Alliance logo 2012 with words
Laws for Paws e-Newslett er
January 2017   


    
MISSOURI LEGISLATURE BACK IN SESSION

As we look back on 2016, we can take great pride in all that we have accomplished for the animals. We are especially proud of our efforts to reform USDA and enhance its enforcement of our federal laws that protect not only dogs confined in Missouri puppy mills, but hundreds of thousands of dogs nationwide. Our efforts also enhanced protections for animals that are used in research, animals housed in zoos, aquariums, animal exhibitions and confined by dog dealers, and used in walking horse shows.

Here is a link to our latest victory for walking horses that was just announced today: click here

We were also able to halt the introduction of additional large industrialized farms into Missouri by successfully fighting against attempts to take away local control of agriculture. Similarly, we fought to maintain the authority of state agencies to oversee agriculture and to protect the welfare of farm animals. 

We achieved these victories for the animals thanks to your support.

It appears, however, that we face an entirely different environment for the animals this year. With the changes in administration both at the federal and sate level, the status of animal welfare is in question and it is quite possible that we will now encounter significant obstacles in our fight for the animals.

The importance of your reaching out to your elected officials cannot be over emphasized. Your help is needed now more than ever if we are to continue to ensure the welfare of animals in Missouri. As issues arise where we need your help,  we will be sending out Action Alerts and asking you to contact your government officials and legislators. Please monitor your email accounts for these alerts.

Even before the Missouri Legislature officially convened on January 4, 2017, several bills were already pre-filed to weaken our animal welfare laws. Legislation has been filed (HB 384) that seeks to leave abused and neglected animals in the hands of their abusers. In addition, there are once again several pieces of legislation that are intended to eliminate needed protections for farm animals. Another bill (HB 114) would hold a person liable for speaking out against factory farm abuses.  
                                 
HB 384 would leave abused and neglected animals in the hands of their abusers

We cannot accomplish what we do for the animals without your support and involvement. As these pieces of legislation make their way into Committee and to the floor of the House and Senate, we will be asking you to contact your State Representative and State Senator.

Your efforts in writing, calling, emailing and visiting your legislators, are invaluable. We are counting on your continued assistance moving forward.

You can be assured that the Alliance, with your help, will continue to be a forceful voice on behalf of the animals at the Capitol and we will be aggressively fighting to defend our laws and regulations protecting animals. 



Help the Alliance continue to  
fight for the animals. 
Please consider a donation today!      


* SPOTLIGHT *

MEET THE ALLIANCE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
 
Dale Lindhorst - President & Treasurer

Founder and CEO of GreenCourse Financial Advisors (and its predecessor) in 1999, Dale has served as the Alliance board president since 2012, and has been an Alliance board member since 2010. From 1993 through 1998 he was a principal with Moneta Group and has served as a tax manager in the St. Louis offices of PriceWaterhouseCoopers and Ernst & Young prior to joining Moneta Group. 

Dale has served as treasurer in his capacity as a trustee of his subdivision since 2000, been on the Board of Advisors of the Wildwood YMCA from 2006 through 2013 and has participated as a board member and served on the Finance Committee of Center for Hearing & Speech since January 2009.

Dale's hometown is Belleville, Illinois and he graduated from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. He and his wife TJ are avid animal advocates and live in Wildwood along with numerous adopted animal friends.

Dale's statement about the Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation:

"No other animal welfare organization works exclusively on legislative matters not only within Missouri, but nationally as well. Although state-based, the Alliance has garnered national attention for its efforts and achievements. Our work is vitally important since passage and retention of animal protection laws is the first line of defense for animals. We also work towards enforcement, as application and adherence to those laws and subsequent prosecution of violators is just as important to ensure compliance. 

One of our goals during 2017 is to expand awareness of our legislative efforts throughout Missouri, via a new website and usage of social media, supporting initiatives within institutions of higher learning, and providing educational opportunities to all residents of Missouri.

An educated and informed public can and will make a difference in the lives of animals."

* SPOTLIGHT *
[ Each month we'll feature an Alliance board member. Stay tuned! ]


 OPEN YOUR HEART IS ALMOST HERE!
THE MAGIC OF  FEBRUARY 19TH  IS NEAR!

Enjoy an evening of exotic hors d'oeuvres, wild cocktails, "signature" mashed potato bar,  creative buffet and desserts, and spirited auctions!

 SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2017
5:30 pm - 9:00 pm
LUCAS PARK GRILLE
1234 Washington Ave., St. Louis, MO 63103

~ Cocktail attire suggested, Tropical attire welcomed ~
 

Click below to yet your tickets NOW!
   
   TICKETS


* Open Your Heart is the premier fundraising event benefitting the  Missouri Alliance 
for Animal Legislation as we continue to build on  27 years 
of advancing  animal welfare legislation *

Help the Alliance continue to  
fight for the animals. 
Please consider a donation today!      

HUMANE DAY 



If you're reading this e-newsletter then you're already an animal advocate - and we are fortunate to call you  friend. Would you like to meet other animal advocates and spend a day in Jefferson City to show our legislators how committed you are to promoting better animal welfare laws? 

Every spring, hundreds of supporters across the state gather in Jefferson City to ask our legislators to push for stronger animal-protection laws. On Humane Day, animal advocates like you are invited to learn and practice lobbying for relevant animal welfare bills in the Missouri state legislature.

JOIN US , the  Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation  - and other local and national animal welfare organizations, for  Humane Day  - on  Tuesday, April 4, 2017   at the Capitol!

Now more than ever, we need to pull together and show that there's strength in numbers. We WILL continue to fight for the animals!

Stay tuned for more info on this important event, in upcoming e-News.




Details on upcoming Legislation and Ballot Issues in next month's Alliance e-News. Stay "ALERT"! 





   

Facebook icon Twitter logo