SECTIONS 4500-4501 - California Statutes

FISH AND GAME CODE

SECTION 4500-4501

4500. (a) It is unlawful to take any marine mammal except in
accordance with provisions of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of
1972 (Chapter 31 (commencing with Section 1361) of Title 16 of the
United States Code) or provisions of Title 50 of the Code of Federal
Regulations, or pursuant to subdivision (b) of this section.
(b) At such time as federal laws or regulations permit the state
to assume jurisdiction over marine mammals, the commission may adopt
regulations governing marine mammals and the taking thereof.
(c) For purposes of this chapter, "marine mammals" means sea
otters, whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, and sea lions.

4501. (a) The Legislature finds and declares that several types of
nonpoint source pollution are harmful to sea otters, and that
scientific studies point to links between cat feces, the pathogen
T-gondii, and sea otter mortality. The Legislature further finds and
declares that efforts to reduce the flushing of cat litter and cat
feces are steps toward better water quality in the sea otters'
natural habitat.
(b) Any cat litter offered for sale in this state shall contain
one of the following statements:
(1) "Encouraging your cat to use an indoor litter box, or properly
disposing of outdoor cat feces, is beneficial to overall water
quality. Please do not flush cat litter in toilets or dispose of it
outdoors in gutters or storm drains."
(2) A general statement that encourages the disposal of cat feces
in trash and discourages flushing cat feces in toilets or disposing
of them in drains.