September 21, 1997

United Poultry Concerns (UPC) and the Association of Veterinarians for Animal Rights (AVAR) have undertaken a campaign to eliminate the food deprivation practice known as forced molting in hens used by the egg industry. UPC and the AVAR have

approached the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) asking them to change their position statement which currently accepts forced molting, referring to it as "an acceptable management practice, when done under careful supervision and control." We are asking the AMVA to oppose force molting. Their opposition would carry great weight.

• The AVMA is going to review its position on forced molting at its upcoming AVMA Animal Welfare Committee meeting the first week in November. Please take a minute to write a letter urging the AVMA to oppose forced molting altogether. Your letters are urgently needed before November 1st. We would not condone depriving cats, dogs, and horses of food for several days. Food deprivation is just as cruel to chickens.

  Write: American Veterinary Medical Association
  Attn: Dr. David Granstrom
  1931 North Meacham Road, Suite 100
  Schaumburg, IL 60173-4360