Info received from Humane Society of US ---please read. Reach out to Todd if you have questions.
As some of you know, a very bad bill – SB 122 – has been introduced in Frankfort that would enable puppy and kitten mills to gain an even greater foothold in KY at a time when so many of our shelters and rescues are already dealing with overcrowding issues. The bill would do this by forcing communities to allow the sale of puppy mill puppies and kitten mill kittens in pet stores across KY. It would also overturn several existing local laws on this issue and prevent any new laws or regulations from being passed.
You are receiving this email because your senator sits on the Senate Agriculture Committee, and we have reason to believe the bill could be voted on in this committee as soon as next Tuesday. As such, I'm hoping you will help us defeat this bill in committee and keep it from moving forward any further.
Here's how you can help:
- Please CALL the Legislative Message Line at 1-800-372-7181 and ask your senator to OPPOSE SB 122. You may also leave your message for "all members of the Senate Agriculture Committee."
- After calling, please also EMAIL your senator and ask that he/she oppose the bill. You can look up senator's email by putting in your address here and clicking on their name (their email will end in @kylegislature.gov – i.e., Todd.Blevins@kylegislature.gov). Of course, if you have a personal relationship with your senator, please feel free to reach them more directly (i.e., text).
There are many reasons to oppose this bill, but you may use any of the following in your email. But please remember to personalize your message!
- "SB 122 would allow pet stores to sell dogs and cats from out-of-state puppy and kitten mills with no oversight"
- "SB 122 strips away the right for cities and counties to decide what is best for animals in their communities."
- "SB 122 puts the interests of for-profit pet stores above the interests of our non-profit shelters and rescues in KY."
- "At a time when so many of our shelters and rescues are overwhelmed, the last thing we need is a bill making their jobs even harder by bringing in more out-of-state dogs and cats into our communities."
- Finally, please SPREAD THE WORD to others in your community (and beyond)! It's going to take a collective effort to defeat this bill, but the more folks that are engaged, the better!
Thank you for your support! Please let me know if you have any questions.
All the best,
Todd Blevins
Kentucky State Director, State Affairs
tblevins@humanesociety.org
#LawsandPublicPolicy------------------------------
Karen Kirsch
Co-Founder
Spayed and Aid
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