Letter From Wayne Pacelle

Dear Cynthia,

The first months of 2008 exposed some of the worst abuses farm animals endure. And The Humane Society of the United States has been hard at work to halt these terrible abuses and to advance systemic change in the way farm animals are treated. I'm writing today with the latest updates and actions from our Factory Farming campaign:

In January, our undercover investigation into the cruel treatment of sick and crippled cows at a California slaughter plant gained nationwide attention -- but we need to make sure that Congress takes action. On Thursday, May 1, please urge your federal representative to support legislation to protect "downed" animals from abuse. Please tell your friends about this National Call-In Day and watch your email the morning of May 1 for details.

February and March brought great corporate news. After talks with The HSUS, Safeway implemented significant animal welfare policies on battery cages, gestation crates, and poultry slaughter. Then, we cooked up our first corporate relationship with a food company. The HSUS logo on Tofurky products will show how mainstream compassionate eating is. Check humanesociety.org/recipes for recipes and cooking tips.

Last week, the Colorado legislature passed landmark legislation to phase out gestation crates and veal crates. When Governor Bill Ritter signs the bill -- which he says he'll do -- Colorado will be the fourth state to prohibit gestation crates and the second to prohibit veal crates.

And the next day, the Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act officially qualified for California's November ballot. This important measure will phase out confinement in battery cages, gestation crates, and veal crates -- stopping the worst abuses of animals on California's industrial farms.

CALL WENDY'S! When so much is happening, farm animals need your help more than ever! Wendy's still refuses to join its competitors and move away from its exclusive use of eggs from caged hens. Even if you have called before, please call and ask Wendy's to do the right thing and start moving away from battery cage eggs.

Thank you for all you do for animals.

Sincerely,

Wayne Pacelle
President & CEO
The Humane Society of the United States