Topic

Animals

2,394 petitions
86,533 new supporters this week

Petition to Jon Tester, Steve Daines, Leanne Marten, Matt McGrath, Jim Pena

Save Montana's Rarest Grizzlies: Reroute the Pacific Northwest Trail

The Yaak Valley in Northwest Montana is home to one of the smallest populations of grizzly bears in the United States (approximately 22 as of 2012).  A proposed addition to the Pacific Northwest Trail would introduce a high traffic corridor of thousands of hikers through the heart of the grizzly's habitat. This northern route trail is highly problematic; 68 miles of the proposed PNT route currently pass through grizzly bear habitat in the Yaak, 44 of these miles are designated as grizzly bear core habitat.  Slating the trail through the Yaak would be dangerous to both bears and hikers, and would be detrimental to the grizzlies and their critical habitat. A 1980 congressional study resolved that the northern route of the PNT would have a significant impact on grizzly bears and the sensitive high elevation habitat through which it would pass. However, in 2009, the out-of-state club added the northern route on to rider of a must-pass bill, meaning it now requires an act of congress to reverse. Since, they have begun building the trail without further review of the environmental impact. Multiple proposals exist that would reroute the trail, allowing hikers to still experience the region but not impact the core grizzly habitat.  More information on the PNT and the Yaak can be found at: http://yaakvalley.org/programs/pacific-northwest-trail-route/ Or, contact the Yaak Valley Forest Council directly at info@yaakvalley.org. Your voices are critical to saving Yaak's grizzlies--please make them heard. Please sign and share this petition, and add your comments to urge legislators to reroute the PNT to run along the southern route option and keep these most critical habitats intact and the bears' and hikers best interest in mind.

Lowry Bass
97,008 supporters
Promoted by 38 supporters

Petition to Erik Solheim

Tell United Nations To Condemn Hamas’ Environmental War Crimes!

We call upon Mr. Erik Solheim, Executive Director of the UN Environmental Programme, to condemn Hamas and other terrorist groups in the Gaza Strip for causing severe environmental damage to southern Israel. Sign our petition to demand that the United Nations condemns Hamas' environmental war crimes! Over the course of the past three months, Hamas operatives and other terrorists have burned thousands of tires and launched hundreds of incendiary devices into Israeli territory. The combined effect of these heinous acts has not only led to the release of toxic materials into the fragile ecosystem, but has resulted in the destruction of more than 7,400 acres of land, hundreds of acres of wheat fields, and 2,700 acres of protected nature reserves.                                                                        When these devices touch down in Israel they leave a deadly path in their wake. Local wildlife are either killed or forced to flee their native habitats. Forests and farmland have been ravaged. And the livelihood of the thousands of farmers who have committed their lives to turning what was once desert into an oasis has been shattered.                                                                                                                       Thus far, 900 incendiary devices were sent across the border, leading to more than 750 fires –an average of eleven per day. Not only has the cost of damage exceeded $3 million, but it will take years to reverse the ecological damage caused by Hamas.                                             Both the United Nations Resolutions and International Humanitarian Law expressly prohibit the destruction of the natural environment in armed conflict, and yet the international community has remained silent as Hamas wages environmental warfare that endangers civilians, wildlife, and ravages the natural beauty and resources of Israel's southern region.                                                                            In May 2016, the Environment Assembly of the United Nations Environment Programme reaffirmed UN General Assembly resolution 47/37 entitled “Protection of the environment in armed conflict” which stressed “that destruction of the environment, not justified by military necessity and carried out wantonly, is clearly contrary to existing international law”.                                                                            Article 35 (3) of the Additional Protocol to the Geneva Conventions states: “It is prohibited to employ methods or means of warfare which are intended, or may be expected, to cause widespread, long-term and severe damage to the natural environment.”                                                                                                                 The International Committee of the Red Cross regards these obligations as customary international law. Based on the texts of these statutes, it is evident that Hamas has intentionally committed environmental damage, amounting to environmental war crimes.  Therefore, the World Jewish Congress calls on the UN Environmental Programme and Director Solheim to condemn these acts and use all necessary measures at their disposal to ensure that these illegal actions cease immediately.                          

