The number of animals that are being mistreated, abused, and neglected in West Virginia is absolutely astounding. Sadly, it has become the norm to drive down the road and see dogs tethered or chained out in the elements with no shelter available to them or to see dogs lying in metal barrels with no bedding to keep them warm or anything to block them from the elements. 

It has also become the norm to drive down the road and see litters of unwanted puppies and kittens discarded like trash. Strays are being run over. They are being shot and left for dead or dropped on the side of the road somewhere left to starve. 

After living in a handful of other states, it has become apparent that to me that West Virginia is really struggling to advance as far as animal welfare is concerned. Other states have enforced spay and neuter laws. Other states have enforced housing and shelter laws. 

West Virginia is failing its animals at an alarming rate. It is time that the animals in our state are given the voice that they deserve! 

I am creating this petition in hopes that the Senators and Delegates who are reviewing and discussing the pending bills right now and Governor Justice will see that people in this state are tired of the voices of the animals in West Virginia being silenced! It's time for them to answer the hard questions of why they have allowed it to get this bad for the animals in our state. It is time to discuss ways to stop animals from freezing to death. 

It is time to discuss all of the litters of unwanted puppies and kittens dumped by the road, and the overabundance of unwanted dogs and cats in the state. It is time to discuss enacting spay and neuter laws in West Virginia. 

Are you at your limits of seeing this heartbreaking scenario day in and day out? Then take a look at SB 221 and SB 314 and HB 4655. Read them…take notes on what you like about them and what you don’t. When you’ve read them, please take a few minutes to sign this petition and leave your thoughts and opinions as well to help ensure that our animals here in West Virginia are given the voice that the deserve. 

Together, we can absolutely change things for the animals in our beautiful state.

Update: the bills did not receive enough support and unfortunately, fell flat.

We are not giving up. We will continue to fight for the animals of West Virginia.

Thank you for your support!