On the first-ever national Humane Lobby Day, animal activists from across the country gathered in 20 state capitols and had an opportunity to discuss animal issues with their elected officials. What they all learned was that one voice truly can truly make a difference.

Humane Lobby Day for The HSUS’s southeastern region started with a very unusual southern event: snow and ice.

Flurries fell in Atlanta, cutting the number of volunteers who were willing to brave unusually chilly temperatures. Still, “the lawmakers were very, very supportive” toward those who did make it to the Capitol, said Georgia State Director Cheryl McAuliffe.

On the heels of the Michael Vick dogfighting conviction, volunteer lobbyists asked lawmakers to support stronger dogfighting laws for Georgia. They also advocated for effective puppy “lemon” legislation that strengthens protection for consumers who buy diseased puppies, as well as legislation to phase out the remaining euthanasia gas chambers at animal shelters.

Volunteers who turned out for Mississippi’s Humane Lobby Day dealt almost exclusively with legislation to stop hog-dog animal fighting spectacles, where dogs are forced into a ring to fight with wild pigs.

Although the brutal blood sport has been banned in Mississippi for years, the law that prohibits it was set to expire this summer. At the Capitol, 15 volunteer lobbyists pushed for a measure that would extend the ban through 2012.

By chance, as the volunteers were walking through the Capitol, Georgia Lynn, president of Vicksburg Humane Society, ran into her state representative. As the day’s session convened, the representative asked for everyone’s attention and then publicly introduced the Humane Lobby volunteers in the audience.

“The next day, the House voted to pass our bill,” reports HSUS Manager of Animal Cruelty Issues Dale Bartlett.

Laura Bevan, director of the Southeast Regional Office, says advocates for humane animal treatment are too often overshadowed by lobbyists from exploitive industries, so making our presence known is critical.

“We hope to show them that animal lovers are out there, pushing for humane treatment, and we will hit the streets and politely flex some muscle,” Bevan said.