Foie gras

Paté de foie gras, translated from French, means “fatty liver.” This so-called gourmet delicacy is anything but delicate. Indeed, it is undeniably the product of extreme animal cruelty.

Force-fed cruelty

Factory foie gras farms intensively raise ducks and geese in large, enclosed barns. For the last few weeks of their lives the birds are forced into tiny wire cages, barely larger than their bodies, where they cannot even turn around or spread their wings. As social animals, they suffer greatly when confined to individual cages. Their suffering is further compounded by the fact that they are denied access to enough water to swim and preen, which they do naturally in the wild. This confinement can also lead to lesions of the sternum and bone fractures, as well as foot injuries from the cage floors. Two to three times a day, farm workers grab the immobilized birds and cram metal pipes down their throats, forcing huge amounts of food into them in seconds. The birds suffer tremendously during and after the force-feeding process. The excessive overfeeding (equaling one third the bird’s body weight - each day) causes their livers to become diseased and to quickly swell up to ten times their normal size. Soon they can barely stand, walk, or even breathe. This force-feeding can also cause painful bruising, lacerations and sores. They often die when the metal feeding tubes puncture their necks, when their stomachs literally “burst”, or when force-feeding overfills them to the point of suffocation.

In Canada, half a million birds are killed for foie gras each year.

International response

Due to animal welfare concerns, more than a dozen countries—including the United Kingdom, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Israel (formerly the world’s fourth-largest foie gras producing nation), Norway, Poland, Sweden, and Switzerland—have prohibited the production of foie gras. In 2004, California became the first U.S. state to ban the cruel force-feeding of birds and the sale of foie gras produced from force-fed birds, effective 2012.

Take action

• Contact your Minister of Agriculture and demand a national ban on foie gras production.
• Next time you go into a store or restaurant or supermarket that sells foie gras, please let the manager know that a product that comes from force-feeding ducks and geese is more than you can stomach and that you will not shop or dine there as long as they sell it. Then, let us know about it by emailing info@hsi.org.

Video Credit : People For Ethical Treatment of Animals . Source: Humane Society International. Video Credit : People For Ethical Treatment of Animals .

I was delighted to find some cool products at London Drugs last weekend that I could use, instead of the “animal cruelty” products sold on a massive scale everyday.  What bugs me is: WHY ? - after all that research and development for which millions of tame defenceless innocent rabbits, dogs, cats have to suffer, does humans still subject countless animals to such unrelenting torture just to create the “new formula and improved” version of their products ?

I therefore commend the following brands on ensuring no animal testing on their products, urge them to stay that way, and that more cosmetics companies will come onboard:

St. Ives Body Moisturizer - Not Tested on Animals

TRESemme Nourishing Moisture Shampoo - used by professionals - THIS PRODUCT IS NOT TESTED ON ANIMALS

TRESemme 24 Hour Body Shampoo - used by professionals - This product is not tested on animals

> This link allows you to search for products and companies that DO NOT test on animals.

Whether it came from an animal on a fur farm or one who was trapped in the wild, every fur coat, trinket, and bit of trim caused an animal tremendous suffering—and took away a life.

Animals on fur farms spend their entire lives confined to cramped, filthy wire cages. Fur farmers use the cheapest and cruelest killing methods available, including suffocation, electrocution, gas, and poison.

More than half the fur in the U.S. comes from China, where millions of dogs and cats are bludgeoned, hanged, bled to death, and often skinned alive for their fur. Chinese fur is often deliberately mislabeled, so if you wear any fur, there’s no way of knowing for sure whose skin you’re in.

Animals who are trapped in the wild can suffer for days from blood loss, shock, dehydration, frostbite, gangrene, and attacks by predators. They may be caught in steel-jaw traps that slam down on their legs, often cutting to the bone; Conibear traps, which crush their necks with 90 pounds of pressure per square inch; or water-set traps, which leave beavers, muskrats, and other animals struggling for more than nine agonizing minutes before drowning.

> How You Can Help

Source: People For The Ethical treatment of Animals .

