The HSLF is working with broad coalitions of animal protection organizations to place measures on the November 2010 statewide ballot in Missouri and Ohio.

Missourians for the Protection of Dogs
Missouri is home to an estimated 3,000 puppy mills, breeding hundreds of thousands of puppies, far more than any other state in the country.

The Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act is a measure that will improve the lives of dogs in commercial breeding operations in Missouri. Specifically, the measure will require large-scale dog breeding operations to provide each breeding dog under their care with the basics of humane animal care including:

• Sufficient food and clean water;
• Necessary veterinary care;
• Sufficient housing, including protection from the elements;
• Sufficient space to turn and stretch freely, lie down, and fully extend their limbs;
• Regular exercise; and
• Adequate rest between breeding cycles.

The group plans to gather more than 100,000 valid signatures of registered Missouri voters to successfully place the measure on the November 2010 statewide ballot

Click here to read Michael Markarian's blog, "A Chance to Help Dogs in Missouri."

For more information, visit www.missourifordogs.com.

Ohioans for Humane Farms
The proposed measure will require the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board to adopt certain minimum standards that will prevent animal cruelty, improve health and food safety, support family farms and safeguard the environment throughout the state of Ohio, including:

• Extreme confinement in tiny cages for months on end.
• Allowing "downer cows" to enter the human food chain.
• Inhumane methods of euthanasia for sick and injured animals.

Utilizing a large volunteer base, the group will seek to collect more than 600,000 signatures of registered Ohio voters upon approval of the petition forms by the Secretary of State.

To learn more, visit www.ohiohumane.com.

>> Read more about our past victories here.

Updated on February 9, 2010