Care Of Dogs And Cats In Pet Animal Facilities

The act requires each animal shelter and pet animal rescue to:

• Provide each dog and cat held in its custody with timely veterinary care to address and prevent unnecessary or unjustifiable pain and suffering; and
• Address the behavioral needs of each dog and cat held in its custody to ensure that the dog or cat is not housed or kept in a manner that fosters stereotypic or self-mutilating behavior.

The act also makes it unlawful for a person to import or cause to be imported any dog or cat for the purpose of sale by a pet animal facility, unless the dog or cat has a certificate of veterinary health and, if the dog or cat is over 6 months old, proof of a rabies vaccination.

(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)