One senator can move the TX puppy mill bill along call TODAY! Crucial for basic needs at puppy mills!

May 22, 2009

From Elaine Munch of Metroplex Animal Coalition:

Please call Senator John Carona's office today (contact info below) and tell his staff to ask him to tell Senator John Whitmire, chair of the Senate Criminal Justice Committee, to bring SB 3180 (the Puppy Mill Bill) up for a hearing.Ask that Senator Carona please take action today. Even if you have called before, please call again. IT IS CRITICAL. THIS BILL WILL DIE IF WE CANNOT GET SENATOR CARONA TO ACT!!!!!BE POLITE AND PROFESSIONAL. Carona's district is NW and North Dallas, Farmers Branch and beyond. Call regardless of where you live, but send this request to people in that area.We have a couple of vets calling and your calls will add to the pressure to act.1. Summary of SB3180: All SB3180 does is put MINIMUM care conditions on breeders having 11 or more breeding animals. This bill does not affect hobby breeders in any way. Further, it does not in any

way prohibit or limit the commercial breeding or sale of dogs or cats; it merely licenses and regulates large scale commercial breeding facilities. Many states have enacted legislation to address puppy mills by requiring breeders to obtain licenses and provide minimum standards of treatment and housing for the animals in their possession. Texas, unfortunately, is among the states with no current licensing or regulation in place for puppy mills. In addition to the inhumane treatment of animals, the lack of licensing and regulation has allowed the operators of the puppy mills to avoid state and local sales tax on the sale of their animals. 2. Contact Senator John Corona's office - 512-463-0116Tell his staff member to ask

Senator Carona to ask Senator Whitmire, Chair of the Criminal Justice Committee to put this bill up for a hearing, please. Tell them that Texas Veterinary Medical Association has believed some bad information from a special interest group and they do not represent the majority of veterinarians or the public in this regard.Please ask YOUR veterinarians to call his office too.ACT TODAY! SAVE THE PUPPY MILL BILL.Elaine Munch, PresidentMetropex Animal Coalition