Congressman Fitzpatrick Visits Upper Bucks SPCA

Bucks County Courier Times

Have you hugged your pet today? Well now is the time to do that, because it’s officially May, which also means it’s officially National Pet Month — a time to celebrate the benefits and joy that pets bring to our lives.

Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick, R-8, kicked off National Pet Month by touring the Bucks County SPCA shelter in Richland and having a discussion about legislation relating to animals.

Fitzpatrick said during the recent hoarding case in which almost 120 animals were removed from a Bedminster home, the new shelter in Upper Bucks County played a pivotal role in taking in the animals and finding new homes for them in the community.

“There is a lot to celebrate, but still a lot of work to do, and a number of bills I’m working on,” Fitzpatrick said.

One piece of legislation Fitzpatrick discussed would set a standard for keeping exotic animals as pets.

“I don’t think it’s appropriate for people to keep primates as pets here in the country, there are a lot of exotic animals that don’t do well in captivity,” Fitzpatrick said.

He noted that education is a big part of this issue, and that there are plenty of “puppies, dogs and cats that need homes.”

“We don’t need to import exotic animals to keep as pets.”

Fitzpatrick also explained the Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety Act, or PUPS.

“The humane treatment of puppies, including as they’re being bred and raised, is important for many of my constituents,” said Fitzpatrick. “Many are concerned about the humane treatment of animals and pets, and I’m proud to listen and share their concerns.”

Fitzpatrick, who is the proud parent of an adopted pit bull terrier and an adopted cat, said he is a co-sponsor of the bill.

“We understand there are many issues out there and I work hard to listen to constituents and be an effective advocate for them.”

Melissa Frank, manager of the Upper Bucks shelter, took Fitzpatrick on the tour and said the two talked about “the need for a shelter in the community, the importance of adoption, and the need to educate kids in upcoming years as they start becoming pet owners.”

“It’s awesome that Bucks County has a congressman that loves animals, and has proved that by adopting a pit bull,” Frank said.

The Upper Bucks shelter, which has been open for a little over a year, has several amenities for the animals, including a heated floor in the winter and aromatherapy.

Fitzpatrick said the location is “like a puppy heaven.”

“It’s a spa for animals, for those that don’t have a home and that have to be in a shelter. If I was a puppy, I’d want to stay — this is a clean, inspected, approved, certified facility that we can be proud of.”

For more information on the Bucks County SPCA location in Richland, or their other location in Solebury, visitwww.bcspca.org.

Read more: http://www.phillyburbs.com/my_town/quakertown/congressman-fitzpatrick-visits-upper-bucks-spca/article_4b2795c3-98b6-5c11-ba46-b9d662efcc04.html