This comes by way of the wonderful Empty Cages Collective based out of NYC. Snapping turtles in NY state are in trouble. Here’s the release from ECC:
Urgent! New Yorkers Please Help Stop Horrific Abuse & Killing of Turtles!
The New York State Legislature has introduced a destructive bill (A2490) legalizing the capture and killing of snapping turtles by hand, hook, spear, clubbing, and hoop trapping. Snapping turtles have few protections under current law and these changes will dramatically increase the danger to these vulnerable animals, and enshrine yet another form of animal cruelty into New York Law. This ugly legislation could result in thousands of more turtles being cruelly killed in the state of New York.
The bill has passed the Senate and is currently in the Assembly Codes Committee. This proposed legislation is inhumane and based on bad science. Turtles are already vulnerable to an existing multitude of threats such as loss of habitat, mortality rates of pregnant females crossing roadways, high hatchling death rates etc. Killing snapping turtles by traps and by clubbing them to death will only increase their population loss and increase the suffering these unfortunate animals already endure. Turtles need to be protected, not killed!
Would you please make a 30 second call ( simply leave a message with the receptionist) and email to the following legislators asking them to defeat A2490!
2. Assemblyman Joseph Lentol Chair of Codes – (518) 455-4100 LentolJ@assembly.state.ny.us
Help Empty Cages Collective protect New York State’s Reptile! Please share the information with your turtle loving friends and family.
You DON’T have to by a NY state resident to help out with this. This isn’t getting a lot of media attention, so I urge to you help/share/spread the word! Here’s an additional link for Joseph Lentol, Chair of Codes. Be a voice for the turtles!
We had a much needed volunteer day up at Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary yesterday! Volunteers are ALWAYS needed, particularly during the winter months, so instead of laying around when it’s cold outside, head up to the farm and work on your muscles! Yesterday, a crew of us cleaned out the entire goat area… the goats are always a hoot. We then got to work in with the steer, where I was able to get a much coveted Dylan Hug. The best.
The Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur (Jewish day of Atonement) is coming up… and this is bad news for thousands of chickens. Every year in Brooklyn and other areas of the country, thousands of chickens are trucked in to serve as the kaporos. They are swung above people’s heads to represent the transfer of sins, and then are slaughtered pretty much on the spot by having their throats slit. However, there are more humane ways to perform this ritual. For example, some Jewish people choose to put money in a handkerchief, swing that around their heads and then contribute to charity. Why can’t everyone do it this way? That silly darn word “tradition”.
Using chickens is not required by Jewish law and many rabbis and respected leaders in the Jewish community have spoken out about the practice. It is cruel, inhumane, and the definition of unnecessary. United Poultry Concerns (an advocacy group that focuses specifically on domesticated fowl) is sponsoring a demonstration and protest for this year’s Kaporot. Here is the information about the event as it appears in their recent email about it:
Please Join our End-Chickens-As-Kaporos Demos
in Brooklyn on September 23rd and 24th
Sanctuaries and Other Animal Groups & Individuals: Please Bring Banners (and Yourselves & Your Friends) to Our Two Brooklyn Demos
See Demo Details to End Chickens as Kaporos Below. Please Let the Chickens Know We are There for Them.
The Alliance to End Chickens as Kaporos was started in 2010 to protest the use of chickens in the ritual of kaporos or kapparot, which is a custom practiced by some orthodox Jews right before Yom Kippur. Not mandated in the Torah or Talmud, it is estimated that 50,000 chickens are used in this ritual in Brooklyn alone, every year. In 2010 and 2011, we held demos in Crown Heights, Williamsburg, and Midwood, posted online petitions, placed print ads in three publications, including the Jewish Press, Jewish Week, and Five Towns Jewish Times, placed animated ads that flashed 400,000 times over a week in 30 online Jewish publications and purchased a brief spot on a Times Square billboard.
This year, we are inviting the participation of sanctuaries and other animal groups and encouraging them to come with their banners to show that we stand together against this cruel and outdated practice. We realize it is difficult to attend a demo where animals are going to be tortured and killed (it’s one of the hardest things most of us have ever done), but as hard as it is for us, it is infinitely harder for the chickens, and we must be there to speak out for them and show that we care.
