Advocacy group filing formal cruelty complaint with authorities today

SAN FRANCISCO, CA (April 11, 2006) – East Bay Animal Advocates (EBAA) released details this week of its three-month investigation into conditions at a rabbit-processing plant in Northern California. The investigation sheds light on one of the meat industry’s best-kept secrets and will introduce many consumers to the abuses suffered by what is perhaps the only species Westerners routinely regard as both a companion animal and a meal.

From February to April 2006, EBAA documented conditions at the Cloverdale Rabbit Company, California's second-largest commercial rabbit-meat slaughterhouse. EBAA investigators discovered high stocking densities of cages, unsanitary living conditions and sick rabbits denied veterinary care. This project marks the first time an animal welfare organization has investigated the rabbit-meat industry in the United States.

Today, EBAA is filing a formal cruelty complaint with the San Benito County authorities for further investigation of the Cloverdale Rabbit Company. In addition to denying rabbits proper healthcare while they are kept at their facility, the Cloverdale Rabbit Company is in violation of Section 597t of the California State Penal Code, which requires that confined animals have adequate exercise space.

Each year more than 8 million rabbits are raised and slaughtered for their meat by approximately 200,000 producers across the country. Known primarily as a cottage industry, American rabbit-meat production is largely unregulated by the federal, state and local authorities and removed from the public eye. The United States Department of Agriculture groups rabbits together with poultry for inspection purposes. Like poultry, meat rabbits are denied legal protection by the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act.

EBAA has set up a special Web site dedicated to its investigation of the rabbit-meat industry and outlining steps the public can take to help improve the lives of these abused animals. Visitors can log onto www.rabbitproduction.com for details.

Video footage available for the media.

East Bay Animal Advocates is a non-profit organization based in the San Francisco Bay Area. California is home to one of the most industrious and concentrated animal agriculture areas in the world. Exposing animal cruelty in modern agriculture is of utmost importance to East Bay Animal Advocates. Through direct aid and education outreach, East Bay Animal Advocates is dedicated to fighting and preventing animal abuse in California's agricultural industry. EBAA’s Web site is www.eastbayanimaladvocates.org.

The U.S. House of Representatives is considering legislation, H.R. 4904, the Truth in Fur Labeling Act of 2006, which would close a loophole that allows garments featuring fur valued at less than $150 to be sold without identifying it as animal fur or specifying the species of animal or country of origin. Without proper labeling, consumers can't always tell if an item contains real fur or faux fur -- and today's processing techniques make it nearly impossible for consumers to tell the difference.

That's why a simple, honest label is so important. By requiring a label, H.R. 4904 will allow consumers to make educated choices about whether or not to wear fur.

Please make a quick, polite phone call to your U.S. Representative and urge him or her to support and co-sponsor H.R. 4904. You can reach your Representative by calling the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121, or visit https://community.hsus.org/humane/leg-lookup/search.html to find your Representative's office phone number.

For more information, please visit http://www.hsus.org/legislation_laws/federal_legislation/wildlife/2006_truth_in_fur_labeling_act.html

Each year, more than nine billion chickens, turkeys, other birds and rabbits are slaughtered without the protection of the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act, simply because the U.S. Department of Agriculture doesn't recognize these animals as "livestock."

Recently, The Humane Society of the United States, along with East Bay Animal Advocates and five poultry consumers, filed suit challenging the USDA's exemption of poultry slaughter from the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act. Please join us in urging the USDA to reverse this arbitrary policy. Tell Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns to fulfill his responsibility to ensure that all animals, including rabbits and birds, are treated humanely.

The Honorable Michael O. Johanns
Secretary of Agriculture
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Jamie L. Whitten Federal Building
12th Street and Jefferson Drive S.W., Rm. 200-A
Washington, DC 20250
agsec@usda.gov
202-720-3631
202-720-2166 (fax)

Natural Pet Market, which sells all-natural dog and cat food, is now selling raw rabbit meat. They also sell rabbit ears as chew treats. Jan Rebmann of the Chicago HRS is asking people to contact the retailer and express their disgust.

The email contact is: info@naturalpetmarket.com

If you want to mail letters for more impact, their address is:

Natural Pet Market
263 Rice Lake Square
Wheaton, IL 60187

Jan writes:

Also, if you email a letter, please cc: or blind copy me at hrsjan@aol.com so that I can print them out and collect them to take to [Natural Pet Market] when I get enough of them. I just want to show her that it's not worth it.

