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Breaking News

This is your location for information on key issues of concern to the pet industry, hobbyists and pet owners. The issues may be reported in a PIJAC PetAlert, a special PIJAC notice, or a link to a media story. PIJAC PetAlerts and special notices summarize issues, indicate potential benefits or negative impacts, and include recommended action. PetAlerts are time sensitive and require ACTION!

To take action, visit PIJAC's Legislative Action Center to learn more about what YOU can do!

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California Sterilization Bill Defeated

Date Posted: September 1, 2010

[UPDATE: SB 250 was defeated in the Assembly on August 31st. Click on link below to read PIJAC's PetAlert.]

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Pennsylvania Adopts Final Kennel Regulations

Date Posted: August 27, 2010

[UPDATE: The Pennsylvania Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) held a public hearing on August 19, 2010 to review a regulation promulgated by the Department of Agriculture implementing amendments to the Dog Law that went into effect last year. Those amendments were passed in the form of House Bill 2525 in 2008. The new regulation imposes substantive standards on ventilation requirements, lighting and flooring in commercial kennels. Click on links below to read PIJAC's PetAlert and to view text to the adopted rule.]

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Memphis City Council Considering Multiple Spay/Neuter Requirements

Date Posted: August 19, 2010

[UDPATE: An amendment to the Animal & Fowl Chapter of the city's Code of Ordinances requiring mandatory spay/neuter of cats over the age of 6 months and dogs that weigh 30 pounds or more is set for a vote on September 28th. Click on links below to read PIJAC's PetAlert and to view text of the proposed ordinance.]

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Rio Rancho, NM City Council To Consider Animal Ordinance

Date Posted: August 24, 2010
Last Modified: August 26, 2010

[UPDATE: A proposed ordinance which would ban the pet store sale of dogs and cats was postponed by the City Council until its November 2nd meeting. Click on links below to read PIJAC's PetAlert and to view text of the proposed ordinance.]

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San Francisco Rejects Ban on Pets...Temporarily

Date Posted: August 13, 2010

[UPDATE: A planned vote by the San Francisco Commission of Animal Control and Welfare, at its August 12th meeting, to recommend a ban on the sale of pets was further delayed following a more than 3-hour long hearing at which opponents packed the room. Click on links below to read PIJAC's PetAlert.]

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Jacksonville, Florida City Council Proposes Animal Care Ordinance

Date Posted: August 13, 2010
Last Modified: August 24, 2010

[UPDATE: Proposed ordinance was deferred to a later date at the August 17th meeting of the Public Health & Safety Committee. Click on links below to read PIJAC's PetAlert and to view text of proposed ordinance]

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El Paso, TX Pet Ban Advances

Date Posted: July 23, 2010
Last Modified: August 11, 2010

[UPDATE: The El Paso City Council voted 6-2 on August 10th to postpone a vote on the pet ban until October 5th to allow changes and further discussion to the ordinance. Click links below to read PIJAC's PetAlert and to read the text of the proposals.]

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Austin, Texas To Ban Sale of Pets

Date Posted: June 1, 2010
Last Modified: August 19, 2010

[UPDATE: On July 14th the Austin Animal Advisory Commission voted unanimously to recommend to the Austin City Council an ordinance “banning retail sales of companion animals.” The Austin City Council is expected to tackle the issue before October. Click on link below to read PIJAC's PetAlert.]

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Colorado Proposes New Pet Facilities Standards

Date Posted: July 16, 2010
Last Modified: August 19, 2010

[UPDATE: The Colorado Agricultural Commission has postponed a hearing on this rule change until October 21st to give its staff more time to study and consider the extensive public comments it received. Click on links below to read PIJAC's PetAlert and to view text of the proposed rule.]

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U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Reopens Comment Period For Proposal To List 9 Species Of Large Constrictors As Injurious Wildlife Under The Lacey Act

Date Posted: July 6, 2010
Last Modified: August 19, 2010

[UPDATE: The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service reopened the comment period for its proposal to list nine species of large constrictors as injurious wildlife under the Lacey Act. Comments were accepted until August 2nd. Click on links below to read PIJAC's PetAlert.]