Participating in this campaign also leads to the broader discussion of the way chickens are exploited and tortured in our society, and it can be a bridge to promoting veganism. When people express horror (which most do) over images depicting what kaporos chickens go through, it provides an opportunity to point out that the chicken on their plate suffered no less.
Please read A Wing And A Prayer for more information about the practice. Then please join us in speaking out against it.
Let’s let the chickens know we are there for them.
What: Protest the use of chickens in the ritual of kaporos When: Sunday, September 23rd 4-6 PM and Monday, September 24th 6-8 PM Where: On Eastern Parkway, between Kingston and Albany Avenues, diagonally in front of the Brooklyn Jewish Children’s Museum (792 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11213). Subway: Take the #3 to Kingston Avenue. Subway exits in front of the Museum Bus: The B44 Bus stops just 2 blocks from the museum on E. Pkwy and New York Ave. The B43 stops right in front of the museum on Kingston and Eastern Parkway.
The Alliance to End Chickens as Kaporos is a project of United Poultry Concerns. It is an association of groups and individuals who seek to replace the use of chickens in Kaporos rituals with money or other non-animal symbols of atonement. The Alliance does not oppose Kaporos per se, only the cruel and unnecessary use of chickens.
Please consider joining us for these demonstrations. It will no doubt be a difficult thing to witness… however we must keep in mind – “We must not refuse to see with our eyes what they must endure with their bodies.” We will stand up for these sweet, innocent creatures. We will speak for them in defense of their innocence. We will be a voice for the voiceless.
The wonders of social media led me to learn that this weekend there will be a “Hog Wrestling” competition at my hometown’s local farm stand, Ard’s Farm Market. This disturbed me greatly. Immediately I thought of the pig, and what in goodness’ name was “hog wrestling” all about? I quickly made my way over to YouTube, wondering if there might be footage of such an event. There was.
Disturbing, right? Could you imagine if they in place of a pig used a dog? This pig is clearly upset by being treated this way. Anyway, I tried to do as much as I could by alerting the local Humane Societies and SCPA’s, I even was able to get in touch with an animal lawyer in the state. She informed me that animal abuse laws in Pennsylvania are incredibly lax, and that there is a sort of “boys club” of sorts between the folks that enforce these laws. Sadly, what may come off as abusive treatment to you or I often isn’t dubbed as such by those enforcers. I also sent the following letter/op-ed to the local newspapers, The Daily Item and The Standard Journal:
Dear Residents of the Susquehanna Valley,
I grew up in Central Pennsylvania, the beautiful Victorian town of Lewisburg to be exact. I loved the upbringing I had living in such a safe and kid-friendly town. Originally from New Jersey, when I was 10 years old my family moved to the Susquehanna Valley and I lived there until I went away to college when I turned 18. After four years spent in Pittsburgh, PA, I made the move to New York City, where I currently reside.
Through the wonders of social media, I am still able to keep in touch with my roots. I keep in touch with my graduating class as well as some of my favorite shops and organizations. This past week, I saw a Facebook status update from one of my favorite places – Ard’s Farm Market – advertising their upcoming event this weekend. I was concerned to read that the event included “Hog Wrestling”.
I am not naive to the fact that animal agriculture is a way of life for some of the people and families in the Central Susquehanna Valley. Make no mistake about it – I know that I am in a small minority in this country who believe that animals are here with us, not for us. I also believe that people have the capacity to grow and evolve.
I haven’t always thought this way. I used to love cheese steak sandwiches at May’s Drive-In, fish sandwiches at The Fence, and the Friday special (fried fish with stewed tomatoes) at Country Cupboard. Hot dogs at football games were necessary. And opening day of The Freeze was quite possibly was my favorite day of the year. But several years ago, a shift took place. I learned about the suffering and torture we put billions of farm animals through every year. And for me, I decided that I could no longer be a part of it.
Don’t worry. I’m not asking every family in the Susquehanna Valley to go vegan. All I’m asking is for people to consider, as Albert Schweitzer said, “Think occasionally of the suffering of which you spare yourself the sight.”
This brings me back to the hog wrestling competition at Ard’s that is set to go on this weekend. Farm animals are some of the most abused and exploited living creatures on this planet… their lives and their deaths are very much full of fear, pain and terror. Now this one poor pig will be subject to repeated chasing, aggressive tackling, slamming and taunting in addition to whatever life he or she lives when he or she is not the subject of an abusive “entertainment” act. There are videos of hog wrestling at Ard’s to view on YouTube for those who may not know what it looks and sounds like. Imagine for a moment if this instead was a “dog wrestling” competition – an event like that would never be allowed to occur. It has been scientifically proven that pigs are smarter than dogs which also means their capacity to suffer is just as in tune.
