WELCOME RUSSELL!

Russell Masters is an Invercargill SAFE supporter and has recently taken over the role of SAFE volunteer coordinator there.

Russell is a vegan who converted after watching the graphic documentary Earthlings and who has a passion for vegan cooking and baking. His wife Noelle is also a SAFE supporter, and they share their lives with two dogs, Jag and Kira.

Russell and Noelle previously lived on Waiheke Island where they organised weekly SAFE stalls at the local market. SAFE is delighted to have Russell on the SAFE team.

Russell is keen to organise meetings, potlucks, info stalls and other events in Invercargill but needs your help! If you are keen to help SAFE stop factory farming and other cruel animal practices then please get in touch!

Email invercargill@safe.org.nz with your contact details.

SIZE DOES NOT MATTER!

We think Holly O'Connor, aged 7, is a vegetarian star!

The young Wellington pupil of Cashmere Avenue School, with the help of two senior girls, Milla and Amy, gave out leaflets and sold delicious sweet treats at lunchtime and after school.

Holly also devoted a lot of time making three posters: one describing animal cruelty and why it should end; one describing some of the organisations that help animals; and another describing what vegans and vegetarians eat.

The stall was a great success and Holly successfully raised $45. Great work, Holly!

TAKING CHARGE AT SCHOOL

High school students Amber Kennedy and Lucy Webster decide to set up an animal rights club at their school to defend animals. Amber shares her story.

Upon entering our final year of high school, Lucy and I found ourselves not only as the next school leavers, but as school leaders determined to leave a lasting impact at our school - Wellington Girls' College.

Being both incredibly passionate about animal rights, this led us to start our school's very first official animal welfare club. This year the club has been involved in numerous animal welfare related causes, both inside and outside the school grounds, and has been fortunate enough to have worked with some of New Zealand's most respected animal organisations such as SAFE and the SPCA, whilst also keeping in contact with PETA in the USA.

The school year has passed by in a whirlwind of activity. We found ourselves campaigning and collecting hundreds of signatures on a range of petitions such as the Canadian seal hunt, anti-whaling, banning sow crates and a national Bill that enforced harsher penalties for animal abusers. We were fortunate to have a Wellington SPCA inspector visit our school, where he gave a presentation outlining key animal welfare issues such as the importance of having your companion animals desexed, and he discussed some of the major animal abuse cases. His visit drew a packed room and lots of donations towards their work. It has been our aim this year to not only raise awareness of the importance of animal rights in our school, but also in our community. We have done so by helping SAFE with their public street stalls, holding a Sham (fake ham) give away to help promote vegetarianism.

We find volunteering a fun and influential way to help animals. We are both active helpers at the SPCA's ‘Kids Club' nights. These are based around themes such as ‘Feline Fun' or ‘Animal Ambassadors'. The kids get treated to a presentation followed by fun activities. For example, on the animal paramedic night, we role played scenarios as to what we would do if our animal companion was injured or sick. These nights run on a monthly basis and we have found it really special teaching and educating the next generation of animal defenders.

We are also involved with animals in other areas of our life. Lucy has a part-time job at a vet clinic/cattery and fosters kittens, and I volunteer at my local Cats Protection League shelter in the weekends.

Whether we are watching documentaries on animal rights, discussing the impact the Gulf of Mexico oil slick had on wildlife, running around town in pig costumes (to promote vegetarian alternatives) or simply chilling out and enjoying a cruelty-free shared lunch, we are and always will be giving a voice for those who cannot speak for themselves.

Go Amber and Lucy!

If you would like to volunteer for SAFE or set up an animal rights club at your school, email sacha@safe.org.nz for more info.

POWER OF ONE

Eleven-year-old Kellee Candy of Waikanae Primary School has a determination and maturity far beyond her years. Saddened by New Zealand's shameful factory pig farming practices, Kellee decides to do something about it.

"The thing that sets me on fire is that they make money out of the pigs misery," Kellee told SAFE. "What you [SAFE] do is so awesome and you should be really happy that you are making a difference to the lives of these animals. It is funny how if these factory farmers treated humans like this they would be locked up. However they aren't and that is only because the pigs can not stand up for themselves."

She began campaigning at school with a speech to her class on the subject of factory pig farming. She was soon asked to present this to her whole syndicate. Now Kellee could take her persuasive speech to a national public speaking contest.

When two of her friends decided to stop eating pork products as a result of her campaigning Kellee was delighted. But she was convinced she could do more. She contacted SAFE last month eager to know about the LovePigs campaign and in particular, what Prime Minister John Key was going to do to help! SAFE sent her some information, including a sign up sheet for people who want to receive email bulletins and stay on top of animal issues. Staff at SAFE's Christchurch office were stunned to see Kellee return 14 pages with 252 names of support!

Not satisfied with this fantastic effort, Kellee managed to get permission for every school newsletter to include a LovePigs leaflet, which will reach 500 households. Kellee has also written to David Carter and John Key asking them to ban sow stalls, farrowing crates and fattening pens.

