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The
Honorable John E. Potter
CEO and Postmaster General, United States Postal Service
475 L'Enfant Plaza, SW
Washington, DC 20260
Fax: (303) 574-9650
Dear Honorable Potter, Postmaster General,
On behalf of Farm Sanctuary, the nation's largest farm animal protection organization, and our many members, I am writing to urge the United States Postal Service not to endorse KFC's petition for a postage stamp commemorating Colonel Sanders.
As you are aware, the fast-food chain, KFC, has recently petitioned the USPS to create a postage stamp of their brand symbol, Colonel Sanders. This is nothing more than an advertising and marketing ploy, and it is particularly disturbing since it comes from a company that is responsible for causing severe animal suffering. Most U.S. citizens oppose animal cruelty. A U.S. postage stamp honoring a symbol of cheap fried chicken, made from animals raised in horrendous conditions, is antithetical to American values.
KFC uses chickens that have been abnormally bred to grow so large that they suffer from heart disease and broken bones, as their legs have difficulty supporting their heavy bodies. Crowded by the thousands in huge factory-like warehouse, the birds are not able to exercise or engage in natural behaviors. At about 6 weeks of age, the chickens are taken to the slaughterhouse in crates stacked on the backs of open trucks with no protection from the elements. Poultry are specifically exempt from the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act, which results in many birds being "processed" in assembly-line fashion while fully conscious. Slaughterhouse workers are pressured to process thousands of birds every hour, putting profits ahead of humane animal care.
As a society, we oppose animal cruelty, and it would therefore be inappropriate to grant KFC a postage stamp that promotes its brand image. Thank you for your time and thoughtful consideration. I look forward to your timely response to this matter.
Sincerely,
Gene Baur (formerly Bauston)
President, Farm Sanctuary