Archive for animal welfare legislation

Animal Welfare- For It or Against It?

Posted in pets with tags , , , on November 13, 2012 by rumpydog

MEOW! My name is June Buggie, and I have something to say.

Hey, I’m talking to you!

Sometimes you humans make me wanna sharpen my claws on your sofa.

Last week Rumpy went to the Petchat Twitter Party and what he said happened left me VERY displeased! It seems some of you are STILL adamantly opposed to national groups like the Humane Society and PETA because some group you’ve never even heard of before told you they are bad and they don’t donate to local shelters. 

BAH! That’s a furball I just hocked in your shoe.

Here’s a number for you to tattoo on those opposable thumbs of yours:  4 million. That’s a CONSERVATIVE estimate of how many domesticated animals are killed each year in the US because they don’t have a home.  I say estimate, because you’re not riled up enough to actually make governments keep statistics on euthanasia rates.

You go around demanding a no-kill nation, but you don’t have a clue what making that happen would entail. And even if you do, you’re sure not doing anything to make it happen.

There are 50 thousand dogs and cats born in the US EVERY DAY.  Just where do you propose the homeless ones go? Who’s going to take care of all those animals? And who’s going to pay for it? You don’t want to pay full price for a burrito but you think somehow we’re going to find a way to cover the bill for the care and upkeep of millions of dogs and cats? 

Selling pups on the side of the road

Let’s face it, until we figure out a way to legislate an end to this over-abundance of animals, we won’t BE a No-Kill nation. And the very groups that you’re protesting against are the ones that ARE taking legal and political action to make the plight of animals better in the US.

And who are the ones that DON’T want legislation? The animal agriculture industry. The puppy mill industry. You know, the groups you claim to oppose but unwittingly stand in solidarity with when you oppose national animal welfare groups.

The truth of the matter is that if every animal lover in the US stood together and demanded humane animal laws and practices, it would happen. But since you humans have allowed yourselves to be duped by the enemy, we animals continue to suffer. And that really pisses me off.

MEOW!

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More Adventures in Lobbying!

Posted in pets with tags , , , , on March 18, 2012 by rumpydog

Oh Dog! Dear DeDe here! I know it’s usually me here on Sunday, but Jen has more to say about her adventures in lobbying, so I’m giving up my day to her. I hope you read on and are inspired!

One thing you may wonder is what people wear when they go lobby at the State Capitol. The legislators are in business clothes- suits or dresses. There were also some clergy in clergy attire. There were some folks dressed up really nice. Others wore business clothing. The folks from UT had all sorts of University clothing, including one guy in a suit jacket and orange pants!

So, what happened in my meetings? Let’s start first with my adventure in Representative Sparks’ office. I met Lori, who asked some questions I didn’t have the answers for. But she was so great, she not only found the answers for me, but showed me how to look things up online for myself (and emailed me links in case I forgot!). It was Lori that figured out my handout had the wrong bill number on it. She showed me online where the Primate bill was (not moving) and told me who I needed to talk to in order to find out if the bill would be going anywhere.

And what a blessing she was too, because my first experience with an elected official turned out to be a solo experience! I kept waiting for the others listed on my schedule to show, but none did. So at the scheduled time I walked into Senator Jim Tracy’s office, nervous but determined to be heard.

Senator Tracy was a nice man. He listened to me, and wanted my take on the bill. He also was knowledgeable about the macaque incident in Shelbyville (mentioned in yesterday’s post). I politely went over my talking points with him. And, thanks to Lori, I knew where the bill stood so I didn’t sound like I didn’t have a clue.

Here’s a few more things to keep in mind as you meet with your elected officials:

  1. Know how you want them to vote. Do you want a Yes or No vote? That’s important because you need to know how the bill reads to know the answer.
  2. Follow up with phone calls, emails or visits. Let your elected officials know you’re keeping up and are interested in the outcome.
  3. Consider donating to a Political Action Committee. There’s strength in numbers, and PACS provide just that. Here in Tennessee there are 600 PACs. One dedicated to supporting candidates that vote for humane animal laws is the Humane TN PAC. Don’t have much to give? It looks like alot more when it’s combined with other small donations. And candidates need more than just money. They need volunteers to help them get elected. You have more to give than you think.
  4. Remember, your elected officials represent everyone, not just you. A conscientious person may well want to vote with you, but must consider the will of all constituents. So give him or her a hand by helping to sell the bill. Give valid reasons to vote for the bill that will appeal to all. And then get out there and talk to others in the community and sell that bill (that’s where working with a group of like-minded people comes in real handy)!

