Wednesday, February 24, 2010

• Guide to Faux Leather Shopping in Chennai •

Note: Compassionate consumers need to SHOP RESPONSIBLY and question companies about their products and business practices before making any purchases.

Brands & Stores:

Adidas
Tel: +91 124 4569100 • E-mail: care@adidas.com
Website: www.adidas.com/in
Many styles of non-leather sports shoes are available through major retail outlets. Check out the outlet or call for specific styles.

__________________________________________________

Baggit
Tel: Not Available • E-mail: baggit@baggitindia.com • Website: www.BaggitIndia.com
A vegan non-leather company that sells a wide collecting of cruelty-free bags, purses and wallets. Available at Shoppers Stop, Pantaloons and Lifestyle stores.

__________________________________________________

Ballyfabs - The Jute Shop
F-93 B, Spencer Plaza Phase II, 1st floor, Anna Salai, Chennai – 02
Tel: 9840091649 • E-mail: web@ballyfabs.com
Website: www.Ballyfabs.com
Ballyfabs International offers bags, purses, personal accessories, corporate gifts, rugs and floor coverings made from jute.

__________________________________________________

Bata
Tel: 28520449/1060 • E-mail: Not Available
Website: www.Bata.in
Bata offers many styles of leather alternatives; flip flops, athletic, formal & canvas shoes.

__________________________________________________

Converse
E-mail: international@converse.com • Website: www.converse.com
Converse offers a wide collection of fabric/canvas shoes in many styles and colours. Available at major stores like BigBazaar and Lifestyle.

__________________________________________________

Dora Bag Mall
• 159 A, 7th Avenue Besant Nagar, Chennai – 90. Tel: 43511001
• AH -16 (Opp To Sony Ericsson Showroom) Shanthi Colony Main Road, Anna Nagar, Chennai - 40. Tel: 26205302
Offers bags in jute, fabric and faux leather materials, available in eye-catching metallic colors like bronze, gun metal, pewter, copper and gold. The store also offers school and college bags, pouches, totes, clutch bags.

__________________________________________________

Esprit
#8 Buva House, Khader Nawaz Khan Road, Nugambakkam, Chennai - 34. Tel: 43084827, 43084829
Check out the store for clothing, shoes, bags, purses and watches.

__________________________________________________

Levi’s
E-mail: Not Available • Website: www.levi.co.in
• 41 Nugambakkam High Rd., Chennai – 34. Mobile: 979096444
• 121/46 Dr. Radhakrishnan Salai, Mylapore, Chennai - 04. Tel: 42327180
• 48, Ramagiri Nagar Grd Floor, Taramani 100ft Road, Chennai - 42. Tel: 45114102
• 508, TTK road, Alwarpet, Chennai - 18. Tel: 42031803
• 48 A, Ground Floor, Pondy bazaar, Chenna i - 17. Tel: 42126464
Check out the stores for canvas shoes, messenger bags and clothing.

__________________________________________________

The Loot Store
Nelson Manikam Road, Chennai • Phone: 1800 22 0204 (Toll Free)
E-mail: info@thelootstore.com • Website: www.TheLootStores.com
A multi-brand discount store offering a wide range of non-leather shoes, accessories and apparels.

__________________________________________________

Metro Shoes
E-mail: metroshoes@vsnl.com • Website: www.MetroShoes.net
• 80 Wallajah Road, Near Anna Statue. Tel: 42027049
• T.Nagar, 135 North Usman Road, Near Panagal Park. Tel: 28141717
• Anna Nagar, AA11 2nd Avenue. Tel: 42170508
• Adyar, 20 Sardar Patel Road, Opp. Naidu Hall. Tel: 42116193
Metro shoes has a good collection of synthetic shoes of all kinds and ladies handbags.

__________________________________________________

Nike, Inc
Tel: 32477390/9188/6086 • E-mail: consumercare.india@nike.com
Website: www.NikeBiz.com
Visit the outlet or write to receive a men’s or women’s sourcebook that lists all Nike shoes make with synthetic uppers.

