WASHINGTON (July 25, 2013) – The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announces its endorsement of State Sen. Daylin Leach, D-Pa., in the Democratic primary for Pennsylvania’s 13th Congressional District. As minority chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Leach has consistently led efforts to strengthen state laws on animal cruelty and abuse. Citing his strong support of animal protection policies, the Humane Society Legislative Fund urges primary voters to support Daylin Leach.

“Daylin Leach is one of Pennsylvania’s strongest champions of animal protection, and an effective leader in cracking down on cruelty and abuse,” said Michael Markarian, president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. “He has consistently stood up for the values of kindness and compassion and we urge voters who care about the humane treatment of animals to support Daylin Leach.”

While serving as Pennsylvania State Senator, Daylin Leach:

• Served as the chair of the Senate Animal Protection Caucus, which he helped to create in order to organize legislators on animal protection issues
• Sponsored legislation to prohibit the sale, possession and distribution of shark fins to crack down on the brutal practice of shark finning (SB 1578)
• Sponsored legislation to phase out the routine non-therapeutic use of antibiotics on industrial factory farms (SB 398)
• Led efforts to ban live pigeon shoots in Pennsylvania (SB 510)
• Cosponsored legislation to address the inhumane continuous tethering of dogs and establish penalties for related offenses (SB 522)
• Cosponsored legislation to strengthen regulations on large-scale puppy mills and protect dogs and consumers (P.L. 1450, No. 119)
• Voted to shift the financial burden of animal cruelty cases from municipalities and nonprofit shelters to those responsible for the animals’ suffering (HB 82)
• Voted to ban the use of carbon monoxide chambers at animal shelters, and allow shelter personnel to procure the drugs necessary to euthanize animals in a humane manner (P.L. 1452, No. 182)
• Voted to strengthen poaching laws by creating a comprehensive penalty system and clarifying rights and duties of wildlife conservation officers (P.L. 387, No. 54)
• Voted to prohibit the simulcasting of greyhound racing (P.L. 210, No. 32)
• Voted to establish liability for the owner of a dog who injures or kills a service dog (HB 165)
• Voted for a bill to require that debarking, tail docking, and other surgical procedures be performed under anesthesia by a licensed veterinarian (HB 39)

HSLF notes that Marjorie Margolies has also supported animal protection issues when she previously served in the U.S. House of Representatives, but Daylin Leach gets the nod for a career-long commitment to animal welfare and active leadership on these issues.

Media contact: Heather Sullivan: (240) 477-2251, hsullivan@hslf.org

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HSLF is a nonpartisan organization that evaluates candidates based only on a single criterion: where they stand on animal welfare. HSLF does not judge candidates based on party affiliation or any other issue.

The Humane Society Legislative Fund is a social welfare organization incorporated under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code and formed in 2004 as a separate lobbying affiliate of The Humane Society of the United States. The HSLF works to pass animal protection laws at the state and federal level, to educate the public about animal protection issues, and to support humane candidates for office. Visit us on all our channels: on the web at hslf.org, on our blog at animalsandpolitics.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/humanelegislation and on Twitter at twitter.com/HSLegFund.

Paid for by Humane Society Legislative Fund and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. HSLF, 1255 23rd Street, NW, Suite 455, Washington, DC 20037.

Kern County Supervisor has made the plight of homeless animals a top priority

WASHINGTON (July 17, 2013) – The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announces its endorsement of Leticia Perez in California’s special election for the 16th Senate District’s open seat on July 23.

Troubled by what she has called a “massive” pet overpopulation problem in Kern County’s fifth district, when Perez was elected to the Board of Supervisors, she dedicated her entire discretionary fund – $25,000 – to holding five spay/neuter events in high poverty areas of her district where animals and people need assistance with services. Perez is quoted by the media as saying, “I told my staff I wanted to spend every dime of it” on spay and neuter clinics.

Thanks to Perez’s generosity and leadership, hundreds of cats and dogs have been spayed, neutered, vaccinated and microchipped in her district – helping to persuade the remaining county supervisors to hold similar events to assist their residents. She has worked collaboratively with Kern County Animal Control and the Bakersfield SPCA to put on these events and to promote and protect the human-animal bond.

Outside special interest groups are falsely claiming that Perez supports animal cruelty because of a criminal case she handled while serving as a public defender. The Humane Society Legislative Fund is setting the record straight and wants voters to know about Leticia Perez's positive and forward-thinking record of helping animals.

