The Good and the Bad from the Past
Local Businesses Help Make Cinco de Mayo Silent Auction a Success! Thumbs up to dozens of local businesses in and around Madison who generously donated items for our Spring Veggie Dinner and Silent Auction. Please visit our sponsors (listed here) and tell them thank you for supporting our work! Madison is a compassionate and generous community, and we are proud to be here.
Super Mega-Rave for West Allis man, Dean Hall. You rock Dean!
Man Saves Opossum From Attack. Dean Hall discovered two boys attacking a young opossum and took action. He drove them off and then wrapped the the injured Ellie in his shirt and took her to the Wisconsin Humane Society. Wisconsin needs many more people like Dean!
WI State Assembly
Whoo-hoo! A giant Thumbs Up! to the state assembly for passing the puppy mill bill unanimously! Read the Journal Sentinel article and the Wisconsin Puppy Mill Project alert. To everyone who contacted their state reps: Thanks!
Animal Advocate Envisions a Vegetarian World
"I should've eaten my ham sandwich before picking up Karen Dawn's Thanking the Monkey: Rethinking the Way We Treat Animals."
Check it Out!
Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi Celebrate Their Marriage Vegan Style. What kind of cake did you have? "Red velvet. It was vegan—we're both vegans." Read the entire interview here.
A big thumbs up to MATC students for forming Students for Animals at the MATC campus.This student chapter of AFA meets Sundays at 4:00 at Mother Fools Coffee Shop. This group has plenty of ideas and energy and we look forward to working with them throughout the school year. Check out their facebook page here.
Operation Migration! Success!
Wisconsin whooping cranes arrived safely in Tennessee on December 5, on their way to Florida. Kudos to the ultralight pilots from Operation Migration who are guiding and protecting them on their annual migration. Smile when you read this story here.And really smile when you watch this.
Dawn Kubly: Use money to help people, not study monkeys
Capital Times Letter to the Editor is right-on regarding UW's use of monkeys to study alcohol effects.
Read letter here:
VegGuide.org
Compassionate Action for Animals, our friends up in Minnesota, encourages you to visit their world wide database of veg-friendly restaurants.
Their comprehensive guide is unique because it is community-maintained, allowing anyone to add new
entries, write reviews, and add ratings. The site is also entirely non-
commercial and ad-free (forever).
Check out the guide
Middleton Public Library
Take a trip to the Middleton Public Library to see the Alliance for Animals display in the main lobby. Many thanks to AFA volunteer Bob B. for making arrangements for the month-long display. E-mail Jackie if you'd like to volunteer to get a display at YOUR local library.
Veggie Options at Memorial Union
Woo Hoo! to Carl Korz, Assistant Director for Food Service at the Memorial Union at UW Madison for introducing a new array of vegetarian/vegan options for hungry students. Check out the latest veggie options next time you're passing through.
Linda Falkenstein
Isthmus reporter gives Wisconsinites something to think about in her recent expose' on the puppy mill industry in our own Badger state. Thumbs up for this excellent report! Write a letter to the editor in thanks for this excellent piece.
Christmas Mountain Village Says No to Cruelty
Thumbs up to Christmas Mountain Village manager Mark Krause and the members of the management team for choosing not to invite fur pelt sellers back to their establishment after visitors to the lodge complained about the cruelty of trapping fur bearing animals. Thank you to AFA members Sue McKean and Ann Emerson for speaking up for the animals. Please write Mark Krause et al and thank them for making the compassionate choice.
Wisconsin Houserabbit Society
Thumbs up to George Flentke, Chapter Manager of the Wisconsin Houserabbit Society for reminding us to think first before considering a rabbit
as an Easter gift. Read his letter here.
Madison School and Community Recreation Keeps Summer Enrichment Courses Cruelty Free
Middle-school students attending a summer enrichment course in zoology through Madison School & Community Recreation (MSCR) will no longer have a live rat in the classroom or dissect other critters. Read article here. Send your note of appreciation to MSCR for their humane choice and to the Isthmus for reporting the news.