__________________________________________________

Planet Sports
G-49 (Ground Floor) 768/769 Spencer Plaza, Anna Salai, Chennai - 02. Tel: 42655859
Email: scpshop@planetretail.in • Website: www.PlanetRetail.in
A sports store that offers many styles of non-leather shoes from Nike, Adidas, Reebok, Puma, Lotto, Converse, etc. They also offer sportswear and equipments.
__________________________________________________

Roshan, The Bag Mall
E-mail: Not Available • Website: www.RoshanBagMall.com
• 33, South Usman Road T Nagar, (Opp. Bus Terminus) Chennai - 17. Tel: 42126226
• AA 120/122, Shanthi Colony Main Road, Anna Nagar, Chennai - 40. Tel: 43016337
Roshan Bag Mall stocks all kinds of leather alternatives bags and baggage.

__________________________________________________

Saravana Stores
Saravana Stores, 45 Ranganathan Street T.Nagar, Chennai - 17
Tel: 24314242 / 5252 • E-mail: info@saravanastores.net • Website: www.SaravanaStores.net
Saravana Stores Enterprises is a diversified retail stores and is engaged in retailing of a wide range of products, including consumer durables like inexpensive vegan belts, bags, shoes, pouches, caps, clothing, etc.,

__________________________________________________

Puma
The Puma Store, #105 Tahera Manor, Nugambakkam High Rd., Chennai - 34
Tel: 42664443. Head Office: 080 4152 8022 • E-mail: info-india@puma.com
Puma offers several synthetic shoes.

__________________________________________________

Reebok
E-mail: Not Available • Website: www.Reebok.com/IN
• Q-99 Flat No 3699 Block Q, 3rd Avenue, Anna Nagar, Chennai - 40. Tel: 42172575
• 94, Uthamar Gandhi Salai, Nugambakkam, Chennai - 34 Tel: 64552455
Reebok offers several synthetic shoes.

__________________________________________________

Wildcraft
#361 Llyods Road, Gopalapuram, (Next to Coffee Day) Chennai - 30. Ph: 43405832
E-mail: info@wildcraft.in • Website: www.wildcraft.in
Wildcraft is India’s first and largest adventure services and outdoor gear company that offers rucksacks, backpacks and other kinds of adventure and travel gears completely made from synthetic materials.

__________________________________________________

Witco
#103 Usman Road, (Opp Shiva Vishnu Temple) Chennai - 17. Tel: 24342964, 42954111
E-mail: witco@witcoindia.com • Website: www.WitcoIndia.com
Witco offers luggages, travel bags, backpacks, executive bags/portfolios and handbags in various leather alternatives like polypropylene, polycarbonate, polyurethane, ABS nylon and synthetic (foam).

__________________________________________________

Markets & Malls:

• Pondy Bazaar T.Nagar, Chennai – 17
A Commercial hub with hundreds of shops that sell all kinds of non-leather goods like bags, shoes, purses, belts, wallets and other accessories; available at different price ranges.

• Spencer Plaza Anna Salai, Chennai - 02
One of the biggest shopping malls in South Asia that has a number of stores dealing in non-leather goods of major brands, as well as local brands.

Friday, July 24, 2009

Tell Vodafone to Leave the Pug Alone!

The new Vodafone Ads (Soap and Garden) is a bad news again for real-life pugs! Many people who saw the ads last time purchased Pugs, and breeders cranked out as many Pugs as they could. Later, when their appeal wore off, many dogs ended up in animal shelters or were simply abandoned.

These Pugs face unique health challenges. Their unnaturally short faces and upturned noses lead to breathing difficulties and make them susceptible to heatstroke. Their compromised respiratory systems make anesthetising them a risk. Most of the females can't even give birth without the help of a veterinarian. Their large, shallow-set eyes are extremely vulnerable to injury and infection. Pugs are also prone to serious brain disease, joint problems and skin and allergy problems.