Sara Amundson, HSLF executive director, said: “Leticia Perez is a leader and a problem solver who has stood up for helping pets and their families in her community. We are pleased to endorse her, and we urge voters to send a humane leader to the state legislature.

HSLF urges voters in the 16th Senate District to support Leticia Perez in the special election.

Media contact: Heather Sullivan: (240) 477-2251, hsullivan@hslf.org

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HSLF is a nonpartisan organization that evaluates candidates based only on a single criterion: where they stand on animal welfare. HSLF does not judge candidates based on party affiliation or any other issue.

The Humane Society Legislative Fund is a social welfare organization incorporated under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code and formed in 2004 as a separate lobbying affiliate of The Humane Society of the United States. The HSLF works to pass animal protection laws at the state and federal level, to educate the public about animal protection issues, and to support humane candidates for office. Visit us on all our channels: on the web at hslf.org, on our blog at animalsandpolitics.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/humanelegislation and on Twitter at twitter.com/HSLegFund.

Paid for by Humane Society Legislative Fund and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. HSLF, 1255 23rd Street, NW, Suite 455, Washington, DC 20037.

WASHINGTON (June 7, 2013)—The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency formalized several policy recommendations designed to reduce animal tests in pesticide safety.  

Even though progress has been made in developing non-animal tests to evaluate chemicals, pesticide registration still requires as many as two dozen different laboratory poisoning tests, which can involve as many as 10,000 dogs, rodents, rabbits, fish, birds and other animals to register a single pesticide. The policy documents formalize several steps toward minimizing animal testing that the EPA has been considering for some time.

“The Humane Society of the United States and the Humane Society Legislative Fund welcome these formal policy statements as a series of important steps in shifting toward smarter chemical assessment that relies on careful evaluation of the information rather than a rote list of required testing,” said Catherine Willett, director of regulatory toxicology for The HSUS. “These policies continue the momentum of providing improved human health and environmental protection while moving away from reliance on animal testing.”

EPA’s announcement includes the following:

• Publication of “Guiding Principles for Data Requirements” formalizing a flexible approach to chemical assessment to maximize the efficiency of data collection, thereby minimizing the use of animal testing.
• Publication of “Part 158 Toxicology Data Requirements: Guidance for Neurotoxicity Battery, Subchronic Inhalation, Subchronic Dermal and Immunotoxicity Studies” emphasizing the use of an evaluation process to determine if  testing is necessary and describing how testing can be avoided, as an alternative to simple check-box requirements.
• Acceptance as policy of a previous pilot study that allows a non-animal testing framework for classification of eye irritation for anti-microbial pesticides.
• A new policy, Combining Genotoxicity Testing with Standard Repeated Dose Toxicology Testing, that reduces animal testing by combining genotoxicity endpoints into routine toxicology studies.

The HSUS continues to urge the EPA to implement further measures to reduce animal tests which do not provide useful information and implement non-animal tests that are more relevant for humans.

Media contact: Niki Ianni: 610-999-6932, nianni@humanesociety.org

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The Humane Society Legislative Fund is a social welfare organization incorporated under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code and formed in 2004 as a separate lobbying affiliate of The Humane Society of the United States. The HSLF works to pass animal protection laws at the state and federal level, to educate the public about animal protection issues, and to support humane candidates for office. Visit us on all our channels: on the web at hslf.org, on our blog at animalsandpolitics.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/humanelegislation and on Twitter at twitter.com/HSLegFund.

The Humane Society of the United States is the nation’s largest animal protection organization, rated the most effective by its peers. Since 1954, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education and hands-on programs. We rescue and care for tens of thousands of animals each year, but our primary mission is to prevent cruelty before it occurs. We're there for all animals, across America and around the world. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty -- on the Web at humanesociety.org. Subscribe to the blog, A Humane Nation. Join The HSUS on Facebook. Follow The HSUS on Twitter. See our work for animals on your Apple or Android device by searching for our “Humane TV” app.

Rep. Jason Smith Connected to Puppy Mill, Has Terrible Record on Animal Welfare and Disrespecting the Will of the Voters

WASHINGTON (May 31, 2013) -- The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announces its endorsement of State Rep. Steve Hodges, D-Mo., in Missouri’s special election for the 8th Congressional District open seat on June 4th. Hodge’s opponent, Jason Smith, R-Mo., has been a leading opponent of animal protection legislation, and worked to dismantle a voter initiative on puppy mills, despite the fact that he had a conflict of interest since his family operates a puppy mill.

