RIP, Tom Hayden

I was saddened to learn that Tom Hayden has passed away. Hayden was, at times, a very controversial politician over the course of his career. But one thing that I have learned in my years in animal welfare is that kindness to animals is an issue that cuts across all political, economic, social and racial lines — especially when it comes to our dog and cat animal companions.

In 1998, then a California state senator, and a Democrat, Tom Hayden introduced and sponsored SB 1785, which has come to be known as the Hayden Act. California’s Republican governor, Pete Wilson, signed it into law in September of that year.

Tom Hayden was not an animal activist, but he understood the value of laws that promote transparency and, in this case, the benefit of extending basic care to shelter animals and empowering rescue organizations and the public to save lives. Animal and nonprofit law professor Taimie Bryant of the UCLA School of Law largely informed the Hayden Act, and is credited with writing the majority of the shelter regulations within the act.

Over the years, the Hayden Act has provided the legal basis to hold the line in California against legislative compromises, local government violations and shelter mismanagement that costs animal lives.

In addition to enshrining basic care for shelter animals, extending mandatory hold times, and identifying and protecting the needs of community cats, the Hayden Act notably guaranteed shelter access so that 501(c)(3) rescue organizations could take animals scheduled for death.

Whatever his political views, the animals and the no-kill movement owe Tom Hayden a thank-you for moving this landmark piece of legislation through the California Senate and for reaching across the aisle to secure the signature of a governor from an opposing party.

Rest in peace, Mr. Hayden.

Together, we will Save Them All.

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Francis Battista
Co-founder
Best Friends Animal Society

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Best Friends is a nonprofit organization building no-kill programs and partnerships nationwide, all coordinated from our Kanab, Utah headquarters - the largest no-kill sanctuary for homeless companion animals.

At the core of our work is the dream that one day kindness will replace cruelty, and animals will no longer be destroyed because they are unwanted or imperfect. Spaying and neutering will be the rule for all pets and adoption from local animal shelters and rescues will be the first option for everyone. Those same shelters and rescues will have the knowledge and resources to help rehabilitate special-needs animals and find the right family for every animal.

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