Proposed Animal Shelter Law

The NY Legislature is considering a bill that would mandate shelters to co-operate with recognized rescue organization by releasing animals to them if pets are scheduled for euthanasia; also mandates clean livable shelters, socialization, toys, proper care and feeding, etc. Let your legislators know about this and, if you live in another state, see if it might be useful to introduce. If it is passed, it will be the toughest in the U.S. for shelters.
http://www.assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?default_fld=&bn=A07312&term=2011&Summary=Y&\
Text=Y.
The Bill number is A07312 if the search link above doesn't work, there is a
search engine on the Assembly home page, but the bill number is required.
In the Albany NY Capital Region proper animal care and cruelty are major issues due to the efforts of rescue organization, news media (especially the local ABC affiliate's weather man Steve Caparizzo's personal long time involvement in animal rescue and adoption), and animal welfare advocacy by a popular local Assemblyman Jim Tedisco.
Lately there appears to be a big push and unusual cooperation between the political parties to get animal protection legislation passed.

Pet Theft Legislation

Pet Theft Legislation

New York State Legislature is considering a law to make pet theft and abusing a
pet as a pawn in domestic violence a felony, with penalty resulting in prison
sentences of up to four years; good chance of enactment because both parties
support. Passed in the Republican controlled state Senate and now sent to the
Democratic controlled Assembly. Please write to your Assembly person to support
passage of this bill.
If you are not from New York, this a proposal that you may want to pursue in
your State. It is believed this may be the toughest pet theft bill in the U.S.
The complete news article is at this link:
http://www.timesunion.com/news/article/NY-bill-targets-theft-of-family-pets-3491\
931.php
By the way, the Times Union has a section on pets that can be accessed on line
for free. Link is www.timesunion.com/pets . Has numerous articles about pets
from all over the US, as well as columns, care, blogs, rescue links, etc.