On Friday, with the stroke of a pen, California Governor Jerry Brown signed AB 485 into law. In doing so, he put puppy mills and kitten factories on notice that their days are numbered.
The passing of the anti-animal abuse bill marked an important milestone for the state: it became the first state in the country to require pet stores and retailers to offer only rescued animals in certain breeds for sale.
The bill’s chief architect, California Assemblyman Patrick O’Donnell (D-Long Beach), announced the news of pet store reform on Twitter.
According to a press release from O’Donnell’s website, AB 485, or the Pet Rescue and Adoption Act, will mandate that pet stores or any legal entities in the state offering animals for sale offer breeds from animal shelters or not-for-profit rescue agencies. The new law only applies to dogs, cats, and rabbits. It’s unclear why these breeds were singled out.
O’Donnell said the new legislation is a win for two target groups: “four-legged friends” and for California taxpayers, who often subsidize the $250 million in costs to shelter and euthanize animals. Proponents hope the new pro-pet law thwarts the proliferation and demand for animal trafficking, where operators often house prospective pets in enclosures rife with disease and under abusive conditions.
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