Missouri Puppy Mills: Rally to Save Prop B on April 20

The Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation (MAAL), along with other supporters of MO Prop B the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act, are planning a rally this Wednesday, April 20 to urge Missouri Governor Jay Nixon to veto SB 113.  

Last week the Missouri House of Representatives passed SB 113 which repeals Prop B.  Now the fate of thousands of dogs living in Missouri puppy mills rests in the hands of Governor Nixon.

They'll have signs and t-shirts with special messages that the Governor can't ignore.  If you live in St Louis or Kansas City you can attend the event via the Humane Trains - special buses provided.  These buses will depart at 12:30 pm from each of those cities.  If you plan to attend and ride a Humane Train bus, you'll need to RSVP so they can keep a spot for you.

For more information you may contact MAAL at 314-361-3944 or toll free 877-444-6225.

Missouri Animal Lovers to Rally in Jefferson City: Humane Day 2011

Join the Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation at their 

18th Annual Humane Day.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

10 am - 2 pm

3rd Floor Rotunda, Capitol Building, Jefferson City, MO

This year marks the 18th year that MAAL has held Humane Day in Jefferson City and this year attendance is crucial.  Support is urgently needed to preserve Missouri's Proposition B, the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act.

The MO House of Representatives could be voting on SB 113 as early as next week.  SB 113 not only repeals the humane standards of care in Prop B, but significantly weakens the current law in reference to enforcement efforts.  SB 113 reduces criminal penalties, makes it more difficult to prosecute violators, and gives first time offenders a pass regardless of the seriousness of the violation.

If SB 113 passes, dogs will continue to be legally confined to a rabbit hutch, straddling wire flooring, unable to go outside to breathe fresh air or walk on a solid surface, while others are confined outdoors with little or not protection from extreme weather conditions.  DB 113 will continue to allow dogs to be confined in cages only 6 inches longer than the dog itself.  These dogs are never let out of their tiny cages where they spend their entire existence.

MAAL encourages you to attend Humane Day this year.  It may be the last chance to encourage Missouri legislators to protect Prop B and the vote of Missouri voters.

Animal welfare groups are welcome to set up tables in the Rotunda to showcase their efforts on behalf of animals in Missouri.  Contact MAAL for registration information.

Deaf Dogs Trained and Taught Sign Language: MO Puppies for Parole

Zeus, a deaf Dachshund dog  

If you read my post earlier this morning, you read about Bailey, the deaf Dalmation dog being trained and taught sign language through the Missouri Puppies for Parole program.  Bailey is not the first deaf dog trained by MO offenders and, I suspect, she won't be the last.

In January of this year, offenders at the South Central Correctional Center (SCCC) in Licking, MO raised funds to pay for the adoption fees to donate a deaf dog to the Missouri School for the Deaf.

Offenders at SCCC not only gave Zeus a second chance at life, they also made sure he was going to a good home where he will help others. Zeus, a male,
deaf Dachshund, was donated to the Missouri School for the Deaf in Fulton. The adoption fees were paid for by the offenders.

Zeus was born deaf. The birth defect rendered him useless to the breeder and his future was uncertain,at best. The Dachshund ended up at an animal rescue shelter where his handicap plagued any chance foradoption. The shelter reached out to SCCC, which participates in the Department of Corrections’
(DOC) Puppies for Parole program. The program pairs rescueddogs with offenders at prisons throughout the statefor training in order to make them more adoptable.

When the shelter approached SCCC about taking Zeus in for the eight-week training session, the offender handling team was more than willing to accept the challenge of helping the dogovercome his disability. In preparation, the handlers met with deaf offenders at SCCC to learn sign language. The
offenders devised a plan that would teach the Dachshund how to respond to commands with the use of sign language.

“Surprisingly, within the first week Zeus had the command ‘sit’ picked up,” said Tina Holland, SCCC institutional activitycoordinator. “We couldn’t use a dog whistle as a training tool because he couldn’t hear it. The offenders figured out how to train Zeus by stomping the ground with their feet. He could feel the vibrations from the floor. Once he recognized what the vibrationsmeant, he picked up one command after another.”


Holland said the offenders used treats as positive reinforcement because Zeus also suffered from severe anxiety. After the dog’s training was complete, the offenders got together and decided they wanted Zeus sent to a school for the deaf so he could help others. They made that possible by raising and donating
the adoption fees. “It was really rough on them (the offender handlers) when he left,” Holland said. “This was a huge accomplishment for them. It’s truly an inspirational story.”


Puppies for Parole is funded by donations only and does not receive state funding. The dogs’ training consists of a two-month period in which they learn verbal commands and general obedience. The offenders and the dogs go through the rehabilitative process together. The culmination of the training is the graduation ceremony at theend of the eight weeks, during which time the dogs are administered a K-9 Good Citizenship Test they must pass. Offender trainers gain vocational skills and learn responsibility through the program. It
alsooffers offenders the opportunity to repay the community. 

On February 1, 2010, Jefferson City Correctional Center received the first dog through Puppies for Parole. There are currently 75 dogs in training at 10 of the DOC’s institutions. For many of the dogs that are selected for the program, it allows them asecond chance, if not their only chance, to find a home. Since its inception, approximately 150 dogs have been saved from euthanization and have been adopted out.

