Chimpanzees truly are fantastic beasts. Our closest genetic relatives, chimps are incredibly intelligent and capable of feeling pain and suffering just like us. Sadly, many chimps find themselves victim to human harm and in need of protection. We need a little bit of magic.
When Newt Scamander travels to New York in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, he must commit himself to the rescue of a hoard of magical escapees. Perhaps one of the most memorable who calls Newt’s case home is Dougal, an ape-like Demiguise who, like the chimp, might be in danger from human hands.
The Protego Foundation’s Find Dougal campaign highlights the plight of the chimpanzee and aims to create a little life-saving magic, raising money to support Florida’s Save the Chimps sanctuary that provides lifetime care to chimps who come from research laboratories, the entertainment industry, and the pet trade.
In the first phase of the campaign, Accio! Box, a handmade, artisanal, vegan, and cruelty-free subscription box inspired by the wizarding world, included a Find Dougal detail card and campaign-exclusive shirt in its November boxes. Two dollars from the cost of each of these boxes was set aside for a total $1,000 donation that will help with the purchase of supplies at the Save the Chimps sanctuary. Tyler Starr, Protego Foundation executive director and cohost of Evanna Lynch’s vegan podcast, The Chickpeeps, expresses his pride in the Potter fandom’s efforts.
The wizarding world fandom has, once again, brought the values from our favorite story into the real world to help make a difference for animals.
Still, the effort is far from over. Chimpanzees remain subject to human exploitation, and it is our responsibility to shun those industries that cause them harm.
[They’re] surrounded by millions of the most vicious creatures on the planet… Humans.” – Newt Scamander
The Protego Foundation asks fans to visit the campaign’s website, FindDougal.com, where they can learn more about the importance of protecting chimpanzees and pledge to do their part in refusing to support industries that use chimps in captivity and entertainment. Together, we can make a difference. We can create magic. We can save these fantastic beasts.
Press Release
THE PROTEGO FOUNDATION LAUNCHES “FIND DOUGAL” CAMPAIGN TO SAVE CHIMPS
The Protego Foundation is asking Harry Potter and Wizarding World fans to help them “Find Dougal” in a new campaign to protect chimpanzees.
When Newt Scamander came to New York in the movie “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,” he had to find and rescue the magical creatures who had escaped from his sanctuary-like suitcase before they were hurt by humans—both magical and no-maj. One of the beasts Newt had to find was his ape-like Demiguise companion, Dougal. The Protego Foundation’s “Find Dougal” campaign highlights the plight that chimpanzees face at the hands of humans, and what fans can do to help rescue them. Through a dual partnership with Accio! Subscription Box and Save the Chimps, a sanctuary in Florida that provides lifetime care to chimpanzees who come from research laboratories, the entertainment industry, and the pet trade, Protego is raising money that will go towards lifesaving support at the sanctuary for these rescued chimps.
Phase One of this two-part campaign saw The Protego Foundation join forces with Accio! Subscription Box, a handmade, artisanal vegan and cruelty-free subscription box 100% inspired by the Wizarding World, in order to make a donation to Save the Chimps. Included in the boxes was an exclusive shirt designed by Protego for the campaign, as well as a card detailing everything about “Find Dougal.” $2 from the cost of each of these November boxes was set aside for a grand total of $1000 that will be used to buy supplies for the chimpanzees at the sanctuary.
“We are so happy that we were able to work with Accio! Box to secure a $1,000 donation to Save the Chimps sanctuary” said Tylor Starr, Protego Foundation executive director and co-host of Evanna Lynch’s vegan podcast, The Chickpeeps. “The Wizarding World fandom has, once again, brought the values from our favorite story into the real world to help make a difference for animals.”
In Phase Two of the campaign, The Protego Foundation is asking fans to get more directly involved in protecting chimpanzees by not supporting industries that exploit them. By visiting the campaign’s website, FindDougal.com, fans can learn more about protecting chimpanzees, and will find a pledge to not support industries that use chimpanzees in captivity and entertainment. This second phase provides a wonderful opportunity for fans who may have missed out on an Accio! Box to get involved in the outcome of this campaign.
For more information, please visit FindDougal.com.
