WHITINGHAM — With the Senate primary only days away, I'm reminded of a topic that's important to Vermonters, a topic that doesn't always make the headlines: animal welfare.
Let's not forget to ask our candidates before the Aug. 26 primary what their views are on improving our animal welfare laws. Vermont has the largest per-capita rate of pet ownership in the country, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.
One of the Windham County candidates vying for a seat is Senator Jeanette White, a 2012 recipient of the Humane Society of the United State's “Humane State Legislator Award” for her work to improve the regulation of pet breeders. She has been a stalwart advocate of animal-welfare legislation in Montpelier.
Sure, there are lots of issues that are important to us all, but the animals we share our lives with can't lobby for themselves.