Support House Bill 1400, Save a Life

Bosco-2One of our LIFE network friends, Polly Liebig, sent this information about HB-1400. This bill also has the support of local animal rescue Lakeshore PAWS. Here's the information and how you can help.

Millions of dogs and cats, about 1 every 11 seconds, are killed in shelters because there are no enough homes for them. Spay/neuter is a proven way to reduce pet overpopulation, ensuring that every pet has a family to love them.

House Bill 1400 (HB-1400) will provide spay/neuter to Medicaid recipients at no cost to taxpayers. The bill has been filed with the Ways and Means Committee by Representative Linda Lawson and co-authored by Representative Mike Karickhoff. The bill needs to get to committee by January 27th!

Those wanting to support the bill and help move things along can fill in their information on the following letter and send it before the 27th. If we can save just a few animals from dying, it will be a success and you will be part of it!

The following is the letter which can be copied and pasted and must be sent before the 27th:

January 21, 2014

The Honorable Tim Brown
Indiana State Representative
Chairman – House Ways and Means Committee
Indiana State Capitol
200 W. Washington Street - Room 402
Indianapolis, IN 46204
h41@in.gov

Subject: Ways and Means Committee - Hearing for HB-1400

Dear Representative Brown,

I am writing to strongly encourage you to set a hearing date for HB-1400, which has been filed with the Ways and Means Committee by Representative Linda Lawson and co-authored by Rep. Mike Karickhoff.

HB-1400 would establish the Indiana companion animal sterilization fund. This fund would allow Medicaid recipients to receive spay and neuter services at no charge. The spay/neuter services would not be charged to the taxpayers.

HB-1400 will help reduce the overpopulation of unwanted pets, help reduce euthanasia and help reduce dog bites, all of which are concerns in my community.

This type of legislation has been done in other states and has resulted in proven outcomes. For decades communities have experienced an overpopulation of unwanted pets. Millions of local, county and private dollars have been spent on housing, euthanizing and working to find homes for these animals. HB-1400 addresses one of the root causes of this ongoing and growing problem and will help our communities redirect some of their scarce resources towards additional preventative efforts.

Thank you for your consideration of a hearing for HB-1400.

Sincerely,

Your name
Your address, including the town
Your phone number
Your e-mail