The Virginia Federation of Humane Societies regularly communicates with its members regarding pending animal welfare bills. If you would like to be part of this discussion, please join VFHS. Information on animal welfare bills will be added to this website once the Virginia General Assembly is in session.

The 2010 General Session of the Virginia General Assembly convenes on January 13, 2010. Through the General Assembly website, citizens can track the status of any pending legislation.

To see a listing of pending animal welfare legislation, click here.

The General Assembly also provides a toll-free hotline during its annual legislative session that provides citizens with the opportunity to express their views on the issues before the General Assembly. The hotline also provides vital information to the members of the House of Delegates and the Senate of Virginia concerning public opinion on matters before the General Assembly.

The number for the toll-free hotline is: 1-800-889-0229. Callers in the Richmond area may dial: 225-4973.

During each legislative workday, the hotline receives calls from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Calls are answered by hotline operators who request the constituent to provide a name and address, a geographic location or legislative district, the designated legislator(s) to receive their message and the issue on which they are expressing their opinion. The operators record the messages and forward the information to the legislators for their review. If the caller seeks additional information concerning legislation or wishes to speak directly with the legislator, the operator will provide the appropriate telephone number.