Laws for Paws e-Newsletter
February 2022
DIRECTOR DEFENDS DISPOSITION
Click on the photo above to hear Bob testify.

The Alliance’s Executive Director, Bob Baker, vigorously defended the animal disposition process at a hearing before the House Agriculture Committee this week. This was necessary due to the introduction of HB 2204 which seeks to destroy the current disposition hearing which enables abused and neglected animals to be removed from the hands of their abusers.

Instead of merely arguing for the welfare of the animals, which regrettably has little weight among numerous legislators, Bob took a different approach. The sponsor and supporters of HB 2204 argued that this legislation was needed to protect innocent animal owners from losing their animals. So, Bob turned the tables on them by pointing out that their legislation not only jeopardizes the welfare of animals but actually punishes innocent animal owners.

Please stay tuned for Action Alerts from us when we need you to contact your legislators on this vital animal issue and other animal legislation. 
Purchase Open Your Heart Tickets Now!
Needing a sweet gift for Valentine's Day? Purchase tickets to our Open Your Heart Gala on February 27th! You and your sweetheart are sure to enjoy the delicious food, excellent drinks, lively auctions, and impactful videos.

Gala tickets make the perfect gift.
Interested in corporate or individual sponsorship? Please contact Aislinn at aislinn@maal.org
Rescue Animals Rescue Us
We are honored to be able to share our friend Lisa's story below. Lisa helped us to pass the Pet Protection Bill which allows animals onto orders of protection, awards possession of the pet to the victim, and forces abusers to pay veterinary bills for animals they injure. The story below is a testament to how rescue animals rescue us, and further evidence of the connection between the abuse of animals and people. Rest in peace, Zoey.
She rescued me….It was Spring 2012, my 3 children and I had started over in a local Domestic Violence Shelter. We had no idea of the long road we had ahead of us. Since leaving a home full of domestic violence we had climbed our way out of an emotional pit and had gotten a place to stay that would allow dogs. You see due to the dangerous and repeated behaviors of our abuser I had started sleeping in a recliner facing the door. A cell phone on one arm of the chair and a gun on the other. I wasn’t sleeping very well and we felt so vulnerable. Our previous dog had sadly not survived the domestic violence situation. Then came Zoey….she was almost a year old and was in a program called Puppies for Parole. She rescued us the day we brought her home into our family. I was able to return to my bed as she alerted to any noises and I finally felt like we had a chance. She calmed my fears and many nights I would sit in the bedroom holding the dog and UGLY cry at the situation and the turmoil brought on by our abuser. I will never forget one conversation our abuser had with our daughter… "I heard mommy got a new dog? Does the doggy sleep inside or outside the house? Does the doggy sleep in mommy’s room or your room?" As time would go on, Zoey would often see us struggling emotionally and offer her head on our knee or her paw to say she was there…..Our abuser, he would eventually go to prison, and be released, only to start up again. I developed a “ritual” before going to bed at night….Doors locked, alarm set(red dot), fence good, outdoor cameras working,….We dubbed this our “perimeter check”. It was what it was, and it worked for us…10 years later and Tonight there is an empty space where our protector once slept to keep watch. While the other security issues are still in place, I am empty and missing part of our family….Rest easy Zoey girl, you are loved and missed dearly. You truly rescued us.

Lisa
Congrats to Cici, our 2022 Face of the Alliance!
Remember the Alliance in Your Estate Planning
Leaving money to the Alliance through your will or trust is a profound way to create a legacy of compassion and ensure positive change for animals. An even easier way is to name the Alliance as the beneficiary of an IRA or other retirement plan. In any event, we are grateful to be considered as a beneficiary of your overall estate plans. Want to learn more? Email us!
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!