Humane Society of Citrus County FL, Inc.

On Wednesday, April 25, the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation will meet to “mark-up” S. 311, the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act. The purpose of this meeting is to finalize the language of the Act that will be presented to the full Senate for a vote. Please call your senators and ask them to vote in favor of S. 311.

Look up your senators' phone numbers.

- Last year, three foreign-owned slaughter plants (two in Texas, one in Illinois) killed more than 90,000 horses for human consumption in Europe and Asia. Tens of thousands more of America's horses were exported from the U.S. and slaughtered in other countries.

- Slaughter is NOT humane euthanasia. Horses suffer horribly on the way to and during slaughter.

- Passage of the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act will reduce animal suffering—hence its wide support throughout the equestrian and veterinary world, as well as the humane community.

- Americans overwhelmingly support an end to horse slaughter for human consumption. Polls from Kentucky, Virginia, Texas and Utah show that 82, 74, 72 and 69 percent, respectively, of those questioned oppose the practice. In California, a 1998 ballot initiative (Prop. 6) banning horse slaughter for human consumption passed with 60 percent of the vote. It is critical that you contact your senators immediately to express your support for S. 311—particularly if they are on the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Please click here to see if one of your senators is on this committee.

If your senator is on the committee, please urge him or her to speak out against any misinformation being presented by groups that want to see horse slaughter continue and to move the bill to the full Senate for a vote right away!

Save Pets in Disasters!

Untold thousands of pets perished after hurricanes hit the Gulf Coast in 2005 because rescue plans didn't allow for their evacuation. The Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards (PETS) Act would require local and state agencies to consider the needs of pets and service animals in disaster planning. The House passed HR 3858 by a 349-24 vote. Urge your U.S. senators to co-sponsor S 2548 and help get the PETS Act signed into law soon.  Call 202-224-3121 to reach them.

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Exotics Aren't Pets

The Captive Primate Safety Act (S 1509/HR 1329) introduced by U.S. Sens. James Jeffords (I-Vt) and Lincoln Chafee (R-RI) and U.S. Reps. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Tx) and Rob Simmons (R-CT) would halt the interstate and foreign commerce in chimpanzees and other primates as pets. This bill was approved by a Senate Committee in May. Congress passed a similar law for tigers and other big cats in 2003. Regulations implementing the big cats law were proposed this year for public comment, which is a critical step in enforcing the law.

Ask your state legislators to support bills to prohibit the private ownership of exotics. To find out what bills are pending, visit www.hsus.org/stateleg. and urge your federal legislators to support the Captive Primate Safety Act (S 1509/HR 1329). To reach them, call the congressional switchboard at 202-224-3121.