The Federation has made significant progress thanks to a very active Board of Directors and the work of each of the members on the working groups.  Some of the key achievements this past year include;

Legislative Initiatives

 
• February 2008 – Supported Virginia HB 1232 Puppy mill legislation, bill passed.
• February 2008 – Supported Maryland SB 44 Felony Dog and Cockfighting attendance.  Bill passed. 
• April 2008 - Supported the Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act which was signed into law in May.
• April, 2008 - Contacted PetSmart to voice our concerns about their test marketing of rabbits in stores.  PetSmart elected not to continue selling rabbits in stores and rather to focus on adoptions from local groups.
• April, 2008 - Assisted Florida shelters by writing the Florida Veterinary Board to stop an initiative that would designate micro-chipping as a veterinary procedure.  The initiative was tabled, but later passed.  If requested by Florida members, the Federation will continue to advocate for the repeal of this rule through further work with local shelters and the Florida legislature.
• May 2008 - Endorsed California’s Proposition 2 in support of eliminating intensive confinement of animals in conjunction with support from all of our California members.  Prop 2 passed with more than 65% voter approval.
• August 2008 – Established Federal Legislative Agenda for 111th congress as follows;

o Puppy Mill legislation.  To be introduced by Richard Durbin, (D-IL).
o Class B Dealers. (S. 714 & H. R. 1280)  Amendment to the Farm Bill.  Requires university research institutions to include policy statements insuring that they do not use random source dogs and cats in research. 
o Charitable Remainder Pet Trust Act. (H.R. 2491)  To authorize federal provisions to provide for companion animals through uniform pet trusts after the death of the guardian/owner.  Currently in committee. 
o Animal Cruelty Tracking Bill. (S.2439)  Status: Pending.  To require the National Incident Based Reporting System, the Uniform Crime Reporting Program and the Law enforcement National Data Exchange Program to list cruelty to animals as a separate offense category. 
o The Animal Cruelty Statistics Act of 2008. (S. 2439 / H.R. 6597) Status: In committee.  To require the collection of data on animal cruelty crimes.  (see 4. above)
o Dog Fighting.  (S.1880 & H.R. 3219 & 3327)  Status:  Passed Senate.  To strengthen the federal penalties against dogfighting and make it a felony to engage in dog fighting, possess dogs for fighting or be a spectator at a dog fighting event.  Additionally a felony for dog fighting without requiring movement of specific dogs across state lines or nations borders.  H.R. 3327 also authorizes supplement enforcement by animal control agencies and local humane societies and SPCA’s.

• January 2009 - Sent letter to California Governor Schwarzenegger opposing the proposed tax on veterinary care for animals.
• January 2009 – Supported Nebraska LB252 to make possession of animal fighting equipment illegal
• January 2009 – Supported Colorado HB 1172 to regulate and license commercial breeders.
• January 2009 – Supported Minnesota SF 7 to regulate and license commercial dog and cat breeders.
• February 2009 – Supported North Carolina HB6 to end use of carbon monoxide chambers in animal care facilities.
• February 2009 – Supported Nebraska code amendment to include pets in court protective orders
• March 2009 – Wrote letter requesting Nebraska Ag committee earmark funds for commercial cat and dog breeding facilities
• March 2009 - Supported Oregon HB 2470 to regulate and license dog breeding facilities
• March 2009 – Supported Oregon SB 304 the Pets in Foreclose Act to require mortgagor reporting of any animals found on foreclosed property.
• March 2009.  Supported Texas HB 3180 to regulate dog and cat commercial breeding facilities. 
• March 2009.  Supported Texas HB 1320 to strengthen existing cockfighting regulations. 
• April 2009.  Supported Indiana HB 1468 to regulate commercial dog and cat breeding facilities. 
• May 2009.  Supported Michigan HB 4167 creating a specialty license plate for Michigan Humane Society as a revenue source to fund pet overpopulation programs statewide. 

Corporate Policies Activity

• August 2008 - Sent letters to Verizon and McCann Erickson regarding their depiction of pitbulls in advertising, the ad was pulled by Verizon.
• November 2008 - Met with PetSmart regarding adoption criteria at local stores and their small animal care procedures.  Discussion remains ongoing.
• December 2008 - At the request of the Mayor, sent a position statement to West Hollywood City Council in support of their ban on pet rental franchises.  The ban was passed.
• December 2008 - Sent a letter to Petland, Inc. urging them to cease sourcing live animals from puppymills and pursue adoption relationships with local shelters for their 140 stores.
• February 2009 – Joined the Coalition for Reuniting Pets and Families to promote policies supporting pet identification and reunification.

Federation General Activity

• Hired an executive director in December of 2007 to oversee the work of the Federation on a full-time basis.
• Held our first annual meeting in Orlando in May of 2008
• Conducted a free membership workshop on “Benchmarking for Non-Profits” , one of the “best practices” the Federation will be promoting for all members.
• Doubled the Federation’s membership from the previous year and had membership exhibits at Animal Care Expo, the AHA Professional Development conference and the SAWA annual conference. 
• Joined the Alliance for Contraceptives in Cats and Dogs and the Coalition for Reuniting Pets and Families as a means of expanding the Federation’s impact on key issues relating to reducing pet over-population.
• January 2009 - Opened a dialogue with State Veterinarians to seek joint creation of uniform policies and procedures for the interstate transfer of animals.  Animal transfer is one key element in reaching zero pet overpopulation promoted by the Federation’s Best Practices group.
• January 2009 - 2020 Vision Initiative endorsed by Board of Directors.  The Federation will seek to eliminate pet overpopulation and reach equilibrium - a good home for every healthy, treatable companion animal.  The Goal; “To unite the animal welfare industry and engage communities in homing every healthy and treatable animal entering an animal care facility on a nationwide basis by the year 2020.”