Conference misery::feline_v1

    I've heard of them.  I get their stuff too.  I just
    throw it out without opening it.  While most Humane
    Organizations use 'unpleasant' pictures to show
    what is being done to animals, if find IFAW's to be
    way out of line.  I question the tactics of an org-
    anization that sensationalizes to this degree.
    Did you get the pictures of the Korean family with
    the dog that they 'hung' from the tree before eating?
    
    However,  I did recently read somewhere of an
    IFAW representative who's been instrumental in
    reducing/eliminating the slaughter of baby seals.
    When reading that article IFAW seemed like a respectable
    enough organization.
    
    My feeling is that I'd like to direct my efforts ($)
    towards the United States.  Greenpeace is the only
    international organization that I support.
    
    See note #276 for previous discussion on this.
    
    Donna

    Yes, I have heard of them too and have sent them $25.00.  Ever since
    then I get mail from them.  It breaks my heart to see the pictures
    they send and I can't afford to keep sending money so I throw it
    out without opening it.
    
    Linda

    Oops..I take that back.
    
    It wasn't the International Fund for Animals it was the World Wildlife
    Fund that I send money too.  
    
    Linda

    Re: .3

        WWF doesn't send out horrible pictures, although the news articles
    they carry about disappearing species and so forth are sad.  They
    are much more oriented towards global wildlife issues (disappearing
    rain forests and so forth) than lab animal usage and the like.  No
    need to avoid opening stuff from them.
    
    

    Now that you mention WWF,  maybe it was them who I read
    the article about (mentioned in .1) being instrumental
    in the fight to stop killing baby seals?  
    
    D.

    re.4?
    the letter i got was from the IWAF  out of yarmoth,mass.
    now i dont have my fact straight here but from what i gathered
    from the mailing was that these animals were being killed in extremely
    horrible ways for dog food meat.i talked to my roommate about it
    and he was under the assumption that they were being killed for
    human consumption.
    i dont feel that i have the right to go to another country and protest
    what they eat(if it is their custom),but i guess i can protest about
    how they go about getting it.
    
    i was basically wondering if the pictures were there for"shock"
    value and if IWAF was above board.
    
    kelly

    As long as we're wandering slightly off the topic of felines, I'll
    tell you about something I saw today -- an article in this month's
    Smithsonian magazine about how many wild animals are dying because
    of plastic rubbish.  I knew that birds and small animals sometimes
    got their heads caught in the plastic things from soda 6-packs,
    but I didn't realize that things like plastic bags, plastic "peanuts"
    used in packing, and plastic "onion" bags are all deadly.  They
    can either trap animals or be swallowed by them.  I've been cutting
    up my six pack holders for quite awhile so that nothing can get
    caught in them.  I'm going to be a lot more careful to use as little
    plastic as possible.  The pictures were really very sad.
    
    I should also mention that the Yoplait yogurt cartons that are narrower
    on top than on the bottom have also been reported to trap animals.
    When I used to buy Yoplait, I cut the cartons in half vertically
    before throwing them away.
    
    

    I think it's a good idea to support organizations like GREENPEACE
    and World Wildlife Fund......
    
    The thing that is the saddest is that if we humans keep destroying
    our own earth and wildlife we won't be here either!  Is greed that
    strong that we are only concern with today and not tomorrow?  
    Does owning a large chemical company and dumping waste worth it
    even if you make a million dollars to know that you will probalby
    give yourself or your children cancer?
    
    Yecko!
    
    It's truly sad.......I hope soon humans turn around the damage before
    it's too late.
    
    bs
    

    Yes,
    
    The pictures in some of these things are horrible!!!
    
    I donate to A.P.I, Greenpeace, M.S.P.C.A, P.E.T.A., N.S.A.L.,
    I.F.A.W.
    
    Although they are worthy causes, some of the pictures they send
    are not called for. I realize that they want people to *know* 
    what's going on but I would get the jist of it if they described
    the horrors. I know how cruel people can be for the love of $$$.
    
    Some of the pictures I've seen still haunt me. My husband came home
    one day to find me crying hytericaly! Since then, he screens all
    the mail before I can read it and I am grateful to him.
    
    Still, I donate. Every one should. It's a good feeling to know that
    you're helping in some way.
    
    Tina

    Yes, I also received such literature.  I belong to all kinds of
    organizations, helping the "little ones".  I belong to the Humaine
    Society, Inter fund for Animals, prevention of seal killing etc.,
    you name it, I belong to it.  I do get literature from the various
    organizations, stating the status of such organization, and what
    good works were done with the funds, through the various organizations.
    
    Its good to hear the good news!
                                  
    

    HI...
    
    I don't remember the exact note number, but the group mentioned
    in the base note, International Fund for Animals has been discussed,
    both here and in the dogs notes file. I was under the impression
    from those discussions that this group has been under investigation
    for fraud. 
    
