| Finally, the Animal Rights Gloves are Off! Multiple sources report that Oregon Initiative Petition 28 has received the 117,173 signatures it needs to qualify for the November ballot. However, once the formal submission deadline is reached on July 2nd, the signatures gathered will need to be formally verified to assure their legitimacy. Typically, about 20% of petition signatures are invalidated during this process, so we expect supporters to be working extra hard to gather another 25,000–30,000 signatures during the next month. We understand the alarm that this extreme measure has caused. Its wording bluntly threatens critically important pursuits in all animal agriculture, hunting, fishing, trapping, animal husbandry, sport, research, meat, dairy, nutrition standards, ecological and wildlife balance, game management – aspects that touch all our lives and much of Oregon’s livelihood. But from our vantage point, having this initiative land on the November ballot would be a gift, providing an opportunity that we – the responsible animal businesses, hobbies, scientific and conservation communities – have not had in a generation, an opportunity to tell our stories and expose the ideological monster that’s been stalking our communities for decades. We know that people outside of Oregon think that we’re crazy enough out here to pass it, but we have faith that Oregonians will recognize the extremism in IP 28 and vote against: criminalizing accepted dog training, handling and husbandry practices, including artificial insemination, and even hands-on assistance during the delivery of puppies. eliminating billions in conservation and wildlife management funding produced by hunting, fishing, trapping and related activities in the state. removing the word “intentional” from the animal abuse statutes, creating criminal liability for accidental harm to an animal. eliminating massive coastal employment and recreation activity in commercial and recreational fishing. curtailing livestock, dairy and poultry operations along with regulated farming, grazing and agricultural land management. eliminating all scientific work that involves animals, no matter how humane, responsible or how beneficial it is to both people and animals. The list goes on: Obviously, if IP28 manages to get on the ballot we will work around the clock to defeat it. But in the meantime (and because we believe that Oregonians would soundly defeat it if it landed on the ballot), instead of fearing IP 28, we see it as providing a once-in-a-generation opportunity to educate the state, lawmakers and media, about the many ways our animal communities contribute to the quality-of-life that Oregonians enjoy. NAIA has scheduled meetings, both Zoom and in person, with organizations and clubs across the state to discuss and work on this issue. We would welcome your active input and involvement as we move forward with developing an effective communications plan. If you or your organization would like to be involved, host a Zoom meeting or be part of a work party, please contact us at naia@naiaonline.org or 503-761-8962 NAIA and Responsible Dog Breeders of Oregon have been your advocates since the early 1990s. We look forward to working with you again! Sincerely, Patti Strand |
| National Animal Interest Alliance PO Box 66579 Portland, Oregon 97290-6579 (503)761-8962 naia@naiaonline.org |
