Thousands of children and pets each year are poisoned by antifreeze because it has sweet taste. The American Journal of Emergency Medicine estimates more than 700 children under the age of six, and nearly 10,000-90,000 pets were exposed to its poisonous ingredients.

Encourage your local, provincial, state, or federal governments to require manufacturers to add a bittering agent to all antifreeze containing more than 10% ethylene glycol. Thus, children and animals will be discouraged from ingesting it. Adding a bittering agent like denatonium benzoate — one of the bitterest substances available and is now used safely in many other household products — will increase the cost of antifreeze by only two cents per gallon. It’s a small price to pay for the safety of kids and pets.

Oregon, California and New Mexico have already adopted their own laws requiring the addition of a bittering substance to antifreeze, and twelve other states—Alabama, Maine, Massachusetts, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia and Washington—have legislation pending. Further, the U.S. Conference of Mayors passed a resolution urging Congress to “help cities protect children and animals” by passing the Antifreeze Bittering Act.

Furthermore antifreeze legislation was passed during the last session of Congress (in July 2006) by the House Energy and Commerce Committee as well as the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, the respective panels with jurisdiction over the bill. However, it was never brought-up for a vote on the floor of either chamber.

*** In September 2008, Ms. Lepalme had 157 dogs removed from her care by the Montreal SPCA on the grounds of animal cruelty. All 157 dogs took residence in one house where they were packed in crates, dog runs and wire cages. They were found extremely malnourished, dehydrated, over bred, infested with worms, untreated open wounds on their bodies and some were even found dead on site.

We have started this petition because Carole Lapalme, the puppy mill owner, will be back in criminal court December 17th, 2008 in Montreal and is pleading not guilty to animal cruelty. Carole Lepalme is requesting that the dogs be returned to her. Something has to be done to stop these dogs from being put back under the care of this person. Quebec is known as the animal cruelty capital of North America, and is the home of over 2000 puppy mills. You can make a difference, do not let these helpless animals return to a desolate life without care, food, space, companionship or freedom.

Go Here To Sign The Petition

I am pleased to announce that some new animal cruelty legislation passed in the Ontario legislature a few weeks ago (Bill 50, the Provincial Animal Welfare Act) which ensures that people who abuse animals will face jail, stiffer fines and a lifetime ban on animal ownership.

Facts About Bill 50:

- Had not changed for almost 90 years
- Now makes it a provincial offence to cause distress to an animal
- Now carries more severe penalties, which include jail terms, and fines up to $60,000.
- Now allows Ontario SPCA agents inspection rights at facilities where animals are kept for sale, exhibit, entertainment or hire.
- Now allows humane societies and SPCAs to apply for custody of an animal victim while a cruelty case is in the courts, preventing the return of an animal to an owner if cause for its safety is an issue.

People who inflict pain and suffering on animals now may get a punishment that fits closer with their crime. Ontario has gone from having some of the worst animal protection laws to some of the strictist around. Congratulations to the provincial government of Ontario and its people for making this happen. Each year, the OHS responds to over 1,500 emergency calls regarding animal abuse, neglect and cruelty. Only about one per cent of the investigations lead to charges under the Criminal Code of Canada, or the OSPCA Act. Loopholes in the previous outdated legislation made it incredibly difficult to prove intent in cases of animal abuse, and even more difficult to prosecute those cases. The new legislation will offer animal rescue agents more flexibility in seeking justice for animal victims.

Although the OHS is legally mandated to enforce federal and provincial animal cruelty provisions, it does not receive any government funding, or funding from any animal welfare group to perform this essential work. They take care of 11,000 animals each and every year and their resources are stretched to the limit. They rely on donors to pay for our entire animal rescue operation. Bill 50 is a good first step, but now they need the funding to ensure this protection can actually happen.

As retailers are worried about the worst fourth quarter in generations the pet products industry are finding themselves seemingly exempt from much of the gloom of American business. Business is up for companies that sell everything from organic dog treats to couture-inspired pet toys. Many pet owners are as dedicated to their animals as parents are to children and are willing to sacrifice on themselves before trimming back on their four-legged friends. It seems the pet industry is definitely more resilient than most categories tied to discretionary spending, however not recession proof. The American Pet Products Association estimates Americans will spend $43.4 billion this year on their pets. That’s 26 percent higher than what U.S. consumers spent in 2004. Some parts of the pet food industry, particularly gourmet and organic pet food, will likely be even more insulated than the sellers of pet carriers, clothing and outdoor gear because many pet owners, who upgraded their kibble after contaminated pet food killed or sickened thousands of animals last year, are leery of switching back and possibly causing digestive problems for their pets.

According to industry statistics, nearly one out of every three U.S. households has a pet. Here’s a breakdown of the $43.4 billion the American Pet Products Association estimates pet owners will spend this year.
- Food: $16.9 billion.
- Veterinary care: $10.9 billion.
- Supplies, toys and over-the-counter medicine: $10.3 billion.
- Pet services (Grooming, boarding, etc.): $3.2 billion.
- Live animal purchases: $2.1 billion.