California Close To Banning Pet Shop Sales Of Non-Rescue Cat
Oct 10, 2017 23:38:08 GMT -5
Post by Admin on Oct 10, 2017 23:38:08 GMT -5
California will become the first state to ban pet stores from selling cats, dogs or rabbits that don’t come from a shelter or rescue group if Gov. Jerry Brown (D) signs the bill sent to him this week.
The Pet Rescue and Adoption Act, AB 485, passed the California State Senate with a 32-0 vote on Tuesday, NBC San Diego reports. It had passed the State Assembly in May on a 55-11 vote. More than 30 California cities already have similar local laws, according to the Fresno Bee.
The governor has until Oct. 15 to sign the bill into law or veto it, the Bee notes. Brian Ferguson, a spokesman for Brown, declined to comment to The Associated Press on whether he plans to sign it.
Under the legislation, pet store owners that still wished to sell cats, dogs or rabbits would have to work with local animal shelters and rescue groups to do so.
Supporters of the bill, which include prominent animal advocacy groups like the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Humane Society of the United States, point to two main benefits. First, it would prevent California pet stores from supporting breeding facilities that mass-produce animals, often in deplorable conditions. Those operations are popularly referred to as “puppy mills,” although the same kinds of facilities also exist for cats and other species.
The Pet Rescue and Adoption Act, AB 485, passed the California State Senate with a 32-0 vote on Tuesday, NBC San Diego reports. It had passed the State Assembly in May on a 55-11 vote. More than 30 California cities already have similar local laws, according to the Fresno Bee.
The governor has until Oct. 15 to sign the bill into law or veto it, the Bee notes. Brian Ferguson, a spokesman for Brown, declined to comment to The Associated Press on whether he plans to sign it.
Under the legislation, pet store owners that still wished to sell cats, dogs or rabbits would have to work with local animal shelters and rescue groups to do so.
Supporters of the bill, which include prominent animal advocacy groups like the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Humane Society of the United States, point to two main benefits. First, it would prevent California pet stores from supporting breeding facilities that mass-produce animals, often in deplorable conditions. Those operations are popularly referred to as “puppy mills,” although the same kinds of facilities also exist for cats and other species.