Apr 11, 2013 2 min read

State Rep. Jesse White Tuesday accepted the Humane Society of the United States’ award for “Humane Representative of the Year” for 2012. The award is given annually to select state legislators across the United States who pursue meaningful legislation and awareness efforts related to animal issues.

Sarah Speed, state director of the Pennsylvania chapter of the Humane Society, presented the award to White at a ceremony at the state Capitol. Speed said White was given the award because of his local and legislative work on issues related to animal shelters.

White, D-Cecil, has been working on legislation that would provide a tax credit to state residents who adopt a dog or cat from a Pennsylvania animal shelter. White said with the economic downturn, Pennsylvania’s animal shelters, associations and rescue agencies have seen a dramatic increase in the number of abandoned and homeless dogs and cats statewide.

“I have taken a strong interest in animal-rights advocacy during my time in the legislature by supporting important reforms to the dog law and continually working to pass America’s first Animal Adoption Tax Credit,” said White, who has a menagerie of pets.

“One of the reasons I enjoy working on these issues is the nonpartisan aspect, which helps bring people together; pet ownership transcends political parties, which is a rarity in the highly charged political atmosphere of Harrisburg.”

White also said he is gearing up for his annual Pet Expo, a free event held in partnership with local rescue group Pet Search to allow area residents to speak with professionals about pet health, obedience training and adoption opportunities, as well as participate in a pet parade and costume contest.