    I too received their brochure last year about animals in Korea and
    sobbed hysterically for at least 10 minutes, all the while hugging
    (and drenching) one of my kitties. When I received their brochure
    this year, I made the mistake of opening it and reading the letter,
    but attempted not to look at any of the picktures. What glimpses
    I did see, were more than enough to make me ill. Neither time did
    they get any money from me (though I can't seem to get myself to
    buy anything with the Made in Korea tag on it anymore)
    
    If there is anyone out there that knows whether this is a legitimate
    group or not, I would be more than grateful for info. The problem
    is, just because you send money to a group, doesn't mean they are
    legit.... I would hate to throw money at crooks, when there are
    so many groups that do good!

    janet b. (owned by Merlin and Rascal)

    Have never heard anything about an "International Fund for Animals"
    over this side of the pond.  In the UK you are obliged to register
    charities and give the directors names.  Does the same rule apply
    in the States?
    
    If it IS international - why haven't we heard about it - sounds
    like a rip off to me.

    I have been contributing to the IFAW for 10 years.  They have been very
    instrumental in ending the clubbing and killing of baby seals,
    particularly off the cost of Canada (Newfoundland?).  They have been
    involved in many other animal welfare situations, and I believe they
    are legitimate.  I would, however, be interested in hearing of any
    mismanagement or misuse of funds by this or any other animal
    organization.  I want my contributions to be used as much as possible
    for the animals. 
    
    Unforutnately, the sensational pictures they show us are true. For
    animal lovers like us, they make us cry and hurt for the suffering
    endured by animala all over the world.  Sometimes, however, the outrage
    that results can lead to some positive results.  The EEC ban on baby
    seal furs was attributed to the work of groups like IFAW, and so was
    the recent Canadian ban on clubbing of the baby seals in its territory.
    
    One interesting note.  Contributing to IFAW for 10 years did not
    get me mail solicitations from other animal groups.  Contributing
    recently to some other animal welfare groups has brought a deluge
    of mail solicitations from even more animal groups.  It's heart-
    breaking to read all the pleas.
    

    I had received information about the IFAW and contributed as well.
    I then saw a letter in a newspaper column that asked the Globe if
    they were for real or not.  It was a couple of years ago, so my
    memory has lapsed a bit.  The Globe researched it and said that
    they were legit, but I remember the answer as being questionable.
    The IFAW has a financial report you can get if you contact a 
    government agency that provides them for charitable organizations.
    Again, I'm vague, but I stopped sending money to them because of
    what I read.  It might be worth researching it and getting a financial
    report on where their money is spent.  Or write the Globe column
    and asked it again.  They would be able to help, I'm sure.
    
    dr
    
    

    The Better Business Bureau has something where they will send you
    their analysis of national charities.  I think they send sets of
    three for a dollar a piece or some such.  Probably the local BBB
    office could tell you how to go about it.
    

    I am a contributing member (in dollars and letter writing campaigns)
    for A.P.I., I.F.A.W., P.E.T.A., N.H.E.S., and Defenders of Wildlife.
    I have found these organizations to be very beneficial in the support
    of animal welfare and legitimate organizations.  I also submit Digital
    Matching Gift Forms for these groups when I contribute and if they
    were not legitimate, I doubt that Digital would match the gift.
    
    I.F.A.W. is, unfortunately, the only group that sends the photos
    in question.  However, if you send a request that you DO NOT WANT
    TO RECEIVE UPSETTING PHOTOS like those in the mail, they should
    make note of this.  They have been the major thrust for stopping
    the baby seal clubbings in Canada and have managed to stop cruelties
    to many other animals in the world by trying to educate people about
    humane treatment of other creatures.
    
    I know how upsetting the photos of the Korean family & dog were
    but it was, unfortunately, fact.  Cats are also used for food (both
    dogs and cats considered a delicacy by some there).  The way in
    which they treat their dogs, puppies, cats, kittens prior to boiling
    them alive, etc. is what I.F.A.W. is fighting against.  Much like
    P.E.T.A. fights for the unnecessary suffering of lab animals for
    experiments - most of which are nonbeneficial but did get government
    funding which is what counts for institutes like N.I.H.  (We're
    really not off the subject of the note file - still deals with cats.)
    
    Animals do feel pain no matter what some people think, like Katherine
    Bick a top official of NIH "who believes there is no scientific
    evidence that animals feel pain".  
    
    Sorry for getting on my soapbox but I feel very strongly about these
    issues and the organizations I support.
    
    Pat
    

RE: .17
    
>    Animals do feel pain no matter what some people think, like Katherine
>    Bick a top official of NIH "who believes there is no scientific
>    evidence that animals feel pain".  

Katherine Bick has obviously never been around cat who's tail was stepped on.

Deb    

    
    	What animal organization is run by Cleveland Amory?
    
    	Cleveland Amory wrote "The Cat who Came for Christmas",
    	about his cat Polar Bear.
    
    						Jane.
    

    Re: .19
    
    I believe it's the Fund for Animals.  He mentions it in the text
    of the book and gives the address.  Possibly also on the inside
    back jacket blurb, if my recollection is correct.
    
                 

    re:.17
    
    PETA also sends horrible photos.