Please sign the UDAW Petition/ Happy Thanksgiving

Nov. 27 /08

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to all my American friends!

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Nov. 23 /08

Have any of you heard of The Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare (UDAW)?

It is a proposed agreement between countries to respect the needs of animals, both wild and domesticated, and to end animal cruelty all over the world.

The World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) is trying to get the United Nations to adopt the Declaration, just like the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted.

We know that there's a big difference between adopting a declaration and implementing it. But it's a start in working together for a global effort to establish standards for the humane treatment of all animals.

I sure want to help make that happen, don't you? You and I are lucky. We are loved and enjoy all the comforts of life. But there are so many animals out there who are abused, who are losing their natural habitats and whose existence is ignored because of what some people think are more important issues.

More than 1 billion people rely on animals for their livelihood, but can't afford to give them healthy living conditions.

If adopted, the Declaration would make the protection of animals an international issue. It would declare that humans are responsible for animal health and welfare, and would encourage governments to introduce animal protection legislation separately, or, for example, as part of environmental policy-making.
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I think that's a great idea, not just for the animals, but for humans too. You just have to read about the sickly farm animals that are shot up with vaccines, hormones and antibiotics which make their way into human food. So the declaration would have a major impact on both animals and humans the world over.

This is what the WSPA says the adoption of the Declaration would achieve:

Encourage governments to improve and enforce national animal welfare legislation by providing a benchmark.
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Recognize that animal welfare is a key factor in humanitarian and environmental policy making.

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Encourage industries which use animals to keep welfare at the forefront. Acknowledge the risks to animals caused by environmental factors such as climate change, habitat loss and pollution.

Create a more compassionate global attitude to animal welfare, including their needs and habitats.

A declaration would also enhance the lives of over 1 billion people who rely on animals for their livelihoods, and the countless others who look to animals for companionship.

A UDAW would work for human health – animal welfare contributes to sustainable farming systems and the improvement of human food safety.

We have to help the poor, who use animals for their livelihood, to treat their animals humanely.

The scale of suffering for animals in the world today is unprecedented.

Around 60 billion farm animals are used each year globally to produce meat, milk and eggs. The majority are raised in industrial farming systems where their welfare needs are not met.

Globally, there are some 600 million dogs, and a similar number of cats, of which an estimated 80% are stray or unwanted.

The illegal and often inhumane trade in wildlife and wildlife parts is a soaring black market worth $10 billion a year, exceeded only by arms and drug smuggling. Millions of wild animals are killed, captured or traded inhumanely.

An estimated 80% of power input on farms in developing countries is supplied by draught animals, however the resources made available are often woefully inadequate, leading to significant welfare issues.

Animals are also affected on a huge scale by natural disasters, though seldom considered.

To learn more go to: http://www.animalsmatter.org

We were asked by the WSPA to help circulate a petition asking the Canadian government to support the Declaration. People from all over the world, not just Canada, have signed. So we're asking you to lend your support too. Please take a moment and add your name the list of people who are urging Canadian legislators to be among the governments who will make it illegal to abuse animals.

Please Sign the petition >>

Thanks friends.