Mr. Barack Obama President of the United States of America

The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20500 July 7^th, 2012 Subj.: 260,000 Voices with Concerns on the Existent and Dated Animal Welfare Dear Mr. President Obama:

We as citizens, from the North to the South and from the East to the West, are very concerned with the lack on the oversight of the extensive uncontrolled breeding of dogs in back yards or puppy mills and of cats due to lack S/N & TNR. That leads to many dogs and cats unwanted and abandoned on the streets or at shelters to be impounded and destroyed. The existent regulations only keep on empowering many to treat animals as a ‘disposable property.’

We ask you herewith to create a ‘Bill’ a ‘Reform’ for all to adhere to; such as owners, dealers, sellers and tax funded animal pounds, animal control agencies and shelters.

A bill to stop:

• With the killing of stray / surrendered healthy and adoptable dogs and cats and lost family pets when there is space as well as rescue options available
• With the atrocities being committed such as killings by suffocation in gas chambers and by torture with heart stick method at animal control agencies, animal pounds and shelters
• With the abuse of power, neglect and cruelty inflicted to the animals at tax funded pounds, animal services, animal control agencies and shelters

It is a long-standing tradition and courtesy to direct any matter that is not under the jurisdiction of the federal government to the appropriate government officials for investigation.

An alternative to this tradition should be available, especially when:

• The system in place is not working
• The appropriate government officials do not or can not follow suit with investigations
• The appropriate governmental sectors are not being regulated
• The employees at these tax funded places create their own rules in their handling of the animals under their care

We need a ‘Reform’ to nationally:

• Stop the abusive & horrific killings with heart-stick method in non-comatose animals
• Stop the terrifying and agonizing killings by suffocation in gas chambers
• Increase the holding period of animals; therefore to allow more time for adoptions or rescues to take place
• Report all the animals impounded with pictures to help owners find their lost pets
• Only euthanize the animals that are comatose, severely injured in a humanely way, by lethal injection
• Provide transparency with all the procedures applied to all the animals at said pounds, animal control agencies and shelters
• Stop close door policies
• Provide accountability in all the handlings and usage of tax moneys at these locations
• Regulate all animal stores with provisions such as to publicize animal medical records to buyers prior to the animals exiting these stores
• Set and follow regulations with fees to back yard breeders
• Limit the uncontrolled animal breeding to the minimum or impose fines to back yard breeders
• Close down all puppy mills
• Create certification with provisions for legit animal breeders
• Create a program for schools to educate about proper animal care
• Promote the importance of pets as companion animals and not as disposable objects

It is outrageous that tax funded animal services, pound, shelters can kill healthy and adoptable cats and dogs upon a one day manager’s decision.

One example of the above statement is depicted when in seventeen states the community shelters

/ animal control agencies continue until today to destroy animals in gas chambers.

In spite of the American Veterinary Association statement in their published guidelines and recommendations that: “Carbon Monoxide—Carbon monoxide is not recommended for routine euthanasia of cats and dogs.” But as AVMA states: “it may be considered in unusual circumstances, such as natural disasters, large-scale disease outbreaks, or in institutional environments where other options are not available. Alternate methods with fewer conditions and disadvantages are recommended for companion animals where feasible.”

An archaic approach of some might depict as a passion to kill has compelled tax funded county pounds to kill animals that have owners, that wear tags and that have microchips.

The excuses in already closed court cases are: 'sorry we made a mistake and we fixed the error when the technician in question was fired' or 'sorry we had mistaken your dog with the one in another cage' or 'sorry we did not realize that the pet had a chip'

If existent regulations would be revisited and accordingly reformed; the end result would be more transparency, which would increase adoptions; adoptions would increase revenue, community involvement and donations.

Donations and community involvement would help to subsidize low cost spay and neuter services, as well as trap neuter return of feral cat programs on a national level. We need feral cats in areas where there is rodent infestation; rodents spread diseases to us humans, which then can grow to be an epidemic if we rid of all feral cats out there. It would reduce the euthanasia rates of healthy and adoptable animals on a national level.

The reduction of unnecessary euthanasia on a national level would reduce the cost and expenses involved with the killings, such as equipment, injections, waste management, disposal equipment and environmental hazards. It would reduce the psychological drain on animal shelter volunteers, and on those that assist with the killing as well as disposal of the dead animals.

Adoptions would help perk the economy in the U.S. pet industry such as with: pet food; organic food; accessories; earth friendly pet products; gourmet treats; toys; supplies; medicine; vitamins; vet care; pet services such as grooming and boarding; shampoos; pet attire; travel expenses; pet friendly hotel chains; pet spas; high-tech products.

