California Code, Food and Agricultural Code (Formerly Agricultural Code) - FAC § 18951

(a) A significant number of persons raise their own animals or purchase their animals alive and then have them slaughtered.

(b) Rather than have their animals slaughtered under unsanitary conditions, those persons would prefer to have their animals slaughtered at sanitary slaughter establishments and have an informed determination made as to the fitness of the carcasses and parts for food.

(c) With the reduction in number of United States Department of Agriculture inspected slaughter plants in California, there has been a substantial increase in small custom slaughter houses to serve that need.