Over the past two decades, California lawmakers have introduced multiple bills aimed at addressing the root causes of our growing animal welfare crisis—irresponsible breeding, lack of spay/neuter access, and the absence of shelter transparency and data. These bills were thoughtfully crafted to reduce shelter intake, prevent euthanasia, and improve standards of care. Yet one by one, these proposals were shelved, vetoed, or quietly killed in committee—often due to pressure from industry groups or lack of political will.
Had these bills become law, California could have been a national leader in humane animal policy. Instead, we are now suffering the consequences of inaction: overcrowded shelters, rising euthanasia of healthy pets, and entire communities struggling to access affordable services for their animals.
The chart below outlines some of the key legislative efforts that could have fundamentally changed the landscape. From regulating backyard breeding (AB 702, AB 2425) to restoring spay/neuter infrastructure (AB 240, AB 1634), and enforcing shelter transparency (AB 595, AB 2265), these bills represented real, preventative solutions. Their failure has left a dangerous gap—allowing systemic neglect to deepen unchecked.
We must now look ahead with urgency. These critical policies must be reintroduced and passed before the crisis worsens further. In truth, we are already living in the catastrophe these bills sought to prevent. Continued delay means more animals euthanized, more communities overwhelmed, and more public trust eroded.
It’s time for the Legislature to act—and for Californians to raise their voices. The future of animal welfare in our state depends on it.
| Bill | Year Introduced | Issue Area | What the Bill Proposed | Outcome | Opposition Groups |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AB 702 | 2021 | Breeder Regulation | Mandatory breeder permits for all, including 1-litter breeders; microchipping, vet checks, litter caps, All births must be reported within 10 days, All advertising must include permit number and jurisdiction, Local animal control must create and manage permit programs | Failed to advance in committee | American Kennel Club (AKC), hobby breeders |
| AB 2425 | 2024 | Breeder Regulation | Follow-up to AB 702 with similar breeder regulations | Not advanced by author | Not specified |
| AB 241 | 2010 | Breeder Regulation | Early breeder regulation bill establishing basic care standards | Vetoed by Governor | Not specified |
| AB 1634 | 2007 | Spay/Neuter | Mandatory spay/neuter for dogs and cats over 4 m.o., with limited intact permits and exemptions Owners of non-compliant pets could face a fine of up to $500 per animal | The bill passed the California Assembly but was deferred in the Senate | Pet owners, breed clubs, breeders of working dogs, search-and-rescue dog associations, K9 law enforcement associations, organizations providing guide and service dogs, California's agriculture industry, animal rescue groups, leaders in the No Kill movement, many veterinarians |
| SB 250 | 2009 | Bill aimed to mandate sterilization for certain dogs and cats | Bill faced similar opposition and did not become law | ||
| AB 595 | 2023 | Shelter Transparency | 72-hour euthanasia notice; study on shelter overcrowding | Held in Assembly Appropriations | Lobbyists opposing increased shelter regulations (specific groups not specified) |
| AB 2265 | 2024 | Shelter Transparency | Public notice before euthanasia; prioritizing spay/neuter | Held in Assembly Appropriations | Not specified |
| AB 332 | 2023 | Shelter Data Reporting | Require state to resume shelter data collection during rabies reporting | Did not advance | Not specified |
| SB 1459 | 2024 | Shelter Data Transparency | Monthly shelter intake/outcome data publication requirement | Failed to pass | Not specified |
| AB 2723 | 2022 | Microchipping shelter/rescued dogs | Mandatory microchipping of dogs and cats adopted or reclaimed from shelters | Passed | Not specified |
| Never introduced | Microchipping/ Of All owned Dogs/Cats over 4 m.o | Mandatory microchipping of dogs and cats adopted or reclaimed from shelters | Some California municipalities have enacted their own mandatory microchipping ordinances | ||
| AB 240 | 2023 | Spay/Neuter Funding | Establish California Spay-Neuter Fund to support low-cost services and reduce shelter intake/euthanasia | Failed in Legislature (2023) | Not specified |
