Connecticut Votes for Animals (CVA), the state’s only organization to advocate for pro-animal policies, held a reception on May 11 at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford. Nearly one hundred people, including lawmakers and many from the animal rescue community, gathered to show their support for several animal-friendly bills currently making their way through the legislature.
“We were absolutely delighted to see so many people at the reception,” Susan Linker, Vice-President of CVA and CEO of Our Companions Animal Sanctuary in Bloomfield, said. “We took in dozens and dozens of new memberships and donations. So many lawmakers came by, even with a vote going on in the House. It was really encouraging.”
Connecticut Votes for Animals, founded in April 2008, has already achieved major legislative victories on behalf of the state’s animals. In 2009, they worked with members of the legislature to pass the Puppy Mill Law, which requires pet shop owners to display certificates indicating the puppies’ origin. In 2010, they joined with several of the state’s animal control officers to help pass the Dog Chaining Law, which provides protections to dogs who are cruelly chained outside. CVA also successfully lobbied to ensure that Connecticut rabies regulations will not result in feral cats being trapped and killed.
For 2011, CVA has an even more ambitious agenda. The proposed bills they are currently supporting include:
- HB 6226 -- An Act Concerning Cross-Reporting of Child Abuse and Animal Cruelty
- HB 6303 -- An Act Concerning Municipal Animal Shelters
- HB 6320 -- An Act Concerning the Availability of Humane Education Materials to Public Schools
- HB 5530 -- An Act Concerning Dissection Choice.
- HB 5368 -- An Act Extending Pet Shop Licensee Requirements to Persons and Organizations that Import Animals for Adoption
- HB 5399 -- An Act Concerning the Euthanizing of Animals by the Connecticut Humane Society
- HB 5814 -- An Act Concerning Children and Cruelty to Animals.
With new leadership at the Department of Agriculture, and a legislature that now realizes their constituents are paying attention to animal issues, Linker expects many of the bills to pass before the legislative session ends in June.
“The new Commissioner of the Department of Agriculture came by to show his support…he is committed to working together with us. We have been working on the importation bill [HB 5368] for four years, and we finally got it done. The new members of the Department of Agriculture have really been fantastic to work with.”
But CVA’s ability to promote animal-friendly laws in Connecticut depends on the support of its members.
“If you’d like to help animals, the best way to do that is by becoming a member of CVA. We’ll help to direct you on how to contact your representatives and how to support these bills,” Linker says. “We do ask for a small membership donation in order to support our lobbyist, Robert Shea, who works at the legislature every day for us. He is essential to what we do.”
For those have been frustrated in the past by the lack of support and protection for animals in our state, Connecticut Votes for Animals is a new voice in Hartford. Their slogan reminds our government, “Animals Don’t Vote. People Do.”
For more information on Connecticut Votes for Animals, visit www.ctvotesforanimals.org. To track the status of proposed bills, visit www.cga.ct.gov. If you enjoyed this article, and want to keep up with the latest feline and pet news, please subscribe using the link above.
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