Utopia (US) The Animals & Their Treatment

[riverheightsnancy]

Moving specific discussion regarding the animal's treatment and discussion of actions taken by the viewers to get the animals the necessary help. Specific discussion of the animals as it relates to events observed in the live feed or the telecast, can go in those specific threads. Updates about actions to help the animals and discussion of same, can go in here. 

[CaptainCurmudgeon]

Right now, I think that animal treatment on Utopia is the most important topic

 

All of the humans are just too stupid to get any of my sympathy.

 

But the animals didn't have a chance to say "no".

 

Thanks, riverheightsnancy.

[hincandenza]

Some good news from the latest recaps in the Live Feed discussion; sounds like we're having another vet visit either today or Monday, with Hex and others tagging along because they apparently are starting to suspect Bri hasn't been pulling her weight.  More people have been visiting the cows and chickens to work with them, so I think Bri's Reign of Error might be coming to an end.  Some excerpts from the incomparable Zahdii:

 

Hex and Bri are discussing the upcoming vet visit and saying they should ask lots of questions while the vet is here.

 

Bri, Chris and Taylor are talking down at the cow barn.  Bri's is talking about cleaning out the chicken's water.

 

Bri is starting to talk about cancelling the vet visit.  I think she's worried about what will come out.  People might start to realize she's worthless.

 

Bri telling about how much the vet will cost so she can get support for cancelling the 8:00 am vet appointment.  For someone who can't remember animal care instructions she can suddenly remember all the prices of all the things the vet might want to do that add to the basic fee.

 

After they leave, Hex and Taylor go to the barn to check things over.  I don't think they think Bri is doing a good job.  Amanda, Nikkie, and Josh have also been talking about the animal situation.  Things might be taking a turn for the better for the cows and chickens.

Red shows up and hears Josh say that he would trust the vet over Bri because the vet has a degree and Bri only has a year of community college and worked for a year for a vet that specializes in dogs and cats.  Red takes umbrage over that and starts in (deleted boring Red drama here)

 

As for the animal situation, one of the producers tweeted something today interesting.  "It would be interesting if the Vet made a surprise visit to #Utopia this afternoon..."

 

Phew!  While we'll see what happens, this is a very good sign, because for all their problems I don't think the collective Myopians want to see the animals suffer (much less not get their regular supply of milk and eggs) and will work to pick up Bri's slack and start following the vet's orders on proper care and maintenance.

[RedheadZombie]

I want to get this off my chest because it's really been bothering me.  The dead chicken - allowed to be bullied and slowly starved to death by the humans responsible for it's care - drops dead, and is then promptly eaten by said humans.  I don't know why, but that almost enrages me.

 

My mind is going to horrible places now.  How much will they try to ensure the life of the calf being born, when he would make a delicious meal?

[kaygeeret]

My guess is that the sudden and almost universal concern for the animals is part of "production intervention".

 

Someone told them they were being perceived as animal abusers by the viewers.  That all they needed to know - - their "images" were being sullied by the neglect - - -now we have concern.

 

I don't for one minute believe that this spontaneous eruption of animal concern is real.

Edited September 14, 2014 by kaygeeret

[backformore]

At the very beginning, they should have been told, here are some cows and chickens. Here are instructions on how to care for them. There will be random checks. If you are not caring for the animals accordingly, they will be taken away and not replaced. Treat the animals well, and you will have a source of food.

These people are Ridiculous. Eggs, milk, fish, plus whatever staples in the cupboard, could have fed them for a few days. Happy cows give more milk, especially if you milk them morning and evening. Happy chickens lay eggs. It's not complicated.

[hincandenza]

As I mentioned in the feed thread (it's tough to separate the feed thread and this particular issue), with the report now that the vet came back for a surprise visit, and multiple cast members listened in on his advice, we'll surely see some changes.

 

Honestly, I cut production a lot more slack, having seen them take fairly quick action in response.  We as a group only noticed in the last couple of days that Bri was neglecting the animals, and they got a vet out today, and Kroll mentioned on his twitter- admittedly with a bit of huffiness- that they have vets now checking regularly.  

