California Activist Groups Form State Association

News release published by the Association of Veterinarians for Animal Rights (AVAR) on January 12, 2005

SACRAMENTO - A coalition of 17 local, statewide and national animal advocacy groups today announced the formation of the California Animal Association (CAA), the first-ever California association whose sole purpose is to represent the interests of animals at the State Capitol.

After more than a year of planning, CAA was formed to bring a stronger and more cohesive voice for animal protection to Sacramento. . . . The seventeen CAA member groups collectively represent more than 275,000 Californians and focus on a broad spectrum of animal species in their work, including companion animals, farmed animals, exotic animals, animals used in research, and wildlife. CAA plans to introduce at least one legislative initiative during each two-year session and to rotate the focus of the legislation among different animal species.

CAA member groups include: American Anti-Vivisection Society, Animal Legislative Action Network, Animal Place, Animal Protection Institute, Association of Veterinarians for Animal Rights, California Animal Defense and Anti-Vivisection League, California Lobby for Animal Welfare, Doctors for Kindness to Animals, Farm Sanctuary, In Defense of Animals, Last Chance for Animals, Orange County People for Animals, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, The Paw Project, United Animal Nations, United Poultry Concerns and Viva! USA.

For more information, contact CAA board members Teri Barnato at AVAR (530-759-8106) or Jennifer Fearing at UAN (916-429-2457).