Foxie and Jamie have had some pretty epic play sessions lately, but they’re not the only ones in good moods…
Missy
chimpanzees still in labs
The King 5 coverage last night mentioned the chimpanzees who are still in laboratories. Chimpanzees whose lives, like the Cle Elum Seven, could also remarkably improve if H.R. 1326, the Great Ape Protection Act (GAPA), is passed.
Sometimes it seems the barriers to this actually happening are insurmountable – the opposition to the bill by some in the biomedical research community; the funds that would be needed to create space and quality care for the chimpanzees in sanctuaries; and the inherent politics of getting a bill passed that have nothing to do with those 600 chimpanzee lives (and the other 500 who are privately owned and would no longer be tested on).
But then I think about other countries that have passed similar legislation, the bipartisan support that the bill has within the house, and the tremendous determination of those working on the legislation.
And I think about those 1100 chimpanzees. Many of them have very similar experiences as the Cle Elum Seven. Like Negra, Annie and Jody, many were taken from their native home of Africa as infants and may have never experienced what it feels like to be comfortable and safe. Some, like Foxie and Missy, were likely born into captivity for the purpose of being biomedical test subjects and, like Foxie, may never be able to learn natural chimpanzee behaviors like nest-building. Others, like Jamie and Burrito, were former “pets” or “entertainers,” possibly raised as substitute human children, abused by their trainers, then sold into biomedical research.
Those mostly unknown 1100 chimpanzees deserve sanctuary life as much as the seven chimpanzees in our care. Their intelligence and individual personalities should be shared and appreciated. Whatever happens, they will always live in captivity, but they should have a second chance for a better life.
Look at Negra in the photos below – the first taken before her new life began, during her dark years of living in a basement with little mental stimulation, the second taken just days ago as she peacefully napped outside. And re-watch this video of Negra playing with Missy: https://chimpsnw.org/2009/11/negra-5/
Then check out the links below the photos about GAPA to learn how you can help create a better life for all of the Negras still in laboratories.
Learn more about the Great Ape Protection Act (H.R. 1326) and how you can help from these groups:
Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine
Humane Society of the United States
Project R&R
Fundraising Update – OMG! $10,000 in 1 week
This week was really incredible in terms of donations towards our 2nd Anniversary Fundraising. We received a $5,000 grant from the Tony Stewart Foundation (share this page with all of your race-loving friends) and over $5,000 in individual donations!! This means we have only $17,332 to raise by June 13th to reach our ultimate goal of $45,000 and three more chimp-proof windows. We are getting so close! Don’t slow down now!
There are two new supporter fundraising pages:
Jeani Goodrich (no relation to me) has a Firstgiving page set up. With every $25 donation, she’ll send you something special, starting with wood-burned pins made by Diane Frederick of Fredericks Firegraphics (see the Foxie pin to the left.)
Donate now to get your pick of chimpanzee for the pin.
Cindy Marks has set up an Etsy store to sell handmade bracelets with the chimps’ names on them. All net proceeds will go to the sanctuary. Each bracelet includes a picture card of the chimpanzee you select. Most bracelets include African wedding beads to honor their heritage.
She has created a very sweet BFF Missy and Annie bracelet (see photo at left) with intertwined strands representing Annie and Missy’s devotion to each other.
Shop now and check back often for new designs!
And don’t forget these other ways that you can donate to the sanctuary while supporting those who are raising funds:
- Margaret Parkinson’s firstgiving page. Margaret is giving away art cards with prints of the Cle Elum Seven chimpanzees with a $30 donation. See Margaret’s paintings on her website. I can’t decide if Missy and Annie or Negra in the Sun is my favorite. You can get any of the chimpanzee prints on cards with your donation.
- Tamela’s Art Under Glass Etsy store. Tamela is donating all net proceeds from sales from now until the end of June of all of the handmade jewelry and other items for sale through her Etsy store. She just added more items last night, so check it out now!
- Pam Lehnert’s firstgiving page. Pam is giving away a percentage of all of her consulting fees from her staging business and is offerring reduced rates for those in Seattle, Cle Elum and Roslyn who want to beautify their homes through her gift for decorating and who choose to give all of the fees to the sanctuary.
- Tim and Stephanie Perciful are offering an invaluable class in Pet First Aid on Sunday, May 23rd with all fees for the class going to the sanctuary. Register now while there’s still space.
You can also make a direct donation to the sanctuary. 45 days to go…. we can reach our goal with your help! Thank you, everyone!
Personalized gifts from friends
We have so many supporters that have been sending us so many wonderful things for the chimps. Among this long list of individuals are Diane and Syd Marcus. They have sent us countless gifts over the last 2 years, and last week, they sent a huge box of personalized presents for each of the chimps, including an amazing pair of (vegan!) cowgirl boots for Jamie, a beaded necklace for Burrito, a scarf for Annie, a troll doll for Foxie, a new pair of socks for Missy, nuts for Negra, and cereal for Jody. The chimps definitely knew something was up! Jamie, as always, was beside herself when she spotted the boots and Foxie dropped all 5 trolls that she had with her in exchange for her brand new troll, who she promptly took outside for some private time. It was a good day… Thanks so much, Diane and Syd!
Jody and Missy play
As we’ve mentioned in previous blog posts, Jody doesn’t play too often. But every once in a while, we’ll catch her playing with someone, which is a real treat. Even then though, it’s often a very mellow kind of play… Today, however, Missy got her going, resulting in a full-fledged play session. Notice how Jamie tries to steal their thunder towards the end… very “Jamie-like”, if you ask me. 🙂
Jamie and Missy at Play
Another day, another crazy wrestling match.
Negra pushing Missy around
Below is a video of Negra and Missy playing in front of one of the windows that will soon be replaced with chimp-proof glass thanks to LUSH and the winter blog fundraising.
Update on our 3-more window Anniversary Fundraising soon – some exciting news to share!
