This bill, requested by the Department of Agriculture, Markets, and Food, aims to amend existing laws regarding the transfer of animals by animal shelter facilities. It introduces new requirements for these facilities, mandating that they have a microchip scanner on the premises and maintain a file of recognized pet retrieval agencies. Additionally, upon the admission of an unclaimed or abandoned animal, shelters must inspect for permanent forms of identification and scan for microchips. They are also required to contact registered owners or agents within 72 hours to inform them that the animal is available for reclaiming, and if those owners cannot be located, they must reach out to secondary owners listed in microchip registries.

The bill also removes certain exemptions previously granted to animal shelters concerning the transfer of dogs, cats, and ferrets. Specifically, it eliminates the exemption that allowed shelters to transfer animals without meeting specific health and identification requirements. The new legal language stipulates that no animal shelter shall transfer any dog, cat, or ferret received from outside the state without an official health certificate and until quarantine requirements are met. The bill will take effect two years after the commissioner certifies that the animal records database is operational, while other provisions will take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 437:8
SB442 text: 437:8