Celebrating Three Huge Victories for Virginia Animals!

Hello Advocates! This last legislative session in Virginia was a historical  one for animals. We are thrilled to say that THREE bills  are now signed into law that will provide critical  and necessary protections for Virginia's most vulnerable  animals. Your contributions to Humane Dominion  enabled us to tip the scales just enough to get these  bills passed. This is a game-changing year for us  at Humane Dominion, the legislature in Richmond,  and for the future of animal welfare in Virginia.  And this has all been possible because of YOU! We've gone into some detail about our victories on  our website, but here is a brief recap of each one.  You will find a link to each of the major sponsors  of each bill below and we ask that you take time to email each of these champions and thank them for  supporting animals. Below you will also find a link  to the Virginia Legislative Information System for  each bill. Please take the time to visit the page and  thank the co-patrons and patrons for each bill. HB 972, known as the Pet Protective Order, was  introduced by Del. Ben Cline, R-Rockbridge.  This law gives people who file domestic violence  charges against a partner the power to obtain custody  of their family pets and prohibits further violence  directed toward the pet. Virginia LIS page for HB 972 SB 228, also known as Bailey's Law, led by Sen. Chap Petersen,  D-Fairfax, passed unanimously, This requires pet stores  to inform customers about the source of their dogs.  This measure is designed to prevent people  from unknowingly purchasing a dog bred by a  cruel puppy mill.  Virginia LIS page for SB 228 SB 42, championed by Sen. Dave Marsden, D-Fairfax,  finally passed after three hard fought years.  Fox pens host staged competitions where wild-caught  foxes are thrown in electrified-fenced enclosures for  dogs to chase down. This bill phases out existing pens,  and prohibits any new fox pens from being opened,  sparing the lives of thousands of foxes in the future.  Virginia LIS page for SB 42 Policy is true prevention - Prevention from more  animals being caught in the cycle of suffering.  Because we at Humane Dominion know that we  can not prevent suffering until we strengthen the  laws that protect animals. We can't rest and must continue to strengthen  Humane Dominion and our grassroots base in  preparation for the 2015 legislative session and  elections.  While we are successful this session  showed the true colors of several legislators  who voted against our protection bills and made  themselves known to be an enemy of the animals.   We must focus on these obstructionists and continue  to build a more humane General Assembly. Stay tuned for upcoming opportunities this summary  to support our work.  THANK YOU for your support.   Our victories are only made possible because of YOU! - Laura Donahue Speaking for the Silent: A Voice for Virginia's Animals Working together to ensure the compassionate and  humane treatment of Virginia's animals.