Voting for Humane Lawmakers

When we decide who to vote for - whether for president, senate, or county/local government, we look at the candidate's platform on a number of important issues. While there are numerous issues that are important to me, here at Humane Mewsings, my focus is on animal welfare. If we want to have laws that protect animals, we need lawmakers that will serve as voices for animals in the legislative arena.

To help voters know which legislators/candidates are humane-minded, the Humane Society Legislative Fund created a useful Voter Guide that lists candidates from each state (Senate and House) that the HSLF endorses. Endorsements are based solely on where each candidate stands on major policy debates related to animals - and not on party affiliation.

You can find the Voter Guide here.

As I mentioned in a previous post, the HSLF's board of directors, which includes both Democrats and Republicans, endorsed the Obama-Biden ticket based on the senators' dedicated support of animal protection at both the state and national level.

It is absolutely crucial that people who care about animal protection make their voices heard. Legislators at the local, state and national level need to see that this is something their constituents view as an important issue. We must not be relegated to the fringes. We speak for those who cannot do so on their own.

Vote! :)

Animals are not disposable

Volunteering at the humane society is both heartwearming and heartbreaking. When I see all of the cats in the cages and hear their precious meows, or walk by the dogs peering out of their kennels with sad expressions, it breaks my heart.

But it's also heartwarming to interact with potential adopters and watch a cat or dog leave the shelter with someone all ready to spoil it in a new forever home.

There's a saying in the animal sheltering world that in the end, everyone wishes shelters and rescue organizations would have to go "out of business" because there would be no more homeless animals. Given the number of cats and dogs people dump on the street and bring to shelters each year across the country, it doesn't look like that will happen anytime soon.

The ONE thing I will never understand is how some people consider pets disposable; that they can just get rid of them like a lamp or old piece of furniture. Sometimes when I'm at the humane society I'll see a cat in a carrier recently given up by its owner. Some don't feel like dealing with the animal when they move; others just don't want to care for it anymore. At least those people bring the animal in - many of the animals were dumped on the street - some even left behind in empty apartments!

Granted, there are extenuating circumstances that justify having to give up a pet, but I just wish people would understand that cats and dogs are defenseless - they depend on humans to care for them, and in return they provide amazing companionship. To discard them like trash is cruel and dispicable.

If there is a point to this post, it is that animals are not objects - people should only adopt a pet if they can make the commitment to care for and love it. The love they provide in return is incredible.

Photo: Patches, a cat up for adoption at the Washington Humane Society - she was adopted! :)

Yes on Prop 2!

My sincere apologies for the delay in updates - the last few weeks have been super crazy. Have no fear, though, I have several great posts in the works - starting with this!

In two weeks, Californians will have an opportunity to stop the inhumane and cruel treatment of farm animals by voting yes on Proposition 2.

In California alone, 20 million animals suffer in intensive confinement inside battery cages, gestation crates, and veal crates. As the Prop 2 campaign explains, calves are tethered by the neck and can barely move, pigs in severe confinement bite the metal bars of their crates, and hens get trapped and even impaled in their wire cages. Proposition 2 would prohibit this type of confinement and ensure animals have space to spread their wings (if applicable!), lie down, and stretch their limbs...

It doesn't sound like much to ask, but unfortunately Big Agribusiness and its various fat wallets have funded numerous misleading ads and are trying to persuade Californians to vote no. The opposition is using scare tactics by claiming that Prop 2 would give police powers to animal rights activists, jobs would be lost, and the measure would increase the risk of bird flu. What a disgrace. Not surprisingly, the top supporters of NO on Prop 2 ahave terrible records on animal cruelty.

While Prop 2 will only be on California ballots, the impact of a YES verdict will set higher standards for industry and demonstrate that people will not stand for cruel and inhumane practices. Learn more!

Squirrels in DC!

I had to share this fantastic news feature in yesterday's Washington Post about the history of squirrels in DC - They were actually brought in for aesthetic purposes in the early 1900s and they've had quite a few advocates ever since! It's really interesting and has the best ending graph ever:

"Perhaps squirrels were destined to thrive in Washington. With friends in high places, support from vocal, impassioned lobbyists and a strong public approval rating, their effectiveness as an especially cute special interest group has established them as one of the city's most powerful creatures. And in this town, power is everything. Even when you're living on peanuts."

;-)