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For information and photos on actions, please see monthly newsletter archive www.bwcsa/co.za/newsletters
PET SHOPS Ongoing protest against the sale by City Pets South Africa and other pet stores in Jhb has brought together the interests of both Animal Welfare and Animal Rights organizations. It is important to understand why these organizations do not support animal trading pet shops, and why they chose to protest against City Pets South Africa in particular, and against all animal selling pet shops in general. City Pets South Africa caught the attention of the above-mentioned organizations, because it claimed that it had the support of the SPCA. This is a misrepresentation, as it is the NSPCA’s policy to outright oppose the sale of animals from pet shops. Like the majority of pet shops in South Africa, City Pets South Africa has made it clear that it will sell any animal to any purchaser, and that once the animal has been sold, City Pets South Africa no longer has any responsibility relating to the welfare of that animal. Animal Rights and Animal Welfare groups do not believe that pet shops should be trading animals. Pet shops do not promote responsible pet ownership for the following reasons:
City Pets South Africa is somewhat different from the majority of pet shops in this country that sell live animals. Unlike pet shops that sell animals to members of the public, City Pets South Africa has extended its commercial purpose to attract customers from small, suburban pet shops and to deal in live animals on a large scale. City Pets South Africa is an animal supermarket. It also intends to roll out its business model in other locations in South Africa. The protests against City Pets South Africa and pet shops in general has been organized because:
The protest against City Pets SA is not aimed at supporting or advancing the competitors of City Pets SA. The principle that underlies the protest against City Pets SA applies with equal force to all pet shops that sell live animals. The protest is aimed at City Pets SA, however, because it intends to deal in pets in a supermarket style (pets as commodities). The protesters aim to raise public awareness of the issues mentioned above. The protesters would like to see a move towards the worldwide trend of animal free, socially responsible and ethical pet stores that supply responsible pet owners with all they need to properly care for their animal companions. The protesters would like to offer their support to all the animal shelters and animal rescue groups that give unwanted animals a second chance. The protesters intend taking these issues to the legislature
BWC started campaigning against animal circuses in 2009, and this has gained momentum due to the Carte Blanche expose which has seen public outrage in the form of regular protests against Brian Boswell's circus, in particular. BWC is working with welfare organisations to a) keep animal circuses out of the Western Cape and b) get a ban on wild animals in the circus, nationwide. We have discussed the issue in the papers, on radio, approached the venues over the years and held demonstrations and leafleted, raising the subject one on one with the public. In one instance, when over 1000 leaflets were handed out to people in a morning, only 2 people were in favour of the circus. BWC was complimented and commended by many who gladly took the leaflets, and many others spontaneously commented that they never supported animal circuses. 2013 alone has seen well over over 12 000 leaflets distributed in two months and several BWC demonstrations in both CT and in Jhb. Information on animals in entertainment can be found here
EDUCATION BWC does age appropriate humane education at schools, upon request, in Cape Town and Johannesburg. BWC also does presentations for groups and higher learning facilities nationally. Contact HEATHER in CT and DENNIS in Jhb The oppression both of humans and of other species of animals is inextricably tangled within the structure of social arrangements. There is an assertion that human use and mistreatment of other animals are not natural and do little to further the human condition. Historically grounded, oppression is primarily underpinned by economic gain and supported by state ideology.
The exploitation of other animals and the justification of their mistreatment not only closely resemble human oppression but are inextricably tied to it. Such oppression is motivated primarily by economic interests and, what is more, that it is profoundly and permanently entwined with human oppression of other humans. PRODUCT ENDORSEMENT BWC does not charge companies to investigate their humane status or for endorsement or the use of the BWC logo, once approved. We would like to see all South African made personal and household care ranges listed in our humane guide, as we know there are viable non-animal methods of ingredient and product testing available. Beauty Without Cruelty humane criteria 1. ASSURANCES: As virtually all substances have been tested on animals at some time, BWC requires companies to initiate a self-imposed cut-off date on the use of animal tested ingredients, as long as it is at least five years before the date of application and the company must guarantee that the chosen date will be strictly adhered to in the future. Failure to comply with the fixed cut-off date will result in immediate removal from the BWC approved product guide. 2. Products may not contain substances, which have been obtained as a result of the suffering or death of an animal. (We will accept vegetarian) 3. Written assurances must be obtained from ingredient supply companies, that individual ingredients supplied to the company, have not been tested (by them) on animals after the cut-off date. 4. Parent companies and their subsidiaries too, must comply with these criteria. Advertising Standards Authority states that companies must be able to provide proof of their humane claims. BWC is an accepted independent organisation able to audit such proof. BWC has committed to the food care of 11 baboons now safely at a sanctuary for life, after being freed from a medical research facility. This requires roughly R250 000 over the next 5 years and your financial contribution will go towards assisting us with these costs. Beauty without Cruelty | Standard Bank - Branch: 025109 - Savings Acc: 077 491 645 | Swift Number: SBZAZAJJ
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