PRESS RELEASEFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ANIMALS AS HOLIDAY ‘GIFTS’ ILL-ADVISEDLocal group concerned by animals viewed as commodities Burnaby, BC – December 12, 2004 – Local animal advocacy group, Society for Animal Freedom and Equality (SAFE), has an important message for holiday shoppers who may be planning to give an animal as a ‘gift’ this holiday season. SAFE wants people to give serious consideration to the significant long-term commitment that is involved. Many people during the Holidays make impulse decisions such as ‘buying’ puppies and kittens like merchandise. “The perception people have of animals needs to change,” says Marianne Verigin, President of SAFE. The current fad of using animals as accessories, promoted by celebrities like Paris Hilton, worries Verigin who says, “Animals are not dispensable novelties. Once the fad passes it compounds the overpopulation problem animal shelters experience every year.” People taking the time to evaluate their ability to meet the needs of the animal can alleviate this problem. “All animals have the same basic needs of security, shelter and love, just as humans do,” adds Verigin. Making the decision to share your life with and care for another living being requires a commitment, time and energy, for the animal’s whole life. SAFE suggests a few other ways to help animals over the holidays. Verigin continues, “People can volunteer at a shelter, or they can provide a foster home for animals in need in the New Year. They can also make a donation to groups such as SAFE that are dedicated to protecting animals.” For more information contact: Marianne
Verigin, President The Society for Animal Freedom and Equality (SAFE) is a registered non-profit organization dedicated to protecting animals from human exploitation by challenging human perceptions of animals, which is the common cause of all issues faced by animals today. |
|
 |