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2010 • 2009 • 2008 • 2007 • 2006 
• 12/30/09: Primate Breeding Compound A No-Go In Puerto Rico • 12/29/09: Torture At Texas Tech Ends For Cats • 12/3/09: No Deal For Kitty Cooker — 2 Years In Jail Instead • 11/13/09: San Diego: The Seals Can Stay • 11/2009: California Cities Say “No” To Cruel Declawing • 8/30/09: It's Official: Gates Of Hell Close For Nepal Monkeys • 7/19/09: No Money = No Huntingdon Life Sciences • 5/5/09: Canadian Sealers Lose Biggest Customer — EUROPE! • 4/27/09: Michigan Pound Gives R&R Research The Boot • 3/24/09: Win! No More Fur For Urban Outfitters • 3/19/09: Win! Jamaica Says NO To Greyhound Racing • 3/14/09: Obama Bans Downer Cows, Closes Longtime Loophole • 3/3/09: Obama Fixes Endangered Species Act, Post-Bush • 2/26/09: Win! University Of Michigan To Use Simulators Only • 2/24/09: U.S. House Passes Primate "Pet" Bill • 2/13/09: Grey Seals Spared In Canada's "Other Hunt" • 2/10/09: Jail For Man Who Filed Off Dog's Teeth • 1/1/09: European Cat/Dog Fur Ban Is Now In Force SOURCE: VICTORY! Construction of Bioculture's Monkey Factory Halted 12/30/09 — Thousands of monkeys will be spared from misery. Though primate research fails to yield tangible data for AIDS, Alzheimer's, stroke, cancer, and other diseases — construction of a huge monkey-breeding compound was planned for Guayama, Puerto Rico. Bioculture, a primate supply firm, had intended to seize monkeys from the wild in Mauritius to ship to Puerto Rico. From there, babies would have been separated from mothers and sold into a barren world of concrete and metal. In labs, monkeys endure electrodes lodged in their brains, induced seizures, poisons pumped through tubes and more. Kinship Circle members shared in the global outcry against this pointless primate breeding factory. A lawsuit filed by local citizens and PETA, in conjunction with worldwide pressure, culminated in a Superior Court judge’s ruling to terminate all construction of the Bioculture facility. PETA explains that legal incongruities with Bioculture’s applications and permits rendered further construction of the compound illegal. Puerto Rico's Senate Environmental Committee also discovered that Bioculture failed to adequately address the project’s potential impact on local citizens, their water supplies and land. KINSHIP CIRCLE ACTION CAMPAIGNS & EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS: —————————————————————— Back To Top —————————————————————— SOURCE: Victory! Texas Tech Drops Cruel Cat Lab 12/29/09 — Kinship Circle supporters joined PETA and activists everywhere to urge Texas Tech University Health Service Center (TTUHSC) to use simulated models for medical training courses. For more than two decades, TTUHSC students drove plastic tubes down cats’ windpipes, causing them to bleed or swell. Constant intubation can scar throat tissue and lead to collapsed lungs or death. Trainees also pumped air into the cats’ chest cavities and extracted surplus air via an inserted needle. Though TTUHSC earlier agreed to stop purchasing cats from Odessa, Texas Animal Control, it was unclear whether they'd permanently replace the cruel labs with synthetic models like simulators and manikins. Now it's official. PETA says university reports confirm: "TTUHSC will no longer use cats for this training!" We're certain that the thousands of Kinship Circle followers who sent comments in one of our highest participation campaigns ever contributed to this big win for animals. KINSHIP CIRCLE ACTION CAMPAIGNS & EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS: —————————————————————— Back To Top —————————————————————— SOURCE: Bronx teen Cheyenne Cherry gets two years for roasting cat in oven 12/3/09 — Kinship Circle’s hundreds of letter writers, along with campaigns from In Defense of Animals and other groups, highlighted the gravity of this animal abuse crime. IDA writes: “Prosecutors and judge were enlightened about the importance of bringing charges of animal cruelty, along with a stiff sentence.” Kinship Circle reported (7/15/09) that Bronx kitten killer Cheyenne Cherry, 17, had plea-bargained her way to a 1-year jail term with a 3-year ban on “pets.” Instead, she’ll spend 2 years in jail for roasting Tiger Lilly in a 500-degree oven during an attempted burglary 5/6/09 at former friend Valerie