South Central Region Legistation Committee
Legislative Committee Chair- Tammy Ardolf
Legislative Bill Summary
South Central Region Legislative Committee
Working Update – May 21, 2021
Introductory Note: The following chart contains a working list of legislation that impact the cat fancy. This summary is provided to educate the members of the South Central Region, should a member wish to reach out to his or her state legislators to give feedback regarding any pending legislation. Mexico has not been included at this time due to difficulties with translation.
Both Arkansas and Texas have pending versions of WAPA (Working Animal Protection Acts), which have been introduced in other states across the country. Originally spear-headed by equine groups as a response to horse-drawn carriage bans in numerous cities, the cause has been championed by other animal groups and associations, including the AKC.
WAPA prohibit outright bans or undue hardship relating to the job or use of a working animal in “husbandry, education, or exhibition.” Working animal is defined as an animal (not production livestock animal) used for the purpose of performing a specific duty or function in commerce or animal enterprise, which includes examples such as education, competition, or exhibition. Please note – WAPA does not preclude local ordinances regarding animal care, public health, public safety, cruelty laws, or zoning provisions.
The AKC advised its members that working and competition animals would be included within WAPA protections. There is no language that currently excludes cats that are competition or exhibition animals. If cats are included in the category of competition or exhibition animals, a local municipality could not mandate spay/neuter for cats (or dogs) unless they exempted working animals as defined by this statute.
(Download the file below to read about the pending legislation in each state.)
South Central Region Legislative Committee
Working Update – May 21, 2021
Introductory Note: The following chart contains a working list of legislation that impact the cat fancy. This summary is provided to educate the members of the South Central Region, should a member wish to reach out to his or her state legislators to give feedback regarding any pending legislation. Mexico has not been included at this time due to difficulties with translation.
Both Arkansas and Texas have pending versions of WAPA (Working Animal Protection Acts), which have been introduced in other states across the country. Originally spear-headed by equine groups as a response to horse-drawn carriage bans in numerous cities, the cause has been championed by other animal groups and associations, including the AKC.
WAPA prohibit outright bans or undue hardship relating to the job or use of a working animal in “husbandry, education, or exhibition.” Working animal is defined as an animal (not production livestock animal) used for the purpose of performing a specific duty or function in commerce or animal enterprise, which includes examples such as education, competition, or exhibition. Please note – WAPA does not preclude local ordinances regarding animal care, public health, public safety, cruelty laws, or zoning provisions.
The AKC advised its members that working and competition animals would be included within WAPA protections. There is no language that currently excludes cats that are competition or exhibition animals. If cats are included in the category of competition or exhibition animals, a local municipality could not mandate spay/neuter for cats (or dogs) unless they exempted working animals as defined by this statute.
(Download the file below to read about the pending legislation in each state.)
| 2021_legislative_bill_summary.docx |