Friends of Homeless Animals (FOHA) needs your help TODAY.  It will cost you nothing more than 5 minutes of your time and your willingness to help rescue dogs in need.

The United States Humane Society reports that 2.7 million healthy, adoptable cats and dogs—about one every 11 seconds—are killed in U.S. shelters each year.    Of these, 25% are purebred animals.  

Often these animals are the offspring of cherished family pets. While spay/neuter is a proven way to reduce unwanted pets, that doesn't help the cats and dogs already born who are facing imminent death in shelters.   Many of these animals can and do make wonderful pets.   For these animals, their only hope is adoption and that is where rescue work comes in.

Like many legitimate dog rescues, FOHA has been rescuing dogs for many many years.   The majority of our dogs are pulled out of high kill shelters in the south and then fostered in homes in the north where we match them with appropriate, loving homes.

Like many legitimate dog rescues, the majority of our operating budget is spent on the dogs to ensure they are healthy and vetted above and beyond just the rabies shot that is required by law.   We also spend a considerable amount of our budget on USDA regulated transport carriers.  Why do we do this?  To ensure that our healthy and properly vetted dogs are being transported in a manner that will not further expose them to disease.  

Like many legitimate dog rescues, we are in compliance with the regulations of the states we are licensed to do rescue work in.  In RI, these regulations were written over the span of year 2012 by the RI DEM with input of numerous veterinarians, animal welfare expects, and responsible rescues.   The Rhode Island Secretary of State signed off on these new regulations in November of 2012.  Since that time, legitimate rescues have been licensed and governed by the RI DEM and these new regulations have been proven to work.  

Now there is a special  interest group that has proposed a bill in the Rhode Island House that would impact our ability to help dogs in need.   House Bill 7888 calls for all dogs, EXCEPT PUREBREDS, to be placed into a state approved quarantine facility for a minimum of 48 hours.  After the initial 48 hours, the dog is to be seen by a state licensed veterinarian and be issued a new health certificate before being transferred to a new owner.

What does this mean?   As written, it means:

·   Any dog, even a privately owned dog that may just be visiting from out of state, will need to adhere to this new law.

·   Dogs that have been vetted and isolated in accordance to the USDA standards of 10-14 days prior to transport will now be co-mingled with dogs that have not be vetted and isolated, exponentially increasing the risk of diseases being spread in these quarantine facilities.

·   It implies that purebred dogs do not carry the potential for disease or behavior problems.

·   It will reduce the choices that are available to Rhode Island residents who want to add a pet to their family.  That reduction in choice will lead to an increase of internet sales and breeders flowing into our state and more dogs being euthanized in shelters.   

·   If this bill is passed, it will put legitimate rescues into financial hardship immediately.  It will cost rescues an additional $100 per dog to comply, not to mention the additional stress and possible diseases to which the dogs will be exposed at these quarantine facilities.

·   Rather than protect, it could further jeopardize public health.  Currently, licensed rescues adhere to a 5-14 day quarantine period (depending on the Class of License); this bill would require that the isolation period be reduced to only 48 hours.

·   It will unfairly give puppy mills and breeders a competitive advantage, as their dogs will not be subject to these regulations.

After more than a year of time was spent by RI DEM in crafting the current regulations, this bill will cost the state yet further tax payer money to establish new, enabling regulations to implement the new requirements. 

What can you do?    Please help us to get the House HEW Committee to KILL THIS BILL by signing our petition.  The dogs need you!!!  If you are proud adopter of a rescue dog, please do what you can to help us fight this!