Hernandez’ apartment. Cherry’s accomplice, 14, was sentenced in August to 18 months in juvenile jail. Cherry’s restriction on animals still stands at three years and she is subject to three years of post-release supervision. Two years is not full justice for Tiger Lilly’s unanswered cries. But after months of court adjournments, with comments persistently pouring in, Cherry’s original plea deal fell apart. Judge Margaret Clancy reassessed the 1-year only jail term, concluding it was unlawful to lower a violent felony to a non-violent charge. KINSHIP CIRCLE ACTION CAMPAIGNS & EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS: —————————————————————— Back To Top ——————————————————————  SOURCE: Judge: Seals can stay at Children's Pool 11/13/09 — Casa Beach (the Children’s Pool) in La Holla, California is home to a harbor seal colony. In her case to rid the beach of all seals, plaintiff Valerie O’ Sullivan proposed use of a sprinkler system (the Scarecrow) to disperse them. Kinship Circle followers joined the heroic efforts of Animal Protection and Rescue League and other area activists, urging Calif. Legislature Assembly Natural Resources Committee representatives to vote “YES” ON SB-428 — to protect the seals’ right to be there. In the end Superior Court Judge Timothy Taylor overturned two previous rulings to disperse all 200 seals. As of January 1, 2010, San Diego has legal leeway to let seals stay in their cove. San Diego lawyer Paul Kennerson, who led efforts to remove seals, was vague about filing more litigation. “This may well be the end of the line,” he said. KINSHIP CIRCLE ACTION CAMPAIGNS & EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS: —————————————————————— Back To Top —————————————————————— 
SOURCE: California cities act to ban cat declawing 11/2009 — Ordinances that Illegalize declawing — a procedure that amputates not only the claw, but also the entire last "knuckle" of a cat's toes — passed in San Francisco, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills and Los Angeles. Kinship Circle worked with a Los Angeles based veterinarian opposed to the “convenience surgery,” instructing our subscribers to urge key City Council members to enact the proposed bans and thereby establish a precedent for communities worldwide. Armaiti May, D.V.M., kind_dvm@yahoo.com, writes: We did it! Unanimous 11-0 victory for cats in LA. So far, Santa Monica, San Francisco, Beverly Hills and LA have passed bans on declawing, with Berkeley set to have a vote. These ordinances send a loud and clear message to elected officials that we don't want cruelty to animals in our cities: Amputating the toes of cats is not okay. Period. Stay informed of updates to ban declawing, please bookmark. KINSHIP CIRCLE ACTION CAMPAIGNS & EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS: —————————————————————— Back To Top —————————————————————— 8/30/09: It's Official: Gates Of Hell Close For Nepal Monkeys
KINSHIP CIRCLE ACTION CAMPAIGNS & EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS:
Back to top 5/5/09: Canadian Sealers Lose Biggest Customer — EUROPE!   The European Parliament votes overwhelmingly to ban seal items from import/export across the European Union’s 27 nations. It’s a positive leap for the seals who Kinship Circle — along with many other animal groups — have labored to save through action campaigns and education. Rebecca Aldworth, director of Humane Society International Canada, calls the seal product ban a “historic moment in the campaign to stop commercial seal hunts around the world.” Kinship Circle also salutes Sea Shepherd Conservation Society for its relentless direct intervention on the bloody ice floes.KINSHIP CIRCLE ACTION CAMPAIGNS & EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS: • 4/25/09: Don't Stain 2010 Olympics With The Blood Of Seals • 3/7/09: Canada Seal Bill Dropped, No Debate. Demand End To Killing. • FACT SHEET: Bloodprints On Ice
4/27/09: Michigan Pound Gives R&R Research The Boot  Dogs are jumping for joy about the decision to stop pound seizure with R&R Research. Sandra Carlton, bottom left, and Sue Maguire celebrate the Board of Commissioners’ vote not to renew its contract with R&R Research. "I'm excited, happy," Jeanne Urbanski of Coral said with tears in her eyes... "We're ready to start the healing and have things go forward.
