Community
New California law shortens shelter waits for animals seized in abuse cases
AB 2344 lets qualifying animals move toward foster care or adoption; Los Angeles County officials say evidence animals can otherwise remain kenneled for up to nearly a year.
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 2344, creating a clearer path for abused or neglected animals held as evidence to leave crowded shelters for foster care or adoption, the Los Angeles Times reported September 26. The official enrolled text expands existing animal-care and forfeiture procedures to animals seized under any provision of California law, closing a gap that affected some warrantless seizures during active abuse situations.
What it means locally
The measure extends existing 14-day abandonment provisions to any properly seized animal. Those provisions can apply when authorized care charges remain unpaid or when officials are not assured that an owner will provide needed veterinary care. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office sponsored the bill and told the Times that evidence animals in county shelters can remain confined from three months to nearly a year. The office estimated that sheltering one dog or cat costs about $35,550 annually. The law is intended to reduce overcrowding and prolonged kennel stress while preserving hearings and other court procedures in abuse and neglect cases.
Full report and further details: Read original report →