SB51 - Animal Census Reporting Act

• Animal shelters must compile and submit monthly reports within 30 days of each month's end detailing the number of animals by species received from owner surrenders, strays, other shelters, animal control, and other sources.

• 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 other entities, and animals sterilized after arrival.

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

• Animal shelters must make reports available to the public upon request as public records that cannot be denied, and may charge a reasonable fee; reports must be retained for a minimum of three years.

• Reports must include a certification statement by the preparer attesting to accuracy; violations create no civil or criminal liability; the act becomes effective on the first day of the third month following passage and approval.