June 22, 2007

California Assembly Bill 1634, known as the California Healthy Pets Act, has been assigned to the Senate Business, Professions, and Economic Development Committee and the Senate Local Government Committee.  The bill seeks to require the mandatory spaying or neutering of dogs or cats over four months of age, unless the owner acquires an intact animal permit. 

AB 1634 will first be heard by the Senate Business, Professions, and Economic Development Committee on Monday, July 9th.   At this time, it is imperative that breeders and concerned dog owners focus their efforts on this committee.  Contact your Senator and the committee members and express your opposition to the bill.  Letters must be sent to the committee by 5 P.M., Monday, July, 2nd, to ensure that your opposition is noted for the official bill analysis. 

Again, please focus your efforts on the Senate Business, Professions, and Economic Development Committee.  In the event the bill passes this committee, we will then focus efforts on the Senate Local Government Committee.  

WHAT YOU CAN DO TODAY: 

• Contact your representative in the California State Senate and express your opposition to AB 1634. To find your Senator or to access our sample letters and talking points, please go to our Action Center at: http://www.akc.org/
  canine_legislation/CA_action_center.cfm.
  
  ATTENTION CLUBS:  Please send official opposition letters on club letterhead to both committee consultants to ensure your club is listed in the bill analysis!
  
  Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee
  ATTN: Bill Gage, Committee Chief Consultant
  State Capitol, Room 2053
  Sacramento, CA 95814
  FAX: (916) 324-0917
  
  Amber Thorne
  Business and Professions
  Senate Republican Caucus
  1020 N Street, Room 234
  Sacramento, CA 95814
  FAX: (916) 445-3105

• Attend the Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee Hearing:
  
  July 9th, 1:30 p.m.
  State Capitol, Room 3191
  Sacramento, CA 95814

• Contact the members of the Committee who will consider this bill.  Please refer to the Committee members lists provided in the Action Items section of this page. 

For more information, contact the AKC Canine Legislation Department at (919) 816-3720, or e-mail doglaw@akc.org.

For Media Inquires please contact the AKC Communications Department.