Dear,

As a concerned California constituent, taxpayer and advocate for animal welfare, I am deeply concerned about the pet overpopulation crisis in our state. Californian shelters and rescue groups operate in Crisis mode.

California’s state-run animal shelters face a dire situation. Since 2021, shelter intakes have soared, with approximately 450,000 animals entering the system in 2023 alone. Pet euthanasia rates have hit a three-year high,  reaching alarming levels of 57 % non-live outcomes in areas. California leads the nation in homeless animal intakes and euthanasia levels. 

Alarmingly, only a fraction of California government run shelters, about 38.5%, submitted any statistics to the National Shelters Animal Count database. Even fewer, just 25.2%, reported data for the entire year. This incomplete reporting means that a significant 70-75% of California’s animal intake and outcome data remains unaccounted for.  

Some examples for 2023:

Town of Apple Valley Animal Services – 55.84 %

Los Banos, Animal Services -30.72 %

LA County Animal Care Services – 31.28 %

Fresno Humane Animal Services – 32.23 %

Kern County Animal Services– 24.44 %

Contra Costa Animal Services – 17.30 %

San Jose Animal Care Services – 16.57 %

Another alarming trend: Municipal shelters decline animals in takes, deepening the current crisis. The numbers of ‘declined’ by shelter animals are not accounted for either, many of them end up abandoned and suffer the consequences of living and dying on the streets. The same shelters have terminated low cost spay neuter support within our communities. The average price of $850-2000 is not affordable to the majority of Californians. 

These troubling trends underscore the urgent need for proactive measures to address pet overpopulation and ensure the well-being of animals across the state – Comprehensive neuter/spay support has proven to be an effective tool in addressing these challenges.

I kindly request your support in championing the State Funded effort to comprehensively address the pet overpopulation. By doing so, we have an opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of countless animals and strengthen our commitment to responsible pet ownership. I would like to highlight the following key points that would like State Leadership to focus on:

• Recognise Animal overpopulation Crisis, work on Comprehensive Centralised solutions as part of crucial Core State Priorities. Adding Animal Crisis to Core State Priorities is critical step for the well-being of both our animal population and struggling communities

• Prioritize and Allocate Sufficient Public Funding ( Including Emergency State Funds) to establish widely accessible low-cost Spay-Neuter programs throughout the state, establish a relevant Category within the 2024-25 State Budget. With soaring inflation and a high cost of living, Californians need affordable access to these services. Local jurisdiction Animal services are no longer able to provide these essential services.
• Funding for animal welfare should be sufficient and based on each region’s population needs, prioritizing areas with high euthanasia rates. It should be transparent and allocated directly to Californians, not through Third party organizations that use unrelated grant criteria. This ensures fair distribution to communities most affected by this crisis.
• Considering lack of veterinarian staff at shelters, providing  financial assistance in the form of vouchers would allow expanded access to spay-neuter services through private veterinary clinics.
• Develop and implement a  systematic approach, possibly create a State Task board to address systemic problems, come up with a long term approach:  Develop and implement measures to prevent overbreeding of animals by strengthening breeder laws and regulations, stopping illegal animal sales, implementing mandatory spay-neuter and registration requirements. 

The welfare of our companion animals is a matter of great importance to many individuals and families in our community. However, the challenges associated with pet overpopulation persist, leading to increased strain on animal shelters, higher euthanasia rates, and a multitude of issues related to responsible pet ownership.

Comprehensive spay/neuter support, along with responsible breeding practices can make significant strides towards controlling the population of unwanted animals, reducing the burden on shelters, and improving the overall well-being of our pets.

I am grateful for your attention to this matter  and kindly request your support in championing legislation that addresses the animal Overpopulation comprehensively. 

What’s needed is an approach centered on both animals and communities, rather than catering solely to big-money interests and powerful lobbies. Key components for humane animal population management:

State Funded Spay -neuter availability and affordability throughout the communities is crucial at curbing overpopulation at its root. Increased funding for spay-neuter programs and ensuring access to affordable veterinary services throughout communities.  

Laws and regulations around breeding and selling of animals including online animal sales  to keep animals safe and from being overbred, and prevent breeders and sellers from conducting business in illegal ways.

Mandatory identification and registration of animals are essential when it comes to traceability, responsible ownership, breeding/selling of animals, including online sales, combating illegal or criminal activities, managing stray animal populations, preventing public health risks, and handling zoonotic disease outbreaks. 

By doing so, we have an opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of countless animals and strengthen our commitment to responsible pet ownership.

I am grateful for your attention to this matter and am hopeful that we can work together to enact meaningful change.

Thank you for your dedication to our community and its four-legged residents.

Sincerely,