June 26, 2008

Dear Friends,

Here's some great news to share with you from both California and Texas.

AB 1634 PASSES SENATE LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE VOTE

AB 1634 has passed out of the Senate Local Government Committee and is on track for a full vote in the Senate.

The Senate Local Government Committee, chaired by Senator Gloria Negrete McLeod, worked with AB 1634 author Assembly Member Lloyd Levine to craft an amended bill that was acceptable to a majority of the Committee members. The updated text of AB 1634 provides the ability for animal control officers to cite owners for having an unaltered cat or dog, if the animal is the subject of a complaint or an impound.

Prior discussions with the Senators on the Committee made it clear that they already understood the broad, statewide support for the bill. We were asked not to overwhelm the Committee with phone calls, faxes and emails, or to bring a large number of people to the hearing. We honored their request, the Senators were appreciative and we thank the Committee for their "Aye" votes.

Please stay tuned for the next step for AB 1634 as it moves to the Senate floor.  We'll keep you posted as dates become available and when to start lobbying your Senators.

DALLAS, TEXAS PASSES SWEEPING MANDATORY SPAY / NEUTER LAW

Dallas has passed a broad new law that requires dogs and cats in the city be spayed or neutered, unless they are used for legal breeding or law enforcement. In doing so, Dallas joins Los Angeles and other cities across the country who are paving the way to a better future for our pets.

According to the Dallas Morning News, "Dallas Animal Shelter Commission Chairman Skip Trimble insisted that the city must move now to reduce the stray and feral animal population. 'It can only be done through sterilization,' he said. 'If we can't control the flow of water, we'll never stop mopping the floor.' The ordinance passed by an astounding 10-3 vote, and "the majority of council members hailed the changes to the animal ordinance as an important step toward reducing the tens of thousands of stray animals roaming city streets, and improving quality of life for pets."

Congratulations to Rebecca, Liz and all the animal loving volunteers who worked so hard in Dallas to make this incredible day a reality. You can read more about the Dallas victory for pets here, or watch a video on the new ordinance here.

It has taken countless hours of work by a large team of volunteers and donors to keep AB 1634 moving forward and I thank each and every one of you.

Best regards,

Judie Mancuso
Sponsor / Campaign Director
AB 1634
www.CAHealthyPets.com

June 3, 2008

Dear Friends,

Today, June 3, is a historic day for pets in California.

First, Santa Clara County has voted on a resolution to support AB 1634, California Healthy Pets Act.

Second, an Orange County Grand Jury has released a report recommending that all Orange County cities adopt mandatory spay and neuter ordinances similar to the Los Angeles law.

Santa Clara County Votes YES on AB 1634 Resolution

Santa Clara County today became the first county in California to take a position on AB 1634, as the County Board of Supervisors voted YES to a resolution of support for the bill. The animals in California owe a debt of gratitude to Supervisors McHugh, Alvarado and Yeager, who made this important milestone a reality. Please thank the Supervisors here.

In doing so, Santa Clara County joined scores of other cities, organizations and elected officials who are publicly endorsing AB 1634, the common-sense solution to our pet overpopulation crisis. A large group of AB 1634 supporters and shelter workers traveled to Santa Clara to testify in favor of the bill, and the packed room erupted in cheers when the vote was taken. Thank you to everyone who contacted the Supervisors and came to Santa Clara. Congratulations! A press release on the vote is here.

OC Grand Jury Recommends All Cities in Orange County Adopt Mandatory Spay and Neuter Laws

In an important new development, a Grand Jury Report released Tuesday recommends that all Orange County cities should adopt mandatory spay and neuter ordinances to address the animal overpopulation problem and decrease the number of animals euthanized at shelters. Orange County is just the latest in a string of communities who are coming to the conclusion that spay and neuter laws are the best solution to save taxpayer money and reduce the number of animals flowing into their shelters. The report is here.

Statewide AB 1634 Billboard Campaign Launches

The new California Healthy Pets Act billboard campaign has launched, with billboards going up across the state to help educate legislators and the public on the merits of spay and neuter laws. Several designs are used in the campaign and they are already generating a lot of "buzz" around Sacramento, where the billboards direct viewers to visit www.spaythem.com. Thanks to our generous donors who made this campaign possible!

Thanks for caring. Together, we truly will make life better for Californians and our furry companions.

With deepest appreciation for all your support, 

Judie Mancuso
Sponsor / Campaign Director
AB 1634 California Healthy Pets Act
www.CAHealthyPets.com

May 30, 2008

Dear Friends,

It's hard to express just how important this email may be... a very important milestone for pets in California is approaching and you can help!

