We’re all counting on members of Congress to stand up for our nation’s animals—so to remind them of the difference animals make in our lives, we arranged for them to spend a little quality time with some adorable animals yesterday at Paws for Love, a Capitol Hill Valentine’s Day event organized by the ASPCA and hosted by the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus (CAPC). 

During Paws for Love, legislators and staff got to canoodle with adoptable animals from D.C.-area shelters and rescues. The shelters and rescues got to highlight their important work, and, best of all, at least six deserving animals found their forever homes! 

Paws for Love was also the first CAPC event of the 114th Congress. Formed in 2009, the CAPC employs non-partisan forums and briefings to highlight important issues affecting animals. The caucus also tracks the progress of relevant legislation, provides members of Congress with credible information, and strives to build broad coalitions in support of common-sense, humane animal welfare laws and policies. 

The caucus has two new Co-Chairs this year: Representatives Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Mike Fitzpatrick (R-PA), both of whom spoke at the event. Reps. Blumenauer and Fitzpatrick have been leading champions of humane issues and demonstrated career-long commitment to advancing animal welfare policies in Congress. The two previously collaborated to introduce legislation that would protect public health and safety by prohibiting interstate commerce in primates for the pet trade, and have supported many other animal welfare legislative efforts including bills to crack down on animal fighting, protect farm animals, and save our nation’s horses from the cruelty of slaughter. The two Co-Chairs will work with new and returning CAPC members to advance animal protection legislation in the 114th Congress.  

Check out the photos below to see why Paws for Love is, as many attendees claimed, their “favorite workday ever.”