I hope that the folks at Ard’s to find it in their heart to discontinue this event. Instead, why not have a hay bale toss, or corn cob relay race. Let’s extend the circle of compassion, even if just a little bit, to let that pig have just a little bit less stress.
With compassion,
Emily Monus www.jerseycityvegan.com
Please join me in compassionately calling on Ard’s Farm Market to suspend the “hog wrestling” event. I urge you to use your most compassionate voice, as that is what will help the animals most. Getting aggressive, as we all know, puts people off. Let’s show others the compassion that we know when we advocate for these beloved creatures.
UPDATE: As of the morning of 8/24, Ard’s Farm Market has disabled wall posts on their Facebook page. Several comments were posted in support of canceling the event, of which I read and am now kicking myself for not getting a screenshot! All comments were very respectful, calling on Ard’s to extend some compassion to the pigs and cancel the hog wrestling event. Fingers crossed local media decides to cover this inhumane event.
Recently, there has been some backlash against Lady Gaga because she wore a fur coat made out of pink rabbit fur. Well, we don’t know for sure whether it was real or not because she would not disclose it… which really can only lead you to believe one thing, right? Gagaloo put out a statement, where she says, amongst other things,
“I want you to know that I care deeply about your feelings and views, and I will always support your philosophies about life. I do not however support violent, abusive, and childish campaigns for ANY CAUSE. Particularly one I respect: Animal Rights.”
Whoa. Whoa. Whoa. Violent? Abusive? Childish? Ahkay. Here goes.
Dear Lady Gaga,
I read your statement about “Furgate”. I thought about it. I thought about how I would address what you presented if someone was standing right in front of me and said those words. I tried to imagine how you might say those words. I tried to think if you have ever looked into the reality of what wearing fur means. Have you? You can be honest with me, here. I don’t think you have, because I honest to goodness do not believe that someone who has done so would say the words that you did. I’m a little bit confused by all of this because didn’t you previously speak out AGAINST fur? And then you were photographed wearing fur while holding a dog.
A lot of people “know” the fur industry is brutal. But I really don’t think that they know know.
Everyday you ask millions of people a day to be loving and kind to their fellow humans – it’s time to extend that to ALL beings. All beings have the capacity to feel pain and suffer. Not just humans. What gives us the right to bully and electrocute animals via an anal probe, just in order to wear them as “fashion” or as you said, “museum pièce de résistance”?
It doesn’t take a strict vegan to know that wearing fur is so backwards. Fashion luminaries such as Stella McCartney and Tim Gunn are both staunchly against fur, amongst many others. People often say they have a “choice” to wear fur… but what about that poor animal who had no choice to be killed (violently) so you could wear him or her?
Cruelty towards others needs to include animals and “fashion” or “art” is not an acceptable excuse. What you’ve worn in the past is in the past… you can make a difference choice going forward. It’s ok. I wasn’t always vegan – we all had a starting point. Why don’t you make today your starting point? Acknowledge your past, and pledge going forward that you won’t harm beings just to wear them. Our past should not stop us from moving forward towards a more compassionate future. Let’s widen the circle of compassion and be the compassionate change we wish to see in the world. Stand up against cruelty towards ALL beings.
With love and compassion,
Emily
PS: There would be more grain to make bread for hungry children if more people went vegan!
It’s no secret that I am hopelessly devoted to Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary. It is a magical place that changed my life. I discovered it by chance, back in 2007. Melissa and I were getting ready to celebrate our one year anniversary. She had always wanted to take a class at The Center for Photography at Woodstock… so we ended up booking a weekend up in the area so she could take a class and we could spend some time away together. Her course was two days long, during the daytime hours, so I was on my on for several hours during the day. I knew the town of Woodstock was adorable, so I occupied myself discovering all the sweet shops and flea market on the first day up there. While I was walking around town, I kept seeing posters for something called “The Blessing of the Animals” at a place called “The Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary”… I thought, oh, I love animals, this sounds right up my alley! At the time, I was still eating meat and dairy full-time – the complete opposite of what I am now. I even remember going to Woodstock Meats to buy some bacon! Regardless, I decided to attend the Blessing ceremony, conducted by some peaceful Buddhist monks from the nearby monastery. That was when the seed got planted. I recall driving away from our rental cabin expressing feelings about wanting to give up eating animals. I felt timid and overwhelmed at first, but knew that there was something to be said with that, and it was going to be the beginning of my journey.
