Laws for Paws e-Newsletter
OCTOBER 2018
UPDATE
Missouri Department of Agriculture Turning a Blind Eye to Animal Cruelty
The operator of this puppy mill has now been issued a summons
by the Attorney General
OUR EFFORTS ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE! 

We recently learned that two of the worst dog breeders in the state have finally been referred to the Attorney General’s Office for legal action.  These referrals came about subsequent to our efforts in publicizing these atrocities and garnering editorials in both the Springfield News-Leader and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch; and subsequent to our meeting with the Governor’s Office; and subsequent to you reaching out to the Governor via email, letters and phone calls.
The puppy miller that neglected this poor dog is also under
investigation by the Attorney General
Your efforts truly do make a difference and we encourage all of you who have not taken the time to contact the Governor to do so as soon as possible.  We need to keep up the pressure to ensure that all of the inhumane dog breeders in the state are closed down.  An unscrupulous dog breeder who violated her consent agreement with the state has also been referred to the Attorney General for legal action as well as a deplorable so-called animal rescue.    
SPEAK OUT FOR THE ANIMALS
Governor Mike Parson
201 W. Capitol Avenue, Room 216
Jefferson City, MO 65101
Please contact Governor Mike Parson

(573) 751-3222

Please thank Governor Parson for his efforts to have cruel dog breeders referred to the Attorney General’s Office for legal action.  Let him know, however, that this is only a start as many more inhumane dog breeders still exist in Missouri. Urge Governor Parson to continue his efforts to clean up the industry.  

Read the full report MDA Turning a Blind Eye to Cruelty

Please help us drown out the voices of the puppy millers and make sure Governor Parson knows that you care about animals! 
SPOTLIGHT ON NEW BOARD MEMBER
We are pleased to announce that Dr. Tara Brooks has recently joined the Alliance’s Board of Directors. Tara is a veterinarian and owner of the Afton Veterinary Clinic. From the time Tara was four years old, she told her mother that she wanted to become a veterinarian. Prior to starting her veterinary career, Tara worked at the Developmental Services Center (DSC) where she dedicated herself to making the world a friendlier place for those with developmental disabilities. During her time at DSC, Tara adopted a young German Shepard puppy that had been abused. Affectionately named Toast, this pup was never far from Tara and became her touch therapy dog for her clients at DSC.

Unfortunately, Toast began having severe seizures. Despite a multitude of testing and medications, there was no improvement in Toast. Sadly, on one very cold December afternoon, Toast slipped into a seizure that was too much for her body to take. Toast was euthanized but not before Tara promised her dear friend that she would return to school and pursue that long ago childhood dream.

After graduating from the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine, Tara spent four years working as an associate veterinarian in a multi-doctor practice in St. Louis County. It was during this time that she developed her next dream to purchase her own veterinary clinic. On August 1, 2008 that dream became reality when she purchased Afton Veterinary Clinic. With this dream met, Tara continued to set new goals consistent with her passion for all animals and her desire to be a strong advocate for those that would otherwise have none.

It was with this mindset that Tara has taken in dozens of animals over the years and has given out of her own pocket over $100,000 to support owners who do not have the resources to care for animals that require an emergency surgery. To augment this goal Tara founded Hope Mending Hearts , a non-profit charity that provides grants to owners that are struggling financially and whose animals are in urgent need of veterinary care. Tara recently fulfilled another dream as she has expanded her practice in September to a new location where she has built a state of the art hospital to offer even more services to animals in the community.  

Not only did Tara keep her promise to Toast to become a veterinarian she continues to keep Toast in her heart as she helps to mend those animals most in need.   

Welcome to the Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation, Tara!
It's gonna be groovy, we promise...
SAVE THE DATE!

OPEN YOUR HEART GALA

Sunday
March 10, 2019


More info coming soon!
Upcoming Events

OCTOBER:

DOGTOBERFEST (sponsored by St. Charles Animal Control)
Saturday, Oct 13: 12:00pm - 3:00pm / DuSable Dog Park, St. Charles
Fun for the family - pups on parade, doggy costume contest, prizes, eats, etc
For more info click here


NOVEMBER:

Great KC Pet Expo (Kansas City)
Saturday/Sunday, Nov 3/4 / Overland Park Convention Center, KS

To volunteer for a shift, email admin@maal.org
Saturday, Nov 3
Shifts filled- thank you!
Sunday, Nov 4
Shift 1: 11am -1pm / Shift 2: 1pm - 3pm
For more info click here


OpSpot's 18th Annual "SWEAT 4 PETS" Run/Walk
Sunday, Nov 11: 9:00am / Tower Grove Park (Sons of Rest Pavilion)
10K Run, 5K Run, 1 Mile Fun Walk
To register to run, visit opspot.org or email info@opspot.org

For more upcoming events, check out our website page Events
A Great Way to Support the Alliance
With so many people shopping online these days, you can now support the Alliance each time you make a purchase on Amazon. Click here or on the icon. Once you've identified "Missouri Alliance for Animals" as your charitable organization of choice, a portion of your purchase will be donated by Amazon to the Alliance each time you shop on Amazon! What a great way to contribute!
Schnucks eScrip Card

Another great way to support
the Alliance!
Did you know that every time you shop at Schnucks, they'll donate a percentage of your purchase to the Alliance? It's an awesome way to support the Alliance's mission and it doesn't cost you a thing! We'll even register your eScrip card for you so you don't have to!

Simply email us at admin@maal.org with "Schnucks eScrip" in the Subject line, no message required - and we'll send your registered Schnucks eScrip card to you within 7 days.

Once you receive it, you can start using it (we've already registered it for you!) - put it on your key fob to remind the cashier to scan it at check-out!

THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!