As Majority Whip of the Missouri House, Smith has helped lead the charge on dismantling Proposition B, the voter-approved Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act, which set humane standards for large-scale dog breeding operations. In 2010, Prop B passed in a statewide vote—and won majorities in most state Senate and state House districts.

Additionally, he’s done this despite there being a clear conflict of interest: Smith’s mother owns and operates a puppy mill in Missouri that has been cited in The Humane Society of the United States’ “Dirty Dozen” report.

Since the passage of Prop B, Smith has repeatedly sponsored and voted for legislation that would hamper and even abolish Missouri's citizens' constitutional right to keep their state government in check through the initiative and referendum process and to allow the citizens to directly decide on animal welfare issues. Most recently, Smith led the effort to pass a “right to farm” bill that could potentially prohibit future laws on agriculture dealing with food safety, animal welfare, labor, the environment and other concerns (HJR 7&HJR11).

“Jason Smith puts his own interests above the interests of Missouri voters,” said Dane Waters, political director for the Humane Society Legislative Fund. “Ever since Missouri citizens voted to establish humane standards for puppy mills, Smith has been fighting to strip them of their constitutional rights, prevent citizen participation in the public process, and use his political power for the commercial benefit of his own family.”

Hodges, in contrast, while serving in the Missouri House has supported a number of common-sense state policies to help protect both animals and the rights of
Missouri residents. Among his efforts, he has:

• Voted for the Animal Care Facilities Act to exempt nonprofit animal shelters from commercial taxes and other fees (HCS HBs 1934 &1654)
• Opposed a bill to propose a constitutional amendment that would prevent Missouri voters from weighing in on animal welfare and agriculture issues (HCS HJR 86).
• Voted for the Large Carnivore Act, to regulate the ownership, possession and breeding of dangerous captive exotic animals (HCS HB 426)
• Opposed a bill to allow for the slaughter of horses for human consumption (HCS HB 1747)

HSLF urges voters to reject Jason Smith’s terrible record on animal cruelty and conflict of interest, and support Steve Hodges in the special election for the 8th Congressional District seat.

Media contact: Heather Sullivan, (240) 477-2251, hsullivan@hslf.org

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HSLF is a nonpartisan organization that evaluates candidates based only on a single criterion: where they stand on animal welfare. HSLF does not judge candidates based on party affiliation or any other issue.

The Humane Society Legislative Fund is a social welfare organization incorporated under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code and formed in 2004 as a separate lobbying affiliate of The Humane Society of the United States. The HSLF works to pass animal protection laws at the state and federal level, to educate the public about animal protection issues, and to support humane candidates for office. Visit us on all our channels: on the web at hslf.org, on our blog at animalsandpolitics.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/humanelegislation and on Twitter at twitter.com/HSLegFund.

Paid for by Humane Society Legislative Fund and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. HSLF, 1255 23rd Street, NW, Suite 455, Washington, DC 20037.

WASHINGTON (May 29, 2013) -- The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announces its endorsement of U.S. Rep. Ed Markey, D-Mass., in Massachusetts’ special election for U.S. Senate. Citing his strong support of animal protection policies, the Humane Society Legislative Fund urges Massachusetts voters to support Ed Markey.

“Ed Markey has demonstrated a strong commitment to protecting animals from cruelty and abuse,” said Sara Amundson, executive director of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. “He has consistently stood up for the values of kindness and compassion and we urge voters who care about the humane treatment of animals to support Ed Markey.”

Markey has supported a number of federal policies to stop animal cruelty and abuse. Among his efforts, Markey has:

