Contacts:
Doll Stanley, doll@idausa.org, (662) 809-4483 Director Justice for Animals Campaign
Marilyn David Mhdavid1@aol.com (601) 547-1664 Pres. AAIM

Jackson, Miss (August 14, 2017) – In Defense of Animals, the international animal protection organization that runs the Justice for Animals Campaign in Mississippi, and the Animal Advocacy Initiative of Mississippi (AAIM) will today encourage Senator Roger Wicker to pledge his support for animal causes at the Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership’s Summer Legislative Breakfast – “Bringing Washington to Breakfast.”

Senator Wicker is guest speaker at the event at the Westin Hotel, located at 407 S. Congress Street, downtown Jackson. Animal Advocacy Initiative of Mississippi and In Defense of Animals will present Senator Wicker with three federal animal welfare bills and ask Senator Wicker to pledge his support. Senator Wicker’s voting record has so far not been not favorable on even the most reasonable bills proposed to protect animals and the environment.

“Animal Advocacy Initiative of Mississippi and Mississippi Spay and Neuter (MS SPAN) have a strong foundation, having both worked with regional and national animal advocacies and foundations to address what is one of the biggest causes in Mississippi of animal cruelty, the overpopulation of our companion animals,” shared AAIM President Marilyn H. David. “When we can improve animal welfare in a Mississippi community, it improves the quality of life for the humans living in that community. Municipal, county, state, and federal legislation are all on AAIM’s radar, but we recognize that city and county ordinances are an important foundation for improving life for Mississipians and their animals.”

“We encourage Senator Wicker to take urgent action to pass common-sense protections for Mississippi’s animals,” said Justice for Animals Campaigner, Doll Stanley. “In Defense of Animals has worked for many years in Mississippi and seen first-hand the horror wrought on families who suffer twice over when their animals are abused, and again when justice fails them. Many communities are suffering without ordinances addressing the issues communities face in protecting their animals and citizens. Other ordinances are outdated, or flawed with archaic mandates. We must act now to strengthen municipal and county animal control and protection ordinances throughout Mississippi.”

Stanley has drafted model ordinances to fit the needs of small and larger communities, including tethering regulations for the thousands of dogs whose guardians can’t afford a fence, and renters who are not allowed to build a fence.

In Defense of Animals’ Justice for Animals Campaign is working tirelessly to advance the cause for justice and show state legislators that the people of Mississippi are united against senseless and horrific animal abuse. Campaign members are aligning with Mississippi judges, prosecuting attorneys, law enforcement officials, legislators, animal advocates and concerned citizens to pass meaningful regional ordinances that will protect animals when state statutes fail. In Defense of Animals has served in Mississippi for 24 years, aiding victims and law enforcement with hundreds of cruelty reports.

Animal Advocacy Initiative of Mississippi is working to see that ordinances promote the physical and psychological well-being of animals, that they establish, maintain, and improve business and operating conditions in the animal welfare and protection industry, and use spay/neuter or other humane population control methods to reduce the number of homeless or abused animals in Mississippi and elsewhere. This will improve quality of life for humans in Mississippi communities.

For more information, please visit www.idausa.org and www.msspan.org

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