Sometimes when you want to create change in your community, it's hard to know where to begin. We work with local advocates like you to make sustainable changes that save lives while creating a framework of support for the pets of Robeson County and the people who care about them. By joining, you become part of a driven and diverse group of people who believe that all pets and people deserve compassion, and that — when we work together — we can create real change for dogs and cats in need.

¿Porque esto es importante? ¡Necesitamos que usted y su voz sean parte de este esfuerzo comunitario! La gente del condado de Cameron es una parte fundamental para garantizar que las mascotas y las personas tengan acceso a programas y recursos positivos. La Sociedad Protectora de Animales de Harlingen está trabajando arduamente para garantizar el acceso a programas que salvan vidas de animales y crean una comunidad más saludable para las personas y las mascotas, incluido el apoyo para ayudar a mantener a las mascotas con sus cuidadores, alimentos para mascotas y despensas de suministros, acceso a animales adoptables y programas de fomentar animales. La gente del Condado de Cameron merece que los programas positivos que brindan soluciones seguras y saludables para las personas y las mascotas crezcan y se vuelvan más accesibles en todo el condado. Puede desempeñar un papel fundamental en este esfuerzo para garantizar que el condado de Cameron sea la comunidad más humana y amable que podamos ser. Información adicional sobre la programación de gatos: Los gatos de la comunidad (también conocidos como gatos callejeros o gatos comunitarios) corren el riesgo de perder la vida simplemente porque han establecido un hogar al aire libre. En muchos casos, los llevan a refugios locales, donde es poco probable que los adopten porque muchos de ellos no se socializan con la gente. Ahí es donde entran en juego los programas comunitarios para gatos. Los programas comunitarios para gatos utilizan Capturar-Esterilizar-Soltar (CES) para salvar gatos. El proceso es simple: los gatos de la comunidad son atrapados, evaluados por veterinarios, vacunados, esterilizados o castrados, y devueltos a sus hogares al aire libre, sin poder tener gatitos. Y estos programas ya están funcionando en todo el país.

Thousands of families have been unnecessarily broken apart. This ineffective legislation unfairly targets people and communities of color and it’s time for Prince George’s county to do better for pets and all the people who love them. We believe that all dogs are individuals and that discriminating against dogs because of their breed or appearance is wrong. Responsible dog ownership is the key to promoting public safety and that scapegoating based on myths and biases is always wrong. It is time for our county’s laws to reflect the scientific consensus on this topic: there is no such thing as a dangerous breed of dog. We are county residents, dog lovers, and taxpayers and we are ready for repeal. The public broadly supports repealing the discriminatory ban and we want the council to support it as well.

Two-thirds of American households include at least one cat or dog, which makes having a pet-inclusive place to call home essential for most Americans. Given the huge demand, one might think there would be enough pet-inclusive housing for renters. Unfortunately, housing-related issues are the second most common reason that families surrender a pet to an animal shelter. These housing issues may pertain to insurance issues, landlord restrictions, or limitations placed on the physical animal. Many rental and government-subsidized housing make it difficult to own a pet. Even properties that are "pet-friendly" might have pet weight limits, such as "no dogs over 25 lbs" or breed restrictions. When families are forced to choose between securing a place to live and keeping their family pets, they may see surrender as a last resort. As a trillion-dollar industry, the housing sector can be a positive influence in creating an inclusive and humane community. Additionally, more than 90% of housing providers and residents agree that pets are an important part of families. Welcoming all pets is good for business because residents stay significantly longer in housing that is pet inclusive (2). Expanding affordable and accessible pet-inclusive housing is necessary to ensure that families don’t have to choose between housing and valued members of their family. Let’s work together to end housing restrictions for pets and their families.

Community cats (aka stray or free-roaming cats) risk losing their lives simply because they've made a home in the outdoors. In many cases, they are brought to local shelters, where they are unlikely to get adopted because many of them aren't socialized to people. That's where community cat programs come in. These programs use trap-neuter-return (TNR) to save cats. The process is simple: Community cats are trapped, evaluated by veterinarians, vaccinated, spayed or neutered, ear-tipped, and returned to their outdoor homes, unable to have kittens. The people of Bella Vista should not be punished for working to create a healthier community with less free roaming cats. Please stop making volunteers criminals by issuing citations for roaming cats and remove mandatory cat leash laws.

We need you and your voice to be a part of this community effort! The people of Cameron County are a critical part of ensuring that pets and people have access to positive programs and resources. The Humane Society of Harlingen is working hard to ensure access to programs that save animals lives and create a healthier community for people and pets including support to help keep pets with their caretakers, pet food and supply pantries, access to adoptable animals, and animal foster programs. The people of Cameron County deserve to see positive programs that provide safe and healthy solutions for people and pets grow and become more accessible across the county. You can play a pivotal role in this effort to ensure Cameron county is the most humane and kind community we can be. Additional information on cat programming: Community cats (aka stray or free-roaming cats) risk losing their lives simply because they've made a home in the outdoors. In many cases, they are brought to local shelters, where they are unlikely to get adopted because many of them aren't socialized to people. That’s where community cat programs come in. Community cat programs use trap-neuter-return (TNR) to save cats. The process is simple: Community cats are trapped, evaluated by veterinarians, vaccinated, spayed or neutered, and returned to their outdoor homes, unable to have kittens. And these programs are already working around the country.