Kinship Circle advocates are relieved when the Montcalm County Board of Commissioners' finally vote 6-3 to NOT extend a 30-year-old contract with R&R Research. This means companion animals of Montcalm County, Michigan cannot be handed over to Class B dealers to be sold for medical research. For everyone who fought for their community alongside citizen groups like the Concerned Citizens Coalition of Montcalm — and all Kinship Circle members who took action — this is your victory. KINSHIP CIRCLE ACTION CAMPAIGNS & EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS:
3/24/09: Win! No More Fur For Urban Outfitters Frustrated by Urban Outfitters' sale of fur-trimmed jackets from "recycled fur," letter writers question the validity of this claim and point out: Even "a little bit" of fur for vintage or trimmed items, leaves animals more than "a little bit" dead. Animals are routinely electrocuted through their genitals. Harvesting, ranching and other euphemisms do not hide a metal noose around the neck, an electric prod shoved into the rectum, and 240 volts of electricity channeled down an animal's throat. The electrical current doesn't stun their brains, so they feel the excruciating force of a heart attack for up to two minutes. Urban Outfitters announces a fur-free policy in 2009, joining Zappos, Juicy Couture, Polo Ralph Lauren, Gap, Forever 21, and more companies and designers that chose to delete fur from their lines. KINSHIP CIRCLE ACTION CAMPAIGNS & EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS: • 12/18/04: 'Tis The Season To Buy Fur? • 2/20/02: Urban Outfitters Sells Fur • FACT SHEET: The Fur Trade • FACT SHEET: Fur - America's Pacifier? Back to top 3/19/09: Win! Jamaica Says NO To Greyhound Racing The Prime Minister of Jamaica, Bruce Golding, writes to inform Grey2kusa that greyhound racing will NOT be authorized in his country. Thanks to everyone who sent a letter or email on behalf of the greyhounds! Read the Jamaican Prime Minister's letter. KINSHIP CIRCLE ACTION CAMPAIGNS & EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS: • FRIENDS OF KINSHIP CIRCLE: Jamaica Wants Greyhound Races Back to top 3/14/09: Obama Bans Downer Cows, Closes Longtime Loophole 
PHOTOS: HSUS undercover video, Hallmark Meatpacking Company
A LONG TIME COMING: The first letter-writing campaign Kinship Circle issues a decade ago asks legislators to pass the Downed Animal Protection Act — to ban slaughter of cows, pigs, sheep and all "livestock" too sick and crippled to stand upright. A federal law STILL does not exist. In 2003 the USDA authorizes a downer ban in response to a Washington state dairy cow with bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). But by 2007, Big Meat convinces Bush regulators to dilute USDA's administrative rule. Collapsed cows with orthopedic (as opposed to central nervous system) injuries like broken legs or ripped tendons are kept alive to make hamburgers. Many mad cows and beef recalls later, USDA's ban remains wishy-washy. In 2007/2008, HSUS goes undercover at the Westland/Hallmark Meat Packing Co. in Chino, Calif. For the first time, mainstream eaters see electric prods shock the heads, necks, spines and rectums of animals crumpled on concrete. They see eyes blink as organs failed. They see crushed bones and torn ligaments dragged over pavement. They hear cows scream (who knew?) as forklifts toss their giant bodies like rag dolls. They even see concentrated water jets fired into the cows' noses and throats. USDA recalls 143,383,823 pounds of Hallmark-tainted beef. Legislators cry "protect our food...ban downers!" Yet at a 2/28/08 hearing to assess inspection blunders, then Secretary of Agriculture Edward Schafer asks a Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee to strike down a ban on slaughter of downer cows. Apparently it's still "okay" for diseased cows to occasionally enter the food supply. But in March of 2009, without much fanfare, the Obama administration permanently bans the slaughter of cows who can't move on their own. WHY WE CARE: Yes, sick cows make sick food — from mad cow disease to E. coli or Salmonella. But Kinship Circle already advocates a plant-based diet. We care because no dying animal should be rammed upright with tractors and forklifts...hauled, shocked and pounded...so meat makers can eke about $30 out of her tortured body. Obama's signature solidifies USDA's ban and closes the loophole that left certain downers unprotected. Kinship CIrcle will continue to lobby Congress to pass the Downed Animal and Food Safety Protection Act into codified law. KINSHIP CIRCLE ACTION CAMPAIGNS & EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS: • Sept-Dec 2008 UPDATES: Report On Hallmark/Westland Downer Scandal • Aug-Oct 2008 UPDATES: Politics Trumps Mercy: Still No Downer Ban • 7/14/08: No Downers. No Exceptions. NOW. • Apr-June 2008 UPDATES: Downer News - Big Meat Backs Downer Ban + More... • 3/2/08: I'm Mad. Downer Ban? USDA Says Forget It • 2/23/08: USDA-Certified Cruel: Downers Dragged, Shocked, Rammed • FACT SHEET: These Are Downed Animals • FACT SHEET: Horton Hears A Cow Back to top 3/3/09: Obama Fixes Endangered Species Act, Post-Bush When Bush modifies a longstanding Endangered Species Act policy in December 2008, Kinship Circle supporters flood Congress and the White House with comments. Letters ask for reinstatement of the rule that requires agencies to seek independent review by Fish and Wildlife Service or National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration — BEFORE initiating any project. President Obama restores this rule that requires U.S. agencies to consult with independent federal experts about whether their actions might harm threatened and endangered species. Kinship Circle welcomes another reversal of Bush era anti-animal tactics. Environmentalists and scientists agree that the Bush change would have hurt vulnerable species nationwide. KINSHIP CIRCLE ACTION CAMPAIGNS & EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS: • 2/9/09: Fix The Endangered Species Act That Bush Broke Back to top 2/26/09: Win! University Of Michigan To Use Simulators Only Letters, calls, emails and faxes make an impact. Six weeks after Physicians Committee For Responsible Medicine (PCRM) alerts us to cruel and old-fashioned live dog labs for University of Michigan's trauma training courses, UM publicly announces it will "use only simulated models for the Advanced Trauma and Life Support courses conducted at the U-M Medical School." Nonanimal research tools mean no one suffers. No one dies. Woof! Oink! KINSHIP CIRCLE ACTION CAMPAIGNS & EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS: • 1/19/09: Unnecessary - Live Dogs Cut Open To Train Med Students Back to top 2/24/09: U.S. House Passes Primate "Pet" Bill 
TOP PHOTO: Travis: knifed, beaten, shot and killed after attacking a visitor at the home where he lived as a "pet." MyFOX NY. BOTTOM PHOTO: Chimps like this little guy are wild animals who naturally mature with aggressive tendencies.
