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[Freedom for Animals logo] Freedom for Animals

Join us in creating a world where brutality is replaced by compassion!

Cat Rights
By the  San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Printed here with permission
The growing popularity of cats as housepets has gone hand-in-hand with increased efforts to legislate, regulate,
and even eradicate these animals from our midst. In light of this growing threat to cats' lives and welfare, we feel
obligated to come forward and offer our perspective. The Cat Rights listed below represent the basic principles
that have guided our efforts on behalf of cats. We hope everyone will listen to all sides, participate in the debate,
and reach their own conclusions. The fate of millions of cats depends on it.

     1. The Right to be recognized as a unique and important species.

     2. The Right to have their individual lives cherished and protected.

     3. The Right to be free from cruelty and abuse.

     4. The Right to receive aid and comfort, including food, water, shelter, and medical care.

     5. The Right to a fair share of public resources for the care and treatment of companion animals.

     6. The Right to be treated as equal members of the animal kingdom.

     7. The Right to be represented accurately and humanely by those who speak on their behalf.

     For a more detailed discussion of each of these rights, please call The SF/SPCA Ethical Studies Department at
     (415) 554-3052, or e-mail us at "ethicalstudies@sfspca.org", and we'll gladly mail you a copy.

 

    

Cat


CARING FOR THE SF/SPCA'S CORE CONSTITUENCY

You may have seen them in your backyard, or around your apartment building. Perhaps you even feed them, or provide shelter for them during inclement weather. They are the feral and stray cats that live in our community and they are the San Francisco SPCA's core constituency.

In November 2005, we appeared before the San Francisco Commission of Animal Control and Welfare to oppose a request for an injunction against The SF/SPCA's Feral Cat Assistance Program sought by one of the commissioners. The request for the injunction was quickly denied by the other commissioners as being invalid, although a discussion about the program did take place.

The complaint against The SF/SPCA turns on a charge that the Society "abandons" feral cats once they have passed through the Feral Fix Program. This is a charge that we strongly refute. The goal of The SF/SPCA Feral Cat Assistance Program is to save feral cats and to control and reduce their numbers, and we are doing everything we can to attain this goal. The real "abandonment" of these cats comes every time one is dumped by an irresponsible owner. When these deserted felines have also not been spayed or neutered, their situation is even direr.

A feral cat is an unsocialized feline that was born outside and has never lived with humans, or it's a house pet that has strayed or been abandoned, and over time has reverted to a wild state. Feral cats usually can't be tamed, and therefore can't be adopted, and are most content living outside. There are thought to be about 60 million stray or feral cats in North America. In many cities, they proliferate unabated, with no safety net of care. But in San Francisco, The SF/SPCA Feral Cat Assistance Program works with caregivers to control the feral cat population, provide medical care and keep the cats adequately fed.


Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) is the most effective, humane and non-lethal strategy for controlling and reducing feral cat populations ...
The SF/SPCA Spay/Neuter Clinic offers free spay/neuter surgery and vaccinations for San Francisco's feral cats and kittens. Since our Feral Fix Program was founded in 1993, The SF/SPCA has altered well over 15,000 feral cats. It has been estimated that one unsterilized female cat and her offspring could theoretically produce 420,000 progeny over a seven year period. If we agree that approximately half of the 15,000 feral cats altered at The SF/SPCA over a 12 year period were female, then it can be inferred that several millions of feline births have been prevented during this time.

The Feral Cat Assistance Program at The SF/SPCA, and in partnership with San Francisco Animal Care & Control, is the only organized program in San Francisco dealing with the issue of feral cats. It's a hugely expensive program that generates no immediate monetary return on its investment. Unlike The SF/SPCA, several Humane Societies in counties surrounding San Francisco have been forced, by budgetary pressures, to end their Feral Cat programs. Nor have we thrown up our hands in despair at the seeming intractability of the problem; we continue to do all we can for these cats. We acknowledge that there are holes in the system, but the feral cats are taken care of as long as we know where they are.

Despite ongoing criticism, The SF/SPCA continues to endorse Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) as the most effective, humane and non-lethal strategy for controlling and reducing feral cat populations. Entire colonies are humanely trapped and brought to The SF/SPCA by volunteers and good Samaritans in the community for altering and vaccinations. Young kittens and tame strays are put up for adoption. Very sick or badly injured cats are humanely euthanized; healthy, adult feral cats have their left ear tipped for identification purposes, and are returned to their colonies under the supervision of volunteer caregivers.

It is these caregivers who are the unsung heroes of the Feral Cat Assistance Program. Many of them have spent years providing sustainable care for colonies of feral cats, feeding them, monitoring them, relocating them if necessary, trapping any newcomers, and generally seeing the dwindling, through normal attrition, of a once large colony to a few elderly felines. Theirs is often a lifetime job, and we take our collective hat off to them. However, to come up with a fail-safe, after-care plan for cats that have been through the Feral Fix Program will require increased funding and work.

Since the inception of Feral Fix in 1993, the intake rate of feral cats has dropped by 16%, and adoption has increased by 16%. It is clear that the way to keep moving ahead is not to shut down the Feral Cat Assistance Program but to enlarge it, and to engage the community in supporting it. To close down the Program, with no feasible plan for anything to replace it, or any credible solution to the problem of feral cats other than their euthanization, is not an answer. Therefore, The SF/SPCA will continue to do everything it can to care for its core constituency.