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Bill To Amend New York Pet Dealer Law Poised For Adoption

Date Posted: June 17, 2010

[UPDATE: AB 10509 and SB 7511 currently sit in the Senate Committee on Consumer Protection and the Senate Committee on Rules respectively. Click on links below to read PIJAC's PetAlert and to view bill text.]

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New York Bill To Mandate Pet Store License Revocation Hearings

Date Posted: June 16, 2010
Last Modified: July 12, 2010

[UPDATE: AB 10906 was substituted by its companion bill, SB 7655 on July 1st. SB 7655 is currently on the Assembly Calendar awaiting further action. Click on links below to read PIJAC's PetAlert and to view bill text.]

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Florida Proposes Non-Native Species Regulation

Date Posted: June 8, 2010
Last Modified: June 14, 2010

[UPDATE: Comments were due on June 11th to the FL Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission's regulation proposal pertaining to the issuance of permits for the importation and possession of conditional and prohibited species. Click on links below to read PIJAC's PetAlert and to view text of the regulation proposal.]

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PUPS Bill Reintroduced in U.S. Congress

Date Posted: June 3, 2010
Last Modified: June 4, 2010

[UPDATE: H.R. 5434 and S. 3424 (companion bills) have been assigned to House Committee on Agriculture and the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry respectively, where they await committee hearings. Click on links below to read PIJAC's PetAlert and to view bill text.]

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New Mexico Proposes Anti-Pet Regulation

Date Posted: May 21, 2010
Last Modified: June 14, 2010

[UPDATE: The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has proposed a rulemaking amending existing regulations covering importation of non-native species. Written comments were to be submitted by June 4th. Click on link below to read PIJAC's PetAlert and to view text of the proposed rule.]

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Ohio Introduces Dog Breeding Kennel and Pet Store Warranty Laws

Date Posted: May 26, 2009
Last Modified: June 3, 2010

[UPDATE: SB 95 passed the Senate Committee on State & Local Gov't and Veterans Affairs with a substitute on June 2nd. Its companion, HB 124 was heard for the 2nd time before the House Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources on September 30, 2009. The bill remains in committee awaiting further action. Click on link below to read PIJAC's PetAlert and to view substituted bill text.]

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Senate Considering Congressional Ban Of All Pythons Under The Lacey Act

Date Posted: November 30, 2009
Last Modified: May 19, 2010

[UPDATE: S. 373 was reported from the Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works on May 5, 2010 with an amendment by Senator Box (D-CA). The amendment would include any existing or subsequently discovered member of the species Python molurus (including Python bivittatus (also known as "Python molurus bivittatus")), Broghammerus reticulatus (also known as "Python reticulatus"), Python sebae, Python natalensis (also known as "Python sebae natalensis"), Boa constrictor, Eunectes notaeus, Eunectes deschauenseei, Eunectes murinus, or Eunectes beniensis". Click on links below to read PIJAC's PetAlert and take action!]

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PIJAC Update: Talking Points on S. 373 - Contact Senators Now!

Date Posted: December 8, 2009
Last Modified: May 17, 2010

[UPDATE: UPDATE: S. 373 was reported from the Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works on May 5, 2010 with an amendment by Senator Box (D-CA). Click on the link below to view talking points on S. 373 for you to use when contacting Senators.]

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Illinois Pet Store Bill Poised For Passage

Date Posted: March 23, 2010
Last Modified: August 24, 2010

[UPDATE: HB 5772 was signed by the Governor on August 23, 2010. Click on link below to read PIJAC's PetAlert and to view enacted bill text.]

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Los Angeles County Hearings To Be Held On New Pet Store Regulations

Date Posted: March 5, 2010
Last Modified: March 15, 2010

The County of Los Angeles Department of Animal Care and Control has proposed to amend Title 10 of its Regulations to include a number of significant changes that will affect pet stores, breeding kennels, and other “animal facilities.” The proposed changes affect not only dogs and cats but all animals “normally kept as pets for sale or exchange in return for consideration.”

