Pet Rescue and Adoption Act – Assembly Bill 485

The Pet Rescue and Adoption Act is a bill (proposed legislation being debated by the legislators) which extends to the entire state of California a law which has been in place in Los Angeles since 2012, namely, an obligation on pet store owners to only sell dogs, cats and rabbits that come from shelters or rescues. It will save the lives of cats, dogs and rabbits. Update: this becomes law on 1st January 2019. It’s official. Great news. Looks like California leads the way in the US on animal welfare.

It is no wonder that this idea is being quite rapidly extended from cities to the state because it is a very commonsense approach to tackling the unwanted cats and dogs in shelters, many of whom are euthanised despite being healthy.

I’m sure that the vast majority of people see the craziness in allowing puppy and kitten mills to churn out unhealthy cats and dogs in very poor conditions while simultaneously managing the mass slaughter of healthy cats and dogs in shelters both privately owned and those under government control.

It just does not make sense and therefore I’d argue that this new piece of statewide legislation is bound to be passed and it is bound to be effective.

As I understand it, cat and dog breeders don’t have to be worried because they don’t sell their animals through pet stores but directly to the public. Also, I believe that this legislation excludes them. Although, personally, I have grave doubts about the existence of cat and dog breeders. Cat and dog breeders should only be allowed to exist if there are no unwanted cats and dogs and when there is no more euthanasia of perfectly healthy dogs and cats because they are unwanted.

It is a pleasant thought to know that pet shops are becoming part of the solution to the unwanted cat and dog problem. And I’m sure that nobody will feel sorry for the puppy/kitten milk industry.

This new piece of legislation actually amends an existing statute. In fact, I note that it amends two statutes, one is the Food and Agricultural Code and the other is the Health and Safety Code.

The official webpage regarding this legislation states that it will prohibit a pet store operator from selling a live dog, cat, or rabbit in a pet store unless the dog, cat, or rabbit was obtained from a public animal control agency or shelter, society for the prevention of cruelty to animals shelter, Humane Society shelter, or non-profit rescue or adoption organisation that is in a cooperative agreement with at least one private or public shelter, as specified. The bill would make the provisions described above relating to the notice to correct applicable to a violation of this requirement. By creating new crimes, the bill would impose a state-mandated local programme.

The reference to “the provisions described above” refer to the existing law which requires pet store operators to comply with laws governing the care of animals in pet stores.

The bill authorises a public or private shelter to enter into cooperative agreements with rescue shelters and like organisations.

This type of law has been replicated in 31 other California cities and in a further 200 cities throughout America.

3 thoughts on “Pet Rescue and Adoption Act – Assembly Bill 485”

  1. The author of the best comment will receive an Amazon gift of their choice at Christmas! Please comment as they can add to the article and pass on your valuable experience.
  2. If you want a purebred animal go to a breeder. This will have a major impact on shutting down puppy mills and those that breed to sell to pet stores.
    Most pet stores have adoption centers and do not sell purebred or shelter pets.

    Reply
    • Thank you ME. There is also an argument that puppy and kitten mills should be shut down anyway. They should not exist. There is no requirement for their existence in my opinion bearing in mind the numbers of rescue cats and dogs at shelters.

      Reply
      • Of course they should be shut down. This just lets them die of their own accord. Brokers are the other evil but even they will be impacted. It would be a good idea for a lot of those in rescue to not get tunnel vision. Beat on all sides of the box not just one side. Real breeders will support this as it helps remove the breeding of substandard purebreds.

        Reply

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