California animal shelters and rescues are in a crisis. According to available data compiled by Shelter Animals Count from January 2023 through June 2023, almost 87,000 dogs ended up in the care of reporting animal welfare organizations. This is roughly 34,000 more intakes than the second-worst state in the country for intakes (Texas).

To be considered “no-kill,” 90% of animals must exit shelters and rescues alive. Unfortunately, approximately 12% of dogs in California entering these organizations from January 2023 through June 2023 have been euthanized. The state of California is not a no-kill state.

This euthanasia rate is:

• Higher than the national euthanasia rate of around 10% for the same time period.
• Around 4% higher than California’s euthanasia rate for dogs for the same time period in 2022.
• Roughly 6% higher than California’s dog euthanasia rate for the same time period in 2021.

California is headed in the wrong direction, and these statistics likely would have been higher without transfer programs, which saved the lives of roughly 12% of the dogs that entered shelters and rescues this year.

While there are many reasons this is happening, the continued breeding of dogs is the primary cause of this state-wide dog overpopulation issue. If fewer dogs were being born, fewer dogs would enter shelters and be euthanized. Currently, there are more dogs looking for homes than there are homes available.

We are calling on Governor Newsom to implement a temporary, two-year state-wide ban on the sale/adoption/rehoming of dogs under the age of one year unless their placement is facilitated by a 501c3 organization or a government-run animal welfare organization.

We believe this solution will simplify the enforcement of laws surrounding breeder licenses, backyard breeding, etc. since it would eliminate the confusion about permits or licenses. The current system for handling these licenses and permits does not seem to be easily enforceable, so we need to simplify the process until a better system can be put in place.

We ask that this ban take effect in five months to provide a grace period for private individuals and breeders with current litters or litters in utero so that they will have time to find homes for their puppies before the ban is implemented. This grace period will prevent a mass dumping of puppies that would further strain our already overburdened shelter system and rescues.

We ask that anyone who violates this ban incur a fine equal to the amount they are asking potential buyers/adopters/homes to pay for each puppy OR $200 per puppy, whichever amount is higher.

We ask that this ban continue for a minimum of two years to ensure California reaches no-kill status again. Not only will this give shelters and rescues some breathing room to work through the high volume of dogs currently needing homes, but it will also provide time for lawmakers and shelters to collaborate and determine the best way to enforce breeding licenses/permits moving forward.

We also ask Governor Newsom to consider the following:

1. A state-wide, uniform fee schedule for dog licensing in which unaltered dog licenses cost at least $200 per year and altered dog licenses cost no more than $50 per year. The hope is this will encourage people to spay/neuter their pets and reduce accidental litters throughout the state.
2. A state-wide, uniform fee schedule for breeder licenses of no less than $1,000 annually.
3. The creation of a task force to crack down on unlicensed/unpermitted breeders once this ban lifts. This would include strict fines on anyone in violation of licensing and permitting laws. These fines could be used to fund the task force and establish additional affordable spay-neuter and veterinary care sites throughout the state.
4. Ongoing bans on breeding certain breeds of dogs that are based on intake and euthanasia rates for individual breeds within California shelters. These bans can be lifted or reinstated based on how euthanasia rates fluctuate over time.
5. Consideration of tax incentives for landlords that allow pets to create increased adoption opportunities for animals throughout the state.