October 5, 2006

Animal Welfare Group Urges Washington Voters to Choose Cantwell for Senate on November 7

WASHINGTON — Citing her as a leader on animal welfare policy in the U.S. Senate, the Humane Society Legislative Fund announced that it has endorsed U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell in this November’s general election.

“Senator Cantwell has been one of our best leaders in fighting for public policies to halt cruelty and abuse,” said Sara Amundson, executive director of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. “In order to pass humane laws, we need humane lawmakers like Senator Cantwell. Washingtonians who care about animal welfare should support her reelection.”

In her six years in the U.S. Senate, Maria Cantwell has been one of the most dedicated supporters of animal protection. She has consistently scored a perfect 100% on the HSLF’s Humane Scorecard. Some of the animal welfare issues supported by Senator Cantwell include:

• Animal Fighting: She was the lead Democratic sponsor of legislation to strengthen the penalties for illegal dogfighting and cockfighting, making it a felony to transport animals across state lines for these gruesome and barbaric fights.
• Horse Slaughter: She has co-sponsored the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act to end the slaughter of tens of thousands of thoroughbreds, family ponies, and other horses for food exports to France, Belgium, and other countries.
• Pets in Disasters: She has co-sponsored the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards (PETS) Act to require emergency planning for pets and service animals, keeping people and pets together during disasters.
• Downer Livestock: She has co-sponsored the Downed Animal Protection Act, to stop the sale of sick and injured farm animals who are dragged to slaughter with ropes, chains, bulldozers, and forklifts. These sick animals pose a greater risk of “mad cow disease” and other threats to our food supply.
• Puppy Mills: She has co-sponsored the Pet Animal Welfare Statute (PAWS) to crack down on abusive “puppy mills” that treat the dogs like they are production machines.
• Enforcement of Animal Welfare Laws: She has consistently supported efforts to increase funding to improve enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act, Humane Methods of Slaughter Act, and federal animal fighting law.
• Canadian Seal Hunt: She has co-sponsored a Senate resolution calling on the Canadian government to end the cruel massacre of hundreds of thousands of baby harp seals for their fur pelts.
• Drilling in Wildlife Habitat: She has led efforts to prevent oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, home to precious species like polar bears and caribou.

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Humane Society Legislative Fund (HSLF) is a social welfare organization incorporated under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code. HSLF works to pass animal protection laws at the state and federal level, to educate the public about animal protection issues, and to support humane candidates for office. Contributions or gifts to HSLF are not tax deductible. Your donation may be used for lobbying to pass laws to protect animals, as well as for political purposes, such as supporting or opposing candidates. HSLF does not accept contributions from business corporations or labor organizations. On the web at www.hslf.org.