CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2025–2026 REGULAR SESSION

98

Introduced by Senator McGuire

(Coauthors: Senators Archuleta, Arreguín, Ashby, Becker, Cervantes, Choi, Cortese, Grayson, Hurtado, Jones, Limón, McNerney, Menjivar, Ochoa Bogh, Pérez, Seyarto, Stern, and Wahab)

May 12, 2025

Relative to California Adopt-a-Pet Day.

WHEREAS, California has a longstanding state policy that adoptable animals in shelters should find forever homes and loving families; and

WHEREAS, Due to the severe shortage of veterinary professionals, many areas of the state do not have adequate access to veterinary care in the community; and

WHEREAS, Due to a confluence of additional factors, such as housing restrictions, economic conditions, and a lack of access to spay and neuter services, California shelters continue to face an increased intake of animals; and

WHEREAS, The California Animal Welfare Association (CalAnimals), a statewide advocate for animal welfare professionals in California, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), and the San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SF SPCA) have teamed up to address these issues and promote the human-animal bond across California; and

WHEREAS, As a result of this powerful partnership, California Adopt-a-Pet Day was created in order to raise awareness and make pet adoptions more affordable and accessible. This event is the result of collaboration between these leading organizations in animal welfare and shelters throughout the state and increases the number of animals that find loving homes each year; and

WHEREAS, In its inaugural year, California Adopt-a-Pet Day 2024 successfully found forever homes for 3,609 animals across the state, exceeding its goal of 2,024 adoptions and demonstrating overwhelming support from the more than 170 animal welfare organizations that participated in this successful outcome; and

WHEREAS, To build upon the success of 2024 and further address shelter overcrowding, CalAnimals, the ASPCA, and SF SPCA will once again lead this lifesaving statewide adoption day with shelter partners across California; and

WHEREAS, This event, known as California Adopt-a-Pet Day, will take place on Saturday, June 7, 2025, with shelters throughout the state offering free adoptions to all eligible Californians; and

WHEREAS, The goal for 2025 is to find loving homes for 5,000 shelter animals, further extending the impact of pet ownership, helping shelters, increasing adoption rates, and strengthening commitment to animal welfare in California; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, That the Senate recognizes June 7, 2025, as California Adopt-a-Pet Day, continuing the mission to connect shelter animals in need with caring families and communities; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.