November 17, 2006

Hello!

The temperature continues to drop, so you know what that means – holiday shopping. Now is the time to educate shoppers about cruelty-free living, especially in relation to fur and fur-trimmed coats. In addition to the weekly fur protests hosted by stalwart RMAD activist Ann Swissdorf, our annual Fur Free Friday demonstration is coming up a week from today. More information on this event can be found in the calendar below.

When news broke that talk show host Peter Boyles (whose show RMAD director Dave Crawford has appeared on) would be attending a “fashion show” at Hamilton Furs in Denver on Thursday night, local activists organized a last-minute demonstration to bring attention to this cruel injustice. Thank you to everyone who responded so quickly and was able to take part in this protest.

Following Fur Free Friday will be our joint Holiday Party with Southern Plains Land Trust. Please join us December 16, 2006, 6 pm, at the Crawford Hill Mansion ( 150 East 10th Avenue), Denver.

You will enjoy all-vegan, hearty hors d’ouvres, desserts, libations, art and entertainment. Dress code is festive – come casual or dress to the nines. Children welcome.

Save $10 per ticket by purchasing in advance. Tickets will be $35 after December 15th. Tickets can be purchased online here (requires a Paypal account), through the mail, or by calling the RMAD office at 303-449-4422.

If you can’t attend the holiday party but would like to make a donation, you can do so by mail, telephone, or through our Paypal store which is located here.

We just finished our 2005 taxes and want to share with you a summary of the work we did last year. Because of the contributions of RMAD’s volunteers and RMAD’s low overhead, we were able to accomplish this work for only $100k. The list can be found at the bottom of this eNews.

Speaking of kicking butt... thanks to a generous donation by one of the Rocky Mountain Rollergirls (and RMAD supporter), RMAD is sponsoring the month of June in the 2007 Rocky Mountain Rollergirls Calendar. The calendar will be available at their bouts beginning November 18 (tomorrow) at the Bladium. Check it out!

We hope to see you at both Fur Free Friday and our Holiday Party. If you have any questions about either, please contact us.

Have a good weekend.

- Chris

2005 PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Vegetarian Program

Maintained health.rmad.org, a web site promoting vegetarian food and healthy living. Tabled at numerous fairs and festivals on behalf of farmed animals. Protested the National Western Stock Show with our newest additions, Duke the Calf and two body-screen televisions. Organized a vegan Thanksgiving bag lunch for 150 homeless people in Denver. Celebrated the healthy and cruelty-free vegan lifestyle with monthly potlucks. Sponsored two local talks by nationally renowned author and lecturer Dr. Michael Greger. Began development of Compassionate Living Guide, a Colorado-based guide to vegetarian living.

Prairie Wildlife Program

Developed and released PrarieWatch.org, a unique web site that tracks the status of prairie dog colonies in the Denver metropolitan area. Developed and released WildlifeKillings.com, a web site exposing crimes against wildlife in Colorado. Maintained PrairieDogs.org, an educational site devoted to protecting prairie dogs and prairie dog ecosystems. Advocated for humane wildlife management in Boulder’s Urban Wildlife Management Plan. Provided RMAD’s prairie wildlife perspective, informing five media broadcasts and 20 media print publications. Gave numerous prairie wildlife talks at schools, hearings and events in the Denver/Boulder area. Began relocation of some 120 prairie dogs from imperiled habitat in Colorado Springs. Provided fiscal sponsorship and leadership support to the Prairie Dog Coalition, which RMAD helped form in 2001.

Education/Advocacy/Public Service

Responded to more than 1000 email and telephone requests for information or assistance related to animals. Services range from referrals and the provision of basic information to direct and high-level involvement. Completed a rescue of nearly 2000 animals – primarily turtles, crayfish and fish – from a canal that was unexpectedly drained in Boulder in the winter of 2004–05. Maintained FAQ on web site. RMAD provided strategic guidance, support and advice to area animal advocates. Established Compassion Club to meet the emotional needs of those advocating for animals. Maintained several listservs to meet the needs of area advocates. Organized a blanket drive for local shelters and sanctuaries in the Denver/Boulder area. Pledged $1000 to a reward fund supported by nine conservation groups for information leading to the conviction of the persons responsible for killing three lynx in Colorado. Sponsored a volunteer to assist post-Katrina animal rescue and care operations in New Orleans, Louisiana. Through our ongoing Nalgene Boycott, convinced numerous large corporations, small businesses and individuals to choose cruelty-free drinking bottles; supported Patagonia, National Geographic in respective decisions to not carry Nalgene bottles. Educated the public about the plight of homeless companion animals by distributing an additional 20,000 bilingual spay/neuter fliers in the Denver/Boulder area; also made the flier available online as a downloadable PDF. Brought attention to animal road mortality by leading the effort in the Colorado legislature to double fines for speeding in select wildlife crossing zones (the measure made it through the house but was killed in Senate committee). Helped rescue and place scores of animals in homes through RMAD email lists and referral services. Conducted weekly demonstrations at Marks-Lloyds Furs in Denver. Conducted annual demonstrations in Denver on Fur Free Friday and at Ringling Bros. Circus. Worked with Boulder Creek Events to ensure that the Boulder Creek Festival and other events remain free of exploitive animal displays. Maintained rmad.org. Continued to support the work of many Colorado animal organizations, including wildlife rehabilitators, cat and dog rescue organizations and a farmed animal sanctuary. RMAD’s support includes publicity, limited financial contributions, and/or volunteers. RMAD maintains a working relationship with Political Voice for Animals.