Sheltering an Animal’s Perspective

by Gregory M. Simpson

"Animals don’t vote.  People do."  These are the first words one sees when logging onto the website for the newly formed Connecticut Votes for Animals, Inc. Established in April 2008 as a 501(c)(4) non-profit, bipartisan organization, it is dedicated to lobbying for animal friendly laws and educating the public about animal related legal issues. 
A companion, but separate, organization was also formed as a political action committee (PAC).  Its two principal purposes are to endorse political candidates who will advocate for pro-animal legislation and to create political "scorecards" that will hold legislators accountable for their voting records on animal related issues.  These scorecards resemble those created by the League of Humane Voters of New York City and will be available to members on the Connecticut Votes for Animals website.  The voting histories of Connecticut state legislators, and any relevant action on bills by the executive branch of government, are tracked on the scorecards.
Connecticut Votes for Animals’ intent is to serve as the political arm of the state’s animal protection movement.  Attorney Debora M. Bresch serves as its first President.  As Legislative Liaison for the Eastern Region of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), Attorney Bresch drafts wording, and lobbies for passage, of animal friendly legislation.  Susan Linker serves as Vice-President.  She is the founder and CEO of Our Companions Domestic Animal Sanctuary, and former President of the Animal Welfare Federation of Connecticut.  Another Our Companions volunteer, Henry Petrofsky, serves as Treasurer, while Kerri Bartoletti, of Friends of Feral Cheshire Cats, is the Secretary.  Linda Classon’s membership completes the Board of Directors.  There is also an advisory board of twelve to fifteen people, of which I am a member.  The advisory board is composed of four committees:  legislative research, website outreach, public relations, and membership database coordination.
Connecticut Votes for Animals formed when several animal welfare professionals identified the need to effect legal change related to how animals are treated in Connecticut.  The goal is to mobilize voters to support animals through their political choices.  The organization will also work with lobbyists to secure passage of pro-animal legislation and defeat legislation harmful to animals.
The organization’s website is a forum to educate the public concerning animal protection issues and provides updates on proposed animal related bills and regulations.  Alerts will be issued on the website to notify members about legislative and regulatory hearings or meetings.  Part of the website describes the state legislative process, i.e., how a bill becomes a law.  Another link helps one identify his or her respective legislators.
Connecticut Votes for Animals’ first initiative is a questionnaire on animal related issues.  Distributed at the end of September to all candidates for state office, both incumbents and challengers, its questions cover a wide spectrum of topics, including companion animals, wildlife, and animals in agriculture, education, and entertainment.  Electoral endorsements based on candidates’ responses followed.  The questionnaire, and the responses, are available to members on the organization’s website.
Membership in Connecticut Votes for Animals is open to anyone, whether from the broad base of animal welfare, animal rights, and related organizations in Connecticut, or individuals who have an interest in the humane, compassionate treatment of animals.  The $25 annual membership supports lobbying efforts and entitles the member to e-mail action alerts, access to breaking news, key information on animal related legislation, legislative issues questionnaires (and responses submitted by candidates), invitations to special events, and a calendar of animal related events in Connecticut.  Members may add their organization’s events to this calendar.
Connecticut Votes for Animals intends to safeguard the interests of animals by making their well-being a priority for elected leaders.  For more information, log on to the website at: www.ctvotesforanimals.org or write to: Connecticut Votes for Animals, Inc., P.O. Box 266, Cheshire, CT 06410.  Please consider joining today.  The welfare of Connecticut’s animals depends on it.
For the animals,
Gregory M. Simpson
Gregory Simpson’s animal welfare involvement spans over 25 years, having provided leadership for several Connecticut organizations, as well as having served as state advisor to the national Friends of Animals.  Currently a Board member of Protectors of Animals, Inc., he was chosen by CAT FANCY magazine as one of the ultimate cat lovers in the U.S.  He is also a member of the Cat Writers’ Association.