooner we put an end to the
pet trade,
the
better for all animals"
"Enslaved and Stressed: There is no such animal as a ""cage bird.""
All caged
birds are either captured or captive-bred. No bird was born to be in
a cage.
Stay informed of the stresses of such birds in the next issue."
---------------------
TEXT OF HSUS/PETA PRIVATE ACTION ALERT NEWSLETTER ISSUE 22 SUMMER
2003
THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
PeTA PEOPLE FOR THE ETHICAL TREATMENT OF ANIMALS
Private Action Alert Newsletter Issue 22 Summer 2003
Should Wild Animals Be Kept as Pets?
As a principle, The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS)
strongly
opposes the keeping of exotic and nondomestic animals (wild animals)
as pets.
This
includes the many parrots and other exotic birds, ferrets, reptiles,
rabbits,
mice, rats, squirrels, raccoons, and wildcats.
Appropriate care for wild animals requires considerable expertise,
specialized facilities, and total dedication to the animals'' needs.
When wild
animals
are kept as pets, their lives are likely to be filled with misery.
Often they
languish in a cramped backyard cage or circle endlessly in a cat
carrier or
aquarium. Their suffering may begin with captureâ€"â€"every year
millions of
birds
and reptiles suffer and die on the journey from their habitat to the
pet store.
The wild-pet trade threatens the very existence of some species.
With few exceptions, wild animals are difficult or impossible to
care for.
They often grow to be larger, stronger, and more dangerous than
owners expect
or
can manage. Their nutritional and social needs are generally
unknown, and
recognizing medical problems is difficult for the untrained
individual. They
can
even pose a danger to human health and safety through disease and
parasites.
Wild animals are not domesticated simply by being captive-born or
hand-raised
by a human mother. It''s a different story with dogs and cats, who
were
domesticated thousands of years ago. These special animal companions
depend on
humans for food, shelter, veterinary care, and affection. Wild
animals, by
nature
self-sufficient, fare best without our interference. As any animal
matures,
the need for a mother ends and the instinctual behavior of the adult
animal
replaces the dependent behavior of the baby or juvenile. Inevitably,
the cuddly
baby wild animal becomes an aggressive biter or displays destructive
and
seemingly temperamental behavior without provocation or warning.
Such an animal
has
become a problem and is either neglected, passed from owner to
owner, or
disposed of in other ways.
Wild animals range from the parakeets found in numerous petshops to
performing elephants in circuses. The most popular forms of wild
animals
enslaved into
the pet industry are various parrots, cockatoos, ferrets, raccoons
and big
cats.
Should individuals keep wild or exotic animals as pets?
No. Wild and exotic (non-native) animals are unsuitable for home
rearing and
handling. They have complex needs that are difficult to meet. Most
individuals
have neither the finances nor the experience to care for them
properly. It
has been estimated that 90% are dead within the first two years of
captivity.
Many wild animals forced into a domestic situation cause injury to
humans,
especially children. Others, if released into the environment, can
cause
irreversible and costly damage to our ecosystem.
Why are public health and safety a concern?
Every year, privately owned wild animals seriously injure or kill
humans. Pet
snakes have suffocated babies; parrots have bitten off fingers and
ears,
especially children; raccoons have killed children; and lions have
mauled their
owners. Individuals legitimately concerned about wild animals being
kept in
their neighborhoods regularly seek assistance in dealing with this
problem.
Animals in traveling acts also present considerable danger to the
public. One
particularly notorious act involved a wrestling bear that, though
muzzled and
declawed, managed to bite off fingers and break bones.
Furthermore, wild and exotic animals carry a number of diseases that
are
transmissible to humans, including polio, rabies, tuberculosis,
hepatitis,
rickets, tularemia, leptospirosis, salmonella, ringworm, and other
parasites.
When is captivity justified?
Wild animals should only be kept in captivity by professional
zoological
facilities. The only individuals who should be allowed to have wild
animals are
licensed wildlife rehabilitators and certain breeders. In both
cases, they
should demonstrate a thorough knowledge of their field and an
ability to care
for
the animal humanely.
Are there any bans being presented to the government to prohibit the
possession of all wild animals?
Yes, a large number of animal rights groups have joined with us to
appeal to
the legislation to eliminate the possession of all exotic animals
currently in
the US and Canada. You can help us pass this law into effect by
writing your
state legislators and congressmen and urge them to pass laws 294,
and 1009
respectively; to make illegal the possession; private ownership;
husbandry;
transporting; sales; confinement; and capture of all exotic wild
animals that
are
in the exotic wild animal pet trade. This will also enforce the laws
already
existing appertaining to our local wildlife as well.
