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CFA's Southwest Region
LEGISLATIVE INFORMATION RESOURCE
Legislative Liasons
The Southwest Region of CFA has 4 geographic area Legislative Liaisons
We don ’ t have the luxury of a magical listening service to tell us when local legislation is being considered or actually proposed. We depend on YOU to keep us informed about what is going on in your area . Make it a point to check your City Council’s agenda periodically to see if they are considering some form of animal control legislation. If you hear of a proposal in your community to enact cat licensing, breeder restrictions mandatory spay/neuter, limit laws or the like tell your Legislative Liaison quickly. Also , please contact Joan Miller or George Eigenhauser of the CFA Legislative Committee. The earlier we learn about any proposed laws or regulations, the better we can do. It is possible that you might hear of favorable as well as unfavorable legislative proposals. Please share both , as good news is always welcome, too.
From the CFA Legislative Group - How to counter detrimental animal rights philosophy!
Fanciers often ask what they can do to make the public and local lawmakers more aware of the detrimental influence of animal rights philosophy on cat breeding and pet ownership rights. Groups are working to restrict the numbers of pets people can own. Laws are being proposed all over the country that would eventually end the breeding of pedigreed cats and purebred dogs. The extreme goals of the animal rights movement will greatly impact individuals' choice of a pet in the future unless we take action.
There are groups that have researched the fundraising and other activities of many animal rights organizations. The CFA Legislative Group considers the Center for Consumer Freedom to be a good source of accurate information.
http://www.consumerfreedom.com/ This site has press releases, ad campaigns and headline news. They provide media interviews and updates. Recently they ran a full page ad, "PETA Kills Animals", in the New York Times. The CCF is supported by donations from many individuals and animal interest groups.
Consumer Freedom also provides in-depth information on AR activist groups, foundations, celebrities and key players as part of their special project - www.activistcash.com
The articles are posted on many legislative lists and CCF constantly provides information to newspapers and TV. Our own fancier network can use this resource to bring animal rights related information to the attention of lawmakers and even to their own family and friends. We must go beyond the cat and dog fancies to better educate the general public.
"To promote and preserve the pedigreed breeds and enhance the well-being of all cats" is CFA's mission and our responsibility. Animal rights extremists are creating and sponsoring laws in many parts of the country that would end all breeding of pedigreed cats and prevent the humane treatment of feral/unowned cats. It is up to us to make county and city officials aware that citizens who selectively breed home-raised pets are important in their community. We are proud of what we do to raise the value of all cats and we are the experts when it comes to cats. We support proven programs that can reduce the homeless cat population without eliminating our historic breeds.
Use the Center for Consumer Freedom websites to keep informed on issues of importance to the cat fancy and circulate the press releases to your local newspaper and to your city/county representatives. Help us spread the word city by city.
Joan Miller
CFA Legislative Coordinator
February 9, 2007
| WATCH THIS SPACE FOR AN UPDATE ON LEGISLATIVE ISSUES EFFECTING THE SOUTHWEST REGION FROM JOAN MILLER, CHAIR OF THE CFA LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE AND CFA LEGISLATIVE COORDINATOR. |
LEGISLATIVE
ALERT
ACTION NEEDED NOW !!
- Last Updated: 4/23/2007 (from CFA website)
California Healthy Pets Act
State Assembly Bill AB 1634
Riverside County Ordinance 630.10, Riverside County, CA
- Four public forums have now been scheduled to discuss the proposed mandatory spay/neuter ordinance and the mandatory microchip ordinance for Riverside County. Please attend at least one forum to voice your opposition and concerns.
- Contact each of the Supervisors as well as Animal Control Director, Robert Miller, and Chief Veterinarian, Alan Drusys to let them know that you oppose these ordinances. Let your friends and veterinarians know.
- Contact information and points to make are here.
- Original letters are always the ideal. For a great "Quick Recipe for a Grassroots Letter" go to the current CFA Fanc-e-Mews ezine issue:
- Mark your calendars now. PLEASE ATTEND THESE MEETINGS
- Monday, July 31, 2006 Murrieta/Temecula 7 PM
Murrieta City Hall/Council Chambers
26442 Beckman Court
Murrieta
- Saturday, August 12, 2006 Palm Desert 10 AM
Coachella Valley Assoc. of Governments
73-710 Fred Waring Drive, Ste. #115
Palm Desert
- Wednesday, August 16, 2006 Banning/Beaumont 7 PM
Noble Creek Community Center
38900 Oak Valley Parkway
Beaumont
- Saturday, August 26, 2006 Riverside 10 AM
Riverside City Hall/Council Chambers
3900 Main Street
Riverside
- Last Updated: 7/25/2006 (from the CFA Website)
Riverside County Ordinance 630.10, Riverside County, CA
SUMMARY
- Dr. Allan Drusys, the Riverside County Chief of Veterinary Services has released draft documents for two proposed ordinances. These will be posted on the County website soon with more information.
