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Here's the website on the scorecards:
http://www.fund.org/humanescorecard/
:~)

Clinton has the following record as per the USUS:
http://www.fund.org/pdfs/HumaneScorecard2006_final.pdf
Summary= Obama 60%
Clinton 100 %+
McCain 40%

Great idea, Richard.Thank you!

To all policital parties concerned-take a good look at the animals in the United States that are in need of homes -health needs-updated shelters that are in good working conditions-spay and nueter laws-animal abuse-ect.This is a issue that is in millions of voters hearts and if you want to gain the respect of the voters -PLEASE add this to your agenda and you will see results-Thank you

WOW, 9 million animals euthanized. That's terrible!!!!!!!! I really think that politicians need to speak up for the animals, they are innocent in all of this. Our shelters are overcrowded and inadequate for the animals that come in on a daily basis. They need to pass tougher animal abuse laws. We need to make sure that animals are spayed and neutered to help prevent over population. We have to do something to help them out!!!!!!!!!

Being a guardian to two pets I really would like to know how the candidates feel about animals. I'd like to know how they would help solve the homeless pet population. I would also like to see politicians pass tougher animal abuse laws, especially those crimes related to dog fighting.

I think that the politicians' position on animal welfare gives us insight into their character and sensitivity and tells us whether have a true concern for those lives that have no voice. While I don't think the President will have the time to address this issue during his or her term, there are certainly small things that can be done to boost support. Yhe USDA is a federal agency - Yet it consistently fails us as consumers as well as animals of every type. The caution is that politicians rarely have a clue as to reality - for example, BSL legislation. So we need to be careful of what kind of involvement we ask for because we may get something we didn't want at all.

Nine million pets euthanized each year is a disgusting statistic. Politicians need to wake up and realize animals are innocent, they cannot speak for themselves. They are dependent upon us to make changes. People need to spay and neuter their pets and support their local shelters. There needs to be a worldwide effort to curb overpopulation, and animal cruelty. Our animals are counting on us.

I once read a study a few years ago. It stated at that time, if a home was to be found for every dog in the USA, each person from age 1 day old to 100 years or older would have to adopt 10 dogs. WOW that would mean a household of 5 people would have to adopt 50 dogs. They didn't even get into cats which I'm sure would be much worse. People need to wake up and spay and neuter.

The numbers of animals euthanized annually at shelters nationwide is appalling. It is a tragic comment on our humanity and our society that this is the case and that we still have so little regard for these poor unwanted animals. More animals should be spayed and neutered to avoid this situation. I would love to hear the candidates, especially Sen. Obama, make a statement about his position on the tragedy of unwanted, abused, sick, dumped and abandoned pets who are by necessity euthanized when what their real need is a loving stable home. My husband and I have five cats, four of whom we adopted from our local shelter. Would that we could take them all home and give them what we owe to all with whom we share this planet...love, love, love and love.

This is an excellent idea... nothing can be more effective at helping to reduce animal abuse and neglect than the future president of this country passing tougher legislation against those things. They have the incentive, too... they'll be almost guaranteed the hundreds of thousands of votes that the people involved in this fight hold in their power, if not more.

We need to stop euthanizing animals in shelters and get them good homes. A way to start this would be to mandate anyone that is not a professional, reputable breeder to have their animals spayed or neutered.

Since animals cant speak for themselves we have to speakout for them! Please help to stop the untimely deaths of inicent animals

Yes! The legislators need to know that we are ready to hear about how they are going to help animal owners be more responsible for their pets, and how they are going to stop the unnecessary euthanizing!