The benefits of creating a ‘Bill’ a ‘Reform’ for our companion animals would outweigh the negative methods used by many until today. It would increase awareness about proper animal care.

A national ‘Bill’ for our companion animals would help to acknowledge them as what they already are; our valuable pet companions and not a disposable property.

Sincerely,

Gloria Ulmer

Below are links to petitions for companion animals. They are addressed to you Mr. President, to the White House, to Congress Leaders, to Politicians in their states and counties. These few petitions tallied up to more than 260,000 signatures.

We Need Laws to Protect the Animals Held at County Pounds called Animal Shelters – over 1,700 signatures

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/yes-to-laws-regulations-for-animal-shelters

Help Shut Down Puppy Mills – over 46,000 signatures http://apps.facebook.com/petitions/takeaction/688/148/486/ Don’t Euthanize Adoptable Pets – over 25,000 signatures http://apps.facebook.com/petitions/takeaction/648/888/135/ Let’s Become a No Kill Nation – over 40,000 signatures http://apps.facebook.com/petitions/takeaction/730/145/210/ Make Animal Chambers Unacceptable as a Method of Euthanasia – over 700 signatures http://www.change.org/petitions/the-avma-panel-on-euthanasia-make-animal-gas-chambers- unacceptable-as-a-method-of-euthanasia MDA Needs to Shut down Pet Stores that Abuse Animals – over 900 signatures http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/mda-needs-to-shut-down-pet-stores-that-abuse-animals/ North Carolina for Homeless Pets and Animals – over 700 signatures http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/mda-needs-to-shut-down-pet-stores-that-abuse-animals/ Ban the Gas Chambers for our Pets at Walker, LA Walker Animal Shelter – over 400 signatures http://www.thepetitionsite.com/2/ban-the-gas-chamber-for-our-pets-at-walker-la---walker-animalshelter/ Stop Killing Homeless Pets in Animal Control (GA) – over 4,000 signatures http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/Reform-Animal-Welfare-Laws/ Reform for the Ethical Treatment of “Foreclosure Pets” – over 1,500 signatures http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/reform-for-the-ethical-treatment-of-foreclosure-pets/ Support USDA’s Improved Pet Sales Regulations – over 3,000 signatures http://www.thepetitionsite.com/773/525/731/support-usdas-improved-pet-sale-regulations/ Help Keep Our Pets at Home – over 200 signatures http://www.thepetitionsite.com/2/help-keep-our-pets-at-home/ Make Pet Owners into Pet Guardians – over 2,300 signatures http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/779/015/825/ Shutdown Pets Unlimited in Sunnyside, Queen, NY – over 600 signatures http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/779/015/825/ Help Homeless Pets – Open More Free Vets Clinics – over 600 signatures http://www.thepetitionsite.com/6/help-homeless-pets-open-more-free-vet-clinics/ Stop the Gassing of Shelter Animals in Texas – over 5,800 signatures http://www.thepetitionsite.com/6/help-homeless-pets-open-more-free-vet-clinics/ Urge Garland Texas to Stop Gassing Homeless Pets – over 1,400 signatures http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/urge-Garland-to-stop-gassing-pets/ Tell the Humane Society Stop Killing Healthy Pets – over 200 signatures http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/urge-Garland-to-stop-gassing-pets/ Before Euthanasia Scan for Microchip Ownership – over 800 signatures http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/pets-must-be-checked-for-microchips-before-euthanasia/ Stop Giving Our Pets to Class B Animal Dealers – over 300 signatures http://www.thepetitionsite.com/3/stop-giving-our-pets-to-class-b-animal-dealers/ No Pets Left Behind – over 3,000 signatures http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/761/232/780/ Stop Euthanizing Adoptable Animals in Shelters – over 2,300 signatures http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/stop-euthanizing-in-americas-animal-shelters/ Petition to make it Unlawful to Euthanize Homeless Pets – over 600 signatures http://www.thepetitionsite.com/388/petition-to-end-euthanasia-healthy-and-or-treatable-pets/ Stop NJ from Euthanizing Shelter Pets before 7 Days – over 1,400 signatures http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/stop-nj-from-euthanizing-shelter-pets-before-7-days/ Sweet Pets for Target Practice – over 1,000 signatures http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/sweet-pets-used-for-target-practice/ Create Legislation Recognizing Pets More than Property – over 200 signatures http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/create-legislation-recognizing-pets-as-more-than-property/ Help Control the Pet Population – over 700 signatures http://www.thepetitionsite.com/558/744/505/help-control-the-pet-population/ Make It A Law to Spay/ Neuter Pets, End Massive Euthanization of Dogs and Cats at Shelters – over 1,300 signatures http://www.thepetitionsite.com/5/mandatory-spay-neuter-law/ Help Stop Euthanasia, Limit Breeding and Pet Sales in Hillsborough County – over 900 signatures http://www.thepetitionsite.com/2/help-stop-euthanasia-limit-breeding-and-pet-sales-in-hillsboroughcounty/ Stop the Abuse at the Memphis Animal Shelter – over 29,000 signatures http://www.change.org/petitions/stop-the-abuse-at-the-memphis-animal-shelter