ACTION ALERTS!

ACTION ALERTS!

There are so many ways to get active for the animals!

Demonstrations and leafleting events are great ways to highlight an issue. But if street-activism isn't for you, join our letter-writing team!

Below is a list of action-alerts for you to take part in. Be sure to let us know if you receive responses from any of the companies/people that you write to!

ACTION ALERT! Contact the Dept. of Agriculture	10/6/2008 Hi, The Department of Agriculture is currently drafting legislation to update the Animal Welfare Bill, which will be brought to the Government for approval in the coming months. Although the summary draft of the bill focuses primarily on aspects of farming, such as the control and eradication of animal diseases, and the slaughter and disposal of animals/animal by-products, it also seeks to update the Protection of Animals Act 1911 on cruelty-related offences. It will also include provisions to deal with inspections for specified animals and the conditions in which they are kept (for example, pet shops). In their consultation paper (which you will find at: http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/index.jsp?file=areasofi/animalhealthandwelfare.xml ), they state that ''the responsibility for the welfare of all animals (including non-farm animals) will be consolidated in the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Food". This means that we now have an opportunity to send in submissions, not only in relation to fur farming, but on other issues too - such as vivisection, circuses, greyhound racing and even horse carriages. They are encouraging people to contribute to the ''decision making'' process, and state that "The Department is anxious that as wide a view as possible is canvassed and that the legislation is drafted in an informed manner, having regard to the respective submissions". We will be sending in a number of official submissions, on various issues, on behalf of the group. But I can't stress enough how important it is for everyone to take the time to write in - the more they hear from us, the better our chances will be. Your letter(s) can be as short or as long and detailed as you like - what matters is that they receive as many submissions as possible. You have until Friday 11th July 2008 (no submissions will be accepted after that date) and you can either post or email your submission. Here are the contact details: Mr. Peter Fallon Animal Health & Welfare Bill Section, 4th Floor, Agriculture House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2. AHWBill@agriculture.gov.ie Thank you, National Animal Rights Association

ACTION ALERT! Dún Laoghaire animal circus ban	The Captive Animals' Protection Society www.irishcircuses.org Action Alert, 7 May 2008 Dún Laoghaire County Council to vote on animal circus ban Dún Laoghaire County Council is the latest council to discuss a ban on animal circuses on council-owned land. A motion tabled by Green Party Councillor Nessa Childers is due to be voted on some time in May - possibly as early as next week. Please write to councillors asking them to support this motion. The ban would be an important step in showing that animal circuses are not acceptable and to promote animal-free shows. Cork County Council recently introduced a ban, as did Fingal County Council last year. CAPS is now working with several other councils across the country to introduce local bans. Please send a quick e-mail to councillors: jbailey@cllr.dlrcoco.ie, mbailey@cllr.dlrcoco.ie, mbaker@cllr.dlrcoco.ie, jbyrne@cllr.dlrcoco.ie, bconway@cllr.dlrcoco.ie, louisecosg@cllr.dlrcoco.ie, Gareth.Crowe@oireachtas.ie, aculhane@cllr.dlrcoco.ie, cdevlin@cllr.dlrcoco.ie, jdbyrne@cllr.dlrcoco.ie, cfallon@cllr.dlrcoco.ie, genefeighery@cllr.dlrcoco.ie, tonyfox@cllr.dlrcoco.ie, phand@cllr.dlrcoco.ie, ghorkan@cllr.dlrcoco.ie, tjoyce@cllr.dlrcoco.ie, tkivlehan@cllr.dlrcoco.ie, dmarren@cllr.dlrcoco.ie, tmatthews@cllr.dlrcoco.ie, lmccarthy@cllr.dlrcoco.ie, mmoconnor@cllr.dlrcoco.ie, denisoc@cllr.dlrcoco.ie, tohiggins@cllr.dlrcoco.ie, gokeeffe@cllr.dlrcoco.ie, joleary@cllr.dlrcoco.ie, carriesmyth@cllr.dlrcoco.ie, nbhreathna@cllr.dlrcoco.ie You can use information from CAPS' website www.irishcircuses.org to help with your letter. Keep your email brief and if you are from the Dún Laoghaire area please mention this in your letter. Thanks for your support! The Captive Animals' Protection Society PO Box 4186, Manchester, M60 3ZA, UK info@captiveanimals.org Tel: 0845 330 3911 www.captiveanimals.org www.irishcircuses.org

