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Since the Friends of the Alameda Animal Shelter (FAAS) assumed responsibility for the shelter on Jan. 1, we've made several significant improvements:

• Expanded hours: We increased the hours the shelter is open to make it easier for people to visit the animals, find a new best friend, pay for an animal license or volunteer. Now we are open all weekend and on Wednesdays until 7 p.m.

• Increased adoptions: We have already adopted 26 animals out to new homes, sent 16 lost dogs and cats back to their worried guardians and offered a temporary home to more than 35 animals each day.

• Created new programs: We have started a small foster care program to help animals get the attention they need while waiting for their new home. Our revamped volunteer program gets underway this month.

• Created a new fund: The Alameda veterinary community has been extremely supportive of the shelter and helps us with discounts and donations, but we still anticipate spending approximately $60,000 for medical expenses to make our shelter guests healthy and ready for a new home. Donations to our new Angel Fund will be used to pay for medical needs.

• Created a wish list: The shelter needs lots of supplies and special items to keep our animal guests well-fed, comfortable, clean and safe. For a complete list of things we need, find us on Facebook.

On another note, the FAAS board of directors has voted to oppose Gov. Jerry Brown's proposal to repeal the Hayden Bill which requires shelters to hold animals for four days or longer.

Decreasing the hold period will not save the state money, but will result in countless numbers of companion animals being euthanized before their owners can locate them in shelters. A repeal of this law will take away a key community service and shelters will become the place where beloved pets may die if owners are not quick enough to find them there.

Animal advocates fought hard to get the Hayden Bill passed to improve the lives of animals in shelters and help them find new homes.

Nothing in the repeal of this law will benefit animals, their owners or communities. Most important, the animals are not responsible for the state's budget deficit and should not have to pay with their lives to try and fix California's financial problems.

Mim Carlson is the executive director of Friends of the Alameda Animal Shelter.