campaign report winter 2013

7/29/2019 Campaign Report Winter 2013

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CAMPAIGN REPORT WINTER 2013SHOWCASING SAFES WORK IN NEW ZEALAND

Testing for party pills may benecessary but not on animals.Many of us were disgusted by the announcement late last year that the

government would not rule out animal testing as part of the regulation

process of psychoactive substances (most often referred to as legal highs or

party pills).

Tests, to check whether party drugs are safe for human consumption, would

involve extreme suffering and cruelty to both large and small animals (rats

and dogs) leading to pain, distress and protracted death. Using animals as

the subjects of tests for recreational drugs is both unethical and unnecessary,

especially as there are better, more modern alternatives available.

Leave animals out!

In response SAFE joined forces with the New Zealand Anti-Vivisection Society

(NZAVS) and the Royal New Zealand SPCA. Together we launched the new

campaign website leaveanimalsout.org.nz, ran online and paper petitions,were outspoken in the media, submitted and helped with submissions,

conducted a public opinion poll and did everything in our power to stop the

cruel tests.

Huge response: leave animals out!

With your help SAFE made sure the government understood the strength of

feeling against these abhorrent animal tests. With over 67,000 of you signing

the petition against the proposed testing of party pills on animals in just over

one month it really was a fantastic result!

In May the petition was delivered on the steps of Parliament, with many dogs

in attendance, including rescued laboratory dogs.

In response to the Select Committees decision not to hear the hundreds of

submissions against animal testing SAFE also attended an alternative hearing

with other animal advocates and the Green Party. While the Animal Welfare

Act may in theory be able to stop such tests taking place in New Zealand the

committees refusal to hear submissions on animal testing sti ll leaves it open

to manufacturers to have these cruel tests done overseas.

The bill is currently being considered and will be announced in July. In themeantime SAFE will keep up the pressure, pushing for a clause to be inserted

in the bill stating that results from animal testing cannot be used.

safe.org.nz

Photo courtesy of Jo Moore Photography

SAFE volunteer Jemma Keeley


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Historic EU ban shows way to endNew Zealands cosmetics cruelty

Animal testing: back onthe agendaAnimal testing is an important and highly charged topic but one that

has slipped somewhat under the radar in New Zealand over the last

few years. As you may know, SAFE was originally founded back in

1932 on this very issue. Now our Be Cruelty Free campaign, the

Psychoactive Substances Bill, and our important new education

resourceAnimals in Science, will ensure that the plight of laboratory

animals in this country will not be ignored.

In New Zealand around 300,000 animals are experimented on each

year, with tens of thousands suffering severe or very severe pain. Withnumbers this high, it is sometimes difcult to relate to these animals,

but we must remember each one is an individual as much as the

companion animals who share our homes.

SAFE strongly objects to animals being made to suffer as part of the

testing regime for recreational drugs threatened by the Psychoactive

Substances Bill. In coalition with the NZAVS and the RNZSPCA, were

campaigning to stop their use as test subjects.

SAFEs Be Cruelty Free campaign, in the meantime, is gaining

momentum, with many people sending an e-card to Prime Minister

John Key calling on him to support the global campaign to ban

cosmetic testing on animals. Our SAFE Shopper guide has become an

essential source of information for people seeking to buy non-animal-

tested cosmetics.

The fourth issue in SAFEs highly respected Animals & Us education

series is dedicated to animals used in science. This comprehensive

250-page textbook with DVD examines the ethical arguments and

looks at alternatives to animal experiments. A lot of time and nance

has gone into this stunning new education resource, as SAFE

believes that teaching young people compassion for animals is worth

every cent.

You can read more about these three aspects of animal testing in this

report. I am very pleased that the plight of animals in experiments is

starting to receive the attention it deserves. Wi th the help of people like

you, SAFE will remain a strong voice for all the animals who suffer in

silence behind the closed doors of our laboratories.

Hans Kriek

Executive Director

PS: If you enjoyed reading this report, please share it with friends

and family!

SAFE dates coming upA few key events coming up!

