Monday, November 19, 2018

Support the Animal Heroes of the California Wildfires


As wildfires rage throughout California, heroes are emerging to help those affected - two legged and four legged. This is a list of groups that are helping wildlife and domestic animals impacted by the California wildfires. These groups need monetary donations only at this point.

Please add any groups that you are aware of to the comments and we will add them to the original post:

WOOLSEY AND HILL FIRES IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Wildlife Care of So Cal: wildlife

California Wildlife Center: wildlife

Humane Society of Ventura County: pets and farm animals

Los Angeles SPCA: domestic animals

Best Friends Society: cats and dogs

Little Angels Project: cats and dogs

Los Angeles Animal Care Center Foundation: cats, dogs, domestic animals

CAMPFIRE IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

North Valley Animal Disaster Group: pets and farm animals

Butte Humane Society: pets

Camp Fire Pet Rescue and Reunification Team: Amazon Wishlist. Mail to: 499 Southbury Land, Chico CA 95973

UC Davis Veterinary School: pets and farm animals in need of specialized care

SF SPCA: pets with burns that are in need of specialized care

Sacramento SPCA:

Chico Cat Coalition: cats


Wednesday, August 29, 2018

CALL TO ACTION: Speak Out Against the Togo Wolf Shooting


On August 23rd, after a court order had been obtained preventing the killing of a member of the Togo wolf pack, a rancher, using GPS data from the collared male in the pack, went to the rendezvous point  where wolves keep their pups. The rancher saw the male wolf and his pups. When the male wolf barked at the rancher, the rancher shot the wolf - alleging "self defense." The wolf know has a broken leg and will have difficulty living, much less providing for his pups as one of only two adults in the pack.

We need to demand an a full investigation. Please write to Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), Director Kelly Susewind at this email address director@dfw.wa.gov and demand the following:

1) A full investigation by law enforcement into the rancher's actions

2) A full investigation by law enforcement into WDFW's communications with the rancher. Did they fail to tell the rancher to stay away from the rendezvous site? Did they instruct him as to typical wolf behavior if approached at a rendezvous site or den? The public needs to know what WDFW did and did not tell the rancher.



Friday, August 24, 2018

PUBLIC COMMENTS: Save the Endangered Species Act DUE SEPT 24


The Department of the Interior has proposed new regulations which would dramatically weaken the Endangered Species Act. Please leave a public comment opposing these regulations BEFORE MIDNIGHT ON SEPTEMBER 24. Leave your public comment HERE.


SAMPLE COMMENT FROM HSUS:
The proposed changes to the Endangered Species Act regulations by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service would weaken the ESA regulations by making it harder to secure and maintain federal protections for imperiled species. The FWS and NMFS should keep the existing ESA protections to save threatened and endangered animals from extinction.

SAMPLE COMMENT FROM XERCES SOCIETY:


 I strongly oppose the proposed rule changes to the Endangered Species Act proposed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). Despite the claim from politicians that only a minority of species have recovered after endangered species listing, the fact is the Endangered Species Act is our nation’s most effective law for protecting wildlife in danger of extinction, and has prevented 99 percent of listed species from going extinct. Weakening the Act with the proposed changes will have dramatic implications for species conservation at a time when the threats to all species are increasing, and an increasing number of species are imperiled.
I especially oppose that listing decisions would be coupled with a study on the economic impacts (not benefits) to listing the species. An economic impact analysis could easily influence listing decisions, not to mention be a waste of taxpayer funds.
The Endangered Species Act is a hallmark piece of legislation that has had tremendous benefits for this nation’s iconic wildlife. The proposed changes to the ESA would weaken the law, change the clearly stated and intended purpose of the law, and have negative lasting impacts on our environment for future generations. For these reasons, I strongly oppose the suggested changes.

