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Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV), Rep. Tony Cardenas (D-CA), Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Rep. Jim Moran (D-VA) holding Bunker the Dog, Rep. John Campbell (R-CA), Del. Madeleine Bordallo (D-GU), Rep. Walter Jones (R-NC)

We recently hosted a special reception in the U.S. Capitol welcoming members of the House of Representatives to the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus (CAPC). The CAPC is a bipartisan organization committed to raising awareness of animal welfare issues in Congress.

The event was also an opportunity to recognize a new Co-Chair of the Caucus, Rep. John Campbell (R-CA), along with returning Co-Chair Rep. Jim Moran (D-VA).

“I’m very pleased and honored to have the opportunity to work alongside of Congressman Moran in leading this important caucus,” said Rep. Campbell. “I look forward to the opportunities the Caucus will have this year to come together in a bipartisan fashion to highlight the animal protection needs that remain unaddressed in this nation.”

The caucus currently has 70 members—see if your representative is one of them.

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Members of the ASPCA’s D.C.-based Government Relations team had a chance to mingle with legislators, their staff, and others who are interested in animal protection issues. It was a great opportunity to meet new and returning Members of Congress and talk with them about current issues, including passing a ban on horse slaughter and the Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act. Have you asked your representative to support these initiatives? If not, visit the ASPCA Advocacy Center and get started today!

Richard Patch (ASPCA), Rep. John Campbell, Nancy Perry (ASPCA), Carolyn Schnurr (ASPCA), Rep. Jim Moran

Do you know any Shih Tzus or Yorkies? How about a dog named Bella or Lucky? Chances are good that you do if you live in NYC. New York public radio station WNYC has created a really cool map detailing the most popular dog breeds and names in the Big Apple, neighborhood by neighborhood.

Examining dog licensing records for almost 100,000 dogs, WNYC found the most common pooch on the street is a mixed-breed named either Max or Bella.

While the map is super cool for finding the most common dogs in each NYC neighborhood, the data it uses—provided by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, which runs the dog licensing program—also reveals a sad fact: Only one in five dogs in NYC is licensed.

So, what’s the big deal? Well, not only is it illegal to have an unlicensed dog in the city, but licensing helps reunite lost dogs with their pet parents and assists with medical follow-ups for individuals potentially exposed to infected dogs. Plus, the proceeds from registration fees help support New York City’s Animal Care & Control (AC&C).

“If the city encouraged and enforced dog licensing, we would be able to raise more revenue for animals in need,” says Michelle Villagomez, the ASPCA’s NYC Legislative Director. 

According to the 2009-2010 American Pet Product Manufacturers Survey, if 50% of NYC dogs were licensed, the City could raise approximately $3.7 million to help animals.

“A well-funded animal population control program would likely reduce the number of dogs and cats euthanized and reduce potential threats to public health and safety,” says Villagomez.

The license fee is $8.50 for an altered dog and $34 for an unaltered dog. The surcharge of $25.50 for unaltered dogs goes to the City Animal Population Control Fund to help AC&C implement a population control program.

If you’re a New Yorker with an unlicensed dog, what are you waiting for? License that pup to help save lives!

Great news, animal advocates! Yesterday U.S. Reps. Tom Marino (R-PA), Jim McGovern (D-MA), John Campbell (R-CA) and Jim Moran (D-VA) reintroduced the Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act, an ASPCA-supported bill to strengthen our federal laws against animal fighting.

While it’s already a federal crime to actively participate in an animal fight, it’s the spectators who drive the enterprise and make it profitable. This bill would make it a federal offense to attend an organized animal fight and impose additional penalties for bringing a child to a fight.

The Senate passed this bill in the previous Congress, but even with over half the House in support, Congress was unable to pass a final bill. Reintroducing this bill in the early days of the new Congress gives us an opportunity to build on the momentum from the last Congress and help finally close the federal loophole for animal fighting spectators.

Ask your own House representative to support this important humane legislation! Visit the ASPCA Advocacy Center right now to quickly email your U.S. rep in Washington and urge him or her to cosponsor the Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act.

Last year in Texas, a scared little white pup named Diamond arrived at the City of Abilene’s municipal shelter. She was dirty, painfully matted and very scared. No one knew it at the time, but she was also deaf.

If Diamond had arrived at the shelter a year earlier, she may never have found her happy ending. But the folks who work at the City of Abilene shelter are especially dedicated and strongly committed to saving animals’ lives. Naturally, they jumped at the chance to take part in the ASPCA’s Carroll Petrie Foundation Dog Rescue Project, unveiled in September.

Part of the ASPCA Animal Relocation Initiative, the Carroll Petrie Foundation Dog Rescue Project helps cash-strapped municipal shelters like Abilene’s relocate dogs to off-site adoption programs, rescues or private shelters by providing municipal shelters $50 per dog placed. That money can be spent on vet care for an animal, transportation of the pet, or on anything else that will help move the animal out of the shelter.

For Diamond, this program was a godsend. Abilene was able to use the Petrie subsidy to move her to The Pawed Squad rescue. After a desperately needed grooming, Diamond revealed herself to be an adorable little Bichon Frise! She also came out of her shell and showed she would make a wonderful companion.

Soon after rescuing Diamond, the Pawed Squad was able to place her in a loving home that cherishes her every day. Her deafness was never an issue for these awesome adopters.

Congratulations to Abilene, The Pawed Squad rescue and Diamond’s happy family. We’re so glad the Carroll Petrie Foundation Dog Rescue Project is changing lives like hers and thousands of others.

Want to help support our efforts to find homes for thousands of homeless pets like Diamond? Please consider becoming an ASPCA Guardian today.