JUNE

26th JuneAnimals & Us: Animals in Science school resource launch

Animal Welfare Amendment Bill goes through Parliament

JULY

15-19 July Cruelty Free Week

25 July Be Cruelty Free petition handover

Date to be conrmed Psychoactive Substances Bill decision

AUGUST

Dont be in the dark: New Zealands Stop Factory Farming Month

OCTOBER

Go Veg Month

NOVEMBER2 NovemberSAFE AGM, Christchurch

Lets make no cosmetic testing on animals law in New Zealand!As the European Union implements its landmark ban on selling newly

animal-tested cosmetics, SAFE says New Zealand must urgently put

in place by its own ban to cruel and unethical animal tests now.

The historic EU ban means that in addition to the existing ban on

cosmetic tests, from 11 March 2013 onwards, anyone who wishes

to sell new cosmetic products and ingredients in the EU may not

test them on animals anywhere in the world. Similar bans have been

enacted in Israel, and are under discussion in India.

In New Zealand, animal testing for cosmetics is not explicitly required

by law, but neither is it prohibited and many big brands are selling

products tested on animals here. SAFE and Humane Society

International (HSI) launched the New Zealand arm of the global Be

Cruelty Free campaign in 2012 so that no rabbit, guinea pig or other

animal is subjected to distressing and painful testing for the sake of

beauty products.

Will you help SAFE achieve a ban on animal cosmetics testing and the

sale of cosmetics tested on animals? Sign the pledge and send an

e-card to John Key at safeshopper.org.nz !

EDITORIAL

Bridget White


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SAFEs Cruelty Free Week15-19 July 2013Animal testing is the ugly secret of the beauty industry. It is shocking to realise

that animals around the world are still being subjected to horric tests for

cosmetics by many of the big brands. It must stop.

15 July marks the start of New Zealands Cruelty Free Week, when we

will bring awareness to consumers about how many common cosmetics

and household products are still routinely tested on animals. We will be

showcasing New Zealands own guide to cosmetics not tested on animals,

the SAFE Shopper guide, and we are calling for New Zealand to ban

cosmetic testing on animals.

Our SAFE bunnies will be out on the street collecting signatures for our

petition, we will be sharing tips and giveaways and we have a very special

campaign with some well-known Kiwi faces.

Visit safeshopper.org.nz for more details of the Cruelty Free Week activities

and nd out how you can get involved!

Mandy Carter

Campaign Manager

NEW brands signed up withSAFE Shopper!We are delighted to announce that our latest update of SAFE Shopper

includes several new companies free from animal testing. Thin Lizzy,

Spa Ayurda, Tui Balms, Klin Isi and Luxuria are just some of the new

brands that have joined other ethical companies in declaring their

products and ingredients are not tested on animals.

From cosmetics to cleaning products, baby products and skin care, it

is so easy to be cruelty free nowadays!

Download the latest update of SAFE Shopper now at

safeshopper.org.nz

Know of a company not on SAFE Shopper? Businesses love hearingfrom their customers ask them to sign up using the handy letter on

the website.

Campaign manager Mandy Carter asks, How do you make sure you

are not hurting animals whilst being mindful of a small budget? We all

love a bit of luxury in our lives, but sometimes cost can be a concern

for many of us.

Read the full story at safenewzealand.org/

SAFE Talk: Cruelty free on a budget

BAREFACED FOR ANIMALS Angela Bloomeld, Ruby Higgins and Suzanne Paul

TURNING OUR BACKS ON COSMETIC TESTING


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Dont be in the darkTake part in New Zealands Stop Factory

Farming Month August 2013

Who would support practices such as cages or crates if they were truly

aware of the horrors of factory farming? Factory farming can only exist while

it is kept out of sight. To open wide the doors, the month of August has been

designated New Zealands rst Stop Factory Farming Month.

In order to increase awareness SAFE will be searching

for heroes for animals who can make a difference within

their own communities and networks, so the public is

no longer kept in the dark.

YOU can be a hero! During the Stop Factory Farming

Month SAFE is asking you to help spread the word.

Wear a t-shirt, a badge, put a bumper sticker on your

car or gift these to those who care. Use SAFEs

infographics, links from the SAFE website, share the videos, and invite

everyone to SAFEs Facebook page. Lets go another step further and get the

message out there!

Remember, every day in every way, small or large, you can make a difference.

Together, the actions of ordinary New Zealanders will stop factory farming.

