(April 17, 2013) – New Yorkers concerned about animal welfare converged on the state capitol for Humane Lobby Day to meet with lawmakers and lobby for better animal protection laws designed to strengthen anti-cruelty statues, eliminate the extreme confinement of animals on factory farms and protect sharks from the cruel and unsustainable shark fin trade. The Humane Society of the United States, the New York State Humane Association, the Humane Society of New York, Farm Sanctuary and NYCLASS sponsored Humane Lobby Day.
Humane Lobby Day Kicks Off in New York
New York animal advocates lobby lawmakers on sharks, farm animals and pets
(April 17, 2013) – New Yorkers concerned about animal welfare converged on the state capitol for Humane Lobby Day to meet with lawmakers and lobby for better animal protection laws designed to strengthen anti-cruelty statues, eliminate the extreme confinement of animals on factory farms and protect sharks from the cruel and unsustainable shark fin trade. The Humane Society of the United States, the New York State Humane Association, the Humane Society of New York, Farm Sanctuary and NYCLASS sponsored Humane Lobby Day.
Two awards recognizing The HSUS’ Humane State Legislators of the Year were presented by Acacia Courtney, Miss New York City 2013, to this year’s honorees: Sen. Jack Martins and Assemblymember Barbara Clark for acting to extend a four-year moratorium forbidding the licensing of any new live animal slaughter markets within 1,500 ft. of a residential dwelling in New York City.
“It is exciting to see New Yorkers get involved in the legislative process and show their support for creating a better world for animals to live in,” said Brian Shapiro, New York state director for The HSUS. “The majority of voters want stronger laws to protect all animals and advocates are making sure their voices are heard by their legislators to make these changes possible.”
Humane Lobby Day participants met with their state legislators to lobby in support of several animal welfare bills including:
- A.1769a/S.1711a, which would prohibit the possession, sale, offering for sale, trade, or distribution of shark fins in New York, introduced by Assemblymember Alan Maisel, D-Brooklyn and Sen. Mark Grisanti, R-Buffalo
- A.775a/S.1776, the Consolidated Animal Crimes Bill, which would modernize and improve New York’s anti-cruelty statues, introduced by Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal, D-Manhattan and Sen. Charles Fuschillo, R-Massapequa
- A.1656, which would prohibit gestation crates for breeding pigs and veal crates for calves, which virtually immobilize the animals for their entire lives and prevent them from turning around, also introduced by Assemblymember Rosenthal
- A.3767, which would regulate the sale, possession and transportation of feral pigs, introduced by Assemblymember Deborah Glick, D-Manhattan
- A.1655a, which would create better housing and sanitary conditions for dogs raised and kept in high volume breeding facilities, otherwise known as puppy mills, introduced by Assemblymember Rosenthal
In The HSUS’ 2012 “Humane State Rankings,” New York ranks 7th based on a range of laws dealing with pets, animal cruelty and fighting, wildlife, animals in research, horses and farm animals. New York can be proud of having some strong animal protection laws, but as Humane Lobby Day demonstrates, residents recognize there is still work to be done.
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Media Contacts:
The HSUS: Niki Ianni: 301-548-7793, [email protected]
Farm Sanctuary: Meredith Turner, 646-369-6212, [email protected]
NYCLASS: Dara Busch, Rubenstein Public Relations, 212-843-8079, [email protected]
NYSHA: Tracey Collins, 518-878-4236, [email protected]
Humane Society of New York: Elinor Molbegott, [email protected]
The Humane Society of the United States is the nation’s largest animal protection organization, rated the most effective by its peers. Since 1954, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education and hands-on programs. We rescue and care for tens of thousands of animals each year, but our primary mission is to prevent cruelty before it occurs. We're there for all animals, across America and around the world. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty – on the Web at humanesociety.org.
Farm Sanctuary, which is based in Watkins Glen, provides lifelong protection to more than 1,000 farm animals and works to protect farm animals from cruelty, inspire change in the way society views and treats farm animals, and promote compassionate vegan living—on the Web at FarmSanctuary.org.
NYCLASS is an animal advocacy organization committed to improving animal welfare in New York City. Founded in 2008 by a coalition of prominent animal lovers and business leaders, NYCLASS has over 110,000 supporters and activist chapters in all five boroughs. For more information about NYCLASS please visit www.nyclass.org.
The New York State Humane Association has conducted animal cruelty investigation workshops for police and humane investigators across the state for the past fourteen years, and previously has offered rewards to bring forth information from the public to assist police investigations. In addition, the organization actively lobbies to improve the animal protection laws of New York State. For further information on the New York State Humane Association and the work it does, please go to the website at www.nyshumane.org and Facebook Page.
The Humane Society of New York is dedicated to preventing the needless suffering of animals through the provision of affordable veterinary care, spay/neuter, adoption, and humane education. Since 1904, the HSNY has been a presence in New York City, caring for animals in need when illness, injury or homelessness strikes. We have been awarded the Independent Charities Seal of Excellence, an honor reserved to fewer than 2000 of the one million charities operating in the US today. www.humanesocietyny.org.