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New Year, New Rules: California Cracks Down on Pet Cruelty and Boosts Animal Welfare
California is ushering in the new year with a host of significant new laws aimed at protecting our furry friends. Starting January 1st, a series of measures will take effect, bringing stricter regulations for pet owners, sellers, and shelters across the state.
One of the most notable changes comes with the signing of AB 867 by Governor Gavin Newsom in October. This new law officially bans the declawing of cats unless it is deemed medically necessary.
While declawing is already prohibited in many countries worldwide, including across Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, it remains a common practice in the U.S. for reasons such as preventing furniture damage or scratches. However, the procedure can lead to lasting pain, infection, and behavioral issues for felines.
Madeline Bernstein, president of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles, emphasized the importance of this change, stating, “If it has to be done, the veterinarians are now required to document why – the reasons and their procedures and any alternatives that failed, perhaps.” This ensures that declawing is truly a last resort for an animal’s well-being.
Another critical piece of legislation, AB 506, authored by Democratic Assemblymember Steve Bennett, targets unethical pet selling practices and aims to combat “puppy mill” operations. This law mandates that pet sellers disclose a pet’s origin and comprehensive health information, increasing accountability within the industry. It also voids contracts with non-refundable deposits, a common tactic that, according to the governor’s office, can lead to “bait-and-switch” scenarios where hopeful pet parents are committed to unhealthy animals, inadvertently supporting the puppy mill industry.
Democratic Senator Thomas Umberg’s SB 312 further strengthens these efforts by requiring dog importers to electronically submit health certificates to the California Department of Food & Agriculture within 10 days of shipment. The CDFA will then be required to provide these certificates upon request, enhancing transparency and monitoring.
Bernstein highlighted the broader impact of these laws, telling ABC7, “We’re trying to make sure that pet shops are dealing honestly, and we’re trying to discourage the high-volume breeding operations that cause a lot of genetic, inherited, recessive-gene activity.”
Beyond sales, the new legal framework also extends crucial protections to animals residing in shelters. A new provision will prevent shelters from euthanizing animals for a period of 30 days. Additionally, shelters will now be required to microchip all cats and dogs that are reclaimed or adopted, and to expand their microchip registration requirements, making it easier to reunite lost pets with their owners.
Governor Newsom also signed measures that will mandate natural disaster evacuation plans as a prerequisite for obtaining a kennel license or permit. Furthermore, the process for homeless individuals to certify emotional support dogs will be streamlined, offering much-needed support to vulnerable populations.
In a move to improve access to veterinary care, one of the new laws will empower veterinary technicians to perform certain services under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian. Bernstein noted that this change will “free up veterinarians who can now take appointments when you need an appointment for your pet that is beyond the scope of telemedicine or the registered veterinary techs or the veterinary assistants.” She added that this “does increase access, because just the use of telemedicine could free up time for in-person appointments.”
With these comprehensive new laws, California is taking a significant step forward in ensuring the safety, health, and ethical treatment of animals across the state.