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

		American Humane Association logo. (PRNewsFoto/AMERICAN HUMANE ASSOCIATION) DENVER, CO UNITED STATES

    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.

    (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070521/LAM095LOGO )

    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 http://www.americanhumane.org to learn more.