BILL NUMBER: ACR 19	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Smyth

                        FEBRUARY 4, 2009

   Relative to Spay Day USA 2009.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   ACR 19, as introduced, Smyth. Spaying and neutering.
   This measure would declare February 24, 2009, to be Spay Day USA
2009, and would request that Californians observe that day by having
their dogs or cats spayed or neutered and by contributing to
organizations that provide spay and neuter services.
   Fiscal committee: no.



   WHEREAS, More than one-half of one million dogs and cats were
euthanized by animal shelters in California during 2007, the most
recent year for which statewide data is available; and
   WHEREAS, In most instances these dogs and cats are young, healthy,
and friendly animals that are euthanized simply because there are
not enough good homes for them; and
   WHEREAS, An additional unknown number of animals die each year due
to abandonment, neglect, abuse, starvation, or cruelty; and
   WHEREAS, The cost to government and nonprofit agencies of handling
and euthanizing discarded animals exceeds one-quarter of one billion
dollars per year; and
   WHEREAS, The spaying or neutering of dogs and cats helps solve
this tragic and costly problem by reducing the number of dogs and
cats that end up in shelters; and
   WHEREAS, It is the policy of the State of California that animal
shelters should aggressively promote spay and neuter programs to
reduce pet overpopulation; and
   WHEREAS, Californians can contribute to this effort by spaying or
neutering their own companion animals and by supporting programs in
their communities that offer accessible spay and neuter services; and

   WHEREAS, Veterinarians, humane societies, animal control agencies,
and national and local animal welfare organizations will join
together to advocate the spaying or neutering of dogs and cats on
"Spay Day USA 2009," an annual campaign of the Humane Society of the
United States; and
   WHEREAS, In particular, the Sacramento area is celebrating its
10th anniversary as a national leader in the coordination of Spay Day
USA events designed to meet the needs of low-income families, and
this year will reach a total of 5,000 dogs and cats spayed or
neutered as part of Spay Day USA events; now, therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
thereof concurring, That the Legislature of the State of California
declares February 24, 2009, to be Spay Day USA 2009 and requests
Californians to observe the day by having their dogs or cats spayed
or neutered and by contributing to charitable organizations that
provide spay and neuter services; and the legislature further
requests that California veterinarians work with animal shelters and
rescue groups to provide accessible spay and neuter services; and be
it further
   Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of
this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.