CFA Info

CFA Legislative ALERT

CFA LEGISLATIVE ALERT - CALIFORNIA AB 1634

ACTION NEEDED NOW!

It is important for clubs, organizations and individuals in California to send yet another letter.  A short one or two paragraph FAX to all members of the Appropriations Committee just so they are aware of the strong opposition, is good but it should not be a long letter. This Committee will be interested in fiscal information to show lost revenue to the state and to businesses/individuals.  They need to know what the costs might be for jurisdictions to create, administer, enforce and educate the public about a new "intact permit" procedure and a breeder license.  We are working on getting materials together for the Committee.  Be sure to clearly state -  

Re: AB 1634 as amended April 30, 2007; OPPOSE.   

Request that your club or organization is listed in the Consultant's Analysis Oppose List.  FAX to the Committee Consultant, Chuck Nicol.  

Tell him and the Committee members in your own words a few concerns - chose one or two.  

• NO private breeder of pedigreed cats/purebred dogs can meet the conditions for an intact permit that requires all cats/dogs to be altered at 4 months.  The bill does not exempt any breeders other than those who have a business license.  For those raising show quality dogs/cats 4 months of age is too young to enter in shows or even to evaluate the quality and long term soundness of the animal to select for a breeding program.  The bill is detrimental to all breeders of fine home-raised dogs/cats.  

• The proposal would be difficult for breeders of home-raised cats/dogs, even if they could get a business license, because of the many uncertainties - each jurisdiction can charge a different fee for each dog/cat so it would be hard for breeders to anticipate annual costs.  Jurisdictions may not have a breeders license and this is required in the ordinance.  Obtaining a business license is sometimes impossible because of zoning restrictions in residential areas.  

• Many breeders will simply stop breeding or participating in shows, special events or Pet Expos or they will move out of California.  

• Cat and dog show entries will diminish if there are fewer breeders and clubs - the loss of revenue to the State would be significant.  Events with education for the public will no longer be available.  

• Cat and dog breeders are substantial customers for grooming supplies, pet sitters, pet food, toys and numerous pet products.  Breeders spend a great deal of money for veterinary care.  All of this would be reduced in California.  

• Those who breed and also do rescue would be a loss to the state if they must discontinue their positive activities.  State law requires shelters to place animals with a willing rescue group prior to euthanasia.  Breeders are the most active in Breed rescue.  AB 1634 means fewer animals will be removed from shelters, increasing the euthanasia of animals and the cost to shelters.  Animals currently rehomed by breed rescue groups will instead enter shelters increasing the cost to shelters.  

• If a person is a groomer, pet sitter, show production company, show product vendor or has some other pet related business it could mean they will either see their business drop as breeders/show exhibitors disappear or go out of business.  

• When individuals are faced with penalties of $500 per animal and cannot find affordable spay/neuter within 30 days they will ignore freeroaming/unowned stray cats meaning more kittens will disperse to reproduce and more cats and kittens will be euthanized in the shelters.  Costs to the shelters will increase.   

• Increases in license fees, intact permits, high differential licensing, breeder permits all have meant a drop in the numbers of animals licensed in other communities reducing revenue to animal services.

Send letters on Club or Organization letterhead asking to be listed in the bill analysis as OPPOSED.

Assembly Appropriations Committee
ATTN: Chuck Nicol, Committee Consultant
State Capitol, Room 2114
Sacramento, California 95814
FAX: (916) 319-2181

Assembly Member Mark Leno (D), Chair
State Capitol
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0013
Phone: (916) 319-2013
Fax: (916) 319-2113
Assemblymember.leno@assembly.ca.gov

Assembly Member Mimi Walters (R), Vice Chair
State Capitol
Room 6031
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 319-2073
Fax: (916) 319-2173
Assemblymember.walters@assembly.ca.gov

Assembly Member Anna M. Caballero (D)
State Capitol
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0028
Phone: (916) 319-2028
Fax: (916) 319-2128
Assemblymember.Caballero@assembly.ca.gov

Assembly Member Mike Davis (D)
State Capitol
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0048
Phone: (916) 319-2048
Fax: (916) 319-2148
Assemblymember.Davis@assembly.ca.gov

Assembly Member Mark DeSaulnier (D)
State Capitol
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0011
Phone: (916) 319-2011
Fax: (916) 319-2111
Assemblymember.DeSaulnier@assembly.ca.gov

Assembly Member Bill Emmerson (R)
State Capitol Office
Room 4158
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 319-2063
Fax: (916) 319-2163
Assemblymember.emmerson@assembly.ca.gov

Assembly Member Jared Huffman (D)
State Capitol
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0006
Phone: (916) 319-2006
Fax: (916) 319-2106
Assemblymember.Huffman@assembly.ca.gov

Assembly Member Betty Karnette (D)
State Capitol
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0054
Phone: (916) 319-2054
Fax: (916) 319-2154
Assemblymember.Karnette@assembly.ca.gov

Assembly Member Paul Krekorian (D)
State Capitol
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0043
Phone: (916) 319-2043
Fax: (916) 319-2143
Assemblymember.Krekorian@assembly.ca.gov

Assembly Member Doug La Malfa (R)
State Capitol, Room 4164
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0002
Phone: (916) 319-2002
Fax: (916) 319-2102
Assemblymember.lamalfa@assembly.ca.gov

Assembly Member Ted W. Lieu (D)
State Capitol
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0053
Phone: (916) 319 - 2053
Fax: (916) 319 - 2153
Assemblymember.Lieu@assembly.ca.gov

Assembly Member Fiona Ma (D)
State Capitol
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0012
Phone: (916) 319-2012
Fax: (916) 319-2112
Assemblymember.Ma@assembly.ca.gov

Assembly Member Alan Nakanishi (R)
State Capitol, Room 5175
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0010
Phone: (916) 319-2010
Fax: (916) 319-2110
Assemblymember.nakanishi@assembly.ca.gov

Assembly Member Pedro Nava (D) (coauthor of AB 1634)
State Capitol
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0035
Phone: (916) 319-2035
Fax: (916) 319-2135
Assemblymember.nava@assembly.ca.gov

Assembly Member Sharon Runner (R)
State Capitol, Room 5158
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0036
Phone: (916) 319-2036
Fax: (916) 319-2136
Assemblywoman.Runner@assembly.ca.gov

Assembly Member Jose Solorio (D)
State Capitol
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0069
Phone: (916) 319-2069
Fax: (916) 319-2169
Assemblymember.solorio@assembly.ca.gov

To correspond with the CFA Legislative Committee, please send email to legislation@cfa.org