OK gang, it’s time to get out there and do your part! Remember- they’re counting on us!

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Adventures in Lobbying!

Posted in pets with tags , , , , , on March 17, 2012 by rumpydog

Oh Dog! This week Jen went to the state Capitol to lobby for Humane Day.  She’s gonna tell us a little of what it was like! woo woo woo!

Last Tuesday, I joined others in my state to lobby for animal legislation.  There were around 60 of us attending. Compare that to the hundreds that were present for UT Day being held at the same time. That does make an impression.  It certainly did with me.

Downtown Nashville from my car (stuck in traffic)

We were briefed by Leighann McCollum, TN State Director for HSUS.  We reviewed some talking points to help us when we talk with our elected officials.  I learned that most of the legislation pertaining to animals had already been laid to rest for this year, but one bill, HB 3487/ SB 3692 Prohibiting Primates as Pets, was still in play, so we would focus on that bill.  I do not think undomesticated animals should be “owned” as pets.  But is this a problem in Tennessee that requires legislation to fix?

Last August, a macaque monkey escaped and attacked a woman in Bedford County. The officer that responded was also attacked.  The monkey was shot and killed.  When officers went to the home of the owner, four more monkeys were found, each living in inhumane conditions (one was in a bird cage).  The owner surrendered the monkeys and the animals were transported to a sanctuary.  Afterward, the owner acquired another monkey.

OK, I’m sold. The HSUS folks have scheduled for me an afternoon appointment with my state Senator.  There’s no appointment with my Representative, but I can visit his office so he’ll know someone stopped by.

After the debriefing I met up with another person who was to meet with the same Senator as me. She was unable to make the late appointment but wanted to be sure someone met with him.  I assured her I would be going.  As we talked, I learned we don’t live so far apart, and that I’d actually seen her out walking her dogs before.  Talk about small world!

I also met some other interesting folks, including a woman who runs a bunny rescue, a service dog trainer, an actor, a woman who works with a greyhound rescue, and a woman who works with a PAC that supports candidates that support animal welfare legislation.  I’m hoping each can make an appearance here in the future.

To avoid making this a long post you don’t read half of, I’m going to talk about my meetings in another post.  But here are some things I learned that I think are important:

  1. It’s important to do your homework! I had received some info by mail, but hadn’t carefully looked it over. I should have, because I learned that the bill number on the handouts given me was wrong.  These are busy folks, and they need accurate information, so make sure yours is!
  2. Be persistent!  The first time we visited my Representative’s office, I was met by a smiling young intern. I decided to go back later in the day. I still didn’t meet my Representative, but I did meet his assistant, and that was a great experience for me.  She taught me how to look things up online and gave me some great info I was able to use when I met with my Senator.
  3. Be responsible! There were six people scheduled to meet with my Senator.  I was the only one that made the meeting. I knew why one didn’t show, but it would have been nice if I could have known I was the only one going to be there. Trust me, the Senator noticed it too.
  4. How you say things can be as important as what you say.  I heard the Agriculture Committee discuss a Horse Slaughter bill.  The Representative sponsoring this bill is trying to sell this as a humane way to deal with a problem of horse starvation in the state.  Really? Humane?  Yes, that’s what he said.  And I’m betting there will be many people who will latch onto that one word- “humane”- and lend their support, or at the very least, not stand in opposition.
  5. Do not for one minute think that one person can’t make a difference! OK, so the Primate Bill is stuck in committee and will most likely stay there for the rest of this session.  But I didn’t even know the bill existed until Leighann made me aware.  And now I’m making all of you aware.  If you know someone who lives in Tennessee, I’m asking you to make them aware.  And on it goes.  All it takes is that one person to raise their voice.

Come back tomorrow for more on my experience with Lobby Day!

 

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