Laws for Paws e-Newsletter
MARCH 2019
ANIMALS NEED YOUR HELP!

MISSOURI LEGISLATURE CONTINUES ITS WAR ON ANIMALS
With just over two months left in the Legislative session there are still many bills aimed at weakening our animal welfare laws. Puppy mills, factory farms and large agricultural groups have been relentless in their attempt to obliterate laws protecting animals.  The animals are in peril as we enter the last months of the session.  These are the bills that are of the most concern:

HB 204 
Allows Abused & Neglected Animals to Remain in the Hands of Their Abusers

This bill would effectively eliminate the disposition process for abused and neglected animals and would allow the animals to remain in the hands of their abusers until the conclusion of a criminal trial. It also eliminates the authority of Animal Control Officers from rescuing abused and neglected animal. This bill has already passed the House of Representatives. 

To learn more HB 204


HB 559 
Prohibits Municipalities and Counties from Banning Cruel Animal Events and from Enforcing Animal Protection Laws 

This legislation usurps local control by prohibiting counties and municipalities from banning animal events that are inherently cruel. It also prohibits all local ordinances protecting the welfare of animals if the owners allege that such regulations impose “an undue financial hardship” on them. In addition, this legislation jeopardizes all zoning ordinances on animals. This bill has passed out of Committee and is awaiting a vote on the Floor of the House of Representatives.  

To learn more HB 559


SB 391
Eliminates Regulations on Factory Farms

SB 391 would eliminate all existing county and local ordinances on factory farms and prohibit county commissioners and county health boards from enacting ordinances to protect their citizens, the environment, and the animals from the negative impacts of corporate-controlled industrial livestock operations, including foreign owned agricultural operations. 

To learn more SB 391

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

  • Please contact your state senator on these bills

  • Find out who your state senator is and his/her contact information at Legislator Lookup 


  • Stay tuned for follow-up Alerts as these bills come up for a vote on the Floor of the Senate

CONTACT YOUR SENATOR TODAY
PLEASE HELP US!
PEACE, LOVE, and SUCCESS!
BECAUSE YOU OPENED YOUR HEARTS!
THANK YOU TO OUR PAWSOME SPONSORS:

Carol House Furniture (MATCH SPONSOR)
and
Joe Hanon (Ziern-Hanon Galleries)
 Helix Realty 
 Dale & TJ Lindhorst
Nancy Grove
Scott & Laurie Livingston
Mary Massey (Red Key Realty)

Open Your Heart  represents a major source of funding for our legislative work every year. We are so grateful for the generosity of those who attended this fun event - and to those who could not but contributed in other ways either by donating auction items, serving as sponsors, or simply by donation-in-lieu-of-ticket-purchase. Your support is helping make it possible for the Alliance to continue our vital work with state legislators and public officials on behalf of the animals.

For a peek at the fun that was had this year,  click here

 SPOTLIGHT ON OUR FRIENDS
THE GENTLE BARN

It's not unusual for a sanctuary to come with a backstory that tugs at the heartstrings, but few have a history as provocative and sensational as The Gentle Barn in Missouri. And it all started with the St. Louis Six - six steers who broke loose while being transported to a slaughterhouse in St. Louis. They were an instant if not curious sensation, catching the interest of the media and sparking the compassion of animal supporters across the nation.

With so many people rooting for the six renegade cattle running rampant until eventually cornered by law enforcement, it seemed a dream come true that their lives would be spared. It also communicated a clear message that animals want to live as much as we humans do, and the sparing of their lives would serve as a testament to compassion and the idea that we shall do no harm to any creatures. The Gentle Barn stepped in and raised the necessary funds to buy the land and farm where the St. Louis Six (now five) and a growing and diverse cadre of creatures are so fortunate to call home, today.

In fact, The Gentle Barn is more than just a sanctuary where animals can live out their lives in peace, safe from abuse and neglect; it is a place where each animal is a storyteller, inspiring humans (most especially children) who may be suffering similar conditions and who are able to connect with these animals in an environment filled with hope and love - a place where there is no judgment, only acceptance and encouragement. And that is always a story worth telling.

We encourage everyone to visit The Gentle Barn and tickle a turkey, giggle with a goat, chat with a chicken, cuddle with a cow, pet a pig, and learn all about the history of this amazing sanctuary and its storytellers.

For more information on tours and visitation days, click

MARCH

St. Louis Spring Pet Expo / St. Charles (Olympia Athletic Ctr)
Sat/Sun, Mar 23/24: 10:00am - 5:00pm / 11:00am - 4:00pm
For more info  click here
To volunteer a shift with us, email:  admin@maal.org
SATURDAY
Shift 1: 10am - 12:00pm
Shift 2: 12:00pm - 2:00pm
Shift 3: 2:00pm - 5:00pm

SUNDAY
Shift 1: 10am - 12:00pm
Shift 2: 12:00pm - 2:00pm
Shift 3: 2:00pm - 4:00pm


APRIL
Humane Day at the Capitol
Tuesday, Apr 9: 10:00am - 2pm / Capitol Building (Jefferson City)
For more info and to register (free): click here
Questions, email:  admin@maal.org

St. Louis Earth Day Festival
Sat/Sun, April 27/28: 11:00am - 5:00pm / Muny, Forest Park
For more info click here
To volunteer a shift with us, email:  admin@maal.org
SATURDAY
Shift 1: 11am - 1:00pm
Shift 2: 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Shift 3: 3:00pm - 5:00pm

SUNDAY
Shift 1: 11am - 1:00pm
Shift 2: 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Shift 3: 3:00pm - 5:00pm


MAY
Bark in the Park
Saturday, May 18: 8:00am - 1:00pm / Forest Park (Cricket Field)
For more info click here
Questions, email:  admin@maal.org
Volunteer shifts to be published next e-newsletter!


Visit our website for more events, news, legislation and general info!
HELPING ANIMALS!

If you find yourself in a situation where you question the treatment of an animal, or the conditions, or maybe you're wondering about helping wildlife or assisting in a rescue, or you have witnessed something that needs to be reported - go to our website because chances are you will find a number and/or a link that can help address it.

A Great Way to Support the Alliance
With so many people shopping online these days, you can now support the Alliance each time you make a purchase on Amazon. Click here or on the icon. Once you've identified "Missouri Alliance for Animals" as your charitable organization of choice, a portion of your purchase will be donated by Amazon to the Alliance each time you shop on Amazon! What a great way to contribute!
Schnucks eScrip Card

Another great way to support
the Alliance!
Did you know that every time you shop at Schnucks, they'll donate a percentage of your purchase to the Alliance? It's an awesome way to support the Alliance's mission and it doesn't cost you a thing! We'll even register your eScrip card for you so you don't have to!

Simply email us at admin@maal.org with "Schnucks eScrip" in the Subject line, no message required - and we'll send your registered Schnucks eScrip card to you within 7 days.

Once you receive it, you can start using it (we've already registered it for you!) - put it on your key fob to remind the cashier to scan it at check-out!

THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!