Relatively few state laws already on the books apply to all
wild/exotic
animals; many prohibit or restrict the private ownership of wild
animals native
to
that state through their hunting and trapping regulations, or they
involve
just one or two species such as skunks, raccoons, or venomous
snakes. A few,
unfortunately, have the same shortcoming as some local laws; i.e.
they either
totally ignore or at best address only adequately the humane
considerations of
such ownership. Some of the newer ones, however, seem more conscious
of this
aspect of the problem. Few states make any provision for performing
animals and
other traveling exhibits or roadside menageries.
Who would be adversely affected by a ban on possession of wild
animals?
Most legislation would only affect those persons, businesses, or
groups who
want to sell or keep wild animals and those who wish to exploit
animals for
""entertainment"" purposes; The legislation would not attempt to
regulate
laboratory activities or government-sponsored field studies.
Legitimate
possession of
wild animals would continue with the welfare of the animals
safeguarded. Such
bills are not intended to criminalize purely unintentional or
momentary
captures of wild animals (e.g., a child picking up a toad in the
woods). The
specific intent required for possessory crimes, precautions written
into
legislative
history, and prosecutorial discretion are all safeguards against
absurd
applications of the statute.
Doesn''t the federal Animal Welfare Act protect wild animals owned
as pets?
This law, even if fully enforced, only provides protection to those
animals
in the custody of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) permit
holders, i.e.,
research facilities, dealers, exhibitors, and operator''s of
auctions. Thus,
this law provides no protection for wild animals kept strictly as
pets. Some
states have laws that either forbid or regulate the ownership of
wild animals,
but they are in the distinct minority.
How much can it cost a government to have such a law?
A better question might be, ""How much can it cost not to have
one?"" A
government, state or local, does not have to incur much, if any,
cost to enact
and
enforce this type of law. It can, however, incur great expense if it
fails to
control the private ownership of wild and exotic animals in some
way. Local
communities with such ordinances report that costs involved are
negligible.
How did we fare in the END [Exotic Newcastle''s Disease] elimination
process?
Thanks to the help of the USDA and our many animal rights groups and
subscribing supporters like you, we were successful in seeing the
termination
of over
105,000 exotic pet birds to date. Unfortunately, too many breeders
are using
currently existing laws to evade the quarantine and elimination of
these birds,
and possibly continue to spread END. This is why we need supporters
like you
to write your state legislators and urge them to pass bills 294 and
1009.
Express to them that you support the bans and want them in effect
immediately.
We
would not have been able to come as far as we have without your
support.
POSTING NOTE: [I have deleted several parts of the text of the
following
sections of the newsletter to keep the post shorter - email me at
gennygem2@a... if you want a copy of the newsletter with this text]
Keep Your Pet Safe on July 4th
There is more you can do online at hsus.org. Animal lovers, start
your
computers!
The race to help pets has gone cyber, and with just one click of the
mouse
you can support The Humane Society of the United State''s Rural Area
Veterinary
Services (RAVS) program, which delivers desperately needed
veterinary care and
spay/neuter services to underserved areas across the country.
The HSUS and Care2 have teamed up to launch the ""Race for Pets in
Need"" on
the Care2.com web site, described as ""the Yahoo for people who care
about the
environment."" The race is an online program in which every click of
the
mouse generates a donation to the RAVS program.
Donations are generated via sponsors who agree to be featured on the
Race for
Pets in Need pages, which are located under the ""Pets in Need""
logo in the
""Take Action"" section of the Care2 web site. If no sponsors are
secured for
the period of the race, Care2 will donate $1 for every 1,000 clicks
to The
HSUS. The program was officially launched on April 18, and in just
13 days, it
had already attracted more than 105,000 clicks.
Through Care2.com, The HSUS will potentially reach nearly a million
people
each month with life-saving information about our Pets for Life
program,
designed to keep pets and their people together by addressing the
reasons why
pets
lose their homes. The Care2 website will also feature a different
pet tip each
week, taken from The HSUS Pets for Life behavior tip sheets.
""This is a really quick-and-easy way for people to make a
difference for the
animals, while getting great pet tips at the same time"" says
Stephanie
Shain, director of Companion Animal Outreach at The HSUS. ""It''s
something
people
can do everyday, right from their computer. Activism doesn''t get
any easier
than this.""
Write Your Own ""Declaration of Independence"" for Animals â€"â€"
and Win a
Free
T-Shirt!
This Independence Day, as we celebrate our personal freedom, let''s
remember
that animals still desperately need their liberation.
In 100 words or less, tell PETA what changes you''ll make in your
life
starting on the 4th of July (or now!) to bring the right to ""life,
liberty,
and the
persuit of happiness"" one step closer for animals. Will you adopt a
vegan
diet? Help get MasterCard to drop its support for animal circuses?
Start buying
cruelty-free shampoo? Protest Iams? Push for a law in your town
prohibiting
the chaining of dogs?
We''ll post the most compelling essays on PETA''s Web site or in
PETA''s
Animal Times. Ten winners will receive PETA''s free ""Animal
Liberation/Human
Liberation"" T-shirts.