- Ordinance No. 630.10 Microchipping (Draft)
- Ordinance No. 630.10 Mandatory Spay/Neuter (Draft)
- Here is a summary.
- Ordinance 1 - establishes MANDATORY MICROCHIP identification for all dogs/cats over 4 months. Any change of ownership or address/telephone number requires notification of the Department and the national microchip "registry". Any sale/transfer of a puppy/kitten requires notification of the Department of the new owner or "custodian's" name and address and microchip number within 10 days. Any offer for sale, trade or adoption requires a microchip number. Fees and fines are not listed but are to cover enforcement.
- Ordinance 2 - MANDATORY SPAY/NEUTER of all dogs and cats over 4 months. Exemption allows an unaltered dog or cat license for a "competition dog or cat". This means a breed recognized by and registered with Department approved registries AND AT LEAST ONE of the requirements.
- A. Dog or cat show competition in at least one show within the last 365 days
- B. Earned a title from one of the approved registries.
- C. Owner is a member of a "breed club, approved by the Department, which maintains and enforces a code of ethics for animal breeding that includes restrictions from breeding individuals with genetic defects and life threatening health problems that commonly threaten the breed". (Not all pedigreed breeds have a breed club.)
- or working dogs/cats "trained and used for herding" (are they joking?) or dogs/cats designated as "breeding stock" by an agency or organization approved by the Department.
- or dogs/cats boarded in a licensed kennel, which professionally trains animals for use and resale.
- Unaltered dog license; unaltered cat license requirements:
- Over 4 months - must obtain an annual unaltered license (Fee amount is not included) if one qualifies. BUT the Department may deny or revoke an unaltered license for dogs for various reasons including the Department receiving 2 complaints the dog licensee has allowed his dog to run loose or escape.
- Transfer, sale, breeding of an unaltered dog/cat:
- Any offer for sale or transfer must include a valid dog license number and dog/cat microchip number.
- The owner of an unaltered cat over 4 months who offers for sale or transfer a cat, "which is not a competition dog" (what??) or "a cat used by a law enforcement agency for law enforcement purposes" (LOL - they must be kidding - Cats do not DO law enforcement work!!), "or a qualified service or assistance animal" must notify the Department of the name and address of the transferee and microchip number..
- Within 30 days of birth of a litter - advise the Department in writing of the number of live puppies/kittens. When a puppy/kitten is sold under 4 months advise the Department of the name, address, telephone number of the new owner and microchip number.
- Penalties - violation for ANY provision. First ($250); second, including failing to correct the 1st within 30 days, means a misdemeanor punishable by IMPRISONMENT in the county jail for six months or by a fine not to exceed $1000 or both. Each subsequent violation within one year is an addition misdemeanor.
- If an unaltered dog/cat is impounded (for any reason, no exceptions for disasters, fire, etc.) the dog/cat must be spayed/neutered to reclaim. If an owner/custodian does not pay the lien for costs, daily board, diagnostic, therapeutic expenses within 14 days the dog/cat is deemed "abandoned" to the Department.
- Riverside County had become a pet and breeder-unfriendly community. Department of Animal Services Director, Robert Miller, and Chief Veterinarian Alan Drusys did not hear one word of the opposition at the public forum held a few weeks ago.
- These draft ordinances are extremely punitive and there is more when you read the details. They will deter any pedigreed cat/purebred dog breeders from choosing to live in this county. Animal Services will make it difficult for the public to find any home-raised pets locally. Most breed rescuers are also breeders - the County will lose these volunteers.
- First time impoundment (even if an animal was let out by mistake by a child or pet sitter) could mean a death sentence for an unaltered pet over 4 months of age if the owner cannot come up with money in 14 days to pay all fines, fees and Department costs plus mandated sterilization and microchiping. And a valuable breeding animal would be sterilized with no chance to appeal.
- Needless to say - we must go to battle.............
ACTION TO TAKE:
- Start by writing to the Board of Supervisors immediately - tell them to insist that the Department of Animal Services drop these ordinances. They are are punitive, ineptly drafted and will cause extreme divisiveness in the County.
- Email Director Robert Miller or call Email Dr. Drusys. Insist they drop these ordinances. Ask them to relook at the suggested positive community collaboration outlined in the Riverside Task Force recommendations following the HSUS shelter audit, which outlined a working plan with no legislative component. Ask them to correct shelter operation problems, improve customer service, establish community outreach and volunteer programs.
