We all want safe and humane communities for people and pets. But some government officials in Kentucky wrongly believe that certain breeds of pet dogs are automatically dangerous. This leads to arbitrary and inconsistent decisions where a pet dog can be legal in one city but illegal in the next town. Discriminating against certain dogs based on their alleged breed is an outdated, ineffective approach to public safety. It wastes our money because it’s expensive to enforce and violates our rights as dog owners. It can also lead to families having to give up beloved pets that end up at our animal shelters and risk being put to death. Laws and policies should be fair and consistent. Cities should enact comprehensive breed-neutral ordinances that focus on the behavior of the dog and the behavior of the owner. So far 22 states have passed provisions prohibiting breed discrimination legislation and Kentucky should do the same.

Bolingbrook does not currently have a humane pet store ordinance, which means that pet stores are able to sell pets that come from mass-breeding facilities where profit takes priority over the health, comfort, and welfare of the animals. These facilities produce puppies that are often sick, causing unsuspecting consumers to have to care for a new pet in need of expensive veterinary treatment. Milled puppies can also spread Campylobacter, a dangerous, drug-resistant bacteria that is contagious to humans. Recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) traced a multi-state outbreak of Campylobacter to pet store puppies. This is a public health risk in a time where public health should be a top priority. We must learn our lesson from COVID-19: diseases that spread from animals to humans should be taken seriously. We have the opportunity to take action against mass-breeding pet mills, so we should act now to ban the sale of these commercially-bred pets in pet stores. I would like to see Bolingbrook enact a humane pet store ordinance that would prevent local pet stores from being able to sell puppies, kittens, and rabbits from commercial breeding facilities. I am a resident of Bolingbrook, and I care about the safety of animals and the humans interacting with these animals. Now is the time to pass an ordinance that would protect pets, consumers, and public health. Neighboring cities, such as Chicago and Naperville, have passed similar ordinances which could serve as a model for our own ordinance. In fact, 20 localities across Illinois have already enacted similar ordinances. Please consider passing a humane pet store ordinance for Bolingbrook, Illinois. Thank you.

¿Porque esto es importante? Usted es una parte fundamental para garantizar que las mascotas y las personas tengan acceso a programas y recursos positivos. Es importante que sus representantes sepan que salvar gatos y perros es importante para la gente de Laredo. La buena noticia es que puede ser parte del apoyo a programas positivos que funcionan en Texas. Algunos ejemplos incluyen la programación comunitaria para gatos (ver más abajo), la programación de crianza (para proporcionar alojamiento temporal a las mascotas antes de encontrar sus hogares permanentes) y servicios y recursos progresivos de campo para garantizar que las personas tengan lo que necesitan para mantener a sus mascotas. La comunidad en su conjunto (refugio, mascotas, personas) puede abogar por estos programas y más recursos para crear un cambio para los animales y quienes los cuidan. Más sobre la programación comunitaria de gatos: Los gatos de la comunidad (también conocidos como gatos callejeros o comunitarios) corren el riesgo de perder la vida simplemente porque han establecido un hogar al aire libre. En muchos casos, son llevados a refugios locales, donde es poco probable que los adopten porque muchos de ellos no están socializados con la gente. Ahí es donde entran los programas comunitarios para gatos. Estos programas usan Atrapar- Esterilizar- Regresar (AER o TNR, por sus siglas en inglés) para salvar gatos. El proceso es simple: los gatos de la comunidad son atrapados, evaluados por veterinarios, vacunados, esterilizados o castrados. Se les cortan un poco de la puntita de una oreja para identificarlos como esterilizados y devuelven a sus comunidades, sin poder tener gatitos. Y estos programas ya están funcionando en todo el país. Los habitantes de Laredo merecen los programas de AER (Atrapar- Esterilizar- Regresar), que son respetuosos con los animales, eficiente en costos y reducen la carga que pesa sobre el refugio de animales. -------------------------------- Al abogar por estos programas y continuar colaboración con otras organizaciones comunitarias, puede ser parte de la creación de una comunidad más saludable para las mascotas y las personas. Juntos podemos hacer cambios sostenibles que salven vidas mientras creamos un marco de apoyo para las mascotas de Laredo y las personas que se preocupan por ellas. Gracias por apoyar a los perros y gatos de Laredo.