• Called on former Interior Department Secretary Ken Salazar to ban the international commercial trade of polar bear parts and called for stronger protections for bears from trophy hunting as ranking member of the House Natural Resources Committee
• Opposed a bill that would have removed protections for  sea lions (H.R. 3069)
• Co-sponsored the Egg Products Inspection Act Amendments, H.R. 1731, to ban barren battery cages in the egg industry and improve the treatment of hundreds of millions of laying hens
• Co-sponsored the Safeguard American Food Exports Act, H.R. 1094, to prohibit the sale or transport of equines and equine parts in interstate or foreign commerce for human consumption
• Co-sponsored the Prevent All Soring Tactics Act, H.R. 1518, to eliminate the abusive act of soring horses by improving the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s enforcement capabilities and strengthening penalties against violators, among other provisions
• Co-sponsored the Great Ape Protection and Cost Savings Act, H.R. 1513, to phase out the use of chimpanzees in invasive research, retire federally-owned chimpanzees to sanctuary and save millions of taxpayer dollars
• Co-sponsored the Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act, H.R. 2492, to close a loophole in the federal animal fighting law by  establishing penalties for attending or bringing a child to a dogfight or cockfight
• Co-sponsored the Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety (PUPS) Act, H.R. 835, to protect dogs and consumers by cracking down on large-scale puppy mill abuses
• Voted to save taxpayer dollars by limiting subsidies to massive factory farms, which thrive on taxpayer giveaways that keep animal feed artificially cheap, jeopardize public health, the environment and animal welfare, while also driving smaller and more humane sustainable family farms out of business (H.AMDT.124/H.R.1 and H.AMDT. 478/H.R. 2112)
• Voted to save millions of taxpayer dollars by reducing the use of toxic poisons and other inhumane methods of killing predators as a subsidy for private livestock ranchers (H.AMDT.471/H.R.2112)
• Opposed a devastating “extinction rider” that would have weakened the Endangered Species Act by preventing the listing of imperiled species and designation of critical habitat (H.AMDT.735/H.R.2584)
• Voted to protect threatened polar bears in the Arctic and prevent the import of sport-hunted polar bear trophies from Canada (H.AMDT.1008/H.R. 4089)
• Opposed  the Sportsmen’s Heritage Act, a $12 million package that would overturn key protections for threatened polar bears, expose federal lands to sport hunting, and strip the Environmental Protection Agency of its ability to protect wildlife, habitat and people from lead poisoning through exposure to toxic ammunition (H.R. 4089)
• Supported efforts to provide adequate funding for the enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act, Horse Protection Act, Humane Methods of Slaughter Act and federal animal fighting law, as well as for programs to address the needs of animals in disasters and to ease a shortage of veterinarians in rural and inner-city areas and at the U.S. Department of Agriculture through student loan forgiveness

Media contact: Raul Arce-Contreras, (301) 721-6440, hslfrcontreras@hslf.org

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HSLF is a nonpartisan organization that evaluates candidates based only on a single criterion: where they stand on animal welfare. HSLF does not judge candidates based on party affiliation or any other issue.

The Humane Society Legislative Fund is a social welfare organization incorporated under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code and formed in 2004 as a separate lobbying affiliate of The Humane Society of the United States. The HSLF works to pass animal protection laws at the state and federal level, to educate the public about animal protection issues, and to support humane candidates for office. Visit us on all our channels: on the web at hslf.org, on our blog at animalsandpolitics.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/humanelegislation and on Twitter at twitter.com/HSLegFund.

Paid for by Humane Society Legislative Fund and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. HSLF, 1255 23rd Street, NW, Suite 455, Washington, DC 20037.

Animal Fighting Law Set To Be Strengthened, But State Farm Animal Protection Laws Threatened by King Amendment

WASHINGTON (May 16, 2013) – The U.S. House Committee on Agriculture, in taking up the Farm Bill yesterday, approved an amendment to crackdown on spectators at animal fighting ventures, but also approved a destructive, constitutionally questionable amendment to strip states of their right to protect farm animals and other animals from exploitation and abuse. That amendment threatens to wipe out important state laws banning the cruelest factory farming practices and leave a raft of other state laws and rules regulating agriculture hanging in the balance.
 
The anti-animal fighting amendment, led by Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., passed with a vote of 28-17, building on the existing federal law against animal fighting by making it a crime to knowingly attend or bring a child to an animal fight. The Senate Committee on Agriculture, which took up its version of the Farm Bill on Tuesday, included a similar provision in its bill, thanks to the leadership of committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., and ranking member Thad Cochran, R-Miss. With both versions of the Farm Bill including the same core provisions on animal fighting, it almost certainly will be included in any final bill approved by the Congress.
 
An amendment from Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, to wipe out numerous state animal protection laws, including those regarding factory farm confinement, horse slaughter and shark finning, along with other laws related to food safety, environmental protection, worker safety and more, passed in the committee, after a contentious debate.
 
The King amendment was approved by voice vote, despite forceful arguments raised against it by Reps. Jim Costa, D-Calif., Jeff Denham, R-Calif., John Garamendi, D-Calif., and Kurt Schrader, D-Ore.  
 
