Pro-Animal Bills Pending in U.S. Congress:
Please Visit Your Legislators

August 16, 2007

Dear Humanitarian:

Summer in Washington, D.C. means two things: the temperature is soaring, and the U.S. Congress is out of town.  In fact, Members of Congress are in their home districts until after Labor Day, which makes this the perfect time to lobby them on behalf of the animals!  Visiting with your Senators or Representative as a constituent in their home offices can have a significant impact.  If you are able, please call their local headquarters today to set up a time to meet in person, asking them to support the following important pieces of animal protective legislation.  Materials on each bill can be downloaded from www.awionline.org for use in your meetings.

Pet Safety Protection Act (S. 714/H.R. 1280) – A bill to ban the sale of “random source” dogs and cats by Class B dealers to research laboratories.  While the House version of the measure, H.R. 1280, was incorporated into the 2007 Farm Bill and passed at the end of July, it must now prevail in the Senate.  A companion bill, S. 714, is pending in the Senate.  Until then, it is important that we continue to build co-sponsorship for the original bills in both the House of Representatives and Senate to demonstrate public support for ending the sale of stolen and fraudulently acquired dogs and cats sold to laboratories.

What you can do:  1) Ask your Senators and Representative to support ANY measure banning the sale of random source dogs and cats by Class B dealers to research laboratories. 2) Ask your Senators and Representative to cosponsor S. 714 and H.R. 1280.

American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (S. 311/H.R. 503) – A bill to end the slaughter of horses for human consumption abroad.  The House of Representatives, just prior to adjourning, voted on an Agriculture Appropriations bill amendment to halt horse slaughter for a year, but this measure must also pass in the Senate.  Ultimately, a permanent ban is needed to protect the tens of thousands of horses slaughtered every year.

What you can do:  1) Ask your Senators and Representative to support ANY measure banning the slaughter of horses in the US or abroad. 2) Ask your Senators and Representative to cosponsor S. 311 and H.R. 503.

Dog Fighting Prohibition Act (S. 1880/H.R. 3219) – A bill to further empower federal prosecutors to pursue individuals – including spectators – engaged in all aspects of dog fighting.  This legislation increases maximum penalties to include up to five years in federal prison.  The bill has been announced as public awareness about the cruelty of dog fighting is at an all-time high, following the Michael Vick case.

What you can do:  Ask your Senators and Representative to cosponsor S. 1880 and H.R. 3219.

To find the names of your Senators and Representative and their district contact information, please visit www.compassionindex.org/search.htm or call the Capitol Hill operator at (202) 224-3121 and request to be connected to their district offices. If you need further information, please contact the Animal Welfare Institute at (703) 836-4300.

Please share our “Dear Humanitarian” eAlert with family, friends and co-workers, and encourage them to contact their Members of Congress, too.  As always, thank you very much for your help!

Sincerely,
Cathy Liss
Legislative Director

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