Social Compassion

WASHINGTON D.C. — Monday, June 15, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D – Los Angeles County) introduced The Keeping Pets and Families Together Act that would establish a program within the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to encourage the microchipping of dogs and cats in shelters with the goal of quickly returning missing pets to their families.

“When my family adopted our rescue dog, Abbot, our lives changed for the better. The thought of losing our furry family member is unthinkable, which is why I’m so glad we were able to microchip Abbot. Now if he ever got lost or stolen, his microchip would help us find him again. I want other families to feel that same sense of security,” said Congressman Lieu. “I’m pleased to introduce The Keeping Pets and Families Together Act to fund microchipping services in animal shelters. With this legislation, we can help lost pets find their ways back home.”

According to the American Humane Association, roughly one-third of all pets will become lost at some point in their lifetime, and many of those animals end up in shelters. However, a study by the American Veterinary Medical Association found that almost three-fourths of all lost or stolen animals with microchips are located and many eventually reunited with their families.

Support for this legislation:

“When a lost pet enters a shelter, a microchip can mean the difference between a joyful reunion and a permanent loss. The Keeping Pets and Families Together Act will help more pets return to their loving homes, spare families the heartbreak of separation, and provide shelters with the resources they need to reconnect animals with the people who love them,” said Judie Mancuso, Founder and President, Social Compassion in Legislation

Read the full Press Release;
https://lieu.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-lieu-introduces-bill-help-families-reunite-lost-pets

Call to Action! Please Contact Houston DA to Prosecute Horrific B*stiality Case!

A disturbing case about a heinous crime has just unfolded in Texas, and we need your immediate help to seek justice for an abused dog. Steven Tyler Swain, a Houston attorney, has been charged with b*stiality, which is a state jail felony. Swain’s wife allegedly uncovered video footage of him engaging in s*xual acts with their family dog, Shipley, while reviewing surveillance footage set up during a home renovation.

These events occurred in November 2025. Subsequently, she provided the video footage to the Houston SPCA as evidence. Thankfully, Shipley the dog has been removed from the home and is safe in the care of Swain’s wife.

While Swain was taken into custody on May 22nd, court documents show the bail was set at a measly $7,500 and he was able to make bail.

To ensure that Swain is brought to justice after what Shipley endured, we urge you to call the Harris County District Attorney’s Office and request that he is prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

Your help is critical as the case moves through the courts. Swain must be held accountable for his actions and Shipley cannot advocate for himself in court. We don’t have faith that this will be done after such a low bail amount was set. The good ole’ boy network might just sweep this under the carpet.

The contact information for the Harris County District Attorney, Sean Teare, is below. Thank you for advocating for Shipley and for ensuring that animal abusers are held responsible for their horrendous crimes.

CONTACT
Harris County District Attorney’s Office
District attorney, Sean Teare

Call | 713-274-5800
Email | [email protected]

🚨 Please Contact the Federal Bureau of Land Management to Stop Cyanide Bombs!

Here is a script you can follow, but we encourage you to make it your own:

“I am contacting the Bureau of Land Management to urge you to ban the use of M-44 sodium cyanide bombs on BLM lands. These deadly devices poison wildlife, kill family pets, and have even injured children. M-44s are cruel, dangerous, and have no place on public lands. Please reinstate the federal ban on these devices. Thank you.”

Email for BLM Sacramento office:
[email protected]

Phone number for BLM Sacramento office:
916-978-4400

☠️ Here's what's happening ...

In 2023, the Biden Administration banned the use of cruel M-44 sodium cyanide bombs for wildlife “control” on lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). However, the Trump Administration has now reversed that protection, once again putting wildlife, family pets, and even children at risk.

California took a strong stand against this indiscriminate poison in 1998 when voters passed Proposition 4, banning the use of sodium cyanide devices in our state. Rolling back federal protections threatens progress nationwide and undermines decades of growing public opposition to these dangerous devices.

M-44 sodium cyanide bombs are deadly spring-loaded traps that eject poisonous sodium cyanide into the air when triggered. They have been used to kill thousands of animals, including coyotes, wolves, foxes, and other wildlife. But these devices do not distinguish between intended targets and innocent victims. Over the years, M-44s have also killed family dogs, harmed non-target wildlife, and seriously injured children.

We are outraged that such a lethal, inhumane, and reckless device is once again being authorized for wildlife management. No person, pet, or wild animal should risk a horrific poisoning simply by crossing paths with one of these traps.

We urge you to contact the Sacramento BLM office by phone and email and demand that the federal ban on M-44 sodium cyanide bombs be reinstated immediately.