California
Animal Care Bill Dies
A coalition of retailers, breeders and other industry members
worked hand-in-hand with the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council
(Washington) to successfully craft a more palatable version
of a bill designed to dictate pet store standards in California—and
then saw the bill vetoed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger for funding
reasons.
Thanks to intense lobbying and $30,000 raised to fight the
original bill, the version of Assembly Bill 2862 ultimately
sent to the governor had been stripped of substantive provisions,
according to PIJAC. The gutted bill instead merely directed
the Department of Consumer Affairs, in “consultation
with affected parties,” to promulgate regulations by
Jan. 1, 2008. That would have given industry members a say
in the standards established.
But because the legislation didn’t provide funding
to develop or enforce the law, Gov. Schwarzenegger vetoed
the bill in September.
As introduced, the 21-page bill contained detailed animal
housing standards, veterinary requirements, recordkeeping
requirements, prohibitions on disposition of animals and criminal
sanctions for violations. Many provisions of the bill overlapped
with existing state law, while others created “dubious”
requirements, according to PIJAC, which crafted alternative
language for subsequent versions of the bill.
Because the bill’s proponents and opponents were not
able to agree on several provisions—some of which were
even more onerous than in the original, said PIJAC—the
trade association recommended that standards be developed
through a rulemaking process to ensure that retailers, breeders
and other industry members would have input.
If passed in its original form, the bill could have established
a precedent that might eventually have put pet stores out
of business across the country, contends PIJAC, which solicited
donations via its Web site to defeat the bill.
PIJAC and coalition members will meet in coming months to
discuss alternative approaches.
To receive updates, e-mail info@pijac.org and note “Pet
Store Standards” in the subject line. [December 2006
PET AGE]
KEY PET STORE BILLS
Bills to regulate pet stores were introduced in several
states in 2006. |
| STATE |
BILL NUMBER |
PURPOSE |
STATUS |
| Florida |
Senate Bill 470 |
To amend the existing statute governing the import and
retail sale of dogs and cats by introducing new disclosure
and notification requirements, expanding the pet warranty
law and creating new sanctions for violations |
Died in committee when the legislature adjourned. Introduction
of similar bills are expected next session. |
| Florida |
Senate Bill 674 |
To establish a new pet dealer license law |
Died in committee when the legislature adjourned. Introduction
of similar bills are expected next session. |
| Iowa |
House Study Bill 661
Senate Study Bill 1263
|
To create licensing provisions and standards for qualifying
as a pet dealer |
Died in committee after failing to meet reporting deadlines |
| New Jersey |
Assembly Bill 3401 |
To restrict dealer and pet store sale of dogs and cats
to 25 or fewer per year |
In the Assembly Committee on Agriculture and Natural
Resources. Will carry over to the 2007 session if not
acted on this year. |
|
