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April 15, 2011

Prop B, a voter-approved law requiring baseline humane conditions in Missouri puppy mills, is in danger of being overturned. Even if you don’t live in Missouri, this post from my friend Kerri Fivecoat Campbell explains how you can support animal welfare crusaders in Missouri because as she has outlined before What Happens in Missouri Doesn’t Stay in Missouri.

dog blog, blog the change, missouri prop b Today is one of four Blog the Change Days each year, meant to inspire pet bloggers to Be the Change for Animals.

And, the Missouri legislature voted to repeal Prop B this week.

Even if you don’t live in Missouri, you can still write to Missouri Governor Jay Nixon and to Missouri tourism officials in the state and let them know that you will NOT spend your travel dollars in Missouri while a VOTER APPROVED measure gets overturned.

See what other causes pet bloggers are supporting today:

About the Author Roxanne Hawn

Trained as a traditional journalist and based in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, USA, I'm a full-time freelance writer for magazines, websites, and private clients. My areas of specialty include everything in the lifestyles arena, including health and home, personal finance and other consumer interests, relationships and trends, people and business profiles ... and, of course, all things pet related.

I don't just love dogs. I need them in my life. Seriously.

  1. HI, Diane, Sorry it took me awhile to get back to you. I’ve been traveling. I’ll sum up my opinion as this: In a perfect world, the lawmakers we vote in to pass our laws would listen to the will of the people and pass laws that have been voted for by a majority. For that matter, in a perfect world, we wouldn’t have to vote on measures that provide access for dogs to food and water, space to live and exercise and medical care. But we do not live in a perfect world. Unfortunately, politics and big money from the agriculture lobby prevailed. The majority party is heavily supported by this lobby and unfortunately, the Missouri Constitution allows lawmakers to overturn the will of voters if they don’t like the measure the people vote for. Prop B would have been completely overturned, no doubt about it. I believe the Mo. Governor did what he felt he had to do in order to see any of the measures Proposition B covered would see the light of day. The measure does have most of the stronger laws that will make a big difference in the lives of these dogs: Access to water (before ice was considered “water”), larger cages that do not have wire bottoms, access to exercise, rests between breedings and at least an annual exam by a licensed veterinarian. It also funnels more money toward enforcement, which is a huge issue. What it took away was a 50 dog limit on breeders. I think most animal rescues liked that limit, but didn’t want it to be a deal breaker for better laws. Besides, if the dogs have to see a vet at least annually, it moots the point of having a breeding limit because the dogs will have to be cared for, no matter how many they have. For the record, the HSUS and the ASPCA, both of which bankrolled the Prop B effort, did not support the compromise. The Humane Society of Missouri and the Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation supported it, again, believing some of what the voters supported was better for the dogs than nothing.
    Thanks for caring, Diane. I don’t live in MO either, but 2 of my 5 rescues are from a high kill shelter there. As I’ve written, what happens in Missouri doesn’t stay in Missouri and the humane treatment of animals should not be bound by state borders.
    Best,
    Kerri Fivecoat-Campbell
    Read K9 Cuisine’s Rescue Me
    http://blog.k9cuisine.com/dog-rescue-shelters/

  2. Hi, I saw this posting on Be The Change that appeared on facebook on 26 Apr. Posted a comment there but suppose it might not get a response at that spot, so I’m repeating here.
    While I’m not a resident of MO and have never lived there, I was moved to write to the Gov and Tourism Office as requested in this article. Puppy mills are a horrible way for animals to live, if you can call it living. I wanted to put MO officials on notice that even those from out of state will not tolerate such treatment that would occur if Prop B is repealed, against the wishes of the voters.
    No response from the Gov’s office, but I was pleasantly surprised by a reply from the Tourism staff. Got a nice (form) letter by email and two attachments (cover ltr and amended bill language) that described action taken: a compromise that amended Prop B, but ‘seemed’ to have full support from the Humane Society and others concerned (cover letter w/ concurring signatures).
    Why did the Humane Society and others who supposedly care about animal welfare sign on to this compromise, since it’s a far cry from what’s needed (as another person mentioned in comments here)?
    Curious how the author of this action feels about the outcome. Would welcome a response, thnx.

    For the dogs! Diane
    Canine rescuer, for many years

  3. I’m stunned to see that the baseline law is in threat of being overturned. As someone who is a volunteer with large national rescue group, I’ve seen dogs first hand where our organization assisted and took into rescue care several hundred English Springer Spaniels. Puppy mills are right at the top of my do away with forever list along KILL SHELTERS. Thank you for choosing this topic for today’s Blog the Change. More awareness needs to be created. If you have a free moment sometime in the near future, I beg you to visit blog, we very much need your support, too. God bless and keep up the good work. Keep us posted!

    Jeanne
    North Carolina
    Volunteer
    English Springer Rescue America

  4. Roxanne, I absolutely love your idea in how we can still DO something about Prop B, despite where we live — I sent my letter! Thank you for providing this, in spite of the current state on the issue, I truly believe there is still hope the voters’ voices will be followed eventually.

    Thank you for blogging the change!
    Kim from
    BtC4Animals.com
    CindyLusMuse.blogspot.com
    BarkOutLoudWeekly.com

  5. Wow! Thank you for bringing this to the attention of all the animal lovers. I hope everyone will send in a letter…I know we will!
    Cairn cuddles, Oz

  6. Thank you, Roxanne, for highlighting this important topic. The Missouri Legislature did in fact, vote to gut most of the key elements to Proposition B, essentially giving the middle finger to the over 1 million voters in the state that passed the measure. We’re talking very basic things here – rests between breedings, adequate water, regular veterinary care and larger cages that open to the outdoors so they can regularly exercise. It’s more important now than ever to contact Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon and let him know the world is watching his state.

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