PREVENTING CRUELTY TO ANIMALS - AN ONGOING STRUGGLE

April is a special month at The San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. On April 18 we celebrate our 138th birthday, and the month of April is also National Prevention of Animal Cruelty Month. It's a fortuitous conjunction.


SF/SPCA Founder
James Sloan Hutchinson
click here for more SF/SPCA history
The San Francisco SPCA was "born" on April 18, 1868 when the founder, James Sloan Hutchinson, a prominent San Francisco banker, received its charter from the State of California. Hutchinson had gathered a group of influential men around him - those who had "clout" with lawmakers - to incorporate the Society in order to accomplish legal reform and its enforcement. That same month California legislators passed "an Act for the more effectual prevention of cruelty to animals" that went into effect on June 1, 1868. Since that time, the Society has worked tirelessly to improve the conditions for animals in San Francisco and beyond.

National Prevention of Animal Cruelty Month was initiated by the American SPCA in New York. The aim of this special month is to heighten awareness of animal cruelty, which is defined as any act of violence or neglect against an animal. Today, 35 states and the District of Columbia have laws that make intentional cruelty to an animal a felony charge; California 's felony statute has been hailed as one of the toughest in the nation. In the remaining states, animal cruelty is a misdemeanor. Several states also require veterinarians to report suspected cases of animal cruelty.

Abuse and neglect of animals has, sadly, always been a dark part of man's history. The movement for animal rights had its beginnings in the late 18th century and early 19th century and was linked closely with other social movements of the day including abolition, child welfare, temperance and women's suffrage. An organized effort to abolish cruelty to animals began in England, where the first Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was founded in 1824, and in America, where the ASPCA was founded in 1866. Animal rights were regarded by many as the next logical step in man's progress toward a more humane society.


Studies have shown a link between violent offenders and a childhood history of cruelty to animals.

Today, a great deal is known about the roots of cruelty towards animals, including a well-documented connection between abuse of animals and family and community violence. For instance, a 1983 survey of pet-owning families with confirmed cases of child abuse and neglect found that animals were abused in 88 percent of these homes. And children who harm animals are more likely to commit acts of violence later in life. Studies have shown a link between violent offenders and a childhood history of cruelty to animals. The American Psychiatric Association "considers animal cruelty one of the diagnostic criteria of conduct disorder." (1)

The San Francisco SPCA has run a Humane Education program for many years as a vital part of our commitment to improving the lives of companion animals. One of The SF/SPCA's founding goals was to "educate the rising generation on the subject of humanity, and to prevent children from perpetrating acts of cruelty." "In The SF/SPCA newsletter of April 1875, the first-page article underscored the teaching of kindness to animals as a primarily fundamental aspect of individual social development." (2) An open letter from the American Humane Education Association, published in the March 1875 SF/SPCA newsletter, stated that teaching kindness to animals would result in more humane citizens, thus minimizing crime and promoting a more moral society. Dan Osher, circa 1940

The SF/SPCA Humane Education Program still continues to teach youngsters empathy, compassion and respect for life. Our presentations are offered free of charge to every school in San Francisco, and we believe that humane education should be an integral part of every school curriculum. By imbuing children with humane values we hope that cycles of violence can be interrupted and/or prevented.

Animal Cruelty Resources
Laws and legislation www.hsus.org
Statistics www.pet-abuse.com

Animal rights groups bring abuse case to Supreme Court

The Liberty Gleaner, July 2003

On May 28, the Crown lost its appeal seeking a tougher punishment for art student Jesse Power. In April 2002, Power was sentenced to 90 days behind bars, to be served on weekends, for his role in the death of a cat. The killing of the cat, which has been named Kensington by a local animal rights group, took 17 minutes and was caught on videotape. The crown has 60 days to appeal the latest decision. Kensington Market-based group Freedom for Animals is lobbying the Crown to take the case to the Supreme Court and co-founder Suzanne Lahaie says the group will file for intervener status if the Crown decides not to pursue the case further. The group plans to continue to hold memorials for the cat and is also pushing for the federal government to adopt Bill C-10b, which would ensure stiffer punishment for people who abuse animals. Two other young men were involved in the cat's death. Anthony Wennekers has already served a 10-month jail term, and Matthew Kaczorowski's trial is set to begin on July 11.

 

My Name is Kensington ...

This site is to honour the memory of "Kensington", the cat who was brutally tortured and murdered by Jesse Power, Anthony Wennekers, and Matt Kaczorowski. For more information about the case,

Kensington buttons and more available

Button: Remember Kensington, Stop Cruelty to AnimalsWe have opened up a shop at CafePress.com with shirts, buttons, and stickers of Kensington. 10% of the selling price goes to Freedom for Animals and the Kensington Stray Cat Rescue. Visit our shop now! (Please be aware that all prices at the CafePress.com store are in US dollars.)

posted February 11, 2005

Defending the Casuistry protests

Thanks to Erin Heath for her excellent letter to NOW, in response to their criticism of the protest.

