Social Compassion in Legislation

Social Compassion in Legislation You may not know of us yet, but if you love animals, you know our work. Since 2007, we have sponsored more than 80 bills, and had 30 of them signed into law.

Our campaigns have brought more compassion into the world and saved countless animal lives.

06/02/2026

June 1, 2026 Sacramento, CA - AB 1382, the Ethics Over Aesthetics Act, authored by Assemblywoman Leticia Castillo (R-Corona) and sponsored by Social Compassion in Legislation, passed the Senate Business, Professions, and Economic Development Committee with a preliminary unanimous vote of 6 - 0.

As start-up companies actively attempt to create novelty pets such as rabbits with glow-in-the-dark fur or “unicorns,” AB 1382 will prohibit the sale of these animals that have been genetically modified for cosmetic purposes. Beyond the fact that altering an animal’s genome for the novelty and profit of it is highly unethical, these “Frankenstein” animals would only exacerbate our pet overpopulation crisis.

“As we continue to deal with the pet overpopulation crisis, there are companies which want to worsen it by exploiting animals through biohacking,” said Judie Mancuso, Founder and President of bill sponsor, Social Compassion in Legislation. “AB 1382 is a landmark bill which draws a line in the sand and says Californians will not stand for it. We thank the Committee for recognizing the importance of stopping this shameful industry.”

The bill now moves to the Senate Judiciary Committee where it will be heard later this month. Stay tuned for updates!

05/28/2026

Episode 9 of the Because They Need Us Podcast highlights Compassion PAC’s endorsement of Janelle Kellman for Lieutenant Governor of California.

📺 Watch Full Episode |
https://socialcompassion.substack.com/p/compassion-pac-endorses-janelle-kellman

This in-depth conversation with hosts Judie Mancuso and Nick Sackett expands on ‘s views on compassionate leadership, environmental protection, animal welfare, and California’s future.

A former mayor of Sausalito, environmental and land use attorney, nonprofit founder, and climate resilience expert, Kellman discusses how her background in environmental law, wildfire prevention, coastal resilience, and disaster preparedness shapes her vision for California. The conversation explores the critical connection between habitat protection, marine conservation, clean water, wildfire response, and animal welfare policy.

Kellman shares how the Lieutenant Governor’s role on the Coastal Commission, State Lands Commission, and higher education boards can help advance humane policies, restore ecosystems, strengthen climate resilience, and create workforce pathways in habitat restoration, marine science, and animal care. She also highlights the importance of protecting California’s coastline, restoring kelp forests and wetlands, reducing pollution runoff, and ensuring emergency planning includes animals during disasters.

This thoughtful and inspiring episode examines how compassion, science, and practical policy solutions can work together to protect animals, communities, and the environment for generations to come — with a few heartwarming cat stories along the way.

Remember to vote for Janelle Kellman for California’s next Lieutenant Governor!

Learn more about Janelle:
janellekellman.com

Support Compassion PAC:
https://socialcompassioninlegislation.org/political-action-committee/

05/27/2026

Our cosponsored bill with the Los Angeles County District Attorneys Office, AB 2344, the Justice for Seized Animals Act authored by Assemblymember Matt Haney (D-San Francisco) was passed unanimously by the full Assembly with a final vote of 78 - 0.

The bill will allow prosecutors to petition a court to require the forfeiture of animals seized in abuse cases so they can be adopted into loving homes sooner, instead of being forced to remain in shelters for months or even years as evidence while criminal cases move through the court system.

“Today’s unanimous Assembly floor vote sends a powerful message that California will not tolerate prolonged suffering for animal victims of abuse,” said Judie Mancuso, Founder and President of Social Compassion in Legislation “AB 2344 passed the full Assembly with overwhelming bipartisan support because lawmakers understand that animals who have already endured horrific cruelty should not be forced to languish in shelters for months or even years while criminal cases slowly move through the courts.”

