The majority of these bills surround the extremely important problem of the continued extreme cruelty to animals in facilities like those owned by Envigo which have thrived under current laws. Despite promises to do better after being confronted with their abuse, Envigo has continued their disgusting treatment of the animals in their care. To not act after they have time and again shown a great deal of apathy towards making changes and fulfilling their promises to revise their practices would give the same message and have the same effect as openly approving of these repulsive actions. Thus far I have not seen a single reasonable excuse for these type of actions being legal outside of the monetary gain of the companies who cut corners at the price of animal lives. These companies are not however the ones who should be catered to, but the people and looking through the comments I am seeing in this forum it is clear what the people want- for these useless foul actions to be prevented and for the law to reflect our ethics.

Comments Document

Last year, news agencies around the country reported on atrocious conditions uncovered at Envigo, a beagle breeding facility in Cumberland County, VA. Violations found at the facility included dead and injured animals who received no veterinary care, grimy enclosures infested with feces, and many other issues. Severe problems were discovered all across the facility, which at time of inspection housed nearly 5,000 dogs bound for research facilities around the world. They sell 500 dogs a month which equates to an astronomical number of animals over 61 years. Envigo has been operating without any state oversight since 1961. Clearly the inspections being done by the USDA are not enough to ensure the humane treatment of animals at the facility, as evidenced by repeat violations cited at the facility--many of which are classified as "critical" or "direct." Paying any monetary fines are simply another cost of doing business. Envigo does not deserve "another chance" if there is further delay in passing and enacting these laws. It is time to protect these defenseless and voiceless animals that suffer here in Virginia under deplorable living conditions before they are shipped off to be experimented on and worse. As you know, we have made great progress toward protecting animals in our state but we can do better. The next step is to support passage of legislation that will provide better safeguards for animals in research breeding facilities. Please support of any of the following bills would be greatly appreciated: SB 87, SB 88, SB 90, SB 442, SB 457, SB 535, SB 604 and HB 1350. The attached press release from the Virginia Coalition for Beagle Protection summarizes the bills and how they will help these animals. Thank you for your consideration.

Both the House and Senate have recognized that research breeders need regulation which is currently absent in VA code. Bills passed by the House seek to close down bad actors [Envigo], while Senate bills seek to solve pieces of the problem (reporting/adoption/limiting size) while allowing operations to continue in a "one-last-chance" approach. We need the offered Senate bills to clean up the current bad mess, and to prevent problems with future breeders that may come to fill the research breeder void. But the House bills, passed by wide majorities, will end the suffering of these noble animals NOW. Please support the Senate's animal bills for the role they will have in regulating future research breeders, as the House bill closes the current problem breeder which has had too many "last chances".

The majority of these bills surround the extremely important problem of the continued extreme cruelty to animals in facilities like those owned by Envigo which have thrived under current laws. Despite promises to do better after being confronted with their abuse, Envigo has continued their disgusting treatment of the animals in their care. To not act after they have time and again shown a great deal of apathy towards making changes and fulfilling their promises to revise their practices would give the same message and have the same effect as openly approving of these repulsive actions. Thus far I have not seen a single reasonable excuse for these type of actions being legal outside of the monetary gain of the companies who cut corners at the price of animal lives. These companies are not however the ones who should be catered to, but the people and looking through the comments I am seeing in this forum it is clear what the people want- for these useless foul actions to be prevented and for the law to reflect our ethics.

Comments Document

Last year, news agencies around the country reported on atrocious conditions uncovered at Envigo, a beagle breeding facility in Cumberland County, VA. Violations found at the facility included dead and injured animals who received no veterinary care, grimy enclosures infested with feces, and many other issues. Severe problems were discovered all across the facility, which at time of inspection housed nearly 5,000 dogs bound for research facilities around the world. They sell 500 dogs a month which equates to an astronomical number of animals over 61 years. Envigo has been operating without any state oversight since 1961. Clearly the inspections being done by the USDA are not enough to ensure the humane treatment of animals at the facility, as evidenced by repeat violations cited at the facility--many of which are classified as "critical" or "direct." Paying any monetary fines are simply another cost of doing business. Envigo does not deserve "another chance" if there is further delay in passing and enacting these laws. It is time to protect these defenseless and voiceless animals that suffer here in Virginia under deplorable living conditions before they are shipped off to be experimented on and worse. As you know, we have made great progress toward protecting animals in our state but we can do better. The next step is to support passage of legislation that will provide better safeguards for animals in research breeding facilities. Please support of any of the following bills would be greatly appreciated: SB 87, SB 88, SB 90, SB 442, SB 457, SB 535, SB 604 and HB 1350. The attached press release from the Virginia Coalition for Beagle Protection summarizes the bills and how they will help these animals. Thank you for your consideration.

