2. There Oughta Be A Law… Or Should There?

3. Why do we like legislation?

4. What do laws do for us? Force people to do the “right” thing Protect the public Enhance our society Preserve rights Set boundaries Allocate responsibilities Manage resources

5. What makes “good” law?

6. When do Laws NOT Work? Unclear/convoluted Unenforceable Unfunded Conflict with other laws/requirements Don’t actually solve the problem Outside the individual’s control

7. What happens when bad laws are enacted? Don’t stop the behavior Don’t fix the problem Waste Precious Resources Penalize someone already a victim of circumstances Divert focus away from real solutions

8. Effective Laws Are: Necessary Clear Enforceable Adequately Funded Designed to Actually Solve the Problem Beneficial to the Whole Community Within the Locus of Control of Those Being Targeted

9. Testing “Responsible Pet Care” Laws Necessary Clear Effective Adequately Funded Solves the Problem Benefits the Community Within Locus of Control Mandatory S/N Arbitrary Pet Limits Breed Specific Anything Cat Leash Laws Mandatory surrender of strays

10. Better options Fix root problems Community-based solutions Increased access to services, care, information More effective use of existing laws: – Animal control – TNR – Spay/neuter – Veterinary services – Dog training, cat behavior