In Defense of Animals is ecstatic to announce that pet stores in California will no longer be able to obtain animals from puppy mills and backyard breeders thanks to the passing of AB 485! We are extremely grateful to our California supporters who urged their California senators and also Governor Jerry Brown to sign AB 485 into law! We're also extremely grateful to the sponsor of the bill, Social Compassion in Legislation.

This law will ensure that more animals are adopted out to loving homes, rather than purchased from puppy mills. Tens of thousands of shelter animals are killed in California each year due to a lack of space and available homes; this statistic will dramatically decrease when pet stores are required to offer dogs, cats, and rabbits from shelters rather than breeders. These animals will arrive at retail outlets already spayed/neutered and vaccinated, thereby ensuring that they will not contribute to future population growth.

Prior to AB 485, 33 cities and counties had placed bans on the retail sale of puppy mill dogs and cats in their local pet stores, but now it is a state-wide law—so amazing!

This is not only a major victory for animals, but it will also alleviate pressure on county budgets and California taxpayers. Currently, California taxpayers contribute $250 million each year to support city and county animal shelters, while puppy mills continuously breed animals for profit.

We are thrilled that AB 485 has been signed into law! Thank you so much again, to all of our supporters for speaking out for the voiceless.

Click here to see video of us delivering printed out copies of your letters to Governor Jerry Brown one week before he signed AB 485 into law.