CA: Thank Governor for Signing Landmark Pet Abandonment Bill

I just took action on an issue that I consider very important. I urge you to take action yourself and spread the word!

As I am sure you are aware, the subprime mortgage crisis that has devastated homeowners and the economy has brought with it a troubling trend: pets abandoned after home foreclosures. Bank employees who enter these deserted homes are often under direction to leave property--including pets--untouched until the foreclosure process is completed. As a result, many pets have been left to die.

Fortunately, fewer California pets will find themselves in such dire straits thanks to Assembly Bill 2949. Introduced by Assemblyman Mark DeSaulnier and recently signed into law by Governor Schwarzenegger, this law requires the owner of a property (banks or their agents) to notify animal control officials if pets have been left behind so they can be removed in a timely manner.

AB 2949 came out of Assemblyman DeSaulnier's annual "There Ought to Be a Law" contest, which asks constituents to submit ideas for legislation. Contest winner Sheri Kuticka recognized this tragic consequence of the housing market downturn, and suggested that something be done to rescue abandoned animals and provide care. She, along with the ASPCA and the California Animal Association, cosponsored the legislation.

Please join me to take a moment to thank Governor Schwarzenegger for quickly signing this bill--the first of its kind in the nation--into law.

To take action on this issue, click on the link below:
https://secure2.convio.net/aspca/site/Advocacy?s_oo=68MAFKHz7BPOc-CpuucRVA..&id=2421
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