The Unitarian Universalist Animal Ministry (UUAM) empowers individuals, chapters, and congregations to build justice and compassion for animals.
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UU St. Pete Animal Ministry became an official chapter of UUAM in March 2024. Our mission is to promote justice for all animals including companion animals, wildlife, farm animals, and human animals as we care for each other and the earth. We envision a world where all beings can flourish with dignity, love, and compassion.
Monthly Meetings on the First Sunday of Each Month at 12pm
Next meeting Sunday June 1st at 12pm at UU St. Pete in Conway South
UU St. Pete Animal Ministry is inspired by the Unitarian Universalist Value of
UU St. Pete Animal Ministry is inspired by the Unitarian Universalist Value of
Interdependence
We honor the interdependent web of all existence. With reverence for the great web of life and with humility, we acknowledge our place in it.
We covenant to protect Earth and all beings from exploitation. We will create and nurture sustainable relationships of care and respect, mutuality and justice. We will work to repair harm and damaged relationships.
UUA Statement of Conscience on Ethical Eating
This statement was adopted by the 2011 UUA General Assembly after a four-year study and action process.
"Aware of our interdependence, we acknowledge that eating ethically requires us to be mindful of the miracle of life we share with all beings. With gratitude for the food we have received, we strive to choose foods that minimize harm and are protective of the environment, consumers, farmers, and all those involved in food production and distribution."
"We advocate for the benefit of animals, plants, food workers, the environment, and humanity."
ethical eating.pdf
Actions For Animals
Actions For Animals
Join UU St. Pete Animal Ministry in protecting Florida's Black Bears
Speak Out Against the Return of a Florida Bear Hunt
The leading cause of bear-human conflicts is unsecured trash or other food that entices bears into human populated areas. Bear-resistant trash cans and public education are known to be incredibly effective solutions. Hunting has NOT been proven to reduce bear-human conflict. In fact, hunting may have the opposite effect by pushing bears out of the wilderness and into human areas, and by orphaning cubs who, without their mothers, are more likely to be involved in conflicts.
The last bear hunt in 2015 had to be cut short after the number of bears allowed to be killed was exceeded in just 48 hours. The hunters pursued bears deep in the wilderness who were staying away from humans, rather than the bears venturing too close to populated areas. Many of the bears killed were lactating mothers, orphaning a large number of cubs that likely could not survive on their own. There was a huge backlash from Floridians and afterwards the FWC admitted that educating the public and bear-resistant trashcans were more effective methods, and that implementing these solutions could make hunting unnecessary.
The FWC is proposing rule changes to allow out-of-state hunters to use cruel methods such as archery weapons (which increase the likelihood of suffering), baiting stations (to lure bears out of the wilderness), packs of dogs (to terrorize bears and risk harm to the dogs), and up to 9 guest hunters to fire at a single bear (with only one requiring a permit). Even many hunters are against these methods. Let the FWC know that Floridians want to protect, not kill, our beloved black bears!
Actions You Can Take
Actions You Can Take
Sign the petition in opposition of a Florida black bear hunt. The FWC's proposal to reinstate the hunt "lacks scientific merit, disregards overwhelming public opposition, and threatens the stability of Florida’s black bear population."
Customize and send a letter to the FWC urging them to call off the proposed Florida black bear hunt and to protect our state's treasured wildlife.
Submit your opposition comments – Email BearComments@MyFWC.com and let them know you strongly oppose the renewal of the bear hunt. Or Click Here to contact all of the FWC Commissioners. All emails will become part of the public record, so please ensure your message is respectful.
You may simply state: I OPPOSE ANY FUTURE FLORIDA BEAR HUNTS. Alternatively, you can provide a detailed message expressing your concerns.
Suggested Email Subject Line
I OPPOSE BEAR HUNTING IN FLORIDA
Contact the FWC Commissioners directly (emails formatted for easy copy & paste are below). Copy and paste the email addresses below into the BCC section of your email.
Rodney.Barreto@myfwc.com, Steven.Hudson@myfwc.com, Preston.Farrior@myfwc.com, Sonya.Rood@myfwc.com, Albert.Maury@myfwc.com, Gary.Nicklaus@myfwc.com, Gary.Lester@myfwc.comCALL & EMAIL GOVERNOR DESANTIS AND TELL HIM TO STOP THE PROPOSED FLORIDA BLACK BEAR HUNT.
Phone: (850)-717-9337
Email: GovernorRon.Desantis@eog.myflorida.com
CALL THE FWC AND TELL THEM YOU OPPOSE THE FLORIDA BLACK BEAR HUNT: (850) 488-4676.
Contact the Florida Senate Environment Committee. Copy and paste the email addresses below into the BCC section of your email.
rodriguez.anamaria@flsenate.gov, ingoglia.blaise@flsenate.gov, arrington.kristen@flsenate.gov, avila.bryan@flsenate.gov, brodeur.jason@flsenate.gov, diceglie.nick@flsenate.gov, harrell.gayle@flsenate.gov, polsky.tina@flsenate.gov, smith.carlos@flsenate.gov
Past Events
Past Events
April 2024
April 2024
We discussed the American Birding Association’s Code of Ethics compared to Unitarian Universalist values, learned some fun facts about common local birds, and had a great time bird watching around Mirror Lake.
Collective Liberation as a Spiritual Practice
Collective Liberation as a Spiritual Practice
September 2024
September 2024
Sponsored by UU St. Pete Animal Ministry, Racial Justice Team, and Bodily Autonomy Team
We heard from Christopher "Soul" Eubanks – a public speaker, advocate for climate, for people, and for other animals – on the connection between all forms of oppression and the spiritual practice of liberation for all. We watched the speaker via a 20 minute video (from the 2023 UUAM Celebration of the Animals), followed by a discussion about collective liberation.
Contact us!
Contact us!
If you have any questions or comments, please email animal.ministry@uustpete.org
We welcome your involvement and input!
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