Legislation

WARNING - THIS IS A GRAPHIC AND DISTURBING VIDEO. This video was taken at a shelter in Michigan. This shelter no longer practices euthanasia by gas. They now use AVMA's preferred method of injection. However 10 shelters in Michigan still gas. Write your Michigan Legislator and tell them to BAN THE GASSING OF HOMELESS PET

HB 4663 Pound Seizure Bill        Fact Sheet
HB 4263 Humane Euthanasia     Fact Sheet
Group Endorsement Form

 Two Michigan House bills on Animal Welfare have been introduced:

Pound Seizure HB 4663 "Koda's Law," would ban the practice of allowing shelter cats and dogs to be used in experimental research. Koda's Law is named after a shelter dog who, instead of being placed for adoption, was sold to an animal broker, resold to the University of Michigan and used in the university's Advanced Trauma Life Support Class, then euthanized. Koda's former family believed that taking him to a shelter would allow him another opportunity to find a home and did not know he would be used in a research experiment.  There are currently 4 Michigan county shelters that sell or give animals to Class B dealers that then resell them for research and experimentation.  Read more about this in a fact sheet.  CLICK HERE FOR A POSTER.
 
Humane Euthanasia HB 4263 or the Humane Euthanasia of Shelter
Animals Act, would ensure that when the state's unwanted, sick or unadoptable shelter animals have to be euthanized, the procedure will only be done by injection of sodium pentobarbital. Michigan Pet Fund Alliance considers euthanasia by injection to be the only acceptable and humane means of euthanasia of dogs and cats in animal shelters.  There are currently 7 Michigan shelters that euthanize animals in barrels using carbon monoxide and 5 Michigan shelters that euthanize animals in barrels using carbon dioxide.  Both of these methods can be horrific deaths for mid to large size animals. This bill had some information inadvertently deleted during filing, there is substitute language waiting in the committee. The current bill language bans gas chambers everywhere, whereas the substituted language bans the chamber from animal shelters and dealers and mandates the use of injection.Read more about this in a fact sheet.
 
What you can do?
 
IndividualsYou can do two things.
 
1.  Sign these two petitions. 
 
2.  Tell your representative that you want him/her to support these two bills.  You can find your representative's e-mail address here: http://house.michigan.gov/find_a_rep.asp
 
Cut and paste this simple message or feel free to add more.
 
Dear Representative:
 
As your constituent I strongly request your support of HB 4663 Pound Seizure and HB 4263 Humane Euthanasia.  I want Michigan to be a more humane state. 
 
Sincerely,
 
Shelters, Rescues, Veterinarians, Businesses, etc
1.  As an individual do what is listed for an individual. then
 
2.  As a group, sign this form and e-mail or fax to:
 
Allie Phillips, J.D.
American Humane Association
703-549-KIDS
alliep@AmericanHumane.org
 
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.  TAKE ACTION TODAY.  ASK YOUR PET-LOVING FRIENDS TO ALSO TAKE ACTION.

 

 
 
 
PETFINDER
Your first stop should be the Pet Finder website www.petfinder.com. Shelters and rescue organizations from all over North America feature their pets on this very comprehensive site.
>> click here for more
 
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
When you are ready to adopt and bring a new family member into your home it is a VERY exciting time. However, adoption is a life time commitment.
>>click here for more