10.26.05

Hello Everyone –

Lots going on as usual!

Blanket Drive: There was a bit of confusion about the blanket drive, last week being the first official week to drop off blankets in Denver. However, everything is going as planned and many people are finding blankets for the animals. Kathleen, a volunteer at the Denver Municipal shelter, has informed director Doug Kelly and the volunteer coordinator about our drive. They are putting up fliers and informing the staff. You can still drop off blankets at the Ramada Inn (1150 E Colfax Ave.) where they will be divvied up for the shelters and sanctuaries. In Boulder, you can also drop them off at Three Little Figs (2793 Iris Ave.), or call or email Steve and Tami Conley (303 661 3954, TJC1BC@aol.com) to arrange for a pick-up in the Denver/Boulder metro area.

Katrina Rescue: We have a full report and photos from Dawne English’s RMAD-sponsored trip to New Orleans to help the animals rescued after hurricane Katrina. A snippet from her report, which can be read in full at http://www.rmad.org/dawnes%20story.html (or by following the link at www.RMAD.org):

Each day we worked from 6:30 am to 11:30 pm or so. There were hundreds of dogs and hundreds of cats at this site to care for. Throw in a few birds, hamsters, bunnies and fish. Feeding, walking, cage cleaning and medical attention were priorities. While we took care of the animals the management team was constantly working to arrange for reunions and adoption visits, as well as making arrangements for shelters all over the United States to come and distribute the animals for adoption. We had people donate the use of their private planes to fly these beautiful creatures to new homes and new lives.

Each day people came through looking to claim their own pets as well as opening their homes to love other animals in need. Walking these folks through and showing the animals was another big part of the job. Figuring out which of these people were just looking for a “breeding pair” or animals to sell to labs was another part of the job. Numerous times in the few days I was there a group of us got together to share the feeling of the “heebie jeebies” over someone claiming to have good intentions. One woman was even asked to leave the site while her claims of being with an unknown shelter fell on deaf ears. Unfortunately, she already had a dog she had managed to obtain from one of the other temporary facilities.

Thanks to Dawne for her amazing help! If you would like to thank her for her selfless efforts, please email her at animalgirl39@aol.com.

As well, our friend Bettina is looking for stories of animal rescues after the hurricane. She says: “Your stories can be any length but ideally somewhere between 2 and 10 pages. Poems and photos that might accompany these stories are welcome too. As of now there will be no monetary compensation for the stories but proceeds will go to a fund set up through 1800saveapet.com for animal rescue efforts in the future. Each story will reflect that it was written by you and a brief bio of who you are and what you do will likely accompany the story. Obviously not all stories will be chosen for the book but maybe if there are enough, we can publish more volumes. I would like to have them all by December 1 if possible. Please send stories to piapia@adelphia.net or brosmar@hotmail.com.”

Save the date – Wed. Dec. 7th: The details for the RMAD/SPLT Holiday Extravaganza/Party/Shindig/Event of the Year are set! Please see the Evite below, and RSVP for yourself and guests so we can plan accordingly. All the information you’ll need about the event is shared once you click on the Evite link. Feel free to spread the word – this is going to be a great event. As always, we need help securing donations and help for the day of the event, so if you can help, email Donna at donnam@rmad.org.

This Weekend’s Fur Protest: Bring a costume! More info below.

A bit of good news from the Boulder Co-op: Because there was not enough interest in adding meat, the co-op will not be taking on the issue at this time. Thanks to everyone who wrote and called the market to voice their disappointment. It’s also extremely important to support the co-op, so if you can join, please do! It’s only $35 for an individual; in addition to receiving benefits, a membership both ensures the co-op’s future and gives you a voice in the decisions that are made.
Opportunity: Every Creature Counts is a non-profit, no-kill animal sanctuary located in Lyons, and Byers, CO. We are moving to Byers and need an additional house sitter in Lyons, CO. The individual must be passionate about animals, and believe in our mission. Please see our website for more info on our mission at www.everycreaturecounts.org. The requirements for the position are sharing the responsibilities of taking care of cats and dogs. Must be able to share with female who is a current house sitter for us. Must share duties and responsibilities, including scheduling of time off with other house sitter. Must be easy going, able to clean, and used to physical labor. Must commit to six months as the second House sitter. The compensation is free rent, and utilities. Perfect job for students or those who have previous animal care taking experience. We are an EOE employer. Please send your resume to savealife@everycreaturecounts.org. Or please call (303) 546-2704 Line 7 and please leave a message for Sarah. For more information, please contact Every Creature Counts.
Please let us know if we missed anything!
- Chris and Donna



