July 6, 2018 | Humane PA | Comments Off on Humane PA PAC – and YOU!

Humane PA PAC – and YOU!

As the general election gets closer, you will be hearing a lot from Humane PA PAC. This is an election of great possibilities in Pennsylvania, and we want to maximize the opportunity to improve the political landscape for animals in Pennsylvania the next legislative session. We are committed to electing the most humane legislature ever: lawmakers who will introduce, sponsor, advocate – and pass – better laws for animals. Many of you have been part of the Humane PA team for quite a while, but others have recently dipped your toes into public policy. Thus, we’d like to reintroduce Humane PA, reinforce what we do and what we hope to achieve – and reinvigorate all of you about the role you play!

Humane PA PAC is a non-partisan political action committee for animals. Like you, the leadership of Humane PA PAC is all volunteers. We spend our time and energies building the clout of the animal vote because of a deep commitment to protecting animals and ending cruelty, and the belief that public policy is a powerful tool to do so. For passing animal laws to be taken seriously, we must be engaged not only in helping pass bills, but in electing legislators who are also committed to passing stronger laws for animals. A single law – good or bad – can impact the lives of 1000s of animals. Two victories this session did just that: Libre’s Law (Act 10), which overhauled Pennsylvania’s entire cruelty statute; and, the recent defeat of the bill which would have legalized the ownership of sugar gliders and hedgehogs – exotic wild animals who are not pets – a defeat that prevented the development of a new commercial breeding industry and exploitation of these animals.

Animals can’t vote or use their voices to advocate for better laws, but we can on their behalf. Using our voices and votes effectively is an underlying principle of Humane PA. We aim to harness the passion of the Pennsylvania animal community into a powerful and effective political voice and vote to accomplish meaningful changes in public policy. In the 2018 general election, we are determined to elect into office officials who believe that cruelty to animals is not acceptable and who will use their positions as lawmakers to eliminate and punish it. Our goal is to be the strongest special interest group in the Commonwealth. How do we do that? Well, we can’t do it without you!

Humane PA is THE political action committee for animals in Pennsylvania – and, we invite every Pennsylvania voter to join the Humane PA PAC team right now! Every advocate, shelter, rescue, fosterer, volunteer, and animal lover: the animals need your voice in public policy, they need your voting power on their behalf. Humane PA, as the animal PAC, is the vehicle for this. Like us on Facebook, share our social media posts, sign up for our e-newsletter – and then ask a compassionate Pennsylvania friend to do the same and always get to the polls on election day to vote for Humane PA endorsed candidates.

You will be hearing from us a lot as November gets closer. We will be issuing election endorsements and then supporting humane candidates, and asking you to do the same. We will be issuing action alerts when animal related bills are moving and need your help – and when important bills are stagnating and need a push. And, yes, we will also be asking for your financial assistance to strengthen the animals’ voice in Harrisburg.

Just imagine what can be accomplished in Pennsylvania if every animal lover joined together to demand better laws and public policy for animals. Can you imagine the cruelties that could be eliminated or prevented if the 1000s and 1000s of Pennsylvania animal lovers voted and spoke with a unified political voice? We can – and that is why we do what we do. Welcome to team Humane PA.

Elissa B. Katz is the President of Humane PA PAC and a partner in the law firm of Meranze, Katz, & Gaudioso, P.C. in Philadelphia. She is a regular volunteer with the Northeast Animal Rescue, assisting with cat care.