Good to know about all this. I signed the petition and emailed both my local assemblyman and senator. Hopefully they haven't voted yet!

Dear Kerri,

California State Senator Dean Florez, the author of Senate Bill 250 which mandates mandatory pet sterilization, wants to forever change pet ownership in California and perhaps the United States. Florez who is running for Lieutenant Governor in 2010 is not a friend-- in fact his SB 250 is downright mean to pets and their owners.
We’re down to the wire and we need your help so PetPAC can expose “Mean Dean” Florez’s SB 250 which hurts pets and their owners. Please contribute to PetPAC today so we can fund our campaign to defeat this dangerous and nationwide precedent setting legislation.
According to the California Department of Finance, SB 250 will result in an increase in shelter intakes and more dogs and cats being killed. It also states: “Mandatory spay and neuter provisions have failed throughout California...there is no conclusive evidence that these efforts would result in additional revenue to the state or counteract animal overpopulation.”
But the California Department of Finance goes even further stating, “This bill would add the term "custodian" to the Food and Agricultural Code, which would have far-reaching implications. Specifically, the term "custodian" may reduce the legal status and value of dogs and cats and restrict the rights of owners, veterinarians, and government agencies to protect and care for animals. The term "custodian" would also discourage volunteers from participating in trap/neuter/release programs for feral cats, also resulting in increased rates of impounded cats.”
Please join PetPAC in our final, NO to “Mean Dean” Florez’s SB 250 Rally at the State Capitol on Wednesday, September 23. Mark your calendars and we’ll send you all the details soon.

Sincerely,

Bill Hemby
Chairman
P.S. Please contribute to PetPAC today so we can fully fund our effort to send a message that SB 250 is a mean idea which will raise taxes on responsible pet owners and result in more dogs and cats being killed.


I certainly wish I could be there on Sept. 23. I'll be there in spirit.
Glad to hear ,Sharon.
Interesting note: The language "custodian" mentioned in the above letter from petpac chairman Bill Hemby is similar and sometimes same as used by PETA when referring to people who own domestic animals as well as livestock.
Best Regards,
Kerri
p.s. I'm sure all petpac members recieved the above letter, just thought I'd post for those not yet aware. Thank you.

Edited by Kerri Ruane-Hasa (09/08/2009 03:21 PM)
Edit reason: added text

I'm interested in hearing others' opinions too. If this passes in California, I'm sure it will spread like wildfire. It would be a good idea to get other people informed (if they're not already) so that we could eventually become a stronger grassroots group! I'm glad people are taking action now

Dear Kerri,

California Senate Bill 250, the Mandatory Sterilization legislation, was defeated in the Assembly by a vote of 27-43. However, due to a procedural move for “reconsideration” by the bill’s floor jockey, the bill remains on the Assembly floor and may be revoted on in the next few days.
With your help, we are so close to victory! Please call you Assemblymember and urge them to Vote No on SB 250 if the bill is “Reconsidered”.
Thanks to your efforts we have overcome tremendous odds to defeat a bill that would be disastrous for pets and their owners. Let’s not give up now, PetPAC is going to continue lobbying for defeat of SB 250 until it’s officially dead.

Sincerely,

Bill Hemby
Chairman



YES!! or should I say no to SB 250 that is.
Way to go everyone!!!
Big shout out to leerburg.com and Ed Frawley, once again, for allowing us yet another means to inform responsible owners, breeders, and those who share a common interest in protecting the rights of pets and their owners. BIG THANKS!

As Bill mentions there is still a long way to go, so let us not stop here,not until the bill is officially dead. Then on to the next challenge!

I got that email too Am very happy that we are in the lead for now at least! Thanks again to Leerburg and Ed Frawley for letting us this forum to get in the political mess of things!

SB 250 is officially dead for this year!

Yes, it is dead for now. But, he can bring it back up in January. And, since he has his eye on a state wide office, he still needs campaign money.

While I don't agree with this bill, I agree that something needs to be done about the rampant over-breeding. There are simply too many animals in this state, too many being ill bred, and too many people who just don't care. Maybe if quality dogs didn't cost as much as a used car, more people would be apt to buy from quality breeders instead of spending $200 on a backyard bred dog. Perhaps distinct show, working, and pet lines should be established to offer a range for responsible customers? My point being, until there's a reason to force the general public to stop buying crap dogs, they simple won't.

edit:
I also expect this to go over like sandpaper on an open wound. Just trying to offer ideas instead of nays.

I think you're right; something does need to be done about backyard bred dogs. I think the prospect of drafting legislation to control this, however, should be carefully considered though - once laws are on the books, they can be easily amended to eventually hurt even the reputable breeders. I think you're onto something Scott, about the cost of a dog. I also think more efforts should be put into education. A lot of people simply don't know why to buy from a reputable breeder or how to find one!

The NAIA had a really good article on a plan that could be implemented to increase responsible dog ownership without penalizing good breeders and pet owners...I'll see if I can find it again.

Here it is: http://www.naiaonline.org/pdfs/PetFriendlyGuide.pdf
I haven't finished reading the whole thing yet but now that I've found it again, I'll probably finish it up tomorrow.