Change the Status of Pets/Companion Animals from Property to Furry Children – over 300 signatures http://www.change.org/petitions/change-the-status-of-pets-companion-animals-from-property-to- furry-children Ban Inhumane Gassing of Shelter Pets in Utah – over 3,900 signatures http://www.change.org/petitions/ban-inhumane-gassing-of-shelter-pets-in-utah Make it A Federal Law to Have Your Pets Spayed or Neutered – over 100 signatures http://www.change.org/petitions/make-it-a-federal-law-to-have-your-pets-spayed-or-neutered Compulsory and Neutering of Pets – over 300 signatures http://www.change.org/petitions/compulsory-spaying-and-neutering-of-pets Tell North Carolina –Quit Killing Pets Using Cruel Gassing Methods – over 9,500 signatures http://www.change.org/petitions/tell-north-carolina-quit-killing-pets-using-cruel-gasing-methods Stop Killing Cats and Dogs America – over 12,600 signatures http://www.change.org/petitions/stop-killing-cats-and-dogs-america The U.S. Senate: Hannah’s Law – Make Pets Worth More than Property in Court – over 1,200 signatures http://www.change.org/petitions/the-u-s-senate-hannah-s-law-make-pets-worth-more-than-property- in-court Stop Gassing Sherman Animal Shelter Pets to Death – over 1,700 signatures http://www.change.org/petitions/the-city-of-sherman-texas-bill-magers-mayor-and-the-city-council- stop-gassing-sherman-animal-shelter-pets-to-death Willie’s Law – over 300 signatures http://www.change.org/petitions/willie-s-law Our Elected Officials: Give us the right to vote on a pets trust – over 2,800 signatures http://www.change.org/petitions/our-elected-officials-give-us-the-right-to-vote-on-a-pets-trust Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence: Offer a safe haven for victims of domestic violence AND their pets in NYC! – over 500 signatures http://www.change.org/petitions/mayor-s-office-to-combat-domestic-violence-offer-a-safe-haven-forvictims-of-domestic-violence-and-their-pets-in-nyc Hold the People Responsible for the Problem Accountable – over 200 signatures http://www.change.org/petitions/hold-the-people-responsible-for-the-problem-accountable Help Stop the Killing of 100’s of thousands of Cats and Dogs! – over 800 signatures http://www.change.org/petitions/help-stop-the-killing-of-100s-of-thousands-of-cats-and-dogs Indiana Abuse Shelters: Provide on-site housing for pets – over 100 signatures http://www.change.org/petitions/indiana-abuse-shelters-provide-on-site-housing-for-pets Petition to Make a Change at Miami Dade Animal Services – over 400 signatures http://www.change.org/petitions/petition-to-make-a-change-at-miami-dade-animal-services Florida 55+ Associations: Let Florida pet owners keep their pets in the 55+ communities http://www.change.org/petitions/florida-55-associations-let-florida-pet-owner-s-keep-their-pets-in-the55-communities State of Texas: quit using deadly force on pets http://www.change.org/petitions/state-of-texas-quit-using-deadly-force-on-pets Fight for Chooch: To stop police officers from killing family pets –over 700 signatures http://www.change.org/petitions/fight-for-chooch-to-stop-police-officers-from-killing-family-pets The President of the United States: We need laws regulating the use of deadly force against our family pets – over 1,800 signatures http://www.change.org/petitions/the-president-of-the-united-states-we-need-laws-regulating-the-use- of-deadly-force-against-our-family-pets Forth Worth Police kills innocent pet –over 800 signatures http://www.change.org/petitions/fort-worth-police-kills-innocent-pet Outlaw the Breeding of Dogs in CA. with the exception of licensed breeders. : Stop the breeding of pets until the animal population is under control http://www.change.org/petitions/outlaw-the-breeding-of-dogs-in-ca-with-the-exception-of-licensedbreeders-stop-the-breeding-of-pets-until-our-animal-population-is-under-control Rowan County Animal Control Shelter: Ban Gas Chamber Euthanasia for Shelter Pets in Rowan County, N.C. – over 400 signatures http://www.change.org/petitions/rowan-county-animal-control-shelter-ban-gas-chamber-euthanasia- for-shelter-pets-in-rowan-county-nc Training for Local Police to Handle our Domestic Pets Without Lethal Force – over 200 signatures http://www.change.org/petitions/sen-joseph-robach-sen-james-s-alesi-gov-andrew-cuomo-training-for- local-police-to-handle-our-domestic-pets-without-lethal-force Revive John Kerry’s Federal Law Fighting Bill – dog fighting national epidemic and serious – over 5,800 signatures http://www.change.org/petitions/revive-john-kerry-s-federal-dog-fighting-bill-dog-fighting-national- epidemic-and-serious Affordable Spay/Neuter Bill for Cats and Dogs – over 3,600 signatures http://www.change.org/petitions/affordable-spay-neuter-bill-for-cats-and-dogs Eliminate the murder of dogs in the carbon monoxide chambers in Yadkin County Animal Shelter – over 2,200 signatures http://www.change.org/petitions/eliminate-the-murder-of-dogs-in-the-carbon-monoxide-gas-chamber- in-yadkin-county-animal-shelter A kitten named Cuddles died of Torture. Please Toughen Animal Cruelty Laws for Safer Society – over 4,800 signatures http://www.change.org/petitions/a-kitten-named-cuddles-died-of-torture-please-toughen-animal- cruelty-laws-for-safer-society Dogs and Cats should not be used for experiments – compromises human safety. Vet medicine excluded

