ANIMAL WELFARE
Congressional Support
As a member of the Animal Protection Caucus, Susan works to protect both wild and domestic animals from cruelty and abuse. She also received the United States Humane Society’s Humane Advocate Award, an honor bestowed in recognition of her commitment to animal welfare legislation in Congress.
Puppy Mills
Susan recently joined a group of her colleagues in sending a letter to USDA Secretary Vilsack to find out what is being done to correct problems outlined in the May 2010 Office of Inspector General (OIG) report of the Animal Care (AC) program within USDA’s Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). Sadly, the audit found that AC’s inspections of large-scale dog dealers failed to expose and highlight inhumane dealers.
Speaking Up for Species
In the 111th Congress Susan introduced H.Res.191, a resolution to designate a month in 2009 as National Link Awareness Month. This legislation would serve to increase awareness about the link between animal cruelty and other forms of violence in society.
La Jolla Seals
During much of the year, seals and sea lions are present on a small stretch of beach in La Jolla called the Children’s Pool. However, there has been ongoing disagreement about whether the seals should be able to remain. Susan is closely following the issue.