World Jewish Congress
2,645 supporters
Promoted by 553 supporters

Petition to Andre Nogueira, Cameron Bruett, Martin Dooley, Denilson Molina, Tim Goodmann, Rogério Peres, Lance Kotschwar

Tell JBS to Ban Gestation Crates and Painful Mutilations

I will never forget their screams. The horrific animal abuse I witnessed while working undercover at a pig factory farm that supplies to JBS—the world’s largest meat company—will haunt me for the rest of my life. Workers at this facility punched and kicked pigs in the face and violently smashed piglets’ heads into hard concrete. Piglets were ripped from their mothers and mutilated right in front of their eyes. All of this was done without any pain relief. Unable to turn around or even lie down comfortably, mother pigs spend nearly their entire lives crammed inside tiny cages. It was heartbreaking to see these incredibly intelligent and social animals become so stressed and frustrated that they repeatedly bit the bars of their cages—a sign of serious mental collapse. "Gestation crates" are so cruel they have been banned in 10 U.S. states, Canada, and the entire European Union. Nearly all major food companies, including McDonald’s and Burger King, have demanded their suppliers ban these cruel cages. Even major pork producers, like Smithfield, have committed to banning gestation crates at their company-owned and contract farms. But JBS continues to allow this blatant animal abuse by its suppliers. Because of caring people like you who sign petitions like this and use their voices to speak up for the voiceless, we have already seen some of the biggest companies make important changes that significantly help millions of animals. Please, take a moment to sign my petition calling on JBS to prohibit its pork suppliers worldwide from cramming pigs into tiny cages and to put an end to mutilations without pain relief. Then, share the hidden-camera video with friends and encourage them to take action too. Thank you. “Tyler”                                                                                 Undercover Investigator  

Mercy For Animals
31,829 supporters
49,533 new supporters this week

Petition to Mr. Wei Tao, Yulin Mayor

Shut Down the Yulin Dog Meat Festival!

Did you know, every year, on the summer solstice, thousands of dogs are rounded up to be eaten in Yulin, China as part of a Dog Meat Festival? We believe that this cruel “festival” has no place in the 21st century. Help us end this cruel "festival" and trade:https://www.change.org/f/help-dogs-like-ellie-saved-from-yulin-slaughterhouse?source_location=petition_show There are so many reasons to end this horrific festival -- warning, the following information may be upsetting. The Yulin Dog Meat Festival is also a dangerous food safety issue. Dogs sold on the market are sick, poisoned and dying animals. They suffer from horrendous conditions during the long distance, trans-provincial journeys, many days without food and water and may carry contagious disease. We appeal to you to act in the interest of public health, food safety, animal welfare, and the image of Guangxi and China. The Yulin Dog Meat Festival is a business operation that undermines the national and public interest. The Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region government is at a historical juncture. The Dog Meat Festival must end. By signing our petition, you’re joining a global movement with like-minded people who want to shut down this heinous festival and trade. In the coming weeks and months, you’ll have the opportunity to be involved in both online and in-person events happening around the world. Thank you, Duo Duo Animal Welfare Project  (www.duoduoproject.org)  

Duo Duo Project
3,377,184 supporters
Update posted 5 minutes ago

Petition to Aurora Mayor Bob LeGare, Seongnam Mayor Eun Su-Mi

Tell Sister City, Seongnam, Korea, That We’re Opposed to the Torture/Consumption of dogs

