In spite of everyone’s efforts this legislative session, Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver (R-Ankeny) and Senate President Charles Schneider (R-WDSM) couldn’t be persuaded to bring companion animal cruelty bill HF737 to the floor for a vote, even though it had been passed unanimously by the House and approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee by a wide margin. The bill had enough bipartisan votes to pass, but wasn’t given an opportunity to be voted on.
Even though HF737 did not pass in the 2019 session, our work continues. This bill progressed further through the legislative process than ever before, thanks to YOU and your fellow Iowans who sent hundreds of messages and made hundreds of phone calls to your legislators.
Please continue to follow the ARL and the ARL Humane Action Network for the next steps. We will continue to talk about this issue, and we ask that you have conversations with your legislator and share the importance of speaking up for Iowa’s companion animals.
