Advocacy
Taking Action.
Improving Animal Protection Statewide
Shelter Policy and Legal Services (Shelter PALS) is the San Francisco SPCA’s primary initiative to improve animal rights across California. Shelter PALS works to change laws that protect animals, inform the public about the challenges faced by animal shelters, and provide free legal assistance to animal groups in need. The goal is to ensure that every shelter and rescue has the support it needs to care for animals.
Whether you want to lend your voice as a volunteer or need legal assistance for your shelter or rescue, Shelter PALS is here to help.
Statewide Advocacy for Animal Welfare
For those interested in animal advocacy, Shelter PALS offers a unique way to combine a passion for animals with meaningful policy work. You can see firsthand how legislative language becomes law and how those laws translate into better day-to-day care for animals in shelters.
Pro Bono Legal Support for Shelters
For shelters, Shelter PALS provides no-cost legal support, ranging from contract review and regulatory advice to strategic litigation and outreach to policymakers. Access expert guidance and allow your team to focus on animal care with confidence.
Meet the Team
Bruce Wagman Keith C. Wetmore Shelter PALS Special Counsel
Bruce is a lawyer with Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila LLP. He has dedicated more than three decades to advocating for animals. His expertise is recognized globally through his publications and casework, focusing on “shelter law” and companion animal issues, animals in entertainment and biomedical research, animal cruelty, and farm animal and wildlife protection. He founded Project Chimps, a sanctuary for chimpanzees retired from biomedical research. Bruce represents animal-protection organizations and individuals, offering unwavering dedication to his clients and the animals involved.
Molly Stadum Shelter PALS
Staff Counsel
Molly brings nearly 20 years of legal experience, including in-house roles at Apple and Airbnb, as well as running her own practice. A UCLA graduate with a J.D. from the University of Chicago, she specializes in clear, compassionate, and collaborative legal guidance. Through Shelter PALS, she supports shelters and rescues across California and advocates for policy reform to improve the lives of animals. Molly shares her home—and often her office—with her three beloved rescued dogs and is deeply committed to building a more humane world, one shelter, one policy, and one rescued life at a time.
Legislative and Advocacy Work
We are committed to effecting changes in policy and law that improve the lives and care of companion animals in shelters and their forever homes.
You don’t need a law degree to join Shelter PALS. Anyone with a passion for animals and a willingness to learn can make a difference. Volunteers play a vital role in building awareness among community members and legislators. Shelter PALS offers training webinars and written guides to help you feel confident speaking with elected officials, writing fact sheets, or mobilizing your network, regardless of your prior experience.
If you care about animal welfare and want to see legislation change the lives of shelter pets and their families, Shelter PALS welcomes your involvement.
2025 Advocacy Strategy
We are working to alleviate the shortage of veterinary professionals in California and its impact on animal shelters and underserved communities.
The overall lack of access to veterinary care, including emergency care, results in delayed treatments, increased shelter relinquishments, and significant stress on shelters, veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and animal guardians. We are committed to finding and advancing policy solutions to this shortage, thereby saving animals from suffering while helping shelters and guardians.
Featured Legislation
AB 516 and SB 602 address California’s veterinary care shortage by increasing the efficiency and capacity of veterinary teams. AB 516 clarifies the tasks that Registered Veterinary Technicians (RVTs) and veterinary assistants can perform, and SB 602 allows RVTs to lead wellness vaccine clinics without a veterinarian on-site, helping more animals in shelters and under-resourced communities access timely care.
AB 631 requires animal shelters to publicly post key data about their intake, outcomes, and operations. By increasing transparency and accountability, AB 631 helps communities understand local shelter performance and encourages adoption.
AB 928 strengthens enforcement against illegal bird trafficking by helping animal control agencies crack down on cockfighting. It aims to prevent cruelty and protect birds from exploitation.
SB 312, AB 506, and AB 519 work together to shut down the puppy mill pipeline into California. They improve transparency around dog imports, void misleading sales contracts, and ban retail pet sales from brokers tied to puppy mills—protecting both animals and consumers from inhumane and deceptive practices.
Advocacy Impact
Animal Advocacy Day 2025 Recap
On April 29, the San Francisco SPCA joined forces with animal advocates, state lawmakers, and welfare leaders from across California for our third annual Animal Advocacy Day. It was a
The SF SPCA’s 2025 Legislative Agenda
The San Francisco SPCA is proud to sponsor and support key legislation that addresses some of the most pressing animal welfare issues in California: expanding the ability of pet owners
The San Francisco SPCA Sponsors AB 516 and SB 602
The San Francisco SPCA designed and is sponsoring two critical pieces of legislation to address California’s veterinary care shortage: Assembly Bill 516 (AB 516) and Senate Bill 602 (SB 602).
SF SPCA’s advocacy work is made possible in part by the generous support of the Barbara Wolfe Advocacy Fund.
Receive Emails About Our Work
Join our community to learn about the work we do, our advocacy efforts, and of course—our animals. We’ll share opportunities to help us and use your voice to make a powerful impact.
Shelter Legal Services
Every California animal shelter and rescue should have access to quality legal help,
and Shelter PALS is here to provide it at no cost.
By partnering with us, you join a statewide movement that improves the lives of animals and creates a roadmap for legal reform nationwide. To get started, please complete our online intake form with basic details about your organization and the specific legal issue you need assistance with. By tapping into Shelter PALS, your organization can focus its limited resources on day-to-day animal care while knowing that expert legal guidance is just a phone call away. Let us help you navigate the complexities of shelter law so you can continue your vital work with confidence.
Pro Bono Legal Support For Your Shelter/Rescue
Register your shelter or rescue and become a member of Shelter PALS. Access expert guidance and receive free legal and policy aid.
Shelter PALS Webinars
Shelter PALS Resources
Nothing on this website is intended to provide legal or professional advice. Use of the information on this website does not create an attorney-client relationship.
If you require legal advice that is specific to your situation, and you are a California rescue or shelter, please consider signing up for the Shelter PALS program here.