SAMPLE COMMENT FROM HOWLING FOR WOLVES: 


  1. Give economic impact over consideration in decisions about protecting wildlife. Species listing decisions are currently made based solely on scientific considerations–as it should be. The new rules will give veto power to specialist interests over protecting endangered animals.
  2. Make it much more difficult to protect plants, fish, and wildlife impacted by the effects of climate change. Species such as wolverines or lynx that are now losing their fight against a warming world will continue to be denied protections;
  3. Put enormous roadblocks in the way of protecting habitat needed by endangered and threatened species;
  4. Weaken the longstanding requirement that federal agencies work with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to assure that projects do not hurt or kill endangered species;
  5. Drastically weaken protections afforded to species designated as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Florida manatees, gray wolves in Minnesota, marbled murrelets, and hundreds of others could face new threats.
  6. States can open hunting and trapping seasons to kill these animals if Zinke's plan is enacted.

PETITIONS: Please sign and share the following public comments from conservation groups. (updated Sept 10)

Center for Biological Diversity
Audubon Society
National Anti-Vivisection Society
Sierra Club
Animal Welfare Institute
Endangered Species Coalition
Greater Yellowstone Coalition
Oceana
Defenders of Wildlife
League of Conservation Voters
EarthJustice
National Wildlife Federation
Ocean Conservancy 
IFAW
Wilderness Watch
Environment California
Audubon Society 
WildEarth Guardians
Oregon Wild
Greater Yellowstone Coalition
Food and Water Action
NRDC






Sunday, June 24, 2018

Tell the Senate to Pass a Clean Farm Bill


Last week, the House passed a disastrous Farm Bill. The bill is a massive giveaway to the pesticide industry and a blow to endangered species. Many say that it would be the final nail in the coffin for many species. The House version of the bill:

  • Repeals the Clean Water Rule’s safeguards for critical water bodies, including streams that help supply one-third of Americans with drinking water.
  • Exempts companies that spray dangerous pesticides into waterways from Clean Water Act permitting requirements.
  • “Poisoned Pollinators Provision” exempts dangerous pesticides from protections to safeguard endangered or threatened species, including some species of bees.
  • Exempts chemical makers from enforcement when pesticides harm or kill endangered species. (Read more here.)
  • Prohibits local governments from adopting pesticide laws that are more protective than federal rules and gives state pesticide agencies a secret chance to block EPA protections. 
  • Exempts public lands from important land, wildlife, and water conservation safeguards.
  • Disallows states from enforcing their own laws against out of state products that are dangerous or unsanitary.
CONTACT YOUR SENATORS AND ASK THEM FOR A CLEAN FARM BILL without any poison pills or damaging environmental riders. Contact information can be found HERE.

SIGN AND SHARE THESE PETITIONS:

Wednesday, June 13, 2018

Public Comments: Sand Wash Basin Wild Horses DUE JULY 5


Email your public comments to blm_co_wild_horse_management@blm.gov before July 5, 2018.

WHAT TO SAY:

- I write to oppose the proposed gather plan of Sand Wash Basin wild horses. 

“Appropriate Management Level” is an arbitrary number, with no base in science.

Follow §4710.5 of the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burro Act of 1971, which pertains to the closure of (legally designated) wild horse and burro herd area for livestock grazing. It states in part that, "if necessary to provide habitat for wild horses and burros from disease, harassment or injury, the authorized officer may close appropriate areas of the public lands to grazing use by all or a particular kind of livestock." Grazing on public lands is a privilege, not a right. AND There should be no roundups or use of PZP until BLM proves that there is overpopulation of wild horses.

- Colorado's wild horse population is estimated to be 1693 wild horses, per BLM. These horses roam a "Herd Area" of 723,095. Of that area, there is a designated "Herd Management Area" of 365,988.  This puts the population density for Colorado's wild horses at 0.00230 horse per 1 acre. An international comparison with other wild equines demonstrates that the population density is very low: 
Plain Zebra in Yabllo N.P. Ethiopia: 0.026 - ten times higher, predators are present. 
Plain Zebra in Nechisar N.P.: 0.067 - 29 times higher, predators are present. 
Plain Zebra in Simanjiro Plains Tanzania: 0.044 - 19 times higher, predators are present.