Please stop the unnecessary killing and mistreatment of all pets, by getting behind with your support for; 'Stand Up For Pet Shelters Across America.'
Thank you, Mick Bennett

This is to all polititions, present and future.
As an American citizen I feel deep shame when I hear the chilling statistics concerning the millions of animals that are euthanized in our country every year. Our animal shelters are inadequate and without support other than through the charity of doners and hard working volunteers. Indifference, cruelty and neglect of our fellow creatures reflects on all of us and lowers our standard of living. Please give us reason to celebrate our Americanism by making animal welfare a priority issue.
Martha Edwards, North Carolina

It is time for the government leaders in our country to be held accountable for the fact that they have stood by idly for decades and done nothing to put an end to suffering endured by the homeless animals in the United States.

This is an election year, I am a registered voter, and my vote will definitely be swayed in the direction of someone who is willing to work toward ending the horrendous pet overpopulation crisis our nation battles. Until laws are passed requiring mandatory spay neuter of pets, we will continue to be required to senslessly euthanize millions of animals.

Come on Hillary, Obama, and John! Do something!! Make a difference!!! Within the next decade, lets be able to have shelters for lost pets waiting for their owners to reclaim them. Let the era of overcrowed shelters full of homeless, abused, neglected, and unwanted pets come to an end. It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY, so take it seriously.

I think hillary eats puppies

Politicians always seem to forget about the other beings on this earth: ANIMALS. They will say anything to get people's votes but in order for them to get my vote they need to start not even so much as rights for animals because the government doesn't give rights to homosexuals, but acknowlegement for animals and shelters they inhabit.

Havent you heard, over 40,000 dogs & cats were put down last year.Unfortunately,thats just in Colorado .We have the power to stop this,we just need a little confidence.so lets get our act together and save hearts, souls,lives.I know we can,so lets do it.

We need to have healthy, happy, loving animal shelters across the United States.
Our pets totally depend on us to love them, feed them and provide for them. It is so heart breaking to see people not take responsibility. We need animal shelters that can take in abused and neglected animals and be able to care for these animals properly, so they can get well and be adopted. Our animal shelter is one of the zoo.too.com makeovers and we are so excited. The facility is in need of larger areas so the pets can have plenty of room, exercising areas and clean up to date rooms. If the animal shelters are clean and bright and cheerful, more people will come and visit the animals and they will be adopted. Please help us educate people and children about the treatment of animals and to spay and neuter, which I think should be a law.

There are so many puppies and kittens that never have a chance and the mother cats and dogs would be healthier and more apt to be adopted.

This is an issue that is ignored, there needs to be additonal funding and volunteers to help the human societies. I hope that this will be addressed during the 2008 November campaign and I know I would vote for the one who intends to change and improve our shelters and rescue organizations. Millions of dollars are wasted on so many unecessary concerns. Let's work together to insure safe and happy environments for the less fortunate. These animals give us so much love and people who are home-bound, in hospitals and nursing homes need a loving animal to make them happy and feel loved.

As for myself....a candidates stand on animal rights is very important to me. It has always been a factor in my voting and will continue to be. Thanks to zootoo for assisting with this all important topic!!

As a animal lover, I wish politicians would talk a little about animal rights, that would definitely influence my decision. As my father always told me people that people who care about animals, are more compassionate in everything they do, and I firmly believed that. And is not just about shelters is about changing are animal rights alltogether.

I fully support this effort to have the candidates each articulate their position on animal shelters, spay/neuter programs and animal welfare in general. Much has been said about many other issues in this campaign, but sadly, little or nothing about this issue has been addressed. 9 MILLION LIVES! Surely, that must mean something?!
Let's get their attention, and, as importantly, their awareness and support! Animals are not disposible commodities, they are living, sentinent beings. What don't they have? Voices! We should and must speak for them, and the time to do so is now.

You have my support Zootoo. As an animal lover and responsible pet owner I know what is involved with making a life long committment for your pet. There is much to be done with animal rights and the ethical treatment of animals. The candiates this year have many issues on their plate and so far haven't really given the voters hope in many areas.

They politicans can't get seem to get the get the healthcare coverage system going, jobs and affordable housing I wondering what they would do for the animals.

