As SHARK is planning our efforts against this years rodeos, I encourage activists around the country to make the decision to go to your local rodeos and video document their abuses. A small but dedicated group of people in Australia is now doing that, and they have rodeos on the run. SHARK and other activists have successfully ended some rodeos, and have changed laws to give more protection to rodeo animals in some places, but so very much more needs to be done.

Above all, the animal protection movement should make a loud and undeniable statement about rodeo animal abuse by protesting Starbucks Coffee everywhere possible. I hear a lot of hype from people at conferences and veggie potlucks about how they would do anything to help animals. Well, here is a way to prove that. Please get out to your local Starbucks and let them know that you are mad as hell and you aren't going to take their lies and stonewalling anymore. In fact, call or email them right now. Even if you've called them ten times before, let them know that this issue isn't over until WE SAY IT'S OVER!

Starbucks Retail Customer Relations

(800) 235-2883, Press 0
Mon – Fri 5 AM – 6 PM (PST)
Sat – Sun 6 AM – 3 PM (PST)

To email Starbucks, please use the comment page on their website:

http://www.starbucks.com/customer/cont a ct_forms.asp?nav=3f

Please write, call, and fax Starbucks' CEO:
ATTN: Mr. Jim Donald, CEO
Starbucks Corp.
2401 Utah Ave S
Seattle WA 98134
Phone: 206-447-1575
Fax: 206-447-0828

Energized and dedicated animal advocates across the country are getting out to their local Starbucks to show the company and the public the truth about rodeo cruelty. It's grassroots activists such as these that really make the difference in a campaign's success--and the lives of animals.

Hopefully, their work will inspire others around the country to get involved either on their own or with these fine folks!

Pictured above is the committed group of advocates organized by Jodi Mann in Asheville, North Carolina. Jodi and her crew have organized not just one, but several, demonstrations at Starbucks in Asheville. Arriving to demonstrate and leaflet at 6:30 am to catch the morning coffee rush, these folks show Starbucks just how serious we are about stopping rodeo abuse!

One of SHARK's youngest and extremely motivated supporters is a teen in Seattle, Washington-- Starbucks' headquarters. Erika and her friends trekked out to their local outlet mall and successfully handed out 80 'Buck Starbucks' flyers to an overwhelming supportive crowd. One passerby was so thrilled by these kids' dedication, that he brought pizza for them all!

As Erika writes from her experience:

"We got alot of praise from the public...The Starbucks employees were shocked to hear what they were supporting. They said they had no idea. We also got some negative words thrown at us but we shrugged it off in good mind of the animals. Employees at Stabucks were not happy because of the boos people were giving as they walked by their store but they also were shocked to hear about rodeo cruelty."

Mary Steffenhagen and other activists with Animal Connection of Texas (ACT) have devised a unique and powerful plan to hit Starbucks in the Dallas/Fort Worth area:

"Each person (there are 8) is committed to visiting at least one Starbucks per month. Their purpose will be to make the employees and manager aware that the 'green' company they work for is actually supporting rodeos. They will come equipped with a folder of printed pictures and Starbucks accolades from rodeos and/or a CD with pictures and sponsorship proof. My plan does not include demonstrating, as our group already does this for so many other campaigns. This time we're speaking softly and carrying a big stick - in the form of rodeo sponsorship proof."

If you would like to get involved with this awesome work in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, please contact Mary at chiawatha@yahoo.com.

This example of outreach can be done in your town too! SHARK is ready to send photos and video upon request to anyone who will get the truth in front of Starbucks and it's consumers.

Speaking out for animals in rodeos in Connecticut, two organizations recently staged two eye-opening demos in Bridgeport at the Professional Bull Riders event. Nancy Rice, with Compassion in Entertainment, sent in word about their work along their collegue group, the Animal Rights Front (ARF). The Connecticut Post came out and g ave further exposure to the issue of rodeo cruelty, going so far as to give out the SHARK website address in the article. More events with Compassion in Entertainment are being planned to work specifically with the Buck Starbucks campaign, so if you'd like to get involved in the CT area, please contact Nancy Rice at rexsparky1@yahoo.com.

Joining the force of people willing to stand up to Starbucks' lies are Marilyn Weaver and her friends in Tampa Bay, Florida. Plans are being molded for activities at Starbucks in their area.

Heading up to the northern end of the East Coast, Kiley Blackman with Animal Defenders of Westchester has requested blown-up photos of rodeo abuse from SHARK for use at upcoming Buck Starbucks demos in the White Plains area. To get out and make a difference in this campaign with ADOW, please contact Kiley at adow@adow.org.

Within a few days the Tiger will be on the prowl again. We are nearing the West Coast, and then will start moving north toward Seattle. Along the way we will stop in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Portland--and any other city where energized people can get the Tiger Tour locales jumpstarted! Look for the Tiger in Las Vegas on February 4th and the LA and San Diego areas the week of February 6th. If you live is these cities, please contact us at shark.central@sbcglobal.net to come out and help!

In Defense of Animals (IDA) is ready to start sending out newly made posters taking Starbucks to task for its support of rodeo abuse.

Meanwhile, Starbucks is pulling a blind, deaf and dumb routine. According to Starbucks, it's pretty much a case of – "Rodeos? What Rodeos?"

I recently sent Starbucks extensive evidence, both video and still picture documentation of indefensible rodeo animal abuse, including one of the very events Starbucks sponsored in Cheyenne, Wyoming. We'll see if they will finally find the integrity to respond, and will report back to you. Kind Regards, Steve Hindi and your SHARK Team