Paws for the Cause – HSLF
The Humane Society Legislative Fund (HSLF) endorsed HRC as a presidential candidate this week. The backing is based on a combination of animal protection issues, from puppy mill regulation to wildlife conservation and farm animal welfare. HSLF notes Hillary’s strong record of advocating for animals, including how “As Secretary of State, Clinton led international efforts to crack down on wildlife trafficking.” The Clinton campaign has also published statement on animals and wildlife, taking a strong stance against the cruelties of puppy mills, wildlife trafficking, horse slaughter, noting that “[t]he way our society treats animals is a reflection of our humanity.”
About the HSLF: The HSLF is the lobbying affiliate of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). The HSUS is the nation’s largest animal protection organization. As a political organization, the HSLF works to pass federal and state animal protection laws. The “HSLF is a nonpartisan organization that evaluates candidates based only on a single criterion: where they stand on animal welfare. HSLF does not judge candidates based on party affiliation or any other issue.” A part of this work involves keeping an “annual scorecard” detailing legislative records on animal protection issues. The scorecard offers a single focused snapshot of a candidates’ record on animal protection issues, including wildlife, farm animals, animals in research, equines, pets and cruelty. One valuable aspect of HSLF’s work is simply the inclusion of animal issues on the spectrum of social justice causes, facilitating a more complex analysis of any candidate’s overall positions so that it includes human rights, animal protection, and environmental issues.
“[d]uring her eight years in the U.S. Senate, Clinton was a strong and consistent supporter of animal protection policies, earning a 100 percent score on the Humane Scorecard in the 108th Congress, a perfect 100+ score in the 109th, and an 83 in the 110th. She co-sponsored legislation dealing with horse slaughter and animal fighting, as well as bills to stop the processing of “downer” livestock and crack down on abusive puppy mills where dogs are treated like production machines.”