– over 1,100 signatures http://www.change.org/petitions/dogs-and-cats-should-not-be-used-for-experiments-compromises- human-safety-vet-medicine-excluded Animal Abuse Registry for Public Safety and Prevents Serial Killing – over 1,000 signatures http://www.change.org/petitions/animal-abuse-registry-for-public-safety-and-prevents-serial-killing Demand Change at Houston’s BARC – over 1,600 signatures http://www.change.org/petitions/demand-change-at-houston-s-barc Make it a Law that all Dogs and Cats be Neutered/Spayed till all the Shelters are Empty – over 500 signatures http://www.change.org/petitions/make-it-a-law-that-all-dogs-and-cats-be-neuteredspayed-till-all-theshelters-are-empty Animal cruelty / ordinance surcharge for spay / neuter services – over 1,000 signatures http://www.change.org/petitions/animal-crueltyordinance-surcharge-for-spayneuter-services USA needs Animal Cruelty Surcharge to help fund Spay / Neuter Programs in each State – over 400 signatures http://www.change.org/petitions/usa-needs-animal-cruelty-surcharge-to-help-fund-spayneuterprograms-in-each-state Michigan: Tell Politicians to Ban Gas Chamber Killings of Dogs and Cats Now! – over 10,000 signatures http://www.change.org/petitions/michigan-tell-politicians-to-ban-gas-chamber-killings-of-dogs-andcats-now Stop Sending Bay Village Dogs and Cats to Kill Shelters – over 1,500 signatures http://www.change.org/petitions/stop-sending-bay-village-dogs-and-cats-to-kill-shelters Tell Oklahoma Government Officials, Ban Inhumane Gassing of Dogs & Cats Now! – over 2,700 signatures http://www.change.org/petitions/tell-oklahoma-government-officials-ban-inhumane-gassing-of-dogscats-now-2 Petition: Federal Definition of Bestiality as Obscene and Federal Crime – over 1,900 signatures http://www.change.org/petitions/petition-federal-definition-of-bestiality-as-obscene-and-federal-crime Demand Changes be Made at Warrick County AC that Dumped Live Dog in Landfill – over 2,800 signatures http://www.change.org/petitions/demand-changes-be-made-at-warrick-county-ac-that-dumped-live- dog-in-landfill Utah Petition: Gas chambers are animal cruelty – please ban them – over 1,400 signatures http://www.change.org/petitions/utah-petition-gas-chambers-are-animal-cruelty-please-ban-them Reform Intake, Adoption and Euthanasia Policies at NYC ACC – over 3,300 signatures http://www.change.org/petitions/reform-intake-adoption-and-euthanasia-policies-at-nyc-acc Congressional Leaders: Law requiring dog and cat owners spay / neuter, or obtain permit to breed – over 2,900 signatures http://www.change.org/petitions/congressional-leaders-law-requiring-dog-and-cat-owners-spay- neuter-or-obtain-a-permit-to-breed The Governor of NY: Work Toward Zero Kill Animal Shelters in New York City by 2015 – over 200 signatures http://www.change.org/petitions/the-governor-of-ny-work-toward-zero-kill-animal-shelters-in-new- york-city-by-2015 Justice for Chief – Stop Animal Cruelty – over 1,900 signatures http://www.change.org/petitions/justice-for-chief-stop-animal-cruelty Davidson County, TN Metro County: Put in Place an Anti-Tethering Ordinance for Animals in Davidson County – over 2,900 signatures http://www.change.org/petitions/davidson-county-tn-metro-council-put-in-place-an-anti-tethering- ordinance-for-animals-in-davidson-county Ban ‘Backyard’ Breeding Without License – over 400 signatures http://www.change.org/petitions/ban-backyard-breeding-of-animals-without-license City of Homestead City Council: Build an animal shelter in Homestead, Florida to serve all of South Dade

