CT HB05368

Creates a new registration requirement for "animal importers" — persons or organizations (including nonprofit rescues) that bring dogs or cats into Connecticut from another state or country for sale, adoption, or transfer — requiring a $100 annual registration fee and submission of contact, agent, and import volume information to the Commissioner of Agriculture

Requires animal importers to have each imported dog or cat examined by a Connecticut-licensed veterinarian within 48 hours of importation and again no more than 15 days before any sale, adoption, or transfer, with a written certificate confirming the animal is free of illness; violations are punishable by fines up to $500 per animal

Mandates that animal importers planning to offer animals at public or outdoor venues (e.g., parking lots, shopping centers) notify the Department of Agriculture and the local zoning enforcement officer at least 10 days in advance, with fines of up to $100 per animal for failure to provide notice

Prohibits the import, export, sale, adoption, or transfer of any dog or cat under eight weeks of age unless transported with its dam, and increases the maximum fine for violating animal importation health certificate requirements from $100 to $500

Authorizes the Commissioner of Agriculture to inspect any animal imported by an animal importer and related records (excluding entry into the importer's residence), and requires importers to maintain veterinary service records for each imported animal for three years