From BanOhioDogAuctions.com:
“While there are no plans to re-open the auction…it is not prudent for the Ohio Professional Dog Breeders Association to say they will never re-open the Ohio Dog Auction."
Polly Britton, Lobbyist for Ohio Association of Animal Owners (OAAO), in a January 5, 2012 Media Release
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A. 118,115 CERTIFIED SIGNATURES – WE DID IT!
On behalf of the Committee for the Coalition to Ban Ohio Dog Auctions (CBODA), I want to extend a HUGE THANKS to the over 1,000 volunteer petition circulators who helped raise awareness of our citizens-initiated statute - Ohio Dog Auctions Act - by helping to collect 160,494 signatures from across all 88 Ohio counties!
On January 27, 2012, the Secretary of State, John Husted, certified 118,115 signatures (74% of all signatures collected; a total of 115,570 was needed), permitting CBODA to move forward with our 2012 ballot campaign.
We are incredibly grateful to each and every one of these dedicated animal advocates, many of whom work full-time jobs, are raising families as single parents and/or contribute time and energy to various humane organizations and causes across the state!
B. THE PLAN FOR 2012 – NEXT STEPS!
The Ohio General Assembly has until April 2 to pass the Ohio Dog Auctions Act.
If the Ohio General Assembly fails to pass the Ohio Dog Auctions Act, CBODA will move forward with plans to present our initiated statute to voters during the November General Election!
More details concerning our “Go Forward” strategy by which we will present the Ohio Dog Auctions Act to Ohio Voters in 2012 will be mailed under separate cover the week of March 5.
C. GET INVOLVED – HELP PASS THE OHIO DOG AUCTIONS ACT!
Donate! The Coalition to Ban Ohio Dog Auctions (CBODA) is an Ohio citizen-driven, community-based, bipartisan coalition that has come together to address Ohio dog auctions through the 2012 ballot initiative (Ohio Dog Auctions Act).
What has contributed to our incredible success is the fact that our Coalition is 100% volunteer driven with funding to sustain our campaign provided through the generosity of many Ohio citizens and their immediate and extended families.
Click here to contribute $10 towards helping to end dog auctions in Ohio!
Raise Awareness! Businesses and groups from all over Central Ohio have been showing their support by writing letters, organizing and making their views known. But we need to turn up the volume. Our elected officials need to know without a doubt that this issue matters.
1. Write (or fax) a Letter to the Editor of your local newspaper asking them to support a ban on Ohio dog auctions. Emphasize that you will not be spending any dollars in counties that support dog auctions and puppy mills!
Click here for a Media Directory of Ohio's Major News Sources.
2. Ask the same from all your friends, family, co-workers and state elected officials (download attached Endorsement Letter)!
Click here to locate your state legislators.
D. REACHING THIS INCREDIBLE MILESTONE – OUR VOLUNTEERS ROCK!
Thanks to the dedication and perseverance of over 1,000 volunteer petitioners (and counting!), we are receiving widespread media coverage on reaching this critical step in our 2012 ballot campaign.
Click here to read all media releases on our 2012 ballot initiative.
E. STAYING STRONG AND FOCUSED – THE ANIMALS NEED US!
In addition to our 2012 ballot initiative, seven bills relating to the welfare of companion animals are still pending in the 129th Ohio General Assembly. Click here to view the status of all Ohio companion animal bills pending in the 129th Ohio General Assembly.
The Coalition to Ban Ohio Dog Auctions remains steadfast in their commitment to send a strong message to state legislators that dog auctions serve as a major distribution channel for buyers and sellers from 15 states, many of whom have long standing repeated violations of the Animal Welfare Act and/or have been convicted of animal cruelty.
As Ohio voters and taxpayers, we are committed to supporting a 2012 ballot initiative to ban these events from our community!
Thanks everyone for your continued passion and dedication to raising awareness of the Ohio Dog Auctions Act! This incredible accomplishment couldn’t have happened without you!
P.S. We invite you to join the over 1,160 voices who have become members of our Face Book group, Ohio Voters against Puppy Mills and Dog Auctions!
Membership is FREE, and our portal serves as a great vehicle in which to receive timely updates on issues and campaigns addressing Ohio dog auctions, puppy mills and the entities that support and keep them in business.
ACTION NEEDED! For more information on how you can become a member, please click here.
Mary O'Connor-Shaver
Columbus Top Dogs
http://www.ColumbusTopDogs.com
http://www.BanOhioDogAuctions.com
http://www.ThoughtsFurPaws.com
http://petnewsandviews.com
http://www.boccibeefs.blogspot.com
http://tejasanimalrefuge.ca/
http://www.LostPetUSA.net
LEGISLATIVE ALERTS: Please visit our Home page for pending legislation impacting the welfare of OH animals - http://www.columbustopdogs.com/
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