WASHINGTON (Jan. 9, 2012) -- The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announced its endorsement of Los Angeles City Councilman Tony Cardenas for California’s newly created 29th Congressional District. Citing his leadership and support of animal protection policies on the Los Angeles City Council and in the California State Assembly, the Humane Society Legislative Fund urges voters to support Cardenas.
“Tony Cardenas has been an active champion for sensible animal welfare policies in Los Angeles and in California, and has stood up for the values of kindness and compassion,” said Sara Amundson, executive director of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. “We urge California voters who care about humane issues to support Tony Cardenas for Congress.”
Cardenas has been a champion and strong supporter for animal protection during his service on the Los Angeles City Council and as a member of the California Assembly. During his public service at the city and state level, he:
- Created Los Angeles’ first Animal Cruelty Task Force which led to the arrests of dozens of animal abusers, including the conviction of a known gang member for abusing a family pet. The gang member was subsequently sentenced to three years in prison for the crime.
- Authored the Los Angeles spay/neuter ordinance to reduce the number of homeless animals, decrease euthanasia of healthy cats and dogs in city shelters and save taxpayer dollars by reducing the city’s pet overpopulation burden.
- Strongly supported city legislation cracking down on puppy mills where breeding dogs are often stacked in wire cages for years to produce litter after litter without exercise, veterinary care, socialization or human companionship.
- Supported city legislation prohibiting the private ownership of roosters to one per household, as a way to crack down on illegal cockfighting in the city.
- Voted to enact humane standards in markets selling live animals.
- Voted to upgrade license and sales requirements for trapping of fur-bearing animals.
- Voted to require the addition of a bittering agent to sweet-tasting antifreeze to prevent the poisoning of children, pets and endangered wildlife.
- Voted to require the use of cutting-edge alternatives to traditional animal tests for cosmetics, household products and industrial chemicals.
Media contact: Pepper Van Tassell, (301) 548-7793, pvantassell@hslf.org
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HSLF is a nonpartisan organization that evaluates candidates based only on a single criterion: where they stand on animal welfare. HSLF does not judge candidates based on party affiliation or any other issue.
The Humane Society Legislative Fund is a social welfare organization incorporated under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code and formed in 2004 as a separate lobbying affiliate of The Humane Society of the United States. The HSLF works to pass animal protection laws at the state and federal level, to educate the public about animal protection issues, and to support humane candidates for office. Visit us on all our channels: on the web at hslf.org, on our blog at animalsandpolitics.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/humanelegislation and on Twitter at twitter.com/HSLegFund.
Paid for by Humane Society Legislative Fund and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. HSLF, 1255 23rd Street, NW, Suite 455, Washington, DC 20037.