Please tell Vodafone to take advantage of humane alternatives like the 'ZooZoo' ads and be RESPONSIBLE, because 'Pug' ads cause huge suffering - Pugs are bread indiscriminately by dog breeders & sell them to people, who later dump these dogs once they get 'bored'; adding more and more dogs to the existing dog population crisis; where already thousands of dogs are longing for loving homes in shelters and streets across India. Remember, animals used in films are often treated as little more than props, and many suffer terribly behind the scenes.

Write to . . .
Manager Customer Service
Vodafone Essar Limited
2nd Floor, Skyline Icon,
86/92, Andheri- Kurla Road,
Marol Naka, Nr Mittal Industrial Estate,
Andheri East, Mumbai 400059
vodafonecare.mum@vodafone.com

Saturday, May 16, 2009

URGENT: Tell Landmark to Call Off 'Take Home a Labrador Pup' Contest!

Victory! Animals Won!


Dear friends,


Landmark is now offering a life-sized stuffed toy as a prize instead of a pup! Don't forget to send a thank you email to Landmark!


* * * * * * * * * *


Landmark Bookstore in Chennai (India) part of the Tata Group, has organized an ugly marketing promotion that exploits puppies thoroughly. It involves buying a book from the "Woofus" series and completing a slogan to "take home a chocolate brown Labrador pup". This essentially means people who participate want to pay the price of a book instead of the price of a Labrador. When animal shelters across Chennai are overflowing with homeless puppies and abandoned pedigree dogs, this sort of irresponsible marketing will contribute to the existing dog over population crisis! Because of this, animals in shelters will have difficulties in finding loving homes & greedy dog breeders will continue breed more dogs at their puppy mills!

Please call Landmark Chennai at o44 2847 7777 and write to landmark@vsnl.com, citicentre@landmark-tata.com, lijin@landmark-tata.com, natasha@landmark-tata.com and madhu@landmark-tata.com asking them to call off this irresponsible cruel promotion and treat animals with respect! Suggest them an alternative like soft toys. (This contest closes on May 25, 2009 - Please tell you friends to email & keep adding pressure; this blog will be kept updated! Let your emails be polite but strong!)

* * * * * * * * *

So Why Why Animals Do Not Make Good Gifts?

Animals are not toys. They are sentient beings who, like us, require love and proper care to flourish. Intentionally or not, children or elders can be cruel to animals. Puppies, kittens, bunnies, chicks, baby ducks, and other young animals are especially vulnerable. Small children may unintentionally torment and/or harm animals, even breaking their fragile bones or causing other fatal injuries.

Adoration may turn to indifference or even hostility when a child loses interest in an animal, who may then go without necessary care. The child’s parents or the adult who gave the child the animal may become impatient and try to “solve” the problem by turning the animal over to a shelter, abandon on streets or give them to a series of homes, causing trauma, psychological scarring and behavioral problems.

Animal shelters are filled beyond capacity with homeless animals. Many of these are former “pets” who were easily acquired but, for one reason or another, didn’t fit into someone’s lifestyle. Whether they are dogs or cats, some people regard them as expendable. Unwanted animals are often passed from home to irresponsible home as the novelty of having an animal wears thin at each successive place. Many people experience little or no guilt when turning an animal over to an overburdened animal shelter or abandoning on the streets.

What You Can Do
Don’t ever give an animal as a gift! If you have the commitment, time, money, space and heart for animals; visit your local animal shelter to adopt - NEVER buy animals from breeders!

Thursday, April 16, 2009

URGENT: Dog Killings at Meerut, Uttar Pradesh (India)






In a tragic incident, a five-year-old boy who had gone out in search of his mother in a field, has been attacked and bitten to death by a pack of street dogs at Kazipur, Meerut. As a result the villagers are eliminating each stray by brutally killing them.