Both the House and Senate have recognized that research breeders need regulation which is currently absent in VA code. Bills passed by the House seek to close down bad actors [Envigo], while Senate bills seek to solve pieces of the problem (reporting/adoption/limiting size) while allowing operations to continue in a "one-last-chance" approach. We need the offered Senate bills to clean up the current bad mess, and to prevent problems with future breeders that may come to fill the research breeder void. But the House bills, passed by wide majorities, will end the suffering of these noble animals NOW. Please support the Senate's animal bills for the role they will have in regulating future research breeders, as the House bill closes the current problem breeder which has had too many "last chances".

The majority of these bills surround the extremely important problem of the continued extreme cruelty to animals in facilities like those owned by Envigo which have thrived under current laws. Despite promises to do better after being confronted with their abuse, Envigo has continued their disgusting treatment of the animals in their care. To not act after they have time and again shown a great deal of apathy towards making changes and fulfilling their promises to revise their practices would give the same message and have the same effect as openly approving of these repulsive actions. Thus far I have not seen a single reasonable excuse for these type of actions being legal outside of the monetary gain of the companies who cut corners at the price of animal lives. These companies are not however the ones who should be catered to, but the people and looking through the comments I am seeing in this forum it is clear what the people want- for these useless foul actions to be prevented and for the law to reflect our ethics.

Comments Document

Last year, news agencies around the country reported on atrocious conditions uncovered at Envigo, a beagle breeding facility in Cumberland County, VA. Violations found at the facility included dead and injured animals who received no veterinary care, grimy enclosures infested with feces, and many other issues. Severe problems were discovered all across the facility, which at time of inspection housed nearly 5,000 dogs bound for research facilities around the world. They sell 500 dogs a month which equates to an astronomical number of animals over 61 years. Envigo has been operating without any state oversight since 1961. Clearly the inspections being done by the USDA are not enough to ensure the humane treatment of animals at the facility, as evidenced by repeat violations cited at the facility--many of which are classified as "critical" or "direct." Paying any monetary fines are simply another cost of doing business. Envigo does not deserve "another chance" if there is further delay in passing and enacting these laws. It is time to protect these defenseless and voiceless animals that suffer here in Virginia under deplorable living conditions before they are shipped off to be experimented on and worse. As you know, we have made great progress toward protecting animals in our state but we can do better. The next step is to support passage of legislation that will provide better safeguards for animals in research breeding facilities. Please support of any of the following bills would be greatly appreciated: SB 87, SB 88, SB 90, SB 442, SB 457, SB 535, SB 604 and HB 1350. The attached press release from the Virginia Coalition for Beagle Protection summarizes the bills and how they will help these animals. Thank you for your consideration.

Both the House and Senate have recognized that research breeders need regulation which is currently absent in VA code. Bills passed by the House seek to close down bad actors [Envigo], while Senate bills seek to solve pieces of the problem (reporting/adoption/limiting size) while allowing operations to continue in a "one-last-chance" approach. We need the offered Senate bills to clean up the current bad mess, and to prevent problems with future breeders that may come to fill the research breeder void. But the House bills, passed by wide majorities, will end the suffering of these noble animals NOW. Please support the Senate's animal bills for the role they will have in regulating future research breeders, as the House bill closes the current problem breeder which has had too many "last chances".