Oswego does not currently have a humane pet store ordinance, which means that pet stores are able to sell pets that come from mass-breeding facilities where profit takes priority over the health, comfort, and welfare of the animals. These facilities produce puppies that are often sick, causing unsuspecting consumers to have to care for a new pet in need of expensive veterinary treatment. Milled puppies can also spread Campylobacter, a dangerous, drug-resistant bacteria that is contagious to humans. Recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) traced a multi-state outbreak of Campylobacter to pet store puppies. This is a public health risk in a time where public health should be a top priority. We have learned that this is a time where a sense of community is more important than ever as we continue to isolate ourselves in order to protect the ones we love. To preserve that sense, we must have trust within our local government to guide us knowing they have our best interests in their minds and hearts. With that said, I believe through this struggle we must learn our lesson from COVID-19: diseases that spread from animals to humans should be taken seriously. We have the opportunity to take action against mass-breeding pet mills, so we should act now to ban the sale of these commercially-bred pets in pet stores. I believe it is in the township’s best interest to curb the spread of new diseases, in order to fulfill their commitment to public safety. I would like to see Oswego enact a humane pet store ordinance that would prevent local pet stores from being able to sell puppies, kittens, and rabbits from commercial breeding facilities. I am a resident of Oswego, and I care about the safety of animals and the humans interacting with these animals. Now is the time to pass an ordinance that would protect pets, consumers, and public health. Neighboring cities, such as Chicago and Naperville, have passed similar ordinances which could serve as a model for our own ordinance. In fact, 20 localities across Illinois have already enacted similar ordinances. Please consider passing a humane pet store ordinance for Oswego, Illinois. Thank you.

Bloomingdale does not currently have a humane pet store ordinance, which means that pet stores are able to sell pets that come from mass-breeding facilities where profit takes priority over the health, comfort, and welfare of the animals. These facilities produce puppies that are often sick, causing unsuspecting consumers to have to care for a new pet in need of expensive veterinary treatment. Milled puppies can also spread Campylobacter, a dangerous, drug-resistant bacteria that is contagious to humans. Recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) traced a multi-state outbreak of Campylobacter to pet store puppies. This is a public health risk in a time where public health should be a top priority. We must learn our lesson from COVID-19: diseases that spread from animals to humans should be taken seriously. We have the opportunity to take action against mass-breeding pet mills, so we should act now to ban the sale of these commercially-bred pets in pet stores. I would like to see Bloomingdale enact a humane pet store ordinance that would prevent local pet stores from being able to sell puppies, kittens, and rabbits from commercial breeding facilities. I am a resident of Bloomingdale, and I care about the safety of animals and the humans interacting with these animals. Now is the time to pass an ordinance that would protect pets, consumers, and public health. Neighboring cities, such as Chicago and Naperville, have passed similar ordinances which could serve as a model for our own ordinance. In fact, 20 localities across Illinois have already enacted similar ordinances. Please consider passing a humane pet store ordinance for Bloomingdale, Illinois. Thank you.

St. Charles does not currently have a humane pet store ordinance, which means that pet stores are able to sell pets that come from mass-breeding facilities where profit takes priority over the health, comfort, and welfare of the animals. These facilities produce puppies that are often sick, causing unsuspecting consumers to have to care for a new pet in need of expensive veterinary treatment. Milled puppies can also spread Campylobacter, a dangerous, drug-resistant bacteria that is contagious to humans. Recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) traced a multi-state outbreak of Campylobacter to pet store puppies. This is a public health risk in a time where public health should be a top priority. We must learn our lesson from COVID-19: diseases that spread from animals to humans should be taken seriously. We have the opportunity to take action against mass-breeding pet mills, so we should act now to ban the sale of these commercially-bred pets in pet stores. I would like to see St. Charles enact a humane pet store ordinance that would prevent local pet stores from being able to sell puppies, kittens, and rabbits from commercial breeding facilities. I am a resident of St. Charles, and I care about the safety of animals and the humans interacting with these animals. Now is the time to pass an ordinance that would protect pets, consumers, and public health. Neighboring cities, such as Chicago and Naperville, have passed similar ordinances which could serve as a model for our own ordinance. In fact, 20 localities across Illinois have already enacted similar ordinances. Please consider passing a humane pet store ordinance for St. Charles, Illinois. Thank you.

