Friday, May 12, 2017
Assembly Bill 485—which seeks to prohibit pet retailers from selling pets (including dogs, cats and rabbits) unless the animals were obtained from a public animal control agency or shelter, a shelter maintained by a society for the prevention of cruelty to animals, a humane society shelter, or a nonprofit rescue or adoption organization—is scheduled for consideration and a vote by the Assembly Appropriations Committee on Wednesday, May 17. Like many other measures that reference “retail pet sales” or “pet stores”, this measure is aimed squarely at restricting the availability of purpose-bred dogs and cats.
It is imperative that all California residents understand the true significance of this measure, which threatens the ability of people to make educated decisions about choosing the right pet for their lifestyle, and their opportunity to choose a purebred pet from a regulated source. California residents are strongly urged to contact members of the Assembly Appropriations Committee and ask them to vote against the bill.
READ: Why Californians Need to Worry about AB 485, the “Pet Store” Bill
On principle, the AKC opposes AB 485 and similar legislation that unreasonably and unnecessarily limits a consumer from choosing a pet that best meets their family’s needs. The American Kennel Club emphatically supports freedom of choice in selecting a pet. AKC actively promotes efforts to ensure that people are educated, understand the demands of responsible ownership and have access to a pet that is right for them. AKC strongly opposes any measure that restricts choice by compelling people and/or retailers to obtain pets solely from shelter or rescue distributors.
WHAT AB 485 WILL DO IF ENACTED:
It will ban the sale of pets from known, regulated and inspected sources, and allow pet shops to only sell pets from unknown, unregulated and uninspected sources (i.e., shelters, rescues, and other similar organizations). This will dramatically reduce the ability of California residents to purchase a pet with the predictable type, mandated care and consumer retail protections, and substantiated health backgrounds that purebred pets provide.
Because many communities lack sufficient local breeders to meet the demand for the specific pets desired by local residents, California families seeking a puppy that is a specific breed from a professional breeder subject to USDA or state animal welfare standards will likely have little other alternative than to obtain a pet of unknown background, health history or status if AB 485 becomes law. If consumers are limited to acquiring a pet that is an inappropriate fit for their lifestyle, that animal is more likely to cycle back into the shelter system.
AB 485 does not require shelters or rescues to supply pet shops with dogs to sell. A lack of supply will prove economically disastrous for these businesses and the people who are employed by them.
WHAT YOU CAN DO: AB 485 is scheduled to be considered by the Assembly Appropriations Committee on Wednesday, May 17. It is imperative that California’s responsible dog breeders and owners, fanciers, and enthusiasts, contact the committee and express their opposition to AB 485 as soon as possible.
Assembly Appropriations Committee
State Capitol, Room 2114
Sacramento, California 95814
916.319.2081 phone
916.319.2181 fax
Lorena S. Gonzalez Fletcher, Chair (Dist. 80)
Phone: (916) 319-2080
Email form: https://lcmspubcontact.lc.ca.gov/PublicLCMS/ContactPopup.php?district=AD80
Frank Bigelow, Vice Chair (Dist. 5)
Phone: (916) 319-2005
Email form: https://lcmspubcontact.lc.ca.gov/PublicLCMS/ContactPopup.php?district=AD05
Richard Bloom (Dist. 50)
Phone: (916) 319-2050
Email form: https://lcmspubcontact.lc.ca.gov/PublicLCMS/ContactPopup.php?district=AD50
Raul Bocanegra (Dist. 39)
Phone: (916) 319-2039
Email form: https://lcmspubcontact.lc.ca.gov/PublicLCMS/ContactPopup.php?district=AD39
Rob Bonta (Dist. 18)
Phone: (916) 319-2018
Email form: https://lcmspubcontact.lc.ca.gov/PublicLCMS/ContactPopup.php?district=AD18
William P. Brough (Dist. 73)
Phone: (916) 319-2073
Email form: https://lcmspubcontact.lc.ca.gov/PublicLCMS/ContactPopup.php?district=AD73
Ian C. Calderon (Dist. 57)
Phone: (916) 319-2057
Email form: https://lcmspubcontact.lc.ca.gov/PublicLCMS/ContactPopup.php?district=AD57
Ed Chau (Dist. 49)
Phone: (916) 319-2049
Email form: https://lcmspubcontact.lc.ca.gov/PublicLCMS/ContactPopup.php?district=AD49
Susan Talamantes Eggman (Dist. 13)
Phone: (916) 319-2013
Email form: https://lcmspubcontact.lc.ca.gov/PublicLCMS/ContactPopup.php?district=AD13
Vince Fong (Dist. 34)
Phone: (916) 319-2034
Email form: https://lcmspubcontact.lc.ca.gov/PublicLCMS/ContactPopup.php?district=AD34
Laura Friedman (Dist. 43)
Phone: (916) 319-2043
Email form: https://lcmspubcontact.lc.ca.gov/PublicLCMS/ContactPopup.php?district=AD43
James Gallagher (Dist. 3)
Phone: (916) 319-2003
Email form: https://lcmspubcontact.lc.ca.gov/PublicLCMS/ContactPopup.php?district=AD03
Eduardo Garcia (Dist. 56)
Phone: (916) 319-2056
Email form: https://lcmspubcontact.lc.ca.gov/PublicLCMS/ContactPopup.php?district=AD56
Adam C. Gray (Dist. 21)
Phone: (916) 319-2021
Email form: https://lcmspubcontact.lc.ca.gov/PublicLCMS/ContactPopup.php?district=AD21
Al Muratsuchi (Dist. 66)
Phone: (916) 319-2066
Email form: https://lcmspubcontact.lc.ca.gov/PublicLCMS/ContactPopup.php?district=AD66
Jay Obernolte (Dist. 33)
Phone: (916) 319-2033
Email form: https://lcmspubcontact.lc.ca.gov/PublicLCMS/ContactPopup.php?district=AD33
Eloise Gomez Reyes (Dist. 47)
Phone: (916) 319-2047
Email form: https://lcmspubcontact.lc.ca.gov/PublicLCMS/ContactPopup.php?district=AD47
The American Kennel Club will continue to provide updates on AB 485 as developments warrant. For more information, contact AKC’s Government Relations Department at (919) 816-3720, or email doglaw@akc.org.
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