Kevin Temple of NOW wrote in the December 23, 2004 issue:

THE CASUISTRY PROTEST Jesse Power's 2001 cat torture extravaganza still evokes ire. But if killing a pet is naturally repulsive, a movie that openly explores why someone would do this in the name of art merits a positive reception. The placard-waving fools who protested the screening of Linda Feesey 's Casuistry: The Art Of Killing A Cat at the Toronto International Film Festival in September really missed the point. Nothing is more offensive than the easily offended.

Here's Erin's response, in the January 6 issue:

Cruel twist on torture

RE Kevin Temple's Top Art Shows of 2004 (NOW, December 23-29). [Linda Feesey's Casuistry: The Art Of Killing A Cat] was not an exploration of why a soulless person would torture an innocent creature to death for kicks. Rather, it was a way to give Jesse Power and his cohorts a way to explain themselves. It wasn't a look inside Power's twisted, perverted mind.

What the film asked was [whether] Power's reason for killing the animal made sense. It did not pass judgment on this cruelty. It was just an idiot forum for other idiots to discuss torture and cruelty.

Your journalists should do a little research before they denigrate the work of the compassionate few who chose to speak out against the celebration and publicizing of a senseless and unspeakable act of cruelty.

Erin Heath
Portland, Oregon

Letters in support of Suzanne Lahaie needed

Unfortunately, FFA co-founder Suzanne Lahaie has been experiencing harrassment for the past four years and is having difficulty getting some members of the Toronto Police Department to take it seriously. She is asking for letters of support.

If you know Suzanne Lahaie personally, she would appreciate it if you could write a character reference for her. If you don't know her but believe that the harrassment she has been experiencing for the past four years is connected to the Kensington cat torture video case and the documentary Casuistry: The Art of Killing a Cat, please write a letter explaining the connections you see. Please send the letters to our mailing address (above) or to info @ freeanimals .org.

A police officer has told Suzanne that she should expect this kind of harrassment (which has included vandalism of her apartment building and people following her and videotaping her, among many other incidents) because she is an animal rights activist. Every animal rights activist should be outraged that the police will not give us the same protection as other members of the public are entitled to.

posted October 26, 2004

Casuistry: The Killing of a Cat
Why I Protested It

by Suzanne Lahaie, Co-founder, Freedom for Animals

In no way did I expect Casuistry: The Killing of a Cat would be cancelled. May I remind you of the desensitized world we live in. The goal was to expose the truth about Casuistry: The Killing of a Cat; all involved; Kensington's murder case; and the harassment, starting with the posters I received in November 2000, which is still ongoing. The truth will prevail. Judgement day will come. I will see you in course.

posted October 4, 2004

Thanks to 53 Division

Freedom for Animals would like to thank Detective Peter Henry and fellow officers from 53 Division, Toronto Police, for respecting and working peacefully with FFA members and other activists. We hope in the future we can all work together as animal rights advocates and the law should. After the demonstration, Detective Henry shook hands with FFA's Suzanne Lahaie, and said he would write up a good report because it was such a peaceful demonstration.

Suzanne Lahaie, cofounder of FFA, would personally like to thank Detective Henry for all his efforts. She showed Detective Henry the posters she received in November 2000, which we believe are connected to Kensington's killing. Detective Henry seemed concerned about the posters, and asked for copies. Suzanne has contacted Detective Henry about this, and though he is unable to intervene in the case because it's been assigned to another division, we know he's done the best he could. We'd like to thank him for being patient and understanding.

posted September 30, 2004

Thanks for your participation

Freedom for Animals would like to thank everyone who came to our protests against Casuistry: The Art (sic) of Killing a Cat; those who sent donations; and everyone who contacted the Toronto International Film Festival, TIFF's sponsors, and the federal government about Kensington's case.

Thanks to everyone's efforts, Kensington's story has travelled around the world. Let's all keep working together to ensure that no more animals will suffer the way he did.

posted September 18, 2004

Protest final screening of Casuistry on Friday!

Casuistry protest schedule: Click here!Let's keep Kensington's memory alive and raise awareness about Canada's pathetic laws against cruelty to animals.

Please join us at our last protest, Friday, September 17, 1:30-3:15 pm, outside the Cumberland cinema (Cumberland and Avenue). We would like to see even more people on Friday than were at the big protest on Tuesday.

Remember, if you can, bring artificial flowers (white roses, blue forget-me-nots) for Kensington's memorial.

If Jesse Power or any of the other cat killers show up again, please keep calm, say nothing, and let the police take care of him.

Click here for full details about the protest.

posted September 16, 2004

Cat killer Jesse Power arrested at protest!

Jesse Power, former art student who was convicted of cruelty to animals for his 2001 video showing himself and two friends torturing a cat, was arrested at tonight's Freedom for  Animals protest against Casuistry: The Art [sic] of Killing a Cat. Read about it at the City TV website.

posted September 14, 2004

First protest a success!

Casuistry protest schedule: Click here!Thanks to everyone who came out to the first Casuistry protest last night. We reached a lot of people, and the response from the public is overwhelmingly positive.

Casuistry producer Linda Feesey showed up, and laughed in Suzanne's face when confronted about her use of unauthorized footage of Suzanne. We'll be seeing her in court.