ACTION ALERT! Help Ban Fur Farming in Ireland	*UPDATE* 6th May 2008 We recently received a response from the Department of Agriculture (not from the Minister himself) in relation to fur farming. In the letter, it states that "Fur Farming is currently a legitimate farming activity in many Member States of the European Union" and that the licensed fur farms in Ireland are all "operating in compliance with current legislation". It also goes on to say that "Given that the licensed fur farms in this country meet current national and E.U.requirements there is no reason why what is, after all, a legitimate farming activity, which is permitted in the greater majority of E.U. Member States, should be banned." We are absolutely disgusted by their lack of compassion, and will be issuing a response to their letter at once. We would like to urge everyone, even if you have written to the Minister before, to please voice your objections to Ireland's fur trade immediately (details below). ------------------------------------------------------------------------ There are 5 mink farms here in Ireland - all of which are licensed by the Department of Agriculture. There is also at least 1 fox farm in the country, but as these farms don't need to be licensed, the exact number is uncertain. Please contact the Minister of Agriculture, who is responsible for the deaths of over 150,000 mink and over 300 fox every year, asking him to ban fur farming in Ireland: Minister Brendan Smith Office of the Minister for Agriculture & Food, Agriculture House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2, Ireland. info@agriculture.gov.ie Tel. +353 (0)1 6072000

ACTION ALERT! Contact the Irish Farmers Association	Hi, On Tuesday 26th Feb., whilst out leafleting, we happened upon a protest organised by the IFA (Irish Farmers Association) outside the EU Commission offices on Molesworth Street. As part of their protest (which was to highlight apparent ''dangers'' to the future of the beef industry) a number of live cows were used. Cows clearly don't belong in Dublin, let alone at a noisy protest (amplified sound was used). I personally witnessed the cows being pulled and dragged out of their trailers, and they were then tied (by the head and neck) to the outside of the trailers. No water was provided for the animals (not that they could have moved their necks to reach down for a drink anyway!!!), which defies the Protection of Animals Act, 1911 - where it states that any animal that is confined must be provided with suitable food and water. It also goes without saying that by being forced to participate in the event, these animals were subjected to mental, physical and emotional distress. We made a number of complaints to the ISPCA , the DSPCA and the Gardai at Pearse Street at the time regarding the matter - but to no avail. So we are asking that everyone please make a complaint to the IFA: You can comment on their protest here: http://www.ifa.ie/default.asp?com=ifa&org=&ACT=12&id=62 Submit a query here: http://www.ifa.ie/query.htm Or email: postmaster@ifa.ie, kerry@ifa.ie, galway@ifa.ie, tipperary@ifa.ie, roscommon@ifa.ie, donegal@ifa.ie, wexford@ifa.ie, cork@ifa.ie, kilkenny@ifa.ie, offaly@ifa.ie, limerick@ifa.ie, monaghan@ifa.ie, kells@ifa.ie, mail@ifabrussels.be We are also asking that people register complaints, and ask for appropriate action to be taken against the IFA with: ISPCA: info@ispca.ie DSPCA: info@dspca.ie Gardai: Sgt. Paul Dolan, Pearse Street Garda Station, Pearse Street, Dublin 2, Ireland. Thank you for your support.

