Wichita Chapter

October 2005                                                                                                                     Volume 1, Number 1

In This Issue

·    New AOK Newsletter

·    Magnum Force for Scruffy’s Law

·    Woofstock

·    Animal Victims of Katrina

·    Stop the Horse Slaughter

·    Vegetarian Recipes

·    Peaceable Kingdom Screening

·    About Us

·    Our Next Meeting

·    Magnum’s Poem

·    Contact AOK

Related Links

www.animaloutreach-ks.org

Official Kansas Web Site

(Wichita Events are Posted

on the AOK Board)

www.1053thebuzz.com

Visit The Buzz web site for information on The Magnum Force.  Updated weekly by Carson.

www.magnumforceofks.org

Official Web Site Coming Soon!

www.kshumane.org  (Local)

www.hsus.org
(National Web Page)

www.ksk9resq.com

www.caringhandshs.com

www.petfinder.com

Adoption & General Information

Additional Resources:

Low Cost Spay/Neuter Facility

El Paso Animal Clinic

233 S. Georgie

Derby, Kansas

316-788-1561

Hours: M-F 7:30A-6P

           Sat. 8A-Noon

Emergency Vet Clinic

727 S. Washington

262-5321

AOK-Wichita Officers

Heather M

Pam M

Sherry H

Kelley V

Contact Us

aok-wichita@hotmail.com

Our New, Newsy Newsletter

Starting this month, the Wichita Chapter of Animal Outreach of Kansas will be distributing a monthly newsletter.  Our intention is to keep everyone up to date on events concerning our furry friends.  Our newsletter will be distributed via e-mail to our data base and by mail to those who wish to receive it.  If you wish to be added to the list, please contact us.

Scruffy’s Law was introduced to the legislature after the torture and death of a Yorkshire Terrier named Scruffy in the late 90’s; it was ultimately defeated.  This past August, our little friend Magnum was found in a dumpster; tortured and left for dead.  The loving and dedicated staff at Heartland Hospital tried to save him but he lost his life several days later. Magnum’s death has reawakened awareness of the weak laws that exist in Kansas regarding animal cruelty.  Magnum’s legacy will live on through the Animal Cruelty Task Force a.k.a. The Magnum Force for Scruffy’s Law!  The Magnum Force continues to grow statewide with petitions being distributed all over Kansas and we’re getting a lot of signatures!  As of September 19th, we have 25,599 signatures collected!  Thanks to everyone who has volunteered their time and money – we couldn’t do it without you!  We still have many volunteer opportunities available.  Anyone interested in helping out, please contact TMF Volunteer Coordinator, Emily.  She can be reached via e-mail at mfksvc@hotmail.com or by calling 316-685-2121.  There are many projects in the making and we expect to have a full update soon.  One of the projects we’re working on is obtaining billboards and gathering awareness products to keep our visibility going and raise funds to continue our lobbying efforts throughout the legislative session.  We will be calling on resources from both businesses and individuals to make this happen. 

Services needed:

·         Legal assistance in creating a non-Profit Association

·         Neutral meeting facility

·         Small office space for signage/product distribution

·         Drop box for mail

·         Copier services

·         Television commercial and public service airtime

·         Promotional awareness products

Funds needed:

·         Billboards – material cost only

·         Postage Signage

·         Awareness Products (to be resold to raise funds)

By donating services, a representative from your business will be invited to be a part of the Magnum Force Start Up Committee plus your business will receive a logo and a link on the official Magnum Force website.

The rewards offered in finding Magnum’s abuser are up to $18,348.00 thanks to private donations and our friends at the Kansas Humane Society, the National Humane Society and PETA.  Anyone with information regarding Magnum’s abuser should contact the Animal Services Department at 316-268-8378.

A celebration of peace, love and pets at Woofstock 2005!  The date for this year’s event is Saturday, October 1^st.  We will be at Sedgwick County Park from 10-3 so bring your four legged friends and join us for a great day in the sun.  Admission is your donation of $3 (or more) per person.  Collect $30 or more in donations and you’ll become a Woofstock “Best in Show” donor plus you’ll be eligible to win a trip for two to Las Vegas!  After you’ve made your contribution, enjoy the day and be proud of the wonderful gift you’ve given over 13,000 homeless pets.  AOK will be tabling at the event and we’ll be gathering more signatures for Scruffy’s Law.  There will be plenty of food, drink, contests and wonderful items to bid on at the silent auction.  You can also jog along with your pet in the Mike Oatman Two Mile Memorial Fun Run.  For more information on events and how to sign up, visit the Kansas Humane Society web site. 
 

Hurricane Katrina has devastated the Gulf Coast, taking human lives, destroying property and crippling transportation, water supplies and communication systems.  The story not as well known to the public is the devastation suffered by the animals in the stricken area.  We know that pets, owned and stray, have been victimized.  But there are also countless horses, wild animals and farm animals that have been killed or now face threat to their lives.  The disaster teams dispatched are equipped to respond to the needs of all animals affected by Katrina and the floodwaters.  Sadly, despite their efforts, the death toll among animals in New Orleans will be staggering.  Thousands of people evacuated, leaving their pets behind.  If the animals didn’t drown or starve, scavenging for food won’t be easy.  However, the process of reuniting people with their animals is under way.  Teams from the American Veterinary Medical Association are working with FEMA and have been deployed in record numbers.  Local vets are also volunteering their services, even where their own clinics have been destroyed.  The people who have been devastated by Hurricane Katrina need your help, but assistance is needed for the animals too!  If you would like to help, here is a partial list of some verified and legitimate options:

