Freddaflower Memorial & Appreciation Fund

Dear UPC, it is an honor and a great privilege to donate to UPC’s Freddaflower Memorial & Appreciation Fund! This donation is in loving memory of Peace Kitty, a very special creature of God who taught me about the power of selflessness and conviction. Thank you most sincerely for all you do to help the birds and promote veganism. In kindness and deep appreciation. – Victoria Hart

Dear UPC, I’m sending this donation in honor of these three beautiful roosters who were left to die in a cage in the sun at the local auction on May 6. They had been in a cage on the ground in the shade, where I dropped feed in for them to eat off the grass to distract them from being restless and pecking one another, because they were crowded. The holes on one side of the cage were large enough for them to get their heads through, so I set a water bowl on the outside and saw at least one drink. We had to leave, but made sure they were still in shade before we left.

Fast forward an hour or so, and we came back to see who needed water before we went home. I caught a glimpse of a man carrying several roosters by their legs. He came out from behind the dumpster empty-handed, and I hurried to look in. Two were obviously dead, and one had barely a glint of light in his eye. I ran after the man to ask what happened. He said he’d had them in a cage (and apparently forgot to shade them). I saw many others in cages on his pickup, but only got a glimpse. He said he was “going to water them.”

I ran back to the dumpster, hoping to save the one who might be still alive, but he too was dead. By this time the pickup had disappeared. I got photos and reported what happened to the auction owner. I asked that an announcement be made each week to the effect that buyers be sure to shade animals in their pickups.

She said it wouldn’t make any difference – “people can do whatever they want with any animal they buy.”

I’m determined that these unfortunate roosters not be forgotten! It’s very likely they would’ve been killed later anyway, but dying trapped in hot sun is a particularly miserable way to die. I wrote a tribute for them and am sharing it with you, along with this heartbreaking photo. I don’t know what else I can do to honor them. – Barbara Moffit

In honor of my Mother Patricia Burmaster. Thank you for all the mother hens! – Laura Staples

The enclosed donation to UPC is for the occasion of my wife’s (Jamie Kordack) 58th birthday on June 12. – Sincerely, Vincent M. Kordack

In honor of my mother, Cynthia Cruser, who greatly admires your work. – Hope Cruser

This donation is in honor of Sheila Ross. Thanks so much! – Maxine Borowsky Junge and Benjamin Junge

In memory of Mattie, who was loved and lived with us for 14 years after being rescued from the street by a friend. – Franklin Wade & Liqin Cao

My donation is in honor of Ronnie Steinau’s Birthday. – Marcia Kudlow

This Donation is in Memory of Frankincense, Rockie Roo’s Friend. I was saddened to hear of Frankincense’s passing. Some things, it seems, we can never get over. . . . – Rita Lemongello

In honor of Nero, Fredericka, Julie, Nathaniel, Leonard, and Bertha, remembered forever and sadly missed. – Paul Deane

My gift is in honor of All God’s Creatures. – Brien Comerford