The growth we’ve experienced in this third year since our founding has been exciting and beyond our expectations! Your belief in the importance of grassroots political action to protect all animals in Minnesota is truly what makes our work possible. Thank you so much for your support in 2011.
Below are highlights of what we accomplished for Minnesota’s animals in 2011. If you like what we’ve been able to get done, please consider making a donation to help us continue this work. Your donation stays in Minnesota and is immediately put to work to generate results. We are driven to create concrete and tangible improvements for animals in Minnesota by working locally and politically. Please help us take on large-scale systems and small-scale injustices that cause unnecessary suffering for animals. Donate today.
Highlights from 2011
Canceled exhibit in Hutchinson, MN
Jan 2011- The Minnesota Legislature convened for the 2011-2012 biennium and we began our work tracking all bills that affect animals in Minnesota. We maintain an updated list on our website all year.
Jan 2011- MVAP submitted public comments on the draft proposal of the City of Minneapolis’s Urban Agriculture Policy Plan, urging that specific animal protection considerations be a part of the discussion while the plan is being debated and adopted.
Feb 2011- We succeeded in shutting down an inhumane exhibit of tiger cubs scheduled to happen at a mall in Hutchinson, MN. Less than 24 hours after our action alert went out, we received confirmation from the mall that all of your email and phone calls did the trick- the exhibit was canceled!
MVAP Outreach Booth
Feb 2011- We had our first of many outreach events for the year. Our booths at events around Minnesota educated and generated support for animal protection legislation. In 2011 our base of supporters increased by 34%, our volunteers by 22% and our donors by 35%.
Feb 2011- In 2010, MVAP was instrumental in helping elect State Senator Barb Goodwin to office. In Feb 2011, working with a large coalition of animal welfare organizations, and together with House author Rep. John Lesch, Senator Goodwin introduced the Dog and Cat Breeder Regulation Bill (S.F. 462/H.F. 702).
Feb, March, April, Oct 2011- We made presentations at the University of MN Law School, Maxfield Elementary School in St. Paul, Animal Allies in Duluth, and Edina High School in Edina, MN, on animal protection advocacy, puppy mills, and the use of animals in entertainment. In this way we reached hundreds of people with the message that animal protection is a moral and political issue.
Humane Lobby Day 2011
March 2011- Nearly 60 advocates came to the Minnesota Capitol to attend the Humane Lobby Day that MVAP cosponsored with the Humane Society of the United States.
April 2011- The Minneapolis City Council voted to deny Piccadilly Circus’s appeal to perform in Minneapolis. This means that Piccadilly Circus, which is under investigation by the USDA, will not be coming to Minneapolis with its lone elephant, Nosey. The ordinance which was instrumental in prohibiting Piccadilly’s performance in Minneapolis would not have been possible without the work of the nonprofit Circus Reform Yes, which in Nov 2011, officially merged with MVAP.
May and July 2011- We published our 2011 Legislative Wrap Up and Special Session Report which included news and updated status reports on numerous bills affecting animals, including the ag-gag bill, the bill to regulate commercial breeders of dogs and cats, pound seizure, coyote bounties, bills affecting wolves, bills affecting public safety dogs, the pet lemon law, animal control mandates, and emissions at feedlots.
June Happy Hour
June 2011- We hosted a happy hour with Tammy Thies from The Wildcat Sanctuary at Grumpy’s Bar in Minneapolis to learn about the captive wildlife crisis. The event was a success! We met and enjoyed the company of many old and new friends and colleagues, ate and drank, and learned much from Tammy.
Oct 2011- In October’s special election we surveyed and recommended candidates in two district races. One of our recommended candidates, Jeff Hayden, won the seat to become Senator in SD 61.
Oct 2011- The case of a petting zoo in southern Minnesota where the animals were allegedly suffering under the hands of an unlicensed exhibitor was brought to our attention. Working quickly, MVAP contacted the USDA, and an inspector was sent to the site the day after we received the report. Because of our advocacy, the exhibitor will now be required to have a license and undergo periodic inspections.
Canceled exhibit in Plymouth, MN
Nov 2011- We succeeded in shutting down an inhumane exhibit of wild animals scheduled to happen at the Home Depot Store in Plymouth, MN. Less than 6 hours after our action alert went out, we received confirmation from the store that the exhibit was canceled.
Fall Party 2011
Nov 2011- We hosted our second annual Fall Party, and enjoyed a successful event filled with food, friends, music and VIPs in attendance – Michael Markarian, executive vice president of the Humane Society of the United States and president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund, State Senator Barb Goodwin, State Senator Scott Dibble, State Representative Carolyn Laine, and Minneapolis City Council Members Sandy Colvin Roy, Cam Gordon, and Gary Schiff.
Dec 2011- MVAP submitted animal welfare policy recommendations to the City of Minneapolis for consideration in its process of adopting the City of Minneapolis’s Urban Agriculture Policy Plan. We continue to monitor the issue.
Dec 2011- We hosted an informal petition party, and 25 volunteers showed up on a wintery eve to lend a hand preparing thousands of petitions to state legislators for delivery. In 2011 MVAP collected over 3800 petitions from Minnesotans to their state representatives in support of humane legislation.
We are excited for our work in 2012. Thank you to all our supporters, volunteers, and donors! Together we are building a more humane Minnesota.