Rocky Mountain Animal Defense Calendar of Events:


Thursday, October 27: Wolf Presentation & Book Signing

When: 7:00 p.m.
Where: Ricketson Auditorium at the Denver Museum

Please join the Denver Museum and Sinapu for: Decade of the Wolf by Gary Ferguson. The image of wolves running free through Yellowstone National Park has become the ultimate symbol of the American wilderness. The release of 31 Canadian gray wolves in 1995 and 1996 began what is arguably the most successful, and at the same time controversial, feat of conservation in our nation’s history. Ferguson’s new book Decade of the Wolf: Returning the Wild to Yellowstone, coauthored with wolf project leader Doug Smith, is an unforgettable account of this memorable decade. Ferguson is the author of 15 books on nature and science and is a regular contributor to NPR stations across the country. For more information on Gary Ferguson, visit www.wildwords.net.

$12 members of Museum or Sinapu; $15 nonmembers.
To register, please call the Museum at 303-322-7009.
Tickets also available at the door.

Saturday, October 29: Fur Demo

When: 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM. Posters and leaflets will be provided. Bring an umbrella just in case!
Where: Marks Lloyds Furs, 263 Josephine between 2nd and 3rd in Cherry Creek See directions below.

Winter is fast approaching and sadly, fur sales will soon be on the rise for the season. Please help us spread the truth about fur, in Denver.
Here's the scoop about fur:
http://www.furisdead.com/feat/ChineseFurFarms/
http://www.hsus.org/wildlife/issues_facing_wildlife/fur_and_trapping/
http://www.furisdead.com/getActive.asp
http://www.furisdead.com/photos-traps.asp
http://www.bancrueltraps.com/
http://www.furkills.org/
http://www.infurmation.com

Directions: From I-25 take Speer South to University. Turn Left (North, see Whole Foods Market on your Right after you turn onto University). University turns into Josephine after you cross 2nd. Marks Lloyds will, be on your Left just before 3rd. Don't forget to buy a parking ticket to place on your dash board from one of the green parking boxes marked with a (P) that are located on each block. From 6th Avenue going East, or 8th Avenue going West. go South on York (a one way street) to 3rd. Turn Left (East) on 3rd. Josephine is the next street. Marks Lloyds is behind Little Ollies which you will see on the corner of 3rd and Josephine. Call 303-807-1886 if you need help with directions.

(Note: Mark your calendars for the fun Halloween Demo set for Saturday 29 October at 11:30. Feel free to wear a costume fit for a fur demo and make a fun sign. Also, send me any fun ideas you have. We will be handing out treats and Cruella Devilla will be joining us at Marks Lloyds House of Horrors!!!)

Friday, November 25: Fur Free Friday

When: 11:00 a.m.
Where: Cherry Creek

We’ll be on the streets of Denver to greet shoppers and tell them to choose cruelty-free luxury items this year.

Wednesday, December 7: RMAD/Southern Plains Land Trust Winter Fundraiser Party

When: 6:30 p.m.
Where: The Oxford Hotel, Lower Downtown Denver


Holiday Extravaganza Fundraiser
Please join RMAD and SPLT for our Holiday Fundraiser Extravaganza!
View Evite Invitation

Ongoing: Vegetarian Parents of Denver Meeting

Vegetarian Parents of Denver meet the second Saturday of every month. We discuss a variety of issues, share resources and are even starting an organic food buying club. We welcome parents of children of any age. Bring the kids and we have a babysitter watch them in another room. Our next meeting is June 11 at 10 a.m.- 12 p.m. You can call 303 355 5272 or e-mail Laura Patrick (veganmom2002@yahoo.com) for directions. Or join our online discussion group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/compassionate_future/.