“As co-sponsors of this legislation alongside the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, we are proud to help lead this effort to give animal victims the opportunity to begin healing in safe, loving homes as quickly as possible. We are deeply grateful to Assemblymember Matt Haney for authoring and championing this important bill, and to the members of the Assembly for their unanimous support.”

The bill now moves to the Senate where it will be heard in the Senate Business, Professions, and Economic Development Committee in June. As always, stay tuned for updates!

A horrific and still developing story out of Fortuna, California, where Miranda's Rescue is accused of shooting dogs in ...
05/21/2026

A horrific and still developing story out of Fortuna, California, where Miranda's Rescue is accused of shooting dogs in the head in order to continue accepting shelter dogs for payment.

Thanks to the Lost Coast Outpost for it's detailed reporting on the story:
https://lostcoastoutpost.com/2026/may/20/mirandas-rescue-neighbor-says-she-caught-him-camer/

In summary, the Sheriff's investigation shows evidence that Shannon Miranda has been "rescuing" dogs from various animal shelters around the state, including Oakland, Berkeley, Palm Springs, Solano County and others in order to collect the fees that either the shelter or an affiliated nonprofit would pay Miranda to take the animal. The investigation states that Miranda would've taken in at least $178,000 over 3 years from Oakland Animal Shelter alone.

Detective Aguilera believes that Miranda killed dogs to make space for new dogs and to therefore receive more payments.

One of the discovered dogs was identified by a microchip as Zora, a black female dog in good health and of good temperament, who had been transferred from Oakland Animal Services a few weeks before her death. Miranda had sent a photo to a shelter employee in April stating that Zora had been adopted; similar lies have been told of other dogs.

The story states that the Sheriff's Major Crimes Division is now investigating Miranda over “credible” allegations of felony animal abuse, animal cruelty, fraud and conspiracy.

The story highlights the role of Jennifer Raymond, founder of the Humboldt Spay/Neuter Network, who bought a parcel of land next to Miranda in order to see with her own eyes what she suspected was happening on the property and report to the authorities. A true hero!

We encourage any nonprofits which have transferred dogs to Miranda or any of the animal shelters which Miranda pulled animals from to immediately stop all transfers and all payments to ensure their nonprofit dollars are not supporting this criminal activity.

The Sheriff’s Office is requesting any tips or information relevant to this investigation be called in to their tip line at 707-268-2539.

05/21/2026

Social Compassion in Legislation's sponsored Compassion PAC, is endorsing Janelle Kellman for Lieutenant Governor!

🔸 Meet Janelle Kellman

https://www.janellekellman.com

“I’m an environmental lawyer, small business owner, and former mayor [of Sausalito, CA]. I’ve served as a planning commissioner. I’ve helped write climate policy. And I run a nonprofit focused on helping communities prepare for risks like fires, floods, and dealing with insurance companies.’’

🔸 Education

B.A. History Yale
(Varsity field hockey and lacrosse)

MSc, Environmental Management Oxford
(Oxford basketball and rowing)

J.D., Stanford

🔸 The Lieutenant Governor also has critical climate and ocean roles:

- Serves on and alternates as chair of the State Lands Commission

- Serves as one of seven members of the California Ocean Protection Council

- California Coastal Commission member

🐾 On Animal Rights

“I believe animal welfare is not a side issue, it's a measure of our values in practice.’’
-Janelle Kellman

🐷 Compassion PAC

Help us elect compassionate and qualified candidates for the state of California.

Please consider donating to Compassion PAC so that we can support as many candidates as possible who share our values.

https://socialcompassioninlegislation.org/political-action-committee/

05/20/2026

All NEW Episode 8 of the Because They Need Us Podcast | Judie Mancuso & Nick Sackett are joined by Emma Hurst to expose the harsh realities of Australia’s commercial kangaroo industry and the international fight to stop wildlife exploitation.

