Two important bills in NJ have stalled, Zoo declaws lion so it can play with paid visitors, Trophy Hunters are Killing 70K Animals Every Year according to Business Insider and the Trump Administration helps it and so many more animal welfare issues to report on this week....

Two important bills that would help New Jersey’s animals have stalled in the State Assembly—and they won’t move forward without your voice.

• S.2674/A.4157 is legislation that would clarify the circumstances under which law enforcement may step in to save animals who aren’t properly tethered or are lacking shelter in bad weather. This crucial humane bill will also help ensure that seizures are executed correctly and animal cruelty is prosecuted.

Seizure of Animal Cruelty Victims (S. 2674/A. 4157):  This bill would clarify the circumstances under which law enforcement may step in to save animals who aren’t properly tethered or are lacking shelter in bad weather. This crucial humane bill will also help ensure that seizures are executed correctly and animal cruelty is prosecuted.

• S.1923 is legislation that would eliminate the automatic legal designation of “vicious” and “potentially dangerous” for dogs pulled from cruelty situations involving dogfighting. S.1923 would also protect rescuers and adopters from liability when they help these canine victims. In addition, it is hoped that by eliminating the harmful labeling of canine dogfighting victims, S.1923 will encourage dogfighting prosecutions.

Update to Dangerous Dog Legislation (S. 1923): This bill would eliminate the automatic legal designation of “vicious” and “potentially dangerous” for dogs pulled from cruelty situations involving dogfighting. S.1923 would also protect rescuers and adopters from liability when they help these canine victims. In addition, it is hoped that by eliminating the harmful labeling of canine dogfighting victims, S.1923 will encourage dogfighting prosecutions.

We’re emailing you today because our records show that you are the constituent of either New Jersey State Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin or have an assemblymember who may be especially influential with the Speaker.

Of all our advocates, your voice will be the most critical to helping these two bills advance. Please speak up today.

This isn’t breaking news. Trophy hunters have been decimating animal species like rhinos, lions, leopards, and elephants for decades. Between 2005 and 2014 alone, over 1.3 MILLION animal trophies were traded by trophy hunters.¹ And without our help, they could become extinct at a rapid pace.

But instead of taking action to protect these endangered species, Trump’s administration is working to make it easier to hunt them.

After all, Trump's kids are trophy hunters.
Regardless and last year, Trump’s administration overturned an Obama-era ruling to limit the import of wildlife trophies. 

Trump gave hunters the green light to slaughter lions and elephants and bring their bloody trophies back into the United States.

We’re ramping up pressure on this administration to bring back the life-saving trophy hunting ban.

Sign our petition to demand the Trump administration reinstate this life-saving trophy hunting ban.

Trophy hunters brag about slaughtering endangered African species. To them, these animals are nothing more than trophies.

But you and I know these animals are on the verge of extinction:

• All five species of rhino are critically endangered.
• 600 lions are killed every year by trophy hunters.2
• Almost all leopard species are facing extinction due to trophy hunting.
• Approximately 100 African elephants are murdered each day by trophy hunters.3

We might be one of the only things protecting endangered species from extinction. But we can’t save animals if we can’t stop one of the biggest factors killing them: trophy hunting.

And one of the ways to stop trophy hunting is to make it illegal for hunters to import their sick trophies into the United States. President Obama knew that, that’s why he implemented this trophy hunting ban in the first place.

We have to bring that trophy hunting ban back to save lions, elephants and other suffering species. That’s why we’re coming straight to our top supporters to help us.

Again, please sign your name to demand the Trump administration reinstate the trophy hunting ban.

Zoos, circuses, and amusement parks do a lot of disgusting things to make animals more ‘fit’ for human consumption. From coercing creatures into performing terrifying ‘tricks’, to forcing huge mega fauna to endure life in a cramped cage, the damage done to animals for the purpose of entertainment can be devastating. For every wildlife refuge trying to do right by the animals in their care, there are a dozen animal acts, traveling shows, and tourist traps willing to exploit animals at every turn. And just when you think the abuse can’t possibly get worse, it does.

