Friday, July 11, 2008

AB 2427 - Time to be Heard

AB 2427 (Eng), a bill sponsored by the California Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA), will prevent local communities from deciding what veterinary procedures they will allow in their communities. This could affect future restrictions on declawing, tail docking, ear cropping and similar inhumane procedures on animals. It also would reverse the law adopted in West Hollywood several years ago prohibiting the declawing of cats.

This bill is about to be voted on the floor of the California State Senate, its last step before, if approved, going to the Governor for his signature or veto.

The City of Los Angeles has not taken an official position on this bill so I cannot discuss the substantive issues it raises in this forum. But if you would like to learn more about AB 2427 and/or contact your State Senator to express your support or opposition, here's how you can do so:

1) Obtain more information on the bill by going to: http://info.sen.ca.gov/cgi-bin/pagequery?type=sen_bilinfo&site=sen&title=Bill+Information

2) Then go to: www.leginfo.ca.gov/yourleg.html .

3) Type in your zip code .

4) Press SEARCH .

5) Note the name of your Senator, the address of your Senator the Telephone number of your Senator and the Fax number of your Senator.

6) Make a phone call.

a) When you get the receptionist, ask if you may speak with the staff person who is in charge of advising the Senator on AB 2427. You may be transferred to voice mail or get a real person.

b) voice your opinion regarding how you feel the Senator should vote on AB 2427 (Eng) when it reaches the Senate Floor.

OR,

7) If you prefer, write a letter or send a fax to your Senator, but be prompt, because the bill may be heard in the next week or two.