We’re thrilled to share the positive news that California just became the first state in the nation to effectively ban rodenticides!
Today, California Governor Newsom signed AB 1788 into law. This hard-fought bill imposes a moratorium on the use of second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides, thereby saving the lives of thousands of bobcats, coyotes, mountain lions, foxes, raptors and other non-target species who would have suffered and died, victims to secondary exposure from these deadly rat poisons.
This victory has taken many years of devoted energy and work, and our California supporters played a major role in achieving this enormous accomplishment. They responded each time we sent out Action Alerts, showed up to testify at hearings (in-person and virtual), called their legislators, wrote letters to the editor and mobilized their friends and colleagues to take action.
In addition, a fabulous and growing coalition of wildlife protection organizations (including RATS, ALDF, CBD, and Poison Free Malibu) joined forces and worked closely with bill sponsors Assemblyman Richard Bloom, Assemblymember Laura Friedman and Senator Henry Stern and their exceptional staffs to push this effort forward despite intense opposition from the pesticide industry. United, we demonstrated what Margaret Mead meant when she said:
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world.
Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
We are indebted to my colleagues, to our supporters and to all involved in enabling this victory for wildlife, and are hopeful that California’s lead in this significant wildlife protection achievement will catapult other statewide efforts to ban rodenticides.
With gratitude and celebration,
The Project Coyote Pack