On July 6, 2016, the ASPCA and the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus (CAPC) co-hosted the fifth annual “Paws for Celebration,” a Capitol Hill animal adoption event that brings attention to shelter animals and honors rescue organizations locally and across the country.

CAPC co-chair Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and the ASPCA’s Vice President of Federal Affairs, Richard Patch, spoke to the crowd, which included members of Congress, congressional staff and adoptable animals. Once again, we were honored with the presence of former Senator and Majority Leader Bob Dole. During his service in Congress from 1961 to 1996, Senator Dole spearheaded the passage of several landmark animal-protection measures.

Visit the ASPCA's facebook page to see photos from Paws for Celebration 2016.

Huge thanks to the following local animal rescue groups that participated:

• Animal Welfare League of Alexandria
• Animal Welfare League of Arlington
• Bully Paws Pit Bull Patriots
• Fairfax County Animal Shelter
• Gentle Giants Draft Horse Rescue
• Last Chance Animal Rescue
• Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation
• Prince George’s County Animal Management Division
• Project Horse
• Washington Humane Society-Washington Animal Rescue League

Thanks also to the Members of Congress who attended: Rep. Tony Cárdenas (D-CA), Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA), Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Rep. Mike Coffman (R-CO), Rep. Ryan Costello (R-PA), , Rep. Dan Donovan (R-NY), Rep. Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN), Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Rep. Gwen Graham (D-FL) and Rep. Donald Norcross (D-NJ).

Want to be sure that your U.S. representative is aware of animal-protection issues in Congress? Encourage him or her to join the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus today!