Calling All Californians – Cows Need Your Help TODAY!

By Casey

Governors sometimes have to make hard choices; this is not one of those times.

If you get Farm Sanctuary’s E-News and Action Alerts and you live in California, you probably already know that important legislation (SB 135) to ban the cruel tail-docking of cattle is on Governor Schwarzenegger’s desk. (If you don’t get our Action Alerts, you can mend my hurt feelings by signing up today!) Sadly, the erstwhile action hero has yet to take the heroic action of signing this bill.

Well, when the going gets tough, the tough call in a little star power to get things going. At least, that’s what we do when the going gets tough in California, where the governor’s IMDB credits are longer than a Star Wars prologue. Compassionate celebs who have signed a Farm Sanctuary letter urging Schwarzenegger to approve the tail-docking ban include Alicia Silverstone, Bill Maher, Bob Barker, Emily Deschanel, Eric Roberts, Esai Morales, Fred Willard, Ginnifer Goodwin, James Cromwell, Joan van Ark, Kim Basinger, Kristen Bell, Mariel Hemingway, Mimi Kennedy, and Valerie Harper.

But while these Hollywood helpfuls do a lot to put animal issues in the spotlight, we still need YOUR help if we want to see this legislation pass. Most California dairy farmers know that cutting cows’ tails off does nothing for the animals or consumers. The science is absolutely conclusive on those points. Even the American Veterinary Medical Association, normally quiet on the abuses of modern animal agriculture, has condemned routine tail docking. But some producers still cling to the outdated practice, which is known to cause both acute and chronic pain for the cows who are mutilated. It also increases their stress during fly season and hinders their ability to communicate with other cows – as with many animals, cows rely on their tails for body language.

While many laws to protect farm animals meet stiff resistance from factory farm lobbyists and their allies, this is not one of those bills. It should be a no-brainer for any compassionate politician. Schwarzenegger has helped animals before, such as when he signed legislation to ban foie gras production, limit the chaining of dogs outside and protect seals in La Jolla. Now we just need him to pick up that gubernatorial pen once more and put his well-practiced autograph on SB 135. If he hears from you today, we think he will do just that. Please take action, right now. 

Comments

[Delci Winders]

This just in -- Farm Sanctuary just sent a revised letter to Governor Schwarzenegger with three more signatures urging him to do the right thing and sign SB 135. Ed Begley, Jr., Corey Feldman and Carol Leifer have added their names!

[M. Rønsholt]

There's reason for tails !!!
Please don't mess with nature ..............