The 2023 Washington legislative session officially adjourned on April 23. We worked hard throughout the session to move several important animal-related bills forward, including testifying in Olympia, meeting directly with legislators, and providing grassroots advocacy opportunities.
We are proud to share that two important animal bills PASSED and have been signed by Governor Inslee! This achievement represents years of work and tremendous progress for animals in Washington state.
- HB 1234: Concerning the civil forfeiture of animals seized for abuse or neglect. This bill greatly improves the day-to-day handling of animal cruelty cases by allowing animal cruelty victims to be rehabilitated and rehomed.
- HB 1424: Concerning consumer protection with respect to the sale and adoption of dogs and cats. This bill creates stronger regulations for puppy-selling pet stores while closing a dangerous loophole in our commercial dog breeding law.
Both bills received strong, bipartisan support throughout the legislative process! This win will make a difference for animals for years to come and we could not have done it without your support.
In addition to the passage of positive animal bills, Pasado’s Safe Haven also worked with legislators on two budget items, including grants for school districts to add more plant-based menu items and state funding for critical safety improvements at our life-saving sanctuary. We are extremely grateful to Representatives Roger Goodman, Carolyn Eslick, April Berg, and Amy Walen as well as Senators Ann Rivers, John Lovick, and Derek Stanford for their dedication to making Washington a better place for animals. Their commitment is a huge part of this year’s success!
As always, we continue advocating for animals everywhere and look forward to future legislative sessions.