Find out more about how you can get involved and take part at

StopFactoryFarming.org.nz

Shocking footage shows the true

meaning behind 100% NZ porkNew footage (April 2013) shot at a Canterbury pig

farm shows the appalling suffering of pigs in New

Zealand. Investigation group Farmwatch visited

the farm to document the conditions of the pigskept in farrowing crates and fattening pens. They

discovered pigs left dead and rotting, while others

displayed signs of lameness and bloody sores.

The conditions show complete disregard for the

welfare of the animals.

These images are reminders of why it is essential

to boycott all factory-farmed pork products. Read

the full story at safe.org.nz/stop-factory-farming/

SAFE Talk: Pig factory-farming cruelty in New Zealand: four

years on

Newly released footage of appalling conditions on a Canterbury pig

farm just released shows that pigs are not actually better off. Read the

full story at SAFE Talksafenewzealand.org/

Crippled and dyingIn December 2012 television viewers were

shocked by undercover images screened

on One News showing birds crippled and

unable to walk. The cruelty surrounding the

production of chickens reared for meat is

largely unknown. The chickens put on weight abnormally quickly which

causes health problems leading to nearly 10,000 dying every day in New

Zealand before they even reach slaughter weight at six weeks of age.

Latest news: safe.org.nz/stop-factory-farming

I am sickened and in disbelie that such a horrifc treatment

o animals is considered a legal practice in the country I call

home. It is up to us, the consumers, to speak up or those

who cannot, and stop actory arming.

Emmett Skilton

Actor (Almighty Johnsons)

Decision on battery hens condemnedThe abuse of battery hens is set to continue indenitely following the

release of the new code of welfare for layer hens (December 2012).

SAFE condemned the Government for its gutless, incompetent and

shortsighted decision to introduce the new colony battery hen cages;

cages that still do not allow hens to express their normal behaviours.

The National Government had the opportunity to

end the cruel connement of hens but failed to do

so. This is why Labours stance on colony cages

is so important. The egg industry will be reluctant

to invest millions of dollars in colony cages if they

believe a future government will ban them. Send

an e-card to the Leader of the Opposition, Labours David Shearer, to

say no! to cruel colony cages at StopFactoryFarming.org.nz

Cage dates review

Battery hen farmers have since successfully lobbied the National

Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) to review the transition

dates, as they want to use their cruel cages for longer. SAFE will do its

utmost to prevent the phase-out dates from being pushed back.

Cheap eggs come at the cost ofgood welfare

The latest issue of Consumer magazine reveals that the price ofeggs has in fact decreased over the last fty years due to the cruel

efciencies of industrialised farms.

Read the full article at consumer.org.nz

STOP FACTORY FARMING


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Speaking up for animals on the eve of

duck shooting season (May 2013), Waikato

resident and SAFE supporter Nabeal Ford

joined SAFE in calling for compassion and

respect for ducks. You dont need to hurt

an animal to prove anything, he says.

Just the opposite. I reckon a sign

of being a real man is looking out

for those who are more vulnerable.

SAFE deplores the deaths and

casualties that will be caused andsays it is time for duck shooters to

stop causing horric suffering to

thousands of ducks.

Make animal welfare avital concernThe review of the Animal Welfare Act is now in its nal stages and at

the time of writing the amendment bill is about to be introduced to

Parliament. Thank you to the many of you who made submissions on

the draft last year in support of SAFEs proposals! We now have one

more chance to shape the resulting legislation.

Do our laws protect animals?

As you know, our laws have let animals down badly. Despite the ofcial

line that animal welfare is a high priority for this government, the lack

of funding provided for animal welfare shows clearly the opposite is

in fact true. While the bill fails to address some of the worst welfare

problems faced by animals, SAFE has a vision for New Zealands path

to world-leading animal welfare.

With the backing of top legal advocates SAFE will be speaking to its

submission, and we strongly encourage supporters to make personal

submissions. There is an opportunity for outright bans on practices

such as cosmetic testing on animals, and SAFE will ght to close the

loopholes that allow legalised cruelty to animals within factory farming.

Take action!

Please call on your MP urgently to support the bill only if there is a real,

measurable benet to animals. Encourage your friends, family and

colleagues to do the same; it takes just a moment. Send a quick e-card

at animalwelfare.org.nz.

A positive outcome of the review process is that there is increasing

pressure on our politicians to recognise the importance of animal

welfare. There are daily media reports on animal welfare issues inspired

by SAFE awareness campaigns, all adding up to what I believe is

growing momentum to make real changes in how we treat animals.

