Dear friends and neighbors,
We’re now in the third week of this year’s legislative session, and so many great bills are moving! Today, however, I want to focus this newsletter on animal welfare and what’s being done to make life easier on our two- and four-legged friends, as well as those creatures that have wings.
I am an animal lover and always have been. My current animal companions are two dachshunds—Little Bro, who’s in his senior years; and Little Bit, a puppy. I know that so many of you are animal lovers, too.
In 2021, I led the charge in creating a group of legislators in Olympia that call themselves “the fur fighters.” This bipartisan and bicameral group works together on animal welfare in our state. We got together to address a wide variety of issues that affect both animals and the humans that love them. As we anticipate our work will take place over several years, read on for big picture view of some of the issues we’re working on.
An Animal Welfare Guide for our State
Did you know that there are no state laws on the books that address such issues as what happens in our animal shelters, how to handle spay/neuter services or even helping animals in distress? My fellow “fur fighters” and I are working diligently to write a plan that addresses these challenges and will create a state consensus on how to tackle these issues. Right now, every county in our state handles these cases in a different way. Our plan will provide consistency, as well as provide guidance on how to educate and communicate to the public when animals are in distress.
We are also working on recognizing how important companion animals are to public health. So many of our most vulnerable neighbors rely on companion animals for their wellbeing. We applaud the work our tribal leaders have been doing for a long time in caring for their people within the natural environment. It’s time we do the same and educate our communities that companion animals are essential to public health by keeping us physically, mentally, and spiritually healthy.
Working for Better Animal Care
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many visits to the veterinarian with our beloved animal companions were done with parking lot pick-ups and drop-offs and getting appointments was extremely difficult.
The “fur fighters” are working on this issue twofold: first, we want to introduce legislation that will authorize telehealth for vets and our companion animals; and second, we need to address the vet shortage in our state.
Animal telehealth would address some of these emergent needs, yet within the next decade, the U.S. will be short 3,000 to 5,000 veterinarians. The pandemic saw a boon in animal companionship, especially with the rise in remote work. More than 23 million American households—nearly 1 in 5 nationwide—adopted a pet during the pandemic, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Unfortunately, at the same time as the rise in animal companionship rose, the country was already in the middle of a veterinarian shortage.
Our communities are no different, as a severe workforce shortage is restricting the delivery of vital veterinary medical services. There simply are not enough veterinarians being trained to care for either our farm or companion animals.
The “fur fighters” have been working with the Washington State Veterinary Medical Association on a solution. As one of the top veterinary schools in the nation and around the world, Washington State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine (WSUCVM) is renowned for its training in veterinary medicine and science, animal health, and wellbeing. With funding from the Legislature, WSU-CVM will be able to add 20 additional in-state students annually. I will be supporting their request.
This year, we’re also working on House Bill 2403, that aims to increase safety at doggie daycare and boarding facilities after two Seattle-area dog resorts caught fire in the span of less than a year. It is expected to pass out of committee later this week.
Renters and Pets: Changes Coming!
I’ve heard from so many of you who have dogs or cats (or other pets) and your growing frustrations with the “pet rent” that has been in place on so many rental properties in our area. I want you to know I hear you, and my fellow lawmakers and I are in talks to introduce a bill down the line that will prohibit property owners from charging “pet rent.” Renters have enough financial burdens without worrying about how much extra it will cost to house their beloved dog or cat. I’ll be certain to keep you updated on this topic once there’s more to share.
My Top Priorities This Year
In my last newsletter, I mentioned my top priorities for this legislative session. Click here or on the video above for a reminder.
In service,
Rep. Amy Walen