Legislative

The Federation is focused on supporting legislation that will help animals and support animal welfare organizations in Virginia.  There are many pieces of legislation introduced in the State Legislature every year and while the Federation might not take a position on every bill, we do focus on those we feel will have the most impact. The Fed has been very successful in its efforts. 

Companion Animal Capital Fund: The Second in the Nation Funding Stream for Animal Shelter Capital Projects

April 1 2022 - $8M was allocated for the Companion Animal Capital Fund for FY23

From vet care and transport to behavior and physical space, this bill will change the lives of homeless companion animals throughout the state. Shelters and rescues both will be held to the same standards leaving little room to question how these animals should be treated. All will be licensed by the state and overseen by the Department of Agriculture and Markets--right now only municipal and nonprofit shelters with municipal contracts are overseen by New York.  

View video of the Companion Fund -->  https://vimeo.com/518336781 

(Copy of the NY 2022 NYSAPF CACF Support Memo)

As private, not for profits, the state’s humane societies and Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCAs) do not receive any direct state funding. They were deemed essential services during the pandemic and developed creative ways to maintain companion animal adoptions and the high quality of care we’ve all come to expect from our local shelters. 

Article 7, Section 114 of Agriculture and Markets Law requires every municipality to operate an animal shelter. For those municipalities that do not have their own shelters, they contract directly with their local humane society, SPCA or nonprofit animal shelter. This saves taxpayers dollars—the contracts cost much less than the municipality staffing and managing an animal shelter of their own. 

When we proposed the creation of the Companion Animal Capital Fund in FY 2018, our hope was that it would be a recurring source of capital funds for humane societies, SPCAs and nonprofit and municipal shelters. They want to make difference in the lives of the animals in their charge by enhancing their facilities’ physical plants. 

From new air handlers to cat condos and dog kennels to improved plumbing and sturdy roofs, this funding will enhance the quality of life of the thousands of animals who pass through the doors of New York’s shelters. 

Over 150,000 companion animals are adopted from our shelters each year. With better facilities, more people will come to our shelters and adopt even more animals. Just as important, our shelters will be able to construct more efficient facilities that streamline the cost of operation.