Fighting back

I got this message today from PETA. In case you’d like to consider making a donation to do something about this form of “entertainment,” I’m including it on the blog.

The Michael Vick case took dogfighting out of back alleys and hidden country fighting pits and placed it front and center in nearly every home across the U.S. The public response shows that this country will no longer stand for the horrible abuse of dogs in gambling and entertainment.

Please make as generous of a gift as you can today so that PETA has the resources to make sure that dog abusers doing what Michael Vick is indicted for are put out of business for good and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

As a result of the Vick case, we’re getting an increase in the number of tips and leads regarding all types of cases of animal abuse, including dogfighting. We’re working hard to follow up and liaising with law enforcement officials across the country to help them do their part as well.

We want to put every dogfighter out of business forever and send a loud and clear message to anyone involved in other types of cruelty to companion animals that their actions must stop.

With your generous support today, we can do that—and make sure that no one loses sight of the suffering of the animals described in the Vick case and the countless other cases of animal abuse that we investigate every week. But we need the funds to follow through, and we depend on your generous donations to do this work.

This is one of those all too rare moments when those of us who have made a deep commitment to do everything we can to stop animals from being abused have an opportunity to make our collective voices heard—and help save the lives of thousands of animals.

PETA is taking action on multiple fronts to end dogfighting, including by doing the following:

• Instituting a “Bite Back” rewards system for leads on dogfighters
• Working with law enforcement to see that abusers are identified, charged, and fully prosecuted
• Calling on the NFL to decry cruelty to animals—in all its forms—in its official code of player conduct
• Working with the media to make sure that they cover companion animal abuse so that abusers think twice about the consequences

We will not be able to continue the momentum and do everything that needs to be done without your support.

Can I count on you to help with your special donation to PETA of $50, $100, or even $250 today?

Let’s work together to put these animal abusers out of business right now.

For all the animals that you will help save, thank you.

With kind regards,

Ingrid E. Newkirk
President

P.S. We have an opportunity to stop dogfighting across the U.S. Leads are coming in, and we have the attention of law enforcement and the public. Now, we need to make sure that we have the resources to stop dogfighting and hold other animal abusers accountable. Please make as generous of a donation as you possibly can today.

For the homeless

A recent issue of my credit union’s magazine had a short article about donating to the Institute of Human Services, which “provides food and shelter to homeless individuals and families.” IHS’s capacity, the article said, “is 350 people, and that number has increased to 400 and people are being turned away each day.” In case you’re wondering what you can give to such organizations, here is a list of the items the article recommended:

• Everyday essentials: disposable razors, deodorant, toothbrushes/toothpaste, soap, shampoo, hair brushes/combs, laundry detergent, alcohol-based hand sanitizer, sun block.
• Keiki (child) needs: diapers, baby lotion, infant formula, backpacks, new/used clothing for all ages, art supplies.
• Meal program: canned meat and vegetables, condiments, cooking oil, spices, rice, pasta, sugar, peanut butter and jelly, disposable chopsticks, paper plates and napkins, plastic eating utensils.