Rocky Mountain Animal Defense Web Log

June 29, 2007

2007-06-29T13:45:00.000-06:00

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Raise the Roof, Open the Cages. All of the acts were fantastic: The Barb Henry Trio (featuring Mark Reinhardt), Rockaphonics, The New Rome and List of Lead. The roof was indeed raised, as were as a few bucks for RMAD so that we may continue opening cages. A heartfelt thank you to Ann and Peter Swissdorf for pulling the whole thing together.

Ann is, as always, so busy it will make you dizzy. Not only is Ann a rock star RMAD activist, she is the mother of a rock star. In addition to the weekly fur protest in Denver, Ann organizes potlucks, vegan meetups, fundraisers and much more. She’s also organizing the July 4^th HEALTH Picnic in Morrison, for which more information is available below.

Do you have any fur coats lurking in your closets that you’d like to get ride of? If so, please contact Ann. We’re also looking for a few willing and capable seamstresses/tailors to help out with some small tasks as needed, so please let Ann know if you can help.

Ann and Peter are organizing an Evolution Dog Food order. If you’d like to get a bag of the healthiest, best-tasting (according to our furry informants) cruelty-free dog food, contact Ann for an order form.

RMAD’s been working on a number of projects and tasks, including but not limited to: revamping one of our websites, a project with Boulder’s open space and prairie wildlife, the Greenwood Village coyote debacle, our forthcoming teen vegetarian guide, fielding requests for assistance from the public, not to mention all the behind-the-scenes administrative work required to keep the organization functioning.

We’re already strategizing our approaches to the annual Ringling Bros. visit (October), Fur Free Friday (November 24) and The Stock Show (January 2008). We are organizing an RMAD Action Committee to create a vision for these events; the first meeting will take place in late July and if you’d like to participate, please contact Lynne Sprague.

As always, thank you to each and every one of you for joining with RMAD in advocating for the rights of animals. We truly appreciate your passion and compassion.

Have a good Fourth of July – Here’s to celebrating the liberty of all beings!

6.14.07

2007-06-14T13:15:00.000-06:00

Please join us tonight for Raise the Roof, Open the Cages, an evening of music ranging from jazz to all-out rock. This event takes place at Arvada’s The D Note, 7519 Grandview Ave, at 7 p.m. The D Note offers a delicious vegan-friendly pizza selection. Don't miss this chance to have a fun night out while supporting RMAD's work.

Take action! Don't Let Congress Undo State and Local Animal Laws. According to an alert issued by the Humane Society of the United States, a small provision – Section 123 – tucked into the pending Farm Bill in the U.S. House of Representatives would prohibit states and localities from banning activities they deem to be contrary to public health, safety, and morals. Section 123 would undo bans on horse slaughter, intensive confinement of pigs and calves raised for veal, force-feeding of ducks and geese to make foie gras, and other important laws. It’s an outrageous power grab that would undermine the democratic process and deny citizens the right to pass state or local laws on issues of humane treatment or food safety.

Please make brief, polite phone calls to your two U.S. Senators and one U.S. Representative and urge them to oppose Section 123 of the House Farm Bill. You can reach your federal legislators by calling the Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121, or click here to find their Capitol office phone numbers.

A group of activists will be holding Ringling Bros. demonstrations in Colorado Springs this Saturday, June 16, at 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. The shows are at the World Arena, 3185 Venetucci Blvd. For more information please email Ann or Sisley. Thank you to Ann and Sisley for leading this demo, and also big thanks to Jeri McGinnis, owner of Gigi's: The Animal Lover's Gift Shop, located at 728 Manitou Avenue in Manitou Springs, for paying for an anti-Ringling ad in the local paper.

RMAD board member Mark Reinhardt has been writing his vegetarian humor column On or Off the Mark for more than 20 years. These articles are now being re-published as a blog and you can read and comment on them here.

Thank you to Daniel Ziskin and Boulder East Community Transportation Options for working together to make the Bike and Walk to Work Day 7^th Annual Great 55^th Street Egg-less Relay a cruelty-free event. The contestants will have to navigate an obstacle course while balancing a plastic egg on a spoon. You can still sign up, so pull a team together and get that egg to the other side of the road.

June 6, 2007

2007-06-01T15:38:00.000-06:00

Hello, friends.

Thanks to efforts by pro bono RMAD attorney Karen Breslin, the trapping of coyotes along Greenwood Village’s Highline Canal has been stopped. Karen met with the Tri-County Health Department, who felt that the appropriate number of "aggressive" coyotes had been killed. The Health Department official then contacted the trapper and told him he could not take any more animals and to remove the traps. However, this is not the conclusion, and RMAD is currently exploring legal options. We’ll keep you informed of our progress.

Thank you to everyone who has contacted the city council, mayor and staff of Greenwood Village. Your letters and calls have certainly made an impact. And if you need a great attorney, please contact Karen. More info on her firm, Progressive Law Center LLC, can be found here.

Another opportunity to make a big difference with prairie wildlife will happen this weekend. Prairie Dog Action is seeking help with a prairie dog relocation in Westminster. PDA only has until June 10th to try and relocate nearly 200 prairie dogs on the SW corner of 136th and Huron and we cannot stress how crucial volunteer help is in this relocation. If you have any time to spare for these animals, please contact Deb Jones (303-439-9264) or Pam Wanek (303-507-8580).

The Summerlee Foundation is offering complimentary tickets for the screening of "Companions To None" at the Breckenridge Film Festival, Saturday, June 9 at 11:00 am at the Speakeasy Movie Theatre. This film looks inside the companion animal overpopulation and abuse crisis in Mexico, and the people dedicated to fighting it. If you would like to take advantage of this offer, please email Chris.

RMAD is seeking speakers for our Humane Education Speakers Bureau. Join with other animal advocates in giving talks to classes of all ages We’ve created a form for potential speakers to fill out, which can be found here.

We’ve got some great events coming up, so be sure to check out the RMAD home page, calendar, and information below.

Thanks for reading.

5.18.07

2007-05-21T09:53:00.001-06:00

Hello!

As many of you know, RMAD was formed in 1994 after exposing conditions inside a local factory egg farm with videotape shot by RMAD co-founder David Crawford. The tape was edited into a groundbreaking 12-minute film that documents the factory's violations of Colorado state anti-cruelty laws and details the inherent cruelty of intensive egg production. It was the first nationally distributed expose of egg factories, and has aired on cable stations across the United States.

You can view the video here (in two parts). And, if you missed it, the Vox Feminista prairie dog video can be seen here.

RMAD recently issued an action alert regarding Greenwood Village’s decision to trap coyotes using padded leghold traps and then kill them afterward. RMAD is working with a number of organizations to stop this cruel and barbaric form of “wildlife management,” but in the meantime, please take action!

Contact the City of Greenwood Village and politely tell them to stop the assault on Colorado’s native wildlife. Tell them that when the citizens of Colorado passed Amendment 14 in 1996, this was exactly the type of situation they were voting to end.

Please remember that you’re an ambassador to the animals, so be friendly and open to a continuing dialogue. More info can be found on RMAD’s Alerts page, and feel free to pass this information on.

In addition to dozens of calls about the coyote situation, the RMAD staff has been fielding a large number of requests for assistance with issues ranging from prairie dogs to companion animals to vegetarianism and more.

Please be vigilant of wildlife on and around roads. The offspring of prairie dogs, rabbits, geese and many other species are up and about, so please slow down and be careful.

We’ll be at the Boulder Creek Festival over Memorial Day weekend so be sure to stop by our booth and say hello!

5.4.07

2007-05-04T13:19:00.001-06:00

Hello, Friends.

Recent Media: Boulder’s Women’s Magazine did a full-page feature on RMAD, covering numerous aspects of the organization while focusing heavily on the involvement of recent RMAD additions Lynne Sprague and Kris Candour. Pick up a copy and let us know what you think! Colorado Hometown News quoted Dave Crawford about the prairie dog killings at 95^th and Arapahoe; RMAD joined local citizens in calling for Lafayette to stop the killing of prairie dogs within town limits. The Boulder Daily Camera also provided RMAD’s perspective in an article about the probable killing of prairie dogs by Boulder city staff during road work at the Foothills/Arapahoe intersection.

Summer Support Needed for Field Study: RMAD has received a grant to study Boulder open space lands to determine their availability and suitability for prairie dog relocation release sites. We keep being told “there’s no room” but we are skeptical; this is our chance to find out for ourselves. Three or four students will be in town for two weeks this summer, probably in June. We need to provide them with lodging and a vehicle. If you have any ideas, suggestions or offers, please let us know. Thanks!

Volunteer Pippi Howard (who also maintains RMAD’s fantastic MySpace page) has organized a Rocky Mountain Animal Defense work party this weekend at Peaceful Prairie Sanctuary. The volunteer slots are already full, but stay tuned for more opportunities in the future.

Calling all volunteers! Please join us Wednesday, May 16, from 10am to 8pm for an RMAD mailing party. Come whenever you're free and stay as long as you'd like. Our mailing parties are fun, and in addition to offering a valuable service to RMAD, you'll have the opportunity to meet other advocates and hang out with the coolest AR staff in the West. Food and drinks will be provided. For more information, please contact Kris Candour or call the RMAD office 303-449-4422.

If you can’t make the mailing party but would like to get involved, please see our Volunteer Opportunities below. Lots going on, and lots of chances to help.

If you missed Marc Bekoff’s Boulder event, don’t fret – he will be speaking about his new book, The Emotional Lives of Animals, at the Tattered Cover in LoDo (Denver) on Saturday, May 12 at 2 p.m. More info on this book and Marc can be found here. This will be a great event! Please attend if you can.

April 20, 2007

2007-04-23T10:26:00.000-06:00

Happy Earth Day!

Earth Day is Saturday, April 22. As most vegetarians know, every day is Earth Day, and each meal is a vote. Did you know that in addition to saving the lives of 100 animals per year, a vegetarian also saves 1 acre of trees per year and uses 3700 less gallons of water per day?

The impacts of a meat-based diet on the Colorado landscape are immense – our dietary choices have a direct and measurable impact on the health of our air, fresh water supply and the soil from which our food sources arise. Read more about it at RMAD’s “For the Earth” section at VegColorado.com.

Speaking of veg options, word is out that Boulder’s latest addition, Rush!, has fantastic, delicious and refreshing non-dairy frozen treats. Rush! is located in at 207 13th St. and 4593 N. Broadway. Check them out!

This past week RMAD created a Power Point slideshow on canned hunting and executive director Dave Crawford presented it to the Boulder Valley Humane Society Board of Directors. Stay tuned for more on this issue in upcoming months.

Thank you to everyone who attended Partnership for Animal Welfare at CU’s recent event with Carol Adams. Carol’s presentation was fascinating and provocative as always, and CU catering did an excellent job providing an all-vegan buffet afterwards. Congrats and thanks to PAW for putting on a great event and for having RMAD join in.

The Prairie Dog Coalition, of which RMAD is a member organization, has an upcoming fundraiser. Please consider attending; the PDC’s work is crucial in protecting not only Colorado’s black-tailed prairie dog, but four other species as well. And Director Lindsey Sterling Krank always puts together a great event.

Living on Burrowed Time III
When: Friday, May 4, 7 p.m. sharp
Location: exhibitrek THE GALLERY, 1711 15th St., Boulder.
Details: The event will offer nouvelle cuisine, gourmet wine and beer, live music, laughter, auctions and art. Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door. PrairieDogCoalition.org / (720) 938-0788.

Be sure to take time to celebrate the great outdoors and its inhabitants this weekend. Thanks for reading.

April 5, 2007

2007-04-10T10:04:00.000-06:00

April 4, 2007Hello!

The first of RMAD’s big blue distribution boxes has hit the streets. Point them out to friends and family, directing them to the Colorado’s best guide to vegetarianism. Veg is the lifestyle for 2007, whether it be for the animals, the environment (including climate change) or your health. There’s no reason not to go veg today.

Though they only offer one veggie burger, after many years of efforts by animal advocacy groups, Burger King, Inc. has announced a plan to decrease the suffering of many animals killed for its restaurants. Burger King has agreed to the following changes:

• Immediately begin purchasing 10 percent of its pig flesh from suppliers that do not use gestation crates – metal enclosures that confine mother pigs and are so restrictive that the animals cannot even stretch a limb or take a step – and double that amount by the end of 2007.

• Immediately begin purchasing 2 percent of its eggs from hens who are not confined to wire “battery cages” and more than double that amount by the end of 2007.

• Issue a statement to its egg suppliers saying that it will give purchasing preference to those that do not use battery cages.

• Issue a statement to its chicken-flesh suppliers stating that it will give purchasing preference to those that use or switch to “controlled-atmosphere killing” – which is by far the least cruel method of chicken slaughter available. RMAD is interested in knowing you all think about these proposed changes. Some questions to consider: Are incremental changes important? Do they alleviate the animals’ suffering? What should negotiation with corporations/entities that contribute to animal suffering look like when the stakes are this high? What becomes an area for compromise and what then, become our non-negotiables? Let us know what you think by emailing us at vegcolorado@rmad.org.

Finally, RMAD is looking for a committed volunteer to be in charge of our spring and summer tabling/outreach events coordination. We’re seeking someone to oversee the process from start to finish – from set-up to take-down. It’s a great way to get involved with the front lines of the organization, to meet people, and to introduce the public to the idea of compassion for all beings. If interested, please inquire within.

If you’d to help out as an outreach booth staffer, we’re also looking for help in that regards too. If you are interested in volunteering for these events, please email Chris Kirschbaum (more info on Chris below) or call the RMAD office at 303-449-4422.

Thanks for reading! Have a great weekend.

March 23, 2007

2007-03-26T13:02:00.000-06:00

Happy Spring, Everyone.

An urgent email to the RMAD office last week expressed grave concern for a goose with an arrow through his leg at Littleton’s Robert F. Clement Park. RMAD went into action coordinating a rescue for this poor animal and volunteer Dave Hatch has been visiting the park on a regular basis. However, the goose has literally taken volunteers on the “wild goose chase” for which they are famous, and has thus far evaded capture. We’re researching other rescue options and will be sure to keep you informed.

As well, the RMAD cell phone hasn’t fared so well after a lengthy swim during the goose pursuit. We’re looking for a replacement, preferably with some sort of calling plan or established pay-as-you-go agreement. If you can help, please contact Chris or call the RMAD office at 303-449-4422.

The RMAD office has been busy as usual, tending to inquiries related to all things animals. Typical springtime issues are those involving rats, mice, birds moving into homes, and other ways to humanely approach wildlife management. Kudos to everyone who chooses patience and compassion over extermination.

Our condolences go out to everyone affected by the recent dog food contamination. The tragedy has struck close to home, and we’re doing our best to assist those who have lost their beloved companion animals. This massive food recall has also raised a lot of attention for the quality of such “pet” foods, as well as the conditions in which factory farmed animals are raised. If you’re looking for the healthiest, most humane alternative for your companion animals, please consider Evolution!

A slew of events are on the horizon. This weekend offers both the weekly fur protest in Denver and the HEALTH Mountain Potluck in Evergreen. Next Tuesday will be the seal slaughter protest in Denver. Following the April 1 HEALTH Potluck will be a talk by Victor Tsou, Regional Outreach Coordinator for Vegan Outreach.

RMAD is supporting Carol Adams’ visit to CU, brought to you by the fine young folks with PAW. This April 16 event is not to be missed!

Also coming up is the April 21 Jefferson County Bar Association’s “largest adoption event in Colorado history.” This metro-wide animal adoption event will feature more than forty rescue groups and all kinds of critters, from hamsters to horses, all looking for loving homes.

More details for all of these events can be found on the RMAD Calendar. Please contact the RMAD office with any questions.A lot going on!

Thanks for staying involved. Have a great weekend.

March 9, 2007

2007-03-09T14:00:00.000-07:00

March 9, 2007

Dear Friends:

With the advent of spring, both people and animals are rising from their semi-hibernations. You may notice prairie dog colonies coming to life, including the animals who rely on them for food and shelter. However, prairie dogs are perpetually threatened by rampant development and untruths about the nature of this valuable, fascinating animal.

The public consistently appeals to RMAD for help in these situations, and we do our best to guide and support them. In the past month, we’ve assisted with some 20 threatened colonies, ranging from Boulder, Colorado to Lawton, Oklahoma. We’re continually evaluating our strategies and techniques.

In addition to being a valuable resource for prairie wildlife advocates, RMAD continues to be a clearinghouse for the spectrum of animal issues. We’ve recently assisted with sick horses, unhealthy animals at a Colorado puppy mill, finding homes for companion animals, legal help with wildlife conservation, and much more.

A big thank you to Lynne, Torie, Chelsea, Emilie and Fernando for volunteering at our mailing party. With their help, RMAD was able to get a 2200-piece mailing out the door without a hitch. RMAD volunteers continue to leverage every dollar donated, ensuring our effectiveness in advocating for all animals along the Front Range.

Please don’t forget to slow down in wildlife crossings and near prairie dog colonies! And don’t forget to move your clocks forward this Sunday.

Thanks for reading.

January 26, 2007

2007-02-23T13:29:00.000-07:00

Rocky Mountain Animal Defense is proud to announce the launch of VegColorado.com, an online guide to vegetarian living in Colorado. This site expands on the information that is available in our new printed publication, Compassionate Living. In addition to the hows and whys of cruelty-free living, you’ll find a comprehensive and ever-expanding list of vegetarian restaurants throughout Colorado and a list of Colorado-based organizations and merchants. And much more.Please take a look around the site! Direct your friends, family members and colleagues to it. Let us know what you think. And if you know of a restaurant that has great vegan options, please email us at vegcolorado@rmad.org.

The success of Compassionate Living continues with positive reviews from near and afar. One director of a well-respected animal advocacy group says, “Your new guide to compassionate living is absolutely wonderful! Congratulations!” Another advocate say, “This is truly an amazing publication,” while others are requesting 10, 25 and 50 copies to distribute.

Ann Swissdorf is looking for a new coordinator for the Boulder HEALTH Potlucks. If you are willing to help, please email Ann. It's only one day per month – on the 3rd Sunday. That's only 12 times a year that you will need to be available. Co-organizers would be a good idea, because you can switch off months. Ann is also on the lookout for a new location to host the potlucks.

Hearty Congratulations to Kelley Coffman-Lee and her successful campaign to convince the Cherry Creek Schools Foundation to choose compassion over cruelty. After three arduous years of correspondence, Kelly convinced the school system to no longer serve as a ticket outlet for the Ringling Bros. Circus. In a letter dated January 16, 2007 Chairman Jim O’Brien states: “…the Foundation intends to replace the circus, and several other fundraising events, with new venues in 2007.” Great work, Kelley!

If you have good news to share, please let me know. We do our best to get positive changes up on our site.

-- Chris

February 23 , 2007

2007-02-23T12:51:00.000-07:00

Hello!

Welcome back to RMAD eNews. Things have been very busy in the RMAD office, especially with warmer weather. In the past week we’ve handled a dozen inquiries into a range of issues from dogs being teased in back yards to prairie dog colonies in jeopardy to the location of vegetarian restaurants in Colorado. We’ve received a few inquiries into the proposal to allow sport hunting of Elk in Rocky Mountain National Park and are looking into it.

Speaking of vegetarian restaurants: don’t forget to let us know about your favorite Colorado restaurants so we can post them on VegColorado’s Restaurant Guide. Please check out the ever-expanding list the site already offers.

We have a few distribution boxes for our starter kits. If you know of a good place to put one, please let us know. And: If you want VSKs to hand out to friends, family, coworkers, please contact us.

Another big thank you to all who attended RMAD’s Fourth Annual Dining Out Day. It was the best yet, raising some $1500 for the animals. The new WaterCourse is fantastic and allows for even more people to sample some of the best vegetarian cuisine in the state. Thank you to Dan Hanley for organizing this event every year.

Ann Swissdorf is coordinating the latest Evolution (vegan) dog food order, and this is your chance to get some of this amazing, super-healthy, animal-free food. Please contact her by Monday at the latest. The total order needs to be at least 500 lbs of dog food and the bags come in 20 lb and 40 lb sizes. She will be happy to meet you to get your payment since this is such short notice. For more information or to order, please contact Ann.

Thanks for reading. Have a good weekend.

- Chris

January 12, 2007

2007-02-23T12:48:00.000-07:00

Hello, Friends –

2007 is off to a busy start. Although RMAD is strategizing and preparing for the upcoming year, we’re staying active with our core programs. This week was emblematic of our work, as activists were on the streets telling the stock show and rodeo animals’ side of the story, then assisting with concerns over a large colony imperiled by the dumping of snow on their burrows.

RMAD is focusing its 2007 Stock Show efforts on leafletting and promoting StockShowInfo.com, our new website dedicated to informing the public about the reality of the animals’ lives. RMAD activist Ann Swissdorf has been busy distributing information on Denver’s 16 th St. Mall and rep orts that it has been a highly successful venture. RMAD was asked for its perspective on the Stock Show for a recent Denver Post article.

An excerpt: But David Crawford, executive director of Boulder-based Rocky Mountain Animal Defense, said there is no way to independently determine what is happening to the animals at the stock show and rodeos. "We all know about 'lies ... and statistics,"' Crawford said. "This sort of self- reporting offers little comfort when it's done by an industry group." The statistics also do not account for mental anguish animal suffer when they are penned, trucked and "forced into confrontation" to compete, Crawford said. You can read the entire article here.

RMAD’s new Compassionate Living – A Colorado Guide to Vegetarian Living has seen great success in its first month of existence, with hundreds of copies being distributed and throughout Colorado and the country. Email me if you’d like a copy.Lots going on, and lots more to come, so thanks for reading and keeping informed.

Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

-- Chris

January 2, 2007

2007-02-23T12:47:00.000-07:00

Happy New Year!

RMAD’s office staff took a much-needed break over the holidays, and now we’re back in the swing of things. We’re also recovering from our fantastic joint holiday party with our friends at Southern Plains Land Trust. Some 125+ supporters, friends, and guests were in attendance. Thank you to everyone who attended, volunteered, and celebrated with us.

Ann Swissdorf would like to thank everyone who braved over two feet of snow for December 23rd’s All-Day Pre-Holiday Demo. “You are troopers,” Ann says. “We had about 15 people coming and going through the day and we had 12 people all together for 2 hours toward the end. It was an awesome demo with overwhelming support from passersby. It was the best holiday present ever.”Indeed, a huge thank you to everyone who attended and to Ann for dedication. I’ve posted some photos of this event as well as some from the recent AETA Rally. They can be seen here.

In response to the National Western Stock Show’s arrival next week, we’ve created StockShowInfo.com. The stock show and rodeo are a celebration of a culture of death, consumption, short-sightedness and domination, and exploits the traditions of animal agriculture while propounding the myth of the hero cowboy. Visit StockShowInfo.com for RMAD’s critique.