- If Colorado's horses are overpopulated, why does BLM allow do many more cattle on the same land? BLM allows 584,561 “AUM”s (Animal Month Unit) grazing permit that means a 1000 lbs animal: a cow with a calf, or 5 sheep/goat grazing. Why would be 1693 Wild horses too much for the range, if 584,561 cattle is not?

- The gather plan proposes to "use all approved gather methods, such as bait-trapping and helicopter drive-trapping".  These methods can be inhumane and cause great harm to the horses gathered. During the ten miles or so that horses are chased by helicopters, foals and other horses can break bones, hooves can be injured. Once in the holding pen, there is typically insufficient veterinary care and family bands are separated. I oppose these cruel, outdated methods for gathering and holding wild horses. 

- Due to the reasons stated above, I oppose the plan to gather the Sand Wash Basin wild horses. 




Thursday, May 31, 2018

Stop Unethical Hunting Practices in Alaska - PETITIONS & PUBLIC COMMENTS DUE JULY 23



Ryan Zinke wants to allow extreme hunting methods in Alaska including hunting and trapping of bears, wolves, and other animals, baiting bears with bacon and donuts, wolf pups in their dens, and blinding hibernating bear cubs with bright spotlights and shooting swimming caribou from motor boats. Please leave a public comment and sign and share all of the petitions. 

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

Submit your personalized public comment HERE before July 23. 

TALKING POINTS (taken from Humane Society of the United States and Project Coyote):

  • I oppose the National Park Service's plan to repeal the 2015 rule which bans the killing of wolf and coyote families in their dens, the killing of hibernate bears and cubs in their dens while using artificial light, baiting of black and grizzly bears, shooting swimming caribou from motor boats and using dogs to hunt black bears. 
  • The practices outlawed by the 2015 rule are widely considered to be unethical and inhumane. They are also inconsistent with the Service's statutory conservation mandate. Consequently, the Service must not repeal this law. 
  • Native carnivores play a critical role in our ecosystem. They should be treated humanely and the important role that these animals play in balancing a healthy ecosystem should be acknowledged. 
  • The original rule was carefully deliberated and was based on the best available science. It was written after extensive public input. It should not be reversed.
  • The rule only prohibits practices in national preserves which is less than 6% of Alaska. This is not an unreasonable limitation on Alaskans access to hunting.
  • Baiting of bears is a dangerous practice. It can sicken bears, exposing them and other wildlife to human foods that can be deadly to them. This can also increase the likelihood of parasite transmission of other disease. It is not uncommon for adult or larger bears to prey on cubs or smaller bears at bait sites. Moreover, hunters usually stock bait sites for a month or longer prior to the commencement of hunting season to ensure that bears get used to coming. This eliminates any notion of "fair chase" hunting. Finally, baiting can be dangerous to other humans if hikers or unaware hunters accidentally come across a bait site as brown bears are known to aggressively protect a food source. 
  • For the foregoing reasons, please keep these prohibitions in place. 

PETITIONS:
** UPDATED JULY 21

Sierra Club



Monday, May 14, 2018

Celebrate Endangered Species Day


Celebrate Endangered Species by asking your Members of Congress to protect the Endangered Species Act which is under threat by a hostile Congress continually introducing bills, riders, poison pills and the like to undermine this important bill.

Please take 5 minutes this week to contact your representatives in Congress and ask them protect this law!

CALL: Find your Senators (contact information here) and your Representatives (contact information here). Call and tell the staff member who answers the phone that you are concerned about the Farm Bill and other pending legislation that threatens to undermine the Endangered Species Act and you would like your Member of Congress to commit to vote NO on all such legislation and to fight to protect the Endangered Species Act. 

