New York State Sen. Monica R. Martinez on Tuesday co-hosted Animal Advocacy Day at the Capitol.  This annual tradition began in 2011 as a way of providing the state's residents and advocacy organizations with an opportunity to meet with one another and their elected leaders to push for policies that protect these creatures, both domesticated and wild.  Coinciding with the event was an official designation of April 28 as Animal Advocacy Day in the State of New York, sponsored by Sen. Martinez.

"Not all animals are treated the way they are supposed to be, and when they are not, we need strong laws to hold abusers accountable," said Sen. Martinez. "Now is not the time to roll over on important proposals that will protect animals within our state from being abused or killed as a result of willful negligence or deliberate depravity."

Among the bills sponsored by Sen. Martinez pending in Albany this session are:

• S197, "Tuckers Law," which would allow greater judicial discretion and order consecutive or concurrent sentences when an individual is convicted of multiple counts of aggravated cruelty to animals.
• S252, which would prevent wild and exotic animals from being imported, sold, or owned.
• S7421A, which would prohibit the exploitation and environmentally damaging octopus farming.

In a separate move, the state Senate on Tuesday also passed S7612, to create a Statewide Co-Shelter Toolkit for Housing Providers.  This bill will establish a best practices guide to help shelters, housing providers, and municipalities support survivors of domestic violence and people experiencing homelessness who have companion animals, making it easier to implement and sustain pet-inclusive housing programs.  The proposal was included in a packet of bills focusing on assisting victims of domestic violence.