Student Alliance for Animal Rights
SAFAR members from Hefei Normal University organized a paper-folding workshop in Yulan Kindergarten in February, which aimed to educate children about wildlife conservation in China through interactive and creative activities.
Our member is teaching children to fold animal shapes.
Children are eager to learn how to draw dogs on paper.
A small “collection” of lovely drawings.
Our member and volunteers are teaching the fact of bear farming and how we can do to end this cruel industry.
Sticking paper-folded bears onto the board.
“I wish bear babies can go back home soon”, after exposed to the cruelty of bear farming industry, children expressed their willingness to free moon bears from endless suffer.
This workshop is one of the “mobile classroom” series launched by SAFAR China team.
Please help us organize more creative activities to reach to students at all ages in China by donating today.
$30 will help us organize one workshop in one kindergarten/primary school
$50 will help us organize one lecture/seminar in one university
$80 will help us organize musical festival in one university
Please donate and name one “mobile classroom” event as you wish!
Donation link available in this blog and our website: http://www.safarintl.org
“Nurturing the young’s passion to voice for the voiceless”
—-SAFAR team
Fatty liver in comparison to a normal liver
Greek Project, an international-funded investment corporation, once an investor on gold mine, is planning to invest 100 million dollar to establish the biggest ever goose breeding and foie gras production base in Poyang Lake area, Jiangxi, China.
This project plans to slaughter two million goose, 8 million ducks, and produce 1000ton Foie gras annually.
The process of obtaining foie gras is excessively cruel. Force-feeding of gooses and ducks results in an accumulation of fat in animals’ livers, making its size 6 to 10 times of a normal one. During the breeding process, gooses are exposed to physical hurts and various syndromes. On the other hand, the latest scientific investigation indicates that eating foie gras may induce many diseases for human.
The production of foie gras has been known as the “industry of sin” by the rest of the world. The force-feeding of animals for non-medical purposes, essential to current foie gras production practices, is explicitly prohibited by Europe and some other nations. French government remains untouched to the laws outside France, however, opposition by French animal rights and welfare associations never ceased. A poll in 2009 demonstrated that over 44% French were against force-feeding widely adopted by foie gras production industry.
A duck died from force-feeding
By 2006, China became the second largest country for foie gras consumption. It is stated in a report of Foie gras Industry Alliance, that ‘…with the severe castigation and pressure cast by European Animal Protection origination, production (of foie gras) in Hungary and Israel will gradually stop. It can be alleged that China will become the uppermost producer of foie gras in the future. ’
Green Beagle’s campaign to stop the establishment of this biggest foie gras production industry in China:
(Poster designed by SAFAR for online campaign in corporation with Green Beagle)
“We’re fully dependent on donation to have this event happen. Please donate today to help us utter our voice!”
—SAFAR all members
Guizhentang Pharmaceutical Co, a company runs a bear farm and produces bear bile drugs in China, is now hoping to raise expansion capital and become publicly traded enterprises through a public listing, according to an Initial Public Offerings (IPO) declaration issued by the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) on Feb 1, 2012. The final result of public listing will be announced by CSRC on Feb 17. Once getting publicly listed, Guizhentang plans to raise the number of its farmed bears from 400 to 1,200, and increase the yearly production of bear bile powder to 4,000 kg (882 pounds). The bear bile extracting method widely adopted by bear farming industry is extremely cruel and painful. According to HSUS, bears are stabbed by implanted tubes, through which their biles get extracted twice a day throughout their entire lives. Suffering from tremendous pains, bears are spotted to moan and chew their paws while being milked and some even committed suicide to end this endless suffering. Nowadays, the number of moon bears kept in bear farms across the country mounts up to over 10,000, and the number is believed to be growing in the next few years.
We firmly believe that no killings will be exerted to animals if no trade is associated. The enormous economic interests are the primary factors that draw people to engage in this industry. Should morals and fairness of mankind give way to wealth, desire and greed? “WEBx Moon Bear Rescue”, as part of an online conference series that is initiated to harbor intelligent discussions on topics concerning to animal rights/welfare, invites Mr. Zhang Xiaohai, the Director of External Affairs in Animals Asia Foundation (China), to speak for the justice and conscience appreciated by today’s society.
Topics will be covered during the speech: the animal exploitative facts in bear bile industry, the medical effects of bear gall and its alternatives, Animal Asia’s long fight to rescue moon bears in Asia and the responsibilities of young generation to lead the country to adopt civilization. There will be a Q&A session when the floor will be open to participants.