 

I can reasonably imagine that in all the chaos of starting a show like this, the hired watchers in the production trailer (who presumably watch in shifts to cover things 24/7, noting key events and times/cameras for the editors to come back to later for the broadcast show) would simply not notice the animals doing poorly from a distance- why would the average production staffer have any more wisdom about animal husbandry than the actual cast, who live and work right next to the animals? The animals were surely fine when the show started- and the production company had the setup inspected by animal rights groups- so I'm sure it's a surprise to them in part that Bri's negligence could be so... careless.

 

So not to be a huge apologist here, but in their defense, production already had the vets and that farmer scheduled to come out before Zahdii and others were really reporting on the growing issue in the Live Feed thread- in fact, it was the comments of the vet and the farmer that really alerted us to Bri's deception and laziness, and was a catalyst for people like riverheightsnancy and others.  It's not impossible for me to believe that production heard those same things, and were already starting to think about how to address things satisfactorily, while maintaining some separation from the cast.

 

But in any case, once the topic was broached, we have seen some direct, immediate action.  They have gotten a vet out fairly quickly, and one will be coming back Monday and apparently keeping an eye on things, even if remotely (maybe those same staffers will be told to specifically note when and how the animal care is done each day, and let the vet watch and pick up on anything troubling), and hopefully the cast will realize the importance not just to themselves of caring of the animals.

 

And if they don't?  Well, I hope the production team doesn't have a vet going out daily indefinitely, but simply removes the animals and the issue if the cast doesn't start doing their jobs.

 

[RedheadZombie]

The animals were not all fine when production started. The chicken died of starvation on day two. That is a slow and torturous process that was ongoing before Bri and her negligent ways showed up. How these people were expected to know farm animal care - something your average vet isn't a specialist in - and especially the care of a pregnant cow ..... The show dropped the ball and I'm not letting them off the hook. They are in damage control mode now, that's all it is.

[kaygeeret]

The show should have had an animal wrangler from day 1, period full stop!  In fact I thought it was a requirement on any show with animals.

 

Either the animals were already sick when filming started or we are farther along than I think we are or these animals get sick quicker than I knew.

 

Either way, production owns this.

 

They could have:

1. Educated the 'cast' prior to filming about the basics of animal care - it is HARD work and frankly boring unless you are a certain type of person.

2. Had the actual animal care done by others and the cast just faking it - 'cause this show has nothing to do with reality.

 

Either way, the animals should NOT BE SUFFERING - and for the cripes sake, I am not an animal activist and this show is making me crazy!

 

Vets in the pay of the show suffer from what we ALL suffer from when our boss tells us to do something or we lose our jobs.  It's easy to criticize, but I have often wondered what I would have done in my lean days if presented with that choice - I hope the right thing, but I have never been tested.

[hincandenza]

For me, we've hopefully put the animal issues to rest with this latest action. Production is wholly to blame for the circus act of Myopians they chose to cast, but could anyone have predicted Bri being almost pathologically unconcerned with their welfare, or that the cast would have a farmer and vet look at the animals and still be oblivious?

Its easy to judge in hindsight, but we don't know what steps they took up front prior to shooting that might have been by the book and responsible. I give the production credit for reacting well once it became obvious the Myopians- in particular Bri- werent doing enough. I do think if they'd used a challenge/reward structure like on Survivor, where they complete a task and get the cows and chickens, the Myopians might have treated it with more value and care than the things they've been given from day one.

[backformore]

I do think if they'd used a challenge/reward structure like on Survivor, where they complete a task and get the cows and chickens, the Myopians might have treated it with more value and care than the things they've been given from day one.

 

 i like that idea -   Like, cleaning the barn, and getting everything set up for chickens in order to earn chickens.   Setting up a system to feed and milk the cows, in order to earn a cow.  With the caveat, as I posted before, that if an animal is neglected, all animals of that type are taken away.  But if they do a good job, they can earn more chickens. 

