may - 2025

WAGGIN TAILS                  MAY 2025
 
BE KIND TO ANIMALS WEEK – 5/4/25 TO 5/10/25
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY
MEMORIAL DAY
 
Dear Friends and Members:
 
          I start this newsletter with tears in my eyes, and pain in my heart.
 
          You may have heard, especially if you are on Facebook, about the devastating fire on Long Island at Happy Cat Sanctuary.
 
          Over 200 cats perished in this fire, along with its founder, Chris Arsanault.
 
          He was a wonderful man, who ran a beautiful Sanctuary.  They were in preparation to move Upstate to a large area, where the cats would have an even better life than they had in Long Island.  The fire was said to be accidental.  Chris, we were told by all the reports, kept running in and out of the burning structure to get more, and more of the cats out, until he himself was overcome by the smoke and fire, and perished with his beloved cats.  Lisa Jaegel, and Strong Animal Rescue along with many other rescuers, searched the ruins and found hundreds of injured cats, which were sent to veterinary hospitals.  Some did not make it, but others did.  As far as we know, Lisa Jaegel and others will try to  fulfill Chris’ dream, and get the remaining cats up to the new sanctuary.  They have a Go Fund Me page set up.  You can find it on Facebook through Happy Cat Sanctuary.
 
          The animals lost a great man, and a great warrior, in his quest to help the animals.  Please say a prayer for all that went over the Rainbow Bridge.  Chris’ name will be put in our Memorial Book to honor him, and his work.
 

CHRIS ARSANAULT 1960-2025

LEGISLATION                                                                                                                 [REPRINTED]

As Maryland’s 2025 legislative session concludes, advocates celebrate landmark animal welfare reforms
 
Legislators approve measures to strengthen anti-cruelty penalties, ensure transparency in pet rental policies, expand access to veterinary care, and establish collaboration on mitigation of wildlife deaths through car strike and habitat fragmentation.
 
ANNAPOLIS—As the 2025 legislative session ends, the Maryland legislature has proven that even during one of the most challenging political environments in recent years, support for animal welfare remains a top priority among lawmakers.
 
The session included a historic first in humane law as a prohibition on the breeding of roosters (SB375/HB513) passed with bipartisan support. The session also saw the passage of SB152/HB89, which closed a loophole in the state code, thus ensuring that separate charges can be brought for each animal in cases where an individual is accused of cruelty to multiple animals. SB896/HB1152, a first-of-its-kind law approved by the legislature, requires landlords with five or more rental properties to make their pet policy accessible on their websites, via rental search engines, and through hard-copy rental applications, providing greater transparency for renters with pets.
 
“This year’s session opened with an air of trepidation as the state faced so many issues, including a budget crisis, funding imperative agencies and the elimination of some federal agencies with potential implications for the state,” said Stacey Volodin, Maryland state director for Humane World for Animals, formerly called the Humane Society of the United States. “However, our leaders have shown that they are able to work through serious issues including humane legislation that helps animals and the many Marylanders who care about their welfare.”
Lawmakers also passed additional animal protection measures, including, Sb318/HB643, a bill that allows veterinarians to participate in Maryland’s public service loan forgiveness program, thus expanding access to veterinary care in the state; HB731/HB635, which established the Maryland Connectivity Coalition, bringing together state agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and other parties interested in protecting endangered wildlife from habitat fragmentation and car strikes via wildlife crossings and other means for creating safe pathways for animals, preventing collisions and saving lives.
 
This session was also notable for the introduction of two measures that will resurface as legislative priorities in the future. One sought to end the cruel confinement of egg-laying hens in cages so small they cannot spread their wings, while the other sought to prohibit the use of animal testing where it is not required and ensure stronger welfare standards so long as such testing continues.
 
 FYI                                                                                          [REPRINTED]

Breaking news: EPA moves to end animal testing
 
In a landmark announcement, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced plans to end all animal testing on dogs, mice, rabbits and other mammals for chemicals and pesticides in coming years. Instead, the agency will focus on investing in nonanimal alternative technologies that are more reliable and do not cause animal suffering.
 
The EPA plans to substantially reduce animal tests, including those it commissions in-house as well as those that it requires businesses to conduct, by 2025, and to end them altogether by 2035. The agency will also devote $4.25 million to the development of non-animal technologies (also known as new approach methodologies, or NAMs) at five universities. These approaches could include organ-on-a-chip technologies, cell cultures, computer modeling and other methods that are faster, cheaper and more predictive than time-consuming animal tests.
 
The agency’s decision to stop using results from mammal studies for approval of new chemicals will further spare even more animal lives. Companies seeking approval for a new chemical will be required to seek the consent of the EPA in order to carry out animal tests.
 
Today’s announcement follows the 2016 revision by Congress of the Toxic Substances Control Act – a law that regulates chemical safety in the United States. At that time, the Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society Legislative Fund successfully advocated for key provisions, which mandated that animal testing should be minimized and non-animal methods and strategies developed and prioritized. The likely outcome will be to spare hundreds of thousands of animals from having chemicals rubbed onto their skin, dropped in their eyes or forced down their throats.
 
We have also lobbied the U.S. Congress to support increased appropriations for the EPA’s Office of Research and Development and its Computational Toxicology Program, to explore the use of mathematical and computer models to help assess chemical hazards and risks to human health and the environment. In a bipartisan approach, members of Congress have consistently prioritized key funding for these non-animal technologies.
 