I am going to leave the following quote:

"A nation can be judged by how it treats it animals" - Ghandi


Celebrate Be Kind to Animals Week May 6-12 2007

Bravo! Their should be legislative support. I realize we should not make a decision over 1 topic, but if you have a candidate that supports what ZOOTOO and other organizations and people would like to see regarding animals it sure wouldn't hurt their chances of being elected.

It's really heartbreaking to know that over 9 million
innocent animals are needlessly put to death in shelters every year. Meanwhile there are over 10,000 pupply mills in the U.S. which force dogs to produce litter after litter just for profit. These dogs and their puppies are often plagued with suffering, resulting from disease, malnutrition, and loneliness. I find this to be outrageous! Isn't it important to do something about this? Changes are needed desperately because this doesn't make any sense. We are there voice!

We need more political exposure and legislative support to increase funding and awareness for rescue groups and animal shelters and to increase legislation for issues such as mandatory sterilization.

Thanks ZOOTOO ! Lets hope our voices are heard LOUD & CLEAR!
Marimac Smythe

Great idea,Great cause, but I think our government is too busy spending all our money in Iraq. We don't even have money to run our state anymore ! No money to fix our roads, run our schools, keep people in prison, pay out Social Security benifits that reflect the amount paid into the system, or give us all equal access to health benefits. BUT, we have money to rebuild whole cities in other countries ! Let's get our leaders to focus on what's important; our own people, and great causes like this one. Our leaders should be worried about the U.S. , not people on the other side of the world. Would our leaders let their own children starve, go without medical care, or become homeless so that they can spend more money on wars, and rebuilding Iraq ? Would they sentence their family pet to death for lack of money because they spent all their money on people they didnt even know ? I don't thinks so !

The welfare of animals should be important to any candidate becouse if humanity becomes a trend this planet will be a much better place for animals and people. Compassion and respect for any living creature should definatley be important to any of the candidates. Myself and a large group of my friends and family are still waiting to hear which one of the candidates will be brave enough to address this issue, he or she will get our vote.

Animals are such an important part of my life, and any candidate that showed me that they are willing to take a stand for animal welfare would surely get my vote. I urge all of the candidates to embrace this cause!

This should be brought to their attention. While I am a supporter of anything that helps animals I dont think that this is more important than was and our sinking economy this will give america a chance to see what type of peope they will be voting for

I am so glad that issues about animals are being brought up in election rhetoric. I hope that all of the candidates address these imperative questions.

While compassion should be an essential quality for any president, I disagree that this issue should be brought to our current candidates. I think our future's president time should be spent on other issues - war, environment, economy, healthcare, hunger, prison reform, capital punishment, and so on.

Issue of animal welfare are hugely important, and I'm glad organizations like ZooToo are around, but frankly, in the face of all the other pressing national and global issues I think bringing this to the presidential campaign would make ZooToo look silly, and more than a little myopic.

I try to stay out of politics but this year I am supporting Senator Clinton. I recently heard ex President Bill Clinton speak on her behalf and I truly believe she is a humanitarian and would be the best person for the job!

Right on!!!!

I agree! This is an important question that should be posed to the candidates. It is time that animal welfare made it to the front row instead of always taking a back seat to every issue. Maybe small communities would see the importance if it were addressed on national level.

I hope the candidate I choose to vote for this fall shares my love of animals. I think a true lover of animals tells alot about a person. I agree wholeheartedly with this cause and will NOT even consider voting for a candidate that does not support some kind of issue for animals. Animals have suffered long enough!!!! Thank you Richard!

It is a shame that so many animals have to be euthanized each year. I think it is important for our president to support the spaying and neutering of animals as well as supporting humane treatment of animals and no kill shelters.

I agree, and join this army of petlovers!!

I agree wholeheartedly. If just one of the candidates would declare that the plight of shelter animals matters, it make a difference not only for the animals, but for the candidate as well. I realize we aren't a population that is usually sought out by politicians, but securing the animal lovers vote could make a huge difference in this election. After all, as Immanual Kant said "We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals."

