WHO WE ARE, WHAT WE DO

Mobilization for Animals PA, Inc. (MFA PA) is an all-volunteer, nonprofit 501(c)3 organization educating the public about ethical, health, and environmental issues surrounding our treatment of non-human animals. We work to stop the abuse and killing of animals who are used for food, hunted for sport, exploited for entertainment, bred for pet shops, or are homeless.

Mobilization for Animals PA, Inc.
P. O. Box 421,
Conshohocken, PA 19428

610-272-5840; fax 610-270-9895
Toll Free 888-680-5840

info@mobilizationforanimals.org
www.mobilizationforanimals.org

Board/Executive Committee:
Deanna Calderaio, Office Manager
Jen Clark, Esq., Vice President
Lisa Levinson, Treasurer
Katay Lezenby, Project Coordinator
Elsie Reimenschneider, Literature Development Coordinator
Jenny Reimenschneider, President
Sophia Reimenschneider, Secretary

Office Assistants
Heather D’Orazio, Katay Lezenby, Dezeray Rubinchik

Animals in Entertainment Committee Chairperson
Dot McDonald

Vegetarian Committee Co-Chairpersons
Looking for volunteers

Wildlife Committee Co-Chairpersons
Looking for volunteers

Graphics Designer for Special Projects
Elaine Packer

Newsletter Design
Mary Yeaple

Newsletter Editor
Sheryl Richman

Website Maintenance
Laurie Ulrich Fuller

Affiliates
Feral and Stray Cat Spay/Neuter Clinic
Donald Shields, VMD
Donna Shields
Susan Zimmerman
N.O.A. (Nonlethal Options for Animals)
Zoeann Campbell
Barb Riebman
Lucia Schlossberg

Public Eye: Artists for Animals
Jim Harris
Lisa Levinson
Zipora Schulz

The Board meets monthly to discuss policy issues, activist campaigns, and upcoming projects. Committee chairpersons coordinate specific activities with assistance from the Board and other volunteers. Our affiliates provide specialized services under the umbrella of MFA PA. All of these activists are volunteers and all play essential roles in carrying out the mission of MFA PA. New volunteers are always needed. Please contact us to get involved.

CRUELTY-FREE SERVICE PROVIDER DIRECTORY
This issue is dedicated to our Cruelty-Free Service Provider Directory. Join us as we create a network of like-minded individuals – those who do not directly inflict pain on defenseless animals by hunting and fishing, and those who attempt to make the world healthier and more humane by eliminating all forms of animal suffering from their lives and occupations. Learn more about products that don’t test on animals, don’t contain animal products, and are safer for you and your human and animal children. When you are done reading this issue, please fill out the enclosed service provider application form or pass it and the newsletter along to a friend, family member, or service provider who you think would be appropriate for inclusion in our Directory.

What are cruelty-free products?
Typically, these are products that do not use animal tests to allegedly prove that they are safe for humans. According to the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), “The animal tests are not designed to protect consumers. They are used to determine whether products should carry warning labels.” In other words, the product may still cause harm, but having inflicted pain on many rabbits and other defenseless creatures, the product can contain a warning label such as “may cause skin irritation.”

MFA PA already promotes products that are not tested on animals; however, we want to go further and promote cruelty-free vendors as well – those who assure us that they will not turn around and use the money they earn from our supporters to inflict pain on other animals. The minimum requirement for being listed in the Cruelty-Free Directory is that the vendors have no link to hunting or fishing, either as a participant in these activities or a landowner who allows such activities on their property.

How can I find out if a company tests its products on animals?
PCRM provides information on health charities, colleges, and universities that use animals for medical research and/or educational purposes. (Visit www.pcrm.org.) To find out which companies test cosmetic, personal care, and household products on animals, go to PETA’s Caring Consumer website at www.caringconsumer.com. This information is also listed on other websites such as www.AAVS.org and www.PETA.org. (Please note that these lists are normally divided into categories such as items not tested on animals but still containing animal by-products, and those completely free of animal products.)

I have ethical concerns about product testing on animals, but how does it benefit me directly to utilize products not tested in this manner?
The majority of products tested on animals contain highly toxic chemicals, and, as noted above, tests are performed to determine how to indicate what the probable reactions will be, but do not prevent the products from becoming available. Here are some examples of what health hazards some standard household products present, and what to use instead.

