Sunday, August 23, 2009

Animal advocates call on Eagles to match Vick's salary in shelter donations

SI cover: December 29, 2008 issue.
A Philadelphia-based animal welfare group is asking the Eagles to put their money where their mouth is.
DogPac, a political action committee and advocacy group, sent a letter to Eagles owner Jeff Lurie today asking him to match every dollar he pays Michael Vick with a donation to area animal shelters.
That means a total of $6.6 million over two years.
"The Philadelphia Eagles have repeatedly stated that they believe in giving second chances," said Tom Hickey Sr., chairman of DogPAC and a member of the state Dog Law Advisory Board. "I believe this is a way for the Eagles to clearly demonstrate that they are willing to invest equally in giving a second chance to the dogs that are the victims of this brutal illegal activity."
In addition to the letter to Lurie, Hickey sent an email to the 23,000 people on the DogPAC list urging them to send emails to the Eagles and show their support for the donation request. As of noon 925 letters had been sent to Lurie, Hickey said.
Hickey said the Eagles contribution should go toward enforcing animal cruelty laws and helping care for and rehabilitate fighting dogs.
"With this matching contribution dogs that have been brutalized will be able to receive the necessary medical and behaviorial care that is necessary to give them that second chance of being adopted into a loving and caring home," he said.
There has been no word from the Eagles on exactly what will be expected from Vick as far as his anti-dog fighting activities are concerned or what, if anything, the team plans to do to help the area's animals in the months and years ahead.

Here is the letter DogPac sent to its email list:
Are you as outraged as I am that the Philadelphia Eagles have signed Michael Vick? I’m sure that you are, and you have every right to be. Vick has admitted doing barbaric things to dogs, and the Eagles have shown horrible judgment by making him a member of their team.
The Eagles say that Vick will use his position to help save dogs and show kids that animal abuse is wrong. That simply is not good enough.
However, I believe that by working together we can make the Eagles put their money where their mouth is and do something very positive for dogs in Philadelphia.
That’s why I’ve sent a letter to Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie urging him to prove his team’s commitment to stopping dog abuse by donating AT LEAST the equivalent of Michael Vick’s salary to dog shelters and rescues every year that Vick is an Eagle. That would mean donations of $1.6 million this year and $5 million next year, if Vick is still on the team.
Now I need your help to put public pressure on the Eagles organization to make this happen. Please join me by sending an email to Eagles Owner Jeffrey Lurie telling him to prove his commitment to protecting dogs by agreeing to make these donations.
The Eagles have said that they are giving Michael Vick a “second chance” by putting him on the team. By making these substantial donations to rescues and shelters the Eagles could give a second chance to thousands of dogs that have been abused, maimed and tortured by dog fighting rings just like the one that Michael Vick ran.
If they believe that Vick’s second chance is worth $1.6 million this year, then we believe it’s worth at least that much to give second chances to thousands of innocent dogs who otherwise would be destroyed.
Thank you for your continuing support and for everything you do to help protect dogs in Pennsylvania.
Sincerely,
Tom Hickey, Sr.
DogPAC Chairman
If enough of us support this. If enough of us contact the Eagles. If enough of us speak for those who cannot - we CAN get something done - 
YES, WE CAN!

36 comments:

Ms. ~K said...

Thanks for the info...we're headed to the site now!!!
We're so thankful Vick isn't back in Atlanta...
Kit

The Adventures of the LLB Gang said...

Thanks for the info...we filled out the form and know that yes, WE CAN make a difference!!

Thank you for making people aware!

Beth...the Mama

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

We did it too - the least we can do to help.

Raising Addie said...

Hello Scout & Freyja!!!

This is a BRILLIANT idea!!!

We have sent our email and pray that the Eagles will do the right thing!!

We LOVE your blog!

We are sorry it has taken us so long to visit but we promise to stop by often!!

Chasing my tale...
Addie, Lucie, and Hailey

Teddy Bear said...

Thank you so much for letting us know about his. We signed the letter!

Love,
Teddy Bear

Hansel said...

on our way. :)

Taffy said...

Thank you so much for spreading the word...I am off to check it out and sign now.
Snuggles,
Twix

The Army of Four said...

Thanks for the info - we will check it out.
The Eagles organization claims Vick will use his position to "help save dogs and show kids that animal abuse is wrong". Actually what the Eagles organization is showing kids is that you can commit heinous crimes against animals, brutilize and kill them, and still pull down a multi-million dollar salary in the NFL. Grrrrrrr!
Tail wags to you,
Storms

Wimsey said...

