Existing law governs the seizure, rescue, adopting out, and euthanasia of abandoned and surrendered animals by animal control officers, law enforcement officers, animal shelters, and rescue organizations. Existing law requires the governing body of each city, city and county, or county to maintain or provide for the maintenance of an animal shelter system and a rabies control program.

This bill would require the State Department of Public Health to collect certain rabies control program data from each city, city and county, or county, as outlined. By increasing the data collected from each city, city and county, and county, this bill would create a state-mandated local program.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.

Existing law governs the seizure, rescue, adopting out, and euthanasia of abandoned and surrendered animals by animal control officers, law enforcement officers, animal shelters, and rescue organizations. Existing law requires the governing body of each city, city and county, or county to maintain or provide for the maintenance of an animal shelter system and a rabies control program.

This bill would require the State Department of Public Health to collect certain rabies control program data from each city, city and county, or county, as outlined. By increasing the data collected from each city, city and county, and county, this bill would create a state-mandated local program.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.

Existing law governs the seizure, rescue, adopting out, and euthanasia of abandoned and surrendered animals by animal control officers, law enforcement officers, animal shelters, and rescue organizations. Existing law requires the governing body of each city, city and county, or county to maintain or provide for the maintenance of an animal shelter system and a rabies control program.

This bill would require the State Department of Public Health to collect certain rabies control program data from each city, city and county, or county, as outlined. By increasing the data collected from each city, city and county, and county, this bill would create a state-mandated local program.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON

Senator Anthony Portantino, Chair

2023 - 2024 Regular Session

AB 332 (Lee) - Rabies control data

Bill Summary:

AB 332 would require the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) to collect specified rabies control program data.

Fiscal Impact:

• CDPH estimates ongoing costs of $111,000 (General Fund) to manage the collection of the required information across all local governing entities.
• Costs to local governments for administration of data collection would be potentially reimbursable by the state, subject to a determination by the Commission on State Mandates.

Background:

Current law requires dog owners, after the dog is three months old, to at intervals of time not more often than once a year, as prescribed by CDPH, procure its vaccination by a licensed veterinarian with a canine antirabies vaccine, as specified. Local governments may specify the means by which a dog’s owner is required to provide proof of the dog’s rabies vaccination. Current law requires local governments to maintain or provide for the maintenance of an animal shelter system and a rabies control program for the purpose of carrying out and enforcing this requirement.

Proposed Law:

AB 332 would require CDPH to collect rabies control program data from each city, city and county, or county annually, or quarterly if deemed necessary, including:

• Total number of dogs and cats licensed.
• Number of public rabies vaccinations administered.
• Number of domestic dogs and cats received by local animal control authorities, including, but not limited to, number surrendered by owner, by the public, or transferred from other shelters.
• Number of domestic dogs and cats discharged by local animal control authorities, including, but not limited to, number reclaimed by owner, adopted, relinquished to a rescue organization, euthanized, died, or transferred to another shelter.
• Animal bite data deemed necessary by CDPH.
• Animal rabies quarantine data deemed necessary by CDPH.
• Any other data deemed necessary by CDPH.

-- END --

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH

Senator Dr. Susan Talamantes Eggman, Chair

BILL NO: AB 332

SUBJECT: Rabies control data

SUMMARY:

Requires the California Department of Public Health to collect specified rabies control program data.

Existing law:

