For those wanting to write letters and/or make phone calls regarding the ongoing abuse of pets at Memphis Animal Services, I have included relevant contact information and links below. It is more effective when elected officials hear from their constituents but if you live outside the area and want to make your voice heard, be sure to let officials know you will not vacation in Memphis while pets are being abused at the city pound. As always, keep your comments polite and respectful.
Office of Governor Bill Haslam
1st Floor, State Capitol
Nashville, TN 37243
Phone: (615) 741-2001
e-mail: bill.haslam@tn.gov
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Office of the Attorney General and Reporter
Robert E. Cooper Jr.
P.O. Box 20207
Nashville, TN 37202-0207
Telephone: (615) 741-3491
Fax: (615) 741-2009
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Your Senators are:
Sen. Lamar Alexander (R)
Clifford Davis-Odell Horton Federal Building
167 North Main Street, #1068
Memphis, TN 38103
Phone: (901) 544-4224
Fax: (901) 544-4227
Sen. Bob Corker (R)
185 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C., 20510
Phone: 202-224-3344
Fax: 202-228-0566
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Most Memphians are represented in Congress by Steve Cohen (D) but many in East Memphis are represented by Marsha Blackburn (R).
Steve Cohen
The Clifford Davis/Odell Horton Federal Building
167 North Main Street Suite 369
Memphis, TN 38103
Phone: (901) 544-4131
Fax: (901) 544-4329
Marsha Blackburn
7975 Stage Hills Blvd.
Suite 1
Memphis, TN 38133
Phone: 901-382-5811
Fax: 901-373-8215
Shelby County residents who live outside Memphis can find their congressional representatives here.
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Find your state legislators here.
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Memphis City Council
125 North Main Street,
Room 514
Memphis, TN 38103
Phone: (901) 576-6786
Fax: (901) 576-6796
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If anyone local is planning any form of action on behalf of the pets at MAS, please leave a comment.
I sent a letter to Gov Haslem. I am a Tennessean and told him that Memphis is a scar on our state and world wide attention is being brought to the plight of the animals in Memphis.
Thanks for the list. I just had a person ask me how to contact anyone in Memphis.
Thankyou for the list. I will be sending letters to them all. I live in the UK and hope lots of people will write to show their disgust.
Thanks so much for all of this information.
Wonderful. Thank you.
The only issue I have with this is, is that its an election year. So right now they are too busy campaigning to do their actual job. And come November 7th, they could be voted out of office, so a new guy steps in anyway. I will still write to all of them, I just dont expect anything to be changed until at least 11/7 is all Im saying.
Thank YOU Shirley, for keeping all the information out there about the abuse and people to contact. Others have little info on what’s happening in our tax payer funded “shelter,” the abusers, the people condoning it or our elected officials that could possibly make a difference.
Now there’s no excuse for everyone to not get involved. How much easier can it be, with email, phone numbers & addresses already provided? Anyone who really cares could surely find a few minutes to write or call, as I’m sure most reading this will.
Keep up the good work, everyone.
This is the response I got from Gov. Haslem
October 22, 2012
Dear Friend:
Thank you for writing and sharing your concerns about Tennessee’s law regarding suspected cases of animal abuse, cruelty and neglect. Your interest in the welfare of animals is commendable.
As you may know, Title 39, Chapter 14 of the Tennessee Code Annotated provides authority to local humane organizations to investigate cases of animal cruelty. Local humane organizations also have the authority to investigate suspected cases of livestock cruelty with the assistance of a recognized animal husbandry expert such as a county agricultural extension agent or a veterinarian. Under the law, local humane organizations have broad authority including: courts and local law enforcement to prevent further cruelty or otherwise make arrests, taking possession of animals, destroying injured or diseased animals that are beyond recovery, and to placing a lien on animals to help pay for care.
Local humane organizations provide an important service to communities and we support their efforts. Although authority regarding these matters primarily rests with local organizations and law enforcement, I believe that any type of abuse or neglect of small or large animals is unacceptable and should be dealt with properly.
Again, thank you for contacting my office. I look forward to hearing from you again on matters of importance to you and your community.
Warmest regards,
Bill Haslam
Form letter. So helpful…not.
I bet he has a “That’s not my job” form letter for every issue.
Pretty much every politician does, sadly. I cant tell you how many “form” letters Ive gotten from representatives, mayors and governors. Its pretty much “if it wasnt on my agenda already, I simply dont care”.
Thank you for writing me concerning X. As you know, X is very important to me and I can tell it’s important to you, too. As you may know, Title Whatever says that X is handled by Y department. Y department handles it all and does a really bang up job about it, too.
Therefore, everything is completely taken care of. X really isn’t even a concern and I don’t have to give a rat’s ass about it because Y is handling it. You probably shouldn’t give a rat’s ass either unless you’re in Y department. Please go on with your little life and know that I’ve totally got your back because I’m that kind of a guy.
Warmest regards,
Bill Haslam
Oh he is SO going to steal that one.
Memphis Animal shelter workers!!! Please be kind enough to understand these innocent and helpless animals feelings, pains, sorrow, hunger, thirst they are all same as just like yours and mine. Please Try and save as much as possible and at the end those good Karmic results will come and bless you all too. I have heard many horrible stories of your Memphis animal shelter does to destroy these voiceless animals. Please don’t subject these animals who had done nothing wrong to be given any such punishments and instead help them and one day the god will help you same way too. I expect your kindness towards these innocent and beautiful animals. Thank you all.
I’m sorry to say.. that is falling on deaf ears.
It’s like you’re speaking to a different species of people than you or I, and they don’t seem to grasp the fact that there are other lives that matter other than their own. If they don’t get something in their pocket, their mouth or their ass, they don’t give a damn about it.