"Lady of the Earth"CSUS student, CA Politics California is the first state and the only state, so far, in the Unites States to ban the sell of non-rescue animals. The Pet Rescue and Adoption Act, also known as the Assembly Bill 485, was set in place to reduce the mistreatment of animals such as dogs, cats, and rabbits (California Legislation Information 2017-2018). These types of animals are most commonly found in homes as pets, but the rise in demand for pure breeding, breeding for quality of animal, and mass breeding as lead to puppy mills and kitten factories. Mills and factories are created to increase mass litter production, female animals are used to breed litter after litter. Without human companionship, these female animals live a life in cages until their bodies are no longer needed or the health of the animal is extremely poor, so they are killed (Helping Hands Humane Society). These productions often have poor living conditions and health issues for the animals, which was a huge red flag for animal activists and the Humane Society of the United States, the HSUS organization specializes in animal protection (N. Golgowski 2018). Pet stores are now required to sell dogs, cats, and rabbits that are only rescued or donated by shelters (S. Luke 2018). This ban is to help stop the support of mass breeding facilities that have deplorable and inhumane conditions, as a consequence to private breeders or any pet sold illegally, there will be fine starting at $500. Another issue leading to Bill 485 were the over populated shelters which lead to more deaths and spending. It's estimated that California spends a quarter of one billion dollars to house and then euthanize the animals; also, an estimated 2.7 million healthy animals are being euthanized (Social Compassion in Legislation 2017). See the problem yet?
Bill 485 benefits not only the animals but the community too! When an animal is adopted, you are saving the lives of two; one that you have adopted, and the life that gets a second chance. Adopting animals that have over populated reduces the population alone with reducing spending and deaths. In one year, there could be about 8 to 12 million animals euthanized, wouldn’t you want to help break that cycle? Adopting adult animals is heartwarming, they are looking for companionship and have hope for love. Adult pets are often trained and some might even know some tricks, adult animals will easily adapt from cold hard shelter conditions to your loving home! Also, for you older folks, getting an adult animal means that animal has less energy compared a younger animal. This means if you want a dog that’s trained and older, it’ll be calmer around the house and easier to take care of! Overall there is a wide variety of different ages and breeds available. Adopting from a shelter is safe, they may not have the coziest living but that’s up to you to change. Animals that have been rescued and received by shelters are often vaccinated and neutered or spayed, you’ll be getting a healthy pet and a perfect start a healthy friendship. Every community in the United States has to have an animal shelter but its non-profit, what does this mean? It means that the money donated, or the money you spend adopting goes right back into the shelter to provide medical supply, cozy beds, food and other necessities the shelter needs to provide for the animals. And here is the best part for the penny pinchers, the cost of adopting is cut almost in half compared to buying from private breeders plus the savings on vaccinations (Helping Hands Humane Society)! How great is that! California is taking initiative and making a huge change for animals. Moving forward, California is now working on the ban on selling animal fur-based clothing and accessories. Joining with the Fur Free Alliance, California is on its way to be once again the first state in the United States to ban the sell of animal fur. The Fur Ban bill, also known as Bill 44, was introduced by assembly member Laura Friedman. On March 12, the first hearing on Bill 44 was taken place; it is to make it unlawful to sell, give, or manufacture fur products (Fur Free Alliance). Bill 485 will make a tremendous impact, Patrick O’Donnell is the assembly member who introduced the bill in 2017 (Social Compassion in Legislation 2017). It wasn’t until Governor Jerry Brown signed Bill 485 on October 2017 that set the ban to begin in January 2019. So, its been a few months in and there has been a 215.87% change from February 2018 compared to February 2019 in animals being fostered. Due to the less intake of animals, there is a decrease in outtake but we are seeing an increase in adoption levels from February 2018 to February 2019 with 7.86% for dogs and 29.41% for cats (The Animal Foundation, statistics and reports). This proves that the Bill 485 has made a positive change by decreasing animal homelessness population and increasing the sale of animals out of shelters. The revolutionary change is the puppy mills and kitten factories that will be shut down, pet stores and other private breeding corporations will most likely go out of business. Thanks to the local and state government officials that made Bill 485 possible and the communities that contributed!
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AuthorUndergraduate student generated content. Blog posting and updating done by Kristina Flores Victor, Assistant Professor of Political Science at CSUS Archives
March 2020
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