1. Establishes the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), directed by a state Public Health Officer (PHO), to be vested with all the duties, powers, purposes, functions, responsibilities, and jurisdictions as they relate to public health and licensing of health facilities, as specified. Gives the PHO broad authority to detect, monitor, and prevent the spread of communicable disease in the state. Requires CDPH to examine the causes of communicable disease in man and domestic animals occurring or likely to occur in this state. [HSC §131050, §120130, et seq., §120125]
2. Requires each county board of supervisors to appoint a local health officer (LHO). Requires LHOs to enforce and observe orders and ordinances of the board of supervisors, pertaining to the public health and sanitary matters, orders, including quarantine and other regulations, prescribed by CDPH, and statutes relating to public health. [HSC §101000 and §101030]
3. Requires dog owners, after the dog is four months old, to secure a license every two years as provided by ordinance of the responsible city, city and county, or county. Requires dog owners, after the dog is three months old, to at intervals of time not more often than once a year, as prescribed by CDPH, procure its vaccination by a licensed veterinarian with a canine antirabies vaccine, as specified. Permits local governments to specify the means by which a dog’s owner is required to provide proof of the dog’s rabies vaccination. Requires local governments to maintain or provide for the maintenance of an animal shelter system and a rabies control program for the purpose of carrying out and enforcing this requirement. [HSC §121690]
4. Requires public and private animal shelters to keep accurate records on each animal taken up, medically treated, or impounded, including the following information and any other information required by the California Veterinary Medical Board (VMB):
   1. The date the animal was taken up, medically treated, euthanized, or impounded;
   2. The circumstances under which the animal was taken up, medically treated, euthanized, or impounded;
   3. The names of the personnel who took up, medically treated, euthanized, or impounded the animal;
   4. A description of any medical treatment provided to the animal and the name of the veterinarian of record; and,
   5. The final disposition of the animal, including the name of the person who euthanized the animal or the name and address of the adopting party. [AG §32003]

This bill: Requires CDPH to collect rabies control program data from each city, city and county, or county annually, or quarterly if deemed necessary, including:

• 1. Total number of dogs and cats licensed;
  2. Number of public rabies vaccinations administered;
  3. Number of domestic dogs and cats received by local animal control authorities, including, but not limited to, number surrendered by owner, by the public, or transferred from other shelters;
  4. Number of domestic dogs and cats discharged by local animal control authorities, including, but not limited to, number reclaimed by owner, adopted, relinquished to a rescue organization, euthanized, died, or transferred to another shelter;
  5. Animal bite data deemed necessary;
  6. Animal rabies quarantine data deemed necessary; and,
  7. Any other data deemed necessary by CDPH.

FISCAL EFFECT:

According to the Assembly Appropriations Committee:

CDPH estimates annual costs of $100,000 to cover salary, benefits, equipment and operating expenses for personnel to manage collection of the required information from all local governing entities (General Fund).

By increasing the data collected from local governments, this bill creates a state-mandated local program. If the Commission on State Mandates determines this bill constitutes a reimbursable state mandate, the state will be required to reimburse local governments for their costs to comply with this bill (General Fund). The dollar amount of combined costs for local governments to provide data to CDPH are not known, but are likely negligible.

COMMENTS:

1. Author’s statement. According to the author, the official state pet is the “Shelter Pet.” This bill will help provide important data about shelter animals so that resources are better optimized to find more pets their forever homes. State, local jurisdictions, and nonprofits invest hundreds of millions of dollars in our shelter system to save animals’ lives. Yet the data these entities rely on to direct these resources is no longer available. This transparency will ensure that the state and other entities are able to direct funding efficiently to shelters with the greatest need, while also giving policymakers a more complete picture of the pet overpopulation problem to make informed policy decisions.
2. Background. CDPH’s Division of Communicable Disease Control (DCDC) works to promptly identify, prevent and control infectious diseases that pose a threat to public health, including emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, vaccine-preventable agents, bacterial toxins, bioterrorism, and pandemics. According to the DCDC website, rabies is a rare but serious disease caused by the rabies virus, which can infect the brains of both people and animals. Once people and animals are infected with the rabies virus, they almost always die. Each year in California, rabies is found in about 200 mostly wild animals. Rabies infects very few humans in the United States and California. Since 1980, rabies has been reported in 15 people in California. According to DCDC, because there is no treatment for rabies once symptoms begin, it is very important to prevent rabies in the first place. To prevent rabies, DCDC recommends that people vaccinate pets against the rabies virus and keep them up-to-date on their shots, prevent bites from animals, especially wild or unfamiliar animals, wash animal bite wounds immediately with soap and water, and talk to a healthcare provider right away if bitten by an animal.