EMAIL:  Email your Senators (contact information here) and your Representatives (contact information here) with the following script or write your own - 

Please vote NO on any legislation that undermines that Endangered Species Act or delists any particular species.  In particular, please watch out of bills, riders and poison pills that preclude judicial review for delisted species. These sorts of bills and riders weaken the Endangered Species Act and are at odds with the best available science. This Act has allowed us to protect biodiversity at a time when more and more plants and animals are going extinct every day. It is critically important to keep the Endangered Species Act strong and intact. 

TWEET:

Please fight to protect the Endangered Species Act! Reject riders, poison pills and any bills that undermine or weaken it. As we face the 6th mass extinction, we need the ESA strong and intact! 🐻🦁🐺🦋🐝🐍🐬 #wildlife #EndangeredSpeciesDay #EndangeredSpeciesAct

Retweet with Comment our tweet (above) and tag your senators (find their Twitter IDs here) and your Representatives (find their Twitter IDs here). If should look like this:




FACEBOOK: Leave a comment on the Facebook pages for your Members of Congress asking them to vote NO on any legislation that undermines the Endangered Species Act or delists any particular species.

RESISTBOT: Text 504-09 and type RESIST. The ResistBot will convert your texts to faxes to your Senators and representative. Please send a text to "Congress" and use the script above under "email" or write something in your own words. 

PETITIONS: Sign and share

Endangered Species Coalition
EarthJustice (Farm Bill targeting ESA)
Animal Welfare Institute (Farm Bill targeting ESA)
NRDC (Farm Bill targeting ESA)
WildEarth Guardians (Farm Bill targeting ESA)

Friday, May 11, 2018

PUBLIC COMMENTS: #SaveStumpy and the Wild Horses of Muddy Creek DUE MAY 20


Speak out for Stumpy and the wild horses of Muddy Creek! BLM is planning to round up these horses to make way for cattle. Please submit your public comments BY MAY 20 .

EMAIL YOUR PUBLIC COMMENTSblm_ut_pr_whb@blm.gov.  Write: 'Muddy Creek Wild Horse Gather Plan EA' in the subject line

WHAT TO SAY:

210,000 acres were lost when BLM merged Sinbad and Muddy Creek HMAs in 2008. Those 210,000 acres should be returned to wild horses. 

- Follow §4710.5 of the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burro Act of 1971, which pertains to the closure of (legally designated) wild horse and burro herd area for livestock grazing. It states in part that, "if necessary to provide habitat for wild horses and burros from disease, harassment or injury, the authorized officer may close appropriate areas of the public lands to grazing use by all or a particular kind of livestock." Grazing on public lands is a privilege, not a right. 


- Follow advice from geneticist Dr. Gus Cothran regarding maintaining genetic viability. 
Managing wild horses at low population levels leaves them vulnerable to a long range loss of genetic diversity. Per geneticist, Gus Cothran, the minimum wild horse and burro herd size is 150-200 animals. The AML recommendation of 75-125 will destroy the herd over time.

- There should be no roundups or use of PZP until BLM proves that there is overpopulation of wild horses.


How many cattle are on the public lands at issue? If only 195 wild horses are allowed on 283,400 acres? Will only a similar number of cattle be permitted? How does BLM ensure that ranchers accurately report the correct number of livestock?

- There should be an absolute ban on removing horses between foaling season which is between March and June.


SIGN AND SHARE THESE PETITIONS:

American Wild Horse Campaign

SPREAD THE WORD ON SOCIAL MEDIA: 

TWITTER: Retweet this account: Freedom4Horses
INSTAGRAM: DontDelistGrizzlies

Friday, March 2, 2018

PUBLIC COMMENTS: Save the California Desert DUE 3/22/08


The Trump administration wants to undo protections for 4.2 million acres of public lands in the California desert. Public comments are due before midnight on March 22, 2018. Please send your comments by email to BLM_CA_DRECP@blm.gov. Consider making a copy of your comments and also sending them to your members of Congress.

WHAT TO SAY:

I oppose the re-opening of the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (DRECP).

