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Social Compassion in Legislation

@socialcompassion

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Governor Signs Haney Bill to Get Abused Animals Out of Shelters and Into Safe Homes Faster

AB 2344 closes a loophole that can leave animals rescued from abuse and neglect stuck in shelters for months while criminal cases move through the courts.

SACRAMENTO, CA — Animals rescued from abuse and neglect will have a clearer path out of crowded shelters and into safe homes under a new law signed by Governor Gavin Newsom. Assemblymember Matt Haney’s (D-San Francisco) AB 2344 closes a gap in California law that can leave animals seized in cruelty and neglect cases stuck in shelters for months while their owners’ criminal cases move through the courts. […]

“Animals rescued from abuse or neglect shouldn’t spend months stuck in a shelter because of a technical gap in our laws,” said Assemblymember Matt Haney (D-San Francisco). “When an animal is legally removed from a dangerous situation, there should be a clear path forward. AB 2344 gives shelters that clarity, reduces the time and resources spent caring for animals whose cases are stuck in limbo, and helps rescued animals move toward safe, permanent homes sooner.”

[…]

“For shelter staff and volunteers who care for these dogs every day, it is heartbreaking to know an animal is ready for a safe home but be powerless to help them get there. We know that heartbreak personally through our newest board member and many of our supporters.

AB 2344 finally gives these dogs a path out of the cage and into a new life. We thank Assemblymember Haney for carrying this important bill and Governor Newsom for signing it, and for his support of animal protection throughout his two terms,” said Judie Mancuso, founder and president of Social Compassion in Legislation, cosponsor of the bill.

[…]

The legislation was sponsored by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office and Social Compassion in Legislation and supported by animal welfare organizations including the San Diego Humane Society.

AB 2344 will take effect January 1, 2027. taken in Sacramento, California by @socialcompassion

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"Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill allowing abused and neglected animals held as evidence in criminal cases to move toward foster care or adoption instead of languishing in shelters.

The law lets shelters deem seized animals abandoned after a 14-day period, closing a legal gap that could keep them kenneled while owners’ cases proceed. In Los Angeles County, evidence animals can spend three months to nearly a year in shelters.

Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday signed legislation that seeks to remove abused and neglected animals from crowded municipal shelters during their owners’ criminal cases, according to the bill’s backers.

Assembly Bill 2344 by Assemblymember Matt Haney (D-San Francisco) declares animals seized in cruelty criminal cases “abandoned,” which allows them to ultimately be adopted or placed in foster homes, rather than face months living in a kennel.

The bill aims to help animals who are considered “evidence” in a criminal case, according to Haney’s spokesperson.

[...]

Haney’s bill was sponsored by Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. Nathan Hochman and advocacy group Social Compassion in Legislation. Backers say it closes a loophole in existing law by stating that animals seized by police or animal control officers without a warrant can be deemed abandoned after a 14-day period.

[...]

Evidence animals in L.A. County shelters can stay anywhere from three months to nearly a year, according to statistics provided by the district attorney’s office.

Judie Mancuso, founder and president of Social Compassion in Legislation, said she was aware of evidence dogs staying 300 days or longer in Los Angeles County shelters.

“That is not only inhumane, it places an enormous burden on taxpayers,” said Mancuso."

Read the full article by Dakota Smith here : https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-09-26/newsom-signs-bill-to-help-abused-dogs-cats-avoid-long-kennel-stays by @socialcompassion

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BREAKING: CALIFORNIA JUST CHANGED WHAT CAN HAPPEN TO ANIMALS SEIZED IN CRUELTY CASES. 🐾

Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed AB 2344, a new law brought forth by @socialcompassion aimed at helping abused and neglected dogs and cats avoid spending months in shelters while their owners’ criminal cases move through the courts.

Previously, animals seized as evidence could remain in kennels for months and in some Los Angeles County cases, years because they couldn’t be placed in foster homes or adopted while the case was pending.

Under the new law, certain animals seized without a warrant can be deemed abandoned after 14 days, allowing shelters to begin moving them toward foster care or adoption rather than keeping them confined indefinitely.

The law will take effect January 1, 2027, and group @socialcompassion plans to take on a new role of helping enforce laws on the streets of Los Angeles now. The group is fundraising to launch a program that would send humane officers to Skid Row to enforce animal abuse and spay/neuter laws and provide free services like vaccinations and food to animals in need.

