Countywide : Letter Writers to Protest Animal Cruelty

Organizers of the sixth annual Great Animal Rights Write-In scheduled Sunday hope to generate hundreds of protest letters to companies and organizations accused of cruelty to animals.

Orange County People for Animals, a 2,000-member animal-rights group based in Irvine, has prepared packets of 20 pre-written letters that will be distributed to participants for them to sign.

One of the letters is addressed to UC Irvine administrators, asking them to investigate the alleged practice of blinding monkeys and cats to conduct research on blindness. Another letter will be sent to the Fashion Island department store Neiman Marcus, asking store managers to stop selling furs.

Neiman Marcus and Fashion Island representatives declined comment. UCI spokeswoman Karen Newell Young said the research is in compliance with federal guidelines and conducted under “the most humane conditions.”

One of the pre-written letters objects to dolphins being used for shows at Knott’s Berry Farm. But Knott’s spokesman Bob Ochsner said the “education-oriented” shows are routinely inspected by local, state and federal agencies and exceed safety standards.

During Sunday’s write-in, letters will also be sent to state and national leaders and to top corporate executives. Representatives from EarthSave, Last Chance for Animals and Animals’ Voice magazine will also take part in the event, which will take place from noon to 3 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Irvine. Admission is $15.