I'll have each of my humans send one. And send the link to my other human friends too.

Wimsey

Backcountry Brodie said...

Thanks for telling us bout this. Yes, it is very impawtant! I is having my mom sign and pass it on to udders but the site is not wanting to load. We keeps on trying until we gets it! Hoping that means lots of peeples is out there signing and the server is bizzy :)

Anonymous said...

Hi Scout & Freyja - just got back from signing... thanks for making us aware of this. I think I'll put something on my blog too.

Minnie-Moo (Rescue Lab) said...

Muzzle will fill out the forum and has crossposted the link too. We are in the UK but it doesn't hurt to let them know the world is watching she says.

Horrible man, poor dogs, Muzzle has been following this since it first hit the news.

M-M
x

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

We hit the site Friday night!

Tank woo fur sharing it!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra
PeeEssWoo: Mom is shokhked no one from The E***** got bakhk to her yet!

Chubby Stanley's Dad said...

A marvelous idea that would help many, many critters in need!

Anonymous said...

Hey Scout and Freyja,
Our dad wrote a letter to the Eagles to add to the pressure on them but he suspects that they're just doing lip service about helping dogs in order to minimize any public protests at their games. Our dad is such a cynic. Dad told us not to hold our breathes waiting for the Eagles do any real advicacy for animal rights unless there's something in it for them financially. We're planning on republishing your post on our blog Tuesday. Let us know if you have any objection.
- The Bumpass Hounds and Kitties

Ruby Red Dog said...

My mum sent the letter. I hope this man does the right thing.
Woofs,
Ruby

Ziggy Stardust said...

Thank you to my Michigan neighbors for showing us this. Mom just went and sent it out, we will do whatever we can.

licks and sniffs, Sasha

Angel Tucker, Daisy and Leo said...

We went to this site from the Thoughts for Paws website the other day. We are so glad so many bloggers are spreading the word.

Tucker and Daisy

Cloud the Wonder Dog said...

Thank you so much for letting us know about this.
Luv,
Cloud

Kasha said...

What adorable pets! Cute blog! THanks for supporting the hatred against Michael Vick. I can't believe he gets his life back and all of those poor dogs do not.
Kasha and Africa

Simply Simon said...

Dear Scout and Freyja

So much animal abuse in this world we live in... so glad we have people/pets like you to raise awareness and do something about it.

Keep up the good work.

Have a wonderful day
Musole

Life With Dogs said...

Sounds like a perfectly reasonable proposal. Let's hope some good can come form this somehow...

Martha said...

We share your outrage about the situation and it would be good if something good came out of it all.
Sorry we see we have almost quoted Nigel above!!!
Good work highlighting the issue.
love
Martha & Bailey xxx

Otso said...

My humans says that I behave better than this person.

Anyway, they thank you for this link because they will surely express their opinion re this person.

Thank you also( and to everyone) for looking after dogs like me who cannot fight him back.

KB said...

Thanks for the heads-up. I sent an email, and I hope that we are successful in this campaign.

Salinger The Pug said...

THANK YOU for sharing this! We came to see you after reading your comment on Charlie the Golden's blog.

We sent our note and are passing this on!

THANKS for the heads up!

Pug Love,
Salinger

Marvin -The Hollow Hound said...

We are with you all the way. Although we had never heard of this man.......

You are doing a good job!

We will email soonest.

just catching up with every pup at the moment, but we have noted it down, and will come back later!

many licks, Marvin xxxxxxxx

Sierra Rose said...

Thanks!
Yes, we just sent an email. Can't believe this situation!!

Hugs and snaggle-tooth kisses,
Sierra Rose

Martine said...

Thank you so much for sharing this! I'll be posting this link.

xo martine

Shelley said...

Great idea - that's the LEAST they can do! Help those poor animals!
!@#$ Michael Vick! (Pardon my french....)

SEDONA said...

Hey guys, thanks for letting us all know about this. Hope the Eagles owner does the right thing.
Your pal,
Sedona

Astrid Keel said...

thank you for letting us know about this.

White Dog Blog said...

Thanks for visiting my blog; I hope you come back and see what I am doing again soon! Thanks for the info...mom and I are gooing to be heard now.

Thor and Jack said...

Thanks for sharing this!

xoxo
Thor

Princess said...

Thanks Scout and Freyja for bringing this to my attention!! I did submit an email! Hope it helps!

TC said...

Hi, I signed, I emailed, I'm putting on my blog too, I will twitter. Hope it all does some good, thanks for letting us know about it!