Ballot Measures /
Another Power Grab in Arizona
Arizona, like 23 other states, allows citizens to circulate petitions and pass statewide laws directly through ballot initiatives. It’s a check on the politicians when they fail to represent their constituents’ views, and on the well-heeled special interests when they block policy reforms.
Uncategorized /
Providing Assurance on Pet Insurance
My 16-year-old cat, Oliver, was diagnosed with cancer last month. It’s been a trying time for our family, as we work to get him the best treatment possible. Fortunately, Oliver has veterinary pet insurance to help cover some of the medical costs.
Uncategorized /
Remembering Senator Ted Stevens
Former U.S. Senator Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, who died in a plane crash last week, is well-known for his 40 years of service to the state of Alaska and for his record as the longest serving Republican senator. At the Humane Society Legislative Fund, we are deeply saddened by the loss, and that will surprise many a person. While we disagreed with him on many issues through the years, including drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and the use of steel-jawed leghold traps, he became demonstrably more sympathetic and active on animal welfare issues later in his life.
Elections /
Measuring Success for Animals in Maryland
Last night, I joined more than a hundred Maryland animal advocates and several state legislators gathered at a waterside restaurant in Annapolis to unveil the new Maryland Humane Scorecard and to recognize lawmakers who have been longtime champions of animal protection legislation. This event brought together feral cat rescuers, equine enthusiasts, wildlife protectors, and other animal lovers from around Maryland who want to help build a powerful political force for animals in the Free State.
Ballot Measures, Elections /
One Step Closer to Protecting Missouri’s Puppy Mill Dogs
There was good news for animals yesterday in Missouri, when Secretary of State Robin Carnahan officially certified the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act for the November statewide election. The measure will appear as Proposition B on the ballot, and we will be working hard this fall to encourage Missouri citizens to vote Yes on Prop B.
Uncategorized /
Catch Highlights of the Genesis Awards This Weekend
If you didn’t get to attend The HSUS’ 24th annual Genesis Awards in Beverly Hills, or see the one-hour show broadcast on Animal Planet, you can still watch highlights of the event this weekend in the comfort of your own living room. The syndicated TV show “Animal Rescue” with Alex Paen, which airs in more than 200 media markets, will feature the Genesis highlights this weekend, August 7th and 8th. Check here to find your local station.
Uncategorized /
House Passes Truth In Fur Labeling Act
The U.S. House of Representatives today passed H.R. 2480, the Truth in Fur Labeling Act, a bill by Reps. Jim Moran, D-Va., and Mary Bono Mack, R-Calif., to provide a much-needed upgrade to the nearly 60-year-old federal fur labeling law.
Elections /
New Online Tools to Take Action for Animals
I joined nearly 1,000 animal advocates from across the country this weekend at HSUS’s sixth annual Taking Action for Animals conference here in Washington, where attendees heard from Nigel Barker, Wayne Pacelle, Rep. Nick Rahall, D-W.Va., and other leaders and experts in the animal welfare field. And today, hundreds of those who attended also rallied on Capitol Hill with actress Wendie Malick and Rep.
Uncategorized /
Hundreds of New Mexico Chimps at Risk
At a time when the federal government is criticized for fiscally wasteful programs, it’s shocking that the National Center for Research Resources of the National Institutes of Health has come up with a new one: a plan to transfer 202 federally-owned chimpanzees from Alamogordo Primate Facility in New Mexico to the Southwest National Primate Research Center in Texas. These chimps have been warehoused for years in New Mexico at taxpayer expense, and once in Texas, they will be made readily available for invasive research.
Uncategorized /
Stomping Out "Crush" Videos, Stepping Up Enforcement
The big news in Congress this week is that the House overwhelmingly passed the Prevention of Interstate Commerce in Animal Crush Videos Act, introduced by Representatives Elton Gallegly, R-Calif., and Gary Peters, D-Mich., by a sweeping vote of 416 to 3. The bill now goes to the Senate, where Senators Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., and Richard Burr, R-N.C., have vowed to lead the fight for this legislation.
Ballot Measures, Elections, Talk Back /
Blog Favorites So Far in 2010
I’m always curious about which blog posts resonate most with you—the readers. Traffic to my blog is a good indicator of what subjects are top of mind for animal advocates. So, below, I list the top ten most popular blog posts so far for the first half of 2010. In first place (by a mile) is my January blog on the release of our 2009 Humane Scorecard. Many of you want to know where your legislators stand on key animal protection issues—and our annual report card is a great place to start.
Ballot Measures, Elections, Talk Back /
Talk Back: “Crush” Videos, Protecting Missouri’s Dogs, and the “Little” Guys
Here’s a selection of comments that have come into the blog lately. I recently wrote about the efforts to end cruel animal “crush” videos. The U.S. House Judiciary Committee passed a bill by Reps. Elton Gallegly, R-Calif., and Gary Peters, D-Mich., to crack down on traffickers of these videos of extreme animal cruelty. Many of you are angry about these sick videos, too:
