Laws for Paws e-Newsletter
April 2021
Animals Still at Risk 
Three Weeks Remaining In Legislative Session

In the last few weeks of the session, the Senate will debate two bills that could adversely affect the welfare of the animals in Missouri.
 
HB 589 contains language that is intended to effectively eliminate the disposition process for abused and neglected animals. This legislation would often result in abused and neglected animals being left in the hands of their abusers until a criminal trial. More Info
 
SB 254/HB 574 seeks to prevent persons from testifying at criminal and/or civil trials against substandard puppy mills and agricultural facilities. This legislation would also eliminate the authority of county and municipal officials to inspect puppy mills and farms, thereby removing necessary oversight of substandard agricultural operations, including cruel puppy mills. It would also inhibit consumer lawsuits against such facilities. More Info

SB 254 has already been debated on the Senate Floor. Fortunately, due to efforts by Senator Schupp and Senator Roberts, the bill was laid over. However, both HB 589 and HB 574 could still come up for Floor debate. Please watch for future alerts on these bills. 
Pet Protection Bill Headed to Victory!
We are ecstatic to report that Senator Gannon's SB 71 and Representative Robert's HB 744 have made it through their respective chambers! Further, SB 71 has been voted out of the House Committee on Crime Prevention, and we expect HB 744 will be voted out of the Senate Judiciary Committee this week.

Last week our Policy and Communications Manager, Aislinn McCarthy-Sinclair, testified in the House and Senate as to why pets need to be included on orders of protection. One of the representatives referred to the testimony as "eye-opening" and the bill sponsor stated it was "compelling."

Aislinn informed the legislators that animals are used as pawns in domestic violence situations. Abusers will harm animals, or threaten to harm animals, in order to manipulate the humans they are abusing. This is not uncommon - 71% of pet owners entering domestic violence shelters report that their batterer had threatened, injured, or killed family pets. 

Aislinn also discussed the impact it has on children when they witness animal cruelty towards a beloved pet. She concluded by reviewing the ways in which animals are abused in these situations - which while gruesome is something legislators need to be aware of.

We would like to say a big thank you to attorney Tali Katz for her help in shaping this effective testimony!
Shop Amazon Smile From Your Phone!
You can now contribute to the Alliance when you shop on Amazon from your phone! Here's how:

1. Open the Amazon app on your phone
2. Select the main menu (bottom right button, looks like three lines on top of each other) and tap on "AmazonSmile" within Programs & Features
3. Select "Missouri Alliance for Animals" as your charity
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to activate AmazonSmile in the mobile app

Thank you for supporting our work!
Congratulations to Muffin, the 2021 Face of the Alliance!
Muffin, who passed away after a profoundly tough battle with cancer and diabetes, was greatly beloved by her family. She was incredibly bright, sassy, and loving. Her family tells us that she was one of a kind and is missed dearly. We thank them for honoring her memory by supporting the Alliance!
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, and in the body of the email please include your name, address, and phone number - 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!