The protests will keep getting bigger and better. Click here for the schedule, and come join us! (Please note we've added two more protests, for September 15 and 16.)

posted September 10, 2004

New posters to download

Please download, photocopy, and post our new posters:

Casuistry (PDF, 1 MB)

Peaceable Kingdom (PDF, 6.6 MB)

posted September 9, 2004

Call TIFF's sponsors

and let them know that you will not be buying their products unless they withdraw their support from TIFF for showing Casuistry: The Art of Killing a Cat. The numbers and contacts are here.

posted September 9, 2004

New open letter to TIFF

Freedom for Animals has sent a second, more detailed letter to the Toronto International Film Festival explaining our concerns, responding to some arguments people have raised in defence of Casuistry, and once more asking that Casuistry be withdrawn from the Festival.

posted September 8, 2004

Donations urgently needed

Freedom for Animals has learned from some animal protectionists who have seen Casuistry that it includes unauthorized footage of Suzanne Lahaie--footage that was included despite the fact that Suzanne refused to sign a release form and told Linda Feesey repeatedly that the footage was not to be used. We urgently need donations to cover the legal costs--so far our donations received in the course of the controversy will cover only 1% of the estimated costs.

posted September 7, 2004

Update: We need to find a new, more affordable lawyer. If you know of anyone who could help, please phone Suzanne at 416-591-5120.

posted September 9, 2004

 

We will protest at the Film Festival

FFA would like to make it clear that Freedom for Animals will be continuing with our protest plans. (A recent email has caused some confusion, but that email is from In Defense of Animals, not us.)

We would like to thank the many many people who have emailed or phoned to express their support. We're sorry that we don't have time to respond individually to everyone, but we ARE reading every email and listening to every message we receive.

Those of you who emailed will be getting an email from us with the protest plans once the details are finalized. There will be multiple protests, not just at the showing of Casuistry but throughout the festival. We will be distributing information about our Kensington's Law campaign for tougher anti-cruelty legislation.

Jesse Power, Anthony Wennekers, and Matt Kaczorowski committed the worst acts of cruelty to an animal in Canadian history, yet got only a slap on the wrist because of Canada's inadequate anti-cruelty legislation--and now they're starring in a movie at the Film Festival! Where is the justice?[Kensington.]

We urge everyone to contact Prime Minister Paul Martin, Minister of Justice Irwin Cotler, and your Member of Parliament and remind them that Canada needs better laws to deter future Jesse Powers.

posted September 2, 2004

FFA condemns death threats

Today Freedom for Animals learned from a reporter that the producer and director of Casuistry: The Art of Killing a Cat, say that they have received death threats.

Fabricating claims of death threats is a common tactict to discredit the animal rights movement.

However, we would like to say that if death threats did occur, we condemn the use of violence and threats of violence. Freedom for Animals, in common with 99.9% of animal rights activists, is firmly committed to nonviolence and always will be.

Violence has no place in the animal rights movement.

posted August 31, 2004

Harassment of Suzanne Lahaie Connected with the Case

Thus far, we have kept silent about the ongoing harassment Freedom for Animals' co-founder Suzanne Lahaie has suffered related to the cat torture video case. However, the police have been unable or willing to help, so we are hoping public attention will lead to a proper investigation.

Click here for the summary.

posted August 31, 2004

FFA urges Film Festival: Don't show cat torture film

Today Freedom for Animals emailed the Toronto Film Festival asking them not to show the film Casuistry: The Art of Killing a Cat. Click here to read the full email.

If they continue with their plans to show the film, we will be organizing a boycott of the Festival.

posted August 29, 2004

Cat torturers featured at Toronto Film Festival

Casuistry: The Art of Killing a Cat, will premiere at the Toronto Film Festival on September 14. The film features the three cat torturers, Jesse Power, Anthony Wennekers, and Matt Kaczorowski, who brutally tortured and killed a cat on video in 2001. According to a review in the Toronto Sun, the film features the killers' "excuses" for what they did (they were disorganized, the razor was dull, they were on drugs) and apologists defending what they did (as well as a few critics). The director, Zev Asher, said, "I cannot condone or condemn what they did."

Freedom for Animals will be organizing a demonstration at the Festival to raise awareness of what happened and to counteract the pathetic excuses of the killers. There is no excuse for what happened to Kensington.

posted August 28, 2004

Jesse Power returns to court

Jesse Power will appear in court at College Park on Tuesday, August 16, room 503, for theft. Freedom for Animals is encouraging members of the public to attend, and wear a Kensington shirt or button if you have one. We vow that no one will ever forget "Kensington" and what Jesse Power, Anthony Wennekers, and Matt Kaczorowski did to him.

posted August 10, 2004

Jesse's arrest confirmed

Freedom for Animals has confirmed (through the courts at Old City Hall) that Jesse Power, the former art student who helped torture and kill "Kensington" the cat, was arrested on June 9, 2004, for theft.

posted August 4, 2004

Older news.

Kensington's Life

Flowers and a large photo of Kensington mark the first memorial site, April 2002.

Kensington will never be forgotten. We vow to keep Kensington's memory fresh in all our minds. Freedom for Animals and Kensington Market Stray Cat Rescue will be organizing a yearly Kensington Memorial Day in memory of Kensington who was tortured, videotaped, and murdered.

A large crowd of Kensington's supporters gathers outside the courthouse awaiting the verdict, April, 2002.

