Grace's Law, H.B. 788, the bill to ban the use of the gas chamber to kill shelter pets in Georgia, passed the Senate Rules Committee on Tuesday April 20, 2010. It now goes before the full Senate for a vote. Because it was amended, it must then go back to the House of Representatives for approval. There are only three days left in the legislative session.
The gas chamber is a cruel and outmoded means of killing shelter pets and has been universally condemned by progressive animal welfare groups. The Association of Shelter Veterinarians recently issued a position statement unequivocally opposing the use of the gas chamber in animal shelters. Gas chambers are a safety hazard, as they pose an explosion risk or may leak toxic gas. Contrary to what some have tried to argue, they are not even cost effective, as several recent cost analyses have shown. The presence and use of a gas chamber is completely contrary to what a shelter should be.
According to the animal control officer who removed Grace, still alive, from the Liberty County gas chamber back in 2006, "No matter the species, gender, size, health or temperament of the animals, they suffer terribly! They claw, climb, and try to stay awake. They writhe and vomit and urinate and defecate on one another."
Nevertheless, several taxpayer-funded shelters in Georgia continue to gas pets.
The Georgia Voters for Animal Welfare urge all Georgia voters who have not yet done so to call their Senators in support of H.B. 788, Grace's Law. All Georgia voters should call their Senators and ask them to vote 'yes' when the bill is before the full Senate, which is likely to be today or early next week. Phone calls or faxes are far more effective than emails.
If you are unsure who your Senator is, just go to the Project Vote Smart page, type in your zip code and click "go". If you don't know your zip+4, click “Don’t know your 9 digit zip?” on the right side of the screen and follow the instructions, then return to the Project Vote Smart page and use it. Your Senator's name will be highlighted in blue under the "State Legislative" heading. Click on the name to go to their page which will have a link to their complete contact information.
Our nation is moving inexorably towards ending the killing of shelter pets. Now is the time to end the particularly abusive practice of gassing.
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