More animal activists can save more animals’ lives

Groundhog

An “animal protection town hall” in Princeton next Tuesday evening, October 1, aims to show those who attend how to “Turn Compassion into Action.”  Presented by the Humane Society of the US (HSUS)-New Jersey, the session is open to the public, particularly animal advocates (and those who want to advocate for animals).

Starting at 7 pm, the town hall is scheduled for the Princeton Public Library, Witherspoon Street, in the community room behind the café.  Doors open at 6:30 and the event will end at 9 pm. 

You’re especially welcome . . . if, like many residents, you care about animals in New Jersey -- our brown bears, deer, raccoons, geese, community cats, stray dogs and household pets of all kinds. 

You’ll learn about recent victories in the state legislature as well as what remains to be done to improve life for animals here.  You’ll hear from the state director of HSUS, as well as expert panelists representing other New Jersey animal advocacy organizations.  And you can share your concerns and ask questions.

Brian R. Hackett, HSUS NJ State Director, State Affairs, will be joined by these panelists:

·         Larry Cohen, Volunteer District Leader, The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS)

·         Jane Guillaume, Executive Director, People for Animals (PFA)

·         Angi Metler, Executive Director, Animal Protection League of New Jersey (APLNJ)

Cottontail

You’ll leave the meeting with ideas for how to effectively advocate for animals with your elected reps on local, state and federal levels, starting with how to find legislators and track bills online, how to schedule meetings with your reps and what to expect. 

Hackett hopes the town hall -- “strictly non-partisan, free and open to the public” -- will be both fun and inspirational, with participants learning how to strengthen their voices for animals and advocate for state and local laws that can “make a world of difference for animals in New Jersey.”   

NJ killing ground

If you knew nothing more than New Jersey’s hunting schedule, with just 17 days a year when some animal is not hunted, you might come early and stay late at the animal protection town hall, above.  And that would be only the beginning of your activism!

American Coot

The following information comes from the Animal Protection League of New Jersey (aplnj.org), and even if I've said it before, I'll say it again: Read it and weep.

Instead of using 21st century means of handling conflicts with wildlife, NJ’s Division of Fish and Wildlife promotes antiquated attitudes toward wildlife, with killing being the default.  But the vast majority of New Jerseyans look for nonlethal means of dealing with conflicts.  They are tired of the inhumane and ineffectual killing.

There are only 17 days a year in New Jersey when some animal is not hunted.  On the 348 other days, geese, opossums, coots, coyotes, deer, turkeys, groundhogs, squirrels, ducks, rabbits, bears and numerous other species are all in DFW’s sights. 

In 2017/18, 48,545 deer were killed; 8,874 Canada geese were killed by the USDA and 30,600 were killed by hunters; 409 bears were killed. 

In 2017/18, 20,998 minks, muskrats, foxes, weasels, beavers, coyotes and 5 other species were killed by cruel, outmoded "hobby" trapping. 

In 2016, 45,821 cottontail rabbits were killed. 63,174 squirrels and 49,849 groundhogs were killed in 2015/16. 

In 2017/18, 117,325 pheasants, quails, partridges, crows, turkeys and other upland bird species were reported in hunter surveys as killed.  (Not all animals killed were reported. The full number is undoubtedly much higher.)   
       

Coyote

Wildlife and forests are national treasures. They are not owned by the shooting industry and state agencies perpetuating 19th century attitudes toward wildlife.  It's time for a change.

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