In recent years, the EPA has taken decisive steps to reduce the use of animal testing for both chemicals and pesticides, and we are grateful to EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler for his continued commitment in this regard. In 2016, the agency released a guidance document allowing pesticide manufacturers to waive the need for skin toxicity tests by accepting information already obtained through other tests, and published a letter to stakeholders expressing its goal of significantly reducing the use of animals in acute toxicity tests for pesticides. In 2018, the EPA released a policy encouraging the use of non-animal test methods for determining whether pesticides and chemicals cause skin allergies. As part of the updated TSCA, the EPA, in 2018, published a strategic plan to promote the development and implementation of alternative test methods. The overall effect has been one of steady, sweeping progress toward a long-cherished goal for animal protection advocates – the end of experiments that cause pain and misery to animals.
 
We are excited to see the EPA reinforce its commitment with today’s pathbreaking announcement, which heralds a new era for animals in laboratories. We urge other government agencies, industries and stakeholders to join with the agency to end animal testing by investing in development and implementation of non-animal methods. The results will be improved human safety, more accurate and timely results, a better environment, and an end to animal suffering.
 
LINDA’S LINE
 
          Hi.
 
          May - the month when the beauty of nature unfolds, as all the trees and flowers of spring begin to bloom.  This time of year, we also celebrate Mother’s Day to honor all the two-legged, and four-legged mothers of the world.  So, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all of the mothers out there (both human, and animal) a HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY.
 
          This Month we also celebrate Memorial Day.  This is the time that we honor all of the brave men and women who serve in our armed forces, both here and abroad.  To them we say, “we appreciate you, and thank you for all that you do for us.”  Please remember to keep them, and their families in your prayers.  We also remember all the brave service members, who gave their lives for our country.  Let us also remember the soldiers, and people of the Ukraine, and Israel and keep them in our prayers as well.  Also, people in all areas of the world that are not at peace.
 
          As I write this, I find it difficult to believe that spring has arrived.  With the crazy weather we have been having, it certainly doesn’t seem that way.  I hope that the weather will improve very soon.  However, a reminder to all pet owners to please remember that it is still important to remember to protect your pets from fleas, and ticks.  We finally got some much-needed rain over the last couple of months.  As a result, I am sure that there will be plenty of these little critters, and we don’t want our pets to be uncomfortable.  Please be sure to ask your veterinarian, which type of protection is best, and safest for your pet.
 
Also, when walking your pet, please remember to keep them away from the fertilizers, and other white powders that homeowners use on lawns this time of year, as these things are dangerous to small animals, and can be dangerous to small pets as well.  It is normal for an animal to be curious and want to smell around when we are walking them, but they don’t always understand the danger – especially young dogs – so it is up to us, as their guardians, to protect them.
 
          Please try to remember to carry a can of pet food, and some bottled water with you, in case you come across a stray that needs help, especially one that is pregnant.  If this does happen, offer it to them – please don’t pass them by.  Remember that this is kitten, and puppy season and animals that are pregnant need our help even more, so that they can give nourishment to their “babies.”  If you can pick them up, and bring them to a no-kill shelter, that would be perfect.
 
          We all love to grow things, especially flowers this time of year, but when you have pets, please be careful what type of plants that you buy, as there are many that can be toxic to animals.  If you wish to find out which plants are safe for pets, and which are not, you can contact the ASPCA to get a book from them, which contains a list of safe plants, as well as a list of those that are dangerous.  You will find it very helpful, and informative.
 
According to the authorities, days of COVID are over, and we are thankful that we now have vaccines available to help keep us safe, but please continue to be sure to have your Flu shots, and stay safe.  I know that some people are still skeptical, so if it makes you better to wear a mask, then feel free to do so.
 
Till next time.

CLOSING THOUGHT
 
            HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY to one, and all – mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, friends.  Mothers are the backbone of families (Dads can be also).  Enjoy your day.
 
On a not so positive note, it is kitten and puppy season again, for all unspayed and unneutered dogs, and cats.  Unfortunately, this goes against 0 stray population.
 
          If you see a four-legged mother-to-be or know that she had kittens, please try to help.  We have rescued many mothers-to-be, and mothers with new kittens.  Please help us to continue our work, in your name.  There are so many more out there.  We need all the hands we can get to help these poor animals.  We really have to encourage everyone that we know to spay, and neuter.
 
          We do as much as we can with the cats in our colonies.  We spay, and neuter as many as we can.  At the very least, they won’t suffer having to bring kittens into the world to die a young, and horrible death.
 
          We see the suffering of animals around the world, and it is not getting better.  Ukraine needs food donations for the animals, and so does Gaza.  The animals there are suffering more than we will ever know.
 
Dogs have died in the Iditarod Dog Sled races.  Petitions have to be sent to stop this cruel race.  The dogs don’t want to race.  It is these people, who seem to think that if their sled comes in first, they are a Big Important Person.   Well they are not!  If you run a race, on your own feet and win, you are a winner.  If you win at the expense of the death, of innocent animals you are nothing, but a cruel uncaring person.  My opinion.  This goes on year after year.
 
          We have to start to see animals as living, breathing, feeling beings.  Then, maybe the world will be a better place.
 
          Thank you to all our Adam, Eve and Sponsor-A-Stray members for all your constant support..
 
          This month is Memorial Day, so our prayers for our troops, and the Ukrainian troops, mean even more. 
 
CLOSING THOUGHT (CONT.)
  
Please Remember Our Troops
 
 “We salute you for all you have done.
Your courage has kept us safe.
Your sacrifice has kept us free.
All of America owes you more than we can repay.
Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you.
We are behind you all the way –
From the battlefield. . .to recovery!”
 
 
A MOTHER’S DAY POEM
 
You are a mother,
You are strong,
You are the guardian of our
lives.
We look to you for comfort
and care
You are always there.
 
We will follow your strength,
and become stronger in turn
We will help children
and animals
and all that need care
This Dear Mother, is
our thanks to you.
 
 
Please help one animal at time,
and we will get the job done.
 
 
Till next time.
 
Waggin’ Off