ECC NEWS
Saving Little Lives
Sunday, February 17, 2008
On Monday, February 18th, Empty Cages Collective volunteers rescued 11 white mice - two mothers, a father, and eight babies - from certain death in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn. The mice were destined to be dinner (for reptiles) or simply abandoned. Empty Cage Collective volunteers found out about the family in need when a New York City Craigslist Ad offered the little ones to anyone who would take them - for any reason - for free. Our fears for the mice's welfare were well-founded. The mice were being used as food for snakes before their "owner" abandoned the snake. Furthermore, the animals offered in "Free" advertisements on Craigslist have a history of enduring abuse. For example, on September 16th, 2007 a man in San Antonio, Texas tortured, mutilated, and disemboweled three gray tabby cats. All of the cats were obtained from Craigslist postings.
Mice are intelligent, sensitive, and clean animals who often get the short end of the compassion stick. Whether it be due to experimentation, the pet trade, cruel methods of "pest" control, or a general attitude of disregard and distaste, mice suffer immensely and die unnecessarily en masse in this culture. For mice deemed "feeders" for exotic "pets" (who shouldn't be imprisoned in captivity to begin with), life means overcrowding, lack of stimulation in their small cages, lack of veterinary care and an unnatural death. Rodents in the wild have the opportunity to escape their natural predators, whereas "feeder" mice and rats never do. White mice are purposefully bred for docility, making them less prepared for an encounter with a snake, lizard, or other predator. They are the unmentioned victims of the exotic animal pet trade.
Luckily for these mice, their future includes clean spacious surroundings, wheels, toys, nutritious food, companionship with members of their own species, fresh water, and compassion from humans. We are looking for good, permanent homes for them. If you would like to donate to their care or are interested in adoption, please contact us at emptycagescollective@gmail.com or 1 800-880-2684.
If you would like to help other rodents, please get involved to rid do-it-yourself improvement store Lowes of cruel glue traps. From the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals website:
"Glue traps are among the cruelest pest-control devices on the market today. Animals who get stuck to them suffer for days before they finally die of starvation, dehydration, self-mutilation, and shock. Patches of skin, fur, or feathers are torn from their bodies as they frantically struggle to escape the relentless adhesive.
Many animals resort to chewing off their own limbs in a desperate attempt to free themselves from the traps, and others get their noses, mouths, or beaks stuck in the glue and suffocate. Imagine being stuck in a giant glue trap and having to gnaw off your own leg just to break free.
PETA has presented Lowe's with graphic photos and video footage of small animals, including birds, who suffered painful injuries and died lingering deaths after being ensnared by the cruel traps. But so far, not this, nor the fact that other companies--including CVS, Rite Aid, Albertsons, and Safeway--have banned glue traps because they are so cruel has persuaded Lowe's to do the right thing and get rid of them once and for all."
Please take a moment to write, call AND Fax to the individuals below urging them to stop selling glue traps.
Patti Price, SVP
Robert Niblock, CEO
Lowes
1000 Lowe's Boulevard
Mooresville, NC 28117
1-800-445-6937
704-757-0611 (fax)
Saving Little Lives
Sunday, February 17, 2008
On Monday, February 18th, Empty Cages Collective volunteers rescued 11 white mice - two mothers, a father, and eight babies - from certain death in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn. The mice were destined to be dinner (for reptiles) or simply abandoned. Empty Cage Collective volunteers found out about the family in need when a New York City Craigslist Ad offered the little ones to anyone who would take them - for any reason - for free. Our fears for the mice's welfare were well-founded. The mice were being used as food for snakes before their "owner" abandoned the snake. Furthermore, the animals offered in "Free" advertisements on Craigslist have a history of enduring abuse. For example, on September 16th, 2007 a man in San Antonio, Texas tortured, mutilated, and disemboweled three gray tabby cats. All of the cats were obtained from Craigslist postings.
Mice are intelligent, sensitive, and clean animals who often get the short end of the compassion stick. Whether it be due to experimentation, the pet trade, cruel methods of "pest" control, or a general attitude of disregard and distaste, mice suffer immensely and die unnecessarily en masse in this culture. For mice deemed "feeders" for exotic "pets" (who shouldn't be imprisoned in captivity to begin with), life means overcrowding, lack of stimulation in their small cages, lack of veterinary care and an unnatural death. Rodents in the wild have the opportunity to escape their natural predators, whereas "feeder" mice and rats never do. White mice are purposefully bred for docility, making them less prepared for an encounter with a snake, lizard, or other predator. They are the unmentioned victims of the exotic animal pet trade.
Luckily for these mice, their future includes clean spacious surroundings, wheels, toys, nutritious food, companionship with members of their own species, fresh water, and compassion from humans. We are looking for good, permanent homes for them. If you would like to donate to their care or are interested in adoption, please contact us at emptycagescollective@gmail.com or 1 800-880-2684.
If you would like to help other rodents, please get involved to rid do-it-yourself improvement store Lowes of cruel glue traps. From the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals website:
"Glue traps are among the cruelest pest-control devices on the market today. Animals who get stuck to them suffer for days before they finally die of starvation, dehydration, self-mutilation, and shock. Patches of skin, fur, or feathers are torn from their bodies as they frantically struggle to escape the relentless adhesive.
Many animals resort to chewing off their own limbs in a desperate attempt to free themselves from the traps, and others get their noses, mouths, or beaks stuck in the glue and suffocate. Imagine being stuck in a giant glue trap and having to gnaw off your own leg just to break free.
PETA has presented Lowe's with graphic photos and video footage of small animals, including birds, who suffered painful injuries and died lingering deaths after being ensnared by the cruel traps. But so far, not this, nor the fact that other companies--including CVS, Rite Aid, Albertsons, and Safeway--have banned glue traps because they are so cruel has persuaded Lowe's to do the right thing and get rid of them once and for all."
Please take a moment to write, call AND Fax to the individuals below urging them to stop selling glue traps.
Patti Price, SVP
Robert Niblock, CEO
Lowes
1000 Lowe's Boulevard
Mooresville, NC 28117
1-800-445-6937
704-757-0611 (fax)