“We should have a zero-tolerance policy in our nation for staged animal fights, and the passage of anti-cruelty amendments to the House and Senate Farm Bills this week affirms that view,” said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States. “On the other hand, we are deeply distressed by the House committee’s support for the amendment to eviscerate the powers of the States to establish and maintain laws governing food safety, animal welfare, environmental and worker protections. This is a threat to every consumer and to every animal in American agriculture, and it is an attack on the 10th Amendment to the Constitution and an almost unheard-of power grab by the Congress.”
 
If passed, King’s amendment could allow the overturning of every voter-approved animal welfare ballot measure relating to agriculture, including Proposition 2 in California (banning extreme confinement crates for pigs, veal calves and laying hens), Proposition 6 in California (forbidding the sale of horses for slaughter for human consumption), Proposition 204 in Arizona (banning veal and pig gestation crates) and Amendment 10 in Florida (outlawing pig gestation crates).
 
The amendment could also nullify six other state bans on gestation crates, horse slaughter bans in six states, comprehensive animal welfare standards adopted by the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board, and a raft of anti-downer laws and other animal protection laws designed to shield farm animals from abuse and extreme confinement.
 
The Senate version of the Farm Bill does not contain any language similar to the King amendment.  HSUS and other groups will work to strip the King amendment from the House Farm Bill on the floor, and also push for adoption of the landmark agreement between animal welfare groups and the egg industry in phasing out the use of conventional battery cages and creating minimum care standards for the welfare of laying hens.
 
Facts:

• Rep. King has a history of attempting to block animal welfare laws. He has voted in favor of killing horses for human consumption, killing American bison in Yellowstone National Park and trophy killing of polar bears, even though they are an endangered species. He also voted against disaster response legislation to address the needs of people with pets, passed in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, and consistent with his entire voting record, he opposed the McGovern amendment offered yesterday to crack down on illegal dogfighting and cockfighting.
• Spectators finance animal fights with admission fees and gambling wagers, and they provide cover to animal fighters who blend into the crowd during law enforcement raids.
• It is illegal in 49 states to be a knowing spectator at an animal fight. A majority of states impose felony-level penalties on spectators. The Farm Bill amendment will give federal agencies similar tools to what local agencies have at their disposal.
• Last year, the House Agriculture Committee passed this animal fighting amendment offered by Rep. McGovern, and a parallel amendment offered by Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) was approved by a vote of 88-11 in the Senate, but Congress did not complete action on the Farm Bill in 2012.

Media Contact: Anna West, (301) 258-1518, awest@humanesociety.org

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The Humane Society Legislative Fund is a social welfare organization incorporated under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code and formed in 2004 as a separate lobbying affiliate of The Humane Society of the United States. The HSLF works to pass animal protection laws at the state and federal level, to educate the public about animal protection issues, and to support humane candidates for office. Visit us on all our channels: on the web at hslf.org, on our blog at animalsandpolitics.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/humanelegislation and on Twitter at twitter.com/HSLegFund.

The Humane Society of the United States is the nation’s largest animal protection organization, rated the most effective by its peers. Since 1954, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education and hands-on programs. We rescue and care for tens of thousands of animals each year, but our primary mission is to prevent cruelty before it occurs. We're there for all animals, across America and around the world. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty -- on the Web at humanesociety.org. Subscribe to the blog, A Humane Nation. Join The HSUS on Facebook. Follow The HSUS on Twitter. See our work for animals on your Apple or Android device by searching for our “Humane TV” app.

WASHINGTON (April 10, 2013) -- The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announces its endorsement of Sen. Raymond Lesniak, D-Union, for reelection to the New Jersey Senate in the Democratic primary to be held on June 4.

An effective and consistent leader on a wide variety of animal protection issues, Sen. Lesniak has sponsored or cosponsored legislation to:

• Fight the illegal trade in tiger parts threatening their wild population, which was passed by the Senate and the Assembly, but was vetoed; (S. 945)

• Ban the slaughter of horses for human consumption and the export of horsemeat and horses for slaughter, which was signed into law; (S. 1976)

• Ban the extreme confinement of breeding pigs in small gestation crates which virtually immobilize the animals on industrial factory farms for their entire lives, passed by the Senate and the Assembly; (S. 1921)

• Ban the sale and possession of shark fins, which contributes to the cruel practice of cutting off a shark’s fin for soup, disposing of the often live shark at sea;  (S. 1922)

• Increase the penalty for starvation or severe physical cruelty of an animal, passed by the Senate and the Assembly (S. 1303)

• Prohibit the practice of bear baiting, which lures bears to piles of rotting meat, jelly donuts or other human junk food to be shot at point-blank range by trophy hunters. (S. 2369)

• “Raymond Lesniak is the leading champion of animal protection issues in the New Jersey Senate,” said Michael Markarian, president of HSLF. “Time and again he has demonstrated an ability to move important bills and secure protections for animals. We are pleased to endorse him, and urge voters to reelect him.”