We will keep you up to date on progress of the Bill through Parliament

and the opening of the public submission period. You can nd the

latest news on the SAFE website safe.org.nz/Campaigns/

Eliot Pryor

Campaign Director

Not all its cracked up to be: theAnimal Welfare Act reviewLawyer and SAFE board member Vernon Tava

presented a public talk in Wellington (April),

explaining why and how livestock animals can

still, legally, be treated in ways that would shock

most New Zealanders. View this video and otherSAFE clips at:

youtube.com/user/SAFEAnimalAdvocacy

Missing: bobby calvesThe fate of the calves born to dairy cows is one of the dairy industrys

dirty secrets. For the purpose of producing milk, cows need to be kept

in a continuous cycle of pregnancy and birth, but once their calves

are born there is no further use for many of them. They are treated as

mere waste products with little or no attention given to their welfare.

Shockingly, over 1.5 million calves are killed soon after birth every year in

New Zealand.

Find out more about bobby calves: safe.org.nz/Campaigns/

New Zealands live export crueltyIn January the largest ever shipment, 7,200 dairy cows, left our shores.

SAFE is very concerned about the welfare of New Zealand dairy cows

taken overseas. The journey to countries like China takes over 17 days

and is stressful for the many thousands of animals conned on the ships.

Animals are then subjected to 45 days quarantine upon arrival before

ending up on large dairy factory farms. It is likely that many of these

animals will be slaughtered under conditions that would be illegal in New

Zealand.

Find out more about live export: safe.org.nz/Campaigns/

Kindness not cruelty forNew Zealands ducks

CAMPAIGN NEWS


6/8

ANIMALS & USSAFEs new education resourceAnimals in Science launched

Animals in Science: Ethical arguments and alternatives

to animal experiments is the fourth issue in the popular

SAFE Animals & Us school textbook series.

This textbook was originally scheduled to be published in late 2011 but

Mother Nature had other ideas and the Canterbury earthquakes seriously

derailed progress. Nevertheless, SAFE Education Ofcer Nichola Kriek

continued to work away at it, despite all the upheaval, and we are delighted

to announce thatAnimals in Science was nally published this month.

It has been a long and bumpy road with numerous unforseen detours but

we got there in the end and are very proud to presentAnimals in Science to

New Zealand secondary schools, says Nichola.

As usual this has been a collaborative effort. SAFE has an amazing and

talented group of volunteers who have helped Nichola with all aspects of the

process: design, illustrations, DVD editing and creation, writing, research and

editing. A textbook of this calibre would normally require an entire team of

people but SAFE has only one person employed on this project.

The textbook contains four units of study that range from a Year 13 in-depth

research project into the validity of animal experiments to a Year 12 lesson on

animal sentience and a Year 11 lesson in cognitive ethology. There is also a

lesson that can be used in place of animal dissection for Years 9-10.

The use of animals in experiments is a controversial issue and one that

regularly comes under scrutiny. Around 300,000 animals are used in

experiments in New Zealand each year with over 40,000 animals involved in

experiments that cause severe or very severe suffering.Animals in Science

provides teachers and students with the opportunity to examine the ethics

and validity of animal experimentation. Every secondary school biology

department will receive free copies ofAnimals in Science.

For more informationaboutAnimals inScienceor the otherAnimals & Us textbooksplease contact:

[email protected]

It has been a long

and bumpy road with

numerous unforseen

detours but we got

there in the end and are

very proud to present

Animals in Science

to New Zealand

secondary schools.

EDUCATION

Nichola Kriek, SAFE Education Ofcer


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Keen to get involved in your area?E-mail [email protected] for more information

on volunteering!

Volunteer centres aregrowing FAST!More and more people are joining the nationalvolunteer programme.

SAFE currently has over 1700 volunteers registered nationwide and that

number is increasing every day. In the last year new SAFE groups have

popped up in New Plymouth, Tauranga, Whakatane and Gore! These centres

are run by local, dedicated SAFE volunteers who conduct a wide range of

activities, spread the word about helping animals in the community, increase

the chance of campaign success, and make a hard job fun!

Volunteer groups are an essential part of SAFE campaigning and help

achieve the goal of making a real difference to the treatment of animals in

New Zealand. Lasting friendships are often made through these groups,

as people nd common ground with others who have similar values.

