Deep Roots: Animal Rights Blog

The Chicago City council voted yesterday to overturn its two-year ban on foie gras. The foie gras ban had been tauted as a big victory for animal rights activists, so what does this current decision mean?

I don’t really think it means much of anything, to be honest. Well, it means that thousands of waterfowl will once again be subjected to violent force-feeding and engorgement simply for the gastronomic delight of a select group of people. But I don’t think it means much in the grand scheme of the animal rights movement.

Backlashes to victories are expected. If the victory were an easy one, it would not have been tauted as ground-breaking. But it was ground-breaking, which also meant that we woke up some of the opposition that had become quite comfortable after so many years of fattening up on the unhealthy liver of others.

Ultimately, however, we can still claim victory. Numerous people in Chicago and around the country became aware of the issue of cruelty inherent in foie gras production as a result of the initial victory in Chicago. That awareness is the beginning of a cultural shift. That is ground that anti-animal activists and their friends in the food sciences have lost and will likely never get back. The victory banning foie gras will be won again. And next time it will have the popular support and cultural outrage that will result in its everlasting reign.

If there is one thing I’ve learned over the past decade, its that animal rights activists don’t give up very easily.While chefs claim this as a victory for themselves and fine dining enthusiasts, civilizations continue to move along a slow path of increasing compassion. The cruelty of force-feeding an animals in order to produce an enlarged liver cannot and will not be ignored. Fifteen other countries have already banned the practice.

You can read the story from AFP at urltea.com/37m1

I just learned today that Peaceful Prairie Sanctuary co-founder Chris Alley-Grubb survived a heart attack last month. Although they don’t know it, Peaceful Prairie has served as a model for us as we’ve been getting started. Their work is inspirational and a true voice for animals everywhere. So we hope that Chris will have a full and swift recovery. Be sure to head on over to their site to see how you can help while Chris takes a much deserved (and doctor-ordered) rest.

via Animal Person:

Chris has been Vegan for 18 years, and doesn’t fit any of the usual heart attack profiles or risk factors, other than hereditary heart problems and having to deal with extraordinary levels of stress.

Running a sanctuary dedicated to the lifelong care, protection, and advocacy of the most exploited and mass murdered animals on the planet – Farmed Animals – is extremely taxing on those of us who witness the horrors endured by the innocent victims of of egg, dairy and meat production . Our emotional, physical, and mental fortitude is tested everyday in ways that are impossible to describe.

Chris has put everything he has into building PPS. Thanks to his complete devotion to our mission, Peaceful Prairie is bigger, better, and more productive for billions of animals worldwide, than ever. We will continue to thrive with your support. The much needed break Chris is being forced to take, will cut into PPS’ resources now that Chris will not be able to keep giving so much of himself.

For Chris, and for the animals to whom he has devoted his Life, Please Go Vegan – and continue your support of Peaceful Prairie!

Thank You!

from HSUS:

Measures to protect pets from being sold for experimentation, and also from the horrors of dogfighting, are being considered right now for inclusion in the final Farm Bill. A small committee will decide the fate of these provisions, and you live in a district that has more influence than others in the country. Please take action right away to protect pets.

Both the House and Senate Farm Bills include provisions to stop the abuses of Class B Dealers, who acquire dogs and cats through methods such as pet theft and fraudulent response to “free to good home” ads. The Senate Bill also includes a provision to strengthen the federal law to combat the barbaric activity of dogfighting. These provisions are in jeopardy and we need your help right away to ensure that they are retained in the final Farm Bill.

You should call your senators and representatives (calls have a greater impact). You can reach your elected officials by calling the Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121, or click here to look up your legislators and office phone numbers.

Those of us in Indiana have even more of an impact because Senator Lugar is the chair of the agriculture committee, the committee that determines the fate of the companion animal language in the bill. Calls are quick and can have a big effect on protecting animals. Here is a sample call from HSUS:

“Hello, my name is [your name] and I am a constituent from [your town]. I want to urge [legislator's name] to make sure that the final Farm Bill includes the Senate-and House-approved language that will put an end to the sale of random source dogs and cats by Class B Dealers for experimentation, and the Senate-passed language to crack down on dogfighting. These issues are very important to me. Thank you.”