The majority of these bills surround the extremely important problem of the continued extreme cruelty to animals in facilities like those owned by Envigo which have thrived under current laws. Despite promises to do better after being confronted with their abuse, Envigo has continued their disgusting treatment of the animals in their care. To not act after they have time and again shown a great deal of apathy towards making changes and fulfilling their promises to revise their practices would give the same message and have the same effect as openly approving of these repulsive actions. Thus far I have not seen a single reasonable excuse for these type of actions being legal outside of the monetary gain of the companies who cut corners at the price of animal lives. These companies are not however the ones who should be catered to, but the people and looking through the comments I am seeing in this forum it is clear what the people want- for these useless foul actions to be prevented and for the law to reflect our ethics.

Comments Document

Last year, news agencies around the country reported on atrocious conditions uncovered at Envigo, a beagle breeding facility in Cumberland County, VA. Violations found at the facility included dead and injured animals who received no veterinary care, grimy enclosures infested with feces, and many other issues. Severe problems were discovered all across the facility, which at time of inspection housed nearly 5,000 dogs bound for research facilities around the world. They sell 500 dogs a month which equates to an astronomical number of animals over 61 years. Envigo has been operating without any state oversight since 1961. Clearly the inspections being done by the USDA are not enough to ensure the humane treatment of animals at the facility, as evidenced by repeat violations cited at the facility--many of which are classified as "critical" or "direct." Paying any monetary fines are simply another cost of doing business. Envigo does not deserve "another chance" if there is further delay in passing and enacting these laws. It is time to protect these defenseless and voiceless animals that suffer here in Virginia under deplorable living conditions before they are shipped off to be experimented on and worse. As you know, we have made great progress toward protecting animals in our state but we can do better. The next step is to support passage of legislation that will provide better safeguards for animals in research breeding facilities. Please support of any of the following bills would be greatly appreciated: SB 87, SB 88, SB 90, SB 442, SB 457, SB 535, SB 604 and HB 1350. The attached press release from the Virginia Coalition for Beagle Protection summarizes the bills and how they will help these animals. Thank you for your consideration.

Both the House and Senate have recognized that research breeders need regulation which is currently absent in VA code. Bills passed by the House seek to close down bad actors [Envigo], while Senate bills seek to solve pieces of the problem (reporting/adoption/limiting size) while allowing operations to continue in a "one-last-chance" approach. We need the offered Senate bills to clean up the current bad mess, and to prevent problems with future breeders that may come to fill the research breeder void. But the House bills, passed by wide majorities, will end the suffering of these noble animals NOW. Please support the Senate's animal bills for the role they will have in regulating future research breeders, as the House bill closes the current problem breeder which has had too many "last chances".

The majority of these bills surround the extremely important problem of the continued extreme cruelty to animals in facilities like those owned by Envigo which have thrived under current laws. Despite promises to do better after being confronted with their abuse, Envigo has continued their disgusting treatment of the animals in their care. To not act after they have time and again shown a great deal of apathy towards making changes and fulfilling their promises to revise their practices would give the same message and have the same effect as openly approving of these repulsive actions. Thus far I have not seen a single reasonable excuse for these type of actions being legal outside of the monetary gain of the companies who cut corners at the price of animal lives. These companies are not however the ones who should be catered to, but the people and looking through the comments I am seeing in this forum it is clear what the people want- for these useless foul actions to be prevented and for the law to reflect our ethics.

Comments Document

Last year, news agencies around the country reported on atrocious conditions uncovered at Envigo, a beagle breeding facility in Cumberland County, VA. Violations found at the facility included dead and injured animals who received no veterinary care, grimy enclosures infested with feces, and many other issues. Severe problems were discovered all across the facility, which at time of inspection housed nearly 5,000 dogs bound for research facilities around the world. They sell 500 dogs a month which equates to an astronomical number of animals over 61 years. Envigo has been operating without any state oversight since 1961. Clearly the inspections being done by the USDA are not enough to ensure the humane treatment of animals at the facility, as evidenced by repeat violations cited at the facility--many of which are classified as "critical" or "direct." Paying any monetary fines are simply another cost of doing business. Envigo does not deserve "another chance" if there is further delay in passing and enacting these laws. It is time to protect these defenseless and voiceless animals that suffer here in Virginia under deplorable living conditions before they are shipped off to be experimented on and worse. As you know, we have made great progress toward protecting animals in our state but we can do better. The next step is to support passage of legislation that will provide better safeguards for animals in research breeding facilities. Please support of any of the following bills would be greatly appreciated: SB 87, SB 88, SB 90, SB 442, SB 457, SB 535, SB 604 and HB 1350. The attached press release from the Virginia Coalition for Beagle Protection summarizes the bills and how they will help these animals. Thank you for your consideration.

