ASPCA Newsletter

1. Write Now—Urge Your U.S. Representative to Support HR 817!
2. It’s Home, Sweet Home for Retired Lab Chimps
3. ASPCA Success Story of the Week: Twice as Nice
4. Visit Our Online Planned Giving Center
5. Good News: Canine-Friendly Legislation Passes in WA and ME

LETTERS NEEDED NOW: LET’S CRACK DOWN ON ANIMAL FIGHTING!
Dog fighting is illegal in all 50 states, and cockfighting is illegal in all states except Louisiana and New Mexico. Many states have made animal fighting a felony.

On the federal level, the law prohibits sponsoring or exhibiting an animal in an animal-fighting venture if any of the animals have been moved in interstate commerce. However, such an offense is currently only a misdemeanor. But new legislation, introduced in the House of Representatives by Rep. Mark Green (R-WI), would increase the penalty to a felony. This means that even if animal fighting is a misdemeanor in your state, if the animals involved were transported from another state, it would be deemed a federal felony offense. Additionally, HR 817—the Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act—would ban the sale, purchase, transport or delivery in interstate or foreign commerce of any knife, gaff, or other sharp instrument used in cockfighting.

ASPCA News Alert readers, let’s let legislators know that we want to see an end to animal fighting once and for all. Please visit the ASPCA Advocacy Center today, where you can send a letter urging your representative to support and cosponsor HR 817.

IT’S HOME, SWEET HOME FOR RETIRED LAB CHIMPS!
After more than a decade of planning and construction, Shreveport, LA’s Chimp Haven—a sanctuary for chimpanzees who have retired from research and entertainment—has welcomed home its first-ever group of chimps. Early last month, staffers greeted Rita and Teresa, both in their early 40s, who were later joined by more than 20 additional chimps. These days, the new residents are busy building nests and getting acquainted with one another.

“This is truly monumental,” says Chimp Haven’s Linda Brent. “Rita is older than I am, and her retirement from biomedical research is well deserved. We are grateful to the community and to our donors for helping to provide this home. I look forward to having everyone come to know the chimpanzees and learn how special they are.”

Although Chimp Haven will be closed to the public while the chimps get used to their new home, there will be special opportunities for visitors to meet them in late October. For more on the homecoming, and to find out how you can help give these animals the chance to live out their lives in a peaceful, natural environment, please visit Chimp Haven online.

ASPCA SUCCESS STORY OF THE WEEK: TWICE AS NICE
Positive that you’re not ready for a pet? Fortunately, felines know best. Take the case of Karilyn Brown, who vowed she’d never get attached to another animal after her cat was cruelly killed by a neighbor five years ago. “And then last June,” Karilyn tells us, “I did something that I swore I would never do again—I adopted not one, but two cats!”

Credit is due to her boyfriend, too, who began taking her to visit local shelters last year. “Of course, I told him that I would never get a pet,” says Karilyn. “But during one visit, I turned around and had my heart stolen by two adorable cats!” After spending some time with the one-year-old “twins” in the shelter’s get-to-know-you room, Karilyn took the feline brothers home that night.

“I can’t tell you how much I love Jake and Leo,” continues Karilyn. “When I am sad, they are both immediately in my lap, kissing me. I know I needed those cats as much as they needed me.” Chalk another one up to feline intuition.

P.S. Would you like to share your furry pride and joy with other ASPCA News Alert readers? Visit us online to submit your adoption success story today.

VISITED OUR PLANNED GIVING CENTER LATELY?
Do you have questions about estate planning? Planned giving? Your will? At ASPCA.org, each month we feature new information on such topics.

This May, the spotlight’s on life insurance policies. Do you have a policy you no longer need, or ones with smaller amounts that are insignificant to you and your family? You can receive wonderful tax benefits—in addition to the great feeling that comes from helping animals!—when you give a life insurance policy to the ASPCA. To find out more, please visit our online Planned Giving center. And P.S., don’t forget to take a peek at our free e-brochures on a variety of estate planning and planned giving topics.

DOG-FRIENDLY LAWS PASS IN MAINE AND WASHINGTON!
* Maine’s Governor Baldacci has signed LD 53, a bill that makes it a crime to harm or kill a police animal. Maine residents, please visit the ASPCA Advocacy Center today and thank the governor for giving this added protection to the dogs whose lives are on the line daily.

* And in Washington State, Governor Gregoire has signed a bill that makes it a misdemeanor to interfere with an on-duty search and rescue dog. Sponsored by Senator Brad Benson, SB 5979 also authorizes restitution for the death or injury of a search and rescue dog. Evergreen State animal lovers, please make a quick stop at the ASPCA Advocacy Center, where you can thank the governor for signing this humane legislation.

Don’t live in Washington or Maine? Visit the Advocacy Center to find out how to get involved in passing humane legislation in your state.

Know someone who cares about animals as much as you do? Please forward this issue of ASPCA News Alert to them. Anyone with an e-mail address can register directly at our website. And please tell teachers and humane educators about Animaland, the ASPCA's interactive website for kids.

If you'd like to help us even more, you can find out how to become a member of the ASPCA or contribute to our special funds. To help pass humane legislation in your state, visit the ASPCA Advocacy Center.

Do you know what to do if you see an animal being abused? Visit the ASPCA online to find out where to report animal cruelty in your community.

Click here to unsubscribe or change your email preferences.

Click here to view this message as HTML in your browser.

Click here to forward this message.