BJC Animal Control or Animal Cruelty?

lETTER: UPDATE:

AVRAL was in Oxford, AL at Oxfordfest this weekend and wants to thank everyone for welcoming us so warmly. Over 100 people joined AVRAL at Oxfordfest, and the majority had no idea Alabama uses gas chambers to kill shelter animals. This story is gaining more recognition as we travel the state, and the media is becoming more aware of the issue as well. Watch this CBS 42 piece:

http://www.cbs42.com/content/localnews/story/Animal-rights-groups-fight-gas-chambers-in/L6uLaoJcjkGRjiIr2zdIkA.cspx

AVRAL members in Cullman formed their own group, BARC (Bringing Animal Reform to Cullman). A huge thanks to Allison Almand and Sonya Graham and all the BARC members who have made Cullman "ground zero" in our fight to ban the gassing of animals in shelters. As you'll note in this story by CBS news, the Cullman facility makes gassing sound like a very peaceful death, which contradicts virtually every national organization's position on gassing. Even the National Animal Control Association (comprised primarily of animal shelter workers) are on record as opposed to gassing.

PLEASE NOTE: The Alabama Humane Federation (AHF), which is headed by Rea Cord and consists of animal control agencies, animal shelters, humane societies and the Alabama Veterinary Medical Association has, like AVRAL, recently written an anti-gassing bill. These folks have labored long and hard in Alabama to win animal welfare laws, and they've assured us they are happy to see a grassroots movement like AVRAL spread across the state. They have taken on some very important animal rights causes in the past. They've needed the support of Alabama voters, yet most Alabama citizens have been unaware of the tireless efforts of the AHF. AVRAL knows what a tough fight this is and is happy that the AHF is taking action against gassing as well. With both of us forwarding legislation, it's going to be impossible for the politicians in Montgomery to ignore the call to ban gassing in Alabama. The AHF plays a vital role in this movement, because their members have seen FIRST HAND the horrors faced by Alabama's homeless animals. State Representative Steve McMillan (Gulf Shores) and Senator Del Marsh (Calhoun, St. Clair counties) have a copy of the AHF anti-gassing bill and are currently working reconcile the language in the AHF and AVRAL bills.

Keep up the great work, AVRAL members, and encourage others to join us. Send out emails to your friends, family, co-workers and tell them to go to www.alabamavotesforanimals.org and JOIN TODAY!!

All best,

Rhonda Parker, State Chair, AVRAL

LETTER:

AFTER SIGNING UP YOU WILL RECEIVE THIS SAME LETTER. I AM POSTING IT FOR INFO AS WELL AS LINKS

WELCOME TO AVRAL!

Thank you for joining Alabama Voters for Responsible Animal Legislation. AVRAL is a grassroots, nonpartisan political action committee (PAC) that works to influence legislation and support the passage of policies favorable to the welfare of companion animals. We believe the current approach to animal welfare in Alabama is inefficient, too costly for taxpayers, and does little to address pressing animal welfare issues in this state, such as adoption/placement of homeless animals, pervasive cruelty and neglect, and the need for shelter reform. HOW CAN YOU HELP?

Right now, we need MEMBERS more than anything. We need strong representation in every voting district in Alabama. We have only been active a few months, so we need to build membership quickly. November elections will be here before you know it, and if we are to help animals in Alabama, getting political is the ONLY way to do it. Simply caring about animals isn’t enough. We have to work to get politicians and animal-friendly legislation in place. We can only do that by building voting blocs. So, SPREAD THE WORD. You can do this on our website (www.alabamavotesforanimals.org), download the attached flyer and distribute it far and wide, or send this email to everyone you know who lives in Alabama and cares about animals.

If you’d like to volunteer, let us know! There is a volunteer link on our website, or simply email us at avral-action@charter.net We need people to coordinate voting blocs in each district, do research on the political and legal aspects of animal welfare, help raise funds so we can keep AVRAL up and running on a day-to-day basis, etc. One thing that would be extremely helpful is to READ THE PLAYBOOK written by Julie Lewin, “Get Political for Animals and Win the Laws They Need.” You can purchase it from Amazon.com or by going to Julie’s website: http://www.nifaa.org/manual.html It details exactly how to influence the political process. Maryland and Wisconsin are using this playbook with good results: Lewin created it when she took on the Connecticut legislature (which is a big reason Connecticut is now so animal-friendly).

Thanks for joining AVRAL. We need you. Alabama’s animals need you.

All best,

Dr. Rhonda Parker, State Chair, AVRAL