On 2/23/09, Kinship Circle issues an alert, "Wired To Be Wild" asking Reps to cosponsor H.R. 80 and Senators to introduce companion legislation. We also blog about Travis, the "pet" chimp shot dead on 2/16/09 after attacking his guardian's friend in Stamford, CT. The U.S. House of Representative approves the Captive Primate Safety Act (H.R. 80) with a majority vote of 323-95 (wow)! Perhaps Travis' light in heaven shows Reps the dire need for a ban on the import/export and interstate traffic in primates as "pets." In any case, the House moves fast! KINSHIP CIRCLE ACTION CAMPAIGNS & EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS: • 2/24/09: Breaking News - House Passes Primate "Pet" Bill • 2/23/09: Wired To Be Wild - Primates Aren't Pets • BLOG: Travis once worked in show biz, commercials mostly... Back to top 2/13/09: Grey Seals Spared In Canada's "Other Hunt" 
There is another slaughter of baby seals on the east coast of Canada each year. Fishermen, who pay just a few dollars for a sealing license, descend on recently weaned defenseless seal pups and proceed to shoot and bludgeon them to death. The pups' skin is then ripped from their bodies and oftentimes the carcasses are left to rot...
Is the global boycott of Canadian seafood costing the Canadian seafood trade more than killing baby seals brings in? Is the demand for seal products drying up as fast as you can say "European Union ban?" Rebecca Aldworth, Director of Wildlife Issues for Humane Society of the U.S., thinks so: "I've just returned from Hay Island, Nova Scotia, where the annual hunt for grey seals was scheduled to start. There, instead of sealers beating defenseless pups to death with wooden bats, I stood amidst protective, nurturing mothers and their babies. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans and the Nova Scotia government had authorized another grey seal kill. But processing plants told seal hunters that they would not buy the skins of the baby grey seals, and the sealers stayed home...The grey seal pups are likely safe for now, but the true target of the world's largest slaughter of marine mammals — the harp seals — will be killed by the hundreds of thousands. Still, there is hope for harp seals too..." With the European Commission evaluating an import/export ban on seal goods for the entire European Union — Kinship Circle continues to target Canadian and European officials, Olympics organizers, Canadian seafood producers... in campaigns to stop Canada's annual bloodbath. For 2009 at least, grey seals are spared. KINSHIP CIRCLE ACTION CAMPAIGNS & EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS: • 8/5/08: The Other Canadian Seal Hunt - Grey Seals Of Nova Scotia Back to top 2/10/09: Jail + No Animals For Man Who Filed Off Dog's Teeth 
"Thanks to the many animal advocates who wrote, emailed, faxed, or called principal contacts. Thank you to Kinship Circle for mobilizing the wider animal advocate community about this case," writes Emilie Bottiggi, a Tennessean who brings this case to our attention.
Every animal abuse court case helps build precedent for the next. In a Warren County courtroom where Christopher Barnett is convicted of Class A Misdemeanor Animal Abuse for filing Siberian Husky Lucas' teeth down to the bloody gums — 48 hours in jail is the norm. But the McMinnville TN man gets 75 days behind bars. Moreover, after Barnett's January 2009 jury trial, he is restricted to no future "ownership" of domestic animals and forced to relinquish his other dog, a Boxer, for adoption into a new home. Barnett's penalties for Class A Misdemeanor Animal Abuse include: • 75 days in jail (similar cases usually get 48 hours, though 11 months/29 days is possible). • 100 hours of public (community) service. • Mandatory anger management class. • $5,071.50 in restitution for the care of Lucas to the Humane Society of Warren County. • Restricted to no future ownership of domestic animals, with exception of horses as Mr. Barnett is a farrier by occupation. • Surrender of Mr. Barnett's Boxer to Humane Society (Boxer had been in custody of Humane Society since seizure of Lucas). KINSHIP CIRCLE ACTION CAMPAIGNS & EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS: • 1/21/09: Man Who Filed Dog's Teeth To Gumline Belongs In Jail Back to top
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