Time: April 7th, 2012
How to participate:
An online survey has to be submitted http://www.diaochapai.com/survey590483 for individuals or organizations interested. After approval, participates will receive an invitation by email (including instruction on online-conference, how to publicize this event at school and online.
Please choose the following means when applying:
A, delegates from school: you can contact local animal right and environmental organizations or Chinese student unions to cooperate with us to make this event happen at your school. A classroom/seminar room equipped with computer, screen, and Internet is required for screening the lecture.
B: individual: you can apply individually, you can access to our conference with computer via internet. There’s no restriction on participating place.
C: others, please specify.
Note: Due to a relative high demand for Internet speed, we can provide video record of the conference for individuals and schools who would unable to meet this requirement.
(Full image size: WEBxSay No Bear Farming)
Poster Copy right: 方如昕 [Yan Fong] from Yan Fong Studio (www.yanfong.net/yanfonghk.wordpress.com)
归真堂上市，引起社会各界对活熊取胆产业的热议，你是否关注这起事件？是否想要了解更多活熊取胆的背后故事？亚洲动物基金的中国区外务总监张小海先生将会为我们带来一场网络演讲会，深入剖析熊胆产业背后的真实故事与利益纠葛。
据资料统计显示，我国有超 过10000头月熊正遭受活熊取胆的痛苦。保守估计，全国共有11个省份存在约97个养熊场。活熊取胆的方法是将一个金属管永久的插入熊的胆囊，每天引流 胆汁数次。他们每天经受着最无情的戕害，最致命的蹂躏。他们的命运岌岌可危。其实熊胆并不是灵丹妙药，它的药用价值有被所谓专家夸大的成分，熊胆替代品的 制取也并不是那么困难。
我们坚信：没有买卖就没有杀戮。活熊取胆这一产业背后隐藏的巨大商业利润，使人们变得贪婪、冷漠。道德法律是否就应该为造富诱惑让路，而商业利润是否就应该扼杀社会的良知？ 张小海先生将会与大家通过web “见面”，让我们共同聆听这个时代应有的正义之声。
我们诚挚地邀请你参加这场网络演讲会，与我们共同探讨拯救月熊的未来之路，为万只月熊争取一片自由的天空！
[活动简介]
WEBx拯救月熊 网络演讲会
亚洲动物基金中国区外部事务总监张小海先生会围绕“活熊取胆“的以下几个方面进行宣讲：活熊取胆的过程、熊胆是一种什么药、亚洲动物基金的救助月熊道路、活熊取胆未来之路，以及当代青年人应怎样参与到拯救月熊的活动中来。同时会议设有问答环节，张小海先生会选择对会者的问题选择进行回答。
（WEBxAnimals由SAFAR学生动物保护联盟发起，借助网络会议等媒体媒介，针对国内外关注的动保话题举行网络宣讲会或小型研讨会系列。WEBx拯救月熊 为WEBxAnimals系列活动之一。）
[活动参与时间]：
四月（具体时间会通过电子邮件方式另行通知），北京时间周六早九点，美国东部时间周五晚八点
[参与方式]：
参与者需到http://www.diaochapai.com/survey590483 填写申请信息，我们会在审核后通过邮件向申请者发送会议邀请（包括怎样使用网络会议在线软件，怎样在学校内、网络上对该活动进行宣传等指导，以及发放海报、展板等宣传资料）。请仔细阅读以下参与方式：
A. 学校社团代表：您可以联系学校的动保／环保社团、华人学生会来举办这次活动，在活动当天选择可以连接网络且网络较快的教室，在大屏幕上显示网络会议界面， 即可与主讲人的视频及幻灯片同步连线。为保证活动效果，我们建议您在活动前期进行一定的线上及线下活动宣传，活动主海报及展板材料由SAFAR学生动物保护联盟及亚洲动物基金提供。
注：由于网络会议对网速有一定的要求，如果硬件不能达到要求的学校，我们会向该校学生代表提供会议录像。
B. 个人：您可以以个人的名义申请参与会议，在活动当日通过网速较快的电脑与主办方连线，活动参与地点无要求。
C. 其他请说明。
[活动主办方]：
学生动物保护联盟（SAFAR):
“连结海内外学生，为受难动物谋权益”
学生动物保护联盟是2010年由中国留学生在麻省成立的动保团体，旨 在通过青年学生的力量，在校园及社区内维护动物权益与传播动物保护理念。在校园内，学生动物保护联盟通过研讨会等活动让学生们意识到世界各国面临的动物保 护危机，并鼓励大学生走进临近社区以及中小学学校，进行动物保护教育普及活动。学生动物保护联盟接纳来自世界各国的高校学生，联盟各大生态动物保护协会， 通过共享的资源以及互动的网络平台，学生成员可以与国际动物保护活跃认识沟通对话，将动物保护主题教育带向整个社会，为动物们创造一个更友好和人性化的生 存空间和美好的未来。
WordPress博客：safarus.wordpress.com （仅支持国外访问）
邮箱：contact_us@safarintl.org（美国）contact_cn@safarintl.org（中国区）
亚洲动物基金（AAF):
由谢罗便臣女士（Jill Robinson）创办于1998年的亚洲动物基金（Animals Asia Foundation）是一个正式注册的动物福利慈善机构，总部设在香港，同时在英国、 美国、澳大利亚、德国和意大利设有办事处，并在这些国家享受税收减免待遇。亚 洲动物基金还在中国和越南建立了黑熊救护中心，全球雇员超过230名。
使命：亚洲动物基金的使命是改善亚洲地区所有动物的生存状况，在亚洲结束动物虐待并恢复对所有动物的尊重。
网站：http://www.animalsasia.org/cn
注：