Source: Los Angeles Times, Sept. 26, 2026 by @socialcompassion

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"Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday signed legislation that seeks to remove abused and neglected animals from crowded municipal shelters during their owners’ criminal cases, according to the bill’s backers.

Assembly Bill 2344 by Assemblymember Matt Haney (D-San Francisco) declares animals seized in cruelty criminal cases “abandoned,” which allows them to ultimately be adopted or placed in foster homes, rather than face months living in a kennel.

The bill aims to help animals who are considered “evidence” in a criminal case, according to Haney’s spokesperson.

These animals often sit in shelters for months as their owners’ court cases proceed.

Animal cruelty is unacceptable, and when animals are held for unnecessary periods, this puts a roadblock to their recovery,” Haney said." by @socialcompassion

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No animal that has survived abuse should have to spend months or even years waiting in a shelter while a court case drags on. That's why I'm proud to share that my bill, AB 2344, the Rehome Abused Animals Act, has been signed into law by Governor Newsom!

This legislation will help abused animals move more quickly into safe, permanent homes while protecting due process throughout the legal process. by @socialcompassion

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GOVERNOR NEWSOM SIGNS AB 2344

SACRAMENTO, CA, September 25, 2026 - Today, Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 2344, the Justice for Seized Animals Act, authored by Assemblymember Matt Haney and cosponsored by Social Compassion in Legislation and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, a bill that will ensure all animals seized in animal abuse cases are eligible for adoption in as little as 14 days after seizure.

“This is a truly bittersweet moment for us. We are absolutely thrilled that Governor Newsom has signed AB 2344, our second bill signed into law this year, but it is also emotional knowing that this is the final year we will have the privilege of seeing his signature on our legislation as Governor.

For eight years, Governor Newsom has been an extraordinary partner to California’s animal protection community, signing landmark bills that have protected animals, prevented suffering, and saved countless lives. Time and again, when important animal protection measures reached his desk, he listened, understood what was at stake, and acted with compassion. We are profoundly grateful for his support and for the lasting legacy he leaves for animals in California. We can only hope that our next governor will continue that legacy and demonstrate the same compassion and commitment to protecting those who cannot protect themselves.

“We also extend our heartfelt thanks to our author, Assemblymember Matt Haney, for championing AB 2344 and seeing it through to the finish line, and to our cosponsor, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman and his amazing staff, for partnering with us to protect animal victims of cruelty and help give them the second chance they deserve,” - Judie Mancuso, Founder and President of Social Compassion in Legislation. taken in Sacramento, California by @socialcompassion

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Grateful to @socialcompassion and @judiemancuso for the honor of being recognized at this year’s #JusticeforAnimals celebration — and for nearly two decades of advocacy to protect animals across California. 🐾 
I was proud to partner with Social Compassion in Legislation (SCIL) on the #FOUNDAct, inspired by Oreo’s incredible story of survival during the Palisades Fire, to better protect pets and help keep families together when disaster strikes. 
It was also wonderful to celebrate alongside @replaurafriedman, LA Councilmember @bobblumenfield and @asmmikefong, @asmcaloza, @asmmarkgonzalez, and isaacgbryan, as well as lifelong animal advocates like @priscillapresley and so many others. 
Thank you to SCIL and animal advocates across California for all you do!  📸 credit to @ella_hovsepian by @socialcompassion

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🐾 What a special night celebrating the people who lead with compassion and fight every day to protect animals!

Loved meeting Priscilla Presley and hearing about her longtime commitment to animals as well. 💚

Thank you to @judiemancuso and Nick Sackett for 19 years of incredible leadership through Social Compassion in Legislation, and congratulations to the Heroes of the Year: Ashli Shore, Darcy Smith, Sascha Knopf, Jennifer Raymond, and Jenna Moore.

And thank you to Alya and Dr. Gary Michelson for opening their home and supporting this important work.

Proud to stand with @socialcompassion and our animal rights community as we keep fighting for a more compassionate California.

📸 @ella_hovsepian taken in Los Angeles, California by @socialcompassion

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Assemblymember Kalra Celebrates New Law to Improve Access to Veterinary Care

SACRAMENTO – Assembly Bill (AB) 1999, authored by Assemblymember Kalra (D-San José), has been signed into law by Governor Newsom. AB 1999 makes common-sense changes to veterinary care statute to better protect the health of domestic animals and improve access to care from qualified veterinary professionals. Specifically, the bill creates streamlined pathways for retired volunteer veterinary professionals and out-of-state veterinarians to join shelter veterinary care teams and reduces statutory inefficiencies that may unnecessarily increase veterinary staff workload.

