PAWS
Actionline

A great opportunity
to make a difference
for animals

PAWS Exotic Animal Campaign

PAWS Farm Animal Campaign

PAWS Campaign Against Circuses That Use Performing Animals

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Important Links

PAWS Home Page

PAWS Animal Cruelty Resources and Links

Volunteer with PAWS Outreach

Become a member

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Legislative Links

Washington State
- House of Representatives
- Senate

Federal
- House of Representatives
- Senator Maria Cantwell
- Senator Patty Murray

Vote Smart is an excellent resource for all sorts of legislation.

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PAWS Mailing Address:
PO Box 1037
Lynnwood WA, 98046

PAWS Physical Address:
15305 44th Ave W
Lynnwood, WA 98037

Exotic "Pets" Need Your Help in Washington
Great News! The Washington State Exotic "pets" bill (HB 1151) - legislation to prohibit future ownership of large cats, wolves, bears, non-human primates, alligators, and other potentially dangerous wild animals kept in private possession - passed out of the House Judiciary Committee. This bill is one that PAWS worked very hard on in the past and we need to be sure and support it as best we can!!

If you have not already done so please call, write, or email your Representatives and let them know you support HB 1151 and urge them to vote in favor of this bill when it is offered for a floor vote.

If you do not know yet who represents you, click on the links to the left or go to www.leg.wa.gov. Click on Find Out Who Represents You/District Finder. Enter your address and you will be given the names of your Legislators. You can click directly onto your Representative's name and then at the next screen, you will find their email address and phone number in Olympia. Or you can call the Toll-Free Legislative Hotline at 1-800-562-6000 and give the operator your address - he or she will tell you who your two Representatives are.

When calling, writing, or e-mailing your own Representatives, please state that you are his/her constituent. It is important that legislators know that their constituents want them to support the bill. Please be polite in your correspondence - many legislators do support this bill!

Below is suggested general wording for your comments, letter, or e-mail:

Thank you for your leadership in Olympia. I am very concerned about the private possession of wild and dangerous animals in our state and support HB 1151. Private possession of wild animals not only poses a public health and safety risk, but is inappropriate and inherently cruel to the animals. I am urging you to please support HB 1151 when it is offered for a vote on the House floor.

Additional points you may want to make in your calls, letters, or e-mails:

• Washington is one of fifteen states that currently have no regulations prohibiting private possession of dangerous wild animals. Considering our expanding knowledge of, and the recent news coverage about the risks associated with, keeping wild animals as "pets," it's time to pass this bill in Washington.
• Potentially dangerous wild animals should not be kept as "pets." These animals pose public safety and health risks to their possessors and to the community at large. By their very nature, these animals are wild and inherently dangerous and do not adjust well to a captive environment.
• HB 1151 has a long list of organizations and constituents who all support the bill - the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Washington State Veterinary Medical Association, Washington Association of Counties, Washington Association of Animal Control Agencies (WAACA), the Federation of Animal Control Agencies, the American Zoo and Aquarium Association, Woodland Park Zoo, Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium, The Association of Sanctuaries, and hundreds of constituents.

Marjorie Spiegel Presentation and Book Signing Sunday, March 6th, 5pm!
For one night only, meet Marjorie Spiegel - author of "The Dreaded Comparison: Human and Animal Slavery" and Executive Director of the Institute for the Development of Earth Awareness (IDEA) - as she presents a special preview slideshow from her forthcoming photodocumentary book, "THEM".

There will also be a reception, book signing and photo sale, and the chance to meet Marjorie. This is a FREE event open to the public. Reception and presentation will begin at 5pm at the University of Washington Ethnic/Cultural Center Theater at 3940 Brooklyn Ave. N. in Seattle. *Sponsored by the Northwest Animal Rights Network (NARN) and co-sponsored by CARE, Pasado's Safe Haven, PAWS and Pig's Peace Sanctuary.*