Click here to learn more and take action: http://koreandogs.org/contact-mayor-of-aurora/ Mayor Bob LeGare of Aurora: Tell Sister City, Seongnam, South Korea, That We’re Opposed to the Torture and Consumption of Dogs and Cats. Aurora has become Sister City with Seongnam, South Korea.  This relationship was no doubt formed in the spirit of friendship and for your mutual benefit, for business links and trade etc.  And, while Aurora would have expected to learn about the differences in cultural practices of the Seongnam citizens, we feel certain that your city would have hesitated to form such a Sister City relationship had your city known about the aberrant and cruel practices routinely carried out in the dog and cat meat trades in Seongnam and all over South Korea.  Lucrative, but illegal trades which carry on unchallenged: with no enforcement of the laws and no punishment for those violating them. South Korea is the home to global companies, such as Hyundai, Kia, Samsung, LG, Daewoo, SK and POSCO, which is why it is so shocking that an estimated 2.5 million dogs are tortured and slaughtered every year within South Korea, because of the greed of dog eaters and the dog meat industry; while the majority of those Koreans, who don’t actually participate in this offensive trade, show a profound indifference by doing nothing at all to stop it. We know how loyal and faithful our dogs across the world are; and we all ask a lot of them - they serve us in innumerable ways: farm work, war work, police and guard duties, search and rescue, help for the disabled, guiding and guardianship, and, of course, as our loving and trusting companions. Dogs were first domesticated many thousands of years ago, and so much do they want to be part of our ‘human’ family that they have learned to understand our gestures and our language - the language of another species, which shows remarkable willingness and intelligence. In Seongnam there are countless dog farms, slaughterhouses, markets and restaurants where the dogs, who are tortured their entire lives, end up being slaughtered in the most inhumane ways, such as by electrocution, hanging or beating; and then thrown into boiling water – sometimes while they are still alive. In many places, dogs are being killed in full view of other terrified, caged dogs; and this takes place in public and in broad daylight. In addition, many abandoned and stolen former pets end up in this industry, and are subjected to the same cruelty. Please watch this undercover video by animal rights activists in South Korea: http://youtu.be/3uR8R8Mu70Q There are laws in South Korea against selling dogs and cats for human consumption yet these laws are routinely and blatantly ignored. We believe that there must surely be some social responsibility for the representatives of one city to take a stand against any wrongdoing being sanctioned or ignored by their Sister City.  As such, we ask you to please urge Seongnam Mayor Eun Su-Mi to take action, and to state that Aurora and its citizens demand that Seongnam issue an official document mandating that the following existing Korean laws be enforced by its government officials, police and judges: Unauthorized processing of food waste fed to dogs in the meat trade is a violation of Wastes Control Act, Article 15-2, Article 25, Section 3.  Suppliers of food waste and transporters of food waste to dog meat farms are violating this regulation. Food waste fed to dogs in the dog meat trade is a violation of Control of Livestock and Fish Feed Act, Article 14, Section 1 & 2.  Unauthorized collection of food waste and the act of feeding it to dogs in the meat trade is in violation of this regulation. Excrement and resulting environmental damage produced as a by-product of the illegal dog meat farm is a violation of Act on the Management and Use of Livestock Excreta Article 11.  The excrement produced at dog meat farms causes environmental damage to the immediate and surrounding area. The act of slaughtering of dogs for human consumption is a violation of Animal Protection Act Article 8, Section 1, Clause 4. The act of slaughtering of a dog, without a justifiable ground – such as out of necessity for veterinary treatment, or in circumstances of immediate threat, harm or damage to human life or property, is a violation. The slaughter of dogs by electrocution is a violation of Animal Protection Act, Article 8, Section 1, Clause 1.  Inflicting injury or death to any animal by the following means: battery by tools, exposure to drugs, exposure to extreme heat or fire, electrocution and drowning is subject to legal punishment. Therefore, the routine slaughter of dogs by butchers and farmers by these methods is in violation of the Act. Further, electrocution as a method of slaughter is internationally recognized as an inherently cruel method of slaughter and banned globally. Slaughter of dogs from unauthorized slaughterhouse is a violation of Livestock Products Sanitary Control Act, Article 7 Section 1.  The Livestock Products Sanitary Control Act, states that dogs are officially recognized and classified as “animals” that are “prohibited from being slaughtered and distributed as food for human consumption”. Therefore, those vendors operating dog slaughterhouses are operating outside of the parameters of the law and in violation of the law. Slaughter of dogs for his/her own consumption is a violation of Animal Protection Act, Article 10.  The intent of the Act is to ensure that no animal is slaughtered in a cruel or revolting manner, and shall be free from unnecessary pain, fear, or stress during the process of slaughter. Therefore, only humane way of slaughtering dogs would be by euthanasia (lethal injection). All currently practiced methods of slaughter by butchers, farmers and traders excludes euthanasia as a method of slaughter, therefore they are all in breach of this Act.  This is also a violation of Livestock Products Sanitary Control Act Article 7 Section 1 Clause 2.  According to the Livestock Products Sanitary Control Act, slaughter of animals for his/her own consumption is allowed only for the livestock animals that are publically announced as classification of livestock in the Livestock Products Sanitary Control Act and dogs are not classified here. Display and sale of dog carcass in traditional outdoor markets is a violation of Food Sanitation Act, Article 4, 5.  Violation of laws banning sale of harmful food due to the contamination from unsanitary and illegal slaughter of the animal and display of the dog carcass. For example, dog carcass are routinely contaminated by microorganisms that cause human diseases and food poisoning which can lead to serious and life threatening health complications.  There are also strict laws which ban the sale of meat from sick animals, due to the fact that there is no quality control or formal monitoring of slaughter practices in the dog meat trade it is very likely that violation of these laws is happening routinely. Dog meat restaurants’ sale of dog meat soup made with dog carcass from an unknown source is a violation of Food Sanitation Act Article 44 Section 1 Clause 1. Uninspected livestock products must not be transported, stored, displayed, sold or used for manufacturing or processing of food for human consumption. Please refer to the legal information regarding the dog meat consumption in South Korea published by KARA (Korea Animal Rights Advocates):  http://koreandogs.org/kara-publishes-legal-information-booklet-ending-dog-meat-consumption/ We believe these demands are in line with the spirit and goals of Sister cities to establish friendly communications in the areas of tourism, commerce, cultural exchange and public health. Your action is important; it can and will help save the lives and reduce the suffering of animals tragically caught up in the South Korean dog and cat meat trades.  Many Mayors from around the world have supported our campaigns by reaching out to their various counterparts within South Korea.  Take Bucheon, for example, such action really made a difference: they are now working hard towards becoming the first ‘dog meat free’ city in South Korea, by closing down illegal dog farms and slaughterhouses, and mandating that restaurants stop selling dog meat dishes!  Inspiring news, resulting from direct action by inspiring people, like yourselves. International coverage of the brutal dog and cat meat trade in South Korea has stained Seongnam, South Korea’s image.  Don’t let it also tarnish your City’s Sister city relationship. The time to end this tragedy is now.  The favor of your reply is requested.  

