For the fourth year, gas chamber ban fails to pass Utah Legislature
Two Utah animal shelters voluntarily agree to remove gas chamber
For the fourth year in a row, a proposed bill to end the use of gas chambers for shelter animal euthanasia failed to pass the Utah Legislature. On Wednesday, Jan. 24 the motion to recommend S.B. 50 - Animal Shelter Amendments sponsored by Sen. Peter Knudson failed in the Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee with a vote of three yeas and four nays. Utah is one of four states in the U.S. that still uses gas chambers to euthanize animals. Out of the 57 animal shelters that the Humane Society of Utah (HSU) tracks, only eight have a gas chamber. Two shelters, North Utah Valley Animal Services and Draper City Animal Control have agreed to permanently dismantle or remove their gas chamber within the next month.
“For the past three years, this bill has passed the Senate but failed in the House,” said Gene Baierschmidt, HSU executive director. “We were hopeful that it would pass this year because two animal shelters have decided to voluntarily remove their gas chamber, and no one in the hearing spoke against the bill. We thought that we were making progress and were disappointed to hear that this bill wouldn’t have the opportunity to move forward.”
“We firmly believe that with proper training, every animal welfare worker can safely and humanely handle all types of animals,” said Baierschmidt. “Training is available to handle fractious or dangerous animals such as wildlife, which can be safely sedated like a feral cat or rabid dog before euthanasia by injection. There is not a single good reason to use these outdated gas chambers.”
The Humane Society of Utah and The Humane Society of the United States will continue to encourage the transition from gas chamber euthanasia to EBI for the remaining six animal shelters. “We applaud North Utah Valley Animal Services and Draper City Animal Control for their progressive decision to remove their gas chamber,” said Baierschmidt.
Research comparing euthanasia by injection (EBI) to gas chambers has shown that EBI is less expensive, painless for animals, faster and safer for personnel. Using a gas chamber is only less expensive if it is improperly used, i.e., more than one animal is placed into a chamber at one time.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is an extremely hazardous gas that poses safety and health dangers to personnel. Repeated exposure to CO, even at low levels, can result in many serious long-term effects including, but not limited to, cancer, infertility and heart disease.
EBI is the only preferred method by every major national veterinary and animal welfare organization. “In the 2013 Guidelines, euthanasia by intravenous injection of an approved euthanasia agent remains the preferred method for euthanasia of dogs, cats and other small companion animals. Gas chambers are not recommended for routine euthanasia of cats and dogs in shelters and animal control operations,” said Dr. Gail Golab, director of the American Veterinary Medical Association's Animal Welfare Division.
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About the Humane Society of Utah
The Humane Society of Utah is dedicated to the elimination of pain, fear and suffering in all animals. Since 1960, the HSU has been sheltering homeless animals, fighting cruelty and neglect, and creating an environment of respect, responsibility, and compassion for all animals across the state of Utah. HSU is the largest open-admission
private animal
shelter in the state
,
and welcomes any companion animal that can legally be admitted. As a member of the No-Kill Utah (NKUT) Coalition, the HSU works hard to ensure that every healthy and treatable pet that enters the facility will be placed into a loving home. The Humane Society of Utah is a local, private 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that does not receive any state tax dollars or government funding. HSU is funded by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses and foundations.
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Alexander Fairchild
Exclusively Streams New EP
Too Young For New York
Via Atwood Magazine
Listen HERE
EP OUT TOMORROW VIA TOOTH & NAIL RECORDS
"With a heavy but hopeful heart, Fairchild's new EP Too Young for New York captures relatable feelings of longing and displacement through the lens of warm, intimate rock n' roll." -Atwood Magazine
New York, NY - January 25, 2018 - Indie-rocker Alexander Fairchild is exclusively premiering his new EP, Too Young For New York, today with Atwood Magazine! Listen HERE. The EP, available everywhere tomorrow via Tooth & Nail Records, features his singles "Too Young For New York" and "Arizona," both released earlier this month.
