A Member's Letter to the Editor

Printed August 15, 2010 in The Capital Newspaper, Annapolis, MD

Vote for Animals

Kudos to the recently formed Maryland Votes for Animals for hosting a large turn‐out of state legislators together with representatives from a multitude of organizations across Maryland dedicated to the humane treatment of animals.

MVFA is gathering steam as it successfully builds a statewide voting block determined to vote into office those who will vote for humane legislation protecting animals. Numbering already in the thousands, this block of voters will be alerted to upcoming legislative bills affecting the well‐being of animals. A Humane Legislative Scorecard found at www.VoteAnimals.org will help Maryland voters track current and past voting records of their District’s representatives as to how they vote on humane legislation.

Awards at the event were presented to the following legislators for having a 100%+ perfect humane legislative scorecard. (The plus indicates those who sponsored/co‐sponsored a humane bill):

Senator Catherine Pugh (Distr. 40, Balt. City)
Senator Jamie Raskin (Distr. 20,Mont. Co.)
Senator Norman Stone (Distr. 6, Balt. Co.)
Delegate Jon Cardin (Distr.11, Balt. Co)
Delegate Virginia Clagett (Distr. 30, Anne Arundel Co.)
Delegate Tom Hucker (Distr. 20, Mont. Co.)
Delegate Wade Kach (Distr. 5, Balt. Co.)
Delegate James Malone (Distr. 12, Balt. Co.)

From the cruel, unnecessary slaughter of our majestic mute swans…to ever increasing hunting violence to wildlife…from the violence and neglect of dogs and cats…to overcrowded shelters resorting to euthanasia instead of creative adoption programs and no‐kill policies…from puppy mills to animal factory farms, MVFA will be shining the light of exposure on these and more so that voters can make a difference with new voting tools. In terms of animal protection laws, Maryland ranks 40th out of all 50 states.

Mike Markarian, Vice President of the Humane Society of the United States, gave the address. Carolyn Kilborn, Founder and President of MVFA, chaired the event. MVFA’s logo reflects its mission: “Let Kindness Reign…Vote Humane.”

Carolyn Mathias
Severna Park