I agree that we need the presidential candidates to let us know where they stand. More needs to be done to surport animal shelters, increase and inforce penalties for cruelty to animals. Many times cruelty starts off with animals and works up to humans. God knows that our world is full of cruelty cases of all types and we need to hold those responsable for the acts of cruelty. With the help of Zootoo we can make the Govt. aware of pet lovers stong fellings on this subject. Thanks Zootoo.

It's heartbreaking but it's estimated that more than 9 million animals are euthanized every year in the United States. That's more than 9 million needless deaths ? deaths that could be avoided if politicians paid more attention to the desperate condition of so many of America's animal shelters.

I'm a pet lover, and I'm taking this venue to get your attention to the critical need of our stray and unwanted pets.

I want Senators Obama, Clinton and McCain to stand up for pet shelters and commit to stop the needless massacre of more than 9 million pets.

When higher government starts showing support for animals, the lower governments will follow suit. Who will be the leader and capture millions of votes?

I am an animal lover, and animal rights and protection for animal rights is so important to me. I have to say that I believe our next President must stand up for animal shelters and support legislation that would help stop the death of millions of unwanted animals. With that said, I think Barack Obama will be that President. He has already helped to pass and created legislation that effects the lives of animals. He has a history of taking action in defense of the welfare of animals.

Barack Obama pledges support for nearly every animal protection bill currently pending in congress.

He has supported measures to allow the creation of pet trusts to provide for the long term care of campanion animals; to upgrade the penalties for cruelty to animals; to require psychological counseling for people who abuse animals and well as making cruelty to animals a Class 4 felony, and voted to create a new dog fighting section in the criminal code that makes it illegal to in any way, promote or facilitate dog fighting; he voted to require that vets report suspected act of cruelty and animal fighting and to ban the slaughter of horses for human consumtion. Please know that although I know a lot more needs to be done to support animal shelters and stop the needless killing of millions of animals, Obama has done and will continue to support the rights of animals.

For more information of what Barack Obama had done for our animal friends check out the Humane Society Legislative Fund 2007 Presidential Questionnnaire that he filled out:

http://hslf.typepad.com/political_animal/2007/12/the-president-3.html

Also check out "The Presidential Files: Barack Obama and the Dog-acity of Hope:

http://hslf.typepad.com/political_animal/2007/12/the-president-3.html

Oh man! Richard Thompson came to our shelter in Bowling Green, KY and was such an inspiration and an encourager. We can make a difference! You can bet I will be asking every political candidate from now about their views of the importance of shelters in a community. They don't always answer truthfully, but if enough people ask, they just might realize that animals are important to us. Thank you zootoo.com
Jennifer Chiles

After reading what I just read in my email about Obamas representative, I feel that our voice needs to get stronger about the inhumane way some of us treat animals. The candidates are supposed to be here in Oregon where I live this next week I believe. Oregon is very animal concious. And if there are people from Oregon on this site, I recommend that a delagation of Zootoo members go to there conventions or outside there conventions and ask the candidates in person what they will do if elected for the ethical treatment of our animals.
And candidates , if you are reading this , please understand that we need help in changing the laws dealing with the treatment of animal abuse offenders, and the laws need to be changed where shelters are concerned as well. Our shelters shouldnt be authorized to kill animals unless the animal is sick and can not be saved by other means. I believe governement monies needs to go into that part of shelters as well. Make it totally illegal and the penalties stiffer regarding breeding for profit.
These issues are mine and more than likely other Zootoo members here.
Please , senators, make this right and at least speak for the animals who can not speak for themselves.

