October 8, 2007

WHAT
Through its "Party Animals" grassroots house party program, The Humane Society Legislative Fund is coordinating nationwide house parties, which aim to eradicate dogfighting in America and promote the passage of other humane laws for the betterment of our pets and furry neighbors. Parties are planned across the country, but The HSLF is still looking for “Party Animals” to host parties and join other Party Animal events.

SPEAKERS
All party attendees will phone into a 7:30 p.m., EDT, conference call with HSLF President Michael Markarian , U.S. Rep. Betty Sutton (D-Ohio) and “Bones” star and animal advocate Emily Deschanel.

Rep. Sutton is known for standing up for what is right, no matter how great a fight. She is the lead sponsor of the Dog Fighting Prohibition Act, H.R. 3219, which will crack down on dogfighting by toughening federal penalties and making it a crime to possess fighting dogs or be a spectator at a dogfight. Rep. Sutton resides in Copley Township with her husband Doug and their two dogs, Cody and Bear. Deschanel stars as Dr. Temperance “Bones” Brennan on Fox’s hit drama, "Bones." She speaks out against dogfighting and is a true celebrity champion of animals. She's spoken out against a number of cruelties such as dogfighting, abusive factory farming practices and the Canadian seal hunt. Markarian was recently recognized by Campaigns & Elections magazine as a "Rising Star in Politics."

WHEN
Parties will be held Sunday, Oct. 28. The nationwide conference call will start at 7:30 p.m., EDT.

WHY
Americans have been horrified by the cruel and degrading spectacle of dogfighting, and the Humane Society Legislative Fund estimates there are 40,000 professional dogfighters in the United States, killing and maiming 250,000 dogs each year. Although dogfighting is illegal in all 50 states, tougher laws are needed to eradicate this criminal industry. In some states, it is still legal to possess fighting dogs and to attend dogfights. On Halloween weekend, our “Haunted House of Representatives/Spooky Senate” parties will inform citizens about what they can do to help pass strong dogfighting legislation and other animal protection laws.

HOW IT WORKS
Each party is an advocacy event and fundraising occasion to raise funds to benefit the Humane Society Legislative Fund (HSLF), the lobbying arm of The Humane Society of the United States. The 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.

Hosts create individual Web sites. Hosts set fundraising goals and send e-mail invitations to friends and family members. Participants need a speakerphone in order to dial into a conference line, through which Humane Society special guests will speak about the issues. Party hosts will receive a party box that includes fact sheets, brochures, recipes and other special goodies to distribute to their guests. Parties can be open to the public or restricted to friends of the host. Donations to this fund are not tax-deductible. Attendees can donate to the HSLF through the Web site their party host creates.

TO HOST OR ATTEND A PARTY
For information on planned parties and information on hosting a party, visit http://partyanimals.fund.org

MEDIA CONTACT
Pepper Ballard: 301-258-1417, pballard@humanesociety.org

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The Humane Society Legislative Fund is a social welfare organization incorporated under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code and formed in 2004 as a separate lobbying affiliate of The Humane Society of the United States. The 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. On the web at www.hslf.org.

Paid for by Humane Society Legislative Fund and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. HSLF, 519 C Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002.