In case you missed it, RMAD’s very own full-color, 32-page guide to vegetarian living in Colorado has arrived and is flying off the shelves. If you’d like a copy and/or would like one sent to someone else, please email me with your/their current address.

Thanks for reading and for staying active!

-- Chris

December 15, 2006

2007-02-23T12:44:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone –

We have just a few major announcements for you. First, our joint Holiday Party with Southern Plains Land Trust is happening tomorrow night at the Crawford Hill Mansion in Denver. We’ll be here through late afternoon in case you want to call (303-449-4422) and purchase tickets at the discounted price. You can also still purchase them at our online store. More information about the party in the Calendar Features, below.

Second, RMAD’s very own full-color, 32-page guide to vegetarian living in Colorado has arrived! Compassionate Living was created and developed by volunteers and staff and is a complete resource for anyone seeking more information about the plight of animals, the environment, the ill effects meat and dairy has on our health and how to live a more compassionate lifestyle. If you’d like a copy or would like someone else to receive a copy, please email me (chrisj@rmad.org).

RMAD has also acquired six colorful and rugged media boxes for distributing Compassionate Living free of charge in the Boulder and Denver area. It will be on the streets soon!Third, as you may know, the National Western Stock Show is coming to Denver in January (the 6 th through the 21 st).

As in years past, RMAD again will protest this event. Now, exactly how we’re going to protest is yet to be decided. We’ve got ideas, and we’d like to hear yours. This could be the usual demonstration or perhaps a parade, a celebration of compassion, a vegetarian food event... there are many possibilities. Please share! Let me (chrisj@rmad.org) know what you think. And if you’d like to be part of the planning committee, please let me know as well.

Thanks for reading.

See you Saturday!

-- Chris --

December 1, 2006

2006-12-07T10:38:00.000-07:00

Happy December, Everyone.

Our 2006 Fur Free Friday demonstration was a hugesuccess, thanks to the dedicated activists who ventured into the unpredictable holiday weather. Some 50+ of you sacrificed vacation time to stand up for the animals – in very cold November air – and it was well worth it. Not only was the message carried to the thousands of people passing by and to the business owners who peddle cruel fashion, but to the tens of thousands of people who our message reached through the media.

An article in Saturday’s Rocky Mountain News carried the message of compassion to over 800,000 readers. Fox News stopped by for an interview with Executive Director Dave Crawford and other protest participants, but we have yet to confirm that this segment aired.

If you haven’t heard, the most-excellent VG Burgers is open for business in Boulder. They make amazing, healthy, all-vegan and virtually all-organic fast food. I’ve been three times already, and I can’t get enough of their non-dairy shakes (or as we call them back east, “Frappes”). They’re located at 3267 28 th St., strategically situated between Dairy Queen and Taco Bell, and can be reached at 303-440-2400.

Another non-animal business has popped up in the Denver area: True Love, a women’s shoe and accessories store. The store targets “fashionable women that care about animals, and who want to be able to make choices that reflect their beliefs.” True Love is located at 42 Broadway, Denver, is open from 11-7 every day, and can be reached at 303-860-TRUE (8783).

Please support your local vegan businesses!

The Rocky Mountain Peace and Justice Center reports that on Monday, Dec 4, at 5:30 pm, the Denver City Council will hold a public hearing on a proposed ordinance that would make it illegal to hang banners over the highway from overpasses (something RMAD has done throughout its history). Location: City Council chambers, 4th floor, City and County building, Denver. Please come out if you can to let council know that this infringement of our right to free expression is unnecessary and unacceptable. If you live in Denver, please call and/or e-mail your Council rep to register your opposition.

Party Time! Join us at the Rocky Mountain Animal Defense and Southern Plains Land Trust Holiday Party
Details: December 16, 2006, 6 pm, at the Crawford Hill Mansion ( 150 East 10th Avenue), Denver. Come enjoy all-vegan, hearty hors d’ouvres, desserts, libations, art, music and entertainment. Festive attire – 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. For more information or if you have any questions, please email Paula Lewis or call the RMAD office at 303-449-4422.

See you there! Thanks for all your energy and support.

-- Chris

November 17, 2006

2006-12-07T10:35:00.000-07:00

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.

November 3, 2006

2006-12-07T10:25:00.000-07:00

Guten Tag!

Thank you to everyone who came to our Bimonthly Meeting last night at the College Hill Library. We’re excited to be bringing in lots of new faces, discussing the events and successes of 2006, and preparing for 2007, which promises to be a big year for RMAD. Our next Bimonthly Meeting with take place roughly two months from now.

A duck rescue will be taking place this Saturday. Seems that someone abandoned a pair of the domesticated birds in a Thornton-area pond. The goal is to nab these fast-moving quackers before the ice freezes and to relocate them to Peaceful Prairie Sanctuary. The team will assemble at 4 p.m. at Bell Roth Park, across from Water World in Thornton. Please call Amanda at 303-887-0398 for more information or to help out.

Please remember to vote! Tuesday’s the day, though early voting is available. Contact your county clerk if you have questions. RMAD is encouraging Boulder voters to support Initiative 2A – that’s YES ON 2A! For more info on this important initiative, see http://www.boulderspeaksout.org/.

Many of you are curious what’s going on in Boulder with the intersection work at Arapahoe and Foothills. A colony of prairie dogs is being impacted by the work. RMAD is teaming with Keep Boulder Wild to ensure a good outcome for the affected animals. We have been working these past two weeks to get the animals out of danger and onto the adjoining property, which is owned by the Boulder Community Hospital. The city manages a conservation easement on the hospital site. We are negotiating with both the city and the hospital. To our knowledge, no animals have been killed as of yet. We will keep you posted. We are not at this point encouraging a lot of calls to Boulder’s city manager, but if you are the type who takes initiative, well, go for it. We believe the city has the power to determine the fate of these animals.

Fur-Free Friday is fast approaching. We want *you* to help us make this our best event yet. The foxes and minx and coyotes and – yes, cats and dogs – are relying on us. If you want to help out, shoot Dave an email.

I’ve created an online ticket-purchasing function so you can get your tickets to our upcoming holiday party with our friends Southern Plains Land Trust. You can also call us or purchase tickets through the mail. More information on the event, below.

This is indeed the busiest time of year for the animal advocacy community. We appreciate your continuing involvement and support. Please don’t hesitate to contact us for any reason.

– Have a good weekend –

- Chris

October 20, 2006

2006-12-07T10:24:00.000-07:00

Hi, Friends.

RMAD is moving! We’ve outgrown our space. We’re often cramming three workers – and sometimes four! – into the space of two, stepping around boxes and stacks of files. However, we’re not complaining – did you that know 99% of the country’s 9 billion chickens have approximately 67 square inches of room in which to live? That would be the equivalent of about 25 of us in this office.

We’re moving to an office that will allow us to be more efficient in our work advocating for animals and which will be more welcoming to the animal activist community. The RMAD office will be closed on Thursday, October 26 and Friday, October 27. We’re looking for another strong mover or two, so if you’d like to help please email Paula Lewis or give us a call at 303-449-4422 as soon as possible.

RMAD is celebrating! We’re teaming up with Southern Plains Land Trust to host a holiday party to acknowledge our successes in 2006 and to help kick-start 2007. The emphasis of this party is more on “fun” than “raising” so bring your friends, family and fellow activists to our all-vegan shindig at the Crawford Hill Mansion in Denver. Please join us! You can purchase tickets here.

Action Alert: Help “Yes on 2A”. Support Boulder's Annexation Initiative. If you want Boulder’s citizens to have a better chance of helping the prairie dogs on the Palmos property in North Boulder and the foxes and Prebles mice on the Hogan-Pancost property in South Boulder, help “Yes on 2A” distribute literature. Click here for more information, and be sure to tell everyone you know to vote Yes on 2A.

Have a good weekend.

Chris

October 6, 2006

2006-12-07T10:20:00.000-07:00

Hi, Friends.

Please welcome to RMAD, and to the Colorado animal advocacy community, our new Operations Director Kris Candour. For nearly 10 years, Kris Candour, MS, has worked within grassroots and professional animal advocacy organizations to actively oppose animal exploitation and promote a vegetarian diet. Kris helped develop the African American Outreach Campaign at People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), and she provided fundraising assistance to the Student Animal Rights Alliance (SARA). She has participated in several other organizations, including Action for Animals in Austin, Texas, and Justice for All Species (JAS), a grassroots advocacy group she co-founded to outreach to communities of color about veganism . Kris was interviewed on Black Vegetarians about her role in co-founding JAS and her commitment to animal rights . Kris was also an invited panelist at the 2005 Grassroots Animal Rights Convention in New York, NY, where she spoke about ways to mitigate racism within the animal rights movement. She holds a Master’s degree in Nonprofit Management from the Milano Graduate School at New School University.Kris can be reached at krisc@rmad.org if you’d like to drop her a hello. Welcome, Kris!

Thanks to everyone who showed up at our Wednesday event opposing the use of animals in the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. RMAD has been in existence for over 12 years, and we have protested Ringling each of those years. There will come a day when such protests are no longer necessary. Our opening night demo reached thousands of circus-goers. We thank our experts who gave us quotes for our media release:

Dr. Marc Bekoff, a professor of biology at the University of Colorado, Boulder: Circuses such as Ringling Bros. deprive animals of any chance to have their emotional needs met. They are an insult to animals and to humans and rob us all of our dignity.

Dr. Erica Rambus, Denver-area veterinarian: All animals have a basic nature inherent in their being. Circuses work against this basic nature, making them cruel venues for our perverse enjoyment.

Catherine Zakoian, MA, LPC: I encourage parents to explore other ways to help their children better understand the nature of animals.

We’ve posted some images from the recent Circus Vigil on our Events page, as well as some photos of summer happenings. Please take a gander – and if you have any good photos of RMADers in action that you’d like to share, please send them to Chris .

Have a good weekend!

Dave

9.22.06

2006-09-22T14:18:00.000-06:00

Friday, September 22, 2006

Happy Autumn, Everyone.It was a long, hot summer, wasn’t it? Perhaps the coldest building I visited this summer was the Boulder City Council Chambers... That room may have provided a reprieve from the heat, but it didn’t provide a reprieve from killing for Boulder’s prairie dogs.

As we speak, removal “specialists” are working to tear prairie dogs from their homes in and around Tom Watson park. Keep Boulder Wild fought long and vigorously to save these animals – and is still active in working protecting our priceless prairie wildlife – and while both science and compassion are on our side, the city concluded that lethal control would be a tool in their arsenal.We mourn for these animals as they are trapped and fed to ferrets.In some situations, the City of Boulder is utilizing “passive” relocation methods in which prairie dogs are politely urged to move on, thereby preventing needless and cruel killing of our native wildlife. This project is crucial not only in immediately sparing lives, but in showing these effective methods can be favored over killing.

Pam Wanek of Prairie Preserves LLC is leading this effort and is looking for 4-5 volunteers. Please see Volunteer Opportunities below if you’d like to help. This is a great hands-on opportunity to make a huge difference!

Uproar over the recently approved “Rodenator” sparked the media’s interest in the issue, prompting a few more calls to RMAD. Executive Director Dave Crawford appeared on Channel 9’s report and the story was picked up by CNN for national coverage.

Dave also visited Boulder’s New Vista High School to speak on the full spectrum of animal advocacy issues. Speaking to kids can be daunting, but the Denver/Boulder area is blessed with young, motivated and open-minded youth. Dave not only taught the students a great deal but also made a few new friends for the animals.

Action alert: Oppose The "Secure Fence Act of 2006," H.R. 6061!
The "Secure Fence Act of 2006," H.R. 6061, which passed the House of Representatives on September 14th and is currently being debated in the Senate, will mandate 700 miles of double layer reinforced fencing, roads, and other associated development. If this legislation passes, all wildlands from 5 miles east of Douglas, Arizona to Calexico, California will be walled off. Landscape connectivity through this area is essential for wildlife and ecological health – the effects of walling off these remote landscape connections would have devastating impacts to our natural heritage.Speak up for our wildlife!

Visit RMAD’s Alerts Page to read more about this and to get contact information for your legislators.

Thanks for reading and for staying active. Have a great Equinox!

- Chris

9.8.06

2006-09-11T11:04:00.000-06:00

September 8, 2006
Howdy, Folks.

The last two weeks have been hectic and emotional, to say the least. On August 29, after Keep Boulder Wild’s long and arduous challenge, the Boulder City Council voted unanimously to approve the Urban Wildlife Management Plan, which will likely result in the deaths of many prairie dogs.

The first colonies to be killed will be on the ball fields at Tom Watson Park. However, it appeared that Keep Boulder Wild activists (including RMAD, The Prairie Dog Coalition, Sierra Club, and HSUS) were successful in communicating the failure of the city to maintain non-lethal control measures such as barriers and fences, and that the city should continue to work with advocates in finding ethical solutions.

We’ve been told that “passive” (non-lethal) relocation efforts will be pursued for some of the other colonies. We’ll be sure to let you know how you can help. We will continue to look for any last-minute opportunities to halt the killing, and we will respond if and when the killing starts.

A proposal to allow Colorado hunters to possess raccoons for the live training of dogs brought animal advocates out in force. A PETA phone alert directed hundreds of callers to RMAD on Wednesday. While our small staff was a little overwhelmed, it was fantastic to see such a passionate uproar that, ultimately, forced the petitioner to pull the proposal. Thanks to each and every person who called the Division of Wildlife!

RMAD has been in high demand by the media, having recently spoken to The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Denver Post, and Channel 9 News. A recent article can be seen here, in which RMAD Executive Director Dave Crawford discusses the recently approved weapon of mass wildlife destruction, the Rodenator. (We’ll be working on that, so stay tuned.)

RMAD’s Bi-Monthly Meetings have commenced. We met Thursday evening to discuss changes (all good ones!) in the RMAD organization, as well as upcoming and ongoing projects and events. This is a great chance for you to get involved and have a say, so please watch out for the next one in two months.

In the meantime, if you have any questions or comments, please email contact us!

Thanks for reading. Have a safe and peaceful weekend.
- Chris

8.25.06

2006-08-25T15:36:00.000-06:00

Hello!

As summer quickly begins to wind down, now is a good time to reflect on the victories – both big and small – that have taken place so far this year. The animal advocacy community is growing rapidly and it’s wise for us to reconnect from time to time.

This weekend is filled with events to unite and invigorate activists and all-around friends of the animals. Please take part in one of these events, whether it be tomorrow’s Wear It For The Animals Day or our Vegan Pie Party or the HEALTH Potluck. More information below.

Some good news and some bad news for prairie dogs. It appears Keep Boulder Wild’s efforts to secure a release site for the prairie dogs imperiled at Tom Watson Park have come up short.

The Adams County commissioners have denied our petition to allow prairie dogs to cross their county line. Having exhausted the other identified potential sites, we have nowhere else to turn. The killing could commence at any time. We have not exhausted our legal options, but we are not optimistic about those. We will try to keep you posted on what’s happening at Watson so you can respond how you see fit.

We may have a bit of a reprieve on the Valmont Park prairie dogs. The city manager has indicated a willingness to continue working with us as we attempt to uncover new potential release sites. We will keep you posted.

The good news is that Keep Boulder Wild was able to make a compelling case for non-lethal control at Tuesday’s joint meeting of the Environmental Advisory Board, the Open Space Board of Trustees and the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.

Further, it appears our logical proposal that the 10-year review of the larger Grasslands Management Plan be completed before the Urban Wildlife Management Plan gained some traction.

We hope this less than resounding endorsement will give city council pause as it considers the draft plan on Tuesday night (the 29th). Please plan to attend the meeting if you can. Show up at council chambers (sw corner of Broadway and Canyon) between 5pm and 6pm if you wish to speak.

Speaking of prairie dogs, congratulations to Lindsey Sterling Krank and the Prairie Dog Coalition for acquiring their own tax-exempt status! As you may know, RMAD was instrumental in the formation of the PDC and has been their fiscal sponsor since 2001. This is good news not only for the PDC, but for prairie wildlife and prairie wildlife advocates in Colorado and beyond. Good luck!

Have a good weekend!

-- Chris –

8.11.06

2006-08-11T12:56:00.000-06:00

August 11, 2006

Welcome to the new RMAD eNews! We’ll be utilizing this format to send out updates every two weeks. In the meantime, please stop by RMAD’s home page for other updates, especially the RMAD calendar.

The calendar is packed with events, thanks to the continuing efforts of the animal community’s amazing volunteers. Your last weeks of summer will definitely offer many ways to help animals and to meet fellow vegetarians and advocates.

Speaking of volunteers, we’ll be restarting our Bimonthly Meetings in early September. This is your opportunity to get the very latest insight on animal issues of interest to Colorado, from experts both within and outside of RMAD. You’ll also have the chance to meet RMAD volunteers and staff, give us your input, and hear about new programs and volunteer opportunities. Please join us! More information on the RMAD Calendar.

RMAD and Southern Rockies Ecosystem Project are selling a 3-story townhome in Northeast Boulder. You can learn more about the home here. It’s dog-friendly, too. Please circulate this info widely as this sale will benefit two great Colorado-based groups.

Please visit RMAD on MySpace. Be our friend!

As always, feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns.

Have a good weekend!

Chris

7.28.06

2006-07-28T15:33:00.001-06:00

Save that date! We’re restarting the RMAD bimonthly meetings. This is for members, friends, and future friends to find out what is going on and to talk about our work. More information in the calendar below. Please contact us with any questions.

Save this (approximate) date! RMAD will be hosting a casual, fun and indulgent fundraiser in mid-August (around the 18-22). More details soon. Anyone who wants to make vegan pie or four, please email Paula Lewis at paulal@rmad.org.

Recent developments with the Keep Boulder Wild (www.KeepBoulderWild.org) campaign have provided a somewhat optimistic future for Boulder’s prairie dogs. Two avenues are currently being pursued within the campaign...

Of the legal efforts ,RMAD Executive Director Dave Crawford says, “The legal team had a productive meeting with several attorneys Wednesday morning. The team continues to explore whether or not the city is abiding by its own ordinance as it prepares to kill the prairie dogs at Watson and Valmont. Also, we received a cursory – and arguably inadequate – reply from city staffer Bev Johnson to our open records request, which seeks to ascertain exactly how, and under what sections of the law, the administration is proceeding with its plans. We also need to find out if the city is required by law to complete in 2006 its 10-year review of the Grasslands Management Plan. If anyone is willing to help with that research please let me know!”

Of the relocation effort, Lindsey Sterling Krank says, “The team is still in the process of securing a release site for the prairie dogs on private land. We have filed an application w/ the FDA to get the relocation going, if a release site is approved. The city-owned land that has recently been greatly affected by plague is proving difficult to work with because there is little to no research proving that a relocation into the sites could be safe for the prairie dogs. It could also jeopardize a CU professor's research that is working to learn how to prevent the spread of plague in the long run.”

And the numbers have spoken! Keep Boulder Wild researcher Yemaya Thayer recently assembled the tally of pro- and anti-prairie dog comments that were sent to the city (and which are available to the public). Thanks to the efforts of compassionate people – as publicized by RMAD, the Prairie Dog Coalition, The Humane Society of the United States and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals – 297 were in favor of humane management and 5 were for lethal control. Enough said, eh?

As RMAD is the fiscal sponsor of Keep Boulder Wild, we’re taking contributions for this campaign and all our other work. Your help is needed! For more information on how to contribute, see this page: http://www.rmad.org/support.html or contact me by email or phone.

Congratulations to Erica Rambus, good friend to RMAD and to all animals. Erica will be featured on Channel 7 for her “Everyday Hero” award. The dates for the broadcast are: 8/6 (10pm), 8/9 (11am), 8/11 (4pm), 8/12 (5pm), 8/13 (7am). To read about Erica and her work, please visit http://www.divinefeline.org/.

And a sad, final note: please be careful driving in these hot, drought-inducing times. Colorado wildlife must often find forage in places it normally wouldn’t, which might include crossing busy roads. Dave and I carried a dead baby deer, no bigger than a dog, out of the intersection at 30th and Arapahoe. This one’s for her.

-- Chris --

7.14.06

2006-07-14T14:36:00.000-06:00

Friends:

It has been an extremely busy past two weeks in the RMAD office. While a great deal of our time and energy has been geared toward Keep Boulder Wild (www.KeepBoulderWild.org), a campaign to prevent the slaughter of thousands of prairie dogs in Boulder, we’ve also been diligent in attending to our ongoing projects and assisting the public with a variety of situations.

Two RMAD websites have recently been redesigned for ease of use and better aesthetics: www.WildlifeKillings.org and www.PrairieWatch.org. Wildlife Killings is a site for bringing public attention to the continued killing of Colorado’s wildlife; Prairie Watch is a map-based colony-tracking tool that will allow prairie wildlife advocates to have a better sense of the health of prairie dogs in the Boulder/Denver area. We’re still working out a few kinks, but overall they’re running smoothly and ready for public interaction. Let us know what you think!

Our vegetarian work is also really coming together with two publications and a new website, VegColorado.com, debuting soon. World-famous artist Dan Piraro, creator of the nationally syndicated “Bizarro” comic strip (www.Bizarro.com) has contributed artwork for the cover of our youth-targeted vegetarian publication and it’s looking really great. Monstrous thanks to Dan! Dan is also highly active with a farm animal sanctuary in Woodstock, New York. Check it out at www.woodstockfas.org.

Keep Boulder Wild (www.KeepBoulderWild.org) still needs volunteers! This campaign is more important than ever, with numerous municipalities killing prairie dogs. Any questions, or if you're interested, contact Paula Lewis at paulal@rmad.org or see KeepBoulderWild.org for more information.

Kudos to Gabe Coffman-Lee and his mom, Kelley, for creating an excellent and informative vegetarian display at the Smoky Hill Public Library (5430 S. Biscay Circle, Centennial). Check out pictures of it here (www.health.rmad.org) or in person. Better yet, contact your local library about doing a similar display. Thanks, Gabe and Kelley!

ACTION ALERT: Westminster recently poisoned 400-600 prairie dogs on open space located on the north side of Big Dry Creek. Please write to Westminster staff and local media and simply let them know you do not support habitat destruction and poisoning of our wildlife! More information below the calendar.

Lastly but not leastly, Julie Marshall, author of Making Burros Fly, will be giving her talk in Denver on Monday. More details in the calendar.

-- Stay cool --

-- Chris --

6.30.06

2006-07-05T10:24:00.000-06:00

Friends,

A quick wrap-up of this week:

KBW members have been meeting after-hours and devoting heaps of time and energy toward steering Boulder back toward the path of compassion and progressive values. Thanks to each and every one of you who have helped out so far. The campaign continues to keep the pressure on council and staff, keep the public informed, and hope for the best while planning for the worst.