 

Bri is clueless, but she's also young.   I imagine she's only had jobs where someone tells her exactly what to do and when to do it.  I doubt that she's ever had to take initiative at work, or to tell others what to do.  She has no particular expertise with animals, really.

[riverheightsnancy]

Thanks for all the updates guys. I ma starting to feel better about it too. 

 

I don't know who Kroll is (head producer?), but no need to get huffy, just do the right God Damn thing for the animals! Sorry that the viewers actually have feelings about what you are broadcasting over there asswipe.  I think that someone (Zahdii maybe) reported that one of the production offices is in the barn! (they have a door or something that is accessed through the barn), so for them to ignore the animals as well, seems unacceptable if that is where production meets with the cast. I do hope that the sudden awareness of the animals is due to the complaints. That means, at least, that we all made some impact. Now, once the animals are taken care of we can go back to snarking on the shitfest that this really is. When this Kroll person sees the comments that we will make about the actual show, he/she will wish that it was only about the animals. ;) 

Kroll mentioned on his twitter- admittedly with a bit of huffiness- that they have vets now checking regularly. 

I can reasonably imagine that in all the chaos of starting a show like this, the hired watchers in the production trailer (who presumably watch in shifts to cover things 24/7, noting key events and times/cameras for the editors to come back to later for the broadcast show) would simply not notice the animals doing poorly from a distance- why would the average production staffer have any more wisdom about animal husbandry than the actual cast, who live and work right next to the animals?

[kikismom]

Some of these things are just so bizarre. How does Bri tell the visiting vets that she does all the work, when everyone there knows she doesn't even get up till after 10:00?

"Talks about changing the chickens water". What's to talk about? There's no such thing as changing it too much. Give fresh clean water anytime you have a chance not just once a day.

I had many many more animals than are at that farm. I always got it done. I was up in the dark and out till sunset but it's like children; you don't do things for them that are requirements for life just if you're in the mood---it is simply what you do. No matter what. When I moved away the guy told me he had to hire 6 people to do the same work I got done alone. That does not mean I'm Wonder Woman---it means that a lot of young people who go into farm work think it's about playing with the cute animals and when they find out how much hard work it takes they can't cope with it.

  If I was a vet that employed her I'd fire her because no client would want her touching their animals and I wouldn't trust a vet that considered her qualified.

[kaygeeret]

How many days are we into this mess - -did I read here that they started 10 days ago?

 

If that is right, production has had 10 days to notice the animals are in terrible shape.

 

Does anyone know what the rules are regarding animals on television shows?  I was under the impression that someone was on site all the time - in this case I guess every day - to make sure the animals were not in danger.

 

Clearly having vets off site review some pieces or parts of film was not an adequate substitute.  The vets in the visit appeared knowledgable and good teachers based

on Zahdii's recaps - let me join the chorus of praise for your work here Zahdii, thank you - , so whatever they missed must have been because of the type of animal oversight provided by production.

 

I'd love to know the actual rules regarding animals on television.

[ElleryAnne]

Not sure if this helps, but I came across this:  http://www.americanhumane.org/assets/pdfs/animals/pa-film-guidelines.pdf   They're the guys that put that "no animals were harmed..." endorsement on TV and movie credits when applicable.  It states that Production is responsible for contacting for the American Humane Association to arrange for them to be present.  I don't know if they're required to do so, though.  

[kaygeeret]

Thanks ElleryAnne, weak at best.

 

Any of you spotted the comment in the most recent recap that Red said it took an hour for the doe he killed to die and she died peacefully?

 

Why wasn't the animal killed as soon as she was tracked? 

 

I am as upset with this as I am at the mistreatment of the farm animals.

 

Why, oh why, haven't they assigned a real hunter to track them when they go out - someone who knows how to hunt properly and can do everything right to make sure we don't have any more problems.

Edited September 15, 2014 by kaygeeret

[RedheadZombie]

Don't forget the twin fawns that will now probably starve to death. Do hunters typically target does with babies?