🇬🇸 About Emma Hurst

Emma Hurst is an Australian Member of Parliament representing New South Wales and a leading voice for animal protection through the Animal Justice Party. Since entering office, she has championed legislation and investigations focused on wildlife protection, factory farming, companion animal welfare, and ending cruel commercial animal industries. Her work has made her one of Australia’s most recognized political advocates for animals and ethical reform.

🦘 Watch Part 1 | Inside the Kangaroo Industry
https://socialcompassion.substack.com/p/inside-the-kangaroo-industry-featuring

🐨 Watch Part 2: | The International Effort to Save Wildlife
https://socialcompassion.substack.com/p/the-international-effort-to-save

05/20/2026

All NEW Episode 8 of the Because They Need Us | Judie Mancuso & Nick Sackett are joined by Emma Hurst to expose the harsh realities of Australia’s commercial kangaroo industry and the international fight to stop wildlife exploitation.

🇬🇸 About Emma Hurst

Emma Hurst is an Australian Member of Parliament representing New South Wales and a leading voice for animal protection through the Animal Justice Party. Since entering office, she has championed legislation and investigations focused on wildlife protection, factory farming, companion animal welfare, and ending cruel commercial animal industries. Her work has made her one of Australia’s most recognized political advocates for animals and ethical reform.

🦘 Watch Part 1 | Inside the Kangaroo Industry
https://socialcompassion.substack.com/p/inside-the-kangaroo-industry-featuring

🐨 Watch Part 2: | The International Effort to Save Wildlife
https://socialcompassion.substack.com/p/the-international-effort-to-save

"LOS ANGELES — The animal welfare system continues its march towards collapse as City leaders appear resigned to accept ...
05/19/2026

"LOS ANGELES — The animal welfare system continues its march towards collapse as City leaders appear resigned to accept preventable downstream consequences rather than invest in affordable prevention.

Shelters are dangerously overcrowded. Millions of taxpayer dollars are wasted annually on the risks and financial liabilities resulting from unchecked animal populations. A chronically underfunded system kills thousands of sheltered animals–not because they are sick or dangerous, but because they fall within a morally indefensible rate of loss baked into a set of myopic policy choices.

The cause is fixable and well understood. Yet, year after year, City leaders opt for inaction and allow the problem to deepen, proposing cuts or simply ignoring LA Animal Services and core population control programs like spay and neuter.

This year’s proposed budget exemplifies this pattern. Mayor Karen Bass’s 2026–27 budget increases funding to LA Animal Services by just 1.6% and makes only marginal adjustments to spay and neuter programs, failing to keep pace with inflation. This is not fiscal restraint. It is negligence [...]"

Read the full article by Dr. Gary Michelson in the Westside Current:
https://www.westsidecurrent.com/living/pets/op-ed-the-city-kills-thousands-of-shelter-animals-while-defunding-solutions/article_f8354376-92ba-484e-8e60-f84faad7584f.html

🚨 NEW EPISODE OUT NOW 🚨Part 1 of Episode 8 of the Because They Need Us Podcast is live! 🎙️🦘Join Judie Mancuso, Nick Sack...
05/16/2026

🚨 NEW EPISODE OUT NOW 🚨

Part 1 of Episode 8 of the Because They Need Us Podcast is live! 🎙️🦘

Join Judie Mancuso, Nick Sackett and special guest Emma Hurst, a Member of Australian Parliament and leading animal advocate, for an eye-opening conversation about Australia’s commercial kangaroo industry and the global fight to stop its expansion.

Emma shares the disturbing realities behind kangaroo hunting, including the killing of joeys, concerns over inaccurate population estimates, and the public health risks associated with kangaroo meat. Together, they also discuss the successful effort to defeat California’s SB 1212 — a bill that would have reopened California’s market to kangaroo products after decades of protections.

This episode is a powerful look at how international advocacy, public pressure, and compassionate legislation can help protect wildlife from cruel commercial exploitation.

🎧 Listen now and help spread awareness.
https://socialcompassion.substack.com/p/inside-the-kangaroo-industry-featuring

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