Our
Mission
Lead, empower and strengthen its members through education, training, advocacy, and networking, while serving as the collective voice for California’s humane societies and SPCAs.
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In the News
October 11, 2011 - Governor Brown Signs AB 1117, SB 917, SB 647, and AB 222!
We are very pleased to report that AB 1117 was signed by Governor Brown. AB 1117 is one of the four bills -- listed below -- with which SHAC was actively invovlved (either as co-sponsor or by requesting language). All four of the bills were signed by the Governor.
AB 1117 (Lieu) - Animal Abuse (Co-sponsored with HSUS, LA County DA, and spcaLA))
Expands the ability of judges to keep animals away from their abusers as well as clarifies certain provisions of Penal Code section 597.1.
SB 917 (Lieu) - Roadside Sales; Neglect (Co-sponsored by SHAC with ASPCA, HSUS, and spcaLA)
Makes it unlawful for any person to willfully sell, display for sale or offer for sale, or give away as part of a commercial transaction, a live animal on any street, highway, public right-of-way, parking lot, carnival, or boardwalk (with certain exceptions). Increases the misdemeanor penalty from up to six months in county jail to up to one year in county jail for animal neglect.
SB 647 (Committee on Judiciary) - SB 1417 Fixes (Requested by SHAC)
Corrected non-substantive errors in SB 1417, last year's humane society/humane officer bill.
AB 222 (Galgiani) - Business Days (Requested by SHAC)
Defines "business day" for the purpose of holding periods as "any day that a public or private shelter is open to the public for at least four hours, excluding state holidays." AB 222 trumps the definition of "business day" set forth in Purifoy v. Howell.
In addition, the following bills SHAC supported were signed by the Governor:
- AB 258 (Hagman) - Rabies vaccinations.
- AB 564 (Smyth) - Voluntary contributions to Municipal Shelter Spay-Neuter Fund.
- SB 425 (Calderon) - Cockfighting penalties.
- SB 426 (Calderon) - Cockfighting penalties.
Read more about state legislation
May 3, 2011 - SHAC Files Complaint Against the ASPCA with the Attorney General
The State Humane Association of California announced that a complaint has been filed with the Office of the Attorney General against the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). The complaint alleges that ASPCA’s unfair and deceptive fundraising practices harm local humane societies and SPCAs by capitalizing on and reinforcing the widely-held mistaken belief that the ASPCA is a parent or umbrella organization to the thousands of humane societies and SPCAs across the country. Read the Press Release
Media Coverage of Complaint against ASPCA:
January 1, 2011 - Changes to Laws Governing Humane Societies and Humane Officers
Changes to California Corporations Codes pertaining to humane societies/SPCAs and humane officers include the elimination of a court process for reappointment of humane officers, a more formal process for the appointment of humane officers, and access to state and local summary criminal history information. All humane officers must comply with Government Code sections 1029, 1030, and 1031. Certificates of compliance required for humane officers to verify continuing education and weapons training are available on SHAC's Humane Officers page.
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Upcoming Courses
Animal Care Conference
Hyatt Regency Orange County: March 4-6, 2012
Animal Law Enforcement Training Academy (Basic)
The Marin Humane Society (Novato, CA): March 12-23, 2012 (More Details)
Animal Law Enforcement Training Academy (Advanced)
The Marin Humane Society (Novato, CA):
April 15-20, 2012 (More Details)
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Careers
Looking for a career in animal welfare? Visit our Careers page for current job openings throughout California.
