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Thanks for making 2017 a great session for animals!

Dear Governor Hogan,
As your constituent, I am writing to express my gratitude for your signing several critical animal-protection measures this session. I am thrilled to see the passage of legislation to crack down on puppy mills (S.B. 578/H.B. 334); require veterinarians to report suspected animal cruelty (H.B. 1463); establish a fund to reimburse animal shelters for expensive costs of caring for animals seized in cruelty cases (S.B. 631/H.B. 941); create statewide oversight of animal shelters (H.B. 626); and upgrade the state’s cruelty code (S.B. 790/H.B. 455). Thank you for all you do for Maryland's animals!

Thanks for making 2017 a great session for animals!

Dear Senator and Delegates,
As your constituent, I am writing to express my gratitude that the General Assembly passed several critical animal-protection measures this session. In particular, I am thrilled to see the passage of legislation to crack down on puppy mills (S.B. 578/H.B. 334); require veterinarians to report suspected animal cruelty (H.B. 1463); establish a fund to reimburse animal shelters for expensive costs of caring for animals seized in cruelty cases (S.B. 631/H.B. 941); create statewide oversight of animal shelters (H.B. 626); and upgrade the state’s cruelty code (S.B. 790/H.B. 455). However, I am disappointed to see that legislation (S.B. 420/H.B. 528) requiring research institutions to adopt out dogs and cats once they are no longer needed for research did not receive votes in the House Appropriations or Senate Education, Health, and Environment Committees. I respectfully urge that you prioritize this commonsense animal-protection measure next year. Thank you for all you do for Maryland's animals and for your consideration of my position.

Please reconsider opposing S.B. 420/H.B. 528

Dear President,
As a Marylander, I am writing to express my disappointment in your opposition to S.B. 420/H.B. 528, the Humane Adoption of Companion Animals in Research Act. This commonsense animal welfare legislation simply requires research institutions that use dogs and cats to make reasonable efforts to partner with animal rescue organizations in order to place animals into loving homes once the research period is over. These animals deserve a chance to live out their lives as pets once the research is completed. There are thousands of people who are willing and able to adopt these animals, and there is no reason not to afford these innocent animals a chance for a normal life. To oppose this measure is shameful. This legislation merely requires that research institutions like yours make an effort to adopt out these animals through an animal rescue organization when the research is done and report basic information to the Department of Agriculture to ensure compliance with this reasonable, humane requirement. Once again, please reconsider your opposition to S.B. 420/H.B. 528 to give dogs and cats used in research a chance to live in a loving home. Thank you for your time and consideration of this matter.