Santa Clara Board of Supervisors to Vote on AB 1634 Resolution Coming Up Tuesday June 3rd at 9:30am - Please Join Us or Call Now!

As you may know, cities and organizations across California have voted "YES!" on resolutions to support AB 1634, the bill that will save hundreds of thousands of pets and millions of taxpayer dollars. Mayors, Supervisors and City Council members are smart, compassionate people, and the common-sense approach of AB 1634 appeals to them.

The Santa Clara Board of Supervisors is poised to join these hundreds of other elected officials by adopting a resolution of support for AB 1634 on Tuesday, June 3rd. But this vote is different than the others in one important way... the breeder groups opposing progress for our pets have decided that this is a big chance to try to make a public statement against spay & neuter before AB 1634 is heard in the Senate. They are sending out mass emails across California, trying to affect the vote in Santa Clara.

If you would like to join the responsible and caring animal lovers in Santa Clara to get their resolution passed, here's what you can do.

1) Join us in Santa Clara on Tuesday, June 3rd and speak out in favor of universal spay and neuter. The Board of Supervisors meets at:

70 West Hedding Street
San Jose, CA 95110
Board Chambers, 1st floor

The meeting starts at 9:30, in order to make your voice heard please arrive at 9am and fill out a speaker's card for Item 28a. There will be a large group of proponents for AB 1634 and I sincerely hope you will join us!

2) Contact the Supervisors. It's incredibly moving for the Supervisors to see so many pet lovers standing up to protect animals in person, so again, please join us if you can. But if you can't come in person (or, even if you can!) please contact the Supervisors and politely let them know that AB 1634 represents the best hope in a generation to save hundreds of thousands of pets from euthanasia each year.

Supervisor Donald F. Gage - District 1
Tel: (408) 299-5010
Fax: (408) 295-6993
don.gage@bos.co.santa-clara.ca.us

Supervisor Blanca Alvarado - District 2
Tel: (408) 299-5020
Fax: (408) 295-8642
blanca.alvarado@bos.co.santa-clara.ca.us

Supervisor Pete McHugh - District 3
Tel: (408) 299-5030
Fax: (408) 298-6637
primo.mchugh@bos.co.scl.ca.us

Supervisor Ken Yeager - District 4
Tel: (408) 299-5040
Fax: (408) 299-2038
ken.yeager@bos.sccgov.org

Supervisor Liz Kniss - District 5
Tel: (408)-299-5050
Fax: (408) 280-0418
liz.kniss@bos.co.santa-clara.ca.us

And please forward this important information to others.

One Last Word

I am a volunteer, and so are the hundreds of pet lovers working to help pass AB 1634. We don't stand to gain anything except a better future for our cats and dogs.  The needless suffering from pet overpopulation must begin to be brought to end in our great state, we must stand together to make this happen. 

But there are those in California who see pets in a different light, and we must stand and protect our voiceless friends.

Please join us in Santa Clara on Tuesday, June 3rd, I look forward to seeing you there!

Thanks for caring. Together, we truly will make life better for Californians and our furry companions.

Warm regards,

Judie Mancuso
Sponsor / Campaign Director
AB 1634 California Healthy Pets Act
www.CAHealthyPets.com

May 19, 2008

Dear Friends,

Here are some updates I would like to share with you.

Seven anti-pet initiatives fail to qualify for state ballot

In a demonstration of how strong support for AB 1634 is, and how the opposition to the bill comes primarily from noisy animal exploiters who feel any protection for animals is a threat to their profits, all of the ballot initiatives meant to stifle AB 1634 and progress for California's pets have failed to qualify for the ballot. This is wonderful news for the animals and those of us dedicated to protecting them. The anti-pet forces working in California simply could not find enough people to collect signatures, or donors that would enable them to further their self interests. An article regarding the failed initiatives can be read here.

San Jose comes to grips with their pet overpopulation crisis

In a news report that is unfortunately being repeated across our state, NBC11 has investigated the reality at Bay Area animal shelters, and found that "the future is grim for hundreds of dogs and cats behind locked doors at the shelter". The NBC story reports that "California euthanized 500,000 Cats and Dogs In 2007", and it's costing our state over a billion dollars every four years just to house and kill pets. The report is available for viewing here. We'd like to thank NBC for their thoughtful coverage of this sad crisis in our state.

New video area contains over 100 videos

In exciting website news, the updated video area on www.CAHealthyPets.com now contains over 100 video selections, including supporters, celebrity interviews, AB 1634 commercials, interviews with shelter workers and veterinarians, and national news stories regarding AB 1634. The new video area is available here.