Get ALL the information on how to bring Kensington's killers to justice!

kensingtoncruelty is an inclusive list for people who want to work together for our common goal, seeing that those who tortured and killed Kensington are brought to justice. It should not be confused with the kensingtoncat email list, which is focused on one activist's work and has banned mention of Freedom for Animals.

Let them know that

  1. The makers of this so-called documentary are biased: for example, see this article by director Zev Asher which reveals that he and producer Linda Feesey are chummy with cat-killer Jesse Power, giving him a ticket to the premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival and a copy of the video, making excuses for him (he thought it was art, he was high at the time). (Note also the contempt for animal rights activists in Asher's article—he thinks being distressed by the case means there's something wrong with us?)
  2. The question of whether this torture of a cat is "art" shouldn't even have to be asked. See this great critique by Brian Tohill of WSPA.
  3. The cat killers do not deserve any more publicity. (In fact, according to Zev Asher's article linked above, Officer Gordon Scott (lead investigator on the case) refused to participate in the documentary for that very reason.)

Also, Tampa International Film Festival (Tampa, Florida, United States) has decided to remove Casuistry from their schedule. Their website is currently down, so we don't have info yet on why they made this decision or how to contact them.

posted March 22, 2005

Forget Me Not

My name is Kensington, you know, the cat who was a victim of how out of control and cruel this world is.

I'm the life that for enduring minutes that were endless was beyond words pain can say.

Why but we know why another being can make one suffer. It's all connected to so much hatred and a world without love, whose pain was worse.

So much anger, yes some beings felt for me, right through their souls tears to fill the loss of love.

My story has been twisted some kinda game where's respect for life, we all are precious.

How I begged to have them end my life, please, quick, yet no, this horror lingered on. I just hope that what I went through will have closure, a turn for change.

Too much sadness, we're all crying in the reality that life on earth is. Each has done our share and all will pay our dues. Acknowledgement and admittance can begin now.

The Creator gave life to all, no one is to decide who's more valuable than another. Our souls and flesh are the same. I'm a cat that felt like you, a human would, so why label me meaningless. Do you know what the hell they did to me? How can you compare pain? Compassion has to replace selfishness, if we're to survive.

I was named Kensington, cause you see there are those that thought I was worth more than life itself. Bless them, now I'm crying.

My name was Kensington and I will live on and on eternally, yeah they promised I will not be forgotten and I believe it. A world of humans care. When you hear my name don't turn and walk away, look at me. I was a life like you, entitled to live as much as you.

Please pause for a minute and make yourself a better human being. We're all animals on earth so why am I so different? Please, oh please, I had so much pain, don't just let it end this way. I ask you to unite in a kingdom of all rights to all life.

Start by entering my name Kensington and sealing it with love.

Forget me not.

The Cat Torture Video Cruelty Case

 

Casuistry protest poster (PDF, 1 MB). Print and post!

Peaceable Kingdom poster (PDF, 6.6 MB).

Kensington's Memorial Album: Your contributions are welcome!

Text of Bill C-22 (new cruelty to animals law) at the Government of Canada website.

In the News...

Subject of cat-killing documentary arrested at film's protest. Court TV, September 15, 2004.

Free speech? OK, but flick still sucks. Toronto Sun, September 15, 2004.

Animal rights activists protest cat-killer doc at Toronto Film Festival. Canadian Press, September 15, 2004.

Protesters clash with cat killer at Toronto premiere. CBC News, September 15, 2004.

Cat killer crashes protest. Toronto Star, September 15, 2004.

Cat killer detained after clash outside movie. The Globe and Mail, September 15, 2004.

Fur flies over cat-killing film. BBC News, September 15, 2004.

Film on cat torture draws protesters in Toronto. Reuters, September 14, 2004.

Protestors livid. City TV, September 14, 2004.

Claws for alarm. New York Post, September 13, 2004.

Protests planned at Casuistry screening. Toronto Star, September 12, 2004.

Film Hailed by Dr. Jane Goodall as "a masterpiece" Brought to Toronto by Coalition of Animal and Environmental Groups as Positive Alternative to Festival's "Cat Killer" Film. News release by a coalition of groups, September 3, 2004.

Director defends his 'cat-skinning' documentary. CTV, September 3, 2004.

Can cat torture be art? Toronto Sun, September 2, 2004.

Film fest defends doc about cat-killing case. CBC Arts News, September 1, 2004.

Festival should pull plug on cat-killing movie. Toronto Star, September 1, 2004.

TIFF contacts police over death threat. The Globe and Mail, September 1, 2004.

Cat kill flick will air: Fest. Toronto Sun, August 31, 2004.

Film fest won't pull doc about cat killing. CTV, August 31, 2004.

Festival keeping cat-killer film. Toronto Star, August 31, 2004.

It gets even loopier. Toronto Sun, August 28, 2004.

See the News archive for earlier articles.