Hearings were held March 9 in Commerce, CA and March 10 in Palmdale, CA

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California Fish and Game Commission To Consider Two Items Important To The Pet Industry

Date Posted: February 26, 2010
Last Modified: March 15, 2010

The California Fish & Game Commission’s March 3rd meeting agenda included two items that could affect not only the pet industry, but also hobbyists and pet owners.

Agenda Item 12 called for Commission consideration and possible action on “Draft Findings Regarding the Detrimental Effects of Non-Native Frogs and Turtles.”

Agenda Item 14 provided for the Commission to receive public testimony on a series of proposed amendments to Department Regulations 671, 671.1, 671.7 and 703 of Title 14 dealing with “Restricted Species Permits and Requirements’.

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New Jersey Pet Shops Face Increased Fines For Licensing Violations

Date Posted: February 3, 2010
Last Modified: February 4, 2010

[UPDATE: AB 1850 has been assigned to the Assembly Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources where it awaits a committee hearing. Click on link below to view PIJAC's PetAlert and to view bill text.]

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Massachusetts To Allow Non-Economic Damages For Loss Of Pets

Date Posted: January 27, 2010
Last Modified: July 19, 2010

[UPDATE: HB 1250 was heard before the Joint Committee on Judiciary on January 28th. No amendments were offered and the bill is eligible for Executive Session (final vote). Click on link below to read PIJAC's PetAlert and to view bill text.]

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PIJAC Sends Letter to Pet Industry

Date Posted: November 19, 2009

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House Judiciary Subcommittee To Reconsider Python Ban

Date Posted: October 30, 2009
Last Modified: May 19, 2010

[UPDATE: H.R. 2811 was heard before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security on November 5, 2009. The hearing mostly focused on a 302-page U.S. Geological Survey Risk Assessment on giant constrictors (http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2009/1202/pdf/OF09-1202.pdf). PIJAC Staff is carefully reviewing the survey and has issues with methodology. PIJAC is conducting an in-depth review of the survey. Click on links below to read PIJAC's PetAlert, view bill text and take action!]

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Congress Proposes 'Pet Safety and Protection Act of 2009'

Date Posted: October 30, 2009
Last Modified: November 30, 2009

[UPDATE: H.R. 3907 currently sits in the House Committee on Agriculture, while its companion, S. 1834 is in the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutritition & Forestry. Both bills have yet to be set for committee hearing. Click on links below to read PIJAC's PetAlert, view bill text and take action!]

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National Aquatic Animal Health Plan Made Available For Public Review

Date Posted: September 14, 2009
Last Modified: November 11, 2009

[UPDATE: The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration considered public comments received by October 20, 2009.]

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Congress Considers Pet Expenses Tax Deduction (H.R. 3501 - 'Happy Act')

Date Posted: August 5, 2009
Last Modified: August 14, 2009

[UPDATE: H.R. 3501 currently sits in the House Committee on Ways & Means where it awaits its first committee hearing. Click on link below to view PIJAC's PetAlert and to view bill text.]

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New York Anti-Pet Bills To Limit Dog/Cat Ownership

Date Posted: May 29, 2009
Last Modified: May 17, 2010

[UPDATE: NY SB 4961 and SB 5392 passed the Senate Committee on Agriculture on June 2, 2009 and currently sit in the Senate Committee on Codes awaiting a committee hearing. Click on link below to read PIJAC's PetAlert and to view bill text.]

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Massachusetts Looks To Regulate Groomers....Again

Date Posted: May 15, 2009
Last Modified: May 18, 2010

[UPDATE: SB 186 was set aside for further study (SB 2434) by the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure on May 14, 2010. Click on link below to read PIJAC's PetAlert and to view bill text.]

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Massachusetts Bill Mandates Pet Care Information Sheets

Date Posted: May 1, 2009
Last Modified: March 29, 2010

[UPDATE: HB 192 was set aside for further study on March 22, 2010 by the Joint Community Development & Small Business Committee. Click on link below to read PIJAC's PetAlert and to view bill text.]

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