特别感谢香港设计师方如昕[YAN FONG]女士对本活动主海报的设计。
YAN FONG DESIGN STUDIO
www.yanfong.net http://yanfonghk.wordpress.com
設計理念：“当我开始画画，这是在我脑海中的现实： 它們被囚禁在狹小的鐵籠裏，生活條件極其惡劣。養殖這些熊以獲得傳統亞洲醫藥中使用的熊膽汁，其實是完全不必要的。這些熊面臨的是終生痛苦。” “我画的熊的形状看起来像胆汁显示熊的恐慌，痛苦和无助，这些无辜的熊，用中国水墨画媒体来唤醒亚洲停止养熊业, 停止这些每一秒发生的痛苦。 “
Translate: Yanling Lin Proofread: Xiaoye Xu (SAFAR research dept)
Please visit our website to show your support! www.safarintl.org
Through the votes of media workers and netizens, the top 10 news on Chinese animal
welfare act in 2011 were announced. They are assorted in the following by chronological order:
1 Guizhentang’s plan to get publicly listed was blocked due to public outrage
Picture source: http://finance.ce.cn/rolling/201202/07/t20120207_16822528.shtml
In February, Guizhentang, a brand of bear gall products in Fujian province, was said to
seek to go public in the stock market, in order to collect investment for keeping more black bears
and producing more bear gall drugs. The raw material of such products is usually
extracted directly from living black bears and such cruelty has raised a lot of public
concerns. Experts in medical professions also questioned the legitimacy of bear bile
industry since certain herbs were found to have the same medical effects as
bear gall. Information from the stock market shows that Guizhen Hall’s plan of listing
was blocked.
2 The truck full of dogs was stopped on Beijing-Harbin Expressway
In April, on the Beijing-Harbin highway, a truck loaded with more than 500
dogs was stopped by the local volunteers. These dogs were transported from Henan
to Jilin, where they were originally destined to be slaughtered in dog-meat restaurants.
With the police’s coordination, those dogs were finally saved as volunteers paid off the
dogs from the dog traders. Those dogs were later sent to an animal shelter run by China
Small Animal Protection Association. This issue brought a lot
of public attention to the animal situation in China.
3 First animal welfare foundation in Mainland China was established
In May, “Beijing Love It“ animal protection foundation was established.
Among its cofounders are famous TV hosts Li Jing, Zhang Yue, Yuan Yuan, and
Kang Hui. It is the first animal welfare foundation in Mainland China. The foundation
commits to fight against animal abuse, to improve animal living conditions, and to
boost the harmony between human and nature. The famous singer Jeff Zhang was the
foundation’s first image ambassador.
4 Chinese animal welfare activists received international awarded
In June, Ding Liguo, Wan Jie, and Zhang Xingsheng were awarded ‘ Shark Guard’
presented by Sebastian Woods, the British ambassador to China, and Richard
Pearce, the president of UK shark conservation organization. Ding, Deputy to the
National People’s Congress, and Zhang, member of the CPPCC National Committee,
proposed to stop shark fin trade through legislation. Zhang, The North Asia
director general of the United States of America Nature Protection Association, also
contributed to the advocacy.