Activist Archive

Freedom for Animals' poster about "Matt" (MS Word document)

News releases

Poster Gallery

Links

Freedom for Animals home page

Kensington's Animal Legal Defence Fund

Toronto Coalition for AntiCruelty Legislation

Canadian Federation of Humane Societies

Last Chance for Animals

Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals

Toronto Crimestoppers

Toronto Humane Society

Toronto Police

THE POPE & THE HOMELESS CATS: John Paul II had a dream
By: J.R. Hyland

The first time I read the account of Pope John Paul II's dream, the thing that surprised me most was the fact that it was included in the book GOD'S BROKER.   Published in 1984, the book was the result of two hundred hours of conversation with the Pope.  These interviews began soon after the author, Anton Gronowicz, was introduced to the Pope in 1979, and continued for two years, in the Pontiff's apartment at the Vatican

An American citizen of Polish descent, Gronowicz was the longtime friend of many highly-place churchmen.  And in the prologue to his book, he explains how he was able to circumvent Vatican bureaucracy.  "Stefan Cardinal Wyszynski, Primate of Poland, introduced me to the Pope, acquainted me with Vatican circles and convinced the Holy Father that he should bypass the Vatican department of State and grant me private interviews."

Subtitled "The Life of John Paul II as told in His Own Words" the subject matter of the book ranges from reminiscences of the time when the Pope was known as Karol Wojtyla, a young man living under the Nazi occupation of Poland, to his reflections on social justice issues, theology and church doctrine.  And in the midst of these human-centered concerns, the author devotes four pages to a dream the Pope related to him, about a homeless cat.

This surprising interpolation might lead to the conclusion that the author understood the significance of the dream: that he was sensitive to the plight of God's other creatures and the way they are abused.  But the comments he makes as the Pontiff relates his dream, indicate he had little understanding of the implications of what he was being told.  But from the way in which this dream preserved its vigor and immediacy, so many years later, it is obvious that it was very important to John Paul; and he fully understood its implications.

In his dream, John Paul follows a homeless mother cat who was trying to find food and shelter for herself and her kittens.  She is turned away by those who lack nothing, themselves, and by men who represent the various faces of established Christianity.

The dream took place in 1969 the night before the Pope, known then as Cardinal Karol Wojtyla, was to visit New York City for the first time.  It was late summer and he had been touring Canada.  He spoke of the beauty of its fields and forests and how he had wished for more time to walk in woods vibrant with color and with his "ears filled with the songs and voices of animals."

In the midst of this discussion of Canada, the Pope abruptly changed the subject and said: "The night before my departure from Canada to New York, which I had never seen, I had a strange dream."  But his dream was not of beautiful forests, warm with the summer sun.  It was of a crowded city, frigid with the cold of a northern winter.  And although he had never been there, his dream captured the way Manhattan looks and feels, after a major snow storm.

"It was a terribly severe winter in New York, the city was completely covered with snow.  Inhabitants were well-off and warmly dressed, and walking slowly along roads because cars, due to mountains of snow, could not be operated. I was happy that I could walk on top of the snow on avenues of white.

"All my physical effort was spent on walking.  To this day, pictures of huge apartment houses on both sides of the avenue are instilled in my mind, and the doormen quickly closing and opening entrance doors as though trying to prevent humanity and warmth from escaping.

"On top of the snow, I noticed a brown cat emerge from a side street and walk on the snow.  I looked closer, and to my surprise, saw that this big cat was being followed by six small brown-and- white kittens, all of them following the big brown cat in a perfect line.  The mother cat looked back from time to time to see if her babies were there, but her main concern was to reach the entrance door.  I presumed she was trying to find warmth for herself and her children, but as soon as she reached the door, a man in a well-pressed uniform, jumped at her with a broom and chased them away. I followed this procession and prepared to deliver a speech to the doorman.  I opened my mouth and tried to complain,  'Where is your proverbial American generosity?  Where is your American good heart and fair play?  Let them in.  Let them in!!

"I tried to speak, but the words would not come out.  Maybe I was afraid of the doorman with the broom.  I started searching my cassock pockets for a piece of bread, found some crumbs and put them on my palms, calling: 'Kitty, kitty, kitty.'   But the words would not come from my supposedly intelligent mouth.  Instead, the wind blew the crumbs from my palm and I said, 'what can I do?  I can't speak to the cats.  I can't speak to the doorman.  But there are many hungry birds.   They might pick up the crumbs.'

"Again, I walked after the cats, now with a pain in my chest, feeling tremendous cold.  On the left I saw a church building and thought,'There we will find help.'  I heard singing and again, the idea occurred to me that it must be a Catholic church.  The music grew louder, as though trying to convince God that they were praying to Him.

The mother cat jumped in front of me and climbed the stairs, followed by her kittens.  I raised my head and saw a tall Jesuit priest chasing the cats off the steps.  But as I was about to shout at the Jesuit 'I am a cardinal!' and give an order to accept the cats, the mother cat and her offspring ran behind the church, because from there came the appetizing aroma of food.  Probably there was a kitchen there. But a second Jesuit appeared at the kitchen door and scared the cats away.  They returned to the avenue and started walking north.

"They walked on the same side of the avenue as the Jesuit church and I followed.  Then they reached an imposing red brick church.  An Anglican bishop appeared and said to the cats, 'My dear animal children, please go immediately to the animal shelter.  There is food for you there.  We Anglican clergy donate lots of money to the animal shelter, every year, at Christmas time.'

"The mother cat and her kittens didn't even meow.  They knew the authoritative voice of the Anglican bishop.  They walked uptown and gradually the luxurious buildings disappeared, together with the doormen, and we saw drab dilapidated apartments.

