WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

Puppy Mills are spread out across Alabama. The puppies at these mills are put in cruel and harsh living environments and then sold at puppy stores across our state. Puppy Mills house hundreds to thousands of dogs. Female breeder dogs are usually bred 2x a year. At that rate, they usually burn out by age 5 and are then put to death. Nearly every puppy at a pet store has a mother that will spend her entire life in a tiny cage, never being pet, walked, or loved. Puppy Mill cruelty can be so bad that we cannot share some of the images we have taken due to the graphic imagery of their circumstances. 

WHO WE ARE: 

The Greater Birmingham Humane Society (GBHS) was approached by local animal rights activist Angie Ingram to assist with the writing and passage of a puppy mill bill to introduce in the 2017 legislative session. Besides her full-time job as an attorney, Angie also volunteers as the Animal Welfare Program Director for Cavalier Rescue of Alabama. Angie and this rescue became very well known for their work to stop a puppy mill in North Alabama. To learn more about Angie and her incredible team, click on the links at the conclusion of this email.

After a discussion with the Advocacy Committee of the GBHS board, Chaired by Jay Reed President of Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), the GBHS board agreed to partner with Angie and begin this process.  We have also contacted HSUS’ Grassroots Coordinator, John Goodwin, for HSUS’ support, advice and help as well. They have been very helpful and supportive.

It is the GBHS’ belief that by starting with a bill of this nature (one that few could oppose especially in light of the fact that these businesses rarely if ever pay taxes and are almost never inspected), we could begin a process of healing and renewing relationships with Senators and House members. All this towards a long-term goal of getting support to pass more progressive legislation in the years to come.  

GBHS and Cavalier Rescue believes we need an early and less controversial win-win between animal welfare and our legislators to build the network we need to get improved policies in our field and to elevate their view of our profession and our causes’ needs. Angie and I personally have very positive relationships with most elected officials in this state and I am sure many of you do as well. Let us use these relationships for effective the passage of effective policies that will curb over-population.

WHAT WE HAVE DONE: 

In an effort to assess our chances, we raised the funds to hire a well-known and respected lobbyist – highly recommended by several major corporations and law firms throughout the state. 

Graham Champion of Public Strategies, LLC, agreed to take our case. We are proud of his work as we have accomplished 3 major hurdles since August:

• Senator Priscilla Dunn (D) District 19, has agreed to sponsor the bill in the 2017 session,
• Auburn University has read the first draft, asked for a minor change, which we obliged.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

We would now like to ask for your support and invite you to become a part of this team and its efforts to get this bill passed.

1. Most importantly, sign this petition
2. Go to alpuppymillproject.org and click donate. Financial support is a must in order to pass the Puppy Mill Bill in 2017.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

A draft of the bill and more information about the Puppy Mill Bill alpuppymillprojectorg for more information.

You can learn more about Graham Champion by visiting his LinkedIn and his firm’s website www.publicstrategiesllc.com .