I went down to Salem last Monday to testify again in front of the House Committee on the Anti-Puppy Mill Bill and was headed down there again today until my car overheated and I was left stranded at the side of I-5 hanging out in the nice weather. No matter - turns out the Committee voted on the bill and in a vote of 7-3 decided to send the Bill on to the House for a vote! They recommended the dash 9 amendment which included the 50 dog cap. 

Inside the Capitol Building in Salem

Today they were deciding on which amendment to vote on ( dash 9 - with the 50 dog cap or dash 10 - without the cap). So it's a good day for puppies in Oregon. The dash 9 amendment is going to the house floor! So now it's your turn. What can you do to end puppy mills in Oregon? You can contact your state representative and let them know your thoughts on HB 2470.  To find out your Oregon state representative and their contact information click here. From what I understand, a written, signed letter is the best but calling or emailing can also help. Please be sure to put "vote yes on HB 2470" in the subject line.  

Stop Puppy Mills

Testifying in front of the committee has been an amazing experience. Sitting in the overflow room watching the hearing on the big screen tv in a room full of people both for and against was so interesting. You'd hear the murmurs on both sides as the person said something agreeable (or disagreeable) and I kept wondering if things were going to get out of hand. I could only relate it to a room full of school kids with no monitor or teacher present. We were all adult and friendly - no fights, no spitballs and comments were kept to the issue at hand - never personal. The other thing I realized is that politics are...well, politics and this arena is not for the faint at heart or the fair minded. There is a lot of posturing and adamant stances on both sides and for me that was difficult. I guess I'm a pragmatist - all sides are against puppy mills so why can't we get together and make a bill that makes them illegal in Oregon? Why does this become a contest of posturing and trying to place the bill in a light that will get it defeated so the opposition no longer has to deal with it?  

Anti Puppy Mill rally on the steps

I am so grateful to everyone that has commented on my previous blog about HB 2470 - including points of view in opposition. I still contend that the responsible breeders in Oregon already meet the standards outlined in the bill and with the 50 intact breeding age (2 year old) dog cap they will not be adversely affected by the bill. I long for the day when no puppies have to suffer for a profit.  

My original sticker from testifying against Puppy Mills

Check out the Nightline Video on Puppy Mills