Keep Boulder Wild (www.KeepBoulderWild.org) still needs volunteers to do outreach during the Farmer's Market and possibly other events. If you care about prairie dogs, here is an easy, enjoyable chance to help out immensely. Wear our new prairie dog outfit! Any questions, or if you're interested, contact Paula Lewis at paulal@rmad.org or see KeepBoulderWild.org for more information.

There will be no HEALTH Potluck on July 2. Instead, have fun with a group of awesome vegetarians at the Annual Fourth of July Picnic, organized by Ann Swissdorf. Please note the new location, spread the word, and see below for more information. (Ann has all the details you’ll possibly need so if you’re thinking about attending, I suggest reading this!)

RMAD is hiring an operations development director! Please see http://www.rmad.org/rmadjobs.html for more information and/or to apply.

Have a safe and most excellent long weekend.

- Chris -

6.23.06

2006-06-26T10:38:00.000-06:00

Hey!

Hot enough for you? Please be extra vigilant for our furry, car-traveling friends – if you absolutely have to take your dog with you, don’t leave him or her in a vehicle for more than a few minutes, leave a window partly open, park in the shade, and leave plenty of water. Be on the lookout for animals whose guardians don’t demonstrate the best of care for their companions and don’t be afraid to speak up! The temperature in cars can reach a fatal level in a very short amount of time. For more information and for a flier that can be printed and distributed, visit http://www.peta.org/feat/dogdays/index.html.

Keep Boulder Wild (www.KeepBoulderWild.org) is gaining momentum. The facts – and compassion – are on our side. This amazing coalition continues their fight to save Boulder’s prairie dogs. The campaign is currently in need of volunteers to help do outreach during the Farmer's Market and possibly other events. Wear our new prairie dog outfit! The crowd loves her and it's a great way to educate people about KBW. Any questions, or if you're interested, contact Paula Lewis at paulal@rmad.org or see KeepBoulderWild.org for more information.

The Humane Society of the United States, a member of Keep Boulder Wild, is helping out in amazing ways. Check out this hot-off-the-press web page: https://wadmin3.getactive.com/preview!www.hsus.org/wildlife/wildlife_news/boulder_prairie_dog.html?authToken=34085493f778470f1e5352fb3151262dfa67615b.

RMAD is hiring an operations development director! Please see http://www.rmad.org/rmadjobs.html for more information and/or to apply.

RMAD’s phones have been leaping off the hook with pleas for help. This week we assisted dogs locked in houses, poorly-run dog boarding facilities, numerous prairie dog situations, and a variety of others.

A Toast to the Prairie! Our friends at Southern Plains Land Trust, are hosting a fundraising evening of fine wine, food, music and more, benefiting Colorado’s wildlands and wildlife. Details: Thursday June 9th, 2006, 6pm-8:30pm at the Dairy Center for the Arts, 2590 Walnut Street, Boulder, Colorado. Tickets are $25, which includes drink tickets, appetizers and desserts. Featuring the exquisite wines of Burrell School Winery and Vineyards. Tickets for the Toast to the Prairie are available at the door, but we recommend that you purchase tickets in advance, as space is limited. To purchase tickets, call 303-526-5276 or visit www.southernplains.org/winefest.

RMAD friend and supporter Stephanie Janard has request for help: “I have met an amazing person who is single-handedly trying to spay, neuter, and protect from abuse entire colonies of cats in the Lakewood area. Her name is Judith Meadows, and right now, she desperately needs donations of cat food. She also needs help with trapping so she can these cats spayed/neutered, so if you can volunteer in that area, please let me know and I'll send on her contact info. Please contact me (Stephanie) if you can provide help. For people that can donate cat-food, if it's in very large amounts, I'm happy to pick it up, or you can choose to drop off whatever you can at my home address.” Stephanie Janard: 303.708.1159 and sjanard@msn.com.

Thanks, Stephanie, Judith, and everyone else who is doing something for the animals. As always, if you’re doing something, let us know so we can share it. Have a safe and cool weekend.

- Chris -

6.15.06

2006-06-15T17:23:00.000-06:00

Good Day!

There is a lot going on in Colorado, so please take the time to read this announcement. If you have any questions about how you can get involved and help the animals, please contact me!

The battle to save Boulder’s prairie dogs continues to heat up and is receiving national attention. The Humane Society of the United States issued a press release yesterday, condemning the Boulder City Council for approving the plan to kill thousands of prairie dogs. Thanks to efforts by members of Keep Boulder Wild, a large ad was secured in the Boulder Weekly, shortly following a decent article on the prairie dog situation. Today’s edition of the Daily Camera covered the press release issued by the HSUS though, as usual, gave the final word to Boulder’s eager-to-kill council. The full article is included below the RMAD Calendar as is the HSUS press release.

A group of activists once again braved the intense heat last weekend to march through the Boulder’s Farmers Market. Activists took turns in RMAD’s beautiful new prairie dog costume and greeted fans, friends, fence-sitters and detractors alike. Activists handed out hundreds of fliers both residents of Boulder County, the Rockies, and beyond. Tourists return to Boulder every year just to see prairie dogs – yesterday RMAD received a call from a travelers coming from Boston who “absolutely cannot pass through Colorado without seeing black-tailed prairie dogs.”

ACTION: Keep Boulder Wild members have been actively studying the locations at which prairie dogs are most at risk – Tom Watson Park and Valmont City Park. Solutions are available! Please help us help the prairie dogs by writing to Boulder City Council members and by writing to your local media in favor of ONLY non-lethal solutions. For more information on how to get involved, please see http://www.keepboulderwild.org/.

On July 13, 2006 the Colorado Wildlife Commission will consider the reinstatement of a trapping season for mink, marten, long-tailed weasel, short-tailed weasel, swift fox, gray fox, opossum, ringtail, and western spotted skunk. This proposal was set forth in a petition submitted by the Colorado Trapper’s Association, and its approval would allow for the box trapping and subsequent killing of the species listed.

ACTION: Protect Colorado’s wildlife from trappers! To prevent this ill-conceived plan from becoming a reality:

· SUBMIT your comments to Colorado Division of Wildlife by noon on June 28. By mail to 6060 Broadway, Denver, CO 80216; by e-mail to wildlife.comm@state.co.us; or by fax to 303-291-7110.
· ATTEND the Commission meeting on July 13-14 at the Hilton Fort Collins, 425 West Prospect, Fort Collins, CO 80526 starting at 9:00 am. More information: http://wildlife.state.co.us/WildlifeCommission/Archives/2006/July2006.htm.

Talking points:
· The population statuses of the targeted species are not well-known for Colorado.
· Cheap, non-lethal alternatives exist for the collection of genetic data including fecal and hair sampling.
· Population density cannot be accurately assessed through small scale trapping programs.

Learn more:
· The Commission’s Rule-Making Notice: http://wildlife.state.co.us/NR/rdonlyres/BED4A78E-5733-4B1E-BB6A-2178C5E9EB23/0/NoticeJuly2006.pdf
· A recent Denver Post article on this matter: http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_3818085
· About the fur trade: http://www.furfree.hsus.org/

Area activists are hosting Colorado Springs demonstrations against Ringling’s Cruelty to Animals. Give them an ice-cold welcome! The next demo is Saturday, June 17 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at The World Arena, 3185 Venetucci Blvd., Colorado Springs. Directions and a map can be found here: http://www.worldarena.com/page.asp?id=About_Us-Location . Activists will be meeting in front of Gate B, on the North side of the Arena. This is the main gate. Don’t worry, you won’t miss the banner, signs, and elephant on crutches! A carpool will be available from Lone Tree (Highlands Ranch) area: If you want to carpool, you must RSVP with Sisley at sisley@milroy.com. They will be leaving at 4:15 p.m. sharp!

Our friends and Cruelty-Free World are hosting a fundraiser for the SHAC 7 tomorrow night in Denver! Please attend if you can. More information below.

- Chris -

___________________________________________________________
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Boulder Plan to Kill Prairie Dogs Inhumane and Ineffective, says The Humane Society of the United States
WASHINGTON (June 14, 2006) – The Humane Society of the United States condemned the City Council of Boulder, Colo. today for accepting a proposal by city staff to kill prairie dogs at Valmont Park and Tom Watson Park starting around July 1. In the past, when conflicts arose between humans and prairie dogs, the city would attempt to relocate the prairie dogs to safety. Now, the city is choosing not to relocate, but to kill some 1,900 prairie dogs.
“The council’s approval of this proposal signifies a complete reversal of progressive and protective wildlife policy in Boulder,” said Lauren Nolfo-Clements, Ph.D., wildlife scientist for The HSUS. “We encourage them to reexamine their decision and come to a humane solution.”

The city of Boulder is home to thousands of acres of black-tailed prairie dog colonies, a keystone species whose burrows create habitat for many other species and who plays a critical role in the structure of grassland ecosystems. This species occupies about 1 percent to 2 percent of its historical habitat and qualifies for a threatened listing under the Federal Endangered Species Act.

The city cites a lack of relocation sites, budget issues, and the insignificance of urban prairie dog populations to the species as a whole as justifications for this move. The city, however, has not done a recent assessment of its open space lands to determine whether any vacant lands are suitable for prairie dogs and associated wildlife. Although the city continues to acquire open space lands at costs in the millions of dollars, the city has not demonstrated that it is acquiring any land suitable for prairie dogs and associated wildlife.

“The idea that urban prairie dogs are of no ecological value is not only false but also ethically reprehensible,” said Nolfo-Clements. “Considering decimation of this species through habitat loss, human exploitation, and introduced plague, every prairie dog is a vital component of both the genetic and social structure of a given colony.”
The proposed method of euthanasia for these animals is CO2 inhalation, a method that can be both painful and inhumane. Research has shown that death by CO2 results in the swelling and hemorrhaging of the lungs. Prairie dogs are adapted to living in burrows, where CO2 concentrations are higher and oxygen levels lower than they are in the open. As such, elevated levels of CO2 probably do not cause unconsciousness in this species as rapidly as they would in non-burrowing species. In fact, a study on wild burrowing rabbits compared with open-air domesticated rabbits showed that the wild rabbits survived almost 3 times as long as the domesticated rabbits at CO2 concentrations of 50 percent.
“There is no guarantee that killing the prairie dogs will be successful in the long term,” said Nolfo-Clements. “Research has shown that prairie dogs quickly recolonize abandoned areas, even when the burrows have been plugged. The cycle of killing will have to continue if Boulder adopts this inhumane policy.”
CONTACT: Tracey McIntire, 301-548-7793, tmcintire@hsus.org
____________________

Humane Society faults planBoulder: Group's prairie dog facts are wrong
By Ryan Morgan, Camera Staff Writer
June 15, 2006The national office of the Humane Society of the United States weighed into Boulder's prairie dog fray Wednesday with a news release that calls the city's policies "inhumane and ineffective."But city officials said the animal-rights group doesn't have its facts straight.Lauren Nolfo-Clements, a wildlife scientist for the Humane Society's office in Washington, D.C., said she was disappointed that Boulder plans to use "lethal control" to remove prairie dogs from some parts of the city."Generally, (Boulder is) known as a very wildlife-friendly sort of town," said Nolfo-Clements, who said Boulder animal-rights activists told her about the policy. "It's something that's enviable in the East."Boulder's wildlife officials have identified 10 prairie dog "complexes" within the city where the animals and humans clearly conflict. They've noted that most of the complexes are small, fragmented and far from ideal habitat for the animals, and they clearly should be removed.But Nolfo-Clements said research shows that for the species as a whole to thrive, its members need both large and small colonies."Even small colonies can play a small role as to whether the species survives in a given area," she said.The city said it's forced to use lethal control at Tom Watson and Valmont City parks because there aren't relocation sites available. The society places some of the blame for that on the city's Open Space and Mountain Parks Department, which Nolfo-Clements said hasn't opened up enough of its properties for the animals.City officials said they found the statement surprising and took issue with some of its claims."It is important to keep in mind that the city of Boulder has been a national leader in protecting open space and natural habitat through its progressive planning actions and open space acquisitions over the past 100 years," city spokeswoman Jodie Carroll responded in a letter to the Humane Society.

"The city owns and manages over 40,000 acres of land outside the city dedicated to open space and 'greenbelt' protection," the letter stated. "Approximately 5,000 of those acres (supporting between 65,000 and 250,000 prairie dogs) are specifically set aside as prairie dog habitat conservation areas and are not under consideration for removal of prairie dogs."The Humane Society said 1,900 prairie dogs are slated to be killed. But the city only has immediate plans to kill prairie dogs at Tom Watson and Valmont City parks - a maximum of 300 animals, said Jeanne Scholl, a conservation manager for the Parks and Recreation Department.Although wildlife planners have identified another 96 acres within city limits where prairie dogs pose a clear conflict and should be removed, the city is going to do everything possible to avoid killing those animals, Scholl said.
"We've done lots of relocations to open space in the past, and I think there may be a time in the future when we can do relocations to open space again," she said.Scholl said the open space department uses "sound criteria" to decide which properties qualify as prairie dog relocation sites."The bottom line is, open space is there to manage multiple species and multiple ecosystems, and it can't just be a place to relocate every prairie dog," she said.

Contact Camera Staff Writer Ryan Morgan at (303) 473-1333 or morganr@dailycamera.com.

2006-06-09T17:01:00.000-06:00

The battle to save Boulder’s prairie dogs has been wicked. Members from Keep Boulder Wild (www.keepboulderwild.org) attended a city council meeting well into the wee hours of the morning on Tuesday. The prairie dog agenda item didn’t even come up until 12:45 a.m. Keep Boulder Wild took out an ad in the Boulder Weekly and is anticipating coverage of the Boulder prairie dog issue in today’s edition. Dave Crawford was also interviewed by Channel 2 news prior to the City Council Meeting. RMAD and Keep Boulder Wild also represented the animals last week on KGNU’s Over-Dub.

From Dave:

“Progressive” Boulder’s Regressive Wildlife Policies
City Moving from Bad to Worse

On Tuesday evening (June 6) at the Boulder City Council meeting, our fears for Boulder’s urban/suburban prairie wildlife were confirmed. City staff and city council presented a fully unified front in their determination to kill prairie dogs at Tom Watson Park and Valmont Park. The killing is scheduled to begin in early July. The plan is to flush the animals from the ground, then kill them with CO2. So the prairie dogs born this spring will never feel the fall air or experience the comfort of snuggling with family on a winter evening. They’ll just die what is likely a terrifying death at the hands of paid exterminators before they reach 6 months of age, right here in the friendly little hamlet of Boulder, Colorado.

If this plan is carried out, the face of Boulder will forever change. Still, not everyone’s upset. The many developers who contributed to the campaign coffers of these council members are no doubt pleased by this … development.

Despite the fact that the prairie dog component of the city council meeting started at 12:45 AM (on June 7, that’d be), at least a dozen advocates were still present to hear city staff audaciously offer advocates the opportunity to move the animals if advocates can find a release site – before the end of June.

What’s more, the UWMP, in particular, categorically dismisses the substantial public input gathered by city staff during the plan’s initial development. That input was overwhelmingly in favor of a humane approach.

Watson and Valmont are just the beginning. Without a substantial change in direction, the UWMP will devour one colony after another. All told, some 6000 prairie dogs – and countless animals who live with them – will lose their lives over the course of the next several years. For now, we expect between 200 and 560 deaths (of prairie dogs alone) in July.

A coalition of advocates is working diligently to secure a humane outcome. We are pulling out all the stops.

Stay current on this campaign at www.KeepBoulderWild.org, and feel free of course to contact us here at the office.

6.1.06

2006-06-05T09:10:00.000-06:00

Happy June, Everyone.

Thank you to everyone who volunteered at The Boulder Creek Festival this past weekend and to everyone who stopped by to say hello, take some information, or to hang out. Extra special thanks to Ann Swissdorf and Donna Marino for organizing the HEALTH and RMAD booths, respectively. The task always requires a lot of time, energy and patience as you navigate the Boulder Creek Festival traffic. Thanks to Kit, MaryAnne, Jennifer, Audra, Lorissa, Steve and Monae, Steve C, Bob, Barbara, Dave H, Renee, Ashley, Matt, Lisa, Sandy, Kellie, Deb, Peter and Jessie.

Ann Swissdorf is still seeking volunteers for this weekend’s Capitol Hill People’s Fair in Denver. From Ann: There will be no selling, setting up or tearing down. You only need to know a bit about the health benefits of a vegan diet, and the effects of a meat centered diet on the environment and the animals. The Fair hours are 10 AM - 8 PM on Saturday and 10 AM - 7 PM on Sunday. The times I need covered the most are 11 AM to 2:30 PM on Saturday (so I can attend the fur demo), and 10 AM to 1 PM on Sunday. Please let Ann (anns@rmad.org) know if you can commit to any part of those hours.

RMAD continues to be heavily involved with Keep Boulder Wild, a coalition of advocates taking on The Boulder City Council’s draft plan to kill the majority of prairie dogs within city limits. Activists braved the heat this past weekend to inform festival-goers of the truth behind Boulder’s Urban Wildlife Management Plan, under which approximately 5,900 prairie dogs will be killed. This slaughter is unprecedented for Boulder and we encourage you to join us in taking a stand! See www.KeepBoulderWild.org for more information. And contact us if you wish to volunteer!
Keep Boulder Wild is also looking for a scientist with credentials to help prepare an alternate plan. This would be a temporary, paid position and would entail some time in Boulder. Please let Lindsey Sterling Krank (Prairie Dog Coalition Director) know right away if you have any ideas, suggestions or contact information at director@prairiedogcoalition.org.

Dave Crawford will be on a call-in show tonight (Thurs, June 1) discussing wildlife and Boulder’s perilous Urban Wildlife Management Plan. He will be joined by Rob Edward of Sinapu. Details: Thurs, June 1, 6pm-7pm, KGNU (www.kgnu.org, 88.5 FM Boulder, 1390 AM Denver)

RMAD has been serving the public heavily the past few weeks. We’ve had calls from all over the Rocky Mountains and beyond with requests for help with sick horses, distressed dogs, adoptions, animal hoarders, and, of course, imperiled prairie dogs. We try to assist these callers whenever possible, providing at the very least the support they often do not find from governmental agencies.

Thank you to Jeri McGinnis for raising funds for an anti-circus ad in Colorado Springs and for hosting a "Be Kind to Animals" essay/drawing contest for elementary school students. For more information about Jeri’s store in Manitou Springs, Gigi's: The Animal Lover's Gift Shop, please see http://www.rmad.org/community.html#merchandise.
According to Sarah of Three Little Figs (http://www.threelittlefigs.com/), Sun Deli has added Vegan Cheese pizza to the menu. They use Follow Your Heart "Vegan Gourmet'. It melts nicely in their pizza oven and they have delicious vegetable toppings, too. Details: Sun Deli, Pizza & Liquor - 2299 Pearl Street, Boulder. ph: (303) 938-1078. They deliver, too.

New vegetarian restaurants are popping up in the area. In addition to perennial favorites Watercourse Foods and Cafe Prasad, the Front Range now welcomes Denver’s Cafe Karma and Boulder’s Karma Cuisine and Leaf.

Events have been added to the calendar, below. Please check them out!

- Chris

6.1.06

2006-06-02T11:46:00.000-06:00

5.19.06

2006-05-22T10:52:00.000-06:00

Hello!

The Boulder Creek Festival is coming up next weekend. RMAD and HEALTH still needs volunteers, so please help if you can! Email Donna (donnam@rmad.org) if you can help with the RMAD table and Ann (anns@rmad.org) if you can help at the HEALTH Table.

Donna says: The weather for the Creek Festival has a bright forecast! If you want to spend some time in the sun and you enjoy talking to people and educating them, please help us by tabling for the RMAD booth Memorial Weekend! We REALLY need people to come out to help and support our cause! Saturday, Sunday, and Monday afternoons are the times we need help the most.

Ann says: Please let me know if you will work the Boulder Creek Festival on Saturday 27 May. I will set up and tear down. I really need several people from 10 AM to 7 PM. I have the fur demo at 11:30 and a (vegan) wedding at 4 (where I'm doing the cake). There will be only literature, NO SELLING REQUIRED. It will be really easy and it's fun. PLEASE let me know if you can take a shift that day, and for how long. If you know me, you know I hate to miss any of the festival and I don't often ask for or need help for a whole day, BUT sometimes stuff happens. Thanks so much.

The prairie wildlife coalition, led by RMAD, is on a roll and prepared to take on Boulder’s Urban Wildlife Management Plan. Judging from this week’s phone calls, citizens are both livid at the sudden turn the City Council has taken, but very thankful that we’re here to address the situation. Stay tuned as this issue continues to unfold.

Every Creature Counts has a great animal-oriented job opportunity! See the description, posted below the calendar. Please be aware that the term “no kill” is ECC’s description, not RMAD’s.
Volunteer Opportunities:

If you would like to volunteer, or for more information, please email Paula Lewis at volunteer@rmad.org or call the RMAD office at 303-449-4422.

Table with RMAD at the Boulder Creek Festival (May 27-29)
Volunteer with HEALTH at the the Boulder Creek Festival, the People’s Fair (Denver, June 3-4) and Summerset Festival (Littleton, September 15-17)

Be a part of our new youth-oriented vegetarian publications — need graphic designers and photographers

Scan print and/or media headlines for relevant, animal-related new stories

Help with RMAD’s websites resources — we currently need an experienced Flash programmer

Become a prairie wildlife advocate by joining RMAD’s Prairie Wildlife Team; meetings are held in Boulder every two weeks

Have a good weekend

Chris

5.11.06

2006-05-12T14:26:00.000-06:00

Guten Tag!

In addition to forming the Prairie Wildlife Team, RMAD is organizing a committed task force to take on the City of Boulder’s new plan to eliminate the majority of prairie dogs from city and county land. This task force is meeting tonight to discuss, evaluate, and strategize how to save the lives of these prairie dogs. Be prepared! We’ll be sending course-of-action alerts to enable you to voice your support for our wild, burrowing friends.

Thanks to our friend Tamara over at Campus Publishing, RMAD will be running a vegetarian ad in a CU-targeted publication. You can read more Campus Publishing and other RMAD community members at http://www.rmad.org/community.html#Advertising.

Help RMAD name our youth-oriented vegetarian publication and win a $25 gift certificate to the Boulder Coop or Watercourse (your choice)! Simply come up with a short, catchy, Colorado-themed name for our publication and send it to vegcolorado@rmad.org. The publication is intended for youth (ages 11-17), and though serious in tone, will be visually catching. The cover will likely be featuring the artwork of a well-known cartoonist, while the content will have realistic (but not overly graphic) photos of animals. If yours is chosen, you win. Easy!

