This measure would urge communities in California to implement policies aimed at saving the lives of all healthy and adoptable cats and dogs by 2025.

This measure would urge communities in California to implement policies aimed at saving the lives of all healthy and adoptable cats and dogs by 2025.

This measure would urge communities in California to implement policies aimed at saving the lives of all healthy and adoptable cats and dogs by 2025.

This measure would urge communities in California to implement policies aimed at saving the lives of all healthy and adoptable cats and dogs by 2025.

This measure would urge communities in California to implement policies aimed at saving the lives of all healthy and adoptable cats and dogs by 2025.

WHEREAS, In 1998, the State of California enacted a policy that no adoptable animal should be euthanized if it can be adopted into a suitable home and that no treatable animal should be euthanized; and

WHEREAS, The number of dogs and cats leaving California animal shelters alive has increased significantly over the past decade; and

WHEREAS, Each year, an estimated two million healthy and adoptable cats and dogs nationwide do not leave animal shelters; and

WHEREAS, Hundreds of thousands of dogs, puppies, cats, and kittens have entered California animal shelters, but not all have found forever homes; and

WHEREAS, Handling animals in shelters costs California taxpayers tens of millions of dollars each year; and

WHEREAS, A national survey revealed that almost 70 percent of citizens do not want unowned kittens or cats picked up and killed; and

WHEREAS, California is home to innovative leaders in shelter animal welfare that have invested heavily in developing cost-effective, life-saving strategies to reduce the intake of animals at shelters and to handle and place animals humanely; and

WHEREAS, Many leading California animal shelters have implemented new and innovative programs and policies to ensure healthy outcomes for homeless cats and dogs; and

WHEREAS, Those policies and programs include volunteer foster care networks; comprehensive adoption programs; medical and behavioral programs; public education and awareness programs; trap, neuter, vaccinate, and return or release programs; animal socialization programs; and many others; and

WHEREAS, Many local governments, nonprofit organizations, business entities, and other entities continue to invest significant efforts in improving resources, training, and opportunities for animal shelters across California so that every community in the state can make progress toward the states 20-year-old commitment to save all adoptable or treatable animals; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That communities in California are urged to implement policies aimed at saving the lives of all healthy and adoptable cats and dogs by 2025; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly shall transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.

WHEREAS, In 1998, the State of California enacted a policy that no adoptable animal should be euthanized if it can be adopted into a suitable home and that no treatable animal should be euthanized; and

WHEREAS, The number of dogs and cats leaving California animal shelters alive has increased significantly over the past decade; and

WHEREAS, Each year, an estimated two million healthy and adoptable cats and dogs nationwide do not leave animal shelters; and

WHEREAS, Hundreds of thousands of dogs, puppies, cats, and kittens have entered California animal shelters, but not all have found forever homes; and

WHEREAS, Handling animals in shelters costs California taxpayers tens of millions of dollars each year; and

WHEREAS, A national survey revealed that almost 70 percent of citizens do not want unowned kittens or cats picked up and killed; and

WHEREAS, California is home to innovative leaders in shelter animal welfare that have invested heavily in developing cost-effective, life-saving strategies to reduce the intake of animals at shelters and to handle and place animals humanely; and

WHEREAS, Many leading California animal shelters have implemented new and innovative programs and policies to ensure healthy outcomes for homeless cats and dogs; and

WHEREAS, Those policies and programs include volunteer foster care networks; comprehensive adoption programs; medical and behavioral programs; public education and awareness programs; trap, neuter, vaccinate, and return or release programs; animal socialization programs; and many others; and

WHEREAS, Many local governments, nonprofit organizations, business entities, and other entities continue to invest significant efforts in improving resources, training, and opportunities for animal shelters across California so that every community in the state can make progress toward the states 20-year-old commitment to save all adoptable or treatable animals; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That communities in California are urged to implement policies aimed at saving the lives of all healthy and adoptable cats and dogs by 2025; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly shall transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.