Excerpt from “PCRM Brings EPA to Court Over Cruel and Useless Tests”
"Instead of presuming chemicals dangerous until proven safe (as the FDA does with pharmaceuticals), the EPA permits the use of known toxic chemicals in most household products, including soaps, shampoos, hair colors, perfumes, nail polish remover, detergents, bleach, paints, glues, motor oil, markers, crayons, gasoline, cosmetics, candles, carpeting, and furniture polish.

Studies have shown that exposure to these chemicals can lead to a variety of serious health effects. Plaintiffs John Gentry and Scott Mishler were exposed to toxic substances at work, and both have suffered serious illnesses."

Harmful Chemicals In The Home (from www.healthyfoodforpets.com/chemicals.htm)
Do you want your precious pet to stay healthy and live as long as possible? Many factors affect your pet’s health and life span, and one of these is exposure to toxic airborne chemicals in their environment. Get rid of harmful chemicals in your home, and you can lessen the likelihood of chronic health problems affecting your pet, perhaps lengthening your pet’s life span and the amount of time the two of you will spend together.
Indoor air pollution is steadily increasing, and our pets are even more vulnerable to toxic airborne chemicals than we are. Long-term chemical exposure can lead to respiratory problems, skin diseases, various other diseases affecting organs such as the liver and kidneys, and even cancer.
We can make our homes more environmentally healthy for our pets by using products that contain fewer toxic chemicals. The following list provides the names of products that may contain airborne chemicals and some healthier alternative products.

CHEMICAL SOURCES SUBSTITUTES:

Paints
Use low toxic water based paints (low VOC's), casein

Synthetic Carpets
Try natural materials such as sisal, sea grass, coir, wool (untreated with lindate, etc.)

Vinyl Flooring
Install cork, linoleum

Cleaning Products
Clean with water & vinegar, lemon juice, baking soda, hydrogen peroxide

Fabric Softener
Avoid using (due to amount of chemical emissions)

Plywood, Composition Boards
Use solid wood, exterior plywood only

Room Deodorizers
Use cloves, lavender, scented flowers. Open windows.

Glue
Use wood glue instead of solvent-based glue. Ventilate house.

Synthetic Pesticides
Clean & vacuum regularly. Close off any openings in home. Avoid building materials around foundation that could attract insects.

Laundry Detergents
Use biodegradable, unscented products.

How can I learn more about cruelty-free and chemical-free products?
In addition to the websites mentioned in this article, also visit the websites listed in the report on the Cruelty-Free Makeover & Wild Hair Contest on page ___.

How can I connect with service providers who practice cruelty-free behaviors in their businesses and personal lives?
One of the best ways to act on behalf of animals is by using our collective economic power, and one of the few things we can control is the small amount of money most of us have to spend on personal and home products and services. Directing this money towards people with common beliefs and goals ensures that we are perpetuating healthy and humane lifestyles. That’s the purpose of MFA’s Cruelty-Free Service Provider Directory. It will provide information on individuals and companies who have taken a pledge that they neither hunt nor fish, nor allow such on their property. We also ask that cruelty-free and ecologically sound products be used (for example, cleaning and personal products need to be labeled as “not tested on animals” – the majority of these are also chemical free) and that vendors be aware that individuals utilizing their services may have more stringent requirements. For example, it is preferred, though not required, that service providers also be vegetarian. MFA PA will promote these service providers to our “supportership” through our website, newsletter, and other avenues.

• Help us create the Directory. If you or someone you know would like to be included in this Directory, please use the enclosed service provider application form. Feel free to make as many copies as you need, or download additional forms from our website at www.mobilizationforanimals.org. Currently, we have received applications from about 15 individuals and businesses. Once we have obtained a few more, we will start listing all appropriate (those who have responded fully and truthfully to the questions on the form) on our website. For those with no Internet access, printed versions will be available for a small fee.
  
• Help us maintain the Directory. If you have typing, database, organizational, clerical or phone skills, we can use your help to follow up with local vendors, track and categorize incoming forms, update electronic files for posting to our website, and respond to questions from applicants and those wishing to use the listed services.
  

A SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR VOLUNTEERS
Since our last newsletter, the following people have volunteered their time and talents for MFA PA and affiliates. We appreciate all that you do. Thank you!

Sherry Alindogan, Cheryl Baldwin, Vince Brough, Ali Bukhari, Deanna Calderaio, Denney Cerasoli, John DiMedio, Debra Donze, Heather D’Orazio, Danielle Durante, Julie Ebner, Randi Fair, Mary Finerty, Evelyn Finnegan, Sandi Herman, Vicki Katrinak, Ruth Kiehlmeier, Caroline Kurtyan, Emily Kurtyan, Nelson Lau, Danielle Loftus, Kathy Lopez, Ai Mahoney, Joseph Manuppello, Dave Miller, Brooks Mongiello-Fair, David Odell, J.G. Reimenschneider, Sondra Rosenberg, Anne Ross, Dezeray Rubinchik, Mary Rutkowski and the RSVP volunteers, Tracy Snelson, Louise Story, Valerie Trivigno, and Beth Ann Vitali.

If you would like to volunteer, some possible activities include: going to meetings to speak out for wildlife, distributing literature on various animal topics, writing letters to companies, elected officials, and local papers on behalf of animals, working on the Cruelty-Free Service Provider Directory, and staffing a special event.

CRUELTY-FREE MAKEOVER & WILD HAIR CONTEST
Public Eye: Artists for Animals presented a Cruelty-Free Makeover & Wild Hair Contest at Essene Market & Café in Philadelphia on December 9, 2006. Folks had a great time receiving makeovers from Cheryl Baldwin and Mary Finerty of Communitas Holistic Healing Center and Sondra Rosenberg representing Essene’s cruelty-free cosmetics. Everyone received a cruelty-free shopping guide and valuable information about animal testing in the cosmetics industry from Vicki Katrinak of the American Anti-Vivisection Society. Some people won raffle prizes, including free haircuts from Juju Salon & Organics, which specializes in cruelty-free products. A few daring souls left with a rainforest, an ocean, a zebra or a caged bunny in their hair, thanks to hair sculptor Julius Vitali and his lovely assistants, Beth Ann Vitali and artist Tina Paul.

A selection of photos from the makeover may be viewed online at www.publiceyephilly.org. For more information on cosmetic testing, please visit the following websites:

www.beautywithoutcruelty.com
www.caringconsumer.org
www.compassionateconsumer.org
www.leapingbunny.org
www.navs.org

GREAT AMERICAN MEATOUT
Saturday, March 24, 2007, 7:00 pm
Join us at Rittenhouse Square (19th & Rittenhouse, across from the Philadelphia Ethical Society) for a candlelight vigil and march to bring attention to the plight of the nine billion “food” animals confined and slaughtered every year for food. As spring begins, we will mourn for the massive number of animals who will never experience the joy of breathing in spring air, basking in sunshine, drinking fresh water or romping in freedom. In an act of solidarity against the murder of billions of sentient beings destroyed to satiate humans’ craving for their flesh, activists will hold a vigil under the setting sun. We will have large banners and body screens exposing footage of the daily violence occurring within slaughterhouse walls each and every day the world over, and will distribute literature to the public. We will assemble at sunset (between 7:00 and 7:15 pm). Candles and banners will be provided.

DOG WALK AND FUNDRAISER
Saturday, April 14, 2007 (tentative date)
Joint project of MFA PA and Widener University School of Law’s Student Animal Legal Defense Fund (SALDF) at a location to be determined (check our website). Set-up 9:00am; registration 11:00am to noon; walk noon to 1:00pm; lunch, vendors, pet portraits and other exhibits 1:00 to 3:00pm. We will again educate people about various animal-related issues, focusing on companion animal information such as the importance of spaying and neutering, the tragedy of puppy mills, testing on cats, dogs, and rabbits for cosmetics and other personal products, and the dog fur trade. We will also raise money for our photo exhibit, equipment (such as humane traps), and spay-neuter projects. Non-profit animal-based groups may set up tables for $10. Individual pre-registration fee is $10; registration on day of event is $12. Vegan lunch included. Please call or email info@mobilizationforanimals.org for information on student, group, and family discounts, and if you can help with preparation, registration, or other tasks.

