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When the deer nibble the rosebuds and the rabbits go after the radishes, what do you do? You dont want to harm them. You understand their attraction to the delicacies in your garden. But youve put in countless back-breaking hours, and you just want these uninvited guests to find dinner elsewhere. Many gentle gardeners, looking for a natural deterrent, purchase bottled animal urine, hoping the strong odor will frighten away their unwanted guests. Garden experts say it doesnt work; animals arent afraid of the scent. But theres a bigger problem: Coyotes, foxes, raccoons and other animals whose urine is collected, bottled and sold to garden centers live in fear. And squalor. On one urine-collection farm (where animals were also raised and killed for their fur), PETA investigators found foxes and raccoons crammed into tiny, filth-encrusted cages. The urine is collected in trays beneath the cages, so the animals have no bedding to lie on or to protect their feet from the wire floor. Some animals were injured, with exposed bones and infected, untreated wounds. Many had gone cage-crazy and circled endlessly, as though searching frantically for some way to comfort themselves in their small wire prisons. Some foxes, in despair, chewed and mutilated their own bodies. When it was time to harvest the fur, the foxes and raccoons on this farm suffered an agonizing death by anal electrocution. The farmer placed a metal conductor in the frightened animals mouths, shoved an electric prod into their rectums and shot 250 volts through their bodies. Urine/fur farms are not regulated by federal agencies, and the abuse witnessed by our investigators is common. Hundreds of farms continue to keep, exploit and kill animals for their urine. The best way to end this suffering is to put urine collectors out of business. PETA has contacted thousands of gardening centers and asked them not to sell bottled urine. Many have already pulled these products from their shelves. Now we need your help.
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After PETA sent information on cruel urine farms to Hechinger/HQ/Builders Square and the Kmart Corporation, they announced that their stores would stop selling fox urine. Send thanks to: Mr. Mark Schwartz Mr. Floyd Hall Mask of Death
You can protect your garden without cruel products. A sturdy fence will keep deer out, andif its deep enoughrabbits, too. Deer love to nip the buds from roses and other garden favorites, but there are many beautiful plants they dont find appetizing. Try planting anemones, daffodils, ferns, junipers, astilbes, impatiens and foxgloves. The flower of the fritillaria imperialis bulb attracts the human eye, but its strong skunk-like odor repels deer. Give in! Designate a portion of your garden to wildflowers, grasses, fruit trees and other plants animals love to nibble, and wish the deer bon appetit! Fence or landscape with naturally repelling plants elsewhere. If you must use bottled deterrents, choose animal-free brands such as Ro-Pel, Deer-Off, Mole-Med and Hinder. Contact PETA for a complete list.
Talk to managers of local gardening and department stores and ask them not to sell bottled urine. Write to PETA for information or copy this article to show them whats wrong with animal urine. Write to Mr. Jack Smith, CEO, The Sports Authority, 3383 N. State Rd. 7, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33319, and ask him to stop selling bottled animal urine. Also, ask managers of local sporting goods stores not to carry any bottled animal urine.
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People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals 501 Front St. Norfolk, VA 23510; |
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