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California Woman Takes Action to Help Pet Foreclosure Victims

‘There Ought to Be a Law’ contest winner’s proposal OK’d by governor.

Posted: August 26, 2008 2 a.m. EDT

Sheri Kuticka of Concord, Calif., recognized the consequences that cats and dogs faced as a result of the housing market downturn, and she enacted change to help animals abandoned at foreclosed properties.

Kuticka entered her proposal into an annual “There Ought to Be a Law” contest, run by California State Assemblyman Mark DeSaulnier, D-Martinez, after reading numerous media reports about family pets being left behind when people are forced out of their homes.

DeSaulnier selected Kuticka’s idea as the contest winner, and submitted Assembly Bill 2949, which calls for property owners — including banks and other corporate entities — to immediately notify animal control officials so they can rescue an abandoned pet. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed it into law Aug. 4.

DeSaulnier described AB 2949 as “a simple change that will allow us to save animal lives.” The legislation was co-sponsored by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the California Animal Association.

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California Woman Takes Action to Help Pet Foreclosure Victims
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Reader Comments
Good law
Pat, Omaha, NE
Posted: 11/10/2008 5:50:49 AM
this is great law, keep up the good work!!!
lisa, elkhart, IN
Posted: 8/27/2008 2:41:12 PM
I have a blog on pet issues on MySpace, and I recently addressed this issue. This is a step in the right direction. Of course, what would really help would be if more landlords were open to accepting tenants with pets, the practice of charging pet rent was dropped, and instead of penalizing all pet-owning tenants for the actions of a few, pet deposits should be reduced or eliminated. Since tenants must go on a walk-through inspection of the unit with the manager before they hand in the keys,if the landlord finds pet damage in the unit, the tenant should pay for it then, not up front. When people realize that owning a pet is a responsibility, and their failure to correct problems have consequences, maybe we will have fewer people who own pets but didn't cherish them.
I think that since people who abandon pets due to foreclosure are already financially stretched, instead of jail or a fine, they should do community service in a shelter. That would bring home the importance of a pet emergency fund, as well as being a little more careful in making major financial decisions, like refinancing their homes. They should prepare for the worst and plan accordingly.
Michele, Tustin, CA
Posted: 8/26/2008 8:23:36 PM
This law will only save the lives of animals if animal control works with no-kill shelters.
Lisa, Atlanta, GA
Posted: 8/26/2008 4:29:19 PM
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