“Veterinarians, pet shelters, and animal welfare advocates all agree that AB 1999 will collectively make a difference in how we care for our pets and support our shelters. Thank you to our sponsor coalition who came together to respond to our pet overpopulation crisis through meaningful changes aimed at animal welfare and making veterinary care more accessible for everyday pet owners.” - Assemblymember Kalra

In 2023, Assemblymember Kalra authored ACR 86, which encouraged the state to address its pet overpopulation crisis by supporting high-volume spay-and-neuter services and filling critical veterinary staffing gaps with qualified out-of-state professionals. By providing new avenues to address shelter staffing shortages, AB 1999 will help the state meet the goals put forth by ACR 86.

AB 1999 is co-authored by Assemblymember Berman (D-Menlo Park). The bill is co-sponsored by California Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA), California Veterinary Medical Board (VMB), San Diego Humane Society, and Social Compassion in Legislation (SCIL). by @socialcompassion

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This is a huge opportunity for us to get trained, effective officers down to the streets and areas of most need.

If you’d like to help, visit @socialcompassion and donate to their 501c3 in their bio or donate directly through the fundraiser here.

We are thrilled to have the opportunity to support @laanimalservices because they do not have enough budget for humane officers to go and enforce laws and provide support.

🙏🏼 by @socialcompassion

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We are incredibly grateful to everyone who supported and/or joined us for our “Justice for Animals” event this past Saturday at the beautiful home of our extraordinary hosts, Alya and Dr. Gary Michelson.

It was such a special evening, reconnecting with longtime friends, welcoming new ones, and celebrating the elected officials, animal rescuers, advocates, and supporters whose dedication makes meaningful change for animals possible.

The night was filled with smiles, laughter, inspiring conversations, and a shared commitment to creating a more compassionate world.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who donated in support of our work. We simply could not do what we do without you.

Your generosity allows us to continue fighting for stronger protections, advancing groundbreaking legislation, and giving animals a voice where they need it most.

Hosted by
@michelsonphilanthropies
@judiemancuso

Heroes of the Year Jenna Moore, Jennifer Raymond, @itssaschaknopf, Darcy Smith @imthefunkychicken, & Ashli Shore @theshoresanctuary

Honorees
@replaurafriedman
@dianewarren
@jim.greenbaum
@nathanhochmanda
@asmmatthaney
@asmrickchavezzbur
@bobblumenfield

Special Guests
@priscillapresley
@lisabloomesq
@louiselinton
@haylynn.conrad
@lananegretesm
@sashareneeperez
@ib2_real
@asmmarkgonzalez
Jessica Caloza
@asmmikefong
@tomkiesche

Celebrating 19 years of saving animals through groundbreaking legislation, rescue, spay and neuter programs, anti-cruelty efforts, emergency preparedness, shelter research, and plant-based initiatives. taken in Brentwood, California by @socialcompassion

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GOVERNOR NEWSOM VETOES ANTI-WOLF LEGISLATION!

We are so thankful and relieved to report that Governor Newsom has vetoed AB 1722, a bill that would have created a statutory defense to the killing ("taking") of a California endangered species, including wolves. We send our gratitude to Governor Newsom for hearing all of our voices, being astute in not being duped by this bad bill, and doing the right thing by vetoing AB 1722!

As mentioned in the Governor's veto message, Californians already have a fundamental right to protect themselves and others from immediate bodily harm. This bill would have created confusion about how to apply the right to defend oneself and tied the hands of Department of Fish and Wildlife officers when enforcing poaching laws. The law would have made it much easier for bad actors who intentionally kill a wolf or other endangered species to simply claim self-defense—a "get-out-of-jail-free" card, so to speak.

We led the opposition to this bad bill and won because we had your support. The thirty-seven groups and over 900 individuals officially listed in opposition came from our website signup letter. "We" stopped this bad bill - not other groups. We are so thankful to all of you for joining us in the opposition effort.

We know that it is not always easy to see the connection between your calls, emails, and letters in support of or opposition to a bill, but this is a fantastic example of how your voice makes a HUGE difference! by @socialcompassion

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