momcat
03-17-2012, 02:44 PM
Hi PT Friends,
On Thursday I attended the ASPCA's Humane Lobby Day here in Trenton. The focus was on legislation to protect animals. It was interesting and very informative. It was also a great opportunity to connect with others who care about and are involved with animal welfare issues. About 70 people from around NJ attended.
The first speaker is from the Shark Research Institute and told us about "shark finning". Approximately 100 million sharks are killed each year for their fins, since 2010 the shark population has decreased by 90% due to this practice. The fins are then sold to make shark fin soup, an Asian delicacy. A bill has been introduced in Hawaii to ban the sale of shark fins but it's meeting some resistance. The speaker said shark meat is not edible and the consumption of Mako is being questioned. He also said sharks aren't the dangerous killers they're made out to be. Last year 115 people were killed by sharks while 1,500 died of heart attacks in bowling alleys! The Institue did a survey of Asian restaurants and found they are overwhelmingly in favor of the ban. When asked why they make the soup, the owners said they do it to be competitive with other eateries. New Jersey's Senator Bateman has introduced a bill to ban the sale of shark fins.
The second speaker is from the Farm Animal Protection Campaign and spoke about the inhumane treatment of farm animals. He discussed the use of "gestation crates" with pigs, the slides were hard to look at. He also discussed the egg industry and how chickens are caged and unable to move or even spread their wings. Conditions are deplorable, levels of amonia are extremely high causing reactions to humans and chickens in these places. Legislation is about to be introduced that would require all egg cartons to include a statement about the source of the eggs, if they're from caged chickens or free range, or chickens free to be outside moving around and living in safe and open conditions with plenty of fresh air and a clean environment.
From there we went to the State House to meet with legislators from our respective districts. The Senator from my district "declined" to meet with the 6 of us and our assemblywoman didn't respond to the ASPCA's request. We all agreed to remember this come reelection time. Our assemblyman, Reed Gusciora, was tied up in court so his Chief of Staff came to meet with us. Ms. Osmond was very interested and supportive of our concerns about shark finning and the treatment of farm animals, especially about the posting on egg cartons.
When we were done, I had the chance to talk with her one on one about an idea I have for a "Do Not Adopt" website list of people who are known to have abused, hoarded or mistreated animals as well as those found to be criminally or civily liable by the court and banned from owning, harboring, or keeping an animal. My idea is for veterinarians as well as rescues and shelters to have the authority to make entries to the list since they're on the front line; require rescues, shelters, and anyone involved with adoption to check the list prior to approving an adoption and note it on their business records. In addition, if a person on the list tries to adopt it be noted on the list with the date, adoption site, and their location. She loves the idea and asked me to send her a detailed e-mail about it. Yesterday she sent a response saying she agrees with my ideas and included a piece if legislation waiting to be introduced asking for my take on it. The response from others I mentioned it to was overwhelmingly positive so hopefully something can be done.
One of the things discussed was how to effectively communicate with legislators. Rather than an e-mail send a handwritten letter about your concerns. Taking the time to do this says you're serious about the issue because you took the time to write and this will get their attention. Beware of the "Divide & Conquer" technique since not all of them are concerned about animal welfare issues. This means they'll say yes to one thing but by doing so will refuse to support another.
A lot was covered and our direct involvement is the only way to make a positive difference. I strongly encourage everyone to attend a Humane Lobby Day event in your area. You can go to humanesociety.org and click on events to see if there's something in your area.
Here are other websites you can go to for more information on animal welfare issues:
Farm Animal Protection Campaign http://www.humanesociety.org
Shark Research Institute http://sharks.org/about-sri/history.html
Animal Protection League of New Jersey http://www.apinj.org/
Animal Welfare Institute www.awionline.org
On Thursday I attended the ASPCA's Humane Lobby Day here in Trenton. The focus was on legislation to protect animals. It was interesting and very informative. It was also a great opportunity to connect with others who care about and are involved with animal welfare issues. About 70 people from around NJ attended.
The first speaker is from the Shark Research Institute and told us about "shark finning". Approximately 100 million sharks are killed each year for their fins, since 2010 the shark population has decreased by 90% due to this practice. The fins are then sold to make shark fin soup, an Asian delicacy. A bill has been introduced in Hawaii to ban the sale of shark fins but it's meeting some resistance. The speaker said shark meat is not edible and the consumption of Mako is being questioned. He also said sharks aren't the dangerous killers they're made out to be. Last year 115 people were killed by sharks while 1,500 died of heart attacks in bowling alleys! The Institue did a survey of Asian restaurants and found they are overwhelmingly in favor of the ban. When asked why they make the soup, the owners said they do it to be competitive with other eateries. New Jersey's Senator Bateman has introduced a bill to ban the sale of shark fins.
The second speaker is from the Farm Animal Protection Campaign and spoke about the inhumane treatment of farm animals. He discussed the use of "gestation crates" with pigs, the slides were hard to look at. He also discussed the egg industry and how chickens are caged and unable to move or even spread their wings. Conditions are deplorable, levels of amonia are extremely high causing reactions to humans and chickens in these places. Legislation is about to be introduced that would require all egg cartons to include a statement about the source of the eggs, if they're from caged chickens or free range, or chickens free to be outside moving around and living in safe and open conditions with plenty of fresh air and a clean environment.
From there we went to the State House to meet with legislators from our respective districts. The Senator from my district "declined" to meet with the 6 of us and our assemblywoman didn't respond to the ASPCA's request. We all agreed to remember this come reelection time. Our assemblyman, Reed Gusciora, was tied up in court so his Chief of Staff came to meet with us. Ms. Osmond was very interested and supportive of our concerns about shark finning and the treatment of farm animals, especially about the posting on egg cartons.
When we were done, I had the chance to talk with her one on one about an idea I have for a "Do Not Adopt" website list of people who are known to have abused, hoarded or mistreated animals as well as those found to be criminally or civily liable by the court and banned from owning, harboring, or keeping an animal. My idea is for veterinarians as well as rescues and shelters to have the authority to make entries to the list since they're on the front line; require rescues, shelters, and anyone involved with adoption to check the list prior to approving an adoption and note it on their business records. In addition, if a person on the list tries to adopt it be noted on the list with the date, adoption site, and their location. She loves the idea and asked me to send her a detailed e-mail about it. Yesterday she sent a response saying she agrees with my ideas and included a piece if legislation waiting to be introduced asking for my take on it. The response from others I mentioned it to was overwhelmingly positive so hopefully something can be done.
One of the things discussed was how to effectively communicate with legislators. Rather than an e-mail send a handwritten letter about your concerns. Taking the time to do this says you're serious about the issue because you took the time to write and this will get their attention. Beware of the "Divide & Conquer" technique since not all of them are concerned about animal welfare issues. This means they'll say yes to one thing but by doing so will refuse to support another.
A lot was covered and our direct involvement is the only way to make a positive difference. I strongly encourage everyone to attend a Humane Lobby Day event in your area. You can go to humanesociety.org and click on events to see if there's something in your area.
Here are other websites you can go to for more information on animal welfare issues:
Farm Animal Protection Campaign http://www.humanesociety.org
Shark Research Institute http://sharks.org/about-sri/history.html
Animal Protection League of New Jersey http://www.apinj.org/
Animal Welfare Institute www.awionline.org