Turtle Island Foods
Thumbs up to Turtle Island Foods for transferring their lovely donation of dee-licious veggie brats to the Madison Vegetarian Meetup Group. We urge you all to visit the meetup site and consider the May 30 picnic/potluck. Good people, good food.
Milwaukee Brewers' Homerun Hitter Prince Fielder Has a Heart for the Animals
"OK, raise your hands if you think vegetarians are weak and puny. For those who have their hands up, Prince Fielder would like a word with you. Fielder is the 6-foot, 270-pound first baseman for the Milwaukee Brewers with one hell of a reputation." Read the story here.
Thumbs up to Circuit Court Judge Andrew Gorning for understanding the difference between a living breathing dog and a Ford Pinto. Raymond Moser was convicted of felony mistreatment of animals for shooting 2 year old Liberty, who required surgery to remove her left leg and shoulder. She has been adopted. Read story here. Send Judge Gorning a thank you!
Honorable Andrew Gonring
Washington County Circuit Court, Branch 4
432 E Washington St.
West Bend, WI 53095
andrew.gonring@wisconsin.gov
Public Speaks Up For the Animals-Asks UW to be Accountable
Thumbs up to UW Alum Anneliese Emerson for speaking up for the animals in her WSJ letter to the editor,"Caloric Restriction or Starvation Study?".
And a thumbs up to Leslie Hamilton for voicing frustration in UW Madison's lax practice of keeping the public in the dark (see UW unresponsive on records request). UW has plans for an infectious disease research facility located just blocks away from Madison's Vilas and Greenbush neighborhoods. Why keep the public in the dark?
Public Still Asking for UW to be Held Accountable
Thumbs up to Dawn Kubly for speaking up for the sheep in her WSJ letter to the editor,"Time to end study of decompression."
And a thumbs up to Lesley A. Crocker as well for her letter to WSJ: "Iglesias charged, but not UW researchers."
Both writers point out the obvious: Justice isn't blind nor impartial when the lawbreaking involves the UW and its use of animals.
Mother Fools Coffeehouse
A truly vegan coffeehouse with delicious soups and pastries. If you haven't been there yet, please do. You can't go wrong. Great art, music, wireless internet, and always a smile. Check out their website.
Bill Lueders and Isthmus Win Genesis Award!
Bill Lueders (Alliance for Animals' Heart of Journalism awardee), received a Genesis Award on March 20 in Beverly Hills, California for reporting on animal issues. To see a list of (and links to) the many probing articles Bill has written to deserve this award click here.
A great picture of Bill with Linda Falkenstein here. Congratulations Bill!
The animals are cheering you on.
Congresswoman Gwen Moore
Congresswoman Moore (D-WI) is the only Wisconsin member of Congress to co-sponsor H.R. 1326: Great Ape Protection Act of 2009. (The Bill has 142 co-sponsors including 14 members from the Midwest.) District Office 219 N Milwaukee St STE 3A Milwaukee, WI 53202 Phone: (414) 297-1140.
Daisy Cafe and Cupcakery Offers Vegan Cupcakes
If you find youself with a sweet tooth while on the east side of Madison, there is now another option for vegans. Stop in at Daisy Cafe and order a vegan cupcake and thank them for putting them on their menu.
Kristin Czubkowski: Capital Times Reporter
A big thumbs up to Cap Times reporter Kristin Czubkowski for being the first to report on the proposed Warner Park goose kill. If it weren't for her April 16 article, Warner Park Geese are Cooked, perhaps the kill would have continued in the dark. Send a thank you!
Wisconsin State Legislature
Congratulations to the Wisconsin State Legislature for passing A.B. 842, and its Senate companion, S.B. 663, which requires the addition of a bitter flavor agent to antifreeze and engine coolant, in order to prevent animals and children from being poisoned by the sweet-tasting liquid. Send thank you's to Rep. Christine Sinicki, D-Milwaukee, and Sen. Jeff Plale, D-Milwaukee for being the leaders in this effort.
The Onion
It's so great to be living in the town that produces The Onion. When one local newspaper continues to glorify UW researchers and the circus coming to town, The Onion "gets it." Children of All Ages Delighted by Enslavement of Topsy the Elephant. Thank you for your ability to see through the facade of animals in entertainment.
