This week is National Justice for Animals Week, an important time to focus on one of the most vulnerable victims of abuse. It is vital that people take action to protect animals and give a voice to the voiceless. Many of our supporters have kept up to date on Hardy, a cat Alley Cat Rescue saved who had endured weeks of torture and mutilation. Although his recovery was inspiring, it was a difficult story for many to hear. ACR has been advocating for Hardy and cats who have endured similar abuses, to end this senseless violence. You too can help victims of animal cruelty by calling your representatives and urging them to take action on these important bills:

Federal Laws:

• Pet and Women Safety Act (H.R. 909/ S. 322): This bill will protect both victims of domestic violence and their pets by amending the federal definition of stalking to include threatening or hurting a victim’s pet, encouraging states to include pets on orders of protection, mandating domestic abusers pay restitution for veterinary services for abused pets, and awarding grant money for domestic violence shelters. You can read more about the PAWS Act here.
• Dog and Cat Meat Trade Prohibition Act (H.R. 1406): This bill will prohibit people from knowingly slaughtering dogs and cats for human consumption and transporting, possessing, buying, selling or donating dogs and cats to be slaughtered for human consumption. Although the commercial sale of dog and cat meat is illegal, 44 states currently have no laws against consuming dog or cat meat. Despite many Americans negative views on eating dogs and cats, cases still occur in our country. In Wisconsin, a USDA licensed dealer who sold animals to laboratories was found to also being stealing pet and stray dogs and selling them for human consumption. Without a federal ban on this practice, the dealer was only convicted of improperly killing animals[1].
• Chemical Poisons Reduction Act (H.R. 1817): This bill will prohibit the use of Compound 1080 and sodium cyanide from predator control methods. The United States Fish and Wildlife Services uses methods to control predator populations from harming livestock such as poisonings, trapping, and fencing. Compound 1080 and sodium cyanide are highly dangerous chemicals that kill non-target wildlife, pets, and humans.
• Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act (H.R. 1494/S.654): This bill will criminalize the intentional act of animal crushing. Animal crushing is the barbaric act of torturing an animal by crushing them. The abuser usually wears high heels and crushes the animal for pornographic videos. Small animals such as kittens are usually the victims of this horrific act. A guilty person could serve up to seven years in prison under this bill.
• The Humane Cosmetics Act (H.R. 2790): This bill will prohibit the cosmetic testing on animals effective one year after the enactment of the bill. No cosmetics will be able to be sold or transported if the final product or any component was developed or manufactured using animal testing. The European Union and India currently ban animal cosmetic testing and 73% of Americans support a ban on animal cosmetic testing[2]. Although cats are not the main subjects of cosmetic testing it is important to advocates for all animals who endure this cruel and unnecessary practice[3].
• The Pet Safety and Protection Act (H.R. 1141): This bill will prohibit the sale of random source (from Class B dealers) dogs and cats to laboratories and prevent stray animals from being sold to laboratories. Class B dealers often acquire animals illegally and treat them cruelly before selling them to laboratories. Class B dealers even acquire animals by stealing pets from peoples’ properties.

 
State and Local Laws:

• If you live in Alabama, Arizona, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, or Wyoming urge your state legislators to pass a law to allow pets on Orders of Protection. An Order of Protection is a document signed by a judge that protects a victim of harassment or abuse by limiting the abuser’s behavior.
• Advocate for stronger penalties for animal cruelty in your state. Animal cruelty is a serious crime and animal victims deserve justice. You can find your state’s animal cruelty laws here.
• Advocate for laws requiring cross-reporting of animal, child, elder, and domestic abuse by animal health, animal control, child protective services and adult protective services officials. These laws ensure that everyone entering a potential violent home are trained on the signs of animal abuse and are required to report animal abuse.
• Advocate for feral cats by contacting your city council members and letting them know you care about their welfare, while educating them on the community benefits of TNR. Use Alley Cat Rescue’s form letter here.

[1] Dog and Cat Meat Trade Prohibition Act. N.d. Retrieved from https://awionline.org/legislation/dog-and-cat-meat-trade-prohibition-act.

[2] Sharp, M. (October 20, 2017). “It’s time to go cruelty-free.” Retrieved from  http://m.humanesociety.org/news/magazines/2017/11-12/cruelty-free-they-are-worth-it.html.

[3] United States Department of Agriculture. (2016). “Annual Report Animal Usage by Fiscal Year.” Retrieved from https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_welfare/downloads/reports/Annual-Report-Animal-Usage-by-FY2016.pdf.