Thanks for caring. Together, we truly will make life better for Californians and our pets.

Warm regards,

Judie Mancuso
Sponsor / Campaign Director
AB 1634 California Healthy Pets Act
www.CAHealthyPets.com

May 3, 2008

Dear Friends,

Universal spay and neuter is taking the country by storm!

Just this week we have seen several new communities around the country start taking steps to curb the crushing pet overpopulation problem by requiring that household pets be spayed and neutered. Cities and counties around the United States, inspired by the new law in Los Angeles and by the groundbreaking AB 1634 legislation, are taking steps to encourage responsible pet ownership!

-- Houston, TX is now considering a universal spay and neuter ordinance;

-- Chicago, IL this week announced they are considering a new universal spay and neuter ordinance;

-- Palm Beach County, FL has recently passed a universal spay and neuter law, reporting that universal spay and neuter is "the best step the county can take to cut down on the number of animals it must euthanize every year";

-- North Las Vegas has passed a law mandating universal spay and neuter, with Clark County now considering a similar ordinance;

-- Volusia County, FL city commissioners are currently considering a universal spay and neuter ordinance;

-- And in Ohio pet lovers are now starting a campaign for a statewide spay and neuter law.

This is all happening because caring pet lovers (like you!) in California are leading the way for our nation.

California breeder claims puppies are "carefully bred" in a "loving home", then gets busted for running a puppy mill

The number of emails we are receiving from legal breeders who support AB 1634 continues to grow, and the majority of law-abiding breeders in California love their animals and treat them like family. But unfortunately some people see animals only as a profit center and actually make a full time, tax free living by breeding animals in poor conditions, claiming that the pets come from a loving home, and selling them for top dollar without reporting the income.

For example, this week CBS 2 exposed yet another case of neglect... over 400 dogs in awful conditions, raised by unscrupulous people who advertised that their puppies come from a loving home. The incredible news report can be seen here.

CBS 2 did a follow up story today, you can see it here.

Thanks for caring. Together, we truly will make life better for Californians and our pets.

Sincerely,
Judie Mancuso
Sponsor / Campaign Director
AB 1634 California Healthy Pets Act
www.CAHealthyPets.com

April 27, 2008

Dear Friends,

One more time... Please help Santa Barbara County Pass Their Spay/Neuter Law!

Santa Barbara County's Board of Supervisors is set to vote on May 6th to consider a fair, balanced spay/neuter law. But opponents of responsible pet ownership are sending out mass emails with distortions about universal spay and neuter, trying to convince people to bombard the Supervisors with negative emails.

The Supervisors need to hear the truth: that there is strong statewide support for this law, and that Santa Barbara County's animal-friendly reputation will be enhanced if this law is passed!

Here are some quick talking points:

-- Real animal lovers support laws that make pet owners responsible for having their animals spayed or neutered

-- Santa Barbara County's proposed ordinance is fair and balanced, with a number of exemptions

-- Santa Cruz's example proves that these laws work -- their shelter numbers were down 50% nine years after their law passed!

-- Santa Barbara should join communities like Los Angeles, L.A. County, Lake County, Santa Cruz, and San Bernardino and pass a spay/neuter law!

Please send emails to the Supervisors:

1. Supervisor Joni Gray: jgray@co.santa-barbara.ca.us
2. Supervisor Janet Wolf: jwolf@sbcbos2.org
3. Supervisor Joe Centeno: jcenteno@co.santa-barbara.ca.us
4. Supervisor Brooks Firestone: bfirestone@co.santa-barbara.ca.us
5. Supervisor Salud Carbajal: scarbajal@sbcbos1.org
   ...and please thank Mr. Carbajal him for sponsoring the law!

Thanks for caring. Together, we truly will make life better for Californians and our pets.

Sincerely,
Judie Mancuso
Sponsor / Campaign Director
AB 1634 California Healthy Pets Act
www.CAHealthyPets.com

April 8, 2008

SANTA BARBARA SET TO FOLLOW LOS ANGELES WITH NEW UNIVERSAL SPAY / NEUTER ORDINANCE

AB 1634, the bill to provide universal spay & neuter for dogs and cats in California, continues the journey into law in Sacramento. But local governments across California are also passing local universal spay & neuter ordinances; they are simply fed up with the high cost and moral tragedy caused by massive pet overpopulation.