WHEREAS, In 1998, the State of California enacted a policy that no adoptable animal should be euthanized if it can be adopted into a suitable home and that no treatable animal should be euthanized; and

WHEREAS, The number of dogs and cats leaving California animal shelters alive has increased significantly over the past decade; and

WHEREAS, Each year, an estimated two million healthy and adoptable cats and dogs nationwide do not leave animal shelters alive; and shelters; and

WHEREAS, The State Department of Public Health reported that, in 2015, 672,095 Hundreds of thousands of dogs, puppies, cats, and kittens have entered California animal shelters and 409,109 left those shelters alive; and shelters, but not all have found forever homes; and

WHEREAS, Handling those dogs and cats animals in shelters costs California taxpayers tens of millions of dollars each year; and

WHEREAS, A national survey revealed that almost 70 percent of citizens do not want unowned kittens or cats picked up and killed; and

WHEREAS, California is home to innovative leaders in shelter animal welfare, including the UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program and Maddies Fund, which welfare that have invested heavily in developing cost-effective, life-saving strategies to reduce the intake of animals at shelters and to handle and place animals humanely; and

WHEREAS, Many leading California animal shelters have implemented new and innovative programs and policies to ensure healthy outcomes for homeless cats and dogs; and

WHEREAS, Those policies and programs include volunteer foster care networks; comprehensive adoption programs; medical and behavioral programs; public education and awareness programs; trap, neuter, vaccinate, and return or release programs; animal socialization programs; and many others; and

WHEREAS, Many local governments, nonprofit organizations, business entities, and other entities continue to invest significant efforts in improving resources, training, and opportunities for animal shelters across California so that every community in the state can make progress toward the states 20-year-old commitment to save all adoptable or treatable animals; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That communities in California are urged to implement policies aimed at saving the lives of all healthy and adoptable cats and dogs by 2025; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly shall transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.

WHEREAS, In 1998, the State of California enacted a policy that no adoptable animal should be euthanized if it can be adopted into a suitable home and that no treatable animal should be euthanized; and

WHEREAS, The number of dogs and cats leaving California animal shelters alive has increased significantly over the past decade; and

WHEREAS, Each year, an estimated two million healthy and adoptable cats and dogs nationwide do not leave animal shelters alive; and

WHEREAS, The State Department of Public Health reported that, in 2015, 672,095 dogs, puppies, cats, and kittens entered California animal shelters and 409,109 left those shelters alive; and

WHEREAS, Handling those dogs and cats costs California taxpayers tens of millions of dollars each year; and

WHEREAS, Many of the dogs and cats that die each year in California animal shelters are healthy or treatable pets that could be placed in homes, or are animals for which shelters cannot find homes; and

WHEREAS, A national survey revealed that almost 70 percent of citizens do not want unowned kittens or cats picked up and killed; and

WHEREAS, California is home to innovative leaders in animal welfare, including the UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program and Maddies Fund, which have invested heavily in developing cost-effective, life-saving strategies to reduce the intake of animals at shelters and to handle and place animals humanely; and

WHEREAS, Many leading animal shelters have implemented new and innovative programs and policies to ensure healthy outcomes for homeless cats and dogs; and

WHEREAS, Those policies and programs include volunteer foster care networks; comprehensive adoption programs; medical and behavioral programs; public education and awareness programs; trap, neuter, vaccinate, and return or release programs; animal socialization programs; and many others; and

WHEREAS, The No-Kill Los Angeles initiative is a model program that has reduced deaths of dogs and cats in the City of Los Angeles by 82 percent since its launch in 2012; and

WHEREAS, Best Friends Animal Society will hold its national conference in Los Angeles on July 19 through 21, 2018, in part to celebrate and replicate the collaborative efforts of the No-Kill Los Angeles initiative coalition; and

WHEREAS, Best Friends Animal Society and a national no-kill steering committee have launched the Save Them All campaign to end the killing of dogs and cats in shelters in the United States by 2025; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That communities in California are urged to implement policies aimed at saving the lives of all healthy and adoptable cats and dogs by 2025; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly shall transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.

