Reps. Bieda, Alma Smith, Accavitti, Condino, Gillard, Gonzales, Leland, Lemmons, III, Lemmons, Jr., Lipsey, Miller, Murphy, Plakas, Polidori, Rocca, Sheltrown, Taub, Tobocman, Vagnozzi, Waters and Zelenko offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 139.

            A resolution to encourage Michigan animal shelters and pounds to adopt a "no-kill" philosophy in dealing with homeless pets.

            Whereas, More than 56,900 dogs and 76,300 cats were euthanized at Michigan animal shelters in 2003. The number of homeless pets killed each year both in Michigan and nationwide has decreased significantly in the past 15 years. However, the killing of healthy, adoptable pets by animal shelters continues as a matter of policy rather than necessity; and

            Whereas, The "no-kill" philosophy refers to finding an alternative to euthanasia as a means of controlling the pet population for otherwise healthy animals. No-kill does not mean that no animals die in a shelter, but those that are healthy and treatable are saved. The no-kill philosophy recognizes the need to deal humanely with sick and suffering animals as well as vicious animals that cannot be placed in the community; and

            Whereas, Requiring volunteers at shelters to take on the job of killing unwanted and homeless pets is an unfair burden to those working with these animals. Focus should be placed on no-kill methods of handling homeless pets, including aggressively marketing adoption, community education, and discount spay and neutering programs; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we encourage Michigan animal shelters and pounds to adopt a "no-kill" philosophy in dealing with homeless pets; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Division of Licensing, Certification, and Registration within the Department of Agriculture and the Michigan Humane Society.