California Update: Committee Considering Bill to Regulate Hobby Breeders on Tuesday (4/16)

On Tuesday, April 16, a California Assembly committee will be considering a bill seeking to address concerns in animal shelters and change the definition of breeder in California code to encompass hobbyists. The proposal, as currently written, insinuates that people who breed as few as ONE litter are contributing to animal shelter population concerns.

California club members and breeders are urged to contact the bill’s author, committee leadership, and committee members.  Express your concerns with House Bill 2425 as introduced and ask them to not support changing the definition of “breeder” in California code.  Scroll down for contact information.

Ask that the animal shelter study in the bill be conducted BEFORE any new regulations are enacted. Since the sponsor and author are both stating the purpose of this bill is to address shelter population concerns, the study should be the first step, rather than assuming that breeders are contributing to these issues.  Scroll down for additional talking points.

Summary:

Some of the key aspects of House Bill 2425, sponsored by Social Compassion in Legislation, are detailed below.  For the entire bill click here.

• Changes the definition of “dog breeder” from selling, transferring, or giving away all or part of 3 or more litters or 20 or more dogs during the preceding 12 months TO 2 or more litters or 10 or more dogs in the preceding 12 months. Depending on the breed, this threshold could impact those who have one litter in a year.
• Requires those meeting the new definition to comply with the state’s consumer protection laws and basic standards of care. While the AKC is NOT opposing the idea that breeders should offer contracts with some consumer protection, or keep their dogs in humane conditions, this new definition indicates a significant shift in who the state believes should be regulated.
•  Many cities and counties in California use the state definition as a guideline when developing their breeder regulations.
• This new definition also opens the door to future legislation further impacting hobby breeders

• Requires that no dog may be sold or transferred by a breeder unless it has been “immunized against common diseases and has a documented health check from a licensed veterinarian.” AKC is asking for clarification, as not all vaccines are safe or appropriate for a dog sold at 8 weeks of age.
• Require the state to conduct a comprehensive study by January 1, 2027, into the overcrowding of the state’s shelter system, including ways in which the state might address the issue and the possibility of public-private partnerships to assist in helping shelters provide online information on animals available for adoption

What You Can Do:

• The bill is currently scheduled for a hearing in the state Assembly Business and Professions Committee on April 16. Hearing information is below if you wish to participate in person (possibility to participate virtually will be provided if/when it becomes available):

Tuesday, April 16
9:30 a.m.
1021 O Street, Room 1100,
Sacramento, CA 95814

• It is also important for those impacted to contact the author’s office and the Assembly Business and Professions Committee Leaders and respectfully express your concerns with AB 2425 as introduced. If you are a constituent, be sure to mention that when contacting his office:
  • Contact the bill’s author, Assemblymember Bill Essayli (Dist. 63 – Riverside County):
    District Office: (951) 277-3639
    Capitol Office: (916) 319-2063
  • assemblymember.essayli@assembly.ca.gov;

Contact committee leadership:

• • Marc Berman (Chair) (Palo Alto)
    District Office: (650) 324-0224
    Capitol Office: (916) 319-2023

    Heath Flora (Vice-Chair) (Ripon)
    District Office: (209) 599-2112
    Capitol Office: (916) 319-2009

• Contact members of the Assembly Business and Professions Committee (be sure to contact the committee member if you are their constituent:

Talking Points

• Ask that the animal shelter study in the bill be conducted BEFORE any new regulations are enacted. Since the sponsor and author are both stating the purpose of this bill is to address shelter population concerns, the study should be the first step, rather than assuming that breeders are contributing to these issues.
• Large scale dog breeding is already regulated in California. Broadening the definition of dog breeding will only serve to constrain enforcement resources with new targets on small-scale hobbyist dog breeding.
• Purebred dog enthusiasts and hobby breeders, as this bill seeks to regulate, are not the cause of shelter overcrowding.
• Further limiting the choices of Californians to select the dog of their choice will likely result in many people obtaining dogs that do not work for their families—and many of these dogs will end up back in the animal shelter system.
• The California Penal Code already holds accountable those who deprive animals of necessary sustenance or shelter and subject animals to needless suffering. These laws apply to all dog owners – including hobby breeders.  It is not necessary to expand the definition in order to ensure dogs raised by hobbyists are protected.

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.