Media contact: Heather Sullivan, (301) 548-7778, hsullivan@hslf.org

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HSLF is a nonpartisan organization that evaluates candidates based only on a single criterion: where they stand on animal welfare. HSLF does not judge candidates based on party affiliation or any other issue.

The Humane Society Legislative Fund is a social welfare organization incorporated under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code and formed in 2004 as a separate lobbying affiliate of The Humane Society of the United States. The HSLF works to pass animal protection laws at the state and federal level, to educate the public about animal protection issues, and to support humane candidates for office. Visit us on all our channels: on the web at hslf.org, on our blog at animalsandpolitics.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/humanelegislation and on Twitter at twitter.com/HSLegFund.

Paid for by Humane Society Legislative Fund and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. HSLF, 1255 23rd Street, NW, Suite 455, Washington, DC 20037.

Global campaign seeks to raise awareness about animal testing and harness the power of consumers to end the cruelty

WASHINGTON (March 12, 2013) -- An end to animal testing of cosmetics is the goal of the inaugural Be Cruelty-Free Week, launched by The Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International. The global campaign urges consumers to get involved in creating a humane economy – both with their pocketbooks and the power of their voices. A nationwide poll conducted by Lake Research Partners found that 67 percent of American voters oppose testing cosmetics on animals.

The launch of Be Cruelty-Free Week coincides with a European Union ban on selling cosmetics newly tested on animals anywhere in the world. The HSUS and Humane Society Legislative Fund are building partnerships with scientists, government officials, and industry leaders to make the United States the next biggest cruelty-free market.

“While policy is important, consumers can act now to help animals by purchasing cruelty-free products and demanding that cosmetic companies go cruelty-free,” said Pascaline Clerc, senior director of animal research issues for The HSUS. “As these poll results demonstrate, U.S. companies still conducting tests on animals need to move away from these practices given the public’s concern for animal suffering and human safety.”

Key findings of the poll include:

• 68 percent of voters know that animals are used to test the safety of cosmetics.

• Three in four voters say that they would feel safer, or as safe, if non-animal methods were used to test the safety of a cosmetic instead of animal testing.

• Women, who are the major consumers of cosmetics, largely oppose animal testing of cosmetics, with 72 percent of those polled opposed.

• Most women - 70 percent - think animal testing of cosmetics should be illegal.

• Strong majorities of women think animal testing of cosmetics should be illegal, regardless of age, level of education or ethnicity.

• The survey of 802 U.S. registered voters, including 206 via cell phone, was conducted by Lake Research Partners from Feb. 5 - 11, 2013, and was commissioned by The HSUS and HSLF. The margin of error is plus or minus 3.47 percent. The questions and results can be viewed here.

Join the Be Cruelty-Free campaign

The HSUS encourages consumers to sign the Be Cruelty-Free pledge at humanesociety.org/becrueltyfree.

Since it can be confusing for consumers to make sense of the animal testing claims on products, consumers should buy cosmetics from companies that are certified by the Leaping Bunny – which provides the most rigorous standard in the U.S. for ensuring cosmetics are cruelty-free.

Background:

• The Food and Drug Administration does not require animal testing to prove the safety of cosmetics and personal care products such as lipstick, nail polish, eye and facial make-up, shampoo, skin creams and shaving cream, yet some cosmetics companies are still testing ingredients and finished products on animals, or purchasing new chemical ingredients from companies that carry out such testing.

• Animal testing for cosmetics causes tens of thousands of rabbits, guinea pigs, mice and rats to suffer through painful experiments that often end in death.

• Experiments can include skin and eye irritation tests where chemicals are rubbed onto the shaved skin or dripped into the eyes of restrained rabbits without any pain relief. Other tests involve force feeding chemicals for weeks to months, and widely condemned lethal dose tests, in which animals are forced to swallow large amounts of a test chemical to determine the dose that causes death.