Enjoy Independence Day Meals Without Meat This 4th of July With Our
Tasty
Recipes!
Cure BBQ Cravings With Hearty Mock Meats: These days, almost any
well-stocked
supermarket sells a variety of veggie burgers and ""Not Dogs"" that
you can
pop into the microwave for a two-minute meal or toss on the grill at
your next
backyard barbecue. PETA''s picks: Boca Original (Vegan) veggie
burgers and
Lightlife Smart Dogs.
Do the food editors of your local newspapers run page after page of
recipes
for ribs and BBQ beef burgers every single summer? This year, ask
them to try
something new by spotlighting vegan barbecue dishes! You can find
contact
information on the Web site. If they get stuck, food editors are
welcome to
reprint
any of PETA''s recipes in their publications.
If your church is planning a pig-roast fundraiser, ask the pastor to
pass on
the pork and serve animal-friendly vegetarian fareâ€"â€"such as
veggie burgers
and dogsâ€"â€"instead. Remind other churchgoers that God''s message
of mercy
and
compassion doesn''t mesh with modern-day factory farms, where
animals suffer
every single day.
Hungry for some all-American vegan apple pie? Try PETA''s recipe:
Get PETA''s ""Proud to Be a Vegetarian American"" bumper stickers.
Visit
www.peta.org
Bird Overpopulation and Control Methods
The current overpopulation of captive birds in this country is
quickly
approaching that of cats and dogs; most bird sanctuaries are full to
overflowing,
and homeless birds are shunted from pillar to post. According to
PIJAC (the Pet
Industry Joint Advisory Council), in 1990 there were 11 million pet
birds
living in 5.1 million households in the U.S. By 1996, the number of
birds had
grown to 40 million, while the number of homes remained fairly
consistent at
5.9
million. With the added consideration of a bird''s lifespan-many
parrots live
50 to 100 years, often outliving their human companions-the
resulting
overpopulation crisis means that euthanasia is a problem with regard
to birds
just as
it is with cats and dogs. Refuse to support the bird trade, as birds
are wild
animals and even if some bond with their human companions, they are
never tame
and should never be kept in captivity. Birds are meant to fly and be
with
others of their own kind in a natural environment. Confinement
causes birds to
have temper tantrums and mood swings. Birds can also be mischievous
and highly
destructive. They sometimes chew carpet, electrical and phone wires,
and
practically any other material in your home. It is not their fault
that they do
not
make good house companions. Many birds are abandoned and euthanized
due to
their natural behavior being perceived as intolerable by their human
companions.
It is the belief of many here at PETA that birds should be
euthanized - which
will end their suffering - as the alternative to being confined to
cages and
forced to be companions to humans that just aren''t satisfied with
having a cat
or dog. They should be left in the wild of their native habitats and
exist
peacefully within their own flocks. We as human beings should be
contented with
merely watching them interact among their own kind in the wild. The
sooner we
put an end to the pet trade, the better for all animals.
""Bond Girl"" Denise Richards Aims to Terminate PETCO''s ""License
to Kill"".
Read her letter.
A Bug''s Death: The ""splatometer"" is poised to become the next hip
conservation tool.
The Feminine Mistake: Water contaminated with residue from birth-
control
pills can bend the gender of male fish, according to Canadian
researchers who
presented scientific findings last week to the American Chemistry
Council.
Clear Skies Looking Dirty: One of President Bush''s most ambitious
environmental proposals is in jeopardy
.
In our next issue:
Monkeypox: The outbreak of monkeypox in the U.S. lends credence to
The
HSUS''s longtime opposition to the keeping of wild animals as pets.
The virus
entered the country via small mammals imported from Africa for the
pet trade,
and
has spread to prairie dogs, and even rabbits, who were also destined
for pet
stores. Monkeypox is merely the latest disease on the block; exotic
animals
kept
as pets have posed a danger to human health for years. Learn more
about the
illness and whether your pet is at risk.
Animal abuse issues:
Enslaved and Stressed: There is no such animal as a ""cage bird.""
All caged
birds are either captured or captive-bred. No bird was born to be in
a cage.
Stay informed of the stresses of such birds in the next issue.
Rainforest Habitat Destruction: Each day thousands of acres of
rainforest is
destroyed, many endangered species become increasingly extinct. Find
out what
you can do to help!
EU Chemicals Law Means Massive Animal Slaughter:
Want to stay on top of all the issues available to the public? Visit
our
websites at www.hsus.org, www.peta.org. Visit www.cwapc.org - our
new joint
website banding together with other smaller animal rights
organizations -
together
we can make a difference for a better tomorrow. We would not exist
without your
help. THANK YOU FOR MAKING A DIFFERENCE FOR ANIMALS â€"â€" TODAY!!
NAROA
