You Can Help Stop The Killing of Wild Parrots in Connecticut

PLEASE, PLEASE HELP US!

Update 11/23/05: Monk Parakeets Plead for Homes, Lives (editorial in Connecticut Post)

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If you care about free-range parrots in the USA, and the idea that they're now being killed en masse in Connecticut makes you heartsick, you can do something about it. Already, the media is starting to respond. This is only happening because people like you care and are willing to take action.

The first thing to do is sign our online petition. It only takes a minute to fill out. Now, take a look at the list of people below. Then, pick up the phone. Take a deep breath. Be friendly, be civil, be peaceful, be polite, but be firm. Tell these people you don't want wild parrots killed in Connecticut.

Please don't make threats or be crazy: yes, this is an emotional issue but it doesn't serve our cause to behave like nutburgers. These people aren't bad -- they're just misguided. So let them know that you don't like what they're doing, you're going to communicate your concern to anyone who will listen, including the press, elected leaders, humane groups, and religious organizations. Suggest to them the obvious: that there are humane alternatives that they haven't looked at. Call them now.

Al Carbone is the guy who's the PR rep for United Illuminating, the company that started this whole mad monk parakeet eradication campaign. You can reach Al at (203) 671-4421. Also, please call Al's boss, Nathaniel Woodson, Nat's at (203) 926-4637; his email is: nathaniel.woodson@uinet.com

Corey Slavitt is the gal at USDA who claims, for reasons that I can't fathom, that these killings are somehow "humane." USDA, not UI, is the entity actually gassing the parrots. You can reach Corey at (301) 734-8563. Also let Monty Chandler, of the USDA, know how you feel. Monty's at (413) 253-2403. His e-mail is Monte.D.Chandler@usda.gov; fax # is (413) 253-7577. You can also send feedback to the central office of the USDA using this form. Tell them that they should get out of the parrot-killing business, and focus on keeping our food supply safe.

Dennis Schain is the guy in the Connecticut DEPA who calls the monk parakeets "invasive," which means, I guess, that it's OK to kill them. You can reach Dennis at (860) 424-4117. Also, call the EPA's Dale May. Dale's at (860) 424-3011; Dale's email is: dale.may@po.state.ct.us; fax # is (860) 424-4078.

Now, onto the Connecticut Audubon Society. Milan Bull is it's head. Milan's not a bad guy: in fact, he's against the killings, likes the wild parrots, and doesn't think they deserve this cruelty. But I think he made a big mistake when he allowed the CT Audubon Society to in any way endorse this massacre. You can reach Milan at (203) 259-6305, ext 113 or via e-mail at: mbull@ctaudubon.org. The fax number is (203) 254-7673.

Remember, folks: be civil. You have truth, justice, and kindness on your side. Please make your point without being nasty -- it doesn't help.

For those of you in Connecticut, e-mail your legislator. Use this page to find your local rep. Tell them you're appalled by this cruelty, and that you're going to remember what they do come election time. Again, be civil.

Finally, call M. Jodi Rell, Connecticut's Governer, at (800) 406-1527. Her email is Governor.Rell@po.state.ct.us. Let her know that you object to government-sanctioned killings of wild parrots. Remind her that you love animals, you vote, and you're not alone!

For those with fax machines, here are the numbers for Connecticut's Senators and Congressional Reps in Washington:

Sen. Christopher Dodd (D) Fax: 202-224-1083
Sen. Joseph Lieberman (D) Fax: 202-224-9750
Rep. John Larson (D-1) Fax: 202-225-1031
Rep. Rob Simmons (R-2) Fax: 202-225-4977
Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-3) Fax: 202-225-4890
Rep. Christopher Shays (R-4) Fax: 202-225-9629
Rep. Nancy Johnson (R-5) Fax: 202-225-4488

There's more you can do. Please circulate (forward) this item to your email friends. Instruct them to call their media, animal cruelty societies, bird groups, animal rights organizations, religious groups, animal and bird blogs, basically anyone who might care about this cruelty.

There's even more you can do. Sad to say, but without a celebrity, it's difficult really can't wake up the mainstream media in the U.S.A. Our cause could really benefit from having an A-level celebrity "Say No to Parrot Cruelty." Fortunately, there are some candidates: Ellen Degeneres is a known animal fan, so send her some e-mail. She's got a form on her Web site here: http://ellen.warnerbros.com/funstuff/onyourmind/.
Hillary Swank owns parrots, but unfortunately, there's no easy way to reach her. Doris Day runs the Doris Day Foundation, which is concerned with animal rights; you can email the Foundation at info@ddaf.org

Thanks VERY much for taking action today. Remember, the people who are killing America's wild parrots do so in the middle of the night, and do not want public exposure of their deeds. Publicity -- the sunshine of truth -- is the only thing that they fear, and it's our only hope of guiding them toward behaving humanely.