On August 12th, the Senate Appropriations Committee will hear three bills that are crucial to protecting California’s wild animals from senseless cruelty and death:
- AB 44, the bill to ban the state’s fur trade;
- AB 1254, legislation to abolish trophy hunting of bobcats; and
- AB 1788, which would prohibit the use of deadly second generation rodenticides (rat poison).
Thanks to your support, these bills have passed several hurdles. We need your voice once more to get them through this next committee.
Speak up for the voiceless animals who need your help!
There are several ways you can help:
ONE: If your senator sits on the Senate Appropriations Committee, please contact him or her.
Go here to see if one of the following Committee members represents your district. If so, please write and call asking him or her to support the bills. You can simply say, “As your constituent, I ask you to please vote YES on AB 44, AB 1254, and AB 1788 to protect California’s wildlife from cruel and senseless suffering and death.” Find talking points for each bill (including a link to a communications guide with suggested social media posts and sharegraphics for AB 1788) here.
Sen. Patricia C. Bates: (916) 651-4036; written comments here
Sen. Steven Bradford: (916) 651-4035; written comments here
Sen. Maria Elena Durazo: (916) 651-4024; written comments here
Sen. Jerry Hill: (916) 651-4013; written comments here
Sen. Brian W. Jones: (916) 651-4038; written comments here
Sen. Bob Wieckowski: (916) 651-4010; written comments here
(Please do not contact committee members if they do not represent your district.)
TWO: If your senator sits on the Senate Appropriations Committee, please meet with him or her in person.
Prior to August 12th, meet with your senator at their district office. You can find contact information by clicking on the appropriate name above.
THREE: Submit a letter to the editor of your local newspaper.
You can still help even if your senator is not a member of the Committee: submit a letter to your local newspaper encouraging readers to urge their senators to vote YES on AB 44, AB 1254, and AB 1788. If your letter is published, send the letter via email to your senator to remind them to vote yes. Tips for submitting letters to the editor here. Find talking points for each bill (including a link to a communications guide with suggested social media posts and sharegraphics for AB 1788) here.
FOUR: Attend a rally and lobby day in support of AB 44 on August 21.
On August 21, there will be a rally from 9:00 – 10:00 AM on the South Steps of the Capitol in support of AB 44, the bill to ban the inhumane fur trade. Attendees will receive a red AB 44 t-shirt. Consider bringing signs that read “Vote YES on AB 44: Make Fur History!”
Following the rally, constituents whose senators sit on the Senate Appropriations Committee will have an opportunity to meet with their lawmakers. (If you’d like to meet with your senator but he or she does not sit on the Committee, we encourage you to make arrangements with his or her office.)
More information on the rally and lobby day here.
Thank you for helping to protect California’s wildlife!
For Wild Nature,
Camilla H. Fox
Founder & Executive Director