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WHAT ACTIVISTS AND OTHERS ARE DOING IN EACH STATE
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CALIFORNIA CALIFORNIA
LEAGUE OF HUMANE VOTERS CALIFORNIA Governor Proposes Repeal of Holding Periods for Shelter Pets
FLASH: Governor Brown has proposed the repeal of the current holding periods before euthanasia for shelter dogs and cats instituted 14 years ago by SB 1785 (Hayden). Although Hayden was a complex bill and contained other provisions with which shelters are still bound to comply, the longer holding periods were passed to give owners a... http://www.lohvca.com/
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ANTI PUPPY MILL LEGISLATION IN LOSANGELES COUNTY
BOARD APPROVES ANTI-PUPPY MILL ORDINANCE March 15, 2011 -- The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved an ordinance spearheaded by Mayor Michael D. Antonovich to reduce animal cruelty associated with puppy mills.
“This ordinance will close puppy mills, which have historically abused animals by placing them in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions without adequate veterinary care, food and water,” said Antonovich.
http://www.lcanimal.org/index.php/campaigns/puppy-mills/anti-puppy-mill-legislation
Dana Point, California, Bans Retail Pet Sales
(February 02, 2012)
City council passes ordinance to prohibit pet stores from selling cats and dogs. Currently, there are no stores in Dana Point, California, that sell cats or dogs. And Mayor Lara Anderson took action to keep it that way. The humane pet store trend continues as the Dana Point City Council unanimously approved the second reading of an ordinance introduced by Mayor Anderson, making it the latest town to enact legislation to ban the retail sales of cats and dogs. She hopes the ban will encourage the public to adopt from animal shelters or rescue groups.
On July 23rd, the Governor of Delaware signed the most sweeping, progressive companion animal protection legislation in the United States. Modeled on the No Kill Advocacy Center’s Companion Animal Protection Act, the bill was spearheaded by the non-profit No Kill shelter Faithful Friends, in Wilmington, Delaware, and involved groups like Stray Haven Animal Sanctuary.
The Delaware Companion Animal Protection Act mandates collaboration between shelters and rescue groups. Under the new law, a shelter cannot kill an animal if a rescue group is willing to save that animal’s life. It also makes convenience killing illegal—shelters can no longer kill an animal when there are available cages or the animals can share a cage or kennel with another one.
Specifically, the Delaware CAPA states:
Animal shelters shall ensure that the following conditions are met before an animal is euthanized:
(i) The holding period for the animal required by this chapter is expired;
(ii) There are no empty cages, kennels, or other living environments in the shelter that are suitable for the animal;
(iii) The animal cannot share a cage or kennel with appropriately sized primary living space with another animal;
(iv) A foster home is not available;
(v) Organizations on the registry developed pursuant to §8003(d) are not willing to accept the animal; and
(vi) The animal care/control manager certifies that the above conditions are met and that he/she has no other reasonable alternative.
The law also requires:
- posting “all stray animals on the Internet with sufficient detail to allow them to be recognized and claimed by their owners”
- shelters to maintain registries of rescue groups willing to save lives
- shelters to post statistics (intake, adoption, reclaim, transfer and killing rate).
This law is now the most progressive companion animal protection legislation on record in this country and is an unqualified victory for the No Kill movement.
Let’s hope other states jump on this important bandwagon – and soon. http://envirothink.wordpress.com/2010/07/25/deleware-governor-signs-progressive-animal-protection-bill/
FLORIDA FLORIDA
LEAGUE OF HUMANE VOTERS FLORIDA
The following are two issues we are currently working on. Join us and let us hear about other animal issues you care about! And check out the wonderful resources in our Document Library.
http://lohv-fl.org/issuesandinformation.html
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Florida SB 818, or F.A.R.A., the Animal Rescue Act bill, had a good day today as it got unanimous support from the Community Affairs Committee. Shelters will have to allow rescue groups to pulls animals in danger of being killed if it becomes law.
If this bill passes, all animal control or other shelters will have to maintain a registry of rescue groups willing to pull animals in danger of euthanization, and the shelters will be required to contact rescuers before putting an animal down. Shelters will be able to charge a fee equal to an adoption fee for each cat or dog saved, and will be required to provide monthly and annual records related to the bill’s provisions.