According to author and sponsor, CDPH collected the data required under this bill from 1995 to 2016, and made it publically available. CDPH’s stated the reason for ceasing the collection of this data is:

[T]he epidemiology of rabies has transformed from a disease of chiefly domestic dogs to exclusively wildlife reservoirs (bats, skunks)… the role of domestic animals in rabies transmission risk, and the informative value of animal shelter data toward rabies control, has diminished significantly.

1. Animal shelters. Animal shelters in California are operated by local governments and private, nonprofit entities, and overseen by local governments. Public animal shelters run by cities and counties vary in oversight, and are sometimes part of the public health department, sometimes the sheriff’s department, and sometimes the “community services” department, among others. Shelters keep records on each animal within their facility, as required by the VMB. California regulation (17 California Code of Regulations §2606) mandates that all bites from animals susceptible to rabies be reported to the LHO, whether or not the animal is suspected of having rabies. Veterinarians must report confirmed or suspected cases of rabies in animals to the LHO immediately. Following consultation on a suspect case of rabies, LHOs facilitate testing of specimens for rabies, as well as provide guidance on risk assessment and management of persons who had contact with the suspected rabid animal.
2. UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program. Launched in 2000, the UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program’s stated mission is to “serve as change agents who inform and inspire shelter leaders to implement a humane, community-centered approach to animal care and shelter management; focused on prevention and grounded in science.” In January 2021, the program received $50 million in state funds through the budget for a five-year program called the “Animal Shelter Assistance Program.” According to a UC Davis press release about the funding, the new program will provide critical funding for shelters, perform onsite and virtual consultations, and offer expert-led training. The program represents a promise kept and emphasizes the governor’s commitment to help communities realize the state’s long-held policy that “no adoptable or treatable animal should be euthanized.”
3. Support. The sponsor of this bill, Compassion in Legislation, and numerous supporters state that from 1995 through 2016, CDPH collected all of the categories of data required under this bill from our state’s animal shelters. This data helped give local and state policymakers an idea of the scope of the pet overpopulation problem. In 2016, the Department’s report showed that the state’s shelters euthanized 158,191 dogs and cats combined. Understanding at what shelters the majority of euthanasia were taking place also helped the robust California rescue community direct their resources to areas most in need. Starting in 2017, the Department reduced the categories of data to exclude those pertaining to animals received and discharged, making it nearly impossible to know how many animals our state’s shelters were handling each year. It is estimated that our local and state governments spend over $400 million on operating animal shelters. That figure does not include the incalculable millions spent by nonprofit rescue organizations who pull dogs, cats, and various other animals from shelters before they are euthanized in order to save their lives and find them a loving home. Compassion in Legislation further writes that this figure does not include the $50 million dollars combined in 2021 and 2022 the state funded to UC Davis to support our state’s animal shelters efforts to reduce euthanasia rates, in addition to the approximately $488,000 granted out annually through the Pet Lover’s License Plate Fund for spay and neuter, and another $184,000 from the Prevention of Animal Homelessness and Cruelty Voluntary Tax Contribution Fund also for spay and neuter. Supporters contend that this bill will give the state, local jurisdictions, and philanthropic organizations critical visibility into shelter needs to ensure funds are most effectively and efficiently targeted, while giving lawmakers a complete picture of animal intakes and outcomes by region as they propose legislative solutions.
4. Support if amended. San Diego Humane Society writes with a “support with amendments” position that they “feel strongly about amendments … that would strengthen these reports and increase reliability, transparency, and visibility into shelter operations,” as follows:
   1. Require the Department to publicly post online the data from the reports;
   2. Require reporting shelters to certify that their data is true and correct;
   3. The following clarification in the intake reporting requirements: Number of live domestic dogs and cats received by local animal control authorities, public shelters, or non-profit shelters with municipal contracts, including, but not limited to, number surrendered by owner, number of stray animals surrendered by the public, or transferred from other shelters; and,
   4. The following clarification in the outcomes reporting requirements: Number of domestic dogs and cats discharged by local animal control authorities, public shelters, or non-profit shelters with municipal contracts, including, but not limited to, number reclaimed by owner, adopted, relinquished to a rescue organization, euthanized, died, or transferred to another shelter.
5. Amendments. The author requests that the Committee approve amendments to permit CDPH to place parameters around the collection of the data required under this bill, as follows:

On page 3, between lines 23 and 24, insert:

(B) The department may do any of the following:

(i) Require each city or city-contracted animal care and control agency, and county or county-contracted animal care and control agency, to certify that the data they submit is true and correct.

