Pamelyn Ferdin

Pamelyn Ferdin (born February 4, 1959) is an outspoken animal rights activist and former child actress. In 1996 she quit her job as director of public relations for the Center for Animal Care and Control, a nonprofit organization under contract to the New York City Department of Health, claiming mismanagement by the agency.

Related Topics:
February 4 - 1959 - Animal rights - Actress - Center for Animal Care and Control - New York City Department of Health

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Pamelyn is best remembered for her roles in fantasy and science fiction series, including Mary Janowski in the Star Trek episode And the Children Shall Lead, Laura Gentry in Space Academy, and Mary Constable in the supernatural thriller Daughter of the Mind. She was nearly cast as Regan in The Exorcist, but producers wanted the role to go to a relative unknown, so Linda Blair was chosen.

Related Topics:
Fantasy - Science fiction - Star Trek - And the Children Shall Lead - The Exorcist - Linda Blair

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Ferdin left the acting world in the 1980s and became a registered nurse. She married surgeon and fellow animal-rights activist Jerry Vlasak in 1986. They have no children.

Related Topics:
1980s - Jerry Vlasak - 1986

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On January 11, 2000, Pamelyn, a vigorous animal activist, faced up to six months in jail after being found guilty of carrying an elephant bullhook at an August 1999 protest at Pierce College in California. Circus Vargas had set up nearby, sparking protests regarding cruelty in circus training methods. A bullhook is a wooden rod with a sharp hook that is jabbed into sensitive areas of the elephant to keep it fearful and manageable. Ferdin's arrest was based on a local ordinance that makes it a misdemeanor to carry a staff or rod greater than 1½ inches in diameter while engaging in protest. This law dates back to the civil rights era and was originally enacted to protect police from overly aggressive demonstrators. She received 30 days.

Related Topics:
January 11 - 2000 - Bullhook - Pierce College - Circus Vargas

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