AB 485 Pet Rescue & Adoption Act Passes Full Assembly; Advances To Senate Rules Committee

California Assembly Bill 485, the Pet Rescue and Adoption Act, passed the State Assembly yesterday with a vote of 55-11.

AB 485, authored by Assembly Members Patrick O’Donnell and Matt Dababneh and sponsored by animal advocacy group, Social Compassion in Legislation, is a landmark bill that will ban the sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits sourced from high-volume, commercial breeding facilities in all pet shops throughout the state. Instead, pet shops will be required to source animals from shelters and rescues. The bill has bipartisan support with both Democrat and Republican co-authors.

“Today is a good day for pets in California.  The passage of AB 485 out of the Assembly is a step closer to ensuring that dogs, cats and rabbits from shelters are able to find forever homes,” said Assemblymember Patrick O’Donnell.  “I would like to thank Social Compassion in Legislation for their hard work on the bill.”

“Today,  AB 485 passed off the Assembly Floor with strong, bipartisan support, representing a huge step forward in the effort to bring an end to the cruel, inhumane treatment of animals at puppy mills,” stated Assemblymember Dababneh.

“We are elated with the response from the state legislature and their robust support. In educating legislators about the bill, we heard many stories from members and staff about their own experiences with sick animals purchased from pet stores, heartwarming stories of fostering, and of rescuing pets in need,” said Judie Mancuso, founder and president of Social Compassion in Legislation. “The ‘shelter pet’ is already the official state pet, now California is on its way to helping those pets get out of shelters and rescues and into pet shops where they have a much better chance of finding their forever homes.”

“Animal shelter workers throughout California rejoice when there is another outlet to place the overwhelming number of animals in our facilities. Many large scale pet shops already collaborate with municipal shelters to showcase dogs, cats and rabbits and alleviate overcrowding. Assembly Member O’Donnell’s bill will save lives,” stated Henry Brzezinski, Legislative Chair of the California Animal Control Directors Association.

AB 485 will replace high volume commercially bred animals, requiring dogs, cats, and rabbits from local animal shelters and rescue groups in pet stores statewide.  AB 485 will be a gigantic step forward in solving the state’s pet overpopulation crisis, by eliminating the ability of cruel puppy mills from importing animals for sale into California.

The bill will now report to the Senate Rules Committee for policy committee assignment.

Read The Bill Here!