Folks,

There is a dangerous bill being presented in the VA assembly next month. This bill, supported by someone with major ties to PETA and HSUS, will REQUIRE that all companion animals be spayed or neutered. In Virginia, the definition for companion animals includes birds!! Breeders, of course, will be "licensed" in order to be excluded... Now how many of you breeders want to pay for the privilege of being on the state's record books as breeding? Using the Freedom of Information Act, then, groups like PETA and HSUS can then show up at your doorstep to protest, if you tick them off.

While I fully support the spay/neuter movement for our furry companions, I do NOT support anyone being able to tell us that none of us are competent enough to decide when to care for our animals. (That being said, I do realize that many people aren't competent, but that's another fight for another time...)

Even if re-worded to exclude birds, that still means that every dog, cat, reptile, ferret, rabbit, etc. would be required to be altered. With the financial state of the Commonwealth, can you imagine who will be enforcing this? Those already overworked ACOs, etc. That sets the stage then for next year (or the year after) for PETA or HSUS to "offer" to pay for their own employees to be monitors, then to eventually bump them up to police powers, such as what is seen in other states...

Do we really want those with a publicly advertised anti-reptile, anti-all pets agenda having the power to inspect our homes?

This is important, folks... this is a well-funded attack on our rights as citizens. We need to ALL contact our state Senators and Representatives and explain to them why this is a BAD idea. Don't expect a lot of positive support, as this is one of those bills that is being touted as "animal friendly" - as in, "this bill is the panacea to making sure that no animal is euthanized in VA ever again". That's how this is being marketed to the GA, and I'm serious... CALL OR WRITE THEM NOW!!!

http://legis.state.va.us/Senate/Senators.htm
http://legis.state.va.us/House/Delegates.htm