Legislation would reduce barriers to dog licensing
SACRAMENTO – The Legislature has passed AB 1121, legislation Dr. Richard Pan (D-Sacramento) authored to save dogs’ lives and taxpayer dollars through increased dog licensing.
“I have introduced AB 1121 to give local governments the tools they need to make dog licensing more effective in our state,” Dr. Pan said. “Many local animal care agencies have lost up to 50 percent of their funding at a time when more pets are being abandoned or surrendered to shelters. We need to empower animal care agencies to promote dog licensing and support improved collection of existing fees.”
AB 1121 would facilitate easier licensing compliance for dog owners by providing access to sales and adoption information to local animal control agencies. With this information, local animal control agencies can remind new owners of their responsibility – and the benefits – of licensing their newly acquired dog.
The bill also allows licensing to be easier and more accessible by enabling local licensing agencies statewide to offer special low-cost puppy licenses which would be available to any micro chipped puppy regardless of whether it has been altered. This means new owners can license their puppy as soon as they bring him home. Current law does not allow licensing until after four months of age.
“AB 1121 is a win for everyone,” said Cathie Turner, Executive Director of Concerned Dog Owners of California. “It empowers animal control agencies to offer licensing to more dogs and at lower rates. Dogs that are licensed do not end up being euthanized; they get home to their owners. When licensed dogs are returned to their owners, there is more time and money to search for homes for truly needy dogs. It is about saving lives.”
“We applaud the Legislature for looking out for California’s dogs by passing legislation designed not only to get them home, but to reduce the costs local agencies face by not being able to associate the vast majority incoming animals with their owners,” said Jennifer Fearing, senior state director with The Humane Society of the United States. “We believe AB 1121 has the potential to save many animal lives and urge Governor Brown to enact it.”
Fewer than one in five dogs in California is licensed, despite a state law requiring compliance that’s been on the books since the 1950s. Unlicensed dogs end up staying in shelters because no one can identify where they live. Shelter stays are expensive and often end in euthanasia.
In 2009, Sacramento County opened a new animal shelter, but it faced closure only six months later because of lack of funds. Licensing fees support animal control, however only 14% of dogs and cats in Sacramento County are licensed, so the general taxpayer has to foot most of the bill. Sacramento County is one of many stakeholders supporting AB 1121 because it will help animal control agencies contact dog owners and remind them to license their dog and reduces barriers to licensing.
“Passage of AB 1121 would give us new opportunities to provide animal care services to the public more efficiently and to offset some of the loss of General Fund revenue with license fee income,” wrote Leslie McFadden, legislative advocate for the County of Sacramento in a letter supporting the legislation.
The Governor has approximately 30 days to sign or veto the bill. After that time, without action by the Governor, the bill automatically becomes law.
Dr. Richard Pan is a father, pediatrician, educator, small business owner and first-term Assemblymember that lives in Natomas Park. He represents Natomas and portions of the City of Sacramento, along with Arden Arcade, Carmichael, the City of Citrus Heights, Fair Oaks, the City of Folsom, Granite Bay, North Highlands, McClellan Park, Orangevale.
Website of Assemblymember Richard Pan: www.asmdc.org/pan
CONTACT: Brian O’Hara (916) 319-2005