Volunteer Opportunities:

A lot of new chances to help out! If you would like to volunteer, or for more information, please email Paula Lewis at volunteer@rmad.org or call the RMAD office at 303-449-4422.

Table with RMAD at the Boulder Creek Festival (May 27-29)
Volunteer with HEALTH at the the Boulder Creek Festival, the People’s Fair (Denver, June 3-4) and Summerset Festival (Littleton, September 15-17)

Be a part of our new youth-oriented vegetarian publications — need graphic designers and photographers

Scan print and/or media headlines for relevant, animal-related new stories

Help with RMAD’s websites resources — we currently need an experienced Flash programmer

Become a prairie wildlife advocate by joining RMAD’s Prairie Wildlife Team; meetings are held in Boulder every two weeks

◄ Happy Spring ►

Chris

5.4.06

2006-05-05T10:11:00.001-06:00

Some weeks are harder than others.

From Dave Crawford: “Last night (Weds, May 3), Boulder staff presented to the public its draft Urban Wildlife Management Plan (specifically, the prairie dog component).”

The plan covers 20 prairie dog colonies within, or bordering, city limits.

The plan calls for:
§ near-term “removal” of eight colonies (totaling 116 acres [city estimate])
§ near-term “removal” of three occupied sub-areas within larger areas that are otherwise designated for protection (the sub-areas constitute some 53 acres within otherwise protected areas totaling 248 acres [RMAD estimate based on city numbers])
§ long-term “removal” of four colonies (totaling 148.1 acres [city estimate])
§ full protection of two colonies (totaling 4 acres [city estimate])

The euphemistic “removal” means relocation if release sites are available and death otherwise. Because the city claims to have no release sites available and provides no assurance of securing new release sites, “removal” in the context of the Urban Wildlife Management Plan as now written most certainly means death.

Staff estimates about 20 prairie dogs per acre. Therefore, the plan, as developed by Boulder’s city staff, essentially calls for the killing of 6342 prairie dogs (20*[116+53+148.1]) and the protection of 3980 prairie dogs (20*[4+248-53]). That’s death for about 62% of the city’s prairie dogs, not to mention the other animals and insects who live with them.

There are about three dozen reasons why we’re not going to stand for this. Here are a few:

1. Life is precious. Native wildlife is precious.
2. City staff asserted that the “bottom line in this process is that [urban/suburban] colonies are not functioning as grassland ecosystems.” But city staff members know that scientists themselves find the definitions of “suitable habitat” and “functioning ecosystem” to be elusive in this day and age.
3. Urban/suburban colonies do support a variety of life, including mammals, snakes, reptiles, and insects.
4. Regardless of the other life present on urban/suburban colonies, this community values individual animals.
5. The city has not demonstrated – and in fact has turned its back on – a rigorous pursuit of suitable release sites for prairie dogs it says must be “removed.”
6. This is a lot about money and politics – grossly insufficient motivations for killing Boulder’s wildlife.

It appears that un-moneyed public input has meant very little to this process. Dominated by pro-animal perspectives, public input has been dismissed as unrepresentative of the public at large. (Seems staff also is struggling with the definition of democracy.)

We have no reason to believe that city council will accommodate a humane approach. Still, we will continue to push for a truly humane plan so that Boulder does not slip into the ranks of uncaring Front Range municipalities. We will provide more information, including an action alert, in the coming days. In the meantime, feel free to tell council what you think and how you feel: council@bouldercolorado.gov. Please be constructive!

[Note: Now’s a good time to join RMAD’s all-volunteer prairie wildlife team. We meet tonight (and every other Thurs) at 5:30 pm. Serious inquiries only. If you want details, write back.]

I’ve included today’s media on this situation below the Calendar. Not all of the information contained in this article seems to be accurate. Dave’s numbers, above, are more likely to be correct. Here’s yet another chance to be a voice for the already talkative prairie dogs. Write to the Camera and tell them you’re on their side!

RMAD became heavily involved in the situation at an animal shelter in Cheyenne, Wyoming, in which the 80 dogs were going to be killed due to an outbreak of canine influenza. We were moments away from signing on to an injunction with a Cheyenne lawyer, but it was too late: the noon news cast stated that 40 dogs had been already been killed that morning and the remaining 40 would follow that afternoon. The shelter did not answer phones, though dozens of animal advocacy groups – large and small – were calling with offers of help. The entire situation was extremely upsetting. I’ll be sure to keep you informed of any news from this tragedy. A reminder: if you have a few extra hours a week, volunteer at a shelter or sanctuary – they need your support!

Help RMAD name our youth-oriented vegetarian publication and win a $25 gift certificate to the Boulder Coop or Watercourse (your choice)! Simply come up with a short, catchy, Colorado-themed name for our publication and send it to outbind://45-00000000A82CA4CAABADC149A3868FBFA0BF23E1A4B62C00/vegcolorado@rmad.org. The publication is intended for youth (ages 11-17), and though serious in tone, will be visually catching. The cover will likely be featuring the artwork of a well-known cartoonist, while the content will have realistic (but not overly graphic) photos of animals. If yours is chosen, you win. Easy!

Thank you to everyone who attended the CU34/World Week for Animals in Labs and/or the Shrine Circus demonstrations. I hope to have pictures up on the website by the end of the day so be on the lookout for that.

Volunteer Opportunities:

Table with RMAD at the Boulder Creek Festival! The festival hours are as follows: Saturday, May 27: 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.; Sunday, May 28: 10:00 a.m.- 7:00 p.m.; Monday, May 29: 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. More info can be found at (http://www.bouldercreekfestival.com/). If you want to help out, please contact donnam@rmad.org and tell her which day(s) and time(s) you prefer, and whether you have experience tabling or not. This is always a lot of fun but there are a lot of hours to fill so please help out if you can.

Ann Swissdorf is looking for volunteers for her HEALTH table at both the Boulder Creek Festival and the People’s Fair in Denver. If you’re interested in working the HEALTH booth, please email Ann at outbind://45-00000000A82CA4CAABADC149A3868FBFA0BF23E1A4B62C00/anns@rmad.org.

-- Have a great week and weekend --

- Chris

4.27.06

2006-04-27T12:08:00.000-06:00

Hello!!

Please join us for the CU34/World Week for Animals in Labs Protest tomorrow night. This event is hosted by In Defense of Animals, RMAD, National Endowment for the Animals, CU PAW, PETA, and the Rocky Mountain Peace and Justice Center. That’s quite an endorsement! Join these groups in taking a stand against ALL archaic animal experimentation, including the horrific and ludicrous alcohol experiments being conducted at the CU Health Sciences Center. Posters and information will be provided. The complete press release is posted below the calendar.

What: CU34/World Week for Animals in Labs Protest
When: Friday, April 28th, 2006
Time: 6:30 p.m.Where: CU Health Sciences Center, (8th and Colorado) Denver
Details: A Boulder carpool will be gathering at 5:15 p.m. at Wild Oats on Baseline. We’ll depart at 5:30 p.m. Please RSVP to me at RMAD (chrisj@rmad.org) if you think you’ll be carpooling and/or can provide a car. We will meet on the northeast corner of 8th and Colorado. There is a large sign on that corner that says Health Sciences Center or something similar. You really can't miss it. Parking on the street is usually not a problem at that time of day/night. If you come from I-70, just turn south onto Colorado and go several miles to 8th Street. If you're coming from I-25, get off at Colorado and go north to 8th Street. From 6th Avenue, take Colorado 2 blocks to the north to 8th Street. From Colfax turn south on Colorado and go to 8th Street.

RMAD’s Prairie Wildlife Team is off to a great start. Team members have already been appearing in the media, attending media, researching, networking, and working hard to strategize our advocacy. RMAD Executive Director Dave Crawford was on a radio show in El Paso, Texas, to discuss RMAD’s prairie wildlife work and has been in demand by the media for his views and input. If you’re are interested in joining the team, please contact me. We meet every other Thursday evening in Boulder

A group of volunteers is hosting Shrine Circus demos this week. Please review the show times, below, and let Ann Swissdorf (anns@rmad.org) know which times you would like to protest and the group will set up some demos.- Friday, April 28th, 6:30 PM- Saturday, April 29th, 9 AM- Saturday, April 29, 1:30 PM- Saturday, April 29th, 6:30 PM- Sunday, April 30th, 1 PM

Location: National Western Complex, 4655 Humboldt St. Denver. Map and directions: http://www.nationalwestern.com/complex/Maps/maps.asp.

Volunteer Opportunities:

Table with RMAD at the Boulder Creek Festival! The festival hours are as follows: Saturday, May 27: 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.; Sunday, May 28: 10:00 a.m.- 7:00 p.m.; Monday, May 29: 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. More info can be found at (www.bouldercreekfestival.com). If you want to help out, please contact donnam@rmad.org and tell her which day(s) and time(s) you prefer, and whether you have experience tabling or not. This is always a lot of fun but there are a lot of hours to fill so please help out if you can.

Ann Swissdorf is looking for volunteers for her HEALTH table at both the Boulder Creek Festival and the People’s Fair in Denver. If you’re interested in working the HEALTH booth, please email Ann at anns@rmad.org.

Requests For Help:

RMAD needs a laptop for tabling! We’re looking for a decent machine for our tabling needs. This would be considered a tax-deductible donation. Please contact me if you can help.
Support RMAD!

Become a monthly donor! It’s painless and we do the work for you. Please email me if you are interested. Another way to support RMAD is by using the EcoISP as your internet service provider. Check them out at www.ecoisp.com.

See you Friday night!!

- Chris

_________

For Immediate Release:

Contact: Rita Anderson (303) 527-3372 or (303) 618-3227 (cellular)

IDA Celebrates CU Decision to Transfer 11
Monkeys to Sanctuary

Activists Hold Protest During World Week for Animals in Laboratories
to Urge Transfer of Remaining Monkeys

Denver, Colo.—In the wake of an announcement by the University of Colorado (CU) that it intends to release eleven monkeys to a sanctuary, members of The Committee for Research Accountability (CRA) (a project of In Defense of Animals), along with Rocky Mountain Animal Defense, National Endowment for the Animals, Nonviolence United, CU Partnership for Animal Welfare, Rocky Mountain Peace and Justice Center, and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals will gather on campus to urge the school to send all the monkeys held captive at the University of Colorado at Denver Health Sciences Center (UCDHSC) to a sanctuary. The gathering coincides with World Week for Animals in Laboratories (WWAIL), an international week of action against animal experiments.

When: April 28, 2006, 6:30 p.m.
Where: University of Colorado, 8th and Colorado, Denver

CU has been under fire for Mark Laudenslager’s questionable studies using monkeys, most recently to determine if poor mothering in monkeys contributes to alcohol abuse in their adolescent offspring. In February, the University announced plans to transfer the monkeys to Wake Forest University in North Carolina.

For 17 years, Laudenslager used the colony to study the effect of separating infant monkeys from their mothers. His current studies investigate whether poor mothering leads to alcohol abuse in adolescent monkeys. CU documents obtained by In Defense of Animals (IDA) indicate that Laudenslager will conduct his alcohol studies on the monkeys long-distance from CU in Denver.

Of Laudenslager’s studies, Lawrence A. Hansen, M.D., Professor of Neurosciences and Pathology at the University of California, San Diego, has stated, “It’s obvious that the researchers have monkeys and want money, so they have contrived a study linking poor mothering to increased impulsivity, aggression and alcohol consumption, while giving it a patina of actual science.”

“The monkeys have suffered loss and deprivation for years at CU, living most of their lives in a 100 year-old basement which did not even meet federal standards,” said Rita Anderson of The Committee for Research Accountability. “These long-suffering primates deserve a chance to live their final years in the relative freedom of a sanctuary.”

WWAIL is an annual week of events to educate the public about the scientific, moral and economic objections to animal experimentation. Activists across the country join Denver animal advocates in organizing protests, vigils and other educational outreach events.

For more information please visit www.FreeTheCU34.org.
###

4.20.06

2006-04-21T11:22:00.000-06:00

Happy Thursday, Everyone.

RMAD’s Prairie Wildlife Team is meeting tonight. We’ll be discussing the BVSD prairie dog plan, the Urban Wildlife Management Plan, and population management. We are interested in having new team members and potential team members only. We’re requesting that you RSVP the meeting has been moved, so if you would like to join the team, please call or email me.

Coming up next week is the big CU34/World Week for Animals in Labs Protest. Please join us in Denver! We want to make a big showing. We’re carpooling from Boulder so please RSVP if you’re joining us for that too. More information in the calendar below.

Thank you Ann Swissdorf, Paula Lewis, Lorissa ArgoRay and Barbara Bear for baking vegan goods for CU PAW (Partnership for Animal Welfare) to sell at their bake sale. The group did well, bringing in more money than they expected. (I bought a bunch. It was all very good.)

Know someone who is having pigeon issues? I’ve put up an online version of our brochure that helps businesses and individuals humanely deal with pigeons. Check it out at: http://www.rmad.org/pigeons.htm. We can also send information by mail if needed.

Action Alert:

Please send a pro-prairie dog letter to the editor in response to Dave’s column that ran in the Daily Camera this past Sunday (posted below the calendar). Even a sentence or two to the editor in support of the prairie dogs would suffice. Guidelines below. Thanks!

Volunteer Opportunity:

Table with RMAD at the Boulder Creek Festival! The festival hours are as follows: Saturday, May 27: 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.; Sunday, May 28: 10:00 a.m.- 7:00 p.m.; Monday, May 29: 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. More info can be found at (www.bouldercreekfestival.com). If you want to help out, please contact donnam@rmad.org and tell her which day(s) and time(s) you prefer, and whether you have experience tabling or not. This is always a lot of fun but there are a lot of hours to fill so please help out if you can.

Ann Swissdorf is looking for volunteers for her HEALTH table at both the Boulder Creek Festival and the People’s Fair in Denver. If you’re interested in working the HEALTH booth, please email Ann at anns@rmad.org.

Requests For Help:

RMAD needs a laptop for tabling! We’re looking for a decent machine for our tabling needs. This would be considered a tax-deductible donation. Please contact me if you can help.

Parents: Do you have a vegetarian (vegan, preferably) teen living in Colorado? If your teens are interested in helping out with a vegetarian publication, please send them my way.

I'm updating our community page (http://www.rmad.org/community.html). If you have a veg-owned or very veg/animal-friendly business, tell me about it! Tell your veg/animal-friendly friends to send me their information as well. Even better, send photos as well. You can access the community page more easily by clicking on the button on the RMAD home page.

Support RMAD!

Become a monthly donor! It’s painless and we do the work for you. Please email me if you are interested. Another way to support RMAD is by using the EcoISP as your internet service provider. Check them out at www.ecoisp.com.

Thanks!!
- Chris

4.14.06

2006-04-19T15:47:00.000-06:00

Hi Everyone –

RMAD’s new Prairie Wildlife Team met last week, and we’re considering the start an energetic and successful one. The core group is dedicated to continuing RMAD’s work protecting prairie wildlife through a variety of means. The second meeting will be held next Thursday, April 20th, 5:30 p.m., at the Foothills United Way, 2955 Baseline Rd, Boulder. We’ll be discussing the BVSD prairie dog plan, the Urban Wildlife Management Plan, and population management. We are interested in having new team members and potential team members only. Let me know if you have any questions.

RMAD Executive Director Dave Crawford met with Boulder City Council member Shaun McGrath this week. Dave considers the meeting a success and hopefully this will be the first of many conversations we’ll be having before the Urban Wildlife Management Plan is completed. In addition, some Prairie Wildlife Team members attended the Boulder Valley School District Meeting on Tuesday to document the tenor toward our ground-dwelling animal brethren and to speak on their behalf. (The prairie dogs are not silent, but a lot of people can’t understand/won’t list to what they’re saying.)

Parents: Do you have a vegetarian (vegan, preferably) teen living in Colorado? If your teens are interested in helping out with a vegetarian publication, please send them my way.

Big, fun, volunteer opportunity: Table with RMAD at the Boulder Creek Festival! The festival hours are as follows: Saturday, May 27: 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.; Sunday, May 28: 10:00 a.m.- 7:00 p.m.; Monday, May 29: 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. More info can be found at (www.bouldercreekfestival.com). If you want to help out, please contact donnam@rmad.org and tell her which day(s) and time(s) you prefer, and whether you have experience tabling or not. This is always a lot of fun but there are a lot of hours to fill so please help out if you can. I believe that Ann Swissdorf will be looking for volunteers for her HEALTH table as well. If you’re interested in working the HEALTH booth, please email Ann at anns@rmad.org.

I'm updating our community page (http://www.rmad.org/community.html). If you have a veg-owned or very veg/animal-friendly business, tell me about it! Tell your veg/animal-friendly friends to send me their information as well. Even better, send photos too, for a profile. You can access this page more easily by clicking on the button on the RMAD home page.

Support RMAD — become a monthly donor! It’s painless and we do the work for you. Please email me if you are interested. Another way to support RMAD is by using the EcoISP as your internet service provider. Check them out at www.ecoisp.com.
- Chris

4.04.06

2006-04-19T15:45:00.001-06:00

Good Morning.

An important Boulder prairie wildlife meeting will take place tonight. To explain, a message from Dave Crawford:

Friends –

In addition to the problem at Tom Watson Park (framed by the Boulder Daily Camera as Prairie Dogs v. Little Leaguers) and the ongoing development of a lethal urban wildlife management plan, we are suddenly faced with the Boulder Valley School District's development of a potentially lethal management plan.

City council has done virtually nothing in response to our presentation and presence on March 7. Councilman Shaun McGrath initially indicated an interest in meeting with us, but has not followed through. If we must proceed without the city's support, so shall we.

We are moving forward with the Thursday 6:30 pm meeting on Boulder's prairie dogs. The meeting agenda will cover the current state of affairs, the hotspots, and what we can and should do proactively for Boulder's prairie dogs. This meeting is for persons who want to be on a team that meets regularly and hammers out some creative solutions to Boulder's continuing prairie wildlife crisis. If you cannot make a commitment to serve on this team (volunteering at least an hour or two a week), please do not attend; however, if you do have comments that you'd like to share with others on this matter, please send them to me at davec@rmad.org and I will pass them on.

I understand that this meeting conflicts with a mountain lion talk by Wendy Keefover-Ring of Sinapu. I have apologized to Wendy for this overlap. If you want to find out more about RMAD's prairie wildlife team, but for whatever reason you cannot attend our Thursday meeting, please let me know (again, at davec@rmad.org).

What: RMAD's Boulder prairie wildlife team meeting
When: Thursday, April 6, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Where: Foothills United Way, 2955 Baseline Rd, Boulder

-Dave C.

In response to the recent media attacks on prairie wildlife, Dave has written a column for the Daily Camera and it will likely be appearing this weekend, so please be on the watch for it. Dave was interviewed for another Daily Camera article on the Boulder Valley School District’s prairie dog plan and we expect that to be appearing soon. Our members, activists and allies have been helping out with passionate and well-written letters to the editors. I’ve included them below the calendar, as well as an article on the Markel Homes situation that arose in late 2005.

As you can see from the calendar below, things are getting extremely busy as the weather warms up. In addition to the full calendar for the next month, the phone and email wires have been buzzing with requests for help from well outside the Colorado borders. As always, we do our best to assist, even when the situation is hundreds of miles away.

We’re making significant headway on VegColorado.com but I still need to know where you eat! I know about the usual suspects so please tell me about the special places that have wide-ranging vegetarian menus or customize vegan dishes for patrons. Please email your favorites (and runner-ups) to vegcolorado@rmad.org. Thank you to everyone who has submitted so far. In addition to our Colorado-based vegetarian living guide and VegColorado.com, we’re designing a small but flashy guide to the basics of vegetarianism for Colorado’s youth. Its cover will very likely feature the excellent artwork of a well-known vegetarian artist.

Don’t forget about the Prairie Dog Coalition fundraiser tomorrow (Friday) night! Their second annual fundraiser will be held next week, April 7th, at the Humane Society of Boulder Valley. Please see the calendar for more information.

Support RMAD — become a monthly donor! It’s painless and we do the work for you. Please email me if you are interested. Another way to support RMAD is by using the EcoISP as your internet service provider. Check them out at www.ecoisp.com.

Thanks for reading. Please let me know if you have any questions or comments.
- Chris

3.24.06

2006-04-19T15:45:00.000-06:00

Bonjour!

RMAD Executive Director David Crawford was chosen as “ Runner-up Activist of the Year” by the Colorado Daily! Huge congratulations as well to “Activist of the Year” Betty Ball of the Rocky Mountain Peace and Justice Center. Betty and the RMPJC are good friends to both RMAD and the animals.

RMAD signed on to a comment letter regarding the Cimarron/Comanche National Grasslands Plan and you can read about this plan here: http://ga4.org/guardians/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=3741938. Forest Guardians’ Lauren McCain says, “The Cimarron/Comanche region has one of the—if not THE—largest complexes of black-tailed prairie dogs in the Southern Plains—certainly the largest on public lands. This region presents the best hope for reintroducing black-footed ferrets on public land in the S. Plains.” You will also find a link that allows you to send a letter to the Forest Service. Please check it out.

Please support the important work that the Prairie Dog Coalition is doing! Their second annual fundraiser will be help next week, April 7th, at the Humane Society of Boulder Valley. Please see the calendar for more information. As you know, RMAD was instrumental in the formation of the Coalition and is very pleased to see it thriving under the direction of Lindsey Sterling Krank. I’ll be there and for once, I won’t be working at the door. (Yay.)

Action Item: Thank you to Sisley Aragon-Milroy who wrote a letter on behalf of RMAD to the Arapahoe County District Attorney regarding an egregious act of cruelty toward two dogs left to starve to death in a basement. Please read Sisley’s letter, below the calendar. We encourage you to follow suit with a polite but earnest request that the maximum penalty be enforced for this horrific crime.

This is your last chance to support the “TryVeg” ad campaign that Barbara Bear is leading. Even if you don't have $25 in change, please consider donating. Every drop in the bucket helps put an end to animal suffering. Whether you have a change jar that is about to overflow, or just want to collect your spare change for the next few weeks and donate it to the cause of lessening animals' suffering, it is all much appreciated! You can take your spare change to the bank, then simply write a check made out to "C.O.K." and send it to Barbara at: Barbara Bear, 2113 Walnut St. #8, Boulder, CO 80302 or you can take your spare change to Three Little Figs Market, 2793 Iris Avenue, Boulder. For more info, please email Barbara at barbarabear@hotmail.com.

Where do you eat? I know I asked this last year, but I lost all the emails I received. For VegColorado.com I’ll be compiling a lengthy and thorough list of restaurants (longer than what is in our starter kit). Please let me know where you regularly eat and either what dish(es) or what type of vegetarian (vegan) options they offer. Please send them to vegcolorado@rmad.org.

