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Contact
Legislators on Behalf of Animals Used for Research NOW
July 26, 2007
Dear Humanitarian:
The Society for Animal Protective
Legislation (SAPL) has just been informed that two crucial animal
welfare bills previously introduced in the US House of
Representatives have been combined and inserted as an amendment to
the 2007 Farm Bill.
Sponsored by Representatives Steve Israel (D-NY) and Michael Doyle (D-PA), the amendment would create a moderate, bipartisan solution to the problems caused by Class B dealers—protecting family pets while allowing research on dogs and cats to continue in an environment free from fraud and abuse. Under the amendment, Class B dealers and unlicensed individuals would be prohibited from selling dogs and cats to laboratories, and stray animals would be prevented from being sold for this purpose. The measure would also prohibit the use of live animals in sales demonstrations and reinstate a former requirement that the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) provide Congress with the necessary information to hold the agency accountable for its enforcement of the Act. Additionally, as a response to the October 2005 USDA Office of the Inspector General report entitled “APHIS Animal Care Program Inspection and Enforcement Activities,” the amendment would increase fines for research institutions that violate the Animal Welfare Act from $2,750 to $10,000. WHAT YOU CAN DO: This year’s Farm Bill could be voted on at any time, so it is crucial that you contact your US Representative as soon as possible TODAY, urging that he or she vote in favor of this new measure. Because your action is urgent, we ask that you contact your legislator by phone. To find your Representative, please visit www.compassionindex.org/search.htm, or call the Capitol Hill operator at (202) 224-3121 and request to be connected to your legislator’s office. If you have any questions or need further information, please contact SAPL at (703) 836-4300. Please share our “Dear Humanitarian” eAlert with family, friends and co-workers, and encourage them to contact their Representative, too. As always, thank you very much for your help! Sincerely, Cathy Liss Legislative Director
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protect all animals.
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