The vast majority of insurance companies use dog breed as a factor in determining whether to issue a homeowners insurance policy. Breed lists used by many companies are comprised of large dogs that are considered — without proof — to be more aggressive than other dogs based solely on their breed or appearance. To make matters worse, those living in ZIP codes commonly associated with people of color are more likely to be denied insurance if they live with a large-breed dog. Homeowners insurance exclusions, like the discriminatory practice of redlining, deny people of color and their pets fair access to the privileges and protections other American homeowners enjoy. Senate Bill 1672 has been introduced to stop breed-based insurance discrimination in Illinois. What passing Illinois Senate Bill 1672 will accomplish: (1) It closes a loophole that allows unscrupulous insurers to circumvent longstanding anti-discriminatory legislation like the FHA (2) It removes barriers to Black and Brown homeownership (because some might not be able to purchase a home if they have the 'wrong' dog) and hence encourages upward economic mobility (3) It allows Black and Brown families equitable opportunities for pet ownership, which is arguably not only part of the American dream, but also important to the mental well-being of pet owners Although insurance companies may claim that these restrictions are based on risk, scholars have argued that focusing on the breed of a person's dog can enable companies to engage in discrimination based on race (due to preconceived notions of who often owns restricted breeds) The focus should always be put on the behavior of the dog and the behavior of the owner instead. Arbitrary breed restrictions prevent otherwise responsible dog owners from acquiring adequate homeowners/renters insurance and forces many to give up their beloved dog companions before moving into state-subsidized housing. Breed restrictions also prevent well-mannered dogs from being adopted and infringe on a family's right to choose the best dog for them. Research on breed and behavior: * Researchers at Tufts University concluded that factors associated with actions of the owner —like the absence of an able-bodied person to intervene — are the primary cause of dog bite-related fatalities while the breed is not a factor. Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24299544 * A recent study asked 16 animal shelter workers to guess the breed of 120 dogs. While the shelter staff collectively identified 52% of the dogs as pit bull-type dogs, DNA tests proved that only 21% had any pit bull mix in them. Source: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S109002331500310X * A study published in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior compared aggression between banned dog breeds and a control group of golden retrievers using temperament tests. Comparing the results of golden retrievers and breeds affected by breed discriminatory legislation, no significant difference was found. The researchers concluded that "A scientific basis for breed-specific lists does not exist." Source: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S155878780700264X

¿Porque esto es importante? Fresno es una comunidad donde vecinos se cuidan entre todos. Las mascotas juegan un rol importante y juntos trabajaremos para mantenerlos seguros. Las personas y las mascotas de la ciudad de Fresno merecen programas que se concentren en proporcionar salidas seguras y positivas para los perros y gatos que ingresan a los refugios. Usted es una parte fundamental para garantizar que las mascotas y las personas tengan acceso a programas y recursos positivos. Es importante que sus representantes sepan que salvar gatos y perros es importante para la gente de Fresno. La buena noticia es que puede ser parte del apoyo a programas positivos que funcionan alrededor de California y en partes del condado de Fresno. Algunos ejemplos incluyen la programación comunitaria para gatos (para garantizar que los gatos estén esterilizados / castrados, vacunados y devueltos a sus hogares), programas de crianza (para proporcionar alojamiento temporal a las mascotas antes de encontrar sus hogares permanentes) y servicios y recursos progresivos para garantizar que las personas tengan lo que necesitan para mantener a sus mascotas. Al abogar por estos programas y la continuada colaboración con otras organizaciones comunitarias, puede ser parte de la creación de una comunidad más saludable para las mascotas y las personas. ¡Muestre su apoyo firmando y compartiendo hoy! ¡Gracias por su apoyo y todo lo que hacen por las mascotas y la gente de Fresno!

Fresno is a community that cares for its neighbors. Pets play an important role, let’s work together to keep them safe. The people and pets in Fresno city deserve programs that focus on providing safe and positive outlets for cats and dogs entering shelters. You are a critical part of ensuring that pets and people have access to positive programs and resources. It is important your representatives know that saving cats and dogs is important to the people of Fresno. The good news is that you can be a part of supporting positive programs that are working around California and in parts of Fresno county. Some examples include community cat programming (to ensure cats are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and returned to their homes), foster programming (to provide temporary housing to pets prior to finding their permanent homes), and progressive field services and resources to ensure people have what they need to keep their pets. By advocating for these programs and continued collaboration with other community organizations, you can be part of creating a healthier community for pets and people. Show your support by signing and sharing today! Thank you for everything that you do for the pets and people of Fresno!

Despite strong support from the Virginia Senate, a sub-committee in the House of Delegates voted to table Senate Bill 1390, which — if passed — would have clarified that trap-neuter-return (TNR) programs are legal throughout the state, helping facilitate lifesaving practices for Virginia's community cats. Let's show the Virginia House of Delegates that our communities care about enacting lifesaving legislation for Virginia's cats. With enough signatures, we can ensure stronger support for this important legislation next time around. Please sign and share this petition today.

We have cats in our valley that are falling through the cracks. When the county shelter, local humane society and Kitty Mom’s rescue are full (which is frequently) we have no safety net to support cats that are turned away and left on the streets.

Breed labels are often applied without actual knowledge of a dog’s specific breed. The science shows that breed is not a factor in bites. The focus should be on the behavior of the dog and the behavior of the owner. Breed restrictions prevent responsible dog owners from acquiring adequate homeowners/renters insurance or require them to give up their dogs before moving into state-subsidized housing. Plus, breed restrictions prevent well-mannered dogs from being adopted and infringe on a family’s right to choose the best dog for them. And breed lists can also have an impact on people of color, which calls into question whether insurance consumers are treated fairly and equitably.