Hi Reader,

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We’ve got a problem.

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SB 1234, the bill to finally update Arizona’s outdated animal cruelty laws, passed the Senate with strong bipartisan support. But now it’s stalling in the House—and that’s no accident.

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Instead of moving forward like it should, the bill has been assigned to two separate committees in the House: Judiciary and Rules, and Natural Resources, Energy, and Water. That’s not normal. It’s a tactic used to bury bills quietly before they ever get a fair hearing.​

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We’re now racing the clock. If the bill isn’t heard by both committees asap, it dies.

Why this matters so much

The Arizona Humane Society responded to over 16,000 service calls in 2024 alone, including more than 10,000 animal cruelty cases. That’s a 31% increase in service calls and a 29% spike in cruelty cases over the past two years (Source).

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Most of these cases involve pets being denied even the most basic care—clean water, food, shelter, and medical attention. And under current Arizona law, much of that neglect is still technically legal.

​SB 1234 would finally fix that.​

What the bill actually does

• Clearly defines cruelty to include intentionally denying medical care that would prevent pain
• Requires food and water to be clean, species-appropriate, and provided daily
• Says shelter must be structurally sound, protect from weather and injury, and allow the pet to stand, lie down, and turn around
• Expands protections to mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians kept as pets
• Makes it easier for veterinarians to document abuse and support prosecutions

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As Steve Hansen, President & CEO of the Arizona Humane Society, said:

Now, this bill changes that—and gives law enforcement and vets the legal clarity they’ve needed for years.

And here’s something else that matters

One of my original concerns about the bill was whether it might unfairly punish people living in poverty or unhoused individuals who are doing their best to care for their pets.​

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Thankfully, the bill was written to protect against that.​
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It does not criminalize poverty. It does not allow pets to be taken from unhoused people simply because they don’t have a permanent home.

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This bill focuses on intentional cruelty and serious neglect—not people doing the best they can with limited resources.

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That matters. Compassion should never be one-sided.

What you can do right now

Time is running out. But we can still push this bill forward—if enough of us speak up.

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Contact the House committee chairs and ask them to hear SB 1234 immediately.

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Let them know this bill has broad support across Arizona, and it deserves a fair hearing.

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Committee Chairs to Contact:

• Rep. Quang Nguyen (Judiciary Committee)
  📞 602-926-3258
  📧 QNguyen@azleg.gov
• Rep. Gail Griffin (Natural Resources, Energy & Water Committee)
  📞 602-926-5895
  📧 GGriffin@azleg.gov

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Be respectful but firm. Say you're a constituent or supporter, and you believe SB 1234 deserves to be heard. Because it does.

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Not in Arizona? You still have power.

• Share this message with Arizona friends or family
• Post about SB 1234 on social and tag Arizona lawmakers

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“This bill is only asserting that pet owners provide the basic needs for their pets,” said Tracey Miller of the Arizona Humane Society.

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That’s it. The basics. Nothing more, nothing less.

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Let’s make sure this bill doesn’t stall out. Arizona pets are counting on us.

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With hope and urgency,

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