• On March 11, the European Union became a cruelty-free marketplace by implementing a ban on the sale of cosmetic products tested on animals. Israel implemented a similar ban on January 1. EU officials are challenging other countries to ban animal testing of cosmetics.

• Companies can stop animal testing immediately and still produce new products by using the thousands of ingredients that have already been proven safe. New ingredients can be tested using validated non-animal methods, including innovative technologies like lab-made human tissues. These alternatives offer results that are more relevant to people, more efficient and cost-effective, replacing outdated animal tests that were developed decades ago.

Media contact: Niki Ianni, (301) 548-7793, nianni@humanesociety.org

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The Humane Society Legislative Fund is a social welfare organization incorporated under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code and formed in 2004 as a separate lobbying affiliate of The Humane Society of the United States. The HSLF works to pass animal protection laws at the state and federal level, to educate the public about animal protection issues, and to support humane candidates for office. Visit us on all our channels: on the web at hslf.org, on our blog at animalsandpolitics.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/humanelegislation and on Twitter at twitter.com/HSLegFund.

Legislation would apply welfare requirements to online puppy sellers

WASHINGTON (Feb. 27, 2013) -- The Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society Legislative Fund commend federal lawmakers for reintroducing legislation that will close a loophole in the Animal Welfare Act regulations that currently allows puppy mills to sell dogs over the Internet without any oversight or standards of care. Puppy mills are large-scale, commercial breeding operations where dogs are commonly housed in overcrowded, filthy and inhumane conditions. The current law allows large, commercial breeders who sell puppies online or directly to the public to escape the licensing and inspection requirements that apply to breeders selling dogs to pet stores.

S. 395 and H.R. 847  — known as the PUPS Act, or "Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety Act"— is sponsored by Sens. Dick Durbin, D-Ill. and David Vitter, R-La., and Reps. Jim Gerlach, R-Pa., Sam Farr, D-Calif., Bill Young, R-Fla., and Lois Capps, D-Calif.

“Dogs shouldn't be treated like a cash crop," said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States, which has conducted multiple investigations of puppy mills and rescued thousands of the dogs from cruelty. "The federal law regarding the care of dogs at commercial dog-breeding operations needs an overhaul, and this legislation will correct some of the worst gaps and deficiencies in current law.”

“The media regularly reports stories about dogs rescued from substandard facilities – where dogs are housed in stacked wire cages and seriously ill and injured dogs are routinely denied access to veterinary care,” Sen. Durbin said. “Online dog sales have contributed to the rise of these sad cases. This bipartisan bill requires breeders who sell more than 50 dogs a year directly to the public to obtain a license from the USDA and ensures that the dogs receive proper care.”

"I was alarmed by the USDA IG report that exposed inhumane treatment of dogs, especially abusive breeding practices,” said Sen. Vitter. “I applaud USDA's work to close loopholes that unscrupulous breeders exploited with Internet sales, and the PUPS Act introduced by Senator Durbin and me will help ensure that puppies are treated humanely and bred in safe and sanitary facilities and that consumers can purchase healthy pets for their families."

The bill would also require that dogs used for breeding be provided daily exercise. Breeding dogs in puppy mills are typically forced to live their entire lives in small cages with no opportunity for exercise, little or no socialization and minimal human interaction.

“We know that there are many reputable breeders who do things the right way and treat their dogs humanely. We want all breeders to play by the same rules so that everyone who wants to welcome a new dog into their family can do so with the confidence of knowing that the animal has been cared for properly,” said Rep. Gerlach. “This legislation will ensure dogs are protected and individuals who put profit ahead of the fair and humane treatment of dogs are held accountable for their actions.”

“The loophole in the Animal Welfare Act created by the Internet has resulted in widespread abuse of dogs in breeding facilities,” said Rep. Farr. “Leaving dogs crammed into small cages with no exercise or social contact goes against our humanity. The PUPS Act is necessary to end the abuses of puppy mills and restore the values of our society.”

Facilities that breed dogs for commercial resale through pet stores are required to be licensed and inspected under the federal Animal Welfare Act. However, puppy mills that sell directly to the public are exempt from any federal oversight partly because the Animal Welfare Act was written before the birth of the Internet. Unregulated Internet sellers and other direct sales facilities sell thousands of puppies a year to unsuspecting consumers. Due to improper care by these breeders, these puppies are often sick, leaving outraged consumers with frail, sometimes dying puppies, high vet bills and broken hearts. Meanwhile, the breeding dogs at these facilities often spend their entire lives in constant confinement, suffering, and deprivation.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has proposed a draft rule to amend the Animal Welfare Act regulations to require licensing and inspection of commercial dog breeders selling over the Internet or directly to the public, and would essentially achieve the same policy reform as the PUPS Act. But despite being proposed in May 2012 and receiving more than 350,000 public comments in favor of the rule, the agency has not yet taken final action. Similar legislation had the broad bipartisan support of 33 Senate and 216 House co-sponsors in the last session of Congress.