Yorkville does not currently have a humane pet store ordinance, which means that pet stores are able to sell pets that come from mass-breeding facilities where profit takes priority over the health, comfort, and welfare of the animals. These facilities produce puppies that are often sick, causing unsuspecting consumers to have to care for a new pet in need of expensive veterinary treatment. Milled puppies can also spread Campylobacter, a dangerous, drug-resistant bacteria that is contagious to humans. Recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) traced a multi-state outbreak of Campylobacter to pet store puppies. This is a public health risk in a time where public health should be a top priority. We must learn our lesson from COVID-19: diseases that spread from animals to humans should be taken seriously. We have the opportunity to take action against mass-breeding pet mills, so we should act now to ban the sale of these commercially-bred pets in pet stores. I would like to see Yorkville enact a humane pet store ordinance that would prevent local pet stores from being able to sell puppies, kittens, and rabbits from commercial breeding facilities. I am a resident of Yorkville, and I care about the safety of animals and the humans interacting with these animals. Now is the time to pass an ordinance that would protect pets, consumers, and public health. Neighboring cities, such as Chicago and Naperville, have passed similar ordinances which could serve as a model for our own ordinance. In fact, 20 localities across Illinois have already enacted similar ordinances. Please consider passing a humane pet store ordinance for Yorkville, Illinois. Thank you.

Bloomington does not currently have a humane pet store ordinance, which means that pet stores are able to sell pets that come from mass-breeding facilities where profit takes priority over the health, comfort, and welfare of the animals. These facilities produce puppies that are often sick, causing unsuspecting consumers to have to care for a new pet in need of expensive veterinary treatment. Milled puppies can also spread Campylobacter, a dangerous, drug-resistant bacteria that is contagious to humans. Recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) traced a multi-state outbreak of Campylobacter to pet store puppies. This is a public health risk in a time where public health should be a top priority. We must learn our lesson from COVID-19: diseases that spread from animals to humans should be taken seriously. We have the opportunity to take action against mass-breeding pet mills, so we should act now to ban the sale of these commercially-bred pets in pet stores. I would like to see Bloomington enact a humane pet store ordinance that would prevent local pet stores from being able to sell puppies, kittens, and rabbits from commercial breeding facilities. I am a resident of Bloomington, and I care about the safety of animals and the humans interacting with these animals. Now is the time to pass an ordinance that would protect pets, consumers, and public health. Neighboring cities, such as Chicago and Naperville, have passed similar ordinances which could serve as a model for our own ordinance. In fact, 20 localities across Illinois have already enacted similar ordinances. Please consider passing a humane pet store ordinance for Bloomington, Illinois. Thank you.

Batavia does not currently have a humane pet store ordinance, which means that pet stores are able to sell pets that come from mass-breeding facilities where profit takes priority over the health, comfort and welfare of the animals. These facilities produce puppies that are often sick, causing unsuspecting consumers to have to care for a new pet in need of expensive veterinary treatment. Milled puppies can also spread campylobacter, a dangerous, drug-resistant bacteria that is contagious to humans. Recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) traced a multi-state outbreak of Campylobacter to pet store puppies. This is a public health risk in a time where public health should be a top priority. We must learn our lesson from Covid-19: diseases that spread from animals to humans should be taken seriously. We have the opportunity to take action against mass-breeding pet mills, so we should act now to ban the sale of these commercially-bred pets in pet stores. I would like to see Batavia enact a humane pet store ordinance that would prevent local pet stores from being able to sell puppies, kittens, and rabbits from commercial breeding facilities. I am a resident of Batavia, and I care about the safety of animals and the humans interacting with these animals. Now is the time to pass an ordinance that would protect pets, consumers and public health. Neighboring cities, such as Chicago and Naperville, have passed similar ordinances which could serve as a model for our own ordinance. In fact, 20 localities across Illinois have already enacted similar ordinances. Please consider passing a humane pet store ordinance for Batavia, Illinois. Thank you.