(ii) Determine an annual or quarterly date by which each city, city and county, or county shall report collected rabies control program data to the department.

(iii) Determine an annual date by which the department shall publicly post on its internet website rabies control program data collected from

SUPPORT AND OPPOSITION:

Support: Social Compassion in Legislation (sponsor)

Animal Legal Defense Fund
California Animal Welfare Association

California State Treasurer Fiona Ma

Central Coast Herding Dog Rescue
Coastside Feral Care

Compassionate Bay

Do Good International

Faith Action for All

German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County

Grassroots Coalition

Holstein’s Haven Calf Rescue

Humane Decisions

In Defense of Animals

Los Angeles Alliance for Animals

Linked Up For Animals World
Michelson Center for Public Policy
Milo Foundation

Our Honor

Outta the Cage

Plant Based Advocates: Los Gatos

Project Minnie

Rabbits in Need, INC.

Shelter Transport Animal Rescue Team

Singer Sanctuary
Soul 2 Soul Animal Rescue

Take Me Home

The Animal Rescue Mission

TippedEars

UnchainedTV

Vegan Flag

Women United For Animal Welfare

584 Individuals

Oppose: None received.

-- END --

Date of Hearing: May 3, 2023

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Chris Holden, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 332

Author:(Lee) – As Amended Ver:April 12, 2023

Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: Yes Reimbursable: Yes

SUMMARY:

This bill requires the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), if CDPH deems it necessary, to collect from each city, city and county, or county, specified data. This bill specifies the data to be collected as numbers of the following: (1) dogs and cats licensed; (2) dogs and cats received; (3) rabies vaccines administered; (4) dogs and cats discharged, and whether the animals were reclaimed by owner, adopted, euthanized, among other dispositions; (5) animal bites; and (6) animals quarantined due to rabies.

FISCAL EFFECT:

CDPH estimates annual costs of $100,000 to cover salary, benefits, equipment and operating expenses for personnel to manage collection of the required information from all local governing entities (General Fund). 

By increasing the data collected from local governments, this bill creates a state-mandated local program. If the Commission on State Mandates determines this bill constitutes a reimbursable state mandate, the state will be required to reimburse local governments for their costs to comply with this bill (General Fund). The dollar amount of combined costs for local governments to provide data to CDPH are not known, but are likely negligible.

COMMENTS:

1. Purpose. According to the author:

The official state pet is the “Shelter Pet.” AB 332 will help provide important data about shelter animals so that resources are better optimized to find more pets their forever homes.

State, local jurisdictions, and nonprofits invest hundreds of millions of dollars in our shelter system to save animals’ lives. Yet the data these entities rely on to direct these resources is no longer available.

This transparency will ensure that the state and other entities are able to direct funding efficiently to shelters with the greatest need, while also giving policymakers a more complete picture of the pet overpopulation problem to make informed policy decisions.

1. Background. According to information provided by the author, CDPH stopped collecting rabies data from shelters in 2016. CDPH stated the reason for ceasing rabies data collection was:

[T]he epidemiology of rabies has transformed from a disease of chiefly domestic dogs to exclusively wildlife reservoirs (bats, skunks)… the role of domestic animals in rabies transmission risk, and the informative value of animal shelter data toward rabies control, has diminished significantly.

1. Related Legislation.
   
   1. AB 240 (Kalra) establishes a tax on dog and cat food, and it establishes the California Spay-Neuter Fund in the State Treasury. AB 240 is pending in Assembly Agriculture Committee.
      
   2. AB 595 (Essayli) requires an animal shelter, at least 72 hours before euthanizing any animal, to provide public notice, and it requires the Department of Food and Agriculture to conduct a study on animal shelter overcrowding and the feasibility of a statewide database of animals scheduled to be euthanized. AB 595 is pending on the suspense file in this committee.
      