In 2011 World Animal Protection Fair, Du Yufeng from Sichuan Guangyuan
Small Animal Rescue Center was the winner of award “animal protection outstanding
achievement.” Xiao Bing from Xiamen gained the award “outstanding
contribution to animal protection education” for his years long active contribution in
that field.
5 Animals Asia Conference was held in Chengdu
In June, Asia’s largest animal welfare forum, Animals Asia Conference was held
in Chengdu. It was the first time that the conference was held in Mainland China.
The theme of the conference was to “bringing animal cruelty to an end.”
More than 400 representatives from Asia and other parts of the world attended
the conference.
6 Seven US citizens’ application to hunt in Qinghai province was rejected
In september, National Forestry Bureau announced to reporters that the application of
seven US citizens to hunt for blue sheep and Tibetan gazelle in Qinghai province was
rejected. This was the result of the collaborated endeavor by government officials and
many animal activists in China.
7 Proposed by people from all walks of life, Jinhua Dog Meat Festival was
cancelled
In September, CaiQi, Minister of Zhejiang Government Organization Department,
announced in his microblog that Dog Meat Festival would be cancelled forever. It
means that JinHuaHuTou Dog Meat Festival, which has lasted for more than 600
years, would become a history from that day on.
In recent decades, JinHuaHuTou Dog Meat Festival was a popular annual event in Zhejiang.
However, it was condemned by netizens for the cruel massacre of the dog
this year. “Micro power” has obtained great social influence. With the help of micro
blog, the suggestion of calling off this festival has gained a satisfying result.
8 “One meter” Team and “Don’t Eat Friends” Band
performed in 12 cities in Oct.
“Don’t Eat Friends” band has made a brilliant performance journey on the theme
of protecting animals in 12 cities in China.
The chief singer, Xie Zheng said, “the activity is very successful. We hope that more friends
will learn about animal situation in China. Many people are very compassionate and
concerned of the animal suffering in China. However, because of a lack of report on these
animal issues, many people are not aware of what animals are experiencing in our country.
Once they get to know this situation, they will show their love.”
9 Animal protecting organization collaborated with sohu to say no to fur products.
In November, “Refuse to bloody fur” was launched, initiated by Act Asia and sohu micro blog
with the support from more than 50 animal welfare organizations. Actasia would collect “no fur”
fashion quotation, painting designs, performance art, film, and photographs from Chinese citizens.
It will conduct surveys of fur consumption in China and take consumers’ oat “to be a caring
consumer” to reject fur.
10 Many famous comedians offered help to support stray animals
In December, the charity performance, “We help you over the winter, rescuing stray
animals” was held in Beijing. Xu Deliang, Zhang Dewu and other actors form Starry
Night Comic Club not only donated their works, but also performed crosstalk with Li
Jing, He Yunwei and other comedian stars. All the income would be donated to
RuiJia Rescue Voluntary Society to protect stray animals.
Pictures’ resources:
http://finance.jrj.com.cn/biz/2012/02/22133112312599.shtml
http://news.szhou.cn/2011/04/14802.shtml
http://www.tajijin.cn/show_content.php?n_id=2082
http://gongyi.sina.com.cn/gyzx/2011-06-08/152027016.html
http://www.zhfgwh.com/Vegetarian/guangai/25077.html
http://www.mzsites.com/content/world-report/china-news/state-forestry-
administration-americans-withdrawn-application-hunting-qinghai-map.html
http://news.qq.com/a/20110921/000840.htm#p=1
http://biechipengyou.blog.163.com/blog/static/166068332201061352444664/
Translated by Yanling Lin; Proofread by Xiaoye Xu
December 22nd, 2011, under the call of Tecent, an equivalent to MSN, hundreds of media and non-government organizations in the realm of environment and animal welfare got together to advocate the proposal of “no shark fin on dinner table in Chinese New Year Eve.”
A famous CCTV host Zhang Yue, representatives from animal welfare organizations, and managers from Hangzhou Huanglong hotel and Beijing Jinding Xuan restaurant attended the meeting, promising that from the day on, they would say NO to shark-fin consumption, and would positively influence people around them.
