Wild Horse Update - Comment Period Extended Until Sunday

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has extended the public comment period concerning the latest assault on wild horses - the scheduled removal of 2,500 wild horses from Calico Mountain Complex in northwest Nevada. Please, if you haven't already, take a moment to send in your opposition to the Calico roundup. Public comments will be accepted through this Sunday, November 22.

If you have already responded to this alert, as did more than 7,000 IDA members, please re-visit the alert and use the Tell-A-Friend function at the top to pass it on to your friends and family. Ask them to speak up against the inhumane government practice of removing wild horses and burros.

The fight to stop these roundups is heating up. We will soon call upon you again to help us continue this battle to stop this ill-conceived program. Thank you for speaking up against the BLM practice of removing wild horses from lands which were specifically designated for them by Congress.

The BLM has for decades mismanaged millions of acres of publicly-owned land for the benefit of the private cattle industry and other special interests. Land has been destroyed, and countless wild horses and other animals have died. It's time to to manage the public lands for all Americans who strongly support protection for wild horses and wildlife. Click here before Sunday to send this important e-mail in less than one minute.

IDA And Activists Worldwide Getting Ready For Fur Free Friday

On the day after Thanksgiving, Fur Free Friday will take place once again as shoppers worldwide are greeted by images of fur-bearing animals, and activists urging them to avoid buying any items with fur or fur trim. In Defense of Animals (IDA) coordinates this annual event, expected to feature 100 anti-fur demonstrations throughout the world.

Activists will screen video, display fur farm cages, and distribute literature. In Beverly Hills, there will be a march down Rodeo Drive. In Portland, Oregon, shoppers will witness an appearance by the famous “Radical Cheerleaders.” New York City will see a costume contest outside the midtown Macy’s. What's happening in your town?

Many of the demonstrations will occur outside Nordstrom stores. IDA is urging Nordstrom to become the first department store to go completely fur-free.

Together we shall remind shoppers that animals suffer immensely for all fur and fur trim. Over 45-million animals spend their lives confined in small cages, waiting to be killed by pelt-preserving methods such as electrocution, gassing, or neck-breaking. An additional several million are caught in traps, often chewing off their limbs in order to escape, especially mothers desperate to return to their young. The fur industry is completely self-regulated, and no federal laws exist to protect animals killed for their fur.

For more information on Fur Free Friday, click here.

IDA Africa's Sanaga-Yong Chimpanzee Rescue Center

Click to view the latest edition of IDA Africa's Bush Telegraph. The Sanaga-Yong Chimpanzee Rescue Center in Cameroon is supported in part by your donations. Read about the work of the Center's remarkable Founder, Dr. Sheri Speede, and her dedicated staff.

Sixty-six orphan chimpanzees, ranging in age from 2 to 40 years, now call the Rescue Center home. We invite you to meet a few.

Looking For Vick Demo Organizers For Upcoming NFL Games 

IDA has been encouraging peaceful, educational demonstrations concerning dogfighting at Michael Vick's and the Philadelphia Eagles' games this year. If you can help organize a demo for any of these upcoming games, IDA can provide materials and support: Chicago Nov. 22; Atlanta Dec. 6; East Rutherford Dec. 13; Arlington (Texas) Jan. 3. To help, click here to e-mail Hope, or call 415-448-0048 ext. 208.

California Cities Rush To Help Cats By Passing De-claw Bans

The California Veterinary Medical Association successfully passed a bill, SB 762, which will make it impossible to pass local de-claw bans after December 31. Humane cities are rushing to protect the cats in their jurisdiction by passing de-claw bans. For the latest updates on this important issue, and for notification of any upcoming hearings, and to learn more about why de-clawing is so inhumane, please visit The Paw Project.

Six California cities have approved de-clawing bans so far. Beverly Hills approved a de-claw ban on Nov. 5, and Los Angeles did the same on Nov. 6. Both ordinances passed unanimously.