They are ostensibly 'remedying' the situation that led to death of two children in village Kazipur, Meerut, allegedly due to stray dog attacks. In fact, there is an illegal abattoir in village Kazipur, which is violating every possible norm - pollution control, animal waste disposal, etc. Apparently, 5000 animals, mainly cattle are slaughtered in the abattoir every day - and then, the animal parts and blood are allowed to flow into an open gutter adjacent to the abattoir, this flows through village Kazipur and beyond. The strays of the area feed on these animal remains as a consequence, attacked children who ventured too close to the gutter which is their food source.

THIS IS THE REAL CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM .

THE ADMINISTRATION TURNS A BLIND EYE TO THIS WHILE PEOPLE TAKE LAW IN THEIR HANDS. PEOPLE ARE ENJOYING THE ACT OF KILLING DOGS AS AN ENTERTAINMENT FOR THEM (see pictures).

In any event, what has followed, and continues to unfold every single day, is murder, and cruelty beyond belief. They are caught, they are cornered, many have been viciously beaten to death. The dogs are caught in the most brutal manner possible, kept without food and water for 2 - 3 days until a sizable number are 'collected', and then - mainly released into the forest, or surreptitiously put down or beaten to death

AS NO LAW AND ORDER IS RESPECTED IN MEERUT anymore.

INCLUDING THE POLICE, D.M., MAYOR, or U.P. GOVERNMENT, no one is bothered to stop/ control people from taking the law in their hands and brutally slaughtering dogs using innovative methods, which also includes use of arms and weapons.

All this despite the SUPREME COURT of INDIA has put a STAY AGAINST ANY KIND OF KILLING OF DOGS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.

These photographs are attached, forwarded by Jeev Karuna Sanstha, Meerut. Some of them are 15-25 days old, and some as recent as 3-5 days.
The Animal Welfare Board of India has written thrice to various functionaries within the administration. They have advised the administration regarding the correct method of controlling stray dog population. They have apprised them as to the law - the PCA Act, the ABC Rules, etc. They have offered help and guidance, for setting up the requisite sterilization, immunization infrastructure within Meerut. Eventually, they have threatened legal action, but to no avail.

PLEASE lets all write to them & Let them know that we know what is going on and we condemn the government and their functionaries for loosing the control over law and order.

The e-mail address of are :

* D.M. : dmmee@up.nic.in
* Mr. Alok Ranjan is : aranjan78@up.nic.in
* IG Zone Meerut igzonemrt@up.nic.in
* DIG Range Meerut digrmrt@up.nic.in
* Superintendent of Police Meerut sspmrt@up.nic.in, ssp_meerut@yahoo.com
* CHIEF MINISTER of U.P. cmup@up.nic.in
* The Prime Minister of India

(to contact him you can go through http://www.pmindia.nic.in/write.htm. )
OR
copy paste following in BCC and send your emails :

dmmee@up.nic.in, aranjan78@up.nic.in, igzonemrt@up.nic.in, digrmrt@up.nic.in, sspmrt@up.nic.in, ssp_meerut@yahoo.com, cmup@up.nic.in

We can also snail mail to;
'Municipal Commissioner,
Nagar Nigam,
Meerut,
U.P.
India
Fax : 01212663676

or

Shri Rakesh Jolly,
Superintendent of Police,
Meerut,
U.P.
India

or

Mr Snajya Krishna
Fax 0121665809

HOPEFULLY A WORLDWIDE PROTEST WILL PUT THE U.P. TO SOME SHAME AND THEY WILL PUT AN END TO THIS OPEN TORTUROUS KILLING OF INNOCENT ANIMALS AND WILL ALSO SHUT DOWN THE ILLEGAL SLAUGHTER HOUSE, the MAIN CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Win Linkin Park's CDs & DVDs!

Linkin Park’s non-profit organization, Music4Relief, has teamed up with SocialVibe to help those in need following a food crisis and four hurricanes in Haiti. Help me spread the word by joining SocialVibe and selecting this cause and posting their badge and video on your profiles, blogs, and bulletins.

