FVA in Action - Qtr. 3, 2023
Dear FVA members, friends, and readers, again we share with you our FVA meetup events! We now have 4649 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 Meetup, 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:
7/6, 8/3, 9/7 - 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. Join our hosts: Kimberly Gronemeyer, Psy.D., Myriam Parham, RD, CDCES & Cathy Unruh, Journalist, Author and Animal Advocate.
8/6, 9/2 – KARAOKE at Loving Hut in Tampa! With an ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT BUFFET this is NOW a MONTHLY event - the first Saturday of the month. Share lots of fun with USF's student organization, SPEAK (Students Protecting the Environment and Animals thru Knowledge), and support Loving Hut. COME next month and SING YOUR HEART OUT, STUFF YOUR FACE, AND SUPPORT OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY & STUDENTS!!! Thanks to Brittany Livingston for organizing this fun event!
TBVF Volunteer and Committees Meetings: 7/1- Florish plant-based pizza & bowls, Tampa; 7/30 – Kaleisia Tea Lounge, Tampa; 8/26 – Voodu Vegan Bistro, Tampa; 10/1 – Vine Vegan, Brandon
9/16 -Solid Rock Community School Market, Trevor and Ann Chin tabled for FVA. Big thanks also to Dani & Andrea who came and stayed the entire time!
9/16 - Road Trip | Vegan Prix Fixe at Lotus Vegan Restaurant, a joint event collaboration with Sarasota Vegan Society, Florida Voices for Animals, VegSarasota, and The Manatee & Sarasota County Vegans. Thanks to Paul Murphy for leading out!
9/23 – Al Lopez Park Cleanup - Tom Bird, Suzanne House, Laura Pennington, Ron Grey, Courtney Glatter, Johnna and Myriam Parham. THANKS to all!!
Al Lopez Park Year-Round Feral Cats feeding, trapping for medical care and/or sterilizations. Coordinated by Tom Bird, volunteers take turns once a week making sure the cats are fed. Thanks to Tom, Suzanne House, Ron Gray, Laura Pennington, Leslie Pandolfo, Amy Anderson, Gustavo Delavilla and Kenny Echezabal for doing this 365 days a year total dedication!
Media & Other Activities:
7/18 - Pinellas County Commissioners Meeting – FVA members attended to speak on banning retail sales of rabbits – Commissioners were NOT receptive.
7/19 – Florida Wildlife Commission final meeting to decide on fishing regulations for the Skyway Pelicans, Hilton, St. Pete Bayfront – Thanks to Melissa Zepeda for attending and speaking for the pelicans. Some modifications were made to reduce injuries and deaths to pelicans as a result of fishing at the Sunshine Skyway bridge area. The new rules will prohibit the use of multiple hook fishing lines from November 15 through March 15 and limit anglers to no more than two fishing rigs at a time. Anglers would also have to take an education course on how not to ensnare the birds.
9/14 – St. Petersburg City Council Hearing and Reading of Proposed Ban of the Retail Sale of Rabbits. Thanks to Renee Rivard and Jacinda Shapiro for attending.
9/28 – St. Petersburg City Council FINAL Hearing on adding the Proposed Ban of the Retail Sale of Rabbits to the current ordinance that bans the retail sale of dogs and cats. Vote was unanimous to add the ban! Thanks to Susan Holl, Genevieve, David and Chris from Suncoast Rabbit Rescue, Anne Marie Cancio, and Myriam Parham for speaking. Huge thanks to the City Council for listening and thanking us for educating them on this issue. Last, but not least, thanks to all who have attended other hearings, zoomed, emailed and/or called the council members. Each of you made a huge difference!
FVA sends donations to local shelters - Sanctuary Monthly Donations:
July - Rags to Riches Animal Rescue, Inc. - $200
Aug -Skyway Cats - $200
Sept - Runaways Animal Shelter - $200
FVA Demos for the Animals:
8/5 - Loomis Brother's Circus PROTEST! Sarasota Fairgrounds, Attended by Laura Weiss and Anne Marie Cancio
PLEASE support vegan restaurants in your area. If you can’t dine in, 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!
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