California Now Euthanizes More Animals Than Any Other U.S. State; Press Conference At The State Capitol On Weds April 10th

On April 10th, 2024, Fix Our Shelters and Assemblymember Kevin McCarty will hold a press conference and rally to announce legislation that will prevent municipal animal shelters from euthanizing puppies, kittens, dogs and cats without first giving them a chance to be saved with a simple inexpensive public notification.

When: Wednesday April 10th, 2024, 11:30am to 12:30pm

Where: California State Capitol (west steps), 1315 10th St, Sacramento, CA 95814

Who:  Assemblymember Kevin McCarty and the coalition to Fix Our Shelters

It has been proven that when the public and animal rescue groups know that animals are at-risk, they take action to save lives. Every year rescues save over half of the 600,000 animals entering our shelters, as well as a majority of those who are turned away at shelter doors. Yet daily, thousands of animals are killed in shelters across our state without the public or rescues ever knowing of their plight.

“If these shameful conditions and statistics are to change, our state must refocus their objectives away from ill-conceived and illogical ‘reduced intake’ programs and get back to basics,” said Julie Virga, founder of Fix Our Shelters. “These programs have caused an epic crisis for the lost, abandoned, and stray animals in the Golden State of California.”

“When the lives of animals are at stake, shouldn’t there be greater transparency, oversight, and accountability to protect them?” asks Virga. “Shouldn’t every municipal animal shelter that cares about the cats and dogs in their custody support AB 2265?”

Fix Our Shelters is a 501(c)(3) organization that demands transparency, accountability, and oversight of animal shelters across our state. We represent and defend the best interests of animals both inside and outside shelter walls that are affected by the policies, actions, programs, and laws related to animal shelters and municipal animal care service providers. We work to educate lawmakers and the public about the plight of animals in our communities through public awareness campaigns, advocacy, and common-sense shelter reform legislation. We partner with other animal advocates and rescue organizations to be the voice for those who have none.