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In regards to the overwhelming stray dog situation in Puerto Rico

Are you interested in traveling to Puerto Rico?
Are you also interested in (to say the least) animals?
Their companionship, their well being, and their overall health and happiness?
Are you aware of the epidemic of animal abuse and neglect in Puerto Rico?
Are you aware of the approximately 250,000 stray dogs that line the beaches and streets of once jovial, extremely beautiful Puerto Rico?
Are you aware that, if not from starvation, exposure to the elements or being hit by a car and left untreated and suffering, then their demise will ultimately be at the direct hands of humans – in illegal fighting rings or other malicious acts.
Recently a bill was presented to the Vice President of the Puerto Rico Senate - Senator Dalmau.
This bill was backed by the US Humane Society and The Puerto Rico Association of Hotels and Tourism. Why? Because it's estimated that the island loses around 15 million dollars annually from travelers that will not return or will not recommend because of the stray animal situation.
The bill proposed the following actions:
• Enforcing the punishment of animals abuse a PRIORITY (something that currently does not happen)
• Make sterilization mandatory for the next 5 years
• Make breeding illegal
• Would allow Puerto Rico to accept veterinary licenses from other US states or grant temporary permits to visiting non profit veterinary groups, who have been trying to offer FREE sterilization for the animals on the island. *The last part of the bill was strongly opposed by the Veterinary Board of Puerto Rico - with their ex President, Victor Oppenheimer stating that allowing US vets would "greatly affect the practices of local veterinarians".*

During the hearing where Senator Dalmau declined to sign this bill into law - he was quoted as saying "I do not believe that stray animals suffer". You can contact them directly by email
•SenatorDalmau jldalmau@senado.pr.gov
•Clarissa Jimenez (Association of Hotels and Tourism) CJimenez@prhta.net

SO I DID


Jasmine Francisco j************@gmail.com

9:46 AM (0 minutes ago)
to CJimenez, jldalmau
If you are more concerned about the health and wealth and happiness of your people than the animals that coincide with them, then you must be aware of the estimated  15 million dollars annually lost from your economy from travelers like myself that will not return because of the stray animal situation.
The bill that was proposed seemed to be the start of a great compromise between the Humane people and the government of Puerto Rico that would ensure bountiful years of tourism in the future. Making sterilization mandatory for the next 5 years and breeding illegal is the east the government can do to remedy the situation. Adding to that the installment of licensing and ownership laws and fees will boost the local governmental purses as well. 
The most opposed portion of the bill was in regards to granting temporary permits to visiting and non profit veterinary groups, who would offer FREE sterilization services for the animals on the island. FREE. Free solutions to an overwhelming problem. Free assistance to the underfunded local rescue groups caring for the the large population of unwanted and uncared for animals roaming the island. Free assistance to the overworked practices of local veterinarians who can't afford to take the time and effort to take on the chore of the sterilization themselves. Free aid. How can you not even be interested in FREE aid? 
How can you say that strays do not suffer? Do you also believe that homeless people do not suffer? Do you truly believe that bloody, battered, excruciatingly thin bodies are not suffering? Would you trade places with a stray for one day, one week, one month, one year?? And if you think that your people are suffering now, more than the animals, do you not believe they will suffer more if the economy declines due to tourists aversion to PR? How can you allow your people to bear the consequences of reduced tourism? 
Where animals may not be your top priority, the situation also affects the people. If Tourism is a #1 source of the countries income and wealth, a decrease in tourism due to animal rights and animal welfare activists will surely result in overall loss of wealth for the country and higher poverty levels. A country that cannot sustain its most profitable venture cannot sustain its people. America is one of the top animal rights activist nations, and also one of the top PR vacationing nations- it would seem that when America extends it's hand with free resources, it is best to consider it-- for the overall goodness of the country.
Respectfully Yours,
Jasmine
Jasmine Francisco
Equine Consultant & Pet Care Specialist

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