Protecting lost and abandoned animals

Assemblymember Marie Waldron

AD-75 (R)

After over 70 years of debate, I have introduced legislation that, for the first time under California statute, will prohibit the acquisition of live animals abandoned at public or private shelters for use in laboratory research.

By the 1940s several states passed "pound seizure" legislation, which required shelters to provide dogs and cats to research institutions, either directly or through "Class B" dealers which served as animal brokers.

As a result, in 1966 Congress passed the Laboratory Animal Welfare Act, which attempted to stop the theft of animals from pounds and to address substandard conditions under which Class B dealers were holding them.

California law currently protects animals abandoned at pet hospitals and kennels, but does not cover animals surrendered to shelters or strays picked up by animal control.

Since the core purpose of animal shelters is to care for animals in need by finding new forever homes or reuniting lost pets with their owners, shelters across the state have rejected the practice.

It’s time for California law to match common practice and public expectations by outlawing pound seizure to ensure it won't occur again.

Assembly Bill 2269 will ensure that animals are not taken from shelters for biological or medical research. The bill is co-authored by Assemblymember Matt Dababneh (D-Encino), and co-sponsored by the State Humane Association and Cruelty Free International, with support of the Beagle Freedom Foundation.

AB 2269 passed the Assembly Judiciary Committee unanimously March 29, and is pending in Appropriations Committee. To support it, email [email protected].