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Ben Stein has some advice on how to get through the worst economic times since the Great Depression: Get a dog.

In an era of shrinking government budgets, lawmakers are seeking out new revenue streams to help fund critical social programs.

Congress is on spring recess this week and next, and it provides an opportunity for animal advocates to spring into action. You may not be able to travel to Washington to meet with your representatives and senators in person, but you can meet with them in their district and state offices close to home. In fact, lawmakers often have more time to visit with constituents in their district offices, because their Washington schedules are so hectic.

The National Rifle Association says it’s about defense of the Second Amendment. But more and more, it’s about doing harm to man’s best friend.

It has been a week of celebration for The HSUS and HSLF,
with a pair of events that honor individuals making a difference. On Saturday, I
attended the 23rd
Annual Genesis Awards in Beverly Hills, which recognizes members of the
media and the entertainment industry for their coverage of animal protection
issues. “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Bolt,” “The Simpsons,” “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” and
ABC’s “20/20” and “World News with Charles Gibson” were among the top winners.

My friend Joe Trippi asked me to be a guest contributor on his blog today, and I posted this piece about our work to combat irresponsible puppy mills. I wanted to share it with you here as well, and ask you to get involved.

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Just before the November elections, the Humane Society
Legislative Fund released
a special preview of the 2008 Humane Scorecard. The final copy of
the publication is now available, and it charts the progress that we made for
animal protection during the 110th Congress, on issues ranging from
animal fighting to puppy mills to pet food safety. You can download a copy
and read it here.

Much has changed in some Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic states since Colonial times, but one thing has remained the same for centuries: It has been unlawful to hunt animals on Sundays.

Animal advocates know that last November’s overwhelming passage of Proposition 2, the Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act, was a watershed moment for the cause and a marker for our progress. It not only creates a new law in California banning the cruel confinement of veal calves, breeding pigs, and egg-laying hens in tiny crates and cages on industrial factory farms, but also is galvanizing efforts in other states to achieve similar results.

A new campaigner is making the rounds in Iowa today, telling
lawmakers there’s no good reason to open a
dove hunting season. His name is “Dave the Dove,” and he’s the star of a
one-and-a-half-minute animated video, which you can watch below.