Bill Preventing Landlords Requiring Declawing and Debarking Passed by Senate

Landlords often insist that requirements for declawing cats and de-barking dogs before renting an apartment to pet owners allows them to protect their property or prevent neighbors from complaining. In my opinion it is far more humane to require a pet deposit and hold the renter responsible for damages. But landlords, at least in California, may soon be stopped in their tracks. If you live in California and own a cat or dog and are searching for a residential rental, you may soon be able to do so without having to make the agonizing decision to declaw your cat, or de-bark your dog in order to move in. Some background on the issue: in April, 2010 Petside.com featured a blog item with exciting news concerning pending legislation. This California Assembly bill, AB-2743, aimed to prevent landlords from requiring tenants to de-bark their dogs or declaw their cats as a condition of their lease. Written into the law is a civil fine of $2,500 imposed upon landlords who break the law. Also, preferential treatment given to tenants who already have declawed cats or de-barked dogs, or publishing rental ads that appear to preclude cat or dog owners with intact pets would no longer be permitted. In an update published on Petside.com in May, we further announced that the California Assembly passed the bill 63-7 with astounding bi-partisan support. The bill was slated to be sent to the State Senate in June for further action. The next step, if passed, would be sending it to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to sign it into law. So animal lovers will be thrilled to learn that in a 21-12 decision, California bill AB-2743 was finally passed on the Senate Floor the other day. This is fantastic news for pet owners who rent apartments or houses. Senators listened to the huge number of caring pet lovers who wrote and/or called them in support of AB 2743, and the need for its passage. Their phones must have been ringing off the hook. And even though this good news is remarkable, it is by no means a done deal to assume that Gov. Schwarzenegger will sign the bill without serious opposition. According to the Paw Project, the California Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) strongly opposes this bill, and is lobbying hard to defeat it. They will work now to share their views with Gov. Schwarzenegger and are already enlisting members of the association to express their negative stand on its passage. On their website, the Paw Project states, "The CVMA is powerful because many legislators automatically support the position held by a trade or business association". So an urgent call to take action has been issued by cat and dog lovers in support of this bill. California residents who feel strongly that this law must be enacted can have their voices heard by telling the Governor how crucial his signature is needed by contacting his office immediately. And while phone calls are important, written letters are far more effective. For your convenience, visit Paw Project's site for more information including sample letters and talking points. If this bill is signed into law, I sure hope the entire country follows suit. Do you feel it's unfair for landlords to require renters to declaw their cats or de-bark their dogs? Leave a comment and share your opinions. Photo credit: Flickr user VespaGT