A California bill banning the sale of mill-bred dogs, cats and rabbits in pet stores went into effect Jan. 1.
The measure, known as AB 485, the Pet Rescue and Adoption Act, requires that stores offer dogs, cats and rabbits from shelters and rescue groups. It was authored by Assemblymember Patrick O’Donnell (D-Long Beach) and sponsored by California-based political animal advocacy group Social Compassion in Legislation.
California is the first state to enact a policy of this kind, according to a press release from Social Compassion in Legislation.
The bill comes on the heels of similar local bans approved in various California communities.
“When we began the effort to sponsor legislation to codify these local ordinances into state law, many people said it couldn’t be done and the timing was not right,” said Judie Mancuso, founder and president of Social Compassion in Legislation. “But what we found was not only was the timing right in California, but the timing was also right around the world, as we’ve seen other local jurisdictions and states following suit, including Maryland, as well as the United Kingdom.”
“When we passed the ordinance in the City of Los Angeles, which the California state law is modeled after, we didn’t want to be part of the problem. Now, with the enormous help of Social Compassion in Legislation, we are part of the solution not only in the second largest city in the United States, but in the entire state of California, and around the world,” said Los Angeles City Councilmember Paul Koretz.
O’Donnell said, “This is an exciting day for pets in California. I am very grateful for the strong support we received from animal-lovers across the state and from Social Compassion in Legislation, the bill’s sponsor. This is a big win for our four-legged friends, of course, but also for California taxpayers who spend more than $250 million annually to house and euthanize animals in our shelters.”