US Gov't to kill cows with helicopter gunships

News and headlines for February 18 - February 24, 2023

A volunteer whisked Pursuit away from the Harrisburg, PA, shelter. The volunteer took him after shelter management announced the shelter’s longest-term resident would be killed. While some supporters of the pound defend the Director’s decision to kill Pursuit, Humane Society leaders remained silent until forced to issue a statement because of public condemnation. Their statement failed to mollify critics.

These are some of the stories making headlines in animal protection:

Florida will ban the pet store sale of commercially-bred dogs and cats if HB 849 is passed into law. Under the proposed bill, pet stores can partner with shelters and rescue groups if they want to have animals. 

The idea is not only to reduce the market for puppy-mill pets, but to encourage potential pet owners to obtain their animals from animal- and rescue shelters, which find homes for abandoned and abused pets and their offspring.

If Florida legislators pass the bill and the Governor signs it, Florida will join a handful of states and hundreds of municipalities nationwide with bans already in place.

Unfortunately, Indiana is moving in the opposite direction. The Indiana Senate passed a bill (SB 134) that would nullify local bans and prohibit other cities from passing them. Senators chose to abandon the animals to protect commercial breeders.

That is tragic as pet stores generally get their animals from Commercial Breeding Enterprises (CBEs), commonly known as ‘puppy mills.’ And CBEs engage in systematic neglect and abuse of animals, leaving severe emotional and physical scars on the victims. As a result, one in four former breeding dogs has significant health problems and is more likely to suffer from aggression. In addition, many are psychologically and emotionally shut down, compulsively staring at nothing.

Thanks to these laws in several states and hundreds of communities nationwide, the number of national breeders has declined by 30%, and “Nebraska Department of Agriculture records show that half of the state’s commercial dog and cat breeders have left the business.” But if Senate Bill 134 is ultimately signed into law, not in Indiana. Not anymore.

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Cruise is available for adoption and waiting for you at the Humane Society of the South Platte Valley.

As more people turn to rescue and adoption and more shelters embrace progressive policies, the number of communities placing over 95% and as high as 100% of the animals is increasing.

• Arapahoe County, CO, reported a 98% placement rate for dogs and 95% for cats.

• Carson City, NV, reported a 97% placement rate for dogs and 94% for cats.