American Humane Association: www.americanhumane.org

American Kennel Club Canine Support & Relief Fund:  1-800-252-7894

American Veterinary Medical Foundation:  www.avmf.org or call 847-925-8070

Code 3 Associates Inc.:  www.code3associates.org or call 303-772-7724

Emergency Animal Rescue Service (EARS):  www.ears.org

Houston SPCA:  www.houstonspca.org or call 713-802-0555

Humane Society of the US: www.hsus.org or call 800-humane-1

Louisiana Veterinary Medical Assoc.:  www.lvma.org or call 800-524-2996

On September 20^th, the U.S. Senate passed an amendment by a stunning 68-29 vote that prohibits the use of any federal taxpayer funds to slaughter horses for food exports!  This tremendous victory would not have been possible without your support and action.  We are so grateful that you stood with us and helped achieve this incredible victory for animals.  It just proves that, together, we CAN make a positive difference in the lives of our furry friends!

Ingredients:

1/4 cup chopped onions

3 cloves minced garlic

3 - 4 cups water (to desired consistency)

1 tbs extra virgin olive oil

28 oz can whole peeled & sliced tomatoes including liquid

16 oz. can tomato sauce

2 chopped carrots

1 can kidney beans, rinsed

1 can pinto beans, rinsed

2 cups sliced sweet pickles & 1/4 cup of liquid

1 tbs chili powder

1/4 tsp crushed red pepper

1 tsp paprika

1 tsp cumin

1/2 tsp dried oregano

1/4 tsp dried basil

1/4 tsp dried sage

sprinkle salt & pepper

Directions:

1) Put olive oil in frying pan and sauté garlic & onions.

2) In large stew pot, combine water, can of tomatoes & liquid, can tomato sauce, carrots, beans, sweet pickles & 1/4 cup liquid, chili powder, red pepper, paprika, cumin, oregano, basil, sage, salt & pepper.

3) Add the garlic & onions.

4) Slowly bring to a boil, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes.

AOK-Wichita will be hosting a screening of “Peaceable Kingdom” at 7:00 on Thursday, October 20^th; Rockwell Library, 5939 E.9^th.   Attendance is free and open to the public.  This film highlights the struggles of people who have come to a point in their lives where they must follow their conscience after being exposed to the injustices of the farming and agriculture industry. “Peaceable Kingdom” recently won the Ojai Film Festival’s theme award for “enriching the human spirit”.  We had a phenomenal response to our recent viewing of “The Witness” and we encourage everyone to attend!  There will be lots of free literature, information and refreshments available plus, you can pick up your own copy of “Peaceable Kingdom” and “The Witness” with your donation. 

AOK is an all volunteer activist group committed to peaceful, compassionate actions which educate and encourage ourselves to protect, rescue and advocate respect and kindness for all animals.

Over the past few months, we’ve taken on many challenges.  Some of the projects we’ve been working on include:

• On Thursday, August 4^th, AOK held it’s first screening of The Witness
• Donating copies of “Food Revolution” and “Kids Can Save The Animals” to three Wichita Libraries.
• Helping PETA acquire a billboard on West Kellogg.

• A successful Humane Society Donation Drive
• Airing of several PSA’s on KSMI Television; KSMI has committed to helping us out whenever the need arises.  We will soon have PSA’s running on Public Access thanks to our friend Pat.
• Staging demonstrations at both Ringling Brothers and Shrine Circuses.

Looking to the future:

• A great deal of our efforts will be directed toward passing Scruffy’s Law.  Our group has accumulated several petitions/signatures and we’re on the Magnum Force Task Force.
• AOK-Wichita will be answering phones at two upcoming PBS pledge drives.
• In conjunction with several area health food stores, we will be placing Vegetarian Starter Kit stands at various locations.
• Friday, November 25^th, we will be hosting a “Fur Free” demo at the Towne East Mall.  Everyone is welcome to join us and help remind people about the horrors of the fur trade and encourage them not to buy fur or fur trim!
• After Scruffy’s Law passes, we will be working on an exotic animal ban for Sedgwick County.
• LAPP is in need of donations.  If you would like to make a contribution, please contact us for more information.
• We are working on getting “The Witness” aired on a local TV station.
• In January, we will be traveling to Topeka with Carson from 105.3 The Buzz to present petitions to the legislature.
• March 2006; The Great American Meat Out

Wednesday, October 12^th at 6:00 - Rockwell Library, 5939 E. 9^th (CTRL + click for map).  We will be discussing The Magnum Force for Scruffy’s Law, our Zoo Checker visit, a tour of LAPP, Fur Free Demos and much more. We will be having all future meetings at Rockwell and we encourage anyone who has an interest in protecting the rights of animals to attend!  Hope to see you all there.  Together, we can make a difference!  If you would like to make a donation of your time or money to AOK-Wichita, please contact us at aok-wichita@hotmail.com

 “Dear Magnum – we won’t forget!”

Four months ago our city didn’t know this little guy;

Now the mention of his name brings tears and anger from the shy.

When loving hands removed the wire, this little baby wagged his tail;

And licked the hands that nursed him, showing thanks from one so frail.

Little Magnum tried so hard, each day he fought to live;

But bless his heart; his cuts and burns had taken all he had to give.

Wichita laid our little friend to rest, with our love held tight to each paw;

Now we must work as hard as we can, signing petitions for “Scruffy’s Law”!

- Joan Wilson / AOK-Wichita Member

Anyone who would like to contribute their ideas, poems, quotes, recipes or comments, please contact us:  aok-wichita@hotmail.com

“As long as man massacres animals, they will kill each other.  Indeed, he who sows the seeds of murder and pain cannot reap joy and love.” 

- Pythagoras