Dear FVA members, friends & readers, again we share with you our FVA meet-up events! We now have 4,539 signed up as ‘interested’ in our group & activities. As you can see, we continue to have a variety of opportunities for you to become involved. WHERE ARE YOU?
Please join our Meet-Up, please sign up for events that interest you, then PLEASE attend the events and help the animals! (If for some reason you find that you are unable to attend, please be kind enough to change your RSVP. This will help us to better know what attendance to expect at our events and plan appropriately.)
FVA in the Community/Tablings:
4/7, 5/5, 6/2 - Vegan Support Groups, Open Forums, held virtually via Zoom. Join great discussions with some regular attendees and new ones each time. No pressure to chat, but we always like everyone to introduce themselves and now require you to participate with video. Join our hosts, Kim Gronemeyer, Psy.D., Myriam Parham, RD, CDCES & Cathy Unruh, Journalist, Author & Animal Advocate
4/15 – FVA Bd members, Diane & Marie, assisted with a domestic rabbit rescued by Suzanne House. The rabbit was advertised on the Next Door app after someone claimed they found it in their backyard a few months back but could no longer care for him/her. Overnight care was provided and thankfully the Humane Society of Tampa Bay (HSTB) was able to take him/her in. Also, thanks to an FVA friend, Kerri, for helping to call HSTB. GREAT team effort!
6/12 – Tampa Bay Veg Fest – 1st volunteer plan meeting for TBVF 2022, @ Green Culture Rest, Trinity
Media & Other Activities:
4/5 - Westchase CDD Board of Supervisors meeting – About 12 activists, including several FVA bd members attended and spoke on behalf of the black vultures targeted to be shot by the USDA for the “inconvenience(s)” a few residents report. We pled for non-lethal methods to deter the vultures from being on their property, but, so far, even effective non-lethal methods tried by homeowners, have been rejected. Owl or other effigies have been successful, but the HOA threatens fines if they are used, and instead allow the shooting of vultures to deter others from entering their property.
4/20 – FVA joins the Humane Society of Tampa Bay in pledging another $1000 reward to anyone whose help with information leads to an arrest and conviction for the 29 dead guinea pigs found in Carrollwood.
5/14 – FVA’s 1st Spring Fling Pot Luck & Awards Picnic, at Philippe Park, Safety Harbor- Over 50 attended to share yummy vegan food, recognize animal heroes and hear a great talk by Ron Knaus, DO, on Plant Based Lifestyle Medicine!
6/7 – Pinellas County – Rabbit Sales Hearing – Pinellas County Commissioner meeting regarding the sale of puppies in retail store. Commissioners decided to allow the existing stores to continue selling puppies but stopped new stores from selling them. Pinellas County is one of the few counties in the area to NOT ban the sale of puppies.
6/8 – FVA offers $1000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for the killing of cats at 3 Lake Mobile Home Park in Town N’ Country’
6/21 – Pasco County – Rabbit Sales Hearing
FVA sends donations to local shelters:
Sanctuary Monthly Donations:
April - Yesahcan Sanctuary, Lake City, FL, $200
May - Satchels Last Resort, Sarasota, FL, $200
May – ResQ Cats of Florida, $100 to help with Laura Kile’s tragic loss & injuries during a fire in her house/cat sanctuary. Laura is a true hero who risked her life and suffered severe burns, including her face, arms, hands & finger, while trying to save her own cats and those she fosters. This group saves cats from the Hillsborough County Pet Resource Center euthanasia list.
FVA Demos for the Animals:
4/1 - Sarasota says NO to inhumane horse and buggy rides! – Laura Weiss hosted a successful demo. Another demo was scheduled, but the horse & buggy rides appear to have stopped after the 1st demo!
4/16 & 5/21 – Demos, Go Vegan! - at St. Pete Saturday Morning Market
5/7 – The 10th Annual Empty the Tanks Worldwide Demo, Clearwater Mall Entrance
In addition to the events above, some of the monthly activities held at several local vegan restaurants may be on hold. Please check our calendar or call the restaurant to check their schedules.
In the meantime, PLEASE support vegan restaurants during this critical time. Order Take out!!!
Please check our FVA calendar to join us at these events so we can get to know each other.
We hope to see you soon!