Kellee has proven herself to be an inspiration to her peers and adults alike. With proactive people like Kellee on the same side as pigs, there is hope for an end to cruel farming systems. SAFE would like to thank Kellee for her exemplary compassion towards animals and all that she does to help them.

And her advice for anyone else out there that wants to make a difference?

"Stand up for the animals because they can't for themselves. Volunteer for SAFE, make a donation and even do what I did by spreading the word with a speech or handing out leaflets."

INVERCARGILL LEADER

Lena Cosman is SAFE's enthusiastic new coordinator in Invercargill. She says she has long been passionate about animals.

Lena became involved with SAFE four years ago when she answered a call for collectors for the annual street appeal. She says she has long been passionate about animals and their welfare. For a long time Lena knew how meat was produced and three years ago she made the change to vegetarianism. "It is hard to reconcile trying to save the animals and then serving one up for dinner," Lena says. Lena doesn't believe it's our place to treat animals like meat. "They have feelings and emotions. Who are we to decide that animals can just be lumped in a paddock and told when to eat, when to breed, when to give up their children and when to die?"

Lena and her fellow SAFE volunteers in Southland organise stalls, displays, leafleting, protests and regular meetings and get-togethers. She says being an animal activist is a lot of fun, and it is especially good to meet like-minded people. One of Lena's aims in her role as coordinator is to make more people aware that animals have feelings and that there are always cruelty-free alternatives to animal products. "Lentils are our friends and we can eat them! We don't have to wear animals on our skin, face or any part of our being either."

Keep up the great work, Lena!

Anyone interested in getting involved with SAFE in Invercargill can contact Lena at invercargill@safe.org.nz.

Dear SAFE
My name is Sarah and I'm seven years old. I would like to help save the pigs.

I have made a poster that I'm going to put up at school, and I made a video on the computer. We have also given money to the SAFE people outside the supermarket. Your advert on TV made me cry so I thought I could help. Here is a picture of me and my lamb and my grandma's pigs. - Sarah

SAFE'S AUCKLAND ACE!

GORDANA SOKORAC is one of Auckland's top volunteers. Campaign officer Eliot Pryor says he is especially impressed with her enthusiasm and dedication.

Eliot says Gordana's contributions to stalls, events and the Cruelty Free Shop have been invaluable. Gordana has been an active volunteer for just over a year. She emigrated from the former Yugoslavia 15 years ago and first came into contact with SAFE through an appeal collector.

Gordana soon became actively involved volunteering for SAFE together with her daughter Ana. Her concern for animals stemmed from a book titled That Old Ace in the Hole by Annie Proulx, which talked about conditions on American pig farms. Gordana says this led to her and Ana becoming vegetarians and later vegans.

This year Gordana graduated with a BA in psychology (congratulations!) and remains busy helping Forgotten Felines by helping to feed a local cat colony. She is also a volunteer for St John's based in the emergency department.

She says the best thing about SAFE is that it continues to spread awareness and educate the public. She sees every action and event as part of a larger package. "If people don't know, they can't make a decision," she says.

SAFE APPEAL AND TROUBLE!

Every year, SAFE spends weeks preparing for its biggest fundraising event. Every year, the SAFE team plans out every detail to ensure nothing goes wrong. And every year Trouble comes walking through the door!

No, not that sort of trouble. Trouble is actually Joan Sampson, one of SAFE's valued volunteers. Unfortunately, Joan is often hindered by ill health but that doesn't stop her from having a passion for animals. Adding to her grief, both of Joan's cats have passed away in recent years and she doesn't feel well enough to care for another cat. Joan says she still surrounds herself with her beloved animal friends however: the neighbours' cats; the dogs; and the resident ducks and local seagulls who greet her whenever she leaves her home, knowing they are likely to get fed. "That's what keeps me going - animals," says Joan.

As well as bringing joy to the lives of animals, Joan collects for SAFE every year.

"One would expect someone so unwell would only manage collecting for a limited time before calling it a day," says campaign assistant Shanti Ahluwalia. "Not our Trouble! She is regularly seen collecting in the streets of Christchurch during the appeal. She collects for a short time, returns to the office for a rest and then goes out again."

Shanti says when he asked her what drives her to work so hard, she responded by saying: "Without SAFE, how could the animals manage? I want to give something back to the animals."

Thank you, Trouble. You're an inspiration for us all to work that extra bit harder.

MEET CHLOE THE CAT

She's clumsy, wets the bed and is not anything like a cat should be, but that didn't stop animal-saving Danielle Gregan from falling in love with her.

Danielle was raised in a rural area, but quickly found that her passion for animals kept her at odds with her surroundings, and so became a vegetarian (and eventually a vegan!).

Determined to do even more for animals, Danielle started volunteering for SAFE and Cat Rescue in Christchurch. She has been a valuable member of the team for both organisations and is always ready to help with anything that would help animals.

Recently, however, this human/cat team ran into a bit of trouble. Chloe started to develop health problems: cerebellar hypoplasia(CH), cystitis and long-term constipation issues. Danielle of course has been getting her all the treatment she needs, but this was costing over $1000 - something that hit her especially hard, since she's unemployed!