Im in this fight with you topcat

If Zootoo could get the legisltors motivated on a national level, that would beyond incredible. Help for the animals from the government has long since been put on the backburner.
After Katrina hit, there were hard lessons learned and the Pet Act was developed which required all municipalities to include pets in their disaster plans. Katrina showed that without providing for the pets, people and pets suffered and lives were lost. People who were not allowed to take their pets with them stayed behind and many lost their lives.
When I went to help with this rescue effort in LA, I spent many days out rescuing and the stories that I heard stick with me to this day. So many of them were heartbreaking stories of people that were refused into the shelters and so turned back home to be with their pets. This is just one example that legislators should stand up and take notice of. THey cannot ignore the pets if they truly care about the people. The two are fprever intertwined.
Pet laws across the country are old, outdated, and ineffective. It is long past time to get these laws fixed to help saves lives and make lives better for pets everywhere.
When the pet food scare happened, it brought to the forefront how few laws there were to protect the food that our pets consume. THis was another hard lesson learned. Obviously laws need to be made to protect our pets from this ever happening again.
On Zootoo's recent tour, I read where Richard asked a question to one of Obama's people about what they would do for animals. Richard received the standard no comment, I'll get back to you. In political translation, to me, that means I can't answer that because the subject was never discussed and so I don't have a stand on it. This is what is wrong.
Legislators need to make changes before the next Katrina or pet food scare. They need to help to end pet overpopulation. It can be done by simply pushing on the national level programs that will help. Several state programs have done things that are making a difference. Maine has a law that mandates that any pet bought at a pet store or breeding kennel has a $25. surcharge added. This money is put into a state fund for low cost spay programs. Massachusetts has a special vanity licence plate, the proceeds of which are given to low cost spay/neuter programs. These programs work. If these, or other similar programs, were made into national programs, we could end euthanasia in just a few years. Spay/neuter is the best solution to end suffering from overpopulation. Making it affordable and easy to obtain through programs like these could change things dramatically.
I am very optimistic that Zootoo could be that tool to bring animal people together into one voice that will speak loudly to legislators. Legislators need to know that their words need to be put into action and make changes. Words fade with time but actions live on. It is time to get legislators into action.
Thanks Richard and Zootoo for bringing legislation to the front and let's hope that
this is the start of real change in Congress for pets across the United States.

Go for it! Especially with the continuing economic situation, more pets will be seen in shelters and going hungry. However, what doesn't pass with congress won't matter with whoever is president. Talking the talk and doing the walk are two different things. Finding compassion in a nominee can be, excuse me, is, a most difficult task! To hope,
to sanity, to daily humanity!

Obama and Clinton don't even fight for unborn children.Do you expect them to help animals????????????

I must admit that I wasn't alwasy a "vocal" animal supporter, but my wife has been most patient and through her dedication I have become aware, and more vocal. I have had my "eyes opened" to the plight these animals face and now believe that we should all help in what ever way we can.

To that extent, I am stating here, that I will do EXTENSIVE research trying to understand what each canidate has done to help animals and stop things such as "breed specific" laws, killing because they need space, and on an on.

While our economy is important, what will truly get us back on the right track is a president that has a heart and compasion for those less than us. If they (any of the 3) are voting to support things as inhumane or cruel to an animal that has no voice, what do you believe they will say to us? My thought is whatever gets them what THEY want and nothing will change.

On the flip side, if they are in support of helping animals, it shows they really do care and have a heart. That heart will guide them through their presidency to make wise and just decisions, something everyone including the animals will benefit from.

I hope who ever reads this see's a new point of view about the canidate they support and do some research on the web.

Thank you.

Senator Obama has promised his daughters that when the campaign is over they can have a new puppy. Ellen DeGeneres featured a groups of tough looking guys who formed an organization called Rescue, Ink. They are dedicated to finding and rescuing animals who are being abused. You can go to her web site to read about it. Oprah Winfrey recently aired a program about puppy mills predominantly located across the midwest where dogs are kept in wire cages stacked from floor to the ceiling. The footage of abuse was unbelievable. The way to close down these puppy mills is to get your pets from shelters, NEVER from pet shops. Millions of animals are euthanized every year while the puppy mills mass produce more and more to sell in pet shops, many of them sold who are sick or untrainable because of the terrible conditions they are subjected to in the puppy mills. Always spay or nueter your pet.

