Purrs 4 Peace Week 37: Say YAY to horses and NAY to slaughter.

J.Frank Dobie- Texan Folklorist, of the Mustangs wrote: "The most beautiful, the most spirited and the most inspiring creature ever to print foot on the grasses of America."

Wild horses have been considered one of the treasures of the U.S. But now they are being treated like trash for disposal. Mustangs live in the plains and mountains of the western states. However, bowing to pressure from ranchers, the government has controlled their numbers by rounding them up for auction. Often tens of thousands are held in facilities, losing their freedom and the bonds they have developed. And since there aren’t enough homes for them to be adopted into at auction, as a result of a change in the law in 2004 they are sold for slaughter. There is better ways to manage over population. Ways that are humane but economical. Slaughter is just easier it seems.

Wild horses, and all other horses deserve better than to be slaughtered for human consumption.

Proverbs 12:10

"A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel."

Let us all seek to influence our political representatives to actually represent our interests and pass legislation that will make these heinous practices end. Let us all seek to be examples to others as to how to treat animals with respect (even those who would give their lives so that others can eat). And let us purrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

Purrrrrr.....Imagine the warmth of peace as a spark inside every person in the world. #purrs4peace

Purrrrrrrrrrrrrring...... See that spark of PEACE grow into a fire of love, tenderness, & sympathy, melting the hardness of every heart. #purrs4peace.

Purrr....Imagine that fire burning away selfishness, greed, and apathy. See empathy, unselfishness, and benevolence grow in their place. #purrs4peace

Purrrr.....Imagine human tyranny over animals broken and replaced by grace, mercy and respect. #purrs4peace

Purrr.....See every slaughterhouse destroyed, every animal suffering in their midst is freed. #purrs4peace

Purrr....See every wild horse running free, safe and protected throughout their natural lives. #purrs4peace

Purrrrr.....See every domesticated horse with a loving and nurturing human family. #purrs4peace

Purrrrr....Imagine a world dominated by insight, guided by love, controlled by peace. #purrs4peace.

Purrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.......

Peace * Paix * Frieden * Vrede * Pace * Fred* Paz * Shalom * Salaam * Om Shanti * Heddwch * Síochán * 和平

Purrs 4 Peace Week 37: Horse are not for Slaughter

If a group of beings from another planet were to land on Earth - beings who considered themselves as superior to you as you feel yourself to be to other animals - would you concede them the rights over you that you assume over other animals? ~Attributed to George Bernard Shaw

I was surprised to learn recently that although horse meat is not traditionally eaten in the United States, tens of thousands of American horses are slaughtered each year for human consumption. These horses - riding horses, carriage horses, race horses, wild horses and even children’s ponies - are purchased by slaughterhouse middlemen at auction. Sadly, many of these horses are brought to auction by their owners with the idea that the horse will find a good home. The sellers do not realize that killer buyers are at the auction along with families and horse rescue organizations. When purchased by these killer buyers, the horses are shipped long distances in cramped trailers without food, water or rest. The USDA has obtained information of horrific injuries suffered by horses in transport including dangling eyes, broken legs, back injuries...even horses dead on arrival. Most of these horses were young and healthy with years left of productive life. I will not even go into the horrendous slaughter process before their meat shipped to Europe and Asia.

There has been some action in the form of The Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act (H.R. 503/ S. 727) which would ban the slaughter of American horses for food and ban the export of live horses across borders for slaughter. I hope you will urge your congress men and women to support this legislation.

And this week I urge everyone to purrrrr. Purr for the majestic and beautiful creatures who deserve better than this treatment. They deserve care and safety. They deserve respect. They deserve PEACE.

Week 37 of Purrs 4 Peace details are as follows:

• Week thirty-sevens’s appointed time is Sunday, February 28, 2010.
• Participants should purr for three minutes commencing at 3 p.m. Eastern (U.S.) which is 8:00 p.m. (20:00 hrs.) in the U.K.
• The cat’s human staff should assist their cats with the project by stroking and nuzzling the cat at the appointed time.
• Please post your cat name and the country you purr in at www.confuciuscat.blogspot.com as a COMMENT if you are participating in this historic project. (posting a link to your own website-if you have one-is encouraged.) Or let me know by message on twitter or facebook.
• Posting purrs on facebook ( Acolytes of Confucius Cat or as friend to Alley Mason) and twitter (@ConfuciusCat) is encouraged, since it inspires purring in others, but not required. On twitter please use #purrs4peace in your tweets.

Peace * Paix * Frieden * Vrede * Pace * Paz * Shalom * Salaam * Om Shanti * Heddwch * Síochán * 和平