"As they walked and the buildings grew shabbier and dirty, a door was opened, not by a doorman but by an old wrinkled woman in a cotton dress. [She saw the cats] and shouted 'Oh, little mother,' and when she opened her mouth I saw she had few teeth.   She gently ushered the mother cat and kittens inside, who jumped happily about because the warmth of the house embraced them."

The narrative ended as the cats found a safe haven with the woman who had little enough, herself.  When the Pope concluded his dream the author to whom he related it did not make any comment on what had been said. But he did write that "I had never seen such a sad expression on the face of this man."  Considering that this was the same man who had related the horrors of his young manhood, under Nazi occupation, the author's remark shows the deep impact this dream had on the Pope.

If the Pontiff offered a commentary on his dream, Anton Gronowicz does not share it with the reader.  But we are told that John Paul began to recite the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi. "Lord make me an instrument of thy peace, where there is hatred let me sow love...where there is darkness, light and where there is sadness, joy.

Many years after Cardinal Wojtyla had his dream, and had become Pope John Paul II, he made a pilgrimage to Assisi, the birthplace of St. Francis.  In the Message of Reconciliation he delivered there, the Pontiff spoke of the Saint's love for animal, as well as human, beings.  And he likened that inclusive love to an anticipation of the Peaceable Kingdom, envisioned by the Prophet Isaiah; a world in which all God's creatures will live in peace with each other.

The Pope also said that the "solicitous care, not only towards men, but also towards animals and nature in general" which St. Francis demonstrated, is "a faithful echo of the love with which God in the beginning pronounced his 'fiat' which brought them into existence." And, the Pope added, "we, too, are called to a similar attitude."

Some who read these remarks are surprised to find in them such strong support of God's other creatures.  They are surprised to hear the Pope refer to the lives of animals as a manifestation of God's love: lives that deserve our "solicitous care."  But I was not surprised.  By the time I came across a copy of the message he gave at Assisi, I had read "God's Broker" and the lengthy account of the Pope's dream.  And I knew that if John Paul II had not wanted this very revealing dream to be published, it would never have appeared in print.

So in spite of the policies and pronouncements of churchmen of the same, or other persuasions, who try to denigrate the value and the importance of the lives of God's other creatures, we know that John Paul II had a dream.  And although men of lesser vision and lesser spiritual development have closed their hearts and their minds to the needs of other creatures, John Paul has given witness to a need for the "solicitous care, not only of men, but of animals."

In this witness, the Pope is being true to the Gospel message in which Jesus also gave witness to the need for the solicitous care of all beings: "I tell you, whenever you refused to help one of these least important ones, you refused to help me."(Matthew 25:45 TEV)

Copyright 2001, J.R. Hyland & Humane Religion Text from GOD'S BROKER by Antoni Gronowicz, Richardson & Snyder NY, 1984, used by permission.

The Spanish translation of "The Pope and the Homeless Cats" is on the Animal People's website.  Go to www.animalpeoplenews.org  Click on the flag that says "en Espanol."
They should also have it translated in French.
 

 

Newsletters
Animal Writes © sm
8 March 2000 Issues
Cruelty Free Cat Toy 

In today's pet supplies stores, one cannot seem to avoid finding toys for their beloved felines that do not contain fur, leather, or feathers. But have no fear! There are many toys out there that consist of no animal byproducts.

First of all, there are the infamous scratching posts, made up of though rope and carpeting. Some even come decorated with a neat little, floofy, hanging fluff ball for your cat to bat around.

Then there are the hundreds of catnip toys that consist of safe plastics and/or cloth. You can even make your own catnip pillows with your own fabric of choice and organic catnip, which is found in most pet supplies stores.

Some of the most unique cat toys out on the market are cruelty free. There are zig zag balls, plastic balls in which a small ball bearing give the toy its capricious ways, entertaining cats for hours. Some balls and plush toys make noises to entertain the felines, like squeaking, honking, beeping, even undefinable noises.

Best of all, because of the simplicity of cruelty free toys, some are the least expensive. Ping pong toys, spinner balls, catnip pillows, mylar balls, crinkle pillows, nylon mice, and many more toys cost under a dollar, and are quite durable and entertaining to a cat.

So don't be distressed if you want your cats to have fur-, feather-, and leather-free toys, because there are hundreds out there. And you'll find that you'll be saving more money, too!

Reward offered for suspect in local cat cruelty case

BY NICOLE E. SQUIBBS, SUN STAFF WRITER
May 10, 2007 - 10:45PM
A local man at the 400 block of South 22nd Avenue found his cat bloody and disoriented. The veterinarian who examined the cat found two pellets embedded in the cat's face and spinal area.

The cat was found injured on Saturday and is currently in critical condition and undergoing treatment, according to a press release from Elkie Wills of the Humane Society of Yuma.

The humane society is investigating the crime.

There is a $100 reward for the identity and arrest of the suspect or suspects responsible for the act of cruelty. If a suspect is identified, charges can range from misdemeanor to felony animal cruelty, with the possibility of a jail sentence.

"The public needs to realize that causing harm to any animal is against the law, and they can be prosecuted. We hope that the public will come forward with any information regarding this case, and we want to make sure that the pets in this area remain out of harm's way," Wills said in the press release.

For more information, contact Wills at 782-1621 or ewills@hsoyuma.com.


