Ohio ranked #6 in the most USDA 'Class A' licensed commercial breeders!

Dear Companion Pet Lovers ~

JUST 317 DAYS REMAINING UNTIL DECEMBER 1, 2011!

According to statistics released at the close of 2010, Ohio now ranks SIXTH (up from seventh in 2009!) among the top 10 states with the most USDA 'Class A' licensed commercial breeders!

The Coalition to Ban Ohio Dog Auctions remains steadfast in their commitment to send a strong message to state legislators that dog auctions serve as a major distribution channel for buyers and sellers from 15 states, many of whom have long standing repeated violations of the Animal Welfare Act and/or have been convicted of animal cruelty!

As Ohio voters and taxpayers, we are committed to supporting a ballot initiative to ban these events from our community! We need everyone's commitment to collect a minimum of three petitions of signatures from registered Ohio voters by Deccember 1, 2011!

Click here to download a copy of the Ohio Dog Auctions Act.
Click here to download Instructions for Collecting Signatures in support of the Ohio Dog Auctions Act.
Click here to download the Campaign Flyer for our ballot initiative (Ohio Dog Auctions Act).

A. 2011 OHIO COMPANION ANIMAL LOBBY DAY!

REMINDER! Please join advocates from across the state for the Ohio Companion Animal Lobby Day in Columbus on Wednesday, April 6 from 10-2 PM!

We will be hitting the halls of the state capitol to advocate for bills and ballot initiatives to address issues impacting the welfare of companion animals that are occurring right here in Ohio. The day will be action packed – a briefing, lobbying, and a press conference, all of which will provide the perfect opportunity for us to urge state legislators to recognize animal cruelty, dog auctions, puppy mills and breed-specific legislation as serious issues and take action to effectively address them in Ohio. And - you don't need to be an expert in lobbying to take part!

There are many new legislators in Ohio as well as incumbents, who do not yet know that Ohio is only one of four states which do not have a subsequent-offense or first offense felony animal cruelty law and has enacted statewide breed-specific legislation. And many may not be aware that Ohio has the only dog auction east of the Mississippi which attracts buyers and sellers from 15 states, many of whom have long standing, repeated violations of the Animal Welfare Act or have been convicted of animal cruelty.

Watch for more details on 2011 Ohio Companion Animal Lobby Day the week of January 24!

B. JANUARY 15 PEACEFUL RALLY AGAINST THE OHIO DOG AUCTION!

Saturday's Ohio dog auction was blessed with 17 supporters who braved the 31 degree weather in Charm to serve as a strong voice for the dogs! We also wish to give a special thanks to Deborah and Mike Lucas, who shared their heartfelt story about Sophie, a puppy mill rescue from MN breeder, Wanda Kretzman (Clear Water Kennel), and Faith Dower, who drove seven hours round trip from WV to join our pack of dedicated animal advocates!

The highlight of our January 15 rally was a double bonus; receiving recognition from a Holmes county resident who confirmed that our campaign to raise awareness of Ohio dog auctions and their relationship to puppy mill breeding is gaining tremendous support from the locals, and rescuing five beautiful companions (a poodle, two Yorkshire terriers and two bichons) as part of our undercover investigation to be aired in the next two weeks on Local 12 WKRC TV (Cincinnati, OH)!

The next Ohio Dog Auction is scheduled to take place on Fri., February 25, 2011 at 4 PM in Farmerstown, OH! Over 100 dogs are expected to be consigned by Ohio breeder, Eugene Miller. Click here to view his USDA Inspection Reports.

C. STAND UNITED TO SERVE AS A STRONG VOICE FOR THE DOGS!

Given the tremendous outpouring of support following Dr. Nancy Kay's excellent article on dog auctions, we are encouraging everyone to write to the following elected officials asking them to support a ban on Ohio dog auctions. Emphasize that you will not be spending any dollars in Holmes County until this event no longer takes place in their community!

1. Holmes County Commissioners (Joe D. Miller, Ray Eyler and Robert L. Ault)

2 Court Street, Ste 14

Millersburg, OH 44654-2001

Phone: 330-674-0286

Fax: 330-674-0566

E-mail: hcc@co.holmes.oh.us

2. Governor John Kasich

Contact: http://governor.ohio.gov/ShareYourIdeas.aspx

Again, we greatly appreciate everyone's support and dedication to our campaign! Thanks for continuing to serve as a strong voice for the dogs!

P.S. We invite you to join the over 2,250 voices who have become members of our Face Book group, Ohio Voters against Puppy Mills and Dog Auctions. Membership is FREE, and our portal serves as a great vehicle in which to receive timely updates on issues and campaigns addressing Ohio dog auctions, puppy mills and the entities that support and keep them in business. For more information on how you can become a member, please click here.

Mary O'Connor-Shaver
Cell: 614-271-8248
Columbus Top Dogs
http://www.ColumbusTopDogs.com
http://www.BanOhioDogAuctions.com
http://www.ThoughtsFurPaws.com

http://petnewsandviews.com
http://tejasanimalrefuge.ca/

http://www.LostPetUSA.net

LEGISLATIVE ALERTS: Please visit our Home page for pending legislation impacting the welfare of OH animals - http://www.columbustopdogs.com/

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