Posted February 2, 2004

We need to make some calls to support some great legislation. Joe Starcher, the State Veterinarian, is the author of House Bill 4167. I received an email from Sylvia Shafer in Charleston and this is her info. about the bill: " The bill was created due to all the health problems throughout the world due to animal diseases, such as "monkey pox" that started in pet stores. This bill has great side effects for domestic animals also, such as pet stores being regulated, bringing exotic animals into the state, it will slow down canned hunts, cockfighting, backyard breeders, and cruelty to animals. This is a wonderful piece of legislation and deserves our support." The bill is presently in the natural resources comm. and then goes to the agriculture comm. Call Emily Yeager(chair of the NR comm.) 340-3116 and Robert Beach (vice chair) 340-3119. Tell them you support this bill.

Calls must be made to NR members, especially Yeager and Beach, before 3pm on Feb.4th as the mtg is set for 4pm.You can read the bill by going onto the WV web site at www.legis.state.wv.us. Please do this ASAP.


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The other piece of legislation we are supporting concerns the animal friendly license plate for spay and neuter in the state. This is being worked by Delegate Bobbie Warner. It is House Joint Resolution 2 (HJR 2). Please call Delegate Barbara Fleischauer-340-3169. Ask her to put this on her committee agenda and that you support the resolution. Del Fleischauer is chair of the Constitutional Revision Committee.

If any of these delegates are your own delegate please contact them and especially contact Del. Fleischauer even if she is not from your area. Ask them to request that HJR 2 be put on the agenda and that you support it.

Let's get behind these bills and have a HUGE showing of support. Numbers talk loudly to the legislators. This is a great chance to make a difference for the animals of WV with these two bills. Please pass this info. on to everyone you can. If you know of any other email addresses that I could add to my list of contacts I would appreciate having them. Thanks for all you do.  Betty Burkett