Why are animal welfare groups, including California Animal Welfare Association (the California
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| A famous shelter supporter/adopter |
Because this bill is hypocritical and nothing of the sort. Besides being an
insult to California’s animal shelters, rescues, and adopters. It’s an ignorant
and disgruntled statement by our legislature that shelters and rescues are
doing a poor job educating adopters and that our adopters are ill-prepared and
have bad intentions.
Here's the issue.
Those of us in the animal welfare field want all animals to enjoy a
respectful, humane and good quality of life. This bill only cares about
dogs and cats.
Shelters send the fewest animals into
the public square for adoption. Breeders, pet stores, veterinary
offices, private sellers, puppy mills and so on are not included in
the bill. In fact, it is punitive, via fine, against shelters and rescue groups
only.
Are those dogs and cats not worthy of inclusion?
Shelter and rescue professionals have been and are committed to the
sheltering, care, reunification, and adoption of animals that come to us for
care. spcaLA has been caring for animals since 1877! In fact, the number of animals coming into shelters
has dramatically decreased nationally because of our collective educational programs,
adoption counseling and aid to adopters.
As stated in California Animal Welfare Association's an opposition letter, "this bill is designed to be punitive and specifically
targets shelters and there is really no justification in doing so. This bill
does not solve a problem. The sponsor of this bill thinks that “bad” people are
adopting animals from shelters, behaving irresponsibly, and then returning
them. There is no data to support this". The document goes on to say that
"the sponsors of this bill allege that our sheltering professionals are
not properly counseling or communicating with adopters about the expectations
to provide quality care. As a result, the state must step in and provide us
with a notice to post in our facilities". Again, not true and
insulting.
Even if the sponsor's assertions are true, which they are not, does any rational person think that posting
a flyer to a wall solves the problem, and that punishing the shelter as opposed
to those that actually don't care for their pets properly accomplishes anything?
If you ask me, I think this
ridiculous bill, if passed, would signal that all the other animals in the
shelter, (horses, rabbits, pigs, birds, pocket pets, etc., who need extra
special adoption counseling would require none at all.
Silly - No?