[clod]

typically, deer are bred in late fall, and have their young in the spring.

 

 

any fawns in that area were very likely already weaned.    the state takes that into account when they set hunting season dates.

[riverheightsnancy]

Yes, I have to say that I am leaning towards agreement with those that think that the deer kill was set-up for Red. Did he have a knife, a gun, and rope? Anything else with him that a person would need to do this? Did he have any blood on himself? I did not see the actual live feed, but I cannot believe the person that we know as Red could have done this on his own, which is why none of it was seen on the feeds at all. Personally, I am not against deer hunting. I am accustomed to stuffed deer heads on the walls and shotguns in the window of a pick-up.  I grew up in northern Maine and have had venison and bear, moose, (they often slipped it in on us).  My relatives were poor and grew up during the depression. They used everything and knew how to hunt. They were respectful of the land and it's animals. I would have to be have starved to kill an animal, but that is me, I just cannot do it.

 

Knowing the state of Red's brain, production probably gave him a nice story to tell, to help him better acclimate to the group, because it seems like he ain't quitting, and he embellished to make mommy deer a "bully" thinking that this story would appeal to the laid back (and likely liberal-in his view) others. It just sounded stupid = Red.

Again, seeing as I worked myself up into a tornado of epic proportions last week regarding the cows and chickens, this might be my denial coping skills at work here. If, in fact, he had help, it was a professional hunter and the Doe did not suffer. Time will tell.

[kaygeeret]

I started the whole thing regarding the deer, but am now convinced that production set this up with Red and maybe even fed him the lines to say hoping someone would get upset.

 

I just forgot the type of show I was watching - for a moment there I thought we had a true "social experiment" instead of a producer led, plotted and directed mash up.

 

I wouldn't be surprised if they knew exactly how the farm animals were doing and let it get bad enough to get 'show excitement'.  I put nothing past the production of this show.

[kikismom]

Yes; I think we all have to remember that TV production companies are like professional athletes: even when they get caught violating the rules, the fines which seem astronomically punishing for the rest of us are a joke to them.

A $5,000 fine for letting poultry die from starvation is probably what the producer spends on cigars in a month. In the meantime, sponsors are paying $15,000 for thirty seconds of commercial time on "water-cooler" television.

[CorgiNarnia]

I've watched youtubes of all the visits from the vets (Do we know their names?) and I think moving forward the cows and chickens will be ok. It is clear production is monitoring the situation closely. The vets have come numerous times. It might even be a regular thing, now that production realizes how bad the Utopians (mostly Bri) were handling this. The more responsible folks (Hex, Josh, Mike, Dede) have been around when the vets visited and are now aware of the job Bri was doing, or if they were already aware, didn't feel it was their place to question Bri on animal stuff, but now feel empowered to do so, now that they have talked with the vets too. Josh demonstrated concern to the vets about whether they were doing things right. Hex had the vets look over her list of notes of her tasks she needed to do each morning and symptoms to watch for. Anytime Bri talked, it sounded like a little kid trying to cover their ass. I wish she would think about sounding more authoritative because it is a little hard to tell if it's just her voice or if she's that immature. How much of this new concern from the Utopians was production giving them a heads-up on live feeders being mad about the animal treatment, I don't know.

 

What the producers should have done is have a large animal vet as one of the original cast, but I guess that would take away some of the drama if they started with 15 competent, reasonable, smart folks.

 

In today's spat between Chris and Bri, one of the things he called her out on was sleeping in and being lazy. Basically, he woke up in the morning and made her breakfast of oatmeal and peanut butter, she spilled some near the fridge and didn't clean it up, claiming she had to be down at the barn to meet up with the vets and didn't have time. He said that is b.s. because she woke up just when they got there. It seems people are aware of Bri's work ethic.

[ElleryAnne]

Basically, he woke up in the morning and made her breakfast of oatmeal and peanut butter, she spilled some near the fridge and didn't clean it up, claiming she had to be down at the barn to meet up with the vets and didn't have time. He said that is b.s. because she woke up just when they got there. It seems people are aware of Bri's work ethic.

