Alameda County Supervisors Nate Miley and Wilma Chan, along with representatives from East Bay SPCA, Valley Humane Society, and East County Animal Shelter – accompanied by a number of shelter animals – held a rally on Tuesday, March 13 in downtown Oakland to raise public awareness about the Hayden Law and urge legislators and the Governor not to overturn it. Similar actions were taken in Los Angeles and at the State Capitol in Sacramento.
The Hayden Law, voted into law in 1998, requires the state’s animal control agencies to postpone euthanasia for four to six days for lost and stray animals and to promptly provide them with necessary veterinary care. The rally’s theme clearly told lawmakers it was time to “Paws and Think” before repealing this important law.
At its scheduled meeting directly after the rally, the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to appeal to Gov. Brown to keep the life-saving law in place. Its repeal is being considered as part of the budget wrangling currently take place in California. Proponents say overturning the law would save the state $46.3 million over the next two years.
To help save the Hayden Law, contact your state legislators and especially the Governor’s Office. Every voice counts!
Main article photo by: Eileen Ng