Santa Barbara County is set to soon follow in L.A.'s footsteps by voting on their own universal spay / neuter ordinance. As with AB 1634 and the L.A. ordinance, Santa Barbara's law will save taxpayer money and save thousands of healthy, adoptable pets.

Responsible pet owners across the state have already been contacting the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors, thanking them for considering this important law.

But, just as in Los Angeles and in Sacramento, underground breeders are attempting to flood the Supervisors' offices with phone calls and faxes, trying to create the false impression that the general community is against helping our shelters and our pets.

These underground breeders, who often call themselves "hobby" or "amateur" breeders, are already required by law to have a seller's permit and pay taxes on their animal sales. Sadly, few do. And they are afraid that the new Santa Barbara ordinance, like AB 1634, will drag them into the light.

In reality, universal spay & neuter is a proven solution that lowers euthanasia rates, reduces pet overpopulation and saves taxpayer money.

Please let the Supervisors know that the pets in Santa Barbara deserve this new law just as much as the pets in Los Angeles. Contact them here:

Supervisor Joni Gray
Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors
Phone: (805) 737-7700 [no fax]
401 E. Cypress Ave
Lompoc CA 93436
jgray@co.santa-barbara.ca.us

Supervisor Joe Centeno
Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors
511 E. Lakeside Parkway Suite 1414
Santa Maria CA 93455-1341
(805) 346-8400
Fax: (805) 346-8404
jcenteno@co.santa-barbara.ca.us

Supervisor Brooks Firestone
Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors
105 E. Anapamu St.
Santa Barbara CA 93101
(805) 686-5095
Fax: (805) 686-8133
bfirestone@co.santa-barbara.ca.us

Supervisor Janet Wolf
Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors
105 E. Anapamu St.
Santa Barbara CA 93101
Phone: (805) 568-2191
Fax: (805) 568-2283
jwolf@sbcbos2.org

Supervisor Salud Carbajal
Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors
105 E. Anapamu St.
Santa Barbara CA 93101
(805) 568-2186
Fax: (805) 568-2534
scarbajal@sbcbos1.org

And, please consider forwarding this email to other animal lovers. This is an important time for the folks in Santa Barbara, and they have specifically asked that AB 1634 supporters across California contact the Santa Barbara Supervisors!

Thanks for caring. Together, we truly will make life better for Californians and our pets.

Sincerely,
Judie Mancuso
Sponsor / Campaign Director
AB 1634 California Healthy Pets Act
www.CAHealthyPets.com

"The reason why so many dogs have to be put down is because America isn't spaying and neutering their pets." - Oprah Winfrey

April 6, 2008

Dear Friends,

I have some big news to share with you, in case you missed it...

INCREDIBLE OPRAH SHOW EXPOSES BREEDERS AND FOCUSES ATTENTION ON MASSIVE PET OVERPOPULATION

This week's groundbreaking Oprah show exposing puppy mills and the relationship of cruel breeders to pet stores has opened up a new conversation across our state and country. E-mails have been pouring into www.CAHealthyPets.com from responsible pet owners, excited about the nationwide exposure, and my phone is ringing off the hook with AB 1634 supporters invigorated by the program. Thank you, Oprah, for focusing the country's attention on the tragedy of massive pet overpopulation.

In the incredible, heart wrenching expose, Bill Smith and Lisa Ling visit Oprah and discuss hidden camera footage they took of "high volume" breeders, also known as puppy mills. These breeders can have hundreds of dogs, and often times the breeding females live their entire lives in small wire cages, never even walking on solid ground.

Wayne Pacelle, President and CEO of HSUS, is asked by Oprah if it's true that "99% of the animals in pet stores come from puppy mills". Wayne says "There's just no question about it. No responsible pet owner is going to sell their animals to a pet store." Virtually all dogs and cats in pet stores come from puppy mills.

During the show, Oprah urges viewers to bypass breeders and instead adopt their pet from rescue groups or local animal shelters. And, incredibly, the program actually takes viewers inside a euthanasia room to see a dog euthanized, just as over half a million healthy pets are killed in California's shelters each year. She urges her viewers to have their pets spayed & neutered, saying:

"The reason why there's so many dogs that have to go through that euthanasia process every day is because we-the people who are supposed to be with the thinking brain-are not using our brains to do what is necessary to protect the animals."

OPRAH'S VET EXPLAINS THE BENEFITS OF EARLY SPAY & NEUTER

Later in the show, Oprah's vet visits to explain the health benefits of early spay & neuter. Here is the text, straight from the show's website:

Dr. Shelly Rubin - who treats Oprah's dogs - says spaying or neutering is one of the best things you can do for your pet's health.

