Last week, Alabama news sources widely broadcasted the news that the states non-profit spay and neuter clinics won a victory when the Alabama State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners (ASBVME) voted to reject the proposed rule that would have threatened to shut down the clinics.

The numerous reports mentioned the large number of animal advocates who appeared and spoke before the board  Oct. 10 with passionate pleas and evidence in support of the nonprofits.

 The advocates stressed their pleas with the caveat that the closing of nonprofit clinics would result in an animal population explosion that had already reached epidemic proportions. For the most part, the advocates, referred to — but not identified in news reports — were not only those from the trenches of unending rescue of abandoned pregnant dogs and cats and litters in the state, but were representative of the more than 7,000 active members of Alabama Voters for Responsible Animal Legislation (AVRAL).

 Preceding the Oct. 10 ASBVME meeting, AVRAL members rallied, flooding the board with letters, emails and telephone calls in support for the continuance of nonprofit spay and neuter clinics. The ASBVME is a board appointed by the Alabama Governor, and typically, according to advocates, uncommunicative and hostile to citizens' complaints and inquiries. “The stack of unopened letters on the desk, in full view of attendees to the ASBVME meeting, was a disappointing and disturbing sight,” commented AVRAL member Jo Vaughn.

Vaughn was among several AVRAL members allowed to speak briefly before the board. AVRAL is the first and only grassroots Political Action Committee in Alabama, formalized in late 2010, that focuses exclusively on the support and passage of animal protection laws in state and local legislation. AVRAL’s first goal, reached successfully in 2011, was the enactment of “Beckham’s Bill,” a law that prohibits the use of carbon monoxide gas chambers as an euthanasia method within Alabama animal facilities/shelters.

AVRAL State Chair Dr. Rhonda Parker states, “This was our top priority, given the issue that barbaric gas chambers had been neglected by other animal advocacy groups for decades “Furthermore, it was unacceptable that this uncivilized method of euthanasia was deemed humane in the regulations written by ASBVM. “However, ridding Alabama of the stigma of the usage of gas chambers is merely the tip of our state's unsound animal welfare practices and laws that affect companion animals and the citizens who strive to care for and protect them.”

AVRAL membership is made up from Alabama citizens from all walks of life, but a significant portion consists of animal rescuers and those involved in saving dogs and cats from euthanasia, from starving on the streets and dumping sites, rehabilitating with necessary veterinary care, providing and finding homes for Alabama's discarded animals.

There is no shortage of documented examples of the results of inadequate care and the absence of affordable spay and neuter services. AVRAL board member Richard Koerner remarked, “We come face to face with the heartwrenching realities of abuse, neglect and suffering of countless dogs and cats on a daily, often an hourly basis. We document the cases, while attempting to bring help to the victims of irresponsibility and cruelty. “It's time for boards such as ASBVME and the veterinary community to answer the call for assistance in this unending heartache and financial burden placed upon caring citizens.” “Many of the photographs collected from “hands-on” rescue and discovery across Alabama are graphic,” commented AVRAL South Alabama Coordinator. Often the public cringes at the sights we encounter, but with the public's involvement, via knowledge — and support from constituents of our elected officials — we are presenting an effective case for strong and enforceable laws that will bring immediate benefit to the countless animals caught in unimaginable circumstances.”

From all accounts, case in point — the recent ASBVME meeting — AVRAL is bringing awareness to what formally appeared to be insurmountable, complex difficulties within animal welfare issues in Alabama. With awareness, comes solutions. “Awareness and knowledge are invaluable elements in affecting change,” said Parker. “We have just begun. Our resolve is sound, AVRAL's membership is growing by leaps and bounds. We speak in an unified voice on behalf of Alabama voters, the collective voice for Alabama's companion animals.”

 For more information about AVRAL and goals for animal welfare in Alabama, visit our site at alabamavotesforanimals.org. AVRAL  invites you to join and add your voice to “Alabama’s Voice” for those who have no voice or choice in their future.

Contact Sandra Nathan AVRAL South Alabama Coordinator 18261 Ft Morgan Road Gulf Shores, AL 36542 251-968-8779 sandrazz@mchsi.com