National advocacy group No Kill Nation is strongly interested in getting this bill passed, and is following its progress closely and actively. The Florida Animal Control Association (FACA) and H.S.U.S are actively opposed.
A website promoting the bill, Florida Animal Rescue Act says this:
Florida Survey Shows Animals Needlessly Killed; Rescue Access Law Introduced!
“Florida Animal Rescue Act, SB 818/HB 597, would make it illegal for a shelter to kill an animal when a qualified non-profit rescue organization is willing to save that animal.”
A statewide survey of rescue groups across Florida State found that 63% of non-profit animal rescue groups have had at least one Florida state shelter refuse to work collaboratively with them and then turn around and kill the very animals they were willing to save. The most common reason given was shelters either having a policy of not working with rescue groups or being openly hostile to doing so.
It makes no sense to kill animals in the face of cost-effective alternatives, nor does it make sense that taxpayers are spending money to kill animals when non-profit organizations are willing and able to save them at private expense. California’s “rescue access” law saves tens of thousands of animals every year at no cost to the public.
The same survey also found that 45% of respondents are afraid to complain about inhumane conditions or practices at Florida shelters because if they did complain, they would not be allowed to rescue animals, thus allowing those inhumane conditions to continue.
In addition, 81% of rescue groups that have tried to work with more than one shelter said that different shelters have different rescue access policies, with more than half of those respondents saying that criteria for saving animals changes depending on what staff is on duty or whether staff changes. This creates inefficiency and limits the number of animals who can and should be saved.
The Florida Animal Rescue Act would set statewide standards for rescue group access and make it illegal for a shelter to kill an animal when a qualified non-profit rescue organization is willing to save that animal. Not only will it save lives, save taxpayer money, and mandate public-private partnerships, the Florida Animal Rescue Act is consistent with public health and safety, and improves the public satisfaction with the job government is doing.
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FL Animal Rescue Act Bill Advances:
Will Save Lives If Passed
http://www.lifewithcats.tv/2012/01/23/fl-animal-rescue-act-bill-advances-will-save-lives-if-passed/
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The Florida Animal Rescue Act would set statewide standards for rescue group access and make it illegal for a shelter to kill an animal when a qualified non-profit rescue organization is willing to save that animal. Not only will it save lives, save taxpayer money, and mandate public-private partnerships, the Florida Animal Rescue Act is consistent with public health and safety, and improves the public satisfaction with the job government is doing.
http://www.floridarescueact.com/
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700 Cats Pulled from Florida “Sanctuary” This Week
March 2, 2012
Since Monday, February 26, the ASPCA’s Field Investigations and Response (FIR) team has been in northern Florida managing the removal of hundreds of cats from an overwhelmed cat sanctuary known as Caboodle Ranch. We joined the effort at the request of Madison County Animal Control and the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, which obtained a search warrant following a thorough investigation of the sanctuary that spanned more than a year. http://www.aspca.org/news/700-cats-pulled-from-florida-sanctuary-this-week
GEORGIA GEORGIA
Georgians for the Georgia Animal Rescue Act (Facebook Page)
| Based off of similar successful laws in California (1998) and Delaware (2010), and inspired by the Florida Animal Rescue Act (FARA), the Georgia Animal Rescue Act (GARA) seeks to accomplish two important but equal goals:
1) To give private rescue organizations the opportunity to save the lives of thousands more animals, and to solidify the relationship between rescues and animal shelters
2) To t...ransfer the cost of caring for stray and unwanted animals from the cash-strapped government shelters to private rescues, who are better equipped to work with and adopt out animals. (no idea why this url keeps showing up so large. Trying to have blog look right is frustrating sometimes. It refuses to co-operate) (more)
Mount Clemons (MI) repeals breed specific law
February 22, 2012
Last night, by a vote of 5-1, Mount Clemons, MI repealed its breed-specific law. The ordinance had been in place since 2009, but at the time of passing the law, the council had agreed to revisit in in a couple of years. Last night, they repealed the law that made 'pit bulls' automatically "dangerous" and required the dogs to be kept in 6-foot capped kennels and muzzled when outdoors.
