important state ballot measures for animals tomorrow

Please be sure not to miss the previous post on Prop 2 resources, the last in a series starting with this post.  But with election day tomorrow, I wanted to be sure to remind about all of the animal-related measures on state ballots.  Here is a personal note I sent around to family and friends in Arizona, California, Massachusetts and Oklahoma, and posted on my Facebook profile:

As some of you many know, I’ve been working on a faith-based animal advocacy effort over the past half-year, not one sparrow.  While I fully recognize that a great deal more is on the line in tomorrow’s elections, I did wonder if I could pass along a quick note about some very important ballot measures related to animal welfare which you might not have been aware of in your home states, or states you may currently be a resident of ...

- Perhaps the most important is Proposition 2 in California, The Farm Animal Cruelty Prevention Act, which aims to “provide more humane treatment of millions of farm animals by phasing out their confinement in small crates and cages ... (so) that calves raised for veal, breeding pigs, and egg-laying hens are given enough space to turn around, lie down, and stretch their limbs” (Yes! on Prop 2).  The previous website has a great deal more information and some very informative videos (don’t miss this incredibly cute promo!), and also see a number of recent posts on not one sparrow’s blog which explain more of the motivation behind Prop 2.  Please vote yes on Prop 2 ...

- In Massachusetts you’ll find Question 3 on the ballot, The Greyhound Protection Act, which aims to eliminate greyhound racing in the state.  This is a form of entertainment which, aside from questionable human moral bearings, typically houses its dogs in small cages, exposes them to great risk of injury, and is notoriously inadequate at adopting out the dogs which are unable to race any longer (which means a high rate of euthanasia).  Please see my recent blog post for more information, as well as the official Vote Yes on 3 site.  Please vote yes on Question 3 ...

- I was surprised to learn about the Proposition 105 ballot measure in Arizona, a state which thankfully has previously adopted a farm animal welfare resolution, but which going forward “would take away the rights of Arizona voters to protect animals through the ballot initiative process.”  This ballot measure is “deceptively called the ‘Majority Rules’ initiative” (The Humane Society of the United States).  Please vote no on Prop 105 ...

- And finally, voters in Oklahoma will come across State Question 742, which aims to “prohibit citizen initiatives to protect wildlife” and “is a cynical and underhanded power grab by the legislature to take away the rights of Oklahoma citizens.  It's a threat to wildlife and also undemocratic” (The Humane Society of the United States).  Please vote no on Question 3 ...

Thank you for allowing me to pass this information along in an otherwise very busy week.  Please, by all means, feel free to contact me if you have any questions or comments, or if you’re interested to know more about animal welfare issues from a Christian perspective in general.

Best wishes to you, tomorrow and beyond,

Ben DeVries

not one sparrow, a Christian voice for animals