UPDATE 1/20/2016: Thanks in part to your quick action, HB 156 was pulled by its sponsor, and HB 157 is on hold for the time being. HB 340 passed, but it will remain within subcommittee for a week so that the sponsor can consider amendments that would remove the threat to cats and other animals. We are hopeful that the subcommittee will come to agreement on the amendments, but it’s possible we will need your help to stop HB 340 if it moves forward with its original language. Remember, Virginia’s legislative session is short, so we’ll let you know as soon as there’s a new action for you to take.
Last year Virginia residents’ incredible show of support helped Virginia pass SB 1381, the Promote Adoptions Bill. The new law guaranteed that private animal shelters are “operated for the purpose of finding permanent adoptive homes and facilitating other lifesaving outcomes for animals.” It might seem crazy that anyone could argue against this bill, but right now, strong opposition is trying to pass new legislation to rollback progress and allow shelters to resume killing animals without ever trying to adopt them out. Virginia Residents: You support is critical right now.
This Monday, January 18 is a holiday, but the Virginia House Agriculture Subcommittee will be holding a hearing and is likely to vote on three bills that would roll back the progress we made last year. Passing these bills will cost countless lives in your state.
After you’ve sent an email through the link above, there’s more you can do. You can also place a call to the Committee Clerk, your State Delegate, and attend the hearing on Monday. The supporters of this bill are counting on Monday’s holiday to help them move this bill forward without citizens having the chance to share their thoughts.
You can also call the Agriculture Subcommittee Clerk at 804-698-1543 or look up the number for your State Delegate. Please remember to be as polite as possible when you share how important it is to you that the committee opposes HB 156, HB 157, and HB 340.
If you’re near Richmond, attend the meeting:
WHEN: Monday, January 18, 2016 4:30 p.m.
WHERE: General Assembly Building, 7th Floor West Conference Room
Get Directions
Virginia Residents: Take Action!
Not a Virginia Resident? Learn how you can protect and improve the lives of cats where you live.