ACTION ALERTS! - Circus & Bullfighting	16th July 2008 Hi, Please take part in the following action-alerts, every letter counts! (1)It was brought to our attention that Ticketmaster is currently allowing Duffy's Circus to sell tickets for ''shows'' through their website. Please contact Ticketmaster informing them of the horrendous cruelty involved in animal circuses, and ask them to refrain from doing business with any circus that uses animals: http://www2.ticketmaster.ie/help/contactus_email.asp For facts on circuses to use in your letter, check: http://www.naracampaigns.org/animalcircuses.html or http://www.captiveanimals.org/ (2) We were informed that Budget Travel is advertising bullfights in Spain. Please contact them and ask that they stop promoting animal abuse: online@budgettravel.ie or (01) 6311 075 (3) We were shown that Backpackers-Europe magazine has also promoting torture to Spanish bulls, by writing a favourable article on the ''Running of the Bulls''. Please contact them and ask that they never again encourage people to attend this festival of cruelty: editor@backpacker-europe.com Below are some facts on action-alerts No. 2 & 3, which you can use in your letter. Thanks, National Animal Rights Association FACTS ON BULLFIGHTING & THE RUNNING OF THE BULLS: A Tradition of Cruelty The magnificent animals who slip and slide on the streets of Pamplona during the "Running of the Bulls" are later barbarically killed – all in the name of "tradition". Torturing and killing a defenceless animal should not be celebrated as tradition. People have always tried to use tradition to justify horrible things, such as child labour and slavery. But tradition doesn't make something right. Bullfighting is a cruel blood sport that should have been relegated to the history books a long time ago. No matter what its history is, bullfighting consists of the torture, mutilation and slaughter of animals for entertainment. The 'Running of the Bulls' Bulls are bred in fields and are not accustomed to the noise of the crowd or being surrounded by people. They are kept in crowded, dark enclosures, and when they are prodded onto the streets with electric shocks, they are momentarily blinded by the sunlight. They are terrified and are hit by runners with rolled up newspapers. The corners of the bulls' route are quite sharp, and the animals often lose their footing and slide into walls, breaking bones and injuring themselves. All the bulls who slip and slide on the streets of Pamplona are running towards a bloody and horrific death in the bullring. Bullfights Each year, more than 40,000 bulls are barbarically slaughtered in Spain's bullrings. Most foreign visitors who witness a bullfight never wish to see one again. They are repulsed, disgusted and saddened by the cruelty of the spectacle. At best, the term "bullfighting" is a misnomer, as there is usually little competition between a nimble sword-wielding matador (Spanish for "killer") and a confused, maimed, psychologically tormented and physically debilitated bull. One of the biggest supporters of bullfighting is the tourist industry. Travel agents and bullfight promoters portray the fight as a festive and fair competition. What they do not reveal is that the bull never has a chance to defend himself, much less to survive. Bulls are intentionally debilitated by various means, such as having sandbags dropped on their backs. Drugging is also very common. A study conducted by scientists at Spain's Salamanca University found that 20 per cent of the bulls used for fighting are drugged before they step into the ring. In a sampling of 200 bulls, one in five had been given anti-inflammatory drugs, which mask injuries that could sap animals' strength. Another common practice is to "shave" bulls' horns by sawing off a few inches. Bulls' horns, like cats' whiskers, help the animals navigate, so a sudden change impairs their coordination. Shaving is illegal, so the horns are sometimes inspected by a veterinarian after a fight. In 1997, the Confederation of Bullfighting Professionals – which includes Spain's 230 matadors – went on strike in opposition to these veterinary inspections. In a typical bullfight, the bull enters the arena and is approached by picadors – men on blindfolded horses who drive lances into the bull's back and neck muscles. This impairs the bull's ability to lift his head. They twist and gouge the lances to ensure a significant amount of blood loss. Then banderilleros enter on foot and proceed to distract the bull and dart around him while plunging banderillas – bright sticks with harpoon points on their ends – into his back. When the bull has become weakened from blood loss, the banderilleros run the bull in more circles until he is dizzy and stops chasing. Finally, the matador appears and, after provoking a few exhausted charges from the dying animal, tries to kill the bull with his sword. If he misses, succeeding only in further mutilating the animal, an executioner is called in to stab the exhausted and submissive animal to death. The dagger is supposed to cut the animal's spinal cord, but even this can be blundered, leaving the bull conscious but paralysed as he is chained by his horns and dragged out of the arena. If the crowd is happy with the matador, the bull's ears and tail are cut off and presented as a trophy. A few minutes later, another bull enters the arena and the sadistic cycle starts again. It is a very cowardly event. The matador has the choice to be there – the bull does not. From the moment he enters the ring from the dark alleyway where he is kept, the bull doesn't stand a chance. He may be weakened by beatings with sandbags, have the muscles in his neck cut in order to prevent him from lifting his head up all the way, be debilitated with laxatives, have his horns shaved or have petroleum jelly rubbed into his eyes in order to alter his ability to judge distance.

