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Monday, 21 January 2008
We get heaps of requests from teenagers wanting help or
information on many different issues, some have assignments at school
they need info on, some want to know how to go veg when their
parents/families are old school and dont agree with the change, and
some just really hate animal cruelty and want to know how they can
help. We'll try our best to provide you with all the answers for what
you to need to help you out and if we dont have them then give us a
shout and we'll do our best to find it out for you. so let us know!
We are the first Australian youth group for animals run completely by
teenagers. We are not affiliated with any big organisations as we
wanted to run this our way and promote what we thought was important,
not just concentrating on a few campaigns but bringing to light as many
issues as what we feel is necessary to raise awareness, including
issues that are particularly close to our heart or we have special
interest in. Being independant means we can assist with protests and
demonstrations of many groups and keep you informed so you'll be in the
loop as well and can come help out, whether it be Live Export demos
with Animals Australia, bear bile farming demos with Animals Asia,
horse racing protests with 'Horse Racing Kills' anti-vivisection
protests with Animal Liberation Victoria or open days at Edgars
mission, we'll let you know what, where and when so YOU can be
involved.
Ataac has made many friends from many different groups invovled in animal welfare and rights in Australia and all over the world.
Here are some of the projects and our involvement in them so far:
Paid for a radio spot for Animals Australia for their 'Lucy Speaks' campaign.
A dog rescue in Melbourne where we intervened when a puppy was going to be shot by a farmer as it was the runt of the litter, we worked with Victorian Canine Rescue to get him rehabilitated and re-homed.
Donating money for Ki the german shepherd to have eye surgery so he could be re-homed and not be blind.
Helping the makers of 'Behind the Mask' with their new movie project 'Skin Trade' (on the fur industry) with our friend the lovely Shannon Keith. (Ps you MUST watch "BTM" we have it for sale on our website, we are the ONLY distributors in Australia! and all profit made from sales will be donated back to 'Skin Trade').
Buying bricks to help build the only dog/cat shelter in Bulgaria and sponsoring a dog monthly.
Designing the t-shirt/logo for Animals Aid Abroad and fundraising for them to build the first shelter in Alexandria Egypt.
Helping Animals Asia with their giant banner to end bear bile farming that toured Australia (pics on our myspace).
Sponsoring an ex-dancing bear in Agra India with Free the Bears
Working with Amina Abaza from Spare in Egypt by providing food/medical supplies, toys for the stray cats and dogs, and fundraising (as well as volunteering there during a holiday).
Rescuing and sponsoring a new born baby lamb (who was stranded on the side of the road) and is now living a great life and become the public/media face against the Live Export trade at Edgars Mission Farm Sanctuary (Go Timmy!).
Having dinner with Peta Asia to discuss animal welfare in Australia and ways to help us improve our efforts of creating awareness.
Getting advice from Dan Matthews (Vice President of Peta U.S.A) who told us that the YOUTH of the world has the greatest power to stop animal abuse and promote animal rights.
Sponsoring a street dog in Mumbai India through I.D.A (In defence of Animals)
Spent the day volunteering at the 'David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust' in Nairobi Kenya, which is a baby elephant orphanage and spent an hour with Daphne Sheldrick learning about elephant and black rhino protection in Africa, (we also took over essential oils to calm the baby elephants suffering trauma who had witnessed their mothers slaughter for their ivory tusks)
Spending the morning with Paul Watson on board the sea shepherd discussing the Japanese resuming whaling in 2008 (watch our video interview coming soon)
When we saw Miss Connie singer of Sneaky Sound System at the 2007 Arias wearing a fur vest we contacted her manager explaining how animals are killed for their fur and suggesting she watch videos we had included. After speaking to Connie regarding our letter we received a reply. Here is an extract: "after much soul searching we have now come to the decision that she will not even wear fake fur in the future. The last thing we want is for people to be under the assumption that she would even consider to wear real fur. Connie does not want to be seen to be supporting this industry and it goes against her beliefs" A great victory for animals and Ataac and shows that our voice CAN be heard!
Recently did fundraising ($500) for Soi Dog rescue Thailand with medical supplies and toys we took over there in April. (pics up on our myspace)
Joining up with beautiful singer/songwriter Maria Daines to raise worldwide awareness for her group 'Justice for Regina' who was a gentle street dog in spain horrifically tortured to death in the most brutal way imagineable (see our news section) Click HERE for her page
Currently filming a documentary which is an educational DVD that will be distributed to high schools around Australia advising students on their rights regarding Dissection and other animal issues. We have teamed up with Animal Liberation NSW for this, an initiative sponsored by Havaianas so its going to be really cool.
All of this and more has only been possible only with the help of our ever growing group of ATAAC friends.
We have lots of really cool pamphlets, info and stickers from Peta (who have offered us their full support), and Animals Australia (who are at the forefront of raising awareness of the disgraceful Live Animal Export trade), Animal Liberation Victoria who started 'open rescue' in Australia saving the lives of factory farm animals and Animals Asia just to name a few.
Anyway, check out our site, tell us what you think, we are open to suggestions and comments or just to say hi. If theres something you'd like to see or know more on and its not here then just tell us!
Elizabeth & Andrew
Our Fundraising efforts (together with our own personal funds) have enabled us to assist the following groups:
Victorian Canine Rescue $500
Skin Trade U.S.A $250.00
Jerome the chicken (vegan t-shirts/stickers) $50.00
Pet Rescue Australia $250.00
Free the Bears $270.00
Spare Egypt $1000.00
Bulgarian Society for Animal Protection and Preservation 20 euros per month
EdgarsMission monthly sponsorship for our lamb $20
Animal Aid Abroad $1000.00
In Defence of Animals India $150.00
David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Africa $500.00
Edgars Mission Animal Scales Fundraiser: $250.00
Animals Australia 'Lucy Speaks' radio campaign $300
Wildlife Victoria Bushfire Appeal $250.00
Donkey Shelter Inc Donkey sponsorship $200.00
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