Colleen Patrick-Goudreau
A big thumbs up to Colleen Patrick-Goudreau, the 2010 guest speaker at our Vegantines Dinner and Dance. Colleen's business, Compassionate Cooks, was named NUMBER ONE of the Top Innovative Companies in Vegan Education.
Shawano County Fair
Thumbs up to the Shawano County Fair for canceling their pig wrestling event scheduled this year. If you have a minute, send them an appreciation letter. For more information on pig wrestling in Wisconsin, check our website.
The Capitol Times Speaks Out on County Resolution to Study the Ethics of Monkey Research.
Plain Talk: Shine Light on UW Animal Research by Dave Zweifel, editor emeritus of The Capitol Times.
WISC-TV Editorial Director Neil Heinen
Thumbs up to WISC-TV for their May 31 editorial, Research and Reform: Should We Talk About This in which Editorial Director Neil Heinen supports Dane County Resolution 35. This resolution would establish a Citizens’ Advisory Panel to study the use of monkeys in Dane County. More on this resolution here.
Dr. Jamin es D. Shull will become the next chair of the Department of Oncology at the McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research. Unfortunately for the current and future victims of cancer, Dr. Shull’s work is focused monomaniacally on experimental cancer in rats. A few years ago his lab was the first to demonstrate that ACI rats treated with a naturally occurring estrogen develop mammary cancer but that Copenhagen and Brown Norway rats do not. Both cancer victims and rats lose with Shull’s appointment. Read it here.
Jenifer Street Market has a live lobster tank.
We encourage compassionate Madisonians who find boiling live lobsters abhorrent to politely mention this to the managers and/or staff during your next visit.
Lobsters kept in tanks suffer from stress associated with confinement, low oxygen levels, and overcrowding. Additionally, these sea animals do not have automated nervous systems to put them into a state of shock when they are harmed. Therefore, marine biologists theorize that they feel every second of pain inflicted upon them before their death.
We urge you to let Jenifer Street Market know, by phone, mail, or in person that you are saddened by the sight of lobsters in a tank and will not give them your business until they remove the tank.
2038 Jenifer Street
Madison, WI 53704
608-244-6646
Willy Street Co-Op Not Exactly Animal Friendly Time to write a letter and boycott Willy Street Co-op? Shocking to many will be our discovery that the co-op has been selling live lobsters for some time. Lobsters are, apparently, a "special order" item. But not to worry, says the co-op fishmonger, lobsters have simple nervous systems and don't suffer when they are dropped alive into boiling water. AND, in keeping with this animals-don't-matter business plan, in the current issue of the co-op's newsletter, they promote increased animal testing of chemicals. Get the facts Willy Street, and get a heart. Trader Joe's gets our vote! Read an AFA Board Member's letter to co-op regarding their promotion of animal testing (written before learning about the lobsters.) Send your comments here.
Madison School District
Vegetarian meals not available for low income students. "Oceanna Tout, a Shabazz senior who has been a vegetarian for five years, started a group of seven to 14 students dissatisfied with the meat-free choices. Tout said she's among the students who are eligible for reduced-price lunches, but she can't obtain some vegetarian soups because they're not part of the main lunch. Read the WSJ article here.
Vilas Zoo Splits Up Polar Bears
Believe what you want about the Vilas Zoo's good intentions for moving polar bear Nanuq to Bufffalo NY, but to us it's another example of animals being treated as objects to be bought, sold, or loaned with no regard for social bonds. Nanuq was suddenly wrenched away from his home of over 20 years and his longtime female companion Mishka, who now lives a solitary life in Madison. E-mail zoo director Jim Hubing to consider such bonds before making such thoughtless decisions.
Gov. Jim Doyle: Money and Jobs More Important Than Life?
In a little-publicized move, Gov. Jim Doyle and the
legislative leadership extended tax credits to the meat industry as an incentive to expand their production. Guess they didn’t read the news that eating processed meats and red meat is linked to earlier death? Or that a hamburger a day might increase your likelihood of dying by 30%. Thanks Governor Doyle.
