PLEASE READ, DO NOT DELETE, THIS BILL WILL PUT ALL QUALITY SMALL
BREEDERS OUT OF BUSINESS, CALL AND SEND YOUR EMAILS NOW BEFORE IT IS
TOO LATE .
Please read this entire e-blast for information about SB 250 and the
next steps. This is very important that information get out to dog
(and cat) lovers throughout the State of California and that each of
us makes a personal commitment to get this bill finally defeated.
SB 250 was heard by the California Assembly Business and Professions
Committee. There was a quorum in spite absences of committee members.
Senator Florez did not have available the promised amendments although
he stated that he had them mocked up. The chairperson declined to
accept any mock ups and said that the committee would consider the
bill as is--
After testimony from both sides, those attending the hearing were
allowed to stand and state their name and position. There were about a
dozen people present in favor of the bill and decades present against
the bill. Testimony opposing the bill was straight forward and
factual. Bill Hemby from PetPAC spoke about the Department of Finance
report and the fact that the AVMA and ASPCA do not support mandatory
spay/neuter nor has HSUS supported this bill. Dr. John Hamil was
brought in by CDOC and spoke about the intrusion this bill presents to
veterinarians and about the process of sterilization as well as the
risks associated with using MSN as a punishment. Representing NAIA was
Dr. Kay Henderson who presented graphs as well as factual information
about the Santa Cruz model.
In spite of solid testimony, a petition with over 20,000 names
presented, and an overwhelming presence the vote was 6-3 with Ira
Ruskin casting the deciding vote. Ruskin originally did not vote and
if he had stayed the course, the bill would have failed-- but again,
granted reconsideration Florez was able to convince the lone democrat
stand-out to cast a supporting vote. The three Republicans present
voted against. One Republican from what I understand was not present
but that would not have changed the outcome.
People who especially live or work in Ira Ruskin's district need to
contact him and professionally request that he change his vote if the
bill gets to the Assembly Floor. Ruskin's is the 21st District and
covers: all or part of 13 cities in San Mateo and Santa Clara
counties, including San Carlos, Redwood City, Atherton, Portola
Valley, Woodside, Menlo Park, East Palo Alto, Palo Alto, Los Altos,
Los Altos Hills, Los Gatos, Monte Sereno, the Almaden Valley of San
Jose, and Stanford University. Call his office today==(916) 319 - 2021
if you are a constituent or pass this information on to those who live
in his district.
SB 250 now goes to Appropriation and we are fairly sure that Florez is
going to fast track this bill.
ONE VERY IMPORTANT POINT-- LETTERS REGARDING SB 250 WERE LARGELY IN
FAVOR OF THE BILL. SUPPORT LETTERS OUTNUMBERED OPPOSITION LETTERS 10-1
and there were fewer organizations and dog clubs writing official
letters. I have heard that fax machines were turned off over the
weekend which simply means we need to have a show of power quicker.
Although no amendments have been published, letters can be started to
the Assembly Appropriations Committee and to individual Assembly
members. If everyone who receives this e-blast writes a letter to
each Appropriations Committee member and to their own Assembly member
and then gets five additional people to do the same, we would almost
double the number of letters received for the Business and Professions
committee. WE NEED TO TELL SACRAMENTO THAT THE USE OF SPAY/NEUTER
EITHER AS POLICY OR PENALTY MAKES THIS A MANDATORY SPAY/NEUTER BILL.
Florez keeps saying that this is not a mandatory spay/neuter bill
because people can pay to keep their pets intact.
Remind your assembly member of the following points:
1) It is not currently illegal to own an intact pet. SB 250 would make
it illegal to own a "natural" animal.
2) To be able to keep your pet intact, you would have to apply for,
qualify for, and retain a license. However, that license can be denied
or revoked for a number of reasons and many not having anything to do
with the animal's reproductive ability.
3) Once a license has been denied or revoked, an owner MAY NEVER own
another intact animal FOREVER and all intact pets owned or cared for
by this owner will be required to be sterilized.
THIS IS A $5000 PENALTY FOR A 25 CENT INFRACTION
4) Even though the costs of this mandate would be the responsibility
of the local governments, the Department of Finance came out in
opposition of SB 250 because it will be very expensive be it to the
local governments or to the State. Go to www.sb250.org and download
the report. Send this to every member of the Appropriations Committee
and especially to your own assemblymember.
5) Another reason the Department of Finance opposes SB 250 is because
of the failed track record of mandatory spay/neuter. The costs
increase. The euthanasia rate increases. The number of impounds and
surrenders increase. The use of mandatory spay/neuter either as policy
or penalty does not decrease animal deaths. Ironically, animal deaths
increase as does overall costs and expenses.
Focus your letters on the following points:
1. Local control
2. Increasing costs/mandates during a time of financial crisis
3. The lack of evidence (Santa Cruz) that the program works
Laura Finco
CDOC Communications
The following are members of the Assembly Appropriations Committee;
phone numbers and emails. I will get mailing addresses and fax numbers
out as soon as possible.
Kevin de Leon - Chair
Dem-45
(916) 319-2045
Assemblymember. deLeon@assembly. ca.gov
Jim Nielsen - Vice Chair
Rep-2
(916) 319-2002
Assemblymember. Nielsen@assembly .ca.gov
Tom Ammiano
Dem-13
(916) 319-2013
Assemblymember. Ammiano@assembly .ca.gov
Charles M. Calderon
Dem-58
(916) 319-2058
Assemblymember. Calderon@ assembly. ca.gov
Joe Coto
Dem-23
(916) 319-2023
Assemblymember. coto@assembly. ca.gov
Mike Davis
Dem-48
(916) 319-2048
Assemblymember. Davis@assembly. ca.gov
Michael D. Duvall
Rep-72
(916) 319-2072
Assemblymember. Duvall@assembly. ca.gov
Felipe Fuentes
Dem-39
(916) 319-2039
Assemblymember. fuentes@assembly .ca.gov
Isadore Hall III
Dem-52
(916) 319-2052
Assemblymember. Hall@assembly. ca.gov
Diane L. Harkey
Rep-73
(916) 319-2073
Assemblymember. Harkey@assembly. ca.gov
Jeff Miller
Rep-71
(916) 319-2071
Assemblymember. Miller@assembly. ca.gov
John A. Pérez
Dem-46
(916) 319-2046
Assemblymember. John.Perez@ assembly. ca.gov
Nancy Skinner
Dem-14
(916) 319-2014
Assemblymember. Skinner@assembly .ca.gov
Jose Solorio
Dem-69
(916) 319-2069
Assemblymember. solorio@assembly .ca.gov
Audra Strickland
Rep-37
(916) 319-2037
Assemblymember. strickland@ assembly. ca.gov
Tom Torlakson
Dem-11
(916) 319-2011
Assemblymember. Torlakson@ assembly. ca.gov
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