Get Baked! Holiday Bake Sale
When: Sunday, December 19th, 12 noon-5 PM
Where: Main Space, 350 East 2nd Avenue, Vancouver

The friendly folks over at Vancouver’s own Vegan Project are hosting their first holiday bake sale, featuring:

~Hot apple cider as soon as you walk through that door.

~A plethora of vendors sharing their yummy vegan delights.

~The best holiday music playlist you’ve ever heard.

~St.Nick himself, available for pictures with kids and pets!

Entrance fee is $2 or FREE with a healthy snack donation for the kids at Grandview Elementary.

If you’re interested in helping out, contact meetus@theveganproject.ca for more info or check out their facebook event page!

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Holiday Turkey Leafleting
In the week leading up to Christmas, we will be handing out copies of our “Talking Turkey” leaflets to rush hour commuters around Vancouver. Here are the times and locations:

Dec 20 – 4:30-5:30pm – Burrard station
Dec 21 – 4:30-5:30pm – City Centre/Granville Skytrain stations
Dec 22 – 4:30-5:30pm – Cambie & Broadway
Dec 23 – 4:30-5:30pm – Commercial & Broadway

We’d love to have your help! If you would like to volunteer, please contact Roger at roger@liberationbc.org or 778-991-7614.

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Button Design Contest!

Got some ideas for funny, clever or super cute buttons?  Liberation BC is in need of new button designs and we want to hear from you!  We need 2 new button designs: one about the cruel dairy industry and one about holiday turkeys. For the turkey design we prefer that the message is not limited to just Thanksgiving or Christmas but can be used throughout the holiday season.

There will be two winners (one for turkey & one for dairy) picked by a public voting process.  The design with the most votes will receive a free Liberation BC bamboo/cotton blend, sweatshop-free t-shirt - a value of $25 - and a free one year Liberation BC membership valued at $15.

Most importantly, the buttons containing your powerful message will be sold at all Liberation BC events to help speak up for the cows and turkeys!

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Special Advanced Screening of Forks Over Knives
When: January 20, 2011, 7-9 PM
Where: Vancouver Public Library
Admission: Free!

The feature film Forks Over Knives examines the profound claim that most, if not all, of the degenerative diseases that afflict us can be controlled, or even reversed, by rejecting our present menu of animal-based and processed foods.

This is a special free advanced screening of the film in partnership with the Vancouver Public Library!  Fork Over Knives is due out in theatres March 2011.

If you’d like to help out, please print these posters to promote this film screening:

• Large (11×17)
• Letter size
• Letter size (white background)

. Source: Liberation BC .

> Help these reindeer now .

Dear Readers,

Max was sold by NUVAS on April 15, 2010, in order to be used for experimentation.

You probably think of an animal shelter as a safe haven for homeless animals looking for a second chance at a loving home. Tragically, many animals at North Utah Valley Animal Shelter (NUVAS) never get that opportunity.

PETA recently received 50 photos of dogs NUVAS sold to the University of Utah for use in cruel and deadly experiments. Some of the animals sold to the university have holes drilled into their skulls, their chests cut open and medical devices implanted onto their hearts, and hard plastic tubes repeatedly forced down their throats.

NUVAS is the only animal shelter in the state of Utah that continues to betray animals in its care by selling them for experimentation, and it’s time for the shelter to stop this disgraceful practice of profiting at the expense of these dogs.

See photos and read about Max and other dogs who were denied a second chance at a loving home and learn about what you can do to help end this practice.

Thank you for helping dogs!

Sincerely,

Justin Goodman
Associate Director
Laboratory Investigations Department

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

Global Boycott of Procter & Gamble
When: Saturday, May 8, 2-3 PM
Where: Outside London Drugs (1187 Robson Street, between Bute & Thurlow)

Join Liberation BC and other animal lovers around the world as we protest Procter & Gamble, one of the cruelest companies on the planet.
to stop the company’s blinding, burning, maiming and killing of thousands of animals each year in product tests that are cruel, outdated and not required by law.  All signs and literature will be provided.

Most people in Canada are against animal testing for cosmetics and household products, but not everyone knows that Procter & Gamble kills tens of thousands of animals in tests every year–despite the fact that they are not legally required to do so.  Procter & Gamble manufactures dozens of common products, including Febreze, Swiffer, Duracell Batteries, Herbal Essence, Gillette, Tide, Gain, Ivory, Dawn, Head and Shoulders, Pringles, Oil of Olay, and many more, including Iams and Eukanuba pet food.