–over 2,700 signatures http://www.change.org/petitions/city-of-homestead-city-council-build-an-animal-shelter-in-homestead- florida-to-serve-all-of-south-dade The White House, President Barack Obama: Law making it illegal for states to allow their shelters to kill animals – over 100 signatures http://www.change.org/petitions/the-white-house-president-barack-obama-law-making-it-illegal-forstates-to-allow-their-shelters-to-kill-animals Shut down Pennsylvania Puppy Mills –over 700 signatures http://www.change.org/petitions/shut-down-pennsylvania-puppy-mills Memphis Animal Services, DO NOT euthanize pitbulls w/out putting them up for adoption, Spay/Neuter, & work w/rescues to SAVE them – over 1,600 signatures http://www.change.org/petitions/memphis-animal-services-do-not-euthanize-pit-bulls-w-out-putting- them-up-for-adoption-spay-neuter-work-w-rescues-to-save-them The Pet Safety Protection Act, H.R. 2256 – over 2,200 signatures http://www.change.org/petitions/petition-the-pet-safety-and-protection-act-h-r-2256 Hillsborough Board of County Commissioners: Stop the killing of over 13,000 animals at the Hillsborough Animal Shelter – over 2,200 signatures http://www.change.org/petitions/hillsborough-board-of-county-commissioners-stop-the-killing-of-over13-000-animals-at-the-hillsborough-animal-shelter Pet limitations are unconstitutional – over 200 signatures http://www.change.org/petitions/pet-limitations-are-unconstitutional Stop Euthanizing Dogs in Shelters – Dogs Have the Right to Live: Change the Laws get in Your Local Representatives Face! – over 3,500 signatures http://www.change.org/petitions/stop-euthanizing-animals-in-shelters-dogs-have-the-right-to-live- change-the-laws-get-in-your-local-representatives-face The Maryland General Assembly: Pass bill requiring animal abusers to be added to statewide registry – over 300 signatures http://www.change.org/petitions/the-maryland-general-assembly-pass-bill-requiring-animal-abusersto-be-added-to-statewide-registry Stop the killing of innocent, healthy, loving cats & dogs! – over 100 signatures http://www.change.org/petitions/stop-the-killing-of-innocent-healthy-loving-cats-dogs No Kill Animal Shelters: Stop the unnecessary euthanization of pets http://www.change.org/petitions/no-kill-animal-shelters-stop-the-unnecessary-euthanization-of-pets LA County Board of Supervisors: Town Hall Meeting w/ Directors of LA County’s Animal Shelters – over 400 signatures http://www.change.org/petitions/la-county-board-of-supervisors-town-hall-meeting-w-directors-of-la- county-s-animal-shelters End Puppy Mills in the U.S.: Stop the abuse of puppy mills – over 400 signatures http://www.change.org/petitions/end-puppy-mills-in-the-u-s-stop-the-abuse-of-puppy-mills Maryland General Assembly, Maryland Legislators, Gov. O’Malley: Maryland “pit bulls” and “pit bull mixes” are not “inherently dangerous” – over 300 signatures http://www.change.org/petitions/maryland-general-assemby-maryland-legislators-gov-o-malley- maryland-pit-bulls-and-pit-bull-mixes-are-not-inherently-dangerous