Electing humane legislators is more important than ever for animals, but to participate you MUST register to vote! In Washington State you can register by visiting the Secretary of State’s website or here if you’re outside Washington State. Don’t wait, register now to help animals!
Washington Residents: Tell Officials Not to Reinstate the 2022 Spring Black Bear Hunt!
Despite having voted in November to suspend the 2022 spring black bear hunt, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Fish and Wildlife Commission is bowing to pressure from hunters (not content with only a fall hunting season to shoot black bears!) and is considering a new rule to reinstate the spring hunt. Under this new rule, the spring hunt would also become permanent, rather than being renewed every year as currently required, putting even more pressure on black bear populations.
Black bears are especially vulnerable in the spring, when they’re desperately searching for food after a long hibernation and mothers are caring for cubs, and Washington is one of only eight states that still allow their slaughter during this critical period. Many animals who are hunted are not killed outright but rather run off with grave injuries, ultimately succumbing to blood loss or infection, a slow and painful death. And although the new rule would prohibit the hunting of cubs less than a year old and female bears with offspring, there’s no easy way to ensure that a solo bear doesn’t have offspring, as mothers frequently get separated from their cubs—and because black bear cubs typically stay with their mothers for 17 months, wild families remain in danger of being torn apart and orphaned cubs left to starve. Furthermore, hunting is proved to be ineffective at “managing” wild populations.
The commission is expected to vote on the proposal on March 19 and is currently accepting public comments, so please let members know that you OPPOSE reinstating the spring black bear hunt by emailing comments to SpringBearPetition102@PublicInput.com.
Please also leave comments opposing the hunt on the commission’s website and leave a voicemail message by calling the commission at 1-855-925-2801 and entering project code 6453. The commission is also holding an online public hearing regarding the proposal on Friday, March 11 2022 at 8am, please register here (register for the March 11 meeting and choose agenda item A) if you’d like to participate and speak out in support of black bears!
Washington’s 2021 general election endorsements!
Endorsements are for Washington State’s November 2, 2021 general election. Vote as soon as you can and make sure to return your mail-in ballot no later than 8 PM on November 2!
You can register to vote online or via mail for this election until October 25, but can register in-person at any time, including on election day! For more information or to register online please visit Washington’s election website.
2021 Primary Election Endorsements!
Endorsements are for Washington State’s August 3 primary election. Vote as soon as you can and make sure to return your mail-in ballot no later than 8 PM on August 3! You can register online or via mail to vote until July 26 but can register in-person at any time, including on election day! For more information or to register online please visit Washington’s Secretary of State election website.
Join us for a fundraiser to re-elect Dave Upthegrove!
Please join Humane Voters of Washington for a Zoom fundraiser on Sunday, April 25 to re-elect Dave Upthegrove to the King County Council!
Sunday, April 25th, 2021
11:00am-11:45am
Over Zoom!
RSVP HERE, on Facebook, or email Bridget@bobmanconsulting.com
Dave’s commitment to animal welfare issues began in college where he served as President of the University of Colorado Animal Rights Group. Later, as a Washington State legislator, Dave helped lead the effort to defend citizen initiatives that banned the cruel and inhumane use of steel-jaw leghold traps as well as bear-baiting and hound hunting. His consistent support for animal issues earned him the Humane Society Legislator of the Year award. On the King County Council, Dave has been working to end the use of fetal pigs in the training program used by county paramedics. Dave and his husband have taken in feral cats and an elderly shelter dog, and currently share their home with their beloved cat, Dobby.
Bring a cup of coffee and your furry, feathery or scaly companion to introduce at this fun virtual event, and learn more about how Dave is helping animals! RSVP by making a contribution of any amount HERE or email Bridget@bobmanconsulting.com.
We hope to see you and your animal friends on April 25!
2020 General Election Endorsements!
Endorsements are for Washington State’s November 3, 2020 general election. Vote as soon as you can and make sure to return your mail-in ballot no later than 8 PM on November 3!
You can register online or via mail to vote until October 26 but can register in-person at any time, including on election day! For more information or to register online please visit.
2020 Primary Election Endorsements!
Endorsements are for Washington State’s August 4, 2020 Primary Election. Vote as soon as you can and make sure to return your mail-in ballot no later than 8 PM on August 4, 2020!
You can register online or via mail to vote until July 27, but can register in-person at any time, including on election day! For more information or to register online please visit.
Washington State 2019 General Election Endorsements!
Endorsements are for the November 2019 Washington State general election. Vote as soon as you can and make sure to return your mail-in ballot no later than 8 PM on November 5, 2019!
You can register online to vote until October 28, but can register in-person at any time, including on election day! For more information please visit.
HVW Endorses Heidi Wills for Seattle City Council
We are excited to announce our endorsement of Heidi Wills for City Council! Heidi, who was a Seattle council member from 1999-2003, is running for Seattle City Council District 6. While in office twenty years ago Heidi lead the effort to ban circuses with wild animals from using Seattle city facilities and championed the removal of the Snake River Dams to restore salmon runs to our ailing resident orca population, an issue of even more urgency today. Since her time on the council, she’s served on the board of the Sierra Club, Conservation Northwest and Climate Solutions. If re-elected we know she will be a leader on animal and environmental issues on the council!
To find out more about Heidi please visit her campaign website: https://heidiwills.com/. Seattle residents: you can donate your Democracy Vouchers to Heidi even if you’re not in District 6!
Humane Voters of Washington 