Friday, May 7th, 2004
PAWS
Actionline
A weekly opportunity
to make a difference
for animals
PAWS Campaign Against Circuses That Use Performing Animals
Important Links
PAWS Animal Cruelty Resources and Links
Legislative Links
Washington State- House of Representatives
- Senate
Federal
- House of Representatives
- Senator Maria Cantwell
- Senator Patty Murray
Vote Smart is an excellent resource for all sorts of legislation.
Please direct questions or comments to info@paws.org. To unsubscribe, or subscribe to additional newsletters, please click here. If the PAWS Actionline was forwarded to you and you would like to subscribe, click here. The Actionline and other PAWS services rely entirely on your donations. Please give to PAWS.
PAWS Mailing Address:
PO Box 1037
Lynnwood WA, 98046
PAWS Physical Address:
15305 44th Ave W
Lynnwood, WA 98037
AARP Article Promotes Purchase of Purebred Dogs from Breeders
The May-June issue of the AARP magazine included an article that promoted breeding. Specifically, the article suggested creative ways for readers to spend their tax refund, including the purchase of a purebred dog. As if that wasn’t bad enough, the article went on to discourage readers from adopting dogs at animal shelters, saying, “You could get a pup free at the animal shelter, but you won't be sure if you'll have Toto or Marmaduke when the dog matures. If you want specific characteristics, consider a thoroughbred. You'll pay $750 to $1,500 or more for a purebred dog. Spring for one with great bloodlines and champion ancestors, and he may even earn a few bucks occasionally; stud fees range from $250 to $750.”
The AARP pulled this suggestion from their online article, in response to public reprimands, and included an addendum encouraging adoption from animal shelters, and directing people to Petfinder.com’s website. Our calls, letters and e-mails do make a difference!
While this is a step in the right direction, the article will not be retracted, so millions of readers who do not check the website will not be aware of this addendum.
What you can do:
Please contact the AARP and thank them for their online addendum. Then encourage them to do a follow-up feature story about pet overpopulation, the importance of adopting shelter animals versus purchasing them from breeders or pet stores, and about the wonderful and loving companion animals who can be found at local animal shelters. For more information about pet overpopulation, visit this PAWS link: www.paws.org/work/factsheet/advocacyfactsheets/overpopulation.html
AARP Contact Information:
Mr. Bill Novelli, CEO
American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)
601 E Street, NW
Washington, DC 20049
Emails with the subject line "ATTN: Bill Novelli" can be sent to:
mmletters@aarp.org
Ph: (202) 434-2277
Mr. James Parkel, President
AARP
same address and phone
Emails with the subject line "ATTN: James Parkel" can be sent to:
member@aarp.org
Mr. Steve Sloan, Editor
AARP The Magazine
same address and phone
Emails with the subject line "ATTN: Steve Sloan" can be sent to:
aarpmagazine@aarp.org
Ford Commercial Depicts Cat Decapitated by Car’s Sunroof
Ford recently produced an Internet commercial advertising their new Sportka car. The commercial portrays a cat jumping onto the hood of the car and sticking his head into an open sunroof. The cat is unable to remove his head before the sunroof closes completely and decapitates the cat. Ford claims that no animals were harmed in the making of the advertisement. However, such advertising methods promote animal cruelty. Ford is supposedly denying knowledge of the commercial despite links that were previously displayed on their own website to the commercial. The Ford website for this car (www.the-eviltwin.co.uk) has now been taken down, so perhaps they are taking note of the complaints that they have been receiving.
What you can do:
Please write to Ford to express your opposition to this type of advertising, making sure to note that this commercial promotes animal cruelty. Their address is:
Ford, Customer Relationship Centre
P.O. Box 25149
Glasgow, G2 4XF, UK
or via telephone at +44 (0)845 841 1111
Please also contact the advertising agency responsible for these ads at:
Ogilvy & Mather
10 Cabot Square
London, E14 4QB, UK
Telephone +44 (0)20 7345 3000
Fax +44 (0)20 7345 9000
Update on Proposed Magnuson Park Regional Sports Complex
Wednesday, April 21, Seattle City Council heard public testimony regarding the City's proposed plans to build a regional sports complex at Magnuson Park. The City's proposal calls for the largest synthetic turfed, night-lighted sports complex in the entire country. Many citizens concerned about the plan's devastating impacts to the surrounding habitat and native wildlife at the park attended the hearing and voiced their opposition. The Council did not take a vote on the issue. The Council’s Parks, Neighborhoods and Education Committee is still debating the issue, and will make a recommendation to the full Council. Seattle City Council is scheduled to vote on the Parks Department plan sometime before the end of May.
What you can do:
Your comments are still needed! Please send your e-mail to Seattle City Council Member, David Della, Chair of the Seattle City Council Parks, Neighborhood and Education Committee, at david.della@seattle.gov. If you would like more information, visit the Friends of Magnuson Park website at www.saveourpark.org
The Seattle Times ran an article about this issue on Wednesday, April 21. To access archived Seattle Times articles, you must sign in as a registered user, then type in "Magnuson Park" in the search window. If you are not yet registered, it’s free and easy to do so. Visit their webpage at www.seattletimes.com