A zoo in Rafah put the ‘Inhuman’ in ‘Inhumane’ this week, when reports surfaced that they had brutally declawed a lioness. According to Luxembourg News Outlet RTL, the park owners tossed a black bag over the animal’s head, shot her up with industrial-grade tranquilizer, and viciously hacked the claws down as far as they could go.

When asked about the gruesome procedure, The owner of the park stated that the declawing “was aimed at reducing the lion’s aggressiveness so that it would be friendlier to visitors.” Now, for a nominal fee, visitors at the zoo will be able to play with the lioness without fear. No doubt excited tourists will pull her, prod her, and terrify the poor thing ’till their hearts’ content.

News like this is enough to make anyone angry. A lioness should be free in the wild, and not subject to the whims and cruelties of those who would exploit her natural majesty. This lioness, named “Falestine” needs human help to escape her captivity. She has, quite literally, lost her means of protecting herself.

PETA Supporters Stand Up for Shelter Dogs Outside Westminster Dog Show PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals)

Dogs & Cat Left to Die of Thirst: Demand Justice. Sarah Wilson of Bradenton, Florida was recently arrested for moving out of her apartment and callously leaving her cat and two small dogs behind to suffer and die slow and agonizing deaths from dehydration. We must act now to ensure she pays with felony convictions and that she is never entrusted with animal companions again! TAKE ACTION

Stop Supporting Electrocution of Animals for Fur. People who care about animals nationwide were disappointed and horrified as they watched rapper Big Boi prance around on stage wearing a giant fur coat during his halftime performance at the Super Bowl. Fur-bearing animals suffer in cruel leg-hold traps or are anally electrocuted on fur farms, yet CBS continues to glorify fur on national television. We must put an end to this! TAKE ACTION

It's the Year of the Pig! Here Are 7 Reasons to Love Pigs. According to the Chinese zodiac, it's the Year of the Pig, so we'd like to celebrate by sharing seven heart-warming reasons to love them! READ MORE

Captive Belugas Finally Have a Sanctuary Option! The world's first seaside sanctuary for beluga whales is set to open in March of this year in a move that could ultimately turn the tide for captive cetaceans around the world. READ MORE

Mississippi Legislators Fail Animals and Their Advocates. The Mississippi Legislature can be challenging for animal advocates who propose new legislation on behalf of animals. Protective agricultural interests combined with the belief that animals exist solely for human use, often thwart attempts to implement meaningful changes for animals within the state. Already just this year, seven of the eight animal protection bills introduced have died in their respective committees so far. READ MORE

The Shocking Truth About What Happens to ‘Surplus’ Zoo Animals

Come Watch "What the Health" and Make Yummy Burrito Bowls - Free!  This shocking documentary about what BIG Agriculture and BIG Pharma are hiding from us about our health got people talking in a BIG way, and we’re bringing it to the Animal Rights Center! Join us for a fun time enjoying the film while we learn to make healthy, tasty, vegan burrito bowls. Bring your friends! Read more about the film here. Friday February 22nd, 5-7PM Animal Rights Center, 2425 Channing Way, Berkeley, CA What: Free film screening of What the Health and dinner When: Friday, February 22nd, 5-7 pm Where: Animal Rights Center, 2425 Channing Way, Berkeley, CA Check out the Facebook event page for more details. Are you vegan, with a story to share about the power of family and friendship at work for animals? We’re making an inspiring video about the power we have to create change in our daily lives, just by being open about who we are. If someone in your life influenced you to go vegan (or vice versa), and you can both interview in the Bay Area, please contact kecia@idausa.org.

1 | Humane Society of the United States | Trophy Hunting by the Numbers | Feb 2016
2 | National Geographic | Opinion: Why Are We Still Hunting Lions? | Aug 04, 2013
3 | World Elephant Day | Elephants

Don Lichterman
Sunset Corporation of America (SCA)
Sustainable Action Network (SAN)