Establishes standards for the care of abandoned, stray or seized animals and requires the release of a shelter animal to a rescue group upon request of the rescue group

Summary of specific provisions

Section 1: - This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Companion Animal Access and Rescue Act" (CAARA).

Section 2: -Amends subdivisions 3, 4, 6, 7-a and 8 of section 117 of the agriculture and markets law to establish that the animal is to be cared for in accordance with the provisions of 373-a of the agriculture and markets law.

-Sets guidelines for owners to claim their impounded animal from rescue organizations

Section 3: -Amends the agriculture and markets law by adding a new section 373-a to set the responsibilities of the impounding organization and guidelines for how the impounded animal is to be cared for.

Section 4: -Amends subdivision 2 of section 374 of the agriculture and markets law as amended by chapter 449 of the laws of 20 10 to allow the impounding organization to make impounded animals available for adoption if they have not been claimed after 5 days.

Section 5: -Amends section 374 of the agriculture and markets law by adding a new subdivision 9 to set guidelines for what steps and conditions must be met for an animal to be destroyed.

Section 6:

-Sets effective date.

Justification

Animal welfare organizations should work collectively to ensure that animals are not put to death where responsible alternatives exist. In California, the Hayden Law of 1998 includes a provision, which this bill is modeled after, allowing not-for-profit animal rescue or

animal adoption organizations to request possession of a dog or cat prior to its killing. Also, in 2010 Delaware passed similar legislation that seeks to find sheltered animals homes, rather than euthanize them. Both bills passed with overwhelming bipartisan support. In California, the bill was approved by a vote of 96 to 12. In Delaware, the bill passed both houses of the legislature unanimously.

The Companion Animal Access and Rescue Act (CAARA) would require that a not-for-profit animal rescue or adoption organization must be granted possession of an animal, on request, if a shelter, society for the prevention of cruelty to animals, humane society or pound plans to destroy the animal. The act would not apply in cases where the animal is physically suffering or is exhibiting signs of rabies. A regular adoption fee, in addition to a spay or neuter deposit, could be assessed to the adoptive organization under this act.

This bill also goes a step further by outlining the responsibilities of those working in animal shelters and setting guidelines for how the animal is to be cared for while in their possession. These provisions cover everything from food and exercise requirements to maintaining lists, both on paper and on the internet, of the animals currently in the shelter's possession to help facilitate finding these animals homes.

CAARA will also save the public money. The costs associated with both housing and caring for shelter animals, along with euthanizing them, is a burden placed on taxpayers. As more private rescue groups and humane societies are given access to these animals, we can save taxpayers money in these economically challenging times.

Prior legislative history

None.

Fiscal implications

To be determined.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.