Both the House and Senate have recognized that research breeders need regulation which is currently absent in VA code. Bills passed by the House seek to close down bad actors [Envigo], while Senate bills seek to solve pieces of the problem (reporting/adoption/limiting size) while allowing operations to continue in a "one-last-chance" approach. We need the offered Senate bills to clean up the current bad mess, and to prevent problems with future breeders that may come to fill the research breeder void. But the House bills, passed by wide majorities, will end the suffering of these noble animals NOW. Please support the Senate's animal bills for the role they will have in regulating future research breeders, as the House bill closes the current problem breeder which has had too many "last chances".

The majority of these bills surround the extremely important problem of the continued extreme cruelty to animals in facilities like those owned by Envigo which have thrived under current laws. Despite promises to do better after being confronted with their abuse, Envigo has continued their disgusting treatment of the animals in their care. To not act after they have time and again shown a great deal of apathy towards making changes and fulfilling their promises to revise their practices would give the same message and have the same effect as openly approving of these repulsive actions. Thus far I have not seen a single reasonable excuse for these type of actions being legal outside of the monetary gain of the companies who cut corners at the price of animal lives. These companies are not however the ones who should be catered to, but the people and looking through the comments I am seeing in this forum it is clear what the people want- for these useless foul actions to be prevented and for the law to reflect our ethics.

Comments Document

Last year, news agencies around the country reported on atrocious conditions uncovered at Envigo, a beagle breeding facility in Cumberland County, VA. Violations found at the facility included dead and injured animals who received no veterinary care, grimy enclosures infested with feces, and many other issues. Severe problems were discovered all across the facility, which at time of inspection housed nearly 5,000 dogs bound for research facilities around the world. They sell 500 dogs a month which equates to an astronomical number of animals over 61 years. Envigo has been operating without any state oversight since 1961. Clearly the inspections being done by the USDA are not enough to ensure the humane treatment of animals at the facility, as evidenced by repeat violations cited at the facility--many of which are classified as "critical" or "direct." Paying any monetary fines are simply another cost of doing business. Envigo does not deserve "another chance" if there is further delay in passing and enacting these laws. It is time to protect these defenseless and voiceless animals that suffer here in Virginia under deplorable living conditions before they are shipped off to be experimented on and worse. As you know, we have made great progress toward protecting animals in our state but we can do better. The next step is to support passage of legislation that will provide better safeguards for animals in research breeding facilities. Please support of any of the following bills would be greatly appreciated: SB 87, SB 88, SB 90, SB 442, SB 457, SB 535, SB 604 and HB 1350. The attached press release from the Virginia Coalition for Beagle Protection summarizes the bills and how they will help these animals. Thank you for your consideration.

Both the House and Senate have recognized that research breeders need regulation which is currently absent in VA code. Bills passed by the House seek to close down bad actors [Envigo], while Senate bills seek to solve pieces of the problem (reporting/adoption/limiting size) while allowing operations to continue in a "one-last-chance" approach. We need the offered Senate bills to clean up the current bad mess, and to prevent problems with future breeders that may come to fill the research breeder void. But the House bills, passed by wide majorities, will end the suffering of these noble animals NOW. Please support the Senate's animal bills for the role they will have in regulating future research breeders, as the House bill closes the current problem breeder which has had too many "last chances".

