National animal advocate produces graphic video of Newfoundland seal hunt to express public outrage over clubbing of baby seals.

DALLAS, APRIL 5, 2012:  American Dog Rescue founder and philanthropist Arthur E. Benjamin has issued an urgent plea to Canadian government officials, on behalf of outraged people worldwide, to stop the cruel slaughter of seal pups that occurs off Newfoundland, Canada, each year—and is set to happen April 12, 2012.  In March, Benjamin and TV producer and actress Farah White teamed with the Humane Society of the United States to film the baby seals first hand. Benjamin and White have produced—and just released—a 60-second public service announcement (PSA) called “Stop the Seal Hunt” to let millions of people view the harsh reality of this barbaric practice. 

“Once you see the PSA, you’ll find yourself thinking as I did, ‘This has got to stop!’ Farah and I flew into the arctic sea—where you can barely land a helicopter—to get a sense of these amazing creatures in their natural habitat,” said Benjamin. “It’s one thing to hear about these atrocities and quite another to witness them. The PSA captures both the beauty and gentle nature of these defenseless creatures, as well as the devastating massacre carried out in the name of fashion. Thirty-three countries around the world have banned their trade in seal products–it’s time to stop the hunt, now.”

The new PSA invites viewers to visit the special website Benjamin has established to empower members of the public to bring the slaughter of baby seals—merely for their furs—to an end.  Visitors to the site will find a variety of action steps, including: signing the Humane Society of United States petition, joining the boycott of Canadian seafood, downloading a “Protect Seals” app for iPhone, and donating to End the Hunt alongside  American Dog Rescue. Benjamin has pledged to match a portion of all funds donated via the foundation’s website at www.stopsealhunting.com.

MORE ON CANDIAN SEAL HUNTING

In most countries, buying and selling seal fur is a felony, meaning there is no longer a legitimate market for seal products. However, during the last 10 years, more than two million baby seals have been killed in Canada for their fur – 98 percent of those seals are younger than three months old. In just the last three years, an average of 300,000 seals a year were killed by commercial fishermen between fishing seasons in Canada.

The Humane Society’s campaign against the seal slaughter has driven down demand for harp seal products. The market price for pelts has plummeted (from $96 in 2006 to $18 in 2011), as has the number of seals killed per year. But that is not enough, and that is why Benjamin and White took the initiative to bring global attention to the subject.

ABOUT ARTHUR E. BENJAMIN

Arthur E. Benjamin is an internationally recognized corporate leader, philanthropist and animal welfare advocate. He has founded, acquired and/or grown numerous businesses, as well as nonprofit organizations, including American Dog Rescue and The Butterfly Effect Foundation (also known as the Gail L. & Arthur E. Benjamin Foundation).  His primary goal in business and philanthropy is "Better Lives for People and Pets," fueled specifically by his passions for education, animal rescue and the fight against breast cancer.