The DC Council was quick to find a temporary fix for animal welfare concerns a few months ago after the lack of enforcement options came to light with the stories about the pit bull Momma.

The permanent legal changes necessary to ensure that the law provides minimum levels of humane treatment for animals in DC is coming up in front of the DC Council on Tuesday, July 11th. There are still many uncommitted Councilmembers who haven't signed on to the legislation. Activists and puppies citywide need your help in convincing the Council to vote this into law.

Update 4:40pm: Momma's Law: Improving DC Animal Welfare We are optimistic the amended Momma's Law, now the more comprehensive Standard of Care for Animals Amendment Act of 2017, will pass the first vote July 11. Please only reach out to DC Council to thank them for their support at this time. We appreciate the overwhelming response of support from the community. We'll see you on July 11 to applaud our legislators and non-profit partners who have worked tirelessly on this bill.

Here's what you can do to help (from the local Momma's Law organizers):

Call, email, Facebook, or Tweet your Councilmember and ask for their support for the Standard of Care for Animals Amendment Act of 2017, aka "Momma's Law."

a. Right now, we only have confirmation that Councilmembers Todd, Nadeau, Allen and Cheh are supportive. We need to convince 5 more CMs to support holistic animal welfare reform in the District. If you are or know someone in Wards 2, 5, 7, or 8- please contact those CMs! If you live in Wards 1, 3, or 4, we need you to help contact our At Large CMs. See this Google doc for the status of support and contact info for the CMs.
Follow us on Facebook (FB/MommasLawDC), and Tweet using #mommaslawdc - we will have updates for you on which CMs are supportive and who we need to focus our efforts on. Even if you can't attend, be sure to show you are "interested" in the event and share it on your page in or in your groups, which will help get the word out.
Join us next Tuesday, July 11th at 10:00 am at the Wilson Building to show the Council that DC supports Momma's Law. It's important for us to have a visible presence to remind the Council as they go to vote that this improved legislation makes DC a happier, healthier, safer place for all people and animals.

Featured

Aug 31, 2018

Awarding hard work and perseverance at the Celebrate Petworth Dog Show

Aug 31, 2018

On September 8th at 12:15pm on the main stage of the Celebrate Petworth Festival, right before the Dog Show, the people who worked hard to change the animal welfare laws in DC are getting awards for their efforts.

Aug 31, 2018

Jul 11, 2017

DC animal welfare laws strengthened as Momma's Law passes DC Council unanimously

Jul 11, 2017

Momma's Law, otherwise known as the Standard of Care for Animals Amendment Act of 2017, passed the DC Council today with a unanimous vote, ensuring stricter animal welfare laws in the District.

Jul 11, 2017

Jul 6, 2017

Momma's Law needs your support in the DC Council

Jul 6, 2017

The DC Council was quick to find a temporary fix for animal welfare concerns a few months ago after the lack of enforcement options came to light with the stories about the pit bull Momma.

Jul 6, 2017

Feb 8, 2017

Hard work and caring help make animal welfare stronger in DC

Feb 8, 2017

New emergency legislation from the DC Council seeks to help protect those who can't speak for themselves.

Because of a handful of Petworth residents (and a lot of people around DC and the country), the welfare of companion animals kept outside has changed for the better.

Feb 8, 2017

Feb 3, 2017

Ripley and his human are raising money for the Humane Rescue Alliance

Feb 3, 2017

Ripley, a Petworth area dog who lives on 7th Street, had his owner Jeff Stone email me to let me he's raising funds to support the Humane Rescue Alliance. They're hoping readers will be interested in helping them by donating to their fund. Here's the details:

Feb 3, 2017

Jan 18, 2017

"A moral dilemma": WAMU looks at how Momma the pit bull may help change DC animal welfare laws

Jan 18, 2017

WAMU's Ally Schweitzer took a look at the story for NPR's All Things Considered, and spoke to both Ward 4 Councilmember Brandon Todd and Lisa LaFontaine, the president of the Humane Rescue Alliance, as well as the two neighbors who have lobbied HRA to help Momma (they used the pseudonyms "Jane" and "Mary" to protect themselves). The radio piece is well done, with the longer web article providing more opportunity for longer quotes and details.

Jan 18, 2017

Jan 12, 2017

Will new animal welfare legislation get passed to help animals like Momma?

Jan 12, 2017

It’s been a few days since the pit bull Momma was finally brought inside from freezing temperatures, and the outpouring of public attention has helped to start some important changes. However, city authorities and neighbors still don’t know what’s become of Momma, the dog’s owner or the home’s resident. Currently, the law doesn’t give the Humane Rescue Alliance much in the way of options. Here's an update on the story.

Jan 12, 2017

Jan 9, 2017

Here's how to help change DC animal welfare laws (it needs your support)

Jan 9, 2017

DC Councilmember Mary Cheh has asked that residents reach out to her and other councilmembers to push for changes to DC's animal welfare laws. Change needs you to help make it happen. Here's how.

Jan 9, 2017

A frozen heart: A dog left outside in freezing temperatures, frustrated neighbors and a city agency that can’t seem to help

Jan 9, 2017

There’s a dog that’s been stuck in a small fenced-in area in freezing temperatures, snow and wind, and even with the continual efforts of a group of neighbors, neither the homeowner, the dog’s owner nor the city has changed the dog’s situation.

Jan 9, 2017