House Bill No. [insert number] proposes the enactment of R.S. 3:2467, which establishes guidelines for the designation and operation of animal shelters in Louisiana. The bill allows any political subdivision to designate an animal shelter to provide services for lost, stray, unowned, or at-large domestic animals within its jurisdiction. It stipulates that designated shelters may be operated by various entities, including political subdivisions, private organizations, or licensed veterinarians. The shelters are required to adhere to minimum standards of care and hold periods, with a default hold period of 72 hours if no specific period is established by local laws. During this time, shelters must make diligent efforts to locate the animal's owner, including scanning for microchips and maintaining records of these efforts.

Furthermore, the bill outlines the process for shelters to acquire ownership of unclaimed animals after the hold period, provided they have made reasonable attempts to notify the owner. It also emphasizes that shelters must maintain continuous possession of the animals and make them available for public viewing. The legislation clarifies that no political subdivision is mandated to designate an animal shelter and protects designated shelters and their employees from liability related to the acquisition and fostering of animals. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the care and management of stray and lost animals while ensuring accountability and compliance with existing laws.