2. Prior Legislation.
   1. AB 2723 (Holden), Chapter 549, Statutes of 2022, established additional requirements on public animal shelters related to microchip registration and the release of dogs and cats.
      
   2. AB 588 (Chen), Chapter 430, Statutes of 2019, required any shelter or rescue group in California, when adopting out a dog, to disclose the dog’s bite history, if there is one.
   3. ACR 153 (Santiago), Chapter 72, Statutes of 2018, urged communities in California to implement policies that support the adoption of healthy cats and dogs from shelters.
   4. AB 2791 (Muratsuchi), Chapter 194, Statutes of 2018, permitted a puppy or kitten that is reasonably believed to be unowned and is impounded in a shelter to be immediately made available for release to a nonprofit animal rescue or adoption organization before euthanasia.

Analysis Prepared by: Allegra Kim / APPR. / (916) 319-2081

Date of Hearing:

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS

Marc Berman, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 332

Author:(Lee) – As Introduced Ver:January 30, 2023

SUBJECT: Rabies control data.

SUMMARY: Requires the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) to collect specified data from public animal shelters as part of their annual rabies control activities reporting.

EXISTING LAW:

1. Governs the operation of animal shelters by, among other things, setting a minimum holding period for stray dogs, cats, and other animals, and requiring animal shelters to ensure that those animals, if adopted, are spayed or neutered and, with exceptions, microchipped. (Food and Agricultural Code (FAC) §§ 30501 et seq.; § 31108.3; §§ 31751 et seq.; §§ 32000 et seq.)
2. Requires all public and private animal shelters to keep accurate records on each animal taken up, medically treated, or impounded, which shall include all of the following information and any other information required by the Veterinary Medical Board of California:
3. The date the animal was taken up, medically treated, euthanized, or impounded.
4. The circumstances under which the animal was taken up, medically treated, euthanized, or impounded.
5. The names of the personnel who took up, medically treated, euthanized, or impounded the animal.
6. A description of any medical treatment provided to the animal and the name of the veterinarian of record.
7. The final disposition of the animal, including the name of the person who euthanized the animal or the name and address of the adopting party. These records shall be maintained for three years after the date on which the animal’s impoundment ends.

(FAC § 32003)

1. Defines “rabies” including both rabies and any other animal disease dangerous to human beings that may be declared by the CDPH. (Health and Safety Code (HSC) § 121575)
2. Requires the CDPH to make a preliminary investigation whenever any case of rabies is reported as to whether the disease exists, and as to the probable area of the state in which the population or animals are endangered. (HSC § 121595)
3. Authorizes the CDPH to institute special measures of control to supplement the efforts of the local authorities in any county or city whenever it becomes necessary in the judgment of the department, to enforce the state’s rabies control laws. (HSC § 121665)
4. Requires every owner of a dog, after the dog attains the age of four months, to secure a license for the dog as provided by ordinance of the responsible city, city and county, or county. (HSC § 121690(a))
5. Requires every owner of a dog, after the dog attains the age of three months or older and at intervals of time not more often than once a year, as may be prescribed by the CDPH, to procure its vaccination by a licensed veterinarian with a canine anti-rabies vaccine approved by the department and administered according to the vaccine label. (HSC § 121690(b)(1))
6. Specifies that the responsible city and county retains documentation of any exemption, unless a licensed veterinarian determines, on an annual basis, that a rabies vaccination would endanger the dog’s life due to disease or other considerations, the veterinarian can verify and document; the responsible city, county, or city and county, may specify the means by which a dog’s owner is required to provide proof of the dog’s rabies vaccination, including, but not limited to, by electronic transmission or facsimile. (HSC § 121690(b)(1-2))
7. Allows for exemptions from an approved form developed and approved by the CDPH, which must be signed by the veterinarian explaining the inadvisability of the vaccination and a signed statement by the dog owner affirming that the owner understands the consequences and accepts all liability associated with owning a dog that has not received the canine anti-rabies vaccine. (HCS § 121690(b)(2))
8. Directs this requested information be submitted to the local county health officer, who may issue an exemption from the canine anti-rabies vaccine; requires local county health offices to report exemptions to the CDPH. (HSC § 121690(b)(3))
9. Specifies that any exempted canines from its local city and county vaccination requirements of this section be considered unvaccinated. (HSC 121690(b)(4))
10. Exempts from the vaccination requirements, at the discretion of the local health officer or the officer’s designee, be confined to the premises of the owner, keeper, or harbor and, when off the premises, shall be on a leash the length of which shall not exceed six feet and shall be under the direct physical control of an adult. (HSC § 121690(b)(5))
11. Requires the governing body of each city, city and county, or county to maintain or provide for the maintenance of an animal shelter system and a rabies control program. (HSC § 121690(e)(1))

