AKC continues to monitor several bills impacting dog owners in Oregon. Below are the latest updates, along with contact information if you wish to comment on any of these measures.
AKC GR will continue to provide individual updates and alerts when necessary.
Bills in Oregon Legislature:
House Bill 2915 – Pet Choice Restrictions.
Status: Passed House of Representatives; referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Summary: This proposed bill would end the sale of all dogs and cats at pet stores with exemptions for existing pet stores. The proposed legislation also allows for cities to enact even more stringent laws that would restrict pet choice. Even if you would not personally source a pet to a pet store, it is critical that your lawmakers understand that pet choice should not be limited. Visit the Pet Choice key issues page in the AKC Legislative Action Center for talking points and more information on this issue.
What You Can Do: Concerned Oregon residents who support consumer choice, who believe the health of all dogs offered for sale/adoption in pet stores should be protected, and who support consumer protection laws for new pet owners are urged to contact members of the committee to express your opposition to the proposed legislation. Those who wish to contact members of the committee can do so by clicking HERE. If you are a constituent, be sure to mention that when contacting them (Click HERE to find out who your senator is)
Senate Bill 496 – Assisting vulnerable populations with pets.
Status: Referred to the Joint Ways and Means Committees.
Summary: Senate Bill 496 was written to address the problem of vulnerable populations not being able to access public shelters due to facilities restricting access to pets. As many vulnerable people are loathe to enter shelter without their pets, this current environment has forced people who need shelter the most to remain in dangerous situations. It is estimated that between 10 and 25 percent of homeless people have pets, and that 73% of domestic violence victims with pets are further traumatized by their abusers who use their pets as leverage to stay in dangerous situations. Senate Bill 496 aims to address these populations to ensure merely owning a pet is not a barrier to access much needed shelter. Further, Senate Bill 496 would enable shelters to provide pet assistance with items like petfood and basic veterinary services.
Specifically, Senate Bill 496 would enable funds from the state Emergency Housing Account to be used towards certain pet-related services of homeless or those at risk of becoming homeless. Senate Bill 496 appropriates $6 million in one-time, General Fund moneys to be used for grants to qualified emergency or domestic violence shelters that provide support for individuals’ pets, including food, shelter, supplies, and basic veterinary services. AKC appreciates and strongly supports this bill to allow vulnerable individuals and their pets to access much needed shelter.
What You Can Do: Oregon residents are urged to contact members of the committee to express your support to the proposed legislation. Those who wish to contact members of the committee can do so by clicking HERE. If you are a constituent, be sure to mention that when contacting them (Click HERE to find out who your representative/senator is).
Senate Bill 696 – Funding for State-Appointed Animal Cruelty-Focused Attorney.
Status: Referred to the Joint Ways and Means Committees.
Summary: This bill would appropriate moneys to Department of Justice out of General Fund to fund animal cruelty-focused attorney within department’s Criminal Justice Division. AKC is concerned that this bill does not specify any qualifications for the attorney, or provide any details as to the scope of this new role. As such, it is unclear what the impact could be on dog owners in the state. The AKC opposes this bill in its current form.
What You Can Do: Concerned Oregon residents are urged to contact members of the committee to express your opposition to the proposed legislation. Those who wish to contact members of the committee can do so by clicking HERE. If you are a constituent, be sure to mention that when contacting them (Click HERE to find out who your representative/senator is).
AKC Government Relations continues to monitor bills in Oregon impacting dog owners and will provide updates. For questions or more information, contact AKC GR at doglaw@akc.org.