PUPS will close the loophole in the AWA regulations that allows thousands of commercial breeders to go unregulated. It will require the following changes to the AWA:

• All dog breeders who sell more than 50 puppies per year directly to the public will be federally licensed and inspected.

• Dogs at commercial breeding facilities must be given the opportunity to exercise for 60 minutes a day.

• The bill will not affect small breeders and hobby breeders who sell fewer than 50 dogs per year directly to the public, but is crafted to cover only large commercial breeding facilities.

Media contact: Niki Ianni, (610) 999-6932, nianni@humanesociety.org

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The Humane Society Legislative Fund is a social welfare organization incorporated under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code and formed in 2004 as a separate lobbying affiliate of The Humane Society of the United States. The HSLF works to pass animal protection laws at the state and federal level, to educate the public about animal protection issues, and to support humane candidates for office. Visit us on all our channels: on the web at hslf.org, on our blog at animalsandpolitics.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/humanelegislation and on Twitter at twitter.com/HSLegFund.

WASHINGTON (Feb. 27, 2013) -- The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announces its endorsements for the March 5 city elections in Los Angeles and West Hollywood. Citing their strong support of animal protection policies, HSLF urges voters to support Eric Garcetti for Mayor of Los Angeles, Mike Feuer for City Attorney of Los Angeles, Bob Blumenfield for Los Angeles City Council and Jeffrey Prang for Mayor of West Hollywood.

"In order to have humane laws, we need to elect humane lawmakers," said Sara Amundson, executive director of Humane Society Legislative Fund. "We urge Los Angeles and West Hollywood voters to elect candidates who care about the humane treatment of animals."

Eric Garcetti, current Los Angeles City Council member running for Mayor, has helped usher through many humane ordinances, including a ban on declawing of cats as well as a moratorium on the retail sale of dogs and cats from commercial mills. Garcetti has also helped pass several animal-friendly resolutions, recognizing Elephant Awareness Day and Meatless Monday, and supported a state law to ban hound hunting of bears and bobcats.

State Assemblymember Mike Feuer, running for City Attorney of Los Angeles, is a member of the legislative animal protection caucus and has been a leader on numerous animal protection bills. Feuer has consistently received a 100 percent score on the California Humane Scorecard and has repeatedly voted to strengthen animal abuse laws, such as increasing the penalties related to dogfighting and cockfighting and prohibiting criminals convicted of animal abuse from owning animals for a specified period of time after their conviction.

State Assemblymember Bob Blumenfield, running for Los Angeles City Council, is a founding member of the legislative animal protection caucus and has a 100 percent voting record on animal protection issues. As chair of the Assembly Budget Committee, Blumenfield provided leadership in helping to prevent the repeal of the Hayden Law, which requires a holding period for dogs and cats at animal shelters.

Jeffrey Prang, running for re-election as Mayor of West Hollywood, has championed a number of animal protection policies. Prang led a resolution to ban pet rental franchises from operating within the city and co-authored an ordinance to prohibit the retail sale of dogs and cats from mills. Prang has supported West Hollywood’s ban on the sale of animal fur products within the city.

Media contact: Kaitlin Sanderson, (301) 721-6463, ksanderson@hslf.org

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HSLF is a nonpartisan organization that evaluates candidates based only on a single criterion: where they stand on animal welfare. HSLF does not judge candidates based on party affiliation or any other issue.

The Humane Society Legislative Fund is a social welfare organization incorporated under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code and formed in 2004 as a separate lobbying affiliate of The Humane Society of the United States. The HSLF works to pass animal protection laws at the state and federal level, to educate the public about animal protection issues, and to support humane candidates for office. Visit us on all our channels: on the web at hslf.org, on our blog at animalsandpolitics.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/humanelegislation and on Twitter at twitter.com/HSLegFund.

Paid for by Humane Society Legislative Fund and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. HSLF, 1255 23rd Street, NW, Suite 455, Washington, DC 20037.