HB85 - Animal Census Reporting Act

• Animal shelter owners, operators, managers, and directors must compile monthly reports detailing the number of animals received by species and source (owner surrenders, strays, other shelters, animal control, other).

• Monthly reports must document the disposition of animals including adoptions, owner releases, transfers to other shelters or rescue organizations, euthanasia (by reason: overcrowding, health, behavior), deaths, transfers to research facilities, and sterilizations.

• Reports must include costs incurred for housing, maintenance, feeding, medications, transfer, euthanasia, and other care expenses, excluding employee salaries and benefits.

• Each animal shelter must submit reports within 30 days after the end of each month and make them available to the public upon request as public records that cannot be denied for any reason; shelters may charge a reasonable fee for copies.

• Reports must be maintained for a minimum of three years and include a certification statement from the preparer attesting to accuracy; the act becomes effective on the first day of the third month following passage and approval.