World: Donor update - Three huge victories in just one month!

From: Ingrid E. Newkirk <DonorE@peta.org>

Date: Sun, Dec 15, 2013 at 6:00 AM
Subject: Donor update: Three huge victories in just one month!

Dear Liz, 2013 has been a tremendous year for animals, thanks to the dedication of PETA's more than 3 million members and supporters. Through the groundbreaking efforts of PETA and our international affiliates during recent weeks alone, countless rabbits, pigs, mice, goats, and other animals will be spared horrific suffering and abuse this holiday season. The angora used to make sweaters, hats, and other clothing items comes from the fur of long-haired angora rabbits, and 90 percent of angora wool is produced in China, where PETA Asia's recent shocking investigation revealed that workers ripped the fur from rabbits' skin in handfuls while they were conscious and screaming. More than 3 million people have viewed the disturbing video footage from this exposé, and thousands have pledged through PETA's website never to buy angora. This new investigation has not only shaken our supporters but also made waves throughout the fashion world. Some of the world's largest fashion retailers, including H&M, Esprit, and New Look have temporarily suspended angora production over animal-welfare concerns, and we're hopeful that growing pressure from caring people around the globe will inspire these and other companies to enact a full and permanent ban on angora products very soon. Another terrific victory for animals comes on the heels of this summer's exciting announcement that India—one of the world's largest consumer markets—has ended animal tests for cosmetics and their ingredients, following PETA's and PETA India's campaigning and lobbying efforts, which were supported by government officials. In the months since that first announcement, PETA India has been working with Indian officials and others to push the government to expand these new regulations to ban the importation of cosmetics that have been tested on animals in other countries as well. We're happy to share the news that India's Drugs Technical Advisory Board has recommended that government officials do just that, a move that we hope means that India will soon be joining the EU and Israel in banning both the testing of cosmetics on animals and the sale of cosmetics that were tested on animals abroad. Finally this month, after more than two years of discussions—and intense campaigns by PETA and our international affiliates during which nearly 30,000 people around the world took action—the Polish armed forces have told PETA that they have replaced trauma training exercises, during which animals were stabbed, injured, and killed, with medical simulators. They cited the information that PETA gave them about the benefits of modern human-simulation technology and the concerned letters that they received from supporters of PETA and its international affiliates as inspiring their decision. With this announcement, the Polish military joins 22 other NATO countries (out of 28) that don't harm or kill animals in military drills. For a critically wounded soldier, having access to a well-trained medical-care provider can mean the difference between life and death. Yet despite numerous civilian and military studies documenting how modern human-patient simulators better prepare soldiers to perform lifesaving procedures than does cutting up animals, the U.S. military continues to shoot, stab, and mutilate pigs and goats in cruel training exercises. If you haven't already done so, please contact Pentagon officials and urge them to follow the lead of Poland and halt these terrible training drills. Your support is what makes every one of PETA's many victories for animals possible. Thank you for everything that you do for animals both during this holiday season and throughout the year. Kind regards, Ingrid E. Newkirk President

Terrific Victory for Seals! In the latest blow to Canada's horrific annual slaughter of baby seals, the World Trade Organization (WTO) has rejected the country's ridiculous claim that the slaughter can be humane and ruled that the EU can continue to ban the import of seal fur and other products. Since there are now no remaining markets for seal fur, the WTO's ruling may be the final nail in the sealing industry's coffin. Visit our blog to learn more about this terrific news and how you can keep pressure on the Canadian government to end the slaughter. India to End Elephant Use in Circuses Following a nine-month investigation of circuses across India, which was conducted by a team that included representatives from PETA India, the Animal Welfare Board of India has announced that it has "decided to stop registration of elephants for performance under [the] Performing Animals Rules in view of huge cruelties and abuse suffered by them," a move that effectively ends the use of elephants in circuses throughout India. PETA.org has more about this wonderful victory for elephants.

RuPaul RuPaul was going to be thrown off the courthouse roof in Yellville, Arkansas, by a woman who vowed "to get back at PETA" because we stopped the city's annual "turkey drop," in which turkeys were hurled from airplanes. A PETA staffer intervened, and RuPaul was adopted by a compassionate couple in Ohio. Curious and affectionate, she enjoys cherry tomatoes and purrs when her neck is stroked. Download your FREE desktop wallpaper of RuPaul here. New on Our Blog Government Moves to Reduce Captive Bears' Suffering PETA Joins the World in Mourning Nelson Mandela How 550,386 Stickpins Got People to Stop Wearing Fur

Seal: © Sea Shepherd Conservation Society RuPaul: © Janet Yosay  Add DonorE@peta.org to your address book. This e-mail was sent by PETA, 501 Front St., Norfolk, VA 23510 USA.