What products are cruelty-free, you ask? Too many to list here!  Check out www.caringconsumer.com or our page for more info.

Please join us this Saturday and speak out against unnecessary cruelty!

Source: Liberation BC .

	© Karla Goodson/HSI
	Our team saved suffering sled dogs from likely death. Help us rescue animals in situations like this, and work for stronger anti-cruelty laws

Imagine being left in a forest, chained to a tree, without regular access to proper food, clean water or adequate shelter. Imagine growing more and more desperate as the days and weeks go by, your cries unanswered.

For approximately 100 neglected sled dogs in Québec, this was reality until their owner surrendered them, and Humane Society International and the SPCA Laurentide-Labelle arrived to rescue them. Please consider a donation to help us stop this kind of suffering.

As we walked onto the property, my heart broke. The huskies had been chained to plywood structures over barren stretches of frozen mud. Hungry and dehydrated, they were unable to move more than the two-meter radius their chains permitted.

I am always amazed by the power of dogs to forgive. It was as if they realized we were there to help them, and slowly the miserable, emaciated huskies began to wag their tails as we approached. The dogs began to bark in excitement, but one remained quiet, waiting as his friends were rescued. I went to him and, as I grew closer, I realized he was blind because of cataracts—another casualty of the neglect these dogs endured. Carefully, we walked him to freedom, and the promise of a better life.

We arrived just in time. Winter is coming, and many of these dogs may not have survived without our intervention. With extreme cold temperatures approaching, these dogs—including a number of puppies—could have faced a horrific death.

Thankfully, our rescue operation was a complete success. One by one, we led or carried the dogs into our Emergency Services vehicle, and transported them to our emergency shelter an hour away—space generously donated by a local businessperson. There, dedicated volunteers from United Animal Nations will provide round-the-clock care, while SPCA LL veterinarians will treat and vaccinate the dogs. Once healthy, these deserving dogs will be adopted out to loving homes in Canada and the United States.

While these lucky dogs are now safe in their warm, temporary enclosures, so many more less fortunate animals across Canada still face neglect and abuse. With your help, we can ensure sled dogs and other animals do not have to face this kind of misery again.

Please give what you can to help us continue to fight cruelty by rescuing animals and advocating for stronger laws.

Together, we can make animal suffering a thing of the past.

Sincerely,

Rebecca Aldworth
Director
Humane Society International/Canada

The Humane Society of the United States today released the results of an undercover investigation documenting shocking animal abuse at a Vermont slaughter plant. > more> facts about Factory Farming > Personalise draft & Email Letter to the Department of Agriculture now .

Halloween Safety Tips for Animals

By taking a few simple precautions, everyone—humans and animals alike—can have a safe and happy Halloween. Check out PETA’s tips for protecting animals during this haunting holiday.

Watch: The Downed Cow Story

See the heartbreaking true story of a downed cow who was kicked in the face, ribs, and back in an effort to get her to stand up. Watch now and learn what you can do to help dairy cows! >Prime Minister’s wife Sarah Brown refuses Veal & Foie Gras served at summit > Mistreated veal calves > Facts about veal .

‘Save the Seals’ Celebrity Ad Series

Kelly Osbourne, Perez Hilton, and Animal Collective are among the celebs speaking out against Canada’s annual seal slaughter. See their ads and find out who else is speaking up for seals.

Texas Animal Shelter Sells Cats for Use in Deadly Lab

Odessa Animal Control has been selling lost and stray cats to the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, where they are used in deadly medical training courses. Help these cats now!

PETA’s Cruelty-Free Shopping Guide Featuring Kelly Carlson

Nip/Tuck star Kelly Carlson knows that true beauty comes from compassion. Check out our new cruelty-free shopping guide with Kelly on the cover.

Tell Circuses With Animals to Hit the Road!

You can help keep circuses that use animals from bringing their cruel shows to your town. Order free leaflets and stickers and learn more ways to help take on circuses!

Source: People For The Ethical treatment of Animals .