Because it’s time.
People all around the state of Minnesota care about animals – people like you who cringe with each new story of animal abuse or neglect they see on television or read in the paper. Sometimes this mistreatment occurs at the hands of individuals; sometimes at the hands of those engaged in animal industries. Those interested in protecting animals have often felt powerless against a system that too often turns a blind eye to abuse in the name of convenience, profit, or even apathy.
Minnesota is home to a myriad of wonderful humane societies, rescues, and advocacy groups. These organizations do the heavy lifting of rescuing abused, neglected, or abandoned animals, and educating the public about the ways animals are treated.
However, for decades people and industries that use animals have been investing time and money lobbying and electing state and local politicians, and it has paid off for them – laws protecting animals in Minnesota are either weak or non-existent.
As important as saving animals after they’ve been mistreated, is working to ensure they are not systematically mistreated in the first place. Humane laws can protect Minnesota’s animals from cruelty and unnecessary suffering. To be an effective force for preventing cruelty to animals by impacting public policy, we need to work consistently and pragmatically with legislators and be organized at the ballot box. It’s time for the animal protection movement in Minnesota to get political!
The number of voters in Minnesota who care about the humane treatment of animals is large, and is growing by the day. What could our state become if each one of us came out on Election Day to vote for humane candidates? What could our state become if we volunteered to get the most animal-friendly candidates elected?
The equation is simple: if we want laws that protect animals, we need humane politicians in office. If we want humane politicians in office we’ve got to organize ourselves into a compassionate voting bloc.
Minnesota Voters for Animal Protection is committed to this vision of a sustained and powerful political presence for animal protection in Minnesota. Join us in creating a more humane Minnesota!
