Chicken Victory!

Today truly is a Happy Bird Day, with the news that BOCA, manufacturer of many faux meat products, has just announced that they will be eliminating eggs from ALL of their products! This is great news for vegans, giving us lots more options to choose from their extensive selection, which was previously limited due to their use of eggs. But more importantly, it's great news for the many hens that suffer every day in cramped, filthy cages to produce the massive numbers of eggs used in our over-consumptive society.

This change came about as a result of a campaign by Compassion Over Killing, in collaboration with Mercy for Animals, the Animal Protection & Rescue League, and the phone calls and letters of lots of caring consumers. After less 2 months of campaigning, COK received this statement from Boca:

"I am pleased to let you know the BOCA brand will be eliminating eggs in all of its products by the end of this year. We anticipate all BOCA products will be egg free in 2010."

Combining this with the recent campaign successes with Morningstar Farms and Lightlife, who both agreed to REDUCE the number of eggs used in their products, it has been a great few weeks for hens and for veganism.

“Morningstar Farms has committed to reducing its egg usage by an estimated 500,000 eggs in 2009, which is in addition to the already 1 million fewer eggs in 2008.”

“Egg whites are being removed from two more Lightlife products. Both our Veggie Burgers and Mushroom Burgers are being converted to vegan products with a completion date of June 1, 2009.”

Please take the time to contact Boca to thank the company for making this great leap forward for the animals, and setting a huge precedent for other large food producers. You can find out more about COK's Boca Campaign at the Boca Egg Facts website.

Name that Bird Answers & Winner

The bird in question, from last month's contest is Alex, the African Grey Parrot., who became famous for his astounding vocabulary and cognitive abilities. He died unexpectedly and prematurely on September 6, 2007. Everyone who entered got both of those correct! The NY Times ran an article about him after his death. The NY Times Magazine also published a beautiful tribute to both Alex the Parrot, and Washoe the Sign Language Using Chimpanzee, who also passed away that year, less than two months after Alex. But an official Obituary was published in The Economist, and that was the answer I was looking for. Only one person who entered guessed the third part correctly, and that was Jean White from Bellevue, WA. She wins a four pack of my handmade photo greeting cards! Thank you to everyone who participated, and Congratulations, Jean! Please check back soon for more fun contests and prizes.


Recommended/Related Reading:

	Alex & Me, by Irene Pepperberg This is the story of Alex the Parrot, in layperson's language. It's also a very quick read. You'll be flabbergasted by Alex's accomplishments, and charmed by his personality. It'll make you laugh and cry. This is a great book for anyone who was a fan or follower of Alex; for anyone who is a lover of animals, birds, parrots, or African Grays; or anyone interested in language studies or animal behavior.
	The Alex Studies, by Irene Pepperberg If you're looking for something more technical, then this is the Alex book you should read. It's goes into more scientific detail about the language and cognitive studies in which Alex participated. Also available in hardcover
	Next of Kin, by Roger Fouts This is the story of Washoe the Chimp, the pioneer who helped break the language barrier between species. It was written while she was still alive, but there are still parts of the book that will wrench your heart. Another encouraging story that maybe someday other species will be treated with the respect they deserve.