 

 

Really, between her work ethic (or lack of one), her lies, her laziness, and her shall we say less-than-clean food behaviors (thinking of the double-dipping peanut butter and drinking from and then licking the milk container), it sounds like she'd be the most unpleasant person to have to live with in that place.  

[DeLurker]

Perhaps the cow(s) can move into the human barn and Bri can go into the animal barn.

[hincandenza]

Word to everything Corgi Shieldmaiden (you a "Vikings" fan, perchance? :) ) said; it's nice to see from this and the latest live feed recaps that:

 

a) Production is very much on the case and proactive; I think we've had vet visits every single day

b) Production apparently made a point of telling the cast that they were screwing up, and that people watching were not happy about animal treatment, leading to

c) The other Myopians are more aware of, and as Corgi put it probably feeling more empowered to question, Bri's supposed vet skillz (such as Hex just getting instructions and double checking them with the vet directly). They've now become collectively aware of her laziness, lies, and inexperience, and hopefully won't be burned by that again.

d) Honestly, as much as we hate on the Myopians, and as much of a DSM fun-fest that they seem to be, none excepting possibly Bri are sociopaths/extreme narcissists.  I don't think any of them are happy the animals were suffering, they were just clueless and assumed Bri was on the case after all.

 

It also sounds like the vet visits and animal issues were significant enough they'll make the live broadcast at some point, to some extent.  I'm sure we'll get some whitewashing, but if the fact of Bri's negligence, and the vets visiting regularly, make the air I think I'll be content with how the whole thing was ultimately handled.

[riverheightsnancy]

So happy to hear about that hincandenza.  Even if our collective pressure helped to get it noticed sooner, it was worth it.  You never know, maybe they threatened to dump ALL of them and start over with a new 15 if they didn't treat the animals right, you never know.  I agree with you that as cantankerous as Red is, he does not seem cruel purposely, unlike Bri. There is nothing that he has said regarding that. It seems that Hex cares as well and Josh too. 

[dogfish]

I'm glad the animals are being treated better.  While large companies can easily afford monetary fines, I don't think Fox wants to be labeled as the network that doesn't protect innocent farm animals.

 

WRT Red and his comments, let me first state that I do not watch the show and get all my info from Zahdii's EXCELLENT recaps, but I would surmise that he was just trying to get a rise out of Bella.  What would be more egregious than shooting a doe with two fawns?

 

I know hunting laws vary from state-to-state, but when I lived in the Upstate NY area (HUGE deer hunting population) I was under the impression that doe season was a very small window.  Can anyone comment on the CA laws?

Edited September 16, 2014 by dogfish

[RedheadZombie]

It seems like we're no longer getting footage of inside the barn, so I haven't seen the chickens on feeds yet.   Per Jokers, Betsy and Honey were exhibiting playful behavior for the first time this morning, and the posters agreed the two cows are looking much better.  They also noticed that someone finally applied the powder to them that cuts down on the flies.

[clod]

It seems like we're no longer getting footage of inside the barn, ....

 

 

(wild speculation)      maybe someone decided that more animalbarn footage = more animal supporter aggravation

[MrHufflepuff]

I hope the animals overthrow the Utopians, like in the book Animal Farm.

[DeLurker]

 

It seems like we're no longer getting footage of inside the barn,..

If the Udopians know, they'll start to fornicate in there then.  Poor cows and chickens.

[RedheadZombie]

Taylor tired of barn work.  Told Hex he just wants to punch the cows.  Ugh.  These people.  Sure asshole, beat a pregnant animal. 

Edited September 22, 2014 by RedheadZombie

[riverheightsnancy]

Wow, now Taylor is added to my HATE list too. Geez. They Really missed the boat on casting here. Animal haters. What do these assholes think that having a baby is like? I am on my 16.5 year of taking care of my "baby". Seriously it NEVER ends, but you don't threaten to punch them because raising a human or animal is hard work.  Seriously, what a MAJOR asshole . 