There are some new events on the calendar so be sure to check them out.

Support RMAD — become a monthly donor! It’s painless and we do the donation work for you. Please email me if you are interested. Another way to support RMAD is by using the EcoISP as your internet service provider. Check them out at www.ecoisp.com.

- Chris

3.23.06

2006-04-19T15:44:00.001-06:00

Dear Activists:

The Denver-area pit bull ban continues to rear its ugly head. RMAD was able to save one small guy this week in a twisted and heartbreaking (but ultimately positive) tale. A distraught caller informed us that a delayed stopover resulted in an animal control officer confiscating a 7-week-old puppy who had recently been rescued from the streets. The officer told the couple that they didn’t have time to get attached to the dog and that if they couldn’t fork over the $500 fine, they shouldn’t be upset when he was euthanized. The travelers called RMAD pleading for help so I proceeded to contact the shelter and intervene. I was able to get the dog back into the guardians’ hands at a very low cost, and both they and the dog were extremely happy. I’m sure they will be vigorously researching the laws pertaining to breed bans throughout the country, as random as they are.

Don’t forget about the “TryVeg” ad campaign that Barbara Bear is leading. Even if you don't have $25 in change, please consider donating. Every drop in the bucket helps put an end to animal suffering. Whether you have a change jar that is about to overflow, or just want to collect your spare change for the next few weeks and donate it to the cause of lessening animals' suffering, it is all much appreciated! Barbara will be collecting change through the end of March so we can air the PSAs by mid-April. You can take your spare change to the bank, then simply write a check made out to "C.O.K." and send it to Barbara at: Barbara Bear, 2113 Walnut St. #8, Boulder, CO 80302 or you can take your spare change to: Three Little Figs Market, 2793 Iris Avenue, Boulder.

Thank you to everyone who came out to help at the RMAD House Fix-Up Party last week. As advertised, it was a lot of fun. Ok, it wasn’t that much fun but it was really worth the couple of hours spent cleaning and painting. If you have any time you can offer to help this weekend for the final effort, please let me know!

If you are not able to help out physically but would like to support our work long-term, there are two easy ways to help out. The first is by becoming a monthly donor. It’s painless and we do all the work. Please email me if you are interested. Another way is by using the EcoISP as your internet service provider. Check them out at www.ecoisp.com. Another easy, ongoing way to support RMAD’s work.

Lastly, I’ve been doing a lot of work on the RMAD home page so please stop by www.RMAD.org and take a look around. Let me know what you think and if you have any suggestions.

- Chris

3.17.06

2006-04-19T15:44:00.000-06:00

Fellow Activists:

Thanks to an incredibly generous donor, RMAD and Southern Rockies Ecosystem Project have received a Boulder home for resale. We are hosting a work party this Sunday at 10 a.m. to get this place tidied up for resale. The location is 4712 Edison Lane, Boulder (http://maps.google.com/maps?oi=map&q=4712+Edison+Lane,+Boulder,+CO) and the only catch is that no one over 18 is permitted to help due to liabilities. If you do not meet this requirement, however, feel free to bake vegan goods for the workers. (I like cookies, thanks.) More info in the calendar.

On behalf of RMAD, I’d like to repeat my thank you to everyone who attended the Boulder City Council meeting on March 7th. It was enough to move at least one council member to contact us shortly after the meeting to continue the discussion. He was extremely moved by the outpouring of support and emotion for prairie wildlife. If you weren’t able to attend the meeting, well, let’s just say that our young speakers had much of the crowd in tears with their earnest pleas to honor the rights of Colorado’s native wildlife. Good work, everyone!

Some big news from our good friend Barbara Bear: Hi there all you compassionate people! It's time to collect your spare change and put it to good use. That's right: it's time for the second annual Change for Change Drive! Last year we collected $1000 and aired 70 PSAs promoting vegetarianism on MTV in Boulder and Fort Collins. If you haven't had a chance to see Compassion over Killing's powerful ads, you can check them out at: http://www.cok.net/feat/mtv2006.php. And, as an added extra, Rocky Mountain Animal Defense's name and logo will be added to the end of the PSAs this year for some local exposure for this hard-working group. The VERY EXCITING NEWS is that Scott Plummer has stepped up to offer a $500 matching grant to get this thing rolling! All we have to do is match that $500 and we'll be up to the same amount we raised last year!

More exciting news is that this year we will have raffle prizes. For anyone who donates $25 or more, you will be entered in a raffle to win: a $25 gift certificate for VeganEssentials.com a $25 gift certificate for Tsing Tao Chinese Restaurant a $25 gift certificate for Boulder's Vegetarian Co-op Market Last year, there were 12 people who donated to the cause, so you can see your chances of winning are very good! Even if you don't have $25 in change, please consider donating. Every drop in the bucket helps put an end to animal suffering. Compassion Over Killing says their TryVeg.com website hits go up by double, triple and sometimes even quadruple when these ads are on the air. And people respond with quotes such as: "Holy crap! I just saw your TV commercial about not eating meat and am now trying to become vegan. What an effective commercial! Thank you. I'm going to share this information with all my friends."

So, whether you have a change jar that is about to overflow, or just want to collect your spare change for the next few weeks and donate it to the cause of lessening animals' suffering, it is all much appreciated! I'll be collecting change through the end of March so we can air the PSAs by mid-April. You can take your spare change to the bank, then simply write a check made out to "C.O.K." and send it to me at: Barbara Bear, 2113 Walnut St. #8, Boulder, CO 80302, or you can take your spare change to: Three Little Figs Market, 2793 Iris Ave., Boulder.

With the warmer weather comes a rush of phone calls and heavier flow of emails. The more active bird population and the more visible destruction of prairie wildlife spurns citizens to take action, calling RMAD for help. The past two weeks we’ve answered a handful of inquiries dealing with birds (large and small), nearly two dozen prairie wildlife inquiries, six companion animal inquiries, and a slew of miscellaneous animal-related issues. We answer the phone whenever possible and always return calls so we can empower grassroots activists to take charge.

We have many projects going on, both small and large. Our vegetarian starter kit is being packaged up to go to the printer and soon after we’ll be taking that information and turning it into the electronic version, VegColorado.com. We’ll also be starting work on a Colorado-based youth publication. We’re tentatively planning a collaborative movie showing and panel or two as well, so stay tuned.

Our interns from CU are assisting us in numerous ways, including preparing a mailing for local real estate and property management companies to help them humanely tackle pigeon issues. Our interns are extremely passionate about animal issues and providing a much-needed perspective for us. They’ve helped us establish a position with CU PAW (Partnership for Animal Welfare) titled “Community Liaison,” which will better facilitate communication between PAW and the local animal advocacy community.

Thank you to everyone who has been writing letters, clipping newspaper article, attending protests, and helping in so many other ways. Your time and efforts are truly appreciated.

As always, if you want to get involved in any of our work, let us know!
- Chris

3.9.06

2006-04-19T15:43:00.000-06:00

Dear Friends:

A message from Dave Crawford, who has returned briefly to take on the crucial prairie dog issue, regarding this past week’s rally at the Boulder City Council Meeting.

Thanks to everyone who was with us in person or in spirit last night as we filled Boulder’s city council chambers to express our concerns about what we perceive as a shift in the city’s attitude toward prairie dogs and wildlife. Estimates of the size of the crowd vary between 100 and 150 persons. It was one of the largest rallies in Boulder in recent history. The Colorado Daily published a front-page photo of the packed council chambers.

Four selected speakers – including two of Boulder’s young and caring citizens – spoke to council on the need for the community to treat wildlife humanely. Thanks to young Emi and Jake! Their heartfelt words brought forth tears and smiles. And thanks to Ed Withers of PC’s Pantry, who spoke on behalf of the 50+ businesses that have endorsed our statement calling for nonlethal management of wildlife.

Council briefly discussed the presentations following the public comment period. Unfortunately, and despite our conciliatory message, most of that discussion indicated that council members felt they were put on the defensive. No discussion occurred over our request to form a task force or permanent committee to deal with wildlife and general animal-related issues. We will continue to pursue that.

Thanks to Yemaya Thayer and Jill Bielawski for making this happen; to the Republic of Boulder for the free appetizers at the reception following the rally; to the phone tree callers who helped recruit participants; to the nonprofits that have endorsed the statement; to Sinapu for all their support. Apologies and thanks to the many I’m forgetting to thank. Onward!

A small but intimidating group of activists ventured to the Colorado Springs Regents meeting last week to stand up for the CU Monkeys (and a few didn’t make it into this photo):

ACTION ITEM#1: Please send a polite email or make a phone call to both CU and Wake Forest to ask that they both reconsider sending 38 monkeys to Wake Forest University. Details: FreetheCU34.org are asking CU for three things: 1) the immediate termination of Mark Laudenslager's pointless alcohol study; 2) the release of ALL monkeys to sanctuaries; and 3) CU's funding of sanctuary costs for these monkeys. Please ask Wake Forest to turn down CU's offer of free monkeys. Otherwise, our attentions will not only be focused on CU, but on Wake Forest also.

Contact information for CU:
OfficeOfThePresident@cu.edu
Greg.Stiegmann@UCHSC.edu
Peter.Steinhauer@colorado.edu
regent.carlisle@colorado.edu regent.hayes@colorado.edu
carrigan@colorado.edu tom.lucero@colorado.edu
regent.bosley@colorado.edu jerryrutledge@adelphia.net
regent.schauer@colorado.edu gail.schwartz@colorado.edu
President Brown: 303-492-6201
Chancellor Stiegmann: 303-315-7682
Regents Secretary: 303-492-8203

Contact information for Wake Forest:
hatch@wfu.edurdean@wfubmc.edu
gordonwc@wfu.eduwapplega@wfubmc.edu welker@wfu.edu
Nathan Hatch, President: 336-758-5212
Richard Dean, President/CEO Health Sciences: 336-716-7425
William Gordon, Provost: 336-758-7323
William Applegate, Sr. VP Health Sciences/Dean of School of Medicine: 336-716-5026
Mark Welker, Assoc. Provost for Research: 336-758-3898

ACTION ITEM #2: The pair of Golden Eagles nesting in Boulder Canyon needs your help! Please take a moment to call or email the Forest Service to express your support of the temporary and seasonal closures to protect the eagles’ habitat.

The Boulder Ranger District of the Roosevelt National Forest is looking to do minimal 6 week seasonal closures of potential Golden Eagle cliff nesting habitat. This would be until the Boulder Canyon eagles have selected their yearly nest site (approximately 6 weeks) at which time the temporary climbing closures on these unused cliffs in the eagles' territory would be lifted. Then the nest site that the pair selected for this year's brood would be protected by a closure until July 31st.

Unfortunately, some climbers do not believe that these minimal closures and brief time frames are warranted, despite thousands of other climbing routes throughout Boulder County and the Front Range. The Boulder Canyon Golden Eagles are not faring well. The Forest Service states: “Recent nest success has been relatively low, with the pair raising and fledging one young bird only five out of the 13 seasons from 1992 through 2004.”

Details: Comments on this proposal should be postmarked by March 27, 2006 in order to receive full review. Written comments should be emailed to bbaker@fs.fed.us or mailed to: Boulder Ranger District, Attn: Beverly Baker, 2140 Yarmouth Ave, Boulder, CO 80301. If you have questions on this proposal or would like more information, please contact Beverly Baker at 303-541-2517.

***

There is always something going on, so if you ever want to get more involved, send us an email or give us a call. Thanks!
- Chris

3.2.06

2006-04-19T15:40:00.000-06:00

Hello!

A quick apology for the absence of last week’s announcement. My hard drive crashed and I lost every email I ever sent or received the past three years. One week and one new machine later, I’m back on it.

If you haven’t heard yet, there will be a rally of utmost importance next Tuesday, March 7th. For all of those who live or work in or near Boulder, we know you’ve been asked to attend many a meeting for prairie dogs, and if you haven’t attended any for a while, THIS is the one to attend. Free food & drink afterward! The details are:

When: Tues. March 7, 5:45 p.m. to approx. 6:15 p.m., complimentary happy hour at 6:30
Where: Boulder Municipal Building, SW corner of Broadway and Canyon (1777 Broadway)
Why: To show our support for Boulder’s wildlife and to encourage humane municipal wildlife policies

The City of Boulder continues to move away from protections for our community’s wildlife. Just two years ago, for instance, we had the strongest prairie dog protections in the country. But now, on private property, these animals have very little protection, and their status on Boulder’s public lands is very much in question. As the city moves forward with the development of the Urban Wildlife Management Plan and as other major plans are being revised, it is critical that we remind our city leaders of Boulder’s proud heritage as a leader in humane approaches to wildlife management.

We need everyone there at 5:45 p.m. so we can have a full and orderly presence when the council meeting convenes at 6. The presentation will be quick and low key. We should be finished with council by 6:30. A reception that includes one complimentary appetizer and beverage per person will immediately follow at the Republic of Boulder (the restaurant/bar across the street from the municipal building). Please RSVP to yemaya@rmad.org if you can attend. If you own or work for a Boulder business that supports nonlethal control of prairie wildlife, please send Yemaya the name of the business and the number of people it employs.

Check out RMAD’s ad on page 56 of E Magazine when you get a chance, designed by yours truly. We hope to let the whole country (and world) know about the fight to save prairie wildlife. And if you need one more reason to go vegetarian, this is it! I can’t paste it here (too big) but if you’d like to see it, let me know and I’ll email you a copy.

Action is taking place all across the Front Range on behalf of prairie wildlife. If you live in Wesminster and can get involved with protecting prairie dogs there, epecially the imperiled Mushroom Pond Colony, please contact Deb Jones, President of Prairie Dog Action (303-439-9264 home / 303-324-6829 cell / Notestodj@aol.com).

If you are in Lakewood and can attend a meeting tonight in which the proposed St. Anthony’s Hospital at the Denver Federal Center will be discussed, please do so. Members of the project team and representatives from the City of Lakewood will be on hand to answer your questions. The details are: Thursday, March 2, 2006 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. (presentation at 6:15 p.m.), Lakewood Heritage Center, 801 S. Yarrow Street, Lakewood.

Please let me know if you have any questions about these events.

See you there!

- Chris

2.15.06

2006-02-15T15:45:00.000-07:00

Hello!

RMAD staff and volunteers have been busy investigating prairie dog issues throughout the Boulder area. It seems that some people just don’t realize the importance of our native wildlife, as well as their rights as beings to live free from suffering and a cruel death. In one recent incident, Boulder police parked a weigh station on protected prairie dog burrows. Boulder City Manager Frank Bruno assures us this will not happen again. However, there is much to be done in the fight for prairie wildlife. Occupying less than 2% of its historical habitat, the prairie dog is in grave danger. As a keystone species, the importance of these animals cannot be emphasized enough.

RMAD is entering Phase II of our innovative and interactive online prairie watchdog site. We’re making it more intuitive, a bit more streamlined, and will be launching the tool soon. You might occasionally see the RMAD homepage in different phases of redesign as well, so please bear with us as we make some changes. We’ve got some other really cool stuff in store for 2006, including lots of vegetarian work, so please stay tuned.

Do you read the newspaper everyday, either online or in print? We are looking for a volunteer to help scan the day’s media in search of recent animal-related news. This information is compiled in an email and distributed to the members@rmad.org list. This keeps us informed of local and national events, lets us know how we as advocates are viewed by the media and the public, and shows us when our work is acknowledged. If you are interested, please contact me.

As always, we’re looking for volunteers to help with our projects. If you have some spare time to dedicate to the animals, please contact Operations Director and Volunteer Coordinator Donna Marino at donnam@rmad.org.

- Chris

1.9.06 HAPPY BIRTHDAY RMAD

2006-02-10T10:03:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday !!
To us, you, and all advocates
who make RMAD what it is.

Rocky Mountain Animal Defense turns 12 this Saturday, but since we’re animal advocates, we use dog years to calculate RMAD’s age to be a wise and worldly 84. It was twelve years ago that David Crawford and a troop of concerned citizens exposed conditions inside a local factory egg farm. The footage taken by Dave was edited into a groundbreaking 12-minute film that documents the factory's violations of Colorado state anti-cruelty laws and details the inherent cruelty of intensive egg production. "Raw Footage, Raw Pain" has aired on cable stations across the United States, and was the first nationally distributed video within the U.S. to expose the abhorrent conditions inside these intensive egg farms.

Please check out the calendar, below. There are a few new events posted.

RMAD continues to expand its vegetarian program. In the works for 2006 are the final details for our printed vegetarian starter kit, the debut of VegColorado.com, a youth-oriented Colorado-based vegetarian publication, and the hosting of a Great American Meat Out event. We’re revamping some of our websites that debuted last year, so we’ll keep you posted on our progress.

I have been told that it is not too late to submit comments regarding the proposal for the new St. Anthony Hospital’s at the Denver Federal Center. The impact statement can be seen at www.gsa.gov/r8 under News and Notices. Please take the time to comment on the EA, requesting that the utmost care be taken to relocate the prairie dogs and to ensure minimal damage to the dependent wildlife and surrounding environment. You may mail (or e-mail) comments to the name and address below. If you want your name and/or address withheld from public viewing, you must state this prominently at the beginning of your comment.

Ms. Shelly Clubb
Regional Environmental Manager
U.S. General Services Administration
Public Building Service
Denver Federal Center, 8PD
P.O. Box 25546
Building 41, Room 240
Denver, CO 80225-0546

e-mail: shelly.clubb@gsa.gov

Spokes person for St. Anthony:
stanthonyfuture@centura.org

Again, thank you for all your contributions to RMAD. You ARE RMAD, and the animals are much better off for your dedication, passion, and hard work.

Take care —

- Chris

2.2.06

2006-02-03T09:48:00.000-07:00

*Good Morning*

A great big thanks to all the supporters who came out to fill Watercourse Foods for the 3rd Annual Dining Out Day, to shop at the neighboring business (who also gave us a portion of the day’s proceeds), and to support Colorado’s leading animal advocates. This event always helps RMAD get the year off to a great start. Huge thanks also to Dan Hanley for organizing the event once again!

Dining Out Day also marks the end of a long stretch of rigorous work organizing protests and events. We now have a chance to settle deeply into our programmatic tasks, of which there are many. We are always looking for volunteers to help with these crucial projects. Among the positions we are currently seeking are local letter writers and grant opportunity researchers, but there are always many others. If you are interested in volunteering, please email Donna at donnam@rmad.org.

Tom Hess of Xcel Energy stopped by recently to award RMAD with a token of their thanks for saving thousands of aquatic animals during the winter of 2004-2005. Tom was very appreciative of our dedication, hard work, and diplomacy. We are appreciative of their willingness to let us save the animals, and their kind offering.

The fur protests are still going! More info is below.

Don’t forget about this month’s potluck, on Sunday the 5th.

Please don’t hesitate to ask us any questions or let us know about anything else going on.

Take care —

- Chris

1.25.06

2006-01-26T10:04:00.000-07:00

Attention!

"Dining Out Day" is Tuesday, January 31st – less than a week away! This your chance to eat at the best vegetarian restaurant in Colorado and help Colorado’s leading animal advocates. Simply visit Watercourse (214 E. 13th Ave, Denver), the area's premier vegetarian restaurant, from 7:30 am - 10:00 pm and a percentage of the day’s receipts will be donated to RMAD. Also, 10% of any gift certificates and wholesale baked goods purchased that day will go to RMAD. (If you want to pre-order cakes, pies, cinnamon rolls — by the dozen — or anything for Dining Out Day, RMAD will also receive 10%. Just call Watercourse at 303-832-7313, and select the extension for the bakery).

This year, two great shops next to Watercourse are also involved. Soul Haus is a great, funky clothing store and Pandora Jewelry is a great gift shop. Both will donate 20% of their take of the day from anyone who mentions RMAD or gives them a Dining Out Day flyer. Watercourse, Soul Haus, and Pandora Jewelry are on 13th Avenue between Grant and Sherman, just one block south of the state capitol. (Both retail stores are staying open late until 8 pm to help us even more. Soul Haus is transitioning to a non-leather goods, so we want to support their effort.)

A huge “thank you” to Dan Hanley for organizing this event!

A plea for help from the Colorado House Rabbit Society: “We continue to be desperately in need of more people to help clean crates once a month. You can do as few as two, or any multiple of two that you want to commit to. There are so many crates and/or runs not cleaned at the end of each weekend! This past weekend, there were 14 crates left. This doesn't count the crates and pens on the floor that hold our overflow -- rabbits who would be killed if we couldn't take them, and rabbits people have adopted from us and return to us unexpectedly. We're always trying to get adoptions done more quickly so we can get rid of the overflow, but when I have to spend my time on so much cleaning, the number of adoptions I can do drops.”

If you can help just a few hours once a month, please email Nancy at co-hrs@comcast.net. The bunnies really appreciate it.

See you all at Dining Out Day!

- Chris

Rocky Mountain Animal Defense Calendar of Events:

Saturday, January 28: Fur Demo

When: 11:30 a.m. Noon. 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.

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
Dining Out Day: January 31st, 2006

When: All day!
Where: Watercourse Foods, Denver

Eat well and eat often to benefit the animals of Colorado and beyond at Denver’s premier vegetarian restaurant.

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/.

1.18.06

2006-01-18T12:33:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone:

A HUGE thank-you to the highly dedicated activists who attended the stock show protest this Saturday. We had a strong 25-30 people, and the event was peaceful and provocative, as always. Our veal crate received a lot of second glances, Duke the giant veal calf received heaps of attention, and our balloons were a huge hit with the kids – especially when blowing them up to find the message, “Be Kind to Animals” emblazoned across them.

RMAD board member and spokesperson Mark Reinhardt was on KMGH 7 last Thursday to discuss RMAD’s planned activities and our perspective on the larger issues of animals as food. Mark always has an eloquent and compassionate message for the public. Thanks, Mark!

RMAD handed over another large donation of blankets to Mariah’s Promise, a Front Range sanctuary for dogs, which has been a savior of nearly 100 dogs displaced by pit bull bans in the area. Friend of the animals, Rita Anderson and her niece Ashley came by to pick up the blankets for these much-deserving dogs.

"Dining Out Day" is coming up, and it’s your chance to eat the best vegetarian food in Colorado and help Colorado’s leading animal advocates. Visit Watercourse on Tuesday, January 31st at Watercourse Foods in Denver and a portion of the day’s proceeds will go to RMAD. It’s always one of the busiest days of the year. (Suggestion: morning is quietest.) We are looking for a few people to volunteer throughout the day, so if you can help, please email Donna (donnam@rmad.org).