- Write letters to the newspapers.
SUGGESTED POINTS:
- Microchip identification should be a voluntary choice. This is good technology to help recover lost animals, but should not be mandated to monitor pet owners' names, addresses and telephone numbers for enforcement of even more future anti-pet ownership laws. For many the low tech collar/tag is inexpensive and entirely adequate. There is no exemption for feral cats in trap/neuter/return (TNR) colonies.
- Mandatory spay/neuter with criminal punishment will mean serious unintended consequences without reducing the numbers of homeless animals who are relinquished to the shelter for a variety of behavioral and human personal reasons. These ordinances could lead to animal abandonment.
- Pediatric sterilization (younger than 4 months) presents some health problems identified in some dog breeds. Those with pedigreed cats should determine the optimum age for sterilization with their veterinarian's advice. Though reported safe for healthy random bred cats, no studies have been published to determine any adverse affects in pedigreed breeds of cats.
- Unaltered licensing is a form of breeder taxation - and the fee per animal, per year is unknown. Based on other communities administrative and enforcement costs are very high for any breeder permit schemes.
- Animal Services has no knowledge of proper animal husbandry or breeding program strategy. All living beings, including humans can have unknown "genetic defects" and breeders rely on various appropriate methods to reduce instances of disorders without destroying breed genepools. Codes of Ethics reflect goals of breeders. They are guidelines rather than rules intended as criteria for Animal Services licensing.
- Most litters of random-bred cats are accidental not planned. An owner is one who provides care for an animal for 30 days - these ordinances will mean the unowned/freeroaming/feral cats will be ignored rather than accepted, sterilized and cared for. The cost of microcipping and fines for not having a license may lead to abandonment of cats or relinquishment to the shelter where kittens/cats may be killed.
- These proposals would be a bureaucratic nightmare for Animal Services when resources should be devoted to positive community collaboration and effective programs. For the County to maintain data including thousands of microchip numbers, every litter born, every transfer or sale and the names, addresses and phone numbers of everyone owning a dog or cat is a waste of resources that could be better used to help animals.
- This County should not fine or put breeders in jail for failing to take their cats or dogs to a show in the past year causing an unaltered license violation. The County should not fine or put a person in jail who takes in a pregnant stray cat because they have not sterilized the cat and cannot qualify for an unaltered cat license; or they have not provided a written declaration of her litter or do not have the funds to microchip her kittens prior to finding homes. Helping unowned cats should be encouraged not criminalized.
- Riverside Animal Services will destroy any hope of community collaboration to build volunteers, provide education, breed rescue and shelter support from breeders. Positive cooperative approaches have proven to be successful in other areas.
- Contact friends and veterinarians in the County and in areas near Riverside who may be able to help.
- Keep checking the Animal Services website for announcements of any public forums and be prepared to help defeat these ordinances. We are going to need public support.
- Joan Miller
CFA Legislative Coordinator
JMillerArt@aol.com
- To find your representative on the Riverside County Board of Supervisors please go to http://www.tlma.co.riverside.ca.us/gis/gisbasicquery2.html
- Supervisor Bob Buster - DISTRICT 1 (Chairman)
County Administrative Center
4080 Lemon Street, 5th Floor
Riverside, California 92501
(951) 955-1010
district1@rcbos.org
- Lake Elsinore Office
2499 East Lakeshore Drive
Lake Elsinore, CA 92530
(951) 245-3330
- Supervisor John F. Tavaglione – DISTRICT 2 (Vice-Chairman)
County Administrative Center
4080 Lemon Street - 5th Floor
Riverside, California 92501
(951) 955-1020
district2@rcbos.org
- Supervisor Jeff Stone – DISTRICT 3
County Administrative Center
4080 Lemon Street - 5th Floor
Riverside, California 92501
(951) 955-1030
district3@rcbos.org
- Supervisor Roy Wilson – DISTRICT 4
County Administrative Center
4080 Lemon Street - 5th Floor
Riverside, California 92501
(951) 955-1040
District Office
73-710 Fred Waring Drive, Suite 222
Palm Desert, CA 92260
(760) 863-8211
district4@rcbos.org
- Supervisor Marion Ashley – DISTRICT 5
County Administrative Center
4080 Lemon Street - 5th Floor
Riverside, California 92501
(951) 955-1050
district5@rcbos.org
- District Office:
14375 Nason St. Suite 207
Moreno Valley, CA 92555
- Desert/Pass Office:
50290 Main St.
Cabazon, CA 92230
- To correspond with the CFA Legislative Committee, please send email to legislation@cfa.org
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