That's all I can stands.. I can't stands no more!!!

[catmandu]

The sad thing is that many people who abuse animals have been abused themselves.
And most politicians are loooking for graft, and truly dont care about the poor and the animals who dont vote.
We wish you all the sucess in the world.
If it helps one Animal, it will be worth it.

[GreyhoundGirl]

High 5 from the dogs !!

High ( how ever many toes cats have ) from the cats !!

High what ever other numbers of animal toes there are!

When you're done it, e-mail it on. I'll pass to everone I know. I'm behind you 100 %. However, I must add that I don't think we should have " manditory spaying and neutering " We would never get those wonderfull mutts again. In MY personal opinion, spaying and neutering should be free to ALL dogs.

As for cats.... Because there are WAY tooo many cats, I suggest 5$ TO every person who gets a cat spayed. ( 10 $ for 2 cats, 15 $ for 3 cats ECT. ) Sounds like a good idea to me.

So anyways, keep us updated and everyong pass it on.

YOU GO GIRL !!

[momcat]

First of all, I cannot thank all of you enough for your encouragement and support. As I put this project together there's no question that the reaction from some will be, "Oh no, another one of those animal freaks!". I can only say "so what"! I don't know that this will result in a positive change or those in a position to do something won't put it in the circular file. Regardless, in my heart I'll know I tried. A message I want to send to legislators is we love our pets, we care about the welfare of all animals, and WE VOTE!!!!!
I started the preliminary research today to get a sense of what's out there and plan a research strategy. Can't wait to really get into this.
I will be letting you know how this progresses.

[Catty1]

Two ideas I have had:

Make spaying and neutering a tax-deductible expense.

Also - I tried this in Ontario once - how about the vets having gift certificates for spay/neuter only? (as in, it's not money you can use for cat food or etc).
This would make great gift ideas!

In ON, I was told that the head Vet organization - whatever it was - didn't approve of such things, because it would create competition.

This was 20 years ago...perhaps times have changed.

I know we have a couple of lawyers on Pet Talk, and legal assistants who make a good number of legal eagles all together, and the more practical suggestions we can make, the better.

[G535]

You definitely have my moral support, anything to try and help those poor animals has to be good.

[momcat]

Hi PT friends! Well, the project is officially under way. There are several New Jersey statues in my back pack ready to be reviewed. These are related to pet shops and shelters. Just a cursory glance when I pulled them shows this section gets into licensing requirements for these facilities: sanitation, building code requirements, licensing fees for pet shops - shelters are exempt from this fee, facility inspections, license revocations. There are even statutory sanctions for pet shops that sell sick animals! The State agencies involved so far are the Department of Health & Senior Services, the Department of Community Affairs, and the Department of Agriculture though others may show up as this develops. That's just a very general overview, can't wait to get into the specifics.

In this section one of the things I'll be looking for is what the law says about dog and cat overpopulation. The plan is to tie it in with shelters both public and private. The point needs to be made that ALL shelters provide a valuable service to the community by limiting the number of strays and ferals out fending for themselves. People everywhere complain about cats and dogs running loose in their neighborhoods but all they do is gripe about it while some resort to intentional abuse. If shelters and rescues get the help they deserve this problem could decerase especially with TNR initiatives.

There's still much more research to be done before all of this can be put together. The highlighters and pens are ready.....

[Catty1]

It wouldn't surprise me if you found that there are some good laws that are just NOT ENFORCED.

If even one government at any level changes, it is more likely that it will catch the attention of others.

Your point about animals running loose and being a nuisance to people is interesting - sometimes the only way these concerns get heard is if it is pointed out that they hurt PEOPLE. *sigh* For the good of the tax-paying citizen, not the animals.

Seems like you want to make this as practical-sounding as possible.

Way to go! You are DOING something!

HUGS to you!