[RedheadZombie]

Their emotions are so incredibly labile.  Taylor is the guy who made sure one cow didn't bully the other by stealing her grain.  They seem to like him and he expressed affection for them.  Now after shoveling shit for a day or two, he wants to take his frustrations out on the cows.  Just go home asshole, no one's holding you hostage.  Go back to being an escort or making porn, or whatever you do.

[clod]

[DeLurker]

WTF?

Milking from both sides? Please tell me I am misreading the picture.

[RedheadZombie]

Per Jokers, Bri has decided to decrease the feed to the cows, which is against veterinarian orders.  She may have already put this plan in action.  Does she not have the most basic understanding of nourishing a fetus, or does she think the stork delivers the calves?  I was letting go of my hate, but it's back in force.

 

ETA:  She did this because she said the feed was too expensive.  She told the group and no one protested.  So there's not enough money to feed the cows, yet every Utopian gets $38 this week to blow.

Edited September 23, 2014 by RedheadZombie

[whack-a-mole]

I keep trying to make sense of this and no. Don't hurt the cows. Somebody make this stop.

[DeLurker]

 

Bri says she was giving the cows half the food they needed then the vets came and doubled it.  But her budget is 'somewhere in the middle', she's feeding them less than the vets said to feed them but more than she was.  No one asked if that was wise to do.  They were appalled at the amount of money Bri told them it was going to cost a month, even with her limiting food this way. $580 I think it was, and that's before the feed increase for Honey next month.

Carried over from Live Feed thread.

 

I know nothing about what it takes to feed a cow, but I did a quick search and came up with a couple of (seemingly) reputable sources (here's one)  that peg the cost to feed a dairy cow for a year at approx. $1,000/cow.  So doubling that would be $167/month for two cows.  Even bumping that up to $250/month because of inefficiency in operations, how is Bri getting this number?

 

If any of the more knowledgeable posters has some estimates of what would be a reasonable cost, I would love to hear it.

 

And I am seriously peeved that they have the two cows with these dopes.  I know, in a very general vague way, that owning dairy cows was a serious daily time commitment because my Dad grew up with a cow for milk.  We often heard tales of you get up early and you were home by X o'clock,  NO MATTER WHAT, to milk and tend to the cows and that they weould physically be in pain from milk production/full udders if you were not on time.  Plus, they raised a ruckus if you were late.  From my quick search, it was clear that taking takig proper care of a cow is something that is going to take a couple of hours a day even if you know what the hell you are doing.

 

I am sure I would do no better if I was in charge of taking care of a cow suddenly, but I would at least try.  And not giving the Topes adequate training and relying on Bri is freakin' cow cruelty.

[RedheadZombie]

Mike and Bri just tried to get a dog.  Yes, they are deliberately under feeding their pregnant cows because of the expense, yet want to bring another helpless animal into the fold.  Have they heard about heart worm medicine, flea/tick medicine, etc.?  A dog can be very expensive.  Maybe they plan on making the dog hunt for his own meals.  Luckily, the show said no.

[Tipsymcstagger]

I'm reading this thread but not watching the show. I'm a huge animal lover and I'm just so unbelievably upset. I sent PETA a note (copied from an earlier post). I got a rote, canned response. Is anyone getting any traction? I'm not the best source because I'm hearing things second-hand (ie this forum). Is anyone getting any kind of response from anyone? I am beyond worried for these animals if what I'm reading is true. Are there people checking in on these animals and checking their well being?

ETA - I should have read up a bit in this thread. Seems there are regular checks? These "Utopians" seem like horrid human beings.

Edited September 24, 2014 by Tipsymcstagger

[riverheightsnancy]

OMG....I f....in hate her so much. Here's what we do. Those of you on Jokers (try to get them involved too) and that are on Twitter start sending them outrage tweets regarding this latest incident. I will send repeat emails to PETA again and the local county ASPCA, as I have a direct link to the person in charge in LA county. Perhaps these assholes think that getting all these upset tweets is somehow good? I think that we need to make clear that we are now only monitoring for the animal abuse because PRODUCTION and De Mol (or whatever the hell this asshole's name is -is letting it happen!),  the show actually sucks and we are not watching for any other reason. I had a 2.5 hour commute into Philly today and hearing about this is making me go "red zone".  ARRGGHH. 