WHEREAS, In 1998, the State of California enacted a policy that no adoptable animal should be euthanized if it can be adopted into a suitable home and that no treatable animal should be euthanized; and

WHEREAS, The number of dogs and cats leaving California animal shelters alive has increased significantly over the past decade; and

WHEREAS, Each year, an estimated two million healthy and adoptable cats and dogs nationwide do not leave animal shelters alive; and

WHEREAS, The State Department of Public Health reported that, in 2015, 672,095 dogs, puppies, cats, and kittens entered California animal shelters and 409,109 left those shelters alive; and

WHEREAS, Handling those dogs and cats costs California taxpayers tens of millions of dollars each year; and

WHEREAS, Many of the dogs and cats that die each year in California animal shelters are healthy or treatable pets that could be placed in homes, or animals for which shelters cannot find homes; and

WHEREAS, A national survey revealed that almost 70 percent of citizens do not want unowned kittens or cats picked up and killed; and

WHEREAS, California is home to innovative leaders in animal welfare, including the UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program and Maddies Fund, which have invested heavily in developing cost-effective, life-saving strategies to reduce the intake of animals at shelters and to handle and place animals humanely; and

WHEREAS, Many leading animal shelters have implemented new and innovative programs and policies to ensure healthy outcomes for homeless cats and dogs; and

WHEREAS, Those policies and programs include volunteer foster care networks; comprehensive adoption programs; medical and behavioral programs; public education and awareness programs; trap, neuter, vaccinate, and return or release programs; animal socialization programs; and many others; and

WHEREAS, The No-Kill Los Angeles initiative is a model program that has reduced deaths of dogs and cats in the City of Los Angeles by 82 percent since its launch in 2012; and

WHEREAS, Best Friends Animal Society will hold its national conference in Los Angeles on July 19 through 21, 2018, in part to celebrate and replicate the collaborative efforts of the No-Kill Los Angeles initiative coalition; and

WHEREAS, Best Friends Animal Society and a national no-kill steering committee have launched the Save Them All campaign to end the killing of dogs and cats in shelters in the United States by 2025; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That communities in California are urged to implement policies aimed at saving the lives of all healthy and adoptable cats and dogs by 2025; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly shall transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.

 THIRD READING 

Bill No: ACR 153

Author: Santiago (D)

Amended: 4/2/18 in Assembly

Vote: 21

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 68-0, 4/12/18 (Consent) - See last page for vote

SUBJECT: Pet adoptions

SOURCE: Best Friends Animal Society

DIGEST:

This resolution urges communities in California to implement policies aimed at saving the lives of all healthy and adoptable cats and dogs by 2025.

ANALYSIS: This resolution makes the following legislative findings:

1. In 1998, California enacted a policy that no adoptable animal should be euthanized if it can be adopted into a suitable home and that no treatable animal should be euthanized.
2. The number of dogs and cats leaving California animal shelters alive has increased significantly over the past decade.
3. Handling animals in shelters costs California taxpayers tens of millions of dollars each year.
4. California is home to innovative leaders in shelter animal welfare that have invested heavily in developing cost-effective, life-saving strategies to reduce the intake of animals at shelters and to handle and place animals humanely.
5. Many leading California animal shelters have implemented new and innovative programs and policies to ensure healthy outcomes for homeless cats and dogs. Those policies and programs include volunteer foster care networks; comprehensive adoption programs; medical and behavioral programs; public education and awareness programs; trap, neuter, vaccinate, and return or release programs; animal socialization programs; and many others.
6. Many local governments, nonprofit organizations, business entities, and other entities continue to invest significant efforts in improving resources, training, and opportunities for animal shelters across California so that every community in the state can make progress toward the state’s 20-year-old commitment to save all adoptable or treatable animals.

This resolution urges communities in California to implement policies aimed at saving the lives of all healthy and adoptable cats and dogs by 2025.

