MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR

The Big Paws Out concert and walk in Napier last week was supposed to be an afternoon of relaxation and good vibrations. Instead concertgoers were running for cover like mice scattering from the neighbourhood cat! Those that bravely stood their ground were clinging on to anything that wasn't already airborne. Gazebos took a team effort to keep grounded but were still badly damaged. Leaflets, merchandise, food and signage were left in a soggy mess. Only one musician managed to perform before the concert was declared over. Morale quickly took a downward turn tinged with thoughts of ‘what if?'. I am still upset about the ordeal given months of planning was literally blown away in minutes.

We were unexpectedly slapped by Napier's biggest storm ever for the month of April. Hail, rain and freezing gale-force winds challenged us all, especially those wearing shorts and t-shirts. Minutes earlier we had been enjoying the sea breeze, warmth and sunshine. We can only lament the perfect afternoon that might have been.

NAPIER UNITES

One redeeming aspect was that over 200 people and dogs combined attended the walk before the concert to protest animal experimentation in New Zealand. The peaceful march through Napier aimed to unify the local community and highlight that their region is home to a large animal breeding and research facility. We felt victorious in that we staged one of New Zealand's largest rallies in opposition to animal experiments. At least we achieved that. I am grateful to all those who assisted in this event and extend appreciation to the four awesome musicians who donated their time in support of this issue. We managed to have fun nonetheless.
Anthony Terry
Director

WALKING ON SUNSHINE....

SINGING IN THE RAIN!

Walking on sunshine, singing in the rain. This pretty much sums up The Big Paws Out held in the nation's deco capital last weekend. The free outdoor concert and walk for the animals was set to attract thousands. We planned for a relaxing family day out listening to some of New Zealand's most talented singer songwriters. Instead, the event was marred by one of the city's fiercest storms that tore through the event leaving everything sodden and defeated. The damage will amount to several thousand dollars but the disappointment took a greater personal toll. We were hit hard.

The event was well organised. Most of SAFE's core personnel came to assist. Carloads of supporters and helpers from all over New Zealand arrived in the days before the event. Over 6000 flyers and posters were distributed, numerous websites promoted the event, newspapers ran full-page feature articles and several radio stations interviewed either the organisers or musicians. Hundreds of local members were invited and cafés were put on alert there were ‘hungry vegans in town'. Many of the local hotels and backpackers were full. It was a time of high anticipation.

The perfect weather on Friday led to hopes of the same for Saturday despite the Met Service expressing doubt. Locals were reassuring too. "It won't rain. It won't rain." The day did begin perfectly as we set up the deco seaside pavilion. People and their dogs began arriving to take part in the walk. By departure time the crowd had swelled to over 160 placard-holding supporters, many of whom had brought along their beloved dogs. SAFE campaign director Hans Kriek led the 200-strong group through the busy inner-city mall flanked by Green MP Sue Kedgely and Save the Beagles spokesperson Mark Eden. The large colourful crowd marched peacefully through the streets handing out leaflets while Mark spoke through a loud hailer of the need to stop experimenting on live animals. It looked impressive and public support was encouraging.

Interestingly, Margeret Harkema, the wife of the owner of Valley Animal Research Centre (VARC), which breeds beagles and other companion animals in the Manawatu and Hawke's Bay Regions, turned up to challenge the crowd and began handing out leaflets outlining the benefits of researching on animals. This resulted in SAFE's director Anthony Terry calling the police as she was upsetting and intimidating the crowd which included many young children.

"I was extremely concerned her foolish behaviour was going to provoke an incident that would have ended up with someone being assaulted. The police agreed and asked her to leave," said Anthony.

The event featured information stalls by the Green Party, Save the Beagles Campaign and SAFE along with stalls selling vegetarian hotdogs, candy floss and other vegan sweets. All stallholders sustained major damage.

"I can't help but feel as though we got dragged through the mud and were left with mud on our faces. Everyone had done such a spectacular job but the weather was brutal and challenging and so unlike Napier for April," said Anthony.

Since the event a few letters to the editor in the local papers have been critical of the need to use animals in research. One article also included comments from Margeret Harkema of VARC, defending the use of animals.

In response, Save the Beagles Campaign spokesperson Mark Eden writes:

Dear Editor

I am writing in reply to statements made by Margeret Harkema of the Valley Animal Research Centre (April 21st). Harkema claims that animal research cures human ills, and handed out flyers bearing a photo of a child with cancer.

Neither Margeret Harkema or her husband Allen Goldenthal have any medical qualifications and their company breeds dogs in Whakatu for use in commercial chemical testing, not medical research. For them to claim that a cure for cancer has anything to do with poisoning dogs for profit is simply outrageous.
Mark Eden, Spokesperson, Save the Beagles Campaign

For more information about the campaign visit: www.banbeagleexperiments.org.nz

The four talented New Zealand singer songwriters scheduled to perform at The Big Paws Out included:

Auckland-based front woman Victoria Girling-Butcher, of the popular pop band Lucid3. Long-time SAFE supporter Flip Grater. SAFE's successful television commercial against pig farming also features a track from her latest album. The upcoming indie-folk duo Ragamuffin Children from Christchurch and Daniel Munro who is no stranger to Hawke's Bay. SAFE wishes to extend a warm thanks for their support towards this event.