Hundreds Push For Animal Rights At California Capitol

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — Hundreds pushed for animal rights on Wednesday at the state Capitol, urging lawmakers to pass several laws protecting animals.

According to the Humane Society, California ranks No. 1 when it comes to protecting animals with legislation, and animal lovers want to keep it that way.

With a couple of hundred of their human friends, animals stepped up front and center at the Capitol for Humane Lobby Day.

One of the laws they'd like to see on the books is one currently being discussed by lawmakers that would ban the use of toxic chemicals in state parks.

"The negative effects of these poisons being used to eliminate rodents are having serious adverse consequences for raptors, mammals..all kinds of critters," said Jennifer Fearing with the Human Society.

There are all kinds of causes on the table when it comes to animal-influenced legislation, and lawmakers say they're listening.

"They get to come to the Capitol; they get to visit with lawmakers; they get to talk to people who are working in these areas and find out the status of specific legislation, or find out the status of some of the things being worked on here in the Capitol," said Assemblyman Brian Maienschein (D-San Diego).

Legislators are also being pushed to encourage meatless Mondays, something adopted by UC Davis.

"Meatless Monday is just what the name says," said Kristie Middleton with the Humane Society. "One day a week, we're encouraging people to take a holiday from meat, and it's gaining international acceptance.:

Activists also made a push for legislation banning events like killer whale shows at SeaWorld. That issue has been tabled for a year.