THIS BILL:

1. Requires the CDPH to collect the following rabies control program data from each local government annually, or quarterly if deemed necessary by the CDPH:
2. Total number of dogs and cats licensed.
3. Citations issued for dog and cat license violations.
4. Number of public vaccination clinics held.
5. Total number of dogs and cats vaccinated or licensed at public clinics.
6. Number of domestic dogs and cats received by local animal control authorities, including, but not limited to, number surrendered by owner, by the public, or transferred from other shelters.
7. Number of domestic dogs and cats discharged by local animal control authorities, including, but not limited to, number reclaimed by owner, adopted, relinquished to a rescue organization, euthanized, died, or transferred to another shelter.
8. Animal bite data deemed necessary by the department.
9. Animal rabies quarantine data deemed necessary by the department.
10. Any other data deemed necessary by the department.

FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown; this bill is keyed fiscal by Legislative Counsel.

COMMENTS:

Purpose. This bill is sponsored by Social Compassion in Legislation. According to the author:

“The official state pet is the ‘Shelter Pet.’ AB 332 will help provide important data about shelter animals so that resources are better optimized to find more pets their forever homes. State, local jurisdictions, and nonprofits invest hundreds of millions of dollars in our shelter system to save animals’ lives. Yet the data these entities rely on to direct these resources is no longer available. This transparency will ensure that the state and other entities are able to direct funding efficiently to shelters with the greatest need, while also giving policymakers a more complete picture of the pet overpopulation problem to make informed policy decisions.”

Background.

Rabies Control Data Collection. The CDPH collects and analyzes data in order to monitor the prevalence and distribution of rabies in California and develop strategies to prevent and control its spread. The CDPH collects rabies control data through several mechanisms. Veterinarians, animal control agencies, and laboratories are required to report any suspected or confirmed cases of rabies to the CDPH. Additionally, the CDPH requires that all dogs over the age of four months be vaccinated against rabies and that the vaccination be kept up-to-date. Veterinarians are required to report rabies vaccination information to the CDPH, including the name and address of the owner, the date of vaccination, and the type of vaccine used. Health care providers, animal control agencies, and law enforcement are also required to report any animal bite incidents to the CDPH.

From 1995 through 2016, the CDPH requested a variety of data from city and county animal shelters as part of its annual rabies control activities reporting. Much of the data was considered useful to advocates and policymakers, who used the information to identify regions of the state where certain program support was needed to reduce euthanasia rates and other adverse outcomes for animals in shelters. The author argues that the data was particularly valuable for prioritizing funding.

However, the CDPH reduced the categories of data it collects from public animal shelters beginning in 2017, excluding information pertaining to animals received and discharged. The intent of this bill is to restore the collection of the data. This would include data specifically relating to dog and cat licensing, vaccinations, and certain dog bite and quarantine data. The CDPH would also be required to collect data on the number of domestic dogs and cats discharged by local animal control authorities, including, but not limited to, number reclaimed by owner, adopted, relinquished to a rescue organization, euthanized, died, or transferred to another shelter.

The author believes that by pinpointing geographically where the highest need and overpopulation exists, the CDPH will have a tool for local and state policymakers to manage existing resources. The information previously reported to the state provided helpful data and illustrated exactly where certain activities were taking place. By sharing the data with the CDPH, city and county shelters, along with their vast network of California’s rescue community, are able to best appropriate their resources to areas in most need.

