Sent to Prime Minister of Canada – 2008

As long as there are thoughtless, heartless narcissists who will wear the fur and others who need to earn a living by providing that fur and don’t think of the seals as sentient beings, we will have this horrid slaughter among us. …… BUT, …CAN YOU NOT FIND A WAY TO MAKE THE LIVING SEALS A SOURCE OF REVENUE thereby putting an end to the slaughter and making the baby seals PRIZED AND PROTECTED BY THOSE WHO NOW HUNT THEM? …. Surely for ECO-TOURISM, baby seals would be as powerful an attraction as elephants, giraffes and the big cats in Africa, ….. as polar bears in Churchill, ….. and certainly as adorable as pandas in China. .. Plus, saving the seals would make for MUCH BETTER PRESS FOR CANADA than the slaughter of such incredibly beautiful, helpless creatures for the sake of the almighty dollar. …………… Be a visionary in the 21st century by saving wildlife in their natural habitats for the millions of us who would rather see and enjoy these wonderful creatures alive rather than wearing them.
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(Same suggestion following petition verbage below.)

4-3-09 Petition

Dear Senator,

I am writing to urge you to support Canadian Senator Harb’s efforts to end Canada’s cruel commercial seal hunt.

This hunt only continues to exist because it is propped up by government support and taxpayers’ money.

For years, the vast majority of Canadians and caring people worldwide have been calling for an end to the hunt and the time to act is now.

The animal welfare concerns associated with Canada’s commercial seal hunt are well documented. This hunt is unnecessary and economically unviable. The time has come to transition Canadian sealers into new and more rewarding industries that do not involve cruelty to animals.

Please use your power as a concerned citizen to fight for an end to this cruel and unnecessary slaughter.

The world is watching.

[PERSONAL SUGGESTION]

For several years I have sent your Prime Ministers’ offices suggestions about changing the seal hunt into an annual money-making Eco-Tourism event. The sealers could even be trained to take part in whatever areas of the project that interested them (the marketing possibilities are endless) with proceeds going to both the sealers and the government. The world would come to see your magnificent baby seals ALIVE AND THRIVING! Problem solved, money made by all and no cruelty to animals. You would just have to be conscientious and make sure no harm came to their environment; but it is do-able.

Sally Melancon
cajunrescue@att.net
985-385-9927
Louisiana
U.S.

I also appreciate the concern of Kevirr that the issue can suffer a loss of public support if it is seen as an attack upon local communities and seal-hunters. However, the films speak for themselves.

It is not about workers; It is about the cruelty of how these seals are killed, theier age and the fact that they are defenseless. It is NOT about tricking people with cute photos or pulling on heart strings.

I hope those who are beginning to understand the issue will let go of the callousness outlook if this is how they are feeling, and see what is really going on. Unfortunately, these hunts MUST be filmed so that people everywhere can have the opportunity to face the truth and make a change.

I hope Kevirr and folks who have a similar attitude will take a less negative and suspect approach to this issue and help make a change for the better. It’s not about the workers or wanting them to starve or have a loss of income; It is not about Paul McCartney. No one is going to represent the perfect image or have every answer but at least people can try their best and be authentic and be proud of trying.

Personally though I don’t want to see or imagine any seal, grey, purple, white or spotty, adult or baby being bludgeoned with a spiked club en masse. The idea that they are babies and white doesnt pull on my heart strings any more than it would otherwise, but it is possible that Im alone in that. No creature should be allowed to die like that at the hands of any human, and that it would somehow be ok.