A message from the desk of Marti

The Responsible Pet Owners Alliance (RPOA) had a great year in 2009, however the ‘animal rights activists’ HSUS and THLN, will be back for the next Texas Legislative session.

We've offered our extensive animal expertise to communities and elected officials as a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization for 18 years now with our Pet Education, Assistance & Rescue Program. We scrambled to form a 501

(c)(4) nonprofit organization just before the 81st Session of the Texas State Legislature convened in January this year so we could hire a lobbyist and pay other lobbying costs.

Our Lobby Day in Austin had approximately 130 participants and HSUS only had 80 participants! We set a national record at the legislature for killing anti-pet legislation with the help of our lobbyist former Speaker of the House Gibson Lewis, Texas Veterinary Medical Association and our grassroots coalition of many Texas animal interests.

Texas Humane Legislation Network (THLN) continues to mischaracterize RPOA as "puppymillers" to the legislators, the media and their membership which is laughable and reveals their desperation. THLN and HSUS can't win on the truth.

We succeeded in getting one good bill passed (no easy feat!) and killed 14 bad bills including the entire "animal rights" spectrum: Mandatory Dog and Cat Spay/Neuter, Intact Animal Permits, the HSUS Breeder/Pet Sales/Puppy and Kitten Lemon Law, Breed Specific Legislation, Pet Limits in Certain Counties, Barking Dogs in the County, and other anti-pet bills.

Now everyone is asking "What's Next?" Because of your enthusiastic support during the last session of the Texas State Legislature RPOA members have formed a separate PAC/527 nonprofit organization: "Texas Animal Owners and Sportsmen's Voting Alliance." We'll have more information later. E-mail

Contact: noah007@satx.rr.com

Martie Rosenberg, Ocean State Action, explains it best:

"Our PAC elects progressive people; our (c)(4) pushes for good laws; and our

(c)(3) tells people the good news about their rights under the new laws. We do everything we are legally allowed to do. That's where the real power is."

We're also excited about our second new initiative to form "RPOA Advisory Committees" to blanket the state. Anyone wanting to serve on the committee for their area please email rpoa@texas.net . We already have a nucleus in many cities fighting anti-pet legislation. At our recent board meeting, discussion was held on a possible Annual Meeting next year if there's sufficient interest.

We've almost depleted the funds in our RPOA Texas Outreach treasury with this legislative session and if we're to be a major player in Texas animal politics, it takes funding. Donations can be made on the websites listed below with PayPal or by mail. Order one of our "Don't Mess With Texas Pets!" bumper stickers which can be seen on the RPOA website home page.

Remember RPOA is "you" not "us" so bring in some new members, maybe even your veterinarian! Elected officials always ask "how many members do you have?"

Please forward and crosspost far and wide to all lists, friends and family!

And remember we do this for the animals we love so dearly.

RPOA TEXAS OUTREACH (501 C4 Nonprofit)

www.rpoatexasoutreach.org

RESPONSIBLE PET OWNERS ALLIANCE (501 C3 Nonprofit)

www.responsiblepetowners.org

900 NE LOOP 410 #311-D SAN ANTONIO, TX 78209

$15 Annual Dues (Jan-Dec)

RPOA Initiatives for 2010

“Take Back Texas Animal Issues!”

(In addition to our Pet Education, Assistance & Rescue Program)

Serve as a clearinghouse for information to be distributed statewide through our announcement only TX-RPOA E-News and our websites.

Expose the radical agenda of the “animal rights” extremists to end all use, breeding and ownership of animals for any reason including pet ownership.

Form an “RPOA Area Advisory Committee” in major Texas cities. Members will keep RPOA informed on animal issues in their area and lead local efforts.

Oppose all efforts to legally remove animals from the realm of “property,” and oppose changing the language to make pet “owners” only legal “guardians” of their animals. Rhode Island state law incorporates the “guardian” word.

Send out Press Releases to Texas newspapers at appropriate times and serve as a resource for elected officials and the media regarding animal issues.

Conduct Membership Drives for RPOA and “RPOA Texas Outreach” 100% individual memberships in clubs become our “Winners Circle.”

Monitor Texas city, county, state and federal legislation for anti-pet provisions.

What can you do?

All Purebred Animal Rescuers: Get on our website listing of All Species Rescuers in Texas, only such program in the US. Contact rpoa@texas.net for more information.

Subscribe to our announcement only TX-RPOA E-News to keep informed on all animal issues. Encourage friends to subscribe by emailing rpoa@texas.net.

Offer RPOA any special talents you may have.

Urge everyone to join both of our organizations as individuals and clubs or groups.

Educate everyone on the radical agenda of the “animal rights” extremists to end all use, breeding and ownership of animals for any reason including pet ownership.

Serve on local animal advisory boards which have been taken over by “animal rights” extremists or at least have someone monitor their meetings.

Correspond with your elected officials. Go to www.capitol.state.tx.us and search for your state legislators, print it out and contact them periodically with your opinions. We’ll develop flyers for our website for you to access for information to send them. Do the same at the local and federal level.

Write letters to the editor to provide a voice of reason when animal issues surface. “Animal Rights” Activists now dominate the media.

Clubs and animal welfare groups are encouraged to hold fundraisers and donate a portion of show entry fees to “RPOA Texas Outreach.”