For males, Dr. Rubin says neutering can change the dog's behavior for the better. "There's no question that if you neuter a male dog, you're going to do several things. One, you'll reduce prostate cancer and testicular cancer," he says. "Most important, you'll make that dog a really good house pet because it won't be chasing after females in the neighborhood. It listens to you when you speak to it, and it won't be marking urine all over the neighborhood-and your house-in many cases."

For females, Dr. Rubin says it's best to spay them before first heat. "If you spay them before their first heat, and this is scientifically proven, you can reduce the incidence of breast cancer when they're older by somewhere near 90 percent," he says. "So why wouldn't we want to spay and neuter our pets?"

Dr. Rubin says spaying and neutering are very simple procedures. After a quick exam to make sure the animal is healthy enough for surgery, it's given a sedative and anesthesia. The procedure take about 10 to 15 minutes, and the animal can go home that day. "While it costs some money to do it on a private level, there are many, many free or low-cost spay and neuter clinics all over the United States," he says. "That cannot be an excuse for not spaying or neutering your pet."

And, Dr. Rubin explains that 6 months of age is "the perfect time to be neutered". AB 1634 asks that pets be spayed & neutered by 6 months of age, although the procedure may be deferred if the owner's vet thinks it is too early for a particular dog or cat.

PLEASE THANK OPRAH!

This groundbreaking episode of Oprah is probably the first time that many people have learned about: the horrors of mass breeding and pet stores, the benefits of spay & neuter, and the scores of healthy, adoptable pets patiently waiting for homes in rescues and shelters across our country. Please thank Oprah for her incredible show. A brief note is all that is required to ensure this issue will continue to receive the spotlight it deserves in our media.

>> Click here to contact Oprah >>

Thanks for caring. Together, we truly will make life better for Californians and our pets.

Judie Mancuso
Sponsor / Campaign Director
AB 1634 California Healthy Pets Act
www.CAHealthyPets.com

March 12, 2008

Dear Friends,

Two articles published last week illustrate how vast and costly the pet overpopulation is in California. The articles describe the situation in Kern County, where euthanasia and shelter costs continue to rise, and Orange County, where euthanasia and shelter costs also continue to rise.

Officials from both Counties, quoted in the articles, suggest that this problem needs to be solved at a state level.

SHELTER COSTS AND EUTHANASIAS RISING IN KERN COUNTY

>>The Article and Video from the Bakersfield Californian are here >>

As stated in the article, Kern County is euthanizing over 2 out of the 3 animals in its care, and the residents there are desperate for change in their shelters.

Within days of this article's publication, the Kern County supervisors, saying "enough is enough," ordered study of a mandatory spay-neuter rule Tuesday in light of rising animal euthanasia rates.

In a local reflection of the statewide situation, the opposition to the Kern County rule comes from breeders and those profiting from the use of animals. Janice Anderson, the commission member quoted in the article as saying the universal spay/neuter is not necessary in Kern County, has been a dog breeder for over 30 years.

If the article and the associated video compel you to thank the Kern County supervisors for their inquiry into a universal spay-neuter rule, please thank them and urge their support by emailing them at the address below. As always, please be professional and polite:

Kern County Board of Supervisors:

SHELTER COSTS AND EUTHANASIAS RISING IN ORANGE COUNTY SHELTERS

Orange County is also overdue for the proven benefits of universal spay/neuter, as this article demonstrates. It points out that many improvements made in Orange County, including a new "pro-life, pro-adoption" stance at the shelter, have failed to stem the rising number of euthanasias, or the rising cost.

NATIONAL CHANGES FOR ANIMALS

The universal spay/neuter movement embodied in AB 1634 continues to gain support nationwide. Palm Beach County in Florida is on the verge of enacting a spay/neuter ordinance similar to the recent law passed in Los Angeles. According to a piece in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel:

>> You can read the South Florida Sun-Sentinel whole piece here >>

Sincerely,

Judie Mancuso
Sponsor / Campaign Director
AB 1634 California Healthy Pets Act
www.CAHealthyPets.com

Feb 27, 2008

Dear Friends,

We did it! Mayor Villaraigosa signed into law the largest universal spay/neuter ordinance in the country yesterday morning. I am so proud of the compassionate, thoughtful leadership of the Mayor and the L.A. City Council, and am grateful to have worked with their staffs, L.A. Animal Services and all the incredible volunteers who helped make this historic event possible.

