by Jason on October 19, 2006
Rosemary reports that schools in Vancouver have something called “food studies” as a class, and as it turns out, in addition to a decent way to learn the ways of the sandwich, it’s a great opening for a discussion about food production, as discovered by the Vancouver Humane Society, who has given talks in around 25 schools so far. There’s a great picture in the article of a chicken cage filled with fake birds, along with several great ideas for anyone in a position to talk to the youth of today about animal farming. Mind you, the youth of yesterday (a.k.a. when I was a boy) didn’t have these fancy classes. We had to tie food studies into our math lessons, but boy oh boy, I’m thankful for my education every time I have to calculate the square root of hummous. Link.
by Jason on September 29, 2006
VP is proud to share the quote of the week with the Santa Barbara Independent: “What kind of vibrator would you use on a cow?” That’s the question that was asked after an animal rights activist caught rodeo workers using electric cattle prods on some calves to get them through the chute leading to the main pen. When questioned about it, rodeo manager Josiah Jenkins denied the allegations, saying that they were using vibrators, not prods, which brought about the quote and some nifty misdemeanour animal cruelty charges. Link to quote, Link to story, courtesy of vegsantabarbara, who might be able to tell you more about it if you ask nicely.
by Jason on September 8, 2006
Sparkalina sends word that Earthlings might be up for an Academy Award, but they need your help. All you have to do is stop trying to get it out there for free! This isn’t about piracy – the Academy won’t consider a film for an Oscar if it’s available for download. I don’t know why, but to read more from the director, follow the Link.
by Jason on August 14, 2006
It looks like Johnathan‘s gone and made himself a vegan public service announcement. Actually, I don’t know if he made it, but he submitted it, and that sounds better than “gone and gotten invovled in some way in.” Good copy trumps proper fact checking every time, right? As he says, “The Vancouver Vegetarian Association is trying to raise funds to get this commercial on the air, and to make more veg related commercials.” What does everyone think about using brand names in the spot? How relevant is television, especially in terms of dollars versus influence, in the age of MySpace and YouTube? Post feedback in the comments… Link.
by Jason on June 30, 2006
Ange emailed me* with word of a new PETA campaign that I rather liked: give KFC the bird! Link to info, Link to results (49 pics so far). (* yes, we talk, and yes, we were in different rooms when it happened…)
by Jason on June 29, 2006
Add the city of Los Angeles to the list of groups who oppose the use of scantily-clad women to promote animal welfare. As Stitches reports, the Hooters restaurant chain is putting on a “Hooters for Neuters” fundraiser to benefit the spay and neuter programs at Los Angeles Animal Services, and city officials aren’t amused. Now, I’m not certain of the geographical boundaries, but LA strikes me as a place where a lot of people do some very silly things with their bodies in pursuit of much simpler goals. Animal Services director Ed Boks says that despite the objections, the bikini contest will go ahead as planned, although there probably won’t be another one (quick, double the price of the now “limited edition, one time only” souvenir shirts!) Link.
by Jason on June 12, 2006
kunsjoi reports that millionaire real estate tycoon Bernard Aptaker, 80, is starting to give away his money. Soured on human beings by his experiences in WWII (Aptaker spent years in Nazi camps), his beneficiaries are primarily animals. As his first gift, he’s given 60 acres of land to Houston’s Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals for the creation of an animal refuge, and he’s vowed that the gift will be followed by many more. It’s ironic that his example, brought on by distrust of humans, has renewed my faith in people’s ability to do good things. Link.
sparkalina sent in the following request: “Please ask vpers (especially Netflix users) to write into the Netflix. Ask them to withdraw “Street Heat: Hood Fights Vol. 2″ from their catalog. This film features an “up-close and personal view of the madness inside the dog pit” and glorifies dog fighting, which is an illegal practice in all 50 states (not to mention a cruel and barbaric one).” If you have a Netflix account, you can probably contact them here, otherwise your best bet is probably contacting the public relations department.
Tired of the whole “dude, we were designed to eat meat” argument? Ange just forwarded me a video that addresses the concerns in a unique manner – it’s an animation by Bizarro madman Dan Piraro. Speaking of whom, if you ever get a chance to see him speak on AR or anything else, do it – he’s a funny, funny man. Link.
I just received word that the verdict is in for Adam Durand, an AR activist who was arrested after sneaking into an egg farm to capture footage of conditions that would form the basis of the Wegmans Cruelty DVD. While on the property, Durand and two friends rescued 11 hens who they believed needed veterinary care. Yesterday, Adam was acquitted on felony buglary and petit larceny charges, for which he faced up to 7 years in prison, but he will be sentenced on misdemeanor trespassing charges in the 16th. The lawyer for the defense doesn’t expect any jail time will be handed out. Kudos to the jury for realizing that rescuing hens who were clearly sick or dying is an act of compassion! Link.
