You're awesome girl!!!! I might see if I can head up there to join you seeing as I started this whole debate. I could see if I could make it up for the Friday or Saturday? I'll see who I can bring along.
Animals australia have an AWESOME guide to this sort of thing-
http://www.animalsaustralia.org/take_action/DIY_guide.php there you go.
I think the thing that's most important with the anti circus campaign in particular is to remember that to the public we aren't very reputable compared to the animal trainers who work with the animals. They'll claim how much they love their animals etc and they probably do! The point is that it's still not natural for them to be confined like that. They'll say "but they were born in captivity" and I always say "Do you remember that Austrian man who kept his daughter in a hidden basement to use her as a sex slave? She had children to him, they are young adults now and live permanently in a psychiatric hospital because of the damage living in confinement did to them."
The other big point to make is summed up perfectly by Peter Singer "The whole idea that we should enjoy the humiliating spectacle of an elephant or lion made to perform circus tricks shows a lack of respect for the animals as individuals". That would make a good banner.
ANOTHER point to make (sorry if I'm rambling!) is the lion tamer who was eaten by his lions somewhere recently. We'll have to do more research but honestly... Lions in captivity. They're performing unnatural stunts for food.. of course they're going to eat their trainers!
I hope this has helped.
Thanks Arianna! Your doubley awesome! Well if you need somewhere to stay up here you are more than welcome at my place!!
Your not rambling at all - some of the things you wrote gave me goosebumps...
Also I agree I hate it when people use the excuse 'they are born into captivity' its bullsh*t.
Battery hens are born into cages aswell but this doesn't mean if given half the chance (in a rescue hens case) they will exhibit and be contented to carry out all their natural behaviours such as dust bathing, scratching for worms, making a private nest, stretching their wings etc...
I'm sure a Lion would prefer to run free and chase gazelle, lie in the sun all day with their cubs then be subjected to hours of training and travelling the country in cages.
I really want to send an email to the Maryborough Mayor but I'm not as good at articulating myself as you have done... any tips?
Thanks for the house offer I'm lucky to have family up that way so it might be a good excuse to see them.
I'm adopting ex batts soon and I never even thought if they'd do all that stuff, it'll be interesting to see if they ever return to normal chickens. Poor babies
Tips ummm. Use quotes from important people, that makes you seem more credible and proves that you've done research. That quote from the vet fellow is a good one and peter singer is so well known and respected.
I didnt do this but I have been since - when you state a fact say where you found it. So if we were talking about the ethics of slaughtering cattle without stunning you could say "The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries document on risks to animal welfare without induced insensibility tells us that animals killed in this method will experience pain and distress before losing consciousness". When looking for this info, if you google search something and it comes with a link to scholary information use that! It's more credible than citing Animals Australia etc.
With this issue I think it's wise to talk about teaching our children to respect animals too.
I might send him a letter too! the more the merrier
