animals

oakland bans wild animal acts

Oakland makes Wild Animal Acts ILLEGAL!

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(Read the full, fascinating history here.)

Oakland’s son Jack London was an adventurer, a writer, a reader, and a vocal opponent of the use of animals in performance — whether the animals were dogs, horses, elephants, lions, or tigers.

Using his fame and talent, he urged the public to oppose animal acts in circuses and even wrote two novels specifically to raise awareness about the violence and abuse that takes place in any situation where animals are being forced to perform.

In 1925, in response to public outcry, Ringling actually removed animals from their circus and said they would do so forever. Unfortunately, when the depression hit, they used it as an opportunity to provide cheap entertainment for the public. After 5 years of being an animal-free circus, they brought animals back.

Fast forward to 2014 when the Oakland City Council approved the ban of the bull hook (a weapon used to control large animals as elephants). Knowing they couldn’t fight municipal ordinances city by city, Ringling Circus removed elephants from their circuses altogether. Soon after, they realized that without elephants, they could not be profitable, and so they closed down.

That’s right. A municipal ordinance — in Oakland CA — led to the closure of a commercial animal enterprise. Good news, indeed, but there was more work to be done.

Before other traveling shows could fill the void left by Ringling, cities around the country began passing ordinances to ban wild and exotic animals in any type of performance. Now it was Oakland’s turn.

In early 2020, Councilman Dan Kalb introduced an amendment to the city’s municipal code that would prohibit the display of wild or exotic animals for public entertainment or amusement. In February 2020, after passing unanimously through the Community & Economic Development Committee the week before, the amendment was passed by the city council 7-0 (one council member was absent).

Credit is due to local advocates, compassionate voters who contacted their city council members, the city council members themselves, and City Councilman Dan Kalb and his dedicated staff.

We have a lot of work ahead of us, and we look forward to doing it with you. With your help, we can create the compassionate cities we all envision. Jack London would be proud!

(Please become a member today, or renew your membership!)

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

*Watch a video about why local politics matter by East Bay Animal PAC board member Colleen Patrick-Goudreau

*Read Colleen’s article for LiveKindly about Oakland’s history of protecting performing animals from exploitation

PAC: Not a 4-Letter Word!

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Although Political Action Committees (PACs) are a powerful tool to give animals a voice in the political arena (which directly impact their lives), they’re underused by animal advocates — some of which has to do with a misunderstanding about what PACs are and why they’re so important.

In short — and as it relates to us — a Political Action Committee (PAC) is a type of organization that raises money from individuals to support or oppose a campaign, candidate, ballot initiative, or legislation. PACs can also spend the contributions on advertising or other political efforts meant to support or oppose political candidates.

We all know that in politics, money is power – so to increase our power for the animals, we have formed the East Bay Animal PAC!

Our mission is to support animal-friendly candidates; to promote and propose animal-friendly legislation; and to educate candidates, board and commission members and other relevant public officials about issues related to animal protection.

Opponents of animal-friendly legislation financially support their candidates, and for every animal-unfriendly voice candidates hear means a missed opportunity for those who speak on behalf of animals. Compassionate people who care about animals must show that we can support our leaders who will fight for humane legislation.

The animals are counting on us to be the constant voice in the ears of legislators, city officials, and basically anyone with power in local governments.

  • This means that East Bay Animal PAC members should be present at as many political events as possible – and that costs money.
  • This means that we will be identifying animal-friendly candidates to support in local elections — and that costs money.
  • This means that we may need to oppose animal-unfriendly candidates — and that costs money.

So we turn to you to help us be a voice for animals in the cities we live in and love so much.  Join us today!  And help us leverage the power we have as humans with a voice to help those who have no power and no voice: the animals. 

Congratulations to East Bay elected officials

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Congratulations to the following East Bay elected officials who East Bay Animal PAC endorsed in their races. We can’t wait to work with you to advance pro-animal welfare measures in the East Bay. And a very special thank you to our supporters for contributing and participating in the endorsement process. With your help, we can make a more animal-friendly East Bay!

  • Libby Schaaf — Oakland Mayor
  • Shanthi Gonzales — Oakland School Board, District 6
  • Kate Harrison — Berkeley City Council, District 4
  • Rigel Robinson —Berkeley City Council, District 7
  • Lori Droste —Berkeley City Council, District 8
  • John Knox White — Alameda City Council

The East Bay Animal PAC is also pleased with the passage of Prop 12. Prop 12 will require cage-free housing and improve space requirements in California for veal calves, mother pigs, and egg laying hens who are typically confined in tiny cages on factory farms. It will also ensure that veal, pork, and eggs sold in the state come from operations meeting these modest standards.

Vote for Animal-Friendly Candidates in 2018!

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The East Bay Animal PAC membership has voted, and we’re proud to endorse the following candidates in Oakland, Berkeley, and Alameda for the November 2018 election:

  • Libby Schaaf — Oakland Mayor
  • Abel Guillen — Oakland City Council, District 2
  • Natasha Middleton — Oakland City Council, District 6
  • Shanthi Gonzales — Oakland School Board, District 6
  • Igor Tregub — Berkeley City Council, District 1
  • Kate Harrison — Berkeley City Council, District 4
  • Rigel Robinson —Berkeley City Council, District 7
  • Lori Droste —Berkeley City Council, District 8
  • John Knox White — Alameda City Council

 

Please feel free to share our post and graphics to help support their campaigns, and join other East Bay Animal PAC members in helping to elect animal-friendly candidates!

East Bay Animal PAC Endorses Libby Schaaf for Oakland Mayor

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East Bay Animal PAC announced today that its Board of Directors and voting members unanimously voted to endorse Libby Schaaf for a second term as Mayor of Oakland.

Mayor Schaaf has a long-standing commitment to promoting the welfare of Oakland’s animal residents. From creating and supporting animal-friendly legislation as an Oakland city councilmember to her ongoing support of Oakland Animal Services and Oakland Veg Week, Mayor Schaaf has demonstrated an alignment with the mission of the East Bay Animal PAC. “There is much more work to be done for animals, and we believe of all candidates for the office of Mayor of Oakland, Libby Schaaf is the most likely to achieve meaningful outcomes for Oakland animals,” said Michael Colbruno, co-founder and chair of the board of East Bay Animal PAC.

East Bay Animal PAC will host Mayor Schaaf on Thursday, September 20 at 6 p.m. at Temescal Works, 490 43rd. St. in Oakland for a discussion about protecting Oakland’s vulnerable animal residents. Following Mayor Schaaf’s words, attendees will hear from other candidates on November’s ballot that the East Bay Animal PAC is considering endorsing. PAC members will be eligible to vote on endorsements.

(Pictured above: Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf, founding board members Colleen Patrick-Goudreau and Tim Anderson, and PAC member David Goudreau)