One lucky SocialVibe member who has the most recruits through their Music for Relief badge will get to hang in-studio with Linkin Park as they record their new album. Ten runner-ups will receive autographed CD's and DVD's!

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Tell Muttiah Muralitharan that KFC Tortures Chickens!

Muttiah Muralitharan might be KFC's latest ambassador and he might think KFC is 'Finger Lickin’ Good! Write to Muralitharan and let him know the ugly side of KFC. He must know that KFC India’s suppliers cramp chickens into huge waste-filled factories, breed them to grow so large that many can’t even walk, and often break their wings and legs. At slaughter, the birds’ throats are slit and they are dropped into tanks of scalding hot water—often while they are still conscious. KFC’s own animal welfare advisors have asked the company to take steps to eliminate these abuses, but KFC refuses to do so. PETA India obtained graphic video footage documenting the following at a Venkateshwara Hatcheries farm, which supplies KFC India:
  • Chickens were stuffed into extremely crowded warehouses, where they had to push and shove in order to reach their food.
  • Birds were bred to grow so large so quickly that many suffered in agony when their weak legs could not support their weight.
  • Barns were littered with the carcasses of chickens who died from fatal diseases.
  • Many sick and injured chickens never received medical attention.
  • Chickens suffered at the hands of callous workers who neglected to observe even minimum animal welfare standards.
If Muttiah Muralitharan has a heart and doesn't want to spoil his recognition, he better don't support KFC. Let him know that more than 12,500 demonstrations were held against KFC across the globe. Celebrities like Anoushka Shankar, Pundit Ravi Shankar, Pamela Anderson, Sir Paul McCartney, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and dozens of other well known scholars, authors and world leaders are boycotting KFC, let Muralitharan join them! For more info about KFC's cruelty visit http://www.kentuckyfriedcruelty.com/india.asp

Please write to Muttiah Muralitharan at info@muralitharan.org or leave him a comment about KFC on his personal website: http://muralitharan.org/2009/03/05/welcome/#comments

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Tell Ampa Mall to Boycott KFC

Ampa Mall which will open it's doors on April 2009 at the Poonamalee High Road junction Chennai, is planning to rent a large space to the most notorious chicken torturing restaurant - KFC. Please write to:

Ampa Mall
107/2, Nelson Manikam Road,

Aminjikarai, Chennai - 600 029. INDIA
ampa@airtelbroadband.in
Ph: +91 98409 03646, 044-4218 6677, 2374 2140
Fax: 044-4208 2177.

Tell Ampa Mall that KFC India’s suppliers cramp chickens into huge waste-filled factories, breed them to grow so large that many can’t even walk, and often break their wings and legs. At slaughter, the birds’ throats are slit and they are dropped into tanks of scalding hot water—often while they are still conscious. KFC’s own animal welfare advisors have asked the company to take steps to eliminate these abuses, but KFC refuses to do so. PETA India obtained graphic video footage documenting the following at a Venkateshwara Hatcheries farm, which supplies KFC India:
  • Chickens were stuffed into extremely crowded warehouses, where they had to push and shove in order to reach their food.
  • Birds were bred to grow so large so quickly that many suffered in agony when their weak legs could not support their weight.
  • Barns were littered with the carcasses of chickens who died from fatal diseases.
  • Many sick and injured chickens never received medical attention.
  • Chickens suffered at the hands of callous workers who neglected to observe even minimum animal welfare standards.
If Ampa Mall doesn't want to spoil its name & recognition, they better don't support KFC. Let Ampa Mall know that more than 12,500 demonstrations were held against KFC across the globe. Celebrities like Anoushka Shankar, Pundit Ravi Shankar, Pamela Anderson, Sir Paul McCartney, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and dozens of other well known scholars, authors and world leaders are boycotting KFC, let Ampa Mall join them! For more info visit www.KFCCruelty.com