Maine Friends of Animals - MFOA

Friday, 24 May 2013

About Us

MFOA -- 15 YEARS!

Dear MFOA Members and Supporters,

It’s hard to believe that it has been 15 years since Maine Friends of Animals was first established in 1997. As we have progressed to become Maine’s leading animal protection organization, we’ve experienced many positive changes in animal welfare as well as disappointing set backs. Most rewarding, however, is seeing a major shift in the discussion, activism and understanding of many animal protection issues that were not even on the radar screen 15 years ago. We thank all of you for the many ways in which you have helped make this possible.

If we do not have your current e-mail address, please send it to us so that you can receive our occasional Action Alerts & Updates, which are often associated with MFOA and other legislation affecting animals.

It is our goal to continue to promote and move the animal protection discussion into mainstream thinking. The pendulum is swinging our way, albeit too slowly. Won’t you help us advance animal welfare in Maine?

When time permits, we hope you will view the new MFOA DVD: ‘MFOA First 15 Years’. This informative half-hour video documents our 15-year history. It is a collection of TV news clips, photos, newspaper articles and general information about MFOA, the major issues we have been involved with and our progress through the years.

Click to view ‘MFOA First 15 Years’ -- contact MFOA for a larger (more readable) file.

Video Table of Contents:

Early issues: increasing the penalties for animal cruelty; trapping; coyote snaring
Revamping Maine’s Animal Welfare Program
Ban on circus elephants
Speaking up for animals
The Bear Referendum
MFOA Outreach & Volunteers / Pet Club
Ban on ‘Canned Hunting’
MFOA Office and board members
Horse slaughter / harness racing
Dogs Chained for Life
Combating cruelty; creating change

MFOA has been acknowledged as a model for a state animal protection organization. Mostly comprised of volunteers, it has accomplished a great deal with modest funding. Fifteen years have given us credibility with the legislature, media and the general public; we feel we are positioned to increase the scope and effectiveness of what we do and are currently increasing our fundraising efforts to parallel that greater involvement.

For the animals,

Robert Fisk, Jr.
President & Director

A Look Back on 15 Years

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Over the past 15 years, we have seen a lot happen in animal welfare in Maine. With a marked increase in education and advocacy, animal protection also moved into Maine’s legislative arena. We have seen and advanced many positive changes, as attested to by our second place national rating for animal cruelty laws. We have also experienced disappointing set backs, but through it all has come a major shift and understanding of many animal protection issues that were not even on the radar screen 15 years ago. Equally encouraging is the corresponding level of activism. MFOA alone has 1,500 members and supporters across the state.

Our Mission

The objective of Maine Friends of Animals(MFOA) is to bring together members,animal advocates and associations in Maine to more effectively take legislative and political action on issues that affect animals.

Being an organized statewide organization that works for the protection for all Maine’s animals - companion, farm and wildlife.

Through legislative action, education, and advocacy, Maine Friends of Animals is dedicated to ending animal cruelty and promoting the humane treatment of animals in Maine