THANK YOU!!

Jan Rebmann
Educator /Fosterer
Chicago House Rabbit Society

This organization is an excellent resource for learning how you can help stop cruelty to animals! http://www.api4animals.org/

A recent episode of the television program "Wife Swap" depicted a woman mishandling a rabbit: holding the bun by the scruff of his neck and shaking him.

If you saw this episode, please contact the network, ABC, to complain and let them know that rabbits are sensitive animals who should never be handled this way.

You can use this form:

http://abc.go.com/site/contactus.html

Be sure to mention you will NOT be supporting the companies that advertise on the show.

Thank you.

A U.S. District Judge has ruled that a lawsuit filed by The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and East Bay Animal Advocates (EBAA) demanding that the USDA include poultry in the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act can continue.

This is also good news for rabbits, since the USDA classifies these animals as poultry. (Rabbits are not specifically named in the lawsuit, but EBAA and HSUS are confident that including poultry in the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act will benefit rabbits who are bred and raised for their flesh.)

San Francisco Animal Care & Control Presents The 13th Annual Pet Pride Day

Sunday, October 28, 2007
Sharon Meadow, Golden Gate Park

Pet Costume Contest
Pet Trick Competition
Working Animal Demonstrations
Animal Rescue Groups
Pet Product Vendors
Education and Game Area for Kids
Raffles for Fabulous Prizes
All Kinds of Adoptable Animals - from Chickens to Chinchillas!
Pet Pride Day is a fun-filled day of entertainment, education and information for everyone with two - or four - legs. Come meet the San Francisco Animal Cops - the stars of Animal Planet's hit TV series, "Animal Cops San Francisco".

Dear Friends,
Buns Day 3 was a huge success! If you attended--thank you! If you missed it, well, you missed a great event and we missed you! Buns Day is a major annual fundraising event for SaveABunny and we are well on our way to reaching our goal of $6,000. It's never too late to be a part of this special event, so if you'd still like to make a donation, we would be very grateful.

Many, many thanks to Jill Harris, co-owner of Inform Pilates and creator of Buns Day. Jill is a SaveABunny adopter and volunteer. Buns Day 3 was exquisite in all the little details and radiated Jill's love of rabbits, her professionalism and her expertise within the fitness community. THANK YOU!

Picture soft, white votive candles flickering in a spacious room elegantly decorated with tender sprays of flowers. Customized "SaveABunny.com" yoga mats of purple or blue were artfully arranged for participants to use and keep along with fresh, fruited water. The silent auction was packed with spa, health and beauty packages both sinfully decadent and yet ecologically friendly. Bargains and delights for all

We are grateful to leading Bay area fitness experts from Inform Pilates, E. A. Morgan of Strong Heart/Strong Body Personal Training, Jennifer Jeffries of the Daley Method and KK Ledford of Yoga Tree Hayes for donating their services to teach a multi-discipline "buns" focused 1.5 hour workout.
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In addition to the only and only Jill Harris, many thanks to the SaveABunny volunteers who helped to make Buns Day such a warm and welcoming event, Sari, Carly and Samantha your dedication, playfulness, and willingness to help with set-up , clean up and everything in between helped beyond measure to make the event a success.

Thanks also to Joann, Candace, Sheri, Caitlin, Rob, Christian, Leslie, Lisa H, Lisa Z, , Jennifer and Steve, Francesca, Wendy,Ashley, Kara and Rob for your help and support!

On behalf of the bunnies...THANK YOU!

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Please join us for a fun and heart-warming day of Pilates classes followed by a silent auction with just the right mix of pampering and political correctness! See email below for details!

When: Sunday December 3, 2006 at 10:30.
Where: 580 Hayes Street (Formerly Hayes Valley Market on the corner of Hayes and Laguna in San Francisco [MAP]
Cost: $55.00 per person (additional donations welcome)
What You Get: 1.5 hour workout followed by a silent auction featuring spa, health and beauty packages. The class will be taught by Inform Pilates, E. A. Morgan of Strong Heart/Strong Body Personal Training, Jennifer Jeffries of the Daley Method and KK Ledford of Yoga Tree Hayes Participants will receive a customized yoga mat.

Space is very limited, so reserve your place today! Please email informsf@yahoo.com for more information and to RSVP, or call Inform Pilates at 415-431-3676. No experience necessary!

