Existing law requires that the holding period for a stray dog or cat impounded in a shelter be 6 business days, not including the day of impoundment, with exceptions, as provided. Existing law requires a shelter, during this holding period and before adoption or euthanasia, to scan the dog or cat for a microchip that identifies the owner of that dog or cat and to make reasonable efforts to contact the owner.
This bill would prohibit a public animal control agency or shelter, society for the prevention of cruelty to animals shelter, humane society shelter, or rescue group from releasing a dog or cat to an owner seeking to reclaim it, or adopting out, selling, or giving away a dog or cat to a new owner, unless the dog or cat is or will be microchipped, as specified. If the agency, shelter, or group does not have microchipping capability on location, the bill would require that the agency, shelter, or group make a good faith effort to locate available free or discounted regional microchipping services and provide that information to the owner or new owner. The bill would exempt from these microchipping requirements a dog or cat that is medically unfit for a microchipping procedure, or a dog or cat reclaimed or received by an owner who signs a form stating that the cost of microchipping would impose an economic hardship for the owner, as provided. Under the bill, an agency, shelter, or group that violates these provisions on or after January 1, 2022, would be subject to a civil penalty of $100, except as specified.

Statutes affected:
SB573: 50210 HSC, 50214 HSC, 50215 HSC
02/22/19 - Introduced: 50210 HSC, 50214 HSC, 50215 HSC
05/21/19 - Amended Senate: 50210 HSC, 50214 HSC, 50215 HSC
02/10/20 - Amended Assembly: 50210 HSC, 50214 HSC, 50215 HSC