Press Release

 

ASPCA Urges Governor Schwarzenegger to Help Protect California’s Animals

 

California Legislative Session Ends, Animal Welfare Bills Await Governor’s Signature

September 28, 2009

ASPCA Media Contact

NEW YORK—Three important animal welfare bills that the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) has been fighting for in California have finished their passage through the state legislature and are awaiting Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's signature.

"Despite the ongoing budget crisis, animal welfare laws persevered during the legislative session," said Jill Buckley, Senior Director of Government Relations for the ASPCA.  "The ASPCA urges the Governor to sign these bills into law and put an end to inhumane practices that exploit animals and protect consumers from irresponsible breeders."

The three bills the ASPCA urges the Governor to enact into state law include:

  • A.B. 241, known as the "Responsible Breeder Act," would limit the number of intact adult animals that pet-breeding facilities, also known as puppy mills, are permitted to own (introduced by Assemblymember Pedro Nava, D-Santa Barbara);
  • A.B. 1122 would prohibit the sale of animals on streets and in other public spaces (introduced by Assemblymember Ted Lieu, D-Torrance); and
  • S.B. 135 would prohibit the inhumane practice of docking cows' tails (introduced by California Senate Majority Leader Dean Florez, D-Shafter).

In addition, the ASPCA co-sponsored a pet adoption resolution that was enacted by the legislature this session, A.C.R. 91 (co-authored by Assemblymembers Lieu and Cameron Smyth, R-Santa Clarita), which recognized September as "Adopt-a-Shelter-Pet Month" in California.

"We commend state legislators for working tirelessly with our organization to address various animal welfare issues such as pet overpopulation and animal cruelty," added Buckley.  "We hope our efforts result in positive outcomes for California’s animals and encourage residents to contact the Governor to encourage swift enactment."

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Founded in 1866, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) is the first humane organization established in the Americas and serves as the nation’s leading voice for animal welfare. One million supporters strong, the ASPCA’s mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. As a 501 [c] [3] not-for-profit corporation, the ASPCA is a national leader in the areas of anti-cruelty, community outreach and animal health services. The ASPCA, which is headquartered in New York City, offers a wide range of programs, including a mobile clinic outreach initiative, its own humane law enforcement team, and a groundbreaking veterinary forensics team and mobile animal CSI unit. For more information, please visit www.aspca.org.
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