PAWS TO PONDER

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 by Suzyn Barron, President of Warwick Valley Humane Society, Inc.

I am not a political person but if it concerns animals I am. There are three initiatives circulating in Albany that directly affect those of us in animal rescue that need the support of all animal defenders with simple phone calls to their State Senator and State Assemblyman voicing support of these proposals.

1, According to Senator Peter Oberacker, “Animal abuse is not a partisan issue”.  His bill, S1648, would amend the criminal procedure law, in relation to authorizing bail for those charged with aggravated cruelty to animals, a felony level crime as defined in section three hundred fifty-three-a of the New York State Agriculture and Markets law.  One would think that this was a given, but not so per bail reform.  

2. The Companion Animal Capital Fund is up for renewal for 2026. The grant from this fund covered 25% of our shelter’s rebuild project and kick started our fundraising for a new facility.   Senator Joe Addabbo is circulating the letter and needs Dems and Republican Senators to add their names to it by calling Addabbo’s office.  And Assemblymember Deborah Glick and Chris Tague are circulating letters to Assembly members who need to send the offices their electronic signatures and let their individual legislative leaders (Speaker Heastie in the Assembly/Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins in the Senate) that the Fund is one of her or his funding priorities for the FY26 budget.
3. Animal Crimes Fund is to help offset the costs of caring for live evidence in animal cruelty cases. Currently, there is no financial relief to shelters or rescues who end up caring for neglected, abandoned or abused animals for months to even years due to numerous adjournments during the court proceedings. At present we are holding 56 rabbits and over 35 fowl since October which is costing us nearly $600 monthly in food and bedding supplies only.  In other cases animals have been court ordered held for over a year. Senator Jeremy Cooney is circulating the letter—for both Dems and Republicans who  just need to call Cooney’s office to add their names.  Assemblymember Patrick Burke is circulating a letter for the Democrats. Chris Tague is circulating a combined letter for both initiatives to the GOP members. Members need to send the offices their electronic signatures to add their names to the letter and to let their individual legislative leaders (Speaker Heastie in the Assembly/Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins in the Senate) that the Fund is one of her or his funding priorities for the FY26 budget. Our organization is committed to protecting animals from cruelty and there is a dire need for this fund to help us meet the needs of these abused pets.  

Let’s all do our part for these vitally important initiatives. Today, call Assemblyman Karl Brabenec at 518-455-5991 and Senator James Skoufis at (518) 455-3290.  Here are the directories for each house if outside this District so you can find your members phone number in Albany. You need to call their Albany office. https://nyassembly.gov/mem/ and https://www.nysenate.gov/senators-committees.

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