CA SB1500

Authorizes seizing agencies to dispose of animals deemed abandoned if owners fail to pay seizure and care charges within 14 days or fail to retrieve animals within 14 days of notice of availability.

Allows seizing agencies or prosecutors to petition courts for pre-conviction forfeiture of cats and dogs by establishing beyond a reasonable doubt that owners will be legally prohibited from retaining the animal even if acquitted of criminal charges.

Requires defendants petitioning to reduce mandatory animal ownership prohibitions to establish by preponderance of evidence that they do not present a danger to animals and have ability to properly care for them.

Requires livestock owners petitioning for exemptions from ownership prohibitions to establish by preponderance of evidence that restrictions would cause substantial economic hardship and that they can properly care for livestock.

Adds authorization for animal control officers to administer controlled substance tranquilizers to wild, stray, or abandoned animals with veterinary supervision, subject to training, background check, and agency approval requirements.