In Wake Of Issue 2 Passing In Ohio, American Humane Association Expects Improved Welfare For Farm Animals To Move Rapidly

DENVER, Nov. 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With the passage of Issue 2 in Ohio yesterday, the American Humane Association says it fully expects that the Ohioans who will participate in the new Livestock Care Standards Board will significantly and quickly advance and improve farm animal welfare in that state.

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Based on that expectation, American Humane - which has a 132-year history of improving the welfare of animals - supported Ohioans right to implement needed improvements in farm animal welfare while maintaining local control. Based on American Humane's successful legacy of working collaboratively with agriculture to effect real and significant improvements in farm animal welfare over more than 13 decades, it chose to support an effort that Ohioans themselves developed, as opposed to having legislation or regulation imposed upon the state by outside interests.

"Because American Humane believed this initiative had the potential to advance humane care and handling of animals raised for food, we expressed our support and offered our expertise and guidance in the actual formulation and implementation of meaningful standards and practices, which we have done in other states as well," said Marie Belew Wheatley, president and CEO of American Humane. "Historically, we have supported a multitude of efforts aimed at improving and advancing the care and well-being of companion pets and animals raised for food, along with the awareness that such issues bring to the public. While we believe it is generally up to each state or jurisdiction to decide how best to accomplish improved animal welfare, we will always default on the side of advancing the humane care of animals and, as such, will support many efforts that appear to hold that promise."

American Humane continues to support the humane societies of Ohio in their ongoing commitment to the protection and care of companion animals across the state, and hopes to work with the Livestock Care Standards Board. In a letter dated Oct. 29, 2009, from Ohioans for Livestock Care, which was the coalition promoting Issue 2, steering committee member Jim Chakeres stated: "we look forward to working with your organization on the implementation of the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board. Our committee believes that (American Humane's) participation in this process is critical in establishing science-based practices that will ensure excellent animal care. Additionally, we would like to work with your partners in the state on implementing future legislation concerning this issue and on related animal well-being issues."

American Humane created and launched the nation's first and original monitoring, auditing and labeling program that attests to the humane care and handling of animals raised for food, which gives American Humane powerful and unique insights into how to advance animal welfare in the food-production industry. That program, known as American Humane(R) Certified, is now the pre-eminent and fastest-growing such program, covering more than 500 farming operations and more than 60 million farm animals.

"Our experience working with agricultural interests has shown that the most effective reform of animal welfare standards comes when the solutions are not only good for animals, but good for people who buy food and good for farmers, too," Wheatley added. "It is least effective when mandated or legislated by outsiders. We think it's important when farms, large and small, are part of the solution and voluntarily make good animal husbandry a part of their operating procedures."

About American Humane
Founded in 1877, the American Humane Association is the only national organization dedicated to protecting both children and animals. Through a network of child and animal protection agencies and individuals, American Humane develops policies, legislation, curricula and training programs to protect children and animals from abuse, neglect and exploitation. The nonprofit organization, headquartered in Denver, raises awareness about The Link(R) between violence to people and violence to animals, as well as the benefits derived from the human-animal bond. American Humane's office in Los Angeles is the authority behind the "No Animals Were Harmed"(R) end-credit disclaimer on film and TV productions, and American Humane's office in Washington, D.C., is an advocate for child and animal protection at the federal and state levels. The American Humane(R) Certified farm animal program is the nation's original independent certification and labeling program for humanely raised food. American Humane meets the strong, comprehensive standards of the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance, has been awarded the Independent Charities of America's "Best in America" Seal of Approval, has met the stringent standards for financial efficiency and accountability required by the American Institute of Philanthropy to qualify as a Top-Rated Charity, and has received a 3-star rating from Charity Navigator, America's premier independent charity evaluator. Visit www.americanhumane.org to learn more.