CRUELTY AT WAL-MART
In many North American Wal-Mart stores, “pet supply” sections have an area where photos and information about animals in need of adoption by loving families are posted.
The Wal-Mart website (http://walmart.com) boasts a large “pet section,” offering everything from pet strollers to dog clothing. In addition, American pet search and adoption services are available through Wal-Mart’s “Very Best Pet Network.” (http://www.verybestpetnetwork.com)
Unfortunately, Wal-Mart operates differently in China. While giving North American customers the impression that Wal-Mart cares about animals, they sell others for slaughter out of the sight of Western customers.
Live turtles and frogs are available for purchase at Chinese Wal-Mart stores. These animals are slaughtered while fully conscious, to satisfy consumers need for “fresh” food items.
"The last things the turtles see in the Wal-Mart megastore in northern Beijing are bright fluorescent lights, masked shop assistants and, if they crane their necks over the edge of their plastic container, a chalk board offering them for sale at the bargain price of 39,8 yuan (about $5) each.
Once that sum is paid, even their shells cannot protect them. They are whisked off to the in-store slaughter counter, where their necks are cut, their blood is drained and they are bagged and tagged ready for the checkout counter.
According to the shop assistant, a small minority of the 100 turtles sold every day could also expect a brief respite. “A few customers like to take them home alive so they can play with them for a few days before making them into soup,” she said." (1)
We are saddened and horrified that Wal-Mart would employ such barbaric and inhumane practices. Many species of turtles have become critically endangered in Asia due to over-collection and human consumption.
Please see the following links for more information regarding the Asian Turtle Crisis:
http://tortoise-aid.org/asianturtles.html
http://www.traffic.org/news/turtles.html
http://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/asia.html
http://nytts.org/asianturtlecrisis.html
Please also see a report to the California Department of Fish and Game regarding the sale of live turtles and amphibians in San Francisco, California.
http://www.tortoisetrust.org/activities/foodmarket.html
Until Wal-Mart ceases this environmentally and ethically unacceptable practice, we are asking for a world-wide boycott of Wal-Mart, and all Wal-Mart divisions. These businesses include:
Sam’s Club: USA, Canada: http://www.samsclub.com
Amigo Supermarkets: Puerto Rico: http://www.amigo.com
ASDA: United Kingdom: http://www.adsa.co.uk
Seiyou:Japan: http://www.seiyu.co.jp/english/
Walmex: (Wal-Mart in Mexico)
George Apparel Stores: United Kingdom
For a complete list of Wal-Mart owned businesses, please go to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_assets_owned_by_Wal-Mart_Stores,_Inc .
We kindly ask that all individuals, humane organizations and businesses objecting to Wal-Mart’s cruel practices, and who support this boycott and voice your concerns to:
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
702 S.W. 8th Street
Bentonville, AR 72716-8611
USA
You may contact Wal-Mart via e-mail at its corporate web site:
http://walmartstores.com/GlobalWMStoresWeb/navigate.do?catg=221
More information will soon follow at our web site.
Annie Lancaster
Director
TortoiseAid International Inc.
Post Office Box 260
Apple Valley, CA 92307-0005 USA
http://tortoise-aid.org