February 27, 2025

Breaking News!

AB 1482 Introduced

&

AB 347 First Hearing Date Scheduled

Need Support Letters Now!

Sacramento, Calif., February 27, 2025, Assemblymember Bill Essayli (R-Corona) introduced AB 1482, a bill sponsored by Social Compassion in Legislation (SCIL), that will expand the definition of dog breeder and ensure that all dogs sold by breeders are microchipped and vaccinated. The bill also includes provisions requiring that shelters post the adoption availability of animals on their website or a third-party website. Lastly, it will order the California Department of Food and Agriculture to conduct a study on overcrowding in California shelters and potential remedies, including a statewide database listing all dogs and cats available for adoption.

Each of these provisions will help in its own way to address the pet overpopulation problem:

-Current law states that a person must sell three or more litters, or 20 or more dogs, to be defined as a breeder. This bill will lower the threshold to qualify as a breeder to two or more litters, or 10 or more dogs.

-Current law states that animal shelters must vaccinate and microchip dogs before adopting them out, but breeders are not subject to the same rules. This bill will apply the same vaccination and microchipping requirements to breeders. 

-Under current law, shelters only have to keep records of animals available for adoption on paper. This bill will require that they display animals in their care and available for adoption online, in a conspicuous location on their own website or that of a third party such as PetFinder.com or AdoptAPet.com. 

- Lastly, the bill calls for a study on the overcrowding of California animal shelters and ways to address the problem, and on the feasibility of setting up and maintaining a statewide database that would include all animals available for adoption.

“I’m proud to be authoring AB 1482, Bowie’s Law, which will mandate new dog breeder standards for enforcement, provide a publicly available database of adoptable animals in every shelter, and require a comprehensive study on the solutions to shelter overcrowding," said Assemblymember Bill Essayli.

"This is multifaceted approach to the tragedy of our current system that results in thousands of otherwise healthy animals being euthanized each year due to a lack of shelter resources. Among those animals was a puppy named Bowie, who was put down shortly before he was scheduled to be adopted by an animal rescue. I’ve worked with Social Compassion in Legislation to draft AB 1482 with the goal of moving California toward a world where no other adoptable animal meets Bowie’s fate.”

“Backyard breeding is one of the main causes of California’s dire dog and cat overpopulation crisis," said Judie Mancuso, Founder and President of Social Compassion in Legislation. “People are constantly asking me why no one cracks down on those who repeatedly breed their animals as a money-making hobby, even as taxpayers bear the cost of housing, rehoming, and euthanizing hundreds of thousands of healthy, adoptable shelter animals every year. I tell them that SCIL is doing what we can at the state level, but it’s up to local jurisdictions to enact and enforce tough ordinances and ensure compliance with state law. By subjecting more backyard breeders to state regulations and ensuring the public has easier access to adoptable animals, AB 1482 moves us in the right direction.”

Need Support Letters Now!

AB 347 Class Act, which was just assigned to its first committee hearing on March 12th. We need your letters of support ASAP. 

The deadline to get letters submitted is 3PM on Tuesday, March 4th. 

Here we are again at the start of another legislative session and we need your support! This year we are sponsoring eight bills and will be actively lobbying in support (or opposing, if necessary) several more. 

As always, your support in the form of letters, calls, and social media engagement is key to passing laws that save animals' lives. 

Please see the instructions below on how you and/or your organization can sign up to support AB 347 and all of SCIL's sponsored bills.

Instructions on How to Send a Support Letter

Now is the time for you to engage and have your voices heard! We must start gathering your support letters ASAP!

To send your support letter for all of our sponsored bills. It's easy - continue reading, and please send today! 

If you represent an organization, such as an animal rescue, veterinary clinic, or an animal or student focused group, go to our 'Send Support for an Organization' page, then:

• Click on the bills you want to support, or click the box "Click here to support ALL bills" to support them all. Then click the "Next" button at the bottom of the page.
• Fill in your information, including uploading a logo and signature, which are required by the Committees.
• Click "Send Support"!

If you want to register your support as an individual, simply go to our 'Send a Support Letter' page, and repeat the process. Note that individuals are not required to upload any kind of logo or signature.

You don't have to do anything else! We then produce your letter(s) and ensure they are received by the correct legislators and committees at the critical time in the legislative process.

***Remember, if you are an organization, you must follow the instructions to register for an organization. The committees have requirements we must fulfill in order to get your support registered in the committee analysis, which is very important. 

Alternatively, organizations can send their letter which must be on letterhead and signed as a pdf to info@socialcompassion.org

Your support is vital to our mission, and we hope you will consider making a donation today. Everyday that we advocate for animal protection, we rely on the generosity of compassionate individuals like you to continue our lifesaving work.

Remember, every contribution, regardless of its size, plays a significant role in driving meaningful change and advancing our cause. We are deeply grateful for your ongoing support and belief in our mission, and together, we can make a lasting impact for the animals who need us most. Thank you for being a part of our community!

Judie Mancuso, founder/CEO/president

Social Compassion, 501(c)(3)

Social Compassion in Legislation, 501(c)(4)

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