The bill amends Section 4-1-26 of the General Laws in Chapter 4-1, titled "Cruelty to Animals," to clarify the definition and consequences of animal abandonment. It establishes that if a person abandons an animal in various locations without providing care, they will face penalties as outlined in existing law. Additionally, the bill specifies that animals impounded by pounds or shelters will be deemed abandoned after a certain period, depending on whether they have identification. The bill also mandates that shelters make reasonable efforts to locate the owners of impounded animals.

Importantly, the bill introduces new provisions that state it shall not be considered abandonment for any person who traps unowned feral or free-roaming cats, causes those cats to be spayed or neutered, and subsequently releases them, provided that the procedures are performed by a licensed veterinarian and the cats are returned to the property where they were trapped. This change aims to encourage responsible management of feral cat populations while ensuring that individuals involved in this practice are not penalized under abandonment laws. The act will take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
5025: 4-1-26