Scratch This: 3 California bills attack the ‘puppy mill pipeline’

Three California bills currently moving through the approval process represent an effort to stop the flow of mostly dogs but also cats and rabbits from out-of-state breeders into California’s pet market.

The bills, known as Stop the Puppy Mill Pipeline, also include legislation that makes it illegal for a breeder to sell the animals to a second party to sell to the public. Many of these intermediaries falsely represent themselves as breeders.

SB 312 (Senator Tom Umberg, D-Santa Ana) mandates that pet exporters and importers electronically submit health certificates to the California Department of Food and Agriculture within 10 days of shipment. Electronic forms won’t pile up on desks and get tossed out, which has often been the case. The certificates must furthermore be publicly available to inform pet owners and veterinarians of the animal’s health and to alert humane law enforcement to any issues.

AB 506 (Assemblymember Steve Bennett, D-Oxnard) declares any contract void if it requires a nonrefundable deposit by the customer or if the party selling the pet fails to disclose its original source the pet before a deposit is made. The seller must also return money to the buyer within 30 days if the contract is voided.

The third bill, AB 519 (Assemblymember Marc Berman, D-Palo Alto), defines “brokers” as people who make a profit by selling animals that were bred and raised by another party. This includes in-person or online sales. The bill prohibits these individuals from selling pets for a profit or falsely stating that they’re adopting them out. That’s gravy on the puppy pipeline kibble.

The bills are cosponsored by the San Diego Humane Society and the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

“By prohibiting the sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits from third-party sellers or ‘brokers,’  A.B. 519 would ensure that consumers work directly with breeders so they are better able to verify the conditions that their puppy was born and raised in,” reads a statement from the ASPCA. “This will also enable consumers to report any concerns about breeders who may be skirting the law or keeping their animals in inhumane conditions to local law enforcement.”

The Puppy Pipeline bills were developed after the Los Angeles Times ran an investigation detailing the carelessness and disregard of state entities handling of health records of pets imported from outside California.

Using animals to breed in mass quantities for profit is immoral and heartless. People duped into spending hundreds or thousands of dollars for what they believe is a purebred animal don’t realize that the pet may have been bred in filthy conditions with no veterinary treatment for the sick mothers and offspring. The pet, usually a dog, may suffer illnesses or deformities caused by overbred or sick mothers or inbreeding of the parents.

In an article titled “Puppies Left to Perish,” the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals described puppy mills in horrific detail: dogs living in cages grimy with waste and dirt, puppies with untreated yellowish diarrhea, untreated disease. The USDA, on inspecting a facility housing dogs with severe dental disease, receding gums and skin covered in painful mats.

“[The USDA] directed the owner of the puppy mill to have the dogs seen by a veterinarian and treat these conditions,” the article read. “However, when inspectors returned a week later, they found one dog still covered in excess mats and the other dogs still suffering from severe dental disease. Two months later, the USDA conducted another inspection and found two additional dogs whose heads and necks were covered in mats so thick inspectors could not see their eyes or ears.”

According to the article, the USDA put no pressure on the breeder but instead told her to voluntarily surrender her license. Your guess as to whether she did it. Whoever bought one of these pets likely has to pay even more hundreds and thousands of dollars for vet bills.

Before 2017, when Gov. Jerry Brown signed AB 485 into law, pet shops were the brokers. But animals still flow into California and are sold online, through flyers or in physical locations by brokers. The French bulldogs that everyone wants usually come from unlicensed backyard or mass breeders and may suffer health problems from both unsanitary conditions and those specific to that breed.

“A woman once contacted me online — she had a Frenchie who was pregnant and not doing well,” Friends of Long Beach Animals president Lauren Campbell said. “Her vet had quoted her $6,000 for a C-section. She called to ask who could give her money. If you’re a responsible French bulldog owner, you’d know that French bulldogs need C-sections, and they’re planned in advance [with a vet].”

A responsible registered breeder or breed-specific rescue would have told the woman the same thing. Reputable breeders would also have given her health information for both the dog and the dog’s parents. But pet brokers wouldn’t have the information available or wouldn’t offer honest information.

Licensed, reputable breeders approve making third-party pet sales illegal

Both AB 485 and the 2015 Long Beach mandatory spay/neuter law received pushback from licensed breeders. AB 519 hasn’t received any such opposition.

“My staff has been in contact with licensed breeders and members of kennel clubs who are supportive of this bill,” Berman said. “Many licensed, responsible breeders feel undercut by brokers and want to eliminate this loophole that they believe has caused fraud and distrust.”

Barbara G., a licensed breeder in Central California, said Berman’s comment represents the feelings of responsible licensed breeders.

“I think that the concept is a good idea because you have to do something to stop puppy mills,” she said. “I think that’s the point behind this, to stop puppy mills from using California as a market. It’s a hard thing to do, but you have to at least try.”

If enforced, the laws will, pardon the weak pun, take a bite out of the pets-for-profit trade. It’s a huge step in the right direction. However, limited resources in Long Beach often pose a challenge to enforcing laws against local backyard-breeder sales.

“There’s a bit of a gap sometimes between ‘passed bill’ and ‘enforced law’ — implementation and wider adoption of new laws we pass often takes time — but we’re hopeful this will be another tool for local law enforcement to go after bad actors,” Berman said. “Together, we hope these three bills will close the gaps in enforcement.”

Potential pet parents also need to take responsibility when seeking your new BFF.

“If you’re looking to add a new pet to your family, please consider adopting from a local shelter or rescue organization,” the ASPCA said in their statement. “If you do decide to work with a breeder, it’s important to do your due diligence by visiting the breeder’s home to see where the puppy has been raised, review all health and medical information, and never let a seller make you feel pressured or rushed to sign a contract.”