From the comments from the majority of the city council members, it sounds like they all get that the dog is the responsibility of the owners and that it's irresponsible dog ownership that is of issue, not specific breeds of dogs.
Mount Clemons was the second breed specific law repeal of the day -- following the erasure of Ohio's statewide law earlier that morning.
There continues to be more momentum for behavior based ordinances and against breed specific ones....here's to hoping the trend continues.
From KC Dog Blog
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MINNESOTA MINNESOTA
The Problem There is no State oversight and there are no State laws, inspections or regulations covering dog and cat breeding facilities in Minnesota; as a result, dogs and cats are harmed by inhumane breeding practices. Minnesota is also among the top producers of puppies in the United States with some of the largest breeding kennels in the nation – housing 300, 600 or over 1,000 dogs and puppies. Kittens, too, are mass-produced in Minnesota. http://www.caps-web.org/index.php?option=com_wordpress&p=1402&Itemid=355
MISSOURI MISSOURI
Animal Shelters Face Devastating New Tax in Missouri
A fat new fee increase proposed by the Missouri Department of Agriculture would cripple non-profit animal shelters, animal welfare groups say.
The new proposal would treat shelters exactly the same as for-profit breeders, requiring them to pay annual licensing fees as well as a surcharge on each animal they place for adoption, says Cori Menkin, Senior Director of ASPCA Puppy Mills Campaign. In some cases, that could cost a shelter as much as $2,500 more each year.Feb 7th, 2012 by
Joanne BrokawIn the wake of the last week of outcry over proposed plans for a commercial dog breeding facility for Gorham, NY, Town Supervisor Fred Lightfoote has suggested that the Town Board enact a moratorium on dog- breeding facilities.
People from all over the country have emailed and called the town to voice opposition to the special use permit for dog breeders Curtis and Jolene Martin to open a large, wholesale commercial dog breeding facility that would house between 200 and 500 dogs.
(read more) http://www.patheos.com/blogs/heavenlycreatures/2012/02/gorham-town-supervisor-recommends-moratorium-on-dog-breeding/
NORTH CAROLINA NORTH CAROLINA
Proposed ban on certain breeds in Cumberland county fails to be enacted: (Dec. 2011)
FAYETTEVILLE (WTVD) -- It was a victory for Cumberland County dog lovers in the fight against a proposed ban on adopting certain breeds.
The Cumberland County Animal Control Board rejected a proposal to limit the adoptions of certain dog breeds during a meeting Monday evening.
Animal Control Director Dr. John Lauby proposed limiting the adoptions of breeds deemed to be aggressive by nature.
If the ban was approved, Cumberland County residents would be blocked from adopting:
- Rottweilers
- American Staffordshire Terriers
- Pit bulls
- Chows
- Presa Canarios
- Any mix of the breeds above
Animal rights activist attended the meeting to voice their opposition and urged board members not to limit the adoptions but instead to develop tougher rules for those interested in adopting the select breeds. They also called for background checks and stiff penalties for illegal breeders.
After the hearing the comments, board members scrapped the original policy and told animal control workers to draft a new set of adoption requirements.
"It's a start," said Sally Keith from Fallen Angels Animal Rescue. "It's better than what we came here expecting, so at this point, it's a start. Let's see what happens."
"We've got to stop inbreeding," said Karen Miller, a dog groomer. She said there are many things the community can do as a society. "We've got to get active on that."
Animal lover Jasmine Russell said, "We need stiffer laws, and most people, especially in our town, if you get hit in the pocket book you usually get the message."
Animal Control officials hope to have a new set of adoption policies ready by February.
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| About Us
North Carolina Voters for Animal Welfare is a state-wide grass-roots organization dedicated to improving the care and treatment of all animals.
Our objective is to advance their cause through education,legislation and public policy.
We are dedicated to building and maintaining a politically knowledgeable and active network of animal advocates from every county in North Carolina.
As animal issues are non-partisan,so is NCVAW. | 
Photo by
David Maslin |
|
http://ncvaw.org/about/
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Global Animal GlobalAnimal.org News Magazine: Your Daily Animal Connection, From Pets To Wildlife.
of the many rescued dogs from the Stoke County Puppy Mill.
