HB340 passed the Senate Agriculture Committee on a unanimous vote, after being amended.

I have never seen an issue where opponents have spread so much false information about its history, intent, or effect.  Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but NOT their own set of facts.  The historical facts about the definition of “Private Animal Shelter” in the Virginia Code are as follows.

Prior to 2014 there was no separate definition in the Va. Code, there was only “Animal Shelter”.  In 2014, I was the patron of the legislation that represented a general agreement among the animal welfare community about establishing a separate definition.

In 2015, SB1381 rearranged the words of the definition and added the word “similar” in front of the word organization.  My HB340, as introduced, added to the definition the relevant code section that stipulated what a private animal shelter was allowed to do.  The underlying problem that I have attempted to address is that what a shelter, private or public, could do remained the same since prior to 2014.  To say that any of the actions of 2014, 2015, or proposed this year changed what a shelter could do is FALSE.  To say that my original bill of this year undid the actions of last year is FALSE.  To say that my intent was to allow shelters to kill indiscriminately is FALSE.  To say that I have been working at the behest of or with the financial backing of PETA is FALSE.

FACT – My original intent in HB340 was to force the Department of Agriculture and the stakeholders to work to determine a measureable standard of how a shelter can meet the purpose of adoption.  After last year’s legislative action, there was an attempt by the Department of Agriculture, this past summer, to resolve the question through an internal process that didn’t allow public input and that would have had no standing of law.  My original intent, and the current language, mandates that the Dept. has to address the question in a manner that allows public input and is enforceable under the law.

FACT – My purpose in being the patron of the original bill in 2014, and supporting the final version of SB1381 last year was to emphasize that all shelters should have as their focus adopting as many animals as possible and ensuring that all animals in their care are treated in a humane manner, as directed under the law.

FACT – The definition section of Va. Code does NOT establish the operating procedures of any entity.  I suggest that anyone who cares to do a search of Va. Code go and look up Code section 3.2-6548, will see that the actual effect of those operating standards have not changed since long before my bill of 2014.

I welcome anyone to contact my legislative e-mail address, delborrock@house.virginia.gov , if they desire more information.