ACTION ALERT! Contact Decor	*UPDATE* March 08 We were in the shop recently, and there wasn't any skulls or horns/tusks for sale. After a rummage around, we did find about 4 fur rugs stuffed in a shelf at the back, but would imagine that they are the last of them and that they won't be buying in any more. We'll keep monitoring the shop though! Well done to everyone who contacted Decor!! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It was brought to our attention that Decor, a furniture and accessories store, is selling crocodile skulls, monkey skulls, horns/tusks and fur pelts. We sent them a letter asking them to discontinue the sale of such items, but they never responded to us and are still dealing in animal cruelty. Please contact them (politely, of course) and ask them to reconsider their part in the deaths of animals: Decor 14A Wexford Street, Dublin 2, Ireland. decor_ireland@hotmail.com Tel. +353 (0)1 4759010

ACTION ALERT! Ask Connected Ink to hand over 'their' snake	*UPDATE* 21st April 2008 We visited Connected Ink tattoo parlour again on Saturday, but the staff still refused to hand him over. They were quite rude and offensive - claiming that they'd ''do what they want'' with the snake, such as ''wearing'' him, and even stated that ''snakes are delicious''. We also later found out that they were about to sell him to Reptile Haven, where he would have then been sold on for a higher price (as he is apparently quite an exotic breed). So who knows what would have happened to him then - he could possibly have been used as breeding stock. The situation was desperate, so for the snake's safety, welfare and happiness, a few of our members decided to pay for his freedom. We deplore that fact the we had to give his heartless captors - who are disgusting excuses for human beings - a cent, but it was a last resort. And we are now delighted to announce that he, now named Adam, is settling into his new home with Catherine - where he can live out the rest of his life in happiness. Thank you to everyone who took part in the 'Free Adam' campaign - particularly to Elaine (who found him and brought him to our attention in the first place) and to Catherine (for being brave enough to adopt a python!). Your compassion set him free. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Connected Ink tattoo parlour, who are keeping a 3yr old Carpet Python confined to an extremely small cage, won't hand the snake over (even after numerous discussions with them regarding his welfare). And have stated that if they can't sell him, they'll just keep him. We found a great home for him, with a vegan animal-rights activist, but they won't let him go unless someone pays for him. As an animal rights group, we are ethically opposed to putting a price on a life - so we are not going to encourage this immoral behaviour by 'purchasing' him. The staff in the Connected Ink seem to know frighteningly little about keeping a snake, so we are very concerned about his/her welfare (they couldn't even tell us the sex of the snake). We have registered official complaints with both the DSPCA and ISPCA about the situation, urging them to look into the matter, but we doubt that they'll do much. So we are asking that you please take the time to contact the tattoo parlour, politely asking them to show compassion and give the snake the life he deserves, by handing him over to us: ADDRESS: Connected Ink 69 Middle Abbey Street, Dublin 1, Ireland. Tel. : +353 (0)1 872 1846 Thank you!