A public look at the commitments Gwinnett Animal Advocacy Alliance is asking candidates for the Georgia General Assembly to make on animal-welfare issues.
As a candidate for the Georgia General Assembly, I pledge to support practical, effective efforts that improve the humane treatment and protection of animals throughout Georgia. If elected, I commit to:
Support sustainable funding and policies that expand access to affordable spay/neuter services and other effective prevention programs throughout Georgia, while addressing preventable causes of shelter intake and pet surrender, including barriers that make it difficult for families to keep their pets.
Oppose legislation that unnecessarily removes or restricts the authority of local governments to adopt and enforce animal-welfare ordinances that address the needs of their communities.
Support thoughtful legislation that protects animals from cruelty, aggravated cruelty, severe neglect, abandonment, animal fighting, and other serious mistreatment, including efforts to identify and address gaps or inconsistencies in existing law.
Support appropriate tools, training, coordination, and resources for the agencies, law-enforcement personnel, prosecutors, and other officials responsible for investigating animal cruelty and enforcing Georgia's animal-protection laws.
Support effective mechanisms for identifying and addressing repeat animal-cruelty offenders and for ensuring that protections for animals remain meaningful after serious or repeated violations.
Support reasonable, enforceable policies that promote responsible breeding and appropriate standards of care for animals in commercial breeding facilities, including those commonly referred to as “puppy mills,” and address breeding and commercial-sale practices that contribute to animal cruelty, neglect, abandonment, consumer harm, and shelter overpopulation.
Support effective, enforceable standards that protect the health, safety, and humane treatment of animals in shelters, rescues, kennels, breeding operations, pet dealers and other facilities regulated by the State, along with appropriate oversight and enforcement of those standards.
Support efforts to improve the accessibility, accuracy, and usefulness of statewide animal shelter data so policymakers and the public can understand shelter intake and outcomes, enforcement trends, and other animal-welfare issues and evaluate whether policies are working.
Listen to animal-welfare advocates, veterinarians, shelter professionals, rescues, law enforcement, prosecutors, subject-matter experts, and Georgia residents when considering legislation or policy affecting animals and Georgia's animal-welfare systems.
Seek practical bipartisan solutions that protect animals, prevent cruelty, reduce unnecessary shelter intake, and improve animal welfare throughout Georgia.
When constituents bring forward significant animal-welfare concerns, communicate with appropriate local and state officials—including county commissioners and animal-welfare agencies—to better understand the issue, help identify available solutions, and determine whether state action or assistance is appropriate.
