Massachusetts legislators, staff, show off their pets
Who doesn’t like talking about their pets?
The top three topics of conversation in the U.S., as per Preply, a language tutoring app, are the weather, weekend plans and work. But pets fit in there, too. Especially as icebreakers when broaching difficult topics like end-of-life legislation, protecting children from sexual assault or how to direct more state funding to local projects.
In Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has a special website designed just that way: Statehouse Pets. On it are collected pictures and bios of many of the pets that share living quarters with state legislators, staff members and other state employees.
“It’s a nice icebreaker for people,” said Kara Holmquist, the director of advocacy at the MSPCA and the curator of the website.
The organization participates in a Lobby Day every year at the Statehouse on Beacon Hill where they review animal-friendly legislation, visit with lawmakers and, yes, talk about pets.
“It’s so much fun to hear about their pets,” Holmquist said.
Legislators, staff, state employees love their pets
There are cats and dogs, ducks and chickens, and more recently Ted, a Russian tortoise belonging to Lizzie Donovan Noonan, counsel for the Joint Committee on Public Service, was added to the page, along with the two cats Dupont (Dewey) and Declan, who also live with Donovan Noonan.
The website serves as a way for those residents who care about animals to find common ground with legislators.
“They have something to talk about,” Holmquist said, adding that while many Massachusetts residents want to help animals, they may be unsure of how to approach legislators. “This make legislators more approachable, makes it easy to start discussions. It’s not controversial.”
In Worcester, several legislators have animals; some have multiple animals: Sen. Ryan Fattman, R-Webster, has two dogs, Millie and a new puppy, Maggie. The family cat, Boots, is now living his best life with friends after the birth of their youngest child.
LeBoeuf, who grew up with dogs but can’t have one in his apartment, adopted a rescue cat, Wyatt, on a visit to a shelter.
“I went on a rescue day event, and I thought I can’t leave this little one here,” LeBoeuf said of his new companion. He has spent the last three years learning the differences between cats and dogs personality-wise and enjoying Wyatt’s company. The feline enjoys preening on Zoom calls, knocking over cups and chasing lasers.
“When he’s hungry in the morning and I don’t feed him exactly at 7:30 a.m., he’ll come sit on my chest until I feed him,” LeBoeuf said.
The legislator endorsed the Beagle Bill, a measure that allows for the adoption of laboratory animals, many of them beagles, when their service time at the state’s many laboratories ends, and is a staunch advocate for prohibiting feline declawing.
Advocating for animals: Ollie's Law
Next on the MSPCA advocacy agenda is Ollie’s Law, presented by Sen. Mark Montigny, D-New Bedford, and Rep. Brian Ashe, D-Longmeadow. The bill was prompted by the death in 2020 of Ollie, a Labradoodle puppy at a doggy day care facility in Longmeadow. The dog was injured in a dogfight.
Ollie’s Law would address the lack of oversight at commercial kennels, pet boarding facilities and pet day care centers in Massachusetts.
Currently licensed on a municipal basis, the basic requirement is that a kennel must be “maintained in a sanitary and humane manner,” according to a recap of the proposed legislation on the MSPCA website.
If passed, Ollie’s Law would standardize licensing requirements, set fines and fees for violations and ensure injuries, both human and animal, are reported and investigated in a timely manner. Violations and findings of fault would be posted in a way to enable consumers to make informed decisions about where to board their pets.
The state Department of Agricultural Resources would be tasked with oversight of the facilities. This would ensure that all animal control officers are fully informed of their duties and recognize their authority to revoke licenses. The oversight would guarantee clear language for guidance on the maximum number of animals allowed at a facility determined by the licensing municipality. It would also ensure that animals are attended to, and their health and safety is secured.
"Pets are family who provide boundless love and affection that we are lucky to receive," said Montigny. "For this reason, it is critical that we ensure all businesses entrusted with the care of our family adhere to proper health and safety protocols no matter what town they operate in across the commonwealth. Too often, we have heard devastating stories of pets like Ollie who have been injured or killed due to negligent care. These people have no place caring for such precious creatures, and it's time that we implement consistent standards across Massachusetts."
The MSPCA has scheduled an advocacy day May 17 to rally for Ollie’s Law. And an adoption day is not out of the question.
“It can’t be too hot or too cold,” Holmquist said, explaining that only service animals are allowed in the Statehouse. “But if we have an adoption day, we usually hold it outside in Ashburton Park.”
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Webpage showcases pets living with Massachusetts lawmakers, staff