Isabel S. Han
28,076 supporters
Update posted 4 hours ago

Petition to Mr. Matt Buchanan, N. David Smith, William "Bill" Moore

Cancel and Boycott “Big Lick” Tennessee Walking Classes - North Carolina Championship Show

Please SIGN this Petition to STOP “Big Lick” Animal Cruelty to beautiful Tennessee Walking Horses. Asheville and Fletcher, North Carolina, are two progessive beautiful cities located in Western North Carolina.  Both are known for gentle tolerance, enlightenment and kindness. Unfortunately,  these two cities are hosting the three day “Big Lick” North Carolina Championship Walking Horse Show, Oct. 6 – 8.    Sadly, the horse show will feature “Big Lick” Animal Cruelty to Tennessee Walking Horses.     Tennessee Walking Horses are tortured from an early age to learn how to do the “Big Lick”.   It is a pain induced gait. The horses throw their legs high while wearing Chains and 6 – 8 pound stack shoes.   Caustic chemicals are applied to sensitive skin above the horses hooves, and then wrapped with plastic to “cook in” the chemicals which causes the skin to be blistered.   When the chains hit the skin,  the horses throw their front legs high while squatting down on their back legs – creating the cruel “Big Lick”.  “Big Lick” TWH are the only horses in America which wear Chains in the show ring.    According to Tennessean and Noted Equine Vet Dr. John Haffner,   the "Big Lick" is a "business built on the suffering and pain of horses".   Dr. Haffner is a member of the Horse Science Faculty at MTSU (Middle Tennessee State University) in Murfreesboro, TN. Even worse, the horse show will be held at the McGough Arena at the Western North Carolina Agriculture Center owned by the State of North Carolina.  Of 83 total horse classes  45 will feature the “Big Lick” gait. In March 2015,   the North Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture banned “Big Lick” Tennessee Walking Horses from the 2015 NC State Fair.  This action came after a Change.Org Petition gained almost 20,000 signatures, and a public Protest was held at the 2014 NC State Fair. At the 2015 North Carolina Championship Horse Show,   USDA Vet inspectors disqualified a shocking 35% of all the “Big Lick” Tennessee Walking Horses they inspected for allegedly being in violation of the Horse Protection Act (Animal Cruelty). On July 25, 2016,  the U. S. Secretary of Agriculture took action and opened a Public Comment period to make the “Big Lick” illegal by removing the “Pads and Chains”, consequently abolishing the “Big Lick” Animal Cruelty.  So far over 81% of the “Public Comments” favor the Federal Regulation to the Horse Protection Act.  The Regulation can be made official after October 26, 2016. It’s time for Americans,  and people all over the World,  to urge the General Manager of the Western North Carolina Agricultural Center;  North Carolina Chief Deputy Commissioner of Agriculture;  and the Mayor of Fletcher, North Carolina to ban the “Big Lick” Tennessee Walking Horse classes, and to urge the public  to Boycott “Big Lick” Animal Cruelty. After you SIGN,  please SHARE the petition with your friends and family via email, Facebook, and Twitter! Your PETITION Signatures and Comments will be delivered to the proper officials. WE, The People,                                                                             CCABLAC (Citizens Campaign Against "Big Lick" Animal Cruelty)

Mary Smith
120,161 supporters
Update posted 5 hours ago

Petition to Dunkin' Donuts, Mike Shutley, Anne Fajon, David Hoffmann, Katy Latimer

Dunkin’: A Vegan Donut Would Be a Slam Dunk in Our Non-Dairy Coffee!

