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From: AWI eAlert - ealert [at] awionline.org
Date: Dec 2, 2007 7:15 PM
Subject: AWI eAlert: Our Holiday Wish List to Congress

Our Holiday Wish List to Congress

* Enact Legislation Ending Horse Slaughter
* Protect Companion Animals from Theft for Lab Use

As your Representative and Senators wrap up the first session of the 110th Congress, several animal protection issues remain unresolved. But there is still time for our elected representatives to act NOW and your calls are needed to remind them that the American public expects action on these very important issues before they return home for the holidays.

American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (H.R. 503/S. 311)

What more can be said about this issue? The American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (AHSPA) has become one of the most talked about animal protection bills in a very long time. In the Senate there are currently 37 bipartisan cosponsors of S. 311 while in the House there are 188 cosponsors of H.R. 503.

Recently, the Animal Welfare Institute co-hosted a “Horses on the Hill Day” with the sponsor of S. 311, Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA). Celebrities, veterinarians and young women from local riding schools, including Senator Landrieu’s daughter, descended on Capitol Hill to let legislators know the importance of this legislation.

Now we need you to make your voices heard. Call your Representative and Senators today and ask them to cosponsor the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act and ask leadership for a vote before they leave for the Holiday recess.

For more information on horse slaughter, including a statement from Senator Landrieu regarding recent misinformation on her bill, please visit www.awionline.org/legislation/horse_slaughter/index.htm.

To find your Representative and Senators visit www.compassionindex.org or call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask to be connected to your legislators. Be sure to call your Representative and both Senators and request a written response from each Member of Congress articulating his or her position on the legislation.

We can enter 2008 knowing our horses are safe from slaughter if Congress acts immediately and passes the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act. Each day Congress fails to act hundreds of American horses are being sent to a grueling death in Mexican and Canadian slaughterhouses.

Pet Safety and Protection Act

This important bill to protect companion animals from being fraudulently sold into research was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives this past summer as an amendment to the House version of the FARM Bill. However, before it can become heide2law, we must pass it as part of the FARM Bill in the U.S. Senate.

Known as the Akaka/Stevens amendment to the Senate FARM Bill, this legislation prohibits the sale of random source dogs and cats by Class B dealers for experimentation. The measure will protect pets from theft and abuse, while also supporting biomedical research by helping to ensure that researchers know the genetic status and health history of the animals they use in experimentation.

While the FARM Bill has currently been stymied in the Senate, it is not too late for this legislation and the Akaka/Stevens amendment to be debated and voted upon.

Please call your Senators and ask that they move the FARM Bill and support the Akaka/Stevens amendment.

To find your Senators, visit www.compassionindex.org or call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask to be connected to your legislators. For more information on this issue please visit www.awionline.org/legislation/pet_safety/index.htm.
Make ending horse slaughter and protecting our family companion animals from theft and suffering part of your Holiday Wish List. Ask Congress to do the same. Help make a difference by ending the suffering of thousands of animals.

Please be sure to share this eAlert with your friends, family and coworkers so they can help speak out for the animals. Thank you for all you do to help. Best wishes for a Happy Holiday for human and non-human alike!

Sincerely,

Cathy Liss
Director, Government and Legal Affairs
Animal Welfare Institute
www.awionline.org
www.compassionindex.org

For over 56 years AWI and its legislative arm, the Society for Animal Protective Legislation, have been the leading voice for animals across the country and on Capitol Hill. Please join us in our ongoing campaigns to reduce the sum total of pain and fear inflicted on animals by humans. Sign up for AWI eAlerts to receive the latest news on what you can do to help us protect all animals: www.awionline.org/joinus.

Animal Welfare Institute | PO Box 3650 | Washington | DC | 20027

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Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare action alerts awi animal welfare institute horses horse slaughter horse meat pet companion animal dog canine cat feline pet theft bunchers class b dealers animal experimentation animal testing animal research vivisection American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act ahspa Senator Mary Landrieu Pet Safety and Protection Act farm bill 2007 farm bill Akaka/Stevens amendment