AB 478 (Zbur), Friends of Oreo Uniting During Disasters (FOUND) Act, ensures that pet parents can rescue their animals left behind in evacuated areas. This bill responds to the inadequate action taken for residents in the LA fire zones who had animals in the evacuation areas and had to either sneak in to save their pets or rely on animal rescuers to do so. AB 478 also directs cities and counties to establish a designated hotline for residents who need help evacuating with their animals or rescuing their pets once evacuated. Additionally, it ensures that animals rescued from evacuated areas are kept in the area for at least 30 days, giving their owners sufficient time to retrieve them. Today, the bill passed the Assembly Appropriations Committee with all Democrats voting 'yes' and Republicans not voting. "We are incredibly grateful that AB 478 has passed out of the Assembly Appropriations Committee. This legislation is a critical step toward ensuring that no pet is left behind during disasters," said Judie Mancuso, Founder and President of Social Compassion in Legislation, sponsor of the bill. "By extending the holding period and mandating clear rescue procedures, we're giving families a better chance to reunite with their beloved animals. We thank the committee for recognizing the importance of this bill and look forward to its continued progress." We are incredibly thankful to Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur for his leadership on AB478! The bill will be voted on by the full Assembly in the next two weeks before moving on to the Senate. Please sign up for our email newsletter to stay up to date. Link in bio! #animalrights #lafires #caleg #california #animalrescue #dogs #cats #horses #firstresponders (fb)

SB 221 (Ochoa Bogh), Stalking Crimes, a bill which will expand the current stalking crime to include threats to pets, service animals, and horses. Pets are family members, but when stalkers threaten these beloved companions, the law currently offers no recourse. Today, the bill passed the Senate Appropriations Committee unanimously! "We are deeply grateful to Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh for her unwavering dedication to SB 221 and making it a top priority in the Senate Appropriations Committee," said Judie Mancuso, Founder and President of Social Compassion in Legislation, sponsor of the bill. "In a time when violence is far too prevalent in our society, it is crucial that we take strong, proactive steps to prevent such crimes. We must ensure accountability for those who threaten someone's animal with violence as a way to terrorize that person before those threats turn into harmful actions." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZATSNSlK5I #stalking #pets #horses #servicedog #Crime #california #caleg (fb)