As the end of the year was approaching, in the parties and get-togethers held by governments, companies, and organizations, shark fin is considered as “a must” on the dinner table. However, nowadays, people from all walks of life agreed that it was the time to oppose to shark-fin consumption as the cruelty behind the industry was revealed by global activists and made known to many concerned citizens. Every year, shark fin trade leads to the tragic death of 73 million sharks and half of the shark species on the planet are endangered now. Therefore, no time can be wasted to save sharks.
Tecent charity foundation’s vise secretary Wang Qi said that he hoped that more restaurants and hotels would join together to stop selling shark fins. No trade, no slaughter.
Liu Huili, investigator from Green Beagle, held a public speech about the urgency to stop shark fin consumption in China
Shark fin soup, which is considered as a luxury treat on the dinner table, gradually gains attention from concerned citizens from all walks of life .
2011. Yao and British tycoon Richard Branson made an appeal Thursday in Shanghai against the consumption of shark fins to a group of 30 of China’s richest and most influential businesspeople. (AP Photo)
Sources of pictures:
http://www.wildjunket.com/2009/01/23/reunion-dinner-on-chinese-new-years-eve/
http://www.yohanibrahim.com/blog/say-no-to-shark-fin-soup-this-chinese-new-year
Tanslated by Yanling Lin
Started by Animal Guardians and Green Beagle, more than 100 animal welfare organizations, and volunteer groups from all the country joined the seminar ‘Finding Solutions to the Crime and Cruel Dog and cat meat trade’ in Beijing, on January 7th, 2012. This seminar was under the guide of lawyer An Xiang, Cai Chunhong in government administrative department, and senior media worker Feng Yongfeng. Topics such as how to apply certain laws to enforcement, how to raise public awareness of animal protection, and how to find solutions to the crime and cruel dog and cat meat trade, are covered in the seminar.
In the past year, Chinese volunteers organized several rescue actions that were aimed to save dogs destined for dinner table. They roused national sympathy for the suffering that dogs are experiencing in China. But due to the limited knowledge of relative laws, all rescue actions ended up with volunteers buying off the dogs from the traders. This seminar was to teach participants how to back up their rescues with enacted laws, and how to negotiate with governments and media to lead to the optimal outcomes. This seminar will have a profound influence on the dynamics of Chinese animal welfare movement and their future activities.
Volunteers from all over the countries get together in the seminar
Zhang Jing, founder of SAFAR, met Jill Robinson from Animals Asia Foundation on the meeting,
Petition Site: http://www.change.org/petitions/student-alliance-for-animal-rights-china-stop-guizhentang-a-bear-farm-in-chinas-attempt-to-go-public#
Guizhentang Pharmaceutical Co, a company runs a bear farm and produces bear bile drugs in China, is now hoping to raise expansion capital and become publicly traded enterprises through a public listing, according to an Initial Public Offerings (IPO) declaration issued by the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) on Feb 1, 2012. The final result of public listing will be announced by CSRC on Feb 17.
Once getting publicly listed, Guizhentang plans to raise the number of its farmed bears from 400 to 1,200, and increase the yearly production of bear bile powder to 4,000 kg (882 pounds).
The bear bile extracting method widely adopted by bear farming industry is extremely cruel and painful. According to HSUS, bears are stabbed by implanted tubes, through which their biles get extracted twice a day throughout their entire lives. Suffering from tremendous pains, bears are spotted to moan and chew their paws while being milked and some even committed suicide to end this endless suffering. Nowadays, the number of moon bears kept in bear farms across the country mounts up to over 10,000, and the number is believed to be growing in the next few years.
We, as Chinese citizens who are concerned of the animal welfare situation in our country, are now seeking your HELP to put pressure on Chinese government, to reject Guizhentang’s request to go public, and to give freedom to 10,000 bears as they long deserve. Please help moon bears slaved in China TODAY, by writing a letter to China Security Regulatory Commission, and Chinese government.
CSRC public email: gzly@csrc.gov.cn
A sample letter as following:
To China Securities Regulatory Commission:
Learning from recent declaration issued by IPO that Guizhentang Pharmaceutical Co. is now hoping to get publicly listed, I, as a citizen of ___, wish to express my deep concern about the welfare situation of moon bears farmed by Guizhentang and other bear farms across your country.