Adopt Bailey a Deaf Dalmation Dog: MO Puppies for Parole

Bailey, deaf Dalmation dog at MO Puppies for Parole  

Yes, you read that correctly. Bailey is deaf. And she knows sign language.

Bailey is a female Dalmation dog that is being trained at the Jefferson City Correctional Center through the Missouri Puppies for Parole program. Her parole office is the Jefferson City Animal shelter (which means that is the shelter she came from and from where she may be adopted.

Bailey was pulled from the shelter and placed in the MO Puppies for Parole program when she was only 13 weeks old. Definitely cute and oh, so smart, she immediately stole the hearts of everyone. Her trainers have taught her sign language and she already knows how to sit, stay and roll over.

Puppies for Parole is a unique program made possible through partnerships with animal shelters and animal advocate groups statewide. Selected offenders have the opportunity to become trainers to rescue dogs in the program. Offenders work with the dogs teaching them basic obedience skills and properly socializing the animals, making them more adoptable. Once the dogs have successfully completed the program they will be sent back to their original shelter to be placed up for adoption. Last year in Missouri, more than 46,000 homeless canines were euthanized. Puppies for Parole hopes to reduce that number by producing loving, obedient, adoptable dogs.

Adopt Bella the Dog - Trained at MO Puppies for Parole Program

Bella, an Adoptable Dog from MO Puppies for Parole

Bella is a young, female, mixed breed dog available for adoption.  Currently enrolled in the Puppies for Parole training program at the Jefferson City Correctional Center, Bella's parole office is the Jefferson City Animal Shelter.

According to her trainer, Bella hates cats.  In fact, chaising cats, especially those easy to catch kittens, is why Bella found herself homeless and at the animal shelter.  Though they have not been able to work on that nasty habit specifically, her trainer assures us that will be consideration for future placement.  Sounds like Bella needs a no-cats home.

Bella is learning basic obedience and housebreaking with positive reinforcement.  She loves to run and play.  If you're looking for a young, energetic canine companion who already is housebroken and knows basic obedience commands, Bella just might be the perfect dog for you.  For more information about Bella and other dogs in the Puppies for Parole program, contact them today.

Puppies for Parole is a unique program made possible through partnerships with animal shelters and animal advocate groups statewide. Selected offenders have the opportunity to become trainers to rescue dogs in the program. Offenders work with the dogs teaching them basic obedience skills and properly socializing the animals, making them more adoptable. Once the dogs have successfully completed the program they will be sent back to their original shelter to be placed up for adoption. Last year in Missouri, more than 46,000 homeless canines were euthanized. Puppies for Parole hopes to reduce that number by producing loving, obedient, adoptable dogs

Adopt Tink: An Adoptable Husky Dog at MO Puppies for Parole Training Program

Tink, Husky mixed breed dog at MO Puppies for Parole

Look at the sweet face on this dog!  Tink, a Husky mixed breed dog, is currently in the Missouri Puppies for Parole training program at the Jefferson City Correctional Center.  Tink's parole office is the Jefferson City Animal Shelter.

Tink is young and nowhere near full grown.  He is a bundle of enthusiasm.  Turned over to the animal shelter because his family could no longer afford to feed him, he'd also never had any veterinary care. 

If you have room in your life for Tink or a dog like him, surf on over to Puppies for Parole.

Puppies for Parole is a unique program made possible through partnerships with animal shelters and animal advocate groups statewide. Selected offenders have the opportunity to become trainers to rescue dogs in the program. Offenders work with the dogs teaching them basic obedience skills and properly socializing the animals, making them more adoptable. Once the dogs have successfully completed the program they will be sent back to their original shelter to be placed up for adoption. Last year in Missouri, more than 46,000 homeless canines were euthanized. Puppies for Parole hopes to reduce that number by producing loving, obedient, adoptable dogs

Missouri Lawmakers Debate Repeal of Prop B Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act

Missouri House members got an earful last week as they considered repealing Missouri's new law targetin puppy mills.  As you'll remember, three bills were on the agenda of the Missouri House's Agriculture Policy committee.  Advocates on both sides of the issue spoke out during this two hour public hearing in the Missouri state Capitol in Jefferson City.

Adopt Charlie an Adoptable Great Dane Mix Trained by Puppies for Parole

Charlie, a Great Dane mix dog at Missouri
Puppies for Parole training program

For Love of a Dog would like to introduce you to Charlie, a Great Dane mixed breed dog available for adoption.

Charlie is a male Great Dane mix who is receiving his training at the Jefferson City Correctional Center through the Puppies for Parole program. His parole office is the Jefferson City Animal Shelter (which means that is the Puppies for Parole shelter / rescue partner for Charlie.)

Charlie is 70+ pounds of pure muscle and a tri-color mass of canine puppy.  Although 2 years old, he has the attention span and enthusiasm of a 6 month old puppy.  He's also more than 30 pounds underweight.  He will be a huge dog and will require lots of room to run and play. 

