SB 250 - MSN, By Any Other Name, Is Still ............
“No person may own, keep, or harbor an unaltered and unspayed dog (or cat) in violation of this section.”
This sentence is the gist of newly introduced California Senate Bill 250-Florez, D-Shafter.
Regardless of what the bill says, or what the proponents say, their intent is to wipe out intact dogs and cats, and by so doing, wipe out all dogs and cats.
SB 250 is the latest wrinkle of proponents of mandatory spay and neuter. The proponents say this is not mandatory spay and neuter, all you have to do is pay an “intact” license fee.
And then they cram the bill with ways you can lose that license. Ways to punish you. Ways your dogs and cats can be taken from you--surgically sterilized-- and thrown back at you.
The proponents blame intact dogs and cats for a so-called pet overpopulation. The proponents say SB 250 is a reasonable, fiscally responsible measure that will reduce homeless pets.
How that will be done is a complete mystery. If, as they say, most pets going to shelters are unaltered and homeless, but if you pay a special tax you can keep your unaltered pets, how does that reduce shelter populations? It doesn’t!
Homeless dogs and cats, roaming dogs and cats are already picked up and impounded, regardless of whether they are intact or not. SB 250 just makes those of us who own intact pets pay the bill.
If, as they say, thousands of homeless, unaltered pets are being killed in shelters, and this is a horrific problem, then answer me, how does paying a special intact tax alleviate the problem? It won’t!
Are the proponents saying; “Look, intact dogs and cats are being killed by the thousands, are causing a huge pet overpopulaion, are filling our shelters to capacity, but if you pay a new special tax, its ok, all is forgiven?”
SB 250 is nothing more than another new tax. During the worst recession in the history of California, during a time when our politicians have already raised taxes and cut services, and during a time when millions of us are struggling to keep our homes and jobs, Senator Florez says; “ “Buy an (intact) license.”
There will be reams of writings dissecting SB 250 and all its provisions and amendments. There will be those of us who will be apologists. “Lets just do this” or “lets just do that”, and we can live with this new law. There will be some of us who will want to cut a deal. “ I have achieved peace in our time.” Where did I read that?
There will be those who say, “We shouldn’t anger our lawmakers, lets just wait and see what happens.”
Well, I say, “baloney”. The proponents of this bill are the same people who sponsored AB 1634. They are extremists. They want to end pet ownership.
I believe the squeaky wheel, gets the oil. All of us need to close ranks. We need to make it very clear to our elected officials, there are thousands and thousands of us responsible taxpayers, constituents, voters and citizens who will be livid if this bill passes. We need to make it very uncomfortable for lawmakers to vote for this measure
PetPAC again, will lead the charge. We will keep you informed through wwwpetpac.net , do research, lobby politicians, post petitions and opposition letters and flyers, send out buttons, produce signs, conduct rallies, and try to answer your concerns.
PetPAC is also on the move. We are not only playing defense, we are going on the offensive. PetPAC has joined with Nathan Winograd to support his No Kill animal shelter method.
We are sponsoring legislation that points the way to stop shelter killings through No Kill. We will reach out to those sensible animal rights groups who truly want to save shelter animals.
PetPAC will walk the walk and fight the fight. But, you must do your part too. You have already been through the battle with AB 1634. You know what is coming. You know how to fight back.
We will need your active support through letters, faxes, emails, telephone calls and attendance at hearings and rallies. We will need your and your club’s financial support. We will need you to talk to your friends and neighbors, to dog and cat people, exhibitors, business people and anyone who owns a pet. Send them to www.petpac.net. We will win if we have the numbers, the support and the desire.