Our extremely busy work in the RMAD office continues as we focus on our high-level programmatic work, responding to hundreds of phone calls and emails each month, in addition to completing the day-to-day tasks involved with keeping the organization running. We have numerous volunteer opportunities, so if you would like to find out how you can help, email Donna (donnam@rmad.org) for more info.

Have a good week!

- Chris

Rocky Mountain Animal Defense Calendar of Events:

Saturday, January 21: Fur Demo

When: 11:30 a.m. Noon. 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.

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
Dining Out Day: January 31st, 2006

When: All day!
Where: Watercourse Foods, Denver

Eat well and eat often to benefit the animals of Colorado and beyond at Denver’s premier vegetarian restaurant.

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/.

1.10.06

2006-01-12T14:47:00.000-07:00

RMAD Supporters:

The Stock Show is here, and so are we. Please join us Saturday, January 14th, 2006, at 10:30 a.m. to protest the 100th Anniversary of the event that celebrates the dark side of the American West. Bring friends, family, and fellow advocates to the National Western Complex’s front entrance. We’ll have posters, fliers, our body screen televisions, Duke the calf, animal-friendly message balloons, and a human-sized veal create to demonstrate the horrific conditions in which the animals are kept. Please email Chris (chrisj@rmad.org) with any questions.

The fur protest will still be taking place, but will begin at noon, followed by a Vegan Meet-up at Watercourse Foods at 2:30 p.m. If you have any questions about these events, please email Ann (anns@rmad.org).

"Dining Out Day" is Tuesday, January 31st at Watercourse Foods in Denver. A portion of the day’s proceeds will go to RMAD and it’s always one of the busiest days of the year (Suggestion: morning is quietest). Please plan on having breakfast, lunch or dinner (or all three!) at the Watercourse on January 31. We are looking for a few people to volunteer throughout the day, so if you can help, please email Donna (donnam@rmad.org).

Congratulations to Barbara Lawson, winner of the Watercourse/Oxford Hotel/Hammond’s Candy package! Barbara is a huge supporter of our work, in addition to becoming a fearsome activist in her area.

ACTION ALERT:

MUST RESPOND BY JANUARY 20, 2006. St. Anthony Hospital will be built on the Denver Federal Center. The Environmental Assessment statement has proposed "poisoning the prairie dog population, while inadvertently trampling the rest during construction." Over 40 species of mammals, 300 species of birds, 17 species of reptiles and amphibians, will be destroyed by constructing the hospital, and die if they consume bodies of poisoned prairie dogs. You may read the statement at www.gsa.gov/r8 under News and Notices.

Note to Reviewers and Respondents: If you would like to comment on the EA, you may mail (or e-mail) comments to the name and address below. If you want us to withhold your name and/or address, you must state this prominently at the beginning of your comment. We will make all submissions available for public inspection in their entirety.

Written comments on this EA should be submitted by January 20, 2006 and addressed (or e-mail ) to:

Ms. Shelly Clubb
Regional Environmental Manager
U.S. General Services Administration
Public Building Service
Denver Federal Center, 8PD
P.O. Box 25546
Building 41, Room 240
Denver, CO 80225-0546

e-mail: shelly.clubb@gsa.gov

Spokesperson for St. Anthony: stanthonyfuture@centura.org

- Chris and Donna

Rocky Mountain Animal Defense Calendar of Events:

Saturday, January 14: Fur Demo

When: 12 Noon. 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.

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
Stock Show Protest: January 14, 2006

When: 10:30 a.m.
Where: National Western Complex

Meeting at the front entrance. Bring friends! We need a strong showing.

Dining Out Day: January 31st, 2006

When: All day!
Where: Watercourse Foods, Denver

Eat well and eat often to benefit the animals of Colorado and beyond at Denver’s premier vegetarian restaurant.

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/.

1.4.06

2006-01-05T10:40:00.000-07:00

Hello!

Please join Rocky Mountain Animal Defense at the Stock Show Protest, January 14th, 2005. This is the 100th Anniversary of the event that celebrates the dark side of the American West. Bring friends, family, and fellow advocates to the National Western Complex at 11 a.m. (ending around 1 p.m.) We’ll have our body screen televisions, Duke the calf, and a human-sized veal create to demonstrate the horrific conditions in which the animals are kept.

RMAD board member, spokesperson, speaker, and author Mark Reinhardt has written an eloquent and passionate column that we are submitting to area media. Mark’s column is posted below.

ACTION ALERT: Anyone who would like to join Mark in speaking for the animals, please send a letter to the editor of your local paper.

RMAD member John Bigger’s letter to the editor regarding the killing of prairie dogs by Calvary Bible Church was printed in Saturday’s Daily Camera. That letter is included below as well. Thanks, John!

"Dining Out for RMAD Day" is Tuesday, January 31, 2006, at Watercourse Foods in Denver. Please plan on having breakfast, lunch or dinner (or all three!) at the Watercourse on January 31. Please mention that you're with RMAD, so they know that supporting us supports their business.

Thanks to everyone who participated in the post-event silent auction, which helped RMAD raise some more money for animal advocacy in 2006. If you won an item, you received an email from me. If you haven’t paid or inquired about collecting your item, please contact Chris (chrisj@rmad.org).

- Chris and Donna

Rocky Mountain Animal Defense Calendar of Events:

Saturday, January 7: Fur Demo

When: 11:30 AM. 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.

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
Stock Show Protest: January 14, 2006

When: 11 a.m.
Where: National Western Complex

Meeting at the front entrance. Bring friends! We need a strong showing.

Dining Out Day: January 31st, 2006

When: All day!
Where: Watercourse Foods, Denver

Eat well and eat often to benefit the animals of Colorado and beyond at Denver’s premier vegetarian restaurant.

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/.

Why do we protest the Stock Show?

Next Saturday, January 14, at 11 AM Rocky Mountain Animal Defense will be sponsoring a protest at the National Western Stock Show, and we invite everyone to join us. As in past years, the protesters will represent a broad cross-section of our community—blue-collar workers, professionals, students, families, and senior citizens—from many racial and ethnic backgrounds. Why is this diverse group of people opposed to something as deeply ingrained in Denver history as the Stock Show? The answer is quite simple—we are repulsed by the conduct of the industry it represents.
The animal agriculture industry is big business in the United States. Each year it brutalizes and kills more than 9 billion animals and exploits hundreds of thousands of its own workers (many of whom are immigrants) on factory farms and in slaughterhouses where the conditions are horrific beyond imagination. That’s just the beginning of the story. Animal agriculture pollutes our land and water on a scale that dwarfs every other industry. It consumes more of our dwindling water resources than all other human activities combined, and it is responsible for more human disease than even the tobacco industry. The Stock Show, for all its pomp and circumstance, is little more than a slick advertisement for this exploitative and greedy industry, shrouding its appalling practices in the feel-good theme of the “Old West.” The rodeo that accompanies it is simply ritualistic cruelty to animals for the sake of human entertainment.
We understand that the Stock Show has a long tradition in Denver. But tradition, when blindly followed, has often been used as an excuse to justify repressive behavior. (We’ve had long “traditions” of slavery, racism and sexism in this country as well.) We don’t believe for a minute that the barbaric practices glorified by the Stock Show reflect the real values of the people of the West, much less the values that we want to pass down to our children.
After 100 years it’s time for the Stock Show to end. We can do better. Much better. Let’s replace the Stock Show with an annual pageant that will draw a larger and more diverse group of visitors to Denver. Let’s recognize our western heritage from a broader perspective—one that celebrates our many cultures, and one that learns from our past mistakes as well as lauding our many accomplishments. But most of all, let’s make the successor to the Stock Show a celebration of loftier values that truly represent the people of the West—our spirit, our independence, and our respect for the land and the life that inhabits it.
This year we’ll be protesting the Stock Show for the simple reason that it represents all that is wrong with the West, and none of what is right. We want and deserve something better, and we know we can achieve just that through hard work, advocacy and education. We invite the citizens of Colorado and our surrounding states to join us in this effort.
Mark Reinhardt
Denver

[Mark Reinhardt is a Denver attorney and member of the board of directors of Rocky Mountain Animal Defense. For the past 20 years he has written extensively on animal rights and health issues. His book, The Perfectly Contented Meat-Eater’s Guide to Vegetarianism, was published by Continuum in 1998.]

The recent prairie dog killings that were sanctioned by the Calvary Bible Church of Boulder were not only abhorrent, but also exemplary of the hypocritical nature of "church factories" like Calvary, who seek to disregard innocent lives when said lives stand in their paths. The utter and obscene lack of compassion on the part of Calvary only solidified the perception that this particular chain of churches will only follow the letter of its religion as long as it doesn't interfere with its attempts to hoard land for the purpose of expanding its facilities and attracting new members.

Religion by convenience is easy. Actually practicing the ideals stated by one's religion requires work, sacrifice and, in this case, compassion. It's too bad that Calvary chose the former, thereby setting a bad example for followers and, in the process, destroying life. Here's hoping that potential members will look elsewhere for their prospective places of worship and will choose an institution that is more concerned with preserving the sanctity of wildlife than with expansion at any cost.

John C. Bigger
Longmont, Colorado

12.28.05

2005-12-29T10:03:00.000-07:00

Hi Friends:

Boulder advocates are mourning not only the loss of a small but valuable colony of prairie dogs, but also the weakening of prairie dog protection within the city. The Calvary Bible Church of Boulder killed several prairie dogs on its property in northeast Boulder. This is the first killing to occur since the City of Boulder modified its wildlife ordinance in January 2005 to allow the killing of prairie dogs. Several prairie dogs were poisoned on Friday by Calvary, and any that were left were buried/bulldozed on Saturday.

A group of about 18 activists assembled outside the church and on 28th Street to protest the killings on Friday. RMAD and Wild Places have been working over the past month to find a way to relocate the animals to safety. On December 19, Susan Honeycutt of Wild Places received a commitment from the owner of a viable release site on the south side of town. Calvary Bible Church authorities refused to meet with RMAD and Wild Places to discuss the site, instead choosing to proceed with the extermination. The incident received coverage in the Daily Camera on December 24 (http://www.dailycamera.com/bdc/county_news/article/0,1713,BDC_2423_4339771,00.html).

ACTION ALERT: We urge you to write letters to the editor about the shameful nature of this killing, and in response to the article that was published about the RMAD protest. Address your letter to openforum@dailycamera.com.

A big thanks to Mark Reinhardt for appearing on today’s “Good Morning Colorado” with Steve Kelly. Mark appeared as a spokesperson for RMAD on the topic of websites that are popping up to document the whereabouts of “vicious” dogs. Mark spoke eloquently, as usual, on the relationship between domestic violence and animal abuse, as well as the larger issues of animal suffering and the need for better solutions, not quick-fixes like websites and breed bans.

Speaking of companion animals, RMAD staff (Donna and Chris) along with volunteer Kathleen Neubauer visited the Denver Municipal Animal Shelter to drop off a load of blankets. We took a tour of the facilities and spent some time saying hello to the animals. Some blankets have gone to an animal sanctuary and more will be going to Mariah’s Promise, which has been a savior for many pit bulls evicted by the breed bans. The blanket drive was also featured in the Boulder Daily Camera. While the drive has officially ended, if you’ve got a load, give us a call. Thanks to everyone who donated and collected blankets, especially Steve and Tami Conley and Kathleen Neubauer!

We are looking for a new, larger office space in Boulder to accommodate our needs. Let us know if you can help us.

For every $5 you pledge per month (minimum one-year commitment), you will receive an entry into the drawing for a weekend at Denver’s Oxford Hotel and dinner for two at Watercourse Foods. We are accepting new monthly donors until December 31st, and If you are already a donor and wish to increase your donation, you will likewise receive an entry for every five dollars you pledge. If you have signed up to be a monthly donor in the last month, you are automatically entered in the drawing. Contact Chris at chrisj@rmad.org to sign up.

Our email-based silent auction ends at close of day today. I’ve posted the initials of the current high bidders on the items. The items are:

Item #1: Mountainsmith Camera backpack. This amazing camera pack has a retail value of $100 and is brand new. This item can be seen at: http://www.summithut.com/catalog/remap/product.asp/mfgID/216/pfid/19061/RC/vendor_Mountainsmith/. Current bid $50. (RB)
Item #2: Vegan dessert-of-the-month for one year. Choose from a selection of homemade vegan desserts by Ann Swissdorf, enough for two people. Value is at least $380. Current bid $140. (SP)
Items #3 and 4: A custom gift basket from www.GiftsfromColorado.com. Value of $60 each. One current bid of $20, (JY) one still available.
Item #5: Peregrine Falcon print, framed. Really nice art print of a falcon in mid-air. Current bid $25. (DM)
Item #6: Dan Piraro “Bizarro” original circus cartoon. Original mock-up with corrections and autograph. Current bid $70. (MS)
Item #7: Copywriting services for a 2-4 page brochure with graphic design (two-fold or tri-fold brochure: Professional design of one standard-sized bi-fold or tri-fold brochure (8.5" x 11" when fully opened), 2 design studies/ choices, Incorporation of your logo and company colors, Insertion of up to 3 royalty-free images/photos, Up to 4 revisions, design saved in PDF and TIF) – $800-1000 value. Starting bid $100.

Item #8: Massage by CMT Joysa Winters. Current bid $50. (SS)

Item #9: Flexi 16-foot retractable leash (the best!) and two dog washes from Colorado Canines. Current bid $30. (KN)

Item #10: Package including organic RMAD shirt with logo on front, “Tofu and Soyfoods Cookery” cookbook, “Meat Market” by Erik Marcus, signed, “The Witness Video” by Tribe of Heart, one box of Tulsi Tea (assorted organic teas). Current bid $125. (BH)

Item #11: Package including “Meat Market” by Erik Marcus, signed, “The Vegan Epicure” cookbook, “Nature’s Life Lessons” by Jim Carrier and Marc Bekoff, two boxes of Tulsi Tea, and an organic RMAD logo t-shirt. Current bid $35. (LS)

Item #12: Package including a $25 gift certificate to Turley’s Restaurant in Boulder, “Tofu Cookery” cookbook, “The Witness” DVD, two boxes Tulsi Tea, one organic RMAD logo shirt. Current bid $36. (MG)

Item #13: Package including “The Veg-Feasting Cookbook,” “The Witness” video, “Strolling With Our Kin” by Marc Bekoff, signed, one box, Tulsi tea, one box Pixie Mate – Lemon, and an organic RMAD logo shirt. Starting bid $30. (LS)

Item #14: T Shirt Package Including three various eco-themed Jim Morris t-shirts and an organic RMAD “Cruelty-Free” t-shirt. Starting bid $20.

Item #15 is a sweet Schwinn cruiser bike and has a value well over $300. The starting bid is $175. (Email me if you need a picture).

Item #16, an exquisite print of a market in Mali, Africa. Volunteer Coordinator Lindsey Sterling says she's been to that market. The adobe mosque pictured is said to be the oldest in the world (I think). Current bid, $35. (WH)

To make a bid, email Chris at chrisj@rmad.org. If you have won an item, I’ll be sure to contact you when the bidding has ended.

Good friend Dave Hatch of Skyline Sanctuary is hosting a New Year’s Bash and you’re invited! See the Evite below for more info and to RSVP.

New Year's Bash & Housewarming
Hi everyone,Hope you can make it!Dave
View Evite Invitation
HAPPY NEW YEAR!

- Chris and Donna

Rocky Mountain Animal Defense Calendar of Events:

Saturday, December 31: Fur Demo

When: 11:30 AM. 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.

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
Stock Show Protest: January 14, 2006

When: 11 a.m.
Where: National Western Complex

Please mark your calendars and plan to attend. Details to follow!
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/.

12.21.05

2005-12-27T10:04:00.000-07:00

Fellow Humanitarians:

RMAD’s efforts to save the remaining city-dwelling prairie dogs continue. Advocates have been meeting until the late hours of the night to analyze the city’s past and present stance on prairie dogs, and to strategize the continuing battle with development. The situation is incredibly complicated, with numerous agencies, corporate interests, and citizens involved. We’ll be sure to keep you updated and let you know how you can help.

We are looking for a new, larger office space in Boulder to accommodate our needs. Our budget is modest, in the $350-600 range, depending on amenities such as high-speed internet access, conference room, vegan-friendly kitchen. If you have any leads or can refer us to a realtor who wants to help Colorado’s leading advocates continue their work, please contact Chris at chrisj@rmad.org.

Don’t miss out! We are still accepting new monthly donors until December 31st, and for every $5 you pledge per month (minimum one-year commitment), you will receive an entry into the drawing for a weekend at Denver’s Oxford Hotel and dinner for two at Watercourse Foods. If you are already a donor and wish to increase your donation, you will likewise receive an entry for every five dollars you pledge. If you have signed up to be a monthly donor in the last month, you are automatically entered in the drawing. Contact Chris at chrisj@rmad.org to sign up.

We’ll be ending the email-based silent auction of items that didn’t make it into our fundraiser, and we’re offering them to the highest bid; the bidding will close on December 23rd at 4 p.m. Thanks to a generous re-donation by the winner of the cruiser bike at our big event two weeks ago, the bike is once again up for auction. It is Item #15, and has a value well over $300. The starting bid is $175. (Email me if you need a picture). To make a bid or to ask any questions, email me at chrisj@rmad.org (or call the office – number below).

Item #1: Mountainsmith Camera backpack. This amazing camera pack has a retail value of $100 and is brand new. This item can be seen at: http://www.summithut.com/catalog/remap/product.asp/mfgID/216/pfid/19061/RC/vendor_Mountainsmith/. Current bid $50.
Item #2: Vegan dessert-of-the-month for one year. Choose from a selection of homemade vegan desserts by Ann Swissdorf, enough for two people. Value is at least $380. Current bid $125.
Items #3 and 4: A custom gift basket from www.GiftsfromColorado.com. Value of $60 each. Starting bid $20 each.
Item #5: Peregrine Falcon print, framed. Really nice art print of a falcon in mid-air. Current bid $15.
Item #6: Dan Piraro “Bizarro” original circus cartoon. Original mock-up with corrections and autograph. Current bid $60.
Item #7: Copywriting services for a 2-4 page brochure with graphic design (two-fold or tri-fold brochure: Professional design of one standard-sized bi-fold or tri-fold brochure (8.5" x 11" when fully opened), 2 design studies/ choices, Incorporation of your logo and company colors, Insertion of up to 3 royalty-free images/photos, Up to 4 revisions, design saved in PDF and TIF) – $800-1000 value. Starting bid $100.

Item #8: Massage by CMT Joysa Winters. Current bid $20.

Item #9: Flexi 16-foot retractable leash (the best!) and two dog washes from Colorado Canines. Current bid $25.

Item #10: Package including organic RMAD shirt with logo on front, “Tofu and Soyfoods Cookery” cookbook, “Meat Market” by Erik Marcus, signed, “The Witness Video” by Tribe of Heart, one box of Tulsi Tea (assorted organic teas). Current bid $28.

Item #11: Package including “Meat Market” by Erik Marcus, signed, “The Vegan Epicure” cookbook, “Nature’s Life Lessons” by Jim Carrier and Marc Bekoff, two boxes of Tulsi Tea, and an organic RMAD logo t-shirt. Starting bid $35.

Item #12: Package including a $25 gift certificate to Turley’s Restaurant in Boulder, “Tofu Cookery” cookbook, “The Witness” DVD, two boxes Tulsi Tea, one organic RMAD logo shirt. Current bid $36.

Item #13: Package including “The Veg-Feasting Cookbook,” “The Witness” video, “Strolling With Our Kin” by Marc Bekoff, signed, one box, Tulsi tea, one box Pixie Mate – Lemon, and an organic RMAD logo shirt. Starting bid $22.

Item #14: T Shirt Package Including three various eco-themed Jim Morris t-shirts and an organic RMAD “Cruelty-Free” t-shirt. Starting bid $25.

Item #16, an exquisite print of a market in Mali, Africa. Volunteer Coordinator Lindsey Sterling says she's been to that market. The adobe mosque pictured is said to be the oldest in the world (I think). Starting bid, $25.

To make a bid, email Chris at chrisj@rmad.org. If you have won an item, I’ll be sure to contact you when the bidding has ended.

Good friend Dave Hatch of Skyline Sanctuary is hosting a New Year’s Bash and you’re invited! See the Evite below for more info and to RSVP.

New Year's Bash & Housewarming
Hi everyone,Hope you can make it!Dave
View Evite Invitation
Happy Holidays.

- Chris and Donna

Rocky Mountain Animal Defense Calendar of Events:

Saturday, December 24: Fur Demo

When: Saturday, Dec. 17, 11:30 AM. 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.

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
Stock Show Protest: January 14, 2006

When: 11 a.m.
Where: National Western Complex

Please mark your calendars and plan to attend. Details to follow!
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/.

12.14.05

2005-12-14T16:53:00.000-07:00

Friends:

If you were not able to make our hugely successful holiday party and would like to enter our monthly donor drawing for a weekend at Denver’s Oxford Hotel and dinner for two at Watercourse Foods, it’s not too late! We are accepting new monthly donors until December 31st, and for every $5 you pledge per month (minimum one-year commitment), you will receive an entry into the drawing. If you are already a donor and wish to increase your donation, you will likewise receive an entry for every five dollars you pledge. If you have signed up to be a monthly donor in the last month, you are automatically entered in the drawing. Contact Chris at chrisj@rmad.org to sign up.

RMAD is fighting prairie dog killers on various fronts in Boulder. Developers continue to bulldoze and poison animals within Boulder city and county, both legally and illegally. RMAD has fielded numerous phone calls from the public, including yesterday’s calls about the poisoning of animals at the Boulder/Longmont border on Foothills Highway. A rule of thumb for developers: if you’re going to drop a building in the center of a prairie, make sure you understand that the residents were there thousands of years before you.

RMAD is growing by leaps and bounds, and is quickly outgrowing its tiny office. We’re hoping to find a new, larger space in Boulder to accommodate our needs. Our budget is modest, in the $350-600 range, depending on amenities such as high-speed internet access, conference room, vegan-friendly kitchen. If you have any leads or can refer us to a realtor who wants to help Colorado’s leading advocates continue their work, please contact Chris at chrisj@rmad.org.

Just a reminder: if you ever miss a Weekly Announcement, you can check out our archive at www.rmadblog.blogspot.com. It is archived every week.

Finish your holiday shopping online and support RMAD at the same time!
We have a few items that didn’t make it into our silent auction, and we’re offering them to the highest bid; the bidding will close on December 23rd at 4 p.m.

