Welcome to the Website of Alaska Animal Advocates
The purpose of this web site is to provide a central resource of information and advocacy for Alaska's animal community. By staying informed, and coming together to express our input at local and state levels, animal advocates can have a decisive impact on the welfare of animals in our state.
Alaska Animal Advocates is not a rescue group, shelter, non-profit or formal organization. It does not have a board of directors, members or membership fees. It is simply an informal coalition of Alaska people and groups who care about the welfare of animals in our state. Volunteers to help manage this web site, e-mail lists, research information, and community initiatives are welcome!
Alaska Animal Advocates is not a rescue group, shelter, non-profit or formal organization. It does not have a board of directors, members or membership fees. It is simply an informal coalition of Alaska people and groups who care about the welfare of animals in our state. Volunteers to help manage this web site, e-mail lists, research information, and community initiatives are welcome!
Animal Care Standards
A CALL TO ACTION
At a recent workshop on effective animal advocacy, it was clear that many animal advocates are concerned about the status of the State's proposed minimum standards of animal care. This is a serious issue that deserves our attention.
Click here for a copy of the workshop notes.
Click here for a copy of the latest draft Animal Care Standards.
Background:
Current:
HERE IS WHAT WE CAN DO:
Department of Environmental Conservation
Division of Environmental Health
Tel: 907-269-7644
Email: [email protected]
Address: 555 Cordova Street, Anchorage, AK 99501
Click here for a copy of the workshop notes.
Click here for a copy of the latest draft Animal Care Standards.
Background:
- It is the responsibility of the Department of Environmental Conservation, State Veterinarian's Office, to develop minimum standards of care for Alaska's animals. State Vet Dr. Bob Gerlach and Assistant State Vet Dr. Fuller took this task on by inviting the public to participate in a series of workshops.
- This process started in Oct, 2011, and after input received during 14 public workshops hosted by the State Vet's Office, a draft document dated August 2012 was prepared and submitted to the DEC legal department for review.
- However, the draft was not supported by two legislators representing rural communities. As a result, the draft was quietly set aside in the legal department without further action,and the draft as previously posted on DEC's web site was removed.
Current:
- In January, 2013, Dr. Gerlach and Dr. Fuller met with the Acting Director of DEC and were told that the legal department would resume its review of the draft document and provide its input and revisions.
- It is likely that the legal department will consider further modifications that will significantly water-down the minimum standards of care even more.
HERE IS WHAT WE CAN DO:
- Read the August draft of standards as as submitted by Dr. Gerlach's office to the legal department - you will see that they are already very broad.
- Notify your legislators NOW that you do not want the minimal standards of care further watered down: the standards are already very broadly written. Tell them you support approval of the standards as submitted by the State Vet's Office to the Legal Department without modification. You can do this in writing by regular mail, email, or by phone call. And then, stay on top of it. Follow-up is critical.
- Click here to find out who your Legislator is and his/her contact information: http://w3.legis.state.ak.us/index.php
- Contact the Acting Director of DEC and express your opinion to her as well:
Department of Environmental Conservation
Division of Environmental Health
Tel: 907-269-7644
Email: [email protected]
Address: 555 Cordova Street, Anchorage, AK 99501
- Contact other animal groups and individuals to help spread the word that their support is needed to approve these standards as submitted, without further watering down. Without strong public intervention, animals throughout Alaska may not receive even the most minimal of protections.