Fight NJ Bill To End Seven-Day Hold

Re-posted from an Aug. 18 ASPCA Advocacy Alert…

Dear New Jersey Animal Advocates,

A companion-animal related bill, S. 2923, has passed the New Jersey Legislature and is now before Governor Chris Christie for his approval. On the surface, S. 2923 looks like something you would support—it establishes a spay/neuter and animal identification program—but it contains an alarming provision to eliminate the state’s current mandatory seven-day hold on all animals entering shelters. This would give excessive discretion to shelters over the lives of your pets, who could be killed immediately upon entering a shelter due to any “age, health, or behavior” reason.

The purpose of the seven-day holding period is to give pet owners time to find their lost and runaway animals. Imagine the pain of losing your pet and knowing that if he or she winds up in a shelter, it could mean instant death instead of a safe haven. This nightmare scenario could become a reality for even the most responsible pet parent.

We’re asking Governor Christie to exercise a power called conditional veto—he could strike this particular language in S. 2923 and send it back to the Legislature for reenactment with that change, leaving the good parts of the bill intact.

We need your help! Please urge your governor to do the right thing by hisAugust 25 action deadline.

What You Can Do

Call Governor Christie’s office at (609) 292-6000 right away and ask him to conditionally veto bill S. 2923, amending it so that New Jersey’s seven-day hold for shelter animals remains state law.

You can also connect with Gov. Christie’s office through…

The web, at http://www.state.nj.us/governor/contact/

Facebook, at http://www.facebook.com/GovChrisChristie

Twitter, at http://twitter.com/GovChristie

Here are a few talking points you may find helpful when placing your call:

S. 2923 would give excessive discretion to shelters over the lives of New Jersey residents’ animal companions, who could be killed immediately upon entering a shelter instead of being treated for medical issues or given time to be adopted.

The purpose of the seven-day holding period is to give pet owners time to find their lost and runaway animals—imagine the pain of losing your pet and knowing that if he or she winds up in a shelter, it could mean instant death instead of a safe haven.

Cats would likely fare especially badly, given the difficulty in distinguishing between feral cats and fearful house cats. Euthanasia should not become the favored resolution for feral cats over humane and effective TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return)

Thank you, New Jersey!

Three Misconceptions About Heartworms

MYTH 1: Indoor dogs are not at risk.   

TRUTH: Heartworms are spread by mosquitoes. One mosquito bite is all it takes for a dog to be infected. All dogs are at risk. 

MYTH 2: Only dogs in heartworm epidemic areas like southeastern states need protection against heartworms. 

TRUTH: Heartworm disease has been reported in all 50 states. One million dogs are estimated to be heartworm positive in the United States each year.¹ The disease continues to spread to new regions. The best way to protect your dog is to administer a heartworm preventive year-round as directed by your veterinarian.   

MYTH 3: Treatment for heartworm disease is just as easy as preventing it.  

TRUTH: Treatment requires arsenic-based injections to kill the heartworms living in a dog's lungs and heart. In comparison to heartworm prevention, the treatment is expensive (up to $1,000) and can be traumatic and risky. It is much easier to prevent heartworms than to treat them.

¹ Vital statistics for your veterinary practice. In: Landeck E, ed. The Veterinary Fee Reference 6th ed., Lakewood, CO: AAHA Press, 2009;57, 200, 213, 226, 259, 333.
²Market Dynamics: Share report monthly canine heartworm preventives, vet-dispensed treatment; Data on file at Merial.

®HEARTGARD is a registered trademark of Merial.
©2011 Merial Limited, Duluth, GA. All rights reserved. PAR11CNPFHWARTICLE.

For more information, or to download this article as a PDF, please visit http://www.petfinder.com/pet-health/merial-heartworm-misconceptions.html.