HORSE SENSE
Periodic updates about issues and actions concerning New York City's Carriage Horses +
Coalition to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages
www.banhdc.org
Horses Without Carriages International
www.horseswithoutcarriages.org
PLEASE FORWARD TO FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES ** deBlasio on the Late Show with Jon Stewart ** articles in Ourtown; letters AM-NY ** Help the Coalition Fund Raise ** Fund Raiser for hungry cats in Puerto Rico ** Demo on Feb. 18th ** Ban in Chicago? ** Blog about the right for animals to be.
DEBLASIO ON THE DAILY SHOW WITH JON STEWART
mentions the pending carriage horse ban
Mayor deBlasio was on Jon Stewart's Daily Show on Monday night February 3rd. When asked about the carriage horse ban, he said :"In a humane society, horses do not belong in the middle of traffic in NYC. They do not belong in an urban environment." This is a video segment of the show. - click here.
We have no updated information about the pending ban. We also do not support the "electric cars." I have written about this many times and they will not result in a ban. People need to understand this because if not, it will be our downfall - or I should say - the horses' downfall. Mayor deBlasio's campaign message was that he wanted to ban the horse-drawn carriages in a very short period of time. This is the only thing we should be concerned with - not supporting some non existent car that has been promised for five years. We want a ban NOW and we hope Mayor deBlasio hears us and does this soon.
A ban of horse-drawn carriages must not be dependent on the success of a non existent electric car business. The shut down must happen independently. It should go without saying that any organization that calls themselves animal rights or animal welfare should be more concerned about getting the horses off the street -- than the cars. At one point it seemed like the cars could be a job alternative for the drivers. But it is clear that they are much too costly; much too risky, and there are many other problems with the logistics. They need to become a memory.
If both sides really believe that jobs are the key issue - then the only real alternative is the retrofitted carriage. See it here at Andres Carriage Tours. It is a fraction of the cost and the carriages already exist.
HELP THE COALITION FUND RAISE BY BUYING PRODUCTS
Read more below
We'd like to do more advertising - maybe billboards or more bus ads like we did last year, but we need a steady source of income. As you know, we are all volunteer and collect no salaries. All donations go into the organization for our expenses such as this newsletter, web site, copying, posters and advertising. The Coalition to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages is teaming up with Earth and Animal Wellness, LLC
They are helping us with fundraising and can also help you with animal friendly/kid friendly products that are less expensive than Walmart and made here in the U.S. If you want to know more, email Cindy Wines at cindy@Earthandanimalwellness.com or look up her Earth and Animal Wellness Blog.
Cindy is helping Orphan Acres in Idaho and Big Cat Rescue in Florida to earn money for the animals and their programs. She has always been interested in our cause and now she wants to help us. Please take the time to look around the site and get an understanding of how every time you shop on line for great products, 5% can go to us. Learn more by contacting Cindy Wines - cindy@Earthandanimalwellness.com
WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE HORSES
the Ourtown group of newspapers
What Will Happen to the Horses? - Feb 6, 2014 - Interesting article - a new contribution to the carriage horse debate. Please write letters - see how on their site.
FUND RAISER FOR HUNGRY CATS IN PUERTO RICO
Tuesday - February 18th - Please help!
They are not carriage horses but they need help too. We are having a fund raiser to support Glen Venezio, a former New Yorker who feeds the homeless cats in Puerto Rico. There is a huge stray population there. Glen works with others to neuter the cats so they do not breed, but he takes it upon himself to feed them -- every day. Please come to the fund raiser on February 18th. It is $20 at the door and there is a two drink minimum plus a great comedy show MCd by Harris Bloom.
This is Harris' blog about Glen's cats. Click Here. If you are not able to attend, you may donate in a few ways. Glen buys his cat food at the Walmart's in Puerto Rico - he gets the money right away if you buy the card as per this link -- or you may donate by Paypal. I have been a fan for years. His e-mail address is sethspeaksnyc@gmail.com
TWO LETTERS IN AM-NY
by Elizabeth Forel & Deborah Thomas - 2/4/14
ALTERNATIVES EXIST TO HORSE CARRIAGES:
- I voted for Mayor Bill deBlasio because he was the only candidate willing to ban the horse-drawn carriages. In 21st century traffic, 19th century carriages are inhumane to horses and very dangerous to all. The idea that the horse carriages only carry passengers through Central Park is a misconception; I have often seen them on city streets. if riding around NYC in a carriage is what people yearn to do, let the city equip the carriages with motors; let the horses go to sanctuaries and allow the drivers to keep their jobs. Deborah Thomas Upper West Side
- I am tired of the media exploiting the myth that the carriage drivers are going to lose their livelihoods when the horse-drawn carriages are banned. A proposal is out there to retrofit the carriages with motors and a steering wheel. These "old-world" electric carriages already exist, cost a fraction of the expense of other "electric cars," and can preserve the medallion business model. Elizabeth Forel Upper West Side
OUR NEXT EDUCATIONAL DEMO
Saturday - February 15
Please join the Coalition to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages and activists for our educational demo against the inhumane and unsafe horse-drawn carriage trade.
- When: Saturday February 15th - 1:00 - 3:00 pm
- Where: North/west corner of Central Park South and Fifth Avenue
Dress warmly.
CHICAGO LOOKING TO BAN HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGES
influenced by Mayor deBlasio
Burke wants to ban horse-drawn carriage rides in Chicago - Chicago Tribune - Feb. 5, 2014 - from the article: "City officials laid out an animal protection agenda Wednesday as a veteran alderman introduced a measure that would make horse-drawn carriages toting tourists and clogging downtown traffic a thing of the past and an ordinance to require dogs or cats sold in city pet stores to come from shelters gained momentum."
This is exciting and encouraging news. Best wishes Chicago and all the activists who have been working on this issue.
THE UNQUESTIONABLE RIGHT TO BE
guest blog by Missy Painter
Thanks to activist Missy Painter for this wonderful, thought provoking blog about the right of animals to just be who they are. Please click here.
PLEASE JOIN US ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS
Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Google Blog & Flickr
HELP OUR ORGANIZATION BY SHOPPING ON LINE
Also check out Cafe Press to purchase CBHDC merchandise
Through a free registration with iGive, when you buy merchandise on line, your purchase will help us. There are over 700 stores that include such popular ones as Amazon.com, Staples, Best Buy and Barnes & Noble. Even Cafe Press is available if you purchase some of our merchandise. Click here to get started.
On iGive - the name of our organization is "The Coalition for NYC Animals, Inc." We also have three stores on Cafe Press with great t-shirts, bags, hats, mugs, mouse pads, etc. Purchasing this merchandise helps our organization. Click here.
"Never doubt that a small group of
thoughtful, committed citizens can change the
world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever
has." Margaret Mead.
