After a Historic Victory in the 2007 Assembly, the California Healthy Pets Act Moves to the State Senate in 2008

Responsible pet owners, taxpayer advocates, law enforcement professionals and others are intensifying their efforts to pass AB 1634, the California Healthy Pets Act, authored by Assemblyman Lloyd Levine.

AB 1634, the common-sense, humane and taxpayer-friendly solution to California's massive pet overpopulation problem, was passed by the State Assembly in 2007. That legislative victory was an enormous win for pet owners and taxpayers across the state.

The measure now moves to the Senate Local Government Committee.

The California Healthy Pets Coalition and California Taxpayers for Safe and Healthy Pets have been working tirelessly to make sure Senators get the facts about the pet overpopulation crisis and how AB 1634 can help solve the problem while saving taxpayers millions of dollars annually.

Since AB 1634's Assembly victory, tens of thousands of Californians have joined us in calling for the bill's passage, and the coalition has been increasingly successful in focusing media attention on this expensive and heartbreaking problem.

Meanwhile, communities throughout California and in other states have added to the drumbeat for change by advocating responsible spay and neuter laws that will help pets and shelter workers, as well as taxpayers.

Last month the southern Nevada city of North Las Vegas, with 200,000 residents, became the first community in that state to pass a law requiring residents to spay or neuter their household pets. Clark County, the largest county in Nevada, is also considering spay and neuter legislation, after demands by law enforcement that the county take strong action to deal with pet overpopulation and the strain it puts on police resources.

While our neighbors in Nevada take the lead on implementing responsible spay and neuter policies, we can't let California fall behind on this important issue. And with AB 1634 now before the California State Senate, YOU can join California's responsible pet owners, humane and rescue organizations, taxpayer advocates, law enforcement professionals, animal control agencies, and veterinarians in urging the passage of the bill.

As one last news note, it seems incredible, but the Sacramento Bee is reporting that the mortgage and foreclosure crisis is creating a new wave of pet abandonment across the country.

The Bee's January 19, 2008, story "Mortgage crisis is hurting pets, too" says: "As thousands of area families surrender to foreclosure their dreams of owning homes, many are also leaving their dogs and cats behind.

Area shelters are filled with animals surrendered in recent months by people forced to move to apartments or other places where their pets are unwelcome, and managers are blaming the housing meltdown for the surge." The Sacramento SPCA told reporter Cynthia Hubert that they have seen a more than 100 percent increase in dogs dropped at shelters by people who said they are moving for financial reasons and could no longer have pets. In Placer County, shelter officials said that currently "at least 20 percent of dogs and cats surrendered to the shelter came from people who 'lost their homes or were having such extreme financial difficulties' that they could no longer afford to care for them..."

Just one more reason to pass AB 1634 and end the strain on California's shelters.

Together we can make life healthier and safer for Californians and their pets.

Sincerely,

Judie Mancuso
Sponsor / Campaign Director
AB 1634 California Healthy Pets Act
www.CAHealthyPets.com