MFOA in Action / Timeline

1997	Robert Fisk, Jr. founds Maine Friends of Animals (MFOA) and opens office in Falmouth.
1997	As a state legislator Fisk champions animal issues and sponsors Endangered Species bill for the Maine Audubon Society and MFOA.
1998	MFOA establishes Board of Directors, legislative lobbing and volunteer structure with 250 members in the first year.
1999	MFOA sponsors legislation to end recreational and commercial leghold trapping, and initiates public awareness campaign.
1999	MFOA submits legislation in 1999 and in 2002 joins northern Maine wildlife activists in a strong two-year campaign to end coyote snaring.
2000	MFOA leads a legislative effort that results in the State's Animal Welfare Program being reviewed and completely revamped. The Animal Welfare Advisory Council (AWAC) is created, which MFOA director, Fisk serves on for two terms.
2000	Supporters of MFOA grow to 800 and a new District Coordinator structure is created with 15 districts (population centers) throughout the state with Coordinators for each.
2000	MFOA tracks legislators, send out a candidate questionnaire, and establishes a list of animal-friendly legislators many who will sponsor MFOA legislation.
2000	MFOA launches web site www.mfoa.net.
2001	MFOA sponsors successful legislation to increase penalties for animal cruelty, including felony provisions with increased fines and imprisonment.
2001	MFOA begins a four year, two legislative session campaign to ban circus elephants into the state, which is well covered by the media. In first session the House passes the bill 85-53, but it loses in the Senate. In the second legislature MFOA wins resolution to strengthen enforcement of Maine cruelty laws pertaining to circus elephants.
2001	MFOA lobbies for legislation that prevented the pari-mutuel simulcast wagering of Greyhound racing in Maine.
2001	MFOA submits bills to ban bear baiting, hounding and trapping, to prohibit the sale of bear parts, to eliminate the state's coyote snaring program, to eliminate canned hunting, and to end the use of steel leg-hold traps.
2001	Robert Fisk, Jr. wins national HSUS award for an individual doing the most to promote animal protection legislation in their state.
2003	MFOA moves to new offices in Falmouth that also serves as the headquarters for the two-year, statewide bear referendum campaign. Increases legislation and lobbying efforts.
2003	Three MFOA members form Spay Maine to reduce cat and dog euthanasias.
2003	MFOA initiates a referendum effort to end the hunting of black bears with the use of bait, hounds and traps and works with The Humane Society of the United States, The Fund For Animals, and political and animal activists statewide. MFOA organizes a state campaign team and forms the political action committee, Maine Citizens for Fair Bear Hunting. Robert Fisk, Jr. serves as Director and spokesperson.
2004	With the help of 500 volunteers statewide, many MFOA members collect over 103,000 signatures for the bear ballot initiative, setting a state referendum signature gathering record.
2005	MFOA submits legislation to address dogs chained outside on a continuous basis specifying conditions that must be met, which passes in the legislature and becomes first enforceable legislation of its kind in the nation.
2006	MFOA follows up on successful legislation with a statewide campaign called “Dogs Chained for Life” (see PSA at bottom of website home page) and set up a structure for reporting abuse and cruelty. "DCFL" becomes an on-going MFOA campaign helping countless chained dogs in Maine.
2006	MFOA hires paid staff for office management to handle membership growth that increases to 1,500 statewide. Office manager provides MFOA with greater coverage and presence.
2007	MFOA gets legislation passed to add a bittering agent in anti-freeze to save pet and small animal deaths, that will take effect when three other three northeastern states pass it.
2007	MFOA celebrates a 10 year anniversary as Maine’s leading voice for animals. Expands board and drafts more comprehensive By-Laws.
2008	MFOA originally introduced legislation in 2003 to ban canned hunting in Maine that did not pass. In 2008, MFOA again initiates an unsuccessful two-year legislative campaign to end this unethical "hunting" practice.
2008	MFOA endorses and actively supports a State Senator who wins by 121 votes in a recount. MFOA's grassroots efforts and newspaper ads not only helped elect an animal-friendly State Senator, but in doing so, defeated an incumbent who had the worst animal protection record in the Senate.
2010	Maine legislation sponsored by MFOA in 2007 to add bittering agent to antifreeze for protection of companion animals and wildlife from poisoning becomes law in Maine after three other states in the northeast enact the same legislation.
2011	MFOA submits legislation to ban the transport of horses and any other activity associated with horse slaughter. Public awareness campaign initiated. Action still pending. Maine Harness racing industry becomes subsequent focus.
2011	The Madison Elementary School and MFOA partner to develop a 'Pet Club' model for other 3-6 graders. The 'Pet Club' activities promote the responsibility and care for companion animals. Promotional packets are created with the goal of starting other 'Pet Clubs' in Maine elementary schools.
2011	MFOA sponsored bill, "An Act To Improve the Protection of Animals," passes into law, resulting in better protection for animals left in unattended vehicles if the animal's safety, health or well‑being appears to be in danger.
2011	MFOA sponsors a Joint Resolution calling on the Canadian Government to end their sanctioning of the annual seal pup slaughter. Resolution passes in the legislature and signed by the Governor.