St. Francis of Assisi Pastor Vows to End Animal Giveaways

PETA Convinces Lead Pastor to Safeguard Animals by Not Handing Them Out as Prizes at Future Church Fairs

For Immediate Release:
July 8, 2010

Contact:
Lisa Wathne 757-622-7382

Gates Mills, Ohio -- After receiving a letter from PETA, the Rev. James Caddy of St. Francis of Assisi Parish has made the compassionate decision to halt animal giveaways at future church fairs. PETA's letter came in response to congregants' concerns that live rabbits had been given away as prizes at the church carnival. Caddy assured PETA that he would inform the company that provides games and rides for the church's carnival to exclude live animals from future events.

"In the true spirit of St. Francis of Assisi--the patron saint of animals--the church will not hand out animals as if they were toys or prizes," says PETA Director Debbie Leahy. "Animals, like children, are at risk when they are given to strangers who might take them home on a whim and not know exactly how to care for them."

Every fair season, PETA receives numerous calls from people who are looking for new homes for animals they or their children won at game booths. Many of these small, fragile animals die within a few weeks from improper care or unintentional neglect. Those who survive are often released outdoors after the novelty wears off and, unable to fend for themselves, die of starvation, predation, or exposure. Others are left at animal shelters, where they are often euthanized.

Like dogs and cats, rabbits are social animals with gentle natures and individual personalities. They require more care than most people anticipate, including a specialized diet, daily grooming, regular visits to the veterinarian for dental care, a great deal of socialization, and special safety measures for their living environment. They can live for eight years or more.

As a token of appreciation, PETA has sent Caddy a thank-you card and a small box of vegan chocolates.

For more information, please visit PETA's blog.