Governor Doyle Thinks Ten Year Olds Should Be Allowed to Kill Animals
Governor Jim Doyle succombed to the hunting lobbying/community and signed into effect SB 167 which lowers the hunting bill to ten years of age. Ridiculous. Get him out of here. Read more here and here.
Shame On Wisconsin Pig Wrestling
The heat brings out the stupid across our fair state when groups of six or more overweight, bored, drunk, pinheads gang up on a frightened and confused pig to prove to a crowd of peers that they are worthy of a prize. Take a look at some pictures from the Antigo and Eldorado pig wrestling competitons. This is just plain mean and ugly. Send letters of outrage to Antigo Daily Journal for praising this cruel event. Then make a donation to Pigs Peace Sanctuary.
Boycott Budget Bicycle!
If you're thinking about purchasing a new or used bicycle, please do not shop at Budget Bicycle. Owner Roger Charly swindled activists whom he had promised to sell a piece of rea lestate--between the UW's Primate Research Center and the Harry Harlow lab--for a handsome sum. He used his false promise to them to parlay a deal for $1,000,000 with the university. One who values dollors over innocent lives and endless horrific suffering is not to be trusted. Shop elsewhere, please.
Pig Kissing NOT Inventive OR Kind
Isthmus writer Jill Carlson calls it "inventive." We call it a lesson in callousness. Students, staff, and families will pay $1 to watch Omega School principal Oscar Mireles kiss a small pig to raise funds for the United Way. Maybe students, staff, and family could be encouraged to donate by talking to them about the good deeds accomplished by the United Way rather than the further manhandling of an animal whose life is already going to be filled to the brim with fear and misery? Consider asking principal Mireles to leave the pig alone and teach the students a little bit about kindness and a concern for others, even pigs, instead.
Dane County District Attorney Brian Blanchard
He's making baaaad decisions. E-mail him a request to reconsider the plain facts and hold the university accountable.
UW Stonewalling on Public Records
Requests for copies of correspondence concerning the multiple unanticipated deaths of monkeys used in Michele Basso's lab's highly invasive brain experiments have been repeatedly denied.
A storm is brewing. For more on Basso see the Basso Lab and "The 'Best Science'".
What is Wrong With Tammy Baldwin?
It is simply difficult to understand why our Tammy Baldwin is refusing to join 145 legislators in co-sponsoring the Great Ape Protection Act. See the other co-sponsors here. Very disappointing. Call her D.C. office at 202.225.2906): Ask her to support the Great Ape Protection Act, H.R. 1326, by signing on as a cosponsor. Tell her that you do not want tax dollars used on research using chimpanzees. Let her know that you appreciate her record on animal issues and that you trust that you will be able to count on her to support this important bill. Read about it here.
Pig Wrestling
As we near summer we notice the yearly stupid pig wrestling events showing up across our state. Go to our newest website NoPigWrestling.org to learn more.
Conklin Dairy Farms in neighboring Ohio
Captured on hidden camera, the shocking scenes of abuse reveal a culture of cruelty at Conklin Dairy Farms in Plain City, Ohio. Watch Mercy for Animals' undercover video footage. "The deplorable conditions uncovered at Conklin Dairy Farms highlight the reality that animal agriculture is incapable of self-regulation." We, at Alliance for Animals say, go vegan.
Delavan Township Makes Hall of Shame
On June 30, with the approval of Delavan Township County Board, DNR came in and rounded up and killed all of the geese on Delavan Lake. After Lakeland Animal Shelter volunteered to maintain the parks at no cost to the city and hundreds of citizens signed the petition against the kill only one courageous supervisor voted to save the geese. Please thank Ryan Simons for his compassion and willingness to work with the city to solve the problem in a non-lethal way as well as Becky Stritt for all of her work to save the geese. Thumbs down to Town Chair Dorothyh Burwell, and Supervisors Barb Militelo, Herb Sessner. Visit the Facebook page if this enrages you.
The Dairy Industry
Watch the NY Times slide show on Wisconsin's happy cows, and dairies' happy and healthy neighbors.