Some of the council members are former LAPD officers who know how important this ordinance is to public safety, while other members spoke of the ethical and fiscal aspects of the new law. We will have the full signing ceremony video up on our website hopefully within the week.

If you have a moment, please take the time to thank the Mayor and the City Council for their work on behalf of animal lovers and their pets. You can contact them here.

Los Angeles is helping us prove that together, we can make life better for Californians and our pets.
The official press release is below. Congratulations!

Sincerely,
Judie Mancuso
Sponsor / Campaign Director
AB 1634 California Healthy Pets Act

City of Los Angeles
MAYOR ANTONIO R. VILLARAIGOSA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 26, 2008

MAYOR VILLARAIGOSA SIGNS SPAY/NEUTER ORDINANCE INTO LAW

New city law requiring all cats and dogs be spayed or neutered will help control LA’s pet population and humanely decrease the number of cats and dogs abandoned and euthanized every year.

LOS ANGELES - Pledging to continue the efforts to reduce pet euthanasia and control the City’s pet population, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, joined by Los Angeles City Councilmembers Richard Alarcón and Tony Cardenas, Los Angeles Department of Animal Services General Manager Ed Boks, Animal Rights Advocate Bob Barker, Humane Society of the United States President Wayne Pacelle, PETCO Foundation President Paul Jolly and local animal advocates, today signed the Spay/Neuter Ordinance, a new law that requires all pet owners in the City of Los Angeles to have their cats and dogs spayed or neutered.

"By requiring that all cats and dogs be spayed or neutered, we can help to humanely decrease the number of pets abandoned and euthanized each year," said Mayor Villaraigosa. "This ordinance, which contains clear guidelines and enforceable penalties, creates a valuable tool to take this city another step closer toward eliminating the unnecessary euthanasia of animals."

The Spay/Neuter Ordinance will require all pet owners in the City of Los Angeles to have their cats and dogs (four months of age and older) spayed or neutered, unless otherwise exempted because the animal competes, serves as a rescue or service animal, or unless the pet is a registered breeder. Any person violating the spay/neuter law will be cited, and could be subject to up to a $500 dollar fine or 40 hours of community service.

“This spay and neuter will move Los Angeles towards being the most humane city in America by educating pet owners to be more responsible, making our streets safer, reducing the number of animals killed each year in our shelters and allowing us to more effectively use our resources,” said Councilmember Alarcón. “The problem in our city is not the animals but the human owners, and this ordinance will allow the Department of Animal services to target resources towards the worst offenders whose irresponsibility threaten public safety and fills our shelters with unwanted dogs and cats.”

This new law, which aims to assist in humanely decreasing the number of cats and dogs abandoned and euthanized every year, also poses health benefits for the animals as well. Spaying reduces the risk of certain types of cancers and infections in females, especially if it is performed prior to the first heat. Moreover, neutering lessens a dog's temptation to roam, as well as to fight, as studies show that the majority of dog bites are made by intact, untrained male dogs.

The signing of this ordinance comes on heels of Spay Day USA 2008, an annual Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) coordinated event, during which, thousands of volunteers coast to coast host activities to educate and assist people with getting their pets spayed or neutered.

“The Humane Society of the United States commends the Los Angeles City Council for passing this commonsense measure that will save animal lives and taxpayer dollars,” said Wayne Pacelle, HSUS president and CEO. “Combined with the availability of financial assistance for pet owners in need, Los Angeles now has the tools in place for successfully ending the euthanasia of healthy and treatable animals.”

“As with so many important accomplishments, this Spay/Neuter law is not the end of the story, but rather just the beginning,” said Mayor Villaraigosa. “We will continue to lead the effort by getting our dogs and cats spayed and neutered, licensed and permitted, and saving more animals’ lives.”

The new Spay/Neuter law will take effect in April.

Feb. 13, 2008

Bloomberg.com
Los Angeles City Council Passes Spay-Neuter Measure
By Nancy Moran

Feb. 12 (Bloomberg) -- The Los Angeles City Council voted to require sterilization of cats and dogs at four months of age or older, aimed at reducing the number of stray animals the city's shelters kill each year.

The ordinance, passed 14-1 today, is also meant to curb illegal breeding, dog-fighting, and hoarders, said District 7 Councilman Richard Alarcón, the sponsor. Los Angeles will become the largest municipality in the U.S. to adopt such a requirement once Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa signs the measure.

One of the ordinance's biggest supporters was retired game- show host Bob Barker, who for 25 years concluded the ``Price Is Right'' by urging viewers to spay or neuter their pets. He's put about $35 million of his own money toward U.S. programs that subsidize surgeries.