This French Bulldog is one
http://www.globalanimal.org/2012/02/14/150-dogs-rescued-from-north-carolina-puppy-mill-
pictures/66390/
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DOG'S ORDEAL SPURS CALL FOR N.C. LAW
Graphic images of the 160 dogs collected in a raid last week in Stokes County show the dogs sleeping in their own waste, in makeshift kennels that had exposed wires and an infestation of mice.
North Carolina does license those breeders who sell animals to research facilities and pet stores. But about 90 percent or more of the state's breeders sell directly to buyers through newspaper or Internet ads, said Ann Church, vice president of state affairs for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
http://www.news-record.com/content/2012/02/15/article/dogs_ordeal_spurs_call_for_nc_law
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Gas Chamber use in N.C.
This billboard stands as a reminder to Craven County, North Carolina residents that pet animals, dogs and cats, are dying every day in gas chambers in their local shelter.
A grass roots effort, the North Carolina Coalition for Humane Euthanasia (NCCHE), has been working to stop the use of carbon monoxide gas chambers as well as other cruel and inhumane methods of killing shelter animals in the state.
Davie's Law, a bill introduced in 2009, would have done just that. The bill would have mandated use of lethal intravenous or intraperitoneal injection of sodium pentobarbital or similar substance. The bill was named for Davie, a dog that survived gassing by carbon monoxide in a North Carolina shelter. http://www.animallawcoalition.com/gas-chambers/article/1391
OHIO OHIO
LEAGUE OF HUMANE VOTERS OHIO
Nitro's Law was reintroduced yesterday by Reps. Ron Gerberry and Hagan – HB 108! We now have THREE animal welfare bills (HB 14, HB 25 and HB 108) introduced in the 129th Ohio General Assembly! To see HB108: [click here]
Euclid (OH) City Council by a vote of 5-1, passed the temporary moratorium on the commercial sale of cats and dogs! Download the agenda (in pdf document form) detailing the ban: [click here]
This is a link to animal cruelty cases database in Ohio: [click here]
http://lohv-ohio.org/
Coalition to Ban Ohio Dog Auctions Coalition to Ban Ohio Dog Auctions is an Ohio citizen-driven, community based, registered Political Action Committee (PAC) with the Ohio Secretary of State. We are recognized as a §501(c)(4) organization by the Internal Revenue Service.
The Truth About the Pet Trade Did you know that more than 18,000 dogs were sold in dog auctions in 2007? In the U.S. dog auctions have increased from twenty-eight to sixty-eight in the past seven years, while the number of dogs exchanged increased from approximately 5,000 to over 18,000.
The dogs bought and sold are not treated as pets; they are bought and sold by puppy mill operators, and are valued strictly for their capacity to make money. These auctions are part of the multi-million dollar pet trade in America. The puppies generated by the breeding dogs are sold to an unsuspecting public via the Internet and through pet stores.
EU-weites Zuchtverbot von Hunden!
Am 19.02.2012 um 19:50 Uhr von Petra Zippe erstellt
Es sollte Eu-weit die Zucht von Hunden und Katzen verboten werden. Trotz täglicher Tötungen, welche noch in 27 EU Ländern durchgeführt werden, gibt es nach wie vor kein Gesetz welches die Zucht verbietet! Wir tragen hier eine große Verantwortung! Da wir viel Geld für einen Rassehund ausgeben fördern wir dadurch nicht nur die Zucht sondern sind leider der Hauptgrund dass unsere östlichen Nachbarländer Welpenhandel betreiben. Es wird durch Tötungen statt Kastration versucht die Situation zu kontrollieren. Nur mit einem Zuchtverbot und gleichzeitigen Kastrationsprojekten gibt es eine Chance das Tierleid zu beenden.
Vielen Menschen ist leider nicht bewusst, dass soviele Hunde täglich in Tötungsstationen getötet werden. Die Auffanglager und Tierheime kämpfen täglich ums Überleben von manchmal bis zu 900 Hunden und es werden immer mehr! Adoption statt Kauf!
Zucht nur für die Erhaltung der Rassen!