Item #1: Mountainsmith Camera pack. It has a retail value of $100 and is brand new. This item can be seen at: http://www.summithut.com/catalog/remap/product.asp/mfgID/216/pfid/19061/RC/vendor_Mountainsmith/. Starting bid $35.
Item #2: Vegan dessert-of-the-month for one year. Choose from a selection of homemade vegan desserts by Ann Swissdorf, enough for two people. Starting bid $50.
Items #3 and 4: A custom gift basket from www.GiftsfromColorado.com. Value of $60 each. Starting bid $20 each.
Item #5: Peregrine Falcon print, framed. Really nice art print of a falcon in mid-air. Starting bid of $15.
Item #6: Dan Piraro “Bizarro” original circus cartoon. Original mock-up with corrections and autograph. Starting bid $50
Item #7: Copywriting services for a 2-4 page brochure (with graphic design) – $800-1000 value. Starting bid $100
Item #8: Massage by CMT Joysa Winters. Starting bid $20.

Item #9: Flexi 16-foot retractable leash (the best!) and two dog washes from Colorado Canines. Starting bid $15.

Item #10: Package including organic RMAD shirt with logo on front, “Tofu and Soyfoods Cookery” cookbook, “Meat Market” by Erik Marcus, signed, “The Witness Video” by Tribe of Heart, one box of Tulsi Tea (assorted organic teas). Starting bid $25.

Item #11: Package including “Meat Market” by Erik Marcus, signed, “The Vegan Epicure” cookbook, “Nature’s Life Lessons” by Jim Carrier and Marc Bekoff, two boxes of Tulsi Tea, and an organic RMAD logo t-shirt. Starting bid $25.

Item #12: Package including a $25 gift certificate to Turley’s Restaurant in Boulder, “Tofu Cookery” cookbook, “The Witness” DVD, two boxes Tulsi Tea, one organic RMAD logo shirt. Starting bid $32.

Item #13: Package including “The Veg-Feasting Cookbook,” “The Witness” video, “Strolling With Our Kin” by Marc Bekoff, signed, one box, Tulsi tea, one box Pixie Mate – Lemon, and an organic RMAD logo shirt. Starting bid $22.

Item #14: T Shirt Package Including three various Jim Morris t-shirts and an organic RMAD “Cruelty-Free” t-shirt. Starting bid $25.

To make a bid, email Chris at chrisj@rmad.org.

Lastly, good friend Dave Hatch of Skyline Sanctuary is hosting a New Year’s Bash and you’re invited! See the Evite below for more info and to RSVP.

New Year's Bash & Housewarming
Hi everyone,Hope you can make it!Dave
View Evite Invitation

- Chris and Donna

Rocky Mountain Animal Defense Calendar of Events:

Saturday, December 17: Fur Demo

When: Saturday, Dec. 17, 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Marks Lloyds Furs. Then 1:00-1:30 at Hamilton Furs, one block to the East. (NOTE TIME CHANGE – We will return to our usual time the following week). Posters and leaflets will be provided. Bring an umbrella just in case!

Marks Lloyds Furs is located at 263 Josephine between 2nd and 3rd in Cherry Creek.

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
Stock Show Protest: January 14, 2006

When: 11 a.m.
Where: National Western Complex

Please mark your calendars and plan to attend. Details to follow!
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/.

2005-12-07T13:49:00.000-07:00

Hey!

We’re getting ready for tonight’s big event so we’re going to keep this brief. While the air is quite frigid, the roads are clear. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for music, auctions, vegan food, and more. We’ll see you all there!

- Chris

TONIGHT!!!! RMAD/Southern Plains Land Trust Holiday Extravaganza

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

Please click on the link below (“View Evite Invitation”) to RSVP for the party. We need to have an accurate head count to accommodate for food and space, so please RSVP today. Please email DonnaM@rmad.org with any questions or to help out.

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

Rocky Mountain Animal Defense Calendar of Events:

Saturday, December 10: 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
Stock Show Protest: January 14, 2006

When: 11 a.m.
Where: National Western Complex

Details to follow!
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/.

11.30.05

2005-12-02T14:17:00.000-07:00

A big thank you to everyone who joined us for Fur Free Friday. In addition to being featured on two television stations and in print, we collected a pile of fur coats for HSUS’ Coats for Cubs program, which gives fur to rehabilitated wildlife. We had a great turnout, the demonstration was peaceful, and we once again spread the message of cruelty-free shopping. Thanks to Donnie and other helpers who sported the body screen televisions and to Matt and Mark for being Giselle, the giant fox. Double thanks to those who ventured out again the following morning and triple thanks to Ann for helping organize this and many other events.

Only one week until our big holiday extravaganza with Southern Plains Land Trust! If you have not RSVP’d and plan on attending, please see the Evite below (simply follow www.evite.com/chrisj@rmad.org/rmadspltparty to the invitation, enter the basic information, and click on “Respond”) or call us at the office (303-449-4422) or email us (chrisj@rmad.org or donnam@rmad.org). Again, we have heaps of great stuff to auction: art, a bike, an iPod, services, goods, and more. It’s at the beautiful Oxford Hotel in Lodo and is going to be really groovy.

If you have any easels we can borrow for the fundraiser please let us know! We need them to display art and other things. Email me (chrisj@rmad.org) if you can help. Please let me know if you are coming from the Boulder area and can assist with carpooling.

RMAD is taking the lead role in investigating an alleged illegal bulldozing of prairie dogs in Boulder. This situation, along with Boulder’s Urban Wildlife Management Plan, was featured not only on the front page of yesterday’s Daily Camera but as the subject of Clay Evans’ editorial today. Both are included below the Calendar. Therefore, This Week’s Action Alert is a letter to the editor, especially if you live in the Boulder area. Please direct it to openforum@dailycamera.com and the purpose is simply speak up for prairie dogs!

The blanket drive will soon be coming to a close. Word is that the animals are much in need of blankets at the shelters and sanctuaries. You can still drop off blankets at Denver’s Ramada Inn (1150 E Colfax Ave.) or in Boulder at Three Little Figs (2793 Iris Ave). Steve and Tami will be happy to drop by if and pick up blankets if you have more than a couple. They can be reached at 303 661 3954 or TJC1BC@aol.com to arrange for a pick-up in the Denver/Boulder metro area.

As you’re doing your holiday shopping, don’t forget about Three Little Figs, the Denver/Boulder area’s only vegan boutique. The assortment of food is amazing

- Chris & Donna

Rocky Mountain Animal Defense Calendar of Events:

Saturday, December 3: 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.

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

Wednesday, December 7: RMAD/Southern Plains Land Trust Holiday Extravaganza

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

Please click on the link below (“View Evite Invitation”) to RSVP for the party. We need to have an accurate head count to accommodate for food and space, so please RSVP today. Please email DonnaM@rmad.org with any questions or to help out.

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

Stock Show Protest: January 14, 2006

When: 11 a.m.
Where: National Western Complex

Details to follow!

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/.

Let the sun shine
Prairie-dog ordinance needs a little retooling
November 30, 2005
With few exceptions, government should operate in sunshine. That's why we think the city of Boulder's new prairie-dog protection ordinance needs to be retooled. First, some history:
In 2000, the City Council adopted an ordinance to prohibit the poisoning of prairie dogs. In July 2001, the law was strengthened to prohibit destruction of active prairie-dog burrows. Those policies reflected the community's desire to protect a keystone species that has been driven from 98 percent of its historic range. But the policies also proved unsustainable. Some of the city's open-space lands became so overcrowded and damaged that they no longer provide good habitat for any local fauna.
Then in 2003, the Colorado Department of Agriculture notified the city that its laws banning the poisoning of prairie dogs (and birds) were pre-empted by state law.
Faced with twin challenges, the city in January enacted a new ordinance, which allowed private land owners to apply for a permit to use lethal control. The law provides a five-month period during which applicants are required to explore non-lethal options, including seeking relocation sites and a 60-day public-comment period.
If, after five months, the city determines that relocation sites do not exist, it may issue a permit. If relocation sites are found, it may also delay a permit for another 12 months to allow time to move prairie dogs.
This week, in the first test of the law, Rocky Mountain Animal Defense charged a north Boulder home builder with destroying prairie dogs and burrows without a permit (the city won't identify the land owners behind two pending applications). Police are investigating the allegations.
Whatever the outcome of the case, it has revealed some glitches in the city's new ordinance.
The public has access to limited information about applications: the number of prairie dogs, the size of the land and non-lethal alternatives explored by land owners. The city argues that the only real question is whether there are relocation sites, and that further information — location of the land, for example — is not only not necessary, but could cause headaches for property owners who are simply following the law.
The city also argues that identifying land could inspire some owners to simply "shoot, shovel and shut up." But that's easier said than done, as this week's allegation demonstrates. It's also breaking the law.
We think the city is overstepping its bounds in drawing a veil of secrecy around permit applications. Citizens should be able to view colonies in question, and be able to monitor activities on land for which lethal permits have been applied.
The city's process also allows land owners to appeal a permit denial, but does not give the same right to opponents if a permit is granted. The city hoped to avoid cynical attempts to delay development with endless appeals, and that's an appropriate goal.
But giving opponents a right to appeal within the existing timetable does not equal endless appeals, and it would defuse complaints that the law is tilted in favor of killing prairie dogs.
Such changes would reduce perceptions that the law enables the city to make decisions on prairie dogs without full public scrutiny. Yes, that raises the possibility that prairie-dog advocates might protest a site. But we call that freedom of speech.
Relocating every individual prairie dog to fragile open-space lands was never a sustainable approach, and it's neither fair nor legal to endlessly delay development of private land. The city's new approach to prairie-dog management is basically sound, but it can, and should, be improved.
-end-
Case of the bulldozed burrows
Animal rights group alleges prairie dog homes destroyed
By Ryan Morgan, Camera Staff WriterNovember 29, 2005
Spurred by complaints from an animal-rights group, Boulder police are investigating whether a homebuilder in northwest Boulder used earth-moving equipment to destroy prairie dog burrows.
If the allegations are true, they would mark the first violation of a new wildlife-protection ordinance the city passed in January, officials said.
A member of Rocky Mountain Animal Defense called police out to a construction project near Dakota Ridge on Friday where employees working for Markel Homes had used earth-moving equipment to grade land to make way for a new housing development.
Police spokeswoman Julie Brooks said the officers who responded to the call saw prairie dog burrows next to the area that had been graded, and said evidence of "fresh digging and fresh scat" indicated those burrows are occupied.
But, she said, officers did not see any prairie dogs in the area that been graded.
Police are consulting with Boulder's Parks and Recreation Department, whose employees have more experience with prairie dog issues. They're also consulting with the planning officials who oversee the permit process that owners are required to go through before removing prairie dogs from their land, Brooks said.
"It's not something we get as a police department very often," she said.
Boulder passed a new version of its wildlife-protection ordinance in January. It requires that property owners who want to kill prairie dogs try to find other ways of dealing with the animals - through relocation, for example - first.
Citywide, there are two lethal-control permits pending, but neither has been approved, said Ruth McHeyser, a city planning official. That means if prairie dog burrows were destroyed and prairie dogs killed, it would be in violation of the ordinance.
Markel Homes did not return a call seeking comment Monday.
It's unclear whether Markel is the landowner that has applied for one or both of the permits. The city's ordinance only allows city staff members to release three pieces of information to the public about those who apply for permits: the number of prairie dogs affected, the total acreage involved and the non-lethal alternatives the landowner has tried.
Dave Crawford, a member of Rocky Mountain Animal Defense, said his group has asked for the names of those requesting permits under Colorado's Open Records Act.
The city has refused to release that information, arguing that landowners applied for their permits with the understanding that their identities wouldn't be released. The city cites a "public interest" exception to the open-records law.
"Moreover, the public interest favors non-disclosure," Jerry Gordon, Boulder's deputy city attorney, wrote in the city's response. "An important policy served by non-disclosure is the city's strong desire to encourage property owners to participate in the city's lethal control permitting system. The city wants to avoid situations in which property owners are tempted to utilize self-help by killing animals without going through the permitting process."
Crawford said his group is reviewing the response before deciding whether to take the issue to court.
Contact Camera Staff Writer Ryan Morgan at (303) 473-1333 or morganr@dailycamera.com.

11.16.05

2005-11-17T10:56:00.000-07:00

Happy Wednesday, Everyone!

So many things to talk about and attend. Check it out:

Volunteers with Rocky Mountain Animal Defense have organized a Thanksgiving Bag-Lunch for the Homeless. We plan to distribute sandwiches to 250-300 people in the Denver area. These vegan lunches will contain a message about cruelty-free eating, with the hopes that when the lesser-advantaged are making choices as consumers, they will also make compassionate purchases. And to all the anti-animal rights people who say we should do something for the homeless: well, we do. We’re planning on making and distributing sandwiches Friday and possibly Saturday. If you would like to help out at this event, please email chrisj@rmad.org or donnam@rmad.org before Thursday at 4 p.m.

And join us for the Denver-area Thanksgiving Potluck Dinner! Thursday, 24 November, gather at 1:00 PM, eat at 2:00 PM - at the Coolbaugh Building, School of Mines campus in Golden, Colorado. Traditional Holiday fare will be provided for a minimal fee of $5. Kids 3 years old and under get in free. Please bring your favorite traditional holiday, plant-based dish (free of animal products of any kind). Please RSVP by calling Darla Beckley at 303-777-4828, or send an e-mail to Ann at anns@rmad.org , no later than Thursday, November 17th. More info in the calendar below.

RMAD joined nine other groups in increasing the Division of Wildlife’s $1000 lynx reward to a grand total of $6400, in order to keep this horrific event in the public consciousness longer. We hope that someone who knows something will come forward; whoever contributes information leading to the person or persons responsible will be granted the money. Please see our press release below and feel free to forward it to anyone who might be interested, especially in the Durango area.

Prairie dog alert of the week: The Environmental Advisory Board is meeting at the Municipal Service Center (City Yards) 5050 East Pearl St (Between Pearl Street and Valmont Park) from 6 to 8 p.m TONIGHT. There will be a comment period during which we must stand up and voice our support for wildlife and disapproval of lethal control. If you have or know of any land for sale that could accommodate prairie wildlife, please get in touch with us ASAP! We may have supporters who are interested in purchasing land to help save these little guys.

Blankets, blankets, blankets! We’ve accumulated a good deal of blankets in our office, which are great for naps. We’ll be distributing them shortly to area shelters and sanctuaries. Here is the info: We’re hoping each and every one of you can look in your closets or ask you neighbor for a spare blanket that can be donated to a local shelter or sanctuary. You don’t have to do anything beyond that – simply call or email us and we’ll arrange for a pick-up with our volunteers. You can still drop off blankets at the Ramada Inn (1150 E Colfax Ave.) or in Boulder, you can also drop them off at Three Little Figs (2793 Iris Ave). In addition to working with the Denver Municipal Shelter, friend and volunteer Kathleen Neubauer has been spreading the word about the drive. Her vet is now accepting blankets at their office too. Thanks, Kathleen!

Please RSVP for the RMAD/SPLT Fundraiser! Please see below or visit www.evite.com/chrisj@rmad.org/rmadspltparty. Our volunteers are hard at work gathering high-quality donations and if you have a great item you can donate for our silent and live auctions, please email DonnaM@rmad.org. We really need your help to make this event a success. Please RSVP if you haven’t already!

RMAD’s Activist Support Group is Thursday, November 17th, at the Ramada Inn (1150 E Colfax Ave) at 6:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome, but we recommend that you RSVP. Because of the sensitive and personal nature of the topics we discuss, we ask that you arrive on time so that the group won’t be disrupted. For this reason, Catherine has recommended that we keep the door open until 6:45 p.m. but then ask that latecomers not interrupt the group. If you think you are coming late, please let us know in advance. Please email or call Chris at 303-449-4422 or Catherine Zakoian at 970-926-1276 if you need any further information.

The last Turkey Protest at ConAgra Turkey Plant at 1st and Main St. in Longmont is next week. The final protest is Monday - 11/21/05 from 4-5 PM. The protest was mentioned in a Longmont Times-Call article on avian flu – as if one needs another reason not to consume “poultry.”

More on Fur Free Friday: We’ll also be collecting fur coats through HSUS’s Coats for Cubs program and PETA will be promoting our event to their local activists as well. These will then go to area rehabs for wildlife. The animals often prefer the natural smell and feel of fur. It’s rightly theirs! We’ll be visiting the new fur store as well, Joseph Hamilton Furs, 2440 E. 3rd Ave. (at Columbine).

Whew! A lot going on. If you have any questions, give us a buzz!

- Chris & Donna

Rocky Mountain Animal Defense Calendar of Events:

Thursday, November 17: Compassion Club – An Activist Support Group

Time: 6:30 pm
Where: Ramada Inn, 1150 E Colfax Ave, Denver

Everyone is welcome, but we recommend that you RSVP! Because of the sensitive and personal nature of the topics we discuss, we ask that you arrive on time so that the group won’t be disrupted. For this reason, Catherine has recommended that we keep the door open until 6:45 p.m. but then ask that latecomers not interrupt the group. If you think you are coming late, please let us know in advance. Please email or call me (Chris) at 303-449-4422 or Catherine Zakoian at 970-926-1276 if you need any further information.

Saturday, November 19: 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.

Saturday, November 19: Prairie Preservation Alliance-Sponsored Film:
Earth From Above

When: Saturday November 19 at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Starz FilmCenter at the Tivoli, 900 Auraria Parkway, Denver

Cost: $9.00 per ticket NOTE: Starz ticket price is $10.00. There are only 25 tickets available at this reduced rate. If you would like to take advantage of this special event, please order your tickets by November 10. You will receive your tickets by mail. You may order your tickets by calling Prairie Preservation Alliance at 303.638.4672 or 303.359.4167

This lovingly crafted documentary uses the photographs of famed aerial photographer Yann Arthus-Bertrand to create an animated fresco composed of three equally important components--image, music and voice. Without laying blame, the film presents the paradox in which the beauty of nature blends with the cruelty of humanity, as the power of nature interacts with the frailty of mankind. The total experience becomes a visceral exploration of the future of our planet.

Thursday, November 24: Thanksgiving Potluck Dinner

When: 1:00 PM, eat at 2:00 PM
Where: The Coolbaugh Building, School of Mines campus in Golden, Colorado.

Traditional Holiday fare, with main dish, mashed potatoes, and gravy will be provided for a minimal fee of $5. Kids 3 years old and under get in free. Please bring your favorite traditional holiday, plant-based dish (free of animal products of any kind), such as soup, side dish, salad, or dessert. For recipe ideas see www.health.rmad.org. Bring a recipe card listing the ingredients. Bring your own drink and place setting, to reduce the use of paper and plastic products. Please RSVP by calling Darla Beckley at 303-777-4828, or send an e-mail to Ann at anns@rmad.org no later than Thursday, November 17th. RSVP should include name, contact information, number of people in your party, and what dish you plan to bring.

Directions - From Denver, take 6th Avenue West to 19th St., in Golden. North on 19th, .2 mile to Illinois, left (west) on Illinois & go .3 mile. The Coolbaugh Bldg will be on your right, between 13th & 14th. Enter the south facing double doors on Illinois. You may park in the lot on 13th, or along the street where the signs allow. Please plan to stay after dinner for fun movies and/or board games, or just relax and chat, or stroll in the lovely neighborhood. Organized by The HEALTH Project of Rocky Mountain Animal Defense (RMAD) and The Vegetarian Society of Colorado. (VSC).

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. We will congregate outside of Neiman Marcus and then march to Marks Lloyds, and then proceed to Joseph Hamilton Furs, 2440 E. 3rd Ave. (at Columbine).

Wednesday, December 7: RMAD/Southern Plains Land Trust Holiday Extravaganza

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

Please click on the link below (“View Evite Invitation”) to RSVP for the party. We need to have an accurate head count to accommodate for food and space, so please RSVP today. Please email DonnaM@rmad.org with any questions or to help out.

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/.

For Immediate Release:
November 15, 2005

Contact:Rocky Mountain Animal Defense (303) 449-4422

Rocky Mountain Animal Defense Increases Lynx Reward by $1000
Animal Advocacy Group Raises Total Reward To $6,400

Boulder, CO — Rocky Mountain Animal Defense today joined nine conservation groups, which recently offered a reward for information leading to the conviction of the person or persons charged with killing a lynx, a species listed as “threatened” under the Endangered Species Act. Environmental groups’ reward totaled $5,400; the Colorado Division of Wildlife offered $1,000, and now RMAD has contributed an additional $1,000, making the reward total $6,400.

On October 25th, a collar was dropped into a mail slot at the Silverton post office. Division of Wildlife officials found the second collar Oct. 27 in an area known as Missionary Ridge about 20 miles northeast of Durango. According to the DOW, a third collar is giving a “mortality signal,” and is located in steep terrain above Vallecito Reservoir. Wildlife officials are concerned that the lynx might have been killed illegally.

Between 2000 and 2004, state wildlife managers released additional lynx, bringing the total number of reintroduced lynx to 167. Another 50 lynx are scheduled to be released into the recovery area in spring 2005 and 15 more in 2006 and 2007.

According to recent DOW statistics, 72 Colorado-released lynx have died since 1999, some prematurely from human causes: 8 were poached, 6 probably shot, 9 hit by vehicles, and 2 likely hit by vehicles.

“Rocky Mountain Animal Defense has been concerned about this issue since day one,” says Rocky Mountain Animal Defense executive director, David Crawford. “Now our worst fears are coming true. The criminals who perpetrated these crimes must be brought to justice, and state agencies must redouble their efforts to create a climate in Colorado that is truly welcoming to

11.09.05

2005-11-09T12:00:00.000-07:00

Greetings!

There is a lot going on in the animal advocacy world, and here’s the run-down:

If you live in the Boulder area, the prairie dogs need your help! We hope you will all be able to attend some or all of the city council meetings listed below, from which serious decision will be made. It’s critical that people who care about animals show up and speak out for our wildlife. Otherwise, the city and powers that be will only hear from developers and people who don't want prairie dogs on their property! The next meeting is this WED. NOV. 9th, 6 pm in the City Council Chambers. It is Open Space Board of Trustees meeting. There is usually a time at the beginning of such meetings to express your opinions. Here are a few speaking points:

1. You would like to see humane methods of animal control used in the Urban Wildlife Management Plan – not lethal control.
2. The plan should contain provisions for mitigation and or relocation of any wildlife threatened by a new development within urban areas.
3. The plan should include funding for revegetation for denuded prairie dog colonies (such as Foothills Parkway)
4. The plan should be at least as protective (or better than) the Wildlife Ordinance in dealing with urban wildlife.
5. Be creative! Whatever other points you can think of to present would be great.

Several permits for lethal control of prairie dogs have been filed with the city. We need to determine who these landowners are, and work with them to find alternatives! If you would like to help us with our ongoing Prairie Wildlife Campaign, please contact us ASAP. Prairie dogs and other prairie wildlife desperately need your help -- time is running out.