Comments

According to the author, “As Californians we can work together to ensure no dog, puppy, cat, or kitten suffers unnecessarily and that all healthy and adoptable pets find their forever home.”

Related/Prior Legislation

AB 485 (O’Donnell, Chapter 740, Statutes of 2017) prohibited pet store operators from selling a live cat, dog, or rabbit in a retail pet store unless the animal was obtained from a public animal control agency or shelter or rescue group. The bill passed the Senate 38-0 on September 12, 2017.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: No Local: No

SUPPORT: (Verified 4/25/18)

Best Friends Animal Society (source)
Animals In Need Rescue Network

Bark Avenue Foundation

Beople’s Buddies Animal Rescue

California Animal Welfare Association

Cat/Canine Assistance, Referral & Education

Daddio Collective

Dogs Without Borders

Downtown Dog Rescue

Heaven on Earth Society for Animals Inc.

Hollywoof to the Rescue

Karma Rescue

Kitten Rescue Los Angeles

Krazy for Kats, Inc.

Kris Kelly Foundation

Los Angeles Animal Services

No Stray Left Behind

Peter Zippi Memorial Fund Inc

Project Minnie

Stray Cat Alliance

Two individuals

OPPOSITION: (Verified 4/25/18)

None received

ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT: An alliance of supporters writing on behalf of the No-Kill Los Angeles coalition writes that this resolution is a “timely recommitment to California’s twenty-year old policy that no adoptable, healthy, or treatable animal should be euthanized.” The coalition states that its plan to implement this policy is straightforward: “Provide spay/neuter services where they are needed most so that fewer animals go into shelters and increase adoptions so that more animals are placed into new homes.” The coalition provides evidence of its success, stating that the number of pets killed in Los Angeles city shelters has decreased by 82% since the launch of the initiative in 2012.

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 68-0, 4/12/18

AYES: Acosta, Aguiar-Curry, Travis Allen, Arambula, Baker, Berman, Bigelow, Bonta, Brough, Burke, Caballero, Calderon, Carrillo, Cervantes, Chau, Chávez, Chen, Chiu, Choi, Chu, Cooley, Cooper, Cunningham, Dahle, Daly, Eggman, Flora, Fong, Frazier, Friedman, Gallagher, Eduardo Garcia, Gipson, Gloria, Gonzalez Fletcher, Grayson, Harper, Holden, Irwin, Kalra, Kiley, Lackey, Levine, Maienschein, Mathis, Mayes, McCarty, Medina, Melendez, Muratsuchi, Nazarian, Obernolte, O'Donnell, Patterson, Quirk, Quirk-Silva, Reyes, Rodriguez, Rubio, Salas, Mark Stone, Thurmond, Ting, Voepel, Waldron, Weber, Wood, Rendon

NO VOTE RECORDED: Bloom, Cristina Garcia, Gray, Jones-Sawyer, Limón, Low, Mullin, Santiago, Steinorth

Prepared by: Melissa Ward / SFA / (916) 651-1520

4/25/18 14:49:17

**** END ****

ASSEMBLY THIRD READING

ATR Bill Id:ACR 153

Author:(Santiago)

As Amended Ver:April 2, 2018

Majority

SUMMARY: Recognizes California's progress toward preventing the euthanasia of adoptable and healthy or treatable animals, and urges communities in California to implement policies aimed at saving the lives of all healthy and adoptable cats and dogs by 2025. Specifically, this resolution:

1. Acknowledges since adopting its policy against the euthanizing of adoptable and treatable animals in 1998, the State of California has successfully increased the number of healthy and adoptable dogs and cats leaving animal shelters, and that many leading California animal shelters have implemented new and innovative programs and policies to ensure healthy outcomes for homeless cats and dogs.
2. Cites a national survey revealing that almost 70% of residents do not want unowned kittens or cats picked up and killed.
3. Applauds local governments, nonprofits, business entities and others for their continued investment in significant efforts to improve resources, training and opportunities for animal shelters across California so that every community in the state can make progress toward the state's 20 year old commitment to save all adoptable and treatable animals.
4. Resolves that communities in California are urged to implement policies aimed at saving the lives of all healthy and adoptable cats and dogs by 2025.