Current Related Legislation.

AB 595 (Essayli) would require that all animal shelters provide public notice at least 72 hours before euthanizing any animal with information that includes the scheduled euthanasia date and requires the California Department of Food and Agriculture to conduct a study on animal shelter overcrowding and the feasibility of a statewide database for animals scheduled to be euthanized. This bill is pending in this committee.

AB 1399 (Friedman) would expand the authority of a licensed veterinarian to practice through telehealth. This bill is pending in this committee.

Prior Related Legislation.

AB 1881 (Santiago) from 2022 would have required every public animal control agency, shelter, or rescue group to conspicuously post or provide a copy of a Dog and Cat Bill of Rights. This bill died on the Senate Floor.

AB 2723 (Holden, Chapter 549, Statutes of 2022) established additional requirements on various types of public animals related to microchip registration and the release of dogs and cats. (

AB 588 (Chen, Chapter 430, Statutes of 2019) required any shelter or rescue group in California disclose when a dog with a bite history when it is being adopted out.

ACR 153 (Santiago, Chapter 72, 2018) urged communities in California to implement policies that support the adoption of healthy cats from shelters by 2025.

AB 2791 (Muratsuchi, Chapter 194, Statutes of 2018) permitted a puppy or kitten that is reasonably believed to be unowned and is impounded in a shelter to be immediately made available for release to a nonprofit animal rescue or adoption organization before euthanasia.

SB 1785 (Hayden, Chapter 752, Statutes of 1998) would have established that the State of California’s policy is that no adoptable animal should be euthanized if it can be adopted into a suitable home.

ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT:

This bill is supported by the Social Compassion in Legislation (SCIL). According to the SCIL: “AB 332 will give the state, local jurisdictions, and philanthropic organizations critical visibility into shelter needs to ensure funds are most effectively and efficiently targeted, while giving lawmakers a complete picture of animal intakes and outcomes by region as they propose legislative solutions.”

This measure is also supported by the Do Good International, Faith Action for All, Grassroots Coalition, Outta the Cage, Take Me Home, The Animal Rescue Mission, TippedEars, Vegan Flag, and Women United For Animal Welfare. According to the groups listed above: “We write in support of AB 332 and to thank you for authoring this important legislation. The bill would require the Department of Public Health to resume collecting specified data, including in-take figures and categories of outcomes such as adoptions and euthanasia, from public animal shelters as part of their annual rabies control activities reporting.”

ARGUMENTS IN OPPOSITION:

None on file.

AMENDMENTS:

At the request of the author, narrow the scope of the bill by amending the proposed language in (e)(3) as follows:

(3) Rabies control program data collected shall include all of the following:

(A) Total number of dogs and cats licensed.

(B) Citations issued for dog and cat license violations.

(C)(B) Number of public vaccination clinics held. rabies vaccinations administered.

(D) Total number of dogs and cats vaccinated or licensed at public clinics.

(E)(C) Number of domestic dogs and cats received by local animal control authorities, including, but not limited to, number surrendered by owner, by the public, or transferred from other shelters.

(F)(D) Number of domestic dogs and cats discharged by local animal control authorities, including, but not limited to, number reclaimed by owner, adopted, relinquished to a rescue organization, euthanized, died, or transferred to another shelter.

(G) Animal bite data deemed necessary by the department.

(H) Animal rabies quarantine data deemed necessary by the department.

(I)(E) Any other data deemed necessary by the department.

REGISTERED SUPPORT:

Social Compassion in Legislation (Sponsor)

Compassionate Bay

Do Good International

Faith Action for All

Grassroots Coalition

Humane Decisions

In Defense of Animals

Los Angeles Alliance for Animals

Los Gatos Plant-based Advocates

Our Honor

Outta the Cage

Project Minnie

San Diego Humane Society and SCPA

Start Rescue

Take Me Home

The Animal Rescue Mission

Tippedears

Vegan Flag

Women United for Animal Welfare

128 Individuals

REGISTERED OPPOSITION:

None on file.

Analysis Prepared by: Annabel Smith / B. & P. / (916) 319-3301