----
Nicole Squibbs can be reached at
nsquibbs@yumasun.com or 539-6855.


The HSUS Assists with Largest Cat Cruelty Case in Idaho History
April 25, 2006

SEATTLE -  At the request of the Idaho Humane Society, The Humane Society of the United States Northern Rockies Regional Office assisted with the seizure and subsequent forfeiture of 323 cats, last week, who were kept in deplorable conditions at the Rocky Mountain Cat Resort in Twin Falls, Idaho. The Rocky Mountain Cat Resort, the largest cat breeding facility in Idaho, bred and sold cats through the Internet and newspaper ads throughout the country.

On Thursday, April 20, the Idaho Humane Society (IHS), Twin Falls County Sheriff's Department and representatives from the Idaho Department of Agriculture served a search warrant on the facility. At the request of IHS, representatives with The HSUS assisted with the immediate care, and following forfeiture, transport and relocation of cats from the premises to IHS and People for Pets Magic Valley Shelter.

"The facility was horrendous. It's hard to believe that human or animal could have lived in such conditions" said Inga Gibson, program manager of the Pacific Northwest region for The HSUS. "If not for the intervention of the Idaho Humane Society, these cats would have met a much worse fate. We also commend the Twin Falls Sheriff's Department and Idaho Department of Agriculture for their handling of the case," Gibson said. 

According to Jeff Rosenthal, DVM, executive director of the Idaho Humane Society, this was one of the worst cases of neglect he had ever encountered. "This case is particularly disturbing because this horrifically unsanitary facility was actively engaged in selling these animals to the public, Rosenthal said. "The Rocky Mountain Cat Resort appeared to be a reputable cattery from its pleasing exterior and through its advertisements in national magazines, but behind this façade hundreds of animals were suffering from neglect, untreated contagious disease and parasites."

The HSUS continues to assist by providing veterinary care and supplies for the animals currently sheltered at the Idaho Humane Society in Boise and People for Pets Magic Valley Shelter in Twin Falls. It is expected that many of the cats will be available for adoption and shelters from Washington and Oregon have already offered assistance with placement.  The IHS will notify the public when the animals are ready for adoption.

Under current federal law, facilities such as the Rocky Mountain Cat Resort are exempt from USDA licensing and regulation. "Since there are no regulations for animal welfare standards, a highly profitable business such as the Rocky Mountain Cat Resort can get away with raising animals in conditions that breed animal cruelty and suffering," Gibson said. "When intervention does happen, local agencies and municipal shelters are forced to take in and shelter hundreds of animals, provide veterinary care for many who have extreme health problems and then to find them loving homes," said Gibson. "Local shelters and rescue groups are regularly overburdened and struggle to deal with these large-scale cruelty cases when they happen."

The Pet Animal Welfare Statute (PAWS), introduced by Reps. Gerlach (R-PA) and Farr (D-CA) in the U.S. House of Representatives and Sens. Santorum (R-PA) and Durbin (D-IL) in the U.S. Senate, would strengthen existing law covering commercial breeding facilities by amending the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) to require USDA coverage of commercial breeder who sell six or more litters of puppies or kittens directly to the public in a year.

Currently all commercial dealers of dogs and cats who sell animals directly to the public are able to evade AWA licensing and humane handling requirements. The growing popularity of the Internet has created an unintentional loophole in the current law allowing these dealers to be considered "pet stores" and thereby sidestep all federal oversight. Under PAWS, these breeders would have been inspected regularly, preventing severe suffering and harm to these animals and communities.

For more information about large-scale breeding facilities, go to www.stoppuppymills.com.

-30-

The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization with more than 9.5 million members and constituents. The HSUS is a mainstream voice for animals, with active programs in companion animals, disaster preparedness and response, wildlife and habitat protection, animals in research, equine protection and farm animal welfare. The HSUS protects all animals through education, investigation, litigation, legislation, advocacy, and field work. The non-profit organization is based in Washington and has field representatives and offices across the country. On the web at www.hsus.org.

The HSUS Northern Rockies Regional Office serves Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming.

 

 

< < NEWS FLASH > >
Grandmother's torture lessons influence

murderer
03:01 a.m. Nov 08, 1997 Eastern
SYDNEY, Nov 8 (Reuters) - The grandmother

 of a double

 murderer played a pivotal role in his early

criminal development, buying him kittens

and teaching him how to torture them by

 cutting off their ears and tails during his

 school holidays, an Australian court was

 told. Richard Leonard, 24, was convicted

 of murdering one man by shooting him

through the heart with a bow and arrow

and has pleaded guilty to stabbing a second

 man 37 times before slitting his throat.

A forensic psychiatrist said Leonard might

 have lost the ability to adapt to the needs

 and sufferings of both animals and humans

 at an early age, the Australian newspaper

reported on Saturday. Leonard's deeply

religious father told the court he had

 spoken to his mother not long before

 her death and that she had confirmed

 his son's story about the cats.
REUTER

Bill Would Make Animal Cruelty a Felony
Contact: ASPCA Public Affairs, (212) 876-7700, ext. 4655
New York -- Severe animal abuse would be elevated

to a felony under a bill (A.10769) now in the New

York State Assembly Rules Committee, chaired by

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver. The legislation

 is animal-friendly, tough on crime and addresses a

 form of domestic violence.
Click for more.