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CFA Legislative ALERTS

CALIFORNIA State Assembly Bill AB 1634 was last amended August 12, 2008, The NEW AB 1634 mandates spay/neuter as a penalty upon multiple impoundments or if an intact cat is not licensed (in jurisdictions where this is required) or is found "at large". On first impoundment or citation a cat owner would be fined $50 and required to microchip the cat. On second occurance an intact cat must be sterilized.  CFA OPPOSES AB 1634: Bill (amended Aug.12.08) | History (Aug.30.08) | Status (Aug.31.08) Senate Floor Analysis (Aug.25.08) CURRENT STATUS: AB 1634 as amended August 12, 2008 had been entirely changed.  The bill was defeated on the Senate Floor 27 to 5 on August 22nd, but a vote for reconsideration passed. On Friday, August 29th, with the lead supporters confirming they would no longer back the latest version of the bill or push for its passage, AB1634 has finally died !!  CFA thanks all the cat and dog fanciers who never wavered in their opposition to this bill from its start eighteen months ago all the way through the 11th amended version. Many organizations, clubs and other groups contributed to this success and we appreciate all their work.  This bill was never a good answer for the complex cat/dog population problems in this State or elsewhere.  The lawmakers finally understood that AB 1634 could not be fixed and would not achieve anything positive for the animals, pet owners or the shelters. WASHINGTON, DC The District of Columbia ordinance B17-0089, called the "Animal Protection Amendment Act of 2008", is changed from the failed 2007 Act but cat licensing, mandated impounding of animals over the limit of 4 as well as breeder licensing were all included in the amended version presented. CFA OPPOSED these sections. B17-0089 Bill text: Engrossed Original CFA ALERT (July 13, 2008) Read CFA's Letter to the Council Members (July 12, 2008) To contact ALL Councilmembers - email membersonly@dccouncil.us CFA UPDATE - results of the Council Vote, July 15, 2008 CURRENT STATUS:was passed, but AMENDED, by the DC Council on July 15, 2008 with cat licensing removed and several other provisions modified.   Strong opposition was responsible for the compromise.We expect more proposals related to cats and dogs to be introduced next session. MICHIGAN HOUSE BILL 6395 was introduced on September 3, 2008.   This proposal requires anyone who sells or OFFERS to sell more than two cats or dogs or more than ONE litter within any 12 month period to obtain a Pet Seller License from County Animal Control.  CFA OPPOSES   CURRENT STATUS: The author of HB 6395, Representative Bill Caul, has announced that the bill will be withdrawn.  Staff members report that they were completely surprised about the negative reaction to the proposal.  Thank you to all those who made their views known quickly and effectively. NEW YORK Update June 16, 2008: GOOD NEWS !!  AB11509 has been HELD by the New York Assembly Committee on Agriculture.  The bill is DEAD for this session.  Thank you for your letters and calls - your voices were heard!     State Assembly Bill A11509 - This bill would change the "Pet Dealer" definition in New York State law.  Cat and dog home breeders breeders are impacted. No longer would those who sell fewer than twenty-five dogs and cats per year directly to the consumer that are born and raised on the breeder`s residential premises be exempt from the "Pet Dealer" requirements.  The sale of 9 cats/dogs per year means compliance with rigorous commercial dealer laws.   CURRENT STATUS:   A11509 was introduced on June 10, 2008 and is on the agenda for the New York Committee on Agriculture - Tuesday JUNE 17, 2008. New York fanciers must contact Committee members and their own Assembly members.       The CFA ACTION ALERT for A11509- June 14, 2008             Find your own Assembly Member    The 21 Agriculture Committee members

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS Chicago Alderman Edward Burke and Alderman Virginia Rugai have introduced a mandatory spay/neuter ordinance.   This proposal is almost identical to what was proposed in California on the State level (AB 1634), which failed and is now a completely new bill and the Los Angeles City version that passed in 2008.  There are exemptions for cat breeders but these are almost impossible to meet or would be very expensive.  CFA OPPOSES   Draft  "Substitute Ordinance" to amend Chapter 7-12, Municipal Code, July 22, 2008 CFA ALERT (July 24, 2008)                   CFA Article "MSN - Pedigreed Cats are NOT Exempt"  Contact: Chicago Aldermen Contact: Committee on Finance and Committee on License Members: Committee on Finance Chairman:    Edward M. Burke Vice-Chairmen:  Patrick J. O'Connor Members: Preckwinkle, Hairston, Harris, Beale, Pope, Balcer, Cardenas, Olivo, Thomas, Rugai, Munoz, Zalewski Solis, Ocasio, Burnett, E. Smith, Carothers, Suarez, Mell, Austin, Colon, Banks, Allen, Laurino, Doherty, Daley, Tunney, Levar, Shiller, Schulter, M. Smith, Moore, Stone Committee on License and Consumer Protection Chairman:Eugene C. Schulter Vice-Chairmen:Isaac Carothers Members: Fioretti, Lyle, Cardenas, Olivo, Cochran, Zalewski, Reboyras, Banks, Doherty, Tunney, Shiller, M. Smith   Steve Dale, WGN Radio PetCentral blog opposing the mandatory spay/neuter ordinance - add your comments. CURRENT STATUS:  The ordinance was discussed at a joint committee hearing in Chicago on July 29, 2008 but no vote taken.  Finance committee chairman Alderman Burke delayed the vote in order to allow further testimony.  No new hearing date has been announced yet.  If the ordinance is passed the proposal will go to the full City Council. Contact members of the joint committees that will vote on the ordinance - Committee on Finance and Committee on License and Consumer Protection     SPARTANSBURG, SC The City Council of Spartanburg, SC is proposing changes to the existing animal control laws. Proposed changes/additions include: add cats to it's existing pet licensing, mandatory licensing of cats over 4 months of age, breeder licensing, suspends the rights of pet owners against warrantless searches, etc. Read the full CFA Alert. CFA OPPOSES. CURRENT STATUS:  The City Council of Spartansburg, SC will have second reading on the ordinance on Monday, September 29, 2008. See the City Council agenda. DALLAS, TEXAS Changes to the Dallas City Code Chapter 7 - MANDATORY SPAY/NEUTER, BREEDER PERMITS, LIMITS ON PETS.  Substantial changes to the Animal Code are of special concern to cat and dog lovers - The new law requires all cats/dogs over 6 months to be spayed or neutered unless the owner has a breeder permit ($70 for each animal per year plus $30 for an intact animal registration fee; no more than one litter per animal per year). If an animal is impounded spay/neuter is required or a breeder permit.  There is a limit of no more than six cats and/or dogs per dwelling. People owning more than a half-acre of land would be allowed eight.  Foster care providers could have up to 10 animals but must agree to unannounced inspections. And microchipping is mandated for all cats and dogs.  CFA OPPOSED CURRENT STATUS: The ordinance was passed by a vote of 10-3 at the City Council meeting on June 25th in spite of an estimated turnout of over 250 people in opposition.  This law will mean the loss of fine pedigreed cats in this City, fewer homes for cats/dogs and set a bad precedence for the State. Local fanciers plan to keep track of shelter data and ask for accountability and measurable goals with a future review of the impact. the CFA Protect Your Cats FLYER with points to make and councilmember list (updated June 15, 2008) the CFA Legislative Legal Analyst's Issues for cat fanciers Responsible Pet Owners of Texas website for updates and dog issues Information on the briefing Newly revised Dallas Ordinance, dated June 13,2008

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

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