A bipartisan package of bills targeting the welfare of dogs and cats in animal shelters has passed the Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee today, where Senator Janet Nguyen (R-Huntington Beach) sits as vice chair.
The hearing included testimony from national shelter veterinarian expert, Dr. Kate Hurley, director of the UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program – the nation’s first academic program of its kind. She advocates for shelter transparency and testified in committee that trap, neuter and release of community cats without homes helps save lives.
“Animals have no voice. So we are their voice,” Senator Janet Nguyen said. “California needs to be at the forefront of animal welfare and treat dogs, cats and other creatures in our shelters with care and dignity. I don’t want to hear any more anecdotes on animal abuse in shelters funded by taxpayers.”
The bills are important because they standardize reporting which will facilitate public comparisons between the good shelters and the not-so-good shelters. It creates social pressure to improve the management practices of subpar shelters.
Senator Janet Nguyen authored SB 1478 and SB 1459, collectively named PAWSitive Change 4 Pets, which creates openness on several fronts including animal medical records and the number of euthanasias. The two bills are co-authored by Senator Josh Newman (D-Fullerton), who spoke at a press conference today along with Senator Janet Nguyen and Dr. Hurley. You can view the conference here.
Specifically, SB 1478 will urge veterinarians to make a series of notations on animal medical charts outlining treatment including timeliness of treatment and protocols for controlling acute pain and injuries.
BACKGROUND:
The bill was written after Senator Janet Nguyen discovered dire shelter conditions and spoke to dozens of rescue organizations and volunteers who outlined substandard care. This included a dog bleeding to death in his cage for three days with no medical treatment, injured animals in severe pain with no relief noted on medical charts, and secret euthanasias of dogs trained by volunteers who were working hard to ensure their adoptions.
In addition, SB 1459 requires monthly data reporting on shelter websites of large counties including the number of intakes, euthanasias, natural cause deaths and adoptions. It also clarifies that trap, neuter and return of feral or abandoned cats is legal.
“As someone who has come to consider our three weird but lovable rescue Chihuahuas among my best friends, I’m a firm believer in the importance of protecting and promoting the well-being of pets,” said Senator Josh Newman. “These bills will ensure that we not only fulfill our obligation to protect the animals entrusted to our care but also reaffirm our shared commitment to a humane and compassionate society.”
Other co-authors include Assemblymembers Diane Dixon (R-Newport Beach); Laurie Davies (R-Laguna Niguel); Heath Flora (R-Ripon); Kate Sanchez (R-Rancho Santa Margarita); and Sharon Quirk-Silva (D-Fullerton).
Dr. Kate Hurley biography:
Dr. Hurley began her career as an animal control officer. After graduation from the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine in 1999, she worked as a shelter veterinarian for two years before returning to UC Davis to become the first person in the world to undertake a residency in shelter medicine.
Dr. Hurley remained at UC Davis to become the director of the Koret Shelter Medicine Program, the first of its kind. Her interests include the welfare of confined dogs and cats; humane and effective strategies to manage community cats; infectious disease management strategies that support enrichment and life-saving as well as animal health; and one-eyed orange cats and unusually short dogs.
Her proudest achievements including co-authoring “The Association of Shelter Veterinarians’ Guidelines for Standards of Care in Animal Shelters”, co-editing the textbook “Infectious Disease Management in Animal Shelters” and co-creating the Million Cat Challenge, the world’s largest feline lifesaving campaign. Dr. Hurley loves shelter work because it has the potential to improve the lives of so many animals and the people who care for them.