On Thursday, September 14, California’s 2023 legislative session came to end. Below are two related bills supported by AKC that unanimously passed the Legislature and will enable Californians with pets to access emergency, domestic violence, and homeless shelters across the state.
Both bills await action from Gov. Newsom by October 14. Please register your support on both bills with the governor’s office at (916) 445-2841 or the submission portal. In your message, simply state that many Californians have pets, and their beloved pets should not be a barrier to people trying to protect themselves and their families during hard times or an emergency.
- Assembly Bill 1215 – Pets Assistance with Support Grant Program: homeless shelters: domestic violence shelters: pets.
Summary: This proposal would set up a program for state administered grants to assist pets of individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness and for domestic violence survivors and their pets when accessing the shelter system. All too often, many people in these at-risk demographics are forced to forgo shelter and remain in dangerous situations simply for owning a pet.
Assembly Bill 781 – Accessibility to emergency information and services: emergency shelters: persons with pets.
Summary: This bill would require a county to update its emergency plan by July 1, 2024, to designate emergency shelters that are able to accommodate persons with pets. As extreme weather continues to threaten many Californians, it is important that people have a place to go for both themselves, their families, AND their pets when emergencies strike.
AKC Government Relations continues to monitor bills in California impacting dog owners and will provide updates. For questions or more information, contact AKC GR at doglaw@akc.org.