Right on, Topcat! Thank you for being an inspiration and a leader. Candidates should take notice that animal overpopulation is a concern and euthanization is not the only option. Animal cruelty is another area where more legislation is needed to punish offenders. These are issues that many Americans feel strongly about...Zootoo is proof.

Candidates take notice! One of the great equalizers in life is the love of animals. No matter your age, sex, race, religion, national origin, the love of animals is not only universal but an incredible equalizer. So where is this in your platform? Have you lost sight of what Americans spend millions of dollars on each year! Not just gasoline. What an opportunity for you as candidates to not only contribute positively to something so many people care about despite their backgrounds and beliefs, but to reach people at a place in their hearts!

I have no interest in politics. I have no interest in politicians but I would have an interest, belief and could support one that might reach out to an area that affects millions of Americans every day. I would give my vote to one that was bright enough to see that we have a problem in this country that involves animals. We're killing millions each year because some people are not responsible enough to spay and neuter. We're allowing millions to suffer in puppy mills and deplorable conditions because states don't mandate proper care nor strong enough laws to keep this from happening. People are still fighting dogs for sport, drugging horses and abusing animals because our local hands are tied by the weakness of our laws made by our elected officials.

As candidates for office you should obviously be looking for ways to reach the majority. You should be looking for ways to make a difference in our communities. Ways to change our lives for the better. Animals are the great equalizer. Use it, take advantage of it, spin it however you please....but do something for the animals.

Richard Thompson was smart enough to not only see the problem but to recognize that he would bring people together because of it. And things will change through his efforts and ours.

But what about you?

Sincerely,

Carrie Roe
Humane Society of Parkersburg

The Mid-Ohio Valley Human Society in Washington County, Ohio needs a new shelter. The animals definitely need a new home. Hilary Clinton, please help the animals get a new home. People are not taking care of their animals as they should. Pets need to be neutered and spayed. The population is growing. Programs for dogs and cats would help this situation. Please help animals have a better place to live.

yes, something definitely needs to be done in regards to the awful situation that animals are put in my ignorant people. spay and nueter! but if shelters were recieving more funding or at least some more support that would make a huge difference within itself : )

Please show us that you care about animals! We need your help to change this country and make it a better and more humane place for our animals to live!

Euthanize. That's a nice way of saying that many of our shelters are killing more animals than they are adopting out. It doesn't have to be this way. Shelters are supposed to be just that. It's not supposed to house animals until we can kill them. We need your help in getting this changed. It is possible. Nathan Winograd, author of the book 'Redemption", has given them the solution, but unfortunately many shelters are resistant to change. We need your help!

The animal shelter industry needs funding for support and community education, as well as more progressive laws for animal companion management. I hope you will review the issues and help make a difference.

Please be an animal advocate & help protect these helpless loved ones from the cruelty they face all too often. As someone else mentioned earlier - please also have strict sentences for animal abusers. And PLEASE PLEASE help all shelters become no-kill. It makes me ILL to know that animals are looked at as dispensable. We need stricter laws for the sake of our beloved animals. ALL ANIMALS.

To Presidential Candidates Clinton, Obama and McCain,

As an Animal Protector/Advocate, we desparetely need your support to protect our Animals. As a therapist, I know first hand that if a human being harm animals as a youngster that they tend to be harmful to humans too - as children, teens or adults. Anger and Violence towards animals needs to be prevented and those who do this should be ordered MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT and JAIL TIME. Please advocate for the animals. I am sure you would want to protect your own animals and family!
Thanks.
Laurie, MH Therapist, Pgh PA

I wholeheartedly agree. And while we are at it, how about addressing more substantial penalties for abuse of animals, such as dog fighting and neglect. This has become all too commonplace.

This issue needs to be brought to the attention of the voting public!

