At the ASPCA’s third annual Paws for Celebration event last Wednesday, California advocates took to the Legislature to rally for stronger animal-welfare laws—and got to meet some cute shelter pets while they were at it!

Paws for Celebration highlights the great work that California shelters and rescues do for their communities and reminds lawmakers just how critical these services are by bringing advocates and animals straight to the steps of the Capitol for our annual lobby and adoption event.

During the event, advocates heard from several California lawmakers on the importance of stronger animal-protection legislation, including pending bills that would ban the use of carbon dioxide gas chambers in the state’s animal shelters and better-protect pets caught in domestic disputes. Adding to the excitement, an important bill (A.B. 1825 by Assembly Members Richard Gordon and Brian Maienschein) ridding former dog fighting victims of a mandated “vicious” label passed out of committee during the day’s event, bringing so many dogs one step closer to finding happy, loving homes.

Senators Cathleen Galgiani (Stockton) and Richard Gordon (Santa Barbara) and Assembly Members Marc Steinorth (Rancho Cucamonga) and David Hadley (Torrance) also spoke during the event and shared their support for strong animal welfare legislation being considered this session. 

Paws for Celebration also featured an adoption fair where animal-lovers were invited to meet adoptable kittens, cats, bunnies and birds from 14 local rescue groups. Legislative staff and event-goers alike spent time cuddling the adorable animals and, by the end of the day, nine shelter pets were adopted into new homes!

“Connecting legislators directly to the sheltering and rescue organizations that could be impacted by legislation under consideration in Sacramento is critical to our work advocating for strong animal welfare laws in California,” stated Kevin O’Neill, the ASPCA’s Vice President of State Affairs.  “I am very thankful for the many wonderful organizations that commit to coming to the Capitol year after year for this event to carry that message.”  

This year also marks the ASPCA’s 150th anniversary, and California lawmakers didn’t forget! Speaker Emeritus Toni Atkins (San Diego) and Assembly Member Brian Maienschein (San Diego) authored ACR 150 in recognition of this milestone, and Assembly Member Kevin McCarty (Sacramento) presented the ASPCA with a certificate honoring our history of animal advocacy.

We want to thank all of our California advocates who were able to join us, and our supporters nationwide for standing beside us as we fight for animals in California and across the country.

Calling all animal advocates! If you have a success story you are proud of, please share it with us via our Share Your Story form. Your story might just be the inspiration a new advocate needs to get involved!

Want to see more of Paws for Celebration? Check out our Facebook page for more photos from the event.