In July 2011 four former workers at a North Carolina testing lab have been indicted on felony animal cruelty charges, following an undercover investigation that captured video images of animal abuse/cruelty. The video shot by an undercover PETA member working at the lab shows workers throwing a cat, pulling a dog’s teeth with inadequate pain medication and trying to pull a cat’s claws off by jerking it from a wire cage. Professional Laboratory and Research Services Inc. was closed in late 2010 after the USDA received PETA’s report and began to investigate the operation. More than 200 dogs and 50 cats were confiscated from the lab by the USDA following the investigation. Animal Advocates Alliance sent the following letter to District Attorney Frank Parish requesting that his office seek to impose the maximum penalty under North Carolina law:

Exciting news! Animal Advocates Alliance efforts are a key component of the Compassion Revolution. Every other Saturday, we offer a free basic obedience and proper pet care class at the Baldwin Park shelter.   This exciting program has launched at the Baldwin Park shelter and has eager community pet guardians becoming ambassador’s of kindness and responsibility in their neighborhoods.  We not only educate neighborhoods and provide tools to a healthy relationship with one’s pet but offer low to no-cost spay/neuter for the their own pets! Take a class, learn and become part of the solution.

To watch a short video of this amazing project:

We were provided with the exciting opportunity to have our very own Stephanie Levy appear on the “Insider” show to discuss the horrors of puppy mills and the diseased individuals who run them. Watch the segment below!

Dear Friends,

Your action on this matter is extremely important. The City has proposed a $1.8 million cut in the budget for Animal Services. If approved, it is estimated that 4,000 to 11,000 more pets will be euthanized in the shelters each year. The cuts will also lead to the closure of up to two animal shelters and the loss of 8 Animal Control Officers, 14 Animal Care Technicians, 3 Registered Veterinary Technicians, 4 Clerical Staff, and 2 Supervisors.

Last year, community backlash successfully led to the reinstatement of a program offering free spay and neuter vouchers to low income pet owners, which had been eliminated due to budget concerns — we each have a powerful voice that can successfully bring about change if we make ourselves heard.

The City Council Budget & Finance Committee is taking public comment on the proposed budget cuts to Animal Services TOMORROW, WEDNESDAY, April 28th between 1pm – 5pm at City Hall – 200 N. Spring Street, Room 340.

Please consider attending the Committee meeting to voice your opposition to these budget cuts that will harm our community and senselessly put the lives of so many innocent animals at risk. The Committee Meeting Agenda and other information is available here: http://ens.lacity.org/clk/committeeagend/clkcommitteeagend1866035_04272010.pdf.

If you cannot attend the meeting, please email your City Council Member to let them know how destructive these cuts will be to our community (to find your District enter your address under Neighborhood Services here: http://www.lacity.org/index.htm). Those marked with an asterisk next to the district below sit on the Budget & Finance Committee and have special power to craft amendments and make recommendations to the full City Council before the final budget vote:

District 1 – councilmember.reyes@lacity.org
District 2 – councilmember.greuel@lacity.org
*District 3 – councilmember.zine@lacity.org
District 4 – councilmember.labonge@lacity.org
*District 5 – councilmember.koretz@lacity.org
District 6 – councilmember.cardenas@lacity.org
District 7 – councilmember.alarcon@lacity.org
*District 8 – councilmember.parks@lacity.org
*District 9 – councilmember.perry@lacity.org
District 10 – councilmember.wesson@lacity.org
*District 11 – councilmember.rosendahl@lacity.org
*District 12 – councilmember.smith@lacity.org
District 13 – councilmember.garcetti@lacity.org
*District 14 – councilmember.huizar@lacity.org
District 15 – councilmember.hahn@lacity.org

Please let your voice be heard on behalf of the animals!

On May 18, 2009 notorious animal hoarders Cindy Bemis and Cindy Trapani were convicted of felony animal cruelty in Kern County. AAA sent the following letters to prosecuting District Attorney Andrea Kohler and sentencing Judge Kenneth C. Twisselman to recommend that these repeat offenders of animal cruelty and neglect receive the maximum penalties allowed under the law for their crimes. Read full text of letter to Andrea Khohler below and full text of letter to Judge Twinsselman II of the Kern County Superioer Court here: JUDGE TWINSSELMAN II LETTER.

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SB 250, otherwise known as The Pet Responsibility Act, was introduced by State Senator Dean Florez on February 24, 2009 in an effort to reduce the number of unwanted animals in California shelters, where more than half a million animals are euthanized annually. AAA issued the following letter setting forth its position in support of SB 250: AAA Letter in Support of SB-250

Animal Advocates Alliance sent a letter to prosecutors at the Orange County District Attorney’s Office to express their gratitude for the decision to pursue charges of animal cruelty against Justin Carrafield, who is alleged to have repeatedly and viciously stabbed an eight-month-old puppy belonging to his girlfriend after attacking her during an argument. It is AAA’s sincere hope that the prosecutors will seek the maximum penalty allowed under the California Penal Code and that Mr. Carrafield will receive a sentence that is commensurate with the extreme violence he committed against both his girlfriend and her puppy. Read full text of the letter here: Carrafield Letter

Animal Advocates Alliance sent a letter to prosecutors at the Riverside District Attorney’s Office to express their appreciation for the decision to pursue felony animal cruelty charges against Los Angeles County Fire Chief, Glynn Johnson. Mr. Johnson is alleged to have committed gruesome acts of violence on a young German Shepherd mix puppy, Karley, belonging to a neighbor, breaking Karley’s jaw and causing extensive brain damage. Eye witness testimony from a neighbor who was originally escorting Karley to her home reveals that Mr. Johnson’s attack was unprovoked. Read full text of the letter here: Karley Letter