** IF YOU ARE A RESIDENT OF CALIFORNIA, please so indicate.

- The land at issue is the most intact wildlife habitat in the lower 48 state. It is critically important to keep this land protected, as laid out in the DRECP and as agreed to just 18 months ago by the federal agencies, the state of California, tribes, conservation groups, recreational groups and renewable energy developers.

- The DRECP is a carefully balanced plan which ensures continued protected of important habitat for wildlife while ensuring energy development on public land. 

- This unique desert landscape which is the subject of the DRECP is easily damaged and slow to heal. This was taken into account through eight years of intensive data collection and scientific studies as well as hundreds of public meetings and tens of thousands of public comments. All of these were ultimately considered and became the DRECP which has never been challenged in court. This is almost unheard of. 

- Reopening the plan would waste taxpayers money. The plan was just agreed upon less than 18 months ago and there have been no challenges to the plan. 

SIGN AND SHARE:

Center for Biological Diversity

Wilderness Society

CalWild

Defenders of Wildlife

California Desert National Conservation Lands

NRDC

Pew Trusts

NPCA



Monday, February 12, 2018

PUBLIC COMMENTS DUE 2/20: BAN NEONIC PESTICIDES


The EPA is taking public comment on four separate pesticides. You will need to compose a SINGLE PUBLIC COMMENT THAT CAN BE COPIED AND PASTED INTO THE FOLLOWING FOUR SEPARATE COMMENT FORMS. Comments are due by 11:59PM EDT on February 20, 2018

HERE

HERE

HERE 

and

HERE.

TALKING POINTS:

- I am very concerned about the use of neonic pesticides. Studies have shown that these pesticides have a detrimental impact on pollinators. Our food supply relies on pollinators to help produce fruits and vegetables. By negatively impacting bees - both managed and wild - neonic pesticides puts at risk not just bees but also our food supply. Bees and other pollinators supply up to 1/3 of the world's food supply.

- Studies have shown that neonic pesticides can drift and contaminate other areas as well as leach into the soil and our waterways. Once there, these pesticides can kill aquatic life and birds. Further, a study has recently shown that these compounds can cause migrating birds to lose weight and their sense of direction. 

- "Twenty-nine independent scientist who conducted a global review of more than 1,000 independent studies of neonicotinoids found overwhelming evidence linking [these] pesticides to declines in populations of bees, earthworms, butterflies and other wildlife." Accordingly, we should move to ban neonic pesticides at this time and no extend the use of these compounds in our environment. 

- Studies have found that neonicotinoids can be found in our drinking water and is found in many of our watersheds. The wide-spread use of these compounds is having a devastating impact on our ecosystem and should be restricted.

- Some studies have even questions whether neonicotinoids can harm developing brains of unborn human babies. This is simply too big of a risk to continue to allow these compounds in our environment without further research and further protection.

- For the foregoing reasons, I oppose the continued use of neonic pesticides.


SIGN AND SHARE ON TO THESE PUBLIC COMMENTS:

Center for Food Safety

Organic Consumer Association

Sierra Club

Center for Biological Diversity



Saturday, January 13, 2018

TWEET SHEET: #KillingIsNOTConservation


1) #Trophy film @TrophyTheFilm on @CNN @CNNFilms features hunters who claim #TrophyHunting aids in #wildlife conservation, but in truth, trophy hunting has minimal wildlife conservation benefit! 🐘🦁💔 http://bit.ly/2lFiSG9  #KillingIsNOTConservation #TW pic.twitter.com/hRlcPAqqIU

2) How can killing animals help conserve them? #TrophyHunting does not help #wildlife! http://bit.ly/2lFiSG9  #Trophy #KillingIsNOTConservation @TrophyTheFilm @CNN @CNNFilms 💔🦁 #TW #Trophy pic.twitter.com/XZh730azQu

3) .@TrophyTheFilm on @CNN @CNNFilms shows hunters who say #TrophyHunting benefits local economies but killing 1 #elephant costs $50k, while a living 🐘 can bring in $1.5M in conservation-friendly tourism http://bit.ly/2lFiSG9 #KillingIsNotConservation #TW

