ANIMAL WELFARE

Animals are a truly voiceless population. They intersect with communities at every sector - companion animals, wildlife, farm animals - and their well-being is largely predicated on the rules, regulations, and norms set forth by humans. It is our responsibility to consider animal welfare and protection at every intersection in our lives.

The Michelson Center for Public Policy champions lifesaving efforts, prevention of cruelty, and protection of our animal communities by supporting elected offices who craft lifesaving animal welfare legislation and working with government agencies to enact responsible public policy.

What We’re Working On

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Keeping Households and Families Together

Millions of households have surrendered companion animals to shelters due to a lack of available pet-inclusive rental housing. The Michelson Center for Public Policy will build on recent ordinances municipalities have passed requiring publicly-financed housing be pet-inclusive, removing barriers for low-income families and homeless pet owners to access fair housing.

The Latest

News
New California Research Shows Pet Policy Information Gaps Cost Renters and Housing Providers Time and Money
New California Research Shows Pet Policy Information Gaps Cost Renters and Housing Providers Time and Money

As landmark pet policy transparency legislation awaits Gov. Gavin Newsom’s signature, new research from the Pet-Inclusive Housing Initiative finds that California’s rental market routinely leaves renters without critical information about pet policies until after they have invested time and money pursuing a property.

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California Legislature Passes Historic Pet Policy Transparency Act, Sending SB 1296 to Governor Newsom
California Legislature Passes Historic Pet Policy Transparency Act, Sending SB 1296 to Governor Newsom

Historic legislation to bring greater transparency to California’s rental housing market has cleared the state Legislature and is headed to Gov. Gavin Newsom for his signature.

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Pet Policy Transparency Act Passes California State Assembly
Pet Policy Transparency Act Passes California State Assembly

Michelson Center for Public Policy applauds the California State Assembly’s passage of SB 1296, the Pet Policy Transparency Act, marking a major step toward establishing a more transparent and efficient rental application process for California renters and housing providers alike.

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Legislative Update – Final Stretch
Legislative Update – Final Stretch

With the California Legislature entering the final stretch of the 2026 legislative session, the Michelson Center for Public Policy (MCPP) has secured a significant policy milestone: a $5 million state budget investment to expand justice-involved workforce development in Los Angeles County. Meanwhile, sponsored legislation advancing workforce pathways, housing transparency, and economic mobility—and support for additional measures that expand opportunity and protect consumers—continues to move through the legislative process.

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LA City Budget Includes Critical Spay/Neuter Funding to Help Address Shelter Overcrowding
LA City Budget Includes Critical Spay/Neuter Funding to Help Address Shelter Overcrowding

Thousands more dogs and cats will gain access to affordable spay/neuter services under the 2026-27 Los Angeles City budget, which includes a $1.7 million total increase for life-saving spay/neuter services. This critical investment will support an estimated 10,000–13,000 additional surgeries annually and help reduce shelter overcrowding.

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Bill to End Hidden Pet Restrictions in Rental Applications Advances in Legislature
Bill to End Hidden Pet Restrictions in Rental Applications Advances in Legislature

 Michelson Center for Public Policy applauds the Assembly Judiciary Committee’s passage of SB 1296, the Pet Policy Transparency Act, a commonsense transparency bill that requires landlords to clearly disclose rental pet policies before charging an application fee.

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Proposed LA Budget Ignores Animal Welfare System at Its Breaking Point
Proposed LA Budget Ignores Animal Welfare System at Its Breaking Point

Mayor Karen Bass’s proposed 2026–27 City budget increases Los Angeles Animal Services’ (LAAS) budget by just $465,640 (+1.6%) and the City’s spay/neuter fund by less than $1 million. These are marginal adjustments that leave a chronically underfunded system without the resources needed to function effectively. 

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Los Angeles is Spending Millions on Preventable Animal-Related Costs. There’s a Targeted Fix.
Los Angeles is Spending Millions on Preventable Animal-Related Costs. There’s a Targeted Fix.

Los Angeles incurs millions of dollars each year in avoidable costs related to its animal welfare system. A targeted, near-term investment in spay/neuter and Animal Services staffing through LA’s budget can begin to stabilize the system and address the underlying drivers of these expenses.

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Los Angeles County Takes Key Step Toward Pet-Inclusive Housing
Los Angeles County Takes Key Step Toward Pet-Inclusive Housing

The Los Angeles County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs (DCBA) has released a feasibility study exploring how pet-inclusive housing policies can help address housing and equity challenges across the county.

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California Bans Exploitative Online Puppy Brokers
California Bans Exploitative Online Puppy Brokers

Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 519 into law, banning exploitative online pet dealers in California. Authored by Assemblymember Marc Berman, the law closes a major enforcement gap that allowed brokers to sidestep the state’s 2019 ban on pet-store sales of dogs from inhumane commercial breeders. 

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