The Toronto-born, New York City transplant is back after a five-year hiatus with more instantly gratifying music - music that gives your heavy heart in need of redemption a sweeping cleanse; like the way you can feel good after being emotionally wrung out. Not one for introspection, Fairchild is compelled to write it out, shout it out, and stew in it for a little while. The result is a meticulous and sprawling manifesto of a man helplessly and eagerly in love.
On Too Young For New York, Fairchild shares, "This EP is a collection of songs about being in love while being stuck in the 'in-between' of life. My psychologist calls it 'mindfulness' - being present in life and body instead of obsessing over outcomes - so these are mindfulness narratives."
Too Young For New York is set to release January 26, 2018 on Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, and Amazon. For more information, please visit http://smarturl.it/AlexanderFairchild.
Too Young For New York Track Listing:
01. Bogart And Bacall
02. Red Bikini
03. Too Young For New York
04. Arizona
05. Heart Shaped Pool
Check out more on Alexander Fairchild, here:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thealexanderfairchild/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlexanderFairchildOfficial/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AlxndrFairchild
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VIDEO RELEASE
Gov. Jeb Bush Congratulates "Choices in Education" Video Contest Winner from Miami
Second-grader Jayden Collot gives Gov. Jeb Bush and his parents, grand prize winners in the Choices in Education video competition, a tour of his classroom at Mater Academy Elementary School in Hialeah Gardens.
As part of National School Choice Week, Governor Jeb Bush recognized Christopher Collot and his son, Jayden, as winners of the national “Choices in Education” video competition during a school tour of Mater Academy Elementary School in Hialeah Gardens. Jayden is a second-grade student at the school’s K-2 campus.
Photos, broadcast quality b-roll footage and interviews from the school visit are available for download.
“Every child in America deserves access to a quality education,” said Gov. Jeb Bush, founder and chairman of the Foundation for Excellence in Education. "Only individuals, empowered with the opportunity to succeed, will achieve earned success and lift up our great country.
“Our current education system – a monolithic, government-monopolized model – is failing to prepare children to reach their God-given potential. It’s time all parents in America have the access and right to a full and competitive marketplace of school options to meet the unique needs of their child.
“Each year during National School Choice Week, I’m grateful that educational freedom is enthusiastically championed and celebrated across the country. It’s a powerful reminder that education is an issue that touches every American family.
“Here in Miami, it was terrific to meet Chris and his young son, Jayden, today and to hear their Choices in Education story. Congratulations to Chris on his recognition as a national grand prize winner. My goal is for every family to have a success story rivaling theirs.”
The Choices in Education video competition shares stories about how school choice is improving education for children and families across the country. Hundreds of students, parents and alumni of educational choice programs submitted videos about how educational opportunity has made a difference in their lives.
Grand Prize winner Christopher Collot chose a public charter school for his son, Jayden, to attend, where he is thriving both academically and socially.
“I wanted to provide my child with the best possible fit for his education and give him what I never had – a choice,” Christopher Collot said. “I’m extremely lucky that I had the opportunity to choose a school that was right for my child’s educational needs. Every kid is different and that makes them special. We shouldn’t limit our children’s potential with a one-size-fits-all mentality.”
Mater Academy Elementary is a K-5 public charter school that ranks as one of the top elementary schools in Miami-Dade County.
In 2016, Mater Academy Elementary earned its 14th consecutive “A” grade from the Florida Department of Education based on student growth and achievement. The school’s proven academic record stems from its commitment to ensuring that all students are college bound from as early as kindergarten.
“I’m thrilled that Christopher was selected as a winner in the Choices in Education video contest,” Principal Cecilia Guilarte said. “His passion for school choice continues long after his own experiences with a charter school. He chose to select the best learning environment for Jayden in Mater Academy and he expresses his commitment to educational choice through his involvement in our school’s activities.”
For more information on the Choices in Education video contest winners and finalists, visit www.choicesined.org/finalists.
The Foundation for Excellence in Education (ExcelinEd) is a national leader in education reform. ExcelinEd is a hands-on, how-to policy and advocacy organization that designs and promotes model legislation and supports states with technical expertise, policy development and implementation strategies and public outreach.
