Through multiple proposals and tenacious advocacy, both the House and Senate have approved a provision to ensure domestic animal welfare with adoption of an amended H. 729.
Starting on page 28, amended H. 729 includes development of a plan for the unification and improvement of state administrative functions relating to domestic animal welfare protections. Among unrelated judiciary related provisions, it would:
- Require the Department of Public Safety and Department of Agriculture, Food and Markets to develop a plan to unify domestic animal welfare functions.
- Present draft legislation to enact the plan.
- Ensure that domestic animals transported into the State from other jurisdictions meet health and safety standards and that the businesses that import domestic animals into the State are registered or licensed, or both, and meet health and safety standards.
Thank you to everyone who responded to the Vermont Federation of Dog Clubs’ (VT Federation) and American Kennel Club’s (AKC) prior alerts advocating for its passage! Sincerest appreciation is extended to Mary McFaun, President of the VT Federation and long-standing member of the state’s Animal Cruelty Investigative Advisory Board (ACIAB), for her persistence.
WHAT YOU CAN DO: Vermont residents are strongly encouraged to contact Governor Phil Scott using this form to request his signature on amended H. 729. Please include in your message the risks of not overseeing the health status of domestic animals currently being imported into Vermont and the importance of addressing these risks. Details regarding pet imports – protecting pet and people health can be viewed here.
AKC will continue to provide updates on amended H. 729. For more information on it or other legislative issues in Vermont, contact AKC’s Government Relations Department at 919-816-3720 or doglaw@akc.org.