THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF UTAH
4242 SOUTH 300 WEST
SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84107-1415
(801) 580-2544 phone • (801) 261-9577 fax
www.utahhumane.org

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On Thursday, November 1, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM, the Humane Society of Utah will host a free seminar in "Lobbying 101" at its shelter located at 4242 South 300 West. The program is organized and structured by the Humane Society of the United States located in Washington, DC. The purpose of the session, says HSU Executive Director Gene Baierschmidt, is to teach concerned citizens how they can personally help get Henry’s Law, the bill that would make deliberate torture of an animal a third-degree felony, passed in the next session of the Utah State legislature.

"We want the people who have supported Henry’s Law in the past — and that’s almost three-quarters of the entire state’s population, according to an independent poll — to learn the most effective ways to get involved and to learn the basic lobbying techniques that can make a difference, he said.

State Representative Jennifer Seelig and State Senator Gene Davis, who in the last meeting of the legislature sponsored the bill that would have made animal torture a third-degree felony, will be at the seminar to discuss some of the bills and issues being considered this year.

The legislature will convene again in January and the Society will again introduce a bill to increase the penalties for cruelty to animals. "We’re hoping to equip ordinary members of the community with the skills necessary to campaign for Henry’s Law at the local level," said Mr. Baierschmidt. "Topics covered will include creating effective materials for local decision-makers and the media, organization, and strategic planning. We need the help of everyone who cares to get this important legislation passed in 2008."

For more information, please call 261-2919.

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