I agree this should be an issue that needs attention ASAP. Don't forget one of the biggest things we can do is to cut China off at the knees and tell them one of the main reasons is because of their cruel treatment of animals. While we have dire conditions in many of the shelters here and puppy mills abound because the local politicians are paid well to block any regulations that might curtail their operation, the treatment of animals in China is more horrific than anything we might imagine here. Testing on laboratory animals also needs to be stopped. Of course if we actually pursue more 'green' products that should stop anyway as there is no real purpose to use caustic chemicals for cleaning or in other everyday products. It's going to take the political front to put the issue out there and keep it in the forefront but then every person is going to have to do their part too. We must change the way we think in regard to animals and if we can do that with constant reminders and good legislation from our leaders then our four legged friends will be much better off and so will we.

Obama, McCain, and Hils aren't the only folks running. What about Dr. Ron Paul? He's also the most likely to advocate humane treatment of pets. But the real issue is that the government is not really responsible for the way animals are being treated - each of us are. Maybe we should start taking more responsibility for ourselves and our loved ones and stop dumping it all on the government. Read the Constitution!

Niki
----------
I <3 my pets

I think this issue transcends the issue of which party you belong to and should be addressed by candidates on both sides of the bipartisan system!

I wish to support a candidate who will support pet shelters. I was appalled at what happened in New Orleans during the Katrina crisis and I hope that the laws can be changed so that people do not have to leave their pets behind during any crisis. carla

Presidential Candidates..... the topic of animal welfare is serious. Please prove to the world how sensitive, compassionate, and serious the US is regarding the lives of those that are not human, but deserve the respect of their guardians and protectors. We are responsible for animals in every sense of the word. Animals provide humans with countless types of resources from food and clothing to research tools to recreational use to service pets to very very best friends. We owe animals a great deal more than we have given them. There is no reason why 9 million pets need to be euthanized. There is no reason why there should be so many in the first place. Federal support of our animal shelters will not only increase funding for care and spay/neuter programs, it will increase awareness of the fact that animals are not just things people can treat any way they wish, throw away, exploit and abuse. Take a stance - eradicate indifference toward and disinterest in animal welfare. More citizens than you know are counting on YOU!! Step up to the plate and our votes will have your name on it!

It is a really great idea to get politicans involved with stopping animals from getting euthanized. I think that everyone who reads this should write a letter to their senator or other government official about stopping animal cruelty. We should also spread the word to our family, friends, and even complete strangers! It is our responsibilty.

Please support the many animals and animal lovers who vote! And let the next Presidental pet come from a shelter to show everyone the wonderful animals that can come from there, not breeders, etc.

Please support tougher laws for animal abusers. Please support our shelters so that they can try to be no kill shelters. Please support a spay/neuter program.

We need to do alot more to help the animals in need.

Presidential Candidates: Please start caring about our Nation of Pets. There are more pet owners in this country now than ever before. We care about animals and so should you. Ghandi once said: A Nation is Judged by the way it treats its animals. How must we look?

One way to stop this needless tradgedy is to regulate the puppy mills by placing strict regulations on their operations. A bill needs to be passed to license, inspect and set standards of humane care for all animals in these so-called kennels. Once this is done, most of the puppy mills would stop operating as it would no longer be an easy way to make money at the expense of the poor animals that they mistreat and neglect. This would decrease the amount of dogs and cats that are born into our society thus reducing the number of homeless animals. Puppy mills are the chief contributor to the animal overpopulation in the US. The puppy mills also place a burden on the animal shelters. The shelter where I volunteer recently brought in 64 rescued puppy mill dogs. They received no compensation from the "miller" or from the county which they were taken from; this has caused a great stress on the shelter as all of the dogs needed to be neutered/spayed and needed medical and dental care. Spay and neuter programs need to be set up in our country to control the animal population. A spay/neuter program for feral cats would be a wonderful idea also.
The people in Washington will argue that setting humane standards of pet care is considered a problem that should be dealt with on a local and state level. The people in local and state government argue that it should be dealt with in Washington. HELLO!! Quit arguing people and DO something. WE,THE TAX PAYERS, HIRED YOU AND ARE PAYING YOUR WAGES. WE WANT SOMETHING DONE NOW! THE ANIMALS HAVE NO VOICE AND THEY CAN'T VOTE BUT WE, THE TAXPAYERS, CAN.

