Against declawing & fur for humans

It happens, but that doesn't make it right or desirable. The "it" here is declawing cats. It's most often done to protect furniture, as silly as that may sound. People look at a cat, whose standard equipment includes claws, and decide to redesign the cat -- rather than look around for alternatives to that procedure.

And there are plenty of alternatives to this inhumane practice that's illegal in at least 3 European countries, though not in the US.

For details about declawing and its alternatives, please visit www.nj.com/pets, another place where I blog about/for animals. The two most recent entries there are all about declawing.

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This reminder from Caring Activists Against Fur: this weekend, celebrating Martin Luther King, is often also the time for big sales, including furs, and never the twain should meet -- a proponent of peace and an industry that's all about death.

The organization invites others against fur to rally at three sites, as shown below:

Sat., Jan. 14 - Steven Corn Furs, 358 Rte. 17N Paramus, NJ -- 1-2:30 pm
Sun., Jan. 15 - Bloomingdale's, Lexington Ave. at 59th NYC -- 1-3 pm
Mon., Jan. 16 - Macy's, 151 W. 34th St. NYC -- 1–3 pm

For more details, visit www.CAAFGroup.com or email information@caafgroup.com.

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Fur-bearing animals need YOU!

(The following message comes from Julie O'Connor, who leads Caring Activists Against Fur. It speaks for itself.)

Dear Caring Activists Against Fur,

This weekend - the weekend before Christmas - is the LARGEST shopping weekend of the year. Fur Free Friday is super-important, but research shows that people wait for deals just before Christmas. So, this weekend is IT! We will be at TWO major shopping locations in the city. We need reinforcements. Remember our electrifying Fur Free Friday? Well, let's keep it going - get motivated to speak up for fur bearing animals this weekend & SAVE LIVES. Very few people can watch the videos or see our posters and find that buying fur is an acceptable choice.

Help change people's minds during this critical time!

Sat.,12-17--Bergdorf Goodman 754 Fifth Avenue (57th and 58th Streets) NYC 1 - 3 Note: We'll reach shoppers from Bergdorf, FAO Schwartz and the Apple Store at this major location. We're bringing out the HUGE video screen and we'll have a sound permit. All we need is YOU! Can't make it to NY? No problem - there is also a fur demo in Red Bank, NJ: http://www.meetup.com/FAUNNJ/events/33777132/

Sun., 12-18-- Macys 151 W. 34th St. NYC 1-3 --The LARGEST department store in the world, need I say more? (At the end of this demo, some activists will be attending the horse carriage protest.) Details below.

I know that life is busy, but please come to at least one event this weekend because you are the last line of defense these animals have. In a world filled with greed and insensitivity, ruled by those who stack the deck against these innocent creatures, you are literally the animals' only voice. Your presence breaks through the haze of indifference and selfishness and MAKES CHANGE. You can give that gift for animals - don't let them down.

Additional Event Sunday (Horse Carriage Protest):
http://www.meetup.com/FAUNNJ/events/44351552/

For the animals,
Julie (Caring Activists Against Fur)

P.S. Change is happening - animal rights activists are launching an anti-fur campaign in China this year (ActAsia - No Fur China Campaign)! It's wonderful news! We will prevail!

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Fur banned, at least during fashion week

In a recent message to anti-fur demonstrators, Julie O’Connor, who heads up Caring Activists Against Fur (CAAFgroup.com), included the news that Norway has banned fur during fashion week in Oslo next month.

Norway is the first of many nations that host “fashion weeks” to make this monumental decision. It may counter the effect of two incidents that drew worldwide attention during the holiday season, when political figures draped themselves in fur.

First was the Christmas card from Canadian MP Justin Trudeau to his constituents, featuring his family covered by a blanket made from coyote fur. Then on Christmas day, Queen Elizabeth II and the Duchess of Cornwall made news when both donned “Russian style” hats made from fox fur.

Each of these events drew criticism from the public and animal advocates, but undeniably, they also reflected a widespread sentiment that wearing fur is acceptable.

The Norwegian animal rights group, NOAH, was largely behind Norway’s fur ban next month. The organization had collected signatures from more than 200 designers, models, photographers and journalists to bar the use of fur. NOAH had also hosted a peaceful candlelight vigil in November protesting the fur industry. Over 4,000 supporters attended.

Now to see whether other countries follow suit and ban fur from their catwalks.

NOTE: for details about anti-fur demonstrations in the New York area this month and next, visit www.CAAFgroup.com.
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