Puppies for Parole is a program of the Missouri Department of Corrections made possible through partnerships with animal shelters and animal advocate groups statewide. Selected offenders have the opportunity to become trainers to rescue dogs in the program. Offenders work with the dogs teaching them basic obedience skills and properly socializing the animals, making them more adoptable. Once the dogs have successfully completed the program they are sent back to their original shelter to be placed up for adoption. Last year in Missouri, more than 46,000 homeless canines were euthanized. Puppies for Parole hopes to reduce that number by producing loving, obedient, adoptable dogs.

Public Hearings Tomorrow to Repeal MO Prop B - Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act

If you're a dog lover living in Missouri you're needed to help preserve MO Prop B - the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act.   There are Missouri politicians who think they know better than the voters of Missouri.  Several have introduced bills that would repeal or gut Prop B.  Hearings will be held tomorrow, Tuesday, January 25, 2011.  There are nine bills introduced so far;  here are the ones which will receive a public hearing tomorrow:

HB 99 - The Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act sponsored by Tom Loehner, district 112, and co-sponsored by Bill Reiboldt, district 130.  This bill exempts all facilities, dealers, and breeders licensed prior to November 2, 2011, from the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act passed as Prop B by voters in Nov ember 2010.  The Dirty Dozen report gives examples of just a handful of the many licensed commercial breeders who have treat their dogs inhumanely who would be exempt from Prop B's new regulations.

HB 94 - The Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act sponsored by Tony Dugger, district 144 and co-sponsored by Don Wells, disttrict 147.  This bill would repeal Prop B.

HB 131 - The Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act sponsored by Stanley Cox, district 118 and co-sponsored by Chuck Gatschenberger, district 13.  This bill would gut the Prop B.

What can you do?  Attend the public hearing tomorrow, Tuesday, January 25 at 12:00 p.m.  at the Missouri State Capitol in House Hearing Room 6.    Can't attend?  Telephone your Missouri House Representative and explain why we want them to leave Prop B alone.  If you need some talking points:

• Remind them that less than three months ago the majority of Missouri voters favored Prop B.
• Without Prop B we will return to a standard that allowed a dog confined in a cage just 6 inches longer than her body - confined and never let out.  That dog would need not ever see a veterinarian and could be exposed to freezing temperatures.
• Opponents of Prop B have launched a campaign of misinformation, scaring people into believing that Prop B would regulate farm animals or end all commercial dog breeding.  Neither is true.  Prop B is a measure to clamp down on abusive puppy mills and adds reasonable and humane regulations like requiring clean food and water, exercise, properly sized cages and verterinary care.

Pick up the phone.  Thousands of dogs in Missouri's puppy mills are counting on you.

Help Preserve MO Prop B Puppy Mill Legislation

If you live in Missouri make plans now to attend the Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation's Advocacy Day - January 19.

The Alliance's Advocacy Day (formerly known as "Lobby Day") will take place on Wednesday, January 19 at the state capitol in Jefferson City, MO. These one-on-one meetings with legislators are invaluable in garnering support for a variety of animal welfare issues.  It is even more important than ever in 2011, as help is urgently needed to preserve the hard fought victory on Prop B.

Please contact MAAL (mail@maal.org) for more information and to RSVP for this event.

Missour Humane Day April 20, 2010

Missouri Humane Day 2010

The Seventeenth Annual Humane Day is scheduled for Tuesday, April 20, 2010. This year, we are very excited to announce the "Dogs Can't Vote...You Can" Art Exhibit as a part of Humane Day. (For more information on this exhibit, visit www.maal.org)

Humane Day is a day when humane organizations and individuals from around Missouri gather in Jefferson City. It is an excellent opportunity to present animal welfare issues to all legislators. Display tables from assorted rescue and animal welfare groups are set up around the rotunda and legislators, staffers and members of the general public are able to visit the booths to learn about the work being done by and on behalf of animals in Missouri. In addition, we encourage anyone attending Humane Day to take this opportunity to meet with your legislators and to introduce yourself as one of their constituents, informed and concerned about animal welfare.

If you would like to participate in Humane Day as a group or individual, please RSVP today at 314.361.3944 or by e-mail at mail@maal.org. Although we will accommodate everyone who expresses interest, space is limited and reservations for table space will be handled on a first-come, first-served basis.

MAAL Trivia Night

Join the Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation for Trivia Night 2009!
DATE: Friday, May 29
TIME: 6:30 PM
LOCATION: Hazelwood Community Center, 1186 Teson, Hazelwood, MO, 63042

Support the Alliance's work in Jefferson City and have a fun night out with friends. Trivia fun with lots of prizes for a great cause!Gather your friends and support a table or come play as an individual!The doors open at 6:30 pm and the game begins at 7:30 pm.Tables seat 8. Admission is $15 per person. If you don't have enough for a table, we'll place you at one! Soda, water and snacks provided. (Feel free to bring food and alcoholic beverages. No glass containers.) Only $100 to sponsor a round!New items needed for silent auction and attendance prizes at this event! Please consider making a donation for Trivia Night today. Call 314.361.3944.

For more information visit the MAAL website and click on upcoming events.