[RedheadZombie]

It is very frustrating.  From what I've read at Jokers, these people have been told that the vets are watching the feeds now.  Of course, the vets are way busier than me, so they don't have time to see much.  Plus, the show seems to have either stopped showing inside the barn, or only shows sweet shots of the cows sleeping in the middle of the night.  I could almost contain my anger, if there weren't two helpless calves about to be born.  We now know their mothers haven't received proper nutrition through their pregnancies, so the newborns may be compromised.

 

This really, really, bothered me.  After the vet went in there and chewed them out for the umpteenth time, and they increased the cow's feed and started milking them at a regular time, the Utopians noted how much quieter the cows were.  So for at least two weeks, these cows have been communicating their hunger and pain the only way they're capable of, and these imbeciles thought they were just noisy.

 

ETA Vet visit tomorrow at nine.  Supposedly it's part two of their two part training.  Visitor Kim posted on Jokers that she lives nearby, and there's been a lot of local talk about the treatment of the cows.  Since Bri is somehow still in charge of the animals, I want her held accountable.

Edited September 24, 2014 by RedheadZombie

[riverheightsnancy]

Very glad to hear that the locals are talking about the animals as well.  I wish that I lived on the West Coast so that I could do one of their tours and take them to task for all of it. Does anyone know if the section of video where Bri says that she has been feeding the cows less has been duplicated on YouTube by any chance? I could point the ASPCA to it, if so. 

 

Posters in the regular thread have indicated that the tweets really piss off production. I actually think that method has been the most productive in getting the animals the attention. Last time I went into a tirade, I sent emails to ALL of the TV stations, perhaps it is time to do that again? 

[areca]

I've had it. Where do I send emails/make phone calls.

[RedheadZombie]

I've had it. Where do I send emails/make phone calls.

 

Look at page 3 of the live feeds thread.  On September 12,  riverheightsnancy posted many email addresses, and I believe also gave a sample letter that she was sending.  She actually got some responses.  Good luck.

[hincandenza]

So much hinges on Bri being ousted as soon as possible. Several others have stepped up, they've shown they care- like Red, who for all his MANY problems at least is kind to the animals- but this whole issue resolves itself when Bri is gone.

No one else has hinted at being the kind of cruel Bri has shown; I honestly believe the worst the remaining people would do is try to sell the cows as simply not worth it for them, but never intentionally and sadistically hurt the animals. It's her lying, and neglect, that led to everything bad that's happened.

Please, producer-people: we know this whole thing is rigged, and we know you've got little elves that monitor these and similar forums. Do at least one thing right, and make sure Bri is gone in the next vote, and that she gets the therapy she clearly needs.

[riverheightsnancy]

Agree with all of the above. I appears to me that Tweets seem to REALLY chafe at the show runner. So, if people are so inclined to tweet at him or them, then please do so. I know that others have stated that they received curt tweets back from production and (in my view) that is good because it means they are getting the messages AND they don't like it, so maybe they will be moved to do the right thing.  I am going to tweet today (I am just learning how), that I REFUSE to watch the actual TV show until they fix the animal situation. Therefore they get no + ratings from me watching. I rely on the descriptions of the live feeds. I won't even watch the live feeds until they fix the mess.  Keep the pressure up guys. Bri needs to go! 

[riverheightsnancy]

Just got a great idea from Green in the media thread. Email/call the SPONSORS!  If anyone knows or remembers who has advertised on the show we can create a list. It cannot hurt. Attacking this from all sides may get the animals treated the right way. 

[whack-a-mole]

Tweeting the sponsors is also potentially useful. Most companies that have it keep an eye on that sort of thing, and they don't like seeing bad things associated with their brands in public.