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Wednesday, September 4, 2002



PETA protesting Humane Society's pig roast plans




KIMBERLING CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Animal helpers in southwest Missouri are worried that the pig roast fundraiser they rely on may be hurt by protests from national animal rights activists.



The Humane Society of the Branson Tri-Lake area is holding a charity auction Sept. 14, in conjunction with the American Legion's annual pig roast. The money raised will pay for well repairs and monthly bills at a no-kill animal shelter.



Hazel Mitchell, manager of the no-kill shelter's Kimberling City thrift store, fears that a protest by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals could hurt donations.



The American Legion's pig roast in past years has helped draw buyers to the auction.



I didn't have any idea that anybody could possibly object to anything that would help raise money for animals, Mitchell said.



Donations dropped from $10,000 in 2000 to $4,000 last year when a shortage of volunteers led the American Legion to cancel the pig roast.



It's unbelievably incongruous to support animal cruelty at an event to help animals, Bruce Friedrich, director of vegan outreach for PETA, said. If we are eating meat, we are promoting animal cruelty.



Two national animal-rights groups have targeted shelters, specifically asking them to offer vegetarian meals at fund-raisers, he said.



This is the first year anyone has complained about the event and its role in drawing people to the fund-raiser.



The American Legion has bought two pig shoulders for this year's event. Officials have always bought prepackaged meat for it.



This doesn't have anything to do with cruelty, said Bonnie Kelsey, first vice president of the post's Ladies Auxiliary.



If we were slaughtering a pig out there, it might be a different story.



All proceeds from the roast go to American Legion Table Rock Post 637, which donates the money to community groups that include the Humane Society.



The auction has been held at Post 637 for as many years as anyone can remember. For the past five years, it has coincided with the popular pig roast.



The Humane Society's annual yard sale was canceled this year because of flooding, which cost it several thousand dollars.



Officials say they need to raise at least $10,000 to keep the doors open through the winter and pay for costly repairs to the well. The shelter cares for up to 200 dogs, cats and their offspring.

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