The Humane Society of the United States Presses for Animal-Friendly Agriculture and Interior Secretaries

HSUS Says that the Public Wants Animal-Welfare Oriented Administration

As President-elect Barack Obama works to fill key positions in his cabinet, he should appoint officials who are highly sensitized to animal welfare, according to The Humane Society of the United States.

"The public cares deeply about the welfare of animals, and Americans are ready to have President-elect Obama appoint individuals who are prepared to advocate for strong animal protection policies," said Wayne Pacelle, HSUS president and CEO. "Too often, past leaders of these agencies—both Republicans and Democrats—have been too close to the industries they are charged with regulating, and they have allowed institutionalized cruelty to go on uninterrupted. It is indeed time for a change."

Pacelle wrote to HSUS supporters earlier this week and urged them to weigh in and advocate for strong appointees, specifically advocating for animal-friendly individuals to head the Department of Agriculture and the Department of the Interior. The HSUS has also sent a letter to the Obama transition team on behalf of the organization's more than 10.5 million supporters, urging him to consider potential appointees' records and views on animal issues.

The Secretary of Agriculture enforces a broad range of laws affecting animals, including the Animal Welfare Act and the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act, which are the cornerstones of federal animal welfare policies. Those two laws were adopted to provide basic protection standards for hundreds of millions of animals at slaughter plants, puppy mills, laboratories, zoos and other facilities, as well as addressing animal fighting and food safety.

John Boyd Jr., founder and president of the National Black Farmers Association, and former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack would be excellent choices for the post, and The HSUS endorses them. The HSUS objects, however, to other widely mentioned candidates, including former Representative Charlie Stenholm (D-Texas) and Representative John Salazar (D-Colo.). During his time in Congress, Rep. Stenholm was hostile to even modest animal protection reforms, and he has since lobbied Congress on behalf of the factory farming and horse slaughter industries.

The Secretary of the Interior oversees management of federal public lands and enforcement of key wildlife laws, including the Endangered Species Act and Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The HSUS supports three potential appointees: Representatives Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.) and Jay Inslee (D-Wash.), and former Interior Department Deputy Secretary David Hayes.

The HSUS works on policy making and enforcement at the state and federal levels. In the recent election, The HSUS passed two statewide ballot measures in landslide votes, including California's Proposition 2, which will phase out the confinement of farm animals in veal and gestation crates and battery cages. The measure passed by a vote of 63.5 percent to 36.5 percent.

-30-

The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization — backed by 10.5 million Americans, or one of every 30. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty — On the web at humanesociety.org.