Bear biles has been applied by practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years, to cure a variety of conditions ranging from relieving convulsions and spasms, reducing heat or fever, to treating liver cancer. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), a bile acid in high concentrations of bear bile, is believed as a functional chemical treating various ailments. UDCA has already been successfully synthesized and applied by world scientists, and multiple Chinese pharmaceutical companies have been making UDCA drugs and selling it to the public at a low price. Meanwhile, studies by Professor Feng from University of Hong Kong School of Chinese Medicine, have shown that various Chinese herbal medicines such as “coptis” can serve as the alternatives to bear biles for their superior effectiveness to kill cancer cell lines. Therefore, extracting biles from moon bears is unnecessary considering all the alternative medicines, herbs that can be put into production in large scale. Meanwhile, extracted bear bile is tested to be full of bacteria and pus, which have the potential to cause severe health issues to human beings. Cases of hepatitis being transmitted from bears to humans have been reported.
Moreover, inhuman treatment to slaved bears will damage China’s national image, leaving citizens around the world an extremely negative impression on China, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Chinese culture. China is one of the major powers in the international system, with a glorious history, and a splendid culture. It’s my, and other global citizens’ hope to see China, as a leading character in the international arena, lead the revolution in solving world environmental and animal welfare issues that are meant to shape our generation. Companies listed on IPO are seen as models followed and studied by corporations, enterprises, and business schools, and as representatives of a country’s development, both in economics and moral levels. Therefore, a company like Guizhentang, which challenges the moral baseline of mankind by immorally exploiting sentient beings, cannot and should not represent the economic picture of China and moral acceptance of Chinese people.
Hereby I ask you to listen to the voices from conscientious people across the globe to deny Guizhentang’s attempt to go public, and uphold the justice and the loving for harmony.
Sincerely,
________
Donate Today to Help us Utter our Voice: www.safarintl.org
Stand by Chinese Activists to End Bear Farming
Qiaoyun Wang
Translation: Munan Du
I joined SAFAR because I always wanted to do something real and meaningful for the animals. After talking to our SAFAR members, I came up with the idea to raise and donate clothes to the dogs in Yellow River Helping Center for Homeless Animals. From writing on the blackboard to spread the word, picking up the phone call from the first enthusiastic volunteer, or sending the donations to Jinan, we all gained the experiences and felt the love.
During one of SAFAR China’s online meetings, SAFAR members Yuankun, Yuhan and Menglian made a speech on the issues of homeless animals in China, which made me realize of the serious situation. Then I came up with an idea–to organize an event to raise and donate clothes. We hoped to come up with better ways to improve the situation through practice. After talking to SAFAR leaders Shiming and Yuankun and considering the fact that there was no animals shelters in Hefei (where our school was located), we decided to raise and donate clothes to the dogs in Yellow River Helping Center for Homeless Animals in Jinan. On the next day, we wrote helping letters on the blackboard on the two of the dormitory buildings to spread the word. On the same day, I received the first phone call from a volunteer, then my phone kept ringing. Lots of friends were willing to help. They asked me where the helping center was and they wanted to go and do something for the animals. Some of them didn’t understand why the center was in Jinan, which is far away from the school. But after they heard about the condition of Yellow River Helping Center for Homeless Animals and the story of the head of the center, Shuxia Liu, they were moved and hoped that I could continue raising clothes for the dogs. They themselves as well wanted to continue helping the dogs. We raised 4 big bags of clothes in 4 days. Many thanks to Shimin, who sent the donations all the way to Jinan.
I think there are lots of animal lovers in China, especially among the college students. They all have the passion to do some charity work. But sometimes, they are lacking of a platform to realize what they can do to help. Also, college students are very important implementers in the process of animal protection. We need to find a better way to encourage more people to join and take actions. And since we come from different places, we can take actions in different cities around the world. Even though what each of us is doing might be small and trivial, it’s definitely going to make a big difference when it comes to the collective result.
A letter from dogs in Yellow River Helping Center, asking for our help
(Translation:
Dear Friends,
My name is Little Grey. I’m a little dog from an animal shelter. We are having a poor but happy life here. We have so many kind and helpful people taking care of me and my other friends. But winter is coming. Many friends of us don’t have warm shelters. If you can give us one piece of old clothes, we can get a lovely and cozy bed to spend the winter:) If you want to help me, please contact my friend Big Grey.
Thank you!
Salut!
Little Grey)
Pictures of Shuxia, the founder of Yellow River Helping Center and the rescued puppies.
