CVMA Position Statement on the Hayden Law

The California Veterinary Medical Association is opposed to Governor Brown’s proposed repeal of the animal adoption mandate created by the 1998 enactment of the “Hayden Law.”

The CVMA supports necessary and prompt veterinary care for all animals including animals in a shelter environment.  In order to facilitate the redemption and re-homing of as many shelter animals as possible, we encourage animal shelters to hold impounded animals as long as possible and maintain adequate records.  Without proper records, the animal’s medical history, how the animal arrived at the shelter, and the care it received while in the shelter are lost and reduce the chance of placing the animal in a proper home.

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