June 9th,2011 | There was an animal carcass stuck to the fence.That was the outrage that finally inspired a neighbor to call Franklin County Animal Services and ask them to come investigate a home in Zebulon on Monday. |  |
June 4th,2011 | We were in the latest issue of the Humane Society Legislative Fund magazine Humane Activist. The writeup talks about the recent possible closure of the animal welfare section that inspects shelters. “Advocates called from every county,and state legislators listened;the revised budget proposal not only retains the division but increases funding for additional inspectors.” You can download this issue of the Humane Activist here. Our mention is on the back page. |  |
April 6th,2011
CONCORD,N.C. –Changes in Cabarrus County Animal Control and adoption procedures have already helped reduce the rate of animals put down,according to county officials. The euthanasia rate dropped from about 80 percent in the past to about 50 percent last month,commissioner Bob Carruth said Monday during the Cabarrus County commissioner work session. What changed,he said,is that the Animal Control has given the Humane Society of Concord and Greater Cabarrus County more responsibility overseeing the adoption of animals. Read more |  |
March 18th,2011 GREENSBORO,N.C. (WGHP)— The director of the Guilford County Animal Shelter has won a major state award for her work. Marsha Williams won an award as part of a statewide “Shelters We Love”campaign launched by the Humane Society and North Carolina‘s Voters for Animal Welfare. Read more. |  |
March 12th,2011 | Raleigh,N.C. –North Carolina Animal Welfare Inspectors could lose their jobs as state lawmakers crunch the budget numbers. Nearly the entire department is on a targeted reduction list the NC Agriculture Department handed over to appropriations members. Lawmakers requested a 10% reduction list or $6.1 million dollars for that state agency. Read more |  | | Are you opposed to this budget cut? You CAN help,click here! |
March 11th,2011 | Created in 2005,this underfunded program has generated significant positive change for the animals of North Carolina and the shelters caring for them. The Animal Welfare Section: | | | | - Inspects shelters,boarding kennels,pet stores and large rescue groups to ensure the safety of the animals and workers within them
- Provides on line inspection reports of above listed facilities available to the general public for review at their leisure
- Inspects euthanasia processes and euthanasia technicians each year to ensure that they meet the requirements of the AWA
- Provides shelters and county officials with options for correcting deficiencies that fit within the county budget and assists in finding resources for repairs and training
- Handles hundreds of animal welfare complaints from the general public annually regarding shelters,pet stores and animal rescues
- Acts as resource for shelters and animal control agencies throughout North Carolina and provides valuable information sharing between agencies
- Has found countless deficiencies in shelter structures across the state resulting is shelter renovations that have drastically improved the lives of NC shelter animals
- Provides oversight of euthanasia procedures
- Inspectors promote Spay/Neuter through education of both the public and local governments
- Provides community outreach to remove the stigma associated with animals shelters
- Has been responsible for uncovering puppy mills,animal cruelty cases and unscrupulous “rescues”
|  | | | Why should you oppose this proposal?
If the Animal Welfare Section is eliminated there will be no oversight of animal shelters,boarding facilities,pet stores or large rescue groups. Over 320,000 animals enter NC shelters annually. Our shelters are in crisis due to pet overpopulation and budget cuts. Elimination of this section would be a devastating blow to the animals and the men and women who are caring for them. | | | | Who would be impacted by this proposal?
The elimination of the Animal Welfare Section cuts less than $400,000 from the Department’s $61 million budget. The Animal Welfare Section has been under funded since the inception of the program in 2005. Even grossly underfunded,the Section positively impacts over 320,000 shelter animals annually,hundreds of animal welfare workers across the state,and animal facilities in 100 counties. | | | | | |
March 8th,2011 | We have been informed that the Department of Agriculture must make a budget cut of 10% and they have decided to cut the Animal Welfare Division. A budget cut will mean what little oversight we have over shelters,pet stores and rescues will be eliminated. A cut to the already limited budget of the Animal Welfare Division will be a step backwards for the protection of our animals. This proposal will be voted on very soon,please act now! Please take following actions
 Please REPECTFULLY call N.C. Commissioner of Agriculture Steve Troxler at 919-707-3000
Message to leave: “My name is ___ and I am North Carolina citizen. I have learned that the Department of Agriculture wants to eliminate the the animal welfare devision. Without the Animal Welfare Division we will have no oversight of shelters,pet stores or rescues. There must be accountability for these groups and with no regulatory supervision there is none. Thank you for your time.
 Click this link to email the legislators that are voting on the proposal to remove shelter oversight. |  |
November 9th,2010 | The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is conducting a study of companion-animal welfare,and the public will have the opportunity to provide input. If you cannot attend any of the meetings please email a letter.
Click the banner below to sent an email to Dr. Lee Hunter director of the Dept. of Agriculture Animal Welfare Section. It only takes 30 second to fill it out.
Thank you! |  | | [bannergarden id="1"] |
November 9th,2010 | Yesterday morning talking points were released by several organizations for advocates to use when contributing to Dept of Agriculture’s Companion Animal Study. DOA’s study is an important opportunity to raise awareness about animal issues and inspire major change. For change to happen,our voice must be focused and respectful. Please take a moment to read the talking points and send a constructive email to Dr. Hunter. Keep in mind these are merely talking points and you need to interject your voice. Dept of Ag does not like to receive form letters;they want to know why issues are important to you. For those of you in areas with meeting,expect the opposition to be present. Every opportunity we have to speak up is an opportunity for them as well. We cannot let them deter our focus of improving animal welfare;reacting to their presence will only make us look bad. Please go to the meetings with this in mind. Remember,we are the humane voice and we owe it to animals to be as kind and diplomatic as they are. With session starting in January,we have very limited time to make an impression. Please email Dept of Ag within the next couple of weeks and ask your animal friends to do the same. This is an exciting,historic time for animals and we need to take advantage of this rare opportunity!  Happy Advocating!
Dena |  Dena Cohen
NCVAW Vice President |
November 8th,2010 RALEIGH — The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is conducting a study of companion-animal welfare,and the public will have the opportunity to provide input. Please read NCVAW’s vice president’s message regarding these listening sessions.
The study will focus on current laws and regulations pertaining to the welfare of dogs and cats;the oversight of public and private animal shelters;the state’s spay/neuter program;the scope of commercial breeding operations;and the protection of consumers who purchase companion animals.There will be 3 listening sessions from 6 to 8PM (click links below for driving directions): - Tuesday Nov. 9,Applied Technology Auditorium,Guilford Technical Community College,601 High Point Road,Jamestown
- Wednesday Nov. 10,Room 143 of Leslie Building,Pitt Community College,1986 Pitt Tech Road,Winterville
- Friday Nov. 12,Simpson Lecture Room,Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College,340 Victoria Road,Asheville
Click here for a printable list of TALKING POINTS to bring to the meeting. Hope to see you there! | |
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