Puppy Mill Initiative Certified for
November Ballot as Prop "B"!

Puppy Mill Ballot Initiative Certified by Secretary of State!
Proposition "B" will appear on November Ballot!

JEFFERSON CITY (August 3, 2010) – The Missouri Secretary of State’s office has announced official certification of the “Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act”, a landmark ballot initiative to improve the lives of dogs in Missouri’s commercial breeding facilities. It will appear as Proposition “B” on the November 2, 2010 statewide ballot.

“We are thrilled about today’s announcement,” said Diann Valenti, board member and signature coordinator for the Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation. “For twenty years, the Alliance has worked to improve the laws and educate the public about Missouri’s puppy mills. This will be the first time Missourians have had the chance to vote in favor of improving the care and conditions for thousands of dogs in large commercial breeding facilities.” In addition to helping the dogs, the Alliance believes this measure will result in greater assurances for consumers who purchase puppies, and will help authorities weed out the many substandard breeders who have given their industry a black eye in Missouri.

In May, more than 190,000 petition signatures (nearly twice the number required) were delivered to the Secretary of State’s office. Earlier this year, hundreds of Alliance supporters volunteered their time to collect signatures from registered Missouri voters. Today’s certification means that the signatures have been individually verified by local election authorities throughout the state.

The signature drive was coordinated by Missourians for the Protection of Dogs, a coalition of groups including the Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation, the Humane Society of Missouri, the ASPCA and the HSUS, and supported by thousands of individuals, veterinarians, celebrities, and animal welfare groups from around the state.

Now that the ballot measure has been certified, the campaign will shift into the educational phase, to clarify what the measure is all about and to inform the public that it will appear on the ballot in November. This effort will require help from many volunteers. If you are interested in raising awareness at community events, or if you can help raise vital funds to publicize the initiative, please contact the Alliance at . You may also contact the Missourians for the Protection of Dogs campaign office at www.missourifordogs.com.

The Alliance is proud to be part of this effort to relieve suffering for thousands of dogs which are confined for their entire lives in breeding facilities. Please help us continue to be a voice for them in Missouri by contributing today.