Like most Americans, I love a good donut—sprinkles, chocolate icing, cream-filled, you name it. But I was disappointed to see that Dunkin’ Donuts, the nation’s largest donut chain, doesn’t offer a single vegan donut for millions of potential customers like me who are choosing to eat plant-based for animals, the environment, and their own health.Several years ago, thousands of Compassion Over Killing’s supporters asked the donut giant for vegan options, and Dunkin’ responded to this demand with a statement on its website: “You’ve Asked and We’ve Heard,” as it poured out almond milk (which it now offers nationwide!) for its coffee. And yet all of Dunkin’s donuts still contain egg and/or milk ingredients. Now it’s time to make our voices heard once more: Join me in telling Dunkin’ we want a vegan donut to dunk in our coffee!More and more Americans are choosing plant-based fare as the public grows increasingly aware of the vast animal suffering in the dairy and egg industries, in which exhausted mother cows are slaughtered when no longer able to produce milk, and male chicks, considered useless, are even ground up alive. Many consumers are ditching cholesterol-packed dairy and eggs for their own health or to cut their carbon footprints. With plant-based eating on the rise, sales of dairy alternatives are soaring, and big brands like Starbucks, Duncan Hines, sweetFrog, and Breyers are already dishing up vegan sweet treats.But consumers are hungry for a vegan donut nationwide, and as the leading donut chain, Dunkin’ has a major opportunity to attract a massive segment of potential customers by offering one. In fact, industry magazine QSR recently cited offering vegan options as #7 in its list of “100 Ideas for Improving Your Restaurant Brand,” while international restaurant consultants Baum+Whiteman named plant-based eating the 2018 trend of the year.Please join me today in asking Dunkin’ for a slam dunk in our coffee today: a vegan donut on its menu!Sincerely,Antoine Knighton, the Vegan Ref

Compassion Over Killing
14,778 supporters
Update posted 5 hours ago

Petition to Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Secretary, U.S. House of Representatives

Permanently Stop Abusive VA Dog Experiments

UPDATE (March 2018): Following your efforts, U.S. Congress enacted a law to de-fund the VA's dog experiments for 2018 and placed dramatic restrictions on the practice. Read more here. We're still working to end this waste and abuse for good! --- As U.S. military veterans, family members, and active duty members, we’re sickened that the Department of Veterans Affairs (V.A.) has been using taxpayers’ money to purchase, breed, abuse and kill dogs in wasteful experiments. The VA’s painful and deadly experiments on dogs are a betrayal of these loyal animals who literally save soldiers’ lives on and off the battlefield. These projects also waste resources desperately needed to provide veterans with care and services.   According to news reports and the non-profit White Coat Waste Project, some of the V.A.’s current projects involve: giving mixed-breed puppies heart attacks (Richmond V.A.) cutting into beagle puppies’ brains (Milwaukee V.A.) damaging dogs’ spinal cords (Cleveland V.A.) With the support of 75% of taxpayers and a coalition of influential Democratic and Republican lawmakers, in March 2018 Congress enacted legislation that cuts funding for and drastically restricts future dog testing at the VA. Now, please join us in urging the VA Secretary to PERMANENTLY end this waste and abuse.   Dylan Miller, US Army Ret.William Barko, US Army Ret.John Blaha, USAF Ret.Stan Benton, USN Ret. and USAF Ret.Bruce Bryant, US Army Ret.Chris Burand, US Army Ret.Gary Cantara, USAF separated, honorable dischargeWilliam Coll, US Army Ret.Michael Donahue, USNWayne Hair, US Army Ret.Ed Hernandez, USMCWill HubbardJennifer Johnson, USN Ret.Dr. Isis Johnson-Brown, US Army Ret.Ken Phillips, US Army Ret.Robert Reed, USAF Ret.Diane Solomon, USN SpouseTyler Spires, US ArmyVirginia Joy Stovall, USN Ret.Lyn StrangstadDanell Tomasella, US Army Ret.Nancy Warner-BrownJennifer Wilsbacher, US Army Ret.Merrie Wilson, USAF Ret.

SGT Dylan Miller (Ret.) & White Coat Waste Project
100,707 supporters