Press Release

Humane Lobby Day Kicks Off in New York

Press Release

Humane Lobby Day Kicks Off in New York

Media Contact

If you are a member of the press and would like to request an interview or additional information, please email [email protected].

New York animal advocates lobby lawmakers on sharks, farm animals and pets

New Yorkers concerned about animal welfare converged on the state capitol for Humane Lobby Day to meet with lawmakers and lobby for better animal protection laws designed to strengthen anti-cruelty statues, eliminate the extreme confinement of animals on factory farms and protect sharks from the cruel and unsustainable shark fin trade. The Humane Society of the United States, the New York State Humane Association, the Humane Society of New York, Farm Sanctuary and NYCLASS sponsored Humane Lobby Day.

Two awards recognizing The HSUS’ Humane State Legislators of the Year were presented by Acacia Courtney, Miss New York City 2013, to this year’s honorees: Sen. Jack Martins and Assemblymember Barbara Clark for acting to extend a four-year moratorium forbidding the licensing of any new live animal slaughter markets within 1,500 ft. of a residential dwelling in New York City.

“It is exciting to see New Yorkers get involved in the legislative process and show their support for creating a better world for animals to live in,” said Brian Shapiro, New York state director for The HSUS. “The majority of voters want stronger laws to protect all animals and advocates are making sure their voices are heard by their legislators to make these changes possible.”

Humane Lobby Day participants met with their state legislators to lobby in support of several animal welfare bills including:

  • A.1769a/S.1711a, which would prohibit the possession, sale, offering for sale, trade, or distribution of shark fins in New York, introduced by Assemblymember Alan Maisel, D-Brooklyn and Sen. Mark Grisanti, R-Buffalo

  • A.775a/S.1776, the Consolidated Animal Crimes Bill, which would modernize and improve New York’s anti-cruelty statues, introduced by Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal, D-Manhattan and Sen. Charles Fuschillo, R-Massapequa

  • A.1656, which would prohibit gestation crates for breeding pigs and veal crates for calves, which virtually immobilize the animals for their entire lives and prevent them from turning around, also introduced by Assemblymember Rosenthal

  • A.3767, which would regulate the sale, possession and transportation of feral pigs, introduced by Assemblymember Deborah Glick, D-Manhattan

  • A.1655a, which would create better housing and sanitary conditions for dogs raised and kept in high volume breeding facilities, otherwise known as puppy mills, introduced by Assemblymember Rosenthal

In The HSUS’ 2012 “Humane State Rankings,” New York ranks 7th based on a range of laws dealing with pets, animal cruelty and fighting, wildlife, animals in research, horses and farm animals. New York can be proud of having some strong animal protection laws, but as Humane Lobby Day demonstrates, residents recognize there is still work to be done.

Farm Sanctuary, which is based in Watkins Glen, provides lifelong protection to more than 1,000 farm animals and works to protect farm animals from cruelty, inspire change in the way society views and treats farm animals, and promote compassionate vegan living—on the Web at FarmSanctuary.org.

About Farm Sanctuary

Founded in 1986, Farm Sanctuary works to change how our society views and treats farm animals through rescue, education and advocacy. The organization provides lifelong care for animals rescued from abuse at sanctuary locations in New York and California; promotes compassionate vegan living; and advocates legal and policy reforms. To learn more about Farm Sanctuary, visit farmsanctuary.org.