East Bay SPCA Speaks at Oakland Rally to Ask State Lawmakers to Spare California's Animals and Save the Hayden Law

OAKLAND, Calif., March 13, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The East Bay SPCA will join Alameda County Supervisors Nate Miley and Wilma Chan, and other animal welfare agencies at a rally today to tell state legislators to spare California animals and save the Hayden Law.  The rally will take place at 10:00 a.m. in front of the County of Alameda Administration Building, 1221 Oak Street, Oakland.  The theme of the rally will be to ask state legislators to "Paws and Think" before repealing this important law. 

The rally will be followed by a Board of Supervisors meeting at 10:30 a.m. on the 5th floor in Room 512 of the Alameda County Administration Building.  The meeting will include the opportunity for public comment from concerned residents as well as a resolution urging the Governor and State Legislature to not eliminate life-saving mandates for lost and stray animals. 

Governor Jerry Brown has proposed repealing the Hayden Law, which ensures that California shelters keep stray or abandoned animals for a minimum of four to six days before euthanizing an animal, and provide all animals with necessary and prompt veterinary care. In return, the state is required to provide reimbursement for the increased costs incurred by shelters in the performance of those duties. The Governor has proposed reducing the required holding period for stray and abandoned animals to just 72 hours and chipping away at the requirement that sick and injured animals receive life-saving veterinary care.

East Bay SPCA Executive Director Allison Lindquist says the Governor's proposal will result in more euthanasia of families lost pets and increased suffering of stray and abandoned animals. "There has been so much progress for animals in California's shelters since this law became effective.  A repeal of this law would be a huge step backwards. Our sick and vulnerable animals deserve so much more," Lindquist explains.

Lindquist serves as a board member of the State Humane Association of California (SHAC). SHAC, along with the California Animal Control Directors Association (CACDA) urge the Governor to suspend -- rather than repeal -- the animal adoption mandate if the state is simply unable to fund the mandate in the upcoming year. 

Both organizations advocate for a working group of California's sheltering leaders to convene to explore viable alternatives.  The working group would also be tasked with evaluating outcomes in the twelve years since enactment of the legislation.

About East Bay SPCA
The East Bay SPCA (EBSPCA) is a nonprofit organization committed to the welfare of cats and dogs in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. We strive to eliminate animal cruelty, neglect and overpopulation by providing programs and education that support people and companion animals. More information about EBSPCA can be found at www.eastbayspca.org or by calling 510.569.0702.

SOURCE East Bay SPCA