Antifreeze Bill

The Massachusetts House of Representatives has passed an Antifreeze Bittering Bill, according to the MSPCA-Angell Animal Care and Adoption Center.

"Most automotive antifreeze contains ethylene glycol, which is highly toxic to animals and humans," states a press release. "The smell and taste of antifreeze is appealing to animals, who can be poisoned by even the relatively small amounts that leak out of cars and trucks."

House Bill 4285 requires the addition of a bittering agent to make antifreeze unpalatable and prevent poisonings, according to research.

In unrelated MSPCA news, Somerville has passed a ban on exotic animals in circuses and traveling shows, becoming the latest community in the Commonwealth to pass an ordinance banning the display of these creatures in circuses and carnivals.

MSPCA-Angell also announced Feb. 4 that the animals at Nevins Farm need help to stay warm during emergencies.

The generator costs $17,000 but a local foundation will match donations up to $35,000, according to literature from the agency.

To make a donation, go to mspca.org/generator online.

In unrelated pet news, you can tell your rescued dogs story and help Compassionate Pug Rescue. Happy Tails Books collects stories from people who had adopted dogs, compiling them into books that illustrate the love and job adopted dogs bring to their new homes, according to Tracy Carr, who runs a Facebook group "Support Compassionate Pug Rescue."

The submission deadline for Pug stories is Feb.28.

You submit stories directly through happytailsbooks.com/submit.htm and you can see the guidelines at happytailsbooks.com/faq.htm.

The Humane Society of the U.S. (HSUS) announced this week that the "phony" Center for Consumer Freedom (CCF) defends animal cruelty and is asking HSUS supporters to make a donation to stop them from preventing HSUS from protecting animals.

"In its early years CCF made money as a front group for Big Tobacco, the alcohol industry, and other corporations working against public health," states Wayne Pacelle, President and CEO of HSUS in a mass email. "The Humane Society of the United States is now CCF's number one target."

Pacelle said: "The shills at CCF have one thing right: The HSUS is indeed the largest, toughest, and most effective animal protection organization, and we have the power, like no other group does, to effect major changes for animals."

Pacelle wrote that in response to CCF's new "mudslinging" campaign, his organization is asking citizens to join him in raising $200,000 - - $100,000 to help care for animals at the network of five animal care centers the HSUS owns and operates and $100,000 to add to the agency's campaign to take on factory farming.

To make a special gift, access https://secure.humanesociety.org/site/Donation2?idb=0&3280.donation=form1&df_id=3280&autologin=true&JServSessionIdr004=t8wcrxxsq2.app305a.