Take action in animal rights, you can help!!
 

As everyone knows, money talks. Whether an animal welfare law will be effective often turns on whether it gets adequately funded.[/I] Each year, we press Congress to provide dollars in its Agriculture Appropriations bill for two cornerstone laws that provide basic protections for millions of animals in puppy mills, laboratories, zoos, circuses, airlines, and slaughterhouses, as well as protections against cruel animal fighting ventures. Help ensure continued funding for animal welfare programs.

This same Appropriations bill also will determine whether a vital new program is able to help veterinary school graduates pay off their student loans if they agree to work in underserved rural or inner-city areas or in public health practice, and whether the USDA can help ensure that the needs of pets and other animals are addressed during disasters like Hurricane Katrina.

Senators Carl Levin (D-MI) and Elizabeth Dole (R-NC) and Representatives Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Chris Smith (R-NJ) are leading the effort this year to obtain the needed funds. So far, 71 Representatives and 22 Senators have already agreed to join on this year's letter, but we only have about a week to pick up additional crucial support to at least double these numbers.

Please help us get all of your legislators on board to ensure adequate funding for these vital animal welfare programs!

TAKE ACTION
Check this list to see if your federal legislators have already agreed to sign this year?s letter. If your two Senators and one Representative are not all on the list, please make brief, polite phone calls to urge them to sign on to the group letter on animal welfare funding.

Making a call is easy. A staff member will likely take your call and pass your message to your legislator. Ask for the staff person handling animal protection issues to ensure that your call is most effective. All you have to say is:

To your Senate staff:
"Hello, my name is [your name]. I'm calling from [your town] to urge [your Senator] to co-sign the Levin/Dole group letter on animal welfare funding."

To your House staff:
"Hello, my name is [your name]. I'm calling from [your town] to urge [your Representative] to co-sign the Blumenauer/Smith group letter on animal welfare funding."

Or, if your legislators have already signed the letter, say thank you! In either case, be sure to leave your name and address so they know you are a constituent.

Senator Barbara Boxer (202) 224-3553
Senator Dianne Feinstein (202) 224-3841
Representative Dan Lungren (202) 225-5716After you make your phone calls, click here to send a follow-up email to your federal legislators.

Finally, please tell your friends and family about this important issue and how they can help.

Thank you for continued commitment to taking action on behalf of animals.