Right now in California, someone convicted of a felony for beating, torturing, or killing an animal can walk into a shelter the next day and adopt another one. Shelters have no way to know. Rescues have no way to check. And vulnerable animals have no protection.

AB 2344 would change that. Introduced by Assemblymember Matt Haney and passed by the California Assembly with bipartisan support, the bill would create a statewide public animal abuse registry. Adults convicted of felony animal cruelty would be required to register with local law enforcement for 10 years. Shelters, rescues, and breeders would finally have a tool to screen placements and keep animals out of dangerous homes.

The bill also establishes an Animal Protection Fund to maintain the registry and support local spay and neuter programs.

If passed, California will become just the third state in the country to have an animal abuse registry, joining Tennessee and Florida. It is a common-sense, bipartisan measure that has already cleared the Assembly. Now it needs the Senate.

We are calling on California state senators to pass AB 2344 without delay. The animals waiting in shelters across this state deserve nothing less.

Sign now and urge your senator to vote yes on AB 2344.