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| Courtesy of google images |
Every year there are
laws passed that affect animals and those that love them. I would like to
highlight a few.
First, judges now must
take the best interests of a pet in determining sole or joint custody during a
divorce or legal separation. By the way, the judge can also determine who will
care for the pet during the proceedings. This is another example of the unique
status of pets, who are legally property, but have some rights more akin to
those of sentient beings. They exist in a world between property and human in
some matters.
Second, veterinarians
are now permitted to DISCUSS the use of cannabis on a pet for medicinal
reasons. They are not allowed to prescribe, dispense or distribute it.
Discussing it, is no longer a crime.
Third, pet shops are no
longer allowed to sell dogs, cats, and rabbits that are commercially
bred. This law, though well meaning, was poorly drafted and diminished
some protections for those animals, which your spcaLA, and California Animal
Welfare Association (of which I am president), fought, successfully, to put
back this year in time for the retail law to take effect. However, there
are still ways for pet shop owners to circumvent the law, and no guidance in
the law as to appropriate business arrangements that shelters can enter into
with pet shops. Additionally, there is the issue of fraudulent rescue groups
and "cover" groups who will still sell the prohibited pets.
As consumers, you may
ask for origin documents, medical records, observe whether there are high end
and/or designer breed puppies in the shop, and you can always verify origin
documents with the named shelter. Los Angeles County, Los Angeles City, spcaLA
and others all inspect pet shops.
So if you see something amiss - report it.
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