The Humane Society of the United States endorsed the Obama-Biden ticket in a press release last week which said, “One of the guiding principles of the Humane Society Legislative Fund is that we evaluate candidates based on a single criterion: where they stand on animal protection policies. We don't make decisions based on party affiliation, or any other social issue, or even how many pets they have. We care about their views and actions on the major policy debates relating to animal welfare.”
The national organization has endorsed hundreds of congressional candidates, both Democratic and Republican. This is the first time they have endorsed a presidential candidate.
The organization believes the Obama-Biden ticket is the better choice on animal protection, and they urge all voters who care about the humane treatment of animals, no matter what their party affiliation, to vote for this ticket.
Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) has been a solid supporter of animal protection at both the state and federal levels. In his response to the HSLF questionnaire, he pledged support for nearly every animal protection bill currently pending in Congress, and said he will work with executive agencies such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Department of the Interior to make their policies more humane.
Obama's running mate, Sen. Joe Biden (D-Del.) has been a stalwart friend of animal welfare advocates in the senate, and has received high marks year after year on the Humane Scorecard.
On the Republican ticket, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) has supported far fewer animal protection bills in congress. He voted for and co-sponsored legislation to stop horse slaughter, and voted to eliminate a $2 million subsidy for the luxury fur coat industry.
But he has largely been absent on other issues, and has failed to co-sponsor a large number of priority bills or sign onto animal protection letters that have had broad support in the senate.
According to HSUS the McCain campaign did not fill out the HSLF presidential questionnaire, and has also not issued any public statements on animal welfare issues.
McCain's choice of running mate cemented the organization's decision to oppose his ticket. “Gov. Sarah Palin's (R-Alaska) retrograde policies on animal welfare and conservation have led to an all-out war on Alaska's wolves and other creatures.
Her record is so extreme that she has perhaps done more harm to animals than any other current governor in the United States.”
When the Bush administration announced its decision to list the polar bear as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, Palin filed a lawsuit to reverse that decision. Many animal welfare groups believe that the choice for animals is especially clear now that Palin is in the mix. If Palin is put in a position to succeed McCain, it could mean rolling back decades of progress on animal issues.
To read the entire presidential candidates records on animal issues and their statements, visit www.hsus.org.
Michelle Obama announced on TV this week that her family will adopt #- not buy #- a dog after the elections.
Rep. George Miller (CA) has introduced the Protect America's Wildlife (PAW) Act, legislation to close a federal loophole and curb Alaska's brutal aerial hunting program - and prevent programs like it from spreading to places like the Greater Yellowstone region.
This brutal wolf “control” program could soon be expanded to include bears and other wildlife - and the states of Wyoming and Idaho are considering the use of aerial hunting of wolves by federal and state agencies.
New York state residents can see which members of New York's House delegation have been leaders for the humane treatment of animals and view a 2008 voters guide on animal issues at www.hsus.org.
As an update to the puppy mill issue, the Pennsylvania Legislature last week passed HB 2525, a bill that will improve the lives of tens of thousands of dogs living in Pennsylvania's puppy mills. HB 2525 doubles the cage space required for dogs in Pennsylvania's commercial breeding facilities, prohibits wire flooring and the stacking of cages, mandates exercise and twice-yearly veterinary exams for all dogs and requires that animals be humanely euthanized by licensed veterinarians. New York and other states will be looking at this humane legislation.
Trouble keeping your pet fed in these hard times?
Animal Advocates has some donated dog and cat food; call 651-0186. Also, donations of food is appreciated.
Judy Vorreuter is the founder and director of Animal Advocates of the Finger Lakes. Contact her at judy@cayugaanimaladvocates.org
The organization believes the Obama-Biden ticket is the better choice on animal protection, and they urge all voters who care about the humane treatment of animals, no matter what their party affiliation, to vote for this ticket.
Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) has been a solid supporter of animal protection at both the state and federal levels. In his response to the HSLF questionnaire, he pledged support for nearly every animal protection bill currently pending in Congress, and said he will work with executive agencies such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Department of the Interior to make their policies more humane.
Obama's running mate, Sen. Joe Biden (D-Del.) has been a stalwart friend of animal welfare advocates in the senate, and has received high marks year after year on the Humane Scorecard.
On the Republican ticket, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) has supported far fewer animal protection bills in congress. He voted for and co-sponsored legislation to stop horse slaughter, and voted to eliminate a $2 million subsidy for the luxury fur coat industry.
But he has largely been absent on other issues, and has failed to co-sponsor a large number of priority bills or sign onto animal protection letters that have had broad support in the senate.
According to HSUS the McCain campaign did not fill out the HSLF presidential questionnaire, and has also not issued any public statements on animal welfare issues.
McCain's choice of running mate cemented the organization's decision to oppose his ticket. “Gov. Sarah Palin's (R-Alaska) retrograde policies on animal welfare and conservation have led to an all-out war on Alaska's wolves and other creatures.
Her record is so extreme that she has perhaps done more harm to animals than any other current governor in the United States.”
When the Bush administration announced its decision to list the polar bear as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, Palin filed a lawsuit to reverse that decision. Many animal welfare groups believe that the choice for animals is especially clear now that Palin is in the mix. If Palin is put in a position to succeed McCain, it could mean rolling back decades of progress on animal issues.
To read the entire presidential candidates records on animal issues and their statements, visit www.hsus.org.
Michelle Obama announced on TV this week that her family will adopt #- not buy #- a dog after the elections.
Rep. George Miller (CA) has introduced the Protect America's Wildlife (PAW) Act, legislation to close a federal loophole and curb Alaska's brutal aerial hunting program - and prevent programs like it from spreading to places like the Greater Yellowstone region.
This brutal wolf “control” program could soon be expanded to include bears and other wildlife - and the states of Wyoming and Idaho are considering the use of aerial hunting of wolves by federal and state agencies.
New York state residents can see which members of New York's House delegation have been leaders for the humane treatment of animals and view a 2008 voters guide on animal issues at www.hsus.org.
As an update to the puppy mill issue, the Pennsylvania Legislature last week passed HB 2525, a bill that will improve the lives of tens of thousands of dogs living in Pennsylvania's puppy mills. HB 2525 doubles the cage space required for dogs in Pennsylvania's commercial breeding facilities, prohibits wire flooring and the stacking of cages, mandates exercise and twice-yearly veterinary exams for all dogs and requires that animals be humanely euthanized by licensed veterinarians. New York and other states will be looking at this humane legislation.
Trouble keeping your pet fed in these hard times?
Animal Advocates has some donated dog and cat food; call 651-0186. Also, donations of food is appreciated.
Judy Vorreuter is the founder and director of Animal Advocates of the Finger Lakes. Contact her at judy@cayugaanimaladvocates.org
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