VA legislature defines "private animal shelter"

[BCSnob]

...a bill put forward by Sen. William M. Stanley Jr. (R-Franklin) that has emerged from both houses of the state legislature and that defines a private animal shelter as “operating for the purpose of finding permanent adoptive homes.”

Source: Virginia measure could put PETA out of the animal shelter business

So why would the VA legislature go to such lengths to define what an animal shelter is? For the answer to this I suggest you read the personal account of someone who worked at the PETA "shelter" in VA: Rescued by Black Boy: how a neglected dog set me back on my path, away from PETA



I post these for you so that there is more transparency on what donations to PETA are NOT doing (rescuing companion animals from horrible situations AND placing them in better homes).

[n7bsn]

I've worked with the local PAWs and Humane Society, and certainly support Best Friends (which is 30 years old this year).
But would never work with or support PETA for a number of reasons, their kill rate being just one.

[toedtoes]

I have found that if you want to support animal welfare, there are many groups more focused to give your money to. Best Friends Animal Society comes to mind as one of the best.

PETA made huge breakthroughs at one time. Without them, we would not be where we are today. But the hard-nose lines, aggressiveness, extreme stances that worked great 40 years ago, don't work anymore. The issues aren't as clear cut (is owning a dog in itself abuse?) and people don't respond to criticism the way they used to.