"Where would civilization be if we didn't have a few things that are mandatory?" Barker said in a telephone interview from Los Angeles last week.

Barker, who will be named by Alarcón to an advisory committee to help with outreach, said the statute won't be a burden on the elderly or poor residents because the city offers about 11,000 vouchers for free surgeries a year and an additional 20,000 in discounts.

"The problem in our city is not the animals but the human owners, and this ordinance will allow the Department of Animal Services to target resources toward the worst offenders," Alarcón said before today's vote.

Opposition

Opponents, including District 11 Councilman Bill Rosendahl and members of Concerned Dog Owners of California, raised a variety of questions, from the health effects of early spay- neuter surgery to the infringement on personal property rights. Rosendahl was today's lone "no" vote.

"We need to get more people responsible by getting them within the map of registrations of the animals," Rosendahl said during a Feb. 1 hearing.

State Assemblyman Lloyd Levine, who introduced a similar bill at the state level in 2007, attended the Feb. 1 hearing. He said that California ends up killing more than 500,000 of the million animals its jurisdictions take in each year. More than $300 million is spent on animal control services, including disposal of animals that are put down.

"I find that a fiscal catastrophe and a moral crisis," he said at the hearing. His bill, AB 1634, made it through the state Assembly and is pending before the Senate.

A Third Killed

More than a third of the 45,875 animals impounded at Los Angeles shelters last year were killed.

"Thanks to the leadership of Councilman Alarcón, the City of Los Angeles is taking a crucial step towards increasing the practice of spaying and neutering our pets and reducing our homeless pet population," Villaraigosa said in a statement.

While it costs $135 to euthanize a cat and $195 a dog, it costs $60 to $80 to spay or neuter them, according to Los Angeles Animal Services General Manager Ed Boks.

"Despite the fact that we have achieved tremendous success in reducing the killing in our shelters, the number of intakes has remained relatively stable, making all our efforts a bit like running on a treadmill," Boks said in an e-mailed statement before today's vote.

The Animal Services Department's Web Site shows the city's euthanasia rate declined to 33 percent last year from 56 percent in 2002, while the number of impounded animals averaged 49,400 in the five-year period. Los Angeles aims to be a "no-kill" city by the year 2010, Boks said.

The bill has seven categories of exemptions, including licensed breeders and show, guide and law-enforcement dogs. Spaying and neutering surgeries may also be delayed for medical reasons or due to age, with a veterinarian's letter.

"This is going to be a complaint-based system," Alarcón said. "If you manage your animal properly, then it's not going to be a burden."

To contact the reporter on this story: Nancy Moran in New York at nmoran@bloomberg.net.

Together, we can make life better for Californians and our pets.

Sincerely,

Judie Mancuso
Sponsor / Campaign Director
AB 1634 California Healthy Pets Act
www.CAHealthyPets.com

Feb. 8, 2008

Like our bill AB 1634, the city measure, sponsored by Councilman Richard Alarcón, offers exemptions for animals belonging to licensed breeders, show animals and service animals. Exemptions are also provided for age and health reasons, as attested to by the pet's veterinarian.

More than 100 California Healthy Pets Coalition supporters filled the City Council chambers in Van Nuys for the debate and vote on the ordinance, outnumbering opponents by more than 5-to-1.

Councilman Tony Cardenas said, "The cost to euthanize a cat or dog is $145 to $195, that's the estimate. We all want to be a no kill city, this is the most humane way to prevent the killing of animals. Tens of thousands of animals are killed in this city. Assemblymember Lloyd Levine is carrying this at a state level and just reminded us that 500,000 cats and dogs every year [are killed] that means a million every two years. That is unconscionable."

Only Councilman Bill Rosendahl voted against the measure, offering weak and tired arguments that have been thoroughly debunked over years of debate about the benefits of spay/neuter laws.

Bob Barker, who has demonstrated his personal commitment by donating millions of dollars for spay/neuter services, led the parade of speakers in support of the ordinance. "Mandatory spay/neuter is a necessity," Barker told the council. "For decades, I closed every 'Price Is Right' urging viewers to have their pets spayed. I'd like to think all of us working together would be enough. But it's not enough. We need legislation."

Barker was joined by Assemblymember Levine, who reminded the council that half a million dogs and cats are euthanized in California shelters each year, a number that would be dramatically reduced with an effective statewide spay/neuter law such as AB 1634.

The feeling in the room was perhaps best summed up by our very own Elizabeth, an animal rescuer who serves as one of the coalition leaders: "I would like my taxes to be spent on something other than the housing and killing of animals."

