About
the IFHS
The
Iowa Federation of Humane Societies (IFHS) unites the efforts of both
individuals and groups in the state of Iowa in promoting and maintaining
the humane care, handling of, and regard for animals. Though the primary
concerns may be directed towards the welfare of animals, members of
this organization are firmly committed to educating the general public
about animal issues.
The
individuals who serve on the Board of Directors represent diverse
locales, organizations, and occupations within the state of Iowa.
The Federation encourages others to join the growing numbers who share
the desire to attain new and continuing goals for ethical standards
of animal care and treatment.
Mission and Goals
Our
mission is to support and promote, by any legal means possible, the
humane treatment of all animals.
IFHS Objectives
As
the “umbrella” group for a cohesive statewide network
of licensed humane organizations, we assist Iowa’s humane organizations
by providing programs and expertise that promote individual strength
and organizational sustainability.
Our
objectives are:
•
to unite county and local humane societies and animal protective societies;
•
to encourage the support and sponsorship of humane education programs
aimed at developing more compassion, better understanding, and a deeper
appreciation of all animals;
•
to actively serve as animal advocates by providing for the rescue,
relief, and humane disposition of homeless and suffering animals;
•
to advance the education of the public on the subject of animal protection,
exploitation, and abuse by cultivating the public’s understanding
that all animals experience suffering;
•
to appoint special humane agents within the field of operation of
this organization where none now exist;
•
to secure and support just laws for the prevention of cruelty to and
the protection of animals in cooperation with city, county, and state
authorities.
Accomplishments
We
have been successful in many of our efforts to promote humane treatment
and care of animals.
• Pound
Seizure Reversal—1995
(145B.3 Dogs Held for Redemption by Owner. Code of Iowa)—We
helped change the language of this law that required pounds and animals
shelters to release unclaimed dogs to research facilities that demanded
them. Currently, the institutions may ask, but the agencies may refuse.
•
Spay/Neuter Law—1999
(162.20 Sterilization. Code of Iowa)—With
our support, a law was passed that requires the sterilization of
cats and dogs adopted from licensed pounds and animal shelters,
preferably before they leave the site. Animals who are adopted intact
are covered by a signed sterilization agreement that specifies at
a date by which the sterilization must be done.
•
Mourning Dove Hunting Veto—2001.
Mourning doves have been protected in Iowa since 1918, although
there have been numerous unsuccessful attempts by nonresident-hunting/industry
groups over the years to overturn the protection. The dove hunting
issue generated more communication than any other piece of legislation
in Iowa history!
IFHS played
a significant grass-roots role by encouraging thousands of Iowans
to contact then-Governor Tom Vilsack saying they did not support
changing the current law to legalize dove hunting and asking him
to veto the narrowly-passed bill. The bill was subsequently vetoed
by the Governor in January, 2001.
•
Livestock Abuse Law Rewrite—2003
(Chapter 717 Livestock Abuse. Code of Iowa)—IFHS
was instrumental in the revisions of this chapter to include the abuse
and neglect of companion animals. The result was “717 Injury
to Livestock” and “717B Injury to Animals Other than Livestock.”
•
Felony Animal Torture Law—2004
(717B.3A Animal Torture. Code of Iowa)—IFHS
worked very hard to make a provision for animal torture and its punishment
in State law. A section was added to Chapter 717.