Analysis Prepared by: Robert Sumner / B. & P. / (916) 319-3301 FN: 0002647

Date of Hearing:

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS

Evan Low, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:ACR 153

Author:(Santiago) – As Amended Ver:January 16, 2018

SUBJECT: Pet adoptions.

SUMMARY: Recognizes California’s progress toward preventing the euthanasia of adoptable and healthy or treatable animals, and urges communities in California to implement policies aimed at saving the lives of all healthy and adoptable cats and dogs by 2025.

EXISTING LAW:

1. Establishes that no adoptable animal should be euthanized if it can be adopted into a suitable home and that no treatable animal should be euthanized. (Penal Code § 599d)

THIS BILL:

1. Acknowledges since adopting its policy against the euthanizing of adoptable and treatable animals in 1998, the State of California has successfully increased the number of healthy and adoptable dogs and cats leaving animal shelters, and that many leading California animal shelters have implemented new and innovative programs and policies to ensure healthy outcomes for homeless cats and dogs.
2. Cites a national survey revealing that almost 70 percent of residents do not want unowned kittens or cats picked up and killed.
3. Applauds local governments, nonprofits, business entities and others for their continued investment in significant efforts to improve resources, training and opportunities for animal shelters across California so that every community in the state can make progress toward the state’s twenty-year old commitment to save all adoptable and treatable animals.
4. Resolves that communities in California are urged to implement policies aimed at saving the lives of all healthy and adoptable cats and dogs by 2025.

FISCAL EFFECT: None.

COMMENTS:

Purpose. This bill is sponsored by Best Friends. According to the author: “As Californians we can work together to ensure no dog, puppy, cat, or kitten suffers unnecessarily and that all healthy and adoptable pets find their forever home.”

Background. For two decades, California has been formally committed to ensuring that any animal that is adoptable and healthy or treatable should not be euthanized, but that every possible effort should be made to see the animal placed in an adopted home. This statewide goal has been the focus of numerous localized efforts, such as the No-Kill Los Angeles initiative, which advocates for a collaborative, interorganizational approach to saving the lives of adoptable animals.

Current Related Legislation. AB 2300 (Maineschein) would authorize veterinarians to earn credit toward their continuing education requirements by performing pro bono spaying or neutering services to residents of low-income communities.

Prior Related Legislation. AB 485 (O’Donnell), Chapter 740, Statutes of 2017 prohibits pet store operators from selling a live cat, dog, or rabbit in a retail pet store unless the animal was obtained from a public animal control agency or shelter or rescue group.

ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT:

An alliance of supporters writing on behalf of the No-Kill Los Angeles coalition writes that this resolution is a “timely recommitment to California’s twenty-year old policy that no adoptable, healthy, or treatable animal should be euthanized.” The coalition states that its plan to implement this policy is straightforward: “Provide spay/neuter services where they are needed most so that fewer animals go into shelters and increase adoptions so that more animals are placed into new homes.” The coalition provides evidence of its success, stating that the number of pets killed in Los Angeles city shelters has decreased by 82% since the launch of the initiative in 2012.

ARGUMENTS IN OPPOSITION:

None on file.

REGISTERED SUPPORT:

Best Friends (Sponsor)
Animals In Need Rescue Network

Cat/Canine Assistance, Referral & Education

The Daddio Collective

Dogs Without Borders

Downtown Dog Rescue

Hollywoof to the Rescue

Kitten Rescue Los Angeles

Krazy for Kats

Los Angeles Animal Services

No Stray Left Behind

Peter Zippi Memorial Fund Inc

Project Minnie

Stray Cat Alliance

REGISTERED OPPOSITION:

None on file.

Analysis Prepared by: Robert Sumner / B. & P. / (916) 319-3301