Yuankun Zhao
Translated by Hailun Li
In recent years, China has become the largest country involved in fur trading and production around the world. According to the latest statistics from China Leather Industry Association, solely in 2010, China consumed two third of the fur produced all around the world; it means every year, out of 2500 thousand fur production, about 1500 thousand of them comes to China, and the need is still rising. However, what consumers have not seen behind the scene is the painful death of animals like foxes, sables and racoons. In order to keep the fur as complete and fresh as possible, people usually bloodily take the fur off the animals when they’re still alive. SAFAR (Students Alliance of Animal Rights) Shanghai team launched an anti-fur campaign named “Say ‘No’ to bloody Fur”, along with ACTAsia and fifty other animal rights alliances, both in local society and universities. This campaign was well supported based on its purpose to raise public awareness on the dark side of fur industry and the importance of protecting animal rights. Posters and brochures were made and distributed, in order to ring the bell upon Chinese people and let them say no to fur consumption.
Our volunteers holding their posters on Nanjing road, in front of a fur company; as winter comes, fur is favored by a lot of people because of the sign of fashion by which it is labeled, while what is happening behind the scene is intentionally blurred by a lot of people because of the profits involved.
On the day of campaign.
Our volunteers talking to their peers about the messages we want to convey through this campaign.
Students interested watching videos on fur production made by SAFAR.
Local people and students willing to sign their names after being revealed the facts of fur production to show their support.
People interested by posters made by SAFAR Shanghai team.
In this campaign, 1000 copies of brochures were given out and 3000 signatures were collected. The weather was harsh on the day, but a lot of local people and college students slowed down their pace to take a look at the posters. No trading, no killing. Most people showed their attitude of refusing to buy any fur production; they had never been exposed to these facts of fur industry before. As long as the need of fur production exists, the killing itself will not end; and the only way to give it an end is to cut the need of consumption from the very beginning.
Translated by Yanling Lin from http://gongyi.qq.com/zt2011/hbsj/
On November 30th last year, a news conference ‘say no to Canadian seal products’ was held in Beijing, opening up a battle against the import of Canadian seal products to China. A year later, on November 19th, the award ceremony “‘Seals in danger’ themed Poster Design Competition” was launched in Beijing, bringing public attention back to the battle towards seal products.
Ever since the Canadian seal products were introduced into Chinese market with the support of Canadian government, the condemnation and protest of Chinese people from all walks of life have never ceased. With countless news conference, open letter, CPPCC proposals, music concerts, photo exhibition and lectures initiated to uncover the brutality of seal industry, many animal welfare organizations and individuals from cities including Beijing, Guangzhou, Jinan, Dalian, Xiamen, Shenzhen and Shanghai have reached out to the public, calling for collective denial to seal products, as well as the advent of Law of Animal Protection in China.
But the crimes are not stopped. Canadian prime minister is going to visit China soon in order to promote Sino-Canadian economic and trade relations, accompanied by an intention to open up Chinese market for seal products, which was made possible by a contract agreed on by the two countries. After America and European countries saw legislative change to prohibit the trade of seal products, the fate of the seals is now held in Chinese consumers’ hands.
To raise Chinese people especially the young’s awareness on the truth of seal industry, a competition named “‘Seals in danger’ themed Poster Design Competition” sponsored and organized by Tengxun Cooperation and many other international and domestic animal welfare organizations was held on Oct.4 this year, bringing in many touching designs created by the Chinese young.
The cofounder of China Animal Protection Journalist Salon told reporter that since one year ago there have been protests by Chinese animal welfare organizations against the import of Canadian seal products, the conference therefore was a summary of the year-long battle.
The 20,000 yuan ($7,000) worth of first prize goes to a poster Mom, It’s cold！ In the center, the bloodstained cross stood out shockingly in the black and white background.
According to the event organizer, Zhan Dan, within one month, the committee received more than 240 works from participants all over the world, among which include many from well-known universities inside and outside China.
An exhibition of posters that won first and second prizes:
(In the world’s northernmost point lives a mysterious creature: seal. They have emotions, love and friendship just like us. God send warm fur to protect them, but humans slaughter them for their precious gifts. In 2011,37917 seals were killed. 2008,335000 and from 2004 to 2006 the number jumped to 1 million)
(we want to see happy and lively seals, not lifeless furs behind the shop window. Say NO to seal products.)
(SEAL! THE PRICE FOR LUXUARY)
(Can you feel the pain they experience?
Are you willing to
Sacrifice this valuable life
For one clothing?)
(GOD! Give back my kid!)
SAFAR 