ohmidog!

If you’re looking to do some good for dogs and other animals — as, of course, the typical ohmidog! reader always is — here’s an opportunity.

Maryland Votes for Animals (MVFA) is looking for people who want to get involved in the political process in hopes of making 2012 an even more successful year for animal protection legislation in the state.

MVFA is an all volunteer organization working to improve the lives of animals by winning passage of animal protection laws in the Maryland General Assembly.

In 2011, MVFA played a leading role in the passage of five major animal protection bills making it the most successful year ever for animal protection legislation in Maryland.

Volunteers are needed in every legislative district in Maryland to call, write or visit legislators; staff membership recruitment tables at events; and assist with fundraising.

The organization is also looking for volunteers who are willing to play leadership roles in building a humane voting block by becoming district captains.

District captains make arrangements and organize tables at animal supply stores and other animal-related events to sign up new members. They schedule and run meetings in the district to build solidarity among humane voters and increase interest in political activism for animals.

MVFA says volunteers are most urgently needed in the districts of two key committee chairs in the Maryland General Assembly.

District 27 is that of Delegate Joseph Vallario, Jr., who chairs the Judiciary Committee which hears all animal cruelty bills. The district is in southeast Prince George’s County and includes Brandywine, Brookwood, Cheltenham, Eagle Harbor, Marlton, Rosaryville, Upper Marlboro, and White Hall.

District 43 in Baltimore City is Delegate Maggie McIntosh’s district. She chairs the Environmental Affairs Committee, which will hear the statewide spay/neuter bill.  The district is bounded on north by the Baltimore City/Baltimore County line, on the west by Charles Street, on the east by Harford Road, and on the South by North Avenue, It includes the neighborhoods of Abell, Cedarcroft, Coldstream-Homestead-Montebello, Ednor Gardens-Lakeside, Guilford, Homeland, Hillen, Lauraville, Mid-Govans, Northwood, Pen Lucy, Radnor-Winston, Ramblewood, Stonewood-Pentwood-Winston, Tuscany-Canterbury, Waverly, Wilson Park and Woodbourne Heights.

To volunteer or for additional information go to www.voteanimals.org or contact Carolyn@voteanimals.org

Another chance to get involved and learn more about the organization will be at an Oct. 20 gathering, sponsored by MVFA at One World Café, 100 West University Parkway in Baltimore.

It’s open to everyone and starts at 6 p.m.

One of MVFA’s legislative priorities for 2012 is enacting the recommendations of the Spay/Neuter Task Force created by the General Assembly this year.

MVFA is hoping that Maryland will join the thirty-four states who have a public funding mechanism to subsidize the cost of spay/neuter surgeries for those who cannot afford it.

Affordable, accessible spay/neuter programs can help reduce the tragic deaths of an estimated 48,000 homeless dogs and cats at Maryland animal shelters annually, according to the organization.