Governor Newsom signs legislation to protect animal welfare 9.26.22

SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom announced today that he has signed several measures to advance animal welfare in California, including Sen. Scott Wiener’s (D-San Francisco) SB 879 ending toxicology testing useless on dogs and cats.

“For many families, including mine, pets are beloved companions that enrich our lives every day,” Governor Newsom said. “I am proud to sign this legislation to advance our state’s leadership in animal welfare by ending cruel and unnecessary testing of dogs and cats, among other measures to protect the health and safety of pets. pets in California.”

SB 879, the Prohibiting Extraneous Testing (PET) Act prohibits toxicity testing on dogs and cats for pesticides, chemicals, and other products, often failing to advance scientific research into human toxicity . The bill provides exemptions for testing related to products intended for use in dogs or cats, including medical treatments. SB 879 does not affect federally required testing.

“As we celebrate California becoming the first state in the nation to ban certain dog and cat testing, we express our gratitude to Governor Newsom for signing the PET Act, SB 879 into law,” said Kitty Block, Chairman. and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States. “The passage of this bill shows California’s dedication to protecting animals from a lifetime of suffering and isolation in the name of unreliable testing. We appreciate Senator Wiener’s leadership on SB 879 and remain committed. to end all harmful toxicological testing on animals.

Governor Newsom also signed AB 1648 by Assemblyman Brian Maienschein (D-San Diego), which requires kennel owners to create a natural disaster evacuation plan as one of the conditions of obtaining a kennel license or permit. AB 1290 by Assemblyman Alex Lee (D-San Jose) clarifies that stealing or taking someone else’s pet is theft.

Additionally, the Governor signed SB 774 by Sen. Robert Hertzberg (D-Van Nuys) to facilitate the certification process for emotional support dogs for the homeless and AB 2723 by Assemblyman Chris Holden (D-Pasadena) which expands microchipping registration requirements for dogs and cats. to support the return of lost pets to their owners and deter theft.

The 2021-22 and 2020-21 state budgets included a total investment of $50 million for a statewide Animal Shelter Assistance Program administered by UC Davis to give shelters for state animals the training and resources they need to achieve the state’s goal of no lethality. Since taking office, Governor Newsom has signed several measures to end retail of dogs, cats and rabbits in California, ban the sale of new fur products, prohibit the use of animals such as elephants and bears in circus actsprohibit hunting, trapping or killing bobcatand require shelter for microchip all recovered or adopted cats and dogs.

A full list of today’s bills signed by the Governor can be found below:

• AB 1290 by Assemblyman Alex Lee (D-San Jose) – Crimes: Theft: Animals.
• AB 1648 by Assemblyman Brian Maienschein (D-San Diego) – Disaster Preparedness: Local Government: Natural Disaster Animal Evacuation Plan.
• AB 2380 by Assemblyman Brian Maienschein (D-San Diego) – Online Pet Retailers: Retail Financing Options.
• AB 2723 by Assemblyman Chris Holden (D-Pasadena) – Animals: microchipped.
• SB 774 by Sen. Robert Hertzberg (D-Van Nuys) – Companion Animals and Veterinary Services: Emotional Support Dogs.
• SB 879 by Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) – Toxicology testing on dogs and cats.

For the full text of the bills, visit: http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov

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