The nights are getting cold and the animals need blankets! We’re hoping each and every one of you can look in your closets or ask you neighbor for a spare blanket that can be donated to a local shelter or sanctuary. You don’t have to do anything beyond that – simply call or email us and we’ll arrange for a pick-up with our volunteers. You can still drop off blankets at the Ramada Inn (1150 E Colfax Ave.) or in Boulder, you can also drop them off at Three Little Figs (2793 Iris Ave). In addition to working with the Denver Municipal Shelter, friend and volunteer Kathleen Neubauer has been spreading the word about the drive. Her vet is now accepting blankets at their office too. Thanks, Kathleen!

The HEALTH Project of Rocky Mountain Animal Defense is going to distribute vegan bag lunches for the homeless. A tentative date of Saturday, Nov. 19 has been selected, but we’ll have more details as plans are finalized. If you can help make some food or can donate vegan food items such as sandwich ingredients, cookies, chips and drinks, please come help us spread the word about veganism and help the homeless at the same time! Contact AnnS@rmad.org for more information and to volunteer. Thanks to Ann once again for heading this up!

Please RSVP for the RMAD/SPLT Fundraiser! We’re sending out the Evite to each member individually; the party will be December 7th at the Oxford Hotel in Denver. Please pass it on and RSVP for yourself up, but use a personalized ID. If you have signed up as “members” or “wildbunch,” please change it to something more specific so we can keep track of the number of guests. Our volunteers are hard at work gathering high-quality donations and if you have a great item you can donate for our silent and live auctions, please email DonnaM@rmad.org.

RMAD’s Activist Support Group is meeting next week in Denver on Thursday, November 17th, at the Ramada Inn (1150 E Colfax Ave) at 6:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome, but we recommend that you RSVP. Because of the sensitive and personal nature of the topics we discuss, we ask that you arrive on time so that the group won’t be disrupted. For this reason, Catherine has recommended that we keep the door open until 6:45 p.m. but then ask that latecomers not interrupt the group. If you think you are coming late, please let us know in advance. Please email or call Chris at 303-449-4422 or Catherine Zakoian at 970-926-1276 if you need any further information.

RMAD is supporting protests and leafleting at the ConAgra Turkey Plant at 1st and Main St. in Longmont. The schedule is:

Thursday - 11/10/05 from 4-5 PM
Monday - 11/14/05 from 12-1 PM
Monday - 11/21/05 from 4-5 PM

As well, Fur Free Friday is just around the corner. This is a national effort, so please come! More info below in the calendar. Please see our list of upcoming events. Please let us know if you have any questions, ideas, etc. We’d love to hear from you.

- Chris & Donna

Rocky Mountain Animal Defense Calendar of Events:

Saturday, November 12: 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.

Thursday, November 17: Compassion Club – An Activist Support Group

Time: 6:30 pm
Where: Ramada Inn, 1150 E Colfax Ave, Denver

Everyone is welcome, but we recommend that you RSVP! Because of the sensitive and personal nature of the topics we discuss, we ask that you arrive on time so that the group won’t be disrupted. For this reason, Catherine has recommended that we keep the door open until 6:45 p.m. but then ask that latecomers not interrupt the group. If you think you are coming late, please let us know in advance. Please email or call me (Chris) at 303-449-4422 or Catherine Zakoian at 970-926-1276 if you need any further information.

Saturday, November 19: Prairie Preservation Alliance-Sponsored Film:
Earth From Above

When: Saturday November 19 at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Starz FilmCenter at the Tivoli, 900 Auraria Parkway, Denver

Cost: $9.00 per ticket NOTE: Starz ticket price is $10.00. There are only 25 tickets available at this reduced rate. If you would like to take advantage of this special event, please order your tickets by November 10. You will receive your tickets by mail. You may order your tickets by calling Prairie Preservation Alliance at 303.638.4672 or 303.359.4167

This lovingly crafted documentary uses the photographs of famed aerial photographer Yann Arthus-Bertrand to create an animated fresco composed of three equally important components--image, music and voice. Without laying blame, the film presents the paradox in which the beauty of nature blends with the cruelty of humanity, as the power of nature interacts with the frailty of mankind. The total experience becomes a visceral exploration of the future of our planet.

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. We will congregate outside of Neiman Marcus and then march to Marks Lloyds.

Wednesday, December 7: RMAD/Southern Plains Land Trust Holiday Extravaganza

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

Please click on the link below (“View Evite Invation”) to RSVP for the party. We need to have an accurate head count to accommodate for food and space. Please email DonnaM@rmad.org with any questions or to help out.

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/.

11.2.05

2005-11-02T13:08:00.000-07:00

Dear RMAD Friends,

From the blanket drive to the numerous phone calls we handle each week, we are always dealing with companion animal issues. Because so many animals are still without homes and because people senselessly breed animals for sale, this is the perfect time of year to inform your friends, family, and strangers of the plight of “pets.” Many people give puppies and kittens as gifts, only to see them left at shelters shortly after they realize that the animals are more than just a fuzzy face. If you have time, please write letters to the editors of your local media, asking people to give the gift of a new life to shelter animals, and to boycott the sale of new ones.

If you missed Dawne English’s photos and story from her RMAD-sponsored trip to New Orleans to help the animals rescued after hurricane Katrina, check out http://www.rmad.org/dawnes%20story.html.

Speaking of animals, the blanket drive is still going! 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.

As you know by now, RMAD and Southern Plains Land Trust are having a holiday party on Wednesday, December 7th. Please see the Evite below to RSVP for the event. We will not be selling tickets before the event, but we need an accurate number of attendees so we can plan accordingly. Feel free to inform us of anyone else you would like to receive the Evite.

We are also looking for volunteer help with the following positions: 1. Vegan Bakers! Bakers are asked to bring platters of finger foods or desserts. If you have any valuable services you can provide, we would also like to offer them in our silent auction. 2. Auction set-up: come early and help staff get the venue prepared for the evening. Volunteers are asked to arrive by 5:30. 3. High-Level Auction Item Donations. The better your auction items, the better your fundraiser! Help RMAD staff and volunteers secure quality auction items in your local area using your connections. Please contact Lindsey at lindseys@rmad.org or 303-449-4422 to sign up!!!

RMAD is supporting protests and leafletting at the ConAgra Turkey planet at 1st and Main St. in Longmont. The schedule is:

Thursday - 11/10/05 from 4-5 PM
Monday - 11/14/05 from 12-1 PM
Monday - 11/21/05 from 4-5 PM

These dates are in addition to the event scheduled for Sunday 11/6. Please show your support for the turkeys during this grave month. Leaflets and posters will be provided, but feel free to make your own posters.

In addition to all our other tasks, the phones are always ringing with people looking for help. Sometimes callers just need someone to hear their immense outrage and sadness as a colony of prairie dogs is bulldozed or poisoned. RMAD is finishing the details of its innovative and interactive prairie watchdog website, which will track the status of hundreds of colonies across the Front Range. This site will be a major tool for activists and anyone interested in the prairie ecosystem.

Thanks for all your support!

Chris & Donna

Rocky Mountain Animal Defense Calendar of Events:

Saturday, November 5: 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!!!)

Sunday, November 6: HEALTH Potluck

When: 5:30 p.m.
Where: 2nd floor at the Highlands Methodist, on the corner of 32nd and Osceola, between Sheridan and Federal in Denver

HEALTH welcomes everyone, regardless of dietary preference, to share a plant-based meal (a meal free of animal products), while learning about a more compassionate lifestyle. For the potluck, bring a plant-based dish (no meat, fish fowl, gelatin, dairy, eggs, honey or other animal derived products) to serve at least 8 people. A plant-based dish can be as simple as, cut up fruits or veggies or a bottle of natural apple juice to share. If you are new to the group, please to come as our guest and let us feed you. Those comfortable with plant-based, please feel free to show off, dazzle us with your talent and bring extra if you like. Also bring a serving utensil, your own place setting, your own drink and a recipe card (with some extras to share) listing the ingredients in your dish (Please note on your recipe card if your dish contains hydrogenated oils for the health conscience folks in the group and also if it contains common allergens such as nuts).

Directions: From the S.E., take Federal, North to 29th. Turn left (West) on 29th to Osceola and turn Right (North). Just before 32nd you will see the Church on the left and a parking lot on the right. You may park in the lot if there's room. You can also take Speer Boulevard, North to 32nd, then go West (left) on 32nd.
From the N.E., take Federal, South to 32nd. Turn Right (W) on 32nd to Osceola, the lot will be on your left.
From the West, take Sheridan to 32nd and go East to Osceola. The Church and lot will be on your right. 32nd, runs East from 13th and Ford in Golden all the way to Osceola, for those of you coming from Golden or the west side of town. It changes from 13th to 32nd somewhere behind the Coors plant. Go East on 13th and just stay on the main road.

We will be collecting a small donation (what you can afford) for the rent. They usually charge a $75 fee per use but they are being so kind to only charge us $30 + any extra we collect. Questions? Call 303-449-4422 M-F and leave a message for Ann.

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. We will congregate outside of Neiman Marcus and then march to Marks Lloyds.

Wednesday, December 7: RMAD/Southern Plains Land Trust Holiday Extravaganza

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

Please click on the link below (“View Evite Invation”) to RSVP for the party. We need to have an accurate head count to accommodate for food and space. Please email DonnaM@rmad.org with any questions or to help out.

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/.

10.26.05

2005-10-26T13:16:00.000-06:00

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/.

10.19.05

2005-10-21T13:32:00.000-06:00

Dear Friends –

With corporate dominance of nearly every natural foods store in the area, it can be difficult to know where to spend your hard-earned dollars. RMAD has long encouraged its members and constituents to support the Boulder Co-op Market, the only full-service, vegetarian, natural foods store and restaurant in the area. However, due to a history of poor management since its inception, the co-op is facing serious financial trouble and seeking other ways to bring in money. Some customers and a key player or two believe that bringing in meat is a better way to make money, rather than growing the membership base by improving customer service, doing more membership recruitment, offering benefits, promotions, increasing the quality and volume of marketing etc.

If you shop at the co-op, please tell the staff that you shop there because it is vegetarian! If you are not a member, please join so your voice will be heard and so you will gain leverage within the organization. Please email the co-op at coopinfo@boulder.coop and tell them how upset you will be if they add animal carcasses to their shelves. If you are interested in attending a meeting to work further on this issue, please email JillB@rmad.org and she’ll be in touch with more information. We don’t have to apologize for being vegetarians, and the coop shouldn’t either!

Next week we will have a full report from Dawne English’s RMAD-sponsored trip to New Orleans. We’ll have photographs and accounts of how Dawne helped out in a New Orleans shelter, assisting rescued animals in need of care and attention.

RMAD’s blanket drive is on! This collection benefits animals residing at area shelters and sanctuaries. We have a few options for getting the blankets to the animals, including a drop-off point at Three Little Figs (2793 Iris Ave, NW Corner of 28th & Iris, Monday-Saturday 11-7), and at the downtown Denver Ramada Inn (1150 E Colfax Ave.) If anyone wants to donate dog & cats treats and toys, shelters are always looking for those as well. You can also 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.

Three Little Figs tells us they are going to be receiving a special delivery of Ronald’s legendary VEGAN donuts from Las Vegas! Reserve yours now (deadline is Wednesday, October 26th) to guarantee you don’t miss out. Order anywhere from 1 donut to several dozen (they keep very well in the freezer). No need to prepay, just be
forewarned that donuts not claimed by 4 PM on Monday October 31st will go on sale to the highest bidder, unless prior arrangements have been made. Stop by, call or email (2793 Iris Ave., Boulder, (303) 447-5934, info@threelittlefigs.com).

Volunteers! We are still looking for help obtaining high-quality items for our live and silent auctions. Please email DonnaM@rmad.org if you would like to help.

Chris and Donna

______________________________________________________________________
Rocky Mountain Animal Defense Calendar of Events:

Saturday, October 22: 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!!!)

Wednesday, October 19: Happy Hour at Tsing Tao

When: 5:00 p.m.
Where: Tsing Tao, 607 S Broadway, Boulder

Thanks to the efforts of Matt and Barbara Bear, Tsing Tao has a large vegan menu, vegan “egg” rolls, and vegan fortune cookies. People will gather to hang out, have some food, have some drinks, have some fun, and just create community. Just show up!

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: Time TBA
Where: Downtown Denver

More details to follow!!

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/.

10.12.05

2005-10-13T11:36:00.000-06:00

Dear Friends of All who Walk, Swim, Fly, and Wiggle:

RMAD once again greeted the circus in force last weekend. Despite the Coliseum and circus staff’s typical bullying antics, we were polite, calm, and did our thing. And we looked good, too. Our body screens were there to show that you can’t argue with video. The screams of animals are loud and clear.

Next on the schedule is Fur Free Friday, on the day after Thanksgiving. We’ll be visiting the animal skinners doing business in Cherry Creek, reminding the public that these people continue to engage in the cruel, barbaric slaughter of animals for vanity and greed.

RMAD is organizing a winter blanket drive for animals residing at area shelters and sanctuaries. We have a few options for getting the blankets to the animals, including a drop-off point at Three Little Figs (2793 Iris Ave, NW Corner of 28th & Iris, Monday-Saturday 11-7), and a pending drop-off point in Denver. You can also call or email Steven and Tami Conley (303 661 3954, TJC1BC@aol.com) to arrange for a pick-up in the Denver/Boulder metro area.

VOLUNTEERS – we really need help soliciting donations for our upcoming fundraiser with Southern Plains Land Trust! Please email us if you can help. This is going to be a great event with many holiday gift opportunities.

Chris and Donna
Saturday, October 15: 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.

Sunday, October 16: Free RMACA/Cat Care Society Feral and Stray Cat Spay/Neuter Clinic

When: Drop off cats between 8:00-9:00 am. Pick up cats the same day between 2:00-3:00 pm.
Where: The Cat Care Society, 5787 W. 6th Ave. Lakewood, CO 80214 Between Sheridan and Wadsworth on the frontage road north of 6th Ave., 1/2 block east of Harlan St., located directly north of (behind) the RMACA office.)

Sunday Clinic Rules: NO EXCEPTIONS!
1) Each individual person may bring up to 4 cats per clinic.
2) Cats 12 weeks and older: if possible, 1 cat per trap/carrier. Kittens 8-12 weeks: up to 2 kittens per trap/carrier.
3) This clinic accepts feral (wild) cats/kittens, and/or tame STRAY (homeless) cats/kittens ONLY! Please do not bring or send owned cats as we will have to turn them away. Feel free to send anybody you know who is trapping feral cats to the Sunday clinic. The orange vouchers are not required for this clinic. As long as you show up between the specified hours, no appointments are necessary. Please e-mail sdsjdo@aol.com with questions.

Wednesday, October 19: Happy Hour at Tsing Tao

When: 5:00 p.m.
Where: Tsing Tao, 607 S Broadway, Boulder

Thanks to the efforts of Matt and Barbara Bear, Tsing Tao has a large vegan menu, vegan “egg” rolls, and vegan fortune cookies. People will gather to hang out, have some food, have some drinks, have some fun, and just create community. Just show up!

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: Time TBA
Where: Downtown Denver

More details to follow!!

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/.

10.5.05

2005-10-07T14:27:00.000-06:00

Good Day!

We hope you are all going to join us for our annual circus demonstration this Saturday, 6:00 p.m., at the Denver Coliseum. If you are coming from Boulder and would like to join us for carpooling, and/or if you can offer a car in the event that we need another one, please email Chris (chrisj@rmad.org) to RSVP. Thanks largely to RMAD Circus Campaign Coordinator Sisley Milroy, we’re going to have a great event. Thanks also to Ann Swissdorf and Dan Hanley for their huge help. Donna and I have been reworking the fliers, printing up posters, and overseeing the details. Don’t forget about the fur protest at Marks Lloyds that morning, as well!

If the protest gets a little harried, a great way to unwind is by attending the Prairie Dog Bowl-a-Thon on Sunday night. The details are below. And while we’re on the topic of prairie wildlife, there is an action alert from Yemaya, RMAD’s Urban Wildlife Management Plan Campaign Coordinator, below the calendar. Please help – Colorado’s wildlife needs it!

A generous donor is sponsoring a trip for RMAD volunteer Dawne English to help out in New Orleans. The animals still need lots of help at shelters, and we’ve heard that animals are still being found in homes. Thanks to this anonymous sponsor and big thanks to Dawne for going down there to help out. Let’s all wish her the best of luck!

Thanks to Lynee’ Zajac, who gave a presentation to a group of Girl Scouts at Creekside Elementary in Boulder. Of this, Lynee’ says: The presentation was part of the "Animal Care" patch the girls are trying to earn. They had brought in some pets and so we listened to their heartbeats and I told them a little bit about pet first aid. We discussed the needs of our pets and how they feel in different situations, both good and bad. The girls were very receptive to my messages about animal shelters, spaying and neutering, pet shops and puppy mills. I finished by giving them some information on how to read dog and cat body language, and toxic items around the house. Also in the packet were pictures to color with positive animal messages. What a treat to see young people so excited about companion animals!

Kelley Coffman-Lee set up this great display to educate library-goers about the lives of circus animals. Below is her son, Gabe, standing up for animals.

If you do great stuff like this for the animals, let us know so we can spread the word!

We’re working on our December fundraiser, which will be a joint effort with our friends at Southern Plains Land Trust. We really need volunteer help, so please email Donna (donnam@rmad.org) if you can help with the organization or the event itself.

See you all at the protests, events, and in the world!

Chris and Donna

Saturday, October 8: 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.

Saturday, October 8: Ringling Brothers Circus Animal Vigil

When: 6:00 p.m.
Where: Denver Coliseum

Let’s show them what Colorado is made of, and that they will never be welcome here as long as they’re torturing and killing animals. Here is your once-a-year opportunity to speak up for those who are beaten, chained, starved and lonely. Here is your chance to do something! Posters, leaflets, and candles will be provided. We will also have some special guests paying Ringling a “grim” visit! If you are interested in being one of these special guests, please contact me at sisley@milroy.com. We hope to see all of you there! Thank you.

Dress: Black clothing, please
Contact: Sisley Milroy sisley@milroy.com
Forward this to everyone you know, bring your friends and family. Last year we had 90 activists out there, giving Ringling the ol’ one-two. Let’s do even better this year!

Sunday, October 9: Prairie Dog Coalition Bowl-A-Thon

When: Sunday, October 9, 2005 3-5pm
Where: SPLITZ Bowling Center, 10685 Westminster Blvd. Westminster

All bowlers are graciously asked to get a minimum of 10 sponsors of $10.00 each. There is a $6.00 entry fee payable at the door that includes: 2 games, shoes, prizes and FUN! Please contact the Prairie Dog Coalition office to reserve your space to bowl and get a sponsor sheet at 720.938-0788 or info@prairiedogcoalition.org Bowl-A-Thon pledge sheets and instructions can be found at www.prairiedogcoalition.org/events/shtml

Help the prairie dogs and have fun at the same time!

Monday, October 10th: Howard Lyman in Denver
Tuesday, October 11th: Howard Lyman in Boulder

Monday in Denver:
When: Doors open at 6, dinner begins at 6:30, Howard will show his new documentary and speak at 7:30.
Where: Highlands United Methodist Church – 2nd floor
Cost: $10, including dinner, dessert and beverage.
About Howard: The Vegetarian Society of Colorado (VSC) hosts Howard Lyman at a Chili Supper Fundraiser. Howard F. Lyman is a 4th generation family farmer (and vegan) from Montana. After 20 years of operating a feed lot, he sold his ranch and started working for farmers in financial trouble. He was a lobbyist in Washington, and ran for Congress in 1982. Howard travels over 100,000 miles every year as a speaker and lecturer. He lives in Alexandria, Virginia, with his wife Willow Jeane, and his cat, Ceasar.
Details: Please RSVP no later than Friday 7 October. To RSVP please call 303-777-4828, or send an e-mail to Ann at anns@rmad.org. Be sure to include your name contact info and the number of people in your party). SPACE IS LIMITED!
Directions: From the SE: take Federal North to 29th. Turn left (West) on 29th to Osceola and turn Right (North). Just before 32nd you will see the Church on the left and a parking lot on the right. You may park in the lot if there's room. You can also take Speer Boulevard, North to 32nd, then go West (left) on 32nd. From the NE: take Federal, South to 32nd. Turn Right (W) on 32nd to Osceola, the lot will be on your left. From the West: take Sheridan to 32nd and go East to Osceola. The Church and lot will be on your right. 32nd, runs East from 13th and Ford in Golden all the way to Osceola, for those of you coming from Golden or the west side of town. It changes from 13th to 32nd somewhere behind the Coors plant. Go East on 13th and just stay on the main road.

Tuesday in Boulder:
When: 7:30 - Howard will show his new documentary and speak.
Where: Ramaley C250, CU, Boulder, http://www.colorado.edu/campusmap/map.html?search=ramaley&x=9&y=9
Directions: From Broadway (Hwy 93) and Euclid, follow Euclid onto campus (East) past the Euclid Parking lot. Euclid will curve and will become18th, keep following it. The second curve where the road changes to Colorado Ave. (right by the Norlin library) is where Ramaley is located If you get to Muenzinger, you have gone too far. There are a lot of ways to get into Ramaley but if I remember correctly, the easiest way to the lecture hall is to go in the first door on the West side (Norlin side) of the building. Here is a link to a map with Ramaley located on it. You can see the building entrance of choice above and to the left of the red arrow.

Hosted by: Vegetarian Society of Colorado (VSC), 303=777-4828, www.vsc.org
HEALTH Project of Rocky Mountain Animal Defense, 303-449-4422, www.health.rmad.org
Partnership for Animal Welfare (PAW) of CU Boulder, cupaw@cupaw.org, www.cupaw.org

Friday, November 25: Fur Free Friday

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

More details to follow!!

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

When: Time TBA
Where: Downtown Denver

More details to follow!!

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/.

Help Save Boulder’s Prairie Dogs

Dear RMAD/Prairie Dog Activist:

Recently, The City of Boulder received an application for lethal control of 3-10 prairie dogs on .59 acres of private property in Boulder. The public has a 60 day comment period (9/25-11/25), before the city allows the permit.

We are asking everyone who cares about Boulder's prairie dogs to take a few moments to phone or write to the city representative handling this permit application (Alice Guthrie 303-441-1915 or guthriea@ci.boulder.co.us) saying you would like to see a non-lethal solution to this situation. The public/ RMAD will not be allowed to know the landowner's name or where the property is, so we can only ask that the landowner be denied the permit, and that humane relocators/ barriers or other non-lethal solutions be found.

Although it is a small number of animals involved with this permit, killing prairie dogs in Boulder would undermine all the work we have to done to ensure their safety. It could open the door to more lethal control of Boulder's wildlife.

So please, let city officials know how you feel about this. The animals appreciate it.

- Yemaya