The League of Humane Voters: Central Pennsylvania Chapter

	The League of Humane Voters Endorses Barack Obama/Joe Biden! Click here to find out why.
URGENT ISSUES: We need you to TAKE ACTION NOW!!
HELP END FACTORY FARMING! Find out about CAFOs — Confined Animal Feeding Operations. You can help change the future for thousands of hogs (and ultimately many other species of farmed animals) right here in Lancaster County by sending in a public comment, pertaining to a local farm (Dale Rohrer's Lexington Acres) that's not only abusing animals, but destroying the environment and putting human lives at risk through tainted water. Visit the LOHV's sponsored website, LititzWater.org for more information, more links, and ways you can help. Call Senator Mike Brubaker (717-787-4420), and ask him to pursue legislation that would put an end to factory farming in Pennsylvania. This forrm of farming is dangerous to people, the planet, and of course, to the animals -- and it's not the only way to run a profitable farm. Several other states -- Arizona, Colorado, Florida, and soon California -- are leading the way in improving conditions on factory farms, working toward eliminating the "factory" aspect entirely. Will PA lead or follow when it comes to protecting the people, the animals, and the planet?
HELP PASS THE DOG LAW!! WRITE TO and CALL your PA HOUSE REPS regarding: House Bills 2525 (Puppy Mill Legislation) and 2532 (Bans Debarking without Anesthesia) Don't know who your PA House Reps are? Click HERE to get their contact information. Even if your rep is already a sponsor or known to support the bill, still do get in touch with him or her -- we need the entire PA House to know how important this is to us AND to the animals. Click HERE for a sample letter you can edit and send by mail or fax.
Q. What is the League of Humane Voters?
The League of Humane Voters is a non-profit, non-partisan political action group that works to support candidates and legislation that help animals and the environment. The Central PA chapter is one in a growing group of chapters, all over the United States. We concentrate on local elections, state legislation, and state and local issues that involve animals, wildlife, and the environment in general. If you'd like to join us, click here to view and print our membership form (we'll have an online membership form soon). If you think you'll be a member of a small group or that our issues aren't "mainstream", think again -- members of organizations such as the Humane Society and the ASPCA outnumber members of the NRA (the National Rifle Association, a group often opposed to animal-friendly legislation) by more than 5 to 1. In Pennsylvania alone, there are more than 500,000 people who've joined and donated to these animal-friendly organizations (including the LOHV), while the NRA has a PA membership that's only about 20% of that number. When you're a humane voter, you're in the majority!
Q. What, exactly, do we mean by "humane legislation"?
Legislation that prevents cruelty to animals and the environment. This includes, but is not limited to, legislation that prevents abuse of companion animals (pets), farm animals, animals in labs, zoos, and in entertainment venues. Wildlife issues include trapping, pollution, wildlife "control" through poisoning, hunting, and the development of land that harms habitats, displaces species, or causes damage to the air and water.
Q. Who could possibly be against humane legislation?
The people and organizations who profit from animal cruelty -- factory farmers, puppy mill owners, pet stores, and testing laboratories. Those who value the ability to pollute without penalty, and those who believe wildlife and domestic animals have no value beyond providing food, clothing, and entertainment are also against legislation that would prevent their harming animals and the environment. Greedy land and commercial developers, along with some elected and appointed officials, who value revenue over clean air, water, and soil -- and over compassion for animals -- can also be opponents to humane legislation.
Q. *How do I join the League of Humane Voters Central PA Chapter?*
You can click HERE to download our membership form and mail it to us, or you can send us an email with your contact information (full name, phone number, mailing address) -- either way, we'll send you your membership packet (membership card, meeting schedule, current activities/events list) by mail or email. Coming soon, you'll also be able to join online through a form at this website. In addition, in response to many requests, we will be offering people the ability to make donations online using a credit or debit card.
Q. *I'm not in Pennsylvania. How can I start a League of Humane Voters chapter in my area?*
Visit the main chapter's website (www.lohv-usa.org) to find out more. You can also email them by clicking here. You don't need a huge group to make a difference -- you just need to be motivated, organized, and willing to let your voices be heard.
Q. *How can the League of Humane Voters help me make animal- and environment-friendly choices when I vote in upcoming elections?*
A list of legislation that PA legislators can vote on is available through our legislation link or by clicking HERE. Each listed piece of legislation is accompanied by information on how to contact the legislator/s involved so you can tell them how you'd like them to vote on each item. To see which candidates we're endorsing, click HERE. In between election cycles, our elections page contains contact information for the legislators currently in office.