CFA Info

CFA Legislative ALERT

ALERT - CALIFORNIA AB1634

Status:  We now have the 10th amended AB 1634 language as of yesterday, August 5th.  The bill has moved to the Senate Floor and would be eligible for a vote by tomorrow or thereafter.  I spoke with the Senate Floor Analyst today - the Floor Analysis will be submitted by the end of this afternoon.  (UPDATE: Aug.09.08 Senate Floor Analysis now available here.)All organizations listed on the Senate Local Government Committee Analysis dated July 5, 2007 will be used for the SUPPORT or OPPOSE lists.  You can check if your club was on this list by going to the California Government website  

It is not necessary to send a reconfirming fax to the Senate Floor Analyst Office today - all opposition is assumed to be current unless specifically changed.  This bill is expected to be amended AGAIN - ON THE SENATE FLOOR.   

CFA's "CatFacts" packets of information including a letter and Oppose Summary were hand delivered by George Eigenhauser to Senators' aides yesterday. George spoke with as many as possible.  To read the letter and the opposition summary, see the links below:  

Read the text - August 5, 2008
CFA Opposition Summary August 4, 2008
CFA Letter to Senate Floor August 3, 2008  

Amendment Aug 5:  Section 5 has been removed.  This would have allowed State reimbursement to animal control agencies for costs due to the existing shelter law only if the shelter provided shelter data to the Dept. of Health Services.  Everything else is the same - multiple impoundments and complaints will mean enhanced penalties if the cat/dog is intact.  

WHAT TO DO:

1. As we have advised before, it is critical to call, fax or email your OWN Senator to ask them to vote NO on AB 1634.  Give a few reasons (see the CFA Opposition Summary of August 4th for points specific for cats)  

2. Send your letter to ALL SENATORS  

We appreciate Gail Burnham's work to once again coordinate, print and hand deliver letters. She will get the letters to all Senators by tomorrow afternoon.   pgburnham@juno.com  

The deadline for receiving your letter is 8AM August 7, 2008. Here are a few instructions  

1. Individuals must keep their letters to one page.

2. Address - "Dear Senator" - the letter will go to all 40 Senators.

3. Several individuals can sign one letter.

4.  If you are using a form letter - let Gail know which one it is.

5.  Short email messages - Address - "Dear Senator", with your name and address.  Emails will be compiled and hand delivered too.

6.   When sending an email or attached file to Gail - put in the Subject header - AB 1634 - "one page letter", "organization letter", "individual email"  or "form letter"  

NOW IS THE TIME TO DEFEAT AB 1634. 

All letters should refer to AB 1634 as amended August 5, 2008.  

Here is part of the CFA Opposition Summary for AB1634. Put just a few points in your own words on one page.  

**AB1634 is forfeiture of valuable reproductive rights for pedigreed cats.  

**Cats will be abandoned in shelters rather than reclaimed if impounded.  

**A cat owner would be forced to sterilize a cat even if pregnant or if surgery would endanger health.

**Administration and enforcement costs will go up for jurisdictions.  

**Language is vague and has been misinterpreted by lawmakers, supporters and opponents.  

**The California Department of Finance Bill Analysis, July 1, 2008 clearly states this bill “may result in more animals being abandoned or surrendered.” This analysis warns of “an increase in the General Fund costs of the existing Animal Adoption mandate, which currently costs more than $20 million” to the state to reimburse local agencies. The Department states the bill is unclear in its definition of “complaint”.  

**AB 1634 is misdirected and badly conceived – PLEASE VOTE NO!  

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