I'd love to write to the candidates as you've suggested. Can you update your journal entry to include email addresses for them? It would be very helpful.

Thanks!

I agree 100% with this article. Stop the needless massacre of our pets. Candidates, wont you consider helping our animal population? Kris S. from St. Louis, MO

I think there should be a fee on our property taxes that goes to the shelters. Afterall it is everyones problem. We have fees for the library and the street lights, why not the shelters?

Awesome idea. Count me in! This is a very imprortant cause and together we can take this cuase a far as possible!

Excellent-we are one of the few civilized countries that treats our pets as throw aways. With legislation requiring neutering and spaying, we could save millions of lives in the long run.
Let them know we want to hear from them.

Great idea...strength in numbers. How about facilitating communications with candidates via prepared commentaries or petitions, similar to NRDC, Working Assets, etc. that can be sent to any or all candidates.

What a great idea. I hope Senators Clinton, Obama, and McCain get a copy of all these coments. Sooooo Senators Clinton, Obama and McCain if you are reading this ---------------- I would vote for the candidate that was for animal rights, period!!!!!!!

I don't understand why everyone doesn't realize if something lives, eat and breaths that it has feelings. Just because an animal does not speak does not mean they do not communicate nor have feelings. They feel joy and pain just like so call humans.
Since they can not speak, they need the so call humans to speak up for them. Therefore, if a candidate was to speak out for animal rights they would have my vote

I, too, would vote for the candidate that was for animal welfare

I, too, would pretty much vote for a candidate that was for animal rights. Sadly though, the candidates do not think animals mean that much to people, but as I am typing this I have my sweetie in my lap

I would love to hear what senators Clinton, Obama and McCain have to say about animal welfare but I doubt we will hear anything pertaining to animals from any of them

The bottom line is, I would pretty much vote for a candidate with an animal rights platform. It is not enough for pet shelters to adopt a no-kill policy. The animals need accomodations that offer them QUALITY OF LIFE. This mean safe, clean facilities with enough room for the number of animals living there. It means access to proper medical care, and an educated staff that truly cares for the well-being of the animals. I have seen no-kill animal shelters that left me heart-broken and mortified, in which case I felt the animals would be better off being euthanized than to remain in the horrible conditions they were forced to endure. I have also had the pleasure of visiting the ASPCA in N.Y. City, which seemed like a wonderful place for animals to live while waiting for a good home. Please understand that Quality of Life is the most important factor - I would be thrilled if my tax dollars went towards building proper animal shelters.

If humans get the right to live good lives, so do our pets. Please, presidential candidates, promise us that you'll help if you win the election. And actually do it, too.

It is a shame and truthfully an atrocity that so many precious animals, dogs and cats, that are in shelters are put to death each year needlessly. We teach our children or at least I hope the majority of us do to treat animals with kindness and yet we sentece these living, breathing loveable creatures to death. There must be a better way for shelters to take care of them in proper living conditions. So many were at one times the objest of love and good attention from their owners and may only be ending up in shelters because of a death or move to another environment where pets were not allowed.

It would be wonderful if our presidential running canidates would include in their agenda some type of program or show some compassionate reaction to these animals' plight. Mr. McCain, Mr. Obama and Mrs. Clinton, please lend your ear to their cries for help.

Yours truly speaking in their behalf,
Caroline J. Berleman, Cincinnati Ohio

Any politition who is going to work hard to protect the well being of animals around the world has my vote. They will not only be leading the human race but also the animal race.