ICYMI: Californians Lose 17 Protections in Pet Store Ban Bill
Alexandria, VA (PRWEB) September 12, 2017 -- A leading companion animal advocacy group is urging the California Senate to vote against Assembly Bill 485. The bill exempts pet stores from 17 of 21 current state consumer, pet, and professional protections and bans the non-rescue, non-shelter sales of cats, dogs, and rabbits across California.
The affected regulations are in Article 2 of the California Health and Safety Code, Division 105, Part 6, Chapter 5. They were established by the Lockyer-Polanco-Farr Pet Purchase Protection Act, which is still regarded as one of the strongest in the country. According to Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC) President Mike Bober, “This amendment codifies what pet professionals across California and the country have been saying since AB 485 was introduced: Pet owners and pet lovers lose out.”
Among the protections that would no longer apply are measures that allow pet lovers to be reimbursed for ill or deceased pets and a requirement that veterinarians regularly examine dogs that enter California pet stores. Permit requirements, civil penalties against law-breaking pet stores, and other provisions would no longer be in effect for pet stores under AB 485.
The affected pet and consumer protections are, in descending order in Article 2:
122130: Animal protections – pet stores must arrange transport within 4 hours of arrival.
122137: Consumer protections – Pet stores must provide materials on the benefits of spaying and neutering and are encouraged to incentivize spaying and neutering.
122150: Consumer protections – Pet stores are subject to fines of up to $1000 for violations of this Act.
122160: Consumer protections – State warranty law
122165: Consumer protections – Pets are presumed to have had an illness if they die within 15 days of purchase and are therefore subject to the warranty law.
122170: Consumer protections – Procedures for coverage by the warranty law. Sections 122175, 122180, 122185, and 122190, which are also no longer applicable to pet stores, explain the provisions of the warranty law.
122195: Consumer protections – Pet stores may enter into additional agreements with customers and customers may be entitled to additional protections.
122200: Consumer protections – Pet stores must provide documents in cases where pets are represented as capable of being registered.
122205: Animal AND Consumer protections – Pet stores must not knowingly sell ill or unfit dogs. Penalties up to $10,000.
122210: Animal AND consumer protections – Pet stores must have dogs examined by a licensed veterinarian within five days of receipt and once every 15 days thereafter. They must also provide a quarantine section for sick animals, clean and disinfect it, and provide care for dogs returned due to illness.
122215: Consumer protections – Pet stores must post signage identifying the state from which a dog was acquired.
122220: Consumer protections – Pet stores must post signage announcing that information about sources and veterinary treatment is available for review and make that information available upon request.
“Most of these protections have existed since 1996,” said Bober, whose group represents California pet stores. “Senators must stop Assembly Bill 485’s misguided attack on their constituents’ rights.”
Bober is available for further comment on Assembly Bill 485.
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Since 1970, the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC) has protected pets, pet owners and the pet industry – promoting responsible pet ownership and animal welfare, fostering environmental stewardship, and ensuring the availability of pets. PIJAC members include retailers, companion animal suppliers, manufacturers, wholesale distributors, manufacturers’ representatives, pet hobbyists, and other trade organizations. http://www.pijac.org
Jamie Baxter, The Impetus Agency, +1 775-322-4022, [email protected]
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