Community cats (aka stray or free-roaming cats) risk losing their lives simply because they've made a home in the outdoors. In many cases, they are brought to local shelters, where they are unlikely to get adopted because many of them aren't socialized to people. Many of these cats are thriving living outdoors because someone in their community cares for them. That's where community cat programs come in. These programs use trap-neuter-return (TNR) to save cats. The process is simple: Community cats are trapped, evaluated by veterinarians, vaccinated, spayed or neutered, ear-tipped, and returned to their outdoor homes, unable to have kittens. Three years ago, in partnership with Best Friends, Riverside County Dept. Of Animal Services took on this approach by welcoming a community cat program at their Coachella Valley Animal Campus location. By early 2020, as many as 10,000 eligible cats were spayed and neutered through the program. The work continues today on a smaller scale due to physical and financial limitations brought on by the pandemic, leaving many community members and cats without this necessary resource. You can help save the lives of community cats and support the people who care for them, by advocating for community cat programs and other lifesaving efforts to be implemented throughout Riverside County. Thank you for supporting community cats in your neighborhood, and for everything that you do for the animals!

Casi 10 años después de que el Consejo Municipal de Los Angeles votaron para hacer de la ciudad una comunidad donde no se matan a perros o gatos innecesariamente, la lucha continúa. Aunque el umbral del 90% se alcanzó para los perros hace cuatro años, los esfuerzos para salvar vidas de los gatos han sido mucho más desafiantes. Sin embargo, un programa actualmente en consideración probablemente empujaría a Los Angeles a la cima. La mayor barrera para salvar a más gatos ha sido una orden judicial que impide a la Ciudad de participar en los programas de CES (Capturar, Esterilizar y Soltar). Como resultado, la cantidad de gatitos que ingresan a los refugios de Los Angeles, a aumentando en los últimos años, agotando los recursos disponibles. El mes pasado, la Ciudad público los detalles de su tan esperado programa para gatos de la ciudad, que asigna fondos para la esterilización de 20,000 gatos que deambulan libremente al año, además de los fondos ya asignados para las mascotas de los residentes. El proceso es simple: los gatos son capturados, evaluados por veterinarios, esterilizados, vacunados y devueltos a su comunidad. Esto promete ser un cambio de juego sin obstaculizar ninguno de los avances ya realizados -- revocando la orden judicial y allanando el camino para que Los Ángeles se convierta en la comunidad más grande del país en donde no se matan a perros y gatos innecesariamente.

In Austin, El Paso, Fort Worth, The Colony, Waco and more than 375 other cities, counties and states have already passed laws to ban the retail sale of pets sourced from commercial breeding facilities. It's time for Houston to do the same. Puppy and kitten mills are in business to supply pet stores. The pets in these facilities often spend their entire lives in dirty, crowded cages for the sole purpose of producing as many animals as possible for the retail pet trade. Pet stores that obtain animals from these facilities are not an asset to our city. These facilities also produce puppies that are often sick, causing unsuspecting consumers to have to care for a new pet in need of expensive veterinary treatment. Milled puppies can also spread campylobacter, a dangerous, drug-resistant bacteria that is contagious to humans. Recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) traced a multi-state outbreak of Campylobacter to pet store puppies. This is a public health risk in a time where public health should be a top priority. A retail pet sales ban will not prevent pet stores from doing business, but it will reduce the burden on our shelters and rescue groups by increasing pet adoptions. It will also benefit our local hobby breeders by allowing them to continue providing responsibly bred animals directly to those who cannot find what they are looking for through adoption. Please consider passing a humane pet store ordinance for Houston.