FROM THE MOUTH OF THE RIVER
Saturday, May 12th, 2007 – Two shows: 12:00 to 1:15pm and 2:00 to 3:15pm
Sponsored by Public Eye: Artists for Animals and held at the Mum Puppettheatre at 115 Arch Street in Olde City Philadelphia. “From the Mouth of the River” is a family-oriented performance featuring puppet shows, dance, and theater to raise awareness about human impact on aquatic animals in the Delaware Valley ecosystem and beyond. It addresses environmental issues and conflicts between humans and their aquatic neighbors. The animals voice their concerns and offer witty, creative solutions. They remind us that all of the water in the world is connected, so what we put in our water locally makes a difference globally. If you ever wondered what life was like for animals under the water, this performance is for you! Volunteers are needed to distribute fliers prior to the performance and to greet people, usher, table, and assist performers during the performance. Please contact Lisa at 215-620-2130 or lisa@publiceyephilly.org to volunteer.

CARRIAGE HORSES
Summer, 2007
MFA PA will assist in monitoring the carriage horse trade in Philadelphia.

ANIMAL HOUSE OF HORRORS
October, 2007
MFA PA will have our own haunted house that displays the everyday horrors experienced by animals used for food, sport, experimentation, and entertainment. Suggested locations welcome. Many volunteers needed for planning, set-up, posing as abused animals, running videos, etc.

MORE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
If you can staff the table, distribute literature, help set up, etc. at any of these community events, call us at 610-272-5840 or email info@mobilizationforanimals.org.

MT. AIRY DAY
Saturday, May 5, 2007, 11:00am to 5:00pm (rain date Sunday, May 6)
6400 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA.

PRIDEFEST
Sunday, June 10, 2007, 11:00am to 6:00pm
Philadelphia, PA.

CARE’S VEGGIE FEST
Saturday, June 23, 2007, 12:00 to 4:00pm (rain date Saturday, June 30)
Hoopes Park, West Chester, PA.

CHESTER COUNTY DEER FORUM
Date and time to be determined
Westtown, PA
MFA PA will be the featured presenter at this forum with the topic “Living in Peace with Wildlife/Nonlethal Alternatives to Hunting.”

“For as long as men massacre animals, they will kill each other. Indeed, he who sows the seed of murder and pain cannot reap joy and love.”
~~Pythagoras, mathematician

“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”
~~Mahatma Gandhi, statesman and philosopher

Honor or memorialize your human and nonhuman friends and help protect animals at the same time by supporting Mobilization for Animals-Pennsylvania PA, Inc.

Donor......................................................................................................................... In Memory Of
Anonymous........................................................................................ Tasha, beloved cat of Anne Todd
The Reimenschneider Family................................................................................ Our sweet little Erma

.........................................................................................................................................In Honor Of
Elsie Reimenschneider......................Retirees of the Chester County Library—Sylvia Doyle, Toni Hoffacker, Mary Larsen, Bob Purrenhage, Sue Ricedorf, Diane Silver, Cathy Stout, and Diana Tsao

Check Out What Other Local Groups Are Doing

Club Veg Philly
www.clubveg.org/philly

Compassion for Animals, Respect for the Environment
www.CARE4animals.org

Delaware Action for Animals
www.DA4A.org

Hugs for Puppies
www.hugsforpuppies.org

LehighValley Animal Rights Coalition
http://www.enter.net/~pstacks

New Jersey Animals Rights Alliance
www.nj-ara.org

NOA (Nonlethal Options for Animals)
www.NOAsavesanimals.org

Public Eye: Artists for Animals
www.publiceyephilly.org

Responsible Policies for Animals
www.RPAforAll.org

Wildlife Protection Network
www.wildlifeprotection.net

Mobilization for Animals PA, Inc. Needs Your Help in the Unending Battle for Animal Rights!

Can you help?

Making phone calls

Peaceful gatherings/protests

Spay/Neuter Clinic

Special events

Tabling

Writing letters

Other (please specify)
__________________________________

Please call 1-866-6ANIMAL, send us an email, or write to the address below to let us know how you can help.

We also gratefully accept your tax-deductible donations by mail -- send and make payable to:

Mobilization for Animals, Inc.
PO Box 421
Conshohocken, PA 19428