[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 57 (Monday, April 3, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E428]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING NATIONAL PET DAY

                                  _____
                                 

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 3, 2017

  Mr. HASTINGS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of National Pet Day, 
which takes place every year on April 11th. While loving our pets is 
something we do every day, National Pet Day encourages us to give 
special care to pets who may not get that extra attention. This day was 
founded in 2006 by Pet and Family Lifestyle Expert and Animal Welfare 
Advocate Colleen Paige, to help raise public awareness about the plight 
of many different kinds of animals. This is a common sentiment among 
animal rights activists, and I want to give recognition to all the 
organizations we have worked with personally in the mission to protect 
our beloved pets. The Animal Hope and Wellness Foundation, the Humane 
Society of the United States, and Social Compassion in Legislation have 
worked extensively to better the lives of our four-legged friends. 
Together, we introduced H.R. 1406, the Dog and Cat Meat Trade 
Prohibition Act of 2017, which prohibits the slaughter and trade of 
dogs and cats for human consumption in the United States.
  On January 6, 2017, I reintroduced H. Res. 30--Condemning the Dog 
Meat Festival in Yulin, China, and urging China to end the dog meat 
trade. This horrific festival dates back to 2009 through 2010, when it 
was launched by dog meat traders as a commercial enterprise to boost 
flagging sales of dog meat. More than 10,000 dogs are reported to be 
captured, transported and slaughtered every year for this Dog Meat 
festival, with more than 10 million dogs killed annually in China for 
the dog meat trade. Animal welfare groups have found that a number of 
these dogs are stolen pets taken from their homes, still wearing their 
collars when they reach the slaughterhouse. Many dogs die during 
transport to the slaughterhouses after days or weeks without food or 
water, and others suffer illness and injury during transport, such as 
broken bones. These dogs suffer mentally from watching other dogs being 
disemboweled and blow-torched in front of them.
  Yulin's dog slaughter takes place in residential areas and public 
marketplaces, imposing scenes of extreme animal cruelty on local 
residents, including young children who may, as a result, suffer 
psychological trauma and desensitization. The capture, transport, and 
butchering of dogs and the consumption of dog meat poses a risk to 
human health by exposing people to a multitude of diseases, including 
rabies and cholera. This practice, in my opinion, is completely 
unacceptable, and can be stopped by the diligent efforts of members of 
the Chinese government. Although the Yulin city government withdrew as 
a sponsor of the Dog Meat Festival, it has taken no meaningful action 
to enforce China's existing laws and regulations on animal disease 
control, food safety, trans-provincial dog transport, or youth 
protection, all of which are breached by the dog meat trade.
  Activists from across the globe have continued the fight against this 
barbaric practice. I have been honored to work with Humane Society 
International, the Animal Hope and Wellness Foundation, the Vanderpump 
Dog Foundation, Duo Duo, the Animal Welfare Institute, People for the 
Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), Citizens Lobbyists for H. Res. 30, 
as well as countless other organizations to bring awareness and 
hopefully change to this inhumane practice and torture of dogs.
  Next month, I will be introducing a resolution denouncing the global 
dog meat trade, by urging all countries that allow this cruel and 
barbaric practice to end it once and for all. Furthermore, in the lead 
up to the Yulin Dog Meat Festival and after the introduction of my 
global dog meat trade resolution, I do plan on holding another 
Congressional Briefing on Capitol Hill to provide an opportunity for 
animal rights activists to speak on behalf of the voiceless.
  I also want to recognize and thank the animal welfare organizations 
in Palm Beach and Broward Counties, whose tireless efforts each and 
every single day are to be commended. In Palm Beach, the Animal Rescue 
Force South Florida; Peggy Adams; Palm Beach County Animal Care & 
Control; Justin Bartlett; Second Chance; Big Dog Ranch Rescue; Gaisha, 
Tundra & Spirit's Place Husky Rescue; Adopt a Cat Foundation; Tri-
County Animal Rescue; South Florida Rabbit Rescue, and the Everglades 
Golden Retriever Rescue. In Broward County, the Florida Humane Society, 
Humane Society of Broward County; Broward County Animal Care and 
Adoption Center, Animal Aid, Inc.; and Abandoned Pet Rescue.
  The work that all of these organizations do for animals is truly 
heartwarming and the lengths that they go to ensure their welfare is 
inspiring. National Pet Day reminds us to do all that we can to make 
certain animals are taken care of everywhere. Whether it is taking 
supplies to animal shelters, volunteering, helping a friend with his or 
her pets who is recovering from an illness, or adopting a pet.
  Mr. Speaker, in honor of National Pet Day, I once again want to 
reiterate my heartfelt gratitude to those who have dedicated their 
lives to help, protect, and save animals not only here in the United 
States, but also across the globe.

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