Animal Adoption: Congress Mixes Pets And Politics

Congress is mixing pets and politics as it promotes animal adoption.

That’s right. Congress is getting cuddly.

The “Paws for Love” adoption event happened on Valentine’s Day on Capitol Hill and joined warring factions (Republicans and Democrats) for a day of furry love. Representatives Jim Moran (D-Va.), John Campbell (R-Calif.), and Mike Quigley (D-Ill.) joined several others to pet cats and dogs from 10 animal shelters in Washington, D.C..

According to the Huffington Post, Representative Jim Moran said:

“There are about seven million animals that are brought to shelters throughout the year, and about half of them have to be euthanized. It’s a shame.”

Jim Moran co-chairs the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus with John Campbell, and claims “three and half million or so” are adopted every year. Half of those would-be pets are adopted, and the other half put to sleep.

The goal of “Paws for Love” was to raise awareness of animal shelters and find homes for the furry friends-to-be.

Moran appeared confident that the animal adoption event would be a success, even with his own staff pitching in to adopt:

“We have a dog-friendly office. I know a few staffers will walk away with a new pet.”

John Campbell pushed a quote from previous President Harry Truman as an anecdote for inevitable squabbles, especially in Congress:

“If you want to find a friend in Washington, get a dog.”

Leaflets were also made available at the event from the ASPCA requesting support for the proposed Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act. The bill, introduced in the House by Representatives Tom Marino (R-Pa.), Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), Campbell and Moran, would make it a federal offense to knowingly witness or be involved in animal fights.

The event was still focused on animal adoption, as Mike Quigley implored everyone to adopt a pet:

“They say we rescue dogs. They turn around and rescue us.”

Would you be willing to try animal adoption as Congress suggested?

Animal News: Dogs Cats Bring Cuddly Bid For Adoption To Congress bit.ly/WsKdrq #pets

— WestchesterPetWorld (@westchesterpets) February 15, 2013