Or...stay home, eat some pumpkin pie, and send a nice donation to avoid breaking a sweat! Either way,you will help buns---yours and ours.

Why: Buns Day is a Bay Area tradition to raise much needed medical funds for injured and abused rabbits. Last year we raised $4000. This year's goal is to raise $6,000+ We have many special needs rabbits needing surgery and medical carewho would otherwise have been euthanized at Bay Area shelters.

BUNS DAY will be a lot of fun, with a great workout for a great cause. There are fantastic items to be had for auction. Items include:

GET FIT: Value $835 Starting Bid: $500
5 Private Pilates Sessions at InForm, 3 Personal Training sessions with Karen Dantzler at InForm, 5 Dailey Method classes, 11 Class Card at Yoga Tree Hayes

GET NUTRITIONAL ADVICE & MEALS: Value $450 Starting Bid: $270
Nutritional Consultation and Metabolic Testing with Discovery Channel's Fit TV Diet Doctor Melina Jampolis. Five two-course dinners from Dining In, the personal chef service that delivers to you.

GET PAMPERED - 3 DIFFERENT OPTIONS

Package A - Value $242 Starting Bid: $145
Take advantage of the best Hayes Valley has by enjoying a Mani/Pedi at Azalea's Z Beauty Lounge; half-hour facial at Lucid Beauty; haircut with Annika at Hair of the Gods and a Propoline gift bag from Gaia Tree
Package B - Value $216 Starting Bid: $130
Same as package A, but gift bag is slightly different
Package C - Value $80
Enjoy the massage of your choice at Marilyn Jaeger Skincare Studio

GET WELL - 2 OPTIONS

Package A - Value $205 Starting Bid $123
Acupuncture evaluation and treatment with Robin Germain; cranial-sacral massage with Leni Mostaghim
Package B - Value $320 Starting Bid $192
Visit Cloud's Rest Healing Center for both a Chiropractic evaluation and treatment and an Acupuncture evaluation and treatment; Thai Massage with Julia Johnson

GET WALKING - Value $245 Starting Bid: $147
MBT Lifestyle Shoe in Red or Blue. These shoes facilitate optimal posture and gait.

GET A WORKOUT AT HOME - Value $156 Starting Bid: $94
Balanced Body accessories, tape and workout book

GET COMFY - 3 PACKAGES

Package A - Value $128 Starting Bid $77
Karen Neuburger Holiday Pajamas Size M; Throw Blanket
Package B - Value $113 Starting Bid $68
Karen Neuburger Pajamas Size L; Socks; Journal; Thank You Cards
Package C - Value $110 Starting Bid $66
Karen Neuburger Pink Ribbon Pajamas Size S; Slippers; Scrapbook Paper

GET HAPPY - Value $55 each (2) Starting Bid: $33
Magnum of Domaine Dehours Grande Reserve Brut

GET DRESSED - Value $50 Starting Bid: $30
Lucy Activewear Gift Certificate

GET TREATS - Value $50 Starting Bid $30
Citizen Cake Gift Certificate

GET CAFFEINATED - Value Approximately $125 Starting Bid $75
Starbucks Gift Basket

Other items will be listed closer to the date of the event. If you are interested in putting a bid on anything in advance, please don't hesitate to email me at informsf@yahoo.com with your bid amount, address and phone number.

Your buns will thank you!

Jill Harris, co-founder of Inform Pilates Studio is a long-time volunteer/ foster with SaveABunny. She lives in San Francisco with her husband and three companion rabbits, Mooshie, Rocky and Ansel.

Click here to download the flyer! (PDF)

Email informsf@yahoo.com for more information, or call Inform Pilates at 415-431-3676.

~~ Pet portraits with Santa! ~~
All proceeds benefit SaveABunny

Come in and have you pet's picture taken with Santa!

~~Only $10~~

All companion animals are welcome to join the fun.
Dogs must be on leash, and all other animals in carriers, please.

You get a fun holiday photo, and help to save bunny lives!

We will also have playful, loving rabbits waiting to find their forever homes.

Have a question about rabbit care? Come and ask your questions. We're here to help!

You can also shop for reasonably priced goodies for your companion animal with a clear conscience.

Unlike many other pet stores, PetFoodExpress does NOT sell animals, but rather supports the work of rescue groups, such as ours.