4) .@TrophyTheFilm on @CNN @CNNFilms features hunters who say #TrophyHunting provides economic benefits to local communities but studies show as little as 3% of 💰 from hunt goes to community! http://bit.ly/2lFiSG9 #Trophy #KillingIsNOTConservation #TW pic.twitter.com/6xsgwSewpb

5) .@TrophyTheFilm @CNN @CNNFilms features #rhino breeder who advocates selling horns of de-horned rhino to reduce #poaching; legalizing rhino horn trade lines pockets of elite NOT aid #conservation http://bit.ly/2lFiSG9  #TW #KillingIsNOTConservation pic.twitter.com/KnRWHw6RKc


6)  I stand with @BornFreeUSA and @BornFreeFDN: #TrophyHunting does not help conserve species because #KillingIsNotConservation! #TW #Trophy http://bit.ly/2lFiSG9  @TheLeadCNN @JakeTapper @CNN pic.twitter.com/xy4BiDZ8lc

7) Nature picks off the weakest, #TrophyHunting picks off the strongest. #KillingIsNotConservation #Trophy #TW pic.twitter.com/29XGdqwaTH

8) Over past several decades #TrophyHunting has been primary, in many cases ONLY method of conservation, in many countries and yet wildlife populations continue to plummet. How is that effective? @trophythefilm @CNN #KillingIsNotConservation #TW pic.twitter.com/H15TLWFUut

9) As we saw by the visceral reaction to Cecil the Lion, #TrophyHunting is simply not morally acceptable to most Americans. #KillingIsNotConservation #TW @TrophyTheFilm #Trophy @CNN pic.twitter.com/LfNPLCgdF6

10) Hey .@CNN @CNNFilms, wake up! @TrophyTheFilm is NOT the next #BlackFish. #KillingIsNOTConservation #Trophy #TW https://twitter.com/Voice_OT_Orcas/status/952290365972729856


11) Conservation groups urge .@CNNFilms and @CNN to reconsider airing @TrophyTheMovie bc it doesn't offer network's viewers an opportunity to see and hear counterviews to #TrophyHunting. #KillingIsNOTConservation #TW #Trophy http://bit.ly/2DvMlde

12) Trophy hunting can be linked to poaching. This can range from instances like with Cecil the lion, where hunters break law, to poachers using trophy hunting as a smokescreen for a more in depth poaching operation. #KillingIsNotConservation #Trophy #TW pic.twitter.com/GwfFbtlrdw

13) Over last 100 years, hunting has been main conservation method employed in many countries. If #TrophyHunting was so great for conservation, why have African lions declined by 95% since the 1940's? #KillingIsNotConservation #TW #Trophy pic.twitter.com/vBlC0n6Abl

14) .@TheEllenShow @DonCheadle @Alyssa_Milano @jimmykimmel @DebraMessing  Please speak out against @TrophyTheFilm, being shown on @CNN @CNNFilms without a counter view for viewers. #KillingIsNotConservation #Trophy #TW pic.twitter.com/GwfFbtlrdw

15) Americans overwhelmingly oppose #TrophyHunting! Animals are sentient beings and have a right to live. #KillingIsNotConservation #TW #Trophy 🐘🦁🐻 pic.twitter.com/sy5seNDUOx


Monday, January 8, 2018

PUBLIC COMMENTS DUE JANUARY 29: California Elk Management Plan


All public comments should be submitted no later than 5 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 29, 2018. Comments may be submitted online at ElkManagementPlan@wildlife.ca.gov.


TALKING POINTS: 

Thank you for the opportunity to submit public comment regarding the California Elk Management Plan. I am glad that the state has decided to make an effort to connect elk populations through out the state.

The plan refers to "management" in the plan. Indeed, this word is in the title. I am opposed to management to the extent that it includes culling or removing herds - particularly herds on public lands. 

Elk are native to California and are an important part of our state's ecosystems. They must be given precedence over other non-native animals, including cattle and livestock, as well as any agriculture, on public lands.