Vegetarian Star

The fifth annual Taking Action For Animals conference is wrapping up its last day and several stars showed up for a banquet to share their vegan and animal rights experiences.

Nellie McKay talked about her recently adopted pit bulls, who apparently love to eat some vegan things, because they’ve been chewing on her shoes, which she pointed out to the audience.

Humane Society of the United States president and CEO Wayne Pacelle talked about his decision to work with convicted dog fighting ringleader and ex Atlanta Falcons football player Michael Vick.

And Ginnifer Goodwin discussed how various “moments” like pouring milk over her cereal led to her making the vegan transition.

Read more about the guest speakers and TAFA events at animalrights.about.com.

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The fifth annual Taking Action for Animals conference is taking place this month from the 24th-27 in Arlington, Virginia.

Actress Ginnifer Goodwin and Nellie McKay are among the guest speakers, along with notable animal advocates like CEO and president of the Humane Society of the United States, Wayne Pacelle.

This is definitely worth a road trip for animals lovers as registration for the conference is only $165, with options to attend one or two specific workshops, as well as an exhibit pass.

Issues such as factory farming, dog fighting, effective campaigning, and lobbying are just some of the workshops that will offered.

Not to mention, there’s a banquet too-good food always make an event better!

For more information, visit takingactionforanimals.org and register today.

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bank of america

Taking a little break from regular celebrity gossip to bring you fantastic news.

Bank of America Credit Cards has teamed up with the Humane Society of the United States to offer a unique HSUS credit card!

Not only can you carry cute kitty in your wallet, but every time you whip out this Platinum Plus no annual fee Visa, Bank of America will donate $.25 to every $100 dollars you spend.

Credit cards may have a bad reputation for high interest rates, fees, and rapidly changing policies, but let’s face it-we all need them from time to time.

Why not help an animal in need the next time you choose monetary “plastic” instead of paper (cash).

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PETA wouldn’t take him, but the Humane Society of the United States has graciously offered to work with Michael Vick.

Vick is set to join the HSUS campaign against dogfighting.

From the Humane Society President and CEO Wayne Purcell’s blog:

“He said this experience has been a trauma and he’s changed forever. And he said he wants to show the American public that he is committed to helping combat this problem. He asked for an opportunity to help. I want to give him that opportunity. If he makes the most of it, and demonstrates a sincere, long-term commitment to the task, then it may prove to be a tipping point in our campaign to eradicate dogfighting. If he demonstrates a fleeting or superficial interest, then it will be his own failing, not ours. Our campaign will march forward regardless. It’s up to him, and we at The HSUS reserve judgment until he demonstrates that he’s part of the solution rather than a further part of the problem.”

The Humane Society has a dogfighting intervention program, which involves educating youth in at-risk inner city areas on the proper care of dogs.

Will this relationship between Vick and the HSUS last? For the sake of the pit bulls and the youth who admire Vick, we truly hope this interest in change is more than superficial.

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HSUS on Flickr

Pokerstars.net and the Hollywood office of the Humane Society of the United States recently got together for an evening of gambling, vegan snacks, and fun.

Actress Jorja Fox looked lovelier than ever as she played her chips and cards and fellow veggie actress Shannon Elizabeth was also dealing a sharp hand to help the animals. 

Proceeds from the “Casino Royale: Playing for Change” event went towards implementing the Los Angeles HSUS’s End Dogfighting program, which educates high risk youth about caring for pit bulls versus putting them up for dogfighting. The program has already proven successful in other large cities like Chicago.

This past weekend’s event included blackjack, roulette, craps and poker, a martini and wine bar, gourmet vegan food catered by Madeleine Bistro, a silent auction, and a celebrity poker tournament.

Wonder if vegan poker great Daniel Negreanu made an appearance?

Read more about the event on the Humane Society’s blog at hsus.org and look at  more pics from the evening on their Flickr page.

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Jane Velez-Mitchell is tackling animal rights and vegan issues on television once again!

During a recent Issues With Jane Velez-Mitchell, the vegan television anchor discussed the recent swine flu outbreak and its possible link to inhumane factory farming of pigs. Some scientists believe when pigs are kept in such confined conditions as they are in factory farms, their immune systems cannot fight infections.

There have been at least 40 CDC confirmed swine flu cases in the United States during this outbreak.

She interviewed Dr. Michael Greger, Director of Public Health and Animal Agriculture of the Humane Society of the United States.

“When thousands of animals are overcrowded together in these filthy football field size sheds to lie in, nose to nose in their own waste, it’s a breeding ground for disease.,” said Dr. Gregor. “The perfect storm environment for the emergence and spread for these new diseases.”

Watch the video to hear Dr. Greger and Jane discuss more about the possible link between pig factory farms and swine flu.

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When you think of animal rights, the conservative right isn’t the first group that comes to mind.

Rush Limbaugh (yes, that’s not a typo) has recorded a PSA for the Humane Society of the United States.

After the initial shock is over that conservative Rush would be involved with what some of his followers would call an “extreme left group,” here’s something else for you digest: Rush loves his little Punkin!

“When you think of law enforcement and animals, police dogs come to mind,” Rush says. “But law enforcement has another ally in the animal realm and that’s the Humane Society of the United States.”

“I have a cat. That little cat is a treasure to me-Punkin. If anybody harmed Punkin, they would be punished by me.”

Go, Rush. Get em’!

The Humane Society issued a statement saying, “The animal protection movement should never confine itself to the Left or the Right in American politics. Opposition to cruelty and the embrace of the human-animal bond are universal values, and people of every background and point of view should find common purpose with the work and programs of The Humane Society of the United States and its affiliates.”

Yes, we are coming together after all. Listen to Rush’s PSA below.

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Country music singer Carrie Underwood said she sometimes gets booed for saying she’s a vegetarian in some parts of the country. Now she’s getting booed for being an animal lover.

As we reported earlier, Carrie’s voice can be heard singing Motley Crue’s “Home Sweet Home” during each American Idol contestant’s elimination this year. Some of the profits from her version of “Home Sweet Home” available on iTunes will go towards the Humane Society of the United States.

And that just makes the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance want to poop (pun intended).

“Carrie Underwood has decided to use her talents to benefit an organization dedicated to destroying the rights of thousands of her fans,” said Rick Story, vice president of the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance, in a news release. “HSUS does not operate or oversee animal shelters; it is a radical organization that seeks to end hunting and other responsible uses of animals in America.”

The Alliance is urging hunters to contact Fox and demand they not play Carrie’s song.

Wow. Talk about “radical.”

Trying to censor an artist who wants to benefit an organization that works to protect so many animals by speaking out against puppy mills to protecting farm animals sounds more radical. Trying to censor an artist just because she donates to a charity that doesn’t work in favor of your interest is radical.

It’s highly unlikely Fox will drop their Idol alumnus. And it’s highly likely the added publicity will improves sales of “Home Sweet Home.”

Source: US Sportsmen’s Alliance via Ecorazzi

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