A central project in 1998 and Spring 1999 was to combat trading in furs and skins from dogs and cats. In addition to Korea, dogs and cats have been slaughtered, above all in Thailand, China and the Philippines for their fur and their leather which have then been sold - also here in Europe.

The Animal Network concept which, in addition to the presentation of facts, includes co-operation with other organisations on an international basis has proven successful. The public protested vehemently to the various Embassies in all countries. Information and protest cards were prepared by several animal protection societies, including many foreign societies.

The Animal Network team would like to take this opportunity to say thank you for your active and above all financial support and asks that you continue to remain loyal to our aims. Together, we have already achieved a lot for our animals but – in view of the daily misery – we must not let up for a single moment.

Please also make every attempt in your daily lives to pursue the implementation of the Animal Network objectives; the individual makes the difference! Try to ensure when purchasing animal products that – without so wishing - you contribute to animal misery. As a matter of principle with meat sausage and eggs "less is more" none at all is the very best.

In particular, ensure when purchasing and consuming eggs and egg products that the hens from which they come are free-range, or at least farmyard, birds. This is particularly important in view of the planned building of enormous laying batteries in the Czechoslovakian Republic close to the German border; you should, if possible, refuse to consume battery eggs. We must not differentiate between "household pets" and "other animals". Even when the other animals do not share our accommodation, or are particularly attractive to us due to their button eyes or soft fur; all animals can suffer pain, they are our fellow creatures and we must respect and protect them.

The German Constitutional Court recently decreed that battery-type chicken farming is not permissible. The hens in one cage must. so the reasoning, all be able to sleep at the same time. Up to now this has not been possible, the cages are small the torture and the stress on the other hand are immeasurable.

Animal Network will demand of the German government that the atrocious practice of battery chicken farming be, at long last, prohibited. As has been the case in Switzerland for several years. We will also demand that at long last egg products be marked in compliance with the animal protection legislation, as has been standard practice in Switzerland for a long time; there egg products carry the information "with eggs from free-ranging hens".

It all starts with every individual person observing the principles of animal protection. Viewed statistically, a hen sits in a cage for every member of the nation. If you do not purchase eggs or egg products from battery farming sources, sooner or later there will be one hen less in a cage. By the way, this is also applicable to meat; every year a pig is killed for every member of the public. We cannot ignore this and other equally inconvenient knowledge; indeed we do not wish to do so then the main objective of Animal Network is to achieve more rights for animals. Our animal protection starts with each and every individual person and not last by us ourselves.

Once again, thank you very much for co-operation and loyal support!

Your

Animal Network Team