Danielle was going nuts, trying to figure out how she could continue to pay the vet bills for her beloved Chloe. But then something wonderful happened.

In her time as a volunteer, Danielle had been becoming part of the animal-loving community. The word was put out, and in less than 24 hours, the community pulled together, and raised $1000 for Danielle and Chloe!

"I'm just completely amazed. This has restored my faith in humanity," said a shocked Danielle.

"Our volunteers do so much for SAFE and the animals," says volunteer coordinator Sacha Dowell.

"I'm so pleased to see that when they need it, the community can give back to our volunteers."

VOLLIE EXTRAORDINAIRE!

There are certain individuals within SAFE who have been involved longer than many staff members and contribute to the growing success of the organisation. SAFE profiles Auckland volunteer Matt Goode.

SAFE depends hugely on its volunteer network for getting out into the public eye and local communities. One Auckland volunteer has regularly taken part in monthly, and in some cases weekly, activities. At times he has kept the central city stalls running single-handedly, and raised hundreds of dollars towards SAFE campaigns. Matt Goode has taken on various roles in his unpaid SAFE career since first joining a street appeal in 2005.

Matt has a background in computer science and is currently studying ethics and politics at Auckland University. His study times allows him to be flexible with when he can help out, which is an added bonus for SAFE. Matt says studying ethics helped him become interested in animal welfare and rights issues, which led him to being part of SAFE as a way to meet like-minded people.

Matt says he is keen for people to understand how their daily lives can affect the lives of animals, and he is particularly concerned with animals in captivity.

"The use of animals in circuses and zoos concerns me because it's one area that people don't necessarily think about in terms of animal welfare," says Matt.

One big accomplishment was the co-founding of the university animal welfare group Animal Advocates on Campus with another active SAFE volunteer, Miriam Williams. Since forming in 2008 the group has drawn loads of student support.

Matt also gives his time to other worthy causes such as Amnesty International and Youthline, among others. Matt says his favourite animal is the beaver, for its rebellious character, and his favourite SAFE animal costume would be the lion, as he also likes cats! Thanks Matt. You're a champion!

PASSIONATE ABOUT PIGS!

Nine-year-old Leith Hawker is passionate about pigs. He recently chose to do a presentation at his local school about pigs.

Leith made a large colourful poster to help explain the effects of intensive pig farming. He writes: "Pigs deserve to live happy, free lives and we need to help the ones that don't."

Elmwood Animal Society

Every now and then someone extraordinary amazes the SAFE team with either their courage or determination to help animals. This week SAFE's education officer Nichola Kriek met an amazing young advocate for the animals. More...

Wills Wynn Thomas is a seven-year-old with a passion and drive to help animals that is truly inspirational. SAFE received a letter from Wills' parents with an invitation to speak to Wills' Animal Society group at his school. Wills' mother Victoria explains: "Our seven-year-old son Wills started an Animal Society at Elmwood School at the beginning of this year...the purpose of this society, amongst other things, is to promote awareness of animal welfare...and its members have been meeting during lunchtimes to talk about animals."

SAFE education officer Nichola Kriek attended Wills' school to speak and was amazed and impressed by Wills' maturity and commitment to animals.

"Wills has managed to motivate 20 of his classmates to give up their lunchbreak in order to learn more about caring for animals. That's quite an achievement. I was so impressed with Wills and his group," says Nichola.

"It's great to see someone so young promoting caring values and getting his peers alongside him to support an important cause. Keep it up Wills! The animals are lucky to have you on their side!"

LITTLE CHAMPION, NEVE!

When 8-year-old Neve Soryl was told her family were vacationing in Rarotonga for a winter holiday in May, the SAFE member and animal lover from Christchurch decided she would help the local animals. Neve decided to help a non-profit organisation by collecting donated veterinary supplies to bring with her to Rarotonga.

Neve read about the Esther Honey Foundation (EHF) in an animal magazine. EHF provides the only veterinary care for companion animals in the Cook Islands. The organisation focuses on a neuter and spay programme, whilst also helping any animal needing medical aid. Volunteer veterinarians and helpers from all over the world come to work at the foundation.

Neve wrote to Air New Zealand about her idea seeking their assistance and they kindly offered her extra baggage allowance for the journey. Then she wrote to veterinary clinics in Christchurch asking them to donate supplies such as surgery equipment and veterinary medicines.

Two large boxes of supplies were collected and duly transported by Neve to Rarotonga. EHF helped smooth the way with customs on arrival. A few days later, Neve delivered the boxes and met many of the animals at the centre, including a goat, as well as many cats and dogs of all ages.

SAFE applauds Neve for her initiative and wonderful thought. SAFE director Anthony Terry says she is an inspiration.

"Neve took it upon herself to find a problem and help solve it. In doing so, she offered invaluable veterinary supplies to a cash-strapped charity that would in turn directly benefit animals in need. For an 8-year-old to organise and facilitate an international operation and make such a difference, how awesome is that! Fantastic work, Neve."

If you would like to contribute in some way to the Esther Honey Foundation visit their website