The majority of these bills surround the extremely important problem of the continued extreme cruelty to animals in facilities like those owned by Envigo which have thrived under current laws. Despite promises to do better after being confronted with their abuse, Envigo has continued their disgusting treatment of the animals in their care. To not act after they have time and again shown a great deal of apathy towards making changes and fulfilling their promises to revise their practices would give the same message and have the same effect as openly approving of these repulsive actions. Thus far I have not seen a single reasonable excuse for these type of actions being legal outside of the monetary gain of the companies who cut corners at the price of animal lives. These companies are not however the ones who should be catered to, but the people and looking through the comments I am seeing in this forum it is clear what the people want- for these useless foul actions to be prevented and for the law to reflect our ethics.

Comments Document

Last year, news agencies around the country reported on atrocious conditions uncovered at Envigo, a beagle breeding facility in Cumberland County, VA. Violations found at the facility included dead and injured animals who received no veterinary care, grimy enclosures infested with feces, and many other issues. Severe problems were discovered all across the facility, which at time of inspection housed nearly 5,000 dogs bound for research facilities around the world. They sell 500 dogs a month which equates to an astronomical number of animals over 61 years. Envigo has been operating without any state oversight since 1961. Clearly the inspections being done by the USDA are not enough to ensure the humane treatment of animals at the facility, as evidenced by repeat violations cited at the facility--many of which are classified as "critical" or "direct." Paying any monetary fines are simply another cost of doing business. Envigo does not deserve "another chance" if there is further delay in passing and enacting these laws. It is time to protect these defenseless and voiceless animals that suffer here in Virginia under deplorable living conditions before they are shipped off to be experimented on and worse. As you know, we have made great progress toward protecting animals in our state but we can do better. The next step is to support passage of legislation that will provide better safeguards for animals in research breeding facilities. Please support of any of the following bills would be greatly appreciated: SB 87, SB 88, SB 90, SB 442, SB 457, SB 535, SB 604 and HB 1350. The attached press release from the Virginia Coalition for Beagle Protection summarizes the bills and how they will help these animals. Thank you for your consideration.

Both the House and Senate have recognized that research breeders need regulation which is currently absent in VA code. Bills passed by the House seek to close down bad actors [Envigo], while Senate bills seek to solve pieces of the problem (reporting/adoption/limiting size) while allowing operations to continue in a "one-last-chance" approach. We need the offered Senate bills to clean up the current bad mess, and to prevent problems with future breeders that may come to fill the research breeder void. But the House bills, passed by wide majorities, will end the suffering of these noble animals NOW. Please support the Senate's animal bills for the role they will have in regulating future research breeders, as the House bill closes the current problem breeder which has had too many "last chances".

The City of Portsmouth strongly supports these initiatives.

SUPPORT Senate Bill 707: SB707 creates a Wildlife Corridor Grant Fund. This fund will help implement Virginia’s Wildlife Corridor Action Plan which will recommend a series of high-priority wildlife crossing projects in the fall of 2022. Creating this fund now will help Virginia access federal matching funds in the new Infrastructure Jobs and Investment Act where over $350 million is being made available for wildlife corridor projects. Please support SB707 as an important investment in safer roads for people and wildlife. Over 57 thousand miles of roads carve up our state and make safe passage for wildlife increasingly difficult. By protecting wildlife corridors, we can help wildlife move safely throughout Virginia and maintain critical ecosystem connections. Virginia is also considered a “High Risk” state for wildlife/vehicle collisions, the 12th most dangerous state in the nation. Crashes on our roads cost Virginians over $533 million every year. Funding is needed now to put in place wildlife crossing projects that can reduce both the frequency and cost of these collisions.

Comments Document

Virginia has been a leader in taking action to incorporate habitat connectivity considerations into its infrastructure planning. The 2020 legislation (HB1695) directed the Commonwealth to produce a Wildlife Corridor Action Plan (WCAP) to identify important wildlife corridors and road crossings, and the 2021 bill (SB 1274) directed key agencies to incorporate wildlife corridors and road crossings into their planning. With the WCAP’s expected release this year, now is the time to help fund and implement this plan. This bill will not only provide the home for these much-needed funds to grow, but the funds in this account will make Virginia competitive in leveraging federal dollars through the new Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program that was passed as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. We urge you to pass this piece of legislation and establish this Wildlife Corridor Grant Fund.