The L.A. City Council action is another big step along the road to passage of AB 1634, which will be considered by the State Senate later this spring. Compassion ruled the day!

California Healthy Pets Coalition's Campaign to Save 500,000 Pets Per Year Wins More Media Attention
Campaign for Passage of AB 1634 Featured on DogTime

"...California pet lovers prepare to do battle, again, over a bill that calls for mandatory spaying and neutering. At stake is nothing less than the lives of hundreds of thousands of cats and dogs."

That's how a recent DogTime feature story begins. The story traces the development of AB 1634, from animal rescue experiences in the wake of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, to the current battle for the bill's final passage in the California Legislature.

You can read the whole DogTime story at http://dogtime.com/spay-neuter-bill-end-to-homeless-pets.html


Together, we can make life better for Californians and our pets.

Sincerely,

Judie Mancuso
Sponsor / Campaign Director
AB 1634 California Healthy Pets Act
www.CAHealthyPets.com

Jan. 29, 2008

On Friday, the Los Angeles City Council will consider a common-sense, effective spay/neuter ordinance - responsible pet owners need to be there and show support.

The scheduled 10:00 a.m. hearing this Friday, February 1, on the proposed Los Angeles city spay/neuter ordinance is critically important. Responsible pet owners and those who truly care about the welfare of animals must plan to attend - or make their views known to the council members BEFORE the hearing.

Opponents - including irresponsible, unlicensed and uncaring breeders - are already organizing to kill the new law. They plan to flood council offices with complaints about the proposal and pack the council chambers, shutting out the voices of responsible pet owners who support common-sense spay/neuter laws.

The proposed ordinance for Los Angeles - approved Monday by the council's Public Safety Committee - would require most dogs and cats in the city to be spayed or neutered by four months of age. The ordinance includes exemptions for show animals that have competed in at least one legitimate show or sporting competition; dogs working or other title; guide, signal or service dogs; dogs that are actively used by law enforcement agencies; and animals with valid breeding permits.

CBS News reports: "The proposed ordinance is intended to reduce the number of animals in the city's shelters and decrease the rate of euthanasia, which costs the city about $2 million a year."

"This ordinance gives us the tools to end the insanity and do something significantly different," said Ed Boks, general manager of the Department of Animal Services. "This law would help to end the cycle of frustration we all face and feel every day and allow us to eventually reallocate precious resources for increasing adoption, educating the public on humane issues and fighting animal cruelty."

If you are a Los Angeles resident, please call the offices of your council member on Wednesday or Thursday.

On Friday, plan on attending the council session at 10:00 a.m. - it appears there WILL be a public hearing and comment period where we can voice our support - either at the Van Nuys City Hall (14410 Sylvan St., Van Nuys, at Van Nuys Blvd.), or in the City Council Chambers at Los Angeles City Hall (200 North Spring St., Los Angeles).

Here is the council members' contact information:

Alarcón - 213-473-7007
richard.alarcon@lacity.org
(Council Member Alarcón is the author of the bill, so thank him profusely.)

Greuel - 213-473-7002
councilmember.greuel@lacity.org

LaBonge - 213-473-7004
councilmember.labonge@lacity.org

Weiss - 213-473-7005
councilmember.weiss@lacity.org

Reyes - 213-473-7001
councilmember.reyes@lacity.org

Zine - 213-473-7003
councilmember.zine@lacity.org

Cardenas - 213-473-7006
councilman.cardenas@lacity.org

Parks - 213-473-7008
councilmember.parks@lacity.org

Perry - 213-473-7009
councilmember.jan.perry@lacity.org

Wesson - 213-473-7010
councilmember.wesson@lacity.org

Rosendahl - 213-473-7011
councilmember.rosendahl@lacity.org

Garcetti - 213-473-7013
councilmember.garcetti@lacity.org

Huizar - 213-473-7014
councilmember.huizar@lacity.org

Hahn - 213-473-7015
councilmember.hahn@lacity.org

Smith - 213-473-7012
councilmember.smith@lacity.org

Go to www.lacity.org/council.htm for info on ways to contact council members by e-mail.

As a responsible pet owner who truly cares about the welfare of animals, PLEASE call your council member on WEDNESDAY or THURSDAY and then attend the City Council hearing on FRIDAY, February 1, at 10:00 a.m.

Together we can make life healthier and safer for Californians and their pets.

Sincerely,

Judie Mancuso
Sponsor / Campaign Director
AB 1634 California Healthy Pets Act
www.CAHealthyPets.com