What's happening
This bill requires animal shelters and related organizations to promptly provide seized, lost, stray, or surrendered animals with proper care, food, water, and veterinary attention.
Why it matters
Sets explicit, enforceable standards for animal care. The bill spells out specific requirements for immediate inspection, veterinary attention, parasite control, vaccinations, shelter, food, and water for every animal taken in, raising the standard of care beyond vague or minimal requirements.
Applies to all organizations handling animals. The law covers a wide range of entities—from municipal agencies to humane societies and contracted shelters—ensuring there are no loopholes or gaps in animal care regardless of who takes custody.
Addresses both physical and medical needs promptly. By mandating immediate inspection and treatment to relieve pain and suffering, along with ongoing access to food, shelter, and non-frozen water, the bill takes a comprehensive approach to animal welfare in shelters.
Expands protections to surrendered pets. It doesn’t just address strays or seized animals—dogs given up by owners must also receive these protections, potentially reducing suffering for animals at risk during owner surrenders.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Improve Dog Shelter Standards
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
3 Multi-sponsors
History
- Referred to agriculture
- Referred to agriculture
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Improve Dog Shelter Care
In Senate Committee · Agriculture · Sponsor Patrick M. Gallivan
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3348
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 27, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. PAULIN, GALEF -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. ENGLEBRIGHT, GOTTFRIED, PERRY -- read once and referred to the Committee on Agriculture
AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to improving shelter care
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 3 of section 117 of the agriculture and markets law, as added by chapter 220 of the laws of 1978 and such section as renumbered by section 12 of part T of chapter 59 of the laws of 2010, is amended to read as follows:
3. [Each] For each dog seized in accordance with the provisions of this article [shall be properly sheltered, fed and watered for the redemption period as hereinafter provided], the dog control officer or peace officer, acting pursuant to their special duties, or police officer in the employ of or under contract to a municipality, or any duly incorporated society for the prevention of cruelty to animals, duly incorporated humane society, pound or shelter that is operated by or under contract to a municipality and is taking possession of such dog, whichever has possession of the dog shall:
(a) promptly inspect each dog following any seizure and promptly ensure dogs are provided with care and treatment to relieve any pain and suffering, including necessary immediate veterinary care and treatment and parasite control, and appropriate vaccinations, and
(b) during the time the dog is in the possession, care or control of such officer, society, pound or shelter, properly shelter and feed each dog, and make accessible at all times potable, non-frozen water to each dog.
§ 2. Section 373 of the agriculture and markets law is amended by adding a new subdivision 1-b to read as follows:
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08567-01-7
A. 3348 2
1-b. Any officer, agent or society as described in subdivision one of this section or pound or shelter operated by or under contract to a municipality that is taking possession of a lost, stray or homeless animal under the provisions of this section, whichever has possession of the animal during the applicable period, shall:
(a) promptly inspect each such animal after taking possession and promptly provide the animal with care and treatment to relieve any pain and suffering, including necessary immediate veterinary care and treatment and parasite control, and appropriate vaccinations; and
(b) during the time the animal is in the possession, care or control of such officer, society, pound or shelter, properly shelter and feed each animal, and make accessible at all times potable, non-frozen water to each animal.
§ 3. The agriculture and markets law is amended by adding a new section 125 to read as follows:
§ 125. Surrendered dogs. 1. For each dog surrendered by its owner, any duly incorporated society for the prevention of cruelty to animals, duly incorporated humane society, pound or shelter that is operated by or under contract to a municipality and is taking possession of such dog, whichever has possession of the dog shall:
(a) promptly inspect each dog following any seizure and promptly ensure dogs are provided with care and treatment to relieve any pain and suffering, including necessary immediate veterinary care and treatment and parasite control, and appropriate vaccinations, and
(b) during the time the dog is in the possession, care or control of such officer, society, pound or shelter, properly shelter and feed each dog, and make accessible at all times potable, non-frozen water to each dog.
§ 4.This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have become a law.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.