YOURS DROOLY

Meet K9 Kismet, a generous, loving group of dog lovers and protectors. They accept dogs that no one wants, ones whose humans can no longer take care of them, ones who enter shelters and may be at risk of euthanasia.

K9 Kismet works closely with our shelter at Long Beach Animal Care Services and tosses a lifeline to dogs who need out now. Their website says it best: “We believe in compassionate rescue when the dog is enduring inhumane living conditions or likely to be deemed less adoptable due to age, health, emotional state, or breed. We ensure that all the dogs we take into our rescue, regardless of individual needs, are cared for with love and compassion for the duration of their lives.”

Unless, of course, someone like you comes to take them home — yes, for the duration of their lives. To adopt a dog from K9 Kismet, access their website and fill out an application to adopt or foster one of their lucky dogs. Check out all the pets for adopt-ready doggies and “works in progress.” If you need a healthy catharsis, read the “Forever Fosters” section. Donations gladly accepted.

Meet Chuck. We are absolutely smitten with this handsome fella who reminds us of his resilience each and every day. We think you’ll be taken, too! Chuck is a 3-year-old Lab/shepherd mix who loves people and is good with other dogs. He’s crate-trained, house-trained, and easy on the leash, Chuck is beyond ready to find his forever home. Being highly treat motivated, Chuck learned his basic commands really quick and and will learn more. If you're looking for an active, fun, playful dog who likes to cuddle and learn new things, you really should meet this kid!

Levi is a good boy who loves people and all that goes into being part of a family. He’s affectionate and cuddly, and quite honestly, he hasn’t gotten the message that he’s not a lapdog! He’s going to find a way to snuggle close and lay his giant dome on your lap. He’s also a pro-sleeper through the night. You may have to rustle him for breakfast instead of the other way around. Levi had to rebuild his stamina after being found as an emaciated stray with an abdominal blockage, but he now has all kinds of pep in his step for walks and hikes. He’s great in the car, always eager to jump in the back seat and see the sights. He also lights up around a hose and a ball! Levi is house-trained, curious, smart, tolerant and motivated by treats and praise — he’s going to make an adopter very happy. He’s successfully lived with other dogs and had canine friends of various sizes: He prefers females and calm males. We believe he could live with a well-balanced pack (with proper introductions of course) or live happily as a solo dog.

Tiger Lily is a healthy 10-year-old senior looking for an adopter to spend her golden years with. It’s hard to describe Tiger Lily without overusing the word “love.” After all, that’s what she’s all about! Tiger Lily loves everyone she meets. When petting this extremely affectionate girl, she leans in as though to say, “Where have you been my whole life?” She carries her doting nature over to her stuffed toys. We’ve seen her meticulously pick out her favorites from a toy box and, one by one, carry them over to her bed before diving in and enjoying them. Don’t let her age fool you: Tiger Lily lights up at the very mention of a walk. Forget all the fitness apps — if you need a well-mannered exercise partner to motivate you to get your daily steps in, Tiger Lily will be there for you.

TAIL-WAGGIN' AND NOSE-BOOPIN' EVENTS

Long Beach TNR & Community Cat Coalition meeting

Are you someone involved with trapping, spaying and neutering, and releasing community cats but don’t have nearly enough resources? Are you an experienced trapper and want to help show others how? Are cats in your neighborhood having kittens everywhere, and you don’t know what the heck to do? Save the date for the next TNR Coalition meeting at Long Beach Animal Care Services and be a part of this growing mission to keep the street-cat birthrate down and the living cats cared for.

Volunteers will feature a short presentation on doing large scale TNR, and the Little Lion Foundation will give an update on the rollout of their trap/neuter/vaccinate/return program! Get the latest about vouchers and low-cost options for spay, neuter and vaccines for community cats and owned cats, and hear an update about TNR from LBACS.

The TNR & Community Cat Coalition Meeting takes place Saturday, March 1, 11 a.m.–1 p.m. at Long Beach Animal Care Services, 7700 E. Spring St., Long Beach, no parking fee for shelter visitors.

Helen Sanders CatPAWS 12^th annual bowling fundraiser

Knock down some pins for the purrers at CatPAWS! This family-fun event includes two hours of bowling, shoes included; appetizer or pizza, with soft drink; and an opportunity drawing with great prizes. If you don’t want to bowl, you can sit on the fence in bowling pin posture like a veritable cat and cheer on your friends!

Proceeds will help feed, house, spay/neuter and vaccinate, and give any medical treatment needed to our adoptable cats. They will also help fund CatPAWS’ mobile spay/neuter clinic, which makes great progress in lowering the number of kittens born to the streets, who grow into unwanted, homeless cats.

The Helen Sanders CatPAWS bowling fundraiser takes place Saturday, March 29, 3 p.m.–6 p.m. at Westminster Lanes, 6471 Westminster Blvd., Westminster. Tickets available here, $45 general admission, $25 food only, spectator

Blockhead Brigade’s Fire Relief Program for Altadena pets and their people

If you have pets and have been displaced or affected by the Eaton fire in Altadena, please fill out this form in detail, and Blockhead Brigade will assist you in accessing resources — there are several available on BB’s resources page. Please reach out with any questions at blockheadbrigade@gmail.com; if you wish to volunteer, email at that address. Your donations will help greatly, and you can apply to volunteer here.

Need a low-cost veterinarian, information about trapping community cats, places to volunteer, rescues and shelters to adopt from — anything pet related? Follow this link for resources. Please add your own ideas in the Comments section.