Volunteering can be fun, rewarding and a great way to pick up new skills and

meet new people.

New volunteers are always welcome. Whether you can spare a little of your

time or a lot, we would love to hear from you! Contact SAFEs National

Volunteer Coordinator, Laura, at [email protected] for more information.

Lab animals impossible to ignoreWorld Laboratory Animals Day was on April 24th and a group of eager

Christchurch volunteers did not let this important date go unnoticed.

The group dressed up as laboratory animals and vivisectors and even

sat inside a cage for three hours to raise awareness of this very serious

issue. Members of the public were asked to sign the party pills petition

and given SAFE shopper cards to educate them about cruelty free

products. Well done, team!

Attracting attention inRound the BaysThe Auckland SAFE team did something a bit different this year:

running Round the Bays dressed as hens while carrying their own

battery cage. The dedicated volunteers braved the heat to weave theirway through the crowds, gaining a huge level of attention from other

competitors. Mayor Len Brown also pointed out the SAFE contingent

as they passed the start line!

The colourful team attracted a lot of attention throughout the run with

many of the public taking photos of the hens in the cage on mobile

phones. Lots of conversations about the cruelty of keeping hens

conned in tiny cages were overheard.

Fantastic fundraising &awareness effort!Julia Plank and her friends from Epsom Girls

Grammar School are great advocates for animals,

raising money and promoting awareness of

animal cruelty. The EGGS team spent a whole

week raising awareness and donations through various pursuits. Julia

reports, We performed a play in pig costumes and we also walked

around the school in pig costumes during two lunchtimes, asking

for donations with badges or bumper stickers for students who

donated. Finally, on the last day of our campaign we had a bake sale

my co-leader, Christine, even baked specially decorated cupcakes

with pig faces. Great work, girls!

Neve Soryl, Izzy Manakongtreecheep, Bridget White

Photo: Christine Ham and Rachel Sun

SAFE IN ACTION

Photo courtesy of Jo Moore Photography

Go Veg wonder woman triumphs!Dressed as Wonder Woman, triathlete Elaine Brent was a standout

entrant and 6th place overall winner in Wellingtons Round the Bays

Half Marathon. As SAFEs Go Veg entrant in the event, Elaine

demonstrated that a plant-fuelled diet allows her to achieve high-

performance, endurance performances.

There are no challenges to being vegan, just huge benets to my

health, my conscience and my sporting performance, Elaine said.

Join Elaine and take the pledge to go veg at GoVeg.org.nz


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SAFE is the voice for all animals in New Zealand. Our aim is to make signicant improvements in their lives by raising awareness, challenging

cruel practices, changing attitudes and fostering compassion so that they are no longer exploited or abused. For more information: safe.org.nz

CHRISTCHURCH 03 379 9711 PO BOX 13366 | AUCKLAND 09 361 5646 PO BOX 5750 | WELLINGTON 04 802 4461 PO Box 6442 | [email protected]

I am asking caring New Zealanders

like you to help us take a stand againstanimal testing.

Mandy Carter

Campaign Manager

THANK YOU for supporting our work to improve the

lives of animals in New Zealand.

Over 300,000 animals suffer in research facilitiesevery year, and this is not going to end unless we

speak up, buy compassionately and encourage others

to do the same. Your support will help us to give

animals like Spencer (pictured right) the hope of a

fullling and loving life.

Yes, you have my support to stop animal testing by donating:

l $35 l $50 l $75 Other $ l One-off lMonthly

lYes, I wish to become a member and receive a SAFE membership pack.

First name Surname

Address

City

Phone Mobile

Email Date of Birth

Credit Card Number nnnn nnnn nnnn nnnn Expiry nn nn

Cheque l I enclose my cheque payable to SAFE for $

Signature

Or you can make an online donation through online banking.

Account Number: SAFE 03 1558 0005198 01

I would like to know more about: l Volunteering l Leaving a gift to SAFE in my Will

DONATE TO HELP STOP ANIMAL TESTING

Your donation ensures SAFE continues to campaign against animal testing in New Zealand.

Post To: SAFE, PO BOX 13366, Christchurch 8141

HELP STOP ANIMAL TESTING!

Your

donation

makesa

difference!

campaign report winter 2013

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