Over the next few weeks, I had this nagging thought that was always in the back of my mind… I really don’t think I want to eat meat anymore. It only took a few weeks before we took the plunge and gave up eating animals. We made attending the Blessing a yearly anniversary tradition. Each time I went, the nagging changed, and got louder and louder, urging me to go vegan. Finally, last year we made the connection and went vegan. And it’s all because of a woman named Jenny Brown, her husband Doug Abel and their magical farm sanctuary.
Jenny Brown’s journey was similar to mine in the fact that her enlightenment came in increments. The path might have been different, but the final destination was the same. And it is all recounted with joy, humor and honesty in her first book, The Lucky Ones: My Passionate Fight for Farm Animals. Co-written by Gretchen Primack, Brown recounts her journey from a cancer-stricken 10-year-old amputee to her thriving career in film which led to passion projects for PETA and finally turned her into a full-time animal activist, hero and co-founder of the Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary.
Interspersed with her personal journey, she includes mini-biographies of past and present residents of the farm. She tells their story, as well as hers, in truth and with love. She doesn’t shy away (nor does she ever) from exposing the truths of animal agriculture. The key thing, though, is that she does so with such finesse that she leaves you willingly questioning your own contribution (read: consumption of animals) to the industry. She makes you think. She helps guide you to make that connection. While she admits that she didn’t always have this knack of graceful truth-telling, it is something she can do now with ease.
This book was a pleasure to read. It reminded me of my own journey, why we do what we do, and inspires me to continue in my own form of activism whatever it might end up looking like. This world is a better place because of Jenny Brown, Doug Abel, and the other devoted animal caretakers and volunteers at Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary… and for that, I am grateful.
If you live in or close to the New York City area, there will be a party to celebrate the release of The Lucky Ones tomorrow night (August 7) at MooShoes. Jenny will be there, signing and selling her books. Stop on by for some vegan camaraderie and to celebrate the release of such a wonderful book. Hope to see you there!
I spent an extended weekend with some dear family and friends up in Woodstock last weekend. Of course, we paid a visit to see my critter friends at Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary! We went on full tour, with co-founder Doug Abel leading the pack. I brought along a bag full of goodies to share with my friends, including some grapes, watermelon and celery! If I can’t win their love by slinging their poo, I sure as hell will try winning their love through their stomachs. 😉 All photos by Melissa Cacioppo
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
Do you “Like” Jersey City Vegan on Facebook? No?! What are you waiting for?! I’ve uploaded the photos there, too. Come and gush your love about the critters!
I can’t think of a better way to spend the first Spring weekend than by volunteering at the Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary. This visit was so different from the last time we volunteered — last time it was a cold February day and it was snowing! This time we didn’t even need our jackets, and the critters were all out and about enjoying the rebirth of the season.
It’s safe to say that Melissa & I are officially hooked on volunteering here! While visiting the farm for special events and getting a farm tour is great and educational, you just don’t get this one-on-one personal access to the critters unless you take a day and go volunteer. We had a motley crew that hung with us the entire day — Beatrice, the beautiful white turkey, Timmy the heritage turkey, Star, the intersexed goat, one half of the Emmet/Jasper goat twin pair and Anne, the sweet goat with horns.
We happily cleaned up and refreshed the turkey pens, picked up pig poop in the pig pasture (a very strangely zen experience) and refreshed their hay, and then tidied up the main visitor arrival area in preparation for opening weekend next week! We are so grateful for having the opportunity to go and give back to the organization that has done so much for our lives, making such a positive impact and life change. It’s the very least we can do, and we love every minute of it. Now, when can we come back?!
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
WFAS opens next Sunday for the season, offering farm tours until the fall. WFAS is only two hours from NYC and is the perfect place to get away from the city, trading honking horns and sirens for cock-a-doodle doo’s and moos! Or, if you’d like to make a weekend of it (highly recommended!) you can book a stay at their new Bed & Breakfast!
Jersey City Vegan 