Number of allowable pets may increase!

I’m sort of on the fence about this idea! Raising the amount of allowable pets in a home is good for someone that can feasibly take care of the animals, but it may also allow people who can’t take care of the animals to hoard even more. I can see both sides of the story here! I do like the idea of being able to give more pets a great home when I can afford it! One good thing is it would allow people to at least foster more pets. What do you think? Click on the picture to read the whole story!

Ed Muzika, who has an animal blog, has long proposed lifting the restraints on pet owners to allow them to have more dogs or cats in their homes. (Hans Gutknecht/Staff Photographer)

Woman may serve jail time…FOR FEEDING CATS?!

I don’t try to make this an overly political blog but this particular issue really makes me wonder what sort of uncaring soul(s) decided to prosecute Katherine Varjian, a 65 year old woman whose only deed was feeding and caring for feral cats. Then you might as well incarcerate me as well as other cat rescue volunteers who feed and occasionally trap and fix feral cats around my neighborhood. Where’s the crime in that? Like some people said in the following video, this could be detrimental to the ongoing efforts to take care of and control the feral cat population. They may not be owned by anyone but they too deserve somewhat of a decent existence. Plus nurturing feral cats and their kittens gives their kittens a better chance at possible adoption if they’re friendly enough.

If you live in or around Beverly Hills (or even if you don’t) and you love feral cats, here’s your chance to speak out against this utter misuse of taxpayer money. Ms. Varjian is not a hardened criminal.

A hearing is set for 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 7 at the Beverly Hills Courthouse
For more information contact the Beverly Hills City Council.

Here’s an excerpt from this article:

Her supporters, which include local residents, veterinarians and animal advocates are saying Varjian should be commended for the good she does, rather then be jailed. They are appalled that a small number of nasty and uninformed individuals can undermine the humane efforts of reducing the stray cat population. Her opponents film her activities, block her access to alleys and claim their children are in danger from coyote attacks as a result of the 65-year-old’s dedication to saving homeless cats and kittens.

Here’s a video:

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Shelter animals should not fall victim to the California budget crisis

The thought of this makes me terribly sad. Animals who find their way into shelters whether it’s due to home foreclosure, abandonment, or just simply getting lost should not have to suffer the possibility of being put down because there was no ample time for owners to find them or for them to get adopted. Please take action by filling out your information at the following Humane Society Link:

Californians: Urge Lawmakers Not to Make Sheltered Dogs and Cats Victims of Budget Crisis

Please do this for the innocent animals that are the ultimate victims in this proposal.

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28 animal care workers to be laid off in October.

According to this article, It all depends on a trash fee hike, which could stave off some of the layoffs.

Here’s an excerpt from the article:

All city departments were ordered to submit possible cuts as a result of the budget crisis. The Department of Animal Services suggested either delaying the public opening of the new Mission shelter or reducing public hours at all the shelters. The city told the agency to do both and cut positions.

According to the article, the fate of the workers may ultimately be tied to trash bin fees. Councilman Richard Alarcon discovered that the City had not collected all fees from residents with extra are extra-large trash bins. The amount is estimated to be about $8.5 million. Hopefully residents will pay the extra fee so that these desperately needed jobs can be saved. The animals need it!

California license plate to curb pet overpopulation

Found in a random google image search. The message is loud and clear on this Ohio license plate.

Pretty soon, our lovely state of California will jump on the bandwagon with 23 other states by creating it’s own specialized license plate that helps fund spay and neuter programs. For more detailed information, visit our sister blog Southbay Pets. Information on state law AB 1634, other sample plates, and the California Healthy Pets Act is all right there.

“We’re hoping to have a contest and to open it up to the entire state,” Judie Mancuso of .the AB 1634 campaign. “The plates would include a message and a picture. If 7,500 are pre-sold at the Department of Motor Vehicles, the plates will begin to be issued 9 months later, she said. So that means they could be available about a year from now.”

Stay tuned for updated info. Can’t wait to see the finished product! Like Donna Littlejohn said in her blog entry…GET THOSE CREATIVE IDEAS GOING!

No Paws Left Behind!

Awhile back a friend of mine emailed information for No Paws Left Behind, a non-profit organization that solely focuses on the welfare of the silent victims of foreclosure, our pets. Out of all the foreclosure websites I’ve come across, this one seems to be the most comprehensive. If you can’t find an interim place for your pet, click the link to find a foster shelter. There are all kinds within a 60 mile radius of the San Fernando Valley. Just punch in your zipcode.

Shelters and rescue organizations can also seek financial assistance by filling out this form.

Also, if you’d like to help foster pets without being there you can donate money to your favorite animal foster organization through the Project Foster From Afar Program.

Click here for all the contact information you’ll ever need.

Now you really have NO EXCUSE when it comes making sure your pets are taken care of in the event that you foreclose on your house.

Pet Trust Bill Gains Strength in California

I thought this cartoon was sort of appropos.
Remember this entry? Well here’s even more incentive for me AND YOU to start a living will and include your pet(s) in there with a trust that tells those left behind who should take over the responsibility of your beloved pets and exactly how they should be taken care of in the event that you die before your pet does. This new law (which goes into effect January 1, 2009) will ensure that owner’s wishes WILL be carried out with NO IFs, ANDs or BUTs.

Here’s the press release that was emailed to me:

California Strengthens Pet Trusts

Governor signs Yee’s bill to ensure pet owners’ wishes are honored in estate planning

SACRAMENTO – Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-Los Angeles) today signed
into law a bill aimed at protecting animals after the deaths of their owners. Senate Bill 685, authored by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo), is expected to reduce the burden on pet shelters, conserve public services and funds, protect defenseless animals, and guarantee that people’s wills are carried out as intended.

“Pets are an important part of the American family,” said Yee. “SB 685 will make pet trusts enforceable and assure that the wishes of pet owners are respected.”

“This is a great step forward in protecting pets throughout California,” said Jan McHugh-Smith, President of the San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA). “SB 685 will provide the legal basis to make certain that the careful planning of pet owners is carried out and that pets continue to be cared for and safeguarded even after the passing of their owners.”

Many animal shelters are filled with pets of deceased owners, despite the fact that a number of the owners made arrangements for the pets after their death.

Currently, pet trusts in California are honorary and not enforceable by law. SB 685 will address the present unenforceability in the administration of pet trusts by removing the discretion of trustees in fulfilling the trust. The bill also allows courts to appoint a caregiver if the trustee does not wish to arrange for the pet care.

“Wills and trusts are the means for people to bestow their possessions and savings as they see fit,” said Yee. “Under this new law, a pet owner will be assured that their pet will be properly cared for after their passing while also ensuring that kin are not burdened with undue pressure.”

In addition to the San Francisco and American SPCA, SB 685 was supported by the Humane Society of the United States, 2nd Chance 4 Pets, Action for Animals, Animal Legal Defense Fund, Animal Switchboard, California Federation for Animal Legislation, Marin Human Society, United Animal Nations, Wildcare, and San Francisco Dog Owners Group.

SB 685 (Chapter 168) officially becomes law on January 1, 2009.