To prevent similar cases again, the animal welfare leaders modeled their proposal in part on Colorado’s Pet Animal Care and Facilities Act, a state-administered licensing, inspection, complaint and enforcement program.
“California’s shelters and animal control agencies are being asked to operate within a statewide system that has no common foundation for licensing, inspections or information sharing,” said Jill Tucker, CEO of CalAnimals, the state’s association for animal shelters and animal control agencies. “A bureau would establish clear, consistent expectations, help organizations understand and meet those standards, and allow small problems to be corrected before they become costly emergencies. That is good for animals, good for local agencies and supports organizations in doing this work responsibly.”
According to those speaking in Sacramento on Monday, the bureau would “supplement, not replace, local animal control, public health, sheriff, police and prosecutorial authority.” It would create a statewide framework for licensing and registration, inspecting animal rescues, collecting data and giving the public a place to report concerns and find reliable information.
Licensing fees would be “tiered by factors such as organization type, animal volume, number of facilities and regulatory burden, and could not exceed the reasonable cost of regulation,” a joint statement from the groups speaking read. “Most violations would include notice and an opportunity to correct the problem, with due process and appeal rights. An advisory committee would include representatives of shelters, rescues, breeders, veterinarians, boarding facilities, local governments, animal welfare organizations and the public.”
The goal is to have the bureau in place, with licensing required by Jan. 1, 2030, the statement read.