UAPM: Action Alert

Action Alert!

House Resolution 89 Threatens Dog Law Provisions

Posted March 9, 2011

Pennsylvania State Representative Gordon Denlinger recently introduced House Resolution 89 calling for a "study of the economic impact" of 2008's Act 119 amendments to the PA Dog Law. This Resolution was advanced by the House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee and is currently scheduled for consideration on the House floor on Monday, March 14. This article by Laura Allen of the Animal Law Coalition gives more details on this obvious attempt to return to the "good old days" for commercial breeders.

Thanks to the calls, emails, and faxes from concerned animal advocates during the committee hearings, lawmakers were reminded that UAPM and like-minded organizations and individuals have not gone away. Despite this, HR89 was forwarded to the full House, so we must continue to make our voices heard! Here are some points that can be raised when communicating with legislators:

HR89 is waste of taxpayer dollars. With waivers and exemptions about to expire, the breeders have run out of time and are now asking Pennsylvania residents to pay for a study so they may stay in the business of profiting from the abuse of animals by not implementing humane improvements.
If, as stated by House Republicans, the intent of the study is not to open the Dog Law, then what is the purpose of conducting an indepth study of Act 119 and what will it possibly accomplish?
Until the breeders are willing to make their federal and state tax returns public for the periods both immediately before and after the passage of Act 119, there is absolutely no way to determine or verify with any certainty that there have been any financial ramifications to the commercial breeding industry in Pennsylvania.
HR89 is a last ditch attempt to thwart the full implementation of Act 119 that, to name but a few, mandates temperature, ventilation and lighting standards in the commercial kennels. The breeders have been aware of the need to upgrade their facilities since 2008!

Please take a moment today to contact your state legislators and express your concerns about HR89!

Don't know who to call?

Go here and enter your zip code in the upper right corner to find out.

Thank you for caring about Pennsylvania's dogs! With your help, we can make a difference!

Zoning Matters! Get involved — Your voice counts!

Posted May 8, 2009

Township residents' voices carry weight at zoning hearings. Please follow these simple steps to make a difference in your township:

Check daily in the newspaper's Legal Notices for township kennel zoning requests.
Call your township office to ask questions about the kennel(s) in question.
Contact and inform township residents, especially those living in close proximity to the kennel(s) in question.
Attend the zoning hearing board meeting(s) with your neighbors. Ask questions and make comments. Let the township officials know how you feel about the kennel/business operating in your township. In addition, let them know that you want the township to ensure that the rules, regulations and laws are respected and applied to these applications.

Public Action Requested Regarding East Earl Township, Lancaster County, PA Zoning Hearing

Posted March 23, 2009
The recent zoning decision made in East Earl Township, Lancaster County, is extremely disappointing. (If unfamiliar, please read the article on our home page.)
We urge you to express your disapproval and outrage to the township by one or both of these methods today:

Call the township office number (717) 354-5593, enter "22" to reach the appropriate secretary. It is important to tell her why you are calling, then request she put you through to Shaun Seymour, Zoning Officer, to whom you may speak your mind. (We strongly recommend that you not dial Shaun's extension directly, please go through the secretary as explained above.)

Mail this letter (MS Word document). The mailing address is included in the letter. Personalize and adapt it into your own words.

Thank you, you can make a difference!

Help Spread the Word

United Against Puppy Mills now educates the dog-buying public through a toll free "tip line." Callers hear a two-minute pre-recorded message. Our goal is to increase awareness about puppy mills. We are asking for your assistance in putting this phone number in front of as many people as possible.
It's easy to do. Simply print and post the attached letter-sized sign (pdf format). Make copies as needed. (If possible, cut along the dotted lines to create tear-off tabs.) Public bulletin boards can be found in many places including grocery stores, pet supply stores, hardware stores, restaurants, college campuses, and community centers to name only a few. Always ask permission before posting it in a private business, for example, in a business near a pet store that sells dogs, in your vet's office, etc. Please check back and put up a new sign